(Verc’s POV)
"I hope they suffer until the very day they die."
I mumbled those words to myself, still thinking about the knights and guards I had just finished beating up back at the inn.
I made sure to break their limbs thoroughly, and I even made a point to crush their balls. I purposefully didn’t kill them, though— that way, they will have to live with the pain and suffer for the rest of their miserable lives.
’Well, they can always just kill themselves if they want to get it over with.’
I thought.
And that would actually be pretty fitting for them, considering that is exactly what they forced so many of their own victims to do in this city.
Just thinking about this left a bad taste in my mouth.
Anyway, I have really gone and done it now. I am officially a wanted man from this moment on, and the city guards and knights are probably already scrambling to find me.
But to be honest, I don’t regret a single thing.
"Right, Onyx?"
I asked that as I looked down at my arms. Onyx was snuggled up right there, resting peacefully against my chest. He didn’t give me an answer because he was already fast asleep, exhausted from everything that had happened.
I had left Bong with Edgar. To compensate the inn keeper for the mess I made in his estblishment and for the extra trouble of taking care of my horse while I’m a fugitive, I gave him 5 gold coins before I left and fled here.
And now, I was back in the dungeon again, even though I had just exited the place about an hour ago.
Though, this time—
"I won’t leave this place until I have defeated the whole thing."
I made a plan right then and there to close the dungeon myself and take everything I can from this place to get stronger. If I remembered correctly, Elianna had told me once that there are at least 10 floors in every labyrinth-type dungeon.
’Hmm, I really need to finish this whole dungeon in a week or so.’
I thought.
’If I don’t move fast, then Elianna and the others might beat me to the bottom... and those pursuers from the city might catch up to me, too.’
And so, with that thought in my mind, I began my descent back into the labyrinth with Onyx held close.
As I was walking down the stairs though; a thought entered my head.
’Elianna and the others probably heard of what I did, soon... they’ll realize that the suspect was me. I wonder if they will come after me as well.’
A complicated expression appeared on my face as that entered my head.
But in the end, I just shrugged it off and decided not to pay any attention about that. It’s not like I will be with them again after this.
Us being on a group is just a temporary thing after all.
*****
I managed to get all the way back down to the 3rd floor without running into much trouble. I already knew the way in my head now, and the total darkness doesn’t really bother me at all with my skills and all.
The traps and the monsters weren’t really a threat to me either, especially with my current strength.
Then, once I got back to my previous spot, before I decided to leave earlier— I settled down and sat on the cold stone ground.
"I forgot to bring any of my actual items."
I whispered that under my breath. I have no tent or whatsoever, nothing to give me comfort.
I looked to my side and saw Onyx sleeping, I gave him my scarf to lie on; fortunately, he’s not scared at all even though we are sitting in a place of total darkness.
He was actually surprisingly calm.
"Just rest and heal up for now."
I told him as I reached out to pat his smooth black fur.
Then, after that, I stood up and took out my sword.
FWIP~
It’s not a problem that I forgot my belongings. After all, before entering the dungeon again; I resolved that I wouldn’t rest until I got out of this place. I will train whenever I have even a spare moment... and I will fight every single monster I see and drink their blood dry.
SWISH—
I swung my sword through the air. My mind is currently a bit of a mess, and my heart is still beating fast because of the violent decision I made earlier at the inn.
But with each swing I take— SWOOSH!
"..."
My mind slowly starts to calm down and get clearer.
And so, I decided to just ignore everything else for now. At this very moment... I will focus only on getting stronger and protecting Onyx while we are inside this dungeon.
... ... ...
I stayed there in place and trained for a very long time. Being in a trance-like state and stuck inside a trapped place with no sunlight, I was honestly unsure how much time had actually passed.
Some monsters were unfortunate enough to get lost and see me; I dealt with them with ease and feasted on their bloods.
-Arf!
Then once Onyx finally woke up and seemed ready, we continued our descent deeper into the castle-like maze.
It took me a while to navigate this floor, but I eventually found the way down to the next floor.
On the 4th floor, the scenery was mostly the same as the ones above, but the big difference was the count. The population of the monsters had doubled, and the number of traps hidden in the walls had doubled as well.
It was actually getting ridiculous how many there were, but fortunately— I was still able to walk through the floor just fine.
Their numbers really didn’t do much against me, considering that with my [Black Scales] active, their weapons were all completely useless. I did have to make sure I was protecting Onyx, of course, but I just held him close to my chest and covered his whole body with my arms to shield him from any stray harm.
I didn’t even use my sword for the most part; I dealt with all the monsters using only my kicks.
I swiftly walked through the halls of the 4th floor, but the sheer size of the place was starting to become a problem. Each floor was bigger than the previous ones.
The corridors felt like they stretched on for miles, and the layout was designed to make anyone lose their sense of direction. I had to try multiple paths just to end up in a stupid dead-end.
It was a massive fortress of blackened stone, and every hallway looked identical to the last one. I had to keep moving, fighting off groups of undead-looking knights and dodging arrows that clattered harmlessly off my scales.
Anyway... it took me several hours of constant walking and fighting just to find the next path leading further down.
It wasn’t because I was lost— my senses and skills were too sharp for that— but simply because the place was so huge that traveling from one end to the other was a chore. Though eventually, I found the staircase I was looking for and headed down to the 5th floor.
... ... ...
******
TAP-
On the 5th floor, there was nothing but a single, massive open space.
"This is strange."
I mumbled to myself after seeing that.
-Arf?
Onyx tilted his head in confusion after hearing my words. He’s cute, but I ignored him for now.
I can’t really explain it... but something about this floor just feels a bit off.
Also, unlike all the other floors I had been so far, every single one of the torches mounted on the walls were lit, casting a flickering orange glow over the whole place.
The atmosphere here was different; it felt heavy and expectant. I looked around the area, and all I could see at the far end was a set of massive, ancient-looking double doors made of heavy wood and iron.
No monsters, no traps... nothing.
"No fucking way."
I couldn’t help but frown at the sight of those door.
’This feels familiar.’
I thought.
It was just like when I used to play games in my past life; seeing a giant room like this that led to a single set of imposing doors usually meant one thing.
Behind those doors, a mini-boss was waiting for me.
’Ugh, I should’ve expected this...’
I groaned internally.
Anyway, I did not enter the doors right away. I don’t want to rush in without preperation especially not knowing what is inside.
"Hmm, I wonder if I can just leave Onyx here outside when I enter?"
I asked myself as I put down Onyx and fed him beef jerky that I had with me since earlier this morning. I only have a limited mount of them so I wouldn’t eat anything throughout my journey in this dungeon as well, I’ll just refill my needs with blood.
I sat down just outside the imposing double doors, and looking at it—
"I wonder what skill I will be getting inside."
I muttered that. I never even thought of losing, I’m just curious at the possible new skill that I will acquire.