Chapter 41: The Cartographer's Lost Cache
Following the course of the subterranean stream, Drake delved deeper into the cave system hinted at by the Alvari spiral marker. The air grew heavy with the scent of damp earth and minerals. Phosphorescent moss cast shifting, eerie green patterns on the tunnel walls, providing just enough ambient light to navigate without a torch. He kept [Relic Hunter] active, scanning for the next clue in the cartographer's hidden trail.
The stream led him into a larger grotto, the ceiling opening high above, where thin rays of unseen surface light might have filtered down eons ago. A small waterfall cascaded down one wall, feeding a crystal-clear pool. And there, etched onto the smooth rock face beside the pool, was the symbol he sought: the 'X' within a circle (⊗), the Alvari marker for 'Destination Reached / Cache Site'.
"This is it. The end of the trail. The cache must be nearby."
However, the cache wasn't unguarded. Stirred by his entrance, two large, multi-legged creatures resembling oversized, crystalline isopods scuttled out from crevices near the pool. Their carapaces glittered in the dim light. << Crystal-Backed Crawler (Level 15) detected. >> << Crystal-Backed Crawler (Level 15) detected. >>
"Level 15... tougher than the stuff outside. HP looks substantial too, maybe 2000-2500 each?"
Drake raised his [Rare Guardian's Buckler] as the first Crawler charged, mandibles clicking. He met the surprisingly fast scuttling charge with [Defend]. << Perfect Defend! Damage Taken: 0! Off-Balance Applied! >> He immediately countered with [Basic Slash]. << Perfect Execution! +Flawless Strike! Relentless Assault: +21 Stacks! Damage Dealt: 235! >>
The hit landed solidly on the creature's crystalline shell, leaving a faint scratch. The second Crawler spat a glob of corrosive acid. Drake sidestepped, the acid sizzling harmlessly on the stone floor, while landing another perfect slash on the first Crawler. << Perfect Execution! Damage Dealt: 258! >> (Relentless Assault stacks climbing, damage increasing).
He alternated perfect blocks with relentless perfect slashes, his attack speed visibly increasing as [Relentless Assault] quickly passed 500 stacks. Critical hits flashed yellow, carving deeper into the Crawlers' defenses. << Critical Hit! Damage Dealt: 620! >> The first Crawler screeched, its health dropping rapidly under the onslaught. It took about five seconds of focused, max-stack attacks before it finally collapsed, its crystalline shell shattering. << Target Eliminated! EXP +250 >>
Drake immediately turned his full attention to the second Crawler, his [Relentless Assault] already near maximum. It fell even faster, unable to withstand the barrage. << Target Eliminated! EXP +250 >>
"Okay, 2000+ HP mobs go down in seconds once the stacks are up. Damage feels right now."
With the guardians dispatched, Drake approached the wall bearing the Alvari destination marker (⊗). Activating [Relic Hunter], he scanned the surrounding rock face. As before, the skill revealed faint seams outlining a rectangular section adjacent to the symbol, along with a small, cleverly concealed protruding stone near the bottom – the trigger.
He pressed the stone. With a low grind, the section slid inwards, revealing a dry niche protected from the grotto's dampness. Inside lay the cartographer's cache. Drake reached in, retrieving the contents.
First, a heavy pouch of gold. << Acquired: Gold x 180! >>
Then, several bundles wrapped in oilcloth. << Acquired: [Quicksilver Essence] x5! >> << Acquired: [Sunstone Dust] x10! >> << Acquired: [Heart Mote] x3! >> "Rare reagents. Good find."
Next, an ornate, non-metallic compass. << Item Acquired: [Cartographer's Compass] (Rare)! >>
[Cartographer's Compass]
Quality: Rare
Type: Accessory (Trinket)
Requirements: Level 14 Stats: +2 Perception +1 Agility
Special Effect: Slightly enhances the range and sensitivity of the [Relic Hunter] skill when active.
"+Perception and boosts Relic Hunter? Perfect synergy. Need Level 14 though." He placed it in his inventory for later.
Finally, the most promising item: a roll of intact parchments. << Item Acquired: [Cartographer's Route Maps - Silverhaven Region] (Unique)! >> << Description: Detailed survey maps... Reveals hidden paths, dangers, and resources... invaluable for exploration. >>
"The maps! This is the jackpot. Should make the rest of the journey much safer and potentially faster."
Finding the cache itself triggered a large burst of experience. << Discovered Lost Cartographer's Cache! +8000 EXP! >>
This, combined with the EXP from the Level 15 Crawlers and the mobs killed en route, was enough. Ding! LEVEL UP! You are now Level 14! << Base Attributes Increased! HP/MP/Stamina Increased! +2 Attribute Points Available! >>
Drake assigned the points (STR/PRE) and felt the familiar increase in power. Level 14. He immediately equipped the [Cartographer's Compass]. The world didn't look drastically different, but he felt his passive perception sharpen slightly, and the subtle highlights from [Relic Hunter] seemed a touch clearer, extending slightly further.