[Chapter 226]
[Black Dungeon (4)]
A floor requiring the dedication of specific people.
If specific people show a spirit of self-sacrifice as if truly giving their lives, many people can survive.
As a result, the conquest team repeatedly faced the choice of sacrificing the few for the many.
"Save everyone we can save. That's the conquest team's policy."
The conquest difficulty kept increasing.
The conquest team's morale gradually dropped.
Each time, they inwardly wanted to demand sacrifice from specific people.
The desire to be even a little more comfortable subtly tempted them.
But Eun-ha overcame the temptation.
Whenever he felt his resolve weakening, he loudly proclaimed to the conquest team.
This too is a scheme of the black dungeon.
To reduce the conquest team's forces, make them demand sacrifices from each other, and on top of that, lower morale.
We have to save those we can save.
On the 20th floor, the dedication of Rangers, Navigators, and Telepaths was required.
On the 21st floor, the dedication of Dealers, Hunters, and Guardians was required.
And on the 22nd floor, the sacrifice of Supporters and Casters was needed.
A similar flow continued afterwards.
If the conquest team had used them as sacrifices to advance to the next floor, they could have preserved their physical strength and power.
But forcing sacrifices was likely to not only break the conquest team's unity, but also drop their morale to rock bottom.
Moreover, the conquest team's goal was conquest, not survival.
They couldn't make short-sighted choices for the sake of avoiding immediate crisis.
Their strength was absolutely necessary to defeat the boss waiting in the deepest part.
[Only 20 people died on this floor! Now 346 people remain? Hmm, 346 out of 532... The survival rate is about 65%. More people survived than we expected. That sword of yours, was it called the Dawn Sword? Some people were revived because of that sword too.]
Thus the conquest team was able to come down to the 27th floor by working together.
The survival rate to the 27th floor was 65%.
It was a higher number compared to before regression.
As Eun-ha remembered, in his previous life it wasn't even close to reaching 30%.
Nevertheless, the conquest team had gloomy expressions at the words that only 346 people survived out of the large-scale forces invested.
On top of that, they didn't know how many more would die until reaching the 30th floor.
What would happen after that?
Could they who survived in a devastated state really kill the boss in the deepest part?
They didn't say it out loud, but they were greatly despairing in their hearts.
Still, they had to move forward.
There was no choice but to move forward.
[24 hours have passed! I'll start the 27th floor mission now! The specific people whose dedication is required on the 27th floor could be said to be those with fast legs.]
""""...."""
In such a situation.
The dungeon guide pressed those who had stepped into despair even further down.
Only 24 hours of rest time.
People who couldn't fully recover from fatigue had to face the conquest again.
The 27th floor... That place.
And this 27th floor.
It's where Jin Pa-rang died before regression.
☆
The 27th floor mission began.
With the dungeon guide's declaration, the area rapidly transformed.
The conquest team was placed at the center of a world formed in a straight line.
And rocky mountains sprang up on their left, centered on them.
Rattle
Crack
A ravine was created on the left.
Goblins with rifles slung over their shoulders came out of the rocky mountains that sprang up.
They took positions in the area, aiming between the ravines.
They looked ready to shoot as soon as someone crossed the ravine.
Whoosh!
Crackle!
There were changes on the right side too.
A bumpy, stretching road.
That road was enveloped in flames, lightning, and all sorts of magic.
It seemed impossible to pass through with bare bodies.
[I'll let you know that magic can't be used on the 27th floor. The 27th floor mission is really simple. You just need to run on the road on the right and go down to the 28th floor. But it will be hard to run because of the magic blocking the road, right? You can't use magic either.]
The dungeon guide giggled.
The conquest team waited for the next words.
They now knew well after coming down to the 27th floor that easy floors didn't exist.
[But there is a way to release the magic blocking that road. There's a device that releases the magic on the left road. Now, look at the end of that road.]
""""...."""
[You see the red button attached to the wall? When you press that button, the magic blocking the road is temporarily released. But before pressing that button, you have to pass through while receiving the goblins' checks. After somehow pressing the button like that, if the person who pressed the button wants to survive too, they have to run avoiding the goblins' checks again and go down to the 28th floor. Oh, right. It's no use killing those goblins. They revive as much as they're eliminated.]
So rather than thinking of killing the goblins, it's better to run while taking fewer hits from the goblins' guns or avoiding attacks if possible.
The conquest team members frowned hearing the dungeon guide's words.
[You should get the idea by now, right? That's why I said it's a floor requiring the dedication of people with fast legs. If someone stays there continuously pressing the button prepared to die, the rest of the people could comfortably go down to the 28th floor, right? Minimize sacrifice, maximize survival. Isn't this the situation you want now?]
""""...."""
[A mission where you can save the maximum number of people by sending just one person to that button! You could say it's a freebie. Ah, black dungeon! How generous!]
The dungeon guide spread its arms.
The fairy inside the sphere of light scattered light particles in that state.
The conquest team didn't respond.
They just sent gazes to people with authority to command the conquest team, including Eun-ha.
"Sigh..."
Eun-ha sighed.
He looked around at the people nearby.
Among them, he found Jin Pa-rang.
His eyes met Jin Pa-rang's.
"Hyung, can you do it?"
"Do what? Die? Or come back after pressing the button?"
"..."
In his previous life.
Jin Pa-rang ran down the left road to press the button, joining forces with some Eins.
On a floor where magic couldn't be used.
Jin Pa-rang, who could transform into a wolf with his gift, reached the button alone.
Then he pressed the button, allowing the conquest team to advance to the 28th floor.
And when they had all passed the magic-blocked road.
Jin Pa-rang ran down the road to complete the 27th floor mission.
As a result─
─Hyung didn't make it through.
While running down the right road.
The button's effect disappeared.
Jin Pa-rang was swallowed by magic.
That's how he met his death.
So Eun-ha asked if he was willing to take the risk in this life too.
Then Jin Pa-rang answered in a tone that didn't show any sense of crisis.
"Don't worry. Don't you know I'm Jin Pa-rang? I'll break through that measly road, so wait for me on the 28th floor."
"...I'll believe you. Only you can do it."
"Alright."
It's something only Jin Pa-rang can do.
That's why Eun-ha had no choice but to ask him despite knowing it was dangerous.
Jin Pa-rang nonchalantly accepted the mission that required risking his life.
He really was an idiot.
☆
The conquest team split into two.
The conquest team in charge of the left road mostly consisted of people with fast legs.
There were also Guardians to block attacks so they could safely pass the left road, and Rangers to check the goblins.
Jin Pa-rang, Kang Si-hyeong, Hoshimiya Kaede, and Avenir belonged to that unit.
Their number was about 50.
Their expressions were solemn.
Jin Pa-rang stood at the very front among them, staring at the button.
Eventually─
[─Let's go!!]
Jin Pa-rang signaled the conquest team.
People with the same mission as him shouted battle cries.
As they stepped onto the left road, the goblins immediately opened fire.
"I'll block attacks as much as possible, so don't look back and run!"
Kang Si-hyeong shouted.
Although magic couldn't be used, they could infuse mana into weapons.
Kang Si-hyeong made his shield large and tried to block the goblins' attacks.
Other Guardians also spread their shields wide, covering the conquest team's heads.
Rangers hid their bodies inside the shields and intercepted the goblins.
They focused on trying to make them unable to attack rather than killing them if possible.
"First with fists."
Avenir was among them too.
He brought his two fists together and drew out mana from inside his body.
The flowing mana enveloped his body, making his skin hard.
Gift
Avenir who inherited Bruno's gift strengthened by the influence of Julieta's gift.
He could make his body as hard as metal, and furthermore had the power to reconstruct his skin with carbon influenced by Julieta's gift.
Carbon could create near infinite forms by combining with other elements through the number of electrons atoms possess.
For example, he could use his gift to make his body into diamond combined with carbon.
It was the same now.
Gift
- Diamond Skin
His skin gleamed with light emitted by diamond.
Avenir himself drew the monsters' gazes, and didn't budge even when attacked.
He truly rampaged through the battlefield.
Gift
Mode: Blade Wolf
Meanwhile, Jin Pa-rang ran without receiving the Guardians' protection.
In an instant, his body was covered in fur that deflected the shower of bullets.
He transformed into a giant wolf, gaining defense that could even deflect swords.
Now physical attacks without magic imbued were no threat to him.
Jin Pa-rang raised his sharp fur to block attacks.
He ran with all his might like that.
Faster, faster, faster...!!
How many of the conquest team survived.
That was entirely up to him.
He finally passed the end of the ravine and reached where the button was.
The goblins' bullets didn't reach here.
Jin Pa-rang pressed the red button hard with his body.
[The button has been pressed! The magic covering the right road is temporarily released!]
At that moment, the dungeon guide appeared.
It flew around Jin Pa-rang and spoke to the entire conquest team.
Immediately, conquest team members waiting at the midpoint started running down the magic-free road.
Jin Pa-rang could see people like dots turning their backs and running away in droves.
[Kang Si-hyeong! Ho! You guys run quickly too! I'll keep pressing the button, so you hurry back too!]
Meanwhile, people with the same role as Jin Pa-rang couldn't escape the ravine.
They died one after another.
Jin Pa-rang sent telepathy.
"We'll go ahead and wait, so make sure you come back!!"
Gift
Kang Si-hyeong put strength in his voice and conveyed to Jin Pa-rang in the distance.
Jin Pa-rang responded with telepathy.
Only then did the hesitating Hoshimiya Kaede and Kang Si-hyeong turn their backs on the ravine, taking the survivors with them.
Jin Pa-rang watched them escape the ravine and run towards the road to the 28th floor.
[I express admiration for your dedication! It must have been hard to accept death, how amazing.]
The dungeon guide praised to this.
No matter how foolish Jin Pa-rang was, he wasn't unaware that mockery was mixed in the dungeon guide's remarks.
He snorted.
[What are you saying? I'm going to live and go.]
[I wonder about that. That should be impossible.]
The dungeon guide tilted its head.
Its reaction was skeptical.
It couldn't be helped.
Thinking common-sensically─
[─No matter how fast you are, the magic will reactivate when you're about halfway down the right road. What do you think will happen then? Even if you can defend against physical attacks, can you really defend against magic attacks too?]
There was a limit to Jin Pa-rang's speed in a situation where magic couldn't be used.
Even if he runs desperately, he'll be devoured by magic midway.
The dungeon guide enlightened him as if telling him to face reality.
[Foolish wolf. I'll tell you how you can live longer. Just live on this floor. It's quite comfortable and nice. Since there are only goblins like that for monsters, they won't be a threat to you.]
[What, are you scouting me?]
[To speak in your knowledge, yes, you could call it scouting. Accept the power of the black dungeon and live as an existence of the dungeon. Live like that and return to the black dungeon's embrace when you die.]
[...]
[It's not a bad proposal. You won't be able to defeat us waiting in the deepest part anyway. Instead of trying to die horribly and be assimilated into the black dungeon, live here and be assimilated after dying comfortably. Isn't it a pretty good proposal?]
The dungeon guide proposed.
Realistically, it was a good option.
Realistically, that is.
Jin Pa-rang moved his huge body hearing the dungeon guide's words.
[Hey, dungeon guide.]
[Yes. What is it?]
[What's the point of dying like that?]
[Living long is good, right?]
[You're funny.]
[...]
[Do you know what it means to live?]
It was laughable.
The sight of a will without even a living body urging to live cowardly while saying that's the best.
Jin Pa-rang found it ridiculous.
People live in reality.
But ironically, what makes that person live in reality is precisely ideals without form.
Goals, ideals, future, etc.
People live holding onto something.
[But you're telling me to live quietly and die quietly? How is that different from dying? What's fun about that?]
[...So? Are you saying you'll stupidly try even knowing you'll die?]
The dungeon guide's tone lowered.
It was upset at being ridiculed by Jin Pa-rang.
Nevertheless, Jin Pa-rang didn't care.
Just then, Hoshimiya Kaede and Kang Si-hyeong led the conquest team members past the road.
Jin Pa-rang put strength in his toes.
[How foolish. Is your head made of stone? Why are you doing this knowing you'll die?]
[Because I'm foolish.]
[...]
[I don't know complicated things well. But I do know this one thing well. That Noh Eun-ha and Pandora Clan accepted someone like me.]
To return alive.
He promised Noh Eun-ha.
Also, he didn't forget the reason for trying to conquer the black dungeon.
To save Noh Eun-ah.
Both Noh Eun-ha and Noh Eun-ah.
They were like family to him who was abandoned in the slums as soon as he was born.
[If I was afraid of dying, I wouldn't have entered this dungeon.]
Jin Pa-rang bared his fangs.
At that moment, he jumped off the cliff.
I don't know how much time I have.
So I'll just run with all my might.
[Don't interfere and get lost!!]
Hundreds of goblins.
They aimed to kill Jin Pa-rang.
Jin Pa-rang roared.
The incessant rain of bullets lowered his defense.
Eventually a few bullets pierced his body.
Nevertheless, Jin Pa-rang ran forward without hesitation.
He escapes the ravine.
Without even taking a breath, he recklessly plunges into the right road.
[Not much time left now! You're going to die now.]
The dungeon guide chased from the side.
Jin Pa-rang didn't bother answering the dungeon guide's mockery.
He just ran towards the people waiting for him up ahead.
Just a little, faster...!
He had no intention of dying here.
He would live long and die.
He promised Grandmother.
He promised Noh Eun-ha.
He promised Kim Mary.
He promised other people.
He didn't want to break his promises.
Unlike when he lived in the slums, many people now wished for him not to die.
He who used to receive no attention was now receiving attention from many people.
Reasons why he shouldn't die here?
He could answer endlessly.
That's why─
[─Too bad! Time has passed and the sealed magic activates! You're a dead man now!!]
Even if the world is covered in flames and enveloped in lightning.
Even if targeted by all sorts of magic.
Jin Pa-rang didn't give up.
Come at me all you want.
Jin Pa-rang gritted his teeth and roared.
[Give up! You're finished!]
The principles of Blade Wolf can't block magic.
Hot, cold, stinging, painful.
His feet are enveloped in flames, burning.
They're trying to melt like liquid.
By that point, Jin Pa-rang's consciousness started drifting away.
Damn, this isn't good...
His speed gradually slows.
It feels like a hole has opened somewhere in his body.
There was no time to look back.
His eardrums melted and he finally lost his hearing.
His eyes were hot.
It felt like even those would melt.
Just a little more running...
Is he running properly now?
There was no sensation of moving his body.
His consciousness floats up.
Consciousness on the border between life and death.
Finally his consciousness was about to be swallowed by magic and reduced to the black dungeon.
It was right then.
[Get a hold of yourself! Release your gift!]
Jin Seo-na's telepathy.
Jin Pa-rang's mind snapped awake.
He desperately clings to consciousness.
He glared at what was beyond.
Darkness, darkness, darkness.
His eyes had already melted.
Nevertheless, he ran.
He released his gift without doubt as the telepathy instructed.
He's left defenseless in a space where magic runs rampant.
At that moment─
─Grrrr!!
Screech!!
A phoenix with three pairs of wings.
And a snow-white liger.
They jumped in from the opposite side.
They immediately spread mana to adjust their power after jumping into the magic.
The phoenix neutralizes the flames, the liger neutralizes the lightning.
Then the liger immediately bites Jin Pa-rang and escapes the magic.
[Wow, amazing. I didn't think you'd come out like this.]
The phoenix protects the liger and Jin Pa-rang with its body.
The magic targets the phoenix directly.
The phoenix finally meets death.
Screech...
But the phoenix doesn't die.
The scattered flames gather to form an egg.
The liger snatched the egg with blue chains wrapped around its body.
And so finally, they escaped the road.
[Congratulations. You've completed the 27th floor. Number of deaths: 0.]
In a deflated tone.
The dungeon guide offered congratulations.