Chapter 189: What Crawled Up
Black Moon Territory, The Crystal Mine Threshold,
Janetta's POV
The jagged maw of the mine's exit finally broke the horizon as we clawed our way out of the Under.
Instantly, the suffocating, ancient stench of the deep abyss was ripped away, replaced by the sharp, familiar tang of excavated mana crystals and volatile mana dust.
Goblin miners froze beside their mana ore carts as our shadows lengthened across the dirt.
Knobby, grease-stained hands stilled on their pickaxes. Their bulbous yellow eyes went wide with pure terror at the monstrous sight marching out of the dark behind me.
Along the timbered stone walls, the blue-flame lanterns flickered silently, shivering in a draft that had nothing to do with the wind.
Salza prowled at my side in human form, her moss-green hair lashed back into a tight braid—except the braid didn't end with a soft tuft.
