[Chapter 226]
[Black Dungeon (5)]
Jin Pa-rang had become stronger than before regression.
Nevertheless, there was a limit to the power humans could exert in a situation where magic couldn't be used.
Realistically thinking, it would be difficult for the foolish hyung to pass the road in time.
Eun-ha couldn't be at ease.
The 27th floor requiring Jin Pa-rang's dedication.
But he couldn't just rely on Jin Pa-rang.
Rather than just earnestly waiting for Jin Pa-rang to return alive, he had to do his best to save him too.
So─
"─I'm counting on you, guys." "Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pupu!"
"Kang!"
Eun-ha asked the familiars.
This life was different from the previous one.
In this life, there were familiars.
They could exert some power even without using magic.
Screech!
Grrrr!
The familiars responded to Eun-ha's wish.
Buldak didn't hesitate to face annihilation and took attacks in Jin Pa-rang's place.
Meanwhile, Kang bit Jin Pa-rang and escaped the road.
Grrrr
After escaping the road.
Kang put Jin Pa-rang down.
Kang, who had returned to the size of Eun-ha's forearm, crouched down.
Even though Buldak had protected from attacks, the injuries were serious.
"U-bi noona, treat Kang!" "Got it! Fortunately the injuries are minor so I should be able to treat them with my gift!"
Eun-ha expressed gratitude to Kang.
Then he had Yeo U-bi treat Kang.
But there were limits to treatment in a place where magic couldn't be used.
"U-bi noona, take Kang and go down to the next floor first."
For smooth treatment.
Eun-ha sent down clan members who hadn't gone down to the 28th floor.
The problem was Jin Pa-rang.
"Iriya, how's Pa-rang hyung's condition?" "...It's difficult."
Eun-ha approached Jin Pa-rang.
Iriya's expression was dark.
Jin Pa-rang's condition was that serious.
Jin Pa-rang who had lost consciousness and collapsed was dangling his arms and legs.
His whole body was burned black.
His eyes had melted and stuck together from the heat, and his nose had even disappeared completely.
The appearance of breathing through his mouth didn't look very good either.
Jin Pa-rang was in a state where it wouldn't be strange if he stopped breathing at any moment.
"We need to move him to the 28th floor immediately. There's a limit to treatment here right now."
It was absolutely not a level that could be treated with potions.
Iriya expressed her opinion as a representative.
The people gathered around had looks saying they would move Jin Pa-rang to the 28th floor as soon as Eun-ha's order dropped.
"Tell me honestly. Can you treat him if we go to the lower floor and use magic? How long do you think treatment will take?"
"That's..."
Iriya trailed off.
It meant it would take more than a day to treat Jin Pa-rang.
Then Jin Pa-rang would have to perform the 28th floor mission while receiving treatment.
"There's no answer but elixir, right?"
"...Yes, that's right."
Pandora Clan had obtained various skill stones while coming down to the 27th floor.
Among them were skill stones related to healing magic.
But it seemed Jin Pa-rang couldn't be treated without elixir.
Conveniently, Pandora Clan was keeping one elixir.
It was the last remaining elixir they had been saving.
"Use the elixir on Pa-rang hyung. Right here right now since we won't have time to go down."
"...Alright. I'll do that."
Iriya didn't voice any objections.
She reached into her bag.
She took out the elixir and administered it to Jin Pa-rang.
It was fortunate his mouth hadn't completely fused shut.
If his mouth had completely fused shut, it would have been difficult to make him take the elixir.
Whoosh!
The elixir reacted immediately.
Jin Pa-rang's body was enveloped in light.
The elixir that seeped into his body now acts to create the most ideal body.
"We used the elixir so the major crisis is averted. His condition isn't very good, and there's a possibility of mana runaway since we're using elixir in the dungeon... But he should be fine."
"Let's have a few people take turns keeping watch as guards."
"But Eun-ha, the problem is..."
"I know that too." "..."
"That's why I decided to feed it here."
Cha Eun-woo couldn't erase her worry even after using the elixir.
Elixir is a miraculous medicine that reacts sensitively depending on the environment.
When using elixir, any factors that could contaminate the treatment target's body even slightly had to be excluded.
Especially things related to mana.
So using elixir in a dungeon where mana energy was very rough wasn't a very good choice.
Moreover, the time needed to reconstruct the body with elixir had to be considered.
At least a day would be needed.
"How long do you think it will take?" "Judging by Pa-rang oppa's condition, it will probably take about 3 days unless something special happens."
But the minimum time needed to treat Jin Pa-rang was 3 days.
If they tried to conquer the dungeon in that state, Jin Pa-rang's treatment could end in failure.
That's why Eun-ha decided to stay on the 27th floor to treat him.
[Everyone! What are you doing not going down!? If you're going to rest, go down to the 28th floor and rest!]
Compared to the 28th floor.
The 27th floor had a somewhat better mana environment.
It was a more suitable environment for treating Jin Pa-rang.
Moreover, if they stayed here─
─The 28th floor mission won't be able to start.
It was a kind of trick.
If they went down to the 28th floor and demanded rest, the dungeon guide would only give a day's time.
So they decided to endure without going down to the next floor.
The 27th floor was already completed.
It could be said to have become a safe area as long as there was no threat from monsters.
"Dungeon guide."
[What!]
"We'll go down to the lower floor after that hyung is fully healed. So don't be noisy and stay quiet. Or go down to the 28th floor and convey a message to the people who went ahead."
[You're going to use tricks like this?]
"There's nothing we can't do. There are only 3 floors left now, 2 floors excluding the deepest part, so why don't you show some flexibility."
[...Fine. We generous ones will let it slide. Know that this won't happen again next time.]
In the previous life.
So Eun-ha used his memories from before regression to persuade the dungeon guide.
[One week! Know that I'll start the mission focusing on people on the 28th floor after one week passes!]
The dungeon guide left those words and disappeared.
Eun-ha breathed a sigh of relief.
Other people were the same.
Fortunately.
With this we can buy time for Buldak to revive too.
Eun-ha sent a few people down to the 28th floor as messengers.
There was a possibility the dungeon guide hadn't conveyed to the people who went down first.
Meanwhile, he found Buldak's egg that Jin Seo-na had been protecting.
"I'm sorry for making you sacrifice like this. But if it wasn't for you, we couldn't have saved the foolish hyung. Thank you."
Eun-ha infused mana into the egg.
After a week passes, Buldak will be born in a stronger state.
And it will take out its anger on Eun-ha who caused its death.
Still, Eun-ha was glad.
☆
A week of rest was given.
Jin Pa-rang regained consciousness and started moving his body from the 5th day.
"I feel like I could fight right now! I feel stronger than before!"
Jin Pa-rang checked his body and said to the clan members.
"No. Just rest comfortably since you never know. And it's not just you being treated, you know?"
Cha Eun-woo demanded absolute rest.
Then she scolded him.
As she said, the conquest team was able to get a long rest for once.
So people on the 27th and 28th floors were resting comfortably.
"You need to rest 2 more days. There's not much time left until we meet the boss monster. Save up your strength."
"Tch, fine."
Eun-ha also intended to let the conquest team members rest comfortably until the dungeon guide appeared and pressed them.
Jin Pa-rang clicked his tongue in regret.
"Hey, but I think I evolved?"
"Evolved? What evolution?"
"When I used mana for the first time in a while earlier, lightning came out?" "What are you saying?"
Then Jin Pa-rang spouted nonsense.
Eun-ha tilted his head.
Then he manifested internal mana and showed it himself.
Crackle!
Mana that couldn't be made into magic changed into blue electricity for a moment.
"..."
"How about it? Cool, right?"
"Did you gain
"My gift doesn't seem to have changed though? I tried transforming my hand with
"Then did you just acquire the principle?"
Eun-ha fell into thought.
Before using the elixir, Jin Pa-rang had been driven to the brink of death pierced by magic including lightning and fire.
Meanwhile, he had also received protection from lightning while riding on Kang's back.
In that state, when the elixir was used, the elixir may have created a body familiar with lightning while creating an ideal body.
As far as I know, that didn't happen.
Well, elixir hasn't been completely elucidated.
It's hard to objectify since the ideal body is different for each person.
It wasn't a bad thing.
Rather, it was a good thing.
Meanwhile, Jin Pa-rang activated his gift while wrapping his body in lightning.
Gift
Mode: Blade Wolf
Jin Pa-rang transformed into a giant wolf.
He was wrapped in blue electricity.
Looking closely, his dark blue fur seemed to have lightened somewhat compared to before.
[Oh, this is really good?]
"Should I think of it as a degraded version of
Eun-ha evaluated Jin Pa-rang who was excitedly running around.
Jin Pa-rang's power upgrade was clearly positive for the conquest team.
Such an alias naturally came to mind.
"
If they conquer the black dungeon.
The conquest team will achieve a world first and be called by new aliases.
Eun-ha decided to give Jin Pa-rang the alias
It was intuitive and fit perfectly.
I should think about it after getting out of the black dungeon...
Only 3 floors left.
It wasn't much to worry about for Eun-ha who had overcome all the floors where Mist Flower party members died before regression.
If anything, only the black dungeon boss waiting in the deepest part.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha intended to definitely defeat it no matter what.
Let's rest well for that too.
2 days of rest period remaining.
Eun-ha decided to rest well.
"─Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pupu!"
"Did you rest well?"
"Pupu pupu!"
And that day, Buldak was born breaking out of its egg.
As Eun-ha expected, he was scolded by Buldak.
Buldak pecked him with its beak.
He apologized saying he was sorry while closely observing Buldak's changes.
This one's appearance changed a bit too.
...It got stronger.
The tips of Buldak's wings were black.
Eun-ha could tell through their bond that Buldak's power had strengthened.
Whoosh!
Buldak created flames.
Flames mixed with crimson and jet black.
Eun-ha was satisfied seeing the flames.
"Was darkness attribute added?"
"Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pupu!"
"Wow, you turned evil well."
Buldak asks to be praised.
Eun-ha giggled.
"You evolved into a pitch-black fire chicken!? Should we call you jjajang fire chicken now?"
"Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pupu!" "Don't encourage the kid. Why give such a weird name?" "Pupu."
Ariel examined Buldak's changes and squealed.
Buldak responded too.
Of course, Eun-ha rejected it.
Buldak was enough as Buldak.
☆
A week passed.
The dungeon guide revealed itself in midair when the designated time came.
[Now, now! Hurry and go down!]
The dungeon guide urged.
People on the 27th floor went down to the lower floor.
People meeting after a week could have an emotional reunion.
"Kang!"
"Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pupu!"
"Kang, you were doing well too?"
Kang looked healthy at a glance.
Eun-ha stroked Kang's head.
[I'll start the 28th floor mission!]
But the emotional reunion was brief.
The conquest team had to immediately perform the 28th floor mission.
They quickly adapted to the situation after hearing the mission contents in advance and faced the pouring monsters.
A floor requiring the dedication of Dealers.
─Ignis Cross
Eun-ha gifted compressed mana slashes to the endlessly appearing monsters.
Magic with flames, lightning, and darkness added incinerated the monsters.
Is it because darkness attribute was added?
It's good that status effects are added too.
Flames imbued with darkness attribute didn't fall off easily once they caught fire.
Monsters that caught fire fell into mental confusion as time passed and repeatedly failed attacks.
It didn't have a dramatic effect but he was satisfied enough.
If there was leeway, I'd use tactics maximizing the advantages of darkness attribute...
It's regrettable I can't do that.
Eun-ha put aside regrets and continued swinging his sword.
[That one is strong. I'll block its magic with my power, and for attacks...]
"I know."
Monsters each with power of 3rd rank or higher.
Eun-ha faced the monster with the strongest power among them.
The Twilight Sword gave appropriate advice.
Myth Manifestation
Revival
When the conquest team's damage became severe, Eun-ha manifested myth.
The 28th floor mission was to find a door hidden somewhere on the floor while Dealers faced monsters.
Eun-ha manifested myth to reduce the number of monsters and buy time.
[You've succeeded in conquering the 28th floor!]
Thanks to that, the conquest team was able to complete the 28th floor mission with minimal damage.
☆
Time passed again.
The conquest team finally conquered the 29th floor and had only the 30th floor left.
[331 survivors. I sincerely congratulate you who have reached here with a 62% survival rate! Wow! Amazing! Even we didn't expect over half to reach the deepest part.]
The dungeon guide chattered noisily.
It flew to the iron door leading to the 30th floor.
[But no matter how many of you survived, it becomes meaningless from now on. Why? Because you'll all die.]
"You're funny!"
"Shut up!"
[This will be the last time you speak to me like that too. That's how strong we waiting below are. Now, we've set it so you can open the 30th floor with your own hands. As a meaning of entering the abyss with your own feet.]
It had a terrible sense of humor.
The conquest team members frowned.
The dungeon guide snickered.
[The moment you open the door and enter, the abyss will see you. Even you who never succumbed to fear while reaching here will inevitably feel terror before the abyss.]
""""...."""
[You've made a big mistake. If you had been steeped in fear, you would have met a somewhat comfortable death. Since you weren't, we'll grant you cruel happiness...]
"Enough."
[...]
"Now just get lost."
It wasn't pleasant at all.
Eun-ha cut off its words.
Then he grabbed it.
[L-Let go of this!! Do you know what you're doing...]
"Thanks for guiding us this far."
The dungeon guide's role was over.
Eun-ha squeezed his hand holding it.
[Kyaaaaargh!!!!!]
The dungeon guide screamed.
Eun-ha ignored it and squeezed harder, finally bursting it.
[You'll regret...]
"What's the point of trying to scare us now? We've already come down to the deepest part."
""""...."""
The dungeon guide couldn't finish its words and disappeared into mana particles.
Eun-ha chuckled.
The conquest team members were dumbfounded.
Then the clan members burst into laughter.
"Noh Eun-ha did a Noh Eun-ha."
"Noh Eun-ha's personality."
"He really isn't afraid of anything, is he? Is that why we followed him this far?"
Mok Min-ho, Bae Su-bin, Bong Gu-rae.
The three people spoke mockingly.
People's laughter grew louder.
Eun-ha shrugged hearing their words.
He turned back around.
He walked over to the iron door.
"Is everyone ready?"
There was no need to hear the answer.
The conquest team members responded with shouts.
Eun-ha nodded.
He put strength in his hands and pushed the heavy iron door.
"Let's go."
A space surrounded by pure white light.
Eun-ha stepped through the door.
The conquest team members followed behind him.
Pure white light envelops them.
They lose consciousness while moving through space.
And when they regained consciousness─
─Huh?
Three men entered Eun-ha's field of vision.
They whisper something with rough faces.
"Hyungnim, this bastard is smiling?"
"He must be having a good dream. Let's just rob his wallet like usual."
"Hehe, I wonder how much this guy has?"