Where Did the Boss Go?
Holding the core in my hand, I paused for a moment to think. What if something went wrong while moving this thing? Now that I was the new ruler of the dungeon, the other monsters wouldn't bother me, but the wanderers were the problem. If those bastards still crawling around inside ganged up on me, even I couldn't guarantee a win.
"Breakthrough!"
Clack clack!
So the method I chose was simple: sprint straight to my destination at top speed. No wanderer would chase me down when they didn't even know I was the boss yet. Quick and decisive! Lightning fast! Or whatever you call super speedy!
After loosening up with some dramatic stretches, I checked my status. I'd grabbed all three keys, and the bundle on my back securely held the dungeon core. Nothing else to take, right? After scouring the room one last time, I stopped in front of the door. Prep complete.
I pictured the dungeon map in my head, then kicked off the ground.
Shweee!
Gripping my sword in one hand and shield in the other, I burst into the fifth-floor corridor. The imps jumped at my sudden appearance, but once they recognized my face, they turned away indifferently. They definitely know it's me!
Emboldened, I charged down the corridor. The musky stench of beasts stung my nasal cavity—or whatever passed for one. Holding my breath, I ran until the stairs to the fourth floor appeared. Piece of cake! Just gotta reach the first floor like this.
But when I hit underground level four, the scene was different. Wanderers were cautiously navigating the maze, dodging traps. And there were a lot of them—over ten at a glance. How'd they get here so fast? Their clearing speed surprised me.
"Watch out there! Trap ahead!"
Nearby, a party was tackling the final trap. From memory, it was a simple one: trip the floor wire, and blades rained from above. They'd figured it out and passed safely. I yanked out a rib bone.
Bone Throw!
I hurled the bone precisely at the trigger of the trap they'd just cleared. It curved like a boomerang and snapped the wire.
Snap.
Boom.
"Wh-what?!"
The wanderers looked baffled at the sudden noise, but realization hit as the trap activated. Despair followed.
"Everyone, dodge!"
"Too late! We're all dead!!"
"Aaaargh!!"
They screamed as blades poured from above. Thud! With a massive crash, they were skewered, dissolving into blue smoke.
Now I can see clearly! With the corridor unblocked, my view opened up.
Clack clack!
Grinning in satisfaction, I picked up my fallen rib, slotted it back, and scanned around. Still plenty of wanderers. Raising my shield, I took position and activated the skill.
Massacre Charge!
An invisible aura surged around me. Blades, huh? Looks dangerous enough to slice anything nearby. Perfect for this narrow passage. I lunged forward.
Whoosh!
Fierce wind whipped past.
"...Hm?"
A wanderer turned too late. Scraaaape!! My shield smashed him, grinding flesh amid roars, turning him to smoke.
"Caru!"
His furious comrade drew a weapon, but I raised my shield again.
Massacre Charge!
I wasn't stopping yet.
Overcoming every obstacle, I finally reached the first underground floor of the dungeon. Using the secret passage on the fourth floor that Gular had told me about made it a breeze. After sprinting nonstop for dozens of minutes, not a drop of sweat, not even a hitch in my breath. I flashed a satisfied grin at my undead body.
Being undead has its perks!
"Lightweight!"
Clack clack!
"Oh, so you can speak now?"
Clutching the dungeon core, I entered the skeleton knight's room, where Gular greeted me.
"Simple!"
Clack clack!
Piece of cake! I puffed up with pride—though as a skeleton, facial expressions were kinda limited.
Taking a breather, I plopped down.
"So, what's that you hauled in on your back?"
Gular eyed the bundle. Oh, this? I finally set it down.
"Ooh...!! That iridescent glow!!"
Freed from its confines, the dungeon core blazed with brilliant light. Gular stared in rapture.
"This beautiful radiance! And this sacred aura! It's definitely the dungeon core!"
He was all fired up like a true alchemist, gestures exaggerated to the max. He's not gonna start some experiment now, is he? A bad feeling crept in.
Sniff sniff.
And why was Karen sniffing me from a distance? She suddenly backed away warily, fleeing to a corner.
What's her deal? Gular chimed in with his theory.
"Probably just unfamiliar with your changed vibe?"
Oh, like kids weirded out by a dolled-up mom? I shook my head at Karen peeking cautiously. She'd adjust in time.
More importantly...
"Keys! Here!"
Clack clack!
I shoved the pile at Gular, still mesmerized by the core. The silver keys gleamed in my hand.
"Oho! You got all the ones I mentioned."
Finally interested, he inspected them.
"...Perfect! Now we can open that sealed door!"
Beaming, Gular set down the core and rushed to the massive door amid indecipherable hieroglyphs.
"Here!"
He found a small hole and shouted, inserting a key.
Click!
It turned with a metallic grind. He slotted the rest.
Click! Click!
All keys in place. Time to unseal the long-forgotten door. I eyed it eagerly. Per the skeleton knight's memories, immortals from the old dynasty were sealed beyond. How strong were they? Ambition surged.
Guu?
Karen sidled up, eyes wide and sparkling now that her scouting was done.
Guuu!
Her guard down, I patted her head, and she nuzzled my hand like a puppy craving affection.
"Here we go!"
Gular gripped the handle, face a mix of tension and excitement. I nodded, and he flung open the ancient sealed door.
Grrrrrind.
Fierce wind and light poured in. A new message popped up.
Ding!
The dungeon's seal has been released.
Finally, on to the next chapter.
At the same time, just as Chiron entered the dungeon's new sector...
"Everyone ready?"
"Yes!!"
In front of the fifth-floor boss room, a group of wanderers steeled themselves grimly.
"We don't know what monster's inside. Stay sharp!"
Reminding his party, Shamel checked his status. Armor good. Weapon pristine. Party looked solid. All set. Swallowing hard, he faced the door.
"...Entering!"
Sensing the boss fight ahead, Shamel strode in confidently. But...
"Uh... leader? There's nothing here?"
"What? No way...!"
Feeling off, Shamel lowered his shield and scanned. A lone chair in the center. Nothing else. No boss, no treasure—just dusty junk. He searched frantically.
"Why is it empty!!"
Only anguished cries echoed in the vacant boss room.