Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

"So far, it's just a normal cave."

Seth had no experience as a cave explorer, but it reminded him of the time when he would go hiking with his parents in the past. It was a bittersweet memory he had buried so long ago, he thought it forgotten. Now he was here with his friends and significant others.

His assessment was purely based on cave exploration videos he saw on the internet and documentaries he saw on TV. The cave was narrow in some places and very wide in others while winding deeper and deeper into the earth.

At least it wasn't dark, although it was tight in most places. Thanks to the various night vision items everyone had, they were able to enjoy the view.

"What are you talking about? It's just a bunch of rocks." Lydia complained.

"What do you mean? Look at that column! It must have taken millennia to grow. It looks so soft and goopy and...tasty, but it's really hard rock," Fin started swooning in an uncharacteristic fit of enthusiasm.

"I wonder why this place didn't turn into a dungeon," Mike mumbled as they squeezed through a tight space in the wall.

"Not the right conditions. It's too narrow and too far from any energy roots. This way it became like an expressway down to the Abyss. A shaft directly down to hell."

"What is the abyss like? Did you see anything from the golems?" Monique asked curiously.

"From what I know it's supposed to be a huge system of caves and huge caverns creating a wide dark reach below. We talked a little about the wide system of caves here in school, but it probably changed a lot with the dungeons growing wantonly."

"Do you think the guys down here are really a lot stronger than those on the surface?" Fin mused.

Seth could only shrug. He knew what the adventurer guild theorized. They thought it could be that the mana density in this place was a lot higher since it was closer to the actual dragon veins and the caves had ample space to grow dungeons.

Not only could dungeons and monsters grow quicker in this environment, it would also spark great competition between the strongest beasts and their minions. This meant not only were the things down here strong, but they would also have a lot of practical experience fighting making them hard opponents.

"So everyone has to be careful. I doubt it will be as relaxed as our visit to the Maestro, or the Dragon Newts. Since those guys are probably the losers who had to leave here," Seth cautioned.

…

"Wow, is it this place?" Jess exclaimed as the tunnel they were going through was widening, leading into a cavern dimly lit by fluorescent stuff above.

"This should be it," Seth said with a nod.

They had been descending for several hours when they finally reached the entrance to the Abyss, the underground world that reached far and wide right below the canyon above.

"Wow, it's crazy how something like this can exist below these mountains," Tekar said in awe.

Using night vision to look at the otherwise dim cave, made it look like its own world with an exotic bluish-green sky. The high ceiling was held by almost organic-looking structures of columns, that looked almost disconcerting the further away they were.

They could also see the entrances to other tunnels and caverns in the distance along the walls.

"It's rather... empty?" James commented after a moment.

Now that he mentioned it, he was right. They expected the place to be teeming with creatures, but all that greeted them was silence. The droning of silence even.

"Everything here probably has its own dungeons and territories. They can't be at constant war with each other," Duhu gave his semi-professional opinion as someone who had seen many dungeons in his past.

"Okay, let's go with that, then whose territory is this?" Mike asked back.

"Mine."

Everyone turned to the sudden voice that sounded from behind them, but there was nothing there. Only a bard laughing out loud behind them. Seth changed his voice and used <Voiced Projection> to use the perfect timing to drop a cliché line.

"You meanie!" Fin squealed. "Fin was so up for a fight!" she started play-hitting him with her tiny fists.

"Calm down, Calm Down! I'm sorry, okay?" he apologized hurriedly.

"I already checked the place with <Theia's Discerning Eyes>. There is nothing dangerous here. If anything, it's probably empty because the mana concentration is still really low here, compared to other places in the abyss."

Now that he mentioned it, the casters among the friends realized that although the mana density had risen, it was nothing to write home about. Compared to what it was like in many places on the surface, this was just average, probably the reason people rather went to the surface than settle at the edge of the Abyss.

"Should we stay together or do we split up?" Monique asked sassily.

"You are all grown-up people, I think each field team can go on their own. Just remember to run away or cry for help if you get in a sticky situation."

"Ha! As if." Monique joked.

Each team had at least one chosen among them. Seth also doubted they would have any great problems unless they ran into an existence like Python, or Wolfram, or Puffles for that matter. This meant Seth didn't have to babysit them.

"Then I will go my own way with a Tatzel and Puffles." Seth shrugged.

"You aren't coming with us?" Mina asked a little sad with droopy ears.

"If you guys want to grow, I'm only in your way. I'm leaving for your sake. So make sure to really kick their asses."

"He! I will!" "me, too!" Fin joined in.

...

"Alright then, Everyone chooses a tunnel. Good luck and have fun," Seth ended their little private scene and sent the teams on their way.

~So it's back to just us. Well, it's not like you would need anyone besides the great me.~

~I'm also here!~ Tatzel intruded.

Right, Seth still was far from alone. Puffles and Tatzel were still with him. Albeit-

"Well, Puffles, you will have to sit this one out. You are way too strong. This one is a situation where Tatzel and I will suffice."

~haha, we will see about this. I will look forward to you begging me to help."

Seth brought out Tatzel, who was now big enough to look him in the eyes. Although the Imugi was barely lv.60, the blacksmith had no reason to doubt its strength. He was a genius in magic. The blacksmith could take over the vanguard and the Imugi would rapidly fire spells from behind.

"What way should we go?" he asked the big black snakelet beside him. He left the decision to him.

Tatzel sniffed a little in the air.

~That way! I can smell the strongest magic from that place.~