As we progressed, the cave became smaller and smaller, and trickling streams emerged through the crevices in the rocks, leaving the surface of the rocks cold and slippery. I couldn't help but have the illusion that this vast cave system had a life of its own, watching with interest as two tiny humans—and presumably Mallory—struggled and fled within them, and got a pleasure I couldn't comprehend.

Maybe one side is right, and there may be some unknown connection between the deformed psychology called the "devouring hobby" and the existence of this strange place. I don't want to speculate on which or whose dreams have constructed this dangerous place...... No, maybe it's not a "human", but a dream of something else?

I suddenly realized that I seemed to be starting to think cranky again, but the terrible thought was firmly rooted in my mind, and I couldn't get rid of it no matter what. Looking at Tuttle with a little bit of peripheral vision, the determined warrior monk's expression was like an ancient well, as if the surrounding environment had no effect on his spirit. I couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

It wasn't long before we all stopped—the road ahead disappeared into the murky muddy water beneath a few massive rocks. The water and the mud and sand, the thought of those disappearances for no apparent reason, or even the disappearance of an entire city, I felt a chill rise from my spine to my skull.

"Wait, I'll use my flying sword to probe the situation below. ”

As I spoke, I controlled the flying sword into the water. It was just ordinary stagnant water, no more than a meter deep, and my ridiculous fears seemed unfounded.

So, I pinched the trick to avoid the water and got under the rocks.

"Oh......"

What catches your eye is an impossibly large cavern, large enough to accommodate a three-story villa. Warm white stone pillars ran through the roof and the ground, most of which was covered by shallow stagnant water, and rows of short, straight stalagmites appeared on the water, like large white candles swaying on the distorted mirror surface against the soft magical light.

It was like some kind of esoteric ritual. No, it's more like—some inconsequential fragment of knowledge that I thought I've forgotten that has come into existence at this point—the crab's toothy cardia stomach. Later, I realized that this knowledge came from the "Spirit Animal Cultivation Guide" that I had read in my spare time a few years ago.

I couldn't help but feel a little nauseous, but this feeling was interrupted by the sound of splashing water. Tuttle leapt out of the water, and in my senses, the other man was wet, but he didn't seem to care.

"It's a beautiful view, isn't it?"

The monk took a few steps forward and stood side by side with me.

"Hmm...... Yes, I didn't expect this to be a legendary ominous place. ”

I lied. Tuttle didn't pay any attention to my unusual look, and walked into the water on his own, the shallow water only reaching his ankles. Then he gestured for us to move on, and strode deeper into the cavern.

"Hey, be careful......"

I felt a little uneasy in my heart, and hurriedly rose against the wind and chased in his direction. But I was still a step too late—he stumbled, and the calm water suddenly took on the shape of a rapidly spinning whirlpool, and the current tugged at the foot and neck of the warrior monk's front leg as if it were about to swallow him into the unfathomable dark abyss at the center of the whirlpool.

"No!"

I screamed in surprise, summoned the spirit sword and galloped quickly, but the water surface of just over ten meters was like a moat, firmly separating me from the other party.

That's when Tuttle's prowess comes in. I saw the monk roar violently, his breath pierced all over his body, and the soles of his hind feet were quickly raised, and then stepped down vigorously. The majestic energy exploded on the surface of the water, forcibly lifting his figure out of the water by a few points. Taking advantage of this moment, I controlled the spirit sword to fly to his feet, and the warrior monk took advantage of his strength to step on it, and his body flew out upside down, and I grabbed the shoulder strap of the backpack on his shoulder, and finally got out of this ominous water.

It's just that the spirit sword that was used as a pedal just skimmed the water, and it completely broke off from my divine sense, and I plunged headlong into the whirlpool, never flying up again.

"Whoa...... Phew, thank you, Yun, you saved my life. ”

Returning to solid ground, Tuttle couldn't help but let out a long breath.

"Your feet...... Are you alright?"

I noticed that the other person had lost one of his shoes—it was his left foot, and his exposed skin was faintly emitting a black gas, and the muscles of his entire calf were limp, and he was now standing entirely on his right leg support.

"I don't think I need it for the time being. My 'qi' is still fighting against this strange evil force, and I need to find a place to rest and heal. ”

Tuttle said, glancing over there, by this time the water had returned to calm, and in my yin and yang eyes, the white and delicate sand lay quietly at the bottom of the water less than half a meter deep.

"Tartl, if I don't send you back first, I'll continue to try to find Mallory. Don't worry about my safety, I have a way to get out — I mean, out to the surface. ”

"No, that's too dangerous for you. This time it was my mistake. We will leave together, and I will have to inform the master of the monastery. As for Mallory......"

The resolute warrior monk pursed his lips tightly and sighed for a moment.

"Let's hope he can hold on a little longer. Support will arrive tomorrow, and the casters should have a solution. ”

I didn't speak. I'm pretty sure both of us know that Mallory has little chance of surviving if this happens.

As I walked to the flooding channel, I was just about to pick up the water avoidance trick and go down, when I remembered the whirlpool without warning, I couldn't help but be wary, so I took off my coat and tentatively grabbed one end and slowly drooped down. One inch, two inches...... When half of the coat was submerged in the water, I suddenly felt a huge force tugging at the other end of the coat, and when I hurriedly let go, I saw the whole coat disappear into the cave. The surface of the water churned a few times, and gradually subsided, leaving only the fine white sand to settle at the bottom of the water.

"It looks like there's no way back. ”

I could leave with that magical ability to travel through space, but I wouldn't be able to take Tuttle with me. I can't leave him like that.

The darkness in the distance did not disperse, and even with my eyesight, I could barely see a few scattered stone pillars, and I could not see the other side of the water. The short, straight stalagmites were pale as teeth in the dim light, as if mocking two insignificant humans who were overwhelmed.

"The water may rise. I don't think we have any other choice. ”