Watching Fortune's shocked reaction, the others were also overflowing with curiosity. Under their pestering Fortune finally revealed the staff's information and the entire hall fell silent.
"You will be so overpowered...", whispered Quickstep without hiding her jealousy.
Fortune gulped. She wished she could instantly rush towards level 50 and equip the staff but unfortunately that was not possible. Liam saw through her thoughts, giving her some hope:
"In the territory war everyone will receive a huge amount of EXP. I don't know if you can reach level 50, but the distance will definitely be greatly shortened."
"Damn, congrats Fortune. But where do I get my own OP weapon now?"
Quickstep was happy for her friend but still envious. Liam pondered for a moment before answering:
"After the territory war we should have some time to find weapons for Hotpot. We also need to strengthen ourselves for something coming up after level 50..."
"Let me guess. I don't need to ask because you wouldn't spoil the surprise anyways?"
"Haha, correct."
Quickstep rolled her eyes at the laughing Liam and looked away. She noticed Harry standing in front of the large gate. He put one hand against it as if he wanted to push it open, but his face showed hesitation.
Knowing that they were done with looking at the loot, Quickstep approached Harry to continue the quest.
"What's up, big guy? Struggling with a decision?"
Harry flinched as Quickstep's voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"Adventurer… I can feel the calling. It comes from behind this door."
"Great. Let's go in."
"But... I don't know..."
"Didn't we come all the way here just for that? It's too late to have doubts now."
"Well, you are not wrong."
Taking a deep breath Harry nodded and pushed open the heavy doors. The bulky man walked in, and the players quickly followed.
Once inside they were instantly shocked by the sight in front of them. Past the protruding stone platform they stood on there was a giant head bigger than an average person. It had grey-blueish, withered skin. Its eyes were closed and half covered behind bushy eyebrows. The eyebrows were in between white and grey just like the long hair hanging from the head.
Cautiously getting closer the group looked downwards and saw the rest of the body. Its bare skin was decorated with various tattoos. It sat on a throne within a gigantic cave taking up a large part of the mountain. If the being were to stand up, its height may well be above one hundred meters making it a waking hill.
However, the body which seemed so powerful was shackled by five massive chains wrapping around it rendering it immobile.
The players were shocked by the sight. But quickly they realized something. Fortune was the first to speak up:
"I feel like we've seen someone like him before..."
"Mhm. During the guild war. Those trolls."
"Right! So, he's a troll as well?"
Fortune answered her own question by using an [Inspect] on the troll.
[Exiled troll shaman Lekraxc
Rank: ???
Level: ???
HP: ???/???]
Lekraxc's eyes opened abruptly. Fortune shivered fearing that her [Inspect] might have angered the toll shaman. But fortunately, this wasn't the case. Instead Lekraxc reacted as he felt Harry approaching slowly.
A faint smile formed on the troll's aged face:
"Who would have thought that Ingracs left a descendant behind in this world?"
The shaman's voice was still powerful. Each word echoed endlessly through the mountain. The players stood so close that the mere voice caused their bodies to tremble.
Only Harry remained stable, asking:
"Are you the one... calling me?"
"You can say so. It is the power of our bloodlines bringing us together."
"Bloodline? Am I... of your race?"
Not only did Harry not find it difficult to accept but he even showed a little hope. Ever since he was young, he had never felt like he belonged anywhere. Now, just by seeing the old troll, did he feel a strong closeness.
"Yes, young one. You are a troll like me. You are the descendant of one of my close confidants, Ingracs."
"Really?! This... this is great! Do you know where my father is?"
Suddenly Lekraxc fell silent. Everyone got a bad premonition.
"Your father has already died..."
"Is this… really?"
Harry trembled. He never knew his father but learning that he was dead was still difficult to digest.
"Can you tell me how he died?"
Lekraxc's expression fell, his eyes revealing guilt.
"He died by following me in a foolish war. A war against the dynasty."
Harry fell silent for a while. His thoughts turned chaotic. But the experienced troll shaman didn't find it difficult to see through him.
"Forget it. There is no need to take revenge. The people from back then are no longer around and even the dynasty has changed hands more than once."
"But..."
"Do you want to know why I am imprisoned here?", interrupted Lekraxc.
"Yes. Tell me."
"A long time ago I was exiled from our tribe for provoking enemies from all sides. I was aggressive and arrogant. Afterwards I was approached by someone and followed them to wage war against the dynasty. I killed countless innocents who didn't have anything to do with me at all. At that time, I felt so powerful.
But it didn't take long for the emperor to be alerted. Emperor Xia... This was when I learned what it means to be truly powerful. The emperor imprisoned me here with ease and graciously gave me a chance to repent. My subordinates, including your father were brought to the other five islands but were still allowed to move.
However, against my advice they sought to free me. Eventually they were used by others and embroiled in another war in which they ultimately found their end."
Telling his story Lekraxc's eyes were filled with remorse. Still, the players were not so naïve as to believe him just from his own words.
Harry on the other hand didn't doubt the troll shaman for a second. His head spun and he sat down against a wall.
"I... give me some time..."
Lekraxc let out a sigh as he moved his eyes towards the players.
"Thank you, adventurers, for bringing him here. Let me offer you a small reward."
Without moving the troll shaman conjured a stream of water which came from below, carrying a small bag towards the players. Liam caught it and the quest to escort Harry was finished.
The rewards were indeed not much. Some uncommon equipment and some gold, nothing to get excited about. What Liam really wanted came next as he proactively talked to Lekraxc.
"Old shaman. Were you really imprisoned here to repent?"
"Of course. Over the years I have realised how foolish I have been. Now, if I could get out, I would love to do good and help the people, no matter which race."
"Would you be willing to help our guild if we free you?"
"I might as well do so."
Liam grinned. This was exactly the answer he had been hoping for. And it came easier than expected. The troll shaman had more quests to offer – like leading a scholar to him for negotiation - but thanks to Liam's championship ring he could skip those troublesome tasks. Confident, he asked directly:
"So, how can we free you?"
"Back when Emperor Xia imprisoned me, he forged three keys. If two of those are brought together it is enough to lift my shackles. But now one of the keys has just been destroyed..."
Immediately everyone's minds produced the scene where Jeddid entered berserk mode by crushing a red gem. Liam nodded in understanding. In the version of the story he knew, the key had been destroyed long ago. Thus, there was not much diversion now.
But the others were shocked. Two keys were needed but Jeddid had already destroyed one.
"Wait, so do we have to find the other two?", asked Braag somewhat annoyed.
"Well, one is in the cultist temple, isn't it?"
"You're right. Damn, I thought we avoided them because the cultists are too powerful?"
Just as everyone was full of doubts the shaman continued:
"Don't worry. Over the years I have weakened the seal continuously. Now that one key has been destroyed the seal has become even less secure. We now have two options. Either you destroy the two other keys, or you bring one of them to me. In both cases I would be able to free myself."
The players nodded, feeling relieved. Judging from Liam's confidence he surely knew the location of the third key which was most likely easier to procure.
But the players still had some doubts. Quickstep asked curiously:
"If the cultists have two keys in their possession, why didn't they release you? Aren't you their so-called jailed god?"
"Haha, why should they release me? They are only after my power. They don't want to release me."
"So that's the case."
Quickstep nodded calmly. She remembered the wave which attacked them before they reached the island. This must have been the cultists' work.