Chapter 97: Dark Echoes in the Pit

Level 11 of the Pit.

Crystals embedded in the stone wall emitted a faint blue glow that barely illuminated the surrounding darkness.

Every so often, a few protruding red enchanted crystals glinted like spider eyes, silently watching.

“Wooo… wooo…”

The wind moaned mournfully.

Unlike the earlier levels, from Level 7 on the pit was permeated by a cold, eerie breeze that seeped in from unseen crevices. The chill that passed through the rock was like a forlorn woman’s lament, creeping past the eardrums and down the spine, sending shivers down one’s body.

His gaze turned somber.

Gripping his massive two-handed sword, Wang Yangping, the Military team leader, scanned ahead warily as his ears strained to catch any sound.

The heavy greatsword was smeared with sticky blood—a clear sign they had been ambushed moments before.

Trailing behind him, two Second-Stage Awakeneds anxiously surveyed their surroundings. The gloomy tunnel branched out in every direction unlike the straightforward paths before; they felt like lost ants in a beehive.

From Level 8 onward, the threat escalated before their eyes.

Gazing into the dark void ahead, unlit by Spirit Crystals, both fighters instinctively gripped their weapons tighter.

The unknown bred terror—as if at any moment a rotting monstrous face would slither out, shrieking as it lunged at them.

“Good thing we’re with Colonel Wang…”

“I can feel it getting tougher after Level 10…”

“Yeah… that creature wasn’t strong, but it was too fast. If Colonel Wang hadn’t been quick, I’d be done for.”

They whispered among themselves, a glimmer of relief crossing their eyes.

They scanned the dark, twisting side passages on both sides, alert for any ambush.

From Level 8 onward, monsters no longer emerged solely from ahead; like phantoms, they sprang from every corner.

Just minutes earlier, a Blood Maiden—missing half her body—hung on the rock wall with her back turned. Her jet-black hair blended seamlessly with the darkness, slipping from their view.

However, as they drew near, the hidden Blood Maiden jerked her head around and lashed out with her open jaws in an instant—like a falling head—leaving them utterly unprepared.

Luckily, Wang Yangping, one of the top Third-Stage talents, swung his weapon in a swift counter, shattering the Blood Maiden’s skull.

After what felt like an eternity, they noticed a section of the pit ahead where spiritual energy visibly surged. The two Second-Stage Awakeneds exchanged a delighted glance and quickened their pace.

It seems the next layer is right ahead!

The oppressive tunnels weighed on them—they preferred facing waves of enemies rather than the elusive creatures that lurked before.

“Just two more levels and we’re through… this dungeon run’s been smoother than expected.”

“What a haul…”

“Stop talking!”

At the front, Wang Yangping barked sharply as the excited whispers of his companions threatened their focus. No sooner had he spoken than a dull, muffled thud resounded and a chilling presence emerged from behind.

Damn it!

Spinning around abruptly and dual-wielding his greatswords, Wang Yangping swung one toward the source of the sinister aura behind him.

But it was too late.

In his eyes, a faceless mutant clung to the overhead rock, its head twisted a full 360 degrees. A slender, blood-red, snake-like head had impaled one of his teammates as if it were a siphon.

“Slurp”

As its slender tongue retracted swiftly, a streak of red and white brain pulp was drawn out.

In an instant, the mind-deadened Awakened crumpled to the ground with a dull thud, like an empty milk bag collapsing.

……

“Stick with me! Move quickly!”

Dashing through the maze-like tunnels, the stocky Huang Kai grimaced as he repeatedly barked at the two he was leading to keep pace.

Though there weren’t many foes past Level 8, each ambush left him scrambling in disarray.

Being one who specialized only in head-on combat with monsters, he was clearly outmatched by the foes ahead.

Moments earlier, had he not used his shield to block an enemy strike for the two behind him, those Second-Stage Awakeneds would have had their hearts ripped out instantly.

“Claw Demon…”

“Damn it, how does a creature like this even exist?”

Glancing around frantically, the stocky, ironclad Huang Kai finally started cursing, as if it were the only release for his mounting stress.

“I should never have brought you along!”

“With monsters as troublesome as these, I nearly got my eyes gouged out!”

“I’m taking 70% of the loot! If you don’t like it, get lost!”

Huddled by Huang Kai, the two Second-Stage Awakeneds dared not utter a word; if the first seven levels had been easy, a straightforward rush would have sufficed.

But in these levels, each one brimmed with danger. Especially their leader, Huang Kai, who sometimes only reacted after taking a hit.

One of the Second-Stage Awakeneds clutched his limp arm, his face pale and his heart filled with anguish.

His arm had been ripped off by a Claw Demon on Level 10.

Without an arm, no matter how rich the loot, he’d be a wreck once outside! And that opportunistic Third-Stage guy they trailed? He was nothing but exploitative!

Taking half the loot still wasn’t enough—they wanted even more!

In a desperate plea, the dismembered Second-Stage Awakened cried out:

“Brother Huang, I’ll be ruined if I go back like this. Please, have mercy—don’t take so much!”

“We had an agreement from the beginning! Just look, for the sake of…”

“Shut up!”

Abruptly turning, Huang Kai’s expression turned vicious as he brandished his warhammer toward the Middle-Aged Man behind him. Overwhelmed by constant ambushes, he no longer cared about his teammates—dragging along these slackers risked injuring him too.

“Keep yapping and I’ll leave you here—life or money, decide carefully before you choose!”

With that said, Huang Kai spun around without even glancing at the Middle-Aged Man with the severed arm.

The pale-faced, severed-armed man trembled, his lips quivering with regret and bitter fury.

If only I’d chosen a Military Third-Stage—in the least, Master Ye Lin is far better than that short, fat oaf!

In his anger and despair, his mind churned with thoughts of his own grim fate once outside, causing his steps to falter momentarily.

But the next second, realizing that Huang Kai had left him a few steps behind, he hurried to catch up.

Then, a strange sucking force suddenly surged up from beneath his feet.

Whoosh!

A sudden dragging noise froze the two ahead. Huang Kai, cursing and startled, turned to see that behind him, aside from slowly subsiding rubble, there was no sign of the man with the severed arm.

Before he could react, several withered arms shot out from a side wall and, in an instant, dragged another Second-Stage Awakened into the abyss.

Ahhhhh!!

Help me… help me, ahhh!!

Screams of agony erupted.

The Second-Stage Awakened, pulled into the wall before he could react, only felt as if tentacle-like arms were burrowing from his abdomen into his chest, swiftly plundering his innards.

Blood relentlessly spurted from his nostrils, and his final cries turned to choking gurgles—as if he were drowning in his own blood.

Fuck!!

In sheer terror, the stocky Huang Kai stood frozen in the dark. Realizing he couldn’t possibly save the two with him, he broke into a run.