Chapter 1630: Room

Adrius, Sylmira, and Lysander continued examining the enormous chamber, carefully observing its strange structures while extending their Magic senses throughout the surroundings.

They focused particularly on the energy permeating the walls, pillars, and fleshy surfaces.

After a short while they reached the same conclusion at the same time even without saying anything. The energy within this chamber was unmistakably connected to the curse covering Scadri outside.

It carried the same unusual characteristics they had detected outside, although its concentration seemed much stronger here.

Adrius exchanged a glance with the other two Archmages before turning toward Erend and Erebus.

"This place is definitely connected to the curse. We should start preparing our next move," Adrius said.

Erebus, who had been standing with a frustrated expression, gradually became calmer as he looked at Erend.

There was something about Erend’s presence that made him hesitate. He could not quite explain the sensation, but he felt an immense pressure coming from Erend, as though the man carried something far greater behind him than Erebus could possibly comprehend.

It was not necessarily threatening, yet it made him realize that Erend has depths of power and experience he had never imagined.

Seeing the three Archmages beginning to prepare their equipment also reminded Erebus that they had not come this far without a plan. He took a breath before giving Erend a small nod, silently agreeing to let them proceed.

Meanwhile, Adrius, Sylmira, and Lysander began taking out the materials they had prepared beforehand.

They retrieved several parchments covered in complicated symbols along with a collection of strange devices designed for their investigation. Each of them began arranging their equipment while occasionally exchanging brief remarks about the positions and functions of the materials.

Erend watched them work, but the symbols and devices were beyond his understanding. He could recognize that they were related to the plan they made about the curse, but the precise purpose of each item remained a mystery to him.

"Erend, protect us while we’re doing this," Sylmira said without looking away from the equipment she was arranging.

"I will. You don’t have to worry about anything," Erend replied confidently.

The three Archmages did not question his assurance. They knew Erend’s strength and understood that he was more than capable of handling most threats that might emerge.

Even though they were currently inside an unknown creature’s body, facing unknown powers, they felt relatively secure knowing that he was standing guard.

Adrius and Sylmira had complete confidence in his ability to protect them, and Lysander shared their trust.

However, their preparations had barely begun when a horrifying sound suddenly echoed throughout the chamber.

"KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

It was an inhuman screech that seemed to come from every direction at once. The sound was so loud that Erend instinctively covered one ear, feeling a sharp pain shoot through his head.

The unnatural pitch made his ears ring and he could feel the vibration passing through the chamber’s fleshy walls.

"Damn it! What the hell is that?!" Erend cursed.

Erebus, however, showed no intention of retreating. He raised his head toward the darkness and released a furious shout of his own.

"COME OUT! SHOW YOURSELF!"

His voice echoed through the chamber, challenging whatever creature was responsible for the sound. His anger had returned, but this time he did not rush forward. He remained where he was, watching the surrounding with an intense gaze.

The screeching continued.

It stopped for a few moments before suddenly rising again, filling the chamber with another deafening cry.

Then it stopped once more, only to return shortly afterward.

The strange pattern repeated several times, as if whatever was producing the sound had nothing else to do but scream to express its anger or frustration.

Erend looked around vigilantly. He had encountered enough dangerous creatures to recognize that sounds like these rarely came without a purpose. More often than not, they were followed by an attack from something lurking nearby. He knew that something was going to appear.

His instincts proved correct.

The fleshy walls surrounding the chamber suddenly began moving more violently. Several large bulges appeared across their surfaces, spreading out as though something enormous was pushing against them from the other side.

The stone beneath their feet also trembled, and the thick strands of flesh stretching between the pillars tightened like muscles preparing to contract.

Then the walls began splitting open.

Heavy tearing sounds could be heard as several enormous openings appeared across the fleshy surfaces.

Something began forcing its way through them, pushing aside the surrounding tissue with tremendous strength.

The first creature emerged from one of the openings near the far side of the chamber, followed by several others from different directions.

Their appearances were far more intimidating than those of the creatures they had encountered in the tunnel.

They have massive, muscular bodies covered in thick layers of dark brown flesh. Their limbs were considerably larger and more developed than those of the previous creatures, with thick shoulders, powerful arms, legs that seemed capable of crushing anything beneath their weight.

Their bodies were covered in irregular ridges and hardened protrusions that resembled overlapping bones. They had enormous claws extending from their fingers or elongated arms with sharp, blade-like growths protruding from their forearms.

Their heads were equally disturbing. They had no recognizable facial features, only smooth surfaces of dark flesh that occasionally split open to reveal rows of uneven teeth. They released low, rumbling growls or the same piercing screeches that had filled the chamber moments earlier.

One after another, the creatures pulled themselves out of the walls and stepped onto the floor. Their heavy bodies caused the surrounding flesh to tremble with every movement.

Unlike the previous creatures, these ones did not immediately charge toward the group. They stood scattered throughout the chamber, slowly turning their featureless heads toward the intruders as though examining them.

Erend narrowed his eyes.

He could feel the difference in their presence. The energy surrounding these creatures was considerably denser, and their bodies looked more durable than those they had destroyed in the tunnel.

There was no doubt that these creatures were stronger.

Erebus stared at them with a murderous expression, while the three Archmages didn’t even pause their preparations to observe the new arrivals.

Erebus moved first to attack.