While all the guilds were still breaking their heads over the small clues and bread crumbs that were all over the place, a red-haired woman quietly stood in front of a golden portal.
Alex knew that she did not have much of a headstart as she had planned everything that way but she still wanted to quickly check out this new territory first before all the vultures showed up.
Besides, she knew exactly what to do and what not to do. Liam had already warned her about everything very clearly.
Alex gulped and stepped in through the portal. Immediately, the world around her changed and she found herself in the middle of a vast expanse of scorched lands. In front of her, there was a giant fort looking ancient and mysterious.
And at the entrance of this fort, there was a dungeon portal.
"Bingo!" She grinned. "So this is where he was all these days."
Alex looked around as she was curious about this strange place that Liam had run into. After a couple of seconds, she hurriedly opened her system interface.
And just like she expected, Liam's name was finally green! She immediately sent him a party request and…
"Yay!" Alex did a fist pump in the air. The request was accepted! From there, it only took her a couple of minutes to rush to where Liam was currently sitting.
"I didn't expect you to come here." Liam chuckled as he waved at her.
"I was just curious." Alex bashfully replied, looking away from him.
"Hmmm?" Liam paused as a sudden idea popped up in his mind. "On second thought, it's good that you are here. Let's go."
"Where?"
"To the dungeon. I want to show you someone or rather show you to someone before the others get here."
Alex immediately understood whom he was talking about. She quickly adjusted her hair, tucking a few strands behind her ear. "Ya. Ahem. I am also here to take a look at this mysterious prisoner. So that works out."
"Right." Liam nodded and the two of them walked over to Luna who was laying on the grass lazily. "Can you take us both to the fort, your highness?
Kyuuuu! The fox pouted as she did not like Liam teasing her in front of others. Nevertheless, she ballooned up and the trio reached the fort in a few seconds.
"Wow, she has gotten so much faster." Alex praised the little fox, making her very happy. Liam simply smiled. "Of course, she did. She ate a lot these past few days."
"What do you mean?"
Liam did not explain as it was a long story and the three of them entered the dungeon.
<Ding. You have entered the dungeon Fiery Pits>
Immediately a system prompt flashed in front of them. Both of them ignored it as Luna continued flying all the way inside the fort.
The fort was enormous so the dungeon occupied simply a portion of it. Nevertheless, it was remarkable.
"If only such a shortcut existed for all the dungeons." Alex bitterly smiled as she watched all the mobs and small bosses crawl underneath them.
Since they were flying, they smoothly avoided all of the small fries and arrived straight at the main big boss. "Luna, stop here." Just like before Liam made sure that the fox did not waltz in front of the draconian princess and only took Alex to the spot.
"Wait, don't enter. Just stand here."
Alex nodded and looked at the grand hall that lay ahead of them. The final boss of the dungeon a huge fire-type monster was loitering inside and behind that in a corner of the hall, there was a small treasure chest.
However, though the treasure chest looked small, there were mysterious markings engraved on it. This was actually Liam's idea.
Many people might become wary if a pile of treasure was littered in front of them. Instead, this treasure chest was much more believable.
And judging by the look on Alex's face, he knew he was correct. "You know there is no real legendary item here right." Liam laughed. He then brought Alex over to right in front of the hall where she could be seen properly.
Hmmm? Alex was confused.
But the next instant, he got the response that he wanted. "You promised me a million souls. Why have you returned with this pitiful single soul?" A figure chained up inside lifted her head and looked directly at Liam.
Her gaze then wandered over to Alex who was standing right next to her. It seemed like she had gotten weaker as her movements were a lot slower. Nevertheless, when her gaze fell on Alex, her eyes immediately widened.
Her mannerisms changed and a fiery anger like the depths of hell arose in her eyes. "Tell her to come in. Bring her in. NOW! RIGHT NOW!" She suddenly started screaming out loud.
"You hypocrites! You damned whores! Come inside, you bitch!"
"LIAM! BRING HER IN! NOW!"
Ready to erupt like a volcano, she hissed at innocent Alex who could not even see the chained-up woman in the first place. "Liam, what is happening? Why am I suddenly feeling like this?"
Her entire body was covered in goosebumps and Alex became anxious. Something did not feel right.
However, Liam who was standing next to her remained calm. In fact, he had a smile on his face. His motive in coming here actually worked out!
"Ok, time for you to leave. Go and stand next to Luna." He quickly sent her away.
"WHY! YOU PROMISED ME! I NEED HER!" The draconian princess screamed even louder seeing Alex walking away. She even tried to break free rattling her chains.
"Heh. Calm down, princess." Liam smiled. "This was just a test run. She is my friend. So she is not up for grabs. Your meal will soon arrive. Just wait for a few minutes."
But the draconian princess was still agitated. "NO! She is not your friend! She is a filthy whore! They are all whores! Don't trust the pious ones! They are the most vicious!"
Liam sighed. It looked like he had overdone things and the woman was completely triggered. There was no point in talking to her now. He decided to pay her a visit later.
"As I said, your meal is coming to you. Happy hunting! Stay alert and don't screw things up!"
ROARRRRRR!
The draconian princess seethed in anger as Liam walked away. "I knew it." His smile widened. He had a theory about who could have possibly arrested this person and this small trip told him everything he needed to know.
