Survivor 3

In a land of venomous snakes with yellow scales, tiny scorpions, and bands of lurking thieves.

Add to that the scorching climate and a landscape that's nothing but desert.

It's clear to see. Originally, the West was no place for people to live.

"But isn't there a reason why people gather to live somewhere?"

Occasionally, among the sands, there's gold mixed in, oases providing a steady supply of water in this water-scarce land, and mines full of magical stones for trade with other regions.

If you look closely, there are definitely some good aspects to this place. And this was exactly one of those places.

"Alright. It's just like in the original story."

Dodging the soldiers' eyes, I arrived at the Sahel Zone, known for its undead monster sightings.

Digging through the nearby dunes, as expected, I found an entrance made of old metal.

[Dungeon, 'Tomb of the Forgotten King Discovered.]

[Warning, the difficulty level is very high compared to the player's level.]

[Would you like to enter?]

High difficulty?

That's only a concern for the inexperienced.

-Clang.

Ignoring the warning and lifting the entrance with all my might, stairs leading underground appeared.

The sandstone walls, adorned with ornate carvings, were covered in thick layers of dust.

Proof that no one but me had been here.

Naturally, the artifacts here were all mine for the taking.

"Feels like I'm a tomb raider."

A must-visit place in the West, as per the game I used to play.

Memories of playing that game flooded back.

-Whoosh!

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I stopped in my tracks.

A sharp sense of danger whizzed past my face.

Like a warning, an arrow stuck right where I was standing, also a part of those memories.

Definitely.

"That's right, there was this kind of scene when I started the dungeon."

Even though I knew it wouldn't hit me, the chill was real.

A bit more, and it could have been lodged in my leg.

I reached out and felt under the arrowhead.

"Ew, dirty."

Like the walls, the letter was covered in a thick layer of dust. Brushing it off and unfolding it, there was just one sentence.

[Death's wings shall touch those who disturb the king's rest.]

In other words, don't even think about robbing my tomb unless you want to throw your life away.

-Click-clack, click-clack.

No sooner had I finished reading the note than hordes of undead monsters swarmed me.

And they were no ordinary bunch.

Unlike the skeletons outside, these mummies were armed with swords, staves, crossbows – a whole arsenal.

[Warning]

[The level gap with the Undead Royal Guard is significant.]

[It's recommended to progress in the main story and level up before challenging.]

Despite the game's warnings blaring, I smirked and rummaged through my backpack, pulling out a censer.

Originally, both Hans, who never stood out in life, and me, who had just been transported to this world a few days ago, would struggle even against these lesser mobs.

But thanks to XTube, I had an invincible strategy using loopholes.

"The person who discovered this real strategy is amazing."

No one thought the phrase on the note was a clue to the solution.

An ordinary-looking metal censer.

-…?

But its effect was undeniable. As I raised the censer high, the menacing mummies dropped their weapons.

"Right. I'm not an enemy, back off."

Using the censer as a shield, I walked forward, and the mummies parted like the Red Sea.

Acknowledging the shift in the atmosphere, a blue message box appeared.

[The phrase in the letter is not just a threat but a blessing. In the ancient kingdom that revered the afterlife…]

"Looks like I've passed the first stage."

The point was simple.

The monsters here weren't aggressive by nature. Meet certain conditions, and they turn into friendly NPCs, hidden in plain sight.

[…Updating information…]

[Battle map, corridors, antechamber to the throne room cleared.]

[Proceed to the boss room.]

-Growl-

'In other words, meet the conditions, and I can skip straight to the boss monster.'

The hidden piece here was 'honoring the true tomb.'

Walking a bit further between the opened stone walls, a huge door that screamed 'I'm the boss room' appeared.

Even under the dim light, its brilliance was striking.

"How much would that fetch if sold?"

The door, made entirely of gold with jewels hanging all over, could set me up for life if I sold just one.

In the game, it was just a backdrop and untouchable, but this is reality.

"Looks like I've got a partner in crime?"

"Whoa, that startled me!"

While I was briefly distracted by the door, someone placed their hand on my shoulder and tapped it twice.

Startled, I instinctively reached for my weapon.

A middle-aged man with a red beard, a scar cutting across one eye, and partially bald stood back, raising his shoulders.

"Don't be so on edge. I didn't know others had found this place too."

"Who are you?"

I immediately heightened my guard.

An unexpected intruder.

'This dungeon wasn't supposed to be cleared until the latter part of the story.'

Did he come alone, fail to conquer it, and then leave?

Wait, he looks familiar.

"…Sand Mole?"

Definitely. His face matched the mugshot I saw in a newspaper Baron Byron was reading a few days ago.

I looked at him skeptically and said, "I heard you were caught by the Duke of Loberk."

"Hmph. Escaping from their clutches was easy. You, too, should learn how to escape even when fully restrained. It's useful in many ways."

'He escaped from the Duke of Loberk's facility? Even in the game, it was notorious for being a maze-like escape.'

But with the evidence right in front of me, disbelief was foolish.

"Since we've met, how about introducing yourself? I'm famous enough not to need an introduction, right?"

Sand Mole reached out his hand, seemingly trying to build a friendly rapport, but I wasn't impressed.

Of course.

A thorn, thin as a thread, was attached to his hand. The moment I spotted the unusual silvery-gray liquid on it, a warning popped up in my mind.

[You have detected the 'Red Iron Scorpion' poison.]

"Get your hand away."

"Wow, you're cold."

"Isn't it dumber to let your guard down in front of a competitor?"

I coldly rebuked Sand Mole.

The artifact here was my target, and I had no intention of letting a competitor take it.

"Not a wrong statement. In this line of work, greed is the driving force. I understand hostility towards competitors."

"How about giving a little leeway then?"

"It's not impossible. After all, I'm not here for the solid gold door or the artifact."

Unbelievable.

Then why come all this way?

"You still look skeptical."

"Well, it's hard to believe a thief isn't after treasure."

He laughed heartily at my scoffing, pointing in a certain direction.

"It's true. Humility is the key to survival here. See that?"

Following his finger, I saw a throne through a slightly open door.

A giant mummy wearing a golden crown sat on it.

[Boss Monster: Nameless King]

The status window confirmed it, with the name in bold red letters above the golden crown.

"That monster is beyond my understanding too. No wonder the Duke of Loberk's family kept this place a secret. Stirring it would bring chaos to the entire West."

"..."

"You look petrified. Well, nothing is more precious than one's life. Good you're not foolish like those blinded by greed."

Petrified? Me?

I smiled and stepped forward.

'I'm just feeling nostalgic. That boss, with its summoning of minions, damage reflection, and instant-kill area attacks, is now real.'

It made me realize I was truly in the world of the game.

"Hey, where are you going? You'll die if you go there!"

That's why I was certain.

If this world was just like the game, there was no need to fear this intimidating presence!

* *

Sand Mole, also known as Perno, was getting anxious.

It was all because of the black-haired boy walking towards certain doom.

"I thought I had finally found a talent…"

Now in his forties, even a once-renowned thief couldn't beat time. His receding hairline was proof enough.

Naturally, finding a successor was the next step.

And, by chance, he found a promising prospect in the most unexpected place.

The boy's lithe physique, his guarded nature fearing his share might be stolen, and not just noticing the thorn in his hand but also deducing the nature of the poison – all of it was impressive.

Moreover, he had the intelligence to find this secret location, a place he even discovered after infiltrating the Duke's family.

But,

As perfect as he seemed for the role of a thief's successor, sadly, he failed to understand his limitations.

"Tsk, excessive greed can harm oneself."

Was he too young to realize the difference in strength between himself and his adversary?

Filled with reckless courage, he approached the foot of the giant mummy.

Soon, he would be crushed to a mere puddle of blood by this monster.

With the thought of witnessing his last moments, Perno observed from a distance beyond the door.

"I've come to honor your death!"

"Such fearlessness."

To attempt conversation in front of a monster.

Perno clicked his tongue in amazement.

Although he held a censer in both hands, it seemed like an ordinary one, devoid of any magical power.

What on earth was he planning to do with it?

"Have you come to pay homage to me?"

Perno's eyes widened in shock.

Incredibly, the monster responded to the boy's conversation.

The boy's voice, thick with a sense of death, sent shivers down Perno's spine.

"Yes."

Yet, the boy stood facing the monster.

He spoke with confidence, as if certain that the aura of death would not harm him.

"Indeed, an outsider who knows courtesy, unlike the thieves who break into my abode to rob. Such noble intent."

Perno flinched.

For a moment, he felt as if the monster's gaze was upon him.

…After all, he did break a few walls to enter this place.

Realizing the monster's words might be referring to him, Perno nervously fiddled with the weapon concealed in his clothing. He knew he was no match but thought maybe defiance could create an opportunity to survive.

Fortunately, the monster's attention shifted back from him to the boy.

"Speak your desire. I shall grant it."

"I seek only one thing, your majesty's rest."

The mummy blinked its faintly glowing eyes nestled in its eye sockets, then shook its head.

"Impossible. Not with your feeble strength."

"Of course. I'm still too weak."

Despite the monster's refusal, the boy didn't falter.

Instead, he placed his fist over his heart and declared boldly.

"But if you trust me, your majesty, I will gladly meet your expectations."

"What do you mean?"

"Grant me a boon. I will grow strong enough to break your curse."

"...!"

In that moment, Perno saw the boy in a new light.

'He's cunning beyond belief.'

The boy's intention was clear.

Grant my wish, and in return, give you a reward.

But, upfront.

He might look like a mere child, but inside, there lurked a sly snake, coiled and hissing.

"Please bestow your grace upon me!"

A seasoned merchant? No. A merchant at least exchanges goods for money. Perno was convinced. The boy was simply a con artist.

"Hmm… It's hard to trust you."

"But your majesty will choose me. I doubt there's anyone else who can converse with you as freely as I can. I am the only one who can grant you rest."

Now, there was even a subtle threat.

Perno truly admired him.

Of course, Hans was negotiating based on his knowledge of the original game, but to Perno, it seemed like a dangerous tightrope walk with an untamable monster.

"Very well! I wish for death's wings to be upon you. I look forward to our next meeting."

And astonishingly, with just a few clever words, the boy succeeded in obtaining a relic from the giant mummy.

The Sand Mole of the West, Perno muttered in awe, "That's tempting."

While the relic was indeed attractive, it was the boy who caught his attention.

The boy's mysterious ability to converse with the monster and his sheer audacity were one thing,

But his instincts told him,

More than any relic he had ever seen,

This boy who had stumbled into his path was a true treasure.

As the boy, who had just respectfully bowed, started walking back down the corridor,

"Ever thought about becoming a thief?"

Perno strode up and made a direct proposition.

Missing out on such a treasure would be foolish.

And Perno had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away.

He might be labeled a glamorous thief, but at his core, he was a criminal.

With a hand hidden behind his back gripping a concealed dagger,

If the boy refused, Perno's eyes gleamed menacingly with a plan to kidnap him by force.