Chapter 28: First Semester Dungeon Strategy – 3

“This morning’s assembly will be brief due to the lack of a suitable location and the short amount of time we have.”

It was the third Monday.

The dungeon raid training that we had been planning and preparing for had finally arrived.

The atmosphere was similar to that of students right before a school trip.

Many students were gathered in their assigned teams, chatting about various things.

“The dungeons you will be raiding are all real. Please check the artifacts that have been issued to you.”

At Professor Karia’s words, the students immediately checked the badge-shaped artifacts attached to their chests.

These artifacts were equipped with basic first aid and spatial transfer to the infirmary in case of serious injury.

It was starting to sink in that we were actually going into a dungeon.

Even though this was a training exercise, dungeons are unpredictable and dangerous places.

In games, you could just press the respawn button and start over from the save point, but in reality, there was the risk of severe injury or even death during the raid.

The badge-shaped artifacts were specially designed to prevent such situations.

“Always be cautious and make wise decisions to ensure a successful raid.”

With those words, Professor Karia dismissed the students of Class 1-2.

Eden’s grounds were vast, encompassing an entire continent.

As a result, a significant number of gates appear within Eden.

Most gates are closed after being raided, but some are intentionally left open for purposes like today’s dungeon raid training.

“Has everyone packed properly? We’ll be living at the base camp in front of the gate for the next week, so double-check your gear.”

A simple base camp is set up around the gate, and the dungeon raid training is conducted there a couple of times per semester.

“If everyone’s ready, let’s move out.”

Although the dungeons within Eden’s grounds are managed, the vastness of Eden, covering the entire Australian continent, makes it inefficient to travel by regular means such as cars or trains.

“Student Han Sehee, Cadet Seong Yujin, Cadet Hermod Beowulf, Cadet Miguel Lorenzo, all members of Team 14 are present.”

Thus, gateways are used for spatial transfer.

The gate terminal manager confirmed the members of Team 14 and connected us to the dungeon we were assigned to.

This was my second time seeing a gateway, and it was still an awe-inspiring sight.

“You may proceed.”

I briefly thanked the manager and stepped through the gateway.

The campsite on the other side of the gate was in better condition than expected.

Compared to Eden’s dormitories and other facilities, it was modest, but still sufficient to meet basic needs.

We began unpacking our gear and preparing to enter the dungeon immediately.

“Has everyone brought their weapons and equipment?”

Before entering the dungeon, we conducted a final check.

Weapons, equipment, first aid supplies, and provisions for emergencies were all carefully inspected, and fortunately, there were no issues.

“Let’s go in.”

Although my role in the pre-arranged plan was to provide rear support and monitor the situation, I entered first.

Unlike me, who always maintained a complex barrier imbued with detection and defence spells, the rest of the party had to rely on their reflexes and bare bodies.

My job was to check for ambushes immediately after entry and create a foothold for the party to move comfortably.

I cautiously entered the dungeon.

It was quiet.

There was no immediate threat of battle with monsters.

I half-stepped out of the gate, signalling the rest of the party.

Upon seeing my signal, the party members followed me one by one into the dungeon.

“Phew, the air is thick.”

“It’s a swamp. Let’s bear with the humid air since Seon Yujin has prepared the footing for us.”

Miguel grumbled with a frown.

Han Sehee started scanning the surroundings, accepting the situation.

Although I had deployed a detection barrier to eliminate the need for constant vigilance, I didn’t stop her.

It’s always better to be thorough with preparations and vigilance.

“Our primary objective is simply to eliminate monsters and clear the dungeon, with no collection or point securing tasks.”

This was a small consolation.

Other dungeons had tasks such as collecting certain flora or securing neglected points within the dungeon, but due to the swampy terrain, such tasks were not required here.

“As per our plan discussed in the chat, we will prioritize defeating the dungeon boss and postpone dealing with other monsters unless they cross our path. Do not chase after monsters or deviate from the planned route.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

After confirming their responses, I directed Miguel, who was in the lead.

“Miguel, please lead us to the dungeon boss.”

“Got it.”

As previously discussed, Miguel and Hermod would scout ahead, while I continually scanned for approaching monsters.

I expanded the detection barrier, usually set at 15 meters, to around 100 meters.

A sharp pain shot through my head.

I quickly reverted the barrier to its original size, and the headache subsided.

Though my head throbbed, it was worth enduring for the valuable information gained.

“Based on an expanded sweep with the detection barrier, there are no monsters along our current path.”

“Then we can pick up the pace a bit.”

Miguel nodded and quickened his pace after hearing my report.

After about 20 minutes of traversing the swamp, the initial tension had significantly eased.

I periodically expanded the detection barrier to check our path, but there were still no monsters in our way.

Thanks to the barrier-created footholds, our progress was swift.

From the moment we entered the dungeon, everything went smoothly.

If we walk a few more minutes ahead, the dungeon master, who serves as the boss monster of this dungeon, will appear.

“…But does it make sense for there to be so few monsters?”

Unexpectedly, Hermod, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

While I was fine with the silence as long as it meant no disturbances, Hermod’s voice now sounded quite serious.

He glanced around, bringing his hand to his chin.

After a moment of silence, as if pondering something, Hermod spoke again.

“Seong Yujin? You said there was no chance of overlapping paths with the monsters, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then please check the number of monsters.”

The moment I heard Hermod’s request, I understood what he was trying to say.

There are times when this happens.

Instead of a large number of monsters inside the dungeon, there are few, but each one is significantly stronger.

Thinking it wasn’t entirely wrong, I expanded the detection barrier once more.

‘…Few.’

I expanded the barrier to a radius of 150 meters, but the number of monsters detected within the barrier was remarkably low.

Dungeons entered by students have already been conquered once, so there are guidebooks for dungeon conquest practice.

This dungeon also had a guidebook, and naturally, everyone had studied it before entering.

Generally, the monsters generated inside this swamp dungeon are large amphibians and large insect types.

Among them, the monsters that appear most frequently are the Giant Toad and the Horrible Spider.

As the names suggest, they are ferocious and gigantic frogs and spiders.

“…From now on, let’s assume the dungeon master’s grade is one level higher.”

Giant Toads and Horrible Spiders are not particularly strong monsters.

They are bothersome due to the swamp terrain they inhabit and their large size, but even a 5th-grade hunter, who is barely considered a hunter, can easily take down two or three of them alone.

The problem is their numbers.

These creatures don’t necessarily travel in packs, but they are also not scattered all over, so you naturally encounter multiple monsters consecutively.

“Is the situation serious?”

“Most of the monsters are gone. It’s such a rare occurrence that I didn’t notice during detection.”

But now, it’s strangely peaceful.

It’s almost like taking a stroll in a swamp park on the outskirts of the city.

Monsters draw power from the dungeon’s magic.

Therefore, the dungeon’s magic is like a blessing to them.

If a few monsters monopolize the magic that should be distributed among many, the number of monsters in the dungeon sharply decreases, but the remaining ones become exponentially stronger.

This phenomenon is known as the dungeon’s elite formation.

If the beneficiary of this situation is the dungeon master rather than an ordinary monster….

“Let’s think positively. The dungeon master has gotten stronger, but in other words, if we take down that one, we can rest for a week for free, right?”

“…Miguel is right, but.”

If only it were that easy.

The strength of the dungeon master is such that it can defeat all the other monsters in the dungeon.

And now, it has monopolized all the dungeon’s magic too?

Unless a higher-ranked hunter team than the dungeon’s level has been deployed, we should flee if we want to live.

It’s like going to catch a bee in a flowerbed and encountering a giant hornet instead.

Ping!

“Stop.”

At my single word, everyone stopped in an instant.

“The dungeon master’s magic has entered the detection barrier.”

The faces of Han Sehee, who was walking beside me, and Hermod, who had been smiling, showed tension.

Miguel, who had been trying to stay positive, also suddenly looked serious.

Unfortunately, there was more bad news to deliver in this situation.

“…Everyone, prepare for battle! It’s coming!”

A short, urgent sentence without subject or object.

But no one was foolish enough to ask what was coming.

Rumble..

The mud in the swamp trembled, and the occasional puddles shook.

The heavy sound of a massive body running echoed through the swamp, matching the tremors as it approached us.

At the end of our gaze, mossy earth and water splashed and scattered.

The greedy dungeon master is coming.