Chapter 100: New Chamber
The others agreed happily upon hearing this.
They were aware of other Beast Eggs being sold for a high price. However, most of them had no value because the alchemists, mages, or even the cooks didn’t favor them.
Still, they believed that Skitterfang’s Eggs would have some value since they came from a dungeon. No matter what, it was definitely a precious find.
Carefully, they wrapped the eggs in cloth and tucked them into Rayven’s satchel. He could feel the faint warmth they gave off and the steady beat of mana that almost made the bag vibrate.
Still, Rayven proceeded with his plan.
"Appraisal."
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. ]
[ Current Balance: 235 Gold Coins ]
Soon, more information appeared in front of him.
[ Item: Skitterfang Egg (Unhatched)
Classification: Lesser Beast Egg
State: Early Stage, Stable
Description:
- Potential Beast Core Growth: Once hatched and matured, the Skitterfang has a chance to develop a Lesser Beast Core.
- Alchemical Ingredient: Egg fluids are prized by alchemists for creating adhesive mixtures, paralytic salves, and strengthening tonics.
- Beast Taming Potential: If hatched under controlled conditions, the hatchling can be raised as a familiar.
- Mana Storage: The shell itself retains absorbed mana. When ground into powder, it can be used to make special inks. ]
[ Warning: Prolonged exposure to unstable mana environments may trigger premature hatching. ]
[ Estimated Market Value: 2 to 3 gold coins each ]
’That high? Would anyone really buy it for that much?’ Rayven was confused.
After all, the Beast Cores of Lesser Beasts were only worth about 6 silver coins. Because of that, he assumed that the egg would only be worth about the same price.
’Is it because someone can try to tame a Lesser Beast?’ Rayven mused as he considered the possible reason for its good evaluation.
Still, he didn’t mention the estimated market value of the egg. After all, no other Appraisal Skill could do what his system had done.
Rayven just confirmed that it was a Skitterfang’s eggs and the various uses they could provide to them.
That made the others pause. Hale grinned after realizing how precious it was.
"I’m sure they’ll be worth at least a gold each... So, we’re already richer than when we walked in..."
Emma’s eyes also lit up... "Taming potential, too... Though I’d never dare keep one."
Drosk simply grunted, but Rayven could tell he was pleased.
With the eggs secured, they turned their attention to the chamber’s far end. Three distinct passages branched ahead...
At this time, Drosk unfolded the map that he had just purchased in the outpost.
"The cartographers marked this junction. Each path leads to different chambers... but only one has a higher chance of treasure." He pointed at a note scrawled in tight script. "Chamber 3A. High-value deposits, marked by prior expeditions."
Rayven leaned in, studying the map carefully. His eyes traced over the various annotations, small symbols, and strange warnings left behind by explorers.
"Do you want to take a look?" Drosk asked.
"Yes..." Rayve replied immediately.
Just like that, he finally had the time to study the map, and he learned more about the dungeon just by seeing this important piece of information.
The map wasn’t just a set of paths. It was a collection of experiences of various adventurers etched into paper.
Rayven noticed a sign of a spiraling symbol. It was denoted as a Mana Pool, and Rayven knew that it could restore stamina and mana itself if rested near. He heard it from Thyruz...
Then, he noticed some notes were warning them about the lurking "Watcher Slimes" around the Mana Pool.
Aside from that, there were also other markings.
There was a circle with cross marks labeled the Stone Garden, an area where stone statues of beasts stood frozen. The notes read: "Do not touch... The statues move."
Then, there was a faint star marked a Resting Chamber. It was naturally shielded by a type of plant that repelled Skitterfangs and other dungeon beasts.
Safe for a night’s stay, though limited in space.
As Rayven continued, he noticed a droplet-shaped mark indicating that there was safe drinking water in the area. It was very important to take note of this information as it would give them a higher chance of survival.
It didn’t end there. There was also a claw-like mark that signified a collapsed tunnel and other details of what it was before.
’This is interesting...’ Rayven mused as he checked all the information.
There were a lot more signs he could see that had different meanings, but what he focused on was at the edge of the map... It was a skull-shaped symbol that marked a deeper sector.
A black skull symbol definitely means something dangerous. He did not doubt it. There were even some notes, "Unconfirmed Elite Beasts’ presence."
This added note was to emphasize how dangerous this place was.
"This dungeon really is dangerous..." Rayven murmured after seeing at least five of those black skulls on the map.
After feeling satisfied, Drosk folded the map as he made a decision.
"We’ll head to 3A first. Higher chance of valuables, lower risk compared to the others. Stick close, keep sharp. We move."
With that, they chose their path...
The cavern here was larger than the previous tunnels.
The ceiling was high, and the chamber itself was wide enough to hold several houses. All around, piles of stone and broken wreckage covered the ground.
At first glance, they looked like ordinary rocks, but some were too even in shape, too much like pieces of bodies.
"This is it..." Drosk said.
"We call this the Golem Chamber. Don’t be fooled if it looks empty. They’re here."
Rayven frowned. "I don’t see any."
"That’s the problem," Drosk replied. "They’re small ones, about the size of a child... They always hide if they sense more than two people entering the place. Some adventurer groups stay here for a full day and only get to kill three. The cores are worth fifty to eighty silvers, but it wastes time if you’re unlucky."
"Do we smash rocks until something moves?" Rayven asked
"That’s one way..." Drosk answered. "They react if disturbed. We can try for at least 10 to 15 minutes."
Just like that, the group started tossing some rocks around, looking for the small golems. However, after realizing that they were going nowhere...
Rayven decided to just spend one more gold for this. In any case, he would probably not do this again.
"Detect Mana Source."
[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. ]
[ Current Balance: 234 Gold Coins ]