Chapter 172

Chapter: 172

Large dungeons like Menestel feel vastly different from tackling other dungeons.

When I previously tackled dungeons, I sped through them like a prophetic speedrun, remember?

That was possible because I could control the variables in the dungeon with my abilities.

Monsters move with a sense of self, but their movements are limited.

Traps might change position, but since those positions are predetermined, I can memorize them and respond.

As for the pathways, I just need to memorize all possible routes, so that’s not an issue.

This part is similar in large dungeons, but there’s one critical difference: the presence of other adventurers moving around inside the dungeon.

In other dungeons, only one party can enter at a time. There’s a limit of four people allowed in at once.

The Academy Dungeon was designed with this in mind, allowing only four players to enter at a time.

So, if I focused all my attention on the dungeon, I didn’t have to worry about other variables.

However, large dungeons are different. There’s no limit on the number of people here. Any party wanting to enter can come in.

Got it? This dungeon is packed with stupid NPCs that move chaotically based on arbitrary, irrational judgments.

Ugh. Just explaining large dungeons is making me fired up.

From the perspective of an average player, having adventurers as a variable isn’t entirely bad.

It’s true that they dramatically increase the difficulty of tackling the dungeon.

But, you know, most players will typically be in the mid-game by the time they step into a large dungeon for the first time, right?

That means they’ve likely tackled most dungeons and feel somewhat familiar with the game.

At that point, introducing a new gimmick like adventurers provides a refreshing change.

It sets up a new element that can draw players deeper into the game.

I used to think having these adventurers around wasn’t so bad either when I first started playing.

Sometimes, other adventurers would help me in tight spots, and I’d shout, “Adventurers rule!” at times!

But why did my thoughts change?

Try speedrunning and see how you feel, huh? You wouldn’t be able to keep the curses in!

Knowing that you need to shave even a second off your run, having uncontrollable variables is the worst nightmare!

Imagine thinking you’ve finally set a record, only for some adventurer to pop up and start trolling you!

It’s terrifying even just thinking about it now.

Sure, I vented my frustration on that adventurer in a fit of rage over my speedrun record and my keyboard and monitor’s grievances, but that doesn’t bring back what was lost.

And yet, right in front of me, a group of adventurers is ready to troll again.

“Eek!”

“I don’t wanna die!”

“Hey, over there! Help me!”

“I’m so sorry! Please don’t kill me!”

These fools are attracting way too many monsters and desperately trying to escape.

That’s what you’d call a monster train.

This is the kind of variable I absolutely detest.

The moment I face those idiots, my speedrun is practically ruined.

“Lady.”

Karl calls out to me, taking position.

He’s probably asking me to decide what to do.

If this were a game, I would have said to ditch them without hesitation! They’ve caused me enough trouble!

But this is reality, and the four corpses that would spawn the moment I turn my back would naturally become my burden.

And I don’t believe I can bear that weight.

‘Let’s prepare to fight.’

“Gear up. We’re helping those clueless, burdening trash.”

What’s that trailing behind them? Hellhound?

Sigh. So annoying.

As if the heat wasn’t already making my discomfort unbearable, I had to deal with trolls dragging along these fools.

Taking a deep breath, I raised my mace.

“Stupid mutts think it’s funny to yelp without knowing their place?♡ They’re making me want to hunt them down as they misinterpret themselves as wolves!♡ You know what?♡ You’re more fitting for rolling over and squealing like the mutts you are in front of humans!♡”

As I spilled those words, the hellhounds’ gazes shifted toward me.

The provocation power of the Mesugaki Skill is absolute. At this moment, their target isn’t those dumb adventurers but me.

“I’m going to teach these poorly-bred mutts that they’re way out of their league!♡ You should be grateful!♡”

The lead wolf changes direction and charges toward me.

I see those sharp teeth full of thoughts of sinking into my neck.

They’re definitely sharp enough to pierce through iron if wielded properly.

But that’s all it had.

Charging at a speed that’s nothing compared to Frey’s sword isn’t a real threat to me.

I moved my shield toward the leaping creature.

The Iron Wall might have told me something, but I didn’t listen.

It didn’t match what I was thinking.

I wasn’t planning to block.

With a swing of my shield cracking the hellhound’s face, its body flies into the void.

In the end, the creature, with shattered teeth, sprawls on the ground, convulsing before losing its life.

Was the lead dog’s pathetic demise the cause of what followed?

The hellhounds charging at me slowed down.

Ugh, this really is annoying.

The fire clinging to their bodies isn’t just for show.

It means the already hot air around them is getting hotter.

“Stupid dogs♡ Are you scared?♡ Hahaha♡ You pathetic little turds don’t even know what pride means!♡”

Come at me already!

And then die.

I feel like I’m going to pass out from the heat because of you fools!

*

Alsatine knew Lucy’s skills very well.

Having tackled various wild dungeons near the Academy together a few months ago, he couldn’t possibly be unaware.

She perfectly memorizes all the routes of every dungeon.

Also, she knows what monsters emerge from the dungeon, where those monsters wait, what gear they have, and how many there are.

Of course, she’s well aware of where the traps are within the dungeon, how they’re set up, and how to disable them.

The boss of the dungeon? How could Lucy, who knows everything about the dungeon, not know that?

She handed him a perfect strategy as if she’d disassembled every boss in every dungeon.

How could Alsatine have only tackled a dungeon once or twice?

He’s gone into dungeons countless times, both as a party member and as a party leader.

So he knew very well what a standard dungeon strategy should be, and what competence looks like within.

To Alsatine, Lucy Allen wasn’t merely an outstanding commander.

It felt more accurate to call her a prophet who receives all dungeon knowledge directly from God.

At least, up until today.

“Information, sell it. I’ll draw their attention, so you toss potions at that group of trash over there.”

“Understood.”

“Hey! How long are you going to drag this out? You’re my knight, and you’re struggling with that?!”

“I’m sorry!”

“Handle it in ten seconds! Or I’ll punish you, you sloppy trash!”

Even in the chaos of running into various adventurer parties inside a large dungeon, Lucy showcased perfect command.

Amidst the hellish conditions with constantly changing situations and countless variables, she remained calm and presented the best options.

He knew she had decent leadership skills, but still thought she leaned more toward being a prophet than a commander. Turns out he was wrong.

It’s both.

She’s a capable commander and a prophet hearing the voice of God.

Ugh. Is this the judgment of someone who just entered the Academy?

Even if it were what a party leader engaging deep-dungeon adventurers concluded, he would believe it!

It’s astounding and awe-inspiring.

This can’t just be explained by her blood relation to the Allen family.

Lucy Allen isn’t just any normal human; she is something extraordinary.

There was reason to trust and follow her.

Right.

If it’s her

If she’s the one loved by God

If until now, she’s made all her boasts come true

Then she will surely lead me to where my master awaits.

“Information, sell it! You’re too slow!”

“I’m sorry! I’m done with it now!”

“Then quickly fire arrows at those fools rushing from the rear!”

Master. I’ll soon see that honored face again.

Please, greet your long-lost disciple warmly.

*

10th Floor of Menestel Dungeon.

By the time I arrived at the staircase boss’s lair, I was already half-exhausted.

Sure, this place is huge compared to the Academy Dungeon, which makes it a large dungeon but I shouldn’t be this worn out.

Had there not been so many adventurers, I wouldn’t have gotten this tired.

Damn it. Why are there so many stupid adventurers?!

The frequency of their appearances is ridiculous!

It wasn’t even this bad when I played!

Thanks to them, it’s taking way longer to clear this dungeon than I expected.

Sigh. At this rate, reaching the 20th floor today is impossible.

I guess I’ll have to tackle the dungeon in the heat again tomorrow.

Damn these adventurers. When I see them on the street later, I’ll kick their butts.

After that, I’ll make them kneel and curse them for living as adventurers with skills worse than a girl!

That should at least help lessen my frustration!

“Lady. Are you alright?”

‘Do I look alright?’

“Are your eyes just for decoration? Do I look okay to you?”

I’m already irritated from the heat, my head is pounding from the adventurers trolling, and I want to scream at the sloppy fox sniffing above me.

Ugh. I can’t take it anymore. Let’s just deal with the 10th-floor boss today and start fresh again at the 11th floor tomorrow.

According to Alsatine, those stupid adventurers are overflowing here because this low level allows anyone to just waltz in.

Should be better past the 11th floor, where the boss picks people out.

“Lady, if you’re struggling, why not take a break?”

‘No way.’

“Sloppy. You’re noisy.”

Just being exposed to this heat feels like my stamina is draining away in real-time, and they want me to rest here?!

No way! If I’m resting, it’ll be outside!

“However, if you go into the boss room in this condition, it might cause an accident.”

‘Don’t worry about that.’

“Sloppy. Don’t you know who your master is? Yet, you’re still worried about me?”

“Yes? What do you mean by that?”

‘I’m sure it’ll be an easy fight without any challenging battles.’

“I’ll show you. How that worthless trash beyond this door won’t do anything and falls pitifully.”

Especially not you, Karl, making a fool of yourself like this is a problem.

You saw me smashing through the Academy Dungeon.

“…Do you have a plan?”

‘Of course.’

“Sloppy. Did it take you this long to notice? Sigh. Our pup is really slow and foolish.”

There’s no way I would engage in a full-on battle with the dungeon boss, right?

---

My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.

The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.

Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.