Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Depths of Crimhild Lake
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"...Are you really leaving?"
Karlan came rushing over the moment Woojin arrived, only to hear he was leaving again.
"Just in case, I packed a few necessities. Take them with you."
Inside the pouch he handed over were potions, antidotes, and some food.
"Thanks. When Peron gets here, guide him to Aunt Lea."
"Got it."
"Weden. You stick with Peron too. Once we're done in the Great Forest, we'll head to the Center."
"...The Center?"
Weden nodded, his face tense.
There was that at the heart of the continent.
"You're planning to tackle the Labyrinth Tower."
"Yeah. It'd be nice to have a few more party members... but challenging the lower floors for experience should be fine."
"Understood. I'll hunt around here and rack up some EXP until you return."
"Good plan."
With a clear goal in sight, Weden looked noticeably more lively.
"Karlan."
"Yes, Master."
"You don't need to call me Master anymore. You're strong enough already, and you'll only get stronger."
Woojin continued as he gazed at the reluctant Karlan.
"Watch your temper in battle. Keep that in check, and you'll be a huge asset to Sir Aswell."
He had overcome [Discouragement] and [Self-Doubt] in Torn Bach, but the final debuff, [Hot-Blooded], still lingered.
"I'm bummed about losing the sword Uncle gave me... but I'll make up for it with skill."
No need to regret it. That's how I got to see your true potential.
It wasn't time to reveal the truth yet, so Woojin held his tongue.
Someday, the day will come to expose Zion Müllenga's identity.
He'd prepare thoroughly so the slippery eel couldn't escape again.
"Karlan."
"Yes."
"Don't slack on your training until Sir Aswell returns. Keep your mind sharp and your edge keen for battle at any moment."
"Haha, got it."
Thinking it mere courtesy, Karlan just smiled and nodded at Woojin's parting words.
"Don't get hurt."
With that, Woojin turned and walked away.
"It's been a while since it's just us."
-Three of us!
Setsuna poked her head out at Luen's words as they crossed the forest.
"Haha, sorry."
-Pfui~.
Luen clasped his hands together in apology toward Setsuna, who was pouting.
"Just the three of us, no one else."
"Yeah. Thanks to Karlan, we've met so many people since arriving in the Central Continent."
Nisen, Peron, even Eden.
It had turned into quite the bustling party with unexpected companions.
"We'll meet even more ahead."
"Yes. They're all good people."
Luen nodded.
"Still, being with Master is the best."
-Me too!
Woojin chuckled at the pair.
"So... where to?"
"First, Crimhild Lake at the heart of the Great Forest."
While staying with the Ballan family, Woojin had wandered the city, gathering info in his spare time.
He'd even visited the Adventurers' Guild with the mansion's butlers to buy maps.
One was of the Great Forest—astonishingly just endless trees, save for a single marker: Crimhild Lake.
That was from an in-game community post linked on the map.
The last line of some player's dungeon guide:
'Ejected by a special force.'
Woojin had instantly thought it might involve spirits.
"Crimhild Lake? Sorry, lad, but I can't lend a boat. Best steer clear for now."
But an unexpected snag arose.
"Why's that?"
"Strange things afoot. Been ferrying folks across this lake for 40 years, and I've never seen waves on it in my life."
At the lakeside dock.
The old boatman, who rented the only means to enter the dungeon, pointed to the lake's center.
"But look there. Does that look like a lake to you?"
As he said, a massive whirlpool churned in the middle, like water draining from a tub.
Waves raged across the surface like an angry sea, all thanks to it.
"Sailing in there? Suicide."
"Hmm..."
Woojin stared at the lake, troubled.
What the hell? Sudden anomaly...
"Blame those alchemists."
"Alchemists...?"
"Some weirdos doing experiments in the Esten woods nearby."
Woojin frowned, suspecting those guys again.
"They dumped all sorts of crap into the lake. No wonder it's pissed."
The old boatman waved dismissively.
"See that? Can't even get in, let alone navigate. Wait till it calms."
Normally, Woojin might've heeded him.
What to do?
But time was short for him.
"No way at all?"
"Well, the lake's polluted and furious. To calm it, purify the Lake Stone..."
"Lake Stone?"
"Aye. A stele at the lake's bottom. Boatmen like me have offered tributes and maintained it underwater for generations..."
He shook his head at the lake.
"But in this state? Even I wouldn't risk it. Lucky not to get eaten."
"Heard there are water beasts in there... How'd you dive in?"
"No worries. This does the trick."
The boatman showed a small pendant around his neck.
"Made of seahorse stone."
"Mind lending it to me?"
"This? You... you're going in there? Lad! You sane? Even seasoned boatmen train years to reach the bottom!"
He yelped in shock.
"Know how deep it is? Only possible when calm. On days like this... you'll drown."
"Don't worry. I won't drown, at least."
"Eh?"
Woojin flashed the boatman a sly grin.
Stowing the Sapphire Necklace in his inventory, Woojin donned the seahorse stone one and headed for the lake.
"...Whatever happens, it's not on me."
The boatman pocketed Woojin's payment after handing over the necklace.
"Of course."
"If you reach the bottom... leave this before the Lake Stone. Tribute to the lake's master."
He handed over a rice ball-like lump of grains.
"The lake's master?"
"Just a legend among boatmen. Says the master slumbers at the bottom."
"Hm. What's the master's deal?"
"If we knew, it wouldn't be a legend."
Woojin shrugged with a smirk at the boatman's quip.
Dungeon boss, probably.
His words suggested as much.
But community guides said just five monster waves, no boss.
A time-attack format: clear swarms faster for better rewards.
Something more here?
The lake looked nothing like usual.
No players had ever gone under the surface before.
Maybe like the count's room—a hidden dungeon triggered by player actions.
Spawned after alchemists trashed the place.
With that thought, Woojin took the offering.
"Luen, launch the boat when the lake calms. I'll head to the center; meet me there."
"Yes. Got it."
-I'll carry you as deep as I can.
Setsuna reached for Woojin.
In that instant, Woojin's form blurred and vanished.
-...He'll be fine, right?
"Of course. Just placing an offering at the stele."
Luen patted the trembling Setsuna atop his palm, worried for Woojin.
Plip... plip...
Rain began to fall from the thunderclouds.
Lucky. Fighting monsters underwater would've been a pain.
Woojin swam downward, checking the alerts.
As breath grew short,
Woojin finally exhaled.
Bubbles burst from his mouth; instinctively, he clutched his throat in the unfamiliar sensation.
"Guh!"
Breathing underwater felt wrong despite knowing it was possible.
Sip—.
He squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled.
Unlike his fears, no water flooded his nose; breath came steady.
"Phew—."
His voice emerged naturally too.
Embarrassed by his flailing, but relieved no one saw.
Pick up the pace.
Deeper down, vision hazed over.
In muddy darkness like stirred silt, Woojin barely spotted the Lake Stone—a stele upright on the lakebed.
No need to think; Woojin placed the boatman's offering at the stele's base as prompted.
Maybe this'll work...?
With it, he pulled out the Pilgrim's Cross from his pouch.
Light poured from the cross, enveloping the stele—but nothing changed.
Sssshhh...!!!
Instead, black smoke rose from where the purifying light touched the Lake Stone.
Damn.
Woojin recoiled hastily.
Rumble...!!!
The ground quaked; bubbles erupted from cracks everywhere.
Ominous vibes.
Woojin's hand instinctively went to his sword hilt.
[Grk—?]
Then.
A massive eye gleamed behind the black smoke.
...What.
He tilted right;
[Grk—.]
The eye followed.
"..."
He tilted left;
[Grrk—.]
It shifted left.
Straightening, Woojin stared it down for a long moment.
Gulp.
Throat bobbing, silence shattered.
[KRAAAAAHHHH————!!!!]
The giant eye charged with a roar.
...Shit!!!
Woojin swam frantically.
Below the eye loomed a jagged maw.
Snap! It lunged.
Bloop bloop...!!
Like a heron spearing prey, it elongated its neck, closing in.
Shwoooosh...!!
Insane speed.
BAM—!! BOOM——!!!
"Kgh!!"
Woojin blocked the jaws with his sword.
A bomb-like blast hurled him into the lakebed.
"...Cough!!"
Dozens of bloody bubbles rose from his mouth.
[Grr rumble—.]
The neck retracted into its shell.
"...So you're the lake's master."
Woojin wiped his lips.
The blood dispersed in the water.
Azure Turtle Keldúan.
This colossal turtle was one of the Seven Primordial Spirits, dubbed primal sacred beasts.
"I get you're pissed... but I didn't pollute your lake."
Woojin addressed the glaring beast.
[KYAAAAHHHH————!!!!]
Dialogue seemed impossible.