Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Dungeon (3)
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Truth be told, those adventurers were professionals in their own right.
They were all three-star adventurers, and even if their composition was a bit unusual, they had members who could handle the front line, rear guard, firepower, and support.
Moreover, the party leader, Swordsman Rain, was a fairly well-known name even in the Adventurer's Guild.
He was known as a prodigy who had mastered imperial swordsmanship at a young age, and his companion, Priest Aria, possessed holy power blessed by the Pope's baptism.
Dwarf Mage Thomas overcame the racial disadvantage of low mana by wielding earth spirits that had high affinity with him, unleashing powerful firepower.
And the elf...
Rasi el's true name was 'Tris von Rasiela'—an elf of imperial blood with a high elf as her master.
She could use various magics despite being an archer, handle scouting duties without issue, and was known as a stunning beauty, making her popular in many ways.
So, they weren't weak by any means.
However, even their strength seemed overshadowed and diminished due to a fundamental difference: 'race.'
In the game, humans could level up relatively easily through repeatable quests and stories, and the stat growth was substantial, earning them the title of having the highest potential.
After all, with enough time and hardship, they could reach the level of naturally powerful beings like dragons or demons.
...The one issue being whether they could survive long enough to achieve that strength.
This place was different from the game.
Lives weren't infinite.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 1.
~Field Stage~ Deep Forest North of Asral "Keeek!"
The goblins' shrill cries echoed through the air.
At that signal, dozens of goblins burst from the underbrush, attacking in unison like trained bandits.
⚔ Monster ⚔ [Goblin Watchman with Rough Skin – Lv.65] HP: 8,000 MP: 100 Forest watchman goblins. Low stamina but agile and highly intelligent—nothing like regular goblins. -Clang!
"Tch...! These bastards, what kind of orcs are goblins pretending to be?!"
The clash of metal on metal.
Rain had spotted the charging goblin and swiftly blocked with his shield, but he was slightly pushed back by its unexpected strength.
"Kiek!"
"Damn it! I can't shake it off—"
And it wasn't just one goblin attacking.
-Thwack!
"Kiik?!"
At that moment, as a goblin tried to stab a vicious dagger into the swordsman's back, a fist-shaped protrusion erupted from the ground, sending it flying.
Rain wasn't alone.
His reliable comrades had his back.
"Get down!"
-Thuk!
With the sound of wind slicing through the air, an arrow pierced the brow of the goblin pinning Rain down.
Arrows followed in rapid succession, too fast to react, piercing even the goblins' shields as they tried to block and striking precisely between their eyes.
A perfect display of the elven archery prowess.
"Rain, are you okay?"
"Yeah, this is nothing."
"I'll heal you just in case. Be careful."
And with a priest who could heal wounds on the spot, they could handle even these tough goblins without much trouble.
Of course...
⚔ Boss Monster ⚔ [Goblin King with Sturdy Fangs – Lv.92] HP: 800,000 MP: 10,000 Leader of the forest watchman goblins. Uncharacteristically massive build and solid muscles make it powerful. "Grrrr..."
-Thwack!
"Kek?!"
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Back of the Blade Strike – Fighting Skill] Attribute: Physical / Range: 3m / Max Targets: 1
*Note: Always leaves the target with at least 1 HP.
Basic close-range fighting skill that can use weapons.
Even a powerful monster like the Goblin King fell in one strike to the 'girl' at the front.
"...Look at that, she took down the dungeon's Goblin King in one hit. It was twice the size of a normal one."
"What are you gawking at? You inferior beings—no, humans, hurry up and finish it off."
The girl seemed displeased by Rain's admiration.
Louise, the girl with distinctive red horns on her head.
As a dragonkin, she naturally possessed far superior physical abilities to humans or elves.
That must be why she dispatched even that mighty Goblin King so effortlessly—and looking around, dozens of goblins lay defeated nearby.
All taken down by Louise alone.
'...Why am I stuck with these inferior creatures?'
But Louise wasn't in a good mood.
The reason dated back an hour.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I'm not going."
"Pardon? Why... Is the pay insufficient?"
The red-eyed high elf flatly refused the request.
Cyan rejected Rain's invitation to the dungeon immediately.
Flustered by the unexpected response, Rain asked.
"No, I have other business. I can't afford to worry about a dungeon."
She had prior commitments—practically a prior appointment. It would be rude to press someone who said no.
"...I see. Can't be helped, then. We'll have to find another adventurer."
"No need for that."
"Huh?"
Rain quickly resigned himself to finding someone else, but Cyan stopped him.
She'd said she had business and couldn't go—what did she mean?
Intrigued, Rain decided to hear her out.
"...A beastkin? Those horns—don't tell me, dragonkin?"
"She'll go in my place."
"Huh? What are you talking about? Why would I go with those inferior—no, humans...?"
That's when Cyan presented a girl.
Not just any girl—a beastkin with horns.
Known in common parlance as 'dragonkin,' a remarkable hybrid of dragon and human blood.
Cyan's presence had overshadowed her, but dragonkin were rare too.
"She's not quite at my level, but she can solo a local dungeon. Still, she's a novice adventurer, so guide her well."
Louise panicked at those words.
Via telepathy, she demanded why Cyan was sending her with these humans.
(You need to learn how to fight in a human body. That's an order. Protect them safely and conquer the dungeon.)
Indeed, as Cyan said, Louise wasn't used to fighting in human form.
Transforming into a dragon usually deterred most monsters, and even if they attacked, she could handle anything but 'that one' easily.
(Also, no using breath or magic unless it's an emergency. Fight only with your body.)
That was too much.
Even for a dragon's superior physique, their true might came from devastating breath and potent magic.
Banning magic when she wasn't even comfortable in human form felt overly harsh, so Louise protested again.
(Hmm, fair point. But don't worry. I'll teach you some basic fighting skills.)
"...Pardon?"
(You'll know some already.)
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Back of the Blade Strike – Fighting Skill] 'Why did she have to teach me this skill of all things?'
As she blasted incoming monsters with Back of the Blade Strike while advancing, Louise felt an inexplicable dread and chill.
"Hey, you don't look well. Should I heal you, Louise?"
"...No need."
Following the principles of the 'fighting skill' Cyan taught, no matter how hard she hit, the target wouldn't die.
Perfect for non-lethally neutralizing foes.
'Ugh, makes me want to puke.'
But using Back of the Blade Strike always brought back unwanted memories of getting pummeled by Cyan relentlessly.
Each blow felt fatal, yet she strangely never died no matter how many she took.
And if she seemed about to pass out, recovery potions were force-fed, denying even unconsciousness. After an hour of that torment, it had become trauma.
Having experienced eternal suffering firsthand, this reaction was perhaps natural.
'...So, what exactly is Cyan off to do?'
As they pressed through the forest, Louise gazed into the distance.
It was truly odd.
Cyan had said she had business and couldn't join the dungeon run, yet she was far ahead of the party now.
Heading toward a place emanating ominous magic. Even Louise, unaware of the reason, felt puzzled.
What was she planning?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
"Should be around here somewhere."
I'm flying across the forest.
🌀 MAGIC ACTIVATED 🌀 [Fly – Wind Magic] Attribute: Wind / Range: None / Max Targets: 1~10
Wind magic allowing flight. Speed and duration vary with user's mana.
I've been searching for the 'portal' for over an hour, sensing its magic nearby but unable to spot it visually.
The portal here is the entrance to the 'labyrinth' generated within the dungeon.
Dungeons are certainly places to farm soul stones, but conquering the dungeon itself doesn't yield them.
Dungeons form naturally when monsters and labyrinth 'space' leak from the generated portal.
You can find treasures in the dungeon proper, but true soul stones require entering the labyrinth depths.
Naturally, labyrinth monsters are stronger than dungeon ones.
Louise might struggle solo...
-Shooo...
'...Anyway, this flying thing really isn't working for me.'
Deciding it was too uncomfortable to keep going, I descended.
Not a mana issue for the flight spell.
I could nap mid-air with plenty left, but the sensation of flying felt off.
"Sigh, it's definitely the outfit."
Flying brings wind and cold air rushing over the body.
Not sure if it's the clothes, but the sensation brushing my skin was unpleasant in every way.
-Thud!
Landing in the forest, my clothes fluttered briefly.
Exposing bare legs.
Cold wind grazed my thighs and other areas, making me shiver slightly.
'Like bathing in ice water.'
Not cold, just weird.
That's why I hate flying.
If Louise were here, I could have her transform into a dragon for a comfy ride, but she's dungeon crawling with the adventurers now...
'It's definitely close, so walking should turn it up.'
Trees might have blocked the view from above; I could've flown right past without seeing.
-Boom!
Then it happened.
The ground shook as a massive beast approached.
'Monster? Quick to show up.'
Probably an orc-level, around Lv.110.
I'd prefer dungeon monsters for Louise's training, but if it attacks me, I'll have to deal with it.
-Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Groooar...!"
"An orc, huh? But something's off."
Crashing through trees, a huge monster appeared.
⚔ Monster ⚔ [Green Orc with Violent Temperament – Lv.116] HP: 650,000 MP: 4,000 Orcs inhabiting the forest. Some live in deep underground caves and are relatively docile, intelligent enough for conversation. It looked like it was fleeing from something.
And wounded, but not by Louise's group.
'Here it comes.'
-Thud!
As expected, one emerged from the brush—not Louise's crew, but a warrior wielding a single sword.
-Slash!
"Grk?!"
He bisected the orc in one strike.
High level, no doubt...
-Thud.
He landed right in front of me.
Rare black hair around here.
Age around late teens or early twenties? Similar to that swordsman Rain—could it be him?
"You okay? Not hurt anywhere?"
He extended a hand and spoke.
'Why's his voice like that?'
A sleazy, cringeworthy tone that made my skin crawl.
Definitely 'that guy.'
Novel Online's black history, the NPC I'd rank number one as an idiot.
⚔ NPC ⚔ [Hero 'Kang Si-woo' – Lv.185] "...Pretty lady."
"Die."
-KABOOM!
I smashed a full-power fist into the hero's face.
He vanished from sight in a spectacular blast.
Hearing that cringy line again nearly made me hurl.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 💬 Comments — Anonymous Surprisingly well-made emoticon. ⭐ Top Comment — FanArtist Below is the one I wanted to make the most. — Gamer123 [Emoticon placeholders/images here] — HypeTrain Hope it releases soon!