Chapter 93: Jackpot, Jackpot, and Another Jackpot
Chapter 93: Jackpot, Jackpot, and Another Jackpot
The only items we obtained after clearing all the rooms in the northern passage were gold coins. However, the total profit from the northern passage rooms was 102 gold. It was a decent amount, and the others didn't seem to have any complaints. Having already hit a massive jackpot in the western passage, they all seemed quite content.
I suggested we take a short break, but at the others' request, we decided to head straight for the eastern passage. Everyone had a cheerful look on their face. Seeing them, a faint smile touched my lips. It seemed the sight of treasure had made them flip a switch; these were the same people who would normally jump at the chance to rest.
Our progress clearing the first floor of the Ruined Laboratory could be considered quite smooth. There had been a few dangerous moments, but it wasn't uncommon to lose caravan members when exploring a dungeon. Considering that, our clearing speed was exceptionally fast.
Vivian and I were at the center of this smooth progress. Of course, the other Users were all performing admirably, but Vivian, who had already reached a certain level of mastery, was showing off her skills to her heart's content. While she was formidable against single monsters, her magical beasts were especially helpful when dealing with large groups.
A short while later, we entered the eastern passage and found the first room. Based on a Sensing scan upon entering, this was effectively the only room in the eastern passage. In other words, once we cleared this room, we could consider the first floor completely swept.
“I see stairs up ahead.”
I heard Jung Hayeon's voice as she glanced to the side. Just as she said, about eighty meters ahead, we would reach the staircase leading to the second floor. Should we head straight up to the second floor after clearing the room before us, or should we make camp for the night? I pondered for a moment before turning to the group.
“Those stairs over there probably lead to the second floor.”
“W-Well, with dungeons like this, there's a high chance the second floor will be more difficult.”
I nodded at Shin Sangyong's words. It wasn't always the case, but in my experience, the deeper you went into a dungeon, the higher the perceived difficulty became. Seeing the party waiting for my next words, I paused for a moment before continuing.
“First, we'll clear the room in front of us. Then we'll decide whether to continue exploring for the day or make camp.”
“Ugh. Are there no windows in this lab? I can't tell if it's day or night.”
Yoojung grumbled in a sullen voice. After scratching my head once or twice, I reached for the doorknob. By now, I could sense the others automatically taking their positions without being told. My Sensing had detected no response from the room, however, and I was just about to open the door without hesitation when—
Click.
“Huh?”
“What is it, Hyung?” Ahn Hyun asked, peeking out beside me when I paused.
“This room…”
I pushed lightly again, but the door didn't budge. Whatever kind of room it was, it was sealed shut.
“It's locked.”
“Oh. What do we do then? Just go up?”
“No.”
After giving a simple reply to Yoojung's carefree question, I kicked the door hard, infusing my foot with a bit of magic power. With the sound of something breaking, the sealed door swung open effortlessly. The party, who had just been relaxing, was startled and raised their weapons, but they soon confirmed that the room was empty. I could hear them all let out sighs of relief. Of course, Jung Hayeon didn't forget to add a comment.
“…That was direct.”
Stepping inside, I saw a floor laid with faded marble tiles. To the side was a small bed with the sheet neatly placed. Turning my gaze to a corner, I saw a desk, its surface in disarray with a quill pen, a stray ink bottle, and an open record book, among other things.
On a shelf hung on the wall were clothes so tattered it seemed they would crumble at the slightest touch. More than half of them were so damaged they could barely be called clothes. After a brief look around, I walked over to the bed and lifted the sheet. Beneath it were several fragments of what appeared to be human bones. From the looks of it, the person who lived here had met their end on this very bed.
“Soohyun. Soohyun. Are we going to search this room, too?”
Vivian asked excitedly. I replied in an affirmative tone.
“Yes. Let's do that. One person will stand watch while the rest of us search the room.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Shin Sangyong, as if it were routine, broke from the formation and walked to the door. The remaining Users spread out and began to inspect the room as I had ordered.
A short while later, the others shook their heads with fruitless expressions. It was the same for me. I couldn't find any items that could be called profitable. I even scanned the room meticulously with my Third Eye just in case, but the result was the same.
“I had my hopes up a little since the door was locked. Hmph. What a letdown.”
“Cheer up. You know that saying, 'First luck is dog luck.'”
“Huh? For words of encouragement, that sounds a little strange.”
“You think so?”
Ahn Hyun and Yoojung tilted their heads as they spoke to each other. Fools.
“Orabeoni…”
Just as everyone was turning to leave with dejected faces, Sol's faint voice stopped me. Once again, I saw the party's heads whip around toward her with lightning speed. Sol, who was about to come to me with something in her hand, flinched under their gazes. After standing still under their stares for a moment, Sol's lips began to pout as she started to sniffle. The entire party was, without exception, flustered.
“Why does everyone… Why do you only do this to meee… sob.”
As if overcome by an unknown sorrow, Ahn Sol's lips trembled. I quickly went over to her and tried to calm her down with a little peek-a-boo(?). Ahn Hyun also rushed to his sister's side.
“Haha. Sol, you've been our good luck charm this whole time. That's why everyone gets so excited.”
“That's right, that's right. Our Sol is a good luck charm. If you cry, the luck will run away.”
“…Really? I'm a good luck charm?”
Was the party’s expectant attention too much for her? As I continued soothing Sol, I sensed the others’ expressions subtly change. Jung Hayeon stared at me in disbelief, then let out a quiet “Pfft.” When my face twisted, she hurriedly looked away, but the hand covering her mouth made it obvious she found the sight hilarious.
After the brief commotion, I accepted the record books Sol held out. Their pages were filled with indecipherable ancient script. No—there were a few characters I could recognize. I had not developed the knowledge into an ability, but during my first run I had studied most aspects of the Hall Plain.
That included its languages, though I honestly couldn't say my knowledge was very deep. As I skimmed through it, I paused at a single word in the middle of the book. Something about it bothered me. There was definitely one word I knew written in the section I was looking at. But why was this… After staring intently at the record for a while, I called out to Shin Sangyong at the entrance.
“Shin Sangyong-ssi.”
“Yes, Leader.”
“We've found an ancient record book.”
“I'm on my way.”
He ran over as if flying and took the book. After glancing at it for a moment, he turned back to me with a frown, an expression I'd never seen on him before.
“Leader. This is too difficult.”
“What? But still… hmm. Is that so?”
I almost blurted out, "It's D-minus rank, and you can't even decipher it?" but I managed to bite my tongue. Shin Sangyong nodded with an apologetic look and scratched his head.
“My Ancient-Language Deciphering rank isn't as high as you might think. And since this is a laboratory, it contains words only they would have used. I can decipher bits and pieces, but it's difficult to grasp the overall meaning.”
“Hmm. Then even just that…”
I frowned as well. The record book before me wasn't just any record book. It was highly likely to contain information about this laboratory. And now that I'd seen that word, I might have to rethink whether to continue exploring or to stop and turn back. It was then that she spoke.
“Then I'll read it for you. Give the book here.”
“Huh?”
When I turned my head, Vivian was holding her hand out to me with a nonchalant expression. When I gave her a look that said, 'What are you talking about?' Vivian's expression grew even stranger. In that moment, a single thought flashed through the minds of the entire party, including myself, leaving us all with blank faces.
“V-Vivian. You remember all the letters used in ancient times?”
“…What? Do you think I'm an idiot? How else would I use magic? Huh?!”
A dry laugh escaped me as I looked at Vivian, her cheeks puffed out in a pout. Why hadn't I thought of that? There was no need to rely on Shin Sangyong when we had Vivian, who knew the ancient language. I gave her an awkward smile and handed over the record book. But Vivian just snorted and whipped her head away.
“My feelings are hurt! I'm not translating it for you!”
“Give the cloak back.”
At my words, Vivian clutched her cloak tightly.
“So cheap. Giving something and then taking it back… Ah, fine. I'll do it. I'll do it. Hehe. Can't you take a joke… Jeez. Sorry.”
Vivian tried to brush it off, but when I stared at her intently, she quickly changed her tune. Soon, she was putting on a show of reading the record book with utmost seriousness. I sighed and pulled a cigarette from my pocket, placing it between my lips. I felt needlessly embarrassed.
Just as I was about to light the cigarette, a faint flame sprang to life at its tip. I instinctively took a drag. When I looked up, Jung Hayeon was giving me a prim look.
“Nice touch.”
“It was nothing.”
As Jung Hayeon replied humbly, Shin Sangyong blinked and opened his mouth.
“H-Hayeon-ssi. I thought you hated the smell of cigarettes?”
“Huh?”
At Shin Sangyong's words, I took the cigarette from my mouth, and Jung Hayeon showed a flustered expression. But Shin Sangyong continued in a calm voice. Although Jung Hayeon was signaling for him to shut up, it seemed Shin Sangyong was also quite an oblivious User. He ignored her piercing gaze and kept talking.
“Ah. There was a time when we formed a caravan with other Users. She absolutely hated the smell of cigarettes. If someone tried to smoke, she'd tell them to go smoke far away, or she'd douse the cigarette with water so they couldn't.”
“Oh. My mistake.”
As I moved to stub out the cigarette at his words, Jung Hayeon's slender hand caught mine. She then raised my hand and forced the cigarette back into my mouth. When I widened my eyes, Jung Hayeon let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“It's fine. Please, smoke.”
“No. If you really don't like it…”
“Sigh. It’s fine when it’s you, Soohyun-ssi. I can tolerate one or two now and then. For the record, that other User smoked two or three cigarettes almost every ten minutes. I hope you won’t decide I’m an inflexible woman after hearing only his side.”
“Ah. Yes, yes. Of course.”
Something about her explanation felt very logical, but at the same time, very suspicious. There was no need to go into that much detail. Anyway, since she said it was okay…
However. Shin Sangyong wasn't finished. He closed his eyes as if reminiscing, then shook his head slightly and spoke again.
“Two or three every ten minutes? It wasn't that bad… Hmm.”
I noticed Jung Hayeon glare sharply at Shin Sangyong once more. At the same time, Yoojung’s expression changed subtly. Since Hayeon had said it was fine, I put the cigarette back in my mouth and took a deep drag. To observe at least a minimum of courtesy, I exhaled toward the ceiling.
An awkward atmosphere settled over the group. Just as the cigarette was burning down to its end, Vivian's gaze reached the bottom of the record. She looked up with a disbelieving gasp.
“Ha.”
“Finished deciphering?”
“Yeah. This record is really interesting.”
“W-What does it say, Master?”
Despite being called Master, Vivian didn’t look pleased. She glanced at Jung Hayeon before continuing.
“Honestly, I'm not one to talk… but I can at least say I drew the line somewhere. If what's written in this book is true, the only word that comes to mind is 'insane.' Yes. Literally, this laboratory was a gathering of madmen.”
“So what does it say…”
As Shin Sangyong asked again with an anxious voice, Vivian bit her lip hard. But soon, her mouth slowly began to open.