Chapter 73 N'Ikrikex

A humanoid creature with four tentacles by its mouth stand tall at the center of the black miasma. The creature wields a staff like weapon that has a dark gem ornaments.

Lance and Brusgror are both quivering on the ground due to unimaginable pain caused by the voice of this creature. Even Larissa that is currently unconscious started bleeding from her nose and ears as well.

Another creature that looks identical to the perpetrator of Lance and his party's suffering appear behind it.

"Kill the human and the elf, take the dwarf." The newly arrived creature ordered.

"Uttre Verre."

"N'Ikrikex, you need to learn this world's language or prepare to face the wrath of our master if you accidentally kill a lamb."

N'Ikrikex bows before to what looks like its superior and heads towards the three suffering adventurers. He then raise his staff and use the pointed end to stab both Lance and Larissa.

Lance somehow manage to block the staff however N'Ikrikex launch its tentacles that pierces his head. N'Ikrikex then proceed to stab the unconscious elf as well.

"L... Lance... Larissa..." Brusgror cried while still trying hard to resist the mental attack from the creature.

N'Ikrikex use the blunt end of his staff to knock Brusgror unconscious and drags him in the basement where its superior went earlier.

As soon as N'Ikrikex goes to the basement both Lance and Larissa's lifeless body starts to have a seizure. Their pale white skin turn into an ashen color, their eyes turns to bloodshot red and a husk of their former selves rises from the ground.

"Leah are you alright?" Valerie asked.

"Wh-what just happened?" Leah questioned back.

"I'm not sure as well. You just started screaming all of a sudden out of nowhere, luckily Cleo manage to take down the elite monster in time." Valerie explained with a look of concern in her eyes.

'What did I just saw, was that all real?' Leah said inwardly. "Where's Cleo right now?" she added.

Valerie pointed at Cleo's direction who's fighting another undead wave with Anna. This is much easier compare to fighting the elite paladin earlier.

"I need to discuss something with you guys, I'll go get Cleo for now." Leah said.

Valerie just nods and proceed to support Leah who's still feeling a bit disoriented.

After Cleo and Anna cleared the undead wave, the party decides to call it a day since they were also worried on what happened to Leah. They then set up a camp just outside the abandoned cathedral where most of the adventurers set their camp as well.

The dwarves that was saved earlier by Valerie also sets their camp in this area. There's also some small party of adventurers, some of the merchants took the opportunity to set up a small shop that sells potions and holy water.

This is a common sight at the abandoned cathedral since most adventurers didn't really want to venture deep at the dungeon especially during night time where some types of undead monster receives a natural buff.

"Young miss with an eye patch!" called by a dwarf that has majestic auburn beard.

Valerie turn around to see where the sound is coming from.

"What's wrong Valerie?" Cleo asked.

"Nothing, I thought someone is calling out to me." Valerie said.

"Young miss down here!"

It might be the fatigue taking its effect. Valerie didn't notice the dwarf that's calling her.

"My name is Thrarael, I heard from one of my guild mates that you were the one that saved them from the elite monster." Thrarael said.

"I just did what's right at the moment." Valerie said. "More importantly Cleo and Leah did most of the job anyway."

"Not only beautiful, you're down to earth as well. Come, let's treat you and your party to the finest ale in all of Zirracania." Thrarael offered.

Valerie flushed red at the compliment that comes from nowhere. After regaining her composure she then look at her party to ask if its alright to accept the offer from the dwarf. Of course the ale is just a bonus, what Valerie really is after is to form a connection with the dwarves. This will make their lives easier in Zirracania, especially if they somehow venture to a place where Alger's medallion is not being recognize.

She explains the circumstance to her party and all of them agree with her idea. Leah decides to postpone the thing she wants to discuss with them. Besides she's not sure herself what happened back at the abandoned cathedral.