Chapter 49: Dragon's Dream Smoke

Time arrived at afternoon.

After leaving the underground area, Qin Yuan hurried without stopping toward the cyclops' cave.

The cave entrance was deep and somewhat dark. He took out the pythstone lantern to light it, then walked straight into the interior for a certain distance.

Before long, he spotted a colossal figure at the far end of his line of sight.

It was none other than the cyclops, Dagan.

It seemed to have just woken up and was leaning back against the stone wall.

Seeing Qin Yuan and the Whispering Grimoire not far away, the giant immediately revealed an honest and good-natured smile:

"You're here..."

Compared to last time, its nasal tone was a bit heavier.

Qin Yuan suddenly frowned.

"What's wrong?"

The Whispering Grimoire observed his unusual reaction and asked.

Because the text provided by the Eye of Revelation differed somewhat from the last time.

......

[Cyclops Dagan (Level 19): An adult of the cyclops race, possessing boundless strength, and capable of releasing a terrifying ray from its single eye that freezes everything.]

[Status: Inhaled "Dragon's Dream" vapor.]

......

Qin Yuan immediately inquired about what the so-called "Dragon's Dream" vapor actually was.

"Dragon's Dream?" the Whispering Grimoire said with a hint of surprise, pondering for a moment before explaining:

"This is a specialized vapor targeting large-sized creatures. Its scent is very faint, making it quite difficult to notice. Inhaling it for a prolonged period will cause the target to enter a state of deep sleep... You mean Dagan has inhaled this substance?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

"Judging by this, someone has targeted Dagan?" The Whispering Grimoire hummed, though its tone remained calm and unhurried:

"Since they are resorting to poisoning, their level is probably not very high. Furthermore, what they likely didn't expect is that Dagan, as the guardian of the barrier between the two realms, bears a guardian seal. Once danger is encountered, the seal activates directly, instantly purifying all negative statuses and enhancing its attributes for a certain duration."

"I suspect this was done by some black wizard. After all, this substance has been listed as contraband by the Mages' Association, and can only be purchased on certain black markets."

"There's no need to be too nervous. Even if we didn't come, those who applied the poison are simply courting their own death."

"What are you two talking about?" Seeing the two figures in front of him chattering away, Dagan curiously leaned in closer.

Because the distance had been greater earlier, it hadn't heard their conversation clearly.

The two exchanged glances and then recounted the information they had just seen.

"There's even something like this?!"

Listening to the explanation, the cyclops widened its eyes.

However, Qin Yuan felt that it didn't show the slightest sign of nervousness; instead, it harbored a faint hint of excitement...

As if it had found something entertaining.

......

At night, near the entrance of the cyclops Dagan's cave.

Tonight's moonlight was somewhat dim, draping the woodland in a hazy veil.

The distant calls of animals could occasionally be heard.

Nighttime in the Peaceful Forest was far more dangerous than daytime.

Certain monsters only became active at night.

This was also why many adventurers chose to enter and hunt during the day, heading back to nearby towns before dusk.

However, the cyclops' cave was somewhat unique, and very few monsters dared to approach this place.

Although low-level monsters lacked high intelligence, the instinctual fear brought by level suppression caused them to subconsciously stay far away.

Having lived in the Peaceful Forest for over a hundred years, Dagan was the undisputed king of this region, and the fear he inspired had long since penetrated the marrow of other creatures.

Amidst the hazy nocturnal scenery, Qin Yuan concealed himself in a corner shrouded by tree shade.

He had been staking out the place here for several hours.

His primary purpose, naturally, was to ascertain the reason why Dagan had been subjected to the "Dragon's Mist."

It had to be said that sitting in a single spot and waiting dryly for hours—unable to move around while consciously suppressing any sound—was a profoundly unnatural human experience.

As time ticked away, Qin Yuan also felt a degree of inner torment.

Yet, recalling the Whispering Grimoire's resolute tone, he could only grit his teeth and persist.

Who knew how much time had passed when, at a certain moment, Qin Yuan's somewhat stiff gaze suddenly shifted.

There was movement!

Within his field of vision, a figure draped entirely in black robes was looking around cautiously, as if wary of any abnormalities in the surroundings, while sneaking stealthily toward the cave entrance.

After confirming that everything was clear, the figure pulled a sachet from a storage pouch on his body.

Visible hazy mist rose from the sachet, curling and drifting upward.

He then aimed the pouch at the cave entrance, the light of magic runes manifesting on his hand.

Instantly, a gentle breeze swept past, carrying the pink-tinged mist straight into the pitch-black cave.

Qin Yuan widened his eyes, quietly watching the black-robed man's actions without acting rashly.

The Eye of Revelation told him that this black-robed man's level was not low—he was at level eight.

"He should be a black wizard or a follower of an evil god, and he likely has accomplices nearby,"

observed the Whispering Grimoire.

"An evil god follower?"

Qin Yuan recalled something.

When he first arrived at Ironstone Village, he had seen a notice on the village bulletin board stating that an evil organization called the Shadow Council had recently been active in the surrounding area, urging everyone to be careful.

Recently, he hadn't heard anyone else in the village mention related rumors.

Qin Yuan had nearly forgotten about this matter.

"It's about time. Have the owl notify Dagan," the Whispering Grimoire said.

"Alright." Qin Yuan nodded. He took out a whistle and tapped it gently twice.

The owl hiding inside the cave would sense this slightly and, following the original plan, transmit the message to Dagan.

Next, he kept his gaze locked on the situation at the cave entrance.

As the smoke on the sachet gradually thinned, he looked at the cave, which remained pitch-black and utterly devoid of movement.

Roy relaxed.

During the first day or two, he had been slightly nervous, given that higher-tier beings like cyclopes were extremely dangerous.

Yet, with the consecutive successful executions over the past few days,

he grew increasingly relaxed.

As the vapor continued to release, that giant would only sleep deeper and deeper.

"What is going on?"

Suddenly, he felt his body turn as rigid as stone, freezing up abruptly.

Straining his head to turn and see what was happening, he was met with a terrifying sight.

At the pitch-black cave entrance, a massive, bloodshot vertical pupil was now glaring outward, emitting a grey, malevolent ray of light.

Before he even realized it, he had already been enveloped within it.

Following that, he discovered that no matter how desperately he tried to break free, he could not move a single inch, his body completely beyond his control.

"Got you."

A muffled voice echoed from within the cave, and the cyclops Dagan revealed its form, leisurely sizing up the tiny human before it.

Having been immobilized by its innate skill, and under the suppression of the level difference, the human before it had completely become a fish on the chopping board. If it chose not to actively lift the effect, the spell could last for several hours.