A Wizard’s Secret

Merlin cast five strengthened Thunderlight Balls consecutively and was finally able to wipe out all of the patterned spiders in the room, which emitted a pervading burnt smell.

These patterned spiders were clearly no Elemental Monsters but strange creatures of flesh and blood. Even Wizard Sammir, who was widely experienced, did not know what these patterned spiders really were.

“In this ancient monument, we have to be careful. If it wasn’t for Wizard Merlin earlier, we would’ve been in trouble.”

Wizard Bren spoke in a solemn tone. Although he had two Alchemy Creatures and was able to kill patterned spiders as well, the number of patterned spiders was overwhelming. Wizard Bren and the others did not have large-scale Offensive spells. Therefore, other than painstakingly killing the spiders, their only option would be to force their way out of the crowd of spiders surrounding them.

However, either course of action would have wasted a lot of time. At that point, it would be difficult to predict what other dangers would appear in the depths of the ancient monument.

There were a few more flasks on the stone tables but Wizard Sammir and the others did not dare to open any of them. Perhaps they contained more patterned spiders, which would only cause more trouble.

“Come on, let’s continue our way down.”

Thus, Merlin and the others speedily headed downward. This ancient monument was a tower. They were currently in the middle of the sixth floor – there were five more floors below.

Having encountered those patterned spiders from before, Wizard Sammir was evidently more cautious as he headed downward. Still, they met more of those spiders on the fifth, fourth, and third floors.

Moreover, these patterned spiders were strong and capable. At the start, each spider only had a small build but after being attacked, their bodies would immediately swell and their strength subsequently became greater as well.

Fortunately, Wizard Sammir and the others had already developed a solid coordination. Their Third-level Binding spells would be used to restrict the movements of the patterned spiders, after which Merlin would cast Thunderlight Ball.

Therefore, despite running into danger a few times, they managed to get past these obstacles safely.

Now, they had finally reached the second floor of the ancient tower.

“We’re already at the second floor. Look, this room also contains the mysterious symbols and equipment for potion-making. Hmm? There are even spells here?”

Suddenly, Wizard Sammir came across a spacious room in the middle of the second floor. Delicate glassware, as well as books which seemed to be falling apart, were set out all around the room.

Someone seemed to have flipped through the books before casting them onto the ground but Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren were still overjoyed at the sight.

“Potions, these are all potions!”

At each floor of the ancient tower, Wizard Sammir would not give up on searching for potions. Furthermore, they had gradually realized that it had not been just one Spell Caster who resided in this tower, but many Spell Casters.

Therefore, almost every floor had its own potion-making room. Only those rooms were either completely empty or were like the sixth floor, housing multitudes of patterned spiders.

It was only in this room of the second floor that Wizard Sammir had discovered actual potions. The potions were stored in transparent glassware and were visible at a glance. The abundance of potions here required Wizard Sammir’s analysis, one after another.

Wizard Sammir was interested in the potions whereas Wizard Bren paying attention to the opened books lying on the ground. Some unique spells had been recorded inside those books, which made Wizard Bren very excited. His main purpose for coming to the ancient monument was to search for spells.

Looking at the numerous volumes of spell books, Merlin was just about to flip through them as well when he was called by Wizard Riesen. Wizard Riesen said in a low voice, “Wizard Merlin, this is already the second floor. In general, the obstacles in the ancient tower had been cleared, so we no longer need Sammir and Bren. Come on, the mysterious Pandora Demon Ability of the ancient tower is on the first floor, and I know its specific location!”

Merlin stopped in his tracks as a passion burned in his heart. Pandora Demon Ability – he had been able to personally experience the power of Pandora Demon Ability, so even if he already had Glacial Finger, Merlin still wanted more of Pandora Demon Ability.

“Alright, we’ll think of a reason to leave Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren for now.”

Following that, Merlin turned around and went toward Wizard Sammir.

“Wizard Sammir, Wizard Riesen and I will have a look around other places.”

Merlin came to where Wizard Sammir was facing and said in a soft voice.

Wizard Sammir lifted his head and glanced at Wizard Riesen, after which he nodded. “Sure, but be careful. Wizard Bren and I had each found what we wanted, so the both of you can search other areas. Later, we’ll gather here again and head toward the first floor together.”

Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren who were engrossed in potions and various spells did not suspect anything. After all, both of them had already fulfilled their goals for coming here.

“Let’s go, Wizard Riesen!”

Merlin turned around, and together with Wizard Riesen, they quietly left the second floor of the tower.

After walking for a distance, Merlin asked Wizard Riesen, “Throughout this journey, we’ve bumped into many patterned spiders which posed a huge danger. How did you manage to reach the first floor the last time you were here?”

Wizard Riesen had mentioned that he had been to this ancient monument and that he knew the exact location where Pandora Demon Ability was stored. This made Merlin skeptical; during Wizard Riesen’s first time entering the ancient monument, how did he reach the first floor?

“Wizard Merlin, the last time I was here, I was only able to get to the first floor because I was lucky. However, on my way back, I ran into those patterned spiders and was barely able to escape with my life. That’s why this time around I invited Wizard Sammir, Wizard Bren, and Wizard DeMarco to enter the ancient monument with me.”

Wizard Riesen did not try to cover up anything as he replied in a low voice.

Merlin nodded – Wizard Riesen had made his meaning clear. He was taking advantage of Wizard Sammir and the others to help clear the way for him, eliminating the various obstacles that led to the first floor of the ancient monument.

“What if Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren had insisted on coming with us to the first floor?”

Merlin narrowed his eyes as he slowed down his steps, and asked softly.

Wizard Riesen stopped as well and turned around with a cold smile on his face. “If they had insisted on following us, I think that with the power of Wizard Merlin’s Demon Ability and along with my own moves, Sammir and Bren don’t stand a chance of winning at all.”

Merlin’s heart trembled slightly. Riesen was thinking of killing Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren just to prevent the secret of Pandora Demon Ability from being divulged.

Therefore, Merlin became even more cautious when it came to Wizard Riesen.

“Wizard Merlin, this is a secret passage which will lead you straight to the first floor of the ancient tower, the place where Pandora Demon Ability is stored. However, I’m afraid that there might be trouble. If that time comes, we’ll need the help of your Pandora Demon Ability.”

Wizard Riesen suddenly pointed to a pitch-dark, narrow passage before them, and said in a grave tone.

Merlin nodded – he had heard Wizard Riesen speak about this before. In the middle of the ancient monument, at the place where Pandora Demon Ability was stored, there would be a powerful “guardian”.

However, Merlin was not clear exactly what this “guardian” was.

Wizard Riesen led the way and walked into the secret passage, with Merlin following close behind.

…

In the ancient monument, Wizard Glen had led Elena and Wizard Ken to stealthily enter the tower. As they walked, they also carefully looked for the footprints of Wizard Sammir and the others.

Wizard Glen knew very well that only by following behind Wizard Sammir and the others, they would be safe within the ancient monument. However, they did not dare to follow too closely, otherwise, they would attract the attention of Wizard Sammir’s group.

“These corpses all belong to Spell Casters!”

“And these patterned spiders, their bodies are enormous!”

Wizard Glen came to a room in the middle of the tower. They noticed the corpses of Spell Casters disfigured beyond recognition on the ground, as well as the scorched, stinking bodies of patterned spiders.

“Let’s go, let’s go. It’s too dangerous here, and it’s very likely that Wizard Sammir and the others had a great battle here.”

Looking at the floor packed densely with corpses, Wizard Glen was shocked to the core. This meant that danger lurked in the ancient monument indeed. If they did not trace the footprints of Wizard Sammir’s group and rushed about aimlessly, they would be in a perilous situation.

“Watch out!”

All of a sudden, a huge patterned spider with the size of a washbasin dashed out from a corner of the room. Elena and Ken immediately cast their spells, which landed squarely on the patterned spider.

The patterned spider flew backward from the attack, but right after, it began swaying its way forward once more.

“First-level spells are of no use at all…”

Wizard Glen’s face changed slightly. He attacked next, and an icicle pierced through the body of the spider. After all, Wizard Glen was a Second-level Spell Caster, and that spell was a Second-level spell, which was just enough to kill the patterned spider.

However, as he arrived at the thought that there may be more than one patterned spider hidden here, Wizard Glen’s heart began palpitating, and he quickly urged the other two, “Leave this place now.”

Thus, Wizard Glen swiftly headed for the lower floors of the ancient tower.

The fifth floor, the fourth floor, the third floor…

Wizard Glen meticulously traced the trail left behind by Wizard Sammir, and finally reached the second floor safely. However, here, they lost the footprints of Wizard Sammir’s group.

“This is the second floor. Let’s go, the first floor is right below. Wizard Sammir and the others are very likely on the first floor. Perhaps below there lies some treasure left behind by the master of the tower three thousand and six hundred years ago.”

Wizard Glen could not help feeling somewhat excited as he thought of this, so he brought Elena and Ken as they quickly descended toward the first floor. However, they did not discover the secret passage that Merlin and Wizard Riesen had used but instead entered the first floor through the normal pathway of the ancient tower.

“Hmm? There’s someone on the first floor?”

Wizard Glen, who had cautiously arrived at the first floor of the tower, suddenly discovered that there were already four or five Spell Casters there, and he could vaguely hear their conversation.

Through these noises, Wizard Glen determined that these were the Spell Casters who had entered the ancient monument long before them.

“Tsk.”

Wizard Glen, who had initially crept onto the first floor quietly, suddenly saw that in the darkness behind him was a patterned spider which had appeared unknowingly. Furthermore, this spider was rapidly spitting out its white silk.

Wizard Glen instinctively cast a Second-level spell and killed the patterned spider instantly. However, the fierce Elemental fluctuations had startled the Spell Casters on the first floor.

“Who is it? Show yourself!”

A cold, reproaching voice rang out. At the same time, four or five pairs of sharp eyes locked onto the hiding place of Wizard Glen and the others.