Blaire returned from the depths of the lizard cave half an hour later.
By then, Michael had finished creating a few flashbangs. They were not as potent as the ones created by the Alchemist Apprentice, but Michael didn't have any alchemy tools at hand, and it was his first time creating flashbangs using the materials of the Origin Expanse. Thus, he was quite satisfied with the result.
At least, they worked!
"The deeper you venture the more lizards we'll encounter. They're almost everywhere," Blaire began narrating her report.
"The number of lizards clustering together is still negligible but there are many small groups, and we won't be able to avoid them given our small group. Nobody can walk around as stealthily as I can. If we want to venture deeper and follow the arrow on the treasure map we'll have to fight our way through the lizards."
Michael listened intently, grimly nodding his head.
"Are all Lizards at the 2nd Tier?" He asked.
"No. The Tier-2 Lizards are rare and they seemed to be loners. The groups of lizards all consist of Tier-1 monsters, and their numbers are small as well," Blaire responded.
Michael got up from the ground when he heard that. He turned to his people, who were already watching him, waiting patiently for his command to set off and venture deeper into the lizard cave.
Michael smiled faintly when he saw that before he gestured to his people to get up.
"It's time for a small clean-up!"
He retrieved a bunch of objects from his War Rune and handed them out one after another.
First, Michael handed everyone three different types of potions. Then, he gave the Archers and Aero Crossbowmen explosive arrows and bolts. Lastly, he followed up by distributing highly potent paralysis venom.
At the same time, Blaire was given a few sets of traps, which she could install all around the cave swiftly.
As the Tracker of the group, she was the only one who could install the traps. That was also one of the many reasons why he brought her along with him today; to install traps wherever necessary.
Most items he handed out today were recently bought. They were quite expensive, especially the traps, the explosive arrows and bolts, and the highly potent paralysis venom. Each of them possessed the power to inflict injuries to Tier-2 Monsters or restrict them at the very least.
Thus, Michael bought them to make sure that he wouldn't be completely defenseless if he encountered an unscathed Tier-2 Monster. He wouldn't always be lucky enough to find injured Tier-2 monsters or be able to trick them into fighting each other and wait until both are exhausted to deliver the final blow.
Feeling confident of himself and his team, yet vigilant of the surroundings, Michael and his team ventured deeper into the lizard cave.
They walked past the cavity where he found the lizard mother's eggs a few minutes later, and they proceeded to walk ahead.
In no time, they crossed a big distance and the cavern entrance behind them couldn't be seen anymore. Simultaneously, it felt like the world around them changed completely.
The bright light shining through the cavern entrance was no more. It was replaced by the dim light of the Gloa Crystals, which protruded from the ground, the walls, and the ceiling.
As they proceeded to venture deeper into the lizard cavern, they encountered the first lizard group. There were four lizards the size of a big dog.
Michael retrieved the Hardwood Bow and the Return Arrow from his War Rune. He moved smoothly, nocked the arrow on the bowstring, and pulled back. A moment later, he released the arrow together with the others.
By now, Michael had four Archers in his army. Working together with the two Aero Crossbowmen and the Water Elemental Mage, his archers released their arrows and a total of eight projectiles whizzed through the air. Six projectiles hit the same target, breaking the lizard's scales before piercing the soft flesh beneath, while the remaining two projectiles pierced one target each.
Michael's Return Arrow pierced the brain of one lizard, while the water bullets of the Water Elemental Mage did the same.
Simultaneously, Tiara appeared in front of the remaining lizards. Her body arched and her hand holding the silver spear lunged forward.
The blade of the silver spear pierced through one of the lizards just before Tiara changed her trajectory suddenly. She turned her body instantly and slammed the dull backside of the silver spear through the other lizard near her, pushing it deeper into its flesh.
Something about Tiara's movements had changed since she obtained the Artifacts from Michael. He didn't think too much about it at first, but his curiosity increased the more he watched her fight.
Tiara's movements were weird, especially the way in which she could instantly turn and flip around. It was unnatural and extremely lethal for her opponents. Nobody expected her to be able to evade certain attacks, but Tiara easily turned and twisted herself with a burst of energy that left her opponents confused.
This was most apparent when they encountered a lone lizard that was as strong as the lizard mother, which annihilated the Gogi Lord and his subjects.
Michael tensed up when he saw the Lowest Tier-2 lizard, but he regained his calm the next instant. He had made more than enough preparations to kill such a monster, and with Tiara by his side, he did not have to worry.
She had advanced to the Mid Tier-1 and her combat prowess was close to Peak Tier-1 Monsters thanks to her skills, and the silver spear which could easily penetrate the hide of Tier-2 monsters as long as enough force is applied.
However, Michael was taken aback when he saw Tiara tackle the Tier-2 Lizard single-handedly. He had been certain that their whole team would have to rely on the high-potency paralysis venom to wear down Tier-2 monsters. But that was not the case.
Tiara merely required a single thrust to break through the highly durable lizard scales and cause a massacre in the lizard cave.
The silver spear dug deep into the Tier-2 Lizard's flesh before an explosion of power occurred. Energy surged out of the silver spear explosively, and it destroyed everything around it.
Even though Michael had exerted the Eagle Eyes Soultriai, he was stupefied. His eyes could follow Tiara's movements, but they didn't really make sense.
He had a hard time processing what Tiara had done. The battle was already over, yet Michael and the others stared blankly at the Battle Maid from the Silverfang Tigerfolk.
'Was that her Soultrait, or a martial art that uses her racial traits?' Michael wondered, his expression filled with doubt and confusion.
He could tell that Tiara's strength increased drastically thanks to the Artifacts' external enhancements, and it felt like the enhancement allowed her to fulfill the conditions to use special movements, which she used with great familiarity.
'Did she lose her power before becoming my personal maid? How is she suddenly so agile and nimble?'
Michael was not too sure about his thought, but it was definitely weird. Tiara's combat experience and movements had improved significantly compared to the way she fought before.
However, that was a good thing for Michael and his territory.
No matter what the reason may be, and how much confusion it caused, it was great that Tiara grew stronger!
Following the next few hours, Michael and his team were able to remove all obstructions in their way.
They ventured deeper into the lizard cave and followed the arrow on the treasure map as the cavern tunnel split up into several smaller tunnels.
The tunnels became increasingly narrow, but with Michael and Tiara in the front, nobody had to worry about anything.
After hours of hard work, a bright light illuminated the end of the cavern tunnel.
Michael and the others were tense and vigilant of the bright light. However, curiosity got the better of them and they continued moving forward.
Their hearts palpated and the thought of discovering the whereabouts of a heavenly treasure caused excitement to spread through every single cell in their body.
The group inched closer to the bright light.
It took a while for their eyes to adjust to the sudden intrusion of bright light, but when they saw the scenery that was unveiled in front of them, they were shocked to the core.
Even Michael was having problems controlling his expression and keeping a straight face. His eyes widened in shock and his jaw hit the ground.
A humongous underground hall now lay in front of their eyes.
However, it was not just an ordinary underground hall. No, it was far from ordinary.
"What the fuck…is that an illusion?! This cannot be real!"
