Chapter 160
Chapter 160
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: The Ancient Master
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Part of the Roeid Duchy's inner keep was opened.
Adventurers began to flock to the duchy in small groups.
'Tomb of Swords,' the third solo dungeon to appear in Astria Online, seemed to offer a new skill exclusively to the conqueror of its highest floor, just like the solo dungeons before it.
However, obtaining new power is never easy. The solo dungeons in Astria Online demanded numerous attempts from players. Setting aside the class-specific named monster encountered on the top floor, even the new boss monsters on the lower floors boasted a brutal difficulty.
"In the Tower of Training, there was 'Warlord Jeph,' and in the Ice Crystal Tower, there was the 'Ice Ogre King.'"
I couldn't get information from other players about the opponent I'd face on the 10th floor, the very top of this tower. However, I had gathered some information about the one on the 9th floor, thanks to the players who had reached level 53 a step ahead of me.
Today, I too reached level 53, the entry requirement for the 'Tomb of Swords.' I had earned the right to challenge the new solo dungeon.
Quietly.
Reaching the base of the tower, I looked around. As expected, many players were gathered there.
The new elite dungeon, 'Celestial Basin.'
The new solo dungeon, 'Tomb of Swords.'
With the discovery of these two new dungeons, the atmosphere among the players enjoying this expansion pack was vibrant.
Well then, shall I go and get some new power for myself?
Swoosh.
Thump.
"Gasp."
A hand suddenly landed on my shoulder. I froze.
Rain's special human-detection radar hadn't gone off. In that case, it could only be one person.
"Raaain~"
"Chris... you scared me."
"Hehe, you still get startled when people touch you?"
When I turned around, Chris was standing there with a grin, as if it was only natural.
I grumbled, feigning annoyance.
"It's worth being cautious, isn't it? Besides, you'd be the one to get angry if anyone other than you touched me."
"Kh-khm. When have I ever gotten angry? Rain can play with her friends, of course."
I gave Chris a suspicious look. She cleared her throat and fanned her face with her hand. But her expression soon hardened, and she asked me with a serious face.
"You put medicine in your room, didn't you?"
"......."
I avoided Chris's gaze.
"Based on past experience, it's obvious. My dear Rain, who can conquer even raid dungeons all by herself, always ends up in bad shape after clearing a solo dungeon that other people eventually clear too. ...Your condition worsened right after the Tower of Training, back when we first met."
Chris must be psychic.
She always seems busy with work, and you'd think she only enjoys thoughtlessly patting my head, but Chris had figured out all the problems I face based on my playing style.
I let out a deep sigh.
How do I talk my way out of this?
I sat down for a moment behind the tower and talked with Chris.
"...So, a named monster with a significantly higher difficulty than what others face was waiting for you. It looked like you, and that's why you've been suffering all this time."
I nodded. Then I watched Chris's reaction.
I didn't outright say, 'I'm the Hero who used to live in this world,' but for someone who's been with me all this time, there have been plenty of incidents to raise her suspicions. She might have seemed like she didn't think much of it on the surface, but Chris must have had her own thoughts.
Igraine, the emperor... As long as people who know me clearly exist in this world, and as long as Chris has met them with me, she must know that I have some connection to this game.
But that I used to live in this world and then came to Earth? And that the world I lived in became a game? It's a story that defies all common sense. For Chris, who lives on a modern Earth where science is extremely advanced, it would be hard to accept.
Her affection for me is one thing, but common sense is another. And I don't want her to get caught up in my mission as well.
Ultimately, I want to enjoy this world as a game, and I want Chris to enjoy it as a game too.
"...I know it sounds strange. And, I'm, um."
"It's fine. You're going to go even if I try to stop you, right?"
"Huh?"
"I don't know how I ended up falling so hard for such a handful."
Chris laughed brightly. Then she pressed her forehead against mine.
"Hah."
I could feel Chris's breath, so close. Her slightly flushed cheeks and my own burning face were almost touching.
Chris, who's usually shyer than I am, making such a bold move first.
"Listen, whatever Rain did in the past, whether you came from another world or not, it's not that important to me."
"I'm always making you worry, and I can't even explain things properly. I feel so sorry."
"Right now, the most important thing is that Rain is here, in front of me. And the people of this world call you the Hero, don't they?"
I felt like I was about to cry.
Chris helped me up.
And then, *pat pat*, she gave my butt a couple of playful pats.
"Go on, hurry. You need to go get the power that's rightfully yours, right?"
Trying not to let her see my reddened eyes, I moved forward without looking at Chris.
"My little Hero."
Into the Tomb of Swords.
[Tomb of Swords - 1st Floor]
A circular hall greeted me.
I'm different now. I've grown a lot, both mentally and physically.
I was confident that even if I faced her, I wouldn't be easily defeated.
I set today's goal.
Don't die. Don't get hurt.
If only to stop being a burden to the precious person who cherishes me yet doesn't stand in my way.
But at the same time, I will take what is mine.
Shing.
Starlight erupted around me, flickering between the shields and spears rushing toward me.
[Tomb of Swords - 2nd Floor]
I fight using not just my skills, but my entire body.
As the wielder of the Holy Sword, I primarily used a sword, but the Hero isn't strictly a Swordsman class.
The Holy Sword compensated for my lack of strength. Now, the system does. If you have a small body, you just have to fight using agile movements that suit it.
Twirl.
I launch myself into the air and spin, kicking powerfully at the temple of a 'Demon's Phantom' that has appeared nearby.
Thwack!
[Tomb of Swords - 4th Floor]
An ice sculpture in the shape of a witch shatters and scatters.
[Tomb of Swords - 5th Floor]
The massive body of a Black Dragon collapses to the ground.
...
[Tomb of Swords - 8th Floor]
Rumble.
Leaving behind the husk of what was once Corps Commander Crow—its corpse severely weakened to fit the solo dungeon—I headed for the 9th floor.
[Tomb of Swords - 9th Floor]
"I knew Melissa admired the ancient master who wielded a spear as his main weapon."
And yet, she insisted on her beloved sword, saying it suited her better. She claimed that a true master isn't bound by the form of their weapon, but she was subtly mindful of her family's principles. It would have been nice if she had reconciled with the head of House Roeid back then.
Facing the phantom in the center of the 9th floor, the ancient master waiting for me, I smiled as I recalled the old days.
An armored warrior in dense chainmail, a stout middle-aged man who looked like the very personification of fortitude.
The warrior's phantom had a long beard. His face had a somewhat reddish hue.
In one hand, he held a massive spear, firmly planted on the ground. And at its tip was a glaive.
There was an ancient warrior on Earth who used a weapon like that, too. Come to think of it, he even looked similar. That weapon... was it called the Green Dragon Crescent Blade?
That being is the gatekeeper blocking the path to the top floor.
I heard that all the players who have reached level 53 are currently stuck here. The level design was such that it would be practically impossible to break through without upgrading the tier of your equipment with materials from the new elite dungeon, no matter how much you farmed for legendary gear from the previous expansion.
This solo dungeon, 'Tomb of Swords.'
Based on past experience, this solo dungeon might have opened one way or another, even without me. After all, the knights of the Roeid Duchy needed to grow stronger to fend off the looming threat from the east.
In a way, the 'Tomb of Swords' opened early, thanks to me.
In the end, it was a matter of choice.
Wait for the new elite dungeon to open, upgrade the previous tier of equipment there, and then challenge it.
Or challenge the limits of what a player can achieve with their current gear level.
Of course, the limits set by the system are no problem for me.
"If it's in my way, I'll just break through."
I raised my sword and aimed it at the warrior.
Then I took a single step into the warrior's awareness range.
With a *beep*, the system alert for drawing aggro sounded.
The warrior's eyebrows rose, and from beneath them, a piercing blue light glared at me.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The glaive spun fiercely above his head. And then.
Thud!
It slammed down hard onto the floor of the Tomb of Swords.
Wooooom!
From that spot, a blue concentric circle erupted and spread out at high speed.
[Level 55 Ancient Master]
[HP 30,000,000 / 30,000,000 (100%)]