Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: 10th Floor
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Entering the 10th Floor, 'Audience Chamber of the Forgotten King'.
The air itself felt different.
A dry, heavy atmosphere thick with the mingled scents of ancient dust and rusted iron.
The massive steel gates blocking our path were overwhelmingly grand.
"...Whoa. What is all this?"
My jaw dropped.
That's when I remembered the conversation we'd had outside.
"By the way, Tikhe. About that die you rolled earlier... was there something up?"
"Huh? Yeah. Someone was using Stealth to hide and watch us."
"...What?!"
I jumped in shock. A watcher? That meant we'd been spotted.
As I stomped my feet in panic, Tikhe patted my shoulder.
"Calm down, honey. We weren't caught, okay?"
"Huh? But you said they were watching."
"That's why I rolled the die. And it came up '6'."
"S-So, what happens when you roll a 6?"
"Beats me? I don't know the specifics."
Tikhe shrugged like it was no big deal.
"Beats me? Whether a gust of wind blew or the guy just blinked, the process doesn't matter."
"...What?"
"The end result is that he didn't see us. My luck is absolute, after all."
Her brazen confidence was absurd, but somehow convincing.
"...Haa, fine. If you say so, then I guess it's true."
Only then did a sigh of relief escape me, thanks to her unwavering certainty.
"More importantly, focus on whatever's behind that door right now. Doesn't seem like an easy opponent."
"Ugh..."
If even Tikhe said that, what the hell was waiting for us?
As I shrank back in fear, Tikhe grinned and added,
"Of course, no match for me. Don't worry—just open the door for me."
"M-Me?"
"Yeah. You have to be the one. Just place your hand on it, and it'll open."
I hesitated, not stepping forward.
Tap, tap.
While I dithered, Kitty climbed up my pant leg.
With a little hop, it landed on my shoulder and poked my cheek with its tiny, fern-like hand.
'Don't chicken out—I've got your back!'
Its sturdy gaze gave me strength.
"A-Alright then. H-Here goes."
I reached out my hand.
Rumble...!
The gates screamed open.
"...Whoa."
A gasp escaped me.
Beneath a jagged stalactite ceiling, smooth marble floors gleamed. A red carpet stretched all the way to the throne.
Silver plate-armored figures lined both sides, torches flickering.
Far in the distance, someone sat upon a golden throne.
It was enormous.
A ferocious silhouette impossible to hide even in the shadows.
The arrogant figure, chin propped on its hand, slowly raised its head.
[How long has it been since I've laid eyes on a human...]
Its voice reverberated through the cavern, a crushing pressure squeezing my lungs.
[Come closer.]
The command carried an irresistible force, though it was phrased like an order.
But my feet felt glued to the floor with super glue—I couldn't budge.
Instinctual terror wrapped around my legs.
"Ugh..."
As I stood there mumbling, lips trembling, Tikhe beside me smiled softly at me.
She extended her open palm lightly toward the boss.
But my feet still wouldn't move.
My mind screamed that I had to go, but my body wouldn't obey.
Tikhe let out a small sigh, approached, and gripped my trembling hand firmly.
"Don't be scared. I've got you."
Warm, gentle heat flowed through my hand.
Still holding my hand, she took a step forward ahead of me, leading the way.
Squish.
Kitty on my shoulder smooshed itself against my stiff cheek.
Its soft, cool texture soothed my burning skin.
It hummed softly by my ear and began kneading my rigid neck with tiny hands.
Clutching Tikhe's hand and buoyed by Kitty's encouragement, I took one step at a time along the red carpet.
Up close, the creature looked far more grotesque and massive than from afar.
Bigger than the 'Goblin Warlord' I'd faced before.
Scars etched across its body, clad in thick plate armor.
Its long white beard and one-eyed gaze proved it was a battle-hardened veteran.
[Hoh...]
It lowered the hand propping its chin and looked down at me with interest.
[So you're their master?]
Its gaze scanned me from head to toe.
Soon, its lips twisted into a sneer.
[But that's no battlefield attire. Hahaha. Come to dance, little one?]
It burst into loud laughter.
As indignation welled up in me, Tikhe snapped first.
"Hey! This is expensive stuff, you know? Big body, zero eye for fashion!"
Tikhe pointed accusingly, bristling fiercely.
Its eyebrow twitched at her bold shout, but it stared at Tikhe blankly, uninterested in clothes.
[Whatever. You, on the other hand...]
The dismissive glint vanished from its eyes.
Instead, a sticky, greedy stare—like spotting a rare gem or prey—fixed on her.
[This should be fun.]
It rose slowly.
Thud.
The cavern shook.
[I am Urk-Nar, the Primordial Warrior, master of this underground palace and king of the goblins.]
It grasped something beside the throne— a massive bone dragon greatsword as tall as itself.
Lifting it effortlessly in one hand, a heavy whoosh sliced the air.
Whoosh!
One swing tore the surrounding atmosphere.
Grazed by that, it'd be instant death.
Urk-Nar slammed the greatsword into the floor and looked down at me arrogantly.
[A summoner, eh? A weakling who borrows others' power to fight.]
Its one eye gleamed. A strange magnanimity as a warrior.
[My blade exists to fell the strong. I have no desire to sully my honor as a warrior by severing the neck of a wretch too feeble to even wield a sword.]
It snorted, readjusting its grip on the greatsword.
[I won't target you directly—as a special mercy. However...]
The air crackled with its battle aura.
[The battlefield knows no mercy. Don't expect pity if you're swept up in my sword's wake—survive on your own if you can!]
"...Insane."
The curse slipped out.
No time to hesitate.
"Come forth! Knight Commander! Azure Sea Butterfly!"
My shadow rippled massively, and the Black Knight Commander in heavy ebony armor surged up.
Simultaneously, swarms of Azure Sea Butterflies erupted in brilliant blue glows from midair.
The Knight Commander instantly drew lance and shield, advancing to the front line. The butterflies emitted a soft light.
"Hmph, let's do this."
Tikhe wasn't backing down.
She snapped her fingers, and golden waves spread across the red carpet.
Whoosh...
Tikhe's Casino has been deployed!
The dim cavern floor instantly transformed into ornate casino table patterns.
Tikhe tossed a die into the air.
Roll, roll.
[6]
"Perfect."
Tikhe flashed a confident smile and clenched her fist.
At that moment, Kitty hopped down from my shoulder.
Thud.
Upon landing, Kitty shuddered its jelly-like body and stood beside Tikhe.
Blue mana flared from its form. Small, but in a resolute battle stance.
Our formation was set in an instant.
Urk-Nar watched it all leisurely, arms crossed, without attacking.
[Hoh...]
Its gaze lingered on Tikhe.
[You're on another level, as expected. That divine power, disgustingly strong.]
Urk-Nar licked its lips and readjusted its greatsword.
[Preparations complete? Here I come!]
Crunch.
It stomped, cracking the marble floor like a spiderweb.
[Kuhahaha!]
Urk-Nar bellowed madly and charged straight at Tikhe.
The Knight Commander blocked its path, but it was a disaster incarnate.
Boom!
[You're no match for me yet. Hahaha!]
With a deafening roar, the Knight Commander crumpled like paper and flew back.
Urk-Nar barreled through the dust without slowing, straight for Tikhe.
"My ace...!"
I was stunned.
10th floor boss or not—this was ridiculous. The Knight Commander blown away in one hit?
"Tikhe! Watch out!!"
No time to skimp on mana.
I unleashed five thousand Azure Sea Butterflies at Urk-Nar.
Rumble.
They exploded from my shadow, blinding its vision.
At the same time, Kitty's eyes on the ground sharpened.
Hummm!
Compressing its jelly body to the limit, it spat a flash of mana from its tiny mouth.
Boom!
The blue mana beam slammed into Urk-Nar's face.
Its steel helm crumpled, shards flying, head snapping back.
[Guh?!]
Urk-Nar groaned for the first time, halting its charge. Dark red blood trickled from the helm's cracks.
It worked.
"Nice one, Kitty! Keep it up...!"
But hope was fleeting.
[Hrrrngh!]
Ignoring the blood streaming down its face, it grinned even more ferociously.
[Stings nicely! Perfect!]
Bam!
It kicked off the ground, shockwave scattering the butterflies like fallen leaves.
Blood spraying, it rampaged like a mad chariot.
Kitty fired mana shots desperately, but Urk-Nar ignored them now, tearing through magic bare-handed, closing in on Tikhe.
Its massive greatsword loomed right before her nose.
"Tikhe! Danger!!"
I screamed in despair, but Tikhe didn't dodge.
That instant.
Ding-ding-ding~♪
A cheerful fanfare utterly out of place on the battlefield echoed through the cavern.
Tikhe's Casino: VIP Room is now open.
Just as the greatsword descended on Tikhe's head.
Clang—the world froze.
The world stopped. Scattered butterflies and the greatsword hung motionless in the air.
Shhhrk.
A luxurious green carpet unfurled between them, birthing a 'baccarat table'.
Then, a man popped out of thin air. A human body in a crisp tuxedo.
But atop the neck, no face—just a massive 'golden die'.
Welcome to Tikhe's Casino: Baccarat Table!
The die-headed dealer bowed politely.
Tikhe was already seated across the table, leg crossed, chin propped.
"Well? What're you waiting for? Sit."
She nodded toward the opposite chair.
Urk-Nar grimaced in confusion.
[Cheap tricks... Die!]
Urk-Nar tried slamming its greatsword at Tikhe's neck. But.
Tic.
The blade halted as if against an invisible wall, its body turning to stone.
All violence is prohibited in Tikhe's Casino.
[Warning 1 accumulated.]
A red warning popped up before Urk-Nar's eyes.
Sensing an irresistible force beyond its power, Urk-Nar clicked its tongue.
[Tch, a sanctuary, huh.]
An absolute space crafted by a god or transcendent being.
Urk-Nar roughly set its greatsword down and plopped irritably into the chair.
[Fine. Let's play.]