Chapter 48: Down The Halls
“Swosh!”
The bathroom door opened slowly, revealing Niko stepping out, clean and refreshed. The transformation was more than just physical. The dirt and grime that had clung to him for what felt like days were gone, washed away by the long-awaited shower. His skin no longer itched with the constant layer of filth, and his hair, once matted and greasy, now felt light and free. There was a sensation of renewal, as though the layers of battle, struggle, and pain had been stripped away, leaving behind someone more at peace—if only for the moment.
The weight of survival had made him forget what it felt like to be clean. Niko looked down at his hands, no longer sticky with the sweat and blood of his recent trials. He flexed his fingers, marveling at how much easier his movements felt without the grime stiffening his clothes. His black robe, though simple, now appeared more presentable, and even his posture seemed a little straighter, as if the cleanliness had lifted some invisible burden.
Outside the bathroom, Ivanic was waiting, standing near the door of Niko’s room with an amused smile. His arms were crossed casually, but there was an air of patience about him, a sense that he had all the time in the world. Niko shook his head in disbelief as he walked towards his companion.
“You know, you don’t have to stand there waiting for me like that,” Niko said, rolling his eyes but with a playful edge to his voice.
“I can't disrespect the lord,” Ivanic replied, his grin widening mischievously. His tone was teasing, but there was a thread of sincerity underneath, a small acknowledgment of Niko’s leadership and the bond they had formed.
Niko gave him a mock glare, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. “Alright, alright,” Ivanic said, raising his hands in mock surrender, still chuckling. “No more of that.”
With the mood lightened, Niko glanced down the hallway, taking in the sheer size of the castle once again. Despite having spent days inside, the place still felt like a mystery, as if it held secrets in its many rooms and hallways. “Let’s go to Zheng’s room,” Niko said, his tone becoming more serious as the memory of his injured comrade crept back into his mind. Ivanic nodded, and the two set off down the hall.
As they walked, Niko couldn’t help but notice the rows of doors they passed. “How many rooms are in this castle anyway?” he asked, more to himself than to Ivanic. His voice echoed slightly in the vast, empty space.
“A large amount,” Ivanic replied, his tone thoughtful. “I’ve counted about fifteen so far, but I’m sure there are more. Some areas I haven’t even explored yet. Parts of this castle feel like they’ve been forgotten for years.”
The thought unsettled Niko. Despite having taken control of the castle, there was so much about it they didn’t know. Who had lived here before? What had happened to them? And what dangers might still be lurking in the shadowed corners of the forgotten rooms?
Their steps slowed as they approached a wooden door near the end of the hallway. Ivanic opened it carefully, revealing the sight of Zheng lying on the bed. The room, though comfortable, had an air of tension about it, as if the very walls could sense the pain of the man who lay within.
Zheng’s face was pale, his breathing shallow and labored. Thick green veins spread across his throat, creeping up toward his face, pulsating faintly as though the poison was alive, writhing beneath his skin. Niko’s heart clenched at the sight. Zheng had been a loyal ally, someone who had put his life on the line for their survival, and now he was paying the price.
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Stepping closer, Niko studied Zheng’s expression—twisted in discomfort, as though even in unconsciousness, the pain had found him. He stood there for a long moment, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Zheng was in this situation because of him. Niko had made some the decisions that led them into the dungeon, that put Zheng on the front lines. It was a painful reminder of the cost of leadership.
He had a deep respect for Zheng. The man had trusted him without hesitation, fought alongside him, and had nearly sacrificed his life for the group. Now, Niko would do everything in his power to repay that loyalty.
“He’s poisoned,” Niko muttered under his breath, his voice tight with frustration. He crouched beside the bed and raised his hand, activating [Celestial Probe]. A green glow pulsed from his fingertips as the skill attempted to scan Zheng’s condition, but the results were disappointing. The screen that appeared before him held no detailed information about the poison. The skill was still limited.
Niko clenched his fist, swallowing down his frustration. “It’s no good. I can’t identify the poison. We need an antidote, and fast.”
Ivanic, who had been watching silently, nodded with understanding. “There’s still the loot from the boss we haven’t checked,” he suggested. “It might have something useful.”
Niko stood up, his eyes hardening with determination. “Let’s hope so. I can’t let him die like this.”
With Ivanic leading the way, they made their way back to the large, spacious room where the battle with the wise ratman had taken place. The aftermath of the fight was still visible—scattered bodies of the ratmen littered the floor, their blood staining the stone beneath them. But Niko’s focus was solely on the pile of loot that had dropped from the wise ratman’s corpse.
He approached the pile, his eyes immediately drawn to the staff. It was identical to the one the wise ratman had used during the battle, its dark wood twisted and adorned with strange symbols. Though taller than the ratman’s own staff, it pulsed with the same eerie energy. Niko picked it up and ran his fingers along the length of it, feeling the power that still lingered within.
The rest of the loot was spread out before them—a green knife with a wickedly sharp blade, a dark green robe, several blue shards, a bottle of strange green liquid, and a small wooden box with bronze outlines. The box was about the size of a basketball, with intricate patterns carved into its surface.
Niko’s gaze lingered on the box for a moment, but it was the green bottle that truly caught his attention. From the very beginning, it had stood out to him. Something about it seemed significant. Was it poison? Or could it be an antidote?
Reaching for the bottle, Niko held it up and used [Celestial Probe] once again. The green aura of the probe surrounded the bottle, and this time, the skill gave him what he needed.
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[Item: Uproot Healing Potion]
Rank: None
Description: A potion created by the rat race which consists of certain mystical ingredients. This potion is capable of curing the Green vein Poison.
[Additional Information]
Cures the Green Vein Poison
Takes time to dispel the poison
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Niko’s heart leaped with hope. “This is it!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
Ivanic, who had been sifting through the other items, looked up, confused. “What do you mean?”
“The cure! This bottle—it’s the antidote for the poison Zheng’s suffering from. We can save him.” Niko’s face lit up with determination as he stood, clutching the bottle tightly in his hand.
Without wasting another second, they rushed back to Zheng’s room. The atmosphere was heavy with urgency as they approached the bed. Ivanic gently opened Zheng’s mouth while Niko carefully poured the green liquid down his throat.
For a few agonizing seconds, nothing happened. But then, Zheng’s breathing began to steady. The green veins across his skin pulsed one last time before slowly beginning to fade, their grip on him loosening.
Relief washed over Niko as he stepped back, watching as the potion began its work. “We’ll let him rest,” Niko said softly, turning to Ivanic with a tired smile. “He’s going to be alright.”
For the first time in what felt like hours, Niko allowed himself to breathe. There was still much to do, but for now, they had won a small victory.