Chapter 5

The dungeon that was believed to have caused the stampede was discovered the day after Jinofa met with Dandarion. The Lostco army's scouts were excellent.

Dandarion first sent a vanguard to secure a campsite around the dungeon. Then he moved the entire army and simultaneously sent the injured to the rear. The Lostco soldiers actually began their dungeon exploration three days after its discovery, and Jinofa actually entered the dungeon two days after that.

"It's time to lend your strength, Lord Jinofa."

While Jinofa was idling in the tent, Dandarion came and said this right away. A fierce smile was on his face. Jinofa immediately realized it was about the dungeon exploration and tightened his expression.

Jinofa was to enter the dungeon with Dandarion, but of course, they wouldn't be exploring alone. Three others would join them: one with a spear, one with a large shield, and one with a bow.

"Let me introduce them. The one with the spear is Ludger. He commands the cavalry. The one with the large shield is Gomel. He is the knight primarily responsible for my personal security. And the one with the bow is Ethan. He leads the archers."

Dandarion introduced the three briefly. They were all present in the tent when Dandarion met with Jinofa, so they were likely the main figures in the Lostco army.

Ludger, who wielded the spear, was 27 years old, tall and slender, and the tallest of the three. Gomel, 36, had a robust build. Ethan, 24, with flaxen hair, was the shortest of the three but still taller than Jinofa.

"All three have reached their growth limit. Rejoice, for the mana stones are ours to feast on."

"At least say we are reliable, Your Majesty."

Gomel, the oldest of the three, said this with a wry smile. The other two also smiled wryly. Dandarion grinned at their expressions.

People can absorb mana from mana stones to store and grow in power. However, growth is not infinite. There is a certain level beyond which one cannot absorb more mana, known as the growth limit.

Incidentally, it is known that if one buys mana stones (which have not absorbed mana) with money, the growth limit will come sooner. This means that growth will stagnate at a lower level. If this is discovered, especially in the case of nobles, they will be pointed at as lazy and weak.

On the other hand, reaching the growth limit does not mean one cannot become stronger. One can still grow taller and build muscle. Focusing on martial arts training is also a good option. The three had properly explored the dungeon and did not neglect training outside of it. They were more than capable as a fighting force and could be relied upon.

However, since they had reached their growth limit, the three could no longer absorb mana from mana stones. Only Jinofa and Dandarion could absorb mana, but since Jinofa was a captive, it was thought that Dandarion would monopolize it. However, it seemed he had no such intention. Since it was not a loss for Jinofa, he had no objections.

After the introductions, Dandarion tightened his expression and explained the day's objective.

"So, today's objective is to defeat the two area bosses that have been confirmed on two floors based on previous investigations."

An area boss is a more powerful individual than the monsters that appear in the surrounding area. They are known to appear on specific floors, and in most cases, they must be defeated to proceed further. Fighting them one-on-one is dangerous or even reckless, and it is standard to challenge them as a party.

Incidentally, the deeper one goes into the dungeon, the stronger the monsters become. A place where one can defeat a regular monster one-on-one is considered a level appropriate to one's strength. The statement that "fighting an area boss one-on-one is reckless" is also in the context of a level appropriate to the explorer's strength.

In other words, for transcenders or those with holy marks like Dandarion and Jinofa, it was possible to defeat an area boss alone in certain situations. Considering this, Ethan mused aloud.

"Since they were just discovered, they must be in a relatively shallow position... I feel we might be overpowered..."

"But this dungeon just caused a stampede. We cannot afford to be complacent, Ethan."

"Besides, we don't have any mages or healers. If anything happens to the king, it would be a disaster. This is just right."

Ludger and Gomel reprimanded Ethan. Being the youngest, his position seemed weak.

Mages and healers are, in other words, magic users. Mages primarily use attack magic, while healers specialize in healing magic. It is said that including both in a party is essential for dungeon exploration, especially when going deeper. Their abilities significantly enhance both the party's destruction and survival capabilities. These powers are also fully utilized when defeating area bosses.

So, why are there no mages or healers here, or why were they not brought to the war? Because magic cannot be used outside the dungeon. Magic works by releasing mana from the body, but this cannot be done outside the dungeon. However, the mana stored in the dungeon can still be used outside.

Thus, while the direct army has mages and healers, they do not appear on the battlefield. They are dedicated to dungeon exploration and are counted as rear support personnel.

Returning to the topic, Dandarion and the others checked their equipment. Jinofa also received his dual swords, which had been confiscated when he was captured. They were supposed to be full of nicks from his duel with Dandarion, but when he drew them from their sheaths, they were perfectly sharpened with no nicks. He thanked them and attached the swords to his waist.

"Alright, let's go."

The other four nodded in response to Dandarion's command. They entered one of the multiple entrances to the dungeon that had been discovered.

As soon as they entered the dungeon, Jinofa gasped. The air was heavy. It wasn't just the atmosphere; he actually felt short of breath. This was his first experience, but it was the characteristic breathlessness of a dungeon that had caused a stampede.

After a few deep breaths, the breathlessness gradually subsided. It wasn't that the air became lighter; his body had adapted. Then Jinofa looked around again. The scenery was familiar.

No, it was strange to say familiar since it was the first time he was exploring this dungeon. However, the scene was similar to the dungeons he knew. The rock surfaces were exposed, and boulders were scattered here and there. It was a scene almost identical to a regular cave.

However, despite the lack of sunlight, the dungeon was dimly lit. This brightness was the most straightforward and clear criterion for distinguishing a dungeon from a cave.

With Ludger leading the way, the group advanced into the dungeon. Behind him was Jinofa, followed by Dandarion, Ethan, and Gomel at the rear. However, the formation was not fixed, and the first three often took turns leading.

Monsters naturally appeared in the dungeon. However, they were still in a shallow area near the entrance, and the monsters were not particularly tough. The one leading usually defeated them.

Dandarion looked a bit dissatisfied, as if he wanted more action. Ethan, on the other hand, didn't even bother to nock an arrow. "It's a waste," he said.

Defeating monsters yields mana stones. However, Jinofa and Dandarion delayed absorbing the mana from the stones to hurry forward.

Not only mana stones but also drop items were obtained. The more monsters they defeated, the more drop items they received. However, they did not prepare to collect these items from the beginning. Their goal was to defeat the two area bosses. When they tried to leave the items behind, Jinofa asked:

"Shall I collect them?"

"It's fine, but can you?"

Dandarion asked with a slightly puzzled look. Jinofa clearly replied, "Yes," and picked up the dagger used by the skeleton they had just defeated, throwing it into his shadow. In the next moment, the dagger sank into Jinofa's shadow as if into water, disappearing from sight. The four, including Dandarion, were amazed.

"...Is it magic?"

"Yes, it's called Shadow Hole."

As he said this, Jinofa squatted down, reached into his shadow, and showed the dagger he had thrown in. The effect of the Shadow Hole was to store items and retrieve them.

"How much can you store?"

"I'm not sure, as I've never had anything overflow."

Jinofa answered honestly, and Dandarion looked slightly exasperated. However, Jinofa himself had never found it inconvenient, so he didn't see it as a problem.

"I see... So, Prince Jinofa could explore dungeons alone thanks to this magic."

Ludger suddenly realized and mused aloud. Jinofa nodded with an ambiguous smile. Carrying a large backpack would hinder even a transcender's ability to fight freely. In fact, thanks to storing all the cumbersome items in the Shadow Hole, Jinofa could explore the dungeon lightly.

"However, it's quite convenient."

"It's not that convenient. It can only be used in the dungeon."

Jinofa responded with a wry smile to Dandarion's admiration. The Shadow Hole is a magic that cannot be used outside the dungeon. If it could be used outside, it could have significantly improved the logistics of the Antalya army. Dandarion should be pleased.

In any case, since they could use the Shadow Hole, there was no need to abandon the drop items. They collected everything and stored it in the Shadow Hole. Later, the mana stones would be cashed out, and the proceeds would be distributed to the three who had reached their growth limit.

"The mana will be split between the two of us. At least take the money."

Initially, the three insisted on a five-way split, but Dandarion persuaded them. As a captive, Jinofa had no use for money. Since the two who would not benefit said it was fine, the three eventually agreed.

Following Gomel's instructions with the map, they turned several times at forks, dispelling monsters, and after about thirty minutes, they reached their first destination: the floor where the area boss appeared.

"According to the report, the area boss is a giant minotaur wielding a large axe. Everyone, stay alert."

Just before entering the floor, Dandarion stopped and warned the other four. They nodded with serious expressions. Seeing this, Dandarion nodded and the five of them rushed into the floor with the area boss.

There, as Dandarion had said, was a giant minotaur. It had already appeared and was kneeling with its eyes closed as if sleeping.

Once a monster appears, it will wander the dungeon until it is defeated, eventually overflowing and coming out of the dungeon. This is a stampede. Area bosses generally have the same property but are known not to leave the floor they appear on. If an area boss is included in a stampede, the situation is expected to be much worse.

From the fact that the area boss had already appeared, it was clear that other soldiers had previously entered this floor. They were the soldiers mapping the dungeon. After confirming the appearance of the area boss, they retreated, and Dandarion and his group came to defeat it.

Once an area boss is defeated, there is a three-day period before the next one appears. During this time, further mapping is done. This was the basic strategy of the Lostco army. Incidentally, the second boss is not necessarily the same as the first, and it is often a completely different boss. The fact that the first information is not useful also increases the difficulty of defeating the area boss.

In any case, the area boss must be defeated. The giant minotaur, the target of this expedition, was sensitive to the presence of humans in its territory. It opened its eyes, stood up, and pulled out the large axe embedded in the ground, then roared, shaking its entire body.

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO