Chapter 35: Treasure Hunting (3)

The inside of the cavern was dark and gloomy, if not for the fire elves with torches in their hands, the non-dark elves in the group would not have been able to see.

Syvis led the group through the cavern and into the deeper parts of the cave. The surrounding cave wall became narrower as it went deeper. It reached a point where only two elves at a time could fit through the narrow cave.

The group continued forward through the narrow tunnel until they were forced to stop by a stone wall in front of them.

"Is this it?" Zaos gazed at the Syvis while pointing at the stone wall.

Syvis shook her head, "it's a hidden door," She said as she walked towards the wall.

She placed her hand on a section of the wall and a click resounded through the narrow passage. Shortly after the click, the wall slowly sunk into the ground revealing a much larger path beyond it.

"This is the first gateway, there are still a few more gateways and some traps," Syvis turned to Zaos as she explained.

Zaos nodded, "Lead the way," he ordered.

Syvis said nothing more and quickly made her way into the passage. The rest of the group followed behind her and sighed in relief at not having to move through another narrow passage.

The group moved quickly, they navigated through the empty stone passage and arrived at another obstacle to their path. Right before the group was a deep trench filled with jagged rocks inside of it.

The trench was too large to scale over it, only with the ability to float would be able to make it to the other side but no such people were present.

Zaos silently gazed at Syvis and the latter quickly explained.

"There is an alternative pathway here," She said before moving the left wall and pushing against a section of it.

Once again, a loud click resounded through the passage, and another path opened before the group.

[Marvid sure was meticulous,] Zaos nodded at Syvis.

The latter entered the new passage first, and after seeing nothing happen to her, the rest of the group followed suit with Zaos' orders.

They walked for a while through the passage before Syvis called for the group to stop.

"What's wrong?" Zaos asked as he observed the surroundings.

"Marvid set some pressure-triggered traps on the floor. If you step on them, it would release some savage beasts he trapped in here," Syvis introduced.

Zaos was momentarily stunned. After regaining his composure, he quickly observed his surroundings meticulously.

Before long, the sound of flapping wings and low screeches entered his ears.

[Bats?] He gazed at the wall opposite him.

[Did Marvid move some bat-type savage beasts here?] Zaos nodded to himself.

"Um, follow my steps. Try not to step anywhere I didn't," Syvis said to the group as he made her way through the rigged passage.

Syvis' words brought Zaos out of his thoughts as he observed her movement.

The passage was much smaller than the last and only allowed about three people to move through it at once. However, Marvid's traps made the available space much narrower.

After a few awkward steps, Syvis successfully maneuvered through the trapped area.

"Did you all get that?" Zaos asked the group behind him.

"Yes, boss," the elves acknowledged readily.

Zaos nodded and took the first step forward.

"Follow," he said as he nimbly stepped on the same spots Syvis had moved on.

The group quickly complied, their steps more awkward than Syvis' movements. A few seconds later, Zaos arrived at the other side. He stood next to Syvis while watching Rendov and the rest make their way through the area.

"Are there any more traps?" He asked Syvis beside him.

Syvis shook her head and her disheveled hair flailed about, "there is only one other gateway that requires strength to open?" She said with her head down.

"Strength?" Zaos shifted his attention to her.

"Yes. It requires someone with great strength to push open the entrance," Syvis explained.

[As expected of an earth elf I guess… ] Zaos sighed silently.

He gazed at the group that had just finished crossing the trapped area. Other than Rendov, there were a few other earth elves present with bulky physiques.

"They should be enough, right?" Zaos pointed at the earth elf present as he questioned Syvis.

Syvis raised her head, looked at the group, and nodded timidly.

"I think," She replied softly.

"Alright, now lead the way," Zaos ordered Syvis.

With a nod of affirmation, Syvis moved deeper into the passage. Zaos gestured at the rest causing them to follow.

The group led by Syvis made quick progress and eventually stopped before a large boulder that blocked the path ahead.

"This is it," Syvis turned to address Zaos. Yet, she didn't dare look him in the eye.

"Alright. Rendov and the other earth elves, push the boulder aside," Zaos ordered in a neutral tone.

"Yes, boss," Rendov and two other earth elves stepped forward. They placed their hands on the large boulder and pushed.

*Rumble!*

The boulder slowly moved as the three earth elves pushed it to the side. A few seconds later, the Boulder was pushed away revealing a large cavern behind it.

"Good work," Zaos praised the three earth elves who were sweating profusely after that exercise.

"T-thank you, leader," Rendov gasped for breath as he answered. Compared to the other two, he was in a much better state but he still felt exhausted.

Zaos shifted his attention to Syvis, "the cave holds his treasures?" Zaos pointed into the dark cave entrance.

"I'm sure," Syvis muttered.

"Alright. You enter first," Zaos instructed as he crossed his arms.

Syvis froze for a moment before stiffly making her way into the dark cave.

[Something feels off…] Zaos observed his surroundings. But after noticing nothing wrong, he ordered an elf beside him to enter the cave.

The dark elf clad in light leather armor nodded and made his way into the cave. However, as soon as his foot entered the cave, a loud click resounded through the passage.

Almost immediately, the entrance to the cave collapsed, crushing the dark elf and sealing the treasure chamber shut!

[Heh! What an idiot… ] Zaos thought as he gazed at the collapsed entrance.

"That crazy fool!"

"She dared seal the entrance!"

The rest of the group took a second to register what had just happened before beginning to hurl curses at Syvis.

"Return to the main entrance and seal the forest down, I'll handle this," Zaos ordered the gangsters present.

The gangsters were confused but still complied with Zaos' orders and left the scene.

[I'll show you the consequences of stupidity, Syvis.]