Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 260 The Beast Horde Attacks
The biggest challenge in exploring underground ruins, labyrinths, and architectural complexes has always been logistics.

Even with a space bag, its storage capacity is still quite limited. If an accident occurs, the most painful way for explorers and adventurers to die is not by being killed by monsters, but by being trapped underground and tormented by hunger and thirst.

Therefore, unlike the adventurers in stories and games who run as far as they can, real-world explorers tend to be quite conservative in their actions.

Let alone considering returning after only half of the supplies are used up, we will basically return immediately if any wounded are found.

After all, injuries mean a weakening of the team's functionality, a weakness in certain aspects, and then a major oversight leading to further casualties. The death chain reaction in the underworld often starts because of a member's careless injury.

One person is injured, another is caring for them, and yet another has to shoulder several responsibilities that are not theirs. As a result, the workload keeps increasing, leading to a series of accidents.

However, the result of everyone's conservative exploration was that there was almost no progress. Everyone was just wandering around in the safe zone, and once they had made enough profit, they would return.

This wouldn't happen in normal underground labyrinth or ruin exploration.

Because once the shallow layers are thoroughly cleaned, those who come later, whether willingly or unwillingly, will have to go to the deeper layers.

The maze here is "regenerable." As long as you hunt within the safe zone, you can reliably obtain extraordinary materials. What a worthwhile deal!

"We must completely eradicate the underground ruins within two years and eliminate the hidden dangers that threaten this city."

At first, the princess's speech was met with resistance from all the adventurers.

They are content with their current stable life and do not aspire to take risks, but the changes brought about by the times are something that no individual can subjectively resist.

The influx of powerful outsiders—noble guards, archmages from the mage tower, and even noble priests from the church district—has pushed the "lazy pigs" who were previously wallowing in the mud to the point of unbearable pressure. In the shallower areas, there are no longer any valuable monsters, and they must now hunt to survive.

However, their lives have improved significantly, as the big shots have directly paid for and replaced their inferior equipment.

All they needed was to act as guides with minimal risk.

"People in our line of work can become famous?!" More and more news gradually stirred up this stagnant pool.

Contrary to popular belief, adventurers, especially those exploring underground, actually find it very difficult to gain fame. No matter how well they perform in the underground world, they will be looked down upon by most of the "regular army" when they return to the surface.

In this era, fame could buy everything: the appreciation of high-ranking nobles and the granting of lower-ranking titles; the trust and positions of large organizations; and even being famous for picking up girls wouldn't be frowned upon.

"What's the point of going through all that trouble and risking your life to go deeper? You might just die in there."

But now, the "Mirror Demon's" live stream has brought about a significant change in the situation, with even high-ranking nobles like the city lord frequently keeping a close eye on the exploration work.

If you can "appear" or even stand out at this time, you might be able to gain the appreciation of some big shots and completely escape the tragic fate of struggling to make a living.

Organized exploration and lone wolf adventure are worlds apart in terms of both benefits and stability.

"The progress has obviously accelerated significantly. Someone encountered a manticore, and the person who beheaded it not only received more than 300 gold coins, but was also hired by the Labor family as a professional bodyguard."

Encountering a powerful monster often means venturing deeper into the labyrinth.

News of the lucky few spread throughout the industry, while the unfortunate ones who died below remained unknown.

However, what is about to happen today seems to be a bit of an exception.
"What is that?"

At the same time, a party of at least five adventurers encountered some strange people.

It was a tall figure, draped in a huge gray cloak and wearing a white one-eyed mask. Behind him, there were often small, snow-white beasts.

"stop!!"

In the underground world, encountering someone dressed so strangely is definitely not normal, even if they seem harmless. The sentries and thieves issued timely warnings, and the makeshift squads prepared for battle, but it was all in vain.

"Ahhhh!"

At that moment, screams filled the underground world.

One by one, the cloaked figures transformed into slender yet enormous monsters, leading their herds of beasts on the hunt.

This was destined to be a massacre.

Faced with the broadcasts of the Mirror Demons, the explorers and adventurers were torn to shreds.

Those beasts not only completed their slaughter, but also dined in front of the mirror, and finally even bared their teeth in disdain at the "mirror".

"This is no longer an ordinary cult; we must strike them down hard!"

About thirty minutes later, through the wide-open gates of the Great Mirror Demons, groups of soldiers from various churches, the Radiant City garrison, and the private armies of the kingdom's nobles entered.

They are hunters who hunt monsters, but they are also the vanguard when large forces begin to enter the fray.

Among them, one temporary squad had a small number of members, but their strength and configuration were quite exaggerated.

“I don’t want to wear a mask,” Hela complained, disliking the feeling of the mask against her face.

"Well, let's just bear with it. After all, there's a possibility that Lex himself might appear in the picture, and he's wearing a mask in the portrait." Rean glanced back. The little mirror sprite floating around was a propaganda machine, but it could also become a source of trouble for leaks.

"Heh, you don't think I'd be happy about that, do you?"

"Of course not, but you can use your script, the one about Lex's illegitimate son."

"No way! I'm just angry at that idiot. I don't want to be labeled as Lex's illegitimate son."

In a recent argument between the sisters, Hela, angered, spoke rudely to Dania, saying, "I'm going to debut as Lex's illegitimate son and let everyone see what kind of scumbag he is." This argument was taking place right in front of the despairing spirit of Lex.

But now that she's out and calmed down, she's come to terms with it.

"Why should I punish myself for Lex and the others' mistakes? Why should I deliberately create big trouble for myself?"

So she changed her mind and refused to do it on the spot.

"Whatever." Rean shrugged. As long as it doesn't involve me, you sisters can do whatever you want with yourselves.

Can you see it?

Rean asked, but the other member of the temporary team shook his head.

The red-feathered arrow followed, hunting "deer" being a means of recovery for them.

Although she regained her sight, her "eagle eye" probably lost its X-ray vision, which was quite useful in this place.

“Come on, use the method I taught you.” The red-feathered arrow glanced at Rean’s eyes, which were now radiating a familiar light.

Now, as a teacher, he seems to have no problem teaching Rean how to use his "Hawk Eye" ability.

(End of this chapter)