Chapter 58: Bronze Box
[Alert!]
You have discovered [Catacombs of Grayrock Castle], an area long forgotten by the old lord of this territory. This dungeon has been left untouched for many years, and the prisoners from this once-thriving dungeon have long escaped and been forgotten.
For being the first to discover [Catacombs of Grayrock Castle]:
* Double EXP in the [Catacombs of Grayrock Castle].
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“Niko! Do you see this?” Fumito called out, glancing toward the notification screen that appeared before him.
“Yeah, I see it,” Niko replied, nodding as he met the gazes of his companions. The message had popped up for everyone, a shared realization of the potential ahead of them.
They stood at the mouth of the cave, contemplating their next move. This place was ancient, A chill seemed to seep from within, cool and damp, heavy with an earthy scent that carried the faintest hint of something metallic. Standing at the threshold, there was an undeniable sense that the air here was different—heavier, thicker, as if each breath pulled in the weight of centuries. They had all grown stronger since their initial days of struggling for survival, and their teamwork had improved tremendously. But stepping into the unknown always carried the risk of being overwhelmed.
“Should we head in?” Niko asked, though his tone wasn’t one of uncertainty. His confidence was growing, forged by the brutal experiences they had faced together. He no longer hesitated like the old Niko might have.
There was a moment of silence as they each weighed the risks and rewards. The memory of the Rat Shaman’s defeat and the power Niko had harnessed in that battle bolstered their faith in him. And now, with Niko’s spirits to protect them, the unease in their hearts began to ease.
Before anyone could voice their final thoughts, a gust of wind rushed from deep within the cave, carrying with it a warm, eerie draft that felt colder as it passed. It swept over them, causing their robes and cloaks to flutter like the dark wings of ravens caught in the current.
Niko lifted his head, his eyes narrowing as he stared into the shadowy depths. The cave emanated an unsettling atmosphere, but after everything he had faced—the deaths, the monsters, the constant fight for survival—fear had become a companion, not a deterrent. His heart beat steadily, and despite the unnerving chill in the air, there was no trace of hesitation in his gaze.
“We're going in,” Niko said decisively, his voice carrying the weight of his growing resolve.
The others nodded in silent agreement, trusting Niko’s judgment. He had led them through the nightmare with the Rat Shaman, and now they followed him into the darkness once more.
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Inside, the cave expanded into a vast, yawning darkness, where the air was thick and unmoving, heavy with the damp scent of stone and earth. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like the fangs of a forgotten creature, their sharp points glistening faintly as droplets of moisture gathered and fell, echoing in the silence. The walls bore the marks of time—deep fissures and jagged scars that seemed to map out the story of millennia, yet too eroded to decipher.
The deeper they ventured into the cave, the more the walls seemed to close in. The temperature dropped further, and the sound of their footsteps echoed louder in the increasingly confined space. Niko’s eyes adjusted to the dim light, and the rocky surface of the cave became clearer, its jagged, ancient texture stretching endlessly ahead.
As they pressed on, a sudden halt brought them to a wide, open chamber.
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“Two different pathways,” Zheng observed, staring at the two massive openings before them, each leading deeper into the cave’s depths.
“Maybe we should all go down one path together,” Fumito suggested, looking uneasy at the thought of splitting up.
Zheng, however, countered quickly, “Or we can cover more ground by separating.”
Fumito scoffed. “You ever seen a horror movie? People always die when they split up.”
Niko watched their debate silently before making his decision. “You three go together,” he said, nodding toward Zheng, Fumito, and Ivanic. “I have enough spirits to protect me. I’ll be fine.”
It wasn’t arrogance—it was confidence. Niko had fought side by side with these men, and he knew they would be safe together. But he also knew that his growing power with the spirits meant he was more than capable of handling what lay ahead on his own.
There was a brief pause before they all agreed. Without wasting time, they moved toward their respective paths. Zheng, Fumito, and Ivanic headed down the left cave, while Niko took the right.
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The further Niko ventured into the right passage, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. His footsteps echoed louder now, the shadows around him growing thicker, as if the cave itself were alive, watching, waiting. Time seemed to stretch, each second feeling longer as the darkness pressed closer.
"What a pointless notification," Niko muttered under his breath. “Double EXP? For what? There aren’t any enemies around…”
Most people would consider him insane for seeking danger so eagerly. But Niko knew better. In this world, power was survival, and if he wanted to ensure his own, he had to embrace every opportunity, no matter the risk.
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted as he came to a stop. In the distance, dimly illuminated by a faint light emitted by a candle on the side, eight ratmen stood guard near a massive door. They were idling, unaware of Niko’s presence for now. These creatures, like the others he had encountered, reeked of decay and filth. The would scratch their ears with their claws or push one another and hiss as if a playful taunt. Their eyes still kept its vicious light as they stood around. He wondered if these things ever rested.
Do they even sleep? Niko thought grimly as he prepared himself for battle. He tightened his grip on the staff he had claimed from the Rat Shaman, its power thrumming in his hand. Without hesitation, he summoned his spirits, their ethereal forms materializing around him like loyal soldiers.
With a wave and a smile, Niko called out mockingly, “Hello, everyone! How’s your day been?”
The ratmen froze, their red eyes widening in alarm before they screeched in fury. They rushed toward him, brandishing their rusted weapons, their shrieks echoing through the cave.
But Niko wasn’t fazed. He raised his staff, and behind him, his spirits surged forward with deadly precision.
The ratmen never stood a chance. Outnumbered and outmatched, they were torn apart in moments. Ghastly entities appeared in a faint mysterious light and they proceeded to cause carnage. Their shrieks of anger quickly turned into cries of pain as Niko’s spirits ripped through them, shredding their bodies until the cave was silent once more, differed only by the red paint splattered around the walls.
With the battle over, Niko calmly approached the fallen ratmen. Though he had lost two spirits, it didn’t matter. He could easily replenish his army. Lifting his left hand, he summoned the spirits of the freshly slain ratmen, adding them to his ever-growing collection. The ghastly aura surrounding him became more intense as a chill surrounded his body, but as the newly summoned spirits dissipated, so did the aura.
Ding!
A rush of energy filled Niko’s body as he finally reached level 10.
“Ah, finally!” Niko grinned with satisfaction. His heart raced with anticipation as he opened his inventory, retrieving the item he had been waiting for since the Rat Shaman’s defeat.
A small, bronze chest materialized in his hands—the Unique Bronze Box.
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[Item: Unique Bronze Box] Rank: None Description: A box dropped from special monsters, when opened anything can be awarded—from skills to armor.
[Additional Information:] Opened at level 10.
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With trembling fingers, Niko whispered, “Open…”
The box began to glow, its surface radiating with a brilliant light. It shimmered in his hands, and colorful streaks of energy danced around it as it vibrated gently, the air around him crackling with power.
Then, with a final flash of light, the box opened, and Niko’s eyes widened in astonishment as he laid eyes on its contents.