V2 Chapter 9

After resting while having a meal, the group began to hasten their exploration.

Although they were thrilled and excited for an unknown adventure in this Dungeon, still, Lafetti and the others know that danger might be closing in on them. And more so, it might be a danger that could threaten their lives since this Dungeon is extremely weird, mysterious- and as for some reason, though they no one said it clearly, but only know it in their hearts, that this Dungeon has some relation with Rain.

That is why Lafetti was feeling extremely worried the more they stayed in this place.

Perhaps this is the reason why Zarda, wanted them to get out of here as soon as possible because she noticed that. And maybe one of the factors that can open the grave marks teleportation array was Rain’s existence.

If that’s the case, the grave mark might actually be waiting for him all along. Then, there might be secrets here that reveal his real identity, and these thoughts somehow worried not only Zarda but also Lafetti.

It would have been fine if they are the ones who could discover it first. But if it was Rain, he might learn something that would not be beneficial for them. Therefore, Lafetti was extra vigilant as they pass through the empty, and dreary corridor.

After resuming their exploration, they found that the corridors ahead were very spacious, a full 20 meters high, becoming even bigger the further down they went.

As they went deeper into the corridor, the number of goblins decreased, but in exchange, maggots and bugs-like creatures started showing up.

Since the number of the Goblins showing up started decreasing, the feeling of evil that had wafted through the corridors like the foul smell of something dead and decaying was no longer prevalent. But still, there remained in the corridor a sensation of danger.

Rain and the others spent many hours or days, walking those endless corridors, and still, there were regions of them that they had never come to.

There was a weariness in the tracing of the vast, meaningless web of ways; fighting, killing, making one’s mind felt bored and dull, all with the stench of blood, forever reckoning up the turnings and the passages behind and to come.

Though, Rain can’t help but admit that the Dungeon was built quite interestingly.

Laid out in the solid rock underground like the streets of a great city, full of alleys and corners like a great spider web; but surely, it had been made with malice, to make people wary and confused them, making one feel as it’s to be nothing in the end, but a one, great trap.

The dimness of the light, the eerie and solemn passages, all could make one's senses disturbed. And if one doesn't bode well with darkness, or closed spaces, this would have been hell for them.

"Fortunately, I'm good with going down rabbit holes, much better than any Alice,"

Rain smiled wryly as he looks at the dim, dark corridor ahead of him.

"This kind of place is actually very exciting,"

"This is ain't rabbit holes, Rain... this is much, much dangerous than going down an anthill,"

Lafetti replied with a shrug, hearing his mutterings.

"Actually, the Anthill that I'm thinking right now, is certainly not the same as the one you are talking about. The Anthills I know, are small and surely not passable with my size."

"...why are you both talking about Anthills when I'm walking right beside you? And also, did anyone forgot who destroyed my Anthill...?"

"Who did?"

Scarlet gritted her teeth and then rolled her eyes after seeing Lafetti's indifferent expression.

It was clear that Scarlet was still holding enormous hatred for the Lamians that had broken her kingdom-to-be, and slaughtered all her people. Furthermore, even forcing her to become their slave.

If not for the fact that Lamians are much stronger than her, she would have surely beat them up a long time ago.

"... ..."

Rain look at them, and felt the icy, cold atmosphere that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Nevertheless, he chose to keep his mouth shut, as he knows that it would just escalate things if he continued on this topic.

He turned his attention back to the map reflected on his smartphone.

According to the clock reflected on the phone, it has been almost four days since their first arrival in this Dungeon. And even now, Zarda and the others have yet to completely unfold the mystery of the Grave Mark.

Threia had unearthed all the books and ancient texts they had, even going as far as asking help from the Monster King Arfa, who had lived in this place for much longer than them. But nothing could be found about the Gravemark.

It was a piece of a mystery that even the Lion King hadn’t known about the Grave Mark, and had not even seen it before. To this, they were at a loss.

As for the exploration in the Dungeon, it’s been progressing quite smoothly. Although there were strong monsters and magical beasts they encountered, with Lafetti, Granite, and Scarlet together, they didn’t pose any real threat or danger.

Lafetti who was standing in front suddenly stopped.

“Enemies ahead,” she said.

Rain was not surprised, as he had already found them in the map reflected in the smartphone before her.

Recently, the area that his smartphone’s mapping ability can cover had increased significantly, making it more effective than before.

Ten meters around him, wherever he went, the map will automatically update. That’s the current range of the Smartphone. He looked at the distance where 3 meter long maggots were scattered and crawling around the floor and walls. They had covered the surfaces with some sticky fluid, and some of them were digging tunnels.

At least, no goblins… though, perhaps it's because this is the territory of these maggots…?

“Well, great... after Goblins, there are maggots…that’s disgusting,”

At this moment, a mantis-like monster that was as tall as a human adult came around the corner and was spotted by the group.

The other bug had one pair of wings and two scythes. It noticed the intruders, and its four insect legs made sounds like clanging metal as it charged over, issuing a whiny shriek.

Its cry was piercing in the ear, and if a normal human would be here, their ears drums would have burst out and exploded due to the piercing noise.

“I hate when bugs do that,”

Rain said while drawing his bow into a full arc.

“I hate noisy cicadas in summer,” conjuring enchanted arrows, he released the string.

Not once, not twice, but he shot a dozen arrows in just a single minute.

They all flew out in succession.

Tens of maggots were crawling over along with two flying mantis-like monsters. His enchanted arrows struck the monsters accurately—some seemed to have died but there were those who are still alive, angry and rushing in fury towards them. Especially, the bigger, mantis-like monster, which broke his arrow with its scythe-like arms.

The way it swung its scythes was like a swordsman wielding two swords—fast, strong, and accurate. It then followed the small maggots crawling on the ground. Its wings buzzing and making eerie noises.

Lafetti looked at the tens of disgusting maggots wriggling along the floor. Her womanly nature caused her scalp to tingle, and a shiver spread through her body.

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“You’re not the only one who hates bugs, Rain.”

“Well, we can just leave it to Scarlet then…”

Rain said with an indifferent smile.

Scarlet rolled her eyes but still, her two hands ignited in flames. Then, without hesitation, she fired dozens of fireballs into the horde of maggots.

The flames blocked the corridor, yet the maggots persistently crawled forwards while crying out in anguish. However, the two 3 meter tall mantis-like monsters managed to make it through. They swung their sickles, becoming countless cuts, as they made their way over.

Granite snorted coldly, then readied her shield and war-axe and lunged forwards. An earthquake-inducing Strike smashed the two monsters down to the ground and dealing a significant amount of damage.

Wooosh.

A blade flashed, Lafitte rushed over with incredible momentum and fierce killing intent. It was followed by an incredible, timely sword drawing art she was practicing under Rain’s help.

It was the skill they got in the previous room, along with [Blade Counter]. Although she preferred the latter, as she thought that the skill wouldn’t suit her, but with Rain’s insistence, she tried it and unexpectedly got the hang of it easier than expected.

Though, if her sword would just be more curved and slanted, she was certain her sword drawing attack would be even faster. Nevertheless, it’s a great ambushing skill, when an opponent least expected it.

Rain had shown her several videos and movies where sword drawing art could be seen, and it helps her greatly to understand and even took inspiration on how to do it more efficiently. And she fell a great love for it.

Setting its as her ambushing first strike, she would then followed it with her own, relentless attacks.

Her fury attacks and blows greatly complement Granite’s barbarian-like fighting technique while at the same time, dodging the rock Lamian. Together, they instantly took one out. The other was also slain when Rain’s arrow smashed its head after being bombarded with fireballs and fire spears by Scarlet.

The maggots temporarily still couldn’t make their way over since the flames were still burning.

The blaze was eventually extinguished.

Granite, like a raging mad bull, charged with her two-handed war axe at the remaining 7 or so maggots.

A Shield Bash blocked their advance and sent bug fluids and sticky liquid splashing everywhere. Rain’s arrows flew in the air continuously. Under everyone’s ferocious attacks, the already injured maggots barely managed to hurt the Rock Lamian before dying.

When they died, they exploded into a sticky liquid which made it hard to move.

The battle lasted almost half an hour.

After the battle, Rain can finally sigh in relief.

“These maggots have some serious issue regarding hygiene…there’s literally shit everywhere,”

Rain lifted his foot and looked at the trail of sticky liquid. It was a bit disgusting. But the worst thing about them is that it decreased his movement speed and agility significantly due to the adhesive-like power that clung to the sole of his foot, like gum.

What’s even worse is that the more you tried to get rid of it, the more it got on you.

“Technically, they are not what you think they are, Rain… in fact, Sarete would be ecstatic to see them if she was here.”

Lafetti smiled wryly, recognizing these rare insects. They are insect-type monsters that had not been seen for a long, long time in the continent.

“I know, and I think I know why,”

Rain shrugged as he walked up to the sticky liquid and examined it for a bit. This sticky, adhesive like goo that the maggots were secreting is actually, a very rare material used in alchemy. It can be used as adhesive, and quite a good conductor of magic, which can be used to create potions and elixirs.

It can even also used for making leather clothes, armors, or wooden magic staffs. So, yeah, they are quite precious materials.

Then, he looked at the other maggots that had been burnt to a crisp. The burning smell assaulted his nostrils and he couldn't help but furrowed his brows at the stench.

“They seem to fear fire.”

Granite said as she swung her ax, cutting the sticky liquid that was piled up in front of them.

“Yeah, so Scarlet is our best damage dealer this time,”

Rain stood up and then patted his clothes over the shoulder in dissatisfaction as he glanced at the items sparkling, while scattered in the ground. He then started looking for items and drops among the corpses that were slowly disintegrating into countless shards of light.

Though, most actually monster parts, and not items, which is quite a letdown. Nevertheless, only those truly useful were picked up while the majority of it was left as it is. The storage capacity they have left didn’t give any leeway to accommodate everything, which is rather somewhat wasteful.

Still, they can only work with what they got…that’s life.

“Let’s continue,”

… …

Their dungeon exploration went more smoothly than one expected.

This was partly because they had a better grasp of the pathways through Rain’s magic phon. Aand also because for some unknown reason, the Goblin encounters become somewhat lesser, and with bug-type monsters not fond of fire, Scarlet’s spotlight shone brighter.

A short while later, just as they once again turn towards the left corner, the air changed noticeably.

The simple corridor gave onto a gallery covered in wall paintings. Like a mural.

“There are traces of soot here.”

Rain, studying the wall paintings intently, held his phone upward, the torchlight coming from the back of the phone pointed at a spot near the ceiling.

Lafetti walks over, her reach going higher as her tail turns longer, lifting her upward.

“You mean there used to be lights?”

“A very long time ago, yes.”

Rain nodded, wiping a bit of soot from his finger.

“If most monsters inhabiting this dungeon are Goblins, then all the more strange. Goblins have excellent night vision. They don’t use lights.”

“Hmm…”

Scarlet leaned toward the wall and gave one of the paintings a thoughtful scratch with her claw. Humans, elves, dwarves, rheas, lizardmen, beastmen—every race who had words was depicted in full equipment, the old and the young, men and women.

“Warriors or soldiers…no.”

Their outfits were not uniform enough to be soldiers. Mercenaries, perhaps, or…

“Adventurers,”

Lafetti muttered. She was more familiar with them after meeting them countless times.

“There is no emblem or symbol, not even a Kingdom’s sigil…so indeed, Human Adventurers,” Granite said, standing to one side and following the brushstrokes closely with her eyes. The paint, weathered over many long years, flaked off at the slightest touch.

“This style of painting hasn’t been current for four, five hundred years now.”

“It seems so,” said Rain, looking up and around, “…could this be…”

The carefully constructed gallery. The painted figures. It felt much like a place he knew very well. Tranquil, quiet—not to be trespassed upon. Not a temple…

“…a graveyard, perhaps?”

Catacombs.

Rain’s expression darkened.

That’s what this was; he was convinced. He brushed the paintings—the people—with his delicate hand. He suddenly recalled the gravemark that had sent them here.

What the hell has it got to do with my name? Is this really just a coincidence? But what about the words of Hamlet written in that gravemark?

What is his connection with this Dungeon?

“Rain, look,”

Laffeti called for him, and Rain walked over, only to see she was pointing something, in a gravemark standing at the side. It looked the same as the one he had found with his name on it.

His heart throbbed, starting to beat wildly like a deer trampling upon his soul.

What if he once again finds his name written on it?

He bit his lips and suppressed the doubt, and fear he was feeling and tried to read it.

“It has the same language written on the mark you’ve found,” Lafetti said with furrowed brows.

“What does it says?”

With a throbbing heart, Rain looked over at the Gravemark. Then, he sighs a relief, because the name of his didn’t appear on it, fortunately, giving him a relieved expression. At the very least, it seems like it’s not his gravemark, again, or else he might not know what to think.

He once again turned his full attention back on the few words engraved on the smooth stone, few but with obviously powerful stroke;

[Of all the wonders that I have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come.]

Another Shakespeare…!

Rain’s gaze turned weird. Whoever makes this dungeon surely is a one-hell hard-core fan of Shakespeare.

But why will these words be written here?

Is this here, to honor the people lying in slumber in this place?

“What does it mean?”

Lafetti asked, curiously as she too stared at the phrase engraved in stone. Although she doesn’t recognize the knowledge, nor did she understand it, but for some reason, she felt somewhat strange hearing those words. Like a gloomy, solemn expression.

“It means that of all the wonders in the world, it is strange that man fears death. In life, Death is the ultimate end and will come without warning, and will surely come when it has to. A true man face death not like against a terrible enemy, but towards a familiar friend.” Rain somewhat absent-mindlessly responded, while not taking his eyes on the words.

“That’s…weird…”

Lafetti furrowed her brows, somewhat understanding, at the same time not. It’s a strange concept—no one would ever accept death, as no one wanted to die.

If possible, men would pay everything just to obtain eternal life, whether it was a mountain of gold, or the most beautiful woman, or the closest kin. That’s how much people fear death.

“Not all would think the same,”

Rain said with a wry smile.

“Rain, here as well,”

Another voice. This time it was Scarlet. Rain turned at her, as she walked towards them.

“There’s something similar out there like that one. And also the same language, I think,”

Curious, he started walking inside. Although it looked like a proper interior of a large building, it was like an enormous cavern filled with rock formations, almost as big as a soccer field.

Perhaps it was not even inferior to Marcana Stadium?

It was really big…super big. Just what kind of place is this?

“What I saw was down here,” Scarlet conjured a fireball to light up the surroundings. Although she knows that this kind of darkness is nothing to Rain, she still did it in consideration as she led him inside the mausoleum.

The inside of the Mausoleum looks like an enormous tomb.

There were dozens of Stone coffins and several man-sized clay figures, all lying down.