Yarra’s Adventure Notes

Chapter 33 - 33 24 The Trap of the Hell Crystal_1

?33: Chapter 24 The Trap of the Hell Crystal_1 33: Chapter 24 The Trap of the Hell Crystal_1 Chapter Twenty-Four

The Trap of the Hell Crystals

“I, I….” Unexpectedly, Rachel, who usually went unnoticed, had a problem as she was about to climb onto the platform.

Standing outside the platform door with her legs shaking, she confessed, “I’m a bit scared of heights.”

“That’s okay,” Vivian tapped on the metal guard, “People are only afraid of heights because their eyes see the ground getting further and further away.

This panel was designed for people who are afraid of heights.

Once inside, you just squat down and you won’t see outside, it’s quite safe.”

“Really?

I still get scared thinking about rising high above the ground,” Rachel spoke through a long face, “And my legs are too weak now, I can’t jump up…

Oh no.”

“Well, you’re up now aren’t you,” Lina clapped her hands without any remorse for her own action of throwing her aside, “Just grit your teeth and squeeze your eyes shut, it won’t take long for the platform to rise.

It’s only about fifty meters high.

Even if you fall, you’re not going to die with your Aggression.

At most you’ll break your leg again, and with a priest here, what do you have to worry about.”

“Shut up already, don’t scare her,” Catherine scolded as she knocked Lina’s head from behind, “Hurry up and get on, don’t waste our time.”

After watching the ladies jump onto the platform one after another, Pannis also squeezed into the platform door, casually closing the entrance behind him, “How do I retract this?

It’s not disposable, is it?”

“How could it be disposable, it costs a hundred thousand gold coins,” Vivian quickly explained as she held back Catherine who was ready to jump off hearing the cost, “To retract it, get two strong people to hold up the platform from above, then activate the retraction feature.

The base will naturally fold up and retract.

Alright, everyone, ready to go?”

Somewhere along the connecting points of the top and bottom metallic cylinders, the clack and clank of gears could be heard, and the platform began to rise amidst the soft sound of metal friction.

“Hmm, the lubrication at the connection point needs to be improved.

The current noise could potentially attract creatures sensitive to sound.” Vivian pulled out a notebook and began marking down thoughts.

“The stability is good, though the speed is slightly slow.

The uniform climbing rate is fine, with no signs of backclimbing.

Hmm, also, should add an adjustment feature for the size of the top platform, in case it can’t fit into narrow spaces.

Yes, that’s about it.

Anything else?”

“It uses up too much energy,” lamented Catherine, “It costs four thousand gold coins each time, this is heartbreaking.”

“They’re aware of this issue already and are working hard to improve on it,” Vivian closed her notebook, “We are actually quite fast.

Unnoticed, we’re almost there.

Rachel, you can stand up now.”

As Vivian noted down the test results, the platform had already penetrated the vertical shaft with the clinking sound of metal friction.

Now the five of them could already see the horizontal passage at the top of the shaft under the illumination of crystal energy lamps.

“Stop.” Vivian activated another controlling array, and the platform, which was already moving rather slowly, began to slow down even more, and halted completely as the opening of the door lined up perfectly with the horizontal passage.

“We’d better add another thing,” Pannis said as he opened the door and stepped down from the platform, “The door should open inward.

If the space isn’t large enough, we’ll be unable to open the door and have to crawl out instead.”

“Yes, that’s a good point,” Vimian nodded and jotted down another note on her notebook, “Now we can retract it.

Catherine, Lina, can you two help hold up the bottom of the platform – yes, like that, just lift the platform a bit to let the base leave the ground.

Okay, let’s start, first is the bottom-layer retraction array.

It should be this array.”

There was a tremble from the platform, followed by the sound of metal friction.

After about four to five minutes, the shaking ceased.

Catherine and Lina lifted the platform, revealing the lower metal box looked like a single piece of metal firmly attached to the bottom of the platform, back to its original form.

“Now, just set it aside.

Next is the top layer retraction, which should activate this array.

Ha, look, it’s already starting to shrink, not bad, really practical.

They say the maximum height can reach up to two hundred meters.

It’s hard to believe that such a thin connecting rod can be extended to such a height.

Seems like those in the Mechanic Guild aren’t all idiots.

Okay, the last step is to separate the top from the bottom, there we go,” Vivian took off four pieces of crystal shards that had lost their luster from the top and bottom of the boxes, voicing her disappointment, “Using it once costs four crystal pieces and it can only be used twice.

It’s not economical at all.

Oh, Catherine, don’t look so gloomy, it’s not ours, don’t feel pained.”

“Just pack it up quickly and don’t let me see it,” Catherine turned away in annoyance, “It’s time to go, stop dilly-dallying.”

“Alright, alright,” Vivian packed up all the equipment and looked up to ask, “Pannis, what’s up ahead?

Are we close to our destination?”

“We’re almost there.

As long as we get through the Hell Crystal Forest up ahead, we should make it,” Pannis pointed to the horizontal corridor, “Just follow this hallway and we’ll be in the Hell Crystal Forest.

There will be no forks in the road.”

“Hell Crystal Forest?” Lina flipped through a book under the lamp’s illumination, “I remember hearing the name Hell Crystal somewhere.

Here it is!

It turns out to be the product of the Singing Crystal absorbing Demonized Energy.

Isn’t the Singing Crystal known for emitting a pleasant sound, thus making it quite expensive as a decorative item?”

“It’s the Singing Crystal, but once the Singing Crystal absorbs the Magical Force and transforms into a Hell Crystal, the sound it emits becomes excruciating to hear.” Pannis said seriously: “Be careful, it is one of the most dangerous places in the entire lower cavern.”

“Why is it dangerous?” Catherine asked, confused: “Can crystals kill people too?”

Leading the way, Pannis explained: “The Singing Crystal and Hell Crystal both resonate.

When there’s a specific sound in their surroundings, they echo it.

However, if too many Hell Crystals gather together, they will continuously resonate with each other, and the sound will get sharper and sharper.

Eventually, it will reach a pitch so high that it will shatter a person’s physical body.”

“Really?” Catherine asked, astonished: “Then we have to keep quiet and not make any sound?”

“It’s not that simple,” Pannis stopped about ten meters away from the end of the passage and explained: “In the Hell Crystal Forest, there are magical creatures that coexist with the crystals.

These creatures are very weak, with no attacking power, but they have three characteristics.

Firstly, they can emit sounds that make the crystals resonate.

Secondly, they are immune to sonic attacks.

Lastly, they can imitate the characteristics of undisguised creatures to attract other roaming magical creatures to attack them.

So this place is their natural hunting grounds.

They use the energy of common creatures to lure in the magical creatures, then use the resonance of the crystals to kill the magical creatures as food.

Even the legendary ranked lords of the lower caverns are unwilling to come here, it’s too dangerous.”

“Pannis, you must have some method to deal with this,” Catherine said, frowning: “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have brought us this way.”

“There’s only one method,” Pannis replied firmly: “Run.

Activate your Aggression Shields or Magic Shields and run after me, the faster, the better.

It takes at least a minute from the start of the Hell Crystal’s resonance until it can harm living beings.

After its power reaches a lethal degree, your shields can withstand it for a while.

But be careful, the omnipresent sonic attacks can severely harm the Aggression Shields.

Unless you’re a Demigod who’s entirely unconcerned with depletion, even a Legendary Rank shield wouldn’t last long here.”

“That’s a frightening place.” Catherine said hesitantly: “What if, what if, the entrance to the research institute is in there?”

“That could pose a real problem.” Pannis shook his head: “Limit it to two minutes, explore a little bit at a time.

Spend one minute exploring, then run out the next.

No matter what, don’t stay inside for more than two minutes.”

“Is it safe once we run out?” Lina asked sharply: “Sound can travel.”

“Don’t worry about that.

Although I don’t know the principle behind it, once you are a meter deep into a few of the passages, the sound loses its lethal power inside.

It will only be a bit grating at most.”

“Okay, we understand.

So, should we charge in now?” Catherine asked.

“Hold on,” Pannis interjected: “Vivian, how long can your illumination spell last?

Can it last two minutes?”

“Yes.” Vivian calculated: “It lasts three minutes and cools down in ten minutes.

It should be enough.”

“Good, then cast an illumination spell in the cave right before we go in.

Then, follow me and run.

No matter what happens, don’t stop.

I believe with your strengths, none of you would suddenly sprain your ankles right?”

“Hehe.” Rachel gave an awkward laugh and said nothing.

“Your case doesn’t count.

It’s because you had run for a whole day nonstop that it was unusual for any accident not to happen!” Pannis gave a dismissive wave, then turned to tell Catherine: “I recommend you carry Vivian when we run.

I don’t know why, but I’m afraid something like what happened at the Flame River might occur again.”

“Okay.” Catherine thought and agreed: “Vivian, is that okay?”

“Hmm, I’ll rely on your big sister then, hehe, looks like I’ll have an easy time.” Vivian didn’t seem to mind at all, she put her hands on the rune and turned back to confirm one last time: “Are you all ready?

I’m going to cast my spell.”

“Let’s prepare.” Pannis and Catherine stood by Vivian’s side, while Lina and Rachel stood slightly behind: “Let’s go.”

“Light Element, bright light!” The incantation broke the silence in the Hell Crystal Forest.

A bright light ball flew to the top of the cave, and under the support of magical power, it hung in the air, illuminating the cave.

Countless weird and oddly shaped red crystals stood in the middle of the cave.

The tallest ones were more than ten meters high and too large for two people to wrap their arms around, while the shortest were only one or two meters high and thinner than a wrist joint.

Under the strong light, the red crystals reflected a strange light.

The ground under the crystal forest was scattered with countless skeletons.

Dozens of shadows stepped on the bones, moving among the crystal shadows; their figures were indiscernible.

The skeletons beneath the shadows made a creaking sound as they were stepped on, as though they were narrating the misfortunes of living beings.

On the opposite rock wall of the cave, three entrances were scattered at inconsistent heights, their depths obscured in darkness.

“Always be vigilant while running, and don’t forget about those two mysterious mages.

I believe that even when they reach here, according to Ydilan’s claim, they won’t exude the aura of living beings, hence they won’t attract the magical creatures’ attacks.

They are therefore very likely to ambush us here.

Be very careful.

Alright, run.” As he finished saying the word ‘run’, Pannis shot out like an arrow, not pausing as he sped forward: “Never stop, keep running, the hole on the left at the end is our destination.

Fast, fast, fast.”