Chapter 48

Traces of the Giant Dragon (2)

Step, step.

I slowly descended the stairs.

Before I knew it, the Old Man Mansul had been reverse summoned.

Six skeletons around me formed a battle formation.

[You have entered the ‘Sealing Place of the Dragon’.]

[Be careful.]

[The traces of the evil dragon create terrible Magical Creatures.]

The ‘Sealing Place of the Dragon’ was similar to any other Dungeon.

Meaning it was more friendly than unfriendly.

There were stairs, and luminous pearls were hung on the walls.

Originally, if a Giant Dragon-class had been sealed,

Rough traces should have remained.

But there were none.

Either they had been erased by the passage of time, or…

‘The elves might have managed it.’

Well, it’s all good.

I just needed to think simply.

Since it’s a Dungeon, monsters will appear.

If I keep moving to the end, wouldn’t some solution appear?

‘The problem is.’

I glanced back.

“Hoo, deep breaths, deep breaths! Let’s not be nervous.”

Dagnar, with a nervous look, placed his hand on his chest and took deep breaths.

“Right, I’m just on a glorious quest to find my ancestor’s relic. I mustn’t be nervous! Get a grip! Hoo, hoo…”

“……”

This shorty is the problem.

Originally, I wanted to leave him behind.

Because realistically, he wasn’t strong enough to be of help.

However.

“Hmph! You? Didn’t I tell you not to look at me like that! Even so, you’re a different race! I’m a member of the Stone Clan! Surely, I know more about our clan’s history than you do, right? I can definitely be of help!”

“Well, okay… but.”

Dagnar was stubborn.

He wanted to follow me even if it meant risking death.

“I clearly told you. I might not be able to protect you in dangerous situations.”

Suddenly, the past.

The Dungeon where I met the Mansul Old man came to mind.

‘Was it the guide Kang Sun-wook?’

Back then, I didn’t understand why that A-class hunter said he might not be able to protect me.

Now, I understood a little better.

“Anyway, it’s just as dangerous for me to remain alone in that village. You’re the one being reckless. How could you abandon everything and rush here as soon as you found it?”

“That’s true too.”

From Dagnar’s perspective.

That elf village would be much scarier than this place.

“Let’s keep moving for now.”

I continued walking.

The stairs spiraled along the walls of the abyss.

And in the very center, there was a deep hole with no end in sight.

A chilling feeling, like looking into the bottomless pit in the Bible.

I tried to ignore it and went down.

How much time had passed?

“Hmm, are you alright? It’s getting increasingly humid, which is quite unpleasant.”

“Just a moment.”

I stopped in my tracks.

Dagnar was right.

I could feel the impure ‘qi’ getting closer through the Supreme Clarity Heart Method.

[‘Bone Three’ uses the skill, Vision Secure(Lv.9).]

Phew!

A shining arrow was fired from Bone Three’s bow.

The shooting direction was into the abyss.

“Hmm.”

I could sense things around the arrow.

The location and number of Magical Creatures, strange creatures looking around.

Hundreds of something were wriggling.

[Vision Secure(Lv.9) finds something.]

[Discovers ‘?? ????’.]

It was quite far away, so I couldn’t see it clearly.

But the situation didn’t look good.

‘Does this mean I have to deal with all of that to go down?’

Is this truly a Dungeon with an ‘Unmeasurable’ difficulty rating?

“……”

I expected it.

But I felt even more suffocated.

‘Well, there might be other ways.’

The mission details weren’t precisely presented.

What I need to do is find a clue to resolve the conflict between the two races here, not annihilate those monsters.

However, I need to catch a few to check.

It’s basic exploration.

“Then shall we start slowly?”

There’s no need to rush.

Let’s catch them slowly, one by one, carefully.

[Ding!]

[Discovers the occupational relevance between the Dungeon and Hunter Ju Dong-hoon.]

“Hmm.”

It was similar to that time.

The Ancient Desert Dungeon where I met Tae Yangi was like this too.

[Caution!]

[This Dungeon is transforming.]

[You cannot leave the Dungeon.]

“Well, this is familiar.”

In the past, just seeing these phrases would have caused great fear.

But now I’m used to it.

Go ahead and try harder.

“My Lord.”

“Yes.”

“Battle preparations are complete.”

“What are our chances?”

“I’m not sure either. Judging by what I feel, it might be difficult.”

Tae Yangi was honest.

However, she was confident and fearless.

Even though she hadn’t regained her past power.

She had the spirit of someone who had reigned as the absolute ruler of a world.

“My Lord.”

Tae Yangi glanced down into the abyss.

“A group is coming up. Shall we begin?”

“Yes, let’s wait a bit and ambush them.”

“Yes.”

Doo doo doo doo.

Something was gradually getting closer.

Dagnar shouted.

“W, what is that?”

“What else could it be, monsters, probably.”

“Why are there monsters in the ruins of the deceased?”

“It’s not just the deceased, it’s a Dragon, a Giant Dragon at that. Isn’t it common sense that there would be a few monsters like this in such a place?”

“D, damn it. That’s a piece of common sense I didn’t want to learn.”

Woo woo woo woo!

A terrible cry echoed from below.

[‘Spike Drake’ appears!]

[‘Spike Drake’ appears!]

…….

‘Spike Drake?’

It’s a monster I’ve never heard of before.

However, I’ve read about ‘Drake’ types in old bestiaries.

They aren’t as smart as Dragons or can use magic, but they are known to have tremendous physical tanking abilities.

I know that their strength is as formidable as their tanking ability, so they were classified as quite high-grade monsters.

“Y, y, a Dragon?”

Dagnar, who had confirmed the shape of the strange creature from below, fell backward.

“How can it be a Dragon? Good heavens! What on earth were those elves doing in the sealing place! Could it be that they were trying to awaken the Giant Dragon…?”

“First, please be quiet.”

Keeeee!

Kwaaaek!

About 10 Spike Drakes were stomping up the stairs.

“Bone Four.”

Thud!

The reliable tanker, Bone Four, slammed his shield into the stairs.

[‘Bone Four’ uses the skill, Intermediate Block(Lv.3).]

Like a rooted old tree.

He gave strength to his legs with a determined look.

“Next, Tae Yangi!”

“No problem, My Lord.”

[‘Tae Yang-chang’ uses the skill, ‘Soulflare’(Lv.4).]

[‘Tae Yang-chang’ uses the skill, ‘Raging Desert’(Lv.4).]

Flames sparked around Tae Yangi’s body.

Soulflare, a skill that burns the soul to temporarily amplify power, and.

Tae Yangi’s unique area-of-effect skill, ‘Raging Desert’, exploded.

Quarrel!

A sandstorm arose around her.

Whoosh!

At the same time as swinging her spear, a shockwave extended towards the Drakes coming up.

“Huk, what kind of attack is that?”

Ignoring the surprised Dagnar, I prepared Bone Five.

“Bone Five!”

Magic preparation.

Since Drakes have strong physical tanking abilities, magic must be used.

Creak!

The S-class item, ‘Dragon Flame Staff’, turned red.

Kwaaek!

From down below.

Ten pairs of red eyes flashed eerily.

As if to say, try attacking if you dare, the light in their eyes became even more intense.

However.

Tae Yang-chang was bold.

She fearlessly rushed towards the masses.

Squeak!

As if Bone One couldn’t be outdone by Tae Yangi’s momentum, he charged forward.

Tae Yangi muttered.

“Bone One, attack their legs.”

Whoosh!

Tae Yangi’s spear scattered.

Thwack thwack thwack!

A tremendous striking sound began to fill the space.

The target was their legs.

“Physical force won’t work anyway. We have to disrupt their balance as much as possible and drop them into that abyss.”

Creak!

Tae Yangi explained.

Bone One followed without complaint.

‘The two of them are doing well on their own.’

Now it’s Bone Five’s turn.

Bone Five, who had already finished casting the spell, looked at me.

Waiting for the command to be given.

“Blow them away!”

Creak!

[‘Bone Five’ uses the skill, Fireball(Lv.MaX).]

Whirr!

A fireball of maximum level was created in the air.

It was a Fireball three times larger than the one he used before.

‘It looks hot just by looking at it.’

Whirr!

Bone Five swung his staff.

Then, the undulating flame was thrown straight in the direction of the Drakes.

It didn’t matter anyway.

Since it was a staircase, there was nowhere for them to escape.

Kwaaaang!

Kuaeeek!

The hot wind of the flames filled the space.

The Drakes, who had been sneering at the attacks of Bone One, Bone Three, and Tae Yangi, now let out desperate screams.

“As expected, fire is the best for catching beasts.”

As I muttered in satisfaction, Dagnar exclaimed from the side.

“A, amazing! You!”

But this isn’t the end.

I don’t think a Drake of a relatively high grade would be defeated by just one ‘Fireball’.

“Cast another one!”

Creak!

[‘Bone Five’ uses the skill, ‘Fire Field’(Lv.2).]

Whirr!

Although it doesn’t boast as much firepower as ‘Fireball’ due to lack of proficiency.

A line of fire was laid out in a straight line on the stairs in front of him.

Tae Yangi and Bone One, who were fighting in close combat, retreated.

Kieeeek!

Kkieeek!

The Drakes stopped charging and hesitated.

‘Of course.’

They’ve already tasted the fear of fire.

There’s no way they’d break through and come closer when that fire is burning right in front of them.

Besides, is that ordinary fire?

It was a fire that received the power of the S-class item, ‘Dragon Flame’.

[Name: Bone Five]

[Stamina: 170/200]

‘Good.’

Bone Five still had plenty of stamina.

Thanks to the ‘Dragon Flame Staff’ effect, he was receiving an additional 100 stamina.

It was as reassuring as a hearty soup.

“Lay it behind them too.”

Creak!

[‘Bone Five’ uses the skill, ‘Fire Field’(Lv.2).]

I laid another flame behind them.

As the flames flickered, the ones who had been hesitating to move back lost their way.

“Y, you! You seem to be trying to slowly roast the Dragons?”

Dagnar exclaimed from the side.

I smiled.

“It’s fortunate, though. Of all things, they’re weak to fire.”

“L, look over there!”

Dagnar pointed forward.

Kkieeek!

Kkieeee…….

In front of us, we could see the spectacular sight of ‘Spike Drakes’ unable to withstand the flames and throwing themselves into the abyss.

The sound of their throats being slit echoed until it gradually disappeared and could no longer be heard.

And only after waiting for about a minute.

[‘Spike Drake’ has been eliminated.]

[‘Spike Drake’ has been eliminated.]

[‘Spike Drake’ has been eliminated.]

…….

One by one.

Elimination messages began to appear.

No matter how tough they are.

It means that the abyss is so deep that their lives are in danger if they fall.

‘Oh.’

My eyes flashed.

It’s great news that I’m being credited with the elimination even though I only indirectly used fire.

Why?

[‘Bone One’s Strength increases by 1!]

[‘Bone One’s Skill increases by 1!]

[‘Tae Yang-chang’s Strength increases by 1!]

[‘Bone Five’s Skill increases by 1!]

…….

Because I can receive the experience points from catching them and convert them into stats for my summons!

Due to the characteristics of my Unique Ability, ‘Cursed Necromancer’.

Monster experience points are transferred directly to the summons and converted into stats.

‘Jackpot.’

What if I deal with all the monsters swarming here in this way?

It’s literally a level explosion.

No, it’s a chance to achieve a storm of stat growth.

“Hehe.”

A laugh naturally escaped my lips.

‘Come to think of it, it’s about time to grow.’

I’ve been training too much so far.

Of course, it’s true that growth is possible through training.

But originally, you have to balance hunting and training.

Kieeeek!

The cries of the Drakes could be heard from below.

As if shuddering in some unknown fear.

“I’ll kill you all.”

My steps as I walked forward became very light.