Chapter 58: 58 Adventurers' Paranoia

【Give me a chance, and I'll be honest.】

【Don't lock me in the dark room, I beg you!】

Amid the yellow-covered book's, or rather the Holy Scripture's, pleas for mercy, a specially crafted self-exploding Pujie swallowed it into its belly.

Afterwards, this Pujie ran all the way to the base of the rock wall deep within the Mushroom Forest and began using the 【Rock-Eating】 skill to create a rock armor.

It would finally become an inconspicuous stone pillar here, sustaining itself via the fungal mat connected beneath, temporarily sealing this book away.

Although this book is evil, its functions are quite powerful.

After Lin Jun and the other two interrogated it together, they clarified its general functions.

It absorbs the souls of the dead to strengthen the holder's base attributes, just as Dylan experienced.

Of course, there are limitations; excessive use will make one's own soul become impure, eventually driving one mad.

Besides this core function, it possesses quite powerful reconnaissance abilities; otherwise, it couldn't have helped Dylan pinpoint the location of the cave where that bear lived.

It also has the power to stir certain emotions, such as suddenly filling your heart with rage; this trick works well against monsters with only instincts, but is weaker against intelligent beings.

Not to mention it can also charm others through text.

Honestly, this "charm" is far different from what Lin Jun imagined...

As for why it is called the Holy Scripture, and why it does not wish to be obtained by the Demon Race?

According to its account, it doesn't know why the Demon Race calls it that; while the Demon Race addresses it respectfully, they would take it back and lock it in the dark room.

Lin Jun, however, thinks the Demon Race's actions are not wrong; such a dangerous book must be a headache even for the Demon Race.

Ultimately, Lin Jun sealing it away was a measure of last resort.

Although it has self-awareness, it belongs to the category of magic items, so Lin Jun cannot see its panel.

Much of the information it spoke could not be verified by Lin Jun for truth or falsehood; furthermore, regarding the most critical origins and purpose, the answer was always "I don't know," or "I was born loving souls."

Even after Seeing Xiao Hei tore off two more pages, it did not change its story.

All in all, it is a quite dangerous thing; to use it well, one must at least be able to read one language.

Yes, this book is also a language master; it knows almost everything: Elvish, Dwarvish, Human, Demon, Orc dialects, and so on.

Unfortunately, Lin Jun knows none of them.

The book definitely cannot be given to Dylan to use; if given to Dylan, who would end up using it is uncertain.

If it charmed Dylan and then he grabbed a bucket and ran away, far from the Amethyst Dungeon.

Lin Jun would have absolutely no way to stop him.

So, before he learns Human Common Tongue well, he can only let it go live in the dark room first.

On the other side, Dylan brought back news about Inanna.

It is said that after the Duke's daughter was rescued, she has remained secluded, rarely leaving the Duke's mansion.

This was good news for Lin Jun; he was just afraid Inanna would run around everywhere and be impossible to find.

Later, he would write a letter or try other methods to contact her, asking her to help look for dungeon-related knowledge at the Relic Association.

Lin Jun had already decided on the reward: that relatively small S-rank Magic Crystal.

However, this matter is not urgent; it can be handled after Dylan rests for a while.

Dylan really suffered greatly this time out; first, not enough gold coins, drinking magic potions drop by drop, always in a state of hunger.

Later, he was chased by the Demon Race, and almost had his mind broken by that hateful yellow-covered book.

It is truly rare that he managed to return alive.

Lin Jun could only give him a short holiday, hoping the Mushroom Hut would properly relieve his fatigue.

For this, he specially prepared some of his favorite special nutrition for him.

However, before he rests, Lin Jun still asked him for a small favor.

——

At the entrance to the Fifth Floor.

Wells and his four teammates looked strangely at this signboard standing before them, not knowing who erected it.

【Fifth Floor Rules】

【Do not actively attack anything】

【Monster corpses can distract blocking Pujies for up to ten minutes】

【Do not leave the path of glowing mushrooms; there are more blocking Pujies in the darkness】

【A path along the edge of the Mushroom Forest can lead you to a Fat Pujie; you can exchange monster corpses for items with it】

【Gray mushrooms are edible】

【Do not enter the Mushroom Forest, nor the Swamp Area】

【You can dig in the Cave Area, but do not pick up the Magic Crystals knocked down by Pujies】

【The poison in the Venom Lake is truly very powerful】

【If you see a fully black winged humanoid creature, immediately flee back the way you came】

"What is this?" Wells pointed at this wooden sign, asking his companions' opinions.

"A guide left by other adventurers?"

"Judging from the second rule, it seems to be an upgraded version of the guide from before the Monster Tide? But what is the Mushroom Forest?"

"The dungeon just opened; was it explored this quickly? I think this information is not just a little bit more."

"Yes, besides, who would be so kind as to provide a guide for free and specifically erect a sign here? It's most likely a trap or some sick sense of humor."

"But what if it's true?"

"If it is true, I'll come back and eat this sign!"

The Dwarven Crossbowman and the Human Mage in the team seemed to have a slight disagreement.

The captain rubbed his chin, looking as if he hadn't made up his mind either.

A temporarily assembled team is just like this: lacking synergy and prone to arguments.

"What do you think?"

Wales poked the priestess, Jinie, in the team, wanting to see what her opinion was.

"Ee!"

The sudden high-pitched sound made several of them look over in unison.

"Don't poke me so suddenly, Wales," Jinie said softly, chiding with pursed lips.

Facing everyone's stares, Wales could only awkwardly chuckle twice; he had poked her shoulder, not her waist...

Fortunately, Jinie only complained once before steering the topic back.

"I think, since the dungeon just opened and such a sign appeared, its credibility is indeed low.

How about we just pretend the sign doesn't exist?

We'll explore as we planned; we'll deal with it if we actually run into trouble.

Don't worry; if anyone gets accidentally injured, I'll be responsible for healing them!"

As she spoke, she raised the holy bell and staff in her hands; her sunny smile made the others feel a bit less apprehensive.

The captain spoke up in time: "I think that works."

Wales and the dwarf naturally had no objections either.

Only the other human mage was not very in favor, but since his teammates all agreed, he had no choice.

Thus, the group decided to follow the original plan and head to the forest first to explore and see how much had changed after the demon tide.

—

Sigh...

Another group that wouldn't listen to advice.

The wooden sign was naturally set up by Lin Jun; he just hadn't expected the adventurers to be so suspicious.

This is already the third team to ignore the rules.

Killing them outright is not necessary, but later I'll definitely have to find a way to teach them a lesson and teach them to follow the rules.

Thinking this, Lin Jun casually glanced at this group's composition.

Hmm... a group around LV30...

【Name: Jinie Allison】

【Race: Human】

【Level: LV42】

【Title: Human Slayer (Human damage increased by 10%)】

???

Is this the daily life of adventurers?

The suspicion seems like it needs to be taken more seriously...

Thanks to the leader of the Dalaode Alliance, "Chan Shiwu," and thanks to all the readers for your support. The book review section is currently collecting fan titles; if you're interested, you can nominate one you like.





(End of Chapter)