Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1909 Safehouse

”So this is how guys do it.”

Michael murmured as they were led through an underground tunnel.

The passage was wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Thick wooden beams supported the ceiling at regular intervals, keeping the tunnel from collapsing. The walls bore the mark of both magic and physical labor.

The tunnel began nearly a kilometer from the city walls, winding beneath the dark woods.

”Yes,” Daerona explained. ”These tunnels were built by the first adventurers who came here. Traveling above ground is nigh-impossible considering so many monsters prowl the area.”

Genevieve picked up on a key point. ”Tunnels?” she asked. ”How many more are there?”

Daeron turned to her and offered a knowing smile. Silence was her response.

Adam smoothly changed the subject, ”Why are there so many monsters here, anyway?”

”We donʼt know,” said the elf, shaking her head. ”Theyʼre hostile to outsiders, it seems. And a large portion of outsiders are concentrated in the City Hall. Thatʼs why this place is teeming with those foul creatures.”

”How have you all managed to hold out for so long?” Michael couldnʼt help but ask.

”Strong leadership,” the elf replied. ”And we also have means to prevent the monsters from breaking into the city hall.”

”Talismans,” Adam said.

Daenoraʼs eyes slightly widened, and her head snapped toward him. ”So you know.”

She paused for a moment, then asked, ”Learned about in the ruins scattered across the battlefield?”

”Yes.” Adam had no reason to lie.

Daenora nodded in understanding. ”Very few notice such details amid the carnage of the Lands of Always War.”

A moment later, she continued, ”The talismans are indeed what protect us. No one knows who created those mysterious wards, but they are a boon to us.”

”Talk to me about the leadership,” Adam suggested.

”Now, now.” Daenora smiled. ”All in due time, Magus.”

The party traveled onward. Soon, they began hearing the snarls and screams of monsters above ground.

Daenora casually said, ”Weʼve passed under the city walls.”

From there, it didnʼt take them long to reach the surface. After a series of twists and turns, they arrived beneath a sturdy wooden hatch. The elf turned to Adam, Genevieve, and Michael, and brought a finger to her lips.

”From this point on, remain absolutely silent,” she instructed. ”Follow my instructions to the letter… unless you have a death wish.”

The three grew solemn.

Daenora stepped forward and lifted the hatch. She climbed out first and disappeared into view. The rest waited below in silence. Nearly a minute later, she returned and signaled for them to follow.

”Itʼs clear,” she whispered.

One by one, they climbed into a dilapidated living room. Though patches of the walls and floor were blackened with burn marks, most of the room remained intact.

A cold fireplace stood along one wall, while a staircase leading to the second floor occupied the other. Thick curtains covered every window, preventing even a sliver of light from entering.

Directly ahead stood the front door.

And hanging beside it was the familiar talisman.

Adamʼs eyes lingered on it for a brief moment. It was exactly the same as every other one theyʼd found in the ruins outside.

He also secretly carried one with himself. He didnʼt disclose its existence to Daenora and the rest. This one was for emergencies.

After the last of the adventurers climbed out of the tunnel, one of Daenoraʼs men shut the hatch and locked it.

Daenora retrieved a compass-like device from her belt satchel. She studied it for a few moments, then said to the others:

”Thereʼs not enough time to reach the City Hall before night falls. Weʼll camp out here until sunrise. And then we move.”

Adamʼs gaze lingered on the device. He figured it was a clock that had been calibrated to the movement of the celestial bodies inside the secret plane.

Having one of them will be really handy, he thought.

”How far is the City Hall?” Michael asked.

One of the Paladins, an archer, replied, ”It takes the entire day to travel from the city hall to the city gates. If weʼre not obstructed by those monsters, that is.”

”And what happens if those monsters bar us?” Michael grew solemn.

The archer shrugged. ”Fight them. Kill them. Then move on.”

Michaelʼs lips twitched.

Another archer chimed in, ”There are plenty of safehouses throughout the city. Should any of us fall in danger, we can always peruse them.”

”I see.” Michael nodded. ”So this is one of those safehouses, Iʼm assuming.”

”Indeed.”

As Adam and Michael got to know the rest of Daenoraʼs men, Genevieve couldnʼt help but curiously walk toward the door.

No. She was not stupid enough to walk out of the building. She was simply curious to see what the outside looked like. So she approached one of the windows and reached out with her hand to draw the curtains.

Daenora had already noticed her movements, but made no attempt to stop her. Instead, she smirked with mild amusement, thinking:

Itʼs better for her to get a first-hand experience.

Adam noticed the smirk on the elfʼs face, and he couldnʼt help but frown.

He turned to Genevieve and saw that she was about to draw the curtains. Feeling something amiss, he rose to his feet and quickly strode toward her.

Meanwhile, Genevieveʼs hand clasped the curtain, and she slowly drew it to the side. Dim light from the gloomy skies filtered through the glass, illuminating the living room.

A faint drizzle persisted outside as raindrops gently pattered against the pane.

Genevieve had only drawn the curtain halfway when her eyes widened in fear.

”Hello, there!”

With a startled cry, Genevieve stumbled backward and was about to fall. Thankfully, Adam had appeared behind her just in time and gently held onto her.

He had a grim look on his face as he stared at the person who had just greeted Genevieve.

It was a man with pale skin and neatly combed black hair. His eyes were completely black — even the sclera. The man… no, the creature stared at Adam and Genevieve with a polite smile.

Slowly, its lips split from the edges and it grinned from ear to ear, displaying needle-like teeth.

Then it spoke in a guttural voice:

”Why donʼt you let me inside? Iʼm hungry.”

Thatʼs all for today.