Chapter 58

Thud.

At that moment, he returned to his original position.

What was that?

'Did I just have a dream?'

He was utterly bewildered.

What was that just now?

But it wasn't a dream.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Dizzy. I feel like I'm going to vomit. The background and my position kept changing without a break. The sky and the ground alternated rapidly, and the distance gradually narrowed.

Before long, the slaughter was outside the carriage.

In the distance, the armored figure that had appeared from where he had been hiding kept changing positions, and the distance narrowed.

Finally, when they were within arm's reach.

"Uuuuugh-!"

His stomach twisted violently, and he vomited.

That was the end.

The slaughter collapsed on the warm vomit.

The world spun. There was no way to resist.

"Huff!"

That was the last sound he heard while the slaughter was still alive.

*

《You have eliminated the Kaos state of the Slaughter.》

《Your honor has increased by 30.》

《You have obtained a ‘Fragment of the Broken Golden Rule (49h)’.》

'Was it a player?'

He stroked his chin, looking at the message that appeared.

A player who had been PKing and was in a Kaos state.

Given that the Fragment of the Golden Rule was given for 49 hours, the opponent was definitely a player.

Was someone positioning a level 10 assassin in my path?

Or was it by chance?

'Slaughter.'

While searching through the Hall of Fame, he confirmed that the name of the Slaughter had disappeared.

Among those who were at the top, the Slaughter was the only one who had disappeared.

'That crazy guy must have been targeting me and was killed by Serengeti.'

The Slaughter was famous for PKing in the low-level range.

He was known as the 'Beginner Slaughterer.'

It seemed he was trying to quickly kill me, but he had the wrong opponent.

Serengeti was a 1-star Transcender.

Even though it was called 1-star, Serengeti was a monster who could easily take on 2-star Transcenders.

So, he was kept as a close ally.

'If it was the Slaughter, it means there are no other forces.'

It wasn't surprising.

He had thought that someone might target him at this point.

If the Slaughter was targeting him, it was actually fortunate.

It meant there were no other player forces here.

"My body isn't even warmed up."

Serengeti spoke as if he had just gone for a walk.

A level 10 was an incredibly strong warrior, but there was still an insurmountable wall between him and a real Transcender.

"Your condition does look good."

"Trust me. I'll finish it quickly."

Thump thump!

He pounded his armor, showing his confidence.

I hope his confidence doesn't turn into a scream.

After passing through the forest and running for a while, a huge cave appeared.

"A dragon's nest...?"

Serengeti's expression stiffened as he looked at the cave.

A cave of this size was rare.

If it existed, it was usually a dragon's nest.

"It's the nest of a dead ancient dragon."

The nest of an unnamed dead ancient dragon.

This was the place leading to the Demigod dungeon.

As they got out of the carriage and approached the entrance of the cave,

Swoosh!

The entrance shimmered.

A barrier set by the ancient dragon to prevent those without the right from entering.

《The barrier has verified your eligibility.》

《4 people are entering.》

《According to the will of the Demigod, all entrants are subject to the following restrictions.》

《1. All stats are fixed at 20.》

《2. Skill use is prohibited.》

《3. Use of tools possessed before entry is prohibited.》

《4. Use of equipment possessed before entry is prohibited.》

A characteristic dungeon.

This was a dungeon where you could only fight using your innate talents and characteristics.

A place where everything except the powers gained from eating stars and transcending was unusable!

Since strong and weak were on the same level, it was a place where betrayal and intrigue were inevitable. Especially with the dungeon's characteristics encouraging betrayal, it was a true pandemonium.

Equipment and tools could only be used with those inside the dungeon, and even then, they had 'usage conditions,' making it quite complicated.

《Main Quest 6: Clear the Party Dungeon has started.》

《This quest ends when the first 'Party Dungeon' is cleared.》

《Reward: Varies based on the cleared party dungeon.》

The notification that Main Quest 6 had started.

There was no need to hesitate.

His goal was to completely conquer this place and set a record.

At that moment,

《The 'Heart of the Eternal Overlord' resists the pressure of the 'Demigod'.》

《The 'Heart of the Eternal Overlord' deletes one of the conditions set by the 'Demigod'.》

《The condition '3. Use of tools possessed before entry is prohibited' has been deleted.》

The hidden characteristic that evolved from the Heart of the Iron-Blooded Overlord to the Heart of the Eternal Overlord.

Its effect was now visible.

Beast Lord

'Deleted condition.'

The Heart of the Iron-Blooded Overlord was a characteristic that stabilized emotions and protected against mental skills and attacks.

It was an incredible hidden characteristic that could make one composed even in front of the King of Beasts, but it was not a characteristic that revealed its own advantages.

However, after evolving into the Eternal Overlord, it not only withstood the pressure of the Demigod but also deleted a condition.

He had never seen or heard of a condition being deleted.

It was a behavior that transcended the limits of a 'characteristic.'

The four absolute propositions set by the Demigod.

One of them, the proposition that tool use was prohibited, was broken.

This would apply not only here but also to other 'condition dungeons' or 'towers.'

'...Amazing.'

Thinking about the advantages of the Heart of the Eternal Overlord, his shoulders involuntarily trembled.

The conditions that made everyone start from zero.

This turned that zero into one.

It was like standing half a lap ahead in a running race, not just one step.

'Preparation could have been made before entering.'

They hadn't entered yet.

If tool use was possible, they could prepare and enter.

《The will of the Demigod forcibly teleports the party.》

No more tricks?

It was a bit disappointing, but it was enough.

*

"Hmm......"

After the interview with Gracia, Kim Hana began to seriously investigate the 'Dimension Warriors' around the world.

Who are they, and where do they come from?

What exactly do they mean by 'incarnation'?

"What are you making such a serious face for, Kim Won?"

CK Broadcasting's Warrior dedicated newsroom.

Kim Hana held a notebook in her hand, looking deep in thought.

When Seo Jung-a, who was sitting next to her, asked, Kim Hana sighed deeply.

"I don't understand at all."

"Is there something that the best career journalist in our newsroom, Kim Won, doesn't know?"

"It's Kim Hana, not Kim Won... Ah, never mind."

Kim Hana shook her head.

Now, not only Seo Jung-a but all the journalists at CK Broadcasting called her Kim Won.

Gracia's interview was decisive.

"Why is that?"

"It's subtly different."

"What's different?"

"The stories the Dimension Warriors tell. It feels like they're hiding something..."

"When I investigate, they all say the same thing."

As Seo Jung-a said, the investigations were all the same.

The Warriors spoke as if they had rehearsed the same story.

For example, they were great warriors who came from another dimension to protect Earth, and they incarnated into Earth's bodies as 'incarnation bodies' from another dimension.

However, Kim Hana had a 'hunch' that they were hiding something.

"Are those people really heroes?"

"Those 8 heroes from another dimension? It might sound a bit funny, but since other Warriors revere them, it doesn't seem to be a lie."

"Do heroes usually inspire fear?"

"Fear?"

What is a hero?

There are various types of heroes, but the heroes the Warriors talk about are the epitome of 'heroes.'

They are the true heroes who protect the world from threats and fulfill their responsibilities.

Then, why are they afraid of heroes?

Seo Jung-a didn't notice that other Warriors were afraid of those called heroes.

Probably, all journalists except Kim Hana were the same.

'The fear and discomfort that they have experienced for a long time and don't even recognize themselves.'

They fear heroes more than monsters.

Shouldn't it be the opposite?

And this suspicion was amplified today.

She carefully opened her notebook to find a yellow memo in the middle.

-Do not trust those who call themselves heroes.

-There are no Dimension Warriors. There are only addicts.

The memo contained only three sentences, but someone had specifically placed it in her notebook.

The Warrior dedicated newsroom had strict security.

There were no signs of intrusion on the CCTV.

It was unlikely that someone inside would play such a prank.

Moreover,

"Can you see what's written here?"

"What is it? Some scribbles?"

The writing on the memo looked like scribbles to others.

Only she could see the words.

The only ones who could do this were Dimension Warriors.

'Those who call themselves heroes are only the 8 heroes.'

Gracia and the Master, among others, eight in total.

To be precise, seven. They said they were still looking for Wilhelm.

In any case, the content that said not to trust those seven.

'What does it mean that there are no Dimension Warriors? Is it saying that they are all lies? What are these addicts?'

What kind of addicts are there?

Drug addicts?

Gambling addicts?

Alcohol? Games?

Not work or exercise addicts.

-What is your relationship with the owner of 'Hydracon'? Do you know where he is?

The question Gracia asked out of the blue during the interview.

He talked about the man who handled the giant monster called Hydracon.

The man who saved her from the Giant Mantis.

He also saved her at the Cheongdam steak house.

Though they had no relationship, the inexplicable chill she felt made her immediately deny Gracia's question.

'Is there a connection with Park Hyun-myeong... sir?'

The thought that he might be the 'Warrior' who owned Hydracon briefly crossed her mind, but she shook her head.

It was probably a coincidence.

But what if it wasn't?

If this slim possibility was true?

Should she tell him?

An inexplicable chill. It didn't seem like Gracia was looking for him out of pure goodwill.

Moreover, Gracia had appeared in Eunpyeong District before.

There was a commotion with a pillar of light filling the sky, and Kim Hana knew that Gracia was the culprit.

She also lived in Eunpyeong District.

She had seen the pillar of light with her own eyes.

'Why did Gracia go to Eunpyeong District?'

Eunpyeong District.

Besides being where she lived, it was also where she first met Park Hyun-myeong.

The Warrior who owned Hydracon and eliminated the Giant Mantis also appeared there.

It wasn't strange for Gracia to go to Eunpyeong District.

However, her intentions were curious.

'Was she trying to eliminate the entire Eunpyeong District...?'

Though it seemed unlikely, she couldn't shake off the chill she felt from Gracia.

The suspicion that they might not be true heroes began to sprout.

*

When they warped into the dungeon, they felt a slight dizziness.

All their stats were fixed at 20, and the equipment they had worn had cleanly vanished.

Perhaps it was fortunate that the Demigod provided them with a tunic, pants, and underwear.

"Ugh."

Serengeti, Isaac, and Isabella all felt dizzy and swayed slightly.

It was a natural reaction to their stats suddenly dropping.

Serengeti was the first to regain his composure.

He looked ahead and said,

"There are weapons and armor."

As he said, equipment was lined up in front of them.

It meant they should choose equipment to use before proceeding.

However, there was a condition written on a sign.

《Choose only one.》

《For each additional item chosen, a random stat of another party member will decrease.》

They were to choose only one.

Serengeti tilted his head.

"What does it mean that other party members' stats will decrease?"

"It means the stats of the other three, excluding the one who chose, will decrease."

"The Demigod is quite evil."

Serengeti's brow furrowed as he realized the intent.

This was just a taste.

It was a warning that the dungeon would proceed in this manner.

"If we're to choose only one, shouldn't we choose weapons first?"

Each should take a weapon and fight.

Since it was a party focused on offense, it wasn't a wrong suggestion.

However, I shook my head.

"One weapon is enough."

"One?"

"The rest should be shields, armor, and helmets."

Serengeti nodded after hearing my words.