episode_0014

No one knows the true identity of the dungeon.

Except for one person, Ian, who is a regressor.

The Pride Empire is the largest nation and forefront of humanity.

To the north is the border with the land of the demons.

Humanity and demons, who had only been involved in petty disputes, at some point became openly hostile to each other.

The starting point was before Ian even arrived.

That’s how the war began.

Ian figured out that there are two ways for the demons to invade.

Attacking from the ground.

And, using an unknown ‘portal’, they create a dungeon in human land and conduct a surprise attack from within.

Even Ian couldn’t figure out the identity of the portal.

Anyway, those who expertly solve such dungeons and fight against demons and monsters on the northern front are warriors.

“Class A dungeon, it’s been about 5 days since it appeared. The monsters that live there are red ogre and half hydra. The boss monster has not been confirmed.”

“… What?”

Kylie, who was drinking cold water, shot a sharp look.

Beatrice, sitting across from me, had the same reaction.

“Are you kidding me?”

Sylvia, who was leaning against her next to her, also raised her eyes.

Aria blinked as if she was thinking about what she had just said.

Penny didn’t know why they were doing this.

‘Why the hell are you guys?’

After thinking for a while, Aria opened her mouth.

“You don’t know the boss monster?”

“Yes. It hasn’t been long since it appeared, and since it’s an A-class dungeon, it’s not easy to form a scouting team.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“… Yes?”

Penny can’t follow Aria’s words.

What was even more embarrassing was that the remaining members responded in agreement with Aria’s words.

“Ian even gave us all the information about SS-level dungeons.”

Those were Sylvia’s words.

Penny then realized why they were doing this.

‘Philip… . ‘You even knew the dungeon information?’

I don’t know if that’s possible.

But judging from their reactions, it seems to be true.

Philip, who knows the dungeon, provides information to Ian, and Ian tells it to them.

During this process, Ian pretended that he had done it all.

A plausible process was completed in Penny’s mind.

“I think we promised to provide a better environment than before. I’m not doing anything right.”

Kylie grumbled.

Penny couldn’t just sit still and listen.

“So! Wouldn’t this have happened if you hadn’t just let Philip’s papers burn already?”

“That damn Philip, Philip!”

Kylie couldn’t stand it any longer and jumped up and pointed at her.

“The guys who poured alcohol last night are also looking for Philip dirty! Who the hell is that bastard?”

“I’ve told you this several times! He is the actual manager of this party, standing behind Ian!”

“Fuck that again!”

Kylie nervously threw the glass away.

A glass passed by Penny’s face.

It was faster than the wind, so much so that it tore off my hair.

Penny swallowed her breath without realizing it.

Even though he was a warrior, he couldn’t react at all.

“Listen carefully. Philip is Ian’s attendant.”

“That’s because you were deceived… .”

“What we were deceived was related to money and work! How many times do I have to say it for you to understand? Wasn’t this already agreed upon?”

“How can you be sure of that? You might have been tricked!”

“How can you be sure? Because we’ve all been with Ian from the beginning!”

“What… ?”

“Ian is the one who took us with no money and put us in this position! Of course, I didn’t know the true intention at the time!”

“That can’t be… .”

A crack has appeared in the truth that Penny has believed until now.

A very large and dangerous crack.

I couldn’t believe it.

From the beginning, there was a disagreement with the warrior party.

Those who deny Philip’s existence and myself who wants to make it known.

However, they agreed that Ian had deceived them, so they decided to kick him out.

The problem was next.

The party became increasingly creaky.

They believed that all they had to do was get in touch with Philip, but they say that Philip is not that kind of person.

I don’t think it’s a lie.

“Then, then, what about Sylvia, the beggar girl who spread it to me…? .”

“Silvia, the beggar girl?”

Sylvia tilted her head in confusion.

Beatrice looked like she knew.

“Ah, that kind of story has already been going around. I thought it was just nonsense from people who had nothing to do?”

“What… ?”

Penny looked at Sylvia with questioning eyes.

“This is my first time hearing this? It seems like they were talking about something while drinking… .”

“I guess so. Because you are a bookworm who only knows magic. Well, there is something like that. The person who picked you up from the past and raised you until now is a person named Philip. I heard it’s a popular story in Superbia, but it’s been quite a while since we left there. Actually, I heard it yesterday too.”

Beatrice was calm as if she were talking to someone else.

Penny could never be calm.

“Or was it Ian? You do that a lot. Inflating or refining any story to make it known.”

Philip, Ian.

Ian, Philip.

The two of them shimmered like a haze in Penny’s mind.

‘what… . How could this… .’

“Tsk. That doesn’t help. If it were going to be like this, Ian would have been better.”

Penny’s embarrassment was broken by Kylie’s words.

Although she came here for Philip, she was also a greedy woman.

Fame, money, recognition.

I couldn’t sit still in the face of this kind of insult.

“So, did you enjoy such a splendid night thanks to me, who is worse than Ian? Yes?”

“Kuhm.”

Kylie turned her head and avoided eye contact.

Because of the heavy drinking, there were red wine stains on his collar, and his body still smelled of alcohol.

“You must have received a lot of money that had nothing to do with dungeons or demons while working with nobles. It’s so funny that it’s all because of me being worse than Ian.”

The other warriors also fell silent.

In fact, he talked and shared drinks with nobles and received free money.

Ian has completely ruled out this kind of thing.

Have a light drink whenever you hang out with nobles.

When drinking heavily, they were to drink only among themselves.

Knowing the personalities of the four people I saw in the second episode, I did it to prevent accidents in advance.

Of course, they have no way of knowing that fact.

In addition, he has refused any financial support or favors that do not come through Ian.

So, for the first time, they drank soberly and enjoyed the outpouring of goodwill.

“This is Philip… . Ha, I’m going crazy. First, I will find out more. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go to the dungeon, right?”

“Sounds obvious.”

Kylie snorted.

Silvia and Beatrice also looked confident.

No matter what anyone said, these were humanity’s strongest forces.

However, Aria noticed something.

“Then, please let only our party enter this time.”

Multiple parties can enter the dungeon.

There is no particular limit, but basically you are limited to three parties.

If there are too many people, they may get tangled up and get hurt.

Aria’s request was a question not only to Penny but also to the other warriors.

Even if they don’t receive compensation, there are many people who want to see the first party at least once.

And the first party enjoys showing off their superiority in front of them.

But, Aria has now rejected it.

“Is there even a need to do that?”

“Ugh… . It’s been a while since I’ve been in a dungeon. You’re not sure, are you? I don’t even know the boss monster.”

Penny looked around at the other three.

Sylvia seemed to agree, but the other two looked a little disappointed.

“What would you like to do?”

“Hmm… .”

The two who were pondering soon also nodded to Aria’s opinion.

“I guess it’s okay to try that this once.”

“That’s us, but nothing special will happen, right?”

“I understand. I’ll try my best on that. We will inform you of the departure schedule again. Well then, rest in peace.”

Penny left the parlor, leaving the four warriors behind.

“Ha… .”

Even though I let out a deep sigh, the discomfort inside did not go away.

I couldn’t stop.

Penny walked at a brisk pace, sorting out what she had to do.

‘Dogging the dungeon. And, Ian. ‘I need to find out about this guy.’

***

“Whoo, whoo… .”

I’m breathing hard and my heart is pounding as if it’s going to race.

My whole body was hot and wet with sweat, but I felt refreshed.

I can feel the lively blood flowing through my whole body.

“Whoa, whoa… .”

Vivian was running.

Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth.

Support your upper body by supporting your stomach, and place your feet on the ground with only the front part of your body.

It’s been a week since I’ve been running following Ian’s instructions.

The first time I ran, I was out of breath, but now I can do it.

The speed also became much faster, almost approaching the time suggested by Ian.

Because I ate well, moved well, and slept well for a week, I gained healthy weight.

Although I am still thin, I am no longer skinny.

The clothes Ian bought me were big when I first got them, but they are slowly fitting into my body.

I felt that not only my appearance was changing, but also my insides.

Every time my heart beats against my body, my mouth fills up as if I’m running out of breath, and my muscles scream.

I felt that my body was alive on this earth.

I was full of energy every day, and I didn’t have any random thoughts while eating, resting, and running.

Something like me.

Like me.

The words, which were more attached to my heart than my mouth, gradually fell out.

Another word took its place.

‘I can do it too.’

The last 10 laps of the day, a week after I started running.

Vivian, who had finished the race, stood in front of Ian with her chest heaving.

He held the slime hammer and looked at his pocket watch.

‘Is it late today too…? .’

My posture improved, and my speed increased a bit.

It was not easy to reach the time zone Ian wanted.

I got used to being hit by that hammer, but I still wanted to live up to Ian’s expectations.

“Hmm.”

Ian, who was looking at his pocket watch, picked up the hammer.

Vivian lowered her head at the thought of being hit again.

‘But tomorrow, for sure… .’

“Congratulations.”

“… Yes?”

“The time was correct. Today.”

Vivian raised her head in surprise.

The hammer in my hand was gone before I knew it.

“For now, let’s just keep it like today.”

“… !”

Vivian closed her mouth tightly and took a deep breath.

Water shimmered in his widened eyes.

“You did well to reach it in just one week!”

Mercy, sitting on Ian’s shoulder, praised.

Even though Kati didn’t say anything, I could feel that she viewed Vivian favorably.

Vivian was a truly amazing person.

Even though the eyes are covered, subtle emotions are conveyed.

“Even though this guy spoke so bluntly, he must be happy in his heart!”

“Be quiet.”

Came in on time.

Ian’s expectations were met.

My heart was pounding loudly in a different way than when I was running.

“Kiyaaa-!”

Vivian shouted, “Hurrah,” as if bursting with emotions that were overwhelming her inside.

A few aspirants around her looked at her, but she didn’t pay any attention.

Ian also chuckled as he saw Vivian looking so happy.

‘You’re laughing a lot these days.’

Vivian, who was smiling, looked at Ian.

While my heart was pounding for a variety of reasons, the person in front of me felt so big.

Even though his laugh was very innocent and light, it was warmer than the spring sunlight.

*

As each day passed, Vivian gained more weight and muscles, and her physical strength also improved.

After a week of running, Ian also added agility training.

It involves going back and forth between two hourglasses placed at a certain distance and turning them over within time.

In order to cope with all situations, quickness was also important.

Like running, it was slow at first, but Vivian quickly got used to it.

Ian also taught the process of opening the mana circuit again.

It was about recognizing the incoming breath and clearly awakening each and every sensation of the body from head to toe.

Vivian repeated circuit training whenever she had free time.

Even though Ian seemed overly enthusiastic, he didn’t stop him.

Endurance and agility training.

And mana circuit opening training.

After all that process, it was finally the morning of the 14th day.

“I’m going to use magic today.”

Ian declared.

“Yes!”

*

Behind the training center.

There were a few people in a space larger than the playground.

This is because it is a place to practice practical skills and is dangerous.

Swords were being swung everywhere, and magic and arrows were flying.

Ian and Vivian also settled in a corner.

In front, there was a scarecrow made of straw.

“Don’t be too nervous.”

“Yes, yes… .”

Vivian was excited this morning.

It was a spell that was used in just 14 days, and I was curious about the results so far.

But when I was faced with a situation where I would actually use magic, my whole body trembled.

‘What if I don’t get results? If I’m incompetent and betray Ian’s expectations… . I bought you such nice clothes… .’

Because it was a monumental day, I also wore the wizard robe I received from Taylor.

The white fabric was neatly decorated with an olive color that matched her eyes.

I wore it to cheer me up, but it actually made me feel more burdened.

On the other hand, Ian was calm.

I couldn’t tell if I had no expectations or if I didn’t doubt failure.

“One Ice Spear. Fast, accurate, strong. You must pay attention to all three conditions.

“Yes… !”

“And don’t close your eyes when you cast it. You must have practiced.”

“Yes, I will try… .”

Take a deep breath.

Vivian closed her eyes and opened the mana circuit.

Immediately after that, every aspirant nearby had to turn their head towards Vivian.