PNB Chapter 116 The Heart of the Mountains
Chapter 116 The Heart of the Mountains
Around 5,700 years ago, a group of grey dwarf slave hunters, led by grey dwarf land seekers, accidentally discovered a rift leading to the surface world.
They followed the crack to the surface, where they found themselves in a desolate wilderness, but fortunately, there were rolling hills in the distance. Upon exploration, they were pleasantly surprised to discover that the area was exceptionally rich in mineral deposits.
During their continuous excavation and mining, they also built a magnificent underground city on this land. Until one day, they discovered a peculiar gem—the Heart of the Mountains.
This is a product formed from a large amount of earth elemental magical energy, and according to legend, it was formed from the blood flowing from the Earth Mother Goddess.
Its immense energy can even gradually petrify surrounding objects; and its dazzling appearance has earned it the reputation as one of the most beautiful substances in the world.
These grey-skinned dwarves were just as obsessed with mineral treasures as the real dragons.
After discovering the Heart of the Mountains, they immediately set out to dig it out at all costs, and even built a huge plaza around the place where it was discovered.
However, when the pickaxe fell and the hard stone shell was chipped away bit by bit, what was revealed to all the gray dwarves was not a dazzling gem, but a terrifying curse.
Many of the weaker members died instantly, and even some of the more advanced professionals could only hold on for a few more minutes.
The entire underground city was thus turned into a dead zone. Only a few lucky ones managed to escape, but they never dared to return and fled into the Underdark without looking back.
…………
These were the stories Thor heard from these grey dwarves. He couldn't tell how much of it was true and how much was false.
But at the very least, the stone tablet's bizarre petrification ability and its invisible mental attacks are basically consistent with the story's description.
In other words, this was yet another disaster caused by these greedy dwarves digging and plundering recklessly. They really don't learn their lesson; even though they almost brought about the extermination of their race, they still can't change their habits.
Thor exhaled two plumes of mocking smoke from his nostrils, his molten gold pupils surveying the remaining gray dwarves before him, and he growled again.
"I never imagined that your ancestors, these insects, had such a rich history. It was quite a show, adding some fun to my boring afternoon."
So here's the question: knowing that the underground city is shrouded in a terrifying curse, what gave you the courage to return?
A scorching wind, accompanied by a low growl, swept over them, and every gray dwarf staring at those eyes that seemed to churn with lava felt their legs tremble.
A gray dwarf fire mage, dressed in a robe with many pockets, his hair tied in numerous braids, and a thick belt adorned with various bottles and jars, stepped forward with a stiff upper lip and answered.
"This is knowledge passed down from our ancestors. We don't know if there's a curse on that dungeon. But our race is facing extinction, so the only hope is to try and acquire the treasures and magical weapons inside..."
Thor, with his sharp mind, immediately noticed the inconsistencies in his answer.
If it weren't for me, these gray dwarves wouldn't have faced the crisis of extinction. But before that, they had already tried to enter the abandoned dungeon.
In other words, besides themselves, there were other dangers constantly pursuing them. Could it be the drow elves, or the beholders, that drove them out of the Underdark and relentlessly pursued them?
It couldn't possibly be one of those mind flayers that haven't appeared on the surface for a long time, could it?
No wonder these dwarfs knelt down so quickly; they were a pack of stray dogs being chased.
Seeing that Thor was lost in thought and did not respond, the gray dwarf fire mage spoke again cautiously.
"We can take you to the rift leading to the Underdark. Once we blow it up, those drow elves will definitely not be able to get through."
The humble voice brought Thor back to his senses, and he immediately shook his head upon hearing it.
Blow it up? Why blow it up? A passage to the Underdark is, in a way, a valuable treasure.
It is important to know that most rare gems and metals come from underground, where all sorts of strange magical materials can grow in environments filled with energy radiation.
Light-based resources, fresh fruits and vegetables, practical tools, and luxury goods on the surface are also best-selling products in the Dark Region.
If you can make at least ten times the profit by selling goods from the human world to the wilderness, then you can make more than a hundred times the profit by selling the same goods to the Underdark.
However, there are certain hard requirements to do this business. If you're not strong enough, you might get swallowed up whole.
But once you have enough strength, this becomes a super gold mine that can make you rich every day.
Thor was undoubtedly very confident in his own strength, and he didn't even consider those lowly black bastards a threat.
By controlling this rift leading to the Underdark, he would have another channel to spread his fame and acquire more essences.
Even when one's strength is greater, venturing into that chaotic underworld oneself is not out of the question. The wails of those powerful and evil races at the moment of their death would surely be even more pleasing to the ear.
Thoughts raced through his mind, but Thor simply bared his white fangs at the grey dwarves and growled in a low voice.
"You don't need to worry about the cracks. Just tell me the location, and I'll handle it."
According to your grey dwarf tradition, from this moment on, you are all my slaves!
Now, go south from here until you see a terraced field full of crops. Tell the creatures there my name, and someone will tell you what to do.
The gray dwarves, who thought they were doomed, were surprised to find themselves alive. They breathed a sigh of relief after surviving the ordeal.
Hundreds of people scrambled to pack their things, even discarding some less important luggage, for fear that if they were too slow, Thor would see it as rebellion.
After all, the previous gray dwarf priest served as a cautionary tale. He had lied, and even some of his own kind had been burned to ashes. Nobody wanted to repeat the same mistake.
Shortly after the gray dwarves left, Thor's black-feathered eagle flapped its wings and gave chase.
Controlling small creatures is indeed a very practical spell. Although it has no direct killing power, it is extremely useful for reconnaissance, tracking, and surveillance.
Who would notice a falcon soaring a thousand meters in the sky? After all, at that distance, they look like tiny black dots.
After dealing with the gray dwarves, Thor turned to look at the cave leading to the abandoned dungeon, his eyes showing great interest.
Earning only a dozen or so essence points a day is far too slow. The sealed, unknown creature was patient, but Thor lacked that patience.
Since the other party is not attacking him first, he has no choice but to take the initiative.