NOVEL FROG (Vol3)109. Another Way
Lying alone in the endless sand, a few black armours stand out, popping out of the ocean of sand. The remnants of death have disappeared, leaving only heat and dryness in the air.
I approach the armour with each step sinking into the fine grains, imprinting my footsteps.
I pull the armour out and scoop the sand aside.
"There it is."
A wide red metal emerges from the golden pool. The Dragon Slayer I used to kill the commander.
Before I keep it in my storage ring, a thought comes to mind. I place my hand out, palm open, and grip as hard as possible.
Bam!
A small impact explodes. Muscles in my fingers burst with energy and vigour; I am several times stronger than my past self a year ago.
With a deep breath, I attempt to challenge the insurmountable. Hands wrapped around the grip, core tightened, fingers dug into the handle for leverage, and legs crouched. I channel mana through my body.
Using an eruption of force, I utilize every muscle tissue to lift the impenetrable weight.
"UGHHHHH..."
The greatsword slightly yields, rising from the ground.
"Huff huff huff..."
However, that's as far as it goes. I can only lift it to my chest.
I succumb to its defiance and let go, allowing it to crash back into the sand.
"Huff phew... I have a long way to go."
I turn to the armour. Despite a broken gorget, other parts are as good as new, and the materials can be foraged.
As I store the armour and greatsword in my storage ring, I ponder this dungeon.
Why do we need to defend this fortress? Why did everyone disappear? And...
Is there really an escape ticket? If the system wants me dead, it definitely won't supply one.
"Tch... damn it." I scratch my hair.
I empty my mind. It's time to return to square one.
There are two plausible methods I can execute at my level. One is to somehow escape through an escape ticket... the second is to beat the dungeon unconventionally, basically cheating.
Despite the searing heat waves, I sit on the sand and close my eyes.
The objective of the game is to defend the fortress. But why? Is there something in the fort that those monsters need to get?
Secondly, the monsters are too organized and separated and attack at predictable intervals. There are two answers to that phenomenon. The first is an alliance, and the second is taming control, similar to the beast horde I faced back at Elvis (Volume 1). The latter has a higher chance.
I glance back at the outline of the fortress on the horizon, a silhouette of an abandoned civilization.
The failing condition is the fall of the gate. It might be reasonable for other games, but "Elvis Arcane" stands out. Everything has a reason in "Elvis Arcane."
If the monsters want to destroy the city, the failing condition would be eradicating the fortress, not a mere fall of defence.
On the other hand, if the monsters want something in the city, the failing condition would be the critical item falling into the monsters' hands.
...
Why the gate?
Why? Why?
...
A ridiculous hypothesis slides in. Maybe... Just maybe... What if the monsters want to secure the city itself?
If I think that way, it makes sense. Even so, more questions arise. Why this fortress? It's in the middle of nowhere with no environmental advantage or resources.
With that senseless brainstorming, I return to the fortress.
Climbing onto the walls, I glance at the city. With the sun out, I could get a better view and notice something amiss. Was I hallucinating yesterday? The city was clean and proper, with clothing scattered around. The buildings, once adorned with vibrant colours and intricate architectural details, now stand dilapidated and decayed. Time has left its mark on every surface, leaving behind a tapestry of cracked walls, shattered windows, and crumbling facades.
Once a bustling hub of life and activity, it now stands as a haunting relic of a bygone civilization.
What happened?
Only a day has passed by; this has never occurred before in my playthroughs.
Despite exhaustion screeching down their bodies, the officers rummage through the decayed city for the escape ticket.
Kasli floats atop the walls, eyes closed with full concentration, and uses magic to scrutinize the city.
"Hello."
"Ah!" Kasli drops down. "H-Hello, I didn't detect you."
"Kasli, right? Sorry for the late introduction, I'm Arsto." I reply and extend my hand.
She takes it and nods. "I-It's my pleasure."
I shoot my gun in the air to get everyone's attention and gesture for them to come back up to the wall. They retreat and climb up the ladders.
"S-Sir. Is there a problem?" Leo asks when everyone is gathered.
I glance at Kasli. "Kasli, have you recovered enough mana to cast something huge that can destroy the city?"
"Destroy? Why?"
"There's something I am curious about. Don't worry, we won't fail the dungeon if you don't hit the walls."
There was never an option to destroy the city when playing as Rena. I was always sceptical about the objective of the monsters and what truly happened here.
Kasli complies and raises her hand. A large vortex of flaming fire swirls overhead and surges into the sky. Above the city, a blinding pillar of fire plunges down, erupting hell. The blast tears through the atmosphere, reverberating shockwaves through decaying streets and crumbling buildings. Debris is flung into the air, fragments of broken glass, splintering wood, and metal spinning like chaotic confetti.
The acrid scent of burning materials permeates the air.
What's left is a charred crater as scars of the explosion. Amidst the black debris is a small glimpse of emerald.
I jump down the tall wall and land with ease, stepping across crunching shards of glass. Others follow behind.
I brush aside the dirt and sand and find a small emerald vase. The vibrant green glaze that embellishes the surface radiates fresh, verdant leaves dancing in the sunlight.
As I run my fingers through the texture, I feel the refreshing striations of nature.
"What the heck is this? It survived that explosion?" I mumble.
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?????
Error.
This item's #&&#% is not found.
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It's the same message as the seed I found in the "Elvis Arcane" Dungeon.
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Error...
Error...
An unexpected variable has occurred.
The mastermind has noticed the antique.
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Wave ??? will arrive in two hours.
×1 Servant of the gods
×1 #%%&£&
Hide the vase.
Do not let them get it.
All "Tower" statuses will be removed from all participants.
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Main mission updated.
Survive for five hours without losing the vase.
Reward: Escape ticket
Failure: Death
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!!!!
"W-What's going on??!" Audrey exclaims.
"I don't know!" I reply.
What?
Servant of the gods? What the fuck?