episode_0028

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So far, progress has been smooth.

Even when monsters suddenly jumped out of the cave and attacked, the knights fought calmly and quickly avoided the traps.

So they gradually advanced.

It seems like we’ve gone pretty deep into the cave, but we still haven’t seen any ancient relics.

Is there an end to this cave?

As I went further, I felt like it was getting deeper and darker.

Thanks to these guys, I’m having an easy time…

For some reason, the feeling of unease did not go away.

Clearly this isn’t the end.

There has yet to be an enemy strong enough to make Aren’s arms disappear. That means there is an unknown danger lurking ahead.

I followed them without letting my guard down.

How much further could we have advanced like that?

At the end of the cave where we arrived after encountering 5 monsters and over 8 traps, there was a large door.

‘Right here…!’

Anyone who saw it would be surprised to see that the relic was here. It was a suspicious door that seemed to say, “Go and find it.”

Moreover, it was made of gold. If I could just take this gold, I would never have to worry about food or shelter for the rest of my life.

“Captain, I think this is the last one.”

“….Okay. Is this finally the end? There’s a relic inside here.”

Aren’s eyes stared sharply at the door, then looked at the knights.

They all looked tired from the arduous dungeon crawl, but their eyes were filled with enthusiasm.

“Everyone worked hard. Now is the end. No one knows what’s inside. It’s fortunate that there are relics, but there may be monsters guarding the relics. But no matter what happens, I will protect you! So follow me!”

“Yes! Captain! I will trust and follow you!”

“Okay. Let’s go!”

Aren, who had been keeping the momentum going with a few words, opened the door.

The door, which I thought was locked tight, opened with incredible ease. But Aren didn’t go inside.

He just froze with a pale face.

I was positioned behind them, so I couldn’t see what was inside because the door wasn’t fully open yet.

But I knew this much.

It means that Aren, who had been fine when facing any monster until now, was terrified.

“Huh, retreat! Retreat!”

“Huh? What the heck!”

“Retreat! Get out of the cave at full speed!”

“Kueu …

As soon as Aren finished speaking, the door opened wide by some unknown force.

And inside it was a creature that horrified Aren… a dragon, known as the strongest creature on Earth.

The giant dragon created a huge fire pit and blew it up as soon as it spotted the intruder knights.

Aren calmly blocked the attack with his sword. However, it was impossible to block the fire pit with a sword.

The knights, who realized the situation late, quickly began to run away following Aren’s instructions.

At that moment, someone who appeared to be the vice-captain hurriedly approached Aren.

“Captain! You have to go together!”

“…..Didn’t I tell you? I’ll protect you. Go. I’ll protect this place.”

“No! Me too!”

“It’s just a burden! Hurry up and go! I’ll chase after you as soon as I have an opening!”

….Wow. This is really cool.

Things have been moving quickly since the dragon appeared.

But even in this urgent situation, the pitiful appearance of Aren and the vice-captain seemed like a scene from a drama.

I can’t believe that this could actually happen.

It was possible to sacrifice one’s life to save someone.

I was inwardly amazed.

The vice-captain gritted his teeth, perhaps thinking that his presence would be of no help, and ran outside, saying that he would call someone to help.

Now, the only one left was Aren.

I watched Aren like that.

The fear that Aren had felt when he first saw the dragon had already disappeared from his eyes.

He took up his sword to buy a little more time, despite his fear, in order to protect his comrades at all costs.

She ran towards the dragon with a scream.

Those eyes were filled with the determination to kill that dragon.

‘…..Let’s help.’

I felt like I was going to die, so I stopped watching and quickly followed behind Aren.

Aren advanced as if he didn’t notice.

The dragon’s magic stopped. A strong mana began to gather at the corner of the dragon’s mouth. A power that was incomparable to any magic so far. Could that be his breath?

I knew because I had briefly read a webtoon featuring a dragon.

“Kueuuu!”

As expected, a huge flame soon headed towards Aren.

shit.

Can you do it?

But… my ability is maxed out.

It might have been impossible in the past, but it might be possible now.

I hurriedly pushed Aren behind me just before his sword melted and his hand was about to touch fire, and used my magic.

“Shield!”

Although it is beginner magic, my ability is at max. Up until now, I have controlled my power in my own way, but now I do not control it. No, I have poured all my power into the magic.

‘….It’s amazing. I don’t get tired at all.’

And the effect was tremendous.

I looked at the shield that did not break even in the hot fire and was amazed at my own strength.

This is my first time using my power like this, and it’s really amazing. I feel like I can do anything.

At first I wondered if I could win against that dragon… but with this ability, I could.

“…..Who are you?”

The fire gradually began to die down. Aren stepped back towards that day.

I spoke without even looking at Aren, focusing on the shield.

“Aren. When that fire goes out, run outside. I’ll guard this place.”

“How can you say my name… No, no! That can’t be! This is where I am….!”

“Even if you have it, it’s just a burden.”

Aren froze, seeming greatly shocked by my words.

I used exactly what Aren had just said to the vice-captain. That would be more effective.

It would be the first time. I’ve heard that Aren, who has always been everyone’s idol and pride, is called that…

Aren bit her lip so hard that it bled.

“…..What’s your name?”

“…..Why is my name?”

“I want to know the name of my benefactor.”

“….Jodel.”

“Jodel?”

“Yes. My name is Jodelle. Let’s meet again next time.”

With those words, the fire died down.

Aren ran out the door as soon as the fire died down. Fortunately, it seemed like he understood what was being said.

Now all that’s left is me and this dragon. Our eyes met. That was it. The dragon’s eyes began to flicker. I knew what that omen was.

And then I realized.

“What the heck, this is fake?”

I wondered why there was a dragon in a place with ancient relics, but it turned out to be a well-made fake.

Because he had lost his sense of humor and as soon as our eyes met, he lowered his head as if to ask when he had come running at me.

If it was a legendary dragon, it would have a distinct sense of self. It couldn’t have shown such a simple, beast-like reaction.

It seems like it didn’t recognize me and attacked me earlier because there was a distance between us.

The way he was grumbling as if he had done something wrong reminded me of Aru, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

‘….That’s it.’

It was similar to the chimera created by Professor Luken. It was also a chimera created by closely imitating a dragon.

Well, it doesn’t matter if it’s real or fake.

In any case, the important thing was that there was no need to fight anymore.

So what’s left now is…

“Hey, fake dragon. Where’s the relic?”

At the word relic, the dragon took out something that seemed to be kept in its bosom.

It was a small box.

I took the box and opened it.

I opened the box, full of anticipation wondering what it might contain, and frowned when I saw the items inside.

There was only one hourglass inside.

‘…..What is this? An hourglass?’

I picked up the hourglass and shook it. Then the sand began to drip.

It was just like an ordinary hourglass you would see in a store.

Is this an ancient relic?

I looked inside the box, wondering if that was all, and there was a small piece of paper inside.

I took out the paper. Inside it was written:

[An hourglass that can cross time

You don’t know if you’re going to the past or the future. So when you turn the clock over, you have to think carefully and turn it over.]

The explanation was short.

This was a text that told me what this hourglass was.

Ah, it’s an hourglass that can travel between the past and the future. As expected, an ancient relic couldn’t be ordinary.

I nodded, staring at the flowing hourglass, then froze.

for a moment….

I already turned it over?

Doesn’t this activate when you flip it over?

Surely… I’m not… falling into a place I don’t know if it’s the past or the future?

I looked around hurriedly. The scenery inside the cave had not changed at all. However, the feeling of anxiety did not go away. I quickly ran outside holding the hourglass.

‘What is this place….’

As soon as I came out, I froze.

The dungeon was clearly in the forest… but when I came out of the dungeon, all I saw was a shopping district.

A familiar shopping street. But the building is a bit more sophisticated, as if it has been developed a bit more.

I turned around and looked at the cave I had come out of. But the cave was nowhere to be seen, as if it had never been there in the first place.

Only the hourglass in my hand reminded me that what had just happened was not a dream.

‘…..I think this is fucked up?’