Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 989: Drifting in the dark

Contrary to what most hunters believed, the Dungeon Raiders found out the worst part about the Shadowlands was not the imminent threat of unseen enemies lurking in the shadows, nor it was the incapability of finding one’s way which was the cause of the entire southern hemisphere being classified as the most dangerous PNR in the world. 99.9% of the hunters lost their sense of direction after just one step no matter what trait they possessed.

The world government had financed endless research projects which included a variety of experiments, the most common being tethering a determined hunter selected by either their trait or power to a point outside the shadows then pull him back after a set amount of time. The most common occurrence was the hunter coming back with absolutely nothing to say as the place was described as absolute darkness. However, it wasn’t unusual to rope back a dismembered body or an empty rope.

There were also some cases in which after pulling the tether, instead of a hunter they brought back something different. Something that may or not look like the hunter they sent in, but that certainly wasn’t human. From vicious creatures with abhorrent appearances to dreadful skinwalkers that looked and acted exactly as the humans they fed on.

This was the information relayed to the Dungeon Raiders by Walter before they set off. This set their expectations at an all time low, but nothing could prepare them for the reality of that place as they found out the worst part had nothing to do with the aforementioned dangers. Thanks to Sam playing the role of a ranger, they were able to find their way even in absolute darkness while avoiding the monstrosities.

The actual worst part of the Shadowlands was the ominous silence that reigned above all. Even the wind seemed to be still making the air feel hot and asphyxiating, which felt strangely claustrophobic despite the open space due to everything being dark. Though even Sam whom despite being able to see as clear as day was perturbed by it.

Or that is what most of the ’rescue party’ thought. As usual, Nika had more mundane thoughts going through their mind and she didn’t hesitate to share them.

"I told you guys, the worst part about this hellhole is how difficult it is to find a working bathroom." She grumbled to the sound of her footsteps.

"Why do you even want a bathroom? you can just go anywhere." Sam’s suggestion was met with a cold reply from Medusa who was offended by the very thought.

"A lady can’t just go anywhere!"

"You’ve been hunters for so long, I cannot believe you still have issues with the most basic stuff. Just dig a hole, do your business and for heaven’s sake make sure to cover it. Some cryptids are drawn to human waste and they’re not pretty to look at... or smell. Am I right, Luna?" Sam pierced the darkness to see Luna’s face as she replied, not that it did him any good as her emotions were covered behind the veil of her inexpressive face no one could break through.

"There are cryptids that are drawn to human waste, I’ve seen a few. They are quite interesting and can be separated into two categories. Those that feed on human depositions and those who feed on humans themselves. There is also a unique type of cryptid which I have yet to encounter. It is said they inhabit the pipes and wait for an unsuspecting victim. When a human uses the facilities, the cryptid waits for the perfect time and enters the victim’s rectum."

"That’s it! I’m never shitting anymore!" Nika declared without any regards for human biology or her urgent need.

Luna’s tales had always been scary, especially for Nika who was the most susceptible to the supernatural of everyone in the company. But in the absolute darkness of the Shadowlands, such a horrible tale was not just a nightmare to be had, but a real danger to consider.

Both Nika and Medusa were so affected by her tale, they fell in complete silence for a while out of horror, but the reason behind Sam’s silence was different. While the horrible sight of the creatures he had seen so far in their trip would forever haunt him in his dreams, Luna’s tale spread a warm feeling on his soul. Back in the day he never appreciated her tales as it only meant there was one more cryptid he needed to look out for, but today her tale felt nostalgic rather than scary which gave him enough courage to continue exploring the area.

He channeled the slightest flux towards his earring to hover a few meters above ground and peeked over the immediate obstacles to scout the area. He was already aware of the few gigantic creatures lumbering in the distance and now his objective was to spot the smaller ones which had the highest chance of catching them by surprise.

The cryptids in the shadowlands were different to the cryptids that lived outside. They shared some characteristics such as possessing too many limbs or too few, sometimes none whatsoever, but the one difference which was impossible to miss for him was the fact that they had no color. Most people would assume that shadow cryptids would be black, but Sam could tell that wasn’t the case.

They also were not invisible, since he could see them just fine despite him sometimes wishing he couldn’t. He could see them, but telling their color was impossible and the only way Sam could describe it would be to say they possessed a ’texture’. It was complicated to explain and no matter how many times Luna insisted on asking, there was no better way for Sam to put it.

"Are you sure we’re going in the correct direction? There’s nothing remarkable ahead, I can’t even sense flux signatures." Sam, the one supposed to be the one leading the group asked Nika the one actually in charge. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"That’s because we’re not looking for Uriel’s flux signature. You know he’s capable of hiding it."

"Then how the heck do you know we’re heading in the right direction? We may as well just scatter and cover more terrain looking for him."

"I hate to be the one saying it, but he’s got a point." Medusa awkwardly said.

"Fine, I’ll tell you guys, but before that answer me this. Do you know where we are?"

"Duh, the shadowlands." Sam replied on the spot earning himself a negative shake of Nika’s head.

"We’re well to the south of New Texas and I think we might actually be in Central America now."

"Correct, but we’ve been in Central America since we touched ground." Nika said, though she didn’t seem happy someone guessed the answer.

"Why are you asking us questions all of a sudden?" Sam fumbled annoyed by Nika’s weird mood and it was actually Luna the one who found the right answer.

"We’re in your home country, we’re in Mexico."

"Yes, we are, and that is the reason why I know where we should go. You might have been too young to remember, but there was a time where the Shadowlands didn’t exist and this place was just like any other. But here’s the thing, even after the arrival and we lost communications with the southern hemisphere, this place was not yet covered in darkness. I know because I’ve been here before."

"How can you tell where we are? I know you can’t see." Sam asked, to which Medusa replied with a mocking sneer.

"So you can’t sense physical objects? It must be great having a trait that allows you to see in the dark. And here I thought you only used it to perv on girls." Although she rarely said anything, Medusa always felt her trait was inferior to Sam’s and resented him for that. They both had traits related to eyes, but hers had so many downsides and there was a time she couldn’t so much as open her eyes without killing those she loved while Sam’s trait had no downsides to her knowledge and would have made her life easier not just during incursions but also on her daily life.

It wasn’t that if she had Sam’s trait she would use it to know where Uriel was all the time and peek on him without him knowing. She would have never stalked him, not on purpose, maybe she would sometimes, but only a little and with a good reason. Or at least that’s the lie she told herself as she denied being obsessed with him even to herself.

Sam took her scornful remark with some grace and decided not to comment on how bad he’s had it since the moment he was able to see everything. He had whined enough about it and now was not the time to do it because they were just about to enter a lost city.

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