Cursed Immortality

After hearing Jacob's suggestion, the other two didn't have anything to add since it was the most optimal action in this situation. Not only were they now almost a hundred meters deep into an ice layer, but they were also in the den of snow monsters. 

So, they had to be extra careful, especially with their explosive abilities, or they might be buried alive under this ice. 

The team selected the largest hole in the tallest mountain and started to move forward. But this time, they were relying on their night visions since the torches might spook the monsters. 

As they walked into the depths of the tunnel, they didn't see anything but a straight passage. 

"It's like they had built these underground passages like we built roads in cities. Furthermore, I have a strong feeling that this might be where we found a shackle." Charlotte faintly stated in a fascinated tone like an adventurer. It was clear she was ecstatic while exploring this unknown danger. 

Geko merely frowned in trepidation. He didn't agree with Charlotte even the least bit because he wasn't here on his own accord. 

As for Jacob, even though he was the same as Geko in a sense, he could relate to Charlotte's adventurous feelings. Deep down, he liked this sort of exploration and the sense of excitement. These feelings were especially intensified after he awakened the Giant Fighting Spirit Aspect. 

Although he was keeping it under control, sometimes he just couldn't, especially when he met with strong opponents. His mind was filled with thoughts of fighting with Charlotte after he experienced her strength, and only he knew just how much willpower he had to expand to calm himself down.

That's why he likes and hates this aspect because it is a double-edged sword. 

At this moment, Jacob's ear twitched slightly, and he signaled the two behind to stop, and both of them became alert seeing Jacob's abrupt movement. 

"4 pairs of footsteps up ahead, around 60 meters away, coming at us." Jacob gravely stated in a very low voice, "Use your crossbow to get rid of them. We can't afford to cause commotion here." 

Charlotte nodded solemnly as she moved in front and took out her long and slender crossbow, which she hadn't used after joining up with Jacob and Geko. She was a fire combatant, and she had learned to use a crossbow to fill the gap for her long-range disadvantage against a sorcerer. 

Not just Charlotte. In fact, any combatant used some means to keep themselves safe from long-range sorcerers. Some learn archery or use advanced weapons like guns and crossbows. 

The sorcerer also learned many magic spells that could help them keep their distance from the combatant, and some even learned physical skills to train their bodies, but these types of sorcerers were extremely rare. 

At this moment, Charlotte peered through the 100X scope on her crossbow and held her breath. After confirming her targets, she pulled the trigger four times in succession while quickly moving her bow at lightning speed. 

'She's really expert at handing the crossbow. I wonder why if she's proficient in using a sniper rifle or she's hiding that fact…' Jacob mused as he watched Charlotte with scrutiny. 

From the start, he knew both Geko and Charlotte were hiding their true capabilities because he was doing the same. In truth, no one trusts each other completely, and despite Charlotte's fangirl-like acting and her interest in Jacob, she was always on guard against him. 

Everyone was using each other so they could safely pass this trial or return. 

"Target exterminated." Charlotte snickered as she put her crossbow back while looking at Jacob. 

"Let's move forward then." Jacob glanced at her impassively as he started to walk forward again since his sensing abilities were far more developed than the group despite being weakest in ranks. 

"How cold…" Charlotte giggled playfully. She didn't mind cold shoulder at all. 

Just as the team walked for almost a mile, which was the approximate distance from the tallest mountain on the surface, they also encountered five more groups of snow monsters, both small and large, but Charlotte masterfully took care of them. 

Jacob left the corpse behind as he didn't need any more of them, not on their level or the same species. 

At this moment, their progress came to a halt when they met with a wall in front and two passages on the left and right sides. 

Geko winced his brows as he looked at the ice floor, "Both passages have marks of being used. Now what?" 

Both of them looked at Jacob since it was his idea and he'd been leading them till now, and they had to admit he had terrifying abilities to detect enemies. So, they now rely on him. 

Jacob was in a dilemma himself because if he chose the wrong path, they might end up turning back and then lose their target for good while wandering around aimlessly in this ice maze. 

He looked at Geko and asked sternly, "You're a wind element combatant, right? Can you sense wind from any of these passages?" 

Geko looked at Jacob strangely before replying, "Element sense is the ability of sorcery. I can only feel wind mana density in this place which is shitty as ever if you want to know that." 

'Useless!' Jacob pursed his lips since he didn't like that answer and then looked at the ice wall and coldly said, "Since we can't afford to stray off our target, we just have to make our own way." 

Charlotte couldn't help but exclaim, "You want to dig toward that mountain? What if there's nothing there?" 

"It's fine by me as long as I can confirm it myself. Furthermore, we might find a passage on the other side that is adjacent to one of these two tunnels. We can't take the risk of going away from this passage." Jacob sternly said as he took out his swords and looked at Geko, "Let's do this." 

"What about her?" Geko was startled and blurted while looking at smiling Charlotte. 

In reply, Charlotte innocently stated, "Do you want to make a delicate flower like me to do labor work? Don't worry. I'll protect you while you dig diligently!" 

'Flower my ass!' Geko wanted to curse out loud in exasperation, but he could only vent on the ice wall as he took out his spear and started to thrust while Jacob used water mana to cut the ice. 

Within a few minutes, both of them were ten meters deep in the ice wall, and right at this moment, the ice vanished when Geko thrust his spear, and on the other side, a hole appeared as a frosty blaze filled the tunnel!