Episode 227
"Dungeon cleared."
"Dungeon cleared."
"Dungeon cleared."
… … .
"This is insane……"
"Cleared it that fast?"
"Does that even make sense?"
Deep inside the Forest of Nephelis.
The Adult Faction players, who were monitoring the Black Dragon's broadcast screen, were astonished.
'He's a real lunatic.'
Funzao, who was watching the situation with them, had no choice but to agree.
When they all became members of the Investigation Team, they were granted a single opportunity to enter a floating dungeon.
However, their performance was so poor that their clear success rate was a mere 10 percent.
It was absolutely impossible for a player who was still a candidate for the team.
"It's noisy."
Just then, a man standing on one side with his arms crossed spoke in a low voice.
It was Keloma, ranked 605th.
It was unknown when he had joined, but he was undoubtedly the strongest force here.
"The Black Dragon is an experienced being of another world mentioned in the oracle. Perhaps, unlike the others, he had two chances."
The possibility that naturally arose from the appearance of the Black Dragon shown so far.
All players of the Holy Faction who had experienced the other world were granted one chance.
However, given that they were humans on the side of the despicable Goddess of Silence, it would not have been surprising if they had resorted to dirty tricks.
“Is a second chance possible? I heard that even one time was enough to push your souls to their limits.”
“Indeed. There are some who went insane after returning to Earth.”
“They just lack the right nature. We are like that too, but we should be grateful just to be alive.”
The ability to return to Earth from the other world was due to the compassion bestowed by the Goddess of Turmoil.
Those who went mad in the process did so because their souls were inherently weak.
This fact was conveyed through the words of the Pope, who delivered the Goddess’s will.
"Your souls have reached their limits. However, because the Goddess of Turmoil sacrificed her body and used her divine power, you were able to return to Earth and continue your duties. Those who could not return fully despite receiving that grace should be grateful that they at least preserved their lives."
This was one of the Pope’s speeches heard the moment I first logged into the RP.
Visible only to the players on the side of the Goddess of Turmoil, it resonated deep within their hearts. After all
, he was a noble being who had sacrificed everything to save the world.
“Perhaps the players in the Great Temple were given a second chance, too? They already seem to be people who have received an excessive amount of love from the Goddess.”
Just then, a man spoke in a voice full of dissatisfaction.
He was a top-tier player about whom almost no information was known.
Simply staying in the Great Temple was, in the first place, tantamount to receiving the Goddess’s favor.
For them, RP was not a game, but an extension of the other world.
“Even so, there is no problem. It is a critical task to prevent the destruction of the world by the Goddess of Silence. Those who are worthy deserve to receive favor.”
“Worthy? Did those guys up there find even a single footprint of Erfort? It’s all the same until you reach the end.”
Someone listening snorted and let out a mocking laugh.
Ultimately, the condition to prevent the destruction of the world was to find Erfort and clear the game.
Now that they had failed to achieve that, no one had the right to hold their heads high.
“Enough with the pointless bickering. So, when are you going to enter?”
“There is a limit to knowledge and experience. Your limits will be revealed soon.”
[Dungeon cleared.]
The Black Dragon cleared yet another dungeon even while they were chatting.
The expressions on the players' faces, focused on the broadcast screen, were more serious than usual.
“We can’t wait any longer. Aren’t you ashamed with this many top-ranked players gathered here?”
“Me neither. How long are we supposed to just keep watching this?”
“I agree.”
Voices that could no longer be held back burst out one after another.
This was because, even while watching the Black Dragon’s gameplay bordering on eccentric, they had unwavering faith in the skill and strength they had built up.
“What we need is results. If you are going to care about your pride, leave this place.”
Keloma raised his eyebrows and spat out a warning.
Eyes silently watched the broadcast screen with arms crossed.
And after a short while, a change occurred.
[Black Dragon, something is wrong!]
[We can’t hold out anymore!]
[The shield is already… … ” !"
The Black Dragon's comrades let out urgent screams and shouts.
Lightning intense enough to paralyze vision and raindrops filling the field of view.
The translucent horde of monsters that appeared amidst it all was incredibly powerful.
The Guardian Shield held by the man known as Pingpong had already reached its limit and lost its effectiveness.
"Boom—!"
Fighting the monsters with tremendous force, the Black Dragon also showed no signs of the composure he had displayed before.
He seemed to show a slight look of panic.
“Now is the time.”
Just then, Keloma raised his twin swords.
Then, with a solemn voice, looking at the fragmented island beyond, he said,
“Entering.”
***
[Entering Dungeon – Island of Thunderstorms.]
Rumble!
Having moved to the next island, Hanbit and his party arrived at a place that had become noticeably dark. It was
a complex forest terrain where thunder and wind raged.
The raindrops pounding their faces like crazy were enough to obscure their vision.
“Wow, this is too…!”
“I can’t see anything!”
The twins could not easily adapt to the torrential rain and gusts of wind.
It was a relief that they hadn’t been blown far away and rolled around.
-Wow;
-The weather is absolutely awful;
-Why are all the dungeons in such a state?
-It’s worse than the Cube of Hell. Lol
-Seriously hell.
Viewers who had been watching the walkthroughs of several open-type dungeons showed similar reactions.
From the environment to the monsters, nothing was easy.
It was a terrible place, in a slightly different sense than the Cube of Hell.
“I’m fine!”
Bang!
Pingpong blocked the twins’ path while planting his shield in the ground.
He was a man capable of demonstrating his skill and potential, provided the visibility wasn’t chaotic.
Being susceptible to motion sickness was something he would eventually get used to.
'As expected, it’s worse than I thought.'
Hanbit, who had anticipated the appearance of the final dungeon, nodded inwardly.
The difficulty was so high that it was hard to even compare it to the places he had experienced in the other world.
He was clearly aware that the cause lay in that lightning.
Surveying his surroundings, Hanbit briefly opened the character information window.
[Black Dragon – Lv.302]
[Title: None]
[Faction: Hardliners]
[Ranking: 4,502
] Strength: 660(+198)
Agility: 660(+198)
Intelligence: 650(+198)
Stamina: 650(+198)
Remaining Stat Points: 0
Faction Points: 1,311
The results obtained from rapidly clearing eight dungeons were substantial.
Before they knew it, their level had surpassed 300.
With the added effects from the Lost World Tree Branch, their stats far exceeded the average.
“Lord Black Dragon, what shall we do here!”
“Thanks to Uncle Ping Pong, we can fight!”
The twins showed fighting spirit even while covering their faces with their arms.
Having been forced to fight continuously in the previous dungeons, they seemed to have gained a certain level of confidence.
'It was a bit dangerous.'
Although Hanbit kept a close watch, it was by no means an easy process.
There were many situations where they would have died if orders hadn't been given at the precise moment.
Pingpong, in particular, displayed remarkable judgment and quick reflexes as he took on the role of the tank.
“Protect yourselves as much as possible.”
“Yes!”
“Understood.”
Nodding, the two gazed beyond the rain that filled their vision.
And when the raging lightning subsided slightly, monsters appeared from all directions.
[Lightning Soul (Lv. 345)]
[Lightning Monkey (Lv. 341)]
—Wow;
—Look at that fierce face;
—You want us to fight them here?
—This isn't easy;
The creatures, resembling humans and monkeys, radiated the intense light of thunder.
At first glance, they looked like translucent shadows.
They were incredibly powerful beings.
Ddddd—!
The monsters began to move before Hanbit and his party could even get close.
Hanbit, who had been keeping his stance low, looked at the individual at the far end.
'That one has gotten stronger, too.'
The level at the time of entry didn't really register.
However, by looking at the monsters, he could gauge the situation.
"Hide behind the terrain and defend. Absolutely do not cause any harm."
Ta-da!
Having secretly left the message, Hanbit kicked off.
Making a large movement as he headed among the monsters was part of the plan.
Just as he drew their attention, their gazes were instantly fixed on him.
Ow!
Grr-
A rampaging monkey baring its teeth and a human-like figure emitting a bizarre voice.
Having spotted their target, they reached Hanbit's location at tremendous speed.
At that moment.
Crack!
An intense light shot out from the sky.
Whoosh!
Hanbit, who had been hiding behind trees and rocks, crouched low.
Crash!
At the same time, dozens of streaks of lightning struck the ground.
The attack, shattering and burning terrain features, was separate from the monsters' own strength.
“Lord Black Dragon, something is wrong!”
“We can’t hold out anymore!”
“The shield already…!”
The Twins and Pingpong, who were dealing with the monsters at close range, were unable to regain their senses from the surprise lightning strike.
Crackle—!
Crash—!
Meanwhile, threats continued to rain down on Hanbit as well.
Thump—!
Seeing him fly far away as if unable to withstand the attack, it was clear to anyone that he was in a critical situation.
-Huh?
-Are you losing?
-Finally?
-It’s about time you lost.
-If these are rankers with rising inferiority complexes, then thumbs up.
-Why would you feel inferior? You guys can't do it anyway.
-LOL
'It’s about time they arrived.'
The adult players from outside, who hadn't shown themselves until now.
It seemed they were waiting until they were in danger. Was
the delay prolonged because the game was progressing too quickly?
Whoosh—!
Just then, the sound of a faint gust of wind was heard from a distance.
Its nature was distinctly different from the thunderstorms raging here.
Needless to say, this was outside the island.
Swoosh—
Hanbit took a branch of the World Tree from his inventory and used it on the three people standing far away.
Crunch!
“Huh?”
“Lord Black Dragon?”
“Yes?”
As thick vines sprang from the ground and enveloped their bodies, everyone’s eyes widened.
At the same time, the awaited enemies revealed themselves.
Whoosh—!
Dozens of players fell from the distant sky.
Most of them were the same ones seen at the fortress entrance.
—Ah.
—These real bugs have appeared.
—I’m getting attached to you guys, you bastards;
—Everyone except one kept their mouth shut in front of the fortress. Haha.
—Ivela is scary, though.
“No need for long explanations.”
Keloma, the man standing at the front wielding twin swords, issued an unwavering command.
Immediately, the players, having been distributed among themselves, took their positions.
“You’re top rankers, right? Isn’t 30 too many?”
“Nothing is too much. There is only victory and defeat.”
In response to Hanbit's question, Keloma approached and spoke in a gruff voice.
It felt as if he were talking to an emotionless robot.
"It’s good that you aren’t letting your guard down, but do you know where this is?"
"Thunderstorm Island, one of Nephelis’s dungeons. The clear condition is likely to be subjugation."
"Really? Then it’s first come, first served."
Ta-ta!
Hanbit, having finished the conversation immediately, kicked off and leaped into the pack of monsters.
"Catch him!"
The players reacted instantly and quickly pursued him.
Ta-dat!
Having dug deep inside, Hanbit advanced toward a single monkey.
At the same time, two people appeared from either side.
Thwack!
Sizzle!
A dagger plunged into the monkey's neck, and twin swords of flame sliced through its chest.
It was the offensive of Keloma and Punjao, who had followed with all their might to prevent Hanbit from clearing the dungeon.
"Clearing it is out of the question!"
"Pour it all out!"
Whoosh!
Shhh!
Along with Keloma's loud shout, the players unleashed their respective skills.
Just before it was activated, Hanbit quickly stepped back.
“I won’t let you get away!”
“It’s useless!”
The two members of the Holy Faction immediately kicked up and prepared to pursue.
At that moment.
Flash—!
Lightning of a scale entirely different from before engulfed the heavens and earth.
Crash—!
“Ugh!”
“What…!”
The players panicked at the threat they instinctively felt.
At the same time, a golden sphere appeared in the sky.
“Who is it?”
A mysterious voice echoed clearly through the noisy battlefield.
It was a being in the form of a human wearing golden robes.
“It’s you.”
His gaze turned toward the Holy Faction players standing below.
They were the culprits who had killed the monsters here.
“Die.”
Crash—!
With a short word, hundreds of streaks of lightning fell from the sky.
The Holy Faction players met their deaths without even being able to let out a dying cry.
“Crazy.”
“What on earth is this place…!”
The wide-eyed gazes of Punjao and Keloma naturally shifted to the Black Dragon.
But before I could hear an answer, lightning struck again.
Boom!
The bodies of the two vanished cleanly in the golden lightning that enveloped their entire beings.
Although there was no one left to hear the answer, Hanbit leisurely murmured the correct one.
“This is the realm of a Supreme Spirit.”
Tonatio, the Supreme Spirit and the de facto ruler of the electric attribute.
This dungeon was a space that was one of his domains.
Kneeling, Hanbit raised his head toward the sky and said,
“I greet Lord Tonatio, the Supreme Spirit.”
