Chapter 186: Multiple floors.

Chapter 186: Multiple floors.

Recovering from the sudden shock of hearing a monster talk, I immediately summoned a dozen chains to constrict the armadillo, leaving the pointed ends right near its neck. The creature squeaked in surprise, before starting to shiver in fear.

P- please, dont hurt me it spoke.

Or rather, it communicated, because I couldnt actually see its snout move to produce the sounds. In fact, I could hear the voice appear directly in my head, meaning that the monster had access to telepathy of some kind.

What are you? I asked, deciding to start at the beginning. As far as I knew, there werent any sentient species of monsters. Not at lower tiers, anyway.

B- before we talk, do you mind? he trailed off, staring at the chains wrapped around him, keeping him in place.

I do mind, actually. Talk. Or die, I suppose. Whichever option you prefer. I threatened, hoping that could convince the creature to part with its secrets. I lacked the sympathy to care about its mental well-being. After all, we had been fighting to the death but moments earlier, the strange room I found myself in attesting to the fact that this little armadillo had been controlling the golem from the very start.

Ill talk, talking is fine! he hurriedly assured me, before trailing off. What did you want to know again? I forgot

I sighed, lamenting the creatures terrible short term memory.

What are you?

Uh cant you see? Im a garbador! Surely youve met my kind on the higher levels up above?

I looked him up and down. You seem to lack certain distinctive properties that the others had, though.

Just cause Im tiny doesnt mean Im not a garbador! Out of all those lumbering giants, the dungeon made me the boss, didnt it? Im better than them! he practically snarled, his precarious situation all but forgotten.

Looks like I struck a nerve

So I see. I acknowledged. Were you born here, in the dungeon? I continued.

No, I was born in the deeper part of the tunnels that the dungeon hasnt got to yet. I joined up pretty early on in life, though. Thats why Im so small, yknow? Never got the chance to grow up! he replied merrily.

I took note of that comment, wondering whether dungeon creatures could grow or not, as the garbador before me seemed to imply. Still, its story did explain its frightening intelligence. Dungeon creatures were always born without sentience. Even the intelligent ones that could craft things and cast spells typically lacked a personality, only behaving like mindless drones. Dungeons were, after all, classified as hive minds. They didnt typically tolerate free will.

The dungeon allowed you to keep your free will? How? I asked, hoping to get some answers.

Huh? Whadaya mean? he asked confused. I sighed, wondering what to do. He didnt look like he was lying about that, and this wouldnt be the first odd dungeon I delved But something still bothered me.

Then it struck me. For all intents and purposes, the armadillo in front of me had surrendered. Yet the system hadnt given me a battle over notification yet. At first, I wondered whether this was because I hadnt technically killed anything yet, but when I remembered that destroying a golem counted as experience too, I understood that I was facing a different problem.

Either A, there was another monster laying in wait nearby to ambush me or B, the garbador before me was lying.

Considering the ample opportunity any hiding foe might have had to strike me until now, the latter was more likely to be true. With that in mind, I decided to stop the farce.

Youre not, are you?

This artifact, when connected to a formation or array, allows you to modify and adjust customisable parameters.

Finally the system prompt appeared, though I waved away the tier evolution, postponing it until I reached a safe location.

I took only a few moments to consider the reward I had gotten. It seemed useful and was probably involved in the golems creation, but I hadnt a clue how to operate it. Maybe it would work well in conjunction with the giant gem I had recently gotten my hands on?

There was no point in dwelling on it, though. For now, I wanted to get out of here.

I didnt waste any time and headed back to the surface, swerving through the winding tunnels as I flew to get there. While the dungeon stayed silent throughout my journey, it saluted me moments before I reached the exit.

Until next time, challenger Come prepared, as my next floors wont be so simple.

I didnt grace it with a reply. No matter how much it acted like it, that dungeon wasnt human. The only reason why it warned me, was because it enjoyed seeing me struggle for a longer period of time, no doubt.

Back out in the open, I noticed that night had fallen. The full moon was reflected on the calm ocean surface, creating the illusion of a second moon being hidden under the shimmering water. As the sound of small waves crashing onto the rocky protrusions near the edge of the island filled the otherwise quiet night, I took a good look at the rest of my surroundings.

The shape of the mountaintops and the cliffs, other landmarks I would come back here eventually, but I didnt dare ask Dalius people for the location. If they took note of my sudden interest, they might investigate the dungeon more closely. Maybe that was an unnecessary worry, but I didnt want to take the risk. I would have to find this place again with the help of some people back home.

After giving the proper signal, the portal reappeared where it had dropped me off a few days ago. A moment later, I stepped through and arrived back at Dalius hideout, where the same old lady from before awaited me, looking at me expectantly.

Well? How did it go? You managed, I take it?

I did. I answered dryly. Is Emeri back yet?

No, I shouldnt think so. Shell be a while yet, in fact. Her dungeon, an undead one, is useful for experience gain but terribly tedious and slow. Without cheating like you did, there is no way for her to be done within the week. Best get comfortable while you wait.

I nodded, seeing her point.

Do you mind getting me a portal to the dry lands, then? I have some business there.

She eyes me carefully.

The dry lands? Do you mean the between lands? Whatever compels you to go to that hell hole?

Yes, those. Dont bother asking why.

She scoffed, giving me the side-eye. I can see a young man excited to tier up from a mile away. She teased.

R- regardless, can you get me there? I stammered sheepishly, frustrated at being so easily seen through.

After chuckling a bit, she nodded. I cant see why you would choose to tier up in the between lands of all places, but if you know someone there that you trust, I suppose its fine The moment she finished her sentence, a purple portal appeared. Startled but impatient, I said my goodbyes and hurriedly stepped through, not even taking the time to thank her.

When I stepped out on the other side and found myself in the middle of a dirty alleyway, surrounded by the sound of a busy city, I realised that I really should have specified where in the between lands when I had asked