Chapter 59 of 100

Chapter 59

9 min read2,129 words

"Ah, you're thinking of fully arming one person?"

"No."

This isn't it either.

"Then what?"

"You arm yourself with the armor. I'll just have the weapon."

"......What?"

"Even if we can't use skills, I can still use the 'Position Swap' ability. When multiple enemies appear, swap positions with the leader and hold out."

"I can only use it twice a day because my stats are low."

"That's why I'm telling you to hold out."

"I've never properly learned shield techniques."

"I trust you."

"Good grief."

Serengeti's face turned pale as the unthinkable became reality.

However, this is the most practical way to use it.

If I had that 'Position Swap' ability, I would have trained mainly for defense.

In contrast, Serengeti used the 'Position Swap' ability primarily for offense.

He lived a life completely isolated from defense, aiming to mock and deceive enemies with agility, just like when he killed the massacre.

It wasn't bad, but it's unnecessary in a situation like this.

"Just hold out until I kill the leader. Then you'll survive."

"......I'll do my best to hold out with all my might."

How far does the range of the tool extend?

It means everything except equipment.

In other words, this is also usable.

Kwaaar!

Kek!

Lightning struck between the werewolves.

The werewolves were momentarily stunned by the sight of the giant monster.

Hydra!

The 'Hydra's Soul' was also a tool.

Its presence was overwhelmingly powerful.

Huh, huh, huh!

The heads of the Hydra quickly grew tired.

'......It seems even the Hydra's stats are limited to 20.'

It seemed that the summoned creature also had a stat limit.

Maintaining that massive body alone required stats far beyond 20.

It would be difficult to use for anything other than creating an intimidating totem.

Still, it was enough.

Puck!

Taking advantage of the small confusion, Serengeti killed the werewolf leader he had swapped positions with.

Keh?

Grr!

With the leader dead, the werewolves fell into confusion.

The perfect opportunity to sweep away the werewolves.

Aggak!

I took out the carrion crow's core and ate it.

Thud, thud, thud!

My form changed instantly, and I became a carrion crow.

This was also a 'tool,' so it was usable.

And if my guess was correct.

'......I can use the carrion crow's skills.'

Strictly speaking, using the carrion crow's skills as its king was the same as eating the carrion crow's core and using the skills inscribed on it.

That's why I couldn't use the skills when I returned to human form.

Therefore, I can use the skills.

Furthermore.

<'The King of the Dead' skill is dominating the soul of the werewolf leader.>

It also meant that the skill I stole from Kengo was usable.

I revived the werewolf leader by infusing its soul.

The low stats limited it to just one.

<'The hidden trait 'Beast Lord' has increased the werewolf leader's control.>

Keh, keh?

Auuuu!

The werewolves gathered around the leader.

There was no hostility.

Honestly, I was half-skeptical.

I didn't really believe this would work.

'......It works.'

'You who lack faith.'

Demigod.

The absolute being who designs dungeons and bestows trials.

He was left with only his will after dying, but the dungeon was never cleared over the long years.

Because there was no faith.

Because they couldn't trust each other.

Even with the stringent entry conditions, it was the same.

Humans cannot overcome their desires. They are always swayed by the instinct to step on others and rise.

'Humans are truly foolish.'

Will shook his head.

After watching humans for so long, there was no hope for them.

No matter how much time passed, humans didn't change.

They were so foolish that they couldn't even break through a single trial I painstakingly created.

The same would be true for those who challenged this time.

'......How dare they.'

But this time, the challengers were a little different.

From the moment they entered, they deleted one of the four propositions I set.

I forcibly warped them to prevent preparation time, but they were advancing through the floors in a completely different way from my intended design.

Faith, honor, honesty.

These three were the most important core of the dungeon.

But once they entered the dungeon, there was no room for Will's intervention.

Even a god must follow the rules of the dungeon if they enter it.

So, a being that Will himself couldn't have imagined appeared, clearing the dungeon without regard for the rules.

Transforming, reviving the werewolf leader as an undead, and gradually increasing the pack through control.

It was supposed to be a zone where they had to rely on each other and move forward.

A trial designed to strengthen their bond by facing the werewolf pack!

But the guy was taming the werewolves themselves. The pack that started with 20 quickly grew to 50, 100.

He even trained the werewolves.

Over the long years, countless humans have challenged the dungeon.

'What a guy......!'

This was the first time I've seen such a guy.

Truth Game

"Which dungeon was the hardest to clear, sir?"

One of the Korean Union players gathered at the dungeon entrance asked.

The man called the Union Leader, wearing golden armor and a helmet, replied.

"Lightning Blade Dungeon."

"Lightning Blade Dungeon, the 11-level dungeon?"

"Yeah. The elite raid boss monster, Lightning Blade. Even now, thinking about it gives me chills."

"Isn't the dungeon we're trying to clear now also an 11-level dungeon?"

The Union Leader looked at the entrance of the massive cave.

The dungeon they were trying to clear was the Sky Whale Dungeon.

A place where the Sky Whale is the master, and it was also 11 levels.

There were 20 of Korea's top players gathered to clear this dungeon.

"We're stronger now than back then. Me and the Union members."

The Union Leader shrugged.

Compared to back then, the Union is much stronger now.

If things go well, Korea will soon officially have a major city in Panginea.

"Ah, then which dungeon was the most trashy?"

"Trashy dungeon? Why do you ask?"

"To avoid it if possible, even in the future."

A trashy dungeon.

If asked which dungeon was the hardest, everyone would give different answers.

There were many places with high difficulty, unreasonable entry restrictions, or tricky strategies.

The definition of 'hard' can vary based on subjective experience.

But if asked which dungeon was the most trashy, nine out of ten would give the same answer.

"......Demigod Trait Dungeon."

"Ah! That place is famous."

"Union members are forbidden to enter there."

"Why is it forbidden (禁地)?"

"Because it makes people bad."

"Bad? How so?"

The Union Leader frowned as the Union member was puzzled.

Because of the bad memories from the past.

"There are no purely good or purely evil humans. But that dungeon thoroughly highlights the bad parts of humans."

"......For example?"

"The contents vary for each challenger, but when I challenged it, I planted a fake. There was a floor where I erased part of everyone's memory and had them vote to choose the fake."

"What happens if you choose one?"

"The one with the most votes died. But it turned out they were all real."

Not just mockery, but such a thing?

Dungeons named after demigods were all collaborative works of great beings and their 'will,' weren't they?

"Insane......"

"Four of us went in, and only I survived. It's a dungeon that even the famous Phantom couldn't conquer."

"Phantom couldn't conquer a dungeon?"

The Union member's eyes widened.

Phantom is a legend, a myth. There was no dungeon he couldn't conquer.

That's what was known, but the reality was different.

"There are a few. One of them is the Demigod Trait Dungeon."

"Indeed...... Phantom would be sick of betrayal. Ah, now that I think of it, he must be challenging a party dungeon right about now."

"Probably."

Randolph, the player character likely to be Phantom, broke the main quest 5, Mystery Acquisition, with an incredible score.

Moreover, he cleared the dimensional rift alone.

Thanks to this, the players are in an uproar.

They didn't get any of the rewards they should have obtained by clearing the King of the Dimensional Rift.

Not only that.

Maxim died. The death of one of the Eight Heroes was officially confirmed.

In reality and in Panginea.

The impact was not small.

Soon, a rift will form among the players, and a massive wave will hit.

'Before that, we need to build up our strength as much as possible.'

To survive the storm, you need to grow.

To survive, Korean players need to establish a major city in Panginea and start serious strategies on both Panginea and Earth.

At least, that's the Union Leader's plan to have a major city before the next dimensional rift appears.

It's already late compared to those who are ahead.

"Which dungeon is Phantom challenging?"

"Who knows. One thing's for sure, it won't be the Demigod Trait Dungeon."

Phantom, who is sick of betrayal, won't challenge the Demigod Trait Dungeon, which encourages betrayal.

Everyone who knows Phantom and the Demigod Trait Dungeon would think the same.

Crunch!

The Union Leader gritted his teeth.

'Damn. Just thinking about that time makes my mouth bitter.'

That place was truly a trashy dungeon.

Rooaaar!

The enormous blue wolf finally fell, signaling its death.

Surrounded by over a hundred werewolves, it had no way to hold out.

'Six hours.'

The time it took to clear this floor.

Originally, Blue Wolf was a creature that required a week of hunting and equipping before challenging.

But due to the nature of the shortest time clear, there was no choice.

Moreover.

'I never intended to clear this place normally.'

I never even thought about clearing it normally from the beginning.

<'The Throne of the Shining Hero' is showing deep interest in the dungeon clear.>

The thrones in the Hall of Citizens are starting to show interest, one by one.

Not as much as the main quest 5, Mystery Acquisition, but most thrones will show interest by the end of the clear.

'The Throne of the Shining Hero.'

What's peculiar is that the Throne of the Shining Hero is showing deep interest.

Not in me, but in the dungeon clear.

A throne that has never appeared before, except during the Mystery Acquisition.

If I show a proper breakthrough of the dungeon, it might appear like the Thrones of Fortune and Adventure, upgrading the reward list every time.

Swish!

After the warp, the equipment I initially chose was also stripped.

Naturally, the werewolves I controlled were also reset.

A place where only darkness exists.

Looking around, Serengeti, Isaac, and Isabelle were nowhere to be seen.

All I could see were a few papers floating in the air and a fan.

<However, the process will not proceed unless all party members take the 'Truth Oath.'>

Truth Oath.

A kind of contract.

A contract to swear to speak only the truth.

It takes effect from the moment I sign my name, and it states that I will be expelled if I lie.

'......This is the worst.'

Why is the Room of Truth necessary in a trait dungeon?

I've never seen this floor when I challenged as Wilhelm.

The demigod who created such a dungeon was clearly not in their right mind.

If the entire party doesn't take the oath, the process won't even start.

The moment I sign, my hidden traits won't work either. After all, it's something I agreed to myself.

It means I have no choice but to speak the truth.

In the worst case, the entire party might lose trust in me.

But, thinking differently, if the questions are not serious, I can just laugh it off.

It could even be a sweet trial for me, who aims to clear the dungeon in the shortest time.

One each.

I roughly wrote three questions.

If the other party members also wrote their questions, we just need to tell the truth three times each to clear it.

How simple is that?

It's like a freebie.

Roo-!

With a loud rumble, the darkness brightened.