Chapter 144: Hollow ground

"The dungeon you are looking for is the Hollow Ground," the receptionist replied, puffing out a smoke ring.

Kaiser looked at the information on the paper she had given him.

"The Hollow Ground is a Ghost-type dungeon where Ghost-type monsters can be found. It is a Rank 2 dungeon, meaning monsters reaching Level 300 can be found inside."

"The main monsters there are Spirit Wraiths, with mini-bosses being Wraith Lords and the boss being a Wraith King."

"I wanted some monsters with thief-like skills," Kaiser said. "Not this type."

"From your Aura, I can see that you are a Necromancer. You probably need a thief-type undead for some stealth work, and thieves are the best at stealth, even better than assassins," she said.

"That’s why I recommend this dungeon. Ghost-type undead are naturally good at stealth."

Kaiser looked at her for a moment before nodding.

"Fine. But I would like another option if the undead I create don’t meet my requirements."

The receptionist simply shrugged.

"Suit yourself."

Kaiser paid the fee for the information and then left the counter.

Kaiser walked out of the Adventurer Guild and found Marina waiting outside.

As for others he have alrready sent them back in his undead space. Their auras were far too powerful to let them walk around openly in a human city.

Marina looked at him.

"Did you find it?"

Kaiser nodded.

"Yeah. I got a recommendation."

He showed her the information sheet.

"The dungeon is called the Hollow Ground. It’s a Ghost-type dungeon located in different City, about a hundred kilometers from here."

Marina looked at the paper.

"Different City?"

"Yeah."

Kaiser nodded.

"The dungeon has Spirit Wraiths, Wraith Lords, and a Wraith King. The receptionist thinks Ghost-type undead should be good for stealth work."

Marina thought for a moment.

"That does sound useful."

"Maybe."

Kaiser folded the paper and put it away.

"But we won’t be leaving immediately."

Marina looked at him curiously.

"Why?"

"We need to wait for Mom and Dad."

Kaiser glanced toward the road leading out of the city.

"They should be finishing their training soon. Once they’re done, we can go there together."

Marina nodded.

"Understood."

Kaiser stretched slightly.

"Besides, Dungeon isn’t going anywhere."

Marina smiled faintly.

"Then I suppose we have some time to prepare."

"Exactly."

Kaiser turned toward the hotel.

"Let’s head back for now."

Marina followed him.

A few days passed while Kaiser and Marina waited for Michael and Emilia to finish their trial.

Finally, one afternoon, Kaiser was resting in the hotel when he suddenly sensed two familiar auras approaching.

Both auras were much stronger than before.

Kaiser immediately stood up.

’They finished.’

He walked toward the entrance of the hotel.

A few moments later, the door opened.

Michael and Emilia walked inside.

Kaiser looked at them and smiled.

Both of them had completely different auras compared to when they had left.

Their auras were now clearly at Rank 3.

"Mom. Dad."

Emilia smiled when she saw him.

"Kaiser."

Michael walked over and patted his son’s shoulder.

"We’re back."

Kaiser looked at both of them.

"So, you both passed?"

Michael nodded proudly.

"Of course."

Emilia also nodded.

"We both successfully completed our Rank-Up Trials."

Kaiser smiled.

"Congratulations."

He could clearly feel the change in their strength.

"Both of you reached Rank 3."

Michael laughed.

"Yes. It took longer than I expected, but the training was worth it."

Emilia smiled.

"We also gained quite a bit of experience during the process."

Kaiser nodded.

"That’s good."

Michael looked at him curiously.

"What about you? What have you been doing while we were gone?"

"I found a dungeon."

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"A dungeon?"

Kaiser took out the information sheet he had received from the Adventurer Guild.

"It’s called the Hollow Ground. It’s a Ghost-type dungeon located in Undead City, around a hundred kilometers from here."

Emilia looked at the paper.

"Why are you interested in it?"

"I want to find a suitable corpse for a new undead."

Kaiser explained.

"I’m looking for something with thief-like abilities. Preferably something capable of stealth and infiltration."

Michael nodded.

"I see."

Kaiser folded the paper again.

"The receptionist recommended the Hollow Ground because Ghost-type monsters are naturally good at stealth."

"And you’re planning to go there now?" Emilia asked.

Kaiser nodded.

"Yeah. Since both of you have finished your trials, we can leave together."

Michael smiled.

"Then let’s go."

Emilia looked toward Marina, who was standing nearby.

"Are you coming with us too?"

Marina nodded.

"Yes."

Kaiser looked at the three of them.

"Then we’ll prepare everything today and leave tomorrow morning."

Michael nodded.

"Sounds good."

Kaiser smiled.

The next morning, Kaiser, Marina, Michael, and Emilia left Winter Hold City and began their journey toward Steel Forged City.

The city was located around a hundred kilometers from Winter Hold City, so it would take them several hours to reach it by normal travel.

As they moved farther away from Winter Hold City, the temperature gradually began to rise.

At first, the change was barely noticeable.

But after traveling for several hours, the cold air had completely disappeared.

Emilia wiped a little sweat from her forehead.

"It’s getting hot."

Michael nodded.

"That’s because we’re getting close to Steel Forged City."

Kaiser looked ahead.

In the distance, a massive mountain could be seen.

But unlike the snow-covered mountains surrounding Winter Hold City, this mountain was dark and covered in patches of glowing red lava.

A huge volcano stood at its center.

Smoke continuously rose from its peak and spread across the sky.

Michael looked at the sight with interest.

"So that’s Steel Forged City?"

Kaiser nodded.

"Yes."

"The entire city is built around an active volcano."

As they moved closer, they began seeing large stone structures built into the mountain.

Massive metal pipes carried heat from the volcano toward the city.

Several large chimneys released smoke into the sky.

The sound of hammers striking metal could already be heard from a distance.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Emilia looked at the enormous city ahead.

"How do they even live there?"