Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 103: Subterranean x Assault - Dangerous Poison Hell

Alex dives into the giant maw leading him deep underground, as one of the earliest candidates to enter. To his surprise, after only a few minutes of climbing down, he spots several lights. It appears that Gel and her fellow examiners have prepared the underground area for the examinees. Alex sees several large floodlights illuminating the very bottom of the cavernous space, providing a broad field of vision in the open area. The light makes Alex feel safe, knowing that any beasts, animals, or whatever might lurk down here would be immediately exposed if it tried to enter this zone, creating a safe area for all candidates. He scans his surroundings for cameras and believes he spots one. I guess her warning was at least partially true! he thinks. I shouldn't attack other players... at least not in an area like this.

Alex quickly notices several side passages where the spacious underground area narrows, leading into a dense network of dark tunnels. The light from the floodlights doesn't reach that far; the further away from the starting point, the darker it gets, until eventually, visibility fades completely.

To his further surprise, despite the desolate island above, numerous underground plants thrive in this cave. The area feels less like a barren, rocky cave and more like a dense jungle. He checks his [Destiny Watch] and notes the extreme heat of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and the high humidity. Is there an underground volcano nearby? he wonders. No wonder there are so many plants around; it feels like a tropical island down here.

Upon reaching the cavern floor, he spots a few crates stocked with simple flashlights, clearly intended for candidates to take.

Well-prepared, Alex already has multiple light sources in his inventory, so he isn't scared by the darkness. In fact, he finds it almost routine. This is the second damn cave I'm exploring, he thinks. At least I have some experience now!

He attaches the same lamp he used in the cave near Tribaio Village in the Sinerva Forest to his belt and heads north, assuming the cave entrance is positioned slightly south of the island's center and that the area to the north might be more expansive.

As he switches on his lamp and strides away from the underground entrance, he imagines the scenario: if hundreds of candidates enter this same area, they'll likely drive away any nearby beasts. With no targets to hunt, I won't be able to obtain any rare poison. I need to get away fast and set up a trap ahead! I may never get an opportunity like this again!

Despite the darkness and unfamiliar terrain, Alex decides to take a bold risk. He sprints through the shadows, raising his [Shield of Pluto] to protect himself from potential impacts. Ignoring the finer details of his surroundings, he prioritizes speed over caution, focused on seizing his chance to prepare in the subterranean depths.

After twenty minutes, Alex finds an ideal spot for his trap. Ahead lies a medium-sized area where multiple tunnels converge, filled with giant stalagmites and stalactites. The steady sound of water dripping from the ceiling echoes, amplifying the eeriness of the place. Moving quickly, Alex sets up a tripwire system with small bells attached—a method he's used before, though it didn't yield results last time. But here, he counts six tunnels leading into the clearing. So many entrances mean a high likelihood that other examinees will wander into this spot. He thinks, With the speed I moved, it'll probably take any cautious candidates hours to reach this point. I'll set up the bells, scout the surroundings, and be ready to execute my plan!

Once he finishes setting the bell traps, Alex moves further into the underground, now progressing at a brisk but vigilant pace, not wanting to be caught off guard. He pushes deeper into this newly discovered zone, confident that the entrances he just trapped are well guarded.