Vargas knew of a secret passage leading deep into the castle. He had used it to escape death.
Upon learning that Nidhogg intended to infiltrate the castle, he immediately, with great enthusiasm, revealed the secret passage and volunteered to lead the way inside.
Nidhogg didn't want Vargas to accompany him.
Since Vargas had escaped through this passage, the Slug Count must have known about it for a long time. He would also know that Vargas might return this way. Who knew if the Slug Count had set a trap in the passage beforehand?
But Vargas insisted, and his reasoning was something Nidhogg couldn't refuse.
The sewers in the secret passage were complex. Without his guidance, even with a map in hand, Nidhogg would have difficulty finding the correct route into the castle.
So Nidhogg agreed to let Vargas come along.
The next day, they took lanterns and walked for a long time through the foul-smelling sewers.
Nidhogg was very cautious. He had no good feelings about sewers.
The Slug Count, like the Queen Bee and the Flesh Sphere, could transform people into monsters—specifically, into the small slugs that split from his body.
A small slug would burrow into a human body, transforming the person's form and mind into something more savage and evil, becoming one of his clones.
Fortunately, there were no demonic humans, mutant rats, or bloated chunks of flesh in the sewers. The journey went smoothly.
Finally, they arrived at a pipe beneath the dungeon and saw the well opening above.
Only then did countless horrific memories wash over Vargas, drowning out the excitement he had felt earlier from his burning desire for revenge.
Fear and terror made his breathing ragged. Sweat poured down his face. His steps involuntarily halted.
Nidhogg noticed Vargas trembling on the spot. He understood what was happening and asked him to stay here, calling it "guarding the exit."
Vargas understood his own situation and didn't refuse.
Nidhogg approached the well opening. After confirming that the Slug Count was not in the dungeon, he opened the cover and climbed up.
Instantly, pushing aside the dim light of the dying lantern, the horrifying scene throughout the dungeon startled even Nidhogg, who was already well-informed.
He took a deep breath and was about to look for a passage from the dungeon into the castle when he unexpectedly noticed two other people who weren't completely dead after horrific torture.
The bodies of these two men were severely damaged, no less than Vargas's.
When they saw Nidhogg, they were already delirious. They could only whimper and tremble in fear, unable to muster even the slightest resistance.
Nidhogg rescued them and dragged them into the sewer below the well opening.
Unfortunately, one of them still couldn't hold on and quickly breathed his last.
So Nidhogg entrusted the other person to Vargas and said, "If you really want to do something useful, take her and help her survive as long as possible. I'll meet you when I'm done."
Vargas also understood that staying here would only be a burden. Not to mention, saving this woman who still had a breath left reminded him of himself. So he agreed to Nidhogg's request.
He would use his already severely disabled body to take another slightly less mutilated body to a safe place and try to treat her with the knowledge he had gained.
Just as Nidhogg climbed back above the well, he suddenly heard footsteps outside the dungeon. He immediately extinguished his lantern and quietly burrowed back into the dungeon, hiding in a dark corner.
The dungeon door creaked open. Heavy footsteps followed. Then candlesticks were lit, revealing the Slug Count's powerful physique and fleshy face, a knife hidden within his smile.
The Slug Count quickly noticed that the manhole cover was open. He looked around and spotted Nidhogg.
Nidhogg pretended to have been waiting for a long time, yawning before he stood up. In reality, he was buying time for Vargas and the rescued woman, who hadn't gotten far, ensuring they wouldn't be discovered and caught by the Slug Count.
"Who are you?" When the Slug Count saw that it wasn't Vargas as expected, but a stranger, he couldn't help but smile playfully. "An assassin hired by Vargas?"
"Yes and no." Nidhogg's answer was ambiguous.
The Slug Count chuckled, the sound echoing through the dungeon like a gust of wind, shaking the dried meat hanging from hooks without stopping.
"Then he must have told you what kind of enemy you're facing, right? He must have told you what you'd be up against the moment you failed, right?"
Nidhogg produced his Spirit Calling Bell and shook it with a chime.
"I know exactly what I'm dealing with. But you might not know who you're dealing with," he said.
With the bell's ring, the spirit of Ingvall, the "Lost Knight," appeared and stood beside Nidhogg, halberd in hand, majestic and solemn.
The Slug Count's eyes couldn't help but freeze, showing a cautious gaze.
He finally understood that the man before him was no ordinary person. No wonder he dared to take Vargas's job.
"Go." Nidhogg gave the order.
Ingvall didn't hesitate. He immediately stamped off the ground like an arrow, swung his halberd, and stirred up a whirlwind.
He rode that whirlwind, leaping powerfully, instantly crossing a distance of over ten meters. He soared over the Slug Count and brought the axe blade of his halberd down upon him!
This technique was swift and fierce. Before the Slug Count could react, the halberd blade struck him. His entire powerful body was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall and tumbling into the shadows.
Ingvall landed smoothly, then charged into the darkness where the Slug Count had fallen, intent on pursuing him.
Nidhogg was a little surprised.
Damn, he's so ferocious. Why don't I give you the Spirit Calling Bell, and I'll become a spirit ash in the future? Then you can summon me.
Nidhogg complained inwardly but didn't stand still and watch. He quickly followed.
He saw Ingvall rush into the darkness. He had only heard another crash before Ingvall came flying back out and slammed into the ground!
From the darkness, chunks of flesh and tendrils rapidly burst forth.
A creature resembling a giant slug crawled out. But between its antennae was the Count's head, and beneath the head was a large, gaping maw. The sight was quite terrifying.
A wound carved by Ingvall was still on its body, but the wound was rapidly healing, writhing as it closed.
The dungeon, which had previously seemed quite spacious, now felt cramped. Nearly a third of the space was occupied by its soft body.
The door and the well opening were also within its reach. In an instant, Nidhogg had no escape route.
The Slug Count cast a sinister smile at Nidhogg, then extended his arms and tendrils, extinguishing the candles one by one.
The entire dungeon was suddenly plunged into endless darkness.
The writhing sounds became extremely clear and terrifying.