The Hero Turned Into A Potato And The World Fell To Ruin

This was probably the most extreme reaction shown by the little potatoes.

While Liu Ji had no idea where these little potatoes came from, nor did he know whether they were actually unconscious or just playing dead, he could sense one for certain even if he was usually slow on the uptake.

This place was dangerous.

Extremely dangerous.

Liu Ji himself wasn't scared. After all, Myza had been immensely confident when assuring Liu Ji that he couldn't die, so much so he would swap seniority and call Liu Ji dad if he was wrong.

Just that, Liu Ji never recalled ever having a seniority relationship with him to begin with.

While Liu Ji wasn't afraid, the others didn't have such reassurance. He walked over to Yaine, asking worriedly, "Are you sure your comrades are really down there? I feel like there's something very dangerous beneath…"

"Sigh, I know it might be bad down there, but…" Yaine sighed, lightly tapping her staff. Nearby, a circular imprint lit up.

"See that? It's a beacon left by our comrades," Yaine explained. "The beacon points toward that hemisphere, meaning they've already gone down below."

Liu Ji looked at the beacon and opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

The way these little potatoes were behaving made him extremely uneasy. The strange monster from before was terrifying enough, and had Yaine not planned to kill it quickly, who knew what havoc it would have caused.

Back then, the little potatoes had just been scared witless, but now, they were completely stiff, which suggested that whatever was below might be on a whole other level of danger.

Seeing the worry written over Liu Ji's face, Yaine chuckled and lightly tapped his forehead with her knuckle.

"Relax. Don't underestimate us," Yaine said. "We are a bunch that escaped from the Tyrant's annihilation squads and have faced plenty of danger. Even if we can't win, we can always run."

"Well… That's true." Liu Ji scratched his cheek, unsure of what else to say.

After all, the comrades they were pinning for had already gone underground, their fates unknown. Liu Ji couldn't very well stop the others from going down after them.

Besides, as Yaine put it, this world was full of dangers. If something couldn't be beaten, there was always the option of fleeing. If they let the fear of the unknown stop them, they might as well turn back and live quietly with some old folks.

With another light tap on Liu Ji's forehead, Yaine turned to the others and shouted, "Everyone, let's rest up and have a hot meal first. We'll head down and see what this place has in store after we are done eating."

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The winding stairwell leading underground was dim and damp. Moss layered the walls, and thick dust coated the steps, indicating years of neglect.

Yaine held up her staff, illuminating the path ahead with a Daylight spell.

Liu Ji walked in front of her, acting as the vanguard.

Osar carried the back basket, with Girunini perched on his shoulder. Such steep stairs weren't kind to the small miffy, and she could easily take a tumble with the slightest of missteps.

Calidora and Mervant brought up the rear. As the team's healer and support, Calidora was always stationed in the safest point of the formation, while Mervant kept an eye behind them.

"These stairs really take a long time," Osar grumbled after a while. "It feels like they go on forever."

"I hope not," Girunini remarked. "I've heard of endless staircase illusions."

"That you don't need to worry about," Mervant reassured from behind. "I've been keeping watch all the way down. No traces of magic, and I think we're almost there…"

At this point of the conversation, Liu Ji, at the front, noticed a faint blue light in the darkness below. After a few more turns down, they found themselves facing a large, dilapidated entrance.

The doors were open, revealing a broad street lined with glowing stones on either side. Further along the street, buildings and people of the city could be spotted.

Though visibility wasn't clear due to the dim light, none of their party still had any doubt about the existence of the fabled Swirling Mire City.

However, judging by the sparse population and the unlit streetlights, this was far from the bustling trade hub Myza had described.

Stepping onto the long-neglected cobblestone path, Yaine looked around and half-jokingly said, "Well, at least we didn't walk into a monster's den."

Mervant quickly moved to the front, his eyes glowing gold as he scanned the surroundings, fixing his gaze on a building across the street.

"Hmm, I've spotted a tavern," he said, "but… I'm not sure if it can still be considered one. It's full of old men playing chess…"

"Maybe because it's daytime," Girunini chimed in. "Though I don't know if they have a day-night cycle here."

"We'll find out soon enough," Yaine said, dispelling the Daylight spell and leading the way toward the building Mervant pointed out.

Earthwalkers generally disliked warm light, so it would be impolite to use the Daylight spell in their city.

Seeing this, Liu Ji hurriedly followed after.

Osar glanced at his back basket. The little potatoes still remained in the same state of unconsciousness or playing dead, showing no signs of waking up.

With a sigh, Osar followed behind the two, with Girunini on his shoulder.

"Uh… Actually, you can put me down now," Girunini said, scratching her head.

"It's fine, you aren't heavy," Osar replied, truly not bothered by it. "Besides, you can keep an eye out better up here."

"Well, that's true—"

A sudden gust of wind cut their conversation, making them turn around. Mervant had vanished, leaving Calidora looking at them with a look of resignation.

"Huh? He's sneaking off alone again?"

"Yeah." Calidora grimaced. "Now that we have slightly more in our group, he's inclined to roam off again."

"Sigh, it's expected." Girunini shrugged. "Let him be; it's what he's good at."

Calidora smiled wryly, following the others toward the tavern.

At this moment, Yaine, who was leading the way, suddenly halted. She looked to her left, then right, and frowned.

"What's wrong?" Liu Ji asked as he caught up.

"Something's wrong," Yaine whispered. "It's strange. Why are there only elderly and kids on this street? And… why are these kids all so good-looking?"