Chapter 58: Deep-sea Dungeon Raid Part 8

"This is as far as we go."

"Crossing here means we'll be attacked, then."

We made our way back to where the ambush occurred. I spotted the half of Sharp's body lying nearby and let out a deep sigh.

"Just give me a moment."

I found the clock flower I had dropped during the attack, picked it up, and knelt on one knee on the ground. Then I took out a handful of sea moss I had brought along, placed it on the ground, and used the [Breath of the Forest].

-Ssssshhh…

The sea moss began to creep and spread across the floor.

"…What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for a safe path."

It might sound insane to search for a safe route with a Kraken ahead, but I know it's possible.

This sea moss I've gathered is proof of that.

"There's not much, but sea moss is growing on the ground."

"So what?"

"Sea moss has excellent reproductive and adaptive capabilities. All it needs is seawater."

"..."

"Moreover, there are no creatures here that feed on sea moss. So, it's as good as an ideal breeding ground, but…"

I continued while observing the sea moss spreading across the floor.

"There are patches where no sea moss can be seen at all."

Just like I said, the sea moss was avoiding certain areas as it grew.

"This part is my speculation."

"I'm listening."

"Kraken's shell courses with poison. It's not lethal but enough to dissolve sea moss."

"In that case…"

"Yes. The areas devoid of sea moss likely indicate where its tentacles have passed. The creature is probably concealing itself beneath the floor."

As the sea moss grew to a certain extent, the paths the tentacles had taken became more clear.

Dizzy traces appeared as if a snake had crawled around.

"Sticking close to the walls as we move forward would be safer."

I pointed to the walls and floor, which were overgrown with sea moss. When [Blessing of the Forest] was used, purification power was absorbed into the sea moss and a faint light appeared. This made it easier to identify the safe zones.

"From here on, I'll lead the way. Just step where I step and follow me. Oh, and for Lloyd…"

I pulled the shadow cloak from my space ring.

"This cloak will erase your presence. It's somewhat heavy, but it will be of help."

"..."

Lloyd silently wrapped himself in the shadow cloak and his form slowly started blending into the darkness as if being consumed by it.

After activating the [Feather Walk] skill to lighten my steps, I took the lead. As we moved on the soft sea moss, there were no other attacks. It seemed my speculation was spot on.

Fortunate indeed. If we continue like this, we should avoid anyone else having his internal organs torn out.

We made our way towards the center of the dungeon. Our progress was slow since we had to step only where the sea moss grew.

With some luck, we might make it back before the clock flower's petals all fall off.

It took more than twice as long as expected to reach the center.

This was due in part to the need to step solely on sea moss and because the structure of the corridors began to maze-like halfway through.

Thanks to the sea moss, though, we were spared from losing our way.

All we had to do was avoid the paths where there were no traces of tentacles crawling on and advance forward without paying them any mind.

Being able to just pass through this maze is an unexpected gain.

Had we been lost in the maze here, it would have taken much more time.

Following the faintly glowing sea moss, I stopped before a very shallow ledge.

What is this witchcraft?

The sea moss didn't extend beyond the ledge. It wasn't due to poison. Beyond this point lay an entirely different space.

Just like the mine dungeon, it was likely a sort of "double dungeon".

For all we knew, the Kraken might be lurking just inside.

"Shh."

I signaled quietly to the followers behind me and then, very cautiously, stepped over the ledge. And…

"….…!"

The sight that unfolded before me was truly astonishing.

***

The interior looked like a majestic temple. The sight of huge pillars lined up was overwhelming. However, the once majestic landscape had become worn and dilapidated after being left untouched for centuries, and now it was exuding a rather ominous air with scattered bone fragments, rusted weapons, and unidentifiable corpses strewn about the floor.

But what truly astounded me lay elsewhere.

"..."

Among them were spiny octopuses and deep-sea eels.

No, to be more precise, spiny octopuses and deep-sea eels with human heads.

I nearly screamed. Had Lloyd not covered my mouth, I might have actually let out a scream. I took a breath and carefully removed Lloyd's hand. My heart was still racing, but fleeing wasn't an option.

I wouldn't have been this startled had there been a Kraken instead.

What I saw could neither be called a mermaid nor a chimera; they were abominations of a different sort. Far from any typical monster. Who could have created such monstrosities? The sheer malevolence was nauseating. Horrifying.

Octopus people, or human octopuses? What should one even call them? Regardless, fortunately, they hadn't noticed us.

The spiny octopus people wielded thick swords with their longest two tentacles, while the deep-sea eel people shimmered with patches of yellow light as if electricity coursed from their torsos to their tails. The deep-sea eel people swam slowly as if patrolling the area, and the spiny octopus people continuously sliced at something.

– Chop!

– Sssk!

– Chop!

– Sssk!

The creepy sounds they made echoed repeatedly. I didn't even want to imagine what they were cutting.

"There are too many to attack head-on. Facing the deep-sea eel pe …"

I hesitated for a moment. I started wondering if it was even appropriate to refer to them as people.

"Facing the eel people will be particularly tricky."

They would unleash electric shocks, so Lloyd and El who were holding metallic weapons were at a relative disadvantage.

"I'll go and see what they're up to."

"Going alone is dangerous…"

"No, alone is safer. With the cloak."

I took the shadow cloak back from Lloyd and draped it over my shoulders. My body soon blended into the deep sea's darkness.

There was a huge altar in the center, and behind the altar stood a huge statue that had already been so destroyed that its original form was hard to discern. Despite the destruction, its immense size was clear to see.

What could it be?

The area around the altar was heavily guarded. Two eel people circled the altar, keeping a vigilant watch on the surroundings, and right in front of the altar, four spiny octopus people with particularly large swords took turns slaughtering something. Whatever it was seemed quite tough, as a chilling sound echoed each time they swung their swords with all their might.

But where is the Kraken?

It was odd not to see even a single tentacle of the Kraken, whom I had assumed to be the owner of this dungeon. Was this not the center? Had we taken the wrong turn? But we had definitely followed the traces of the Kraken's tentacles. The sea moss couldn't be lying…

Just as I was about to take a closer look at the altar from behind the shadow of a pillar.

"...!"

I stumbled upon "it".

***

-Gugugu….

Huge twin full moons seemed to rise.

But no, they were not moons.

-Gugugugugugugugu….

They were horizontally slit blood-red pupils of an enormous creature.

Th-The Kraken….!

In such a shocking situation, any normal person's legs would surely freeze in terror. However, I was immune to being stunned, thanks to the title [Nemesis of Evil]. And so I was still able to move.

Fortunately, the creature wasn't looking at me.

"Everyone, get out of the way!"

Its gaze was fixed not on me but on my companions at the entrance.

Thanks to my warning, Lloyd narrowly dodged the tentacles. El and Roshanak, however, were sent tumbling backward by the shockwave as the tentacles slammed into the ground.

-Kiiiiiiiig!

-Shhhhh!

The spiny octopus people and deep-sea eel people, who had noticed my presence through my shout just now, each made strange noises and twisted their bodies.

And they were not the only ones stirred.

-Gugugugugugugu….!

The eyes of the Kraken were also moving towards me.

Shit

The Shadow Cloak was a perfect item for stealth, but its effect only lasted until I was discovered. By revealing myself just now, I had practically thrown its advantage away…. I quickly removed my cloak, took out my bow, and drew the string.

Target the eyes first!

-Swiiiish!

My arrow flew swiftly, only to be intercepted by a tentacle. The second and third arrows met the same fate. Though they struck deep, the creature seemed unfazed and merely extended another tentacle as if tickled by the effort.

-Thud!

The solid ground shattered beneath its force. Had I been a moment slower, it would have been my body that lay broken. I rolled across the floor and grasped another arrow. Facing those moon-sized eyes was enough to send a chill down my spine and cause cold sweat to break out across my back.

-Thud!

-Swish!

-Thud!

-Pop!

Tentacles stabbed at the spot I had just vacated, one after another. I barely, just barely managed to evade them by rolling and tumbling across the floor like a rat trapped on a dartboard of death. It was only after the ground was nearly destroyed and the air filled with dust that I found a moment to hide and catch my breath amid the chaos. Damn it, where was the exit?

"Kyaaaaaaah!!!"

The scream was unmistakably Roshanak's. I hurried towards the source of the sound and there I found…

"Ro, Roshanak?"

There stood Roshanak, having ripped the torso of a spiny octopus person cleanly in half. Her face was flushed as if on the verge of tears, and she rushed into my arms. Behind her was the horrible sight of an octopus person's head and tentacles torn apart. At the sound of such a terrible scream, I had thought that some terrible mishap had happened to her!

Roshanak ran into my arms and cried out loud.

"That, that thing! It attacked me!"

"Yes, yes, it's alright…"

"No! It's gross! Disgusting! Scary!"

"Well, for someone scared, you did quite a… "

A good job at killing it, I thought, but I held my tongue and instead started soothing her back.

"You did well, Roshanak."

"Huuuuh…"

"I'm sorry, but…"

"Hmm?"

"We might have to face our fears a few more times."

I just grabbed Roshanak's shoulders and turned her around.

-Kiyaaaaah!!!!

"Kyaaaaaaah!!!!"

-Booooooom!!!!!!