Ch.35Departure (2)

*Slash-*

With a single sword strike, the massive boulder was cut through.

After pushing aside the boulder that had been split in half, the entrance to the cave finally revealed itself. I turned on my magic light and stepped inside.

“They really hid this place thoroughly.”

“Yeah, without the coordinates, it would have been nearly impossible to find.”

From the perception-hindering magic spread throughout the area to the durability enhancement spells preventing the boulder from breaking—this place had excessive security for a temporary hideout.

It was impressive considering they probably didn’t have much time. I almost wondered if they had some kind of fortification skill. Actually, between this and the base built in Melun’s Cave, I was nearly certain they did. That wouldn’t have been easy to acquire.

“And they even placed undead inside.”

I proceeded forward, easily destroying the undead in my path. Having lost their master, they were barely moving and posed little challenge.

“I think we’re almost there.”

After destroying about 30 undead, I reached the end of the cave. There, a wooden door awaited me.

“They really were thorough.”

I threw a punch intending to completely shatter the wooden door.

*Thud-*

But the door didn’t break. It dented and cracked slightly, but remained largely intact.

“KREEEEK—!!!”

“They even prepared a mimic.”

Mimics are commonly thought of as treasure chests—at least that’s the average perception among games and gamers. But in this world, the term referred to any monster that disguised itself as an object.

Back when I was a newbie who had just started in the Perished World, I remember how startled I was when I opened a dungeon door only to find a giant mouth waiting instead of the next room.

“That’s a memory now.”

The enraged mimic opened its mouth and charged at me, still attached to the wall. Given its size filling the entire cave, dodging sideways was impossible.

“Shouldn’t we deal with that before reminiscing?”

“Well, aside from mimicry and ambush, it’s not that strong of a monster.”

A mimic was something that C to B-rank adventurers could handle. Lower ranks would be better off pretending not to notice and avoiding them, but that certainly didn’t apply to me.

*Slash-*

I drew my sword and cut the mimic in half right through its mouth.

“Now, let’s see what they were hiding so carefully.”

“Good idea. I’m even more curious since this seems too well-prepared for a temporary hideout.”

Lilly and I proceeded into the space beyond the mimic’s corpse. There wasn’t much inside—just a table and chair, with a crystal ball, parchment, and two unidentifiable potions on top.

‘The crystal ball seems to be for communication…’

Leaving the communication orb for later, I first examined the unknown potions.

Both potions were contained in glass bottles. Beyond that, there was nothing I could tell just by looking at them.

Just as I was thinking I might need to examine them more carefully, I noticed notes attached to each bottle.

[Hair Growth Formula], [Bone Strengthening Supplement]

Let’s stop investigating right there.

I silently put the two bottles back in their places. Though it wasn’t an issue for me now, as someone who once shared the same concerns, it was my final show of respect.

‘Being a succubus race is convenient at times like this.’

But I was the only one showing respect—Lilly burst into laughter after seeing those notes.

“Pfft!! Hair growth and bone supplements…! Bones…! What a futile dream! Hahaha!”

Leaving Lilly behind, I unfolded the parchment. I was worried it might contain more hair-related content, but fortunately, it didn’t.

The parchment read:

[Star Refining Project Status Report.]

“Right, for dwarves, nothing beats this… damn it…”

The content of the “great work” the lich mentioned was sadly the worst-case scenario I had imagined.

* * *

“According to the plan, we have about three months. The last day of the festival is then.”

“And walking from here to Gagap would take at least three months, even at our fastest.”

We were currently at the edge of the empire—the edge bordering Pandemonium. And Gagap was at the opposite edge. In simple terms, we needed to travel the maximum possible distance.

“Walking definitely won’t work.”

To arrive on time and prepare according to their plan, we needed a method other than walking.

“It would be perfect if we could use a warp gate… though that seems difficult. Should we use an airship instead?”

“No, we’ll use a warp gate.”

“How? You know not just anyone can use those, and even those who can need to wait.”

In this world, warp gates exist—devices that transport people to other connected warp gates.

They’re installed in the empire and other races’ countries, making them incredibly convenient and widely used in the late game.

However, as convenient as they were, the conditions for use were strict. Only high-ranking individuals like imperial royalty, high elves, or S-rank adventurers could use them.

‘The cost of operating them once is no joke.’

Additionally, due to the risk of them being used in warfare, various procedures and restrictions existed. As a result, they were a means of transportation only utilized by those considered heroes of the world in the late game.

“I have Lilly.”

“Erk, me?”

“Yes, Lilly. You’re a fairy princess, so you meet the basic requirements.”

Of course, this alone wasn’t enough. While the basic conditions were met, it didn’t mean we could ignore the various procedures.

“I’ve heard there’s a group that hunts apostles regardless of national boundaries. Wouldn’t they have emergency gate access rights in special situations?”

“They do have emergency access rights… for handling important information that’s discovered.”

Lilly partially agreed with me but still questioned whether gate use would be possible.

“But you’re not a member of Apos Hunt. While fairies are the main force, it’s formed by most other races too. Even if I wanted to get you in, it would be difficult. Unless it was the Queen herself…”

“We don’t necessarily need to become official members. We have a simple method called impersonation.”

It was a secret organization after all. While members might know each other, outsiders only knew of the organization’s existence, not its inner workings.

So, with just the right credentials, we could convincingly pretend to be members.

‘And as credentials, I have Lilly with me.’

I smiled brightly at Lilly.

Lilly looked at me with an expression that said I must be crazy.

“I’m a succubus, remember? Just give me the basic information and stand beside me. I’ll handle everything.”

“It seems more appropriate to contact the others and have them handle it… Sigh, fine. You must have your reasons.”

* * *

The great city of Llywelyn

A city several times larger than Leheten. Also a city with a gate installed, its streets were filled with countless people.

In the central plaza where the gate was installed, there was a constant flow of people.

People who came to see the gate, those who visited out of curiosity wondering if it might operate today, vendors selling food, and those providing various entertainments.

The gate stood as the city’s landmark. However, no one approached the gate itself.

More precisely, they weren’t allowed to approach, and guards were stationed in shifts around the clock to protect it.

“Yaaawn… this post is so boring. Obviously there won’t be any visitors, and no fool would dare touch it.”

“Still, stay focused. If that gate gets even a scratch, our heads will roll. Besides, boring is much better than busy.”

Knowing the gate’s value, no one would dare touch it recklessly. That’s why guarding the gate was considered a cushy job.

It was work that required simply standing there without physical exertion.

That’s when it happened.

When that cushy job became not so cushy.

*Thump. Thump.*

From the distance, a robed figure approached. Due to the robe, their presence wasn’t clearly felt, yet strangely, the guards could distinctly sense their existence.

No, not just the guards—most people in the park had their attention drawn to the robed figure.

By the time the figure crossed the designated boundary line and approached the gate, everyone in the area was watching them.

The figure exuded such a presence.

Nevertheless, the guard gathered his wits to do his job, blocking the figure’s approach and asking for identification.

“Excuse me, but who are you…”

“Apos Hunter, Frey.”