Mushroom Lord in the Underground City-Chapter 392 - 384: The Unchanging Dwarves

Hey yo! Hey yo! The pickaxe shines!

Hey yo! Hey yo! Chisel the rock wall!

Underground dark, torchlight bright,

Dig out gold to trade for wine!

Landslides and water pools don’t scare us,

Dwarves are always strong!

If stuck at the bottom of the mine—

The smell of ale will lead us home!

...

The air in the "Giant’s Mouth" tavern was thick with the rich aroma of ale and the scent of grilled meat.

The dwarves’ rough laughter and curses, the heavy clink of wooden mugs when they raised their glasses, the off-key mining songs, and the shouts of servers weaving through the crowded tables and chairs.

This was the most familiar evening time for every dwarf.

In the farthest corner of the tavern, beside a table leaning against the stone wall, the dwarf Tolin Deep Furnace who had accidentally fallen into Pujie Dungeon and was later brought back to the Mountains was having his last drink before saying goodbye to his friends.

Next to him was fellow dwarf Gleam. After surviving the trials of Scarecrow Abyss and Pujie Dungeon, the two had transformed from simple employers and employees to life-and-death friends, now inseparable.

And sitting across from them was a rare white-haired Foxman, seldom seen in the Mountains.

Dwarves aren’t as isolated as elves; they welcome ally races.

However, even though dwarves keep their doors open, few outsiders are willing to settle in the Mountains.

After all, there’s nothing profitable.

The valuable veins are under the control of several clans, and without the dwarves’ mining talent, it’s rather difficult to make a living here.

As for adventurers, they can only get odd jobs clearing demons from the mines.

The Molten Fire Dungeon within the Mountains has long been completely controlled by the dwarves, purely a resource production site, with no need for outsiders to intervene.

Thus, outsiders in the Mountains are quite rare, let alone the already scarce Foxmen.

Tolin vigorously wiped his beard soaked in beer foam and laughed, "Jiro, really not having a mug of Dock liquor? This is the most precious treasure in the Mountains!"

The Foxman Jiro awkwardly shifted his body; despite the small physique, these heavy wooden chairs designed for dwarves weren’t very comfortable for him: "No, a mage cannot allow his brain to turn to mush."

"Nonsense," Gleam interjected, "which one of our secret technique users isn’t a barrel? I think you’re just poor at drinking!"

Jiro just smiled slightly, not arguing.

Tolin sighed, sounding a bit melancholic: "Jiro, do you absolutely have to leave? You could stay a few more days; I won’t charge you for board after all, you did save my life!"

This tavern was one of the properties belonging to Tolin’s Deep Furnace Clan.

As the youngest son of the clan chief, though his status at home was not high, he did have the right to waive fees for friends.

Jiro gently shook his head: "The mountain road where you fell has many passersby, I just happened to find you first, at most allowing you to avoid some suffering, it’s not a lifesaving grace. Besides, I’ve freeloaded for three months and taken so many gemstones, it’s enough. Now I must pursue new luck."

"I’ve always wanted to ask you," Gleam leaned in curiously, "What is this ’luck’ you talk about?"

"Saving the injured Tolin was luck, now luck has moved elsewhere, I must pursue it."

"Ha? Luck can be chased?" Gleam was incredulous.

Tolin swirled the remains of beer in his mug, admiringly saying: "How wonderful! I wish I could travel the world like you, and not waste time in these monotonous Mountains!"

"You’re living too comfortably," Gleam laughed, "Get hungry a few more times and you’ll know how blessed stability is!"

"Maybe, but I do yearn for adventure!"

The three conversed for a long time until Gleam and Tolin were both too drunk to move, carried into guest rooms by the servers.

Upon waking at noon the next day, they learned Jiro had already left early in the morning.

"Jiro is truly something!" Gleam exclaimed.

"He is indeed impressive, but which aspect are you referring to now?"

"Didn’t you notice he’s been getting up on time every day these past months?"

Tolin shook his head in a stupor, recalling, it seemed true.

Which is really remarkable for a dwarf who loves drinking.

Suddenly he felt something extra at his waist, reaching out, he pulled out two scrolls: "These are..."

Tolin couldn’t recall anything after last night, but thankfully Gleam remembered.

"Two Shrinking scrolls, Jiro said they would bring us luck."

The two exchanged bewildered looks. Though unclear of the meaning, Tolin carefully stowed away this farewell gift from a friend.

...

A week after Jiro left, Tolin’s family finally grew intolerant of his idle behavior, arranging for him to manage the material transportation work inside the Molten Fire Dungeon.

Unlike other dungeons, the Molten Fire Dungeon under Golden Flame Castle is primarily inhabited by various Elemental Spirits.

And dwarves have succeeded in "domesticating" the Elemental Spirits through some method.

Now these Elemental Spirits have become steady producers of elemental materials.

Whenever the bodies of the Elemental Spirits grow to a certain stage, they are harvested, while their spirit bodies return to the environment to condense new bodies.

The only trouble in the dungeon is a few insignificant cave-dwelling bugs, which at most steal some scraps.

For this reason, Tolin always complains about the monotony and lack of excitement in Mountain life, not even a hint of adventure can be found in the dungeon.

Watching pack after pack of sealed materials being transported away, Tolin whispered behind him: "Gleam, should we find another opportunity to run away?"

Gleam gave him a side glance: "Do you want to see me on the wanted list?"

Tolin thought for a moment, his family might really do such a thing, letting out a long sigh and giving up.

Just as Tolin gloomily watched another batch of sealed materials being transported, a distant cry for help suddenly rang out!

A dwarf miner scrambled and crawled as he fled, behind him a towering Stone Giant nearly five meters tall, with a gigantic stone fist smashing toward the escaping dwarf!

"Watch out!" Tolin shouted, almost instinctively grabbing the battle axe leaning against the wall and charged forward.

Gleam was equally swift, almost simultaneously placing a sturdy shield in the Stone Giant’s path.

Rock and steel violently collided, Gleam was forced back half a step but successfully blocked the strike.

Tolin took the opportunity to chop at the Stone Giant’s knee, sending debris flying as the Elemental Spirit fell to the ground.

Yet before they could catch their breath, the entire dungeon suddenly seemed to come alive!

"The Fire Spirits are out of control!"

"Stop those stones!"

Sounds of combat erupted from all directions, the previously docile Elemental Spirits attacking the dwarves around them.

Tolin smashed the Stone Elemental beneath him with an axe: "What the hell is happening?"

Gleam stood by his side: "Looks like your ’adventure’ has arrived."

"Don’t joke, I never expected this!"

More and more rampaging Elemental Spirits appeared within view.

"Let’s run!" Gleam suggested.

Tolin miraculously remembered his duty: "I must go sound the alarm first!"

"Seriously, at a time like this?"

Seeing Tolin already heading into a stone corridor, Gleam could only grit his teeth and follow.