Chapter 13
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 13: Alien One Dream (Same Dream Different Form)
<Underground Dungeon Raid>
In the original work, this was a part that took charge of one axis of the sub-quests. Since it was a sub-quest, rather than the story being important, it was an event entered to obtain high-rank items.
‘There are many good items.’
Especially when playing on [Impossible] difficulty, it is a place you must visit. If you don't set your equipment here, it becomes difficult to cope with the <Seven Destructions> that strike in the latter half. In short, a farming spot.
“Of course. It exists down to the 100th floor underground.”
“That is why the academy manages it directly. Because it could be dangerous if left neglected.”
Academy City. A dungeon occupying 100 floors beneath it. Thanks to the magic power the dungeon itself harbors, the land is fertile, and the mana in the air is always clean. Besides these geographical advantages, the dungeon is used for various purposes within the academy.
“It is fine. The difficulty of the dungeon is in a format that increases as the floor goes down. As long as you don't go down deep, situations that are particularly dangerous do not occur.”
“Purgatory is not an emission-type dungeon. Phenomena like causing a rampage if left alone, or monsters inside overflowing do not happen. Therefore, there is no need to conquer the floors either.”
“That is correct. In fact, from the 70th floor underground, floors that even the academy side hasn't conquered yet are spread out.”
Was she interested? Withdrawing her drowsy eyes, the bat blinking her fine red eyes.
“Underground Dungeon... the official name is ‘Purgatory’. Purgatory is also used as a practice ground for academy cadets.”
“It is not called the best educational facility on the continent for nothing.”
Safe dungeon. Of course, this story changes as it goes to the latter half of the work. From the moment the Fifth Destruction reigns, the unconquered floors of Purgatory begin to rampage. Dungeon monsters and bosses overflow to the surface. The firmly believed laws collapsing. The player ends up facing a majestic destruction and underground monsters simultaneously.
‘Thinking about later... I do have to conquer Purgatory up to the 100th floor.’
What rampages are only the unconquered floors. It is a method where the more the player conquers the underground in advance, the easier it becomes during the Fifth Destruction.
‘Well, I came for other business today.’
Purgatory conquest is something to deal with step by step. The reign of the Fifth Disaster is 2 years later. There was quite some time left. Today I intended to focus on obtaining the item originally planned.
“Yes, Princess.”
Dark sky. We wander gloomily near the annex. We walked so as not to be caught by the faculty members on night patrol. The dormitory curfew had already passed, so if caught, we would surely receive disciplinary action.
“That is correct. Because it would be a big problem if students entered carelessly and an accident occurred.”
“You are correct.”
It was so. Because I had never shown it to Carmilla yet.
“You will know when you see. Just in time, we arrived.”
“......?”
Where my steps stopped was a remote vacant lot. A corner that seemed completely unrelated to the dungeon. The bat tilts her head as if puzzled.
“I did.”
“You will know from now on. Please stay quietly in the pocket so you don't fall out.”
I adjust my attire. What I’m about to do is swift, pious, and meticulous. I discover a seedling with small bushes on one side of the vacant lot. After touching the tip of my foot exactly to the seedling, I lie down next to it as if doing a dogeza.
The bat floating a question mark at the bizarre behavior. But I don't care. After making my abdomen touch the ground, I start reciprocating back and forth. Rub rub—. Although it was quite a shabby appearance, I was serious. Buying odd looks with bizarre behavior was the fate of a bug player.
I do not answer. I pour my mind entirely into wall-humping, and wall-clipping. Rubbing my body several times until the bug activates. Carmilla only harbors perplexed doubts. Around the time her gaze started to become troubled.
Tak—.
‘It’s done.’
A feeling as if something caught is transmitted. Immediately after, my body sinks ssuk below the ground.
Carmilla surprised. If we endure the sensation of falling for a moment...
“We arrived.”
The next moment. We were standing in the center of a large passage.
‘Gloomy.’
Cool air unique to the underground. Dim lamps, high ceiling, floor decorated with marble. Carmilla looks around as if adapting to the changed scenery. Before long, realizing it was reality, her eyes become round and look up at this side.
“I told you. You would know soon.”
We are on the 70th floor. Standing in the hallway leading to the Boss Room. The bat comes out of the pocket and looks around hwik hwik.
Mana wasn't felt. It wasn't teleportation.
Yin and Yang didn't twist. It wasn't sorcery.
Demonic energy wasn't stained. It wasn't black magic.
Carmilla could only sparkle her red eyes.
“Fufu, were you surprised?”
Silver bat flapping wings. I tap the mask.
‘It’s not some other power, I just used a bug though...’
Since there was no way to explain otherwise, I didn't make any excuses. I didn't want to break her admiration either.
“Of course. It is the deepest part of the dungeon.”
Carmilla confirmed the fact that no one was around. The Princess lightly leaps. Immediately after, the girl returning to her original form from the bat. The fluttering silver hair was dazzling receiving the dungeon’s lamp light.
“Hmm-hm! We just have to advance like this!”
“This way. What you see at the end there is the Boss Room.”
“Is the item Viktor wants in that room?”
“Precisely, the Boss possesses it. You will probably be able to obtain it if you hunt the Boss.”
Item that can be obtained only by the first-time hunt limited. Since it is the point where the 70th floor is not yet conquered, I had to strike first and obtain it.
“By the way... an item for Viktor. What kind is needed?”
“It is a weapon. There is a guy that seems perfect to use in the current situation.”
“Weapon?”
The combination I used most frequently. Evil God set, and this. It was an item that could form a link with the mask currently worn.
“If I had to classify, it would be on the cold weapon side.”
“Does Viktor need something like that too? When you are sufficiently strong even with bare hands.”
“It is better to have diverse means. It is to remain a capable confidant always.”
“Viktor is already overflowing with capability!”
“Fufu, thank you just for the words.”
“It’s true though...”
Before we knew it, the room entrance arrived. If approached close, a simple notice was attached. Did the faculty side who attempted conquest earlier place it...
Please turn back the way you came.
Do not ignore this warning notice or open the main gate in front of your eyes.It is a situation where even the academy side has not finished conquest yet.
The Master’s pattern changes every time, and sometimes it has no form.
If you are not a dedicated raid member, go back.“Viktor... is it really okay to enter this?”
“Of course. You aren't perhaps scared or anything, are you?”
“T-There is no way that could be!”
The specific conditions are as follows.
-Death of the 70th Floor Master or Death of all personnel entered.-Regular raid team consists of at least two professor-class powerhouses.
-20 years ago. After five professors died in the line of duty during conquest, conquest of this zone was tentatively suspended.
The probability of you returning alive is extremely low.
Never enter.“I-Is this really okay...?”
“Come on. I will open the main gate right away.”
“V-Viktor! Let’s go together...!”
Jjorureu, Carmilla running over. I smile smirk and place my hand on the main gate. Maybe because it was neglected for a long time, hinges creaking heavily. I start to push the door several times my height with force.
‘Well.’
There was no worry about the raid. Just in time there are no watching eyes, it was an environment where I could cast my bizarre bugs to my heart’s content.
‘Shall I show off my skills a bit.’
I stroked the widely smiling mask. The opening main gate, cold air rushing in hook. I take a step toward the front. Toward the Master of the 70th floor, which was impregnable for the past decades.
However, Viktor didn't know. Space with no one, a place free from others’ gazes.
“T-This is...?”
That even in such a space, there would be a gaze watching him.
“He, he entered? Into the Master’s domain...?”
Dream facing others directly. Alien One Dream. The blue eyes of the girl lying on the dormitory bed tremble.
“That person...?”
Alice. The girl was confirming the shared vision, and unable to suppress her astonishment.