episode_0008

next day.

We woke up early in the morning, soothed our stomachs with the Birong special stew we ate last night, gained energy, and set out for the dungeon.

Shock – square.

“ugh. Why is there so much grass..”

Hans, who was cutting the overgrown grass with a small dagger, complained.

We heard that the dungeon we wanted to go to was deep in this forest, so we had no choice but to make our way through the grass that grew as tall as a person.

‘hmm. Still, according to the map, it looks like we’re almost there…’

Yesterday and today, I worked hard without stopping, so I’m sure I’m almost there.

Um… according to the information on the map, there was a large tree that left traces…

“Chief. Hey.”

“Hmm. Looks like we’re almost there.”

At that time, I discovered traces of Ceris having made an X mark on a large tree with a knife.

Sasasak-!

“……Captain!”

“Everyone ready for battle.”

chuck-!

At that time, Cerise and I both noticed the presence of people at the same time. Just like the sound of tiny human footsteps…just like a small breathing sound.

“……………..”

The mercenaries followed our signal and took out their weapons and lowered their posture.

Piing-!

“Where!”

visor-!

Kyaryaaa!

Seris easily struck down an arrow coming from a blind spot. At the same time, a disgusting scream echoes through the forest.

Dudadadada-!

“….Gnoll?!”

play. Similar to a kobold, it has some of the form of a rat, but its size is half that of an adult male, or more.

Although its physical abilities are not that great, considering that it lives in groups and knows how to use weapons, it was classified as a second-class monster by the empire.

Kriyaaak-!

Liquid-!

A gnoll warrior swung a sharp sword at Seris and I, who were standing at the forefront.

The blade was quite sharp and threatening, but the posture and strength with which it was wielded were a mess.

When I get attacked like this, I feel embarrassed and can’t dress up.

Whick!

I easily dodge the blades rushing towards me to the side. After that, it immediately struck the crowd of gnolls.

Big… loud…

Because it was a blow that concentrated magical power, the gnoll died with just one attack, even though he was unarmed.

Crrr!

“Inhale!”

Liquid-sudden!

Seris also cut the two running gnolls in half with a single swing.

“Nol? They’re just a bunch of idiots!”

“Kill them all!”

The mercenary members also cursed at the suddenly appeared gnolls and began slaughtering them.

Grrrr…. Grrrr.

It was truly a scene of overwhelming and one-sided violence. After that, a little while later.

Suddenly!

Grrrr…

Seris successfully subdued the group of gnolls by cutting off the head of the last remaining gnoll.

Even looking at it like this, it was a mercenary group with an average potential of 3 stars. For a group of gnolls that were 2-star monsters, even warm-up exercises were not enough.

“No one was hurt.”

“”Yes! Leader!””

“Then let’s start again. We’re almost there.”

It was a sudden attack, but we immediately started heading towards the dungeon without a single person being injured.

“…..Wow. This is the dungeon…!”

“Um.”

It didn’t take long. After walking for a while, a huge temple-like structure appeared before our eyes.

altar? pyramid? I’m not sure which one, but it’s probably similar to what comes to mind when you say ‘dungeon’.

‘Good good. ‘What kind of treasure awaits me here?’

“Everyone enter! Vice-captain Seris and I will take the lead, so please follow us!”

“”Yes! Leader!””

I slowly walked into the huge open entrance of the dungeon, half in anticipation and half in excitement.

“Stairs.”

“There are stairs.”

Seris and I carefully entered the entrance and simultaneously discovered a staircase so deep and high that we couldn’t see the end.

We spread out and looked all around to see if we could find another entrance or door, but we couldn’t find any.

There was only one path down the stairs, relying on the slight glow of a flaming torch attached to the wall.

“Attention everyone. Personnel are needed to remain at the entrance and stand guard. Are there any mercenary members willing to step forward?”

“I will do it. Leader.”

“Me too.”

“I will do it too!”

Starting with Birong, who came first, it was decided that several mercenary members would remain and stand guard at the entrance.

good. After all, they are trustworthy and loyal friends. This is how I behave as a mercenary corps member!

“Okay then. Go down. Everyone, please stay alert and follow us.”

So we began to go down the endless stairs, slowly taking one step at a time.

I went down and checked the walls, ceiling, and floor to see if there were any traps, but fortunately I didn’t find anything strange.

‘Anyway, what’s so cool? I think I’ve already gone down over 200 steps.’

I roughly counted over 200 items, but I don’t think we’re even halfway down.

What on earth exists down here? I walked forward with even more trembling and anticipation.

Finally, after a long, long staircase, we finally reached a large entrance. I could also see an unknown statue and a brazier with flames burning on either side of it.

“Enter.”

“Everyone enter! Don’t miss the four main boundaries!”

Sasak-!

We looked into each other’s eyes and then went straight into the entrance.

“….huh.”

“Wow…”

As we were nervous about what would pop out, what appeared before our eyes was a wide flower field that spread out like another world.

Light streamed down from the ceiling, which had a large hole, and the peaceful wings of birds could be seen flapping.

Colorful flowers were blooming in a vast flower field that stretched out with no end in sight.

It’s like, if Mureungdowon existed, wouldn’t it look like this? It was such a beautiful and dreamy space.

“What is this?”

“Huh. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“If I could capture this scene….”

Even the rough and warlike mercenaries were mesmerized by the magnificent and beautiful space.

‘Oops. ‘This is not the time.’

“Everyone, please focus. You never know what might pop out of this place.”

It was so beautiful that I lost my mind for a moment. Still, I have to do what I have to do. Because we didn’t come here to see this scene.

“Oops! Hmm! Everyone, don’t lose focus!”

“”Yes! Okay!””

At my shout, Seris, who was dazed, shook her head and shouted at the mercenaries.

The mercenary members looked at Seris with an expression that made them want to say, ‘You were dazed too,’ but they didn’t bother to say it out loud.

Sabak-Sabak-

We trampled on the flowers and began to move forward slowly, one step at a time.

This underground cavity was very large, but there were solid walls on both sides, so there was only one direction to go.

Sabak- Sabak.

It was a peaceful time, with only the sound of feet passing through flowers and grass echoing quietly.

“Uh…huh?!”

At that time, the screams of mercenaries were suddenly heard from behind.

“Everyone prepare for battle!!”

After looking back, I had no choice but to shout hastily.

Slurp-!

Among the wide-spreading flowers, I discovered a huge tentacle sprouting out and entangling a mercenary member.

“Ugh….Aaaa! Save me… Save me!”

At the same time as the screams of the struggling mercenaries, several more tentacles rose from among the beautiful flowers.

No, now that I looked at it properly, it wasn’t a tentacle, but the stem of a huge flower.

“Vice-captain Seris, go first! Follow me right away!”

“Yes! Leader!”

Tadadadadak-!

I held the two-handed sword tightly in my hand and ran towards the flower stem that was holding the mercenary member.

Kururururuk…

Liquid-!

“Pfft!”

Perhaps because it realized that it was attacking itself, the stem pulled out another stem from among the flowers and threw it away as if throwing a spear.

I narrowly avoided that sudden attack.

‘2 stars. No, it’s a 3-star monster.’

[Name: Venice / Age: 29 / Male]

[Unique Ability (Magic Eye): This is an eye that can see magical power. You can see the trajectory of magic power and use magic power more smoothly.

Unique Ability (Talent Identification): You can identify the other person’s talent. You can see your unique abilities and potential at a glance.

Unique Abilities (Superior Body): Your body is superior, as if it was made by God! Stamina, strength, situational judgment ability…. All other physical abilities are greatly improved!]

It was an attack that felt fast even to me, who had unique abilities, a superior body, and magical eyes.

It was a much faster attack than the Iron Claw Monkey, which was weak among the 3-star monsters, so it was probably a mid- or high-tier 3-star monster.

Suddenly!

Slurp…

“Aaaah-!”

dump.

When the stem that was holding the mercenary member was cut off, the mercenary member fell to the ground. The floor was filled with soft flowers, so it didn’t seem to be damaged.

As soon as I confirmed that the mercenary was safe, I immediately shouted with magic in my voice.

“Everyone be careful! It’s a 3-star mid-level monster!”

“Quuk! Somehow he was so strong..!”

“….Ugh!”

As I looked around, I could see that the mercenary members were having a hard time.

Suddenly!

Kururu…

“Get out of the way!”

In the chaotic battlefield, Seris shines brightly. Like a flame burning in the darkness where you can’t even see an inch ahead.

Creep – Creep –!

Quickly and concisely, it cuts down tough flower stems with a single attack.

I can’t just sit back and watch.

“Heu-!”

Huh-sudden!

I ducked to avoid the stem extending towards me and cut it off with a vertical cut.

“Be careful!”

“Thank you!”

Even the mercenary members who were confused because it was their first time facing an enemy began to slowly counterattack after they got used to it.

Squeak-sudden-sudden liquid!

The flower stems could not withstand our combined attacks.

“This is the last one!”

Suddenly!

Grumbling..

After cutting off the thickest stem among the flower stems that had risen, Ceris was the last one to successfully defeat the monsters that attacked us.

“Everyone gather together!”

“”Yes! Leader!””

At my shout, members began to gather around me one by one.

A few people had bruises and some were bleeding, but no one was seriously injured.

Phew… Still, considering it was a surprise attack, I think we managed to stop it pretty well.

“Can everyone move? I will move further from now on. If anyone wants to take a break, it’s okay to go back.”

“”It’s okay, Captain!””

“….Then. Let’s leave right away.”

If it felt really difficult, you could skip it. Well, it would be better if everyone could go.

I embraced my satisfied heart and began to move forward.

Passing through the plains of flowers that I thought were paradise.

***

Although we walked for some distance, no significant attacks were made against us. As if nothing had happened, the flower paradise became peaceful again.

“Chief. Do you see that?”

“Okay. I can see it too.”

At that time, in the field of view of Ceris and I, an old pavilion with a noble appearance appeared in the distance.

And under the shadow of the pavilion, there was an object.

‘…..knife?’

Looking closely, it seemed like an object that appeared to be a sword was stuck in the ground.

Is this really the artifact I was hoping for?!

“Let’s all go there. That place will probably be the last one.”

Since there seemed to be no land behind that pavilion, just a cliff, it seemed like that would be the end point of our dungeon exploration.

“What is there? I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

“It would be nice to have gold and silver treasures. Tsk tsk…”

Since the end of the request was in sight, the mercenary members seemed to have relaxed somewhat and chatted happily.

Of course, since we were veterans, we never stopped being on guard.

By the time we reached the pavilion. An extraordinary thing happened.

Kugugugugugung-!

There was a crazy vibration, and we had no choice but to stumble. With a huge noise, birds took off and grass fell from the sky.

Saralarak-!

“What the hell is this…”

Centered around the pavilion, the flowers that had been blooming began to move as if they were gathering in one place.

And the flowers gathered together to form one huge shape.

“Dan…Blind.”

“Oh my…damn.”

Pogrrr…!

Even 3-star monsters were at a level that could devastate a small village.

If so, how strong is a 4-star monster higher than that?

According to a book I read, there was a case where a single 4-star monster destroyed an entire city.

And then, a 4-star monster, Nepenthes, appeared in front of us.

A monster that makes residents of all surrounding villages flee at the mere rumor of its appearance, and even strives to recruit the best hunters in the empire.

A paradise of flowers. And the watchman who protects that paradise.

When Nepenthes appeared, we had no choice but to break into a cold sweat, like prey facing death, and grip our weapons so tightly that we felt like they would break.