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And we have reached second world there, it being Cultivation Online.
***
Until now, the surroundings had been dark, with the walls absorbing most of the light. But here, the environment was different.
The walls were covered with jade.
A soft glow spread from them, illuminating the entire space.
"…So there's a place like this down here."
Alan looked around.
He had already gone deeper than the earlier sections without much resistance, but this area was clearly different.
The space opened into a wide chamber.
At the center, there was a clear lake. The water was still, and the bottom could be seen faintly through it. Around the edges, small herbs were growing naturally.
"The temperature is stable," he said quietly.
It wasn't cold like the upper levels. It was calm and serene.
He observed the surroundings carefully.
There were four separate passages connected to this chamber.
"All directions are open."
He paused for a moment.
"If something attacks from all sides, it could be troublesome."
He stepped closer to the lake.
Something caught his attention.
"…What is that?"
He focused on the water.
At the bottom of the lake—
There was a chest.
A small treasure chest, partially submerged, resting quietly as if it had been hidden there on purpose.
Alan stared at it for a moment.
"…A treasure chest."
He walked closer to the edge.
The water was clear enough to see it properly.
"It's placed too openly."
He didn't reach for it immediately.
Instead, he observed it carefully.
"In a place like this, it's unlikely to be safe."
He remained still for a few seconds, analyzing the situation before making a move.
It had been three hours since Alan entered the castle's dungeon.
He looked at the treasure chest resting at the bottom of the clear lake.
"…It might be trapped," he said.
He stepped into the water without hesitation and reached down.
The chest was heavier than it looked, but he lifted it out and placed it on the ground.
Water dripped from its surface.
Alan observed it for a moment.
"In a place like this, there's a high chance it's a trap."
He didn't open it immediately.
Instead, he checked the structure carefully.
"There could be poison or a trigger mechanism."
He placed one hand on the lid.
…Doesn't matter."
Clink—
He tried to open it.
But it didn't move.
Alan paused.
"…Locked?"
He adjusted his grip and applied more force.
Clink—!
The chest shook slightly, but it still didn't open.
"…Not a simple lock."
Alan looked at the chest for a moment, then raised his hand.
"Legendary Magic: Unlock."
A faint light formed around the lock.
Click—
The mechanism loosened.
Without hesitation, Alan opened the lid.
[The trap box has been opened!]
The moment it opened—
Pssshhh—!
A thick, dark smoke burst out of the chest and spread around him.
[Poisonous smoke has covered you!][You have suffered 4,883 damage.][You have been poisoned!][Your head is spinning!][You can't move your lower body!][You will lose 4,500 health per second!]
Alan stood still.
Then—
[You have resisted.]
The smoke continued to spread for a few seconds before slowly fading.
Alan remained unaffected.
"…As expected."
He looked inside the chest.
But before he could check it—
The air in front of him shifted.
A faint distortion appeared.
Then—
A figure slowly formed.
It wasn't fully solid.
More like a projection made of light and shadow.
[ A mysterious figure has appeared. ]
Alan looked at it calmly.
"…What is this?"
The figure didn't answer immediately.
At the same time—
[ A quest has been created. ]
A notification appeared in front of him.
"Who are you?"
A voice echoed in the chamber.
Before Alan could react—
Kyaooooh—!
Armored Needles rushed in from all four passages.
Eight of them surrounded the area instantly.
Alan glanced around but didn't move.
Then—
A figure appeared behind him.
A middle-aged man.
Alan turned slightly and looked at him.
"…You're the one controlling them."
The man smiled faintly.
"So you noticed."
His tone was calm, almost amused.
"I didn't expect someone to reach this far alone."
Alan studied him quietly.
"…You made those things."
The man nodded.
"Yes."
He spread his hands slightly.
"My creations."
His eyes narrowed as he looked at Alan.
"You are quite useful material."
Alan didn't react.
The man continued.
"I can turn you into something far better than those failures."
Alan looked at him for a moment.
"…You talk too much."
The man's smile didn't fade.
"Then let me show you."
He raised his hand.
SHHHK—!
All eight Armored Needles moved at the same time, attacking from every direction.
Alan didn't step back.
The eight Armored Needles rushed in at the same time.
SHHHK—! SHHHK—!
Threads filled the space from every direction, closing all escape paths.
Alan moved forward.
His body shifted slightly—just enough to pass through the smallest gaps.
A thread grazed his shoulder, cutting the fabric, but he didn't slow down.
He reached the closest one.
Boom—!
His strike crushed its upper body.
The undead collapsed instantly.
The remaining seven adjusted their attack.
SHHK—!
The threads changed direction mid-air, aiming to surround him.
Alan turned his body and stepped through the opening before it fully closed.
Then—
Boom—! Crack—!
Another one fell.
The attacks became more aggressive.
Faster.
Denser.
But still the same pattern.
Alan didn't rush.
He kept moving in a straight line.
Avoid—
Step—
Strike.
Boom—!
Another body broke apart.
Four left.
The man behind them narrowed his eyes.
".... You will definitely be a commander type"
Alan didn't respond.
He moved again.
SHHK—!
A thread aimed for his neck.
He tilted slightly.
It passed by.
Boom—!
Another Armored Needle collapsed.
Three left.
The space opened up slightly.
Alan stepped forward again.
Boom—! Boom—!
Two quick strikes.
Crack—!
Another one dropped.
Two left.
They attacked together.
SHHHK—!
A wide sweep of threads covered the front.
Alan stepped in instead of retreating.
He lowered his body and moved through the lowest gap.
Then—
Boom—!
One more fell.
The last one hesitated for a moment.
Then attacked.
SHHK—!
Alan stepped to the side.
Closed the distance.
Boom—!
It broke apart.
Silence returned.
The broken bodies lay scattered around the room.
The threads lost movement and dropped to the ground.
Alan stood still for a second.
Then he looked at the man.
"…Now it's just you."
The man smiled slightly, but his eyes had changed.
"You're stronger than expected."
Alan didn't reply.
The man slowly raised his hand again.
This time—
The ground beneath them trembled slightly.
From the surrounding passages—
More movement could be heard.
"…Let's see how long you last," the man said quietly.