Chapter 237

Chapter 237

After walking back to the base camp, I took the teleport gate to return to Crossroad.

Verdandi stayed behind at the base camp.

When I asked her if she wanted to come along, she immediately refused.

"I cant leave this place until I complete the mission Ive been given," she said, chuckling awkwardly.

I was briefly at a loss for words. What must it feel like to wander in the darkness for a century, searching for a treasure that might not even exist? Especially when the king and the country that had commanded her had long since disappeared.

Dungeon-wandering NPCs are all like this, I thought.

Either they were mad, or they clung to delusions hardly distinguishable from madness.

...Will we end up like that too?

If we fail to clear the game, my teammates might share the same fateroaming these underground labyrinths on a pointless quest to save a world that no longer exists.

I glanced briefly at my comrades.

They all gathered around the teleport gate, their faces flushed from soaking in the hot springs, smiling lazily.

Clenching my fist, I made a renewed vow.

You guys, I wont leave you in the darkness.

***

Over the next two weeks, we cleared four dungeons in Zone 5.

Before advancing to Zone 6, it was necessary to clean up Zone 5 first.

The goal was also to get our members up to Level 50.

For Hero characters to advance to the third class and obtain ultimate skills, they must reach Level 50. Although their stats and traits can still increase beyond that, their skill set growth ends there.

Reaching this crucial level required an obscene amount of experience points, especially between Levels 48 and 50. The sluggish growth in this range earned it the nickname the commute.

Even if characters pushed hard to reach Level 50 before the next defense battle, many still ended up at Levels 48 or 49. Viewers often referred to this as being late.

Currently, Lucas, Evangeline, and Damien were at Level 49.

There were still two weeks left until the start of Stage 10, so they should be able to hit Level 50 without being late.

"Im sorry I couldnt keep up with the exploration..."

Early in the morning, as we gathered in the backyard of the mansion to prepare for a new exploration, Junior spoke apologetically.

"I thought I was getting better and pushed myself too hard. It seems the backlash has hit me hard"

While the other heroes had fully recovered from the after-effects of the battle with Jormungandr, Junior was still struggling.

And for good reason. That day, she had used her ultimate skill, which was already life-draining, multiple times.

"Still, Lady Reina is continually aiding me with her spells, so I should fully recover by the next defense battle Im really sorry."

Evangeline greeted Juniors pallid and apologetic face with a bright smile.

"Its alright, Juju! Taking care of yourself comes first!"

I nodded in agreement.

"Dont feel burdened. Focus on recovering, understand?"

Anyway, Junior was among the highest-level characters in my party and didnt immediately require additional leveling.

It was a shame not to bring a wizard on the exploration, but clearing the upcoming dungeon wouldnt be much of a problem with our current members. Junior could focus on recuperation.

"If Id known itd be like this, I should have taken you to the hot springs too. Even a slight boost in recovery wouldve helped."

Access to the hot springs required defeating a monster at its entrance, and the springs could not be used again until the monster respawned next season.

If Id known Juniors after-effects would last this long, I should have just taken her along.

"Ah I think Id prefer a private bath a bit more..."

"Private baths are available, so lets go together next time, Sis!" Evangeline kept nudging, but Junior wasnt budging.

However, I made up my mind.

Next season, I should throw all the members who keep complaining into the hot springs at least once. A small recovery buff should help, even if its just a little.

Leaving behind Junior, who was waving her hand with a puzzled expression, we hurled ourselves into the teleport gate.

Flash-!

***

The members who had been exploring with me for the past two weeks were as follows:

Excluding Junior, the main party of four consisted of me, Lucas, Damien, and Evangeline. Add to that Kuilan and five from the Penal Squad.

We were joined by Verdandi, who had been aiding our exploration for the past two weeks, making it two full parties of ten.

"Ah, youre here!"

Verdandi, who had been checking his equipment at the base camp, greeted us with a bright smile.

The last time I saw it, this place was magnificent and majestic. Now it was in ruins.

The roof was gone, the pillars were broken, and the dust-laden ground showed no signs of life.

My party members tensed up, their eyes flashing as they guarded our surroundings.

Silent, I walked into the Colosseum.

"..."

The Colosseum was empty inside.

The expansive stands, the arena where I had fought bloody battles for seven rounds with monsters. Everything was empty.

As I looked around with a bitter taste in my mouth,

"PrPrince Ash...?"

A voice, frail and drained, reached my ears.

All my party members instantly aimed their weapons in that direction.

Upon closer inspection, an old goblin was seated in a corner of the Colosseum.

The bearded goblin was soaked in blood. I hurriedly ran toward him.

"Ah, you really came. Just as Master Jackal said you would..."

"Who are you?"

"I am an underling of Master Jackal, the caretaker of this Colosseum..."

The goblin struggled to speak as he coughed up blood.

"Ever since the battle with the Vampire Legion, the Colosseum has been partially destroyed, but Master Jackal continued to guard this place waiting for you..."

So Jackal survived the battle against the Vampire Legion. Good.

But where is he now?

"Where is Jackal?"

"A few days ago, a Werewolf Legion suddenly invaded..."

I clenched my teeth. Those bastards again.

Five claw marks adorned the goblins chest as if etched with nails.

I took out a potion and poured it over the goblin, but the wounds didnt heal much.

"After losing all our forces in the battle against the vampires, and the Colosseum not being in any condition for battle... Master Jackal was ultimately captured and taken away."

"..."

"He left a message for me to give you. If Prince Ash comes, tell him not to worry about me... but now that Im in this state..."

The old goblins voice began to fade.

"Still, being able to deliver his message before dying is... fortunate..."

The goblins body slumped, his vitality visibly ebbing. He seemed to have clung to life solely to pass on the message. Then, he died.

With mixed feelings, I looked down at the goblins body before slowly standing up.

Anyway, Jackals whereabouts had been ascertained. He, too, appeared to have been kidnapped by the Werewolf Legion.

"I have one more reason to go rescue your comrades, Verdandi."

I nodded at Verdandi, who nodded back with a stern expression.

Wolf Lair, Zone 7.

Kidnapped NPCs were gathered there.

***

Flash-!

As we concluded todays exploration and returned to Crossroad,

"Hm?"

Aider was waiting in front of the teleport gate with a stern face. I asked, puzzled.

"Whats going on, Aider? Is something wrong?"

"My Lord."

Aider spoke to me with a gravitas I had never seen before.

"Junior and Lady Reina Windwell have been ambushed."

The eyes of all the returning party members widened.

"...they are currently missing."