CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: ADVENTURER’S PARANOIA

[Give me a chance, I’ll be honest]

[Don’t lock me in the dark room, I beg you!]

In the Yellow-covered Book, or rather the Holy Scripture’s plea, a specially-made self-destructing Puki swallowed it whole.

Then this Puki ran all the way to the deepest part of the Mushroom Forest under the rock wall, and began using the [Rock Eating] skill to create Rock Armor.

Eventually, it would transform into an unobtrusive rock stump, surviving by connecting to the fungal mat below, temporarily sealing the book.

Although the book is evil, it is quite powerful in function.

After Lin Jun and his teammates interrogated it together, they figured out its general function.

It absorbs the souls of the deceased to strengthen the holder’s basic Attributes, just like Dylan experienced.

Of course, there are limitations, overuse can make one’s soul become chaotic, ultimately leading to madness.

Apart from this core function, it has a rather strong detection ability, otherwise it wouldn’t have been able to point Dylan to the cave where the bear resides.

It also has the power to induce certain emotions, like suddenly filling your heart with rage; this move works well against instinctive demons, less so against intelligent creatures.

Not to mention it can charm others through words.

Honestly, this kind of "charm" is far from what Lin Jun imagined...

As for why it was called the Holy Scripture and why it didn’t want to be captured by the Demon Race?

According to its explanation, it doesn’t know why the Demon Race calls it that, and although the Demon Race calls it respectfully, they would lock it in a dark room.

Lin Jun thought the Demon Race’s action made sense, such a dangerous book would even be a headache for them.

In the end, Lin Jun sealed it as a helpless measure.

Although it has self-awareness, it belongs to the category of Magic Items, so Lin Jun cannot see the panel.

Much of the information it divulges, Lin Jun cannot verify its authenticity, let alone the most crucial origins and purpose, when asked it simply says it doesn’t know, stating it naturally likes souls.

Even when two pages were ripped out by Xiao Hai it didn’t change its tune.

Overall, it’s quite a dangerous object and to use it well at least one must understand a language.

Yes, the book is also a Master of Language, almost fluent in Elf Language, Dwarf Language, Human Language, Demon Language, Beastman Dialect, etc.

Unfortunately, Lin Jun understands none of them.

The book definitely cannot be given to Dylan to use, if given to Dylan it’s uncertain who would use it.

If it charms Dylan and then escapes, far away from the Purple Crystal Dungeon.

Lin Jun would be helpless.

Therefore, before learning the Human Universal Language himself, he can only let it stay in the dark room first.

On the other hand, Dylan brought back news about Inanna.

It is said that after the Duke’s Daughter was rescued, she has been secluded, rarely leaving the Duke’s Mansion.

This is good news for Lin Jun, since he was worried Inanna would be running around, making her hard to find.

Later on, he could write a letter or find other means to try to contact her, asking her to help in finding knowledge related to the Underground City at the Relic Association.

Lin Jun had already thought of the rewards, just that relatively small S Level Demon Crystal.

However, there’s no rush, it can be done after Dylan rests for a while.

Dylan suffered greatly this time out, initially there wasn’t enough gold coins, sipping Magic Potion sparingly, constantly in a state of hunger.

Later being hunted by the Demon Race, nearly getting his brain messed up by the miserable Yellow-covered Book.

It’s truly remarkable he came back alive.

Lin Jun could only give him some time off, hoping the Mushroom House could properly relieve his fatigue.

To this end, he even specially prepared some of his favorite nutrition.

However, before allowing him to rest, Lin Jun asked him to do a small favor.

-----------------

At the entrance to the fifth level.

Wells and his four teammates looked oddly at this sign, not knowing who set it up.

[Fifth Level Rules]

[Do not actively attack anything]

[The body of a demon can distract Puki blocking the path for up to ten minutes]

[Do not leave the glowing mushroom road, there are more blocking Puki in the dark]

[Following the path on the edge of the Mushroom Forest can find the fat Puki, use demon bodies to exchange items with it]

[Gray mushrooms are edible]

[Do not enter the Mushroom Forest, nor the Swamp Area]

[Can dig in the cave area, but do not pick up the Demon Crystals knocked down by Puki]

[The poison in the Venom Lake is really strong]

[If you see a completely black winged humanoid creature, immediately retreat the way you came]

"What is this supposed to be?" Wells pointed at the wooden sign, asking for his teammates’ opinions.

"Guidelines left by other adventurers?"

"Judging by the second item, it seems like an upgraded version of the manual before the Demon Tide? But what is the Mushroom Forest?"

"The Underground City just opened, already explored so quickly? I would say this information isn’t missing just a bit."

"Indeed, and who would be so kind to provide guidelines free of charge, even putting up a sign here? Most likely a trap or a prank."

"But what if it’s true?"

"If it’s true I’ll come back and eat this sign!"

The dwarf crossbowman and human mage in the team seemed to disagree slightly.

The captain was rubbing his chin, looking like he hadn’t made up his mind.

A temporary team was like this, lacking tacit understanding, easy to fall into contention.

"What do you think?"

Wells poked the team’s priest, Jini, to see what she thought.

"Ah!"

The sudden high note made everyone look over simultaneously.

"Don’t suddenly poke me, Wells." Jini pouted, softly blaming.

Facing everyone’s gaze, Wells could only chuckle awkwardly, it was the shoulder not the waist that was poked...

Fortunately, Jini merely complained a bit, and brought the topic back.

"I think, the Underground City just opened and such a sign appears, credibility is indeed low.

Why not act like the sign doesn’t exist?

We’ll explore as we planned, if we encounter any issues then we’ll talk.

Rest assured, if anyone accidentally gets hurt, I’ll take care of healing them!"

Saying this, she held up the Holy Bell and Magic Staff, her sunny smile putting some ease in everyone’s minds.

The captain aptly said, "I think it’s doable."

Wells and the dwarf naturally had no objections.

Only the other human mage wasn’t quite in agreement, but with his teammates all in favor, he couldn’t do much about it.

Thus, the group decided to follow the original plan and first explore the forest area to see how much has changed after the Demon Tide.

-----------------

Sigh...

Another group ignoring the advice.

The wooden sign was naturally set up by Lin Jun, it’s just unexpected the adventurers would be so sceptical.

This is already the third group ignoring the rules.

It’s not necessary to kill them directly, but for sure he has to think of some ways to give them a lesson, so they learn to follow the rules.

Thinking this, Lin Jun casually glanced at this group’s setup.

Hmm... a group around Level 30...

[Name: Jini Alison]

[Race: Human]

[Level: Level 42]

[Title: Human Killer (increases damage to humans by 10%)]

???

Is this the everyday life of adventurers?

Seems like scepticism needs to be a heavier emphasis...