LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 40 - The Bright Venus Floating in the Night
“Extra Boss: Summon three entities—[Orc King], [Kobold King], and [Ogre King].”
The three kings descended from the sky, each radiating a commanding presence that rivaled the Goblin King from earlier, and they all glared at us.
All the explorers knelt, giving up hope. We had barely defeated the Goblin King, and now we faced three more formidable foes.
Even Reina, who had been holding Kenya, resigned herself to death. Three beings, each as formidable as the previous foe, had appeared simultaneously. Everyone gave up on victory and on life, except for one person.
Kenya stood up, pushing his battered body to its limits.
He alone refused to give up. He alone brandished his sword and faced forward, his fiery eyes showing no hint of fear.
“Reina, can you still fight?”
“Are you still not giving up?”
“I made a promise…”
Yes, the boy had made a promise to the girl.
“I promised you I wouldn’t die, so I’ll struggle to the very end.”
Kenya smiled at Reina, and for the first time, her expression softened.
“Hehe, you’re amazing, Kenya.”
The girl’s emotions stirred, her face animated. Facing death, her traumatic flashbacks surfaced, but she regained her composure alongside Kenya. Emotions began to return to the girl who had been suppressing them, moved by the boy’s determination.
“Understood, Master. I’ll stay with you till the end.”
Reina stood up, supporting the staggering Kenya. They were ready for death, their bodies battered from the fight with the Goblin King. Even if this was the end, they would not give up.
The roars of the kings echoed through the floor. The battle was about to begin. Kenya and Reina gripped their swords, supporting each other as they faced the kings.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
The two engaged the kings. Kenya, using his newfound powers as an alchemist, and Reina, fighting bravely as a hero.
One mistake would be fatal. They fought without a single slip or moment of carelessness because the lives of everyone present depended on them.
The dungeon echoed with the roars of beasts and the clash of swords.
The two fought valiantly. Given the overwhelming odds, they fought remarkably well. However, the reality was that the enemy’s strength far exceeded their capabilities.
Still, they fought to their limits, buying time with the last shred of hope, eyeing the only remaining gate on the ninth floor.
But suddenly, Kenya collapsed to his knees.
(!? Move! What are you doing!)
He desperately tried to stand, but his body reached its limit, betraying his will. His entire body screamed in pain, beyond what his determination could handle.
Kenya’s legs, having lost a lot of blood, gave out.
A massive sword was raised above him. It seemed like the end. Everyone averted their eyes, but Kenya kept his eyes fixed on the sword, determined to live till the very end.
(Damn it…)
And the sword came down.
…
Clang
But it was the sound of metal clashing. Kenya? Reina? No, it wasn’t them.
In a blur of speed, a man dashed out of the gate, positioning himself in front of Kenya.
His appearance was far from that of a hero—unkempt with a large sword as tall as he was. He looked more like a mercenary with his stubble.
The man deflected the weapon aimed at Kenya and then turned to face him.
“You held out well. Sorry for the wait.”
It was Ryunosuke Tendo, the world’s strongest explorer.
“Oh, they’re really here, the royal species.”
“You did well to defeat the Goblin King; that one is quite strong.”
“Ha-ha! You newcomers are impressive!”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on the tenth floor.”
From the gate on the ninth floor, four more explorers emerged, each bearing the guild emblem. The emblem, a bright Venus floating in the night, symbolized hope amid despair.
They were members of the world’s top guild, [The Evening Star].
“We’re saved!”
“It’s The Evening Star!”
“Tendo is here!”
Kenya almost collapsed in relief.
(Reinforcements! And it’s Tendo and The Evening Star!)
The explorers, along with Kenya and Reina, rejoiced at the arrival of the world’s strongest reinforcements. There couldn’t be a more reassuring group. The members of The Evening Star charged toward the kings.
The battle turned one-sided. Each of the kings fell to a technique known as the pinnacle of swordsmanship, the hallmark of Ryunosuke Tendo.
“Captain!”
“Yes.”
Ryunosuke Tendo wielded his sword. His profession was a swordsman, with a level surpassing 100. His skill made him the strongest.
The kings, restrained by the guild members, faced Tendo as he activated his skill. The ultimate swordsman skill, known as…
“Haja Issen!”
The heads of the kings flew off, their weapons cleaved as if they were butter. This single strike allowed no existence in its path, a skill few in the world had mastered.
“Amazing…”
Kenya, nearly losing consciousness, watched their battle. This was the top, the pinnacle.
Could he one day stand alongside them?
And with that, all the kings were defeated.
“All extra bosses on the tenth floor have been defeated. The gate will be opened.”
The announcement echoed through the dungeon, marking the end of the ordeal. The explorers rejoiced, knowing it was finally over.
“We did it!”
“The gate is open! It’s really over!”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
The explorers expressed their gratitude. The severely injured were quickly transported through the gate. On the first floor, many were waiting anxiously for the report.
Buzz-bzzt
The sound of the microphone being reactivated echoed. Everyone was tense but relaxed at the announcement.
“Rewards will be given for defeating the extra bosses. Rewards are determined based on status discrepancy and contribution…”
(Rewards? For defeating the bosses…)
“Rewards will be granted to Kenya Mikenju and Reina Aoi.”
Treasure chests appeared before the two. They were neither bronze, silver, nor gold.
They were chests shining with a dazzling rainbow hue.
It seemed the phrase “status discrepancy” indicated that the strongest members of The Evening Star would not receive rewards. They had come so far, yet wouldn’t receive any rewards. I felt sorry for them…
Then, Tendo walked over to us.
“Hey, you’re the kid Issei likes. You held out well; thanks to you, we made it in time.”
Apparently, they had rushed here at full speed after hearing the announcement. The announcement had been broadcasted to all the towers, including the first floor. However, it still took 30 minutes to arrive, even at their fastest pace.
“N-Nice to meet you! I-I’m Kenya Mikenju!”
Coughing up blood, I knelt to greet him. Tendo glanced at the treasure chest and my chest wound.
“Take it easy. And that treasure chest is yours. You earned it, so don’t worry.”
Tendo ruffled my hair with his large, rough hand. Despite his gruff demeanor, he seemed very kind.
“If the captain says so, then it can’t be helped.”
“Hey, hey! What’s inside?”
“I’m curious too.”
“I also want to know.”
Watched by everyone, I opened the treasure chest. Honestly, I should rest, but I was too curious. Reina opened her chest as well.
“This is… clothing?”
Inside mine was a black, thin, yet untearable garment. Reina’s chest contained an old sword.
I focused my eyes to check the abilities. If it wasn’t equipped by anyone, I could check it without wearing it.
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Equipment Description
・Black Dragon Robe Lv1 (Lv Up +100)
B Rank Rarity ★★★★
Abilities
・Defense +1000
・10% reduction in damage from dragon-type attacks
・20% reduction in damage from non-dragon-type attacks
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“Ho… a Black Dragon, huh. I’ve seen dragon robes before, but this is my first.”
One of the guild members, an elderly man, looked at my equipment with interest. He appeared to be around 60 but was still active on the front lines. His traditional clothing exuded a masterly presence.
(Rarity ★4!? How much can this garment evolve… And defense +1000?)
I attempted to stand and wear the extraordinary garment that stirred my imagination.
But I had forgotten. I had lost too much blood and was already in critical condition. I had been moving only due to adrenaline. And then, I blacked out from dizziness.