Chapter 114: Doubt Sets In
Sixth Portal: The Crystal Caverns
An underground network of caves with walls lined with perfectly geometric crystals. Every surface reflected and amplified the light, creating a labyrinth of natural mirrors where orientation became a constant challenge. Crystalline formations rose from the ground like abstract sculptures, some reaching several meters in height.
The air was saturated with suspended mineral particles that shimmered gently, creating the illusion of miniature galaxies floating between the stalactites. The ground itself seemed alive, vibrating imperceptibly underfoot, as if the stone was reacting to the presence of intruders.
The burrowing insectoids that had settled in these caverns were giant arthropods with translucent shells, revealing their luminescent internal organs. Equipped with mandibles capable of crushing the hardest rock and drill-like legs adapted for rapid tunneling, they could emerge from any surface in seconds.
Their collective intelligence allowed them to coordinate complex ambushes, using the reflective properties of their environment to disorient their prey before attacking simultaneously from multiple directions.
This time, the young blond with the insolent smile took the lead, striking the ground with a mana-charged impact. A perfectly calibrated seismic wave rippled through the stone, creating a specific resonance that targeted the vibrational frequency of the insectoids. The creatures, paralyzed by the targeted attack on their unique nervous system, were eliminated before they could even emerge from the ground.
Isaac noted that despite his apparent nonchalance, the young man possessed an impressive intuitive understanding of energy interactions. A natural talent, probably still developing but already remarkably refined.
And each time, the looks returned to Isaac. Glances that evolved as the dungeons progressed: first attentive and expectant, then slowly tinged with confusion, finally revealing barely concealed skepticism. Glances cast sideways, silently questioning, increasingly visibly doubtful.
Seventh Portal: The Inverted Library
An upside-down library where books floated and attacked in swarms while the shelves moved to trap intruders. As they returned to the truck after clearing it, the youngest of the group, the one with the insolent grin, apparently couldn’t contain his frustration any longer.
"Not to sound skeptical," he began with a tone of forced nonchalance that betrayed his real intention, "but if dragons are so dangerous, why haven’t we seen any after seven portals? Gotta say, it’s pretty convenienttestimony without proof."