Chapter 93

00093 Jackpot, jackpot, and another jackpot. ==========================================================

After clearing all the rooms in the northern passage, the only items we obtained were gold coins. However, the total earnings from the rooms in the north passage amounted to 102 gold. It was a decent haul, and the kids didn't seem to have any complaints. Given the huge jackpot we already hit in the western passage, everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

I suggested taking a short break, but at the kids' request, we decided to proceed directly to the eastern room. Everyone looked happy, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Normally, these kids would be restless during breaks, but the sight of the treasures made their eyes light up.

The progress in clearing the first floor of the ruined laboratory was quite smooth. There were some dangerous moments, but losing caravan members during dungeon exploration is not uncommon. Considering this, our current pace of clearing was very fast.

At the center of this smooth progress were myself and Vivian. Of course, the other users also performed well, but Vivian, who had already reached a certain level, was showing off her skills. Especially when dealing with multiple monsters, her magic hands were proving to be a great help.

After a while, we entered the eastern passage and discovered the first room. Upon checking, it turned out that this was the only room in the eastern passage. In other words, clearing this room would mean we had completely cleared the first floor.

"Look, there's a staircase ahead."

Jung Hyeon's voice came as she turned her head slightly. As she said, if we went 80 meters further, we would reach the stairs leading to the second floor. After clearing the room in front of us, we could either continue exploring or set up camp. After a moment of thought, I looked around at everyone and spoke.

"That staircase probably leads to the second floor."

"Originally, in dungeons like this, the second floor is likely to be more difficult."

I nodded at Shin Sang-yong's words. While it's not always the case, based on my experience, the difficulty tends to increase the deeper you go into a dungeon. Seeing the party waiting for my next words, I paused for a moment before continuing.

"Let's clear the room in front of us first, and then decide whether to continue exploring or set up camp."

"Ugh. This lab doesn't even have windows. I can't tell if it's day or night."

Yoo Jung grumbled in a sulky voice, scratching her head a couple of times before reaching for the doorknob. I could feel the party getting into position without needing to say anything. However, there was no reaction from inside the room when I checked with my senses. Without hesitation, I pushed the door open.

Click.

"Huh?"

"Why, brother?"

I hesitated, and Ahn Hyun peeked out from beside me.

"This room..."

I tried to push the door again, but it didn't budge. No matter what kind of room it was, the door was locked.

"It's locked."

"Well, what do we do? Just go up?"

"No."

In response to Yoo Jung's casual question, I simply answered and kicked the door open with my foot, imbuing it with a bit of magic. Soon, the sound of something breaking was heard, and the locked door opened easily. The party, who had just relaxed, were startled and raised their weapons, but they soon realized the room was empty. Sighs of relief could be heard from everyone. Of course, Jung Hyeon couldn't resist adding a comment.

"...You're bold."

Upon entering the room, I saw a floor covered with faded marble. A small bed was placed to the side, with neatly laid sheets. In the corner, there was a desk, and its surface was cluttered with a quill pen, an ink bottle, and an open record book.

On the wall, a shelf hung with clothes that looked like they would crumble at the slightest touch. Most of the clothes were already damaged, making it embarrassing to even call them clothes. After a brief look around, I approached the bed and lifted the sheets. Inside, I found a few human bones. It seemed that the person who lived here met their end on the bed.

"Suhyun, Suhyun. Are we going to search this room too?"

Vivian asked excitedly. I nodded in agreement.

"Yes. Let's do that. One person will keep watch while the rest search the room."

As I finished speaking, Shin Sang-yong stepped forward to the door, as if it was a familiar routine. The other users then spread out and began to search the room as I had ordered.

After a while, the party shook their heads, showing no significant findings. I was in the same boat. We didn't find anything that could be called a reward. Just in case, I used my third eye to thoroughly examine the room, but the result was the same.

"Well, I had a little hope since the door was locked. Sigh. What a shame."

"Cheer up. They say the first try is always a dud."

"Huh? That's a bit of an odd way to encourage someone."

"Is it?"

Ahn Hyun and Yoo Jung exchanged glances, tilting their heads in confusion. Idiots.

"Big brother…"

Just as everyone was about to turn away with disappointed faces, Sol's weak voice caught me. I saw everyone's heads turn to her in a flash. Sol, who was about to hand me something, flinched under their gaze. After a moment of standing still under their gaze, Sol pouted and began to sniffle. The party was visibly taken aback.

"Why does everyone react like this whenever I say something... Why do they only do this to me... sniff."

An Sol's voice trembled with unexplained sorrow. I quickly approached her and tried to comfort her. Ahn Hyun also rushed to Sol's side.

"Hehe. Sol has been a lucky charm so far. That's why everyone is excited."

"Right, right. Our Sol is a lucky charm. If you cry, your luck will run out."

"...Really? Am I a lucky charm?"

Was she feeling the pressure from everyone's expectant gaze? Anyway, after comforting Sol for a while, I could feel the party's expressions subtly change. Especially Jung Hyeon, who looked at me with disbelief and then let out a "Kik." sound. As my face twisted, she quickly turned away, but she still had one hand covering her mouth, looking quite amused.

After the brief interlude, I took the record books Sol offered. As I held the record book, I saw it was filled with ancient, unknown characters. However, some of the characters were recognizable. I hadn't fully developed my ability, but I had studied most of the Hol Plain in the first cycle.

There were some characters I could recognize, but my knowledge wasn't particularly deep. As I skimmed through the book, I paused at a word in the middle. Something felt off. Clearly, the part I was looking at contained a word I recognized. But why... After staring at the record book for a while, I called out to Shin Sang-yong, who was at the entrance.

"Shin Sang-yong."

"Yes, leader."

"I found an ancient record book."

"I'll come over now."

He ran over and took the record book. After a brief glance, he turned back to me with a puzzled expression.

"Leader, it's too difficult."

"Huh? Really...?"

I almost said, "It's a D minus, and you can't decipher it?" but managed to close my mouth in time. Shin Sang-yong nodded apologetically and scratched his head.

"My ancient language deciphering rank isn't that high. Especially in a laboratory, they use their own specific words. I can decipher parts of it, but understanding the overall content is difficult."

"Hmm. Then, at least..."

I frowned. The record book in front of me wasn't just any record book. It likely contained important information about the laboratory. Given that I had seen that word, I might need to reconsider whether to continue exploring or return. At that moment,

"Then I'll read it. Give me the record book."

"Huh?"

I turned to see Vivian calmly extending her hand. When I gave her a questioning look, she looked even more puzzled. At that moment, the party, including myself, had a blank look as a thought crossed our minds.

"Vivian, do you remember all the ancient characters?"

"...What? Do you think I'm an idiot? How would I cast magic then? Huh?!"

Seeing Vivian puffing her cheeks and looking indignant, I couldn't help but laugh. Why didn't I think of this? With Vivian, who knows ancient characters, there was no need to rely on Shin Sang-yong. I handed her the record book with an awkward smile. However, Vivian turned her head and snorted.

"I'm offended! I won't decipher it!"

"Give me my cloak back."

In response to my words, Vivian clutched her cloak tightly.

"That's unfair. Once given, you can't take it back... Ah, fine. I'll do it. I'll do it. Hehe. Can't even joke... Tsk. Sorry."

Vivian tried to brush it off, but under my steady gaze, she quickly changed her tune. She then showed me a determined expression, as if to prove she was really going to read the record book. I sighed and took a cigarette from my pocket, placing it in my mouth. I felt a bit embarrassed.

Just as I was about to light it, a small flame spontaneously appeared at the tip of the cigarette. I reflexively took a puff. Looking up, I saw Jung Hyeon making a coy expression at me.

"You have good taste."

"Thank you."

As Jung Hyeon modestly replied, Shin Sang-yong blinked and spoke.

"Hyeon, don't you hate the smell of cigarettes?"

"Huh?"

Shin Sang-yong's words made Yoo Jung take the cigarette out of her mouth, looking flustered. However, Shin Sang-yong continued in a calm voice, seemingly oblivious to Yoo Jung's signal to stop talking.

"Ah, when I was in a caravan with other users before, you really hated the smell of cigarettes. If someone tried to smoke, you'd tell them to go far away or even soak their cigarettes in water to prevent them from smoking."

"Oh, I made a mistake."

As I moved to put out the cigarette, Yoo Jung's slender hand caught mine and raised it, forcing the cigarette back into my mouth. I widened my eyes, and she sighed deeply.

"It's fine. Go ahead and smoke."

"No, if you really don't like it..."

"Phew. It's fine with you, Suhyun. I can tolerate a few cigarettes occasionally. And for the record, that user back then smoked almost every 10 minutes. I don't want you to think I'm inflexible just from hearing one side of the story."

"Ah, yes, of course."

It felt very logical but also a bit suspicious. Still, since she said it was fine, I put the cigarette back in my mouth and took a deep puff, exhaling the smoke towards the ceiling to be polite.

An awkward atmosphere settled over the party. As the cigarette burned down, Vivian finished reading the record book and looked up with an exasperated sigh.

"Phew."

"Did you finish deciphering it?"

"Yeah, this record book is really interesting."

"Ah, what's the content, Master?"

Vivian didn't seem particularly pleased to be called "Master." She glanced at Jung Hyeon and continued.

"To be honest, I don't have the right to say this... But if the content of this record book is true, it's just crazy. Yes, this laboratory is a gathering place for madmen."

"So, what exactly does it say..."

Shin Sang-yong asked eagerly, and Vivian bit her lip. However, she soon began to speak.

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