Chapter 57

00057 Dungeon Of Alchemist(2) =========================================================================

"Let's change formation for a moment."

"Huh? Oh. Yes. How...?"

"Line up one by one behind me. And the person at the back should hold onto the collar of the person in front. Once you grab it, don't let go under any circumstances."

Normally, the kids might have asked why, but they quickly followed my instructions. After a brief commotion, I could feel Ansol, who had taken her place behind me, smiling and firmly gripping my collar. I had a rough idea of why they were moving so quickly and decisively.

After confirming that Ansol, Yujung, and Anhyun were lined up behind me, I continued in a calm voice.

"From now on, we will be entering a space called a 'path barrier.' If we take even a slight wrong turn, we might get separated. So, no matter what, do not let go of the person in front of you. If possible, try to step on my footprints. And... let's go."

I wanted to add that they shouldn't be startled by anything that might happen, but I deliberately held back. I couldn't predict what kind of scenes we would encounter. After composing myself, I took slow, steady steps.

The kids followed my instructions diligently, but occasionally, their eyes were filled with puzzled looks. I maintained the activation of my Third Eye and walked cautiously.

One step. Two steps. Three steps... My eyes were focused on the ground, following the footprints, but I could feel that we were making progress. The color of the plants around us was gradually returning to its original brilliance. The occasional exclamations of amazement from behind added to my confidence.

However, the alchemist's dungeon didn't appear immediately. While the kids followed me without a care, I maintained a high level of concentration, carefully tracing each clue. Maintaining the Third Eye for a long time was no easy feat.

How much time had passed?

"Phew. You can let go now."

We had entered the barrier and reached our destination. After almost 40 minutes of continuous tracking, the strange atmosphere that had surrounded us seemed to have disappeared. I took a deep breath and felt the hand that had been gripping my collar. It was occasionally tugging, which was quite annoying.

I turned my head slightly and grabbed Ansol's hand to get her to let go. Her soft, warm touch was transmitted through my palm. When I grabbed her hand, Ansol looked at me with a startled expression, then her face turned red. I had grabbed her hand to tell her to let go, but...

I turned my palm and held her hand, then forcibly pulled it away. I then signaled the remaining kids with a finger. Hyun and Yujung gathered beside me in response to my signal. They all stared at me blankly, so I pulled them further inside.

"Wow..."

Anhyun let out a gasp as he saw the old marble castle standing before us. When I pointed ahead, Sol and Yujung also stared at the castle with dazed expressions. After seeing nothing but a dark forest, the castle surrounded by vibrant plants left them speechless.

After a while, Anhyun finally spoke in a dazed voice.

"This castle..."

"I suspect it's the dungeon of the ancient alchemist Vivian. We'll know for sure once we go inside."

Seeing the kids' amazed faces, I felt a sense of pride. I had really agonized over choosing my unique ability. I chose the Third Eye because it seemed the most versatile and efficient to use in the Hol Plain. Finding a dungeon or cave used to be incredibly difficult, but with just a bit of information, I managed to find it, and I felt that I had made the right choice.

"Bro... I didn't think you'd actually find it."

"Neither did I. I just followed the trail... maybe it was beginner's luck."

Hyun's eyes were filled with admiration. I responded humbly. We would face such situations every time we set out to explore, so I couldn't be too surprised. However, I couldn't be overly pleased either. While everyone was marveling at the peaceful scene, I knew better than anyone how hellish the inside could be.

"Clack. Big brother, the castle is really beautiful. I thought dungeons would be strange and eerie places."

You're right. You'll see when we go inside. I only responded internally to Yujung's muttering. I didn't want to spoil the mood just yet. Ansol also spoke with excitement.

"It feels like I'm looking at a fortress. Something I've only seen in movies..."

I could see a hint of bitterness on Hyun's face when Sol mentioned movies. I didn't know why, but it seemed like the word "movie" was a key point.

Yujung was eager to enter. She was already stepping forward, urging me on with animated gestures. The kids, who had been dejected a moment ago, were now acting differently just because the environment had changed. They seemed to be quite influenced by their moods.

"Big brother, you're amazing. We didn't even see the castle when we passed by earlier. How did you find it?"

"Maybe I just got lucky."

"Eh. I know you always look at records and stuff. Did you really pluck a star from the sky?"

I only let out a slight laugh in response to Yujung's words. Kim Hanbyul came to mind. I wondered what she was doing, but if she had come with us... I shook my head. We would have argued endlessly again.

Anyway, it was too early to relax. No, it wasn't early; it was just the beginning. As we approached the castle, the kids hurriedly followed me.

"Wait a moment."

I stopped in front of the castle gate. There were definitely traces leading inside, which meant that a caravan had already entered the dungeon. From the tracks, I could see that there were five sets of footprints. Were there originally five, or did one die on the way? I tilted my head in thought and carefully opened the door that blocked our path.

*

"Phew."

"Wow..."

We entered the grand castle. The kids were all looking around in amazement, their heads swiveling. The circular lobby inside the castle was far from neat. Broken chairs and shattered windows were scattered everywhere. It had an ancient charm, but there was a slightly eerie atmosphere.

Still, the ceiling, made of white marble, looked beautiful. The large, circular dome and the marble pillars supporting it resembled a European church.

"What? There are no treasures or monsters. Has someone already looted it?"

"..."

Do you really think it would be that easy to find? I rubbed my forehead and raised my remaining arm to point to the center. On the floor, in the direction I pointed, was a wooden door with an iron ring.

"Oh. A secret base."

"...It's a door leading to the underground prison. How old are you, calling it a secret base?"

"Tch. Whatever. You always pick on me."

It seemed she was excited about finding the castle. She had been sulking like a scolded puppy earlier, but now she was slowly coming back to life. I took a step back to observe.

The original meaning of a dungeon is an underground prison. It was unexpected that there were no monsters in the castle lobby, but it wasn't incomprehensible. They might not have been there from the beginning, or the caravan that entered might have already dealt with them. The lack of bodies or battle traces suggested the former.

"Should we go in through here?"

"Of course. We can't just turn back after finding it."

I nodded and grabbed the handle. It looked heavy, but with my strength at 94, it was no match. I lifted it with a single effort, and the door creaked open, revealing a large, square hole in the floor.

"It doesn't seem very deep. I'll go in first, and you follow one by one."

After speaking, I immediately jumped down. The dim floor below gradually came closer, and I landed with a thud. Hyun and Yujung, seeing that I had landed safely, nodded to each other and jumped in.

Another thud and a puff of dust. Anhyun, with his good physical stats, landed without any trouble. However, Yujung was on one knee, holding her foot.

"Ow... I landed wrong."

Seeing Yujung's pained expression, Hyun and I sighed. Looking up, I saw Sol hesitating. She hesitated for a moment but then, at Hyun's warning that "a ghost might get you if you stay alone," she closed her eyes and jumped. She didn't want to be alone. Watching her jump lightly... but with her eyes closed?

"Catch me!"

Sol screamed as she descended with her eyes tightly shut. Hyun and I looked at each other and tilted our heads. Yujung watched us with exasperation and sighed. What was there to sigh about?

Splat!

"Ah!"

A soft, squishing sound was heard. Sol screamed and fell to the ground. She rubbed her sore bottom a few times and looked up at us with a betrayed expression. She hadn't expected that no one would catch her.

Seeing Sol pouting at us, I felt a sense of unease. She had landed on her bottom, but the sound wasn't a thud; it was a soft, squishing sound. I quickly summoned my mana and enhanced my strength. And then...

============================ Author's Note ============================

Today, my father called and said that after he arrived, a relative regained consciousness for a moment. After a brief conversation, they lay down and fell back into a coma. While I haven't lost hope, the doctors' words... I don't know. I keep feeling anxious, and my heart is racing.

I sincerely thank all the readers who have wished for a quick recovery.

I'll leave a brief reply.

Congratulations on your first chapter, Personinseong. Thank you for the constant support, Blami.

Thank you for wishing for a quick recovery, GradeRown. The mana reflux was not a real occurrence but a pretense. Thank you for your wishes, hohokaya1. I'll try to stay strong.

A physical stat in the 70s is not low at all; it's above average.

However, compared to level 10 or high-ranking clan members, it is somewhat lacking.

Thank you, Einziger, and to everyone else who wished for a quick recovery.

Please, please, get well soon.