Inside the cave, the air was dark and moist. The small party could hear
the dripping of water echoing through the stone tunnels. As they walked
deeper and deeper, they eventually reached a massive stone gate—
completely shut.
"Fuck…" Edward muttered. "Well then, I guess we have to find another way. Everyone start looking
around," Jim ordered.
After a few minutes, a soldier shouted, "Sir! There's a crack in the wall
here. I can see some light on the other side!"
The group rushed toward him. Edward was the first to squeeze through
the narrow opening.
The "light" on the other side came from glowing mushrooms scattered
across the cavern floor.
Edward immediately rushed toward them, cut a small piece off one of
the mushrooms, and tossed it into the small pouch on his belt.
Then they continued moving forward.
After almost an hour of walking, they reached a huge hall carved
entirely out of stone.
"Woah… why the fuck would someone build something like this down
here? Doesn't look like humans did it. The architecture is totally
different. Elvish, maybe?" Jim said.
"It's not elvish," Edward replied. "Centuries ago, this region was part of
the Demon Kingdom. This was probably built during their reign.
Doesn't matter. We need to find the Boslame's nest. Look for a smelly
place filled with corpses and bones."
Everyone split up to search.
It didn't take long before another soldier yelled, "Sir! I found
something!"
Edward and Jim hurried toward him.
Through a narrow waterway deeper in the ruins, a large pit opened—
multiple water channels feeding into it.
A thick, rotten, moldy stench rose from below. In the center stood a
huge wooden nest.
"The nest… at last. But the creature itself isn't here," one soldier noted.
Edward dropped down and inspected it. After a brief moment he said:
"It's definitely the creature's nest. We need to lay a trap here."
Everyone agreed.
"But if the monster isn't here, it means it's far enough not to smell us
yet," Edward continued. "When it returns, it will smell us. We need to
blend in with this place. Cover yourselves in the blood, mold, and shit
on the ground. All of you."
The soldiers exchanged looks of disgust.
Jim was the first to act.
"Well, fuck it. What are you boys staring at? Move! We've got a job to
do!"
He began smearing the filth over his armor, face, hair—every part of his
body. The rest reluctantly followed.
"We also need to put out the torches," Edward said.
"B-but sir… we won't be able to see anything!" one soldier protested.
"Don't worry," Jim said. "Your eyes will get used to the dark."
He extinguished his torch. "So… what's the plan for the trap?"
Edward scanned the area.
"One of the soldiers with a bow will hide in the western waterway.
You and I will wait inside the small crack down there.
The rest of you spread out and cover yourselves with the corpses. Play
dead. Wait for my signal."
He continued:
"We need to restrict its movement. Jim, you said you can reinforce your
body and create magical chains. Use them to bind the Bolsame's hands.
Reinforce your muscles—or it will throw you like a pebble. The rest…
we'll improvise."
"Any questions?"
Everyone shook their heads and moved to their positions.
After a while of waiting, Jim whispered, "Hmm…"
"What is it?" Edward asked quietly.
"Well… I think we're right under the city center. So if anything goes
wrong, both we and the town above us are screwed," Jim said nervously.
"You don't look like someone who cares about other people's lives,"
Edward replied.
"Of course I care about normal folks—sometimes. I can't let them die
because of some stupid mistake I make."
Edward looked him straight in the eyes. "You see—"
A noise echoed from the northern waterway.
Both men turned their heads.
A few seconds later, a roar shook the entire chamber.
It was the monster.
Edward raised his hand, signaling the others.
With his free hand, he pulled out a potion—a small vial filled with dark
blue liquid. Without hesitation, he drank it.
Then he pulled out another potion—thicker, darker, heavier—and
swallowed it as well. His face tightened in discomfort.
"Shit… that looks bad," Jim muttered.
"Shut it," Edward growled. "And focus on the job."