Shadow Walk was a wonderful spell, yes, but that didn’t mean that it didn’t have its costs. Tiredness, an overwhelming tiredness assaulted his body and mind, likely it was because he didn’t allow his mana to replenish fully and was completely out by now. Regardless of the negative effect, the Oberon Undermountain Caves were comparatively close. He just had to walk the rest at a slow pace.

Or maybe he didn’t, because there were two large spiders by the entrance.

“Hello.” He waved at the pair. “Do you mind giving me a lift to the Drow?”

The two spiders looked at each other.

“Warrior. Leader. Will. Get…” The spider was deliberating the word.

“Jealous.” The second spider finished.

“If you won’t tell, I won’t tell.” He winked.

The ride was secured and he reached the Drow Cavern quickly. He was surprised that in a short amount of time, they had finished building all the houses and other buildings they needed. By the looks of it, they even began farming the glow moss and glow mushrooms; as a fellow farmer-slash-king he approved of the ideas. There was one issue however, the Drow were still wearing strange clothes, if you could even call them that. Those were just sacks draped over their bodies, it screamed poverty.

“Hello, I am here to see the High Chief.” He greeted a random drow.

The drow jumped as if she just saw a ghost, her red eyes were big and her hands began to tremble. There was no reply, she pointed at the house near the spring.

“Odd…” He never projected fear, her reaction was out of place. “But thanks.”

The house was far away from being ordinary. Its walls were made of fungiwood giving it a sponge-like appearance, it was neither square nor round, the best word was bulbous with growths; the shape was much like a pile of potatoes fused with one another; strange. There were round holes for windows in random places, and for the doors there was just a thick curtain of cave roots and vines weaved together.

He knocked on the spongy wall, it made a hollow thud. “High Chief, are you in?”

He heard something tumble and then shatter.

“King of Spiders!”

The High Chief opened the curtain, his face and fingers and even the blue cloth sack he wore were stained, the stains glowed in fluorescent yellow.

“Oh, this. I was trying to make ink.”

“Really. I did the same today, what a coincidence.”

“Come King, sit down, I can’t leave you standing.” He moved the curtain inviting him in with a hand gesture.

The inside was an organised mess. Various plants and mushrooms were spilling from stone bowls and cave critters were trying to escape their stick cages. Other strange substances and powders coated the counters and workstation, much of it emitted an odd smell and faint glow. The tidiest table had some fungal sheets cut neatly into squares on the top, and under it was a smashed container and a big yellow glowing puddle. He sat by the ‘tidiest’ table. For some reason the High Chief didn’t follow inside and went out instead.

“The King is here! Send me a servant girl and refreshments!” He shouted all too loud. “Sorry about the state of my office.” He came back bow apologetically.

“No, need. I understand, after all, you started fresh from zero. Actually, I am impressed how quickly you made this cavern your home.”

The High Chief bowed again. “The spiders helped us a lot.”

“The reason I came is about this.” He pulled the oily crumpled paper from the magic inventory. “Have a look, do you recognise the letters, well, glyphs of whatever those are.”

The drow took the paper and held it close to his face. “Magical Scroll, no, the paper is too plain. The enchantment wouldn't work. Why someone would waste magical ink on something like this?”

He made a complicated expression. “Well, I made it. Never mind that, tell me about the glyphs.”

“You made it?” He looked at the King in surprise treating the paper with increased delicacy.

“The glyphs!” He pointed at the paper, taping on the ink.

“Oh, that’s Demonic Runes. But you know that already since you wrote it…” The High Chief also had a complicated look on his face.

“Demonic Runes… Can you read them?”

“What? No… The elven elders might have gleaned some insight if they were still around.”

Yeah, apparently venerable elders and the elven ancient library had mysteriously vanished just before he breached the Elf City.

“I see…” At least he gained some insight into what language it was. “Demonic Runes…” It was hard to believe those were made with his own hand.

A servant girl came running out of the doorway with a tray. She too looked pitiful with nothing more than a sack covering her slim body. At least she wasn’t bald like the High Chief, she had long white hair hanging loosely from her shoulders. She set two stone cups on the table and poured some brown liquid in.

He took a sip. The taste was unique; it was cold mushroom tea. “Not bad. Could I ask for a recipe?”

“It’s just dried mushrooms and spring water.” The High Chief shrugged.

“I like it.”

The Drow smiled. “Then the king can help himself to our stores. Or should I just give the spiders some to bring it to your home?”

He simply nodded. “You know, as I said, I’d like to trade with you.”

“Trade? But you have given us so much already. We all know if you need something you can just take it, no one will say a thing.”

“Am I that type of person? I think I made the wrong impression.”

“No, no! I apologise if I misunderstood. From now on we'll send you regular tribute of various things we make here.”

“I can pay. What would you like in return?” He finished the tea.

The servant girl was quick to refill the cup, even with a trembling hand she didn’t spill a single drop.

“We can’t, we're already indebted to you eternally.”

“What do you mean?”

The high chief leaned to whisper. “The Drow think that if we keep taking and taking, one day you will come and collect their souls as payment.”

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It was hard to process what the High Chief just said, he was likely projecting the trauma from what had happened in the Elf City with the Ancestral Tree.

“I would do no such thing.” He whispered back.

“I know. You are capable of bigger things.” He no longer whispered.

“…”

“We are but slaves to you our King and Master. You can do what you wish.”

He made a mental note officially declaring the high chief crazy.

“Is that why everyone insists on wearing sackcloth?”

“Is that unacceptable?”

“Can’t you make something better?”

“But these are the clothes the King bestowed upon us.” The High Chief grabbed his sackcloth. “It is enchanted cloth! Not only does it not stain easily it is also Reinforced +1!”

He began rubbing his temples out of frustration with this crazy Drow.

“You can wear it if you like it. But don’t go making others wear it.” He looked at the servant girl. “Wouldn’t you like to take that filthy sack off?”

The girl flushed red and dropped the sack

“… and wear something else instead?” He too flushed red. “You can put that back on.”

The High Chief gave a curious look.

“Let’s try again. Girl, wouldn't you like to wear a pretty dress?”

“No…” She replied meekly.

“Don’t be shy.”

“If the king insists I will… but…” She obviously wanted to say something else.

“But?”

“Does this sack look bad on me? I made sure to put it right. If my elder finds out that my sack was not proper she will punish me.” The tears began pooling in the corner of her eyes.

“Oh, no… Please don’t cry. The sack looks beautiful on you! Yes, it fits you very well.”

“Really?” She rubbed the tears away.

“Yes!” he nodded vigorously.

Either all Drow were crazy or they just had a weird fashion sense.

“However, I stand by my word. No one needs to wear the sackcloth if they don’t want it. I am sure you can make clothes of your own.”

“It will never be as good as the ones you gave me… This is royal garb!” The high chief exclaimed proudly. “But, I will convey your will, King.” He bowed. “I apologise if we somehow displeased you.” He glared at the girl.

“No, no… This is your people. I shouldn’t be the one setting the rules here. Anyway, thanks for your wisdom about the runes, it was insightful. With that said, I must go.” He stood up from the chair.

“Wait, King.”

He looked at the High Chief.

“That ink of yours. Would you be willing to share its recipe.”

“Oh, it’s just blue dust mixed with water.” He took out a bag of dust from the inventory. “Be careful, if you inhale it it will give a debuff.”

“Thanks.”

He waved the High Chief goodbye and bowed in an apology to the servant girl.

“If anything else you need just ask the spiders.”

“I will. But I think I have everything to start building our Drow Archive.”

He left the two drow in the house and went to look for the ride out. However, The High chief wasn’t just done yet.

“Sorry, King. I keep forgetting.

The drow pressed big fuzzy seed into his hands.

“What’s that?” He deposited into the inventory. [Living Wood Seed]

“A special tree seed from the elven forest. This is the one we used to craft many different things out of. It has many magical properties. I stole it from Ancestral Tree when we left.”

He would have preferred if the High Chief just omitted the last part.

“Stole? But when I met you weren’t, you, you know... naked and with no gear or any possessions at all?”

“Yes, we were forbidden to take anything from the forest, except for vermin and bugs. The wisps and squirrels were keeping a keen eye on us.”

“Then how?” It was unlikely the wisp wouldn’t sense it being taken, unless… “Oh, you have a special perk, an extra inventory space.”

“Yes, I hid it in my own special Elven Pocket.” The chief said somewhat uncomfortable. “I made sure to wash it properly so don’t you worry.”

“Are you sure you don’t need it? The seed?”

“We’re Drow now, it doesn’t belong with us, and besides, it would never grow in the cave. No sunlight.” He stated the obvious.

“Well then, I will take it if you don’t need it.”

The High Chief nodded. “Take good care of it, it’s precious.”

Just then he was about to say goodbye for the third time, the High Chief stopped him.

“The trip must have been exhausting, wouldn't you try our spring? As I said before it has healing properties.”

For some reason, the High Chief showed his long black fingernails to him.

“Maybe you’re right. I do have a headache. I don't think I properly let my mana recover and I am all out.”

“Then, what’s the hold up.” The Drow pushed the King by the shoulder urging him towards the spring.

Indeed, it was restored to its former glory. The rocks were polished clean and it was steaming hot vapour.

“Come, Come.” The High Chief urged while already in the water.

He was lucky he came wearing a robe and not armour otherwise it would have been difficult. Without reservation, he took the clothes off and joined the elf. The water was hot, but not unpleasant, and he could already feel the headache subside.

Out of curiosity, he activated the perk [Harvest Material] and it provided him with [Mana Spring Water], which had a subtext telling that it is diluted.

“I didn’t expect this to be more than a hot spring…”

“Of course, it’s more than a hot spring. Wait, you didn’t know?”

“I don’t think even Lamia knew… and I won’t tell them.” The memory of the mischievous Lamia Queen soured the otherwise relaxing bathing experience.

“Haya!” Someone jumped into the water making it slash. “Spider King!” A familiar voice greeted.

“Kobold leader what are you doing here?”

The kobold swam around disturbing the calm water.

“Drow are friends. I come and have a hot bath now and then. Good for the scales.”

“They make our pottery for us. The fungiwood we can shape, but stone… We had to rely on Kobolds.”

“Yes, yes.” The Kobold leader released a trail of bubbles from its rear. “Drow showed Kobolds how to make the best of pots.” It kept swimming in circles.

“And Kobolds showed us what is edible and what is not. They are quite knowledgeable about these caves.”

“Huh, I’m glad you are allies already.” He was surprised at the unlikely alliance.

“It just made sense, once we found out that they serve the King too.”

“And the pots… I want some too you know. I never knew you could make them.”

“Never asked.” Kobold leader splayed its body over the hot flat rock. “Ehh… so good.”

“King did you know, well at least according to the Kobolds, that deep in the caves it’s possible to find fire spirit stones.”

“Yes, yes. But guarded by fire-breathing monsters. Told Drow not to go, it will melt their soft grey skin.”

“Sounds dangerous. Why are you interested in magic stones, High Chief?”

“Well… the Kobolds have ores, and since we aren’t elves anymore. I was thinking of smelting some metal.”

He gave a High Chief an inquisitive look. “Tell me more about these magic stones.”

“Fire Spirit Stone, is an item able to convert ambient mana into fire essence or elemental fire. Its fire is smokeless and hot enough to melt most ores. The essence can be used in enchantments or to boost fire-based spells.”

“Wow, that’s a very book-like reply.”

“Yes, after all, I am the eldest Drow here; I know a thing or two. And it’s a shame we lost our scrolls; I can’t be expected to remember everything.” He sounded frustrated.

“You keep mentioning the scrolls. Was that something important?”

“Very. At first, I thought it was you, our King, who borrowed them. But now I know that’s not the case. It doesn’t matter now. We are building the new Drow Archive, soon to be filled with scrolls documenting the magics and wonders of the Oberon Undermountain.”

“I see… Just maybe follow the good advice of Kobold leader and don’t go too deep; It sounds dangerous.”

“Yes, Yes, good advice.”

“How about your spiders, I was wondering…”

“No! From what I’ve seen they have weakness to fire. But I might have just a counter for that… but that is for later.”

“How about this guy?” The High Chief pointed to the distance. “Hey, come out, say hello.”

At first, he couldn’t tell what the High chief was pointing at but then once it started moving he realised that it was a spider. This spider was not unlike others, it was dark grey like the surrounding rock, and its body looked like it was made out of stone; it was quite bulky. It looked like a cousin of a Metal Spider.

“Hello.” The spider spoke giving a wave.

“Stone Spider!” The High Chief had already named it. “That one looks fire-resistant.”

“Are you?”

The spider shrugged.

“There are others. Crystal Spider, Darkness Spider and even Glowing Spider.”

“And. Mushroom Spider.” The Stone Spider added helpfully.

“The Mushroom Spider is definitely not fire resistant. But it grows very tasty mushrooms.”

“Yes, yes. It lives with Kobolds now.”

“Did my spiders evolve on their own?” He was pleasantly surprised.

“Well, they kinda were there during the ritual. And I guess they mutat… gained extra powers as a side effect.”

“Very interesting.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “If you want to go deep into the caves, you can. And I will bring my spiders, but everyone needs to prepare accordingly. Everyone. Only then we can go together.”

“I would expect nothing else.” The High Chief stood up and bowed.

“Stop with the bowing already. We are allies.”

“Friends, yes, yes.”

“Thank you for today, I still have an errand to run.”

He stood up to leave the spring, and only then did he realise that quite a few Drow were looking at the trio bathing. Rude! The Drow just had no sense of privacy. Or maybe they just had no reservations about nakedness. Actually, the Kobolds were just like that, and the Lamia were almost no different. If not for him and his spiders, he would be surrounded by nudists!

With such idle thoughts out of the way, there was only one place to visit; The Ancestral Tree. In retrospect, he should have just visited it first, it was bound to have a wealth of knowledge about runes and magical things.