Chapter: 440
There exists a physiological aversion in humans.
Regardless of like or dislike, anyone normal would feel some kind of aversion.
Joy, who walked down the stairs into the research lab, thought this place was the epitome of aversion.
The smells wafting through the area were all nothing short of repulsive.
The scent of rotting flesh.
The scent of blood left behind by countless souls who must have died here.
The indescribable odors of various drugs permeating the air.
If someone weak-hearted were to enter, they would’ve definitely vomited at this sight, and Joy gripped her staff tighter.
Even if others were there, that didn’t mean they were less tense.
Arthur, who had less resistance to such scenery like Joy, was putting more strength into his grip on his sword.
Phoebe, who was used to facing scenes of death, was pressing her lips tightly together.
Prete, familiar with fighting the Evil God’s minions, was also hardening her expression.
Lucy, rather than rushing forward as usual, was cautiously taking small steps forward.
It was unusual that Frey maintained a light step like she always did; it was Joy who was acting unusually.
“You guys. If you go around the side, something gross will come out. Don’t scream in surprise.”
What they first encountered after entering the dungeon was something that filled their vision.
In the past, when Joy faced it, she had to desperately run away to survive, thankful just to be alive.
The monster, hearing its screams, lunged at them.
“Idiot.”
As soon as Lucy called its name, Joy unleashed her magic. No questions needed.
Joy was a completely different person now than the Joy who once waited for Lucy to give orders to survive back then.
“Everyone close your eyes.”
In front of the monster charging blindly, a flash burst forth. An overwhelming brightness that seemed ready to burn the eyes.
The monster, possessing countless eyes, couldn’t withstand it and rolled on the ground.
Seeing this, Lucy gestured to Frey instead of moving herself. Frey, who had been watching for a chance to swing her sword, easily sliced the monster’s neck with her colored aura.
Watching the monster, once thought to be an unbeatable foe, fall without being able to do anything, Joy tightened her grip on the staff with both hands.
Things are different now.
It’s not like the past when they were weak. With the strength they possess now, there’s no reason to be afraid in this dungeon!
“That’s strange.”
Joy turned her head in response to the voice and found Lucy tilting her head.
Even in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange to let out a sigh of relief, Lucy instead displayed a puzzled expression, making an ominous thought come to mind.
“What’s strange?”
Prete asked, and Lucy furrowed her brow as she replied.
“It’s just too sloppy.”
“Sloppy… how?”
“At least make some effort to think? Didn’t you see the filthy smoke gathering? Doesn’t that spark any thoughts for you?”
After the Evil God’s energy that filled the forest disappeared, where did it all go?
There’s no need to think about this. It’s obvious that there’s only one place for the power prepared to suppress those who entered the dungeon.
“With all that ruckus, this place is too dull. It smells just the same as before.”
Just like Lucy, Prete naturally wrinkled her brow.
If someone easygoing were here, they would probably just laugh and think nothing of it.
And they would end up being caught off guard and contribute to the stench of the dungeon.
To conquer a dungeon means you could die from a moment’s carelessness.
Especially if it’s a dungeon dwelling the Evil God’s authority.
“Keep doubting. You never know when or where something might act up.”
After saying that, Lucy took the lead again.
*
What is this? What could it be?
What’s waiting for us to be this smooth? The easier the path ahead gets, the more complicated my mind becomes.
Everyone remembers what the Power of Void can do.
Out of the various powers of the Evil Gods, the Power of Void is the most passive.
It’s hard for something to happen unless those conquering the dungeon make mistakes.
Thus, a dungeon with the Power of Void usually mixes lies and truths to shake the conquerors.
Just like in the forest.
But this place is different.
This place perfectly matches where an Alchemist resides.
The monsters that appear within, the structure, the traps, everything is just as I know about dungeons.
Are they just saving their strength, knowing they’ll be defeated anyway?
No. The Void Evil God I know doesn’t play that way.
That guy is the type to dig in stubbornly the more he gets defeated.
There’s definitely something.
Something.
“…Lady Allen.”
As I continuously observed my surroundings, the Perverted Apostle, who had been following closely behind, spoke up as we went down a level.
“That wall. Isn’t it strange?”
I turned my head to follow his finger, but I couldn’t find anything odd.
That wall was supposed to be there.
When I tilted my head in confusion, the Perverted Apostle continued.
“That wall is less disgusting than the others.”
Less disgusting. If someone else had said this, I would’ve thought they were crazy, but the one saying this is the Perverted Apostle.
In terms of aesthetic sense, he was someone who couldn’t be outdone. He wouldn’t be mistaken about something like this.
That means…
“Heh heh.”
I chuckled lightly while pretending to lower my shield. His divine voice echoed within the repulsive lab.
“Do you think hiding there will keep the disgusting things hidden? What a real airhead! Those dumb folks sticking their heads in the ground are no different!”
As the provocation continued, a stir was felt from beyond the wall.
The Perverted Apostle was right.
That wall was a trap.
If I had moved toward that wall without thinking, I would’ve definitely been caught.
Turning my gaze slightly backward, I saw my friends preparing for battle.
Arthur and Joy were getting ready with their magic. Frey infused magic into her sword, and Phoebe was blessing us.
Their response was swift. It was proof that all the training my friends had done wasn’t in vain.
“Aren’t you going to keep doing that? If you want to prove you’re an airhead, just keep at it! When you think about it, it really suits you!”
“You speak nonsense, little girl.”
The false wall crumbled, revealing the Alchemist, the master of this dungeon.
The one who was supposed to be waiting in the final chamber appeared here.
He, with grotesque tentacles writhing beneath a long coat, glared at me with his deeply crimson eyes.
“Do you wish for me to charge in?”
“Isn’t it you who wants to pounce? You want to attack me with those disgusting, smelly tentacles, right? You know it well: trash like you thinks of nothing else!”
I lowered my shield slightly, giving off an air that he could come at me, yet the Alchemist remained immobile on the other side.
“Thinking you’re clever and babbling nonsense. When given a chance to approach, you get scared and can’t come closer. You really are a sloppy one! Moldy flesh and your holy knight rotting together?”
The provocation was not in vain. The trembling of the Alchemist’s entire body indicated his anger.
Just a bit more. Just a little more to enrage him. If I can draw the Alchemist into our battlefield, it won’t be too hard to face him. Unlike during the academy entrance exam, I am strong enough now. We are strong enough to handle that Alchemist.
“…Indeed, your voice carries danger.”
At that moment, the Alchemist, who seemed ready to charge, flinched, and trying hard to remain calm, he took a step back.
I knew why the Alchemist could regain his composure.
The Evil God’s energy swirling around his head forcibly brought him back to his senses.
Seeing that, my lips curled up.
You think you can deal with my provocation?
Ha. Go ahead and try. I’ll make sure you can’t keep hold of your sanity.
“So I must put others before myself.”
As the Alchemist’s body disintegrated and seeped into the ground, the dungeon began to tremble.
The change was instantaneous.
The surrounding walls crumbled, expanding the size of the passage. A corridor that was once ordinary turned into a single room, and one room became a vast chamber.
After everything collapsed, two figures appeared in the center of the chamber.
One was a bear the size of a house.
It greatly exceeded the size of normal creatures, covered in fur that looked tougher than ordinary iron, and it began to roar.
The other was something resembling a person, formed from entwined tree roots.
Once a gentle and leisurely guardian of the forest, it now cared only to smash everything with its fists.
The masters of the forest that had suffered at the hands of the Evil Gods.
They were the ones I thought would serve as the foundations to construct this dungeon, modified by the Alchemist into grotesque forms.
As I was staring blankly at them, I heard the sound of the tree-like being striking the ground, and I raised my shield.
That movement was clearly a preparatory stance before a charge.
Now that guy is ready to charge.
I felt a sense of discomfort.
Looking at the tree, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different than what I knew.
So, I broadened my senses around me.
Not trusting my eyes but relying on my instincts.
And then I felt the vibrations coming from below.
The location was behind.
The direction was.
Joy.
I had no time to talk.
I ran mindlessly in her direction and pushed her shoulder with all my might.
Soon after, I felt a shock to my abdomen.
My body flew through the air, and Joy’s dazed eyes met mine.
In the meantime, one thought invaded my mind.
Ha. Shit.
I’ve been caught.
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.