Chapter 2: Sculptor’s Gallery
Weed looked back at the road several times.
“This is not it?”
“….”
“Well, let’s go back.”
The number of times that they went the wrong way had already exceeded twelve. Dead ends, dangerous roads that cannot be passed, roads that were too narrow…They had to turn back every time they encountered those!
The ground made it difficult to judge the direction of north, south, east, and west. In addition, the basement dungeons were interconnected, like a complex structure. Since it was so complex, heading to the desired destination was difficult.
Moreover, the place where one would predict helium to be, was unclear.
Seo Yoon hesitantly held out a hand.
“Can I look at the map?”
Weed handed a map of the underground.
“Do what you want. But this map is too complex to easily find out a way to go.”
Because she is sure to be held responsible for the failure of the operation!
“I think we should go there.”
“You think so? Indeed, people can possibly make mistakes. Well, let’s go this way anyway.”
Weed thought in his mind without saying anything, but still followed.
Looking at the map, Seo Yoon guided them to place with a break between sharp stalactites, where there was clean water falling that they could drink. Since Weed became human again, he has to eat like everyone else. Getting drinkable water was no longer a problem anymore now.
“Here’s a bunch of stalactites. We should go to that side…”
“Here, there is also a dungeon. Then let’s go into the dungeon.”
From the passage, the entrance of a large tense dungeon came out.
Weed was lost trying to move in the right direction, but Seo Yoon knew exactly how to find a way.
In order to recover his wounded pride, Weed said to Yellowy:
“I knew the way originally”
“Uh eummeo …”
Yellowy stretched out and yawn.
Thanks to Seo Yoon, the way was easy to find and they were able to save time.
In addition, since the passage was bigger, they could fight better.
You have witnessed “Wandering Hope” by the sculptor Pieche.
Art stat increased by 2.
For appreciating an excellent artwork, sculpting skill proficiency has raised slightly.
They found a sculpture in the passage. Torches in the dark pathways were there to light up the statues!
“In Jigolaths, an engraver came to make this.”
The Helium mine that was estimated to be at a place still far away was near a place like this.
“Identify!”
Weed perhaps wanted to take advantage of the sculptural memories skill to find the way.
Weapons and armor, you can tell directly instead of needing to touch a special part of the work like the sculptural memories skill.
Weed was trying to find the memories of the sculpture and what it saw.
“It’s dark. So dark.”
“….”
The place was dark and the sculpture had been made in the dark. It had never seen anything, so it did not have much memories.
“Let’s continue to move this way…”
Sculptors in the underground passage carved outstanding works. The works were too precious.
“I absolutely have to use this chance to get more art stat.”
————
Users of the Haven Kingdom were angry. The thieves’ actions were like deliberately playing a joke to make them suffer. As well, the reinforcements from the Hermes guild had unpleasant expressions.
“We were in this place two hours before…”
They were confident that they only needed 3-4 days to find Weed. They should have met Weed already. A bunch of battles have made them nervous and they had to fight hard against big monsters like fire giants. They were also hunting, wiping out large groups of monsters; Hermes guild was advancing.
Five days after entering the Inferno dungeon, they found the magic circle and a number of stats went up.
“You feel refreshed after a hard adventure and you get rewards as well.”
Hunting grounds in the Kingdom of Haven were of a competitive level, but skill proficiency had only risen by a little.
But since then, the assassins and thieves had difficulty in following Weed’s tracks.
“I’m sorry, but I think this is the wrong way… a lot of monsters live here, and the underground dungeon floor is made of stone, so it is difficult to find the right trail…”
“I already heard the same thing more than 20 times already.”
“Give us a little more time.”
“Such words have been heard for a few days. We are forced to go along, but at some point, it will cost gold to keep going…”
There were many people in the tracking team.
They were deep in the dungeon, so you rely on magic and light, and the way Weed went was not easy to keep track. Of course, the footprints went along, but after a long time looking at the ground, you have to discuss the way to go.
“You saw the way clearly…”
His colleagues agreed with him. Weed and his companions had passed this way, there was no doubt.
“But why are we back again to the way we can from?”
Thieves and assassins would agree on the path, only to find themselves back where they had traveled earlier. This was not just due to complex problem of tracking in the dungeon.
Thieves and assassins sighed.
“I don’t know what is going on anymore.”
The dungeons of Jigolaths were indeed complex. Even Weed, between dungeons, lost himself along the many roads and crossroads and went back many times.
However, the trackers were not tied down by that logic since even if the path was relatively unknown to them; they just need to keep track of the trail.
The problem was that Weed and Seo Yoon’s footprints were changing continuously. Weed, with his blacksmith and sewing skills, made a number of counterfeit boots that imitated the tracks of monsters like the Chaos Warriors or the Inferno Knights, and were wearing them alternatively! Monsters and other traces were mixed up so that tracking them was a hassle! Yellowy, Silver Bird and Golden Bird had to walk holding paws.
“I think this is the right path. Those trails lead to the wrong way, so…”
They were tracing the path of the dungeons and making maps. Map created based on various roads with time became erratic because of Weed! In the middle of the path, the tracks suddenly disappeared.
“This cannot happen, I think. What the hell, how could he move so erratically right?”
Weed guessed there would be trackers. There was nothing wrong with placing several misleading marks in the dungeon. Besides changing shoes, he also had the elemental spirits.
“Dirtman, block this way.”
“Okay, sir.”
“And make it seem as naturally as possible.”
“We will do our best.”
“Footprint traces needed to be concealed. Another way is to disguise the path.”
The thieves and assassins were following footprints that were leading them to the wrong place. However, they were able to notice the smallest details. If the way was blocked, they would use shovels and would even track back and pass the other dungeons and the tracking speed would slow down.
| You have witnessed “Flowers Carved in Stone” by the sculptor Muruni. -Art stat increased by 1. -For appreciating an excellent artwork, sculpting skill proficiency has raised slightly. You have witnessed “Sculptor raising a Pickaxe”, which belonged to Ivance the Master Sculptor of Pierre. -Art stat increased by 3. -For appreciating an excellent artwork, sculpting skill proficiency has raised slightly. |
Weed and Seo Yoon moved around the dungeon viewing the mining-related artworks, estimating that the place they needed to go was ahead. Of course, along the way, many sculptures were found.
“I see that the headdress is made of silver. Since the craftsmanship is pretty good, it’ll fetch a high price.”
Every time he passed by a sculpture, all the precious metals completely disappeared and those made with precious minerals were broken to pieces.
Weed was someone who would take even the gold teeth off a sculpture.
He finally arrived at the area with an old rickety sign.
= Helium mines =
-It’s not too late, youth with dreams, to return; I learned too late that even life is an art.
They have reached the Helium mines. Rotten wood was used to build the supporting structures of the entrance of the tunnel. Party has to be disbanded and only a 1-2 people party could go explore inside. Weed’s mining exploration skills were lacking and it was hard to find a way.
“What is beyond this point is unknown.”
Nevertheless, he didn’t want to go back. He decided to go into the Helium mines.
Weed opened his backpack. There was barley bread, drinkable water and the food from the wedding. It was filled with as much food and water as Yellowy could carry. As Weed prepared himself to go into the mines, even Seo Yoon was checking her backpack. Weed shook his head.
“You guys have to stay here.”
Seo Yoon wished to enter the mine, but there must be people waiting outside. It was important to take control of the entrance and protect it from the trackers. However, Golden Bird and Silver Bird combined would not be able to kill them all.
“If these guys run away, you also have to escape and wait in a safe place until I get out, but I don’t know when.”
Weed turned his attention to the sculptures of life. He needed someone to take the load.
Tweet tweet.
The Golden Bird was walking around singing sadly and Silver Bird was pretending to be sick. Even Yellowy was trembling on his four legs.
“I hope he doesn’t pick me.”
The three sculptures of life shared a common thought. They did not want to get into trouble. They were tired of dungeons, but mining was worse!
It was a very arduous place for the body. For the sculpture life forms who valued dignity, it was a place they never wanted to go.
After a while, Weed finally decided to choose someone.
“Yellowy, you will come with me.”
For Yellowy, the decision came out of the blue.
In addition, the feeling worsened since Weed’s eyes were looking at where the rib-eye was on Yellowy’s body.
“If only there was Korean Beef Tartare (yukhoe)….” Weed licked his lips.
“Then, let’s go look for the helium.”
Weed, holding Yellowy by the neck, walked into the mine.
You became an owner of a closed old helium mine.
-Reward: Fame +100.
-Every day for one week, double EXP and double item drops.
-Best possible items will drop from the first monster encountered depending of its type.
Weed and Yellowy was walking down the narrow path. It was dark and the air was hazy.
Somehow, Weed found the dead body of a sculptor and his carving knife.
Near the entrance of the Helium mine, the atmosphere was as terrifying as a horror film. Even though Weed was not afraid of the dark and thick darkness, there were 8 small paths from the crossroad in front of him; it would be hard to keep track of the trails.
“Let’s enter here.”
The helium mine was like a maze and gave an ominous feeling.
A lot of Sculptors have failed because of its difficulty. But if it was only this level, it did not feel difficult. An unparalleled will for hard work!
2 crossroads were either blocked by lava or had a broken ceiling.
“Well, we have got 6 choices left.”
Occasionally, they were relieved to discover a sculpture. The road lead them to a crossroad, and then another crossroad came out. As feared, the mine was an endless maze.
“Master, what about when we come back to the entrance?”
Yellowy commented, but Weed had a similar idea. If you pay attention too much, you will feel trapped and impatient and that is dangerous.
“I know, but I think we have already lost the way…”
Weed looked back. Only darkness was spreading from that place. The paths were connected by crossroads, but also covered in the shadows; it was not easy to find the place they were from.
“Let’s go back to where we came from.”
Weed and Yellowy was going to return back to get directions from Seo Yoon.
However, it was very difficult to find the way. Furthermore, the helium might not even be there!
Weed eventually gave up and decided to go back to the entrance.
“When we go the wrong way more than once, without knowing exactly the way, we cannot go back to where we came from. Finding the helium would be just as difficult.”
“Getting monsters would be better than such an atmosphere…”
“This is where many sculptors came. So there should be a way to find your way. There should be monsters and the sculptors who were defending the mine from intruders by creating a maze.”
“A sculptor left a final sculpture in this place…”
Weed would sometimes find sculptures away from the passages.
“This implies that some sculptors came here before. Identify!”
The sculpture was carrying a torch and pointing toward one direction.
“This way.”
Weed moved on confidently. There were sculptures that told the right way one after the other. Yellowy was walking for about 1 hour. Due to Weed’s endurance and perseverance, he could at least hold up with this degree of food intake. It is similar to cockroaches’ overwhelming will to survive. Even if it was the end of the world tomorrow, Weed would still go buy a large detergent at the store for 1+1 deal. Finally, after walking for a long time, at the end of a maze, they found a mining wagon connected to a rail tunnel.
“If we ride the mining wagon, we can go a little faster.”
However, Yellowy was against that idea.
“Master, it just seems that it would be better off walking.”
“We don’t know how much time more it would take us, a wagon ride would be faster.”
“How about you ride on me instead”
“Believe me, I will not let you have a hard time, but … you need to get on the front.”
Weed and Yellowy boarded on the back to ride the wagon. There were instructions that said that to move the wagon, move the bar up and down.
Weed used strength to pull the bar and the wheels started to roll.
Kkiiiiiing.
The mining wagon stated to move forward while making a harsh sound. As you moved the bar, the cart was accelerating.
“It sped up quite a lot.”
Weed left the bar and took out the ore obtained from hunting, and used it to illuminate the front of wagon.
Seeing what was in front of the curved tunnel was difficult.
As they were heading in a downward direction, they were speeding up.
Leaning forward, Yellowy spoke:
“Master, you should slow down.”
“Then, let’s reduce the speed.”
Weed pulled the bar.
Cha ka ka ka kang!
Sparks were created as the chart slowed down a little.
“Master you are like me to do it easily…”
Weed heard it just before they got to the end of a rail and the wagon headed sharply down a slope. The speed of the wagon was getting faster exponentially.
“Master, this is frightening.”
“Okay, this should stop it!”
Weed pulled the brakes as much as possible. Because he only invested in the strength and agility stats, the force was incredible. Suddenly, the brake system broke down. The pressure of the opposite forces of the excessive speed, Weed being too forceful, and the fact that it was getting old, was too much for it to take.
Weed made a judgment.
“Well, we are in trouble.”
The risks needed to be calmly considered. Therefore, Weed objectively analyzed the situation and told Yellowy:
“Perhaps, this wagon might never stop…”
Eum meoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeo!
“If the railway deviates and we bump into somewhere, we are going to die…”
Any hope was even crushed by this hopeless description!
The wagon was increasing its speed even more as it ran in the tunnel towards deeper in the underground.
“But hopefully…you won’t feel the pain when you die.”
Yellowy was terrified and in tears ,as if he was a cattle being brought into the slaughterhouse!
The mining wagon went even faster.
“Lower your body and hold on tight.”
The railroads were build in straight lines, there were no smooth curves. Every time they turned, as they exceeded the speed limit, the wagon and the whole body were tossed aside as if they could escape the rails. They were in big trouble as the bumpy wagon was still headed down.
And after a while, they climbed up a hill and the speed was reduced.
Yellowy burst into tears of joy.
“Master, now we seem to be able to live!”
With similar happy thoughts, Weed said:
“But we are really lucky. We did not meet any railroads broken in the middle. For a long time, no one has being using the tunnels and it is a miracle that it still works.”
They went uphill and saw a large cavity of unknown depth, linked together by iron pieces between two cliffs. But the most important part was that the railroads in front were cut off in the middle for about 30 meters at the hole. This was a promise of death.
“Master, to be able experience living was great. I have a request for my baby cows in Morata…”
Yellowy, succumbing to his desperate feelings, left a testament.
It was to take deep care of the young cows with affection and not leave then to die. Weed replied as going up on him.
“So you are going to die meaninglessly. Are you going to following Goldman’s example, who died and made me recreate him?”
Yellowy was touched to receive Weed‘s kind words in his last minutes. Weed, in the end, brought out all his resentment.
“The flesh of the rib-eye will go to waste if you die. Do not give up.”
Weed lowered the bar of the wagon to add momentum. They reached the broken parts of the railroad in the blink of an eye. The mining wagon kept up the pace and flew in a parabolic arc without falling down into the hole. For a very short time, they were flying in the air with a frightening speed and were pushed back on the wagon!
kwag wagwag wagwang!
While sliding the wagon back into the railway, it created a huge spark. The wagon, in the narrow rails, advanced without leaving it in the tunnel.
‘It seems we are not going to die here.”
Yellowy only sighed and in return, Weed, glad that it worked out, said.
“We are really a lucky bunch.”
“…”
“With common sense, that’s true. It has been a long time since it was maintained, and all except that place was fine, and I can do that. It would be normal too if there was something blocking it.”
At that moment, in front of them stood a rock as big as a house and was obscuring and modified the way the trails were going.
“Bump ahead. Get down!”
Weed and Yellowy lowered their body. And the wagon was running towards it at a tremendous pace.
kwagwagwang!
The wagon was smashed into the modifying pit and broke. Weed, to ensure a smooth view, used light sculpture, and his whole body was glowing. The broken grains and debris were shining, and it was demonstration that was an absolutely fascinating spectacle, but they did not even notice it as they went past so quickly.
Weed said.
“But I sure am a lucky one…”
Kwagwang!
“It’s been twice the case.”
“Like f***! …”
The wagon, as chunks of its parts were coming off, was slowing down. The front of the wagon was broken and Yellowy and Weed had lost some health from the impact. Without his resilience and his perseverance, it could have been really dangerous. Weed, in many ways, was thankful that Yellowy was in front to suffer a greater damage to health!
“Still, it is all thanks to the modifications. Anyway, we are alive…”
Just as that was said, they saw that the rails were cut off in the end. And in front, a wall appeared!
Huhuhuhu!
Yellowy cried out.
It was tough to think that this was the last moment of his life.
“Light fly!”
After Goldman died, the Wings of Light returned back to Weed.
Weed was able to believe they won’t die because of the Wings of Light!
To tease Yellowy, Weed was saying this or that, but he still held his body as the wings unfold and they were waiting for the right moment.
Weed and Yellowy, having confirmed it was time, escaped from the wagon and, at the same time, the Wings of Light emitted a brilliant light and they flew up.
The wagon bumped into the wall and was pushed back more than 40 meters, as its body began to fall apart. Then, after a short moment, the wagon hit a rock and fell completely apart.
Weed, while flapping the Wings of Light, said:
“We’re safe. But, we are still a bit far from getting to the right place.”
Yellowy was happy to have finally landed safely, but he was still too afraid to say anything, in fear that something terrible would happen.
“Yellowy, how about taking another wagon ride when we get back?”
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