Chapter 40 Never Let Go Of EXP

Esdras was very curious about these ancient drawings so he took a moment to appreciate them. He had to admit, even though it was only a level in a dungeon it was very detailed.

The drawings showed the people struggling to fend of monsters and wild beasts. Many warriors died and they had to relocate many times.

And yet nature was merciless. They were devastated by rain and snow storms, they were butchered by even more monster, there was no safe place in the world.

One day a being of unfathomable might tore apart the sky and saved them. He saved the sick and cured the wounded, he gave them swords and spears, he bestowed upon them mystical powers.

In no time they not only survived but thrived, the monsters were subdued and the wilderness was cleared.

It was clear what that being was, it was god. They worshipped him and built many monuments to declare his divine grace.

Their god liked to sleep so they built a great pyramid, when he awakened from his slumber he will fulfill his promise and bring them even greater glory.

It was kind of a typical story, but it was nonetheless interesting.

Passing through the paved walkway he climbed through a flight of stone stairs that went very high. The inside of pyramid was lit with torches along both sides of the walls.

Esdras put all of his focus on his surroundings and pay extra attention inside this ancient pyramid. After a few minutes he was able to see a clearing out of the narrow hallway.

It was giant puzzle-like building with stairs that interlocked and diverged in a nonsensical way, some were on the ceiling and to the side in strange and confusing patterns.

"Oh, boy, here we go."

Esdras would have gotten lost if not for his Pioneer title, but even then it just gave him an inkling of where to go to move on to the next floor.

Following the feeling he just ignored everything else and proceeded along, at some point he looked down and found himself walking casually on one of the ceiling staircases.

He heard a strange noise, it was something knocking on a stone or a wall. He had a hard time figuring it out, either way he didn't see the source of the noise. At least not yet.

Along the pathway there were the occasional clay vases, out of caution he decided to check out on what was inside. It was oil, or perhaps something similar.

He finally saw a door in this dreary place, although it was not where he was supposed to go, he decided to check it out. Who know there could be a treasure chest hidden here.

Prying the door open he found out that the hinges were very flexible, it was a door that could be pushed or pulled to open. He took one step in and then immediately pulled out of the room.

There was a warning from [Veteran's hunch].

Sure enough the solid looking floor of the room turned to dust at soon as he took that first step. Underneath there was a six meter deep pit of sand.

The fall wouldn't have killed him but how would he get out then? The sand was very smooth and the pit was deep. The trap was designed that way, he will die of dehydration in three days being stuck in there.

He couldn't help but shiver at such a horrific trap. Whoever made it was psychotic, they could have put some spears or something for instant death. Right?

He no longer bothered, turning around he came across a monster.

[Cockatrice Lv.2]

Skill: [Quick Charge Lv.2]

It had the head, legs, and wings of a cock and the body and tail of a serpent. It's body was not covered in feathers but disjointed weird looking scales. The beak was wide and long with protruding fangs.

It glared at him with twisted eyes and charged, very quickly, like the northern wind it blurred. Esdras braced himself and swung his mace at the right time.

He thought that he managed to predict it's movement speed but, to his surprise the monsters jumped and ran along the side of the wall dodging his mighty blow.

It almost tore his shoulder apart if Esdras didn't quickly abandon his mace and grabbed it's head with his hand. The impact sent both of them crashing on the floor in a bloody streak.

The blood was from the deformed head of the Cockatrice as Esdras put it under his armpit to cushion his fall.

[+15 EXP]

Esdras didn't have the time to enjoy his victory as he felt a sense of danger assaulting his senses.

Quickly he got back up only to find himself face to face with three Cockatrices, two form one side of the hallway and one from the other. He was stuck.

Esdras thought of a plan on the fly and ran away, the monsters from both sides gave chase with vicious hunger and hatred.

Esdras grabbed the door-handle of the trap room and went in. The Cockatrices followed behind him without hesitation.

Only they fell one after another into the pit.

Esdras didn't fall, he hung on to the door handle and when the door swung back he was out of the trap room. It can be considered his victory.

But honestly he was not satisfied, he felt like he lost on so much EXP like this. He didn't like that. After a moment he came up with a great plan.

Esdras quickly grabbed a few of the oil vases and threw them into the the trap room injuring some of the trapped Cockatrice but that was not his intention.

The spilled oil was.

He judged that the oil was enough when it created a layer on the sand. Then with a smile he took off one of the torches on the wall and threw it in.

Fire blazed and screams of agony echoed out, a foul smell of burnt flesh permeated.

[+45 EXP]