My Computer Leads to an Instance Dungeon-Chapter 209 - 170: ’Poison’s’ Poison

After hiring Jilenna, Fang Zhen got to his feet.

He gathered his equipment, preparing to enter the Curse Seal World again.

This time, he also brought two small gas canisters.

The two small gas canisters were the same kind he'd bought before. He had that energetic salesman from his company buy two more cans for him. He'd also gotten a steel barbell rod and fitted it with adjustable iron clasps on both ends. Assembled, it looked like a small carrying pole, with the two gas canisters hanging from either side. Someone with enough strength could lift it with one hand.

He also took out his Desert Viper Handgun and strapped on its holster. The magazine was full, and he had a spare. He also stashed some loose rounds in his waist pouch.

Once his gear was sorted, Fang Zhen pushed his Jue Ying motorcycle into the Light Gate.

He passed through the Light Gate. After a moment of slight dizziness, his senses returned.

Not far ahead of him, Jilenna, the Highland Female Knight, was already there.

He studied Jilenna for a moment. She seemed different somehow; even her aura had changed.

"You've gotten stronger," Fang Zhen said by way of greeting.

"I was on the verge of a breakthrough when we met. The pressure from facing Madici in the Underground Cave—the threat of death—it gave me an epiphany. I broke through as soon as I got back," Jilenna said.

Jilenna swung the sword in her hand. "So, who are we killing this time?"

Fang Zhen smiled. He rather liked Jilenna's directness.

"We're taking out the Vampire Count, but you won't be on the front line," he said, placing the two gas canisters—slung on the barbell rod with iron clasps—in front of Jilenna.

"Take these Alchemy Artifacts. Then, set up an ambush and observe from the valley overlook near the entrance to the Underground Cave."

He handed Jilenna the binoculars that had been hanging from his motorcycle's handlebars.

"Keep a close watch. Half an hour after Gwendolyn and I go in, bring these two Alchemy Artifacts and follow us."

He explained to her roughly how long "half an hour" was.

Jilenna took the binoculars and glanced at the gas canisters on the ground.

"You paid a fortune to hire me, just to have me work as a porter?"

Jilenna seemed displeased that she wasn't part of the main assault team.

Her tone made it sound as if Fang Zhen had booked a three-hour session with a top-tier escort, only to spend the time making small talk.

"You don't need to overthink it. Just follow my instructions," Fang Zhen said.

"Fine. You're the one paying, so you're the boss," Jilenna shrugged.

Jilenna picked up the makeshift carrying pole and easily hoisted it with one hand.

"If this thing were a little heavier, it'd be a decent workout," Jilenna remarked.

Even in her heavy armor, Jilenna carried the gas canister rig in one hand and her greatsword over her other shoulder. With energy to spare, she jogged at a steady pace toward the valley Fang Zhen had pointed out.

Fang Zhen watched her go.

'I've done all I can to prepare. No matter who the traitor is or what tricks Ellick has up his sleeve, if plan A fails, I'll resort to brute force. I'll just blow everything up with the two gas canisters and let firepower put it all to rest.'

Dawn was breaking.

He mounted his motorcycle and headed for Ellick Town.

「Ellick Town.」

Following the familiar route, Fang Zhen pulled up to the gate of Gwendolyn's courtyard.

He knocked on the gate using their secret signal.

To his surprise, the gate opened almost immediately, revealing Mark.

Seeing it was Fang Zhen, Mark gave a slight nod. "The others from the Whig Society will be gathering here soon," he whispered. "They're not here yet. The Master is waiting for you in the Alchemy Room."

Fang Zhen nodded and entered the courtyard.

He parked his motorcycle and went straight to the Alchemy Room.

In the rearmost Alchemy Room, Gwendolyn was meticulously inspecting an array of bottles and jars on a table.

Gwendolyn turned the moment she saw Fang Zhen walk in.

"We're short on time, so I'll be quick."

"You told me to keep an eye on Jorent yesterday. I did, and I examined the residual traces on the alchemy equipment he'd used."

"I analyzed them using a few alchemical techniques. Jorent is looking even more suspicious now."

"On his alchemical apparatus, I found traces of an Alchemy Medicine that has little effect on non-humans, but is potent against humans."

Gwendolyn said with a sigh.

"What's the countermeasure? Is there an antidote?" Fang Zhen asked.

"Yes, but it's a bit complicated." Gwendolyn shook her head. "The residue belongs to a broad class of Alchemy Medicine. It's highly reactive and can serve as a poison, but it has other uses in different circumstances."

"The residue contains components I don't recognize. Jorent must have used a special formula."

"A non-human formula?" Fang Zhen asked.

"It's hard to say. Although non-humans have longer lifespans, the potion formulas they've mastered can all be explained and categorized by orthodox Alchemy. In other words, both the Whig Society and the Eternal Night Council utilize the same system of Alchemy. However, the physical makeup of a non-human prevents them from constructing an Alchemy Array, unless an Alchemist was later transformed into one."

"That's why non-humans generally aren't very interested in Alchemy," Gwendolyn said, shaking her head.

Gwendolyn produced a glass vial containing a yellow, greasy-looking ointment.

"I've prepared an antidote. If he used a poison with an orthodox formula, dabbing this ointment under the nose will negate it completely. If it's an unorthodox poison, I can't guarantee the results, but it should alleviate fifty to eighty percent of the effects."

"There are two vials of the ointment. I'm keeping one for myself. If someone does get poisoned, use this," Gwendolyn said.

Fang Zhen took the ointment and put it in his waist pouch.

Just then, he heard voices at the door. He recognized them as the other members of the Whig Society.

He and Gwendolyn turned and walked out together.

In the courtyard, Mark opened the gate, and the other members of the Whig Society all filed in.

Gwendolyn walked to the center of the courtyard. The group formed a circle around her and quickly exchanged information.

"Last night, I obtained a floor plan of Elrick Castle," Gwendolyn said, pulling a sheet of papyrus from her robes and unrolling it for everyone to see.

Fang Zhen stepped forward and saw that it was drawn with charcoal.

"I also received intelligence that we can't attack the Ancient Castle from the main mountain path. That cunning Ellick has set up special alchemical explosives he purchased along the road. If triggered, they're powerful enough to destroy the path, taking us and his Guards down with it."

"The only viable route is through the Ancient Castle Caverns. We'll have to get through that iron gate. There are more traps on the other side, but we can get past them if we're careful," Gwendolyn said. "Our chosen route of attack will be through the Underground Cave."

"Also, time is of the essence. We need to rescue the townsfolk who were 'sacrificed,' and while Ellick hasn't officially shown himself, he could awaken at any moment."

"Once he fully awakens, the difficulty of killing him will at least double."

"Alright, let's go get him!" Pat said, cracking his knuckles.

Even the normally talkative Karen didn't object.

Fang Zhen watched Jorent for a moment, but he showed no particular reaction.

"Let's move out!"

…

「Over forty minutes later.」

「Ancient Castle Caverns.」

They stood before the iron gate that had once blocked Fang Zhen and Gwendolyn.

Fang Zhen and the rest of the Whig Society had returned.

Fang Zhen held a high-powered flashlight, its beam fixed on the iron gate.

Poisonous Jorent stepped forward. He took out a vial of a pale blue ointment and, using a small rod that looked like it was made of natural jade, very carefully painted an outline on the iron gate—the shape of a 'door' large enough for a person to pass through.

After applying the blue ointment, Jorent produced another glass vial, this one containing a white powder.

Jorent held the vial of powder and pulled on a specially made, thin black glove of some unknown material. He poured powder from the vial onto his gloved palm, then gently blew it over the blue ointment on the iron gate.

At first, nothing happened.

But after five or six breaths, a violent reaction erupted where the blue ointment and white powder met. A dazzling light flared, and the iron gate sizzled as if being arc-welded, showering the area with sparks.

A moment later, the light faded, revealing a groove burned a foot deep into the iron gate.

'Fang Zhen was secretly amazed. This Alchemy Medicine worked on the same principle as thermite.'

"Open!"

The muscular Pat stepped forward and kicked the gate where it had been damaged by the Alchemy Medicine.

"BOOM!"

The damaged portion of the iron gate burst open from the kick.

As the thick iron plate swung open, Tos the Night Diver blurred past and was the first to enter.

From behind, Jorent, Gwendolyn, and the others followed him in.

The way was clear. Their path now led straight to the Ancient Castle.