บท 207: Crisis (4)
Now that I've cleared the entrance I need to proceed into the humans' encampment. I've never been to the dragon nest back in my adventuring days so I have no clue where it is. Camps are usually built at the entrance of the dungeon but this dungeon has multiple entrances...
Is it at the top of the spiral?
No time to think! This place is too open and anyone moving up the spiral path will be able to spot me where I am right now. It's risky but I need to go out further and find a better hiding spot.
There is a slight incline from the alcove-like entrance to the spiraling path and beyond that is a large thing I can't quite make out. I quickly move up to the spiral path to identify the large shape beyond the path. Shouldn't there be a chasm going to the bottom of the dragon nest?
<There should be...>
I reach the spiral path and take a quick look around. There are a lot of humans scattered all over the place but most of them are just bored workers or inattentive guards. No one is looking at me or coming my way.
With that out of the way, I look back at the giant structure suspended in the funnel-like space created by the spiral path. My eyes are in disbelief as I stare at the city that seems to have been built held up only by pillars and cables connected to the spiral path.
<It looks to be newly built. But how did they keep such a massive project hidden from the media? And why would they keep it hidden in the first place?>
I let my eyes roam over the outer layer of the suspended city hoping to gain a bit more insight into what is going on. The city isn't newly built, it's still being built. Construction workers are finishing up the outer wall and gates that connect the city to the spiral path through metal bridges.
I can't see what's behind the city wall and the first row of buildings but I guess it's more unfinished construction. Seeing all those construction workers wearing yellow helmets and bright orange safety vests I can only assume that they are from the alpha plane. No other plane has the resources and technology to build something like this city anyway.
There! A crest is visible above one of the city gates. Is that a butterfly?
<*******>
I haven't heard that one in a long time. What's got you all worked up, Navi?
<That crest belongs to the butterfly hall. And whenever that hall gets mentioned Darwin loses his cool in a bad way. He's not himself when it comes to making decisions and he chooses violence anytime he can.>
Are we still talking about Darwin here?
<You wouldn't recognize him in that state. You'll see as soon as you return.>
I'm returning?
<Standard protocol really. If weaker employees encounter anything connected to a paragon or their associated hall they are to be extracted as soon as...>
Why'd you suddenly stop?
<Darwin's really not taking this well. He got the dungeon masters involved and they decided that we'll mount an offensive.>
Well, that came out of nowhere!
<Not really. The city might as well be within the dungeon and that will not do. The only thing concerning you is that you will be at the forefront of this conflict. We know next to nothing about the butterfly hall so this is uncharted territory. Good luck!>
I take it I'm doing this alone then...
Go figure...
I'll never get into the suspended city alive since the metal bridges provide no cover at all. I look down the spiral path and see a worker staring back at me. I immediately slink backward and use part of the rocky walls to hide.
He definitely saw me! They'll come looking soon. Should I go back into the dungeon?
<The dungeon masters won't be pleased if you retreat.>
And what's the point of me dying a pointless death?
This is going nowhere. I look around a bit nervously and try to think of something I can do.
Wait, is that a hay pile up there? A bunch of tamed monsters used to move supplies is tied to posts a little up the spiral path. They have been left there with a large haystack to keep them fed.
The idea that pops up in my mind is stupid and so cliche it makes me cringe internally. But who am I to judge if an idea is going to work or not.
I try to keep my head and body low as I move up the spiral path. The tamed monsters become anxious and pull at their reigns trying to get away. They are low-level and can't do much more than pull carts and carry supplies.
I break apart the fence posts their reigns are tied to and watch them scurry away in panic. With the haystack now undisturbed I carefully maneuver my body inside the haystack. Some hay gets scattered all over the place but seeing the broken fence posts that held the tamed monsters it kind of fits.
I think I'll be able to stay hidden in the hay for a while with the way things are. Since my mission is to attack I'll just release my venomous mist breath and camp here.
I can't move too much but with the way my head is currently facing I can see down the spiral path to where I came from. It was good that I booked it after being seen because the worker is being escorted up the path by a whole bunch of strong-looking adventurers. They stop where he saw me and the man begins to wildly wave around his hands. He's probably trying to explain to them that he really did see me.
If they come up here I can probably cause them some damage by ambushing them...
<I think they'll have other things to worry about soon enough.>
Right on cue, the ground begins to tremble and many small rocks jump around like they have a life of their own. This kind of occurrence can only mean one thing in a place like this. A stampede is coming. And it's going to be an unnaturally big one.
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