However, Running for a long time was truly exhausting. Coupled with the fact that Durin had to occasionally deal with a few Bell Rats that caught up, he was soon panting heavily and had to lean against the wall to catch his breath for a moment.
Fortunately, by this time, Durin had managed to put some distance between himself and the Bell Rats behind him.
During this period, Durin's One-handed proficiency increased by another 8 points, reaching 69, and his Running proficiency increased by 4 points, reaching 45. Furthermore, Durin's own character level increased by one, reaching Level 6, and he obtained another Skill Mastery Point.
It must be said that although combat is risky, it indeed allows for rapid leveling.
Durin added this Skill Mastery Point to his Running skill, upgrading it from Lv.3 to Lv.4. His original fatigue was swept away, and his stamina recovered significantly.
"Wararara!"
"Squeak!"
During the brief moment he spent adding the skill point, Durin once again heard the increasingly close screeching of the Bell Rats. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue Running deeper into the sewer; he had to find a new exit and leave this place as soon as possible.
Otherwise, he would be worn down to death by these Bell Rats in this sewer area.
So, Durin propped one hand against the wall and forced himself to keep Running.
But suddenly, a faint voice brushed past Durin's ear like a breeze.
"Come."
Hmm?
Durin was stunned for a moment, wondering if he had misheard.
But immediately after, that ethereal voice called out in Durin's ear again: "Come... my partner. I've waited for you for so long... come quickly! I need you..."
The voice was ethereal and beautiful, as if it struck Durin's soul directly.
Listening to this voice, Durin actually had an indescribable feeling, sensing in his heart that the owner of this voice was incredibly important to him.
The voice was filled with longing and a thick sense of doting—the kind of doting that only exists between family members or lovers.
This voice actually gave Durin an impulse to see the other party immediately. Following the calling voice, Durin carried the Gas Lantern, changed direction, and ran toward the source of the sound.
"Yes... come quickly... I'm waiting for you..."
The voice carried a hint of a smile.
Until Durin stopped in his tracks.
At a left turn in the sewer, he clearly saw a Harp, nearly the size of an adult, leaning quietly against the wall.
Its shape was like a longbow, and its paulownia wood exterior had obsidian-like bone spurs protruding from the top and bottom. The grip was in the shape of barbed serrations, and an amber-colored wicked vertical pupil adorned the top of the Harp. Every string shimmered with a dazzling brilliance, giving the Harp an aura of corruption and evil.
The entire body of the Harp almost blocked the path forward, but for some reason, Durin felt that this Harp was incredibly familiar, as if it were a part of his body.
"Quickly. Come stroke me."
The Harp issued a warm invitation.
Durin obediently stepped forward and reached out his left hand.
The moment Durin lightly touched the surface of the Harp, a blood-red eye suddenly snapped open at the top of the Harp. A crimson blood mist began to burst forth from the Harp, then started spreading up Durin's left arm.
Intense pain shot from his left arm, and Durin suddenly snapped awake.
What's going on?
Why am I here?
In a flash, Durin sensed great danger and immediately realized he had been mentally deluded by this Harp-like thing in front of him.
He wanted to pull back his left arm, but he felt as if his left arm no longer belonged to him and wouldn't obey his commands at all.
"Hahahaha! How many years has it been... finally... I have finally awakened! And someone has finally arrived!"
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"