LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 54
Chapter 54: The Dungeon’s Whisper
Whoooosh…
“The dungeon awaits,” he murmured.
“It seems so, Master Manan.”
“A taint of filth clings to this affair.”
Manan, the envoy of the Blood Sect, massaged his throbbing temples.
To hesitate and retreat, or to advance forward.
Every choice was critical for him, representing the Blood Sect in all but name.
“Perhaps we should retreat for now?”
“…We did not come here to falter.”
“…You are right.”
“The Sect is an unstoppable river. To step back at the outset would be a mockery.”
And so, they marched on.
Such was the teaching of the Blood Sect.
“Scouting the vicinity should be our priority.”
“It’s a vast forest.”
Fwoosh!
In an instant, Baek, one of the disagreeable trio, scaled a tree to survey the surroundings.
“The forest is dense with trees. But… there’s something over there.”
“What do you see?”
Hmmm…
Baek focused his energy, discerning the identity of a distant object.
“It looks like a mound of earth. We need to get closer to be sure.”
“A mound? Hmm… Understood.”
The group, led by two Blood Shadow Zombies, maintained formation as they moved. Like others before them, they walked for hours until Baek spoke up.
“Master, something is amiss.”
“I feel it too.”
“The sun is setting already. The day and night here seem different from the outside world.”
“…”
“Let’s rest for a moment.”
“Agreed.”
Manan pondered the nature of this place.
If this dungeon held nothing and they were trapped by someone’s scheme?
In truth, being trapped briefly was no issue. The zombies needed nothing to sustain their bodies, and the warriors had enough provisions to last months.
Such was their mastery over energy.
Flare…
They kindled a fire and waited for the night to pass.
Whoooosh…
The red energy trailing from Qing did not cease. Surely, the giant wolf that killed Qing lay ahead.
With this link, they would not lose their way, and unraveling the event’s entirety would not take long.
“Listen, everyone.”
“Yes.”
“Speak, Master.”
Manan whispered softly.
“We’ll regroup here and set out at dawn. This will be our final preparation, so gather your energy for peak condition.”
“Yes.”
“Master… Manan.”
Kyung spoke cautiously.
“Unverified dungeons are even shunned by the Westerners. Our strength is formidable, but…”
“Weak words. Must I boil your tongue to silence them?”
“My apologies.”
“If we retreat, what will we tell Baron Jariel?”
“That’s…”
“Will you claim Qing committed suicide in the night? Qing was brutally murdered. If it becomes known that the Sect overlooked this, we’ll have to withdraw from the West immediately.”
And likely, our standing in the East would fall. A future where no one fears the Blood Sect looms.
“The issue will be dealt with promptly. That’s why I am here.”
“Yes.”
“…Useless ones.”
Baek and Kyung bowed their heads deeply.
After scolding them, Manan fell into a slumber. Perhaps the impending headache of a problem had relaxed his body, even leading him to dream.
“Manan, prove your worth.”
The voice of the woman behind him sent shivers down his spine.
“Yes, Grandmaster.”
“For the Sect to break free from this narrow world and spread its wings, exert all your strength. Much is expected of you.”
“I shall fulfill the Sect’s long-cherished wish with all my heart…”
Kihihihi…
‘…Grandmaster.’
Kihihihihihihihihihi!
Suddenly, the woman turned with a mad cackle.
A painted lunatic stood there.
And extended something.
An invitation.
[Santo’s Basic Ability: The Wandering Troupe Has Arrived! has been activated.]
[You have received the Invitation of Madness.]
[A 12-hour time limit is set.]
[Until you respond to the invitation, you will be exposed to various mental damages, which intensify over time.]
[The closer you are to the fire, the stronger the mental damage effect.]
“Arghhh!”
A scream jolted them awake.
The three exchanged glances, having seemingly shared the same dream.
“Qing… Qing appeared in my dream.”
“Snap out of it, it’s an illusion.”
“But… it felt so real…”
“An unusual power indeed.”
Even the composed Manan was drenched in cold sweat.
“What in the world is happening?”
“Is it dream manipulation?”
“No, it’s neither a curse nor a spell.”
Manan nodded.
“It’s akin to a mental shock. Someone well-versed in this field might be involved, but it shouldn’t pose a problem.”
“Why are you so certain?”
“It’s a power that states its rules. Such forces are strong, but as long as we adhere to the rules, we can usually escape without much trouble.”
“…Our enemies will try to hinder us.”
Smirk…
Manan’s lips curled into a smirk.
“Is such a feat possible?”
“It would be difficult, the power of our Sect is invincible.”
“No one can hinder the Sect’s event. We are here to prove that.”
Unlike previous adventurers, the Blood Sect’s group did not move rashly, waiting for the dungeon’s time to turn to day.
They were in no hurry. The enemy was here, and they had more than enough power to destroy them.
Ssshhh…
As day broke, they began their move.
The moment they realized the distant mound was an earthen rampart, tension gripped the group.
At night, the high ground of the rampart would have been menacing, but in the clear light of day, it was not so imposing.
Grrrrr…
“Goblins,” someone noted.
“We’ll clean them up quickly… Ugh…”
The phantom of Santo, the leader of the wandering troupe, infiltrated their minds.
“…Annoying. Send the zombies ahead.”
Fwoosh!
Two zombies leaped towards the rampart. The goblins, caught off guard by such swift approach, swung their weapons in panic.
Boom!
Clang!
Struck by a mace, Qing’s zombie seemed unharmed, its skin like iron, and it simply pushed back.
Boom!
With a sound like a drum bursting, goblins were sent flying, some losing their lives in the process.
“We’ll join the fray.”
“Yes, but stay vigilant.”
“Yes!”
Baek and Kyung joined the fray atop the rampart, scattering their energy.
[Baek unleashes the Twin Dragon Strike.]
[Striking twice in quick succession, causing internal bleeding if the target is a living creature.]
Thump!
Chuckle…
[Kyung executes the Wave Crushing Kick.]
[Stomping the ground with his foot, he deals 80% of his attack power to a wide range of enemies and 500% additional damage to structures.]
Crash!
With Kyung’s kick, a section of the rampart crumbled.
The rumors of Eastern warriors subduing foes with mere gestures and steps were coming to life here. The goblins stood no chance against them.
“Such ugly creatures.”
“We’ll kill them all!”
Crash!
That’s when it happened.
As Kyung brought down another section of the rampart, a chill ran down his spine.
Eyes.
A pair of large eyes, hidden behind the rampart’s wall, were glaring at him.
In a moment of hesitation, a club swung diagonally at him. It struck without fail.
“Ugh!”
Crack!
Focusing his energy to protect himself, the club broke instead.
The attacker was a troll. Baek, realizing the identity of the enemy, leaped at the troll to prepare for the next attack.
“Die!”
Swoosh!
And from the opposite side, a shadow crossed Baek, leaping like a bird.
“Die, human!”
It was Goblin King Jakim, wielding a club as large as his own massive frame.
[Jakim uses Grand Ambush.]
[Can only be used within 5 seconds of Jakim being recognized by the target.]
[Only usable with a large weapon equipped.]
[Deals physical damage equal to 330% of Jakim’s attack power. Critical hit chance is doubled, and critical damage is increased by 50%.]
“No, Kyung!”
“Damn…”
Still reeling from the troll’s blow, Kyung was defenseless against Jakim’s club, facing certain death.
At that moment,
Wham!
Qing’s zombie leaped in front of him.
Crash!
The zombie was crushed by Jakim’s club in Kyung’s stead.
“This… this…”
Thud!
Kyung kicked Jakim in the stomach, sending him tumbling down.
“Cough…”
Thud…
Jakim hit the ground.
[Jakim’s Basic Ability: The Fight of the Underdog activates.]
[When losing half of maximum life, damage reduction dramatically increases.]
With just one attack, the activation of The Fight of the Underdog could not be denied; Jakim was critically injured.
Thud!
After snapping the troll’s neck, Baek gracefully landed beside Jakim, who lay on the ground, chuckling.
“Hehehe… Humans… This will be your grave.”
“Is the one who killed Qing here?”
Spit!
Jakim spat out blood-flecked saliva.
“If my legs were intact, you all would have died right here.”
“Such bluster.”
Manan waved his hand.
Thump!
Baek struck Jakim’s chest.
“Gurk…”
Drip…
Black blood flowed, and Jakim returned to the source of regeneration.
Despite some crises, Manan’s group cleared the forest field with incredible speed.
Whoooosh…
From the red gourd at Manan’s waist, energy flowed, reviving Qing’s zombie.
Crack…
One gourd shattered, leaving only three remaining.
“Because of your carelessness, we’re down to just three precious serums.”
“…We apologize.”
“Ugh…”
“Be careful. If Qing’s zombie loses its life again, it won’t be fully revived and will become a simpleton.”
“We’ll keep that in mind.”
Manan glanced at the fallen rampart and then looked ahead.
“Like the nightmare spirits, this one too… seems to be a formidable opponent rarely seen outside. Brace yourselves.”
* * *
Impressive indeed.
Is it the might of Manan and his Blood Sect comrades?
No, it’s the valiant struggle of Jakim.
“Jakim held out longer than expected.”
Not only did he endure, but he also forced the use of a precious serum that wasn’t even anticipated. Quite a useful fellow indeed.
“Because of your carelessness, we’re down to just three precious serums.”
Manan mulled over his words, envisioning the road ahead.
The serum, a treasure of the Blood Sect held by those ranking above the Six Great Envoys like Manan, was forged from numerous resentments and sacrifices.
Only three serums remained at his waist. In essence, they were akin to spare lives for the group. The Blood Shadow Zombies, even after transformation, retained their original abilities and combat intelligence, making them all the more troublesome.
‘Undead, yet not undead… Hmm.’
Regardless, it was commendable that such a serum was expended against a force of their caliber.
‘The real issue is Manan…’
I do not know how the Blood Sect’s story will unfold. Originally, the Sect’s narrative was set to progress significantly before the expedition team took a long detour, according to the original storyline.
I had anticipated that it might appear much later, but the server was shut down before that.
Fortunately, I was privy to information about the Blood Sect’s serum, Manan, and related details, thanks to intelligence activities in the original work.
‘At this rate… it’s certainly threatening.’
The most formidable beings to seek the dungeon after Karl Kurso.
The unpleasant trio, bosses of Act 2 of the episode, and Manan, the Six Great Envoy of the Blood Sect, are joining forces to break through.
The fastest pace of any who have visited the dungeon so far… Perhaps today could be my last day.
‘My last day? Me?’
It didn’t feel real.
“Ah… So that’s it.”
It’s not that my heart has grown numb; it’s just that… I know I won’t die today.
No one dwelling in this dungeon would let my demise come so easily.
What they are about to face is no ordinary summoner.
It’s a demon.
Not fear of death, but anticipation of their encounter makes my heart race.
Ah, yes.
Perhaps I am changing. Becoming a different being than before.