Shun POV:
Stone circular walls connected to a small pathway that led to the sealed centre of the giant mausoleum. Soldiers blockaded the entrance and were stationed in a small compound not far from the Arcane Dungeon.
It was both a countermeasure to stop anyone stupid enough to try and cause a Dungeon Break while also monitoring the dungeon itself.
I shifted my attention to the Ultimate Fishnin attire I chose to wear.
[Equipment Name: Ultimate Fishnin Melodic Hoodie (Enhanced +10)
Durability: 290/300
Description: A hoodie made exclusively from Ultimate Fishnin. It has been enhanced to the absolute limit via a deep understanding of the Fishnin Culture, Fishnin Species, and Fishnin materials. Defensive properties are increased by 10x due to reaching the Ultimate Level.
• Movement Speed is increased significantly. Sweat is purified and redistributed to maintain accurate water content within the body due to the skin of the Ultimate Fishnin reaching the Ultimate Level.
• It is a bona fide legendary masterpiece made by Shun, an Ultimate Tailor, and is part of the Chill Ultimate Fishnin Set. High understanding of all materials has allowed him to bring out the specialities within.
----
Chill Ultimate Fishnin Set:
• Ultimate Fishnin Melodic Hoodie (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Strengthening Sublime Sash (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Serenading Vest (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Sunless Tracksuit Bottoms (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Nebulous Boots (1/1) ]
[Equipment Name: Ultimate Fishnin Strengthening Sublime Sash (Enhanced +10)
Durability: 255/260
Description: A long sash made exclusively from Ultimate Fishnin. It has been enhanced to the absolute limit via a deep understanding of the Fishnin Culture, Fishnin Species, and Fishnin materials. Offensive properties have been multiplied by 12x, and defensive properties are increased by 10x due to reaching the Ultimate Level.
• The sash is a symbol of power to the Fishnin. Every memory they have adds to its length; these memories last beyond death, and that strength is directly transmitted to the body.
• Movement Speed is increased significantly. Sweat is purified and redistributed to maintain accurate water content within the body due to the skin of the Ultimate Fishnin reaching the Ultimate Level.
• It is a bona fide legendary masterpiece made by Shun, an Ultimate Tailor, and is part of the Chill Ultimate Fishnin Set. High understanding of all materials has allowed him to bring out the specialities within.
----
Chill Ultimate Fishnin Set:
• Ultimate Fishnin Melodic Hoodie (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Strengthening Sublime Sash (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Serenading Vest (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Sunless Tracksuit Bottoms (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Nebulous Boots (1/1) ]
...
[Equipment Name: Ultimate Fishnin Nebulous Boots (Enhanced +10)
Durability: 398/400
Description: A pair of exquisite boots made exclusively from Ultimate Fishnin. It has been enhanced to the absolute limit via a deep understanding of the Fishnin Culture, Fishnin Species, and Fishnin materials. Offensive and defensive properties have been multiplied by 7x due to reaching the Ultimate Level.
• Footwear is an extension of the Fishnin and comes in a variety of styles. It is a reminder that though they can walk on dry land, the water will always be their home. That is why walking on water is possible!
• Movement speed across land is doubled.
• Movement speed across water is tripled.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
• Movement Speed is increased significantly. Sweat is purified and redistributed to maintain accurate water content within the body due to the skin of the Ultimate Fishnin reaching the Ultimate Level.
• It is a bona fide legendary masterpiece made by Shun, an Ultimate Tailor, and is part of the Chill Ultimate Fishnin Set. High understanding of all materials has allowed him to bring out the specialities within.
• It is a shame the set is missing a pair of gloves...
----
Chill Ultimate Fishnin Set:
• Ultimate Fishnin Melodic Hoodie (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Strengthening Sublime Sash (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Serenading Vest (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Sunless Tracksuit Bottoms (1/1)
• Ultimate Fishnin Nebulous Boots (1/1) ]
For some damn reason, that dungeon always felt strange whenever I cleared it. Each time I went back, I had to perform the same annoying missions to get to the Boss Monster. In other words, this set was the result of my frustrations, not my desire.
Phoebe handed over a paper with Central Guild’s seal of approval for them to verify. It would take a few minutes, but I could afford to wait since my growth was right in front of me.
“Shun, may I speak to you for a moment, please?”
‘Tch...’
I furrowed my eyebrows at the concern all over Katherine’s face. I chose to stand far away from the party, yet this woman still wanted to close the intentional distance I had made.
“What do you want?”
A hint of disapproval at my bluntness formed faint creases in the smooth skin between her brow. I knew Katherine despised when people were disrespectful, so I hoped she would take the hint and leave me alone.
“It won’t take long.”
‘...’
Of course, she wouldn’t.
I looked away, unable to stop the growing agitation Katherine’s close presence caused. She wouldn’t force the issue once I showed her how little she meant to me.
I walked off, but she moved to my side instead.
“Are you sure you were not injured in the events that took place a couple of days ago?”
‘Injured? This little...!!!’
My bloodshot eyes glared into her pure blue ones. She thought just because she had a little strength she could talk down to me? Was I that insignificant in her sight that she felt the need to treat me like a damn child?!
“Katherine, I don’t need your damn pit—“
She pulled out a small bundle of sandwiches from a brown bag. They were wrapped in a transparent packaging with no crease or wrinkle. A red bow held everything in place and had my name written in bold across its silk surface.
“I haven’t seen you eat much.”
“...”
I avoided the gentle smile that accentuated features from another world. I turned away from the slight glow of her light blonde hair that emphasised the genuine care in those eyes of hers.
She had done the same for Phoebe, Gerard, and Aiden, yet she never took a damn minute to consider her own well-being.
[The Mission Log has been updated.]
[Mission: Precious time with Katheri—
I snatched the sandwiches out of her hand and widened the gap between us. Now that she had done her act of obligatory kindness, Katherine would leave me alon—
Her slender fingers held onto my arm; her touch so light that it exerted more force than it should have.
“Shun, I apologise if I have offended you.”
My feet came to a halt.
Her fingers remained.
“...Have you eaten, Katherine?”
I shifted my gaze toward her in time to see her eyes widen. The gentleness that covered her smile transformed into a sweetness that elongated. It was a purity that radiated out and reflected Katherine Brightfield’s character.
“I have not. My master...”
Her lips fell, and she stared at the ground for a few seconds.
“Please enjoy.”
Katherine bowed her head before walking off. She... was only human as well. Even someone like her needed someone to talk to, but I...
Didn’t care.
I turned around to check on the verification status when I was met with the party staring at us. Aiden and Gerard shifted their eyes toward Phoebe in unison. She closed the faint opening of her mouth and bit her quivering lip.
A hand covered my face, followed by a deep sigh.
“I don’t have time for this.”
I walked off when Phoebe decided to approach me about what she had witnessed.
“Shu—“
“Let’s enter the damn dungeon.”
I could care less about what the interaction between Katherine and I looked like from Phoebe’s perspective. I brushed past her irritating existence before approaching the entrance. The corners of my lips arched upward at the thought of just how much growth this dungeon would give me.
Once everyone arrived, the soldiers removed a powerful barrier they had erected in addition to the dungeon’s own double barrier: one for the outskirts, and one for the sealed entrance the pathway led to.
Unlike Natural and Tower Dungeons, this Arcane Dungeon didn’t have a platform with any engravings or elevation, nor did it merge with the surrounding environment. It was plausible to assume that each Arcane Dungeon had different characteristics: the extent of which could be reflected in the dungeon itself.
For example, a mausoleum was an impressive building that housed a tomb or a group of tombs. On the other hand, Sentri were a monster race that enjoyed combat, evident by their systematic approach to it, and their desire to improve through spars.
So why would monsters like that rule over this dungeon?
I surmised that the Sentri were conquerors, and this mausoleum represented the number of rulers they had destroyed; this was supported by the location of the Arcane dungeon. It was near the border of two countries: Sharir and Rodon, which would make its appearance here not random but intentional. The Jiyeok could also be used as a means to evaluate their strength.
It was plausible. However, that meant the Boss Monster had a vague idea of the outside world, or this was the work of the Dungeon System according to the nature of the ruling species.
Perhaps that was part of the mystery of Arcane Dungeons.
I continued organising information for my current hypothesis into the appropriate categories when the soldiers parted into several rows.
“We wish you all good luck!”
We stepped past the initial barrier and entered the stone pathway. It was wide enough for two people to walk side by side while the tall walls cast a shadow over the area. Thin arches made of stone further segmented the sky.
‘Interesting.’
“...Don’t be rash.”
I peered down at Phoebe, staring ahead with narrow eyes. I wasn’t surprised that she could tell just how far I was going to go to get the growth that I wanted, but she overestimated her own standing. I only needed this stupid party to challenge higher-ranked dungeons.
“Don’t get in my way.”
Phoebe’s eyelids drew closer together. She bit her lip and tilted her head to the side. The end of the pathway was marked off by a barrier, separating us from a pitch-black tunnel that would lead to the centre of the mausoleum.
Once I placed my hand on it, the world around us vanished, and the Arcane Dungeon run began.