The Secretly Rich Man

Chapter 1761

It wasn’t long after before the place went silent again…

Since no more arrows were being shot out, it was only fair to assume that the terrifying mechanism had finally ended…

Breathing a sigh of relief, Lech then fearfully said, “To think that such a death trap would be here of all places, Mr. Crawford…!”

Nobody could have foreseen this… However, that didn’t change the fact that this had been caused by one of Lechs’ men. The culprit himself had been pierced by dozens of arrows and was currently lying in his slowly encroaching pool of blood… What a terrible way to die…

Still, this was what happened when people randomly touched things in here. With that in mind, Lech then glared at his men before yelling, “Listen up! The rest of you aren’t allowed to move until I say so!”

Hearing that, all of Lech’s men simply nodded and remained standing where they currently were… Not that any of them were daring enough to touch anything anymore. After all, who knows what they could trigger next? The next trap they triggered could very well be the end of them!

Seeing that his men weren’t objecting, Lech then turned to face Gerald again before asking, “What do you think we should do, Gerald? The exit’s been sealed shut!”

As Lech had said, there was now a gigantic stone blocking the exit, which meant that there was no way they were going to be able to leave the way they came in from. With that in mind, they could only look for another exit…

“…Cave-like structures definitely have more than one exit, though the problem lies in how difficult it is to find them!” replied Gerald.

Hearing that, Lech then ordered, “Alright, listen up, men! There has to be a way to leave this place, so let’s start looking for an exit!”

With that, everyone from Lech’s team began scanning high and low for a way to leave the underground palace…

Gerald and his party, on the other hand, stood before the wheel, studying it to see if it had any way of getting them out of there…

Sometime later, Ray declared, “…Mr. Crawford! There appears to be a mechanism of sorts down here that can be turned!”

Upon hearing that, Gerald squatted down and saw that Ray was right. There was indeed a round mechanism that looked like it could be turned…

Old Flint himself then said, “If my guess is correct, turning that round mechanism should activate this wheel!”

Momentarily turning to face Old Flint, Gerald then nodded. He believed in the old man’s wisdom, so he quickly began turning the mechanism without any hesitation…

Soon enough, a loud ‘clank’ could be heard.

After realizing that the wheel itself was starting to turn, Gerald and the others quickly took a few steps back, fully vigilant since nobody knew what was going to happen next.

The wheel itself only stopped turning after it slowly spun by a hundred and eighty degrees… And the second the turning ended, an explosive sound was heard!

Turning to face the source of the sound, everyone watched as an opening slowly revealed itself on the wall where the wheel ended up facing once it stopped moving. By the time the stone slab was fully lifted, everyone could only stare wide-eyed at the new entrance before them.

Quickly shaking the shock off, Gerald then said, “Let’s go!”

With that, he and his party instantly entered the new opening. Naturally, Lech and his men quickly followed after as well.

While they had anticipated this to be their ticket out of here, it was anything but… As it turned out, it was the entrance of yet another underground palace!

There were towering stone pillars on either side of the newly uncovered underground palace, and beside each pillar was a platform. The middle of each platform gave off a faint light, illuminating just enough for all of them to see where they were going…

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“Hot d*mn! To think that there was another palace down here! In fact, this one looks much larger than the previous one!” exclaimed Ray.

“Please be careful, everyone! And don’t do anything stupid!” warned Gerald, hoping that everyone had learned their lesson about randomly touching things.

“Copy that! Still, what are those things, Mr. Crawford…? They look so luxurious!” asked Ray as he walked toward one of the platforms to get a closer look.

“Those are Treasure Glaze Platforms. They’re specially used to light up candlesticks used for sacrificial rituals. The fires in them can last forever!” explained Old Flint when he saw that Gerald was making no effort to reply.

Upon hearing that, Ray was rightfully shocked. To think that such magical items existed…

His awe was cut short, however, when everyone suddenly heard one of Lech’s men scream in agony!

By the time they turned to look at him, his entire body was already burning! With scorched skin and eerily hollowed-out eyes, it wasn’t long before all that remained of the man was a pool of blood on the ground!

With how gruesomely he had died, everyone was understandably terrified.

Though they made sure to distance themselves from that pool of blood, the same thing soon happened to yet another of Lech’s team members! Before the second member died, however, Gerald and the others were able to notice several black, spider-like creepy-crawlies crawling all over the poor man’s body.

Before they could even register what was going on, everyone froze when millions of tiny ‘squeaks’ could suddenly be heard all around them!

Immediately looking around to investigate, Gerald realized that countless of the spider-like creatures had appeared and were currently all over the surrounding pillars and on the ground!

“Run! Hurry!” yelled Gerald as he immediately dragged his party toward the innermost part of the underground palace.

Of course, Lech and his remaining men followed closely behind, though soon enough, both parties found that it was useless. They were completely surrounded by endless spiders! There was simply nowhere to retreat!

“W-what should we do, Mr. Crawford?!” asked the anxious Ray in a fearful voice.

A single spider was scary enough, but now that there were millions? It was beyond terrifying, to say the least.

Frowning deeply, Gerald then yelled, “Try using fire!”

Hearing that, everyone quickly gathered whatever they saw that could be burned before lighting them up and tossing them to the ground.

To their horror, many of the spiders persevered, and the fire was nothing more than a temporary obstruction for them!

With that in mind, it wasn’t long before more of Lech’s team members got into contact with the spiders and turned into pools of blood as well…

Seeing that, Gerald and the remaining survivors were terrified out of their minds… None of them wanted to die so terribly…

Calming himself, Gerald racked his mind for a solution, until suddenly, an idea came to him.

Looking at Juno, Gerald then quickly asked, “Juno! Do you have anything that repels insects with you?”

Upon hearing that, she nodded before replying, “I-I do have a can of insecticide with me! I don’t know how useful it’ll be, though!”

“Just give it to me! Hurry!” instructed Gerald as Juno quickly fished out her insecticide from her bag.

Thankfully, Juno had brought along that can of insecticide to deter insects from biting them while they were in the forest. To think that it would actually be a life saver…

Regardless, the second the insecticide was in Gerald’s hand, he immediately sprayed it on the surrounding spiders… and it seemed to work!

The second they came into contact with the insecticide, the spiders rapidly began retreating! They were saved!

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“…Thank god you brought along this young woman, Gerald…! Otherwise, we would’ve all met our maker today…!” muttered the still fearful Lech, as he expressed his gratitude toward both Juno and Gerald.

Had Juno not brought along that can of insecticide, they’d surely have died today…

Following that, Gerald then broke the can open before rubbing some of the liquid inside on his clothes.

“Rub some of it on your bodies! With any luck, it’ll continue warding off the spiders!” instructed Gerald.

Hearing that, everyone then quickly began doing just that, making sure to rub as much of the insecticide as possible onto their clothes and shoes. Hopefully, this would keep the spiders away…

Now that the crisis was over, Old Flint then said, “…I’m guessing the vampires raised those spiders. If my analysis is correct, any blood that the spiders suck can later be retrieved by the vampires for their own consumption…”

“How abominable! To think that they would actually raise such horrible creatures!” scowled Gerald.

Then again, it made sense. Only the vampires could think of such a vile tactic…

Regardless, Gerald and the others then resumed inspecting the area soon after…

deeper parts of the underground palace—as he shouted, “Captain! We’ve managed to locate a stone door

and soon enough, they were greeted

the door open!”

remaining men as they instantly began pushing the door in hopes of opening

matter how much they pushed, the stone door never moved

by force, I’m sure there’s a mechanism somewhere that’ll get it

quickly began investigating the area in search of mechanisms that would

a spot on the walls that could be pushed. Pushing it down hard, the stone began

door began quivering, and soon

truly are amazing, Mr. Crawford!”

a large, glazed house, alongside two stone bridges. Adding that to the fact that the floor was paved with bluestone, the sight was

it, everyone rushed to one of the stone bridges. However, upon peering below, what awaited them wasn’t a river nor a pool… Instead, it appeared to

bridge and

correct, then this should be the center

the vampires’ territory… The entire journey truly had been difficult, and many large

Chapter 1764

Gerald and the others noticed a problem, that being the fact that the

that, Lech immediately ordered, “Men,

quickly took a few tools out from

too long after, a clatter could be heard, signifying that

pushed the door open and everyone else made sure to follow behind him. Upon entering, however, they quickly realized that the insides were mostly barren aside from a large disc in the middle of the house that was surrounded by

be…” muttered the slightly

the vampires cultivate themselves. Looking at the disc, I’m guessing that

Gerald nodded in understanding, Lech himself could be seen frowning as he asked in a dissatisfied tone, “…Whatever the case is, there’s

was simply nothing of value that Lech could

territory! I’m sure of it!” replied

hearing that, the disappointed Lech could only choose to believe the

searching the place for valuables. Gerald and his party, on the other hand,

his teammates discovered a secret

eyes instantly widened. This place was filled with riches and treasures of all kinds! Upon closer inspection, there was even a giant pellet-making furnace in the middle

by the furnace, Lech was quick to notice several bottles—ranging

Are we taking them away as well?”

question is that? Of course, we’re taking them! They’re valuable medicines, you know?

men then immediately began taking action, carrying everything valuable—that they could—out of the room. Naturally, this included

they saw Lech and his team members taking so many spoils with them, all of

all, unlike Lech—who had specifically come here in search of treasure—, Gerald and his party had other objectives. With that in mind, there was no reason for him to fight for any

didn’t stop Ray from whispering, “Those people are way too crazy,

taking care of ourselves!” replied Gerald with

later. After all, those treasures are cursed! Whoever takes them will surely not have a good end. With that said, don’t even think about touching any of the treasures

matter how precious the items you encounter are, never take them! Actually, to be on the safe side, don’t

Chapter 1765

dangerous it was to even touch the treasures in this place.

his men had compiled enough riches to fill at least two

the secret room for the final time, he then walked toward Gerald before smiling as he said, “These are the treasures we got from that secret room, Gerald! Since both parties have contributed a lot to get this far, I’m willing to share some of our spoils

Gerald then replied, “I appreciate the consideration, Mr. Zak, but we didn’t come here for the vampires’ treasures.

To think

for treasure, then what did

then smiled as he said, “…Well then! Since you’re being so kind, I’ll gladly

and his men

in an astonished tone, “Were… they uninterested in the treasure, captain? But

only sneered in

do have another objective… Or there’s something even more valuable down here aside from what we’ve

guessed that Gerald and his party had no interest in the treasure since they were after some other important thing that was

that

Lech’s men began screaming, “S-spiders!

currently attempting to flee backward—Lech stared wide-eyed as several humongous spiders began leaping out from the abyss under the stone bridge! Without even giving Lech and his men a fighting chance,

defend themselves, Lech and his men quickly realized that hundreds of small spiders had also rushed out and had

help them. However, they were promptly stopped by Old

can’t we help them?” asked the vexed

good look! The spiders aren’t coming for us at all! They’re only rushing for that group, which proves that the curse of the treasures is starting to take effect!”

finally understood why all this was

Chapter 1766

spiders will only attack those who touch the

were instantly shocked. To think that the spiders would

Lech and his remaining team members were being swallowed alive by the gigantic spiders!

at Gerald—who was still standing by the door—the pitiful Lech who

Please…!” screamed the other agonized members

had taken the cursed treasures due to their immense greed. In other words, they had brought all this upon themselves.

in half before

of his team members, they were completely swallowed up by the smaller spiders, and all that was left of them

had barely even taken minutes for Lech

men had been dealt with, the

the end, the spiders never made a move on them. Instead, they simply returned into the abyss under the stone bridge along with the smaller

pleasant surprise for Gerald and his group. To think that the spiders would actually leave them be! With their worst fears now over, they could all

had passed. After a while, the still jittery Ray then turned to face Gerald and Old Flint before saying, “That was way too nerve-wracking, Gerald! Thankfully you warned us about not touching the treasure, Old Flint!

had died… Even from afar, all the treasure they had been carrying could be seen lying in piles on

couldn’t help but twitch, prompting

Old Flint then explained, “…This is sandalwood incense. The vampires must have used this to lure the spiders! It appears

men after they touched them? And that the spiders only attack those who have the smell lingering around them? If that’s the case, everything

‘curse’ was merely an overstatement. In the end, it

themselves to blame… Had they not been greedy enough to touch the treasure, the spiders

you reap what

the case was, Gerald wasn’t interested in thinking any further about it anymore. Some things and people were simply destined to be ruined. While he wanted to say that Lech was simply unlucky, it was honestly not that much of a surprise that he

Chapter 1767

others

suddenly greeted by

but look at Gerald as he asked, “…Do you hear

then replied, “I

them immediately began looking for the exact source of the sound… until eventually, Gerald realized that it was coming from the very center of the round platform

coming from over there!” said Gerald

gathered around the platform before pressing their ears onto it… True enough, now that their ears were directly on the platform, the constant knocking

be trapped inside, Gerald…?” asked

that may just be the case!” replied Gerald, feeling that only a living thing

platform, Ray! We

was

pull ring on the round platform, Ray

a look, Gerald could see that a chain was attached to the pull ring. In other

second you feel that something’s wrong, I want you to leave this place immediately!” ordered Gerald as he looked at the rest of

a distance away from him, Gerald

to even tug the pull ring—the others held

of chains soon began

be bothered tugging slowly anymore and simply yanked the chain—that was several meters in length—till it could no

platform slowly split in two, revealing an opening in the middle of

others didn’t dare to move an inch, simply remaining vigilant as they waited to see what

the fearless person he was—on the other hand, simply tossed the chain onto the ground before walking toward the now open

the hole, Gerald couldn’t help

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bottom, appeared to be a strong, long-haired,

Gerald?” asked Ray

them

other members of Gerald’s party then

then asked, “…Do you have any idea what