After leaving Miracle City, the Adventurers received their orders and began searching along the river, trekking through the dense forest for about two hours. The potential of an Underground City largely depends on the quality of its Secret Realm, but its location and environment are equally vital. A city with a prime, resource-rich location can attract Adventurers, even if its Secret Realm is average. Miracle City seemed to have such potential.
"Wool Warrior: The resources here are abundant. Should we hunt some prey to take back?"
"Lone Wolf: One wild boar can be exchanged for a lot of Soul Sand in town!"
Dealing with Adventurers can be tricky for Lords as they often have their own ideas and tend to stray from orders. However, despite some temptation, most Adventurers remained focused.
"Black Stone Hammer King: Focus entirely on completing the mission. If the Lord finds out we're slacking, he won't choose us next time."
"Ethan Fields: The Underground City's survival environment is harsh and threatened by Dark Kind forces. Too many excellent Underground Cities are destroyed by Dark Lords each year. We can't let this happen to Miracle City!"
"Pig King: Those damned Dark Kind! Nine out of ten cities fall to them!"
"Sarah: We need to gather clues about the Dark Kind as soon as possible."
"Black Stone Hammer King: We must achieve sustainable exploitation of this rare treasure Underground City to extract more benefits from the Lord."
"Mandy: Agreed, we're not risking our lives for the Lord. This is all for our own gain!"
"That's right!"
"Lone Wolf: The problem is, this area is so vast. Even after three to five days of searching, we might not find any clues!"
Then, unexpectedly, a sharp scream echoed through the forest. Several Adventurers were hit by arrows, but thanks to the Anti-riot Zombies' strong defenses, none were killed.
"Who's there?"
"How dare you shoot at us?!"
The Adventurers quickly identified the attackers—a group of humanoid Aliens unrelated to humans, less than 1.4 meters tall, with wrinkled gray skin, dark red eyes, and pointed ears.
"Gray Goblins!"
"They're damned Dark Kind!"
"Holy crap, talk about luck!"
"Lucky indeed!"
"Kill them!"
Gray Goblins, widespread on the Chaos Continent, are inherently cruel, cunning, and greedy. Individually weak, they become devastating in large numbers. This time, only four Goblins appeared, armed with short crossbows and knives, likely a hunting party. Shocked to see the mercenaries unaffected by their arrows, they hesitated.
The Adventurers, using their numerical advantage, surrounded and attacked the Goblins. They took down three, but one escaped swiftly. The Anti-riot Zombies' poor mobility and the forest's complexity made pursuit difficult.
"Damn it!"
"One escaped!"
"Root them out!"
"Chase it! If it reports back, Miracle City is at risk!"
Without waiting for Jack's command, the Adventurers followed the tracks and discovered a small camp, not a Dark Underground City but a settlement under a Dark Lord's rule. It comprised a dozen straw huts and about thirty adult Gray Goblins, with two plantations nearby growing berries and herbs.
The workers in the fields, resembling miniature humans, caught the Adventurers' attention.
"Huh?"
"Gnomes?"
Gnomes, also known as Dwarves or Halflings, are common in the underground world. They haven't been corrupted by dark energy and are naturally kind and obedient. However, due to their weak strength, they often become vassals or slaves to more powerful races.
"I didn't expect such a special gain!"
"Capture them all!"
Finding both a Dark Kind stronghold and neutral races to subdue was a pleasant surprise for the Adventurers. If Miracle City absorbed these Gnomes, they could enhance its value and services, ultimately benefiting the Adventurers.
Excited, the Adventurers charged toward the camp. As the Zombies approached menacingly, the Gnomes in the plantation trembled in fear. Yet, among them, a freckled Gnome girl showed a look of surprise. Unlike the others, she had clear, gem-like eyes and a lively demeanor. She quickly realized the ferocious Zombies were played by surface Adventurers.
Miracle City's first expansion battle had begun!
The Goblins were prepared, but the Adventurers didn't back down. Eighteen Anti-riot Zombies, protected by helmets and armor, charged in, enduring the enemy's attacks.
"Come on!"
"I can still fight!"
Pig King was the first to break into the village, with fourteen or fifteen arrows stuck in him. Despite being attacked multiple times, he charged recklessly, seemingly unfazed.
Zombies, with their tenacious vitality and equipment protection, were not easily killed. Even if they fell, the Adventurers had nothing to fear, as there was no loss for them.
The presence of these Gray Goblins threatened the Underground City. Anything that affected Secret Realm operations couldn't be tolerated. They had to fight to the end!
"Third one!"
Pig King shattered the heads of three Goblins. As he sought his fourth target, a burst of scorching energy struck him from the side, engulfing half of his body and dropping him to the ground.
"What the hell?"
Eight Goblins protected a distinctively different Goblin who charged forward. Older and thinner, he wore an ornate animal skin robe and wielded a wooden staff inlaid with bone ornaments. Likely a village chief or similar figure, he chanted incantations, igniting another fireball.
Bang!
Another Adventurer fell, screaming, as flames caused effective damage. Even if they didn't die, their mobility was severely compromised.
The battle for Miracle City's expansion had just begun, and the stakes were high.