David tried to look for a way out. Against any odds or rules, most tries were unreliable, ranging from paying off some Extremes familiar with Chaos Space or this temple, to looking for some crack in space, people, or rules.
But with this place being quite a semi-closed realm, and with Challengers incentivized to a fixed task, rules, and touch of this temple, one had to follow a path or be very reputable and clever about what one had to do. Fleeting meant a simple loss. Trying something bad would result in longer entrance time fees, becoming a criminal, or prohibition from entering this temple ever again.
Of course, that worked as long as one was caught or reasonably drawn into a place with no return. Lisa found that idea critical, even if it meant going against the rules or some Gods. It always ended up in compromises, and she had an idea that never felt right.
Surrounding something that someone high in power decided, she didn't have to be them, nor see their ideas. She might as well laugh at them as she pushed some boundaries apart.
Giving up sounded straightforward, yet walking with shame back to the Death Valley wasn't in line with their hopes. Unfortunate as their choices were, David found no one willing to sneak them away. It was no wonder. If anyone found out about it, anyone would get considerable punishment. Not only Mindarch and Levandis's ancient business worked with this, but even Lordis or perhaps even some other Gods would touch upon this problem. It didn't matter if Will of the Battleworld wasn't here.
This was part of why Lisa was depressed and found this whole ordeal terrible for the past few days. That continued until David offered his plan in the last remaining hours in Helltrim City. The result was in her ring, away from Murai's head and complaints because it was her one and only card.
Away from her mouth or mind, there was no chance she would give anyone a chance to stop it. But first, it was about time to find that cursed portal. Hopefully, others wouldn't come at them like fools.
Portals.
Finding the lost ones, hidden, or even those protected by gangs was like gambling matches. Whatever one got upon entrance to this Gate was up to luck. Even those in places with harsh environmental risks were easier to find than a portal in vast mines. Murai didn't know anything apart from knowing there was a portal.
Lisa worked with that single statement ever since.
They found the entrance gate to the Ip'ur City around the corner, looking like a giant door. There were guards aside, wearing tight military uniforms, standing in the heat, and looking like reptilian demons. They looked similar to Illak's subordinates but with sharper heads and thick bodies.
“Visitors?” the guard said, hissing those words from his mouth hidden behind the plated helmet. “At this time? Wait... Wait! WAIT!” He panicked a little after noticing their presence. The other guard did as well and felt who was coming.
They attended to some rumors because they were military. They shouldn't believe every word, and they didn't. Yet it came. That lofty Anatidae. Those wings. They were scared shitless.
“We want to go inside. Can't we?” Itrosh asked, tossing a bunch of knives up and down, smiling at them, and walking forward.
“That isn't a good idea. Leave one for me. I am hungry.” Bagus said.
Lisa was back behind Murai's head, hiding in the hood, and saying nothing. Bagus and Itrosh weren't idiots; they knew how to act as denizens of this temple, adventurers, and knew how some things were. Power and David's company were enough.
“W-what might you want in this city? Don't... tell me rumors are correct?!” the left guard said, brandishing a spear forward.
“We are just regular adventures. We want in for some mining. It ought to be great, or so I heard.” Itrosh pointed at her and Bagus, then to Murai on top of his head. “He is...the one you must understand at some capacity. There was a duck over some ceiling, you see.”
That shut both guards up. Their mouth fell agape, weapons lowered on their own, and they had no means to go against them. But as far as this went, letting them inside wasn't optimal as well. “That is... That is?”
“A mighty Anatidae, I might add,” Itrosh said softy, “with very soft feathers and sharp beak. Could be deadly. No touching, please. It bites and quacks sharply!”
“B-but.. Why here? Where? How!?” Both guards didn't seem to know what to do. One of them grabbed a construct that looked like a short-term communication device that could become scraps after a few uses. It worked enough in such an environment and locks in space.
Before activating it, a knife closed. Itrosh stepped and appeared beside him, nearly biting his neck. “What goes, goes. We go inside. Why is the gate closed?”
“B-because of the recent... happenings. Owner's choice.”
“Can we go in?”
“I... wanted to ask.”
“Owner can't prohibit entry, can he?” Bagus asked a good question.
“Not many question such choices right now. Ip'ur City is that sort of thing. The true owner is still our Lady. Us soldiers are ants.” the other guard—the one without a knife close to his throat—said.
“Then be quick and don't cause a ruckus. We don't want trouble.” Itrosh knew trouble would come at them instead and kicked the guard with the device to the ground. He stayed there and quickly activated his construct.
Lisa didn't expect them to be like this. Unfortunately, she knew exposing themselves in this location was unavoidable, and a lot of her choices came to this moment. Trouble would come at them depending on them and her surroundings. Nothing else.
So far, so good, though that was wrong. Someone gave them this location regardless of Levandis's interest. It should've been impossible, so Lisa was playing her game and controlled it a little bit. From times when she saw their bounties, Helltrim City, or their first ambushes or saw Carmilla, things progressed like their travels.
Perhaps Lisa was over-thinking everything, and since this place had no portal, no one was taking their present solution seriously. Some might think of it as their visit unrelated to their task, or it was meant to be their great escape route by giving up and taking some Gems for themselves. Some Challengers had done so in the past, and because of that, Levandis couldn't stop them from taking some Gems.
That was her main goal; she wanted to make others believe they would come back to the Surface or this city so they wouldn't come to them like crazy dogs. But they could. Hunting in the middle of mines was possible, yet still better for Lisa than doing anything different.
For example, there was no way for her to go into these Millennia Mines unnoticed. Not only it would be crazy, but she had no actual plans about going inside. It might be as simple as walking through a door.
Knowledge about portals was quite a sensitive topic because there was a difference between native Challengers or those coming from other Hells or Surface. Their wisdom was moderate, prohibited from sharing some secrets, and most Challengers were left in the shadows if they didn't know much. Natives were better at that, and a lot of this surrounded great semi-closed competitions within Levandis forces, whereas outsiders might know and think of it differently.
In some other Sectors, there were portals with history lacking for centuries. At least they existed in some documents or stories. Lisa had one idea that Murai's portal was one such thing yet it was never documented or comprehended in the Chaos Space.
Some mages had an open entrance to that maddening space, and they might've gotten close to the truth, but Levandis either hid it or ensured it would never reach any unfilial eyes. That was curious.
And not impossible for Lisa and her guesses. Alongside the history and everything that she knew, Ip'ur Mountain was famous for the prospect of mining and wealth. That was it. Having a portal wouldn't hurt it in the slightest, nor it would cause disturbances if it was protected and maintained with such valuable wealth.
Lisa was careful about her words and goals. None should know this location at the level that would push them to some crazy acts. Their finishing line might be waiting around the Scorching Light, some mountains, or this Sector. Many might wait around the known portals in this Sector already, yet their targets would never come.
If too many Hunters flocked together, Ip'ur Mountain would turn into a shitshow. If Razmund knew about it along with Ozeki, he would flood the public with this data and turn the tides even more.
But that was far from something Levandis and Mindarch, let alone Kil wanted.
So far, it wasn't the case. Razmund would ruin everything, yet this place was bound to become full of chaos and death anyway. There was no stopping it anyway since many sides were coming and troubles would become very personal. That might be why, even if he knew their designation, he would've never made it public.
The mere idea that he drove Encounter public was enough of a pain, and Levandis contemned him in her heart. At least her greatest valuable assets would never take such bait because this problem wasn't hers. It was up to Lordis and Blessed who came to this place like a bunch of invasive beetles.
Demonic guards quickly checked on their superiors. It didn't take that long for the gate to open and let Bagus and Itrosh into the city, with Murai included. Both guards couldn't stop anything, but they knew that this arrival was bound to stir the troubles of this city. Hopefully, their superiors knew what they were doing because this silly pair was glad to be alive.
“They let us in, hm?” Itrosh hummed and stored her knife in her pouches or under her cloak. “Kind of disappointing, isn't it?”
Lisa looked at her from Murai's hoodie. “Better than nothing. Leaving us out there would be stupid. They must've their ideas about us, so I am worried about the current owner.”
“I am not,” Bagus said and strode forth.
Looking for a portal wasn't even a suspicious activity. It was straight-up nonsense. Nobody would believe them. Perhaps if the portal knowledge became public, everyone would think of it as fake news. However, Lisa didn't want to try her luck or goals. She had a lot on her plate already, and this city was populated enough to storm them all.
Thankfully, the street was sparsely populated right now, including the edges of big and tall walls. It was barren, with many tents, and rough walls, and the street itself was quite big. The closer they went to the center, the better it was.
Curfew was still intact, and most normal denizens were rather hidden, or careful who they touch or where they would go. It didn't matter if this was part of Hell or not. This was about cultures and people, and anyone sane would know that lacking the Will of the Battleworld was the biggest curse one would get.
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Lisa had to be clever in their tactics. Finding some excuses to enter some mines was on her mind, but not before visiting one place that David suggested.
Finding some shade and a corner of some street, it was time to make scheduled talks between her and Murai. Lisa had the final word on most things, and out of wonder, she took out David's communications device because something weird happened. For the first time in days, it flared in noises and activity.
David didn't accept the device. He was the one reaching for them. Lisa was surprised he did. He thought he chickened out in fear to hear her voice. But that wasn't the case. His unfilial business was something Lisa accepted after Murai's persuasion, so right now, she was petty and angry with David on a personal level.
Going out like that wasn't a terrible strategy if he was alongside Ultium. They were no longer a pair, however. Lisa had no way to know that. Ceila was with them for the better part of half a day.
“Alright, David,” Lisa whispered to the construct, “You have some cheeks, you bastard!”
“Am not sorry. Not one bit.” David sounded unapologetic, almost laughable with how calm he sounded. “How are you looking over there? Somewhere. Wait, you don't have to tell me where. Who knows who is listening or why? I thought we would get locked. Maybe they let us connect.”
Lisa had a tensed-up body and shone all over her face and flexed sparkling arms. She seriously wanted to talk and turn this topic away.
She didn't. She calmed instead.
“Fine. We in and we go to do our mining. There are about fifteen entrances to various underground systems according to the research you found out for me, right? What might be good is next.”
“Oh, good. Indeed. A lot of mines are there. The area is quite mapped out since there are a lot of Millennia Mines, and most are interconnected, followed by eras and those that are older or newer. Mapping is relatively public, so many things aren't what they seem because some places are fake because of greed and too much mining, or...well, damages. Some places are off the limits for centuries or millennia unless you are part of her military or special mining forces. Companies have taken maps for some species. It is their great treasure. Because of that, our methods might require some nasty choices if you know what I mean.”
“What?”
“Little choices could pose an easy decision. Big one, big problems. Politics and companies do the rest. What about denizens? Armies? Miners? Going up and see what will happen is probably all you can do.” David said three points from far away, clutching his device as he walked.
Shaking his head, scratching his chin, and imagining the Ip'ur Mountain he had seen quite a few times, David was glad he was out of the picture. He didn't want to go there at all.
Ip'ur Mountain was a lofty mountain with many spiked peaks that swirled like a thumb from the depths of this planet. In a sense, it wasn't looking like a proper mountain around the world, or from the rest in the Scorching Light. It was more... thinner, but still humongous.
Perhaps it was the biggest of them all because of its canyon which bore its entrances kilometer below the Scorching Light. It was rough, corroded, reddish, and light in stones and some minerals. It even had some residual veins of Ultra Materium, but they were so far or low unless one went closer, they couldn't see it because of the sun above.
“You get me, right?” David asked again after Lisa hadn't spoken or replied for a dozen seconds. She was contemplating his words and her rage.
“Finding it will be hard. Unsurprisingly. What does he want, I wonder. This sort of communication is hard to read, isn't it?” Murai commented to her mind, feeling that his choices so far have been lackluster, as always.
“Choices...” Lisa whispered.
“We are still working over here. Me and Ultium are still around, so be patient or move forward. We expected to be left behind, so...” David said without hesitation and shame.
“You... fucker!” Lisa growled and ceased the conversation. She knew what to do if he was like this. Murai glanced at her, surprised at her smashing the device to Itrosh in anger. For Murai to get lucky, perhaps the heavens itself would speak first before it would ever happen. Or he could seek it instead, try his luck, and hope for the best. Lisa would help him for sure, or make it much worse.
“We go in. There is no value in hearing him ever again,” Lisa said out loud. Itrosh and Bagus saw this coming from a mile away. It was time to try their luck to run out of it before the mining underground.
Their party was already inside the city for some time, and since this place was populated, it was inevitable that someone would recognize them and cause trouble.
Bagus and Itrosh were walking more courageously than ever, showing hostility to every gang they had seen, or where they could. It worked in most cases. None dared to go physical. Some groups taunted them for sure, shouting for a duel or their Badges or Murai's Token.
They could've accepted the duel. There were some worth and valuable assets when spreading one's influence like that. Murai had been itching for one for a long time, but so far, he fought only when he had to.
Itrosh only laughed back at such pitiful gangs or miners, flipping them off before following Lisa's ideas. Bagus was more comfortable than ever because barriers and many thick roofs and leather covers lowered the heat to a passable level.
Lisa decided to get Murai into a good spot. That was to be a bit forceful, look around for information on the mines, history, and knowledge about portals. The last things went over everyone's head, lest there be some suspicion. She knew there were many shops, informants, or brokers that resided in the buildings.
It was no time to waste time, yet it was better to know where or how to waste time before being haughty without any plans. The group soon followed deeper into the city and visited some shops. It was breezy and dandy in comforting shades. There were even some rare patches of grass and forcefully cultivated trees around the streets and rich houses or company buildings.
One such building was the target David found out about. Lisa went there out of no desperation. It was her plan number one: act dumb and look desperate. So far, she didn't care about any special shops. She just visited them for face value. Still, she purchased some mining maps that weren't going that deep, nor did they offer clarity about history or the underground.
Not even the old folks around this city helped, for there was something older about what they might need. That was why she looked at one company's name in longing. It was a company similar to David's, as it was privately owned with not that deep important history or some crazy background, or hidden secrets. At least in public eyes, of course.
The owner was some old fool who retired from being a map drawer, explorer of mines, and Scorching Light in general. He didn't have much respect for anyone—especially for the military or many companies around here. According to David, the owner was someone reliable if you pushed through his thick skin.
David didn't specify in what capacity. Perhaps he was very literal about it, but Lisa wouldn't care if he was or wasn't specific. Her patience was at its limits when a ring bell echoed in a cozy-looking and wide shop. Many shelves had all sorts of things, ranging from old antiques to artifacts long broken or forgotten, or many paintings or various rocks scattered around in blocks, windows, or other containers.
It looked like some sort of antique shop, but that wasn't it. This company worked with information and maps in general, which was something Lisa could work with, even if it had a terrible reputation around Ip'ur City.
Itrosh went there first, followed by Lisa and Murai. Bagus remained outside since he was too big. That was a good idea since he guarded the door and sat like a good boy. Itrosh would have to be enough if there was an ambush inside of it. Lisa doubted it was possible, and Itrosh could be very... persuasive if she had to. That happened in ways that Lisa couldn't manage yet because she was assertive, extroverted, and quite honest.
Snorting echoed right after the ringing noise, coming from a desk in some corner. Littered with thousands of old papers that held drawings, scribbles, and words of ancient languages and symbols, Murai would recognize some, but he was far too small to see them right now.
He walked in on his own feet after all. Itrosh didn't touch or carry him like a pet. She wanted to do it and almost begged him on her knees. Murai refused her in a heartbeat.
Surprisingly, Lisa didn't hide. She was out in the open, flying in close size as Murai's body. Waves of sona flowed out of her flesh, acting like some dress dripping down her torso, while a pair of rougher wings flickered behind her. They were almost hard to notice when she wasn't someone she wished to be.
She noticed a person behind the desk, dozing off and ignoring the ringing or their steps. Beside the papers on the desk were also some antiques and artifacts of old age and history. Most should've been found in the Scorching Light, various caves, or ancient sites like Dungeons or tombs.
An old demon was sleeping on his desk, his head resting on his crossed hands, while his body was hunched as he sat on the chair.
“Ehm. Foolish?” Lisa cleared her throat, declaring her presence by uttering the name of this old demon that David told her a long time ago.
Foolish piqued his long ears, grunted, and pushed his body to awareness. He cursed in weird tomes and crisp-sounding words. Lisa didn't understand them.
Like a bolt of lightning, he was staring straight at a wall. “Uh! Uttering foolishness is a rare occasion in this existence. One would think I dream of that world.” he uttered in human tongue, glancing left and right to find the cause.
Lisa was right there before him, floating with a stern-looking face and folded arms. Foolish pretended to not see her because that was what he preferred. He rather looked at Itrosh behind Lisa. As for Murai, he wasn't able to see him at all.
“Hello,” Itrosh said and waved at him. “Are we here alone?”
“Hm. Thieves and brave fools would rather not see the weight of words that curse upon these pages. Yet the foolishness has been uttered alongside the tongue of human shits. Who do we have the pint to haggle with? On what occasion, or topic? If it is improper, we don't deal with idiots. Not one bit,” Foolish waved his hands, smiled like an old devil, and spread his cards up.
He was old, red-skinned with dry wrinkles and age. Around his visible skin, thanks to the comforting attire of high-quality fabric and robe, he looked like a retired warrior instead. Many wrinkled scars were on his face and hands. It was either from work, dangerous places, or fighting.
His attire held many ornaments and gold accents, looking expensive. Too expensive for a shop that wasn't very lucrative or part of any company alliance. Foolish also wore goggles over his forehead, meant to protect the eyes, but sleeping with them on was an eyesore. As for his race, it was a simple course of a rather sharp demonic race called Urmanium Demons.
This race held a long history of being on par with devils in some capacity, thanks to their relatively long lifespan, intellect, and knack for crafting and seeking knowledge. They had a long-lasting history that was all over the universe, let alone this Battleworld.
Their lineage stemmed partly from the linkage to elves, devils, and a few high-ranked Demoniks. A primal race that stemmed from demons from old times and previous Epochs.
Foolish was glancing at Itrosh, but after hearing some small steps, he leaned and saw Murai as well. For him to see them all was a bit difficult, but it would never escape his sharp senses and long ears.
“Oh, Itrosh from the Lost Brothers? That old fool wants something from me again, and sent someone like you? What a deal... At least it is not that kid Ultium. I would play him like a fool.” Foolish said, smiling at her with openness, tapping the table. “What does he have to offer me? A job?”
“Eh,” Itrosh shrugged. “Don't have much besides some knives.” She tossed some up and down, but Foolish wasn't impressed.
“What else can I do for a friend of a fellow stupid company owner? Need help with taxes? Not my specialty, similar to sharing things unworthy of my mouth and many ears.”
“Not much is worth in the mouth of a senile old demon,” Lisa replied, moving forward to be in the center, hovering right above the table. “Neither he is important or half impressive. Loss of money is worse than face, but you seem to have lost more than that.”
“AH! That went deep... ouch..” Foolish scowled, appearing hurt, and pretending to scratch his chest. Placing his both hands to his chest, he leaned on the counter to see what they truly needed.
“So, what do you need? I fear the price for your information is already out, traveling through the usage of mana and messengers, I fear. Appearing in the Ip'ur Mountain of all places. Consider this old fool impressed, confused, and in no way incentivized to help you or others. Have my own business and heart, you see. Some call it conscience. I call it deep pockets in many ways. Got many things to offer, you see.”
“I haven't come to question what worth you have,” Lisa retorted, frowning and placing her lower body on the counter, and slightly increasing her height. “Information about the underground is a peculiar thing. You know something about it, am I right?”
“Of course. Am old. Got the hang of the mines in all of my lives. Oh, a single one, sorry. Though, what is worth in three centuries? It's worth many humans, you see. But... foolishness doubts a whole lot of context reaches such places as my ears. Why do we have these here, in my shop? A duck and a gho... oh, I do fell upon your kin, oh...”
“Shut up! Have your guess like your scars. Do you want to deal with us or run?” Lisa asked.
Foolish laughed at that and felt very intrigued by Lisa all of a sudden. He sat back on his chair and leaned back. “You see, I knew of you. Why? Bounties and rumors about a group going into these Sectors aren't big. They are humongous. An Encounter did reach us, so why shouldn't I use this chance for myself? Offer might be tall and high, but it depends on everyone being a fool or a great actor.”
“If you do know what we need, you are in a pinch of some worth. If not, death might come like the sun in the ceiling.” Lisa spoke in a tone like a lofty succubus, crisp, cold, with deep emotional impact, and a firm face. It held a certain impression of authority, and someone better not underestimate it.
Foolish held his own against her more than fine. He dealt with worse things and saw a lot in his old life. He might get interested in this deal if he added all three fools before him.
“Am not afraid of a ghost, nor a girl who doesn't know what she wants.”
“Hey!” Itrosh frowned and hissed at him.
Foolish waved his hands and ignored her. “Let alone such as yourself, ghostly Fairies are up in some drawings. In business, we talk. What can I do for you, a group guarding a duck as if they are fools,” Foolish changed his tone, sighed, opened his eyes wide, and folded his arms before his chest to appear similar to Lisa. Far too similar in demeanor and change of pace.
Lisa took it with no difference. She wasn't surprised, nor did she find his words wrong. If he had done something else, she might've become a bit agitated and touched him from the inside out.