bookpower Chapter 126: Chapter126-Mine Labyrinth
Chapter 126: Chapter126-Mine Labyrinth
"H-How could this happen?"
Upon hearing Elaria's explanation, everyone's expressions changed drastically.
They had felt something was off these past two days.
John had claimed he wasn't feeling well and hadn't shown up.
Even when Lily offered to heal him, John refused.
Now it seemed that Elaria had been imitating John's voice to respond.
"This is too risky! That dungeon was opened with a [Legendary] quality item, and John went in alone. Isn't that a death sentence?"
"But John said that the dungeon only allowed one player to enter. I wanted to go with him, but he refused."
"Elaria, if John really said that, he was probably lying to you..."
Lily sighed and continued, "John might have said that just to keep you from joining him on this adventure."
"How could that be..."
"It might be related to the [Divine Emissary] or [Apostle]. John probably didn't want us to follow him into danger. He's always been that kind of person. But this is too impulsive.
There's no need for John to open the dungeon at this time. The [Divine Emissary] did make an appearance, but it was just a probe.
As long as we stick together, they can't just come and kill us all, right?
There must be a reason that forced John to take this risk.
Elaria, have you heard John say anything strange recently?"
Upon hearing this, Elaria fell into deep thought.
Strange things—almost everything John said had elements she didn't understand.
But if it was the most peculiar...
"Before John left, he mentioned that one of his friends was terminally ill. He said that person was very important to him and that he had to find a way to stop it. Could that be the reason?"
"That's most likely it. But does John have any friends we don't know about?"
Since they had been traveling together almost every day, if John had such a friend, he would have introduced them to the group by now.
"Elaria, did John mention any other details? Like the identity of this friend or where they are now?"
Elaria shook her head helplessly. "John only said that one sentence. I asked for more details, but he didn't answer."
"Then there's nothing we can do..."
Helena bit her lip, her heart full of worry for John.
She felt both sad about John's abrupt departure and a bit upset with Elaria for keeping it a secret.
But thinking about it, she realized she might have made the same choice if she were in Elaria's position.
"Anyway, at least John is safe for now. We should trust him. If he encounters real danger, he has that teleportation scroll he bought, which can break through restrictions and be used in an emergency. He'll be fine."
Hades?
No, that couldn't be right.
If it were Hades, this was his palace.
He would have sensed John's presence immediately.
But if not him, who else could navigate Hades' palace without getting lost?
A multitude of thoughts raced through John's mind until he heard that familiar voice.
"Falms, I mean no harm. Don't look at me like that. You know we're on the same side. You're Hades' watchdog, and I'm the master's servant.
Why should we make things difficult for each other?"
That voice—it couldn't be mistaken—it had to be [Deception]!
But...
Why was [Deception] here?
"A lowly demigod, daring to consider himself my equal? Have you stayed in the abyss so long that your mind is damaged, [Deception]?"
"Say what you will. Where is your master? Has he not returned yet?"
"Hades has gone to the divine mountain and won't be back for a while.
But if you think you can do whatever you want in the underworld just because Hades isn't here, I advise you to drop that idea."
The dragon opened its mouth and spoke in a clear voice, obviously warning [Deception].
"Don't worry, I'm just here to find someone. Once I find them, I'll leave quickly. By the way, Falms, have you sensed the presence of a human?"
"Are you challenging the dignity of the underworld?!"
Something [Deception] said caused the dragon to suddenly rage, its deafening roar exploding behind John. Just a wall away was an enraged dragon!
"No human can survive in the underworld. [Deception], you better watch your words, or I won't hesitate to turn you into a pool of stinking blood!"
"If you can, go ahead and try."
[Deception] curled his lips into a confident smile, as if everything was under his control.
John couldn't understand where [Deception] got the courage to repeatedly provoke this dragon.
Even at his peak, [Deception] probably wasn't a match for the Dragon of Death and Sin.
What was the source of [Deception]'s confidence?
"Are you challenging me?"
"A dragon that should have been majestic and revered by thousands, now reduced to this pitiful state.
Stripped of your godhood and true name, imprisoned in the underworld, constantly subjected to the erosion of the underworld's aura, causing your scales to decay and your flesh to rot.
Heh... Drystan, this must be a bitter experience, right?"