Dragon Tribulation of All Realms

Chapter 340 An Encounter with a Sword and Shield Man Deep in the Cave

“…I don’t know.” Nekai hesitated for a second, but immediately added, “But there is indeed something strange deep inside this cave. A few days ago, I heard some newcomers say that there were signs of haunting in the deepest part of the cave. I didn’t pay much attention, but I think that should be the place you mentioned…”

She claimed she had changed everything, which clearly indicates she's quite nervous. This proves she genuinely doesn't know the situation there.

“That’s hardly an answer,” Wu Chen said, withdrawing his gaze. “But it’s not entirely without value… What’s your bounty?”

"...4000G." — G is the currency unit in this worldview, which can also be called Gold, gold coins. Of course, the actual value of gold is much higher than this.

The next moment, the beautiful vice-captain of the thieves immediately took out a card from her pocket. In this rather bizarre world, it functioned as a bank card.

"This is all my savings, a total of 30000G. Adding my own savings, is it enough to buy my life?"

If Wu Chen were a 'hero' now, then the answer would be no.

If Wu Chen were now a 'King', then the answer would be that he is unworthy.

If Wu Chen were now a 'god,' then the answer would be meaningless.

But now, Wu Chen is an 'adventurer'. And adventurers don't pursue grand themes.

He nodded, then shook his head. And as the female thief's muscles tensed, he spoke.

“Consider that a commission.” Wu Chen’s gaze swept over the tavern girl at his feet. “I commission you to go to Lisas City to investigate the disappearance of female students at ‘Paris Academy.’ Before that, I need you to ensure this young lady’s safety. Until I return from the underworld.”

The female thief's eyes flickered slightly.

"That's a prestigious girls' academy. It's said that only beautiful girls with exceptional looks are allowed to enroll if they don't have a powerful family background... Oh dear, someone who can kidnap girls in a place like this must be no ordinary person. Perhaps I'll have to face off against a count's guard... or even a duke's confidant?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out." — Even more so.

"Isn't it dangerous enough that I might run away?" She raised a finger and gently placed it to her lips. "Besides, maybe I have something in common with the mastermind behind the kidnapping?"

"I don't recommend that you delve too deeply into the darkness behind this case, but if you are willing to take the risk and extract more valuable information, I will not hesitate to give you extra rewards afterward."

"...You're quite the unfunny boss." The former vice-captain of the thieves' gang sighed, his face and demeanor falling. "I thought you were some amusing little brother, but it turns out you're a boring adult... Honestly, you still have that childish smell about you... Did I misjudge you?"

She straightened her back again, her tone becoming serious and earnest.

"Well then, I, 'Shadow' Nekai, accept this commission. I will try my best to uncover the secrets of that academy in the shortest possible time... But, if I accidentally make a mistake, will you bail me out, boss?"

“If I had known where you were back then,” Wu Chen nodded, walked past her, and headed deeper into the cave, “I would have saved your life along the way.”

Knowing the location meant the mission was complete, or even slightly beyond. Therefore, he would naturally take extra action to protect his temporary sentry.

He heard a soft chuckle.

So he continued onward.

Memories surged through his mind; he wasn't unaware that Princess Lia was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, and at this point, the entirety of Lisas was essentially under the control of that capricious princess—the king and queen had long since become decorative puppets. Lia's siblings had already been slaughtered by her in the court intrigues.

Perhaps so. Wu Chen was not afraid of making an enemy of a nation at the very beginning of his adventure.

But he knew very well that some kind of hidden and massive mutation had occurred in this world—while the protagonist Lance becoming a woman would have far-reaching consequences, it wouldn't actually affect the overall situation. And perhaps, in some corner of this world, there was some inconspicuous yet extremely deadly trap lurking.

and so……

"Do as you please, but do not overstep the rules."

His identity has been confirmed as an 'adventurer,' so he should proceed in this world in the manner of an 'adventurer.' And since cognitive interference has already occurred, as long as he remains within the rules of an 'adventurer,' the underlying order of this world will become his ally.

—Playing games recklessly is not advisable.

—If I rushed straight to the Lysas Palace now and found that Lya had become Lia, or even that the Demon King Gil, who had successfully resurrected, was playing the role of Lya, wouldn't I be in a real mess?
My mind calmed down.

In the first three parts of Lance, the final boss is the former Demon King Gil, who is hiding in a sealed space and attempting to resurrect with the help of her loyal subordinates. This former Demon King's fighting power surpasses all the opposing forces up to the final battle in the tenth part. Even the protagonist, Lance, would need a plot-driven defeat to win, and he himself would have to take a hit. Even if Wu Chen were to immediately unleash his full power, he might still be outmatched in fighting the unleashed Demon King Gil.

and so……

Take gentle breaths.

Those pieces of information he shouldn't know or understand were once again suppressed into the depths of his mind. The stone walls on both sides of the road turned from new to old, and a wisp of mist gradually rose at Wu Chen's feet.

An anomaly has occurred.

Deep within this cave, nothing superfluous should have been found. Only a man, sealed within the concrete walls, had spent countless years in perpetual darkness, but now…

He heard the voice saying, "Leave..."

[Leave here...] Hands and feet felt restricted, and a subtle resistance surfaced deep within.

"This is not an area you should be venturing into..." A thought formed in his mind, whispering to Wu Chen to stop immediately and not to pay any attention to the area behind him. And this was perhaps the reason why the bandit group hadn't explored further.

They were powerless to resist.

But Wu Chen's steps did not stop.

The surrounding fog grew thicker and thicker, and in the blink of an eye, the surrounding stone walls transformed into a vast, empty, unknown area. The warning voice had vanished, replaced by a dense and intense hostility, like a sharp sword pointed at Wu Chen's brow.

A sudden metallic clanging sound rang out in the air.

This is the physical effect generated when Wu Chen's will counters that invisible hostility.

He stopped.

He saw, at the edge of his vision, in the vast emptiness, a tall, thin figure holding a sword and shield.

(End of this chapter)