Chapter 136: Eternal Spire (22)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: Eternal Spire (22)
As usual, I was in my office, handling my duties.
Tia usually took care of most of it, but since she was currently under the desk, I was the one doing the work.
I checked the report on top of the stack first. It was about the boss raid.
There were still six months until the boss room opened.
Having already identified the boss's identity, weaknesses, and location, I had finished all the preparations. All that remained was the growth of my guild members. As long as they developed well, the boss fight should go smoothly.
"Haa…"
I felt Tia's sweet breath and let my gaze linger for a moment on her soft skin. Then, I opened my status window. It had been a while since I’d last looked at it.
[Name: Jin Seo-yun]
Level: 50
Sex: Male
Disposition: Evil, Chaotic
Stats
Strength: 40 + 13
Stamina: 30 + 13
Agility: 43 + 13
Intelligence: 10 + 13
Internal Energy: 50 + 13
Luck: 50 + 13
[Unique Ability]
Grace of Cheon-wol
Master of Swordsmanship
[Title]
Lonely Conqueror
Just as I was reviewing my status and planning my next move, the door opened and Lauren walked in.
"Master Seo-yun, a problem has arisen in Seron Village."
Lauren's voice was filled with urgency. Gently helping Tia up by her waist, I turned my head.
"What is it?"
"Three dungeon entrances have suddenly appeared around the village. The problem is that a strange energy is emanating from them, affecting the town."
Tia straightened her clothes, her interest piqued.
"A strange energy? What kind, specifically?"
"We don't know for sure, but the residents are showing symptoms like insomnia, hallucinations, and abnormal behavior. Also, the City Council has officially commissioned us for a mission."
"A mission?"
I slowly rose from my chair and gazed out the window. Seron Village was a two-week journey from the central city.
"Yes, they're asking us to resolve the issue with the dungeons affecting the village. And…"
Lauren paused for a moment before adding, "The Holy Cross Knights received the same request, and they have also accepted the mission."
"If they gave the mission to the Holy Cross Knights as well, it must be more serious than I thought."
As I muttered to myself, Tia came to my side and asked, "Seo-yun, what should we do?"
"I'll have to handle this myself. Lauren, Tia. Get ready. We leave at dawn."
"How should we organize the personnel?"
"We'll take about twenty people. Include Isia."
"Isn't that too few?"
"No, it's more than enough. Tell So-yeon to manage the guild well while we're gone."
"Yes, I'll begin preparations immediately."
Tia and Lauren left the room. I turned my gaze back to the window.
'Three dungeons… Was there anything like this in the original story?'
I searched my memory, but I couldn't recall any dungeons like these near Seron Village.
"I was getting bored. This should be fun."
When morning came, twenty members had assembled in front of the guild.
The women, including Lauren, were gathered in their bikini armor.
Lined up in formation, each boasting stunning looks and toned bodies, the sight alone was enough to stir a man's primal instincts. Naturally, I felt a familiar weightiness below.
'You wouldn't be a man if you didn't react to a sight like this.'
I looked them over.
"It's been a while since our last mission. Anyone who falls behind or gets injured, I'll make you walk around in a disgraceful state for a whole month."
"Eh…? What are you planning this time!"
Another guild member chimed in.
"That's right! You're going to make us do something weird again, aren't you?"
"Three months ago, you shoved a massive dildo in Yu-ra's ass and pussy and made her walk around the city in a bikini! Are you going to do something like that again?"
"Boo! You brute! Trash!"
"Useless man, good for nothing but your dick!"
The women jeered in unison, waving their hands playfully. It was their familiar way of grumbling while still following my lead. I slowly scanned the group, a corner of my mouth lifting into a smirk.
"Hehe, it seems you're all eager for a repeat performance."
As I spoke with a low chuckle, the women froze for a second before falling silent all at once. Their expressions showed they were recalling 'that incident.' Some blushed and cleared their throats, while others turned their heads to avoid my gaze.
"That's enough joking around. Is everyone ready?"
At my question, they all nodded.
"Yes!"
"Let's move out."
Our party began the journey toward Seron Village.
*
Afterimages of swords and magic cut through the air, which was filled with the screams of monsters and the sound of tearing flesh. The monsters that charged us were fairly strong, but they were no match for our group.
My sword pierced the neck of the last monster. As I heard its corpse fall heavily to the ground, I looked at Tia.
"Tia, have you located those Holy Cross Knights bastards?"
"Yes. They're about three kilometers ahead of us. Judging by their speed, it seems they're trying to get there before us."
I glanced around. The ground was littered with the corpses of the monsters we had slain.
"Just because they're in a hurry doesn't mean we have to be. Let's find a decent spot to make camp and rest."
Tia nodded and replied, "As it happens, I've found a suitable place to camp not far from here."
"Then let's head there."
Our party moved to the location Tia had found, set up camp, and took a rest.
After several more days of travel, Seron Village finally came into view.
The small village, nestled at the edge of the wasteland, looked even more wretched than I'd expected. A few wooden buildings were scattered irregularly, and a flimsy wooden wall encircled the settlement.
"Um… what's that black mist?"
Isia pointed toward the sky above the village. A black mist was swirling there like a vortex.
I observed the mist's movement carefully and muttered slowly, "That's no ordinary mist. It feels like it's mixed with magic."
At the village entrance, a few guards spotted us and approached, their faces tense.
"Are you… the Night Bloom Guild from the central city?"
"We are."
"Thank goodness. The Holy Cross Knights have already arrived. We'll escort you inside."
We followed the guard into the village. The streets were quiet, and the residents all looked deeply unsettled. They peeked at us from between doorways or from inside shops, but no one dared to approach.
As we made our way through the wooden buildings toward the village center, I couldn't ignore the strange atmosphere pervading the streets. A damp, gloomy air hung over everything, and in the distance, I could see the black mist moving sluggishly.
Just then, Tia moved closer and whispered, "Seo-yun, they say the Holy Cross Knights went toward the eastern dungeon. But they haven't made any progress yet."
I nodded, glancing up at the sky shrouded in black mist.
"The east, huh… Where are the other two?"
"There's one at the western foothills and another in the northern ruins. I confirmed it with the guards."
I thought for a moment before making a decision.
"Alright, we're heading north."
Tia nodded at my words. She turned to signal the guild members behind us, and they all readjusted their formation, remaining on high alert.
Before leaving the village, I looked at the black mist one last time. I didn't know what this bizarre energy was, but I had a strong feeling that there was more here than just a simple dungeon.
"Tia, check the status of the northern ruins first."
"Understood."
Tia's violet eyes filled with concentration. A snake-shaped shadow flowed from her feet, spreading out in all directions.
I looked around and spoke to the other guild members.
"The rest of you, scout for a suitable location for a base. Check our supplies as well."
Just then, a short, red-haired woman with a cocky attitude slowly approached. She had a sword slung over her shoulder and spoke with a mischievous expression.
"What's this, Master? Aren't we jumping right in? Don't tell me you're scared?"
I smacked her on the head and said, "Ow…!"
Mila rubbed her head, glaring at me.
"Don't mess around, Mila. Gathering information comes first."
She pouted, her lips jutting out.
"But you didn't have to hit me! Your hands are like rocks, it really hurts!"
No sooner had Mila finished her complaint than Lauren appeared behind her and silently lifted her up by the head.
"Kyaaah!"
Lauren was a towering 180 cm, while Mila was a petite 157 cm. Like a dwarf caught in a giant's grasp, Mila dangled in the air, kicking her feet and screaming.
"I-I'm sorry! C-Commander! My head's gonna break… It's really gonna break!"
"Mila, what have I always told you?"
"That I shouldn't… mess with the Master!!!"
Lauren let go of Mila's head. She rubbed it, her eyes welling up with tears.
Tia, having finished her reconnaissance, approached me.
"Seo-yun, would you like to hear about the situation at the ruins?"
"Go ahead."
"From what I've confirmed, there's a dungeon gate in the center of the ruins. However, a large monster is prowling the area."
Tia hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"What's stranger is that my snakes can't get any closer. It's as if something is repelling them…"
"What kind of large monster is it?"
"That… I'm not sure. I couldn't get close enough… But it's definitely snake-shaped."
I fell into thought for a moment.
'Tia's snakes can't approach, and it's guarded by a snake-shaped monster…'
Her words reminded me of a similar dungeon from the original story. It was the same situation Yoon Jae-ho faced when he discovered Tiamat's dungeon on the 10th floor.
'Could this be one of Tiamat's dungeons?'
If it really was one of Tiamat's dungeons, I needed to confirm it.
"Tia."
"Yes?"
"Did you sense anything else unusual around the dungeon?"
"No."
"I see… For now, keep a close watch on the large monster."
"Yes."
I looked around and gave orders to the other guild members.
"First, we establish a base, then we'll begin exploring the area."
The guild members nodded and dispersed.