165. Underwater dungeon

Lucian’s sharp eyes scanned the space, narrowing as they landed on the figure seated leisurely at a table, a crystal goblet in hand. The liquid within moved darkly, its coppery scent was unmistakably there, even at a distance. Lucian’s nose scrunched up involuntarily—revulsion crossing his eyes before he forced his face. He wanted to act indifferent to the sight before him. But the stench... it was impossible to ignore. Rot and death hung thick in the air, emanating from the man before him like a shroud. No matter how many times Lucian had dealt with Shakran, the smell always made his stomach churn. Shakran lifted his head lazily, his crimson eyes boring into Lucian. His lips curled up, revealing unnaturally sharp teeth that had stained faintly with the remnants of his last meal. “Lucian,” he drawled. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit? Have you already assembled your army?” Lucian scoffed, and bit back his disgust. "Don’t talk to me as if you have any authority here, blood drinker. My army has been ready for months. Even the mercenaries I hired are still in place, draining my coffers every single day. It’s who’s stalling. Why hasn’t it started? I want Veralt razed to the ground, and I want it now." Shakran’s smile widened, his fangs glinting due to the flickering light of the single lantern that hung above. He leaned back in his chair, swirling the goblet lazily before taking another slurp. “Ah, Lucian,” he flared his nostrils. “Just as you don’t work for me, I don't work for you. I am here as a courtesy–a favor from Mistress Regina to assist you in this… quest of yours.” Lucian bristled at the mention of Regina, but Shakran continued before he could speak. "As for the delay," Shakran said, placing the goblet down with a soft clink, "you’ll be pleased to know it won’t be much longer. Tonight, under the cover of the dead of night, Sylvan Enclave will know terror. The screams will echo far and wide. When the chaos is at its peak, you can march your righteous forces into the fray. And as for this brother of yours..." Shakran twisted his head like a mad man as his crimson eyes glowed even more. His smile widened. "I will handle him personally." "No, you won’t." “And why not?” Irritation dripped from Shakran's voice as he asked that. "The spy from Archine Tower is already in position. When the war begins, he’ll take care of Arzan. With him gone, the rest of his forces will crumble like sand underfoot. From the reports, he’s the spearhead. Without him, this so-called fief war won’t last a single day." A flicker of disappointment crossed Shakran’s face, quickly replaced by a sly smirk. "How utterly boring! I was hoping to have a go at him myself. It’s been too long since I’ve faced a worthy opponent and from what I have heard about your brother, he seems like the right choice." Lucian’s eyes narrowed. "Do you think this is a game?" Shakran leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table, his smile never wavering. "It’s not," he said, his voice a low purr. "But hunting strong Mages? That’s a personal game of mine. And, of course, drinking their blood. There’s nothing quite like the taste of a Mage who has fought to their last breath." Lucian’s jaw tightened, his disgust barely concealed. "If this spy of ours—or should I say assassin—manages to kill him, his body will be buried according to the customs." Shakran tilted his head, intrigued. "How sentimental of you. I didn’t think you’d care for such traditions." Lucian’s gaze turned icy. "I hate my brother," he said coldly, "but I’ll make sure his grave is made. Not for respect, but so I can look at it and revel in my victory. But if you do your part well, I might let you have your moment. You can suck him up before we bury him. Consider it... a reward." Shakran’s eyes gleamed with unrestrained hunger, and his lips curled into a pleased grin. "Very well. You won’t be disappointed by tonight’s show, Duke." *** Kai stood at the bow of the sleek wooden boat. The gentle current carried them forward. The only thing he heard was the sound of the water mingling with the occasional rustle of leaves from the dense forest flanking the banks. Over an hour had passed since they’d departed Sylvastra, leaving behind the ancient, wooden city of elves and its stoic elders with little fanfare. The farewell had been surprisingly warm. The elders, including the once-grim Caelith, had bid them safe travels, their earlier tension seemingly replaced by cautious optimism. Even so, the silence among Kai's retinue hinted at the uncertainty that had settled over them. He’d waited until the boat was well underway before explaining his plan. The initial reactions had been mixed—not from lack of faith in his abilities, but from concern about the risks involved. And he could tell that his team was still not entirely comfortable with his decision. “Are you really sure about this, Lord Arzan?” Gareth finally spoke up, breaking up the silence that’d engulfed them awkwardly. “I wouldn’t have decided without careful thought,” he replied. “And I’ve already explained the plan to you in detail.” Gareth hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Yes, but we’ll be risking our lives for this, Lord Arzan. My life is fine to gamble, but I need to make sure that you’re safe.” That earned a smile from Kai, his eyes softened just enough to erase some of his tension. “Gareth, I’m capable enough to look after myself. I know you’re concerned because we haven’t faced anything that’s challenging since the beast wave, but this will be a good test of our mettle.” He saw the man open his mouth to respond, but before he could, Raven stepped into the conversation. “Do we really need to test ourselves against the ?” “Yes, we should. The rivers running through the Sylvan Enclave are vital, and I need eyes on them. Hiring a crew to patrol would draw too much attention. But if we can subdue the kraken and bind it with druidic magic, we’ll rule the waterways. With its strength, we’ll reach Veralt in less than two days instead of a week.” Hesitation showed in Raven's face as she thought for some time, probably thinking of some way to change his mind. “I see the logic,” she said after a while, not finding anything. “I’ll keep an eye on the monster.” The rest of the group remained silent, focusing on the river and any creatures that might sprang up from beneath the surface. Kai took a deep breath. He hadn’t initially planned to confront the kraken so soon; it had been a far-off idea, spurred by Raven’s story of the creature. But Claire’s recent bond with a Grade 3 spirit had changed the equation. With two Spirit Trainers, seasoned Enforcers, and his own power, Kai doubted the kraken would stand much of a chance. In preparation, they’d stocked the boat with an arsenal of alchemical potions used for battles. Sylvastra had no lack of herbs and alchemical materials and thanks to that, Kai had been able to prepare all of them just before they left. And with that, more possibilities churned, increasing his confidence due to the potent tools at their disposal. He turned his eyes towards the river, squinting to notice it's sheer depth. Rather than the actual battle, their first hurdle was to reach the underground dungeon. Its location had been the major reason for no elf to subdue it before, but it didn’t limit Kai. He had already gotten a way to breath without a problem under water and now, the remaining task was to put the plan into action. The boat drifted to a gentle halt as Raven raised her hand, signaling the twins to stop rowing. The wide river was calm here, the only sound was the faint creak of wood and the soft lapping of water against the hull. Ahead, a massive tree loomed over the river, its gnarled roots dipping into the water like fat fingers of an old man. Raven turned back. “Lord Arzan, I believe this is the location. There should be an underwater cave here—it’s where the dungeon is supposed to be.” Kai nodded, already reaching for the satchel beside him. He pulled out several small vials filled with a faintly glowing blue liquid. The potion, which was dubbed ‘Aqua Vitae’ had been prepared back in Sylvastra. “Alright,” Kai said, distributing the vials. “Drink it. We’ll head underwater once it takes effect.” Finn looked hesitant as he looked at the simmering blue liquid. “What about the boat?” “I’ll stay behind,” Finnigan volunteered. “Someone needs to guard it and our supplies. No telling what else might lurk in these waters.” Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kai nodded his approval, passing the remaining vials. As they held the vials in their hands, Gareth furrowed his brow. “How does this work?” “Water contains oxygen, but it’s in such small amounts that humans can’t process it. Sea creatures, however, can. The potion creates temporary pores across your skin that absorb dissolved oxygen from the water, allowing you to breathe. It lasts for an hour, so don’t waste time. Also, we wouldn’t be able to talk under water, so use hand signs whenever necessary. Keep an eye on each other. Once we find the dungeon, it should be easy.” The group nodded, albeit warily. Kai uncorked his vial and downed the contents in one gulp. The liquid was surprisingly warm and salty, making him wonder if he had used too much of the herbaster grass. Almost immediately, his skin prickled as though tiny needles were dancing across it. The sensation intensified, popping and itching, until it settled into a strange equilibrium. As he adjusted to the potion’s effects, Kai drew a deep breath and cast [Wind Veil]. A translucent barrier of air came to life around each of them. A spell to help them enhance their visibility and improve their ability to move around in the water. “Let’s go now.” Raven was the first to leap into the river, her form disappearing with barely a splash. One by one, the others followed until only Kai and the twin guarding the boat remained. With a quick glance back, Kai dove in, the cool water enveloping him in an instant. Beneath the surface, the world transformed into an ethereal realm of blues and greens. Sunlight filtered through the water, creating shifting patterns that danced over the sandy riverbed. Schools of fish darted to and fro, shimmering like living jewels. A group of silvery minnows swirled in a ‘V’ formation, scattering as Kai moved closer. He activated his [Mana Perception], sending out invisible pulses to search for the dungeon. Almost immediately, he felt it—a centralized concentration of mana deeper beneath the river. With a flick of his hand, he conjured a glowing [Lightball], its light cutting through the water and illuminating their path. Kai turned to the others and gestured, signaling the direction of the mana source. They nodded back in return. They swam deeper, the light from the surface fading as they descended. The world around them grew quieter, save for the rhythmic pulse of their movement and the faint hum of mana that Kai could feel in his heart. Strange underwater plants swayed gently in unseen currents, their tendrils brushing against the intruders. A crab the size of a dinner plate scuttled away, claws raised defensively. The water grew colder, thicker, darker and heavier with each passing moment, and Kai could feel the subtle but relentless push against his body. Yet, the more they descended, the stronger the mana pulse became, resonating in Kai’s heart like a deep drumbeat. After ten minutes of silent swimming, they finally reached it—a large opening. The edges of the cave mouth were encrusted with coral and faintly glowing bioluminescent plants, marking it like the maw. Kai gestured to the others, pointing toward the entrance, and began swimming toward it. The group moved cautiously. The water inside was darker, muffling even the faintest currents from the outside river. The walls were smooth and oddly uniform, as if carved intentionally rather than formed by nature. Ahead, the terrain began to slope upward, and soon their heads broke through the water’s surface. They emerged into a massive cave. The group climbed out of the water, droplets dripping from their clothes and gear, and stood on solid ground at last. Kai scanned the area as the others caught their breath. The faint glimmer of light from the cavern walls was just enough to see by, though the shadows danced menacingly in the corners. He focused on the overwhelming surge of mana deeper inside. “We need to move,” Kai whispered. “I can feel a large source of mana up ahead—probably the core of the dungeon. Let’s not waste time.” The group nodded, looking at each other tensely. But soon, their focus shifted back to the task at hand. As they moved forward, their steps echoed faintly in the eerie stillness. Every single creak of armor or scrape of a boot against the rocky ground felt deafening in the oppressive silence. Kai’s gaze darted around, his mana perception on high alert. Yet, as he had suspected, there was nothing. No movement, no sign of life. If the kraken truly resided here, it wouldn’t have tolerated any other creatures in its domain. Between its territorial nature and the dungeon’s inhospitable depth, it was unlikely that anything else could survive here. After several minutes of tense walking, the tunnel opened into a vast chamber. Kai halted, raising a hand to signal the group to stop. The room ahead was massive, its scale impossible to fully comprehend from their position at the edge. A faint, pulsating glow emanated from its center, creating flickering shadows across the walls. Before stepping forward, Kai turned to Claire. “Claire, stay at the back. I know you’ve got a strong spirit, but you’re not here to fight directly. Use your spirit to support us, and most importantly, stay safe. Your safety is paramount.” Claire straightened at his words. “Lord Arzan, I understand. I’ve seen monsters up close during the beast wave. I believe I can handle myself.” Kai nodded, his lips curling into a faint smile of approval. “Good. Just follow my lead.” With that, they moved into the chamber, their footsteps echoing ominously. The air grew heavier, almost suffocating with the density of mana. And then they froze. The scene before them was more than they had anticipated. Towering in the center of the room, its tentacles coiled around a massive, glowing crystalline core, was the kraken. Green, mottled skin glistened under the glow of the crystalline core it protected. Its tentacles coiled and uncoiled slowly. The thickness of each tentacle was as thick as the largest tree trunk, and it spread to cover much of the cave floor. Two dozen eyes, shut in sleep, dotted its enormous, bulbous head. Its massive size was intimidating, filling the room with a heavy presence even as it slept. The kraken’s body moved slightly, its breathing creating a low hum that seemed to echo through the air. The core’s light gave it an eerie glow, highlighting scars and markings that crisscrossed its slick, scaled surface. Kai raised a hand, signaling everyone to come to a halt, his eyes narrowing as he studied the beast. It hadn’t noticed them yet, its deep, steady breaths hiding the sounds of their careful movements. He leaned toward the others, speaking in a voice just above a whisper. “Raven,” he murmured, his eyes never leaving the massive creature, “throw the explosive potions on my command. The rest of you, stay on guard and hold your weapons tight. Claire, stay back—no matter what happens, do not come close.” Everyone nodded. Raven took a few steps behind, and her hand went to her satchel, gripping the vials of explosive potion tightly. Everything was calm when Kai stepped forward, raising his hands in the air. Mana surged around him as he began constructing a spell. The chamber darkened slightly, the light from the core dimming as a swirling array of runes appeared in the air above him. The temperature rose sharply as flames began to coalesce into hundreds of blazing arrows, hovering in a precise formation above their heads. Kai’s eyes narrowed as he adjusted the aim, ensuring the arrows would strike exactly where he wanted. And still, the kraken remained oblivious. “Now,” Kai commanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. Raven hurled the explosive potions. The vials flew through the air and shattered when they came intact with its body, erupting into violent bursts of fire and acid. The explosion rocked the cave, and the beast let out a deep shudder. It woke up. All twenty-four eyes flickered open, their glow intensifying as they focused on the intruders. A deafening, high-pitched screech echoed through the cavern, and the kraken’s massive tentacles uncoiled, thrashing wildly as it rose to its full, terrifying height. Kai watched as the creature’s charred flesh began to regenerate almost immediately, the burned sections of its body knitting together with alarming speed. He didn’t hesitate. “Before it heals completely, attack!” he shouted, releasing his spell. The flaming arrows rained down, streaking through the air like a comet. The kraken’s roar of pain and fury reverberated through the chamber as it turned its full attention to them. The battle began just like that. *** A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too. - Patreon for 15 chaps: /extra26 Discord: invite/nc3hVSCP2n