Chapter 96

We set foot in the dungeon shortly after 8 AM. By the time we arrived at our destination, the clock indicated that it was already noon.

If we walked just a little further in this land where the fake relics for the experiential learning mission were hidden, we would find a concealed passageway.

“We need to find the oddly shaped tree. It’ll be just a little further from here.”

“You’re talking about the tangled one, right?”

Before long, I discovered the hidden passage that led to the dungeon’s secret relics. In a quiet clearing, there were four enormous trees tangled together.

“This is it!”

As I answered, the Violets began searching the area. Dozens of Violets jabbed the ground with their sharp sticks, checking for anything solid.

Irene, who was watching us rummage through the ground, asked, “Is it really around here?”

“According to the information I’ve heard, I’m sure this is the spot!”

Based on the main story’s memory, there’s a fun gimmick hidden at the end of Chloris Forest. To enter the ruins, we need to find a totem buried somewhere in this thicket.

“I think it was around here somewhere.”

I closed my eyes and began to search the jungle floor. The moisture, earthy smell, and buzzing of insects had long been drowned out by the rustling movements of the Violet Squad. We focused intently on the ground beneath our feet.

After about ten minutes of digging, I felt something hard.

“This is it!”

One of the Violets exclaimed excitedly while pointing to the ground. As I dug with my hands, a finely carved leopard-shaped piece caught our attention. We had discovered a hidden leopard totem that should’ve activated five years later, now waiting for visitors.

“That’s amazing. To find such a piece deep inside an uninhabited dungeon…”

Daphne remarked with interest. Irene, who had been quietly observing our activity, asked, “That’s impressive! What do we do now?”

I touched the forehead of the leopard totem and said, “We just need to slowly infuse magical power into it. Watch closely!”

The surface of the totem was smooth. As I slowly channeled magical power, there was initially no response. Then, suddenly, the totem sank into the ground.

“See? It works!”

And the ground around us began to tremble. But that wasn’t all. As if a giant that had long been asleep was waking, the flow of Ether surged fiercely around us. Ether spilled from the ground like geysers erupting everywhere.

“It’s opening! It’s opening!”

We all shivered in awe at the phenomenon.

While the totem reacted, the ground beneath us gently shook. After a while, as the commotion calmed down, the earth in front of the trees collapsed, revealing a dark passageway. Beyond it, stone stairs were visible.

“That’s the ruins the Violets mentioned…”

“Right! Let’s go in quickly!”

As the passage opened, the secret ruins hidden by Chloris Forest came into view. This was the deep ruins of the Chloris dungeon. In the game, it is a place located at the end of the dungeon.

And at the end of the dungeon, the boss awaits foolish adventurers.

“Before we go in, let’s take a moment to regroup. If what the Violets said is correct, there’ll be powerful monsters waiting here.”

Following Irene’s suggestion, we had a quick snack and drank some water. We decided to have lunch after gaining experience in the ruins. The three girls, dressed in white, sat near a fallen tree or on the grass to rest.

Suddenly, Daphne, who seemed deep in thought, asked me, “The amount of magical power released when the entrance opens was enormous; won’t anyone nearby find it strange?”

The Violets gasped in shock. Why hadn’t we thought about that?

“Oh… right! What should we do?”

Upon hearing this, Irene quickly assuaged our concerns. “Don’t worry about that. When we came here, we pushed through the vines. Do you remember what it was like then?”

“They were really tough!”

Upon hearing my response, she cut a hanging vine and handed it to Daphne and me.

“Take a look. Can you feel the magical power?”

“Really?”

“It’s true. It’s leaking out little by little, but I can feel the Ether.”

“The plants that grow inside the dungeon have been influenced by Ether for a long time, so they mutate. They won’t become monsters, but they’ll be much tougher than the plants outside the dungeon.”

While I pondered what that meant, Daphne seemed to recall something and let out a short “Ah!”

“I get it! According to what Irene said, the trees and bushes infused with jungle magic will hide the magical power released when the exit opens.”

“That’s right.”

So, that’s how it was. It’s a relief to know that other students won’t come rushing in, causing a commotion, and instructors won’t hurriedly come over in surprise.

Thinking about it, our speed was quicker than the other students. There had to be a gap of one to two hours. Normally, we’d have to reroute past abnormal phenomena or unexplored areas, but the power of the Violet Squad allowed us to cut through.

Once we finished regrouping, it was time to enter the ruins.

“This time, we’ll go in first!”

Leading the charge was Violet Unit 301, holding a riot shield. Irene glanced over at Daphne and nodded.

“Don’t push yourselves too hard; if you encounter anything dangerous, let us know, okay?”

Daphne’s shield enveloped 301’s body. It seemed thicker than usual.

“Joint reinforcement, sound dampening, magical power boost, metal enhancement…”

Not stopping there, she cast even smaller supporting spells.

“You won’t get hurt at all now. Don’t worry.”

“Uh, thanks…!”

Daphne’s gaze towards Unit 301 was like that of a fish in an icebox. I wondered why.

After finishing up all the minor procedures, we stepped into the dungeon with both excitement and anxiety for the adventure awaiting us deep inside. As we descended the stairs, a damp, dark passage greeted us, filled with an indescribable musty smell.

Suddenly, a brilliant light enveloped us. It was the end of the passage.

“What’s that…?”

Irene, who was moving just behind 301, gasped at the scenery outside the passage. The underground ruins were bright and boasted a spacious area. Perhaps that was why trees and plants grew lush here as well.

Gazing further ahead, there was a small circular plaza made of stone floor. Surrounding the plaza were trees and large and small walls and pillars that were hard to identify. Each one was covered in moss or tangled vines.

The Violets turned their gaze in another direction. In the center of the circular plaza stood a large yellow crystal about the size of a person, surrounded by incomprehensible machinery.

That thing is the Ether Amplifier. According to the settings, it’s a remnant left behind by a civilization that perished in a different dimension. Operating it can significantly enhance the abilities of any Awakened Ones nearby, safely and without side effects.

Unfortunately, the area around the Ether Amplifier was swarming with monsters. We approached stealthily around the stone plaza, as there were more than a squad of Violets, making it quite a task to move quietly.

“We have to take care of all those creatures to activate the ruins, right?”

“That’s right.”

All around us were swarms of Scrags. Some were lying down sleeping or picking their noses. The Scrags in Novastiya dungeon were gray, but those living here were green. Anyone could mistake them for goblins or orcs.

“Only weaklings are showing up; I don’t see any of the boss monsters from the main story, like Kranos or Brask.”

The impostor T-Rex that showed up unexpectedly during the entrance ceremony had originally been the boss monster here. Thankfully, it was not in sight now.

Amid the small Scrags, a large, humanoid monster came into view, covered in spikes.

“That’s Warden. That guy is the one…”

“Is he the one that uses the blocking barrier? Got it.”

The Violets quickly dispersed around. Normally, they would unleash gunfire in a firepower battle against those monsters, but unfortunately, we had to use crossbows. Crossbows, when viewed coldly, were basically sword energy launchers. Their power was remarkable, but they had slow projectile speeds and lacked the thrilling impact of a regular hit. In a large-scale battle, they felt somewhat unsatisfactory.

As agreed before coming to the dungeon, while Daphne remained in the back guarded by two squads, the assault team lined up in front of Irene. The remaining Violets all readied their crossbows, aiming at the enemies.

Irene raised her left hand to signal. The Violets hiding among the trees and bushes raised their crossbows like robots, moving in perfect harmony.

When the time was right, Irene lowered her left hand.

“Fire!”

The sound of bowstrings twanging burst out in rapid succession, and red beams struck the monster horde.

“Kreeeeek!”

“Graaarrrk!”

While the monsters were startled by the sudden assault, the Violet squad and Irene rushed in. The Scrag casters raised their arms to shoot magic bullets. The assault team, adorned with golden magical power and verdant protective shields, sustained no damage.

“Attack! Attack!”

In a single charge, the monster horde was sent flying into the air. The Warden, standing among them, deployed a lattice-patterned barrier around himself. However, the slowly approaching, magic-infused bolts sliced through the barrier like a knife through butter. As Warden writhed in pain, the Violets wielding axes and swords dashed into the barrier.

“Don’t rush in too quickly. Usually, if you’re slower than the bullets, you’ll pass through, but there’s a chance you could bounce back sometimes. Before entering the barrier, just take it slow as if you’re walking.”

After the orientation, I recalled something Instructor Frederick had briefly mentioned before. We entered as if we were walking through a barrier. As Warden flailed his arms, it was slower than I’d expected.

“Creak!”

Before long, the monster skirmish came to a close as one by one, the monsters fell. With only the Scrag swarm remaining, the situation finished more easily than anticipated.

“Casualty report!”

“Unit 1, three minor injuries. No fatalities.”

“Unit 2, one serious injury. No fatalities.”

“Unit 3, no injuries here! None at all!”

The Violets and our team successfully breached the ruins surprisingly quickly. The pace was suspiciously fast, but we were lucky.

“Nobody got hurt. That’s a relief…”

While Daphne smiled quietly, Irene approached the Ether Amplifier with curious eyes.

Now was the time for rewards. Let’s find the treasure chest too.