The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 43 - 38 Kalalin’s Preparation

The dark red sun of the Plains of the Abyss hung slanted on the horizon, leaving one uncertain whether it was dawn or dusk. Across the barren and desolate land, a four-wheeled carriage was making its way to the south at a steady pace.

To call it a carriage might not be entirely accurate, for the two creatures pulling it did not resemble normal horses. Their bodies were as black as solidified magma, with fierce flames blazing around their hooves, manes, and tails.

These were Nightmares, evil creatures born from the transformation of noble Pegasus, providing services to such powerful beings as Liches, Death Knights, or Demon Lords.

As part of a Craftsmen Committee-backed operation, Barrend had acquired a brass whistle engraved with mysterious Runes. Blowing the whistle required strong lung capacity, but once sounded, a carriage pulled by two Nightmares, roomy enough for eight, would appear to serve the summoner.

The carriage could exist for four hours or could be dismissed by sounding the whistle again, after which it could not be summoned again for another four hours at least.

In theory, the summoned Nightmares were bound to obey the commands of the Summoner, but the old Dwarf who handed the whistle to Barrend advised that it was best to prepare some meat and tubers that Nightmares favored; otherwise, they might intentionally misinterpret your commands and make the passengers’ travel as thrilling as possible.

The party, having prepared dried meat and cassava in advance, did not suffer too much, aside from the usual sins of traveling in the Abyss, including but not limited to the rugged terrain (there were, of course, no roads here), eerie gales, rapidly rising temperatures, and the constant appearance of various small Demons and Abyssal beasts.

"The Abyss is indeed the home of Demons, but those more formidable ones generally belong to a legion and are unlikely to be seen in the wild. Amidst the wilds, between iron fortresses and war bastions, the survival game of Low Level Demons is constantly unfolding,"

While playing the role of a tour guide, Kalalin practiced his slingshot. The wild creatures that tried to charge at the speeding carriage became Kalalin’s targets. Of course, this often only served to enrage the enemies further, and it became Lancelot’s job to help by chopping those that got too close into two.

"What’s the point of all this?" Bruto asked with curiosity.

"The rules of the game in the Abyss force them to attack each other, and those who are stronger and more cunning often survive, absorbing the essence of the losers and repeating the process," Kalalin sent a smooth stone flying, which narrowly missed a flesh ball with three mouths. "Some lucky ones accumulate enough essence energy before being killed to advance to a more powerful Demon.

The Transformation process is enormously painful, beyond any torment you can imagine, and Demon bodies ensure they do not lose consciousness during it; they must experience every detail of the process while fully awake, making them increasingly vicious."

"Why would they go through this?" Lance pondered about the situation that occurred after he had bestowed a bit of energy on Dingke. "I mean, what’s in it for them?"

"There’s no benefit. The behavior of Low Level Demons stems more from Fear of death; they only learn the joy of destruction as they grow stronger," Kalalin spun his slingshot back and forth in front of him, then hurled it outwards, "Remember I told you about Am’s view on the will of the Abyss?

This phenomenon is one piece of evidence—because the end result is a host of evil, twisted, cruel, and battle-hardened High Rank Demons, eager to spread the pain they’ve endured to every corner of the Multiverse."

Bruto swung his hammer and flattened a claw that had already reached the carriage into a thin pancake.

"You’re really bad at aiming," the Dwarf grumbled discontentedly, "when I’m in combat with an enemy, please refrain from trying to assist with that thing."

"That’s why I’m practicing," Kalalin remarked, launching another stone, slightly smaller than an egg, which this time struck its target accurately.

The creature hit was a small Demon that resembled a bizarre hybrid of a mutated insect and a Goblin, featuring twelve legs. It was only slightly dazed by the hit, then charged even faster, only to be sliced into pieces by Lancelot’s Great Sword.

"It doesn’t seem very powerful even if it hits," Bruto mocked.

"Because I’m just practicing," Kalalin explained as he pulled aside a corner of his robe, revealing straps crisscrossed over his chest, filled with many small compartments containing vials of potions.

"Uh, what’s all this?" Bruto curiously looked at Kalalin, who today looked very strange with various pockets and containers hanging all over him, making him appear like a traveling juggler.

"Some dangerously potent items that aren’t exactly meant for everyday carry," Kalalin said, taking out a green vial and shaking it in front of Bruto. "These are acid flasks, my true ammunition."

"Ugh," Bruto stepped back fearfully, "Remember to remind me to stay away from your room."

"Don’t be scared, these special-made flasks need a great deal of force to break," Kalalin said, pleased with the dwarf’s reaction, and took out several vials of blue liquid. "This is a strong alkali; it would be good if each of us takes two vials."

"Great, I almost forgot about that," Barrend smacked his thigh, grabbed two vials, and put them in his pocket.

"Um, can someone explain why we need to bring these things?" Bruto was still reluctant to carry such dangerous items. "I’ve been down mines countless times and never needed this."

"That’s because you never worry about these things," Barrend said irritably. "Have you forgotten those annoying mud monsters underground? A strong alkali reacts violently with their acidic slime. When you’re grabbed by a mud monster, you’ll be glad to have a vial of this stuff."

"Oh, I think the miner’s school did mention something about this," Bruto awkwardly took the two vials and stowed them away.

Lancelot also reached out for the vials. He was certain he could break free from the mud monsters with his own strength, but carrying two vials would clearly be helpful to rescue friends in trouble.

"What other preparations have you made?" Lancelot asked, curious about all the odd equipment Kalalin had on.

"You’ve already seen my Flash Ring, which works great against creatures accustomed to living in the dark.

I’ve also crafted a necklace that can Detect Magic, a staff that can cast the Light Spell, and various trinkets that can unleash cantrips," Kalalin continued, opening the pouch slung across his body to show neatly arranged scrolls, "Most of these are for detecting secret doors, Feather Fall Spells, and other supportive techniques.

I don’t know many 2nd-level spells, just the Enlarge Spell, See Invisibility, but the most important one is Magical Weapon. Enemies that require magicked weapons are tough to deal with; let’s hope we don’t have to use that spell this time."

"Let’s hope so," Lancelot wasn’t sure.

Not far away, a dark cave entrance appeared in their field of vision, growing steadily larger.

They had arrived at their destination.