I Can Extract Game Items

Chapter 169 Learning Of Sir Dumblore's Whereabouts

August paused with a look of suspicion as their earlier words replayed in his head; "Wait, dealt with? What does that mean?"

Silence ensued briefly as the air grew heavier.

The clerics exchanged glances, and the older elf turned away with a scowl. "You will face judgment for your association with Dumblore. Your execution is set for dawn in two days. The goddess demands penance."

"Execution?" August barked with an incredulous tone. "You can't be serious. Let me guess—that's what you did to Dumblore too? Because he didn't align with your beliefs?"

The older elf paused with his back turned toward August. "Sir Dumblore defied our laws and meddled in forces he could not control. His fate is no concern of yours."

August leaned back against the glowing wall of his cell with a smirk. "Right, because silencing anyone who doesn't agree with you is the hallmark of justice. Real divine of you."

One of the clerics stepped closer and shot him a glare; "You will hold your tongue, outsider! You are fortunate we are granting you a formal judgment at all."

August unflinchingly met her gaze. "Fortunate? Sure, that's one way to spin getting executed for asking a few questions."

The older elf turned back to face him while voicing with an icy tone. "Mock us all you wish. The truth will not change. Your presence here is a threat to Sylvalis, and we will not allow our sacred lands to be corrupted further."

---

System Notification:

[ Quest Updated: The Forger's Trail ]

Objective: Escape your confinement and uncover the truth behind Sir Dumblore's fate.

---

The elves filed out, leaving August alone in the glowing cell.

He sat down and rested his back against the cold, rune-covered wall.

"Two days until my head's on a chopping block," he muttered to himself. "Well, I could always log out and it's not like I'd really die if I got executed but that'd mean mission failed. Guess I better figure something out fast."

He began to survey the magical bindings and the glowing chains around his wrists, looking for a means of escape.

He tried to activate a magic spell but it was immediately cut off.

[ Unable To Use Magic Power ]

[ Hint: Escape The Bindings ]

"Oh thank you, I really had no idea that I needed to escape the bindings to use magic," August voiced sarcastically while getting to his feet.

August paced in the limited space while thinking of possible escape strategies. He glanced at the silvery bindings around his wrists and ankles, which effectively nullified his magic. He had tested it a few times already—no spell, no staff, no mana.

...But what they didn't know was that he was also an assassin...

He smirked to himself. The elves had made a fatal mistake thinking he was just another mage.

August focused his breathing and activated Phantom Blitz...

[ Tier 2 Skill Phantom Blitz Activated ]

A flicker of shadow enveloped him briefly as he turned translucent and vibrated at a very fast frequency.

His form shimmered as he phased through the restraints, slipping free in an instant. The moment his feet touched the floor, he dropped into a crouch and waited.

After about thirty seconds, he activated Phantom Blitz again.

---

System Notification:

[ Skill Activated: Phantom Blitz (Tier 2) ]

Cooldown: 30 seconds

Effect: Allows the user to teleport short distances through obstacles.

---

He reappeared silently outside the cell's bars still crouched low and surveyed his surroundings. Two guards stood at the entrance with twitching pointed ears, clearly in tune with the natural sounds of the world around them.

"Stay calm, Aleman," August muttered to himself. "Don't get cocky just because you're a tier 2 player."

He activated Perfect Veil skill allowing him to blend into the dimly lit corridors and increasing his speed by 1.5×.

The elven guards exchanged quiet words, unaware of his presence as he slipped past them.

---

System Notification:

[ Skill Activated: Perfect Veil (Tier 2) ]

Duration: one minute

Effect: Reduces detection chance by 90% in low light conditions and increases movement speed by 1.5×

---

As August darted through the winding passageways of the elven stronghold, the alarm suddenly blared.

Green vines unfurled from the walls, and magical barriers burst to life in an attempt to trap him.

"Crap." August sprinted down the corridor swiftly.

He could hear footsteps closing in as the elves' voices rang out in their melodic but urgent tongue.

"Don't let him escape!" one of them yelled. "The heretic must be stopped!"

August cursed under his breath as an arrow whizzed past him, embedding itself into the wooden wall beside him. He turned a sharp corner, leaping over a tangle of roots that suddenly sprang from the ground, trying to ensnare him.

Just when he thought he'd be cornered, a figure dropped from the treetops above and grabbed his arm, pulling him into the shadows of a hollow tree.

"You're lucky I was watching," a soft voice whispered in his ear.

August looked up to see an elf with striking silver hair and piercing emerald eyes staring at him. Her leather armor was adorned with delicate green patterns that blended into the foliage. A dark hood was pulled over her head, and a thin, curved dagger rested at her hip.

"Who are you?" August inquired with a wary tone.

"Name's Sylwen," she said. "And if you want to survive, you'd better come with me."

Without waiting for his answer, Sylwen led him deeper into the forest through the trees, leaping from branch to branch with an agility that made August feel like a clumsy amateur in comparison.

Once they reached a secluded glade far from the elven guards' reach, Sylwen stopped and turned to him. "You're here for Sir Dumblore, aren't you?"

August's eyes narrowed. "You know where he is?"

Sylwen sighed before leaning against a tree. "Yes. They've imprisoned him in the lowest depths of Sylvalis, in the underground prison known as the Hollow Dusk. It's where they keep their worst enemies—nefarious criminals, beasts that defy nature, and apparently, legendary forgers who don't align with their beliefs."

August's eyes narrowed. "Why did they do it?"

Sylwen's face darkened. "Because the high priestess and a faction of the council believe his craft meddles with the balance of magic. They're wrong, of course, but they refuse to see reason. I tried convincing them, but they wouldn't listen. I suspect there is more at play than merely just that."

August nodded in understanding. "How do I get in?"*

Sylwen gave him a measured look. "You'll need to go through the Nightshade Grove, where the Hollow Dusk entrance is hidden. But listen to me, Aleman..." she hesitated. "Once you're in, there's almost no way out. The place is warded with the strongest of elven magic."

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August smirked. "Don't worry, I'm pretty good at breaking out of places."

Before heading off, August reached into his inventory and pulled out something he'd been keeping for a while—a Beacon Gem.

It was a small crystalline stone that pulsed with an eerie blue glow.

---

System Notification:

[ Beacon Gem Placed ]

Allows the user to set an emergency recall point.

---

He knelt and tucked the gem behind a thick root, ensuring it was hidden well. If things went south, this would be his ticket out.

Sylwen observed him curiously. "Smart. Let's hope you won't need it."

August straightened and adjusted his gear. "Alright, lead the way to this Hollow Dusk. I'll get Dumblore out for sure— Thanks for your help."

Sylwen smiled faintly while sheathing her dagger. "Brave words. Let's hope your skills match them."

As they moved swiftly through the moonlit forest, August couldn't help but grin.

"They usually do," he muttered.

...

...

About twenty minutes later, August crouched at the edge of the cavernous pit that led down into Hollow Dusk.

It was like he was staring into a bottomless abyss.

The air had an eerie stillness, punctuated only by the occasional sound of dripping water and the distant wails of unseen creatures.

The descent looked endless like the darkness swallowed everything in its path.

"No turning back now," he muttered before strapping his staff to his back and preparing to jump.

"I can't come with you so I can only hope you remain safe," Sylwen stated

"Thanks once again... I've got it from here," With a deep breath, he leaped into the abyss.

---

System Notification:

[ You have entered: Hollow Dusk - Danger Level: High ]

Warning: The area is teeming with hostile creatures far above your level.

---

He plummeted down causing wind to roar in his ears as his cloak flared behind him.

When it seemed like he was getting closer to the ground, he activated Phantom Blitz to prevent fall damage.

In the next moment, the descent that had lasted for too long finally ended when he landed on a damp, uneven surface.

"Well, that wasn't so bad—" his voice trailed off as he surveyed his surroundings.

The underground vicinity stretched out before him in an unnatural sprawl of pointy rocks and large twisted formations.

Strange, luminescent fungi clung to the walls, casting eerie lights across the area. Pools of thick, black liquid dotted the ground, giving off a putrid stench.

"Yeah... this place is definitely hell."