Another rock went whizzing through the air, aimed at the tunnel entrance that led underground. Jack strained his ears, barely able to make out a sound as the rock likely made contact with the soft earth of the tunnel.

“That is the ninth rock you’ve thrown. What’s the point?” Sarah rolled her eyes at Jack’s antics.

“Hey, it’s a dingy cave. I’d prefer to lure any creature waiting in ambush instead of waltzing right in,” Jack replied nonchalantly, picking up another small rock from the ground.

“You know, each time we come close to something that the system has organized for us, like the [Blessing] or even [Adept Lanhai’s Abode] we’ve got a system message. Do you really think anyone would be stupid enough to go down there without knowing what’s lurking inside?” Sarah explained, causing Jack to pucker his lips slightly.

“...Huh. Why didn’t I think of that?” Jack conceded, but that didn’t stop him from chucking another rock at full speed in the direction of the cavern.

“I really don’t believe that the system’s challenges can be circumvented by a few rocks,” Sarah added with some amusement in her voice, but didn’t really seem inclined to stop him.

“Me neither. But hey, it doesn't hurt to check. Alright, now be on guard,” Jack indicated for Sarah to walk alongside him, weapons drawn and posture ready for combat as they mentally prepared themselves.

“Move very slowly, and wait a second before taking the next step. You hear any sound, any sign of movement, even feel the slightest pang of danger, you retreat in the direction we came from without hesitation,” Jack whispered to her, and once she nodded he took the first step in the direction of the caves, expecting something to jump out any second.

Minutes passed as they inched their way to the cave, before they were finally within ten meters from the entrance.

Congratulations, you have discovered a hidden piece: The Underbelly.

The Underbelly is a unique mode of transportation that reduces the time to travel to the citadel, while also providing unique loot and materials that can only be acquired within the underbelly. Each Underbelly entrance only leads down a single path, and a single exit. However a challenger can only attempt each underbelly entrance once. Multiple challengers may enter the underbelly together in a temporary party. However, once a challenger leaves the Underbelly premises, the entrance is forever sealed for them and any attempt to re-enter the Underbelly will result in failure.

Underbelly Level: 4

Loot: Unknown

“A shortcut? How quaint,” Sarah gave the tunnel entrance a dubious look, but didn’t seem entirely opposed to the idea.

“Curious,” Jack gave the tunnel an appraising look, as if he were trying to decipher its secrets. “It appears that the citadel is no mere safe haven, after all.”

“What?” Sarah seemed confused, as she asked, “How did you reach that conclusion, of all things?”

“I’m not sure, but I see no other reason why the bloodthirsty system would actually offer us a shortcut. Do you?”

“I suppose not,” Sarah retorted, looking wearily at the tunnel that supposedly led to the citadel and then sighing.

“Hey cheer up, Sar. We’re explorers on uncharted land, taking the first steps into a place where no humans have gone before,” Jack had always been an adrenaline junkie of sorts from the start, but his statement was made more in jest.

“That’s ‘cause most of them are probably dead,” She shot back with a deadpan expression, causing Jack to wince as he looked away.

“Was that…. gallows humor?” Jack asked, his tone uncertain.

“Too soon?” She tilted her head and asked innocently, and Jack was no longer able to hold back a dark chuckle.

“I guess you weren’t lying about the ‘amusing personality,’ eh? Well rather have you morbidly cheery than…..,” Jack cut himself off before he could complete that sentence, remembering a line he’d read in a book on human psychology. For some people, ‘humor’ was a way to process extreme grief.

“If I stop to think about my cousins and all my friends back home, I don’t think I’d be able to….. Nevermind. Anyway, I’m in if you’re in,” She silently muttered under her breath, her cheeks flushed with emotion.

“Stay next to me, and if we encounter anything we keep them at bay with our attacks while retreating step-by-step in formation. Showing our backs to the enemy in the tunnel will be a fatal mistake, so brace yourself,” Jack offered Sarah his arm, and she gripped it. Both of them squeezed it with their enhanced strength, looking at each other with determination in their eyes, breaking it apart before they actually got hurt. It was reminder of sorts, to make sure their minds were focussed on the present instead of lingering on the past.

“I’m ready,” Sarah replied with her spear held in her arms, a steely glint in her eyes.

They had already made their preparations in advance, having entered into a temporary party. From Jack’s understanding of the fight with [Oathbreaker Melkrys], the experience in a temporary party was distributed according to contribution and not simply who managed to get the last hit on the enemy they were fighting. So even if Jack got the last hit on a creature while the majority of the damage was done by Sarah, she would not be robbed of her contribution. It was a good way to avoid disputes between allies, thankfully the system at least didn’t actively go out of its way to create rifts between group members.

Jack had also considered the availability of [Healing] and [Qi-Replenishing Pills], but had ultimately passed on them. He had enough [Healing Pills], and Sarah had purchased one [Qi-Replenishing Pill] because she had used one up in the fight against [Oathbreaker Melkrys], and passed it on to him.

With his new sword, [Qi Projection] skill and increased stats, Jack was confident about facing whatever was waiting for them inside, but not overconfident. His immediate goal was to hit [5000 TP] and then consider purchasing one of the weaker attunement stones, because he had a theory that had been floating in his mind since his encounter with [Adept Lanhai].

So they took their first steps into the dingy tunnel, their movements in perfect synchronization.... Unsure of what lay behind the cover of shadows.