Yoshino Aruven continued on his way towards the innermost parts of the dungeon.
Since he was unable to fully recover his SP during his quick rest, he now has to properly manage the number of times when he would activate his skill. He would only use [Scanner] when arriving at critical turns.
Heck, on second thought, why was he bothering to use the non-combat skill anyway?
He was already quite sure that the monsters within the inner parts were following him. They were just keeping their distance.
Perhaps some of them might be wondering how long will this puny prey last.
Nonetheless he chose to continue on using the skill from time to time. This was because he was trying to save face at the very least.
Who knows, maybe such struggles could keep them entertained.
An hour has passed as he walked further.
" Strange. Why are they still not attacking me?"
Yoshino dared to mumble this time. He was expecting some of those creatures to pounce at him after hearing the noise.
No such thing occurred though.
"?!"
Yoshino was now confused. What was happening here exactly?
No matter the reason was, he decided to continue on his way.
Another 30 minutes had passed and Yoshino finally reached the innermost parts of the dungeon.
He stumbled upon a large room which was half the size of a basketball court. Four corridors were connected to its four sides.
Two of those were from the inner part of the dungeon while the remaining two leads to the innermost parts.
Naturally Yoshino had emerged from one of the latter.
"Scan."
He activated his skill when he reached the center of the room. He was surprised with what he found out after the effect resolved.
"A battle had occurred here."
Yoshino declared. He further observed his surroundings.
Residual amounts of foreign energy signatures had been detected within the room. But in the naked eye the condition of the room was similar to the condition of the corridors. Undisturbed.
It was common for powerful battles to cause damages on the walls and the floor. The use of strong skills can cause cracks and dents even to this particularly special dungeon.
However no such thing was present at the room. Even the traces that should have been caused by the monster could not be found here.
Add that to the fact that the residual energy signatures came from humans.
"Humans who are significantly stronger that they could one-sidedly slaughter the monsters here. In such an efficient way that the poor creatures left nothing behind."
Yoshino pondered. This would signify that the humans in question not only have a high cultivation realm. They would also have excellent control of their skills.
"The Trogan Militia is here."
He concluded.
In fact, he was considering this possibility when no monster had pounced on him so far. This could be a more plausible reason than monsters giving pity on him. But he still hoped in the back of his mind that this was not the case.
The proof of battle here proved otherwise.
This meant that it would only be a matter of time before the Trogans sweep through the dungeon and discover his clue.
Yoshino anxiously walked towards the two adjacent corridors. They were the two that will lead to the innermost parts.
Scan. Scan.
He used his skill on each entrances. He was just trying to make sure that his familiarization of the dungeon was indeed correct.
He received another surprise though when the effect resolved.
" Interesting. They went the other way?"
Were they really going for something else inside the dungeon? But that should not be possible because there were no other treasures left inside this dungeon.
Or perhaps they had already found the clue and was just exploring the other way. But then again that should not be possible.
A dungeon in [Roku Shiki Online] disappears once it is cleared. The conditions to clearing it was:
1. The dungeon is fully explored.
2. The dungeon monster boss have been defeated.
3. All of the treasures within the dungeon have been claimed.
Once all of these requirements are achieved. The dungeon would lose its purpose and will be absorbed back into the dimensional rift.
And this mechanic carried over when the world transmigrated.
However the pioneering Guilds of that time had devised a way to exploit this ruling.
There are times when the environment inside a dungeon could be fit to enable some natural resources to replenish through time.
The Guilds opted to not let these location to disappear so that they could continuously 'farm' the resources inside.
There is problem here though. This particular dungeon does not belong to that special category.
This place has already been cleared years ago. The only thing left to do here is to claim the final treasure. Or rather 'read' the treasure for this instance.
Although one could argue that the mob monsters here could also be considered as a farmable resource. They could reproduce despite the loss of their boss. Certainly the ecosystem here should be sustainable.
Unfortunately the would-be profits here could never compare to the 'farms' that the leading Guilds are maintaining.
And the Trogan Militia was one of these leading powers. Technically, they have no need for this place.
"So why is the dungeon still here? Heck, why are the Trogans still here?"
If they had figured out the requirements of the clue, they should have already contacted their specialists on analyzing this kind of enigma.
And with the estimated power level of their deployed force, they should have finished their exploration hours ago.
"So what is happening here exactly?"
Yoshino was further confused. The call of curiosity was compelling him to follow the Trogans and figure out the truth.
Then he took a step forward.
He chose to take the corridor that leads to the clue.
"Enough of these side tracks already! I have been hassled all day. I have no more time to be a busybody."
Yoshino Aruven decided to set his priorities straight.
***
After walking through the innermost part for 45 minutes, Yoshino finally FINALLY reached his target.
"Haha, it really does make wonders when you put your mind onto something."
Yoshino smiled. He was now standing in front of a wall. This was a dead-end along the corridors.
But this particular wall is the entire clue he was reaching for all this time.
"Let's crack this open already. Scan!"
He excitedly activated his analysis-type skill.
Then the effect resolved.
There was no reaction.
…
…
…Huh?
What?
Yoshino could not believe the result. Perhaps he made a mistake on the activation. Hence he used his skill again.
Scan!
No reaction.
Scan! Scan! SCAAANNNN!!!
No reaction. No reaction. NO REAACTIOOON!
"T-this cannot be…"
Yoshino dropped on knees. He felt weak all of a sudden. As if all of the efforts and hardships he put through this past two years weighed down on him all in one go.
Yoshino felt despair.
"What have I been doing all this time?!"
He slammed his clenched fist down the floor. His vision was starting to blur due to the tears forming in his eyes.
Slamming his fist down the concrete was indeed painful.
Yes.
He should just keep on telling that to himself.