Chapter 13
In the original work, this was a major part of the Sub Quests.
Since it was a sub-event, it wasn't so much about the story as it was an event you entered to obtain high-tier items.
'There are a lot of good items.'
It was a must-visit location, especially when playing on the [Impossible] difficulty.
If you didn't gear up here, it became difficult to deal with the that would strike in the late game.
In short, a farming spot.
[A Dungeon... It doesn't seem to be a small one.]
"Of course. It goes all the way down to the 100th Underground Floor."
[That's deep. A hundred floors would make it one of the largest on the continent....]
"That's why the Academy manages it directly. It could be dangerous if left alone."
The Academy city.
A Dungeon with a hundred floors sitting right beneath it.
Thanks to the Magic Power within the Dungeon itself, the land was fertile, and the Mana in the air was always pure.
Aside from these geographical advantages, the Dungeon was used for various purposes within the Academy.
[Isn't it dangerous? Having the Academy right on top of a Dungeon, I mean.]
"It's fine. The Dungeon's difficulty increases the further down you go. As long as you don't go too deep, nothing particularly dangerous will happen."
[But as far as I know, Dungeons periodically overflow....]
"Purgatory isn't an emission-type Dungeon. Just leaving it alone won't cause it to go out of control, nor will the Monsters inside overflow. Therefore, there's no need to raid the floors."
[Oh, then there must be floors that haven't been raided yet.]
"That's right. In fact, starting from the 70th Underground Floor, there are levels that even the Academy hasn't been able to clear yet."
Was she intrigued?
The Bat blinked her beautiful red eyes, her previous sleepiness gone.
[The human world is truly fascinating.]
"The Underground Dungeon... its official name is 'Purgatory'. Purgatory is also used as a training ground for the Academy Cadets."
[You said it's safe as long as you don't go too deep. That's certainly practical. It must be a good experience for seeds that are still growing. It's much safer than dispatching them outside.]
"It's not called the best educational facility on the continent for nothing."
[Mm-hmm.]
A safe Dungeon.
Of course, this would change once it reached the latter half of the story.
Once the fifth destruction reigned, the un-raided floors of Purgatory would start to run wild.
The Dungeon's Monsters and bosses would overflow to the surface.
The firmly believed rules would collapse.
The Player would have to face both the grand destruction and the underground Monsters at the same time.
'Thinking about the future... I should eventually clear Purgatory all the way to the 100th floor.'
Only the uncleared floors would run wild.
The more the Player cleared the underground beforehand, the easier the fifth destruction would become.
'Well, I'm here for a different reason today.'
The Purgatory raid was something I could handle step by step.
The reign of the fifth disaster was two years away.
There was still quite a bit of time left.
Today, I planned to focus on obtaining the items I originally set out for.
[By the way, Victor.]
"Yes, Princess."
The dark sky.
Prowling quietly near the Annex.
We walked carefully to avoid being caught by the Faculty on night patrol.
The Dormitory curfew had already passed, so we would definitely be disciplined if we got caught.
[Didn't you say the entrance to Purgatory was heavily guarded?]
"That's right. It would be a huge problem if the Students carelessly entered and caused an accident."
[Besides, you said there were no hidden paths. You also haven't received any special entry permit. Seeing how we're moving so stealthily, it seems you intend to sneak in.]
"You are correct."
[I simply cannot fathom how you plan to sneak in....]
That was true.
Because I hadn't shown Carmilla yet.
"You will know once you see it. We've just arrived."
"...?"
My steps came to a halt in an isolated clearing.
A corner that seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with a Dungeon.
The Bat tilted her head in confusion.
[Victor? Didn't you say earlier that the entrance to Purgatory was in Main Building A?]
"I did."
[Then why are we in a place so far away....]
"You'll find out from now on. Please stay quiet in my pocket so you don't fall."
[Hmm? Understood.]
I adjusted my clothes.
What I was about to do had to be done swiftly, reverently, and meticulously.
I found a small, bushy sapling on one side of the clearing.
I placed my toes exactly against the sapling, then lay down next to it as if prostrating myself.
[...Victor?]
The Bat questioned this bizarre behavior.
But I paid her no mind.
I pressed my abdomen to the ground and began to move back and forth.
Rub, rub-. It was quite a shabby sight, but I was serious.
Drawing dirty looks for bizarre actions was the destiny of a Bug Player.
[Vic, Victor...? Why are you doing this?]
[Are you hurt somewhere?]
I didn't answer.
I poured all my concentration entirely into Wall Rubbing and Wall Clip.
I rubbed my body several times until the Bug activated.
Carmilla simply harbored bewildered questions.
Just as her gaze began to turn increasingly troubled.
Click-.
'It worked.'
I felt a sensation as if catching on something.
Immediately after, my body sank right through the ground.
[Kya, kyaa...?!]
Carmilla was startled.
After enduring the sensation of falling for a moment....
"We've arrived."
[M-Mng...?]
The next moment.
We were standing in the middle of a large passageway.
'It's gloomy.'
The chilling air unique to the underground.
Faint lamps, a high Ceiling, and a floor paved with marble.
Carmilla looked around, seemingly adjusting to the changed scenery.
Soon realizing it was reality, she looked up at this side with wide eyes.
[H-How...?]
"I told you, didn't I? That you would find out soon."
We were on the 70th Floor.
We stood in the corridor leading to the Boss Room.
The Bat slipped out of my pocket and looked around frantically.
[H-How did you do this? What principle? What power is it? I definitely didn't feel any precursor....]
No Mana was felt.
It wasn't Teleport.
Yin and yang were not twisted.
It wasn't Sorcery either.
Demonic Energy wasn't stained.
It wasn't Dark Magic either.
Carmilla couldn't help but let her red eyes sparkle brightly.
[A power that I cannot detect! Did you deceive my senses as a Pureblood Vampire? Or is it a completely different form of power?]
"Hehe, are you surprised?"
[Of course! I knew you normally used mysterious powers, but I didn't know even this was possible.]
The silver Bat fluttering her wings.
I lightly tapped my Mask.
'It's not another power or anything, I just used a Bug....'
There was no other way to explain it, so I didn't offer any clarification.
I also didn't want to unnecessarily shatter her awe.
[It seems there is no one around.]
"Of course. It's the deepest part of the Dungeon."
Carmilla confirmed the fact that there was no one around.
The Princess lightly leaped up.
Immediately after, the girl returned to her original form from the Bat.
Her flowing silver hair was dazzling, catching the light of the Dungeon's lamps.
"Ahem! We just need to move forward like this!"
"It's this way. That thing you see at the end is the Boss Room."
"Is the item Victor wants in that room?"
"To be exact, the boss has it. We can probably obtain it by hunting the boss."
An item that can only be obtained through a first-clear hunt.
Since the 70th Floor hadn't been cleared yet, I had to make the first move and obtain it as a Player.
"But... an item for Victor. What kind do you need?"
"It's a weapon. There's one that would be perfect to use in the current situation."
"A weapon?"
The combination I used most often.
The Evil God set, and this.
It was an item that could form a synergy with the Mask I currently wore.
"If I had to specify, I'd say it's more of a cold weapon."
"Are you saying Victor needs something like that too? You're strong enough barehanded."
"It's better to have a variety of methods. It's so I can always remain a competent Retainer."
"Victor is already more than competent enough!"
"Hehe, thank you for the sentiment."
"I mean it...."
Before long, we arrived at the room's entrance.
Stepping closer, there was a simple notice attached.
Was it placed by the Faculty who attempted the raid earlier..
[Warning]
This 70th Floor is a floor that has not yet been cleared.
Please turn back the way you came.
Do not ignore this warning or open the gates before you.
[Warning]
Beyond here is the space where the Master of the 70th Floor resides.
Even the Academy has not yet been able to clear this area.
The Master's patterns change every time, and it is sometimes formless.
Turn back if you are not a dedicated Raid Member.
"Victor... is it really okay for us to enter?"
"Of course. You aren't scared, are you?"
"O-Of course not!"
[Warning]
Once entered, the doors to this space will not open until specific conditions are met.
The specific conditions are as follows.
-The death of the 70th Floor Master, or the deaths of all personnel who entered.
[Warning]
This is an area where even the survival rate of a regular Raid Squad is extremely low.
-A regular Raid Squad consists of at least two powerhouses at the Professor level.
-Twenty years ago. Following the deaths of five Professors during a raid, raids on this area have been temporarily suspended.
The probability of your survival is exceedingly low.
Do not enter under any circumstances.
"A-Are you sure this is really okay...?"
"Come. I'll open the gates right now."
"V-Victor! Let's go together...!"
Pitter-patter, Carmilla came trotting over.
I chuckled and placed my hand on the gate.
Perhaps because it had been neglected for so long, the hinges let out a heavy creak.
I forcefully pushed against the door, which was several times taller than me.
'Well.'
I had no worries about the raid.
Since there were no prying eyes, it was an environment where I could unleash my bizarre Bugs to my heart's content.
'Shall I show off my skills a bit?'
I adjusted the widely smiling Mask.
The gates opened, and a sudden chill wafted out.
I stepped forward into the space.
Toward the Master of the 70th Floor, who had remained an impregnable fortress for the past few decades.
***
However, Victor didn't know.
An empty space, completely free from the gazes of others.
"T-This is...?"
To think there would be eyes watching him even in such a place.
"H-He went in? Inside the Master's territory...?"
A dream that gazes directly at others.
Heteromorphic Dream.
The blue eyes of the girl lying in the Dormitory bed trembled.
"That person...?"
Alice.
The girl checked the shared vision, unable to hide her sheer astonishment.
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