And now, Dox’s awakening sparked a flash of inspiration in Angel.
"It’s over? Really over? That’s great!" Angel came over to Dox with a look of joy, looking at him with expectant eyes: "Since your inspiration has transcended. Now quickly tell us, is the Hanging Jail Stairway in the sewers?"
At this moment, everyone else also realized, and just like Angel, they too looked at Dox with the same hopeful expression. Even the Black Earl had turned a slate, directing its nostrils toward Dox.
Faced with the gaze of everyone, and the unspoken anticipation that could be felt, Dox’s expression was not happy, but rather froze instantly, stammering: "This...what...you all..."
"What are you saying? How, is it possible that you don’t know?" Angel questioned in confusion, "Your inspiration, come on, release it."
Dox, somewhat embarrassed, said: "My inspiration is not a pet, it can’t be released just at will! Besides, I’ve said it many times, I’m not a Prophet Wizard, don’t use me as if I am one!"
"I’m not asking you, I’m asking your inspiration." Angel said earnestly.
Dox: "My inspiration is also me!"
Angel raised his eyebrow, quietly staring at Dox without saying anything, his gaze gradually becoming deep. This depth made Dox’s back faintly chill.
After a few seconds, Dox finally couldn’t hold on and said: "I really don’t know, my inspiration says it has transcended, but this is just a phase result. It needs a process of phoenix-like rebirth."
"Just like a seed falling into the earth, it also needs spring and summer nourishment before it can finally blossom and bear fruit."
"This needs waiting, understanding?"
Angel squinted his eyes: "So you’re saying your inspiration is completely ineffective now?"
Dox nodded.
"When can it be restored?" Angel’s voice began to lose emotional fluctuation.
"Uh, maybe... a few days? Or a few weeks? Or... years?"
Angel already didn’t want to listen anymore, turning his head indifferently, ignoring Dox. Previously, he thought Dox’s inspiration was helpful to them, even if they went to the Hanging Jail Stairway, they would need Dox’s inspiration to find the Wood Spirit, so they accommodated him along the narrow path.
Now it seems like it’s no help at all.
With Dox who has lost his value, Angel completely didn’t want to bother with him anymore.
Although they couldn’t get an answer from Dox, they couldn’t just stay at the entrance either; they had to move forward.
Angel: "Since Dox is already awake, let’s go in. According to the Echo Location Technique, and Speedy’s exploration, at least in the short term, there’s no sign of the sewer passage."
Vay said quietly: "This is even scarier, even the Lord’s Echo Location Technique can’t detect the entrance to the sewer, but it’s already so smelly here, it’s hard to imagine what it would smell like deeper inside."
Vay’s words for the first time received strong approval from the Black Earl. However, the Black Earl still remained silent, staying on Angel as if he were an ornament.
Angel looked to Vay: "Regardless of whether the Hanging Jail Stairway is in the sewer or how strong the smell is inside. Believe me, at least I definitely won’t let the stench infiltrate the Illusionary Realm."
Angel spoke sincerely, with a clear guarantee, and Vay, being a fan of Angel, with an idol filter, was already convinced.
As for Dox and Kaier, Angel didn’t need to comfort them; they were not particularly afraid of the stench in the first place.
If they really couldn’t stand it, at worst they’d block their five senses.
As for after they leave, the lingering stench on their bodies might last for days, but that didn’t matter, they could continue to block their senses. After all, the smell would bother others, not themselves.
"Let’s set off then, this is ultimately not a safe place." As Angel spoke, he glanced back at the distant Twins Bell Tower.
He wasn’t worried about the two Wizard-level Ghosteye Witches, but rather... the later comers.
Here, it’s still calm for now, but if later comers unknowingly ignite this dormant powder keg, it’ll end up in chaos.
If that special Ghosteye Witch used an Extraordinary Item, maybe that Dominator would also come.
To avoid an unexpected encounter with the old monster, they had to leave here quickly.
Moreover, if that Dominator really came, they might be able to time it right and cross that hall without meeting the other party.
Thinking of this, Angel hesitated no more and stepped into the darkness first.
...
Re-entering the familiar maze, everyone had different emotions.
Here was no longer filled with mutant Carrion Squirrels, nor Ghosteye Witches, everything appeared cold and quiet, but there was an added odor that Vay and the Black Earl couldn’t stand.
Although they were now in a Purifying Field, unable to smell outside odors, and seemed carefree, this also meant they couldn’t extend their perception, reducing their danger perception to the lowest point.
This was where the benefit of a team came in.
Due to their own reasons, Vay and the Black Earl lost the ability to perceive dangers, but the others weren’t too afraid of the stench, so safety wasn’t a concern.
In fact, for those other than Vay and the Black Earl, the quiet and monster-free maze tunnel made their walk much easier.
With a relaxed mind, coupled with no monster disturbance, and Dox’s inspiration successfully upgraded, his incessant chatter returned.
Like a haunting melody, resonating in everyone’s ears.
The most affected, of course, was Angel. Because Dox’s words were almost all questions, and these questions were all ones Angel needed to answer.
Perhaps because of this reason, though others were also subject to Dox’s verbal assault, no one tried to stop him.
Because not only Dox, they also wanted to know the answers to these questions—
Why did Angel suddenly break the Mind Ribbon before?
How did Angel know that multiple Ghosteye Witches practicing would reduce their perception?
Also, how did he manage to forcibly fuse with Ghosteye Witches’ shadows?
And, can that silver ornament and crown really be embedded together?