Chapter 277

Chapter 277

Among the rescued NPCs, there was another familiar face.

"Your Highness!"

A burly man wearing a Jackal mask sprinted towards me. Recognizing him, a smile spread across my face.

"Jackal!"

The NPC boss of Zone 5 Dungeon [Flaming Colosseum].

It was Jackal, the Gladiator King I had encountered before Stage 5.

"Youre alive!"

"Had Your Highness not come to rescue me, Id be stuck here until death. I owe everything to you."

As soon as he reached me, Jackal prostrated himself on the ground.

"Please accept me, Your Highness!"

I covered my mouth and chuckled. Seeing his attitude, a mix of respect and cheekiness, was a welcome sight.

We exchanged pleasantries and caught up on recent events.

After suffering a defeat against Celendions Vampire Legion and trying to rebuild his forces in the ruins of the Colosseum, he was attacked by Lunareds Werewolf Legion and brought here.

I guess he only got beat up by Nightmare Legion commanders.

In other words, even after facing only Nightmare Legion commanders, the fact that he was still in one piece testified to his resilience.

As I tried to comfort him in this manner, Jackal immediately corrected me.

"No, it was a reality check."

"A reality check?"

"Lets just say, I may be stronger than most of the average boss-level monsters around here, but Im not on the level of Nightmare Legion commanders..."

Jackal shook his hands as if to say hed been utterly defeated.

"Especially now that my main base, the Colosseum, is completely destroyed... it looks like its time for me to become an ordinary adventurer again."

His base was destroyed, his forces lost, and naturally, the boss-level modifications had worn off too.

Jackal, now reduced to a slightly stronger-than-average NPC adventurer, continued to grumble. To him, I offered a broad smile.

"At least youre alive to tell the tale."

"Absolutely. Rolling in shit is better than dying... although, this place feels like hell."

I gestured with my chin at his jovial remarks.

"Jackal, if youve got nothing else to do, how about helping me out for a bit?"

Jackal jumped up in excitement and exclaimed,

"Of course, Your Highness! Whatever you command! My life is already yours!"

***

I returned to the base camp.

I couldve continued exploring the [Wolfs Den] dungeon, but tending to the rescued prisoners in a safe environment was the priority.

Bringing dozens of NPCs back to the base camp, which had been barren, instantly filled it with life.

"Ah, the foolish ones who left home have all returned."

Coco the Severer chuckled as she watched this unfold. I quietly approached her and handed over a bag.

"Whats this?"

"Materials you requested for constructing the Teleport Gate."

Not only had I rescued the prisoners, but I had also gathered the materials needed for the Teleport Gate.

In one journey, I had completed two side quests.

Coco the Severer looked at my beaming face and chuckled mischievously.

"Not bad, little Prince. Youre quick to get things done."

"I wish the construction of the gate would be as quick, Grandma."

"Heh, dont worry. Im also rather impatient."

I felt a sense of relief sharing spirits with Coco the Severer.

I wonder if she has Korean ancestry among her elders...?

After wrapping up my conversation with Coco, I turned to see NPCs around the base camp finding their places, repairing the ruined buildings and makeshift huts.

Both the Penal Squad and Shadow Squad were assisting with the work.

Kuilan, Godhand, and both Verdandi and Jackal were gathered, engaging in a hearty discussion.

Come to think of it, Jackal has a strange connection with our party members, too.

Jackal was of the Beastman race and had once been an intelligence agent for what could be considered the predecessor of Aegis Special Forces.

He had relationships with both the Penal Squad and Shadow Squad.

"..."

The struggles of different races living in the human world could only be understood among themselves.

Leaving them to their conversation, I took a step back.

"Ah, so stiff."

"In other words, this time we happened to be the enemy of each others enemy."

I tried to sound as amicable as possible, looking directly at Crown.

"Cant we maintain that going forward, Crown? Theres no reason for enemies of a common enemy to clash, is there?"

I was sincere.

I didnt want to continue feuding with Crown and his undying subordinates.

They werent exactly my favorite people, but whats the point of fighting foes that wont die? Even more so if Crown isnt part of the Nightmare Legion.

However.

"Enemy of an enemy, you say... I suppose thats one way to describe our relationship."

Crown muttered, his eyes coldly fixed on me.

"But let me advise you, Ash. The enemy of your enemy is never your ally."

"..."

"This time, I happened to assist you, but next time, I might seize the chance to kill you again."

So persuasions out of the question, a total hostile NPC...

With a disgusted grimace, I noticed Crown intently watching me as he pulled his hat down.

"Be that as it may, youve made it deep into the Lake Kingdom, Ash."

"Yes, and I plan to go even deeper."

To the deepest part.

Heading toward the Kings Castle in the Lake Kingdom, where the final stage is.

Toward clearing the game, toward its ending... I will tirelessly venture deeper into this darkness.

"However, the inner depths of the Lake Kingdom are a different kind of hell from what youve experienced so far."

Crown retreated, his body decaying due to the plague.

Blood oozed from his rotting flesh, but he seemed to pay it no mind.

"I wont bother telling you to be cautious. That stage is long past."

"So why are you dragging this conversation on? What do you want to say?"

"If youre planning on going any further, youd better be prepared."

"Prepared for what? To kill you again?"

Although taunted, Crown spoke calmly.

"Be prepared to become a monster yourself."

"..."

"The fate of adventurers who delve too deep is always one of two things."

Crown started walking back into the darkness, his form wobbling.

"Either die as a human or survive as a monster."

"..."

"This is sincere advice, young prince. And also my final warning. Its not too late for you. Forget the darkness at the bottom of this lake and enjoy your blessed life above ground."

Crown disappeared back into the darkness. I watched him leave, quietly pondering his words.

"..."

Suddenly, I thought of Nietzsches famous quote: He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.

I resolved to walk the path I had chosen, regardless of what anyone said. Nothing would stop me. Absolutely nothing.

"...Ash."

At that moment, Nameless softly called out to me. I suppressed my sharpening emotions and turned to look at her. What is it?

Nameless gave me a faint smile from beneath her hood.

"Rescuing the kidnapped people this time was something I was also working on, but I didnt have enough power to do it. But you pulled it off."

Originally, Lunared, Raven and Salome... three Nightmare Legion commanders had kidnapped those prisoners and occupied the Wolfs Lair.

Even for the great Nameless, rescuing them alone would have been difficult.

But after Lunared died in the last defense battle, and Nameless and Crown took care of Raven, only Salome was left. Luckily, I was able to go in and successfully rescue the prisoners. So strictly speaking, I cant take all the credit.

As I was about to say this to Nameless,

"So, its not much of a reward, but..."

With a swift movement, Nameless spread a mat on the ground and started placing various items on it.

In front of my gaping mouth, Nameless spread her hands.

"Its been a while since I offered some services. Go ahead, choose."

"Are you serious?!"

Dungeon Merchant NPC Nameless giving out rare items for free! Part Two!

All kinds of dazzling golden equipment sparkled on the mat.

In the face of such compassionate service for a youngster, I couldnt help but shed a tear. This is true old people spirit!