As Yuriy slept, he was completely unaware of the growing danger in the underground river. Far along the river deep down in a lightless void of a chasm, an ancient being awoke with crimson eyes peering through darkness, stone, and flesh. Upon opening its eyes, the caustic river swelled and turned into an almost black river of bile.
The creature awoke after randomly detecting a peculiar "bobble" approaching from the Guardian's Bath. Additionally, like a mastermind it noticed all the floor's monsters have proceeded to attack the floor guardian with extreme prejudice. Thus it decided to first will wait for the "bobble" to get closer to sate its curiosity. Afterwards, it will challenge the floor guardian for a long-anticipated reward.
…
8 hours later, I woke to the most horrific smell, something must have happened in the river. Gathering my things, I headed over to the hole which led to the underground river. As I approached, I could smell the river water which made me want to puke. Not wanting to smell it any longer, I created the magoi water bubble with a thinker layer.
Only a fool wouldn't notice there seems to be some kind of change to the water. I just hope that the origin of the change has nothing to do with "it," but I know I am only kidding myself thinking "it" wasn't the cause. As I descended into the underwater cave and made my way to the river, I noticed my visibility was worse than 8 hours ago; however, I was able to detect no life signs nearby. Whatever happened caused the monsters to swim away…Shiii!
My situation went from bad to worse since there are only 2 things which would make these monsters hide. They are the floor guardian and Midgardsormr. By process of elimination the serpent is definitely active at the moment. I can't turn back, I can't go to the surface, so I could only go towards the maw of death if I want a chance at life.
And so, I continued forward for another 9 and a half days, upon which I arrived at the end of the river but not the lake I was hoping to reach. Before me was a deep lightless underwater cavern. According to the information provided by mayor Lucas, this cavern is the last point in the river. From here, I would need to swim up until I reach a network of tunnels which will lead to the lake.
It's also said, this cavern is the home of Midgardsormr since the beast created the cavern for easy ascent and descent. Seeing how I was now on the devil's front porch, I manipulated neutral, water, darkness, and earth elemental magoi to the limit creating a camouflage that would hide me from Grandmaster Stage mages and stuck to the cavern wall. Originally, I thought about creating a tunnel, but decided against that since Midgardsormr will immediately detect any changes to the area given how close I am… No! I can only use stealth at this point.
While I was still trying to figure out how to avoid the monster, a deep voice spoke directly into my mind,
"How curious, a little bobble would enter my abode, but not say hello. Did you think you could slip by without notice, little bobble?" Scared shitless, I stopped, I didn't even dare to breath or think for that matter. The voice then continued,
"Don't be afraid, little bobble. Come, turn around so I can get a better look at you."
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(The hell I would, man! But...) Regardless of what I wanted; my body began to turn around as the serpent commanded. It was here I wished I couldn't see in absolute darkness as I could now see the source of the voice. The serpent had crimson red eyes which illuminated everywhere they looked.
Its bearded maw was similar to that of a crocodile with teeth jetting out from its upper and lower jaws on either side of it maw. Further, there was a gap in front where its hidden fangs would shoot out from. The being's head was adorned with numerous horns as big as 100-sol-old oak trees, and just as thick.
Their body was that of a serpent to which the length was longer than what I could see given how tiny I was in comparison. The best size comparison would be 20 Burj Khalifa's stacked on top of another and 4 Empire state buildings wide. Whereas, in contrast I was a fruit fly sitting on a grape the size of a clipped human adult big-toe nail.
Lastly, a visible extremely thick fume perforated their scales. This fume was filling the entire cavern with an even thicker blackness. What's even more scary is the fact I didn't even realize the being had me floating above the palm of its left hand or paw.
Similar to Shenlong, this being too had clawed paws but was way too sinister and had 8 webbed claws on each paw. The webbed paws were extensions of wing like appendages meant for traversing through any kind of aquatic terrain. However, the wing like appendages were more like whale flippers with paws at the end than wings. Midgardsormr gazed at me as if finding a curios new toy. Once getting a good look at me, the serpent spoke,
"Truly, to think after hibernating for a few hundred sols, an interesting bobble accompanied by an even more interesting event would come to my humble abode. Tell me, little bobble! What brought you to me? Hmm? Are you so fearful to the point of forgetting how to communicate?" The serpent spoke, its words slithering around in my head,
"[Quid stultus es] (what a fool you are)."
"[Nunc es mei, nusquam est fugiendum, inepte.] (Now you are mine, there's nowhere to flee, fool.)"
The serpent paused, awaiting my response as its eyes peered into my very soul. Although I was somewhat stiff, I seemed to recall heard it speak in this world's language. It then spoke in a language I've heard before but can't quite remember where. I could feel the answer right at the tip of my tongue even though I was somewhat paralyzed by fear.
While thinking swiftly, my fear began playing a soundtrack of my almost near future. The piece of music played in my head as I tried my best not to shit myself; music matching the fear caused by the serpent's gaze.
[Lacrimosa dies illa, qua resurget ex favilla, judicandus homo reus, huic ergo parce, Deus.] (Mournful day, arising from the ashes, to be judged. Have mercy, oh God).
(That's it! This accursed language demonic dragons spoke is Latin! Why have I not realized this before?) As a teen in the US, I had to learn a language since the high school I attended made it a requirement students had to take 4 years of language studies.
I chose Latin since I use to play a game where all the villains spoke Latin. Not to mention the church my parents forced me to attend (and work at) only spoke in Latin during Mass which was incredibly unique. Maybe, just maybe, I might be able to convince Midgardsormr to let me go if it thinks I am a demonic dragon descendant of something.
"[Tamdiu vixisse; sed irae quam turpis sit notare nequeunt]. (To have lived so long, but unable to notice a child of wrath, how shameful)"
I said while making a face as if weeping. With me speaking in Latin, Midgardsormr seemed to grin while replying in Latin,
"Very good! The offspring of the firstborn still know how to speak to their elders. Hear me, little bobble. At first, I was going to use your flimsy cadaver as a toothpick. However, I changed my mind seeing how amusing you are. Since today is the first day of my awakening, and the ilk of the firstborn made it here, I will allow you to witness my wrath. Consider yourself fortunate."
"Oh, but don't misunderstand, little bobble, had I been like my parent serpents and not an adolescent of a mere 1,400 sols, you would not even have the honor of remaining alive in my presence. For I knew of your coming before you were even near my resting place. Had I been like the elder ones, your death would have happened the moment you dared entering my waters." Finished speaking, Midgardsormr commanded a cage of magoi to surround me and float by his head.
-End of Chapter