Chapter 69
【Guidelines for Intruders】
1. Dreamland is a newborn dungeon even the Blessed avoid. You have only half a day to escape without an escape scroll. Escape the dungeon right now.
2. This dungeon cannot be cleared.
3. If you were forcibly dragged here, removing the person who dragged you here rather than trying to clear the dungeon will increase your chances of survival.
4. So far, Dreamland has harmed no one except 'intruders to the dungeon.' Please cooperate so that it can continue to do so.
5. Only deep nightmares lie ahead. If you chose to attempt a clear even after reading these guidelines, I sincerely regret it.
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6th Expedition.
Dungeon Expedition, Day 1.
Dragred swallowed a groan as he stared at the poster on the bulletin board.
It was no mere bluff.
The fact that they had gained nothing so far was proof of that.
Seventy-five people had died.
Even so, they hadn't brought back a single piece of information.
What this situation meant was simple.
Entering Dreamland was no different from committing suicide.
At first, the atmosphere had been good.
They had solved the cause of the mana storm, cut off the Dungeon Master's head, and become nobles.
Everyone had been excited and looking forward to a brilliant future, but.
To put it bluntly, even if they were promised the throne, it would mean nothing if they died.
Even that death had been completely meaningless.
They had sacrificed seventy-five people and still hadn't advanced.
This situation itself was bound to completely destroy their morale.
"What the hell is this……."
"It means get out if you don't want to die. That's all."
Dragred frowned.
Even so, they had no choice but to move forward.
They couldn't return to the domain empty-handed.
The count would definitely hold Dragred responsible as the person in charge of the expedition.
They had to obtain information somehow and return with it.
"Why did the commanders die without using their escape scrolls?"
Aide Railo suddenly spoke.
"He repeatedly urged them not to overdo it and to come back, so honestly, I can't understand it. The escape scroll wouldn't disappear just because the commander died. Even if they were caught in an unavoidable instant-death trap, the soldiers could have used it and gotten out, couldn't they? I heard some dwarves survived in situations like that."
That was something Dragred also wondered about.
Why hadn't the expedition used its escape scrolls?
He stroked his chin.
"For now, according to the guide, we've confirmed that escape scrolls can be used as far as the elevator and, at least, in Zone 1."
They had written down the information and returned.
If so, that meant escape scrolls could be used within that zone.
"Using detection magic, I found that Dreamland extends to Zone 4. So there's a high chance that Zones 2, 3, and 4 have a gimmick preventing the use of escape scrolls, isn't there?"
Railo blinked.
"You can't use escape scrolls…… Is that really possible?"
"From the moment a 'fake' with power identical to mine appears, you have to throw common sense away. Lady Aboralis said so. This place is filled with incomprehensible things."
"Then did everyone clear Zone 1 and move on to Zone 2?"
Dragred shook his head.
He was certain that wasn't the case.
The Zone 1 guide Aboralis had provided was incomplete.
There was a clear difference when compared to the elevator guide.
It was the absence of a 'solution.'
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「The fake sinisterly tries to kill the raider. You must distinguish the fake and kill it.」
「You must never go out into a corridor without lights.」
「The maze fills with water as time passes, putting you at risk of drowning.」
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He meant the last part.
Leaving aside all the information manipulation, wasn't the description of the maze inadequate?
In other words, the exact part about 'how to clear it' was missing.
The other parts clearly existed, though.
In other words.
This information had not been fully uncovered.
If Railo's opinion were right, there would have been no reason for the expedition's commander to move on to Zone 2.
There was clearly information they could bring back from Zone 1 as well.
"I think that elevator can send people not only to Zone 1, but to other zones too…"
Railo was convinced.
It felt as if Dreamland's outline, which had been shrouded in darkness until now, was gradually taking shape.
"Don't write it in the log yet."
"Ah, yes."
"We need to verify it before writing it down."
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The group arrived in front of the elevator.
This was a place that could be called the true beginning of Dreamland.
Dragred thought.
As expected, the most efficient method was to station the command post in front of the elevator.
At least here, they could use escape scrolls.
Communication magic would let them grasp the situation inside, if only roughly.
In any case, the important thing was getting the information outside.
'Looks like I'm using these guys as sacrifices.'
Clearing Dreamland in one go was impossible.
He looked at the frightened soldiers.
They had been prepared for this from the beginning.
He had brought them along with exactly that intention.
Railo and Dragred had escape scrolls.
The fact that the soldiers didn't was proof of that.
What was the point of worrying about it now?
Sacrifices were inevitable if they wanted to achieve their goal.
Dragred opened his mouth.
"Railo and I can use communication magic, so we'll stay here. From now on, you board the elevator and investigate Dreamland as quickly as possible."
"A-Among ourselves…?"
The soldiers hesitated.
They had somehow followed him as far as the dungeon, but the news that the most dependable knight and the dragon would be staying behind seemed to sap their will.
"W-We don't want to……."
One of the soldiers trembled as he refused.
"W-We came here after suppressing our fear for the sake of the North Kingdom's future. O-Of course, we're very interested in titles and mana stones too. We think this dungeon should disappear for the sake of our future. B-But we didn't come here to die in place of Sir Railo and Lord Dragred……!"
"Th-That's right! How can just us go in? Come with us!"
"As vassals of Wolfhaufen, please set an example first! Then we'll follow without complaint!"
Dragred clicked his tongue.
This wasn't an atmosphere where words would get through to them.
Maybe it would have been different if this were their first time.
But they had entered the dungeon only after countless people had already died.
'I suppose this was only natural.'
It was just as flames began to rise from Dragred's palm.
"If you don't want to die……."
"I'll go with them."
Railo grabbed Dragred's wrist.
He seriously shook his head.
"Railo."
"The soldiers are right. There should certainly be someone to set an example. As a knight of Wolfhaufen, I will protect the soldiers."
He smiled.
As if soothing the anxious soldiers, he gently patted their shoulders.
"Everyone, there shouldn't be a problem now, right?"
"……."
Dragred honestly didn't want to do it.
A knight was a valuable resource.
Moreover, Railo currently held the important position of Dragred's aide.
Was he really supposed to send him in to soothe the soldiers in a place where swords were useless?
"Fine, for now."
"Thank you. Everyone, come on, let's go."
Only then did the soldiers look relieved.
"Th-Then I'll go in first."
"All right. The things to watch out for in the elevator are……"
The soldier who had first voiced his dissatisfaction entered the elevator.
Dragred exchanged communications with the soldier while writing in the log.
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-W-We have entered the next zone. The password is 534. I-I see a maze!
"The password is 534. Everyone, go in."
Eight people had entered, including himself.
Since Dragred had decided to guard the entrance, that left seven people to explore.
The soldiers entered.
Everyone moved into the maze.
For now, this was reassuring.
They could distinguish whether the guide's information was true or false.
Dragred temporarily turned off the communication magic.
He spoke to Railo, who was about to board the elevator.
"Are you really going?"
In the white corridor, Railo stopped walking for a moment.
Then he remained silent, as if deep in thought.
"Thank you for thinking of me as important, but what I said before was sincere. As a knight of Wolfhaufen, I have a duty to set an example for the soldiers. So please let me go."
He seemed to have already made up his mind.
He had probably been thinking about what to say to Dragred.
"When it's dangerous, don't hesitate to use your escape scroll."
"Understood. I can use communication magic too, so I'll stay connected to you for now, Lord Dragred."
He entered the elevator.
-L-Lord Dragred. When will Sir Railo arrive at the maze?
"Soon. Wait a little."
-U-Understood…….
Right.
Escape scrolls could be used freely in the maze.
I was a little worried, but.
If it was the maze, it should be all right to send him there.
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But.
Dragred's greatest mistake was thinking everything would proceed smoothly.
-L-Lord Dragred. I-I can't see the soldiers.
-I-Is this the Academy……?
-A faceless student suddenly appeared and is asking us to hand over our belongings.
-We handed them over for now.
-……So this is why escape scrolls can't be used here.
Dragred's expression curdled.
He immediately used detection magic.
A shocking result appeared.
Railo was alone, isolated in Zone 2.
What on earth had happened?
"……."
His head spun.
He hadn't imagined that the elevator's spawn location could change in real time.
-W-We will wait here until Sir Railo arrives…….
-So this is Zone 2. It's a very difficult situation, but we'll continue the investigation. Please explain things well to the soldiers.
The 6th Expedition had faced the worst possible situation from the very beginning.
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-Lord Dragred! When on earth is Sir Railo coming!
-You fucking bastard! You fucking piece of shit! That's not what you said! You fucking bastard!
-You really saw us as tools! You don't even treat us like people, do you!?
-Fuck, fuck, fuck, if you have any conscience, come here right now!
-We didn't come here to die in your place!
-Answeransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweransweranswer!
"Calm down for now. Railo didn't break his promise. But an accident occurred."
Dragred calmly explained the situation.
He told them exactly what had happened, but the soldiers, convinced they had been deceived, refused to believe him.
-You expect us to calm down!? You think we'll naively believe that!? Fuck, I'm the idiot who trusted a bastard like you and came in here.
"I know this is hard to believe. But what I said is the truth. We weren't trying to deceive you……"
-Even if we find out anything, I won't give it to you, so disconnect right now and fuck off, you bastard!
The atmosphere refused to calm down.
The same conversation kept circling around and around like the hands of a clock.
"Fuck."
Irritation welled up.
His patience ran out at some point, and Dragred's expression twisted like crumpled paper.
"For fuck's sake, calm down, you fucking bastard. I'm so fucking confused trying to figure out what's happening too, so shut that fucking mouth."
For the first time in a very long while, Dragred roared.
Boiling anger overflowed beyond his control.
"Railo boarded the elevator. He boarded it! If you're that suspicious, use detection magic to check, or—ah, fuck, you're worthless trash who can't use magic, huh? Fuck, then what do we do? How am I supposed to hammer the truth into that fucking stupid head of yours? Huh? Please, could you tell me!?"
-…….
When Dragred snapped, the soldier fell silent.
Silence continued for quite some time afterward.
Railo also seemed to realize that the situation was bad.
He, too, fell silent.
"Fuck."
Dragred trembled his fist as he restrained his emotions.
There was no point in getting angry in this situation.
Now was clearly the time to move forward.
He persuaded the soldiers in a gentle voice, as if soothing a child.
"I'm truly sorry that things turned out this way. Yes. To be blunt, someone has to shoulder the danger in this dungeon. But that doesn't mean I want you to die."
-…….
"I'll support you as much as possible through communication. Railo is in Zone 2 right now. If we share the information we've each uncovered in our respective zones, wouldn't there be hope even in this shitty dungeon?"
-Phew…….
-U-Understood…….
It was a relief.
The situation calmed down.
The soldiers began investigating Zone 1.
-They said our belongings are being stored in the staff room. Should we search the staff room first? It's difficult since all our food and water were confiscated.
-We hear a song at regular intervals. It rings at forty- and ten-minute intervals. The hallway is shrouded in darkness for forty minutes... I experimented with a desk, and it seems we'd die if we were in the hallway then.
-There's a clock on the wall. We can use it to check the time.
Railo also continued investigating Zone 2.
This was actually better.
They could gather information on two zones at once.
It would weigh heavily on Railo's shoulders, though.
Even so, hope existed.
Dragred wrote in the log at the entrance.
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-S-Someone is approaching…….
Dragred put down his pen.
Had the fake described in the guide appeared?
"Can you distinguish it from the real one?"
-I-It doesn't look like the fake in the guide, but just like a human, and no matter how I think about it, it doesn't feel like a minion or trap, so uh, uh, uh, uhhh, uhhuhuhuh……!
-A-Aaaaaah, aaaaah, aaaaaah, aaaaaaaaaaaah!
The soldier began screaming.
Only fear remained in his voice.
Dragred's head went cold in an instant.
Cold sweat streamed down his back.
"Hey, what's happening!"
Dragred shouted forcefully.
Even so, his voice didn't reach the terrified soldier.
-Save me save me I'm sorry I'm sorry I was wrong!!
-I won't ever enter the dungeon again I swear I won't ever enter again please I beg you I was so foolish aaaaaaaaaaaaah, aaaaaaaaaah.
Snap.
The communication was cut off.
Was it a new trap, or a minion?
What on earth had happened in Zone 1?
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"Fuck…."
Dragred realized.
Why seventy-five people had died without them advancing.
It wasn't a minion or a trap that had killed the soldiers.
Thinking about it, the logic was very simple.
There was a Dungeon Master in the dungeon.
And that bastard could move more freely than anyone else.
He knew that all too well.
No—he had no choice but to know, since he was the Dungeon Master's creation.
Dreamland had an entity behind these bizarre phenomena.
The ruler of the incomprehensible freak phenomena that couldn't even be destroyed.
He had understood this far too late.
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-Lord Dragred?
A voice calling Dragred back to his senses reached him.
All the soldiers were dead.
Even so, Railo was continuing his investigation alone.
He hadn't given up.
He continued transmitting the facts he had uncovered through communication magic.
"…Continue the investigation. Be careful not to die."
-Yes.
The pen that had stopped began to move.
He wrote down the information Railo had given him.
Dragred thought.
The Dungeon Master had revealed himself.
To execute the intruders investigating the information.
But a question arose.
Railo, continuing his investigation at the school, and Dragred, recording information at the entrance.
No matter how much time passed, these two never encountered the Dungeon Master.
"Perhaps……."
The empty puzzle pieces gradually began to fit together.
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-I'm about to die. There's a teacher at the school. He sometimes comes in during class and conducts incomprehensible lessons, and the teacher asks questions, and if you can't answer, your body breaks, but I've received so many warnings that maybe aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Snap.
The communication was cut off.
"So that's what it was, that's what it was."
Dreamland was a dungeon where swords and magic were useless.
That was why Aboralis's guide advised sending ordinary people in headfirst, but.
That wasn't it.
It was because of the Dungeon Master.
Dreamland's Dungeon Master could move freely.
He roamed the dungeon freely and killed intruders.
But.
He wasn't strong enough to kill Railo and Dragred.
The reason was simple.
If he could have killed us.
He would have killed us right then.
Dragred wrote down information about the Dungeon Master.
And the information about Zone 2.
The Dungeon Master was the target that most needed to be eliminated.
The fact that they were still alive proved that his guess was correct.
"A small elite force was the answer."
People with an unwavering determination to clear the dungeon.
People with enough power to be too strong for the Dungeon Master to touch.
And with people of sound judgment, they could surely clear Dreamland.
There was an answer.
And Dragred had found it during this expedition.
He scribbled like an excited man.
He looked extremely happy as he wrote down the information.
After writing down the final piece of information, Dragred closed the log.
At last, he had obtained a proper result.
It was a satisfying result.
But.
When he touched the corners of his mouth, which had turned upward, Dragred's expression hardened.
"What the hell am I so happy about?"
A satisfying result?
Even though he had sacrificed countless soldiers and Railo.
All he had found was a way to advance.
And he was grinning over that.
"Have I gone insane or something…."
Dragred stared at the elevator.
It had been a very long time since he had felt this way.
How should he put it?
The moment he solved the mystery of this dungeon.
Dragred felt an indescribable emotion.
Things he couldn't understand were revealed as truth.
The moment a path forward opened, Dreamland changed from an indistinct terror into an unknown place.
His heart pounded.
It probably wasn't moving solely because of fear.
"Next time……."
He used his escape scroll without hesitation.