I Reincarnated as a Hero
Chapter 17 – We Do This? (1)
Artpe went down the stairs to the 35th floor. He gritted his teeth as the Dungeon shamelessly showed no signs of ending.
“What kind of Dungeon is this !?”
“Not all Underground Jails like this, Artpe?”
Maetel's innocent eyes shone as she asked a question. He had drawn the short end of the stick by going into this brutal Dungeon as his first Dungeon. However, he did not have the right perspective to know better. He wasn't bored with this place, and he wasn't complaining. He had the essential traits required as a Dungeon explorer ….
“Mmm. What I want to say is .. ”
Artpe didn't know if this was a good thing or not. Therefore, he avoided giving an answer by stroking his head. In turn, Maetel's eyes narrowed happily as if she was a cat. Mycenae had left her wagon to look at them. He had a gentle look in his eyes as he spoke.
“It looks like you trained an animal, customer.”
“Silence. I want 245 gold. ”
“You said you would sell it to me for 230 gold a moment ago !?”
“Price for goods not set. The price can fluctuate depending on my condition or if others are being rude. Let's see .. Now this should be 247 … .. ”
“Two hundred and forty-five gold! I'll buy it!”
At this rate, Mycenae knew the price might go up further, so she quickly pushed the money towards him.
“Sini.”
“Koo-oooooooooh.”
Artpe grinned as he handed the item to her. Mycenae used her observation magic to examine the item, and she groaned.
“Kook. As expected, it was a very good weapon …. Your ability to price an item is really strange. It makes me want to recruit you into Anywhere's company. ”
“You won't steal Artpe from me, ajumma!”
“I'm really not ajumma!”
Maetel, who was standing there like a sheep, quickly hid Artpe behind him. Then he bared his teeth towards Mycenae. It made one wonder if he was a dog or some kind of animal in his previous life. Artpe patted Maetel, who was very worried.
“Even if I wanted to leave, I wouldn't be able to. Don't worry about that. By the way, if you sell that item to anyone, you will not be able to handle the consequences. Careful.”
The identity of the artifact handed to Mycenae is the Blood Gold Halberd, which holds the curse of madness.
It accelerates the destruction of the user's mind as a strong weakness, but its weapons will all destroy all enemies and allies.
However, Maetel already had control over his Berserk skill, so it was a useless weapon for him. Moreover, the weapon was too heavy for Artpe to hold.
Still, it would be an attractive option for most adventurers or mercenaries. The weapon will lead the user down a path of destruction, but ambition leads people to take the weapon. It is a trait inherent in all humans.
“Hoo. As a merchant, my job is to sell them at a high price. Outside the province of I to determine, who is the owner of a good. ”
“You are an unscrupulous trader.”
Artpe let out a bitter laugh as he took out 100 gold from his pouch, and he pushed it towards Mycenae. He already knows what he's going to ask for. Mycenae gave no answer as she took the money. Then he prepared potions, water, and rations.
In the past year, he appeared every time they moved to the next floor. He monopolized the trade with them as they moved from the 6th floor to the 34th floor. This type of trading is almost automated.
“Sorry, customer.”
He collected items worth 100 gold without frills. Mycenae asked a question as she split the items between Artpe and Maetel.
“What is the identity of this dungeon? Why keep it like this? Would it possibly have a tunnel leading to the demon world in the end? ”
“We are exploring this place to find that answer.”
“You can't make guesses using your abilities?”
Mycenae's face was completely shocked. Artpe grunting.
“I think you have too many opinions with respect to my abilities.”
“When the number of floors deepens, the items that come out are more in line with my likes. From my point of view, I don't mind if the Dungeon continues for another 100 floors…. Still, it was clear that this Dungeon was not formed naturally. You probably guessed this, right? ”
“Iya nih.”
Artpe nodded his head in a trance. Then he looked at the stairs leading to the 35th floor.
Ghouls who were about 2 levels higher than the ones on the 34th floor were probably waiting for them on the next floor. Otherwise, there would be one leap in difficulty, and new monsters might appear.
“This Underground Prison was created by someone with a clear purpose in mind. It is true and certain that we are both not compatible challengers to that goal. ”
“Usually, people usually search the history of the region to get a clue about the Dungeon. If you want such research done, I can do it for you. I will gladly receive a commission to research about the history of this region …. ”
“See you, ajumma.”
“I know you will answer in such a way.”
Mycenae grumbled as she left. He recorded another loss for him. He received a net loss as he disappeared beside the light.
However, after he sent her away, his words made her become mired in his thoughts again.
“History of this region ....?”
According to his knowledge, this region was where heroes were born. Nothing special. It was a place where there was a normal city near the mountain. He knew from his past life that not much was going on here.
On the other hand, how could there be nothing here? Even now, he was in a strange Dungeon created by someone.
Maybe this place is hidden? What if this place is protected from the eyes of heroes and Demon Lords?
In the past, the hero did not want to desecrate the grave, because he was well raised by his family. It could also be the fact that he was quickly sent packing into the royal palace as if he was a fragile glass statue. In the end, he had not found this place. Is there a secret hidden here?
‘What happened here in the past? Did something important happen here? ”
He has no way of finding out. Even if Artpe had the ability of Read All Creation, he could not look back into the past to a time when he was not alive. That's not possible.
On the other hand, if such a thing might happen …
“Artpe ... ..?”
“....it's okay.”
Maetel looked at his face with a worried look in her eyes. Artpe shook his head to expel such thoughts, and he answered him. Unexpectedly, Maetel looked rather sad.
“Your face is very serious and dashing.”
“Hmmph-s. Such sweet words would only work against the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King army. ”
This was why such words worked on him. It was a direct hit. Artpe let out a fake cough as he tried to hide the fullness he felt in his heart.
He did not know what would appear in front of them. It was something that could not be confirmed unless one saw it with one's own eyes. He also knew that the priorities of this Dungeon had changed when he learned how the Dungeon was structured.
‘In my past life, the hero wasted five years of his life in the castle. We have a lot of free time. ”
Of course, even if Artpe used all kinds of methods to focus on leveling up, it was unclear if he would be able to achieve better results than this.
They will miss the battle with the horde of Skulls connected by a rare magic called Record Link. They would miss out on the precious EXP, and the artifacts they received as gifts. They will not accumulate this much wealth.
A factor affecting the scale was the fact that Artpe and Maetel were able to develop so many high-quality Skills here. That's bonkers. If they had not drawn this Dungeon as their first starting place, he wondered if they would be able to develop skills like Berserk and Mana Link.
Even if they continued to stay within the Dungeon for five years, it would not hinder their development.
‘Ah. Of course, I have to get out of here and find those places as soon as possible .. ‘
Artpe had memories of his past life, so he had some significant advantages he could obtain for himself. He was talking about great magic spell books, ancient ruins and the like.
While Artpe was fighting within the Dungeon, he created a hierarchy of which items he would choose first. He would gain a sufficient level in the Dungeon where they would be able to travel the world without worry. They will start traveling according to the list he has made.
This was why they did not have time to hesitate or look back at what had already happened. It doesn't matter what awaits them. They're going to move forward. This was the will of Maetel and Artpe even if their goals were different!
Once they smoothly defeated the Demon King, he would have the means to be able to raise cows in the countryside. At that time, he would be done with Maetel! She did not care whether she wanted to become the queen of the country or the female pope of the religion she had built. He is free to do whatever he wants!
Until then, Artpe and Maetel must lead healthy, wealthy lives. In the near future, they would have to pass through this Underground Prison without any complications.
“Are you not tired, Maetel? Should we go down after sleeping? ”
“I'm not tired, Artpe. What about you, Artpe? Do you want to use my lap as a pillow? ”
“I'm also not tired.”
“Tsk.”
Maetel grumbled as if she was dissatisfied with his answer. Artpe brought Maetel to the 35th floor of the Dungeon.
At that moment, a powerful tremor shook the Underground Prison. Accompanying the tremors, wet and moldy sounds could be heard in their ears.
(This test has been maintained for a very long time.)
“That's a very unpleasant introduction !?”
It was as if a legendary figure would step forward from the darkness if they stepped forward. It was the line given by the creatures, who would drop adventurers to hell!
“Hey, let's go back for a moment.”
(Rejected.)
When he heard the introductory sentence emerge from the darkness, Artpe immediately knew something was amiss. He quickly ordered a retreat as soon as they stepped onto this floor. However, the road back to the 34th floor was blocked.
(You bastards are only allowed to advance.)
“You speak a very good game .. Ooh?”
Artpe clicked his tongue as he tried to use Mana. However, the wall-mounted torch started to light up to start from the nearest torch. The light from the fire revealed the layout of the 35th floor. Artpe groaned when he saw them.
“...crazy.”
“See them, Artpe ...”
They were in a very large square, and there were a large number of armored knights filling the place. The armored knights boasted far more domineering spirits compared to the Ghouls. It was obvious that the Undead were inside the armor.
(We've been waiting for you, the destroyer of rules.)
(Brothers are rude. You are a honey-tongued boy who defies logic.)
(Your assessment is near.)
Even in death, these beings did not forget the wills and techniques carved on their bodies. They are knights, who have a sense of self. They are Death Knights. They were all strong, and they were all above level 150. There are 500 of them.
If a normal level 120 party were to fight with this group, the chances of them winning were uncertain.
The one standing in front raised his bastard sword towards Artpe as his helmet rattled.
(You have caused disgrace to all of us. You have corrupted pure heroes by spitting on our intentions. You have underestimated our strength. Your misguided will is now wrapped in a strong body, and the worst situation has happened on the pass. You humiliate fate. You connect things that should not be connected, and you decide things that should not be disconnected.)
All the Death Knights following were in the lead as they pointed their swords towards Artpe. During all this, they did not show much hostility towards Maetel. They directed all their hatred towards Artpe as if he was their sworn enemy. That pissed Artpe off.
This bastard quickly assessed the situation!
(However, we cannot deny the fact that you are a hero. This is why we will give you this last chance. If you take this last test correctly, we will believe in this reality that has been reversed. We will believe in the hope of blooming from within the darkness that will lead to change into the future. We'll go back to sleep.)
“No, you don't really have to trust me.”
The unpleasant feeling increased as time passed. Artpe prepared the only special magic he had. He prepared himself to use Hyper Rubbing, then he clasped Maetel's shoulder. It was a signal for him to get ready for battle. It also told him to be careful of their enemies.
“Don't worry about that, Artpe.”
Even in such a situation, Maetel's expression was calm. In the past year, his face had matured. She already looked like an angel, but her beautiful smile made her look like an archangel. He gave Artpe assurance.
“I'll protect Artpe. Artpe will protect me in return? ”
“...iya here. I trust you.”
The shield on Artpe's back rose into the air. He only needed to repair the shields a few times as they descended from the 6th floor to the 35th floor. This is why the shield was not replaced with another weapon. It was a rare artifact that bestowed a weak curse on whatever was hit. If he was with the shield, there was nothing to fear!
(When the battle begins, he may use cheap tactics to get us to face each other.)
However, the enemies he was about to face were too resolute in defending against mental war.
(This is why we will force the activation of the final test, so that you can deal with it.)
“Uh, hey .. Wait a minute, you guys are .”
Artpe tried to speak as he realized what they were going to do, but the Knights of Death only stared intently at Artpe as they thrust their swords into their hearts. Where they flood! Record Link's restrictions made it impossible to attack fellows, but it seemed that suicide was possible!
As he faced the domineering scene, Artpe shouted in shock.
“You bastards will be punished even if you kill yourself!”
(We are Dead!)
499 Death Knights destroyed on the spot. The oppressive energy of each Death Knight flowed towards the single Death Knight standing in the middle.
It happened when Artpe and Maetel were dumbstruck by that ridiculous sight.
(I'm ready, hero.)
The power of the armored knights was gathered into one being, and ‘Itu’ was reborn as a terrible nightmare. It made a statement as it pointed its long sword towards the two heroes.
(Tests will begin.)
