◈ 026. [Free Exploration] To the dungeon!
[STAGE 2]
– Until the start: 9 days, 20 hours
The next stage starts in 10 days, but the repair takes 2 weeks and a few more days.
At this rate, when the next stage begins, the castle walls will virtually cease to function.
“All uninjured soldiers will be mobilized to repair the wall starting tomorrow.”
I ordered Lucas.
“Let’s hurry up as much as possible.”
“I follow Your Highness’s orders.”
Lucas bowed his head at me.
I want to put the soldiers on standby in perfect condition, but I can’t help it. Because we need to speed up the repair of the castle wall.
“Come to think of it, how are the soldiers injured? I didn’t hear the report properly.”
“About 50 seriously injured. There are about 200 minor injuries. Everyone is being treated at the temple.”
There were very few deaths among ordinary soldiers. It was thanks to the fact that most of the battles ended in the long-range firefight stage.
Instead, I lost four hero characters… … .
not enough anyway At this rate, the next stage must also be fought with insufficient troops.
“How is the reinforcement of Ader troops?”
“A nearby city will send soldiers soon. The dispatch that went to the center will be back tomorrow.”
“The situation will only get better by tomorrow.”
I can use my hands on other things, but replenishment of troops is out of my hands.
I can only hope that reinforcements come well. I hope many new mercenaries come for the remaining 9 days.
“Okay Ader. Report immediately if anything happens. So what about Lucas? In the meantime, let’s do what we can.”
“What do you mean it can be done?”
sigh.
I raised my eyebrows and glanced at Lucas.
“I have to go to the dungeon.”
“… !”
“We have to go to destroy the source from which the monsters are pouring out.”
Lucas, with a slightly nervous complexion, asked me cautiously.
“Are you going to the Black Lake via the teleport gate like last time?”
“Exactly Lucas. But this time, we go directly under the lake with the party.”
down the lake.
To the headquarters of the overflowing monsters.
It was time to change the genre of the game from tower defense to dungeon offense.
“Lucas! Call the main party.”
I patted my hands and released them without raising the corners of my mouth.
“Finally the time for adventure has come.”
In other words… … .
The time for leveling and item farming has come!
***
I summoned the party members.
I am going to rest until today and enter the dungeon tomorrow morning. You should start preparing now.
Before long, everyone responded to my call and gathered at the manor house where I was staying.
“Everyone came along well. Did you get a good rest today?”
I glanced over at the gathered members. Even though we drank until late yesterday, we managed to gather without a single member missing.
The convened members are me, Lucas, Damian Jupiter, and… … .
“Why did you call me… ?”
… It was Lily.
Lily looked around, her shoulders trembling, as if she had instinctively noticed that she was going to a dangerous place.
“At that time, you obviously said that you don’t have to go to the front line… Joe?”
“Um~?”
Instead of answering, I just smiled.
What do you do, Lily? There are five hero characters that I can organize right now, including you. I really need you.
Lily’s complexion turned white as she noticed the current situation from my smile.
“Your Highness, Prince Hua! Because I can’t walk?! Because you’re hurt?! You have to retire?!”
Lily pointed to the wheelchair she was sitting on and actively appealed for her injury.
“I have trouble moving, so no matter where you take me, it will only be a burden! I’ll just be quietly repairing artifacts here! Wasn’t that fun?!”
“I’m so glad you like the Artifact job, Lily. It’s so much fun that I can do it for a long, long time.”
“No, that’s not the story again!”
I think I’m going to sign a lifetime contract right now.
I wanted to tease the crying Lily more, but I decided to soothe her at this point.
“Please, Lily, please. After this, I won’t take you to the actual site.”
“I think you said something similar the other day?!”
“To protect this city, no, to protect all mankind above the front lines here. It’s a situation that needs your strength.”
When the cause was brought forward, Lily couldn’t protest more and kept her mouth shut.
In fact, despite being a mercenary you don’t have to worry about that.
“Ugh I see… Only this far… … .”
“Thank you, Lily.”
I thanked Lily, who reluctantly agreed, and turned my head.
“Are Jupiter and Damian okay?”
Jupiter had been wounded, albeit slightly, in the battle the other day. Are you okay with your age?
“I’m fine, Your Highness.”
Jupiter tapped his forehead, where the bandage had been removed, with his fingertips. cleanly better. ok looks fine
“Then Damian… .”
Facing Damian, my face hardened.
I didn’t know when I looked at it earlier, but this guy’s complexion is a mess. The eyes are also pale, and the complexion is pale.
“Hey Damian, are you okay? Are you sick?”
Could it be that there are side effects from using the clairvoyant excessively?
“It’s okay, Prince.”
After waving his hand, Damian covered his mouth with his hand.
“I’m just hungover… Woo-wook.”
“… .”
“It’s not the first time I’ve had alcohol, but it’s the first time I’ve ever drank until I die… … Woowook.”
I glared at Jupiter, who had given Damian a drink.
Jupiter whistled and groaned in a carefree manner. This rotten adult… … .
“I think it will be fine by tomorrow. Do not worry.”
“okay. Get some rest until tonight.”
Anyway, going out with a party of 5 doesn’t seem to be a problem.
I briefly explained to the party members.
“Tomorrow our party will go on an expedition a little further away.”
“An expedition?”
“okay. We’ll talk about the details tomorrow.”
It would be easier to understand things like there is a dungeon under the lake and what kind of monsters there are if you see it with your own eyes rather than explaining it a hundred times.
I didn’t even bother explaining it, I just passed it on.
“The goal is to leave tomorrow morning and return at night, but other variables may arise. We may have to camp.”
“Until the night… ? It seems to have gone quite far.”
Lily muttered anxiously. oh well it’s not that far In a way, it’s close.
“I will prepare all supplies and equipment. All you have to do is bring your weapons and armor lightly and gather here again tomorrow morning.”
He did not explain the specific destination, reason for the expedition, or how to get there. However, the party members did not raise any questions.
It was a thank you. It is the kind of thing that is difficult to explain and easy to learn.
“good! So, disband today. Take care of your condition and see you tomorrow morning.”
“Okay, Your Highness! Then see you tomorrow morning.”
Jupiter, who quickly saluted me, went out first. While pushing Lily’s still crying wheelchair from behind.
I caught Damian trying to follow him.
“Damian, wait a minute.”
“yes?”
Damian looked at me with a pale face suffering from a hangover.
“What are you doing, Prince?”
“no… It’s no big deal.”
Damian reached level 20 in the last battle and was able to change his first job. It was to check the result.
Demian’s growth was already checked in the system window.
[Damian (N)]
– Level: 20
– Title: None
– Occupation: Intermediate Healer
– Strength 5 Agility 17 Intelligence 14 Stamina 8 Horsepower 12
Maybe it’s because she’s been using long-range weapons like cannons and bows, but her stats increased mainly on her agility. Since it’s an N-rank character, her stats aren’t that great.
And the skill… … .
[Possess Skills]
> Passive: Healing Light
> Skill 1: Detoxification Light
> Skill 2: ??? (Open after 2nd job change)
> Ultimate Skill: ??? (Open after 3rd job advancement)
Passive is a healing light that can be said to be the standard for healers. He can heal allies with his magic power.
And the first skill obtained this time is the light of detoxification that heals all kinds of poison status ailments.
If you are ordinary like an N-class healer, you have a normal skill composition.
But now, Damien’s role is that of a sniper.
The reality is that there is no single skill that can help with sniping. It’s better than nothing.
“How are you after the last battle? Has anything changed? Whether it’s your skills… … .”
I asked Damian to check if I had acquired the skill properly.
If you level up in the game, you’ll be happy! I was able to get and use the next skill right away, but I don’t know how it will work in real life.
“yes. I still wanted to tell you… … Should I say that I realized something as I continued fighting?”
Damian responded by twisting his fingers as if he was embarrassed.
“I think I gained another healing skill. It feels like you instinctively know how to handle it. But I haven’t actually used it yet.”
Is it a way to realize the next skill after accumulated combat experience? Hmm.
I patted Damian lightly on the shoulder.
“That skill can save our party from death. Of course, your main job is now a sniper, but train yourself to handle it skillfully.”
“Your prince!”
He sent Damian to rest.
Hui-huh gestured to Lucas, who was silently standing behind me.
“Lucas. You no longer escort today and rest well.”
“yes? but.”
“Tomorrow we have to enter the monsters’ lair. Will you protect me better tomorrow? Don’t be stubborn for nothing, take a rest and save your stamina.”
Lucas reluctantly nodded.
“… I will do as you say.”
Lucas went to his room too, and now it’s just me and Ader. I nodded to Ader.
“Ader. Prepare expedition supplies.”
“What kind of items should I prepare for you?”
“Preservation. camping tools. various potions. and… .”
I put the most necessary items for dungeon exploration in my mouth.
“light. lantern. torchlight.”
A delightful smile crept across Ader’s lips. I sighed softly and said one more time.
“Anything that can emit light.”
***
Next morning.
Crossroads Manor House. backyard.
All 5 party members gathered and I gave each one their equipment. It was a backpack that contained food and first aid.
Jupiter twitched his eyebrows as he slung his backpack on his back.
“Something serious. Where are you going?”
“You will find out soon.”
I took the lead and headed to the teleport gate.
Goo Goo Goo –
When I put my hand on the pile of stones installed in the backyard, the teleport gate was activated.
With a strange operating sound, piles of stones rose into the air and formed a magic door as they spun around.
Jupiter, who found out the identity of the teleport gate, seemed quite surprised.
“This is no way teleportation magic… is it? But teleportation magic must have been lost hundreds of years ago, so how?”
“Kuhm!”
I pretended not to hear and ignored it. It’s all about things that will come to light as we explore.
I looked back at the party members and declared.
“From now on, we will ride this teleport gate to the monsters’ base. Head down the Black Lake.”
Everyone was calm except for Lily, who opened her mouth wide. Everyone seemed to have guessed that they were going to a dangerous place.
“There is a kingdom of bastards under the lake. We have to explore it and find out why the monsters are pouring out of it.”
This is the main purpose of this game.
“This is the only way to end the monster invasion once and for all.”
Destroying the source of monsters.
It was finally time to start the game’s second genre, Dungeon Offense, in earnest.
Everyone seemed curious, but I activated the teleport gate first.
[Teleport Gate]
– Please select a destination.
> Lakeside Pier
> (unopened area)
> (unopened area)
> …
This time, we go to the first point, the ‘lakeside ferry’.
The magic door rotated and the teleport gate was activated. I took the lead and stood in front of the gate.
“This gate leads directly to that ‘lake’. The briefing will be conducted on the way, so follow me.”
“majesty! I first… … .”
“yap!”
Ignoring Lucas who said he would go first, I ran into the gate. Because it’s safe anyway!
***
[Now Loading… Teleporting.]
[Tip – Hero characters grow through leveling up. Levels can be raised by gaining experience points, and experience points can be gained in all types of battles.]
Other than these obvious things, can you give me some useful tips? ok?
I muttered inwardly. How many of the tips popping up in the tip window are truly worthwhile?
