Chapter 83

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Chapter 83: Adventure in the Dungeon

“After seeing that strange staircase, we all felt uneasy, but as adventurers, risking our lives for wealth was our livelihood back then. Even though we sensed danger might lurk inside, we decided to descend and explore!”

“Who knew what treasures we might find? If there were rare materials like Magic Potions or ores down there, we could make a fortune!”

“The descending staircase passage, from its steps to its walls, was crafted from blue stone that exuded an ancient presence. Among adventurers, there’s a saying: ‘Ancient means wealth, secrets mean gold coins.’ We all suspected this might be the legacy of some ancient civilization – and such artifacts could be incredibly valuable.”

“As we descended gradually, the steps becoming less steep, we eventually encountered a crumbling stone door. After our leader cleared a passage through, we entered and found ourselves before an enormous, palace-like dungeon of magnificent proportions!”

“The corridors towered as if built for giants, with withered plants in flower pots lining both sides. Though damaged, the colorful crystal windows and stone doors remained, and many collapsed walls offered glimpses into similar corridors and chambers within – while ruined, they rivaled the beauty of the Holy Lieto Empire’s churches.”

“In those chambers, we discovered items that seemed sized for giants – shields shaped like emblems, pens as large as spears. But while searching, we accidentally roused the monsters dwelling there. These squatters were clearly not the original inhabitants, being much shorter than us, with wrinkled skin and wielding crude stone weapons even more primitive than those of barbaric Orcs. They charged at us with fierce roars!”

“Their strength was considerable, and they were numerous. After hastily fighting them off, we fled in disarray, with strange creatures gathering in growing numbers along our path. We saw four-winged double-headed birds soaring overhead, small creatures that seemed part lizard and part wolf, and countless humanoid monsters…”

“Most terrifying was a haunting female voice echoing from the depths, murmuring incomprehensible syllables. None of us saw her, but when the monsters heard that voice, they scattered like rabbits fleeing a predator’s roar, too frightened to move. Our leader theorized that the shattered stone sculptures we’d encountered might have been her handiwork!”

“Fortunately, she didn’t seem to pursue us, but we were too frightened to press on.”

“We wandered the labyrinthine corridors for what felt like an eternity before finding an upward passage. Though exhausted, we climbed desperately until we finally escaped.”

“Upon reaching the surface, we found the monsters hadn’t followed. When we reunited with our companions, we were shocked to learn we’d spent ten full days in that dungeon!”

“Yet remarkably, we’d felt neither hunger nor fatigue!”

“After the captain and vice-captain sold our findings, they distributed the valuable coins among the brotherhood. Everyone agreed to keep this matter secret, and that’s how it ended.”

As Old Harper concluded his tale, his attentive listeners responded.

“Uncle Harper, this is truly a fresh story!” Kanor praised simply.

Isabella raised an objection. “You all agreed to keep it secret… Is it really okay to share it now?”

“It’s been thirty years, so it’s fine,” Old Harper waved dismissively. “Truth be told, the captain got drunk at the tavern the very next day and spilled everything, but everyone thought he was just bragging. No one took it seriously… After all, in an Adventurer’s Tavern, ten people can tell sixteen or seventeen different tales about dungeons, elemental planes, the abyss, and the realm of the dead…”

Old Harper paused, then added emphatically, “Of course, what I’m telling you is absolutely true!”

“Well, we all know you’re telling the truth,” Ann nodded absently. “It’s quite a tale. Though if dungeons really exist, that would be remarkable. Legendary ancient magic and alchemical technology were incredibly powerful, capable of creating miracles rivaling divine wonders…”

She glanced at Lolth as she finished speaking.

At that moment, Lolth emerged from her reverie, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

“A hybrid of four-winged bird, lizard, and wolf… Hmm, probably not very tasty, but who knows? If one could breed or preserve this genetic hybrid trait in ordinary poultry, those ‘McXlao’ chickens from past lives with six pairs of wings might actually become reality!”

Isabella listened carefully to her muttering. Though she didn’t quite grasp the specific terms, she understood enough to realize this succubus wanted to modify and exploit creatures she hadn’t even seen and couldn’t verify existed.

“It’s truly too cruel… But, chicken wings are really delicious…”

Isabella criticized, yet couldn’t help feeling excited.

Her own corruption was deepening.

Ann glanced at Isabella, who was nervously swallowing, and silently rubbed her nose.

“Rumors really are unreliable. This ‘Ryman Ice’ Miss completely lacks the cool and decisive demeanor…”

Especially recalling how she had devoured canned meat while maintaining only basic elegance… it was hard to imagine she was a noble-born Grand Knight.

That scene could almost serve as evidence of Grand Duke Schwarzwald’s mistreatment of his daughter!

As the fireside storytelling concluded and the group grew more familiar with each other…

On the Vera Plain wilderness, a group including humans, dwarves, and elves noticed the distant flickering light.

“Captain – there’s a light source five hundred meters northeast!”

An elven ranger serving as scout turned around on the hill to report to his new human commander.

“A light?”

The human commander, wearing a mage robe with his bandaged left hand held across his chest, frowned with concern.

The Vera Plain had fallen completely to enemy forces, with demon troops conducting daily sweeps for survivors while monsters ran unchecked. Who would dare light a fire in the wilderness now…

Could they have encountered the demon army?

Surely not – this area was extremely remote, and the demon’s main forces would be busy securing cities and tribes! Why would they come here?

Unless they were searching for him?

“Hold back and stay quiet – let me look!”

With that, the human spellcaster climbed the hill and cast two spells: Magic Essence Perception and Eye of Astral Plane.