◈ 074. [Free Exploration] Base Camp
[District 3: North of the Outer Fortress]
– Clear progress: normal room 1/1 boss room 1/1
– Obtained treasure chest: 2/2
Area 3 all cleared.
There was a small accident in the boss fight, but anyway, it was quick and easy to clear.
No particular equipment item came out of the golden gargoyle, but instead, an excellent number of cash items fell.
I decided to sweep it roughly and sort it out later.
And in the boss room treasure chest,
[Robe of Scream (SR) Lv.30]
– Classification: cloth armor
– Defense: 15-20
– Durability: 20/20
– Every time you defeat an enemy, 1% of your lost MP is restored.
> Set Effect: You must scream (1/3)
– Inflicts an AoE fear status effect whenever an enemy is defeated.
(Requires ‘Gloves of Scream’ to activate the set)
(‘Orb of Scream’ is required to activate the set) <Has Jupiter (SR)>
The Scream set came out… … .
I ate the Orb of Scream, which is a magic marble, the other day, so if I just eat the glove parts, the set item is complete.
“Oh, everyone went through a hard time because of this old man, but I don’t know if I can accept it without shame.”
Saying that, Jupiter grabbed the robe with lightning-quick hands.
Well, I trolled in the boss battle, but Jupiter took down most of the regular gargoyles.
Jupiter’s role is also important in this defense stage. There’s nothing wrong with eating good food.
‘It’s a bit like giving a prize to a friend who had an accident, but… … .’
Anyway, the item retrieval is over, and the search for area 3 is finished with this.
Inside the boss room, there were stairs going down. It was a passage leading under the wall.
“If you advance a little further, there is the next safe point.”
I guided the party members who were taking a short break after the battle.
“It is the largest of all bases. It’s a place where the few people living in this dungeon often gather. There are also facilities such as shops and blacksmiths.”
As a base camp prepared in a dungeon, it is possible to purchase items and magical enhancements that cannot be obtained in the outside world.
“But our purpose today is scouting for new members.”
I reminded the party members anew.
“If there is someone who is friendly to us and seems competent, we will somehow roast and boil them and bring them back.”
“… … .”
“You guys, too, open your eyes wide and take a good look. See if you can find a good guy.”
Evangeline broke into a cold sweat as she forgot to eat the preserved food.
“Could there be a person with such good conditions in such a gloomy dungeon? No, there are ‘people’ in the first place?”
“… … Well, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little underdeveloped. Anyway, let’s open our eyes and find it.”
It doesn’t matter if it’s a ghost, not a person.
If only monsters are killed well, is it only ghosts? Whether it’s a demon or a zombie, they’re willing to take you!
***
After a short break, we went down the stairs. The circular staircase went round and round and stretched endlessly.
‘It’s an escalator… … .’
Considering the height of the wall that had been climbed the other day, the way down was long.
Still, I came down much easier, probably because I was less tired than last time.
widely!
finally set foot on the ground.
And right next to the descending stairs,
“wow… … .”
There was a huge door made of iron. Evangeline, seeing the door for the first time, looked up and exclaimed.
The northern front gate of the Lake Kingdom.
The red-rusted steel gate was firmly locked, still exuding an ominous aura.
“It’s the gate you saw when you first entered the bottom of the lake.”
I saw it from the outside then, but now I see it from the inside.
Since this gate was closed, they had to enter the city through a drainage ditch. It turned around and ended up at the front door.
“It seems that there is no way to open it then or now.”
Lucas looked around the castle gate and tilted his head.
“There are no pulleys or other openings… … How do I open the door?”
“Because it is a magical kingdom. What magical devices must there be?”
I shrugged.
“And there is only one case where this door will open in the first place.”
“When is that?”
“When their invasion begins.”
Lucas’ face hardened. I nodded.
“When the invading army of monsters advances toward the human world. Only then.”
The party members swallowed dry saliva.
I smiled and nodded toward the city.
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“Come on, let’s go inside. The safe point is right in front.”
***
From the main entrance on the north side, along the main street, we headed into the city and soon came to a large plaza.
It was an enormous plaza, almost the size of a sports complex, where gargoyles were lined up in an orderly fashion.
Embarrassed, Evangeline shook her head.
“What are you doing here, you bastards?”
“They’re the ones who will invade the Crossroads during the next defense battle.”
Hundreds of densely packed gargoyles stood still with their heads down as if they were asleep.
It’s hard to count precisely because the plaza is stained with darkness, but it was a staggering number.
“Here they pile up like this, and when the time comes, they come to the Crossroads all at once.”
Lucas put his hand on the longsword at his waist.
“Then why don’t we attack now and wipe it out?”
“Arthur. Is there anything to be destroyed?”
He doesn’t move as if he’s asleep, but if he attacks, he will of course react.
Even at this moment, other gargoyles flying in from all over the city were joining the ranks one after another.
Their numbers were growing in real time.
“This is their heart. There are only five of us. If I hit it now, will it only lead to dog death?”
“… … .”
“Let’s do what we can now.”
Falling into the alley next to the plaza, I gestured. The party members carefully followed behind me.
Get off the main road and enter a crooked alleyway and walk for about 5 minutes.
Suddenly the surroundings were open. A fairly wide open space appeared in front of me.
Unlike other places in the dark city, it is very bright.
All over the clearing, magic stones were shining like streetlights, and a large firewood was burning in the middle of the clearing.
“Here.”
I looked back at the party members and reached out toward the wood fire.
“This is the base camp. It will serve as a bridgehead for future dungeon exploration.”
It couldn’t be compared to the square where the monsters were gathered earlier, but compared to the safe bases in the past, it was overwhelmingly wider.
My party members and I entered the clearing.
In the meantime, I had been in a dark place without a single light, but when I suddenly entered a brightly lit place, I felt relieved and relaxed.
“Whew, it’s warm.”
I put my hand on the wood fire and enjoyed the warmth. I guess I’ll live for a while. this is the base
Then Lucas, who looked around with sharp eyes, whispered to me.
“By the way, lord. Didn’t you say there are people living here?”
“huh? It did.”
“however… … I can’t see anyone.”
what?
I also raised my head and looked around. Really. I can’t see anyone.
‘There were at least four or five NPCs in the game.’
There are only four or five resident NPCs, and there are always NPCs that come and go flexibly.
For some reason, the base camp was empty.
“… … .”
I narrowed my eyes.
This is not a good sign.
“no way… … .”
That was the moment.
Clap! Clap!
Dozens of NPCs rushed out from all over the clearing, aiming weapons such as bows and crossbows at us.
“Hands up!”
“If you move, shoot! Stay still!”
Lucas, who was already preparing, quickly drew his sword and took a defensive stance.
Evangeline also put on her shield in an instant and pushed it forward, and Jupiter chewed a cigarette with a magic orb floating on it with a nonchalant expression.
“Ooh, whoa? wow?”
Only embarrassed Damian struggles.
Having grabbed Damian’s shoulder once, I glanced around.
The number of people surrounding us is about ten.
However, she is wearing a strange outfit.
All were wearing white masks that covered their faces and were fully clothed in armor.
Judging by the level of the equipment he was holding, he was at a high level.
‘I even brought a cannon… … .’
I laughed blankly when I found a cannon aiming this way from the high ground over there. You did a very good job.
‘Is there a way out?’
I looked around and found a way out, but the encirclement was perfect. It seems impossible to get out quietly.
I bit my lip softly.
‘It’s a safe base, so I was careless!’
It is a place where monsters do not invade and battles do not take place only in games, but this place is reality.
There are no restrictions on how and where you collide with ‘people’, whether you die or die… … !
‘But this was no portent! A sudden surprise attack as soon as you enter the safe base? Besides, who are these guys? What the hell is this situation!’
His head was complicated, but he was calm on the outside.
“Is the welcome a little warm?”
With a relaxed smile, I raised my voice.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, but I would appreciate it if someone could explain the situation.”
“… … .”
“We are adventurers who just entered this dungeon a while ago. They are cute newcomers that you should help and lead.”
Everyone doesn’t move despite my light words mixed with jokes.
Looking at this side with cold eyes in the mask, each one aims his own weapon.
I let out a small sigh.
“Or what, are you disciplining new adventurers with a declaration ceremony? I didn’t know that in an advanced society like these days, there was a place where such a bad habit remained.”
“Would you call it a bad habit, a breeze?”
Then someone’s grave voice was heard.
It’s a lively bass. You can be vocal.
“Rookies, catching mice is a time-honored culture that has been with the history of mankind. It is a process to carve respect and courtesy toward your seniors into your body. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to preserve and develop such a wonderful culture in the future?”
However, since I was picking up such bullshit with that great baritone voice, I immediately thought that it was a waste of my voice.
I sniffed.
“What kind of culture is that shitgungi culture? Our adventurer senior has a rather old-fashioned temperament.”
“ha ha ha! You hear that often.”
that buck that buck
A man walked out among the white masked NPCs.
“But, what can I do? After living for a long time, I somehow end up obsessing over the old things.”
“… … !”
A long, conical hat, and a black minstrel outfit.
The man’s face was familiar.
That would be the case, since this bastard is the culprit who ruined Stage 2.
I glared at him and gnashed my teeth.
“’The Pied Piper’… … !”
“Oh, is that what you call me?”
Under the cone-shaped hat of the man approaching, I could see his face hidden in the shadow of the hat brim.
… … The guy was also wearing a mask.
The chin part is detachable so that it can be removed only when blowing the instrument.
Like a clown, just a smiling face engraved… … white mask.
“The piper man. It’s a funny nickname, but give me a chance to properly introduce myself.”
The man put his hand on his chest and introduced himself in an exaggerated tone.
“Here, a treacherous criminal wandering the bottom of the Great Lake Kingdom. The last remaining court musician, court jester, and court wizard in the Lake Kingdom.”
The man bowed slowly and bowed, finally saying his name.
“It’s called ‘Crown’.”
It was a profound, beautiful, and hateful voice.
“Nice to meet you. The last ‘player’.”
