Chapter 31 - Dungeon [7]
n
n
n
"Quickly change this to code black!
"
nHurriedly shouting orders, Thomas disappeared from where he was standing.
n
"...Ah, goddammit! this is more serious than I had expected
"
nQuickly teleporting back into the black market, Thomas quickly pressed the emergency button causing the whole facility to turn red as alarms started ringing
n-Daaaang!
n-Daaaang!
n-Daaaang!
nTaking out his phone he quickly dialed a number
n-Ring! -Ring! -Ring!
n
"...Hello?
"
nFrom the other side of the phone, a cold emotionless voice entered Thomas's ears.
n
"Boss we have a situation
"
n
"...Explain
"
n
"Dungeon gate 756, Code black, possible dungeon desync
"
nPausing slightly, the cold voice said
n
"...I understand, you will be granted full authority regarding this matter
"
n-Tak!
nRight after saying that, the person on the other side of the phone hung up, leaving Thomas standing there speechlessly.
n
"Goddamit! Why do I always have to do the dirty work!
"
nCursing out loud and stomping his feet in anger, Thomas quickly dialed another number.
n-Ring! -Ring! -Ring!
n
"Yes?
"
nShortly after dialing the number, a male voice entered Thomas's ears. Hearing the voice, Thomas quickly shouted orders.
n
"Call in all alpha units with a rank F or below
"
n
"...sorry?
"
n
"Do it now! it's an order!
"
n
"Y-yes!
"
nSuddenly being ordered by Thomas the person on the other side of the phone was left momentarily confused, but as soon as he noticed the urgency in Thomas's voice he immediately did as he was instructed.
n-Tak!
nHanging up the phone, Thomas looked around. The whole facility was in a state of lockdown, and the whole place was dyed red as alarms constantly rang through the surroundings.
nPinching the middle of his brows, Thomas sighed.
n
"...I seriously hope the situation is not as dire as I think it is
"
n...
n
"Ahhhhhhh!
"
nDeep gashes started appearing all over my body as the Demon traced his finger around my body. It felt as if I was being cut by a cold metal knife.
nI wanted to move, but I couldn't. It felt as if a massive boulder was weighing down on me, preventing me from moving.
nAlthough the Baron of Everblood was not using his main body, the presence exerted by him wasn't something I could handle.
nBaron of Everblood had killed countless experts throughout his whole life. He rose from being e regular demon to against all odds becoming a Baron ranked demon.
nCountless sacrifices were made in his journey to the top―He had shed lots of blood throughout his journey to the top. He had also backstabbed demons whom he had once called friends just to be able to reach the point that he was now...
nJust now, all that the baron of Everblood needed to do was release the killing intent that he had acquired through countless killings, to completely paralyze me.
nKnowing this, I needed to buy myself time to adapt to the killing intent―it's just that it was much easier being said than done...It felt like a looming threat that was similar to a longsword that hung in my heart, ready to pierce it and kill me at a moment's notice causing my body to paralyze in fear.
nVery soon, as I felt death coming closer to me, an idea came into my mind as I started speaking
n
"Aren't you curious as to why I know what you're doing?
"
nHalting, Baron of Everblood stopped tracing his finger on my body and looked at me
n
"...Speak
"
n
"huuu, the only reason you haven't killed me yet is because you want to know how I knew you were trying to create a dungeon overload right?..khk
"
nTracing his sharp black finger on my neck, a red line appeared. Blood slowly dripped down from the cut, falling onto the cold ground.
n
"...Get to the point
"
n
"kh...not only do I know that you're trying to create a dungeon overload, but I also know that this isn't the only dungeon you're planning to overload
"
nAltough I knew that spilling what I knew was stupid, I had no choice. It was either this or death.
nI had to buy time...
nAt least enough to figure out how to get out of this situation.
nMoreover, me revealing what I knew to Baron of Everblood wasn't actually that significant of a matter.
nHierarchy mattered to the demons.
nWith the fact that he was Baron ranked demon, I knew that he didn't actually hold that much authority.
nEven if I escaped from this ordeal, chances were that even if he reported what I told him to the higher-ranked demons, unless he brought proof, his findings would most likely get dismissed.
n...Thus it didn't matter if I spilled what I knew. There was a high chance that the case would not go anywhere.
nMoreover, what mattered to me the most was my life...As long as I bought time, I could definitely figure something out.
n
"!
"
n-Thud!
nSuddenly, as soon as I finished speaking, the pressure that enveloped me magnified. My legs, which couldn't withstand the pressure finally gave out, and I knelt on the cold hard ground.
nGripping me from the neck, Baron of Everblood lifted my body up. My face was only a few centimeters away from his face.
nWe were so close that I could feel his breath on my face. The demon's breath was like hot steam. It slowly burned the skin on my face―turning it red. Facing Baron of Everblood's hot breath, my face winced in pain. Turning my head to the side, I tried my best to avoid his mouth...It hurt.
n
"...Speak!
"
nGripping on my neck even harder, Baron of Everblood fiercely stared at me.
n
"...I know that you're planning in advance for when the mana in the atmosphere becomes dense enough for the monsters to be able to withstand human's atmosphere..Khuu
"
nFeeling the grip on my neck become tighter, I took advantage of the small gap that was created by the Baron of Everblood as he was distracted by my statement to free myself from his grip.
nStaring at his now empty hand, Baron of Everblood stared in my direction. His already blood red-eyes turned a shade darker as he spat out his next words in pure fury.
n
"...Oh? It seems like someone has not suffered enough
"
n
"Huff...huff...
"
nHolding onto my neck, I heavily gulped for air and glared at Baron of Everblood.
n-Click!
n
"...huh?
"
nA thick black arm flew into the air as Baron of Everblood stood there rooted in his spot stupefied.
nHe couldn't react in time...
nSlowly standing up, I sheathed my sword back into my scabbard.
n
"...damm this!
"
nJust that move alone used most of my mana...I needed to think of something quick.
n...
nDungeon seekers, mission control room
nInside of a large enclosed room, twenty large tables, all with several computer displays, were filled with people tirelessly working together as they exchanged data. A large screen was at the front of the room, displaying rows upon rows of data for the entire team inside of the room.
nOn the side, on the walls, there was a multitude of clocks – displaying everything from the current time to the time every entrant has been inside of a dungeon. This was so that they could monitor if someone stayed inside of the dungeon more than the designated time.
nOn one of the large tables, with his hands leaning on the table, an individual who had a headset and microphone on his head looked to his right as he reported.
n
"reporting Alpha units have entered dungeon 756 Red desolation
"
nThomas, who had his arms crossed, looked at the monitor in front of him where multiple camera views could be seen.
n
"Ask for a status report
"
n
"Roger!
"
n...
nInside of a desolate world where a deep red sky enveloped the environment. Only the sound of the wind rustling through twisted, shrubby trees, could be heard.
nSuddenly, the silence was disrupted as white-clad individuals materialized in the desolate world.
n-Voom! -Voom! -Voom!
n-Alpha teams, do a status report
n
"Alpha unit 70154, Check
"
n
"Alpha unit 62584, Check
"
n
"Alpha unit 75894, Check
"
n
"Alpha unit 48334, Check
"
n
"...
"
n
"...
"
n-All teams confirmed―Alpha mission operation captain turn on your camera and report what you are seeing.
n-Click!
nTurning on the camera that rested above his peck, a white-clad individual with a golden ring on his arm spoke
"Camera activated, taking measurements―trying to gain contact with dungeon guardians who had entered previously
"
n-khhhhh
nHearing a continuous static sound coming from his receiver, the captain shook his head.
n
"Unresponsive
"
n-Okay, order all Alpha teams to proceed forward
n
"Alpha teams, move!
"
nMarching forward in an organized pattern all the white-clad individuals followed the captain deep into the dungeon.
n...
n-shua!
nPfffff
nA white line materialized in front of the Baron of Everblood and black blood slowly fell on the floor. Gripping my sword tightly, I applied more pressure on the handle of my sword that stabbed his body. In the heart.
n
"...you think this can actually hurt me?
"
nGrabbing the sword that stabbed his body, Baron of Everblood cruelly smiled as he slowly pulled the sword out from his body.
n'Tch...you immortal bastard'
nSeeing his nonchalant behavior as if a sword stabbing his body was nothing, my heart sank.
n-Pam!
nBefore I even had enough time to retrieve my sword back, I felt a massive force on my stomach forcing me to bend over in pain.
nBaaarf!
nThe force was so strong that my taste buds were engulfed in a bitter and sour taste as green liquid splurted from my mouth.
n
"kaaahhh...
"
n-Clank!
n
"To think you actually thought you had a chance against me
"
nThrowing my sword to the side, I could hear the sound of metal hitting the ground. Each time I heard the sound of my sword clattering on the ground parts of my heart shattered along with it.
n...Without the sword I was nothing. My only chance at fighting back was gone.
nLooking at the Baron of Everblood who was slowly approaching me with a wide grin plastered on his face, seemingly relishing my expression of despair...finally fear overtook me.
n
"Let me teach you what happens when you piss off a demon
"
n...
n
"...What's this?
"
n-Alp―khhh st―s rep...t
nNot bothered in the slightest by the fact that the radio signal was getting disrupted, all of the alpha teams members stood rooted where they were as their eyes transfixed themselves on the horizon.
nIn their view, a massive wall of sand slowly approached them. It felt as if an avalanche was approaching them in a form of formless mass.
nSoon it enveloped them.
nInside the storm, extremely high winds lifted the sand particles into the air, unleashing a turbulent, suffocating cloud that reduced the visibility of everyone inside of it to almost nothing in a matter of seconds.
n-khhhhhhh
nApart from the raging sound of the wind, only the static sound of the radio could be heard.
n...
n
"Ahhhhhhh!
"
nStaring at my arm which was bent at a weird angle, I screamed in pain. It felt as if a wave of electricity has coursed through my body. Excruciating.
n
"Now, now, we are only just beginning, don't disappear on me already
"
nGrinning evilly, Baron of Everblood licked his lips as he looked down on my body which was sprawled on the ground.
nStaring at his expression that seemed to take enormous pleasure at my suffering, I hatefully glared in his direction.
nPreviously, when I was attacking him, I wasn't just blindly attacking him. I knew since the beginning that his body was immortal. That was because his body was actually fake. It was merely a part of his real body that could endlessly regenerate. Had he not done that, then he would've never been able to enter an F rank dungeon.
nWhen I was attacking him, I was looking for his weakness, the core.
nEverything in the world had a weakness. Even the strongest being in the world had a weakness, the demon king wasn't an exception. This was just the law of the world. Unless you were a god, no perfect being existed.
nBecause this wasn't Baron of Everblood's main body, his main weakness was a core that was used to operate his body. I knew exactly what his weakness was, yet I faced a new problem, I didn't know where it was.
nI tried stabbing his body in multiple places, but it was to no avail as it always regenerated within seconds.
n...and now that my sword was out of my reach, I lost all hope in defeating Baron of Everblood.
n
"What shall we break next
"
n..Hm?
nSuddenly, as I was in the midst of despair, like a shining ray of hope. I saw a small cut on the demon's arm.
nPreviously when I had cut the demon's arm off, I watched him regrow it in an instant, but looking at it now it seems like it had not fully healed as a small scar remained.
n-Crack
n
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
"
nBefore I could rejoice, I felt the bones in my leg getting crushed causing me to scream in pain.
nRelishing my pained expression, Baron of Everblood laughed loudly.
n
"Hahahaha, scream more!
"
n-Crack!
n
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!
"
nAlone in an empty castle, a demon laughed, whilst a human screamed in pain as the demon broke his legs. But unbeknown to the Demon, with each scream the human slowly approaching a shiny metal sword that laid on the floor.
n...
n
"Alpha team respond, Alpha team!
"
n-Khhhhhhh
nStaring at the screen that had turned black, Thomas quickly picked up the radio and tried to communicate with the Alpha team members but it was to no avail as all he heard was the static sound of the radio.
n-Bam!
n
"Shit!
"
nSlamming his fist on the table, Thomas's hands rested on the table as he frantically thought of solutions. Time was tight, he needed to quickly think of solutions. The more time passed, the bigger the likelihood of the alpha team being in danger increased.
nIf he could've he would've already dived into the dungeon himself, but because he was too strong he couldn't, less he wanted to risk killing everyone that was within the dungeon...
nPacing around the room as he frantically called different numbers, Thomas suddenly heard an excited shout next to him.
n
"Sir, we're getting a signal!
"
nQuickly arriving next to the individual who had shouted, Thomas quickly took the radio from his hands and spoke.
n
"Alpha team do you copy―Alpha team do you copy?
"
n-Alpha team responding, we've found a survivor preparing first aid.
n...
nInside of a dark enclosed space, a demon sat crossed-legged as a frown appeared on his face.
n
"...mh? is this it?
"
nThrough the vision of his clone, Baron of Everblood stared at the lifeless corpse on the floor. He shook his head in disappointment.
nIt seemed like his new toy no longer worked.
n-Shing!
n
"...huh?
"
nJust as he was about to end it, Baron of Everblood suddenly lost control of his clone's body as it slowly started disintegrating on the ground.
nLooking to his right, his clone's arm, he could see a sword stabbing straight into it, exactly where the core was located.
nBlankly staring at the now disappearing arm, Baron of Everblood looked up and saw the bloodthirsty expression of the young human who he was about to kill.
n
"Wait for me...
"
n-Vuaa!
nThose were the last words he heard before he felt his connection with the puppet disappear.
n...
nAs black ambers filled the air, the demon's body disappeared from my view.
n-Clank!
nDropping the sword in my hand, I felt all my remaining energy drain from my body. Soon my body started twitching on the ground, and blood started dropping in the ground.
n
"Ah...is this how I die?
"
n...Hm?
nWhat's this?
nTouching my cheeks I could feel drops of water falling down from the corner of my eyes. Slowly tears started staining my face
n...Was I crying?
nWhy was I crying?
nI had already died once, why was I crying over such an insignificant matter?
n'I am such a pussy'
nhow could a grown man like me cry? Pathetic.
nLooking around, I could only lay on the floor pathetically as the floor became dyed in red. Slowly as the pool of blood around me expanded, vague recollections of my past life started resurfacing.
nAt first, my life was great...I had a warm family that loved me soo much. I was happy then. Too bad you only realize how much you cherished something until you no longer had it...
nSince then my life had never been the same. I worked hard. I truly did.
n...But all I got in return was a pathetic life where I would lifelessly be typing at my keyboard away. Every day was a struggle. My weight, my health, my job, my mental health―I was suffering so much.
nThen...I was suddenly transported into my own novel.
nA new beginning. A new start. I thought that maybe, just maybe I could use this chance to re-do my life. I did everything I could so that I could at least be happy. Was asking for a bit of happiness too much?
n...I don't want to die.
nMy vision slowly became darker and darker...
nMy body slowly turned cold, and I could feel my breath become thinner by the second.
nSlowly as my vision started to disappear I could faintly hear the sound of rushed footsteps coming my way.
n...was my mind playing tricks on me?
nWell, it didn't matter as my brain slowly lost its ability to think.
n
"...We've found..survivor...prep...aid
"
nThose were the last words I heard before I was enveloped in darkness.
n