910

 [Chapter 226]

[Black Dungeon]

In the previous life.

The conquest team that set foot in the black dungeon was confused after receiving the mission given by the dungeon guide.

At first, no one tried to kill anyone and they just watched each other warily.

At that time, the dungeon guide intervened.

[Hey! This isn't fun!! From now on, I'll randomly kill 1 person every 10 minutes.]

The dungeon guide said that, then instantly blew up a person's head by pointing with its finger.

Only then did the conquest team realize the danger and break apart to fight each other.

At least it was easy to distinguish friend from foe.

Among those participating in the black dungeon conquest, there were people who joined intending to kill us from the start.

At that time, the mission the dungeon guide gave Eun-ha was also an opportunity.

Just as enemies tried to kill taking advantage of gaps, Eun-ha also killed them taking advantage of gaps.

Of course, he couldn't kill everyone.

In the meantime, the number of people was reduced by half as specified by the dungeon guide.

[Ahaha! Thanks to that, I watched something fun. Since the number has been reduced by half, I'll wrap up the 1st floor with this!]

""""...."""

[But everyone, how will you proceed from now on after fighting each other like this? Cooperation seems out of the question now.]

The dungeon guide was a will transmission body created by the black dungeon's will gathered like the world's will.

A being composed of the most evil wills.

The true identity of the bastard wearing a fairy disguise was close to a devil.

[Oh well, whatever! Then I'll move you to the 2nd floor! To tell you how to complete the 2nd floor mission, it's cooperation.]

The 2nd and 3rd floor missions could be seen as dungeon defense.

The conquest team members standing on the watchtower had to defend the castle against monsters swarming below the castle walls.

But those who fought each other with hostility on the 1st floor couldn't properly carry out a mission requiring cooperation.

"You killed my friend!!"

"You die too!!"

The conquest team members pretended to kill monsters while attacking people they harbored grudges against from the 1st floor.

As a result, the conquest team had to face internal enemies and external enemies simultaneously.

[Fight! Fight! The winning side is our side!!]

That aligned with the dungeon guide's desired purpose.

The dungeon guide wanted the conquest team to be hostile from the start.

Make them fall apart on the 1st floor, and make cooperation itself impossible as they doubt each other on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Because of that, by the time the conquest team finished the 3rd floor mission, their numbers were greatly reduced.

They were exhausted mentally and physically.

In that state, they had to carry out high difficulty missions in earnest.

I can't let that happen.

So Eun-ha blocked the source of hatred that would start from the 1st floor.

☆

On the 2nd floor, and the 3rd floor too.

The conquest team easily completed the missions and survived without a single death.

Although the scale of the dungeon defense was considerable, it wasn't too difficult when the conquest team members cooperated to face it.

[Amazing! I didn't expect you to complete the 2nd and 3rd floors so cleanly like this. Really, what is your identity? Can I take a peek at your memories?]

"Get lost."

[Tch, how stingy.]

It was all thanks to Eun-ha.

Eun-ha proposed conquest strategies as if he knew everything, and stepped forward to defeat powerful monsters.

The conquest team members just fought following his words.

Also, Avenir's role was big.

'First with fists.'

An aerial battle unfolded at one point.

At that time, Avenir who climbed the castle wall faced them alone wrapping his fists.

Giant Blow

At that moment, a giant's form appeared above the castle wall.

As Avenir quickly thrust his fist towards the air, the giant followed thrusting its fist.

The air exploded with one punch, and those preparing to invade while flapping their wings were shot down in droves.

The punches didn't stop at one, and continued several times until not a single one of them remained.

'That kid... Is he really a Guardian?'

'No, how can there be such a guy?'

'They say he's a rookie this year? Crazy...'

'Pandora did Pandora things this year too. Why are you surprised now, crazy.'

Bae Su-bin and others who were preparing for aerial combat just muttered dumbfounded.

Thanks to that, the damage suffered by conquest team members was very minor.

We've cleared the 2nd and 3rd floors with this.

27 floors left now?

Meanwhile, Eun-ha counted the remaining floors.

He was able to quickly complete up to the 3rd floor using memories from before regression.

But the difficulty rises from the 4th floor.

4th rank monsters start appearing from then.

Everyone's too exhausted.

We didn't even have proper time to rest while blocking the 2nd and 3rd floors almost consecutively.

Eun-ha looked back at the conquest team members.

On top of the castle wall.

Those who flopped down or lay sprawled on the floor were busy catching their breath.

Eun-ha too had pushed himself too hard, so strength was drained from his whole body.

If they moved to the next floor like this, the conquest team might collapse.

"Dungeon guide."

[Yes!]

They needed to recover stamina.

After making his judgment, Eun-ha called the dungeon guide.

The fairy that was cackling while watching Jo A-ra who reached exhaustion after intercepting monsters like siege weapons flew over.

[Shall I move you to the next floor?]

"No. Stop here for now. We'll rest here."

[That's disappointing. If you hadn't said anything, I would have pretended not to know and sent you to the 4th floor.]

""""...."""

[Then I could have watched you die in droves, how unfortunate. Well, 27 floors are still left. Even if you didn't die now, you'll die as you go deeper.]

The conquest team members raised their heads.

They made disgusted expressions.

Now they realized what the dungeon guide's true nature was like.

It was a devil if anything.

A devil that deceives by pretending to be pure.

If I hadn't said we'd rest, that bastard would have abruptly sent us to the next floor to die as it said.

Eun-ha sighed softly.

Before regression, the conquest team had to devote their bodies to continuing missions without even resting.

They didn't know they could rest if they asked the dungeon guide.

If someone hadn't very coincidentally brought up resting then, they would have had to go down to the deepest part without resting.

Knowing that, Eun-ha quickly put on the brakes in this life.

[Okay. Then I'll give you 24 hours in your time. Rest comfortably on the 3rd floor during that time.]

Eventually the dungeon guide gave the conquest team resting time.

But the conquest team members couldn't relax hearing those words.

You never know.

Their gazes turned to Eun-ha.

"You heard? Everyone rest comfortably for 24 hours. No more monsters will appear on this floor. Right?"

[Hmph! It's no fun if you pry into every little thing. You seem to know well that I can't lie. Yes, no more monsters will appear on this floor.]

"So rest comfortably."

Eun-ha's order dropped.

Only then did the conquest team members relax their tension and flop backwards.

"Whew, I really thought I was going to die!"

Exclamations poured out here and there.

The conquest team members finally drank water and chatted with people beside them.

"Eun-woo. It'll be hard, but go around with the Supporters and heal injured people." "Okay. I'll rest quickly after doing just that."

Cha Eun-woo stood up from her seat.

She who peeled off hair sticking to her cheeks wet with sweat moved her body.

Then Iriya, Yeo U-bi, and other Supporters also went out to help following her.

Eun-ha took out a potion from his holster.

...It's really bitter.

Jeong Seok-hoon's premium potion.

Espresso double shot.

He slowly filled his depleted mana while sipping the potion.

It's fortunate to have Mein's body.

Even if I fight recklessly using up mana, mana remains.

The number of times he could activate gifts decreased due to increased internal mana amount.

Instead, he could unleash more bold and threatening offensives than before.

Eun-ha checked his internal mana amount and turned his head.

"Are you okay?"

Jeong Ha-yang gently grasped his hand.

"Look how dirty your face is."

"What about you, Ha-yang?"

She who commanded the battlefield from the rear also looked visibly tired.

Eun-ha wiped the ash on her forehead with his thumb.

Jeong Ha-yang stood on tiptoes and checked if he was injured anywhere.

"Don't try to overdo things alone. We all came in prepared. We're not so weak that you have to protect us anymore, you know?"

"Yeah, sorry."

Jeong Ha-yang speaking in a deliberately stern tone.

Eun-ha smiled slightly.

Her words were right.

Just as Eun-ha had become stronger than before regression, the clan members had also become stronger than before regression.

They were no longer so weak as to need Eun-ha's care.

Ha-yang's words are right.

I do feel like I'm doing everything alone since entering the black dungeon.

It was unavoidable.

Eun-ha felt sorry for needlessly dragging them here.

Jeong Ha-yang saw through his heart.

She spoke in a sharp tone.

"Don't feel sorry." "..."

"You're not the only one who entered here to save Eun-ah unnie."

"...That's true."

Eun-ha nodded.

His and the clan members' goals were the same.

There was no need for him to do everything needlessly.

Then he looked around at the clan members gathered around him.

They were chattering too.

It was good to see their expressions brighten.

""""...."""

Then the clan members felt the gaze and looked at Eun-ha.

They cackled at whatever was so funny.

"Look at that kid covered in blood. Seriously, wash up. You're not avoiding using cleansing magic because mana is precious, are you?"

"Eun-ha Eun-ha! Should I wash you clean with magic? Just say the word! Speaking of which, how about a soju pack while resting..."

"Guys! Pa-rang hyung just went into the truck! Looks like he's trying to sneak out supplies!" "What!? Pa-rang oppa! What are you trying to eat alone now!? Let me eat too! I'm starving to death!!"

Bae Su-bin, Ariel, Kang Si-hyeong, Jo A-ra.

Starting with those four people, they kept chattering on.

It was distracting talk.

Eventually Eun-ha shrugged his shoulders.

"Are you finally relaxing now?"

"Yeah, you punk."

Mok Min-ho approached and sneered.

Eun-ha answered in a similar tone to him speaking provocatively.

"Not a single kid died coming this far. Why don't you say a word as Clan Lord at this opportunity?"

"A word..."

""""...."""

The clan members stopped talking.

Eun-ha chose his words.

There wasn't much to say.

"27 floors left. So rest when resting, and fight without letting your guard down when fighting. Even I don't know the details about this dungeon, so be careful at all times."

"Did you hear? Kids, even the God of Time isn't omniscient."

Mok Min-ho spoke as if for the clan members behind to hear.

God of Time.

The clan members giggled.

Eun-ha gave a bitter smile.

The clan members didn't try to press about his identity.

He was grateful for their consideration.

But he couldn't just keep his mouth shut receiving their consideration.

Now it was time he could tell those who had waited for him.

"When we conquer this dungeon and get out, I'll tell you without hiding then. What kind of person I really am. So don't die recklessly, everyone."

Eun-ha met eyes with each person one by one, trying to convey his sincerity.

A story he no longer needed to hide now.

But it would take a long time to talk about the path he had walked until now, and for them to accept it.

He couldn't speak in this situation.

The clan members seemed to know too.

So they accepted his words to talk after getting out.

"It doesn't matter whether Lord regressed, reincarnated, or was possessed. Lord is Lord. Rather, that might make me more attracted to Lord..."

"Iriya unnie is raising a death flag! Everyone stop Iriya unnie's mouth!"

"It gets noisy just when it seemed quiet, really chaotic."

Yeo U-bi shouts.

Hoshimiya Kaede shakes her head.

It's a complete mess.

Eun-ha burst into laughter.

☆

24 hours passed.

During that time, the dungeon guide flew around the conquest team members spouting useless talk.

Of course, not everything was useless.

The stories the dungeon guide brought up included useful information about the black dungeon mixed in.

The conquest team members now knew how to handle the dungeon guide to some extent.

[Now then, you've moved to the 4th floor! I'll convey the 4th floor mission.]

The conquest team members were summoned to the 4th floor.

As soon as they were summoned to the 4th floor, they sharpened their senses.

The aura of high-rank monsters could be felt from all directions.

"Everyone be careful. As I said, truly dangerous ones will start appearing in earnest from now on."

A world made of a labyrinth.

Eun-ha cautioned the conquest team members while looking out at the distant darkness.

The dungeon guide continued explaining.

[From the 4th floor, monsters known as 4th rank in your knowledge appear.]

The highest monsters that appeared up to the 3rd floor were 5th rank overrank at most.

But from the 4th floor is different.

The dungeon guide repeated the information Eun-ha had conveyed to the conquest team.

[Among the monsters on this floor now, there are 4th rank and overrank danger level monsters living here. Their number reaches as many as 100!!]

The conquest team members were shocked.

They had heard from Eun-ha's words, but it was just surprising that 100 4th rank and overrank monsters existed.

But 100 wasn't all.

They had to consider the number of monsters existing below that too.

The conquest team members swallowed.

[It doesn't matter how long it takes. You just need to kill all the monsters on this floor without leaving a single one. Not much, right?]

""""...."""

It was easy to say.

The conquest team members had to fight monsters familiar with the terrain.

And there could be highly intelligent monsters among them.

If they attacked in groups, it would be tricky to deal with.

Grrrr

However, regardless of whether the conquest team members were ready or not.

The dungeon guide declared the start.

Then monsters crouching in the darkness rose.

The conquest team members discovered glittering eyes around them.

"Crazy..."

Someone blurted that out.

The monsters were cunningly waiting at the point where the conquest team was summoned.

And they ambushed the conquest team as soon as the dungeon guide declared.

"Guardians get your minds straight and raise your shields!!!"

People shouted hurriedly.

The battle started so suddenly, and unfolded without even properly forming ranks.

☆

Black dungeon conquest team deaths: 0.

The record was broken from the 4th floor.

Many people died.

The conquest team had to wage field battles on the 4th floor, fighting even in the middle of the night to kill them.

Only after 3 days passed like that could they completely wipe them out.

[Good! Then let's go to the next floor after resting for 24 hours!!]

The dungeon guide was excited.

Because people who die in the black dungeon disappear becoming nourishment for the black dungeon.

Those who survived had to go down, and those who died were destined to be eaten by the dungeon.

That was the natural order of the black dungeon.

[Moving to the 5th floor!!]

Until conquering the dungeon.

It's impossible to go outside.

By then, the conquest team members regretted their choice to set foot in the black dungeon.

Nevertheless, they had to move forward.

The black dungeon wasn't easy.

Floors where missions were completed reactivate after time passes.

In the end, the conquest team members had no choice but to go down to the deepest part.

So they went down to the dungeon's deepest part reluctantly.

5th floor, 6th floor, 7th floor, 8th floor...

The number of people decreased with each floor they went down.

On the 9th floor, a Pandora Clan member finally lost their life.

Even the Dawn Sword couldn't do anything.

"─Thanks to you, we could come this far. Thank you so much, and I'm sorry."

Nevertheless, Eun-ha moved forward.

People rummaged through monsters' bellies to collect identification tags, and prayed for the clan member's soul.

And so they arrived at the 10th floor.

[Welcome to the 10th floor! You've reached one-third now.]

""""...."""

It felt like over a month had passed.

The conquest team members had only conquered one-third so far.

Their bodies could be healed anytime, but their minds were just becoming devastated, unable to do anything even with magic.

In such a situation, the dungeon guide made a sound as if mocking.

[To explain about the 10th floor... Hmm, it's a floor where you can't use what you know as gifts! And magic power is reduced.]

At those words.

The conquest team members' faces went blank.

[How many will be able to survive this time in such a situation?]

In the previous life.

This was the floor where <Mute > Son Ga-yeon died.