After the Adventurers from Miracle City left the Underground City, they immediately received orders and instructions from the Lord. They began searching along the river and traversed through the dense forest for about two hours.
The potential of an Underground City depends on the quality of its Secret Realm.
However, its location and environment are also very important.
If an Underground City has an excellent and safe geographical location with abundant surrounding resources, even if its Secret Realm is mediocre, it still has a chance to attract some Adventurers to reside there permanently. Miracle City's environment looks quite good.
Wool Warrior: "The resources here are very rich. Should we hunt some prey to take back?"
Lone Wolf: "One wild Pig King can be exchanged for a lot of Soul Sand in town!"
This was the most troublesome aspect for almost all Lords using Adventurers. These guys always had their own ideas and were easily sidetracked, sometimes not obeying orders one hundred percent.
However, regarding this suggestion, although some were tempted most did not agree.
Black Stone Hammer King: "Complete the mission with all your might. Otherwise, if the Lord finds us slacking off, he won't choose us next time."
Wind in Sleep: "The survival environment of an Underground City is harsh and must be threatened by Dark Kind forces. Every year, too many excellent Underground Cities are destroyed by Dark Lords. Other trashy Underground Cities don't matter if they're gone, but this cannot happen to Miracle City!"
Pig King: "Yes, those damned Dark Kind. Nine out of ten cities are destroyed by their hands!"
Moonlight Shines on Snow: "We need to quickly gather clues about the Dark Kind."
Black Stone Hammer King: "For such a rare treasure of an Underground City, we must practice sustainable fishing. Only then can we extract more good things from the Lord."
Cat Meow Meow: "Agreed, we're not dying for the Lord; this is all for our own benefit!"
"That's true!"
Lone Wolf: "The problem is, this area is so vast. Let alone just one night, even if we search for three to five days, we might not find any clues!"
However, before he could finish speaking, a piercing shriek erupted.
Completely unprepared, several Adventurers were hit by sharp arrows. Fortunately, the Riot-Gear Zombie's helmet and armor had strong defenses, so although they were hit by arrows, no one died.
"Who's there?"
"How dare you shoot me?!"
The Adventurers quickly locked onto the attackers.
These were a group of humanoid alien race, unrelated to humans, no taller than 1.4 meters, with wrinkled gray skin, dark red eyes, and pointed ears, looking repulsive.
"Gray goblins!"
"Damn it, they're Dark Kind!"
"Holy crap, speak of the devil, our luck is too good, isn't it?"
"Hahaha, we really get what we wish for!"
"Kill them!"
Gray goblins are widely distributed across the Chaos Continent. They are inherently cruel, cunning, and greedy. Their individual combat strength is generally not strong, but once they gather in large numbers, they often possess catastrophic destructive power.
Only four gray goblins appeared this time. They were armed with crossbows and short knives, likely a hunting party. They were astonished when they saw that the mercenaries, despite being hit by arrows, were completely unharmed.
The Adventurers immediately swarmed forward, using their numerical advantage to encircle them, swinging their clubs at the goblins' heads.
"All you disgusting Dark Kind, die for this old lady!"
"Stay away from Miracle City!"
The Adventurers' fighting desire was off the charts, and their attacks were extremely brutal. They took down three goblins, but one escaped quickly. The Riot-Gear Zombie's mobility was poor, and the forest terrain was too complex, so they quickly lost track of it.
"Damn it!"
"One got away!"
"Eradicate them!"
"Chase it down, otherwise, if it reports back, Miracle City is in danger of being exposed!"
The Adventurers didn't need Quinn's command or direction.
Following the tracks, they soon discovered a small camp.
This was not a Dark Underground City. From its size, it was merely a small settlement under a Dark Lord's territory, containing a dozen grass huts and an estimated thirty-odd adult gray goblins.
Near the camp were two plantations, one growing berry bushes and the other herbs.
Gray goblins are not skilled in farming. Working in the fields were a race that looked more like humans. They were also only 1.2 to 1.4 meters tall, but resembled miniature humans scaled down proportionally.
"Huh?"
"Gnome?"
Gnomes are also known as Dwarf, Hobbit, Halfling, etc.
These are also common underground world races, but they have not been corrupted by dark energy. They are a naturally kind, docile, and highly obedient neutral race.
Due to their inherent weakness, survival in the cruel underground world is difficult.
Therefore, they are generally vassals of more powerful races, or slaves enslaved by Dark Kind.
"I didn't expect such a special harvest!"
"Capture them all and bring them back!"
The Adventurers felt doubly blessed. This operation was more valuable than expected, not only discovering a Dark Kind stronghold but also finding a considerable number of neutral races that could be subdued.
If these gnomes were absorbed by Miracle City, they should be able to create value and improve services for Miracle City.
Wouldn't the Adventurers also benefit in the end?
The Adventurers were very excited! Their luck was just too good today!
Such a huge discovery on their first temporary job!
"Kill!"
"Seize the camp."
"Capture all the gnomes."
"Kill all the damned goblins."
These one-day temporary workers from Miracle City howled as they charged towards the camp.
As the zombies came aggressively, the gnomes in the goblin plantation trembled in fear. However, a freckled gnome girl showed a look of surprise.
This gnome girl had an ordinary appearance but possessed a pair of clear, jewel-like eyes. Her gaze was lively and completely different from the dull, timid expressions of the other gnomes. She had already discerned that the ferocious zombies were being played by surface Adventurers.
Miracle City's first pioneering battle had begun!
The goblins, having been alerted, had prepared in advance. However, the Adventurers showed no fear. Eighteen Riot-Gear Zombies, relying on their helmets and armor, charged in, howling and enduring the crossbow bolts and poisoned arrows.
"Come on!"
"I can still fight!"
Adventurer Pig King was the first to rush into the goblin village. He was pierced by fourteen or fifteen arrows and attacked seven or eight times by short swords and sickles, yet he charged around as if nothing had happened.
Zombies have quite tenacious vitality, and with equipment protection, they are not easily killed.
Of course, even if they are killed, there is no loss for the Adventurers, so they are naturally fearless and have nothing to be afraid of.
The existence of these gray goblins threatened the Underground City!
Anything that affects Secret Realm grinding cannot be tolerated.
They must fight to the end!
Eradicate them!
"The third one!"
Pig King swung his club, smashing the heads of three goblins. Just as he was about to look for the fourth target, a surge of scorching energy attacked him from the side. A burning sensation enveloped half of his body, making him scream uncontrollably and collapse to the ground, losing control.
"What the hell?"
Ahead, eight goblins were protecting a unique goblin as they charged forward.
He looked older and thinner, but wore a relatively ornate animal skin robe, holding a wooden staff inlaid with bone ornaments. He was likely a village chief or similar figure, chanting strange incantations, and a fireball ignited on his wooden staff again.
Bang!
Another Adventurer was hit.
Flames can cause effective damage.
Even if not fatal, it would incapacitate them.
This Adventurer screamed and struggled a few times before quickly falling silent.