Chapter 128
Chapter 128 – Chimera Hunt (2)
3.
Magatia Underground Laboratory.
Despite the hundreds of years since its discovery, little is known about the underground laboratory.
“The biggest reason why Magatia’s underground laboratory is still an unknown territory is because of the secret passages.”
The reason was none other than the fact that there were so many hidden rooms in underground laboratories.
“There are 31 research lab areas that have been discovered so far. However, some alchemists say that there are even more hidden research lab areas.”
To get to such hidden areas, you need to find a secret passage.
That was one of the reasons why exploration of the Magatia underground laboratory was sluggish.
Of course, there was another reason.
“And those who discovered that hidden area are hiding it even more tightly.”
The moment adventurers discover something new, they figure out the best way to show it off.
But alchemists were different. The moment they discovered something new, they devised the most effective way to hide it.
It means that even if something is discovered, it is kept even more tightly hidden.
That’s why it was even more necessary to keep the information about the Magatia underground laboratory hidden.
Therefore, depending on the research lab area you want to go to, the guide you need is different.
“My name is Umar. I am a witness.”
So when Umar said that he would be the guide, no one questioned it.
Because there is no guide more reliable than an eyewitness.
“Carson, one of his disciples.”
But the moment Broker Han said those words, everything changed.
Grandel asked back.
“Are you the disciple of Carson, the president of the Zenumist Association?”
“yes.”
Carson, the president of the Zenumist Association, can be said to be the leader of the Zenumist faction!
His disciple is currently considered to be at the pinnacle of Magatia’s life alchemy!
He was special in many ways, and that’s why everyone had doubts at that moment.
“It’s dangerous. Are you okay?”
None other than the road to subjugate the chimera.
Even the Knights of Signus are on a path that will lead them to death, so why is an important alchemist personally leading the way?
Of course, if he goes, he will be a good guide, but there are plenty of people who can replace him.
About him Umar said:
“I know it’s dangerous. But this chimera is clearly a problem for our alchemists. As a member of the Zenumist Order, I feel it’s my duty to take responsibility.”
Even though I knew it was dangerous, I was willing to take that risk for the sake of the cause.
At that moment, no one questioned it any more.
Far from questioning, the way he looked at Umar changed.
In particular, the eyes of the Knights of Signus changed.
They loved those who gave their lives for a cause. They couldn’t help but love them.
Because the Knights of Signus themselves were exactly those kinds of people.
“great.”
The look in Grandel’s eyes, which were difficult to deal with, and the look in her eyes as she looked at Umar changed.
“Then please guide us. Don’t worry about your life. Our knights will protect you even at the cost of our lives.”
Her eyes, which had been filled with suspicion just a moment ago, changed to a look more friendly than ever.
It wasn’t just them.
“That’s amazing. That’s not easy.”
“That’s a great mindset.”
“I heard that alchemists are all selfish scum, but I guess that’s not the case.”
Even El Palmar Fatih showed favor to Umar.
There were two exceptions.
“This seems very dangerous.”
“What? What are you talking about, Ralph?”
“The author’s words, I have doubts.”
“doubt?”
Ralph, he was suspicious of Umar.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“Risking your life for nothing? Isn’t that suspicious to anyone?”
The moment they heard the reason, the rest of them smiled bitterly.
“You’d be the only one who’d be suspicious of something like that, right, Boss?”
And the remaining one who was suspicious was El Palm.
“There’s nothing wrong with being suspicious.”
“yes?”
“There’s nothing to lose by being suspicious.”
‘I get it now.’
Of course, rather than doubting, El Palm felt the puzzle in his head fall into place the moment he heard those words.
‘Why were the Knights of Signus annihilated?’
It was clear from the history El Palm knew, before returning to the past, that the Knights of Signus, including Grandel, were killed by the Chimera.
But, despite the obvious facts, it was by no means an easy task for El Palm.
As far as he knew, there was only one chimera that appeared at that time.
At the time, it was thought that Umar had set a good trap, but it was not as easy as it sounds.
It was possible for the Signus Knights to suffer near-annihilation in that trap, but annihilation was something entirely different.
‘Not a single one survived.’
The Knights of Signus were different from adventurers.
They were the ones who judged those who violated the rules of the Maple Union throughout Maple World, and as such, they were exposed to various threats.
The first thing the Signus Knights wanted to do in such a threat was to inform the Maple Alliance of the threat.
That is, if a problem arose, some would escape to report the situation to the Knights of Signus, and the rest would fight desperately to help them escape, which was part of their manual.
Meaning that it is very difficult to wipe out.
But now I know.
‘It would have been much easier if Umar had personally guided us to the trap.’
How did the result of annihilation come about?
Moreover, the opponent was not just a guide.
A guide who won everyone’s trust and favor instead of suspicion with his recent remarks.
Even if the path led by such a guide leads to hell, it would be impossible to escape.
It was dangerous in many ways.
‘That’s fortunate.’
But El Palm was rather satisfied.
‘I guess the trap is more dangerous than I expected.’
Because the reason the Knights of Signus were annihilated was not because of unpredictable monsters or other outsiders.
“Lord Grandel.”
“What happened?”
“Even if I move on the front lines, I think I’ll just be a hindrance.”
“So?”
“My companions and I will escort our guide, Umar.”
“great.”
Above all, what El Palm has to do now has become simple.
“Lord Umar, my name is El. From this time on, we, El Party, will be your escort.”
Umar smiled at El Palm’s words and said:
“I will leave it up to you.”
With those words, the Chimera subjugation began.
4.
The Grandel party entered the Magatia Underground Laboratory under Umar’s guidance.
Before that, Umar warned:
“This place is full of cube slime. Be careful.”
To such a warning, Grandel replied:
“Don’t worry about that.”
“yes?”
Umar is surprised by the incomprehensible answer.
Hugs, hugs!
Around that time, a group of cube slimes appeared.
The number is about 200!
It was not a small number.
No, honestly, it was a huge number.
Because cube slime was incomparably stronger than regular slime.
“shit!”
That was why Guide Umar let out a bitter remark without realizing it as soon as he saw the Cube Slime.
Of course, here Umar did not just moan.
“Let’s move to the other side. It’ll take a little more time though.”
It gave me a good guide on how to download it.
“Because it’s dangerous.”
And Grandel answered Umar’s wise suggestion.
“Everyone step aside except me.”
“yes?”
Umar was surprised by the answer, but the Knights of Signus were different.
They backed down without hesitation.
Only one, Grandel, walked towards the group of cube slimes that were gathered alone.
“Orbital Flame!”
Then, Grandel used Orbital Flame, a Flame Wizard’s magic, on the group of Cube Slimes that were gathering around him.
Hurrr!
Two balls of fire flew straight towards the group of cube slimes.
Kwakwang!
The moment the ball of flame that flew like that collided with the cube slime, it exploded.
Its power was considerable.
Much more than what any average 5 circle flame wizard would use!
Maybe even on par with the 6 Circle Flame Wizard!
“Oh, you’re crazy!”
Umar let out a curse as he watched Grandel attack.
It wasn’t an exclamation.
Sure, Grandel’s attack was powerful, but Umar knew that one attack could only kill about a dozen Cube Slimes.
There are still hundreds of Cube Slimes left, and now they will attack Grandel.
That’s absolutely crazy.
“Run away!”
That’s why, instead of running away from Umar, who was using evil, Grandel walked towards the approaching cube slimes.
The moment when the distance between me and the Cube Slime became close enough to touch, that was the moment.
“Flame Tempesta!”
Hurrrrr!
With Grandel’s scream, an intense flame began to emanate from around her body.
Phew!
The cube slimes that had been rushed into the flames began to melt in an instant.
“ah.”
Those who saw that magnificent sight for the first time found themselves exclaiming in awe.
The same was true for El Palm and his party.
Of course, the reason they were surprised was a little different from others.
‘This is the first time I’ve seen a wizard who can sweep away monsters like that, other than bosses.’
I didn’t know that there was another wizard like El Palm who could single-handedly sweep away monsters like that.
On the one hand, I understood.
‘You deserve to be called a cleaner.’
Why did Grandel have the word cleaner in front of her name?
That was the moment.
“O Lord Umar.”
“yes?”
El Palm asked Umar, who was standing with his mouth wide open in shock.
“How is it? Grandel-sama’s ability? Did you expect it to be to this extent?”
“Huh? No, that’s… … .”
Umar paused for a moment to answer the question.
“I didn’t expect this. How could I have expected this?”
That brief conversation left Divo and his colleagues at El Palm with questions in their hearts.
‘No, why are you asking that question?’
Because I’ve rarely seen El Palm speak to someone like that.
Also, it wasn’t a question that seemed particularly meaningful.
Of course, El Palm wasn’t just asking such questions without any meaning.
He knew.
‘When I listen to the heartbeat, it’s a lie.’
That Umar is lying now.
‘Within the expected range.’
In other words, it meant that Umar was aware of the firepower Grandel was showing now.
If that’s the case, then the trap he prepared would be enough to kill Grandel and his companions.
‘You’ve prepared quite a bit.’
While El Palm was picturing the situation in his head, Grandel, who had finished cleaning the cube slime, spoke.
“We will move quickly.”
Umar no longer questioned her words.
“yes!”
The move to Magatia’s underground laboratory, which started like that, went surprisingly smoothly.
There was no reason why things wouldn’t go smoothly.
“Here it is.”
Umar guided the way faster than anyone else.
“Orbital Flame!”
And Grandel and his companions cleaned out the monsters they encountered without the slightest hesitation.
There were no problems whatsoever during the process.
If I had to point out a flaw, it would be that there was noise.
“How much more do I have to go?”
“Just go a little further.”
“okay.”
El Palm, he constantly questioned Umar, who was by his side as he moved.
It’s so annoying that even the listeners get annoyed.
Naturally, Umar also became annoyed, and at some point his expression began to crumple at El Palm’s questions.
“This is the entrance to the secret passage. Just go through this hole here.”
“Is there a chimera beyond here?”
And when that question was asked, Umar’s expression became more crumpled than ever.
He spoke with a clear expression of his discontent and annoyance.
“No, there’s a little more left.”
The moment that answer came, the moment Grandel stepped forward.
“L.”
She said to El Palm.
“Please refrain from asking any further questions.”
Don’t bother the guide with meaningless questions.
El Palm nodded at the warning.
Not only was it not a mistake, El Palm knew it.
‘There’s no need to ask any more questions anyway.’
There was no room to ask any more questions beyond the secret passageway that Umar had guided us through.
“Then let’s move.”
So everyone followed Umar’s instructions and walked towards the secret passage, and the moment they came out of the passage.
“Keep moving.”
A moment of moving somewhat from there.
“Oh, my God. How many are there?”
At that moment they could see.
“10,000.”
Over 10,000 cube slimes.