Chapter 198: The Fallen Kingdom of Metal (3)

Kai quietly looked around.

Originally, this would have been Sineras’s space.

Therefore, the place he now stood in was a massive, dome-shaped area. It was a spacious enough area for Sineras to jump around without any issues.

But the Treasure Hunter said there’s treasure within twenty meters.

Kai slowly walked toward the center of the boss room. Then, another notification appeared.

[Distance to treasure: 30 meters]

“It tells me even this?”

It was a fitting ability for the title of Treasure Hunter.

Without hesitation, Kai turned and began walking back along the path he had come.

[Distance to treasure: 15 meters]

[Distance to treasure: 10 meters]

[Distance to treasure: 5 meters]

.

.

.

“

Hm?

”

Only five meters remained to the treasure. However, directly in front of him stood a solid stone wall.

Moving left or right just increases the distance. This spot right here is the closest to the treasure. In that case... Do I have to break down this wall?

He decided to hold off on that crude approach for now.

Leaving a Sacred Flare skill floating in the air before him, he began feeling around the wall.

Click.

After a moment, a satisfying mechanical sound echoed as one stone pressed inward.

Ding!

[You have discovered a hidden room.]

[Your Insight skill proficiency has greatly increased.]

[Your Insight skill has reached LV. 8 (Beginner).]

“Just as I thought.”

As Kai happily hummed, the stone wall in front of him began to split apart.

Rumble.

“Wow

...”

Rather than a simple split down the middle, the wall opened in dozens of pieces, revealing a hidden room as if the space itself were rotating.

The craftsmanship is amazing! Did Sineras design this himself?

However, there was no trace of magical mechanisms, which made him doubt that the dragon had built it himself.

As Kai tilted his head and peered inside, he spotted a single treasure chest exactly five meters ahead.

“Well, whoever made this device, it’s time to claim my bonus reward.”

With a sense of excitement, he immediately opened the chest, only for his smile to drop instantly. The mood suddenly shifted cold.

“What is this?”

Even after rubbing his eyes and looking again, the only thing inside the chest was a small notebook.

I could’ve understood If it had at least been a skill book...

But it wasn’t even that—it was literally just a notebook.

Some could complain that a hidden reward in a dragon’s lair turned out to be just a notebook. But instead of being disappointed, Kai felt even more nervous.

“What on earth could be written in here?”

Even level 550 Sineras was believed to have sustained critical injuries from Patrick, and never fully recovered from.

Killing such a creature is challenging enough, and now I have to find a hidden room within the boss room as well.

It was one difficult task after another, and the reward for all this was just a notebook.

“It seems like quite an unusual notebook.”

Unable to resist his curiosity, Kai picked it up.

[You have obtained Karundal’s Notebook.]

“

Huh?

”

Kai’s eyes widened as he began reading the notebook.

Hastily scrawled handwriting...

The writing in the common continental language was messy, as if written in great urgency.

Although it was still readable, Kai could instantly gauge the author’s state of mind when writing it.

[I pray that the God of Earth, Horn, has not forsaken us, and that whoever reads this journal may be able to help us...]

“God of Earth Horn?” Kai tilted his head, and said, “Come on out, Shimizu.”

As if she had been behind him all along, Shimizu’s translucent figure appeared in an instant.

She stared at Kai, who had crouched down to read the notebook, with a cold expression.

“...What’s with that look?” Kai asked, blinking in confusion.

—You used Descent last time.

Shimizu seemed unhappy based on her pouty tone.

“

Huh?

Oh

, yes. Things were pretty disadvantageous at that time.”

—And you just used Descent again a moment ago.

“Yes. I literally almost died fighting a dragon hatchling.”

—

Ah

, I see. So both times you summoned that kid, Cherantia.

“

Haha.

Kid doesn’t quite fit Cherantia...”

In size alone, Cerantia looked about three times Shimizu’s size. But Kai kept his mouth shut, holding back the rest of his thought.

She’s definitely upset.

Clearly, she was upset that he hadn’t summoned her. As if in protest, Shimizu, who was usually so chatty, kept her mouth firmly shut.

“Please, forgive me, merciful Shimizu. I needed someone to knock down enemies rather than protect allies...”

—Are you disregarding me because I’m a woman? I can fight well too, you know.

“Well, I just assumed that, as one known for guardianship, you’d specialize in protection...”

—

Hah!

Then what about rest? Are you saying that perverted little kid who just puts people to sleep is better than me?

“I’m sorry. But just judging by size alone, Cherantia does seem better suited for fighting...”

—Have you ever seen me?

“Pardon?”

—Have you ever seen me fight?

“N-no, I haven’t.”

—Then why are you judging me so quickly? I’m useful too! I was the first high priest and the first Solaris Cleric, you know. I’m a capable person... no, spirit!!

Shimizu shouted, glaring at Kai.

Of course, as a spirit, there was no physical pressure on Kai whatsoever, but...

Why am I suddenly reminded of my mother?

It felt as if speaking another word would result in a smack on the back! The friendly, soft-spoken Shimizu who never stopped chatting was nowhere to be seen.

She really becomes a different person when she’s upset.

Her reaction was so childish, she might as well have gone off to play with Helik right then and there!

Without further protest, Kai raised both hands in apology. “I’m sorry. Next time, I promise I’ll summon you, Shimizu.”

Of course, he didn’t specify when that next time would be. It could be in two hours, tomorrow, or maybe months from now.

—...Since you insist, I, known for my mercy, will let it go this time.

Finally receiving Kai’s assurance, Shimizu smiled as if nothing had happened and said,

—So, why did you call for me?

“

Oh

, I was wondering if you knew anything about this God of Earth, Horn.”

—

Hmm.

Surely you don’t intend to serve another god as an apostle... Why the sudden interest?

She knows about him.

Catching a clue from her words, Kai tapped the notebook and continued, “This notebook mentions a God of Earth. I’ve never heard of them before.”

When players changed to the Adventurer class, they learned about various churches and deities. Most adventurers joined the Solarian Church as Clerics that served the Solarian God, but they at least learned which gods exist.

But if I recall correctly, a god governing the earth... no, I’m sure. There wasn’t one.

However, the journal clearly mentioned a God of Earth, and that was why Kai summoned Shimizu.

—Of course, you haven’t heard of him. He’s not a god worshiped by humans.

“...Which means?”

—Since ancient times, the God of Earth has been worshiped by those who dwell deep underground.

“Those who live deep underground... Could it be?”

As Kai’s eyes widened in shock, Shimizu nodded with a gentle smile.

—Yes. The race known as the masters of metal. Horn is the god worshiped by the dwarves.

“Wait, if it’s the dwarves...”

Though he had gained a clear answer, Kai’s expression grew even more puzzled.

But why would a dwarf’s journal be here?

This was the lair of the Death Dragon, Sineras, and the notebook had been hidden in a secret room within the lair’s boss room.

“Well, reading it should explain things.”

As Kai began reading the journal, Shimizu subtly leaned over his shoulder and read along.

[The Death Dragon Sineras. It was only a few months ago that he invaded our kingdom of Ingart.]

Shimizu overreacted as soon as she read the first line.

—Oh my! The dragon discovered Ingart! Oh no, this is a serious problem...

“If you’re referring to Sineras, don’t worry. He’s already dead by my hand.”

—Sineras?

Oh

, that newborn hatchling? I’m not the least bit concerned about that one. What worries me is...

Oh

, do you not know?

Shimizu covered her mouth, looking at him in surprise.

—Most dragons have never gotten along well with our church.

“Why is that?”

—

Hmm

... Think about it. They consider themselves to be the omniscient beings at the center of this world.

“But there are gods.”

—Right. According to legend and folklore, dragons are demigods who once challenged the gods but were defeated and banished to the material realm. They were sentenced to live here, unable to die, for thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

“Do they have memories from when they were gods?”

—If they retained such memories, it would be a reward, not a punishment. They could even plot revenge. Naturally, they don’t.

“

Hmm.

” Kai gave a small nod. “In short, dragons can’t stand gods who are greater than them, right?”

—Exactly.

“But why is that a big problem?”

—Well... as I mentioned, most dragons are quite close with the Church of Muldine.

“

Hm?

That doesn’t make sense though. Dragons hate gods.”

—Yes, but have you heard the saying, The enemy of my enemy is my friend?

“

Oh

...”

With that one phrase, Kai immediately grasped the situation.

"So, does the Church of Muldine have some kind of dragon support plan or something?"

He said that jokingly, but Shimizu gave an awkward smile and nodded politely.

—Yes.

“...Really?”

—Muldine is a god with a highly destructive nature, often referred to as an evil god to begin with. Dragons despise Helik and other gods because, to put it in common words, they constantly interfere with and restrict their chaotic actions in the human world.

“But Muldine doesn’t interfere in that regard?”

—There’s no need to. Muldine takes pleasure in destroying the world’s order.

“

Hmm

. If most dragons have a close relationship with the Church of Muldine as you said...”

Kai thought about what the current state of Ingart, the dwarven kingdom that was invaded, would be like now. Then, he scratched his head.

But it’s not like there’s no hope.

He had the journal left behind by the dwarf, Karundal.

This is my last resort, left behind to seek help from an outsider.

In that case, it should also contain instructions on how he could help their kind.