In front of the abandoned port were several large wooden boards. Repeating across each of them was nailed the same notice.
By the order of Captain of the Royal Knights Eli Powell and mayor Isaac Simmons all access to the “Unnamed Dungeon” has been prohibited until further notice.
Much speculation passed around the town as to the closures purpose but anyone who could have provided clarity was long gone. Usually it’s great for business when an S class comes to visit. Usually... Except when that S class is “The Mountain”. In preparation for his arrival storefronts were closed, windows boarded up, and families hid inside their homes.
Amidst the eerily silent Brooksdam Valentia, Eli, and 10 royal knights stood at Brooksdam’s southern entrance. Usually the mayor would have been present as well but Simmons was currently away in Centrilliam having an audience with the king. Those ready to welcome the monster had been standing since the night prior. Missing the man’s arrival was not an option.
Pointing out at the horizon Eli asked, “That him?”
Sure enough a small figure could be seen coming over the hill. Even so far away Everest’s form exuded an aura of importance, power, and indifference. Out of the 3 S class she’d met in her time Valentia had never met one who didn’t possess each of those characteristics. And just like all those prior occasions her instincts immediately put her on edge. Speaking with an S class might as well be safer than walking into a hurricane.
Everest was easily 9 feet tall with well-tanned broad shoulders that reflected the morning light into Valentia’s eyes. His muscular chest was left bare, as was his trademark, revealing hundreds of scars made throughout his life. Some of these scars were left hidden under the massive black beard falling all the way down to his tattered pants. If she hadn’t known better Valentia would have assumed Everest was a barbarian or hermit given his manner of dress.
Resting a hand on her hilt to ease her nerves Valentia answered “Yes sir that’s him. Without a doubt.”
Motioning to her sword Eli chuckled darkly “Take it easy, I’m the one who has to talk with him.”
“Good luck sir.”
“Thanks...”
Eventually the giant of a man was within talking distance and Eli called out “Hello Mr. Everest! How does the day find you?”
‘Awful cordial of you captain...’ Valentia couldn’t help but think.
Looking down at the already tall captain Everest answered in a gravelly voice that seemed to shake the ground around them “Could be better... Slept awful last night. That’s 2 villages now that have turned me away...”
“Oh? Why would that be?” asked Eli despite both of us knowing why.
“People are scared of me...” he said glumly “You accidentally throw one man through a house when you’re drunk and you’re labeled a psychopath.”
‘He was the beloved mayor...’
Clapping Eli smiled “Well you’re perfectly welcome in Brooksdam as long as I’m in charge.”
Much appreciated. You can let the folks hiding in town I won’t be here long. Just wanted to take a peek at the new dungeon while I’m in the area.”
“I thought you might say that! We’ve reserved it for you alone until further notice.”
With a rather embarrassed childlike smile Everest scratched the back of his neck “Oh, you didn’t need to do that. No need to halt the new business for little old me.”
“Little? You’re taller than me!” laughed Eli as he lead the S class into town.
While the two powerhouses continued to banter Valentia walked alongside Everest and asked, “If you’d like sir I could take your things to where you’ll be staying tonight,”
“Ah, thankyou very much miss.” He said removing a single pouch from his belt strap and dropping it into her pocket.
Surprisingly small and with a cute design unbecoming of the its owner, Valentia let her guard down as the pouch fell towards her. That was until it landed in her palm. Soon as it did so Valentia’s automatic strength skills activated and her knees buckled slightly. So heavy was the pouch that relaxing for a moment would put her on the ground.
“Wh-w-whats... in this... thing!” Valentia asked attempting to get a better grip on the pouch.
Pausing to rest a finger on his chin casually the giant responded “Around 2 tons of meat, my old equipment, Lake Boryl, a few old enemies, and my friend Clint’s vacation home. I could be missing some stuff though. Haven’t done an inventory check in a while.”
“H-how many-?”
“That pouch has around 96 weight reduction enchantments, all exponential of course!”
As she stood there in shock the man just kept walking through town with the captain as if nothing strange had happened. But whatever Everest did next wasn’t her responsibility. The captain would lead him to the dungeon while stressing the king’s order, while she prepared Simmon’s residence to house The Mountain.
Struggling down the street with a few of the other knights Valentia thought ‘Let’s just hope we all survive this little outing.’
---
He’s here.
Arriving around noon with captain Eli the S class arrived. It was obviously him since no other adventurers had come all day, any in the Save Point had evacuated over the last few days, and the aura he gave off was unmistakable. Just at a single glance I knew he was on another level.
To be safe I alerted all my creatures to be on guard, and that we were facing a threat unlike any we’d seen till now. Sadly we aren’t at full power as one of my alpha wolves was taken out by some kids revenge plot a few days ago. The male alphas partner was now leading the pack but the population was still resting at the bare minimum [Population Control] maintains.
The man was so tall and muscular he barely fit inside the cave. His mane of hair was scratching the ceiling as he took a peek into the Teleporter room. Strangely he walked through the entire Teleporter que instead of hopping over the ropes, taking a long time. In silence he read the rules and lightly chuckled.
“What an interesting place already.”
Mulan and Mary were currently standing beside my core watching the man with me on a Monitor purchased from the Construction tab. With the Utility device I can watch [Marked] individuals within the dungeon or what the voice registers as most interesting at any given moment. It hadn’t escaped my notice that I could purchase movies from Earth to watch on the Monitor but that’s not important.
Making his way down the stairs into the bog Everest barely flinched as he walked straight into the water. Taking manual control I moved the Monitor inside the Bog itself. All three of us waited anxiously for him to resurface on one of the tree roots.
...
...
...
“Where is he?” asked Mary.
“I don’t know...” I said quickly swapping the Monitor to tracking mode. When tracking a marked person the Monitor would highlight the man in green for us.
...
“Is he... walking under the water Milord?” gasped Mulan in disbelief.
“It would appear so...”
The man was just strolling across the bottom of the swamp, completely undisturbed to the world above him.
“Maybe he’ll drown?” Mary added hopefully.
As we looked on in shock the Blood Letters arrived and created a frenzy directly on top of Everest. Soon as the red scales dissolved in the surrounding water thousands of piranhas swarmed around the man’s skin, in an attempt to consume him.
Raising his hand as if swatting at a fly Everest knocked a third of the fish away with a backhand. His simple motion was so powerful a large portion of the water around him flew into the air, exposing him to the light across the floor.
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Taking advantage of the situation several Tidal Axolotls worked together to summon a massive whirlpool centered on the man. Adding to the attack, an invisible Anomalous Anaconda swam through the churning water, mouth outstretched.
We paused in anticipation, only for the man to make a single halfhearted punch upwards. This simple punch launched the forcibly revealed anaconda into the 400 foot Mangle Bog ceiling. The poor snake had died instantly but its body was stuck so firmly in the ceiling it didn’t return to the ground. Even the axolotls weren’t spared as the whirlpool’s suction was reversed and Everest scared them off with a glare.
After such a show of force none of the other floor denizens even attempted to attack Everest. Knowing they couldn’t do anything regardless of bravery I didn’t force them either. Throwing bodies at Everest would buy so little time it wouldn’t matter.
Walking out of the swamp water with several piranhas still clinging to skin Everest walked straight into the Great Vampiric Mushrooms. Several Slime Shrooms tried in vain to slow him down but were ripped out of the ground without any extra effort from Everest. And the Thrall Spores? Brushed off his shoulders like simple dust particles!
Once in the clearing where Irwin and the Swarming Slime were waiting he looked around confused. Peeking down into the fake pond Everest shrugged and jumped directly into the slime’s acidic body in an attempt to reach the marble stairs. Before the slime, who was currently shaking in fear, or Irwin could attack Everest had already reached the stairs and entered the Save Point.
Turning to Irwin who was staring down from atop the stairway Everest waved and said “Sorry little buddy but I’d rather not kill you. Don’t want to waste the good captain’s time.”
He barely spent any time exploring the Save Point, only stopping to look around the kitchen and register his accomplishment with the Teleporter. While subtle he did seem to approve of the safe zone concept as a welcome addition to a dungeon.
“Milord I’ll be heading out now!” said Mulan with a bow.
Depending on how the fight goes I may need to forcefully revive her so it’s best if Mulan tried to buy enough time for my mana to regenerate more.
“Good luck.”
“I’ll do you proud.” She said spreading her wings and flying out the core room to her perch.
Watching her go I felt a pang of guilt. For all intense and purposed I just sent her to her death.
“Master, I should head out as well.”
“You are going too?”
Throwing a thumb over her shoulder with the other on her hip the Stalker said “You think the bird stands a chance alone? As the strongest pair of monsters in the dungeon we’ll make our last stand with pride.”
“I-I can’t just let you- “
Looking straight into my core Mary gave a knowing look and in a whisper said “Master... this is what we were made to do.”
Letting out a mental sigh I answered in a somber tone “As you will then...”
“Roger!” she smiled before running out of the room.
My heart even heavier than before I looked to the Monitor. Everest had reached the bottom of the Save Point’s staircase and was scanning the forest’s edge while letting out a whistle.
“Damn... That’s a hell of a sight!” he yelled eagerly running into the forest fire without any precaution of extra preparations.
Not long into his romp through the trees he met his first opponents, the Perytons. The herd could sense how powerful their opponent was and opted for a stealthy approach. It was understood amongst the monsters they had one shot at killing Everest. In a drawn out fight not a single Peryton would be left alive.
The pack leader took the initiative and snapped his wings backwards in a sonic boom. Launching forward in a blurred form the Peryton held his antlers pointed directly at Everest’s heart. Any normal adventurer would be dead on impact, but not The Mountain.
Spinning around as soon as the audial boom sounded Everest grabbed the hurtling Peryton by it’s coarse antler’s midair. Lifting the 800 pound animal like it was nothing Everest inspected him with an interested grin.
“Wow! If it wasn’t for the noise that could’ve hit me. Wouldn’t do much but it would be the first attack to hit this form in... 2 years? Been too long since I’ve seen old Nina!”
Tossing the Peryton aside at the herd’s shaking feet he added “Out of respect I’ll let you go. I know your boss from the rumors likely has you on attack mode, but it would be a waste of life and time.”
Evaluating the offer as if they understood his sentiment my loyal Peryton’s wavered momentarily.
Seeing their confliction Everest dropped his nonchalant attitude for a moment, letting loose a fraction of his [Intimidate] skill. The raw bloodlust he released was so strong I felt the air pressure change all the way in the throne room.
On shaking legs the Peryton headed back into the trees and Everest disarmed the skill.
“Good.” He murmured while resuming his walk through the floor again.
The unstoppable monster continued his war path through the dungeon. Slaying the Salamanders, Coal Cats, Honed Hawks, Terracotta Golems, and even the Torpedo Fish he came across. At one point he reached out and grabbed a cob of Blast Corn. As the fuse began to sizzle down he took a bite of the vegetable regardless. By design, the dense kernels exploded everywhere soon as they entered his mouth, the shrapnel embedding themselves in nearby Infernal Redwood’s bark.
Face now black from the explosion Everest blinked slowly before throwing his head back in laughter “HAHAHA! Exploding Corn! This place is awesome!” before tossing the burnt vegetable into the forest behind him.
Obviously Everest soon became the first person to reach the staircases leading to Mulan. Since it would prove useless I ordered the Coal Cats lying underneath in their constructed hammocks, the patrolling golems, and even the hawks to stand down. Many protested out of duty but the time they would buy wasn’t worth their lives to me.
Ignoring my order a single Serrated Hawk attempted to divebomb the S class. But even the feared Serrated Hawk known as “Magebane” that had slain several parties all by himself fell in a single strike to The Mountain. His impressive swordsmanship and sense of honor proving useless against brute strength.
Reaching the Ethereal Elk’s platform of jewels and Igniting Ivy he was slightly caught off guard as 20 Elk blasted him with their magic element of choice. The result of so much raw magic created an explosion so great that hundreds of the unclaimed gemstones to the forest floor.
As the smoke rose to join the clouds above, the uninjured form of Everest became visible through the Monitor.
“What the hell are you!? That’s like tanking a drone strike!” I couldn’t help but scream.
For a brief moment using his speed Everest rushed forward and caught a young Space affinity Elk by its ivory antlers.
“Aren’t you beautiful...” he said running his hand down its shaking coat.
“If only I was a tamer... You’d be one hell of a mount someday...” he murmured while letting the Elk flee down the staircase.
Ignoring the stones and unaffected by the Igniting Ivy Everest looked up towards the gate encased stairway “Something interesting is up there.” He said with a grin as he began walking up.
Each step on the staircase was filled with purpose. While only I could see it every inhabitant of the dungeon could feel the tension in the air as the final battle drew near. The fate of the dungeon itself would likely hinge on this fight.
As the man’s head rose above the clouds Everest was met with what he could easily call one of the most beautiful creatures he’d ever seen.
Talons wrapped around a golden perch was an enormous bird, no... warrior, that slowly opened its green eyes to meet his own with a look of challenge. Everest could already tell this beast was different than those below.
“I see you are the boss of this floor. Damn... and this is only the second! I can’t wait to see the rest!”
Still perched Mulan spoke “You need not concern yourself with what lies ahead. It is my sworn duty to stop you here and now.”
Everest’s mouth dropped in disbelief “You... can talk...”
“Of course. Albeit you are the first human to have the privilege of hearing me.”
Stammering slightly Everest asked with a smile “T-then this dungeon really is intelligent!? Holy shit! I can’t believe this, a talking boss monster! Damn, if only Maxwell was here...!”
“Do you only plan on talking?”
His body froze for a moment before a grin spread across his face “Not at all. I’m just amazed. I would never stop you from serving your duty.”
“Then shall we begin?”
Holding up a hand in pause Everest asked, “Will I be able to meet your boss once this is done?”
Unmoved Mulan answered “That would not be acceptable. You are the first person to reach me since this dungeon’s birth, and as it is my duty to guard the end of the Smoldering Sequoia, letting you pass would be shameful.”
Grinning even more Everest said “Alright then. I’ll be getting a bit serious then if you don’t mind. As your first challenger I owe you that much.”
Twisting a ring on his right hand Everest laughed as an enormous rune covered sword appeared in his hand revealing him to be a swordsman. Uninformed as I am I could still feel the raw power humming around the blade. Easily 3 meters long the blade clearly belonged to an S class.
Glancing over his shoulder Everest called out “I hope you’ll be joining us too little one. Two against one will make this more interesting!”
With a coy expression Mary rose out of the cloud layer and walked over to Mulan’s side. Not even glancing at each other the “sisters” began bickering.
“You would interrupt my duel?”
“I think you mean your death.”
“This is my duty!”
“Mine too dammit! We stand a way better chance fighting together than after one another and you know it.”
Begrudgingly accepting her point Mulan nodded and hopped off her perch, 4 tails still hanging over it.
“Then I formerly request your assistance.”
Shrugging as a lipless grin spread across her face Mary countered “Never needed it bird.”
Time seemed to freeze as all 3 monsters stared each other down. This fight would decide everything. By fighting together Mary and Mulan had unintentionally implied they were the strongest monsters in the dungeon. If Everest was smart he’d understand only 2 floors of the dungeon are currently completed. But the S class doesn’t seem very interested in capturing me. If he was simply charging through the dungeon would prove a simple feat with his strength. In fact he seemed much more interested in this fight at hand than me.
But as I watched the two monsters I’d grown to hold so dear ready themselves to face an unbeatable enemy, thoughts of capture couldn’t be farther from my mind. Witnessing the girl’s loyalty for me had stirred up emotions I’d never felt before.
‘Even against an immovable mountain... you would fight for me?’
Getting caught up in the atmosphere of the moment I screamed across my link with the [Named] “GIVE HIM HELL!”
Dashing forward in harmony, Mulan with her hidden blades and Mary with her quickly morphing arms they both yelled in answer “YES SIR!” as they ran at The Mountain.