Chapter 40

Chapter 40

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I followed the dimly lit path through the forest, arriving at my destination after walking about ten minutes with my tiny ten-year-old legs. The area was much closer than I thought it’d be. The wide crater left an indent in the ground that now blended in with the surrounding topography, thanks to the plant growth and years of weathering.

The crater was filled with clear water, forming a giant puddle that was about knee-deep. It now served as the home to different varieties of underwater vegetation. The aquatic plants swayed lightly in the ebb and flow of the water. The way they seemed to dance under the moonlight was quite beautiful.

I gazed at where the moon, in its fullest form, cast an ethereal glow upon the ground. The light culminated at the center of the basin of water. And in that center lay a distorted, shimmering gate that formed a lazy whirlpool.

“It’s a dungeon.”

I was finally greeted with the “Hometown Exploration” quest completion notification.

⟬The Critic for Balance shakes their head in resignation, saying that there always has to be a dungeon wherever the S-class transmigrator goes.⟭

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls shoots The Voice that Shapes the World a reproachful look and asks if they purposefully led their follower to this treacherous place.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World hastily explains that it is a C-class dungeon that has already been conquered.⟭

Agnes looked around and made an observation in a kind voice since we weren’t training. «I think this pool of water used to be a crater. It shows signs of a burst.»

“A burst?”

I was actually quite surprised. “Dungeon Bursts” were a terrible phenomenon where demonic monsters erupted out of a dungeon. Even the lowest class of dungeons were elevated to S-class when dungeon bursts occurred.

The harm that can be caused by demons and monsters within a dungeon is minimal, but that damage increases exponentially when they emerge into this world. It was a calamity that could engulf the entire continent of Serentra in flames if not properly contained. That is the true danger of a dungeon burst.

I checked the age of the aquatic plants in the crater using [Vegetation Analysis], one of my cultivation skills. “The oldest plants growing in this pool are almost six years old. That means there was a burst here in this region six years ago. But then this whole area, including the village, should’ve been reduced to ashes.

Knowing it was one thing, but saying it out loud gave me the shivers. My family and I had been living here six years ago.

«It seems someone dealt with it as soon as they began to spill out. Everyone living around these parts was extremely lucky. However...» Agnes’ expression turned somber. «There should’ve been some casualties caused by the burst, but there aren’t any memorials or monuments constructed to honor them. It doesn’t seem like the dungeon itself has been revealed to anyone either.»

It was as Agnes said. Most conquered dungeons were always bustling with explorers who gathered to mine resources, but that clearly wasn’t the case here. It’d been neglected to the point where nature had overgrown the site entirely.

It was as if not a single soul in the world knew about this dungeon. There was only one possible explanation. “The expedition team must’ve been annihilated. That’s why no one’s heard of this place.”

«Correct. It seems they’ve chosen their final resting spot within the dungeon.»

I couldn’t find the words to respond. A martyr who made the ultimate sacrifice to stop a dungeon burst. That was also the story of Agnes Azlette. Agnes fell silent for a while as she prayed for the souls of the fallen before turning back to me.

«Ailette. I have a favor to ask of you.»

“A favor?”

«Won’t you recover the remains of the expedition team that stopped the burst?»

It just so happened that Lord Voice was coaxing me to enter the dungeon as well.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World says there are a few boss items that no one has ever looted.⟭

Free S-class boss drops? Where do I sign?

“Okay, I’ll do that.”

«I thank you from the bottom of my heart.»

“Think nothing of it. Shall we?”

I took off my shoes and rolled up my pajama bottoms. I waded toward the center of the pool and peered down into the gate. It seemed like a bottomless well that no one could fathom. I jumped in without any hesitation.

⟬«System» You’ve entered [Black Salt Desert], a C-Class Dungeon.⟭

Hmm, it really looked like salt was the only resource available here. And even the salt wasn’t very enticing. Its dark color wasn’t very appetizing.

I wonder where they defeated the boss. Let’s see... The seemingly bleak, barren map of the dungeon was practically a blank sheet of paper, with the exception of one spot. A cluster of buildings shaped like a temple. That’s probably the boss’s zone.

“I think we just need to head northeast from here. It’s about twenty kilometers, so if we just start walking—”

«Ailette! Behind you!»

I heard Agnes’ urgent shout and looked back. A huge scorpion the size of a tiger was charging at me.

I controlled my breath and glared at the charging beast. Once the scorpion was almost on top of me and loomed over my head, I whipped out my wooden sword from my satchel and swung it at the scorpion. The monster was knocked away from me and to the ground.

“Phew, that scared me.” I poked at the scorpion, but it didn’t budge. I think it might’ve died instantly on contact.

«A sand scorpion in one hit... That usually takes at least two years of training...»

In reality, my skill was all thanks to buffs and doping potions. Four weeks have already passed since I began training under Agnes’ tutelage. My Strong Body skill was already at level 23, while my Wooden Sword Mastery was at level 21. The rate at which I leveled up began to plateau as my level rose. At this pace, though, I was going to awaken my aura before I could awaken my divine power.

My primary and secondary abilities would be decided based on what I awakened first, so I needed to be careful. Just as I deliberated over whether I needed to dial back my weapon mastery or my stamina, Agnes spoke up in a stern manner.

«This is your first real fight. It’s your grand debut. You did good, Cadet Ailette.»

“Cadet? Are we training now?” I asked, as more creatures appeared.

«Now that I think about it, a subjugated C-class dungeon should be perfect for you to gain some experience.»

“That’s great.”

I really meant it. I was beginning to get a feel for actual battles thanks to the constant stream of monsters jumping out at me. Not to mention my experience points also rose significantly.

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Strong Body Lv.24⟭

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Wooden Sword Mastery Lv.22⟭

It was my first level-up in a week. Of course, I didn’t lose sight of our original objective. Even as I took care of the demonic creatures one by one, I made haste toward the temple. Perhaps an hour had passed since the trek began when an enormous skeletal tunnel appeared before me.

«It’s the ribcage of a demonic dragon.»

It must’ve been a mid-level boss. Kinda like a guardian dragon of the temple, I guess?

«But how strange. All that’s left are its bones. Dragons’ carcasses usually take ages to rot. Maybe it was a bone dragon, to begin with?»

“Give me one sec.”

I opened up the system window. Only a few minutes had passed outside the dungeon.

“I just checked, but it seems time flows twenty times faster in the dungeon than outside.”

«Excuse me?»

Generally, time flowed quicker in most dungeons, but this Black Salt Desert dungeon was in a league of its own.

Six years have passed outside the dungeon... that means it’s been at least 120 years within. That was enough time for bones to crumble to dust. I only hoped that there would be keepsakes left behind by the deceased.

“Let’s hurry. They’ve probably waited long enough as it is.”

We followed the path formed by the demonic dragon’s spine and ribcage. As we made our way beyond the tail, another system notification popped up.

⟬«System» You have reached the [Barrier of the Black Temple].⟭

My vision blurred as a sandstorm raged on. Salt kept getting into my mouth. Agnes seemed alarmed.

«We may end up getting trapped inside the barrier forever if we lose our sense of direction. It may be best if we return.»

“It’s okay.”

I could just follow the map. I trudged forward as the relentless sandstorm buffeted me. Just then, I noticed a dark shadow wavering in the distance. Its pace was slow, but it was gradually making its way over to where I stood.

«Ailette,» Agnes called in warning.

I readied my wooden sword with the intention of slaying it, should it block my path. The shadow and I eventually got within five paces of each other.

“Uh...ugh...”

“A-a person?”

A strange, muscular middle-aged man stumbled forward like a zombie. He then collapsed directly in front of me.

«He doesn’t seem to be a demon. I think he may be an explorer who got lost in the sandstorm.»

“Hang in there! Sir! No, I mean, Grandpa!”

As I corrected myself to account for my host’s young age, the man wheezed, “Muh, my stomach...”

“There’s a wound on your stomach... or not?”

“I’m starting to get hungry. N-no! I’m going to have muscle loss at this rate!”

“Muscle loss?”

There was no response. The muscular middle-aged man had lost consciousness.

«Looks like he’s been starving for at least a week.»

With a deep sigh, I said, “I think we need to take a quick detour, Agnes.”