Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

Merry Christmas!

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Dark, damp.

The cavern depths untouched by sunlight stretched into an oppressive void, deterring all but the bravest from venturing forward.

Yet, none of the party were ordinary adventurers, nor were they unseasoned novices. As a seasoned hunter, Mimiya took the lead, moving ahead of everyone else.

Hunters—or "roamers," as they were often called—had a specific role during expeditions: identifying potential traps, tracking enemies, and providing ranged support during combat.

Detecting traps relied on keen observation and extensive knowledge of ancient mechanisms. Despite her preference for cleanliness, Mimiya—a proud elf of the Upper Forest—did not hesitate to forsake her ladylike demeanor, lying flat on the ground to inspect suspicious areas when needed.

Thanks to her vigilance, the team had successfully avoided numerous cursed traps.

One such hazard was the bone spike trap. Indistinguishable from the ordinary cave floor, it was designed with alarming precision to deceive adventurers. Stepping on it triggered a collapse, plunging the unwary into a pit lined with deadly spikes.

Then there was the spiked orb trap, a cunning contraption camouflaged as an ordinary cave plant. Its harmless appearance hid lethal venom-laced needles that injected a deadly toxin upon touch. Without immediate amputation, the poison would rapidly spread and lead to death.

For pioneers unfamiliar with these perilous snares, avoiding them all would have been nearly impossible. Traps thrived on surprise, and outsiders lacked the nuanced knowledge of such dangers. While their lives might not have been forfeited outright, humiliation and injury were almost guaranteed.

"Phew, thank goodness Mimiya is with us; otherwise, we'd be in for some serious trouble," March 7 exclaimed, brushing imaginary sweat from her forehead as the group bypassed yet another deadly trap aimed at dismembering them.

"These unholy cultists take cruelty to a whole new level. Everything here seems designed to kill or maim," she added, her voice laced with disgust.

"Their goal is clear," Zaryus, trailing behind the group, chimed in. "They seek to weaken their enemies before a fight begins. For the unholy, dragging all living beings into the abyss of torment and summoning their chaotic gods is their ultimate purpose."

"If that's the case, I'll show no mercy," March 7 declared, albeit with an undertone of unease.

Zaryus glanced at her, clearly unconvinced. He sighed inwardly, his mind grappling with the strange contradiction before him: someone with immense power yet lacking the resolve of a true warrior. As a scout from the Meadowfolk, he instinctively avoided forming alliances with such individuals, planning to keep his distance during any skirmishes.

Her companions, however, were an entirely different matter. The spear-wielding man possessed an air of razor-sharp precision, exuding the confidence of a seasoned marksman. His unwavering focus hinted at a rare combination of skill and temperament befitting a true warrior.

Then there was the stoic mage. Despite wielding what appeared to be a heavy iron bat—a baffling weapon choice—she handled it with an effortless grace. Even her seemingly simple swings carried an intimidating weight, leaving little doubt about her prowess. Zaryus wondered if she had once been a barbarian before taking up magic.

The most enigmatic of them all was their leader, Venti.

Everything about Venti, from his demeanor to his actions, screamed carefree minstrel rather than capable adventurer. Yet, this easygoing attitude belied something far more formidable. A person without sufficient skill or confidence wouldn't have dared to enter these treacherous caves so casually.

Was he a fool? Or was he a powerful warrior masking his strength with a façade of nonchalance? Judging from the team's deference toward him, the latter seemed more likely.

As these thoughts circled in Zaryus's mind, he found himself unconsciously edging closer to Venti, seeking reassurance. The bard smiled warmly in return, his expression less that of a comrade and more like an entertainer greeting his audience.

What a strange yet harmonious group, Zaryus mused as he followed the others.

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At the front, Mimiya suddenly raised her right arm, fist clenched. The universal signal to stop.

"What is it?" Zaryus asked, breaking the silence.

"There's a fork in the path ahead," Mimiya replied, her tone grave. "Something feels off."

She scrutinized the two diverging tunnels, her sharp gaze unwavering. "The wear patterns on the ground don't indicate which path is newer or older. It's likely a deliberate attempt to mislead us."

In caves like these, splitting up was unwise. Yet choosing a single path without knowledge of what lay ahead risked entrapment if the retreat was cut off.

Zaryus frowned. During his panicked escape earlier, he hadn't paid attention to which path he had taken. The dim lighting and disorienting shadows of the cave only exacerbated the difficulty.

And then there were the unnervingly smoothened tracks before them—clear evidence of deliberate tampering.

"Whoever summoned that chaotic spawn possesses a frightening level of intelligence," Mimiya concluded grimly.

Most Beholders were relatively dimwitted creatures, typically relegated to guard duty. But this one's calculated deception suggested a more cunning foe, one that likely laid traps on both routes.

"So, what do we do now?" March 7 asked bluntly.

"We have two choices," Mimiya said. "Either we pick a path and hope for the best, or we resort to a more… forceful solution."

"Like what?" March 7 pressed.

Mimiya hesitated, then explained. "Both the Beholder and the cultists share one key trait—they despise followers of the True Gods. If someone could call upon divine guidance, we might uncover the correct path."

All eyes turned to March 7 and Fina. As devout followers of the Earth Mother, they stood as natural enemies to the unholy.

"Do you think you could offer a prayer for divine revelation?" Mimiya asked. "The Earth Mother won't tolerate heresy; the odds of a successful answer are high."

Though Fina was a gifted cleric, her status as a novice meant her prayers rarely received direct responses. Fortunately, March 7, a seasoned bishop, was present. Her elevated rank significantly increased the likelihood of divine intervention.

"Ooh! That's a great idea!" Fina exclaimed. She clasped March 7's hands, her eyes shining with excitement. "Let's pray together, March!"

"Ah, um… can't you handle it alone, Fina?" March 7 stammered, looking uncomfortable.

"Y-You think I'll hold you back because of my low rank?" Fina's face fell, her eyes brimming with tears.

Flustered, March 7 waved her hands defensively. "No, no! That's not what I meant! I just thought… Never mind. Let's do this together!"

"Wonderful!" Fina exclaimed, her disappointment vanishing. She closed her eyes, adopting a posture of reverence.

"Merciful Earth Mother, please guide us, your wayward children, with the strength of your sacred ground—reveal the way forward!" Fina prayed.

Golden light enveloped the ground, illuminating a path marked by faint impressions, as though crushed by monstrous appendages. The divine revelation stretched deeper into the cave, leaving no doubt as to its accuracy.

The group marveled at the result, even Zaryus, who had initially doubted March 7's competence.

Following the revealed path, they soon arrived at the Beholder's lair. The scene that greeted them froze everyone in place.

It was a hellscape.

The rocky floor was coated in congealed blood. Fleshy, foul-smelling growths protruded from every surface, and clusters of writhing tentacles feasted on nutrient-laden pods.

Scattered everywhere were shriveled corpses—some human, others of various races, and even monsters—all drained of life.

At the center lay the remnants of a summoning circle. The lair's master, however, was absent, either out hunting or lurking in the shadows, observing the intruders.

"Ugh… I think I'm going to be sick!" March 7 gagged.

Fina covered her mouth, unable to suppress her dry heaves.

The grotesque scene before her seeped into her mind like a corrosive toxin. The stench of decay hung thick in the air, the grisly remains of her kin scattered throughout the lair, each a fresh assault on her fragile nerves.

March 7 wasn't faring much better. Though she managed to keep her nausea in check, her face was pale as a sheet. Beside her, Stelle clenched her fists tightly, her furrowed brow shadowing a simmering rage.

Since arriving on this cursed planet, Stelle had often compared the monstrosities they encountered to the antimatter legion she once fought. But even the legion, despite their wholesale destruction, seemed less vile than the horrors here. At least the legion's devastation was impersonal. This… this was malicious.

The sheer grotesqueness of it all scratched at the edges of her mind, threatening to unravel her focus. Recognizing the effect, she raised her voice, steady and commanding:

"Everyone, stay alert! This environment is messing with our heads!"

Before the warning could fully register, Dan Heng sprang into action. With pinpoint precision, he struck the ceiling above them, piercing the tendril of a lurking appendage before it could strike.

The attack jolted the others out of their stunned stupor. Mimiya immediately drew her bow, her sharp gaze scanning for more threats. Zaryus wasted no time either, pulling a calming incense pouch from his belt and handing it to Fina and March 7. "Use this to dull your senses temporarily," he instructed.

As the acrid incense filled her lungs, Fina's head began to clear. Instinctively, she channeled a miracle of holy light, her staff radiating a brilliant, steady glow that illuminated the darkened cavern without overwhelming the group's vision.

The moment the light touched the lair, a massive, central eye on the ceiling revealed itself, glaring down with a twisted sense of triumph. Despite lacking vocal cords, the Beholder emitted an incoherent babble from within its core. The sound slithered into their ears, clawing at their sanity.

"Don't look directly at it!" the Meadowfolk scout shouted, bowing his head in panic.

"Who said I needed to look to hit my target?" Mimiya smirked, her confidence unwavering.

Eyes shut tight, she drew her bowstring and loosed an arrow charged with thunder enchantment. The projectile cut through the air with a sharp crackle, evading the flailing tentacles with an unnatural curve before piercing the monster's eye dead center.

"—Screeee?!"

The Beholder's anguished wail filled the cavern. Its once menacing eye began to crystalize, bleeding profusely before the body collapsed from the ceiling with a thunderous crash.

"Wait, is it over?" March 7 asked hesitantly, her hands still shielding her face.

"That was a hit," Zaryus conceded, his tone cautious. "But chaos spawn don't go down that easily."

Something felt wrong. Stelle noticed it first, her sharp eyes catching Dan Heng's subtle movements. He gripped his head as if in pain, his breathing uneven.

"Dan Heng's still under its influence!" she warned.

When he had shielded them from the initial attack, Dan Heng had likely locked eyes with the Beholder. Now, fragments of its corrupting whispers echoed in his mind, driving his thoughts into disarray. Around them, the others began to feel the creeping effects—dizziness and nausea, despite never directly meeting the creature's gaze.

Suddenly, a sickening squelch resounded through the cavern.

"Humans… so foolish. You always react too late, sacrificing yourselves for those who weigh you down."

The taunting voice echoed from nowhere and everywhere, its tone mocking and venomous. Zaryus's face paled further, panic taking root.

"What's happening? We didn't even look at it! Why are we still being affected?!"

The voice chuckled cruelly. "What made you think you weren't already under my gaze?"

The corpse of the Beholder began to dissolve into a thick pool of blood, the liquid snaking toward their feet. From the shadows, countless tiny tentacles slithered up the cavern walls, merging into grotesque clusters that reshaped into new forms—mockeries of eyes that glared back at the adventurers.

"From the moment you dared to peer into the abyss," it sneered, "the abyss began watching you."

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I, WiseTL, in my infinite grace and generosity, have bestowed upon you an extra 2 chapters as my holiday gift. 🎁 Consider it a glimpse of my benevolence—cherish it well.

May your festivities be as golden as my treasury and as plentiful as my updates. Farewell, mortals, until the next chapter. 😉

Now, bow in gratitude. 🌟