◈ 115. [Free Exploration] Path of the Loser
The party members agonized over whether it was a library or a courtroom.
But unfortunately,
“The answer is, none of the three.”
I crossed out all three routes. Everyone’s mouth fell open.
“If it’s a standard clear route, you’ll have to attack one of the three places. But I know a lot about this dungeon.”
okay. you know too well
I drew a new route starting from the base camp, and passed the 4th district that leads to the library-grand park-court.
I will go to these three places later. Not today.
“Today we follow the secret passage and skip the 4th area. Go straight to District 5.”
My chalk stopped behind it.
“This destination is Area 5, ‘Colosseum’.”
Then, after writing the word “Colosseum” in large letters, he stamped a dot.
“Attack this place.”
“… … .”
There was silence for a moment.
Evangeline, stuttering, asked cautiously.
“wait a minute. Doesn’t area 5 mean it’s more difficult than area 4? Is this a place we can clear now?”
“of course.”
In fact, this is the easiest place to clear at this point.
“That’s because there’s a trick.”
Same with the dungeon gimmick. Same with the boss monsters.
It is a dungeon optimized for cheating. In fact, as soon as the base camp opened, I was thinking of robbing right here.
“Don’t worry about clearing. I have all the ways.”
Speaking confidently, I ran my hand through the road between the base camp and the Colosseum.
“However, as you can see, the distance is quite long.”
The depth of the base camp is 3.
From here, you have to enter the depth 5 Colosseum.
In other words, it means that you have to crawl into the depths of the dungeon for a long time.
“The physical distance is quite far. Inevitably, 2 days and 1 night is confirmed.”
“indeed… … .”
“I will explain the trick as I go. It’s a long way anyway, so there won’t be anything to do but talk while you’re gone.”
I put down the chalk and wiped my hands with a handkerchief.
“It is more than that. question… … Let me take it as I go.”
Evangeline and Junior, who seemed curious about something, lowered their hands in regret. I grinned.
“If you don’t want to do 2 nights and 3 days, let’s start soon. You spent too much time getting ready.”
***
[Now Loading… … Teleporting.]
[Tip – There are many roads leading to various places in the Lake Kingdom dungeon at the base camp. Feel free to explore different places!]
***
Go through the teleport gate and arrive at the base camp.
This time, the blacksmith, Kelly Bay, was nowhere to be seen. Only Grandma Coco, a space magician, welcomed us.
“Uh hee hee, our babies! Are you here to play again?”
No, I’m not here to play. I’m risking my life to explore.
“How can you say that you seem to have lost more weight than last time? wait. This lady will give you something delicious.”
“ah… … I’m sorry, Grandma Coco. We are really busy right now.”
Granny Coco tried to take some jellies out of her studio again, but stopped me, and I looked around.
“By the way, what about Kelly Bay?”
“That dwarf inspiration? well It looks like he went inside the dungeon to get some materials.”
“hmm… … .”
Kelly Bay is an NPC who always guards this place. Is she even absent?
you know what to do Anyway, Kelly Bay is also higher level and stronger than us at this point. I’m not going to commit a crime.
“Then, Grandma Coco, just one more request… … .”
I brought Grandma Coco to the center of the base camp.
In the center of the base camp, something like a manhole cover was installed. I pointed to it.
“Please break the seal on this.”
“Hey hey, are you okay? The passage down here is the path of the notorious loser.”
Grandma Coco lowered her big head and stared at me with a smile on her face.
“Your heart may break as you pass by.”
“are you okay. It doesn’t break.”
“If you don’t conquer the battlefield at the end, you won’t be able to come back. that it becomes a one-way street. Are you really okay?”
“are you okay. I will conquer it.”
“Oooh, hee hee hee! Kelly Bay said this new product was pretty good, indeed!”
Grandma Coco, who was holding her stomach and laughing, waved her hand lightly.
rattle!
Then a light flashed from the manhole cover, and it was gently opened upwards.
“Okay, let’s go! I am waiting for your heroic story.”
“thank you. grandma.”
——————
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Grandma Coco put her hands behind her back and stepped back. I pointed my toe down the manhole and winked at the party.
“Okay, shall we go?”
The inside of the manhole is dark. The unique three-dimensional darkness of the dungeon was overflowing.
Even in this dark neighborhood, it was even darker because the road led underground.
As I approached, a guide message came to my mind.
[Road of the Loser]
– While passing through this passage, all skills are sealed.
– If you do not clear the sector, this road will be closed.
– Only the truly courageous take on the challenge.
Shake, shake… … .
The distinctive gnawing sound of the darkness here echoed loudly in the passage.
“… … .”
“… … .”
It was clear that everyone was unwilling. Even Lucas.
That’s right. Because this is a physiological problem.
“Let’s go first.”
Then I have to take the lead, what?
“yes? Lord, hold on-”
Before Lucas could say anything, I took out the ‘Blue Flame Torch’ from my inventory.
A torch obtained as a reward in the past that never goes out.
I threw it into the aisle first.
The torch fell inside, lighting the surroundings blue. The long vertical circular passage was densely lined with ladders.
Tung-!
It didn’t last long and the sparks bounced on the floor.
“Isn’t it very deep?”
I smiled and pushed myself into the aisle first.
All the other party members, one by one, made up their faces and followed me.
***
If darkness had will, what would he do?
That thought occurred to me as I descended the shaft.
Shake, shake… … .
The sound of gnawing insects constantly rang in my ears.
It was to the point where I had the illusion that they were eating away at my ears.
It was as if I could see something in the dark corner of my vision. But when I looked back, there was nothing.
Shake, shake… … .
The darkness seems to be whispering something.
As we went deeper and deeper, the sound of bugs took on the shape of language. It became clear in my ears.
die.
ruined
explode
Dying, dying, exploding, dying, dying, exploding, dying, dying, exploding, dying, dying, exploding, dying, ruining, exploding, dying, dying, exploding, dying, exploding, dying, exploding, dying, exploding, dying, exploding
“… … .”
scary.
honestly it’s terrifying
but.
‘It’s less scary than Game Over.’
You have to go through this to go to the Colosseum, and you have to go to the Colosseum to get the Dark Crystal, and you have to get the Dark Crystal to get a way to deal with the Vampire King.
then you should move
If that is the only road to clear. No choice but to jump into the darkness or into the lava.
widely.
After the eons-like vertical passage, my toes touched the ground.
At that moment, the sound of gnawing insects like a lie, the words of curse, and the whitish thing that disturbed the edge of the field of vision disappeared cleanly.
“… … .”
I picked up a blue flame torch off the floor and held it up.
A white marble aisle, neatly hewn in straight lines, stretched out ahead.
‘Road of losers.’
It’s cool to say, but it’s just a secret passage.
All speed runners who aim to clear <Protect the Empire> in the shortest time used to break from the Colosseum through this path.
It’s an RPG, but I want to know what kind of speed run it is. That was the name of the achievement… … .
fault-!
Then Lucas tumbled down the aisle behind me. I looked back at Lucas.
“Was it worth coming down, Lucas?”
“… … .”
Lucas looked at me with a pale face drenched in cold sweat and asked cautiously.
“for a moment… … May I rest, lord?”
“of course. Let’s wait until everyone comes down.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lucas collapsed into his seat.
I didn’t ask what I had seen or heard. However, I stood next to Lucas and put my hand on his shoulder.
“… … thank you.”
Lucas quickly settled down. thank god.
‘On the loser’s road, all skills are sealed.’
It means that my passive skill [Indomitable Commander] was also sealed.
I can’t defend the mental state of the party members. I just hope that each of us will overcome this ordeal well.
Udangtang!
The second to come down was Damian.
Damian almost tumbled down the aisle and crouched in a corner, shivering.
“I was wrong, I was wrong, I was wrong! Please, hehe, don’t hit me… … .”
“Damian.”
“I’m sorry, Van. I’m sorry. sorry for being alive I was wrong. therefore… … .”
“Damian!”
Holding Damian’s shoulders, I met Damian’s gaze.
“I’m with you.”
“Ha, ha, ha… … .”
“Whatever was up there, it’s over now. And I will never bother you again.”
Damian, who was examining me with trembling eyes, muttered in a muted voice.
“Prince. Please hold my hand… … .”
“okay.”
“Lord Lucas. please.”
“I will.”
Lucas and I held Damian’s hands one by one. Damian closed his eyes tightly and trembled.
fault-
Junior came down next.
“hmm.”
Junior looked up the aisle with interest and pulled down his big hat.
“I see. It’s a curse that works this way… … It’s fun.”
“fun?”
“It’s a bit old-fashioned because it was done 500 years ago, but it’s interesting.”
I glanced at Junior’s leg.
“My legs are shaking.”
“No, this is… … Wizards are weak when it comes to using their bodies. It’s not because I’m afraid.”
“Yeah, well, let’s do that.”
At that time, Junior, who saw this side, narrowed his eyes.
“By the way, what are the three of you doing now?”
“You come here too. Hold Damian’s hand.”
“yes?”
“hurry. Can’t you see the baby is shaking? It needs human warmth.”
Junior hesitantly approached and carefully reached out his hand and placed it on top of Damian’s hand.
thud-!
The last one to come down was Evangeline. She lowers her shield and lands gracefully. Are you Captain Crosslord?
“and! My whole body is covered in cold sweat.”
Evangeline swept back her sweaty hair and grumbled.
“Why did you take a shower?”
I’m going to ask you, little boy.
And Evangeline, who saw this side, showed the same reaction as Junior.
“What are the four of you doing now?”
“what… … Kang Kang Su Wol?”
“… … .”
For some reason, after looking at this side with a sullen gaze, Evangeline held out her hand and the dodo came running.
“I’ll do it too.”
“That’s it.”
prison.
Even Evangeline’s tiny hand covered Damian’s hand.
“… … me, that.”
stay like that for a while
Damian rolled his big brown eyes and glanced at us.
“I… … I’m fine now… … .”
“huh? no no no I’m still trembling Let’s stay like this for a little while longer.”
“That, a little… … embarrassing… … .”
“no it’s okay! There is no shame in being afraid of such a curse! Cheer up, Damian!”
“cheer up!”
“cheer up!”
“Let’s do our best~!”
“Oooh.”
Damian’s neck and ears went red, and he slumped his face down.
We looked down at Damian and laughed hahahaha. It’s fun to tease.
I don’t know what kind of terrible past Damian went through and how deep the wounds are.
Because the party members are here.
Just like hunting monsters together, I hope we can defeat painful memories. I thought so.
