Chapter 707 - 443: Big Fish, the Sealed Ogre (2)

Chapter 707: Chapter 443: Big Fish, the Sealed Ogre (2)

"Hmm... It’s time for a change in your position."

The Priest thought for a moment. "You can go supervise their mining operation."

’Mining? The Desecration Cultists are mining here? What are they trying to do?’

An idea sparked in Zhou Chen’s mind, and he quickly nodded. "Thank you for this opportunity, Lord Priest."

DONG! DONG! DONG!

Just then, the heavy toll of a bell sounded from outside.

"Perfect timing. It’s time for the mining to begin. You may go." The Priest took another badge from his drawer.

[Overseer’s Badge x1]

Zhou Chen put on the badge, left the Priest’s room, and followed the Desecration Cultists outside.

The great procession of over three hundred people left the cave and headed deep into the canyon. More than ten minutes later, a huge mining pit came into view.

Hundreds of Desecration Cultists were already toiling there, the air filled with the endless CLANG-CLANG of their work. The new arrivals went down into the pit one by one, lining up to receive pickaxes before starting their own mining operations.

"This area is also shielded by an Illusion Technique," Danika’s voice rang out. "And I don’t recall them ever mining here before."

’A new business venture?’

Zhou Chen fell into thought. ’I didn’t see any Ore in the cave earlier. Where did they transport all the mined Ore?’

Suddenly, someone clapped Zhou Chen on the shoulder. A tall, dark-faced man barked, "Why aren’t you mining?"

Zhou Chen expressionlessly showed him the overseer’s badge. The dark-faced man’s anger instantly vanished, replaced by a fawning smile. "Ah, it’s the Lord Overseer! This way, please, this way..."

The dark-faced man led him to the door of a small hut. "Lord Overseer, this is your place to rest. If you need anything at all, just let me know..."

"Hmm..." Zhou Chen gave a slight nod, then asked, "What about the previous overseer?"

"The previous overseer died in an accident, so I’ve been filling in for him," the dark-faced man replied.

"What kind of accident?"

"He summoned four female Cultists to his room one night, and then he died from exhaustion," the dark-faced man answered honestly.

"..." Zhou Chen was at a loss for words. He waved his hand. "Go watch them work. Don’t bother me unless you have to."

"Yes, of course."

After the dark-faced man left, Zhou Chen pushed open the hut’s door. The inside was cramped, containing a simple bed for resting and a table and chair. On the table were fruit and dried meat, presumably brought by the dark-faced man.

On the floor were a few pieces of purplish-black Ore.

[Small Piece of Purple Essence Copper Ore: A hard Ore that can be used for Forging.]

’This Ore is very common. The Desecration Church can’t sell it for a profit, nor can they create anything threatening with it... What is their objective?’

"Just be patient. You’re the overseer now; you’ll figure it out sooner or later," Danika said.

Zhou Chen grunted in acknowledgment, then pulled out a chair and sat down. He took out the [Book Containing Bits of Abyssal Knowledge] and began to read.

He finished the entire book in less than three minutes.

The book was filled with praise for the Black Sun and the Abyssal Incarnation. It also recorded the deeds of several great figures on Gaia who, after witnessing the divine might of the Black Sun, saw the error of their ways and turned to its embrace. The book also contained a subtle mental corruption; those who did not believe in the Black Sun would be bewitched upon reading it, while believing Cultists would become even more pious and unshakeable in their faith.

Zhou Chen was completely unfazed after reading it. Compared to the Book of the Dead, this level of corruption was less than nothing.

Tossing the book aside, he decided to go out and actively search for clues.

Leaving the hut, he looked toward the mining pit. The dark-faced man was holding a long whip, patrolling the site and supervising the Cultists’ work. He looked quite diligent.

"Are you the new Lord Overseer?" a man with a dust-smudged face asked as he approached, bowing low. "I’m the warehouse supervisor for the mine. Newt sent me to show you around the site."

’The warehouse...’ Zhou Chen’s interest was piqued. "Lead the way."

The warehouse supervisor led Zhou Chen to the side of the mine and into a cave. They walked along a tunnel for a short time before arriving at an underground warehouse.

The cavern was filled with parked mine carts, and hundreds of chunks of Purple Essence Copper Ore were piled up.

"Sir, this is all the highest quality Purple Essence Copper Ore. I guarantee Lord Orge will have a satisfying meal," the warehouse supervisor said with a smile.

"Lord Orge?"

The warehouse supervisor slapped his forehead. "Oh dear, I forgot to tell you about that, sir. The whole reason we’re mining Ore here is to provide rations for Lord Orge. It was sealed away by the Star Empress over twenty centuries ago. It was only in the last few years, when the seal began to weaken, that our masters discovered its exact location. Luckily, Lord Orge is incredibly strong and managed to survive. Lord Priest moved the seal to the cavern deep beneath this canyon and gathered the Cultists to mine Ore and help Lord Orge recover its strength.

This is top secret. Lord Overseer, you must keep this confidential and not tell anyone."

[Quest "Black Sun Cultist" Updated: You have discovered the Desecration Church’s secret and decided to venture deep underground to investigate.]

"When work ends tonight, it will be time to deliver rations to Lord Orge. You should prepare yourself, Lord Overseer. Lord Orge’s temper... isn’t very friendly."

’Tonight, huh...’ Zhou Chen nodded. "I understand."

Back in the hut, Danika spoke up. "During the first Black Sun Era, many of Gaia’s strongest warriors were corrupted into Demons. They were not only incredibly powerful but also very difficult to kill, so the Kings sealed them all away. This Orge must be one of them."

"Looks like we’ve hooked a big one," Zhou Chen said with a smile.

·

Night fell. The heavy bell tolled, and the Cultists, who had been toiling all day, stopped their work and turned in the Ore they had mined.

They showed no signs of the numbness that comes from rote labor; on the contrary, they all felt they hadn’t worked hard enough. It was an attitude that would bring a tear to a capitalist’s eye.

After the Ore was collected, Zhou Chen, the dark-faced man, the warehouse supervisor, and the few others who were in on the secret began moving the mine carts deep into the earth.

At the very bottom, inside a huge cavern, a circular stone Magic Array was etched into the ground. This was the entrance to the Orge’s prison.

"Sir, once we’ve positioned the mine carts, you just walk to the center of the Magic Array. After a few seconds, you’ll be transported into Lord Orge’s prison. When you’re there, you absolutely must be polite, or else..." The dark-faced man gave a slight cough. "If Lord Orge gets angry, the consequences will be..."

SHLICK!

Blood sprayed through the air. Before the dark-faced man could finish his sentence, his head tumbled to the ground, his face frozen in an expression of utter confusion.

Before the others could react, Zhou Chen lifted his sword and cut them all down.

None of them were higher than Level 10. With such a massive Level difference, he could have killed them with a single punch, even bare-handed.

After dealing with the minions, Zhou Chen stood in the center of the Magic Array. A prompt popped up.

[Enter the Filthy Giant Demon’s prison?]

Zhou Chen selected "Yes."

[Entering the Filthy Giant Demon’s prison...]

[You have entered the Filthy Giant Demon’s prison.]

The sky above was a brilliant canopy of countless stars, and the ground was like a sea of clouds. The entire space felt as if it were floating in the endless void of space.

Several colossal chains woven from starlight stretched from the corners of the prison, binding the hideous form of a behemoth.

It was a massive mountain of flesh, covered in tumors and festering, rotten pustules that emitted a pungent, nauseating stench. Its limbs were short and stunted. Its head resembled that of a man, with pitch-black eyes, a prominent, pointed nose, and a cavernous, bloody maw filled with sharp Tusks.

The boss battle music began to play.

Boss Name: [Filthy Giant Demon]

Zhou Chen’s arrival caught the Filthy Giant Demon’s attention. Its colossal, fleshy body squirmed slightly as it lowered its head to look at him.

Its response was the brilliant flash of the Demon-Breaking Sword.

"AWOOOO—"

The Orge’s agonized cry echoed throughout the prison.