Hearing Raine state with certainty that they hadn’t reached a dead end, Kaelin’s mixed feelings gave way to a glimmer of hope. Beside her, Sodden and Winnie’s eyes lit up simultaneously.
"Earth People boy, are you saying there’s another path hidden in this hellhole?" Sodden was the first to lean in, his Redbeard nearly poking into Raine’s Leather Armor. Though his courage was unquestionable, everyone knew clearly that outside lay a Sea of the Dead numbering in the thousands; forcing their way out meant certain death.
"While we can’t be sure what lies at the end of that path, it represents a new possibility at the very least," Raine said, meeting their expectant gazes with a slight nod. His confidence stemmed from the Exploration Chapter in his mind. At the edge of the map, he had keenly caught sight of two parallel lines faintly outlined in the fog. Judging by the direction, this hidden passage most likely led to the fortress’s main gate area.
"As long as there’s a path, that’s enough!" Sodden slapped his thigh, his previous frustration swept away completely. "Who cares where it goes? It’s a hundred times better than turning back to face the countless old bones in the hall!"
Kaelin also gathered her spirits at his words. Though Winnie remained silent, her fingers, which had been tightly gripping the hem of her robe, visibly loosened. Following the map’s guidance, Raine quickly arrived before a section of the rock wall that looked no different from its surroundings. He reached out, carefully touching and knocking on the cold, rough stone surface in an attempt to find a door seam or a mechanism. However, the rock wall was perfectly seamless, with no visible way to open it.
"It seems there’s a hidden mechanism here as well," Raine mused. "Let’s split up and search."
The group immediately sprang into action. It didn’t take long before Sodden forcefully overturned a particularly heavy stone cabinet. With a loud BOOM, dust filled the air as the Dwarf let out a low growl of pleasant surprise. "Hey! Look down here!"
Everyone quickly gathered around. Inlaid prominently on the floor was a Magic Lock Hole, its structure similar to the one in the Screaming Main Hall. Seeing that its surface wasn’t covered by a Magic Barrier, Kaelin didn’t hesitate, pressing her palm against the vertical pupil pattern in the center of the lock.
After a slight vibration, a hidden stone door on the seemingly solid rock wall next to them silently slid open inward, revealing a deep, ancient passage.
"As expected of a Ranger Apprentice with outstanding Perception and insight!" Sodden stood on his tiptoes and patted Raine’s shoulder forcefully, his rugged face full of admiration.
The group did not hesitate. They quickly reformed their formation and cautiously stepped into the unknown passage. The tunnel was quite narrow, only wide enough for three or four people to walk shoulder-to-shoulder. The air was cold and damp, and in the dead silence, the sound of their footsteps and breathing echoed clearly.
The moment they entered the passage, the borders of the fortress map in Raine’s mind lit up once more, dispelling the fog over a new area.
[You have activated the core landmark of the Crown of Grey Rock: "Frost Fang Tunnel". Core landmarks activated in this area: (5/6).]
Along with the appearance of the message, a straight passage clearly extended across the map. Judging by its direction, it connected directly to the final fog-covered area: the main gate.
"Constructing a secret tunnel straight from the warehouse district, where the barracks are located, all the way to the main gate area..." Raine wondered as he vigilantly observed the darkness ahead, "What is the true purpose of this passage?"
Walking beside him, Kaelin paused slightly after recognizing their direction, evidently realizing something. "It seems this path leads to the main gate area."
Sodden and Winnie also quickly caught on. The destination of this secret tunnel was actually the main gate of the fortress, the very place that had been breached first all those years ago? But why build a shortcut inside the fortress leading straight to the most dangerous front lines?
Kaelin paused briefly, as if envisioning the final moments from five hundred years ago. When she spoke, her voice was tinged with solemnity. "In my homeland, such secret paths are occasionally found in crucial ancient military fortresses. They serve only one purpose, and that is to counterattack.
"When a formidable enemy breaches the interior of the fortress, the most elite Warriors among the defenders will use this path to quietly circle back to the main gate area, launching a fatal strike from behind where the enemy least expects it.
"In my Clan, such a path is known as a ’fang’. No wonder we haven’t found any trace of our ancestors.
"It seems that in the final moments of the fortress’s fall, our ancestors led the last of their elites through here, taking the initiative to launch one final charge against the enemies who had breached the main gate.
"They attempted to cut off the enemy’s retreat, or at the very least... to return the most ferocious attack upon them."
Raine’s mind became clear upon hearing this. It all made sense now. No wonder this passage was named the Frost Fang Tunnel. If the entire Crown of Grey Rock fortress were viewed as a crouching giant wolf, then this hidden path truly was like a fang meant to pierce the enemy’s throat. However, one could easily imagine that in those desperate times when the Black Tide surged and Demons flooded like a sea, such a counterattack was tantamount to actively throwing oneself into the vortex of death.
With a sense of solemnity, the group spoke no further and soon arrived at the end of the passage. Before them stood a final stone door blocking their path, and on the adjacent rock wall, they successfully located the corresponding Magic Lock Hole.
This time, the four-person squad did not act immediately. They knew all too well that on the other side of the stone door lay the main gate defense zone from the time of the fortress’s fall, which had likely long been occupied by awakened Undead. The four of them gathered together to re-evaluate their desperate situation.
Everyone clearly understood that there were only two paths before them. The first was to turn back and once again face the Sea of the Dead numbering in the thousands within the Unyielding Hall. The second was to open this door and confront the unknown area that lay beyond it.
Foreseeably, the main gate defense area was bound to be much smaller than the hall, which meant the number of Undead there would be fewer. More importantly, it was the primary entrance and exit of the fortress. Theoretically, there should be a path leading to the surface. Although shifts in the ley lines had most likely buried the exit, the possibility still existed.
"Retreating to the hall is certain death; at least there’s a sliver of hope here!" Sodden spoke up first, patting his chest. "I choose this place!"
As his words fell, Raine and the other two successively gave the same answer. After all, this passage was relatively narrow, making it impossible for large Undead to enter. Even if the situation turned dire, they could simply retreat back in.
After reaching a consensus, the group did not move immediately. They knew a fierce battle likely awaited them, so they had to adjust themselves to their peak condition. Finding a dry corner, they took turns resting, silently replenishing their water and food. They even slept for a few hours, allowing their exhausted bodies and minds to fully recuperate. In the oppressive silence, only the faint sounds of chewing, scraping metal, and deep breathing echoed.
Finally, when everyone had adjusted to their best possible state, they stood before the stone door once again. Kaelin nodded to the group, then unhesitatingly pressed her hand against the Magic Lock Hole. The stone door slowly and silently slid open.