The party mbers heatedly debated whether to tackle the library or the court.
Unfortunately for them,
"The correct answer is, none of the above."
I drew an X over all three routes. Everyones mouths fell open in shock.
"If you were to follow the standard clear route, you would have to target one of these three places. But I know this dungeon all too well."
Indeed, I know it all too well.
I charted a new route from the base camp, skipping past the library, the grand park, and the court which comprise the 4th Zone.
We would eventually visit these three places, but not today.
"Today, well follow a secret passage, skipping the 4th Zone and heading straight to the 5th."
I stopped my chalk there.
"Our destination is the 5th Zone, The Colosseum."
After writing The Colosseum in big letters, I dotted the i.
"We will conquer this place."
"..."
A mont of silence passed.
A hesitant Evangeline finally asked,
"Wait a minute. Isnt the 5th Zone supposed to be more difficult than the 4th? Can we clear it right now?"
"Of course."
Actually, at this point, this is the easiest place to clear.
"Theres a little trick to it."
Both the dungeon gimmick and the boss monster.
This dungeon is optimized for trickery. In fact, I had planned to raid here as soon as the base camp opened.
"Dont worry about clearing. Ive got everything figured out."
Confidently, I traced the path between the base camp and the colosseum with my hand.
"However, as you can see, the distance is quite significant."
The depth of the base camp is 3.
From here, we have to go to the Colosseum, which has a depth of 5.
In other words, we have to delve deep into the dungeon.
"Well have to travel a considerable physical distance. Its inevitably going to take us overnight."
"I see..."
"Ill explain the trick as we go. The journey will be long, and well have nothing to do but talk."
I put down the chalk and wiped my hands with a handkerchief.
"Thats all. Any questions... well address them as we go."
Evangeline and Junior, who seed to have many questions, reluctantly lowered their hands. I smiled.
"If you dont want this to turn into a three-day trip, lets get moving. Youve already spent too much ti preparing."
***
[Now Loading...]
[Tip - The base camp has many paths leading to various places in the Lake Kingdom Dungeon. Explore freely!]
***
We arrived at the base camp through the teleport gate.
This ti, the blacksmith Kellibey was nowhere to be found. Only Coco, the space sorceress, was there to greet us.
"Oohoho, my little ones! Are you here to play again?"
No, were not here to play. Were risking our lives on this exploration.
"Goodness, it seems youve lost more weight since the last ti? Wait a minute. Ill give you sothing delicious."
"Ah... Im sorry, Granny Coco. Were really busy right now."
When Coco tried to take out so jellies from her workshop, I stopped her and looked around.
"But where is Kellibey?"
"That dwarf? I dont know. He said sothing about gathering materials and went into the dungeon."
"Hmm..."
Kellibey was always the NPC with perfect attendance here. So, does he even leave his post?
Well, hell manage. Regardless, Kellibey is stronger and higher-level than us at this point. He wont suffer a premature death.
"Granny Coco, I just have one more favor to ask..."
I brought Granny Coco to the center of the base camp.
At the center of the base camp, sothing akin to a manhole cover was installed. I pointed at it with my hand.
"Could you please unlock this for us?"
"Uh-hi-hi, are you sure? The path below here is the infamous Path of the Overlord."
Granny Coco looked at with a face that was struggling to suppress a smile.
"You might break down while passing through."
"Im fine. I wont break."
"If you cant conquer the battlefield at the end, you wont be able to co back. It becos one-way. Are you really okay?"
"Im fine. Because Ill conquer it."
"Uh-hit, uh-hi-hi-hi! Kellibey did say that this new recruit is quite good. Indeed!"
Granny Coco, who was clutching her belly in laughter, lightly waved her hand.
Clang!
Then, a spark flashed from the manhole cover, and it gently opened upwards.
"Alright, go on! Ill be waiting for your epic tales."
"Thank you, Granny."
Granny Coco backed away with hands on her hips. I pointed at the manhole with my toe and signaled to the party mbers.
"Okay, shall we go?"
The inside of the manhole was pitch-black. The unique three-dinsional darkness of a dungeon was throbbing.
Being an already dark place leading to an underground path, it was even darker.
As I approached, an information ssage popped up.
[Path of the Overlord]
- All skills will be sealed while passing through this corridor.
- If you do not clear this sector, this path will be closed.
- Only the truly courageous should attempt this challenge.
Crackle, crackle...
The sound of insects gnawing echoed harshly within the corridor.
"..."
"..."
Everyone seed too scared to make a move. Even Lucas.
Well, its a physiological problem after all.
"Ill go first."
Before Lucas could say anything, I pulled out a Blue Fla Torch from my inventory.
It was an ever-burning torch that I had received as a reward in the past.
I threw it into the corridor.
The torch lit the surroundings in blue as it fell inside. A ladder was densely installed in the long vertical cylindrical corridor.
Thump!
After not too long a fall, the fla bounced off the floor.
"Its not that deep, right?"
I gave a slight smirk and pushed myself into the corridor first.
All other party mbers, with determination on their faces, followed one by one.
***
What would the darkness do, if it had a will?
That thought occurred to as we descended the vertical corridor.
Crackle, crackle...
The sound of insects gnawing never ceased to ring in my ears.
It almost felt like the creatures were gnawing at my ears.
Sothing seed to be visible at the edge of my dim vision. But when I turned to look, there was nothing.
Crackle, crackle...
It was as if the darkness was whispering sothing.
As we went deeper, the insect sounds started to form a language. It was getting clearer in my ears.
Die.
Fuck you.
Explode.
Die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die.
"..."
Its scary.
Honestly, its terrifying.
However.
Its less scary than ga over.
I have to get past here to reach the Colosseum, and I have to go to the Colosseum to get the Crystal of Darkness, and if I get the Crystal of Darkness, I will have a way to face the Vampire King.
Then I have to move.
If thats the only way to clear the ga, I have to jump in, whether its in the dark or in the lava.
Thump.
The seemingly endless vertical tunnel ended, and my feet hit the ground.
The mont my feet touched the ground, all the bug-eating noises, the curses, the hazy sothing that blurred the edge of my vision, all disappeared cleanly.
"..."
I picked up the blue torch that had fallen on the floor and held it up.
A straight, neatly trimd white marble corridor stretched out before .
The Path of the Overlord.
It sounds cool, but its just a secret passage.
Speedrunners aiming for the fastest ti in Protect the Empire all used this path to reach the Colosseum first.
It might seem strange to speedrun an RPG, but that was the achievents na...
Thump-!
Lucas fell gracefully down the tunnel behind . I turned to look at him.
"Was it okay coming down, Lucas?"
"..."
Lucas, his pale face drenched in cold sweat, looked at and cautiously asked,
"May we... take a mont to rest, My Lord?"
"Of course. Lets wait until everyone cos down."
As soon as I finished speaking, Lucas collapsed onto the spot like he was crumbling.
I didnt ask what he had seen or heard. I just stood next to Lucas, laying my hand on his shoulder.
"...Thank you."
Lucas quickly regained his composure. Thankfully.
In this Path of the Overlord, all skills are sealed.
This ans even my passive skill, Unyielding Commander, was sealed.
I cant defend party mbers from ntal status effects. All I can do is hope that each person overcos this trial.
Thump!
The second one to co down was Damien.
Damien rolled down the tunnel, huddled in the corner shaking.
"I did wrong, I did wrong, I did wrong! Please, dont... dont hit ..."
"Damien."
"Im sorry, Ban. Im sorry. Im sorry for being alive. I was wrong. So..."
"Damien!"
I grabbed Damiens shoulders, forcing him to et my gaze.
"Im here."
"Hah, hah, hah..."
"Whatever was up there, its over now. And it wont bother you again."
With trembling eyes, Damien scanned and croaked out in a drained voice.
"Your Highness. Please... hold my hand..."
"Sure."
"And Sir Lucas, too. Please."
"Okay."
Lucas and I each held one of Damiens hands. Damien squeezed his eyes shut, trembling.
Thump-
Next ca down Junior.
"Hmm."
Junior looked up the tunnel with intrigued eyes, adjusting her wide-brimd hat.
"I see. So, thats how this curse works... Interesting."
"Interesting?"
"Its a bit old-fashioned, being from five hundred years ago, but its fascinating."
I beckoned towards Juniors legs.
"Your legs are shaking."
"No, its just... wizards arent good with physical stuff. Its not because Im scared."
"Sure, lets go with that."
Then, Junior, looking our way, narrowed her eyes.
"What are you three doing right now?"
"Co here too, help hold Damiens hand."
"Huh?"
"Hurry. Cant you see the guy trembling? He needs human warmth."
Hesitantly approaching, Junior carefully extended her hand and rested it on top of Damiens.
Thump!
The last one to land was Evangeline. She lowered her shield and landed in style. Are you Captain Crossroad?
"Wow! Im drenched in cold sweat."
Evangeline, with her hair soaked in sweat, complained as she brushed her hair back.
"Why did I take a shower?"
Im talking about water, you brat.
Then Evangeline, looking our way, had the sa reaction as Junior.
"What are you four doing now?"
"Well... shall we hold hands and go around?"
"..."
Looking at us with a sowhat reluctant gaze, Evangeline extended her hand and dashed towards us.
"I want to join too."
"Do so."
Pop.
Evangelines tiny hand was placed on top of Damiens.
"Um, that is..."
After a mont.
Damien, rolling his big brown eyes, glanced at us.
"Um... Im okay now..."
"Huh? No, no. Youre still trembling. Lets just keep doing this a little longer."
"Well, its a bit... embarrassing..."
"No, its okay! Being scared of such a curse is never sothing to be ashad of! Stay strong, Damien!"
"Stay strong!"
"Stay strong!"
"Lets be strong~!"
"Uh..."
Damiens neck and ears turned bright red, and he lowered his face.
We looked down at Damien and laughed heartily. It was fun to tease him.
I dont know what horrific past Damien has experienced, and how deep the wounds he carries are.
But here, he has his party mbers.
Just as we hunt monsters together, I hoped that we could also overco these painful mories. Thats what I thought.
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