Chapter 209

Chapter 209

That afternoon, Elize returned to the Imperial Capital.

It seemed her necessary investigation at the Silver Winter Merchant Guild was concluded. She mentioned that the next time she comes, she would bring manpower to construct a guild branch.

"And please, take this."

Elize opened her Sword Coffin and took out a dagger, handing it to me.

"Because you appeared to be somewhat lacking in emergency defenses."

[Spirit Crasher (SR) Lv.1]

- Category: DaggerRread latest chapters at novelhall.com

- Attack Power: 0

- Durability: 1/1

- Deals a stun effect on the targets soul. The stun duration lasts up to 5 seconds and may decrease depending on the targets Magic Power stat.

- This equipment is one-time-use.

A Spirit Crasher!

Though consumable, it was a dagger that could reliably stun enemies. Such a rare item to gift me. I quickly took it and stowed it away.

"Thanks, Elize. Ill make good use of it."

"Dont mention it."

Elize smiled meaningfully.

"Then, enjoy your brief freedom, Your Highness."

"Huh?"

Brief freedom? What did she mean by that?

But Elize left my residence without offering further explanation, heading off to Crossroad.

What did she mean?

***

After a full day of rest,

The next day, I summoned my main party members. We were about to embark on a dungeon expedition.

I need to accelerate leveling.

Most of my main party members hadnt yet reached level 50.

I had to get them to level 50 quickly, complete the third job change, and awaken their ultimate skills. The performance gap between characters with and without ultimate skills was like night and day.

I instructed everyone to prepare and gather by noon, and by that time, everyone had assembled.

Lucas and Evangeline were still not fully healed, but their conditions were improved thanks to intensive treatment from the temple. Junior seemed fine too, having had a good rest.

As for Damien...

He was surly.

"..."

Absolutely surly.

He was now emitting a dark aura from his entire body and clutching what seemed to be a precious gun to his chest as if his life depended on it. Oh boy.

I gave strict instructions to the other party members.

"See how bad Damien looks? If you think hes totally losing it, snatch that gun from him. He should be a bit better after that."

Everyone nodded. Good.

"Then lets go! Move out!"

***

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[Tip - Defense Tower summon scrolls will definitely drop as you progress through dungeon exploration. Boss Monster summon scrolls randomly drop upon defeating a boss monster.]

Oh, the tip seems unusually relevant right now.

The only summonable entity in the Defense Tower category I could call upon was an Automated Defense Turret.

The next tier of Defense Tower could be acquired by clearing one of the dungeons in the 5th zone.

I need to start tackling the 5th zone dungeons starting today.

Ive been delayed quite a bit. Time to step on the gas.

As I was thinking, the light in front of me began to brighten.

***

Flash!

As I passed through the teleport gate, I was greeted by the all-too-familiar sight of the base camp.

Even in the Lake Kingdom, swallowed by darkness, this base camp was unusually bright. Flames roared all around, driving away the gloom.

Todays dungeons... Which should we start with?

Just as I arrived at the base camp and began planning which of the Zone 5 dungeons to tackle first,

Rumble...!

The ground shook violently, causing the entire city to tremble. My party members and I were startled and grabbed onto whatever was near.

"What the hell, an earthquake?!"

Was there an earthquake event in the game?!

"Its not an earthquake."

Responding to my startled exclamation was Kellibey, the dwarf blacksmith who sat unfazed in the center of the base camp.

While its purely for experience farming and doesnt offer any items, its useful in our current situation.

I went to find Coco the Severer, the NPC responsible for teleportation at the base camp.

Coco, who was concocting suspicious-looking potions in her witchs workshop, greeted me warmly.

"Hee hee hee, a fresh face! Its been a while! Is there a door youd like me to open?"

Without a word, I handed her the [Slime Room Key].

Coco nodded and immediately opened a portal for us. A magical door spun open in front of us.

"This key can open the door three times in total, so you can come and go twice more."

"Thank you, Grandma Coco."

I expressed my gratitude and looked back at my party members to begin explaining.

Wed be facing an enormously large snake in this defensive battle.

And because its just this one snake, no other monsters will appear in this seasons dungeons.

Our last resort was to enter this Slime Room for leveling.

The party members all silently nodded their heads.

By this point, all the main party members had no doubt in following my commands.

"Are you all ready? The Slime Dungeon were entering has multiple slime waves we need to defeat."

"Yes, my Lord!"

"Lets finish quickly and get some rest, Your Highness."

Lucas responded briskly, followed by a relaxed reply from Junior.

"Heh heh... Slimes are nothing; Ill wipe them out in one go."

Damien spewed arrogance even with his tired and sleepy voice.

Lastly, Evangeline approached and tightly grabbed my hand.

She then whispered softly, her eyes twinkling with emotion.

"I will protect you, senior."

"Huh?"

"No matter what hardships or troubles come our way, I will be the shield that guards you."

"Uh... thanks."

"Heh heh, heh heh, huhuhuhu!"

...Whats gotten into her? Did she eat something wrong?

Confused, I made eye contact with my party members.

I have no idea either.

Lucas shrugged his shoulders.

Junior seemed to know something as she thought, Ah, is it that thing from the other day? but she didnt speak up. Seriously, what is it?

Anyway, our party members sequentially entered the magical door.

As I was about to follow them in, Coco the Severer, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke.

"Be careful."

"What?"

Caught off guard, I blinked. Coco covered her mouth and let out a gloomy laugh.

"Do you know what the darkness in the Lake Kingdom Dungeon is made of?"

The dungeons darkness?

Is she talking about that unique, thick darkness?

"The Demon King refined the nightmares of the people in the Lake Kingdom into a monster army. What remainedremnants of emotions like regret, lingering attachments, and guiltcame together to form this darkness."

Under her wide-brimmed hat, the witchs eyes flickered like fluorescent lights.

"Your sniper friend has been tainted by that darkness as well. And darkness attracts darkness."

"What are you talking about?"

"Simply put, the darkness pooled in the dungeon will be attracted to your friends darkness."

Coco cackled ominously.

"The base camp here is a safe zone from the darkness, but inside the dungeon...its a different story."

"..."

"You better brace yourself, huhuhu."

Damn it.

"Why are you telling me this now!"

I clenched my teeth and glared at the magical door. The portal to the event dungeon is one-way, and theres no way out until we clear it.

Damien!

A bad premonition ran through me. Gritting my teeth, I threw myself into the magical door.

Flash!

My vision turned blindingly white.

***

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[Tip - The darkness in the dungeon has driven countless heroes mad. Be sure to bring a light source when exploring.]