Volume 8 : CHAPTER – 3 : SHRINE OF MALICE (1)

I was ready to set out at that moment to the dungeon myself. But Regis and Hana insisted to tag along with me.

As for Arya, she was adamant that we wait and make necessary arrangements before going to the dungeon.

“I would have loved to join you as well, but my presence is needed here to see that the new reforms are enforced properly.” Arya was as usual working hard with the treaty to abolish slavery.

“You have already helped a lot to pinpoint the place for us,” I said.

“You can’t leave without making proper preparations for a dungeon exploration. You need to have a map, supplies, and food if you are going for a long trip. And you will also need to get a pass from the adventurer’s guild to enter. If you give me a little more time I would put out an immediate request for it.”

“We won’t need a pass. I am just going to take a quick look and come back.” I did not want to delay this trip any further.

From there, Arya took charge of planning everything out for us, and we scheduled the trip for the following day. Since neither Regis nor I knew much about exploration, and Hana was just a child. Arya taught us about the essential items we would need, such as a tent, potions, food, and sleeping gear.

Not like I would need any of that. But because, I too wanted for once to explore like a true adventurer, and Regis was enthusiastic about it, so we agreed to Arya's plan.

I decided to spend more time in the library that day. While Regis self-volunteered to go to the town to gather all the supplies we needed.

“Master can I accompany Regis, I am sure there will be lots of things which I can help her to carry.” It was unusual for Hana to make a first-hand request.

“Sure, you can come along.” Regis was also eager to get a set of extra helping hands as well.

While I too thought, Hana’s unnatural strength can be used for this specific job.

“Hana, why don’t we continue reading books? The more you know the more fun you can have. And there are a lot of interesting books here.” Frantically, I grabbed a book at random from the shelf and hastily placed it in front of Hana.

It was titled “The Annals of the Stark Kingdom: Unraveling the Mysteries of Magic in Ancient Times.”

Upon glimpsing the title, Hana's face contorted in apparent distaste.

“But I can’t I also learn by going outside as well?” Hana looked puzzled. Maybe I finally got her attention to it.

“Listen Hana, knowledge is like chocolate chips in a cookie. It's what makes life so much enjoyable!”

Even though it’s just a history book of magic, knowledge enriches existence. I am sure Hana cannot reject the temptation to read it now.

“But won’t that knowledge just get transferred to me instantly!” Hana spoke this time confidently.

What…? She didn’t fall even for my food gimmick. And I could then see Regis laughing her guts out on me.

“Bye, bye. Master.”

I waved back my hands at Hana with a heavy heart as she looked much happier going outside than spending time in the library.

‘⸻Why don’t they understand, it doesn’t enter your heart unless you read it yourself!’

I got back to reading in this free time as I did not know exactly when we would be hitting the road or I would again get a golden chance like this.

The records back at home were all 200 hundred years old so I also needed to catch up with two hundred years’ worth of history.

…

As soon as we woke up the next morning, we were ready to leave.

Arya had prepared for us a personal carriage to get us there quickly. But we would still have to travel for some time on foot because the carriage won’t be able to pass through the deep ravines beyond which the dungeon had manifested.

Past the ravines, it was a complete wasteland. The fertile land which had an abundance of crops growing suddenly diminished to short shrubs and swamps. The air was musty and stale, and the only sounds were the faint dripping of water and the rustle of leaves.

Due to the legends surrounding its supposed curse, no one came near it. And the locals had already started calling it ⸺“The Dungeon of Malice.”

Soon the entrance of the dungeon was now within our sight and we hurried to get a closer look. Our expectations were met with a foreboding sight.

The entrance to the dungeon was carved into the side of a steep cliff and was flanked by tall pillars. The dungeon itself was made of dark, ominous stone, with deep crevices and cracks running throughout the walls.

The magic particles leaking from inside were unreasonably dense.

I gulped with uncertainty as my skin tingled like in the dream I saw. It was again happening to me because of the authority title I hold over labyrinths and dungeons which I got after clearing the Tathya labyrinth.

The dungeon loomed large, its entrance beckoning me to move forward and go inside.

This isn’t like me getting nervous over a dungeon all out in the boonies. On second thought, maybe it is….

That’s right. I have conquered the toughest dungeon which nobody has. This should be a breeze.

Giving a nod to each other we stepped inside. The air grew colder and the light dims.

Our eyes adjusted to the dim light as we got inside the inner dimension of the dungeon. It was so quick that a normal person wouldn’t even realize, but we were just now cut off from the outside world.

The dungeon was much more expansive from the inside.

“Regis is this your first experience with a dungeon exploration?” I asked intrigued just to make sure. As for Hana, it goes without saying.

“Yes,” Regis said.

“That’s great…”

“…What??”

“Nothing, are you scared?” I continued my interrogation with Regis.

“A little bit,” Regis said intimidated by the dampness of the place.

Now was the time, when I could finally give out some awesome advice and show Regis I am the expert here.

“If you're ever feeling lost in the dungeon, just follow the direction where you find all the monsters and ominous noises. It's like a GPS for evil lairs." It was the best advice I could offer to anyone because it was the only thing that prevented me from getting lost in the labyrinth.

“So, you are asking me to run towards danger with eyes closed. Why do you always need to be so inscrutable!” Regis gives me an unbelievable look.

Is she that shocked?

“Don’t misinterpret my words…” I frowned.

“… Watch out!” Regis suddenly pulled out her bow from the dimensional ring and fired a magic arrow at the top roof.

A monster resembling a reptile fell from the top. Regis got it before it could make a jump on us.

“Well, I guess you need to be alert as well.” I laughed to cover my clumsiness.

The rest of the journey continued without me doing anything. Regis’s magic arrows were strong enough to take down any monster even before it got near us. Hana took care of the monsters on the land with a single punch.

I wondered to what extent the Doctor had amplified her strength. In return, the recoil she suffered on her hands was instantly erased even before she could feel the pain.

Why do I feel like I am being completely useless here? Let’s say I am just keeping an eye on them for a while, being an expert here. I just hope the dungeon doesn’t end without me even lifting a finger.

We were clearing floors without any setbacks or accidents. Regis’s senses were able to keep up with the ferocity of monsters inside the dungeon and she could also handle their numbers by maintaining a fixed distance from them.

Especially her destructive wind magic completely destroyed her enemy even if it was just a scratch.

As we headed to a lower floor after Regis blew away an entire army of Scalefiends and cleared a way for us.

“Regis, did you hear that too?” I asked hearing some sort of explosion ahead of us.

“Do you think there is someone else besides us down here? Should we hide from them?” Since our plan was to not be seen by anyone. I was confident we could take cover anytime in the dungeon.

“It’s too late. They have already noticed us.” There was no point in hiding. With my Spidey senses, I was able to tell that they were already aware of our presence.

I just hope that they are some adventurers, I wouldn’t want to deal with someone difficult. And it wouldn’t be polite if we try to hide now as it would send a bad message.

“Who are you?” A powerful voice echoed from the front, far in the distance. From the tone, it was clear that he had no idea about the number of people in our group. But whoever they are…, they are good.

***

“I can’t believe the Guild Master would request us to complete such a simple job.” A man in complete metal gray armor and a muscular body reinforced with magic complains as he drops his heavy shield on a Skullspike monster.

The shield crushes through its hard skull and smashes its brain.

At the same time at the center of a raging firestorm close by, obliterating a pack of serpentoids in one move was a woman dressed in deep crimson and gold. She wore a gauntlet on her left hand etched with intricate runes that glowed with an ominous light. She crackled with raw energy, eager to unleash the flames that smoldered within her.

“Isn’t it an underpaid and overqualified job for the top members of the number one clan in the middle-west!” The female attack fire mage was consumed with frustration and was determined to vent it on every monster that crossed her path.

“But there were reports that many adventurers had gone missing even if it is not an advanced level dungeon. We just could not sit around and let it happen.” A man wielding a red glowing sword as it flickered in the air and carves through the bodies of monsters.

He was a magic swordsman wearing a black cloak with intricate silver stitching and carried a sword that glimmered with a fantastical light. Under the cloak, he wore a red shirt and was also laced with small pointed handy weapons. His eyes sparkled with a sharp intelligence that suggested he was as much a strategist as a fighter.

“Isn’t that just what you wanted to do team leader? Someone right for the job would have eventually cleared it.” The women fire mage replied.

“Don’t be so hard. You know a request directly made from a guild master cannot be denied.” Another young woman standing at the back spoke nervously.

Her robes were a soft shade of green and she held a magic staff that radiated a calming aura. Her gentle expression and kind demeanor belied the immense power she wielded to mend and restore.

“Just keep your mouth shut.” The woman with fiery fire magic was still not ready to take a ‘no’ for an answer.

“Yes, Mam. Just let me know if anyone of you gets hurt.”

Fortunately, the party cleared the whole level without getting a single bruise.

And just then the team leader of the party sensed something from behind, he looks back and the other members too become suspicious and stayed quiet.

Since, whatever happens in the dungeon is the responsibility of that person, it was always wise to be careful.

“Who’s there? Show yourself.” The team leader calls out.

“…Hello.” A group of three girls steps forward from the shadow of the entrance of the floor.

“⸻Eh?” The adventurer party in return could not help but squeal in surprise.

Since they could only sense two people, there were actually three of them.

They could see three young girls, a red-haired elf girl, a younger maid, and an odd girl dressed in white with a mask covering the upper part of her face.

“Who are you?”

***

“I am Regis.”

“My name is Hana.”

“I am Alicia.”

We introduced ourselves one by one and by the look of the group they were adventurers. But their stats were too good to be just some ordinary adventurers.

“Are you three adventurers, don’t you know this dungeon is off-limits because of the recent accidents here.” The magic swordsman asked.

“No, we are not adventurers.” Since I was also the one who insisted on no paperwork and got caught. I tried to be responsible for it.

“So do you have any special permission to enter this dungeon?” The swordsman asked just in case.

“…No.” At this point in time, I was totally ashamed of myself. The worst that could happen was we would be fined or at the least asked to leave the dungeon.

The swordsman thought for a while and their group backed off for a while to discuss.

‘What should we do here? Are these kids fine?’

I see no problem. What’s your assessment of their Leafa?’

‘The elf girl has immense magical power and so does the little maid. But I am still not quite sure about the girl in the mask, you know you cannot feel any kind of magic from her. Its like she is not even here.’

‘Well, that settles it. We can’t just leave them alone here.’

The discussion continued for a bit longer.

Neither of us knew what to expect. And then the magic swordsman came to us followed by his teammates.

“It’s alright. We have decided that you will be with us while we guard you. We have come down a long way to send you back up alone and it will be a waste of time if we went with you. We are strong enough to protect you and clear this dungeon. So don’t worry.”

“Is it really alright?” the man was being more generous than we could ever imagine.

“Of course. My name is Galen. This is our fire mage, Asher.” The swordsman beckoned to the woman with light red hair.

“He is Thorne, our shield and knight.” The obvious pick was the man in full body armor.

“And she is our healer, Leafa.” The healer looked surprised by her own introduction.

“We are the Heartland Clan and I am the clan leader.”

This was the end of introductions and while I do admire this person for the kindness he was showing to us. Isn’t it too rude if they still stare at us with suspicion?

“That’s odd… usually people would go ballistic on hearing that name.” the fire woman Asher came close to us.

“Is it something we should have known?” I chuckled hoping she will stop staring.

“Seems like they are really not of here. At least that’s one less of a hassle.” The fire mage finally let us off the hook.

“While we clear all the floors you will need to stay behind Leafa’s barrier. And don’t interfere with our work or try to do something dangerous. Did you understand? And is everyone all right with it.” The team leader Galen asked turning to his teammates.

“I have no problem with these kids. They look safe to me.” The shield man Thorne gave his approval.

“I will protect them with all I have got.” The healer Leafa still sounded the least confident among all of us there.

“So, now we have to babysit as well along with this boring job.” The fire mage Asher sighed.

“Don’t worry about her. Miss Asher too wants to look after you and was the first to suggest to not leave you alone.” Leafa whispered to us.

“Leafa, shouldn’t you also focus on keeping an eye here,” Asher said turning around.

“Yes, Mam... They are back. This would be the last wave of monsters on this floor.”

“Do you remember what you have to do?” Galen asked us again as he drew his sword.

First, it appeared like any ordinary sword and then it was enshrouded in a red shimmering aura.

“Yes.” The three of us said in unison and did as we were told.

Regis and I did not like how we were being treated as kids who needed baby sitting. But we had no other choice and could not help in return.

But only after a minute, we realized that they were pros and our help was not required. Their teamwork, efficient use of skills, and magic were all accounted for and calculated.

They had been thorough with their strategy even before entering this dungeon.

And no matter how overwhelming the swarm of monsters looked, no matter their size or special attacks.

All of them were either incinerated by fire mage Asher’s firestorm magic. Thorne drew the monster’s attention away. And Galen controlled the whole field by chipping through the monster’s frontline.

“Hana, are you thinking what I am thinking?” Regis poked Hana.

“Are you hungry too Regis? I am hungry.” Hana was already feeling restless.

“The monsters Hana and you had been fighting till now were just leftovers,” I responded to Regis’s thoughts.

Now that I think about it Regis and Hana had it pretty easy because this group killed all the monsters and what Regis and Hana were fighting were just strays.

But at least now I am not the only one feeling useless.

And there is still one extra…

Regis, Hana, and I…. could not help but look at Miss Leafa who just stood there like us.

“I am just a healer and I am new to this group. I am still practicing to fit in the combo…. Don’t give me that ⸻’it’s ok’ look.” Leafa shrieked and was embarrassed.

.

This state of passiveness kept on for us for quite a number of floors.

“I think the next floor is the last. And the magic particle is quite stingy here too. I don’t like it.” The fire mage Asher spoke with a frustrated look.

“But isn’t it odd we found nothing suspicious or some kind of dangerous monster roaming the floors?”

“Maybe the disappearances were just deserters or rumors so that those bastards could later keep this dungeon to themselves. I could have put better use of my flames in a higher-level dungeon.” Asher spoke as she pressed her gauntlet hard.

“So far, it has been easy but our goal hasn’t changed. Now, let's conquer the final floor and go home and celebrate.” The team leader Galen announced.

According to Leafa, they had been clearing floors one after another without a single break and no one could have told that they ever showed any signs of tiredness.

The moment we entered the final floor, all of us were taken aback by a fearful presence but that only gripped us for a second when a shower of cold blue light hit us from above.

Coincidentally, all of us looked above and were struck with awe.

The walls were adorned with giant clusters of crystal blue Magitite Ore.

“They are so pretty.” Hana’s eyes sparked at the sight as she tried to leap up to get her hands on one of them. But she was too short to reach a height of 70 feet all by herself.

“Unbelievable.” Regis was also affected by the sight.

“Am I dreaming? I thought these crystals were ultra-rare.” Leafa almost dropped her staff in excitement.

But the silence from the remaining members including me was because we had realized what kind of havoc this beauty harbored with itself.

“Leafa this is no time to slack or rest. Prepare your strongest healing spells and you kids get behind her.” Asher warned.

She then snaps her left hand with the gauntlet and a small fiery spark floats over her hand. And with the other hand, she grabbed a potion from her side bag and started drinking from it as quickly as possible without realizing how awful the taste was.

Thorne had put the shield in his front and drew out his broad sword from behind him which he wasn’t even until then using.

Especially Galen who had already taken a fighting stance with his aura blade.

Leafa too followed what she was told without any questions and cast barrier magic around us.

Someone ignorant would have thought that the three of them had been sweating because Asher was preparing a powerful fire magic.

But the monster that dwelled on this floor was soon about to show up. Right now, it was just watching us from afar and measuring us like a predator.

And by the amount of Magitite crystals growing on the top, its power would be unfathomable.

The members of the adventurer party had been searching hard for the source of the mysterious magical energy emanating from deep within the dungeon.

And then from the twisted corridor, a black shadow approached. And till the time it got near us. We had to look up to measure its size almost half of the ceiling’s height.

A basilisk covered in shimmering black scales; needle eyed stared at us. To the extent, it might not have even considered us a threat.

The basilisk hissed, its eyes flashing with malevolent intelligence.

“What’s a calamity class monster boss monster doing in a newly born dungeon? It’s an irregularity, and we know very little of them.” Asher spoke with uncertainty still not believing what she saw. A fearful expression took the color away from her face.

Asher was a monster expert and in no way she could mistake the records depicting a giant basilisk with such a deep black shade. The intimidation it gave out almost gave a chill to everyone there.

“Galen, we shouldn’t fight this thing without the complete team. It would take at least three strong adventurer’s party like us to bring one down with all the difficulties.” Thorne strongly holds to his shield ready to block any movement.

Galen straightened his sword and shouted to his companions. "Stay back, everyone! Alright, let’s get this monster off our tail and make our escape.”

Galen lunged forward, his aura sword slicing through the air. The first serpent reared back, baring its fangs. Galen successfully dodged the attack and swung again, his blade glancing off the serpent's scales.

The basilisk moved too fast then he expected. Galen had to step back as well.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team sprang into action. Thorne casts a magic reinforcement spell on himself and lifts up his shield high. Leafa was also helping him with reinforcement magic.

With a thrust, he drops it on the ground. the earth in response shakes as he simultaneously casts earth magic. A streamlined crack grows from the point of the impact traveling all the way to the basilisk’s bottom.

The cracks widen and the basilisk for a brief moment gets stuck in it before it could try to get out.

But this was all the time Asher needed to wreak havoc with her fire magic. This time rather than using her magic on a large scale she focuses her fire magic at the basilisk, aiming at the exposed vulnerable underbelly.

At this time Galen again appeared from behind the basilisk and cross his blade sideways right where its body got burnt.

Almost succeeding in opening a huge wound and rendering it immobile.

“That’s it. Everyone move out.”

The team did not try to look back but when we turned back.

Two more shadows crept in from the dark vestiges of this mysterious dungeon The shadows circled around us, moving with a strange, fluid grace.

“This can’t be.” Leafa almost fell on her feet. The intimidation these monsters released was too much for her to handle.

But it was not like the other three members of her party were completely unaffected. Despite their experience, it was not an everyday sight to confront a calamity class monster. And now there were more than one.

Their legs almost gave way, as they stood motionless.

“How can there be two of them more in one place.” Asher was out of words.

“HISSSSSS…..” A voice from back caught their attention again and when we turned, the previous basilisk was fully healed.

Of course, what made them truly dangerous monsters besides their powerful skills and strong body was their self-regeneration ability.

While things still remained in a stalemate and Regis saw the party in confusion.

Galen brandishes his sword and takes a stance. He applies aura to his sword again.

“Get out of here while I try to catch their attention. Take away the kids and keep them safe.” Galen’s voice lacked any kind of hesitation. He truly meant what he said as he puts his life in danger.

“Don’t be stupid, there’s no way we can outrun them. We would have a better chance fighting them here.” Asher screams at Galen but her desperate eyes were enough to tell that this won’t go the way they want it to.

“Don’t worry.  I will be right behind you.” Galen said breathing heavily as he did everything in his power to not be overpowered even before the fight began.

By this time the three basilisks had grouped and they hissed at each other. It almost felt like they were conversing, which was unnatural for monsters.

“HISSSS….” One of the basilisks opens its mouth and loud supersonic sound waves strike right above the entrance. Debris and huge boulders of rocks now blocked the exit.

“It’s over” Leafa teared up.

While the remaining three were still undecided and stood idle not knowing what to do. Despite their massive experience, the sense of death was enough to kill a man even before it comes to him.

“Alicia we can’t just stand here. I am going to help them.” And when Regis turned to me to tell what she had decided I was gone from there.

“….Alicia,” Regis spoke loudly in surprise.

The group looks back to see what happened this time only to find the girl in the mask missing.

Hana was the only one not showing any surprise and looked in front. The others decided to follow her gaze and heard a loud screech from the basilisk at the center.

I had directly teleported myself to the top of the largest basilisk at the center.

Applying gravitation magic, I made the basilisk’s head a hundred times heavier.

I then gently tapped over it with my footwear which crushed its head to the floor bringing me back to the same level as others.

“If you stand there still, then you will die.”

***

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