And that evening,
Amkena logged in.
[Party 1, gather in the 1st-floor plaza!]
Isel's voice rang out.
I closed the documents and stood up. I'd looked up all the information I could find. Now, only the real battle remained. After strapping on the sword and shield that lay on one side of the wall, I left the room. From the other end of the hallway, Jena and Iolka were walking out. I joined the two of them.
[Party 2, gather as well! Ah, and Party 3 too! Everyone whose name is called from now on, gather on the 1st floor. Han, Jena, Iolka, Belkist....]
The sortie roster was being called out.
I went down to the 1st-floor plaza. In front of the Space-Time Rift, more than ten heroes were already milling about and murmuring. Belkist and Nerisa, who spotted me, approached. I smiled lightly and said,
"Are you ready?"
"Anytime."
"Of course."
Their replies were unwavering.
It didn't seem different from usual. Same for Jena and Iolka. They were tense, having experienced boss stages several times, but not enough to affect their performance in actual combat.
'The other parties....'
Party 2 was within acceptable limits.
However, Party 3 was looking at Isel anxiously.
"Don't be nervous. If you just keep your wits about you, you'll survive. If you're lucky, you might not even have to sortie."
Ediss patted a girl's shoulder.
She was a swordswoman from Party 3. The girl nodded slightly.
The total number of people gathered on the 1st floor was fifteen.
I drew a dagger from the sheath on my belt. A dark bluish-green liquid was coated on the dagger's blade. It was a potent poison Nerisa had concocted.
"This time, we'll probably face a boss battle."
"A boss battle?"
"Yeah. It's a bit different from the missions we've done. We can clear it by just dealing with one guy."
Though that 'one guy' would be the problem.
I swallowed the rest of my words.
"Anyway, I don't know what kind of enemy will appear either. Stay sharp."
The four of them nodded.
I expected a Dragonkin to appear. But it was a unique monster. There was a high probability it would be different from ordinary Dragonkin. I couldn't predict rashly.
Ediss was also talking to her party members.
I had already relayed all the information I had. They would manage on their own without me needing to supervise them separately.
[Is everyone gathered?]
Isel looked over the members of the three parties in turn, then placed her hands on her hips.
[I'll start distributing consumables. We'll depart as soon as the distribution is finished. Stay sharp. And listen carefully to what Han says!]
"You're really sucking up, aren't you? Did you spread honey on that fairy or something?"
Belkist sneered, looking at Isel and me.
I didn't retort and just smiled.
'Isel, when we get back, you're getting ten noogies.'
The potion distribution also finished without a hitch.
Party 1 got two per person. The other parties, one per person.
'It's begun.'
At the top of my vision, Amkena's control window moved.
The Sortie tab was pressed, and then the stage window appeared. As Amkena touched the 20th floor, a warning message popped up.
[※Warning!]
[This mission is a medium-to-large scale mission requiring three parties. If you are short on party members, please replenish heroes using paid or free summons!]
[For this mission, you can dispatch a vanguard and a rearguard separately. The process will vary depending on the Master's choice, so please decide carefully!]
[Tips/The rearguard can be dispatched once the vanguard achieves certain conditions, or after a certain amount of time has passed.]
As expected, the 20th floor was a medium-to-large scale mission requiring three parties.
However, the division into vanguard and rearguard was unexpected. I briefly recalled types of missions with such conditions. It became a bit of a headache.
[Party 1 is selected as the vanguard. Do you agree?]
[Yes(Selected) / No]
[Open, Space-Time Riiiiift!]
Clunk.
The large gate at the front of the plaza swung wide open.
The mirror on the left was faintly shimmering. After taking a deep breath, Ediss tried to enter first, but Isel blocked her.
[Stop! You guys don't go in. For this mission, Party 1 sorties first.]
"What's that about?"
"It means we go first. If you wait, the Master will open the gate for you. You can follow then."
Clack.
I firmly secured the sheath on my belt and walked towards the Space-Time Rift.
The four of them followed behind me. As I passed Ediss, I whispered,
"The rearguard will probably be important for this mission. I'm counting on you."
"…Alright."
Ediss looked dissatisfied for a moment, but her expression soon softened, and she stepped back.
"We wait here until the Master calls. Right?"
"Right."
"I wanted to fight together."
"It'll happen soon enough."
I said, stepping into the Space-Time Rift.
"Hup!"
As Jena was the last to step in, the large gate closed with a heavy sound.
The preparations were complete.
The four of them had perfectly completed the tasks I'd assigned.
Belkist had raised his overall combat power, including his weapon skills, to the next level. Jena had learned a powerful bow skill that imbued her arrows with destructive force. Gaining a third weapon was a bonus. On Jena's back, along with her shortbow, a large bow was slung.
Iolka, too, had belatedly learned a multi-casting skill.
Iolka wasn't sure if she had broken through the 4th stage, but she assured me she would be different from before. Furthermore, through focused sparring, she had also sufficiently learned personal survival skills. She would be able to hold out a little against enemies even if we didn't protect her.
"It's kinda quiet. Oppa, don't you have anything to say? Like, 'do this,' or 'do that'?"
"Just do as you always do."
"Aww, that's boring."
I smiled at Jena's whining complaint.
Unlike the 15th floor, there was nothing specific to brief. We'd find out what kind of mission we'd encounter once we went in. I could give instructions depending on the situation. The light from the left mirror intensified.
[Main Dungeon, current challenge floor is 20F.]
[The gate will open in 10 seconds. Prepare yourselves!]
[Mission recording in progress. Play records will be preserved.]
Shing.
I drew my sword from its sheath.
Then, I lowered my voice and said,
"Like I said before, do as you always do. Just don't freak out."
"You're stating the obvious."
Nerisa smiled.
When the light scattered, we had entered the stage of the 20th floor.
'The final floor of the Labyrinth.'
I scanned the surroundings.
The large hall that had been at the entrance from the 16th to 19th floors was nowhere to be seen.
Just a long, high corridor stretched out ahead.
"So, we've arrived here."
Nerisa touched the rapier at her hip.
Her gaze rested on the corridor wall. I followed her line of sight. Dozens of paintings hung in a row on the corridor wall. In each gold-gilded frame, men and women in lavish clothes were depicted.
"Those paintings look incredibly expensive."
"They are portraits of the successive family heads and their wives."
Nerisa replied to Jena.
Jena looked at Nerisa, bewildered, but soon shook her head. I said curtly,
"We're not here to sightsee. Let's go."
The formation was quickly established.
I walked at the head. With each step, a luxurious carpet pressed underfoot.
"Ugh, kheuk!"
In every corner of the corridor, people were collapsed, groaning.
Their genders, attire, and ages all varied, but they had one thing in common: they were all vomiting black blood.
We had seen such NPCs not only here but several times while passing through the Labyrinth, from the 16th to the 19th floors. Jena and Iolka, who had initially been repulsed, now passed them with impassive expressions.
'There were similar ones among the soldiers too.'
Their blood was a murky red mixed with black.
At first glance, it looked like ordinary blood, but upon closer inspection, I could tell. I deliberately didn't inform the members of this fact. Focusing on unnecessary things would reduce their concentration.
The corridor, which had seemed endless, finally approached its end.
I stood before a massive door erected at the front and said,
"The mission begins once we enter this door."
The gazes of the four gathered on me.
"Iolka, prepare your magic as soon as we enter. Jena, nock an arrow to your longbow. Belkist and Nerisa, wait with me. Act according to the situation thereafter."
"Got it!"
"Yes."
"Alright."
BANG!
I kicked the large door with all my strength.
A part of the door caved in, and wood splinters flew out.
"Let's go."
I entrusted myself to the darkness unfolding beyond the door.
A writhing darkness approached and enveloped me and the members of Party 1.
And then,
[Warning! Warning! Warning!]
A loud siren blared.
Along with the triple warning message indicating a high-difficulty mission, the objective was updated.
[Floor 20.]
[Mission Type - Subjugation]
[Objective - Annihilate the target enemy!]
I scanned the surroundings.
The place beyond the door was a strange area, seemingly unrelated to the mansion.
'....'
Fine sand covered the floor.
Behind us, a high castle wall several meters tall was erected. The wall stretched out long, encircling us in a circle. There were stairs leading to the wall, but just as I'd expected, a transparent barrier was in place.
"We've ended up in another strange place."
Jena narrowed her eyes, an arrow nocked to her longbow.
The bowstring, drawn to its limit, was ready to send an arrow flying at any moment.
[La Gran Sedus.]
Iolka immediately began her incantation.
She hadn't found an enemy, but she was following my instructions.
It was a natural judgment.
Because it was about to appear.
"Hahahaha...."
Laughter was heard from somewhere.
I looked towards where the sound came from. A man clad in a flamboyant red coat was staring at us. Black veins bulged in the man's eyes. A growling sound leaked from the man's mouth.
"Because of you...!"
"Fire!"
CRACK!
The arrow shot from the longbow pierced the man.
The power of the skill-enhanced arrow was greater than an ordinary bullet. The left side of the man's upper body was torn to shreds, and black blood spurted out. Following that, surging flames enveloped the man's entire body. And then,
[Explode!]
KABOOM!
The flames exploded.
Sand, scattered by the impact, soared high into the sky and then dispersed all around. The grains of sand swirled in the air, creating a temporary fog.
"You two, don't stop. Keep shooting. I'll go left. Belkist and Nerisa, to the right. We'll strike simultaneously from both sides."
"Well, now. You don't pull any punches, do you."
Belkist grinned and moved to the right. Nerisa followed beside him.
I held my sword forward and stepped to the left. Simultaneously, I lowered my stance and used the recoil to charge forward. Red eyes glinted in the sand fog.
"Kuaaaaaah!"
A roar so powerful it made the air tremble.
The enemy's body was revealed through the scattering dust.
[Master, a unique monster has appeared!]
[Tips/Sometimes, there are rare monsters of which only one individual exists. Keep this in mind.]
Enough with the useless tips.
[Danger!]
[Half-Black Dragon Halgiraph Lv.42]
Its size was about 5 meters.
It had a lizard-like physique with wings and a tail. Scales with a black sheen covered its entire body. Its vertically slit red pupils fixed on me.
TWANG!
An arrow that cut through the air lodged itself in the black dragon's body.
The arrow, which had tried to penetrate the gaps between the scales, soon lost its force and fell weakly.
[This monster is immune to physical attacks!]
"...?"
Iolka's magic followed.
Flames, enhanced with telekinetic power, enveloped the black dragon's entire body and then exploded all at once.
[This monster is immune to magic attacks!]
A groan mixed with a metallic sound escaped the creature's mouth.
I frowned and stepped forward. Then, I brought my sword down with all my strength onto its outstretched neck.
[This monster is immune to physical attacks!]
CLANG!
Blue sparks flew as the blade was repelled.
It was the same for Belkist on the other side. The tip of Belkist's sword, aimed at a gap in the scales, slid off futilely.
[This monster is immune to physical attacks!]
The black dragon curled its body into a ball.
"Get away from it!"
I drew back my sword and quickly retreated.
The black dragon's curled body unfurled. Hundreds of sharp, hard scales shot out in all directions.
'This bastard…!'
Thwack-thwack-thwack!
The scales ruthlessly embedded themselves in the nearby sand.
While retreating, I parried the scales with my sword and blocked them with my shield.
"Kuh!"
['Nerisa(★★)' is now Bleeding. Her health will decrease periodically.]
I looked across.
Blood was flowing from Nerisa's left forearm. Belkist had resistance to thrown projectiles, and Jena and Iolka were far away, but the conditions were not good for Nerisa.
"I'm fine. It's nothing."
Nerisa quickly took out a potion and sprinkled it on the wound.
The black dragon remained crouched in place, staring at us.
TWANG!
Jena's arrow struck its red eye.
[This monster is immune to physical attacks!]
The thick arrow for the longbow slid off and fell to the sand.
"Wh-what is that? It doesn't seem to be working!"
Jena's jaw dropped.
I moved towards Iolka and Jena.
"Gather up for now."
All members of Party 1 gathered in one place.
Belkist grimaced and spoke, his gaze fixed on the creature.
"Swords don't work, arrows don't work. Magic seems useless too. Are its scales just that hard?"
"It's not that they're hard. They just don't work at all."
"What do you mean?"
"It means no matter how much we attack, it's useless."
Having physical immunity means it negates any type of physical attack.
That's what immunity is. It's the same for magic.
"What's that! That means there's no way!"
"Talk later. It's coming."
SHLICK!
From the black dragon's hands, 50cm long claws extended.
Iolka's face turned pale.
"Kuaaaaah!"
Like a snake slithering on the ground.
The black dragon approached, clawing through the sand.