The House of Roede’s defenses have been partially unlocked.
Adventurers began gathering in groups at the mansion.
In the third solo dungeon of Astria Online, ‘Tomb of the Sword,’ it seemed that, like previous solo dungeons, only those who conquer the top floor would gain new skills.
However, obtaining new power is never easy. The solo dungeons in Astria Online have required countless tries from users. Not only do you have to deal with the named enemies appropriate for your class at the top floor, but even the new bosses on the lower floors boast insane difficulty.
“In the Training Tower, there was ‘Commander Jeff,’ and in the Ice Tower, ‘Ice Ogre King’.”
After all, the thing waiting for me at the top of this tower’s 10th floor wouldn’t have information to share with other users. However, the creature existing on the 9th floor had already received some information from those 53-level users who were one step ahead of me.
Today, I’ve also achieved the entry-level of 53 for the ‘Tomb of the Sword.’ I have been granted the qualification to challenge the new solo dungeon.
Sneakily.
Reaching the bottom of the tower, I looked around. Sure enough, many users had gathered.
New elite dungeon, ‘Heaven-Descended Basin.’
New solo dungeon, ‘Tomb of the Sword.’
The discovery of these two new dungeons had revitalized the atmosphere among users enjoying this expansion pack.
Well then, shall I go and gain some new power too?
Swish.
Tch.
“Yikes.”
Suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder. I froze.
My special human boundary radar as Rain didn’t react. If it didn’t, there could only be one person.
“Re~in~”
“Sister Chris… you scared me.”
“Hehehe, you still get startled by contact with people?”
Turning around, I found Chris standing there, smiling as if it was obvious.
I grumbled unnecessarily.
“Isn’t it reasonable to be cautious? You’d get mad if I touched someone else.”
“Wh-What? When have I ever gotten mad? Rain can surely hang out with friends.”
I looked at Chris with skepticism. She cleared her throat and fanned her face with her hand. But she quickly straightened her expression and asked me seriously.
“Did you bring the medicine to your room?”
“…….”
I avoided Chris’s gaze.
“Based on past experiences, it’s clear. Our Rain, who can solo raid dungeons, always returns from solo dungeons in bad shape after others clear them. …Your worsening condition was after the Training Tower, wasn’t it?”
Chris surely has a sixth sense.
She often appears busy with work, seemingly caring only to pat my head, but Chris was fully aware of any issues I might face according to my play style.
I let out a deep sigh.
How should I dodge this?
I sat behind the tower for a moment and engaged in conversation with Chris.
“…It’s true that a remarkably difficult named enemy was waiting for you, resembling you, and that’s why you’ve been sick till now.”
I nodded. Then I kept an eye on Chris’s expressions.
Without directly saying, ‘I’m a hero from another world,’ there have been plenty of incidents that would arouse her suspicion. She might not show much concern outwardly, but Chris probably had her own thoughts.
The same goes for Igrim and the Emperor. Knowing individuals who recognize me exist in this world means Chris, having met those people with me, surely understands the connection between this game and me.
But for her to accept that I lived in this world and then came to Earth? It’s such an absurd story. It would be hard for Chris, who lives in a scientifically advanced Earth, to accept swiftly.
Her caring about me and their common sense are separate matters. And for not just me but her to become engrossed in the mission is not something I desire either.
Ultimately, I want to enjoy this world as a game, and I want Chris to enjoy it too.
“…I know it sounds strange. And, I…”
“That’s enough. You’d still go anyway, right?”
“Yes?”
“How did I end up falling for someone who needs this much attention?”
Chris laughed heartily. Then she pressed her forehead against mine.
“Hot.”
I could feel Chris’s breath up close. Her lightly flushed cheeks and my heated face were extremely close.
The more shy person, Sister Chris, took such bold actions first.
“Listen, no matter what you did in the past or if you lived in a different world, it doesn’t matter much to me.”
“I’m really sorry for always causing you concern and not being able to tell you properly.”
“What’s most important is that you are here, in front of me. And everyone in this world calls you ‘Hero.'”
I felt like tearing up a bit.
Chris helped me up.
Then, she playfully patted my backside.
“Hurry, you need to go gain the power you need!”
I made sure not to let her see my reddened eyes and moved forward.
“My little hero.”
Towards the Tomb of the Sword.
—
[Tomb of the Sword 1st Floor]
A circular hall welcomed me.
I am no longer the same as before. I’ve grown tremendously in both mind and body during this time.
Even when facing that creature, I was confident I wouldn’t easily fall.
I set my goal for today.
I won’t die. I won’t get hurt.
Not only because I don’t want to burden that grateful person who cherishes me, but also to pave my own path.
Yet, I will still claim what I need to.
Swish.
The starlight around me flickered amidst the shields and spears rushing towards me.
—
[Tomb of the Sword 2nd Floor]
Of course, I fight using my skills and my entire body.
With the Holy Sword, I technically used a sword, but being a hero doesn’t strictly mean being a sword class.
Lacking power is supplied by the Holy Sword. And right now, the system also helps. With a small frame, I must utilize agile movements to fight.
Spinning.
I lifted off the ground and kicked strongly towards the temple of the ‘Demon’s Shadow’ floating around me.
Bam!
—
[Tomb of the Sword 4th Floor]
The ice statue resembling a witch shattered and scattered.
—
[Tomb of the Sword 5th Floor]
The massive form of the Black Dragon pressed itself to the ground.
…
—
[Tomb of the Sword 8th Floor]
Kugugung.
What once was Commander Crow’s husk, severely weakened to fit a solo dungeon, fell behind me, and I moved to the 9th floor.
—
[Tomb of the Sword 9th Floor]
“I knew Sister Melissa idolized the Ancient Master who used a spear.”
Yet she stubbornly insisted on using a sword. Saying that it suited her better. Although she claimed a true master shouldn’t be confined to the form of a weapon, she still subtly minded the family’s traditions.
Entering the central space where the Ancient Master awaited, I smiled as I recalled the past.
A figure clad in dense chain armor, embodying strength — a robust middle-aged man.
The defense of that figure had a long beard. For some reason, there was a red energy swirling around his face.
In one hand, he held a gigantic spear firmly rooted to the floor, and at the end, a crescent blade.
Earth had ancient warriors who wielded such weapons too. Now that I think about it, they look somewhat alike. That weapon, was it called the Blue Dragon Crescent Blade?
That entity is the sentinel blocking the path to the top floor.
I have heard that all users who have achieved level 53 are blocked here. No matter how much legendary gear they farmed from past expansion areas, they wouldn’t be able to break through without upgrading their tier with materials acquired from the current elite dungeon.
This solo dungeon, ‘Tomb of the Sword.’
Based on past experiences, this solo dungeon might have opened in some way without me. After all, the knights of the House of Roede would need to grow stronger to fend off the looming threat from the East.
In a way, this ‘Tomb of the Sword’ was opened early because of me.
In the end, it’s a matter of choice.
Do I wait for the opening of the new elite dungeon and challenge it after upgrading my old-tier gear there?
Or do I challenge the limit of users that can reach this point with their current gear level?
Of course, the limits set by the system do not trouble me.
“If it blocks my path, I’ll break through.”
I readied my sword and aimed it at the figure.
Then I took a step into the recognition range of the figure.
Beep, the system notification sound indicating aggro was triggered.
The figure’s eyebrows rose, and a piercing blue gaze glared at me from within.
Hooong hooong hooong!
The crescent blade spun violently above his head. And then.
THUD!
It slammed heavily into the ground of the Tomb of the Sword.
Woooom!
From that spot, a blue circular energy emerged, spreading rapidly.
—
[Level 55 Ancient Master]
[HP 30,000,000 / 30,000,000 (100%)]
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