Chapter 47

Today's update as well ('ω')

"Seems like there's no magic."

While receiving Rain's report from her <Magic Detection> of the house, I ponder what to do.

There was no mention of anything like this in the records.

In the ever-changing 'Colorless Darkness,' anything could happen, but it still feels strange to find a normal house inside a dungeon.

"Should we check inside?"

"Well, what should we do?"

I think we should check.

Perhaps this could be a 'safe zone' in this area, but my gut tells me otherwise.

It's a typical house you'd find on the outskirts of a city.

A well-maintained small garden, a small well, and dried flowers decorate the door, with the entrance swept clean.

It's too ordinary in this dangerous dungeon.

Abnormality has degrees. In this place, which is abnormally abnormal, being normal might be the real abnormality.

"…Oh my, a guest?"

As I hesitate, an old woman appears at the door.

She has kind eyes and white hair, and she smiles at us without a trace of tension.

"It's been a while since I've had guests. Would you like some tea? If you're hungry, I have pumpkin pie too."

…No one lives in a dungeon!

But I don't sense any hostility or malice from her. What's going on?

What have I encountered in this dungeon?

"Hey, who are you? Why do you live here?"

The fearless Marina asks the old woman.

"Why… it's a long story. Why don't we have tea inside?"

Indeed, it might be a bit inconsiderate to have a long conversation with an old woman standing outside.

But I can't accept her invitation with this unsettling feeling.

It could be an illusion trap.

I need to be cautious, observe, and confirm the situation.

In my adventuring life, I've learned that trusting my instincts when I feel something is off is the right choice.

"I'm sorry… we are adventurers, and this is a dungeon. We can't accept your offer."

"Oh, really? It's almost sunset, you know?"

A middle-aged woman with flaxen hair looks up at the sky.

Indeed, the blue sky has turned a deep crimson, hinting at the approaching night.

But I still shouldn't enter this house.

"–Yuek! No!"

Rain's voice startles me.

I realize I'm standing in front of the house, almost about to step inside.

"…An illusion!?"

Looking around, the surroundings have become dim, and the vast grassland has withered.

The old woman has transformed into a seductive beauty standing at the entrance of the house.

"Sorry, Rain. What happened to me!?"

"Unconsciously, I was interfered with. I was protected because of the ring."

Rain nods, showing me the [Ring of Sanity].

"Probably, I was too cautious."

Focusing too much on being cautious, I was taken advantage of.

How could I…!

"What about the others?"

"They're fine! You were the most in danger!"

"More than that, the situation is changing!"

The scenery around us is changing.

The green grassland has turned into a cracked wasteland, and the small house has transformed into a massive palace.

I didn't move forward… the building expanded toward us.

"Yuek, the spirits are acting strange! The balance is disrupted… they're going mad!"

"Damn… what's happening?"

I try to calm my anxious mind and formulate a plan.

Hesitation will slow us down.

"Here comes the night."

The old woman, now a young and beautiful girl, speaks, and my heart shivers.

Despite my doubts, I recall a legend that fits the current situation.

Turning around, the girl grins.

"Persephone… the goddess who reverses life and death!"

"Do you know my name, Yuek?"

The pieces fall into place.

They fall into place, but they don't make sense.

Because 'Lady Persephone, the Pale White Undying Queen,' is a character from a fairy tale, and her residence, the Bone Palace, and the 'Gray Fields' where it is located, are supposed to exist in the afterlife.

If she is truly Lady Persephone, then we are in the land of the dead.

"What do we do!?"

"Back to the stairs!"

Pointing in the direction we came from, I give instructions to everyone.

The sun has just set… we need to reach the stairs before night fully takes over.

"Retreat!?"

"That's one option, but if the legend is true…!"

If the legend is correct, the 'Gray Fields' is a world of mixed dualities.

It is reversed.

Day and night.

Life and death.

Old and young.

If that's the case… the stairs are also reversed.

The stairs leading up to the first floor are now stairs leading down to the third floor.

So, the correct strategy for this floor is to 'wait by the stairs until night comes.'

"Hurry! The 'Night Creatures' will appear!"

I cast <Body Enhancement> on everyone and shout.

"How boring…"

The 'Pale White Undying Queen' appears in front of me as I start to run.

She is ethereal and beautiful, yet radiates a strong aura of death.

"Great Undying Queen. I will meet you again someday, when my fate is fulfilled."

The protagonist in the legend said these words to distance himself from 'Death.'

I hope she lets us go the same way…

As I bow deeply, her cold fingertips touch my cheek.

"I won't forget those words."

As her fingers leave, I turn my back on 'Death' and run as fast as I can.

How was it? ('ω')

It might have been a bit confusing…

There will be some explanations of the settings and terms in the next update, so please bear with me. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.

If you're looking forward to the next update, please change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ and support us!