Chapter 130: Venn’s Group (part 2)

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Venn’s Group (part 2)

"That’s a little harsh, isn’t it?" Ragnar replied.

Venn chuckled. "I’m just telling the truth."

Darian laughed at their exchange.

"Well, as long as we can find our way back, that’s good enough for me. I’d rather not spend the night sleeping beside a pile of bones."

"Then try not to get lost," Seraphina remarked.

"Why does everyone keep picking on me today?"

Their conversation continued as they advanced through the dungeon.

The first area they encountered was the spider nest. According to their plan, their destination was the cemetery, and they had already gathered enough information about the earlier sections to avoid unnecessary detours.

Brom carefully inspected the entrance before leading everyone inside.

Several large spider webs stretched across the corners of the chamber, while smaller spiders crawled along the walls and ceiling. A few larger ones lurked in the shadows, waiting for prey to approach.

"Stay alert. There might be spiders hiding above us," Brom warned.

"I can see them," Seraphina replied, drawing her sword.

Before the spiders could launch an ambush, Liora raised her staff. A small flame appeared at its tip, quickly growing into several blazing projectiles.

"Fireball!"

The spells shot forward and exploded among the webs.

Flames spread rapidly across the dry silk, illuminating the chamber and forcing the hidden spiders out of their hiding places. Several rushed toward the adventurers, only to be intercepted by Darian and Seraphina.

Darian swung his longsword, cutting through the first spider before it could reach the group. Seraphina moved with greater precision, slipping past another creature’s legs and thrusting her blade into its exposed underside.

Brom remained at the front, blocking a spider that attempted to leap toward Liora.

"Don’t let them get close to the mages!" he shouted.

"Understood!"

----

After several encounters, they finally reached their destination.

The cemetery.

The atmosphere changed as soon as they stepped beyond the entrance.

Rows of weathered gravestones stretched across the burial grounds, surrounded by patches of dead grass and scattered bones. Several stone coffins had been left partially buried in the earth, while broken tombstones leaned at awkward angles. Pale magical lights illuminated the area, casting long shadows across the ground.

A cold breeze swept through the cemetery, carrying the faint smell of damp soil and decay.

Brom stopped and raised his shield.

"We’re here. Everyone, be ready."

Darian looked around, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"So this is the cemetery. It certainly looks unpleasant."

"That’s because it’s a graveyard," Seraphina replied.

"Well, I know that. I just didn’t expect it to look this gloomy."

Liora studied the surrounding gravestones while holding her staff close to her chest.

"I can sense traces of magical energy in the area. It feels similar to the energy surrounding undead creatures."

"That’s probably because this place is filled with them," Venn said. "According to the reports, the skeletons usually wander between the gravestones. Some remain motionless until someone approaches."

As if responding to her words, a faint rattling sound came from somewhere ahead.

Everyone immediately turned toward it.

A skeletal figure slowly emerged from behind a broken tombstone.

Its body was composed of old, yellowed bones, and a rusty sword hung loosely in its hand. Its empty eye sockets glowed with faint red light as it turned its skull toward the adventurers.

Another rattling sound followed.

Then another.

Several skeletons began emerging from between the gravestones. Some carried swords, while others wielded old spears and shields. Their movements were stiff and unnatural, but they continued advancing without hesitation.

"Looks like they’ve noticed us," Darian said, drawing his sword.

Brom moved to the front, planting his shield firmly against the ground.

"Formation! Don’t let them surround us!"

Seraphina stepped to his right, while Darian moved to the left. Behind them, Liora raised her staff, and Venn began preparing a support spell.

Ragnar remained near the back, casually observing the approaching undead.

He recognized every one of them.

These were ordinary skeletons, among the weakest monsters in the cemetery. Their physical strength was mediocre, and their movements were relatively slow. However, they possessed enough durability to withstand ordinary attacks, making them troublesome for inexperienced adventurers.

Their greatest weakness was fire.

And with two mages in the party, dealing with them shouldn’t be difficult.

"Here they come!" Brom shouted.

The skeletons suddenly increased their pace, rushing toward the group with their weapons raised.

Liora immediately lifted her staff.

"Fireball!"

Several blazing projectiles shot across the cemetery and exploded among the advancing undead. Flames engulfed three skeletons, causing their bones to crack and scatter across the ground.

At the same time, Venn cast a supporting spell over the frontline.

A faint magical glow surrounded Brom, Darian, and Seraphina, reinforcing their bodies and improving their resistance to incoming attacks.

"Leave the ones on the left to me!" Darian shouted.

He charged forward and swung his sword, smashing through a skeleton’s weapon before cutting its rib cage apart. Seraphina followed closely, using precise strikes to dismantle another undead creature.

Brom held his ground as two skeletons attacked him simultaneously. Their rusty weapons struck his shield, producing several metallic clangs, but the Guardian barely moved.

"That’s all you’ve got?" he laughed.

He pushed forward with his shield, knocking both skeletons off balance before finishing one with a heavy mace strike.

The battle had only just begun, but the party was already gaining the upper hand.

Ragnar watched from the rear, occasionally stepping forward to deal with any skeleton that slipped past the frontline. He made sure to use only enough strength to appear like an ordinary adventurer.

A skeleton approached him from the side, raising its rusty sword.

Ragnar shifted his body slightly and blocked the attack with his chipped blade. He then pushed the creature back before striking its skull, sending it collapsing into a pile of bones.

"Nice work, Gil!" Venn called from behind the frontline.

"Thanks."

Ragnar glanced farther into the cemetery.

She was right.

The rattling sounds hadn’t stopped. More skeletons were beginning to emerge from the deeper sections of the burial grounds, drawn by the noise of the battle.

A faint smile appeared on Ragnar’s face.

It seemed his first proper expedition as an adventurer was going to be more interesting than he had expected.

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