Chapter 68. Fairy Garden (1)

The 30th Floor Master, Skeleton Knight’s Undead Roar was an extremely annoying skill. Although Orc Lord’s Warcry countered it perfectly, the fact that I could only use it once a day held me down.

Was there an alternative? Of course, there was. I could use Dark Thunder Explosion. The Skeleton Knight wouldn’t be able to dodge Dark Thunder Explosion at such a close range, and I could last throughout the Undead Roar’s 10 second duration using Dark Thunder Explosion’s duration.

Although Dark Thunder Explosion wouldn’t be as potent because the Skeleton Knight was made out of bones, he would at least be paralyzed for the duration.

As Dark Thunder Explosion could also only be used once per day, I could rely on Dragon Skin for the third raid. If I succeeded in using Dragon Skin, I could last for the 10 seconds no matter what kind of attacks the Skeleton Knight used. At the very least, I wouldn’t die.

If possible, I wanted to do it without using the limited Floor Master skills. However, unless I brought in a priest who could use Status Effect Defense magic, I couldn’t think of a way to resist the Skeleton Knight’s skill.

I tried asking Lin, but he said equipment that could block Undead Roar were only sold past the 60th floor. Although I shouldn’t be the one to say this, but all Floor Master skills really were cheats!

[I’ll show you what a true knight looks like!]

However, the Skeleton Knight that appeared on the second raid said rather interesting things.

“Could Floor Masters personalities change too?”

As Floor Masters until now had simple and brutish personalities, so there wasn’t a need to consider their personalities. But here on the 30th Floor Master, the change in the Floor Master’s personality and his skeleton minions’ personalities were clear.

[Everyone, charge! Make the one who dares to invade the dungeon pay with his life!]

“Kuhahaha! I’ll change my skull today!”

“His shinbone is mine!”

“His armor looks sturdy. I’ll get myself a new armor!”

The skeleton minions made their desire to ransack me clear, as if they were pirates. As the armored skeletons attacked, the skeleton mages and archers also shot their magic attacks and arrows. They couldn’t be more ready for battle if they tried.

“It looks like it’ll be harder than last time. Peika!”

[Thunder Arrow!]

Peika’s elemental magic activated and the mages quickly cast defensive magic, while the melee skeletons rushed towards me with the Skeleton Knight taking charge. Surprisingly, half of the Thunder Arrows dissipated without being able to break through their defense. Of course, the remaining half wiped out the skeleton mages beautifully.

[Master, should I go again?]

“No, it’s fine. The archers aren’t as dangerous as the mages.”

Although I could consume Mana Potions, they had a cooldown time, meaning drinking other potions would have no effect during that time. My mana wasn’t bountiful to the point I could freely use elemental magic yet. Slowly circulating Peruta Circuit, I thrust my spear forward.

I was facing an army of skeletons over 200 large. Although it was a different sight compared to the disorderly first Floor Master battle, I preferred the difficulty to be set on high than easy.

“Everyone come fight me!”

[You used Provoke! All enemies will attack you with great hostility!]

“Waaaaaak!”

“Let’s trample him! Take his rib bones!”

“Take his skull!”

The skeletons’ footsteps became faster. With a grin, I shot out my spear. The current of mana spiraling through the spear stormed to the skeletons, wanting to rip them to shreds.

“Tempest!”

[Critical Hit!]

“Uguk!”

“Kuaaaak!”

The skeletons and the arrows shot by skeleton archers all bounced off of Tempest’s strength. Death Counter made the attack 50 percent stronger and Skull Breaker’s effect increased the critical hit rate and damage. All the skeletons that were struck by critical hits had no other choice but to die.

[Skull Breaker, you wield elementals!]

The Skeleton Knight became enraged and charged towards me on his skeleton mount. His terrifying appearance and large sword gave off an imposing aura. Very satisfied at his appearance, I shouted as I ran to meet him.

“Sorry, but that wasn’t an elemental magic!”

[Kuoooooooo!]

His sword came from an odd direction and aimed for my neck. Since it was easy to dodge it knowing where it was aiming for, I slid toward skeleton mount’s legs with my spear in hand. As the skeleton mount lost its balance and staggered, the Skeleton Knight’s sword naturally lost its trajectory and failed to even glaze me.

[Skull Breaker!]

“Yeah, I’ll crush your head! First, get off of your cool horse!”

Damn, his skeleton mount really was too cool. My shout full of jealousy was returned with a counterattack. Just like before, I slid down the skeleton mount’s legs and disrupted his balance. The furious Skeleton Knight then shouted.

[Kill Skull Breaker!]

“Everyone charge!”

“His seventh cervical vertebrae is mine!”

Stop with that cervical vertebrae talk!

[You obtained 50,000 gold.]

[Rewards will be distributed in order of contribution.]

[Kang Shin-nim’s contribution is the highest. Choose your reward.]

[1. Bone Strengthening Elixir

2. Skeleton Knight’s Helmet]

It was here, the Bone Strengthening Elixir! I felt my excitement from battle continuing to the reward picking stage. As expected, the 30th Floor Master dropped the Bone Strengthening Elixir. After all, skeletons appeared from the 26th floor! I chose the Bone Strengthening Elixir and swallowed it without hesitation.

[Your bones are transformed to become tougher and stronger. Strength and constitution both increase by 1.]

“Ooooooooh!”

I already expected constitution to increase, but strength increased as well! I did an uppercut into the air and reveled in my happiness. I soon snapped out of it. I had no more business in this wilderness. Just when I was about to leave, I received a message. It was a from Hwaya.

[Y-Yeon Hwawoo.]

“Yeah, Mas... Hwaya. What’s up?”

[TV... Are you watching TV?]

“I’m in the dungeon, why?”

Then, I received a KaTalk. When I opened it up, father had uncharacteristically sent me a picture. There was no wifi in the dungeon. How mean.

When I looked at the picture with that in mind...

‘... Since when did Osaka Castle have swirling dark red cloud effects?’

[Most of the Event Dungeons left uncleared turned into Field Dungeons!]

The question that popped into my head was quickly answered by Hwaya.

Now that I thought about it, a bunch of messages did ring out in the middle of battle. I quickly asked the message noona to bring up the message log.

[S-rank Event Dungeon, ‘Wyvern’s Nest,’ turned into a Field Dungeon! When the boss monster isn’t periodically subjugated, monsters might break out of the dungeon.]

[B+-rank Event Dungeon, ‘General’s Honor,’ turned into a Field Dungeon! When the boss monster isn’t periodically subjugated, monsters might break out of the dungeon.]

[A+-rank Event Dungeon, ‘Graveyard Over the Lake,’ turned into a Field Dungeon! When the boss monster isn’t periodically subjugated, monsters might break out of the dungeon.]

[B-rank Event Dungeon, ‘Ghoul’s Resting Place,’ turned into a Field Dungeon! When the boss monster isn’t periodically subjugated, monsters might break out of the dungeon.]

[D-rank Event Dungeon, ‘Goblin’s Den,’ turned into a Field Dungeon! When the boss monster isn’t periodically subjugated, monsters might break out of the dungeon.]

[C+-rank Event Dungeon...]

“Hwaya, do you know what a Field Dungeon is?”

[I’m not sure, but the dungeons that were only accessible through the Gates seemed to have moved to Earth. Not to mention... It looks like these dungeons won’t go away even if you clear them.]

“I’m sure some people will be happy about that.”

Of course, the world was already overflowing with monsters. There were places where entire countries were felled by monsters and turned into their nests, and places that were specifically given to monsters. Even small village-side mountains were now off limits. For anyone looking to hunt monsters, there were more than enough of them.

However, monster group colonies were extremely dangerous. No one knew where they would pop out from. Not even satellites could determine their location. Monsters constantly moved, transformed, and became fully grown at the most unexpected times. It really made one angry. It was also the reason Guardians and Freedom Wings traveled in large units. This fact also caused the high death rate of rogues.

On the other hand, dungeons had many of the same type of monsters. Once the initial exploration was finished, it was possible to estimate the monsters’ level of danger. Plus, as they were limited areas, it was possible to optimize the explorers that went in. Overall, it was much easier to hunt in the dungeons than in the wild.

[Yep, for dungeons with moderate difficulty, hunters would gather, so there would be no problem subjugating them. However, for dungeons that had A-rank or above difficulty...]

“Guardians, who are obligated to go protect the citizens, would die.”

[Guardian will surely ask Freedom Wing for help. They wouldn’t be able to ignore the public outcry.]

“Hwaya, will you be fine? You’re Britain’s Guardian.”

[I’m not. You know about it, right? The A+-rank Event Dungeon turned into a A+-rank Field Dungeon. All Guardians S-rank and above were summoned to assess its danger.]

“You have it rough. Well, if it’s you, you’ll be fine.”

[Thanks for the compliment, but... huu...]

Hwaya’s voice was filled with annoyance. I first got out of the wilderness and left the dungeon as well. I had to see what was happening on Earth with my own eyes.

“You’re here, son.”

“You’re not changing the channel, right? Let me see.”

“Go ahead. Hm, it’s a good thing we took care of Yeungdeungpo’s dungeon so quickly.”

“Really.”

Father was sitting on the couch in a casual clothing, while eating popcorn and watching TV. It seemed he didn’t care much about other countries’ problems. Although he was my father, I was jealous of his simple way of thinking. Looking at father from the corner of my eyes, I continued my conversation with Hwaya.

[You know Britain has another SS-rank other than me, right?]

“Yeah. I heard it’s a man.”

[Joshua Brightman. He’s called the world’s toughest man.]

“Joshua Brightman, huh. Eh? I’ve heard his name before.”

[He’s a chaebol. The owner of a famous clothing enterprise.]

A chaebol awakening as an SS-rank? Why did I feel like that was as cheaty as a dungeon explorer awakening as an ability user? However, since I was also a cheaty person by that reasoning, I couldn’t really complain.

[He’s 37 this year.]

“He’s in his late thirties.”

[He proposed to me.]

“That’s something to congratulate. Wouldn’t he be the world’s number one suiter?”

[He already has a wife. He probably has multiple girlfriends as well.]

Oh, so he’s a bastard.

[I’d rather die, that pervert! You too! Don’t congratulate me! Worry!]

“Ah, well, yeah. I’m worried. You refused, right?”

[Of course. I utterly spit on his proposal, but he just won’t give up. I ran away to Korea because I didn’t want to face him, but I’ll have to see him when I go back... haa.]

Even with the distance we were separated by, I could clearly picture her frowning face from her sigh filled with despair. Although I almost laughed, I held it in.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s normal for men to hit on girls as beautiful as you. Since you’re strong, you can strike him down.”

[... Say that again.]

“Hm? Since you’re strong, you can strike him down...?”

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

[Before that.]

"It’s normal for men to hit on girls."

[In between.]

“.. on girls as beautiful as you?”

[Mmm... Okay, I’ll try my best.]

“I don’t know which part of that cheered you up.”

[As soon as I take care of this Field Dungeon problem, I’ll invite you to Britain. You’ve never visited, right? Come visit with Sumire and Yungoong ajusshi!]

“Oh, sure...?”

[Good! I’ll contact you later!]

I’ll gladly go if there’s an invite. I wanted to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. Even while training with father, we strangely never visited Britain. Hwaya’s sudden change in tone did bother me slightly, but it was too late to ask her now.

“There’s no need for us to move this time. It’s not something we have to urgently take care of, and other countries have Awakened too.”

“Of course. But the increased chance of an Event Raid breaking out at places that turned into Field Dungeons bothers me.”

“Well, we’ll find out when the time comes.”

When I retorted to comments father made naturally and glanced at him, he lay down on the couch like he didn’t really care. I went over the conversation with Hwaya with my head tilted. Then, father turned his head toward me and casually proclaimed.

“By the way, I’m currently in the middle of breaking through the 37th floor.”

“Yeah, yeah. I bet you were itching to brag.”

Unlike father, I’m taking my time collecting all the things I need! You’re so scared of losing, you don’t even ask me to spar!