[Translator: Dawn ]

[Proofreader: Alissa ]

Chapter 30: [Free Exploration] A Dried Drainage (3)

The item that came out of the box was a longsword with a jagged blade like a saw.

I grabbed the weapon and looked at its detailed specs.

[Rat Cutter (R) Lv.15]

Class:Longsword

Attack: 20 25

Durability: 25/25

Applies 25% additional damage when attacking rat-type monsters.

< Let's kill all rats! Squeak, squeak, squeak! - A certain drainage manager. >

Maybe it's because we just cleared a dungeon mostly related to rats that we got a reward like this.

'This will prove to be useful.'

I immediately tossed the longsword to Lucas. It was an obvious choice since he was the only person that used a sword in this party.

Take it, Lucas.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Lucas awkwardly took the sword.

However, I already have a sword that I use

The sword that Lucas was already using was also an R-rank sword. This weapon wasn't good enough to replace the sword that Lucas liked to use.

However.

Just keep it for now. You'll need it later.

The special bonus that the item possessed was definitely useful.

At my words, Lucas quietly put the new sword around his waist. He was now armed with two swords, including the sword he already had.

Seeing the sight with satisfaction, I reached out under the box. I knew there should be one more item.

There it is

I grabbed something in my hand. Let's take it out

[Summoning Scroll: Auto Defense Turret ]

A scroll that was magically shining in blue.

Nice!

I exclaimed out loud.

This item is a guaranteed reward for area 1. Honestly, I'm not exaggerating when I say I came all the way here just for this.

Your Highness, is that a magic scroll?

Lucas tilted his head in question as he looked at the scroll in my hand. I quietly put the scroll into my pocket.

You'll see what it is soon enough.

Now that I've got all the rewards, there is absolutely no reason for me to stay here.

Alright, let's get outta here!

I pointed at the back of the box. The door that leads us out of the boss room was wide open.

Hooray~!

With her arms raised and high, Lily was the first one to rush to the door with her wheelchair.

Wait, Lily! It's dangerous to go by yourself!

Lucas and the rest of the members quickly followed after her, and I was the last one to leave the room.

[Area 1: A Dried Drainage] Clear Progress: Normal Room 3/3, Boss Room 1/1 Acquired Treasure chests: 2/2

All clear.

I searched all the rooms and found all the treasure chests.

'100% progression in the first exploration area!'

It's a nice start.

I took a light step and walked along the connecting hallway, and the drainage came to an end.

The narrow and damp road led to an open vacant lot.

[Area 2: Hidden Alleyway]

In the second exploration area of the dungeon, I arrived at the Hidden Alleyway.

From here, it is the inside of the 'Lake Kingdom'.

All the party members who came out of the drainage before me stopped.

The party members were looking around with torches in their hands.

What is this

Hearing Demian's trembling murmur, I also looked around.

'It is very developed.'

It was a very well-developed city street.

There were a lot of tall buildings that were almost comparable to those in Seoul, back on Earth.

The road under the tall skyscraper was perfectly maintained, with beautiful patterns and decorations embroidered.

Even though it wasn't a street or a back alley, it was like this.

A city where a super-advanced magical civilization was established.

That's the true identity of the Lake Kingdom.

However, there was not a single light in this prosperous city. Not a single living creature was anywhere to be seen.

It was just dead, immersed in the endless darkness.

The back alleys of the city lined with stone tiles of five colors were also engulfed in darkness.

The only light was coming from the street lamps that were lit up in one corner.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of insects gnawing at something faintly echoed from all directions.

The sound of darkness coming.

As if all party members felt the presence of the darkness, they hurriedly raised their weapons.

The strongpoint is a safe zone. You can let your guard down a bit.

After calming the party members down, I approached the street light.

A pile of stones, now familiar to my eyes, was installed next to the street lamp.

As I put my hand on the pile of stones, the stones spun and rose, forming a teleport gate.

Ding!

[The strongpoint for 'Area 2: Hidden Alleyway' has been connected!]

The teleport gate has been connected.

And at the same time,

[You may not advance to the area beyond yet.]

A notice saying that the next area is not to be proceeded into yet popped up.

I glanced across the alley with storming darkness. I didn't even want to go any further today anyway.

If I did, I'd get devoured.

Good work today, everyone. That's it for the day!

After clapping once, I activated the teleport gate.

[Teleport Gate] Please choose your destination.

> Manor Mansion Backyard

> Lakeside Ferry

> Dried Drainage

>

I selected the manor house backyard.

The teleport gate was activated and the magic door shone.

On the way through the gate connected to our home, I smiled at the party members.

Time to go home!

[Translator: Dawn]

[Proofreader: Alissa]

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[End of free exploration!]

[Level Up Character]

Ash (EX) Lv.9 (1)

Lily (R) Lv.20 (1) (first-class advancement is available!)

Demian (N) Lv.21 (1)

[Acquired Equipment]

Rat Cutter

[Acquired Item]

Summon Scroll: Auto Defense Turret

Dungeon Escape Teleport Scroll

The place where Ash and the party left.

From the darkness surrounding the base of the 'Hidden Alleyway', a man slowly walked out.

It was a man dressed in bard attire with a black cape and a cone hat.

The final player, huh.

Raising the gray flute in his hand, the man murmured

You have come all the way here.

Tuu-

The man blew his flute lightly, and the darkness waved.

Kii- Kii-

Then, countless bright red eyes spread like dominoes to the left and right of the man.

Thousands of eyes flashed in the darkness, like a crimson Milky Way.

Forgive us of our sins.

Surrounded by thousands of rats, the man bowed his head.

In the name of the Lake Kingdom

When we returned to Crossroad, it was already late at night.

Wow

Lily, exhausted, slid down her wheelchair.

I made it back Alive

You've been through a lot, Lily.

I patted Lily on the shoulder and looked around at the other party members.

You must all be tired right now. Make sure rest well.

I'm not so sure if I could.

Jupiter put a cigar on her lips.

To think that such a city drowned under the lake. How could such a high-level magic civilization be swallowed up in pitch-black darkness? I cannot even fathom the thoughts of what could possibly have happened.

And above all, that darkness.

The fingertip of the elder trembled lightly.

That darkness was Clearly 'abnormal'.

Do you not have anything more to tell us, Your Highness?

Everyone's attention was on me.

I hesitated for a moment, but then shook my head quietly.

For now, no.

Although I cleared the game to the end, it was not explained clearly why the Lake Kingdom became like that in the game story.

All I could do was gather the pieces of information that I found from many parts of the game and speculate.

However, this time I had a feeling.

That I will have to go into the center of that city myself and uncover all the truth.

That's why this was all I could say to the party members.

Let us find out one by one together.

Jupiter grinned and lighted her cigar.

It seems that I won't be able to fall asleep sober. I'm gonna have to get something to drink.

Me too!

Lily raised her hand.

Let's go together, Dame Jupiter! I don't think I can sleep without getting drunk.

Sounds good, miss. Allow me to take you to a bar I know.

The two ladies teamed up and went to town. it's good to see that they got closer.

I'm going to return to the Chapel.

Demian put a soft smile on his face.

I am a little scared just thinking about the darkness, but I think it will be okay if I pray in the chapel.

Alright, you've done well today, Demian. Take a good rest.

The party was disbanded.

The only thing I did back there was perform a Prince Punch, but my body felt very tired.

The dungeon was a place that drained your stamina and mind just by visiting it.

Let us return too. Gotta take some rest.

Yes, Your Highness.

As Lucas and I returned to the mansion, he asked me.

Your Highness, don't we have to visit the dungeon again?

Hm? I don't plan on doing so until the next defensive battle. Why do you ask?

Did he develop a liking to visit scary places? Well, if there's some time to spare, I could send the party to level up in the already discovered areas for farming.

Don't we have to scout ahead to find out the type of monster that will attack next time?

Ah, you're talking about that.

Lucas was asking if it was necessary to take a look at the monsters coming out of the lake, just like in the last stage.

Back then, I went ahead and confirmed that the opponent was Living Armor.

However.

We already scouted.

This time, the reconnaissance has already been completed.

I smiled at Lucas who seemed puzzled.

The monsters coming for us this time are the gutter rats.

Pardon? Ah!An exclamation escaped from Lucas's mouth.

The monster corps are beings that 'overflow' from the 'source' of the Lake Kingdom.

These overflowing monsters fill and swarm the free exploration area below the lake first, then overflow out of the lake when they break the threshold.

They will crawl out of the lake and attack the city.

The monsters you meet during free exploration are the monsters you will have to face in the next defensive battle.

I see.

Although it is randomly determined each time, if you visit the dungeon beforehand, you can find out the next enemy.

The upcoming defensive battle, we will just have to prepare to face the rat monsters. Of course, it won't be easy

However, there still was quite some time to prepare.

The rats are horrible monsters to fight against indeed, but they will be easier than the Living Armors.

'It won't be too hard.'

I tried my best to think optimistically as I opened the entrance to the mansion.

We're back! Did you prepare our bath and meal, Aider?!

Oh my, oh my, M'lord!

Aider immediately sprinted out of the mansion.

There's a huge problem!

Aider, his face Was completely pale.

Surprised, I just blinked my eyes.

I was expecting a hot bath and meal, but I was surprised when the Director suddenly started screaming.

What's the matter? Calm down and speak.

There's no reinforcement!

Huh?

What is he saying?

As I stood frozen, Aider's sharp words came to my ears.

Not only from the central kingdom but also from the neighboring cities! They said they won't be able to send any reinforcements!

Okay, but why?!

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