Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Three days later.

Evangelines injuries had fully healed. The knightly lance and shield of the Cross family, which had hit rock bottom in durability, were also repaired.

Damiens eye was nearly recovered. I returned to him the SSR-ranked magic gun, Black Queen.

Only my left arm remained in a cast. I wish I could recover as swiftly as these sturdy folks.

[STAGE 4]

- Time until start: 7 days

With a week remaining until the start of the next stage.

I could rest a few more days to fully prepare for the free exploration, but the remaining days until the stage start were gradually pressing down on me.

I needed information on the next stage.

So, today, I decided to embark on free exploration.

I assembled the party, and all party members arrived at the mansion before noon. I looked over their faces.

Lucas, Evangeline, Jupiter, Damien.

Now adeptly armed, all members of my main party had gathered.

"Im not sure if everyone has had a good rest these few days."

I grinned, making eye contact with each one.

"Im sorry to be such a demanding boss, but its time to deploy again."

"..."

However, for some reason,

Evangeline averted her gaze when she met mine. What was this?

"Whats the matter, Evangeline? Do you have a complaint?"

"..."

As I approached her and asked, Evangeline continued to avoid my gaze, stepping back.

"No, its just... Im a bit embarrassed..."

"Huh?"

Why? What was she embarrassed about?

Because were now in the same party? Because of the incident where we risked our lives fighting a golem? Or because she spilled everything about her parents to me?

"What is it? Whats going on?"

"Never mind! Just move! Lets finish the briefing and set off."

Evangeline pushed me away, losing her temper.

I sighed at her unreasonable behavior. Damn, I need to understand the mind of this pubescent child.

And when I looked around, Damien also avoided my gaze. Whats with him? Didnt his eyes heal?

"I... I also feel a bit awkward. Hehe..."

"What about you...?"

Damien did not answer, but scratched the back of his head. Was this because I visited him when he was sick? What is it? Whats with you all?

"Ho ho ho."

Seeing us in such a state, Jupiter made a strange sound. I quickly turned my head.

"What is it, Jupiter? If you have something to say, speak up."

"No~ Its nothing. Hehe."

Jupiter covered her mouth and laughed with her eyes.

"What good will it do for an old woman to interfere in the affairs of young people?"

"Every day is a meddlesome life, and what..."

I sighed, then turned to the last party member.

"Youre the only one who seems fine in this party, Lucas."

"Of course, my lord."

Lucas smirked.

"You can always rely on me."

Indeed, our main man we can trust. I heartily high-fived Lucas with an air of grandiosity. Smack!

"Alright, enough chit-chat! Its dungeon exploration time."

I clapped my hands to tidy up the mood and tied up the conversation.

"The free exploration area we are going to this time is the Outer Fortress, North Side in Section 3. We will be exploring in a straight line above the northern wall of the Lake Kingdom."

I conjured up in my mind the Section 3 that I had explored many times in the game.

"There are no special gimmicks. The dungeon structure is just one long corridor. Just straightforwardly fight the monster spawns and advance."

Strength against strength.

Push forward by continually defeating the appearing monsters.

Among all the sections, Section 3 has one of the simplest setups.

"It shouldnt take too long. Lets aim to return before evening."

I looked around at my party members.

"Any questions?"

They all just quietly looked at me while checking their equipment.

I nodded my head emphatically.

"Alright, lets go!"

[Teleport Gate]

While the frontline units hold them off, the rear-line mages and artifact users need to relentlessly attack to defeat them.

In other words,

"Indeed, it is the mage who is the flower of the battlefield! The crux of war! The rightful owner of the bonus salary, thats what I am!"

...Jupiter is showing off again.

Along with Jupiters elated cry, lightning fell from the sky.

Flash-!

Boom! Boom...!

Every time a bolt of lightning struck the air, the gargoyles crashed down and shattered.

While the gargoyles were tough, Lucas and Evangeline could easily break them apart.

However, Jupiters efficiency as an area-of-effect mage was on a completely different level.

While the two knights held back the charging gargoyles, Jupiter relentlessly unleashed lightning bolts, frying them to bits.

"Is this some sort of experience point event?"

Well, I guess thats why Ive spent so much money to level up a wizard.

In this world, a wizard is no less than a strategic weapon.

Its definitely worth the high cost. Im not too fond of the constant fuss, though.

"Um..."

At that moment, Damien, who had been restless because he had nothing to do, asked me in a low voice.

"Is there something I can help with, Prince...?"

"No. Dont worry about it, we should just take it easy."

You havent fully recovered your eyesight, and my left arm hasnt completely healed yet.

"I hope we dont have to step in today."

That was my honest feeling. Its better to stay put if we dont have to intervene.

After all, our party members currently in battle are two SSR-ranked knights and an SR-ranked wide-area wizard.

Moreover, all of them have already undergone their second job changes.

Its an extravagant lineup for an exploration of the third sector.

"If we can hitch a ride, we, the injured ones, should just follow along comfortably."

"But still..."

Damien nervously fiddled with the fingers that held his magical gun.

I gave Damien a big grin.

"You are my last line of defense."

"...!"

"Dont rush. All you need to do is move according to my instructions when the time comes. You got it?"

Damien nodded heavily.

"Yes, Prince!"

Anyway, thanks to Jupiters active performance, we successfully broke through the normal room.

Shes a weird old lady, but her skills are definitely reliable.

After passing the ruins of gargoyle-like creatures that seemed likely to be in the hundreds, we followed the path that stretched along the fortress wall for quite a long time.

"Weve arrived."

We arrived at the top of the fortress wall right above the north gate.

In front of us was a large metal door. If we go in there, well find the passageway that leads down to the main gate under the wall.

"Now, its the boss room."

After a short maintenance break,

I opened the door to the boss room with a smirk.

"Lets try to clock out early today!"

Kuugugung-

The door opened with a heavy sound.

And inside the boss room...

[Outer Fortress, North Side - Boss Room]

- Defeat the boss!

- Lv.30 Gold Gargoyle <Centurion Melon>

A massive gargoyle, clad in armor that shimmered as if made of gold, stood there.

"Oh..."

The Gold Gargoyle.

According to the game lore, it was a decoration in the royal palace of the Lake Kingdom, and its abilities are mediocre compared to other bosses... True to its expensive appearance, it drops a lot of items.

"Alright, lets feast on some delicious items! Everyone, prepare for battle!"

As soon as I shouted that out,

Tatat!

Jupiter suddenly spread her arms and started running towards the Gold Gargoyle.

"...?"

I blinked at Jupiters sudden action.

Jupiter?

What are you doing now?