"Hayst...why do I have to do this?"
I frowned out of displeasure.
I'm inside the dungeon right now and was carrying all my weapon and equipments along with me while traveling inside these caves and caverns. Earlier, teacher Rose requested that I should acquire materials like dungeon ores, monster shells and scales, mud spider silk, and shadow mantis's ink.
Most of those materials can be found in low level floors. So, I have to strive into this dungeon picking up those.
The dungeon... Is like a tomb. A tomb for the old ways, the old magic. The air is thick and stale, filled with the smell of decay and the echoes of forgotten battles. You can feel the whispers but you can't see where did it came from
A lingering sensation ran down to my spine, like a cold wind brushing against my skin. In the dungeon, you feel the power of the ancients thrumming in the stone and ores. It's a primal feeling, a raw and visceral experience.
It's a feeling that reminds me why I fight, why I keep pushing forward, even when the world seems to be pulling me back.
"This is such a pain..."
I continued to walk as I brag about the task that was given to me. With a dagger, a short sword, a shield, and some scrolls I might be able to reach the seventh floor easily.
I wish I bought Marcus or even Eliza with me... I mean...it would save me more time in collecting the materials. Though, why was Marcus so cautious abou Eliza? I wonder what happened to them in the pa-
Kssssssssshhhhhh!
But before I could finish the sentence I had in mind a sudden sound of hissing had reached my ears and my instinct forced my body to move on guard.
"Look's like here comes company."
The sound came from the holes in my right and in front. I saw brimming red eyes that looked like it's going to drag me onto the abyss.
"I'm still on the Third floor, I can handle monsters like these cannibal ants!"
I tightened the grip on the short sword I had on the right hand and the shield I had on the left hand and prepared for the outcomes.
"Now, come at me!"
I shouted with burning eyes filled with determination and a will to live.
The ands began running at full speed and coming rushing towards me bearing sharp fangs and legs.
I struck them off one by one while maintaining my defense and I'm pretty sure this'll take a while.
There where twenty-two of them in total and they surrounded me with nowhere left to run or escape.
"Damn these ant's, sure they're lacking in intelligence but could outnumber you in any moment."
One suddenly jumped on top of me with mouth wide open bearing it's fangs. I was able to deflect it's attack and sliced it's torso off with one clean cut. Purple colored blood sprayed around the area covering the ground. Some also spilled to my face and my clothes, it smells like stains from an old sword. A smell that stretches to your nostrils.
Then I reinforced my shield and my body to be immune in ant bites using my adaptability skill.
"Come on! Is that the best you got!"
I shouted laughing as adrenaline started taking over.
These ant's are dangerous, even if they're this weak they are still a threat and could potentially harm a lot of citizen during Dungeon Breaks.
I have to do something to make things quick.
I can't really think straight as of the moment and the only thing in my mind was surviving and killing. It's kill or be killed in this world after all. This is overwhelming though, I can't really brag anymore.
My fighting style focuses on agility and strength, that is why I brought a small shield, a short sword, and a dagger as an extra weapon.
I can use some magic I've learned like fire ball and lightning dash. But it'll burn me down easily because it consumes a lot of mana. Magic power to be precise.
When you fight inside, it's a different kind of fight. It's not about power or technology, it's about heart and will. It's about pushing yourself to the edge, to the point where you think you'll break, and then pushing just a little further.
Zing!
A slash of the short sword created a spark as it hits the Cannibal Ant's solid claws as I was holding it in mid air. The ant's bite was like a heavy blow, holding it feels like I'm pushing up a weight of a barrel.
"Next attack. From Behind!"
I predicted the attack that was supposed to be a vital strike.
It was another bite rushed from my blind spot but I defended it using my shield and thrusting the ant's head causing it to die immediately as it's blood spill.
Another lunches an attack from underground. Surprising me with another bite. But because of my skill activation the bite didn't damage me at all and it didn't hurt also.
I then perform a back flip with the ant still attached on me leg. I rotated in mid air and smashed the ant's body to the hard ground to make it let go. Cleave it's head off and then rushed moved on to another one.
I repeated the process until there was no enemy on sight.
Damn... This battle reminded me of my time with dad back in Eashten. I wish I could have trained with you more...
"Dad..."
I muttered.
Thirty minutes later I was able to wipe out all the cannibal ant's in my way. Their corpse laying on the ground is a sign of victory for me. Also, there aren't any monsters around yet...maybe they're still spawning? Well I should better get hurry and take out the loot.
"What a bummer."
I frowned.
I carefully dissected the ant's body parts and the only loots that I've got from them was their exoskeleton nothing more and nothing less.
"As expected from the upper floors, loots are really common."
Well, not that it matters. Because things like this are important for developing weapons. Although, dissecting these creatures is such a pain.
I also have few scrolls in here maybe I'll use it on the floor 6th and 7th
Those floors have rougher atmosphere and tougher monsters resonating after all.
I don't really know how long would it take for me to reach the 7th floor and complete this mission. But, I hope I don't ran out of equipment. It'll really be the end of me if these weapons break during the fight.
Krk.
"Huh?"
Suddenly another sound had echoed in the area. It's not the same sound as the cannibal ants do but rather a sound of something cracking. Like a wooden stick or knuckle cracking.
I don't know what it was but when I looked around something horrifying is up ahead.
"What the-"
***
What do I mostly see inside the dungeon?
Mostly, I see shadows. Shadows that shift and writhe, that whisper in the darkness. They're not like the shadows you see outside, the kind cast by the sun. These shadows are alive, they're hungry, they're filled with the dark magic of the dungeon.
Sometimes I see creatures, twisted and deformed by the dungeon's magic, things that were once men and women, but are now something else, something... less.They're fueled by hatred and rage, and they fight with a ferocity that belies their twisted forms. But there's more than just creatures and shadows.
There's a sense of history in the dungeon, of a past that was violent and brutal, of a magic that was used for both good and evil. There's a feeling of being watched, of being judged by unseen eyes.
It's a lonely place, the dungeon. But it's also a place where you can feel the echoes of a lost world, a world where magic was real, and where heroes walked the earth...
It's been two straight hours now since I and my team started scouting the area and we manage to reach the fifth floor. There was nothing in particular that would caught attention and become potential threat. We did encounter some monsters along the way though, they were just some weaker ones like Shadow mantis, Mud Spiders, Creepy crawlers and Cannibal ant's nothing much. It's easy to take care of them all and save us a lot of time.
"What do we do next Shizuoka-dono? The fifth floor seems to be cleared and there's nothing here either except Monsters and Ores."
A certain knight approached me and reported.
"We shall advance to the upper floors and bring news to the others later on."
"Noted!"
I shall prove to them that I am stronger than they think! As the vessel of the Katana Weapon. I will prove to them that I am a warrior worthy of their praise and become a dependent woman who'll my grandfather can be proud with.
I stared at a distance before me as I recalled a certain memories of the past.
"Grandpa! How are you so good at the sword?"
I was seven years old back then when I started admiring my grandfather's techniques on wielding the sword naively. He was one of the legendary thirteen weapon wielder. A true master on wielding a sword. He was the one who raised me when my parents abandoned me for nothing. So, for me he was a hero. I remembered it all, as if it all happened yesterday.
"It's like this Shizuoka dear, remember that a katana is the wielders soul and it reflects ones nature. A sharp edge doesn't mean it's strong and sturdy and a dull end doesn't mean it's weak and vulnerable. A sword's strength and durability relies on the users capability."
He said with a smile, stroking my head gently as he patted.
"What does that mean? I don't quite follow Grandpa."
"Haha, don't worry you will understand it one day. Because our bloodline is out of this world."
Grandpa was summoned here in this world by accident in his old days. He once became a knight and a Captain on his generation. He was branded Hero of the Weak or Defender of the Weak. He became a symbol of peace back in the day. I admired a lot of his stories and adventures when I was little. For me being with him is a bliss.
After I reached the age of nine years old. Grandpa died. Living me a note where he gave me all the permission to own this house, his dojo, amd his treasures including the Katana Weapon.
"Shizuoka, you are a very special child who's devoted and passionate. I hope you take care of the things that I have left in your care, whether or not you pursue the legacy of our clan I'm fine with it. As long as you're happy."
I wasn't able to find solace in his word because I'm still a childck then so I tried prioritizing my studies. Then my parents came back to me and was forceful to take what has untrusted to me. However I refused to grant what they wanted. So, they started neglecting me and branded as a demon who do not belong to them. They abandoned me once again.
When I reached twelve I decided to train and become a perfect vessel for the katana weapon. To continue my grandfather's legacy and to become a greater version of myself. I trained hard with the sword while continuing my studies bruises, wounds, and scars had covered my hands and legs. There are times when I wantedung to stop but, grandpa's presence always kept me motivated.
And so with all that, here I am now still striving to become better, proving my worth to everyone to make my grandfather proud. That is me and that is my Ideals.
And so, as we we're moving out of the fifth floor to the fourth floor one of the Knights spotted something up ahead. He used his binoculars to see it clearly but the Dungeon's caves and caverns are really dark to begin with. Because the only light source inside was the dim light of the crystals and the ores on the ground, walls and ceilings.
"Something is approaching! And it's fast!"
The sound of the ground rattling and the rumble sound that is approaching to them fills the air.
A silhouette appears and it looks like it was a horde of monsters consist with various species like cannibal ants, Creepy crawlers, giant toad, mud spider and shadow mantis.
"Prepare formation and e ready for battle!"
After sensing the dangers ahead I had raised my guard and prepared for the possible impact.
As the horde move closer and closer we started to get a clear view and then.
"Wait is that!?"
I was shocked on what I am seeing right now.
A boy with white hair, bright red eyes, with an all black clothing carrying a large bag is running desperately from the monsters. It was as if he was leading a race but with a twist he's not running for a trophy but for his life.
Many questions started popping into my head like. Who is this boy? How did he get here? What's going on? The hordes wasn't here before when we cleared the lower level? Why? It was endless. I was almost distracted by my inner thoughts when a knight shouted.
"Miss Shizuoka! We need orders!"
That Snapped me out.
"Huh! That's right!"
I then remembered the things I have to do.
"Let us advance! And cover up the boy! Let's save him while we can!"
"Roger!"
"The monsters are weak thus we have the upper hand!"
"Yeah you're right! And also we have miss Shizuoka on our side! One of the legendary weapon wielders we're unstoppable!"
"Don't let your guard down!"
"Understood!"
As we we're moving closer and closer to our objective the boy started shouting and weaving both of his hands on us.
".Un!...f.r....y...lives!"
We can't understand what he was trying to say at first but as we got closer and closer it started to be clearer.
"Run for your lives!"
The boy screamed shouted so desperately.
But the knights didn't stopped, instead they rush over me and started slaughtering the monsters ahead one by one. Blood spied everywhere and the sound of the guns and swords started filling the air.
The boy started bragging trying to make the knights stop and rather run for their lives instead.
But right after I arrived at the battle field.
Zap!
In an instance the heads of my subordinates flew up in mid air in a second. A flashing metalic tentacle like hand has stretches cleaving their head off along with the monsters.
Blood sprays as the brutal scene continued. The smell of the rusty metal stretches and filled my nostrils. It was from the blood of my comrades and the boy who survived the attack miraculous showered it all.
Now, the thought of being in the upper hand has left my mind. After seeing such terrible and horrific sight. Fear devoured me for the first time.
"What the hell..."
Shocked never left my body. My spine started chilling and the wind started to blow even more colder then I started shivering. It was a complete massacre.
Even the white haired boy wasn't able to move right after that attack. He falls down showered in the blood of my comrades. His eyes filled with horor and despair. As if he was swallowed by the guilt on what had happened. It was like he's blaming himself to what had happened since he brought that monster here.
"Look out!"
I shouted.
I sense another slashing attack from behind. But this time it was aimed to the boy.
I gripped my sword tight as I focus all my strengths to my leg. In a flashing instant I manage to reach and deflect the attack on time grabbed the boy and step aback.
As I gaze to where the mysterious attack came from a dark silhouette appeared on the scene. It was standing like a person but the shape of it's body is odd and somewhat unbelievable.
"What the hell is happening!?"
This is really alarming. I can't afford to die here since I also have to warn everyone about the dangers ahead. Should I retreat? No! I have to prove my worth! I have to become someone my grandfather can be proud of!
"Hey boy!" I tried calling him out but there's no respond. "Hey! Boy! Snap out of it!" I tried it multiple times but it still didn't work. He's too traumatized because of the horrific situation.
As the dark figure slowly approaching my choices are limited. I have to act fast or else we'll die here!
Another slashing attack strikes at me. I manage to catch the attack but it slips through my sword hitting my abdomen. It knocked me back sent me flying and smashed to the dungeon solid wall.
Ugk!
I caught up blood due to the strike and the impact of my land.
I fall to the ground as I received that blow. My lungs had tightened up I can't breath properly, my wound is open and I've lost quite a large amount of blood, I feel cold ad scared at the same time.
What should I... I I don't know... I'm severely wounded yet, I need to protect that boy.
At that moment the mysterious figure revealed itself.
Step, step, step
Slowly but surely it is revealing itself. Dark ominous aura surrounds it, bright red pupils shines as it walks, and an dark metalic exoskeleton is covering its body. It was an ant but a mutated one a wasp standing but it had shared the traits of a cannibal ant and a soldier ant. It has wings sprouted on its back and sharp claws on its arms. It was terrifyingly powerful indeed to the point where you want to vomit because of its aura.
Stand! I need to stand!
Protect I need to protect!
This is my duty! As one of the Legendary thirteen I have to defend this boy!
Krk!
A cracking sound suddenly echoed. It came from the mutated ant that was infront of me. It was as if it's prepared and on guard to battle me at any moment. The boy is to far from me and to close to the ant. I have to keep him out of our way! To avoid more casualties it's now or never!
I still have my magic, skill, and techniques at my disposal so I can hold him off a little.
Flashing Arc: A skill that uses a slashing light to cleave off the enemy. It's like a finishing blow to end fight.
For example:
I throw a slash at mid air using sword techniques my skill creates an Arc of light where it'll surely hit the target which can slice enemy down in one blow. I can use an average Arc multiple times but I can only use Flashing Arc's full extent four to five times.
But due to the injuries I've got from that ant my options are limited. Which means I can only use it two to three times since I'm running out of stamina.
"What should I do?"
I grit my teeth as I swallowed my resolve.
I stood up balancing my stance using my katana on the right had while my left hand is holding my wound on the abdomen.
Tsk.
I spit my saliva out loud.
There's no time to waste!
"Come at me you creep!"