'There really is one…?'
When I set off from the Dragon Clan's Stronghold, I had two targets in mind. The first was obviously to clean up the infestation of the corrupted in the area, which was my main target as well as the target that I revealed during the recent meeting.
The other target, however, was merely built on a presumption of mine. I was simply taking advantage of one of the abilities given to me by the system to scout for something that was unlikely to be around this area, but…
[ 'Demon Base Locator' has been activated… ]
[ Alert - A Demon Base has been spotted within a diameter of 11Km! ]
This small possibility that my second target existed this close to the stronghold turned out to be true. I was even able to find out about it a bit sooner thanks to the upgrade that the 'Demon Base Locator' went through after my last demon base clear.
'It's a good thing that I found it, but isn't this too cliche at this point?'
The one reason that made me find it hard to believe that there would be a demon base around here was none other than the fact that I encountered such a scenario at the Light Domain. Back then, there was somehow a demon base that was hidden very close to the Lightning Capital, with its residents waiting for the right moment to attack.
Not to mention how they managed to hide it from the violence-sensitive Dragon Clan members, of all the places a demon base could be, there was one this close to the place that the Dragon Clan had retreated to. Was all of this really just a coincidence or was this cliche situation created by the demons themselves?
'Is it another spatial artifact or…'
As I headed towards the location revealed by the 'Demon Base Locator' by using 'Mental Map' to navigate, I pondered on the few probabilities that could explain the current situation, unable to reach a specific answer with the lack of core information…
'Well, it doesn't really matter now.'
Looking at the small mountain group that the 'Demon Base Locator' had led me to, I simply shrugged as I prepared to land. Even if I did know the reason behind it, it was unlikely that I could stop it, just like I was unable to stop my 'kidnapping'.
However, regardless of the reason behind it, there was a lot that I could do to stop them now that I found their 'hidden' demon base. In fact…
'Perhaps I should thank the one behind this instead.'
While a demon base was mostly a threat to most, that wasn't the case for me, especially after my recent 'training camp'. Instead, it was more like a gift bag that was full of surprises. In that one sense, demon bases could be said to be the trees that keep on giving!
'That title in particular…'
The main reason I sought a demon base, to begin with, was none other than the reward given for the first base clear in the domain. After all, its effects were nothing to scoff at.
'This peak… let's check the foot first.'
After landing at the foot of the specific mountain that the 'Demon Base Locator' pointed at, I started inspecting the mountain using 'Sensory Area' in search of the entrance, hoping that it isn't too complicated to enter.
'If it's another gate with an item prerequisite…'
Remembering the special demon base in the Nature Domain as I inspected carefully, I frowned slightly. While clearing the first floor of that gate was incredibly easy with the item set in possession, it was similarly impossible to enter without it, making its clear condition a double-edged blade.
Unfortunately, though I could say that I had a lot of experience with demon bases compared to the people of the domain and all the players that I had met, this experience was still limited, with only two bases in my clear list.
'If there's nothing at the foot, then…'
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Although typical Dark Gates had openings in the ground level, I was slightly suspicious of the peak that I glanced at while flying.
"Long."
After climbing up, I didn't start inspecting just yet as I called out for Long in order not to needlessly waste more time.
Disregarding the possibility of this being a special Dark Gate, I still had to count on the other possibility of the gate being semi-cleared. After all, if the demons had already sneaked in some henchmen as keys, then not only would things inside get tricky to deal with, but it was also possible that the opening of the gate would just disappear. That was simply how random Dark Gates could get.
[What is it this time?]
As such, instead of second-guessing myself, it was much more efficient to ask an 'expert' like Long.
"What are the specifics of the Dark Gates located by the 'Demon Base Locator'?"
Seeing that Long had an impatient persona this time, I skipped the pleasantries and just asked the question I had in mind.
[Hmm, if it's the 'Demon Base Locator', then it locates any demon base that hasn't reversed access yet. Though it does notify you if it has been accessed from the outside.]
"Oh! That's great, thanks."
Since that was the case, it at least meant that this gate was 'clean'. After all, the notification didn't change from the one I received last time.
[Whatever just call me out less…]
Ignoring the grumpy Long, I used 'Sensory Area' once more to inspect the irregular rocks on the flat peak. Although it was only recognizable from high up, the rocks were arranged to form a pattern, and while I couldn't tell what the pattern meant, it didn't look natural to me.
After a few scans, I didn't detect anything similar to a gate hidden under the rocks. However…
'This one is different...'
Unlike the rest of the rocks which were separate from the mountain, one particular rock was attached to the body of the mountain, protruding out of it.
'It's… hard?'
After moving to inspect it by hand, I was able to find another difference. While the rest of the rocks and the body of the mountain itself seemed to be made of normal stone. This particular one seemed to be as hard as metal all while having the same appearance as the rest of the stones.
'Is this…'
As I concentrated my Perception on this single rock, I could feel something more than just the material difference, something more…
Not hesitating any further, I formed a hammer head over my fist using hammer energy and directly smashed it into the rock, revealing something underneath.
'...a door?'