novelraw Chapter 118 : Chapter 118
Chapter 118 : Chapter 118
Chapter 118. Dungeon (3)
Thanks to the ‘One-eyed ones’ that Mammon had installed throughout the dungeon, I could sit comfortably in a chair set up in the very center of the dungeon’s deepest part and observe the situation inside in real time.
Dozens of magic crystal balls filled the wall, and each ball showed a different floor, a different area of the dungeon.
“This is amazing, isn't it? It’s just like CCTV.”
An exquisite combination of magic and magic engineering.
It seemed Mammon’s talents shone in this area as well.
I had already taken a quick look on my way here, but this underground dungeon, which he had designed and everyone had worked together to create, was truly fantastic.
The environment changed drastically with each floor.
From a volcanic zone with bubbling lava to a snowfield covered in ice.
A labyrinth resembling ancient ruins, and even a space with islands floating in the sky.
Within it, over hundreds of species of monsters I had seen in the game were brought to life, breathing and moving.
In addition, there were bizarre, unexpected traps hidden in unforeseen places, and even safe rest areas where weary adventurers could catch their breath.
Everything was perfectly implemented, with nothing left out.
‘If a new game were made with this as the setting, it would probably be quite popular.’
I smiled with satisfaction and scanned the various magic crystal balls.
Then, my gaze fixed on one particular ball.
The screen showing the entrance to the 1st floor of the dungeon.
There, I could see the first challenger party just entering.
‘Eternal Phoenix.’
My brow furrowed on its own.
In the game, they were depicted as a group with outstanding skills, but they were arrogant, violent, and would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, making them akin to villains.
And it seemed that reputation wasn't much different in reality.
‘Their actions were also written in a very unfavorable light in the report.’
After arriving at Lumen Fortis, they had caused a loud commotion in a tavern, constantly used threatening words and actions towards other adventurers, and even intimidated others to get the first entry into the dungeon.
They had skills, but their character was rock bottom.
However, the fact that they were the first challengers wasn't bad in itself.
In fact, it might even be for the better.
‘They’ll serve as a good measure of combat strength.’
Their skills were top-tier on the continent.
If they showed signs of struggling even in the early stages of the dungeon, I would have to give a heads-up to the vampires in charge of floors 1 through 10 to go a little easier on them.
Through this, I could adjust the dungeon's difficulty.
I watched them with interest.
But a short while later, I couldn't help but wear an awkward smile.
‘They’re already struggling that much on just the third floor?’
The guys on the screen were already close to being battered wrecks.
Their armor was dented, their capes were torn, and the mage’s complexion, in particular, was so pale it looked like a corpse.
It was a completely different picture from the one where they boasted about being veterans.
“They’re going to die at this rate, aren't they?”
The words escaped my lips unconsciously.
Death in the dungeon, unlike in the game, was real death.
No matter how outstanding the performance of the hot spring bath was, it couldn't bring the dead back to life.
That was why I had assigned the Unseen Ones as guides to prepare for any emergencies.
They were tasked with immediately intervening if a party was in danger and returning them safely to the surface.
However, for some reason, the ‘Eternal Phoenix’ guys had shaken off the dissuasion of their guide, Number 1, and forced their way down to the 7th floor.
‘Number 1 must have advised them from behind multiple times that going any further was impossible.’
It seemed that arrogant leader of theirs had stubbornly refused to listen.
I grimaced.
If I left them like this, there might actually be a fatality starting with the very first challengers.
“This won’t do.”
I immediately called for Mammon.
One of the magic crystal balls crackled, and soon Mammon’s face appeared.
“Stop the party that’s in the dungeon right now. Forcefully activate a trap or something to make them stop right where they are.” “Just do as I say.” Mammon seemed flustered for a moment, but he soon nodded. After cutting the communication, I looked at the screen again. If an unfortunate incident where the very first visitors died in the dungeon occurred, no adventurer would ever try to set foot in this place again. For the sake of the dungeon’s reputation and the future of Lumen Fortis, I had to prevent that from happening at all costs. *** “Damn it! They’re coming out again!” King screamed as he deflected a vampire’s sharp claws with his shield. The party was on the verge of being annihilated. Their prized high-end equipment was dented and broken in places, and the faces of the party members were etched with fatigue and despair. Not even half a day had passed since they entered the dungeon, but it felt as if they had been fighting for days and nights. “King! This is really impossible now!” The healer shouted, almost in tears. Her divine power had long since been depleted, and King, the tanker, was also covered in wounds. The mage had exhausted his mana and was barely standing by leaning on his staff, and the rogue had also lost his characteristic agility and was gasping for breath. “She’s right, King! Let’s retreat for today! We’re all really going to die at this rate!” The rogue chimed in. But King seemed to have no intention of backing down. His eyes were even filled with stubbornness and madness. “Shut up! We can’t back down after coming this far! We are the Eternal Phoenix, we’ll become the world’s laughingstock if people say we couldn’t even reach the tenth floor! Shouldn’t we at least see the face of that Floor Master on the tenth floor before we go!” At his stubbornness, the other party members wore fed-up expressions, but they couldn’t dare to disobey their leader’s command. They reluctantly gripped their weapons again. At that very moment. Rummble- CRASH! Suddenly, the ground they were standing on collapsed with a deafening roar. The party members fell below without even being able to scream properly. “Kyaaaaak!” “Keoheok!” When they came to their senses, they were stuck inside a pit of unknown depth. Fortunately, there were no major injuries, but the walls were slippery, making it impossible for them to get out on their own. They were truly trapped. Filled with anger, King grabbed the rogue by the collar. “What is this? Why didn't you detect this!” The rogue, dripping with cold sweat, desperately made an excuse. “I, I, I had no idea. There was definitely no sign of a trap nearby. This is like……” Just then, a cold voice came from above the pit. It was their guide who had been following them, Number 1. He looked down into the pit with an expressionless face and spoke. “That’s as far as you go. Any further is impossible.” King bit his lower lip tightly in humiliation. However, the other party members instead let out sighs of relief at his words. It was likely out of relief that they had survived, and joy that they could escape from this god-awful battle. A few hours later. Under Number 1’s guidance, the party emerged from the dungeon entrance looking haggard. The gazes of the numerous adventurers waiting for them focused on them all at once. An adventurer who couldn’t hold back his curiosity asked King. “Hey, King! You’re amazing, just as the rumors say! Are you out already? So, how many floors did you clear? You must have made it to around the twentieth floor, right?” King couldn’t say anything, his expression stiff. His pride had already been shattered to pieces. Instead, Number 1, who was standing next to him, calmly opened his mouth. “They went to the seventh floor.” “What? The seventh floor?” The adventurers gathered in the square were appalled. The ‘Eternal Phoenix’, called the best party on the continent, was stopped at just the 7th floor? Among the adventurers who swallowed dryly, the word fear was uttered for the first time. “It seems we need to prepare for the dungeon raid a bit more carefully.”“That’s right. If those skilled people could only make it to the seventh floor, it must not be an easy place.” On their faces, along with fear, a sense of awe for the dungeon could even be felt. But at the same time, the eyes of a few skilled adventurers began to burn with even more heat. “Hmm. The Eternal Phoenix made it to the seventh floor. Interesting. For now, I should make it my goal to break that record.” The first record set by the continent’s best party became a catalyst that stimulated the competitive spirit and fighting will of other powerful individuals. In that way, the underground dungeon of Lumen Fortis was heralding its official beginning, simultaneously announcing its infamy and charm to the world. *** The first record, ‘7th-floor clear,’ set by the Eternal Phoenix, ignited the fighting spirit of the numerous adventurers gathered in Lumen Fortis. To set a new record. Or simply to test their own limits. Countless parties vied with each other to head into the underground dungeon. The results were disastrous. The vast majority of parties couldn't even overcome the wall of the 7th floor that the Eternal Phoenix had reached, tasting bitter defeat. A few parties composed of exceptionally skilled individuals barely managed to reach the 10th floor. That is, they reached the room where the first Floor Master was waiting, but not a single person had yet crossed that threshold. Instead, a surprising sight was often witnessed in unexpected places. The guides who accompanied parties to rescue them in times of crisis, the ‘Unseen Ones,’ were witnessed overpowering the 10th-floor Floor Master in an instant on several occasions. “What? Weren’t those people just simple guides? Why are they so strong?” “I know, right. According to what I heard, they toyed with the Floor Master? We’ll be in big trouble if we act recklessly around them.” The rumors spread quickly, and adventurers began to look at the Unseen Ones not as simple guides, but with gazes mixed with awe and fear. Meanwhile, the first challengers, the ‘Eternal Phoenix,’ were walking a path of complete ruin after that incident. Their leader, King, blamed his comrades for their elimination on the 7th floor, fired the original rogue, and recruited a new member, but the situation didn’t improve. On the contrary, their teamwork was off, and they repeatedly got wiped out on floors even lower than before. “I told you not to fire him!” The mage shouted at King, unable to take it anymore. King’s face flushed as if his pride was hurt, and he retorted. “Hmph! I am the leader of this party! If you won’t follow my decisions, then you can get out too!” The healer didn’t know what to do between the two of them and could only watch cautiously. Their reputation, once called the best on the continent, had fallen to the ground, and now no one in Lumen Fortis regarded them as special. They were just treated as one of the countless adventurer parties that had challenged and disappeared. Time flew by, and about a month after the dungeon’s grand opening. The news of the first 10th-floor breach was finally heard. While everyone’s attention was focused, a surprising fact was revealed. The one who defeated the 10th-floor Floor Master and headed to the next floor was not a party, but a single challenger. Moreover, that challenger was a young woman who still looked youthful. People couldn’t hide their astonishment at the fact that a woman had accomplished this feat alone, a feat that numerous veteran parties had failed. Amidst the murmuring crowd, someone called out her name. And that name instantly spread throughout all of Lumen Fortis. “Iris. I hear her name is Iris.” The second daughter of Margrave Frank and the leader of the Unseen Ones. It was the moment she, who had been shrouded in a veil of mystery, finally proved her strength to the world. And a short while later. Following Iris, an adventurer who defeated the 10th-floor Floor Master appeared. She too broke through the 10th floor alone, and while her name was not yet known, according to a witness, the shadow wielding twin swords pierced the Floor Master’s heart as if she were dancing. “Amazing! Could it be that you can only clear it by challenging it alone, not in a group?” “No way. Anyway, this won’t do. We have to train harder.” It was a natural outcome for the adventurers' jealousy to explode.