Gamers of the Underworld (Web Novel)
chapter-287

Michelangelo’s relic, which was dug up in the Orc village, was a huge statue whose hand was grabbing a metal chest.

As Winterfell troops came to take over the village, Sherlock had to let Brainiac excavate the relic and transport it away.

Fortunately, the Orc village was further away from Winterfell by a day’s journey.

With Sherlock’s order and Brainiac’s urging, the gamers excavated the statue and chest at an incredible speed. They were sure it was Michelangelo’s relic because the chest was filled with Runes, and some ancient words were written on one side of the chest—”The Great Conqueror Michelangelo…”

They were unable to use the Teleport Portal, so they let the Orc guides lead them on a longer detour route. It wasn’t safe to use the normal route.

Sherlock followed the convoy. It was Michelangelo’s relic and beyond Brainiac’s knowledge. Not to mention, the gamers were fond of getting into trouble. If they botched things up, he wouldn’t be able to sell the relic!

They met with a mishap.

Sherlock chose 100 strong gamers to carry the chest and statue. After traveling for a short while, something mysterious occurred.

The first was mass poisoning. Besides the gamers, who ate indiscriminately, Apple and the Orcs vomited and had diarrhea. Even Brainiac had the symptoms of food poisoning. Brainiac explained, “I didn’t eat much.”

They were also afflicted by insomnia, panic, chest pains, shortness of breath, and leg and back pain. With Brainiac’s help, everyone learned massage and helped each other with massaging. The effect was good.

“We are under a curse,” a gamer said in a doomed and worried tone as he was massaging Brainiac.

Everyone had low morale, except for the gamers.

“Gosh, the feces is so realistic. The feces excreted under normal circumstances is different from being sick!”

“You silly dude. There are many good things in the game besides feces. Why are you so obsessed with it?”

“We are able to fall sick. That’s a new discovery.”

“How long is this Strange Encounter Mission? We have been transporting the relic for many days.”

“I don’t know.”

The gamers chatted as they escorted the relic. They also helped to relieve the nervousness of the native Orcs.

They only wanted to regain their homeland. Never did they expect to be embroiled in this complicated affair.

Brainiac was busy researching the Runes on the chest. With all his knowledge, he was unable to disarm the Rune Mana Formation. He couldn’t even understand it.

Sherlock didn’t stop Brainiac from studying the Rune Mana Formation. Sherlock was also interested in the chest that was covered by the Runes. After studying for a while, he lost interest. Instead, he examined the statue.

Was there something wrong with the statue? Perhaps the Runes on the chest were to mislead them?

Brainiac also thought the same way. He examined the statue, but he didn’t discover anything.

What was the relic of the Great Devil Michelangelo?

Brainiac’s mind was full of questions.

…

“Lord Sherlock, I don’t understand.”

When the gamers and the Orc guides looked like they were cursed with ill-fortune and losing their way, Bru said to Sherlock, “You must have researched the Rune Mana Formation. Why don’t you open up the chest? Aren’t you curious about Michelangelo’s relic? Are they really under a curse?”

“It’s just a curse. It’s not a big problem. Have you heard the story of Pandora’s Box?” Sherlock said.

“This is a legend of the otherworld. Do we have a Pandora’s Box in the Underworld?” Bru asked in surprise.

“Yes, it’s almost the same. Before it’s safe, who knows if it’s a good thing or a bad thing to open the box? We have to figure it out before opening it.”

Sherlock expressed his opinion, but Bru rebuked, “Lord Sherlock, applying Erwin Schrödinger’s theorem on your opinion would be more suitable.”

“Who is Erwin Schrödinger?”

“He’s a cruel person who tortured cats, Lord Sherlock,” Bru said.

“Is Lord Sherlock going to open the chest once you arrive at a safe location? Do you have other plans?”

Sherlock paused and laughed. Then he said, “It seems like you know a thing or two.”

“It’s alright, I’m already tens of thousands of years old. Whatever the case, Michelangelo is my junior,” Bru said proudly.

“I’m not sure, but seeing Lord Sherlock delay opening the chest, I’m more confident. Where is your final destination?”

“This…” Sherlock looked at the distant Apple and said, “That’s the reason I brought along the Orcs.”

“Ah… I see…”

…

Apple was feeling awkward. He felt he was being slapped.

He had known the vicinity since he was young and yet he lost his way. He was unworthy of the green-skinned creatures and Lord Sherlock’s trust.

Apple was blaming himself, but the friendly Lord Sherlock didn’t mind and continued to let him lead the way. Sherlock said, “It’s alright, Apple. I believe in you. You’ll find the place.”

Apple was almost moved to tears. Lord Sherlock… had such deep trust in him…

Apple braced himself and continued the journey. He brought everyone to the end of a tunnel.

Everyone was dumbfounded, while Apple was shocked. Because… It was impossible to have an end in the Underworld tunnel!

“We have reached the place,” Sherlock muttered to himself as he looked at the end of the tunnel.