NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40
“…It seems like there’s no choice but to open this door.”
What awaited us on the fourth floor was a massive door, large enough to be made for a giant rather than a person. I surveyed the area around the door and then pointed to its side.
“Let’s have a quick meal here.”
Even though the meal consisted of just a few sips of water, jerky, and dried fruits, it felt like a feast to us, who had been through hardships for so long. We handed out our portions of food to Millia bit by bit. She looked slightly embarrassed but eventually gratefully accepted the food.
“I’m drinking…”
“You should drink some water too, or you’ll get sick.”
“It’s fine! You all need to drink too!”
“We brought enough, so it’s okay.”
“Right, eat your fill.”
This was one of the rare peaceful moments in this creepy dungeon. However, peaceful moments tend to end eventually. With our bellies full, we cleaned up and stood still in front of the door.
What could be beyond this massive door?
We had no specific information. Based on what we’d encountered so far, I couldn’t dismiss the possibility of encountering some bizarre puzzle. This time, I should probably just leave it to Renny and have her solve it by brute force. Who wants to solve a puzzle when it’s such a creepshow of a dungeon? I just want to finish this dreadful place and plan our escape.
“Then I’ll open it.”
At my words, everyone nodded. I carefully placed my hands on the giant door and pushed. With a creaking sound that rattled my ears, the enormous door began to open. Once the door was fully opened, I discovered a room that rivaled the size of a gymnasium. No, calling it a room was an understatement; it was closer to an auditorium. What purpose could this room have served?
As I pondered this question, the lights in the room suddenly brightened.
“…What’s that…”
“Ho ho, we have guests.”
A robed skeleton. Purple light flickered in its eye sockets. A jewel embedded in its forehead. It looked like it was saying, “I am the boss of this dungeon,” as it fiddled with its bony hands and stared at us. But more than that, I was far more concerned about the grotesque creature lurking behind the skeleton. What in the world is that?
“That thing! That’s it!”
“Ho, I wondered where you went; it seems you were with the guests.”
The skeletal figure spoke with obvious interest, sitting down on a chair that appeared out of nowhere and tapping its armrest. Every move it made was grating. The skeleton looked far too calm at the entrance of intruders.
“Would you like some tea?”
“…No thanks.”
“How unfortunate. I’ve been practicing making tea for hundreds of years, waiting for guests like you.”
The skeleton seemed genuinely disappointed that we weren’t having tea. What on earth was its purpose? I couldn’t grasp it at all. It didn’t feel hostile, making it even harder to understand.
“Johann. Should we take it out?”
Well, that thought’s pretty simple. It does seem like a straightforward choice to just attack it, but the mood of the skeleton is too unsettling. And that thing looks like it knows something. Perhaps that skeleton knows something about this deserted island. I shook my head at Renny and stepped forward.
“I have a question. Will you answer it?”
“Well… I’ll answer once you clear this dungeon. Now, let’s begin the final finale.”
Before the skeleton finished speaking, the ground began to shake. No, to be precise, it was the sound of the creature behind the skeleton starting to move. We each gripped our weapons and focused on the terrifying being that began to stir. It was indescribable, with tentacles, multiple arms, and a number of eyes we couldn’t even count staring at us.
Even though I just drank water, my throat felt dry. My head spun. Breathing became hard, and I gasped for air. What in the world is that?
“Johann! Stay alert!”
With Renny’s shout snapping me back to reality, I glared at the creature rolling dozens of eyes at us. Would a regular attack even work? No, before that, can that creature even die?
Having witnessed the fates of those who seek immortality, I couldn’t be certain about that.
Something that can move without a head surely wouldn’t be easy to kill.
“…What kind of deity would use such a being?”
“Indeed.”
“…That doesn’t seem like something you should say. Aren’t you serving one too?”
At my words, the skeleton shrugged as if to say, “What do you mean?”
“Not at all. I’m just the administrator. This dungeon is merely a subject I manage. It seems my duty is coming to an end, though.”
“How much time is left?”
“If you defeat this poor creature, I’ll return to dust.”
The skeleton seemed completely uninterested in its fate. Only its eyes sparkled with the thrill of seeing an end. I shifted my focus from the skeletal figure to the creature, which was moving ominously.
“Let’s see each other later.”
“I look forward to that. Ah, by the way, it won’t be an easy opponent. Especially given that you all have been pulling off several dirty tricks.”
Right after those words, the skeleton’s form dispersed like smoke. What the hell is that thing up to?
“Renny. Are you ready?”
“I’m always ready. Karina is…”
“I’ll fight too. Although I can’t fight up front, I can support you with magic.”
When I turned my head to look at Karina, she smiled gently at me.
“I…”
“You can hide if you want. I won’t force you to fight just because you’re only a head right now.”
“I can help too! Maybe… that thing is !)(*@&($#”
Millia’s voice was cut off by static. What was she trying to say? Without time to think about it, I walked forward with Renny. We gripped our weapons and shared our thoughts before engaging in a full-on battle.
“Where’s the weak spot?”
“Probably the eyes. I guess we should start by cutting those off. Or cut off all its arms and tentacles.”
Which should we prioritize? We’ll have to engage first to collect some data. We rushed toward the creature, which was reaching out its limbs.
A red tentacle flew toward me. The writhing motion of the tentacle severely distorted my vision. I gripped my shovel with both hands and swung with all my strength. The tentacle was severed. It wasn’t as sturdy as I thought.
“…Not like a lizard.”
As I watched the tentacle regenerate in an instant, I clicked my tongue. Was attacking the tentacle pointless? Sneaking a glance at Renny, who had already cut off nearly a dozen tentacles and was rapidly approaching, I felt reassured.
I couldn’t back down.
I dodged a tentacle flying toward my head and slashed it. It was a simple repetition, but the pressure of not knowing when I might lose my life weighed heavily on me. However, this wasn’t the first time for me.
When I first fell to this island, when I fought against bears for survival, when I battled a drugged-up Renny, and when I fought a hydra, I faced life-threatening crises where one wrong step could mean death.
So, there was no reason to be afraid.
I calmed my mind, deflecting the utterly simplistic attacks.
I couldn’t be sure that I could truly kill it just by hitting its weak spots.
Countless eyes alternated between looking at me and Renny. Were they prioritizing targets? Right now, they should be focused on Renny. After all, I had torn off all its tentacles and crushed a few eyes.
The less attention it pays to me, the better.
“Hey! The eyes are regenerating!”
At Renny’s shout, I glanced over and saw the eyes rapidly returning to their original state. Cursing at the grotesque sight, I racked my brain.
How can I deal effective damage?
Using the same method I did against the hydra wouldn’t work due to its fierce resistance. I didn’t even know if it had bones inside.
There was too little information. Just a bit more time…
“Karina! Can you use the judgment magic!”
“Huh? How did you… know that!”
I began to hear Karina’s incantation from behind. Then, my task was clear. I needed to hold out until her incantation finished. Taking a step inward, I pulled out poison powder from my pouch and sprinkled it on my shovel blade. Since regular strikes wouldn’t deal any damage, I’ll use poison. If that doesn’t work… I’ll have to figure out another method.
I rolled to avoid a tentacle that tried to hit me and stabbed the creature’s eye with my shovel. As I felt the unpleasant sensation and crimson blood splatter, I would rather avoid this, but I had no choice.
My body was trembling.
It wasn’t me shaking; it was the creature’s tremors transferring through the shovel to me.
Is the poison working?
Just then, I felt a resistance in my hand as the shovel began to pull away.
Regeneration.
This is absurd.
What the hell is this? Using a quantity that would outright kill an ordinary human is utterly meaningless?
“Damn it.”
“No matter how many eyes I stab, it’s not effective!”
Renny’s shout was enough to complicate my feelings even more.
What the hell do I do?
“…O divine one. Inflict punishment upon the enemy with your spear. Johann! Renny! Move away!”
As Karina’s words concluded, I felt a heat like my head was going to burst.
I instinctively dove sideways. I caught a glimpse of yellow light in my peripheral vision.
And the warm heat encircled around me.
Within that warmth, I heard the anguished cry of the creature.
“…What a tough bastard.”
The saint personally cast a high-caliber spell on the monster, and yet it’s still alive.
How are we supposed to catch it?
There might be a hint in what the skeleton told me.
“Dirty trick…”
Yeah, it did mention a dirty trick.
What could that trick be?
Ah.
Oh.
So that’s how it is.
Before that precious gap disappears, I plunged my shovel into the ground.
Since I only have one choice to make anyway.
“Crafting.”