Chapter 511: Chapter 501: Ruins

In a three-meter-wide tunnel, the Dwarf Tolin, Gleam, and Lizardman Baroque sat side by side on the still warm ground, each holding dried rations made from delicious mushrooms.

Although the dried mushrooms weren’t as tasty as when steamed or boiled, they still retained a delightful rich flavor.

As a complimentary work meal, this treatment made them very satisfied.

Behind them, the massive body of the Fat Otaku Puki was stuck in the tunnel as usual. Although it had stopped moving, it still emitted heat, dispelling the surrounding cold.

Several battery Pukis connected their tendrils to its big behind, replenishing its magic power.

As the depth increased, the extreme cold severely slowed the spread of the fungal mat, so these mobile power sources had to maintain the Fat Otaku Puki’s activity.

Before them was a small cavity they had just dug out.

Inside were a few pillars buried for who knows how many years. These buried relics were covered in frost, faintly showing complex carved patterns.

Recently, various excavation teams have continuously found similar structures, but there haven’t been any substantial discoveries yet.

Gleam wiped his beard with rough fingers, sending the mushroom crumbs to his mouth: “Tolin, we’ve accumulated enough contribution points too. When are we going back to the mountains?”

The task they’re doing now, because of the uncertain risks and relatively tough conditions, gave them far more contribution points than usual tasks, allowing them to gather enough contribution points to redeem their freedom in advance.

Tolin hadn’t yet replied when the Lizardman Baroque chimed in.

“You really want to leave?” He naturally didn’t want his two friends to leave him alone, “Isn’t the Fungus Castle good? Even though it’s gotten colder, there are Pukis everywhere warming places up, so it’s not freezing. Plus, there are so many delicious mushrooms…”

Baroque himself was very satisfied with the current life, much better than when he was in the tribe.

Not just regarding food and lodging, but there was also a difference in spirit.

Previously in the Lizardman Tribe or almost all Northern Territory tribes, strength was respected.

In that aspect, the tribe and the Empire were almost the same.

A Lizardman like Baroque, who was ordinary Silver Level, had no status at all.

Someone like him was often called upon by upper-level Warriors, and if someone didn’t like him, while it wouldn’t be to the point of killing him outright, he would be assigned difficult and dangerous jobs, which he could only endure.

Not like now!

Tasks are self-chosen, with almost no coercion, no differential treatment, and even when contribution points were sufficient, he could relax according to his wishes for a comfortable period.

A few days ago, while queuing for food, the person standing behind him was an upper-level Warrior from the Lizardman Tribe.

If it were back in the tribe, other people’s food was directly brought into their tent, unlike him, having to queue and not dare to cut in line!

Of course, now, even if one were willing to spend contribution points, there could still be Puki delivery services, but he definitely wouldn’t waste contribution points like that.

It’s undeniable, those strong upper-level Warriors still live better in the Fungus Castle than he does.

But this disparity isn’t due to privilege but because they can earn more contribution points with their strength to spend.

Baroque feels this is fair.

Gleam understood Baroque’s thoughts and agreed that the current life was pretty good.

“But it’s ultimately not safe here!” Gleam whispered, “The Fungus Castle is indeed getting more powerful, nearby tribes seem to integrate, but now it is a bit too conspicuous! Do you really think the Empire will let such a force grow in the Northern Territory? Once a war starts, it’s hard to say how life will be…”

The Lizardman wanted to refute, wanting to say that the Fungus Castle feared no enemies, but swallowed his words back.

The Empire’s power was deeply rooted in every Northern Territory tribesman’s heart, making it unimaginable how to respond if the Empire focused on them.

Still, Baroque would stay in the Fungus Castle, having been absorbed into the tribe as he had nowhere else to return like the two Dwarves.

His home was only the Fungus Castle now.

“I’m not going back.” Tolin suddenly spoke up.

“Why?” Gleam turned toward him full of puzzlement.

“Look at this!” Tolin pointed at the pillar in front of him, “What is this? It’s a relic! Surely it’s just a small part of it; there must be an ancient and vast relic underground! This is the adventure I’ve always wanted!”

Tolin’s eyes glowed with fanaticism: “I won’t leave until I’ve figured out the whole picture of this relic! If you go back to the mountains, Gleam, help me send a message to my family, just say I’m still alive.”

Gleam rolled his eyes: “Me, going back alone? Your family would skin me alive! You’re just daydreaming, aren’t you? A few broken pillars don’t prove anything!”

With the Fat Otaku Puki’s magic replenished, the three resumed work amidst Gleam’s grumbling.

Tolin and Baroque grabbed the short legs of the Drilling Puki from both sides and pulled it hard outward, and the puki started “buzzing” again.

They waited a minute for it to warm up.

“One, two, push!”

However, the resistance they expected lasted only a moment.

The next instant, the rock layer beneath their feet suddenly collapsed, sending them and the Drilling Puki falling downward.

“A massive cavity?!” Tolin’s exclamation echoed in the cavity.

Baroque reacted the quickest, his long tail instantly wrapping around the edge of the rock wall, his other hand grabbing Tolin’s collar.

However, the fragile rock wall couldn’t bear their weight, dragging the Lizardman down too.

Screams descended as the three fell one after another.

The first to land was the Drilling Puki, producing a dull thud, and half its mushroom body shattered on the spot.

Tolin and the others landed on the Puki’s remaining half body, and its bouncy bottom cushioned the fall impact, bouncing them apart.

The two Dwarves, relying on their solid physiques, although wincing from the fall, soon rubbed their backs and stood up.

Only Baroque curled on the ground, holding his obviously unnaturally bent tail and whimpering in pain.

“Baroque, are you okay?”

“Just… my tailbone’s fractured…”

Hearing this, the two Dwarves breathed a sigh of relief, as such an extent usually meant with the mycelium’s healing power, he’d be fine in half a day.

“Where are we?” Gleam took out a glowing stone for illumination from his pocket.

In the rather dim light, it revealed an unbelievable cluster of buildings.

They seemed to be on the streets of a large underground city, with eroded empty houses all around them.

In the distance, giant stone pillars supported the entire hollow, some crumbling with only half remaining.

And most notably, the spiral building in the distance, they could only see its enormous shadow from their position.

“Indeed! It’s undoubtedly a large relic!” Tolin trembled with excitement, entirely forgetting he’d almost fallen to his death.

Gleam looked at the buildings on either side but felt puzzled.

The door frames of these buildings were low, or rather not low but suitable for beings of his height.

“Are these… Dwarf buildings? Underground in the Northern Territory?”

Tap—tap—

Before Gleam could figure it out, hard footsteps echoed at the end of the street.

Gleam and Tolin immediately held their breaths, even the Lizardman covered his mouth.

There was no question that whatever was coming wasn’t good.

Tap—tap—

A two-and-a-half-meter-tall puppet made purely of ice emerged from the corner, eyes fixed on them.

Cold Spirit!

“Run!”

The two Dwarves simultaneously grabbed the Lizardman’s arms and ankles, dragging him away.

Baroque yelped as rocks and bricks battered him along the way.

Behind them was the pursuing “thud-thud” of the Cold Spirit.

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