"...What do you mean?" Yingning asked, puzzled. "There are clearly only three passages. The Vanguard Expedition Squad mapped this place long ago. They’re professional Adventurers—even in the real world. They shouldn’t make such an absurd mistake."
"Adventurers?" I scoffed. "What even are Adventurers? Are they supposed to be impressive? Steady yourself—I’m about to re—ahem. It’s time I revealed the truth those so-called experts missed."
"The truth they missed?"
"Exactly." I flashed a mysterious smile. "Look beneath our feet. Peel back the thin layer of grass and clay, and you’ll find solid white limestone. I can confirm—we’re standing on an ocean floor from 350 million years ago."
"O—ocean floor?!" Yingning’s eyes widened. "Fine, even if that’s true... what does it have to do with the passages?"
"When tiny creatures died, they sank to the seabed. Over time, they compressed together, forming this limestone landscape—more precisely, a limestone gorge." I raised a finger, wearing the expression of someone unveiling the *only* truth. "I’ve seen this exact terrain before: Yorkshire Gorge in Britain. After assassinating the British Queen, I evaded their military there for three years. Using the gorge’s terrain to my advantage, I slashed 1,257 members of the British Royal Special Forces with just a Dagger. I know this land like the back of my hand..."
"A gorge? You mean this is gorge terrain? But it’s completely barren—no streams, no valleys..." Yingning rubbed her temples, exasperated. "And as an NPC, is it really okay to spin such outrageous tall tales? You’re just like my brother. At least his lies are so unrealistic I can’t even be bothered to call them out..."
"Hmph. The wisdom of mortals... truly limited." I waved a dismissive finger. "Who said a gorge must be visible on the surface? Our destination is a small Basin surrounded by mountains—a depression shaped like a bowl, perfect for trapping water. Yet your map shows only a few small lakes inside it, no major reservoirs. Here’s the puzzle: the entire area is sealed by waterproof limestone. So where did all the rainwater go?"
Yingning caught on instantly, eyes lighting up. "You mean... the Dark River underground?"
"Precisely! Constant rain, weak carbonic acid in the water—it would’ve carved labyrinthine caves and subterranean rivers here, just like Yorkshire Gorge. Dozens of those Dark Rivers must feed into the Little Lakes at the Basin’s heart..."
*If this game’s realism runs this deep, my obscure real-world knowledge—things ordinary people would never touch—will become my ultimate weapon.*
*A true top-tier Assassin isn’t some weakling who only knows Sniper Rifles and Daggers.*
"On our way here, I spotted a small stream—a branch of that underground river. Find its source, and we’ll find the entrance to the Underworld..."
"The Underworld?" Yingning’s hand instinctively reached for her System Backpack—where a miner’s pick, essential for every player, waited.
"Yes. A hidden path no one guards. A route straight to the Basin’s center. An uncharted Underworld... untouched by any explorer."
