V2 Chapter 10

“I estimate about ten each row,”

Granite walked towards him and saw as her sharp gaze scanned the rows of coffins and specially made sarcophagus.

“About twenty rows deep. This seems to really be a massive gravesite,”

“Almost two hundred coffins, or perhaps Terra-Cotta Warriors and Sarcophagi? That’s incredible,” Rain subconsciously said while inhaling a deep breath. It was beyond his imagination.

“Terra-Cotta Warriors?”

“Sarcophagi?”

“Yeah… something like that."

Rain nodded his head.

"... Except that these things are not standing warriors as they’re all lying down with their hands crossed over their chest, so most likely they are Sarcophagus,”

... the Egyptian kind perhaps…still, the one who made them must be someone incredibly interesting.

Rain explained while waking.

“This place looks like a giant tomb…”

Lafetti took his hand, and they walked past row after row of dead people encased in clay.

They ascended some stone steps inside, and then entered another hall.

Rain frowned by the stench of musk and dirt, and some kind of strange odor. There, he and the others saw two stone slabs were raised like altars. But as soon as Rain saw what was written on them, his face turned strange.

“What is it? Is something wrong?”

Scarlet saw his strange expression and asked curiously.

Rain shook his head. He doesn’t know what significance these gravemarks are, but why are they full of words of Shakespeare.

“It’s nothing. It says ‘Cowards die many times before their deaths.’ and ‘The Valiant never taste of death but once.’ It’s the first half before the words written on the other epitaph outside. ‘Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. It seems to me most strange that men should fear. Seeing death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.’ It’s what Julius Caesar once said.”

Though, why the last half was outside while the first half of that statement was here, inside, he felt a strange doubt. Is there some significance to this? Or perhaps, it was placed wrong. But that can't be.

This should be the one outside while the other should be here; basing on the way it was said by Julius Caesar.

There must be something…

“What does it—”

*Creak! Creak! Creak!

Lafetti was about to ask when suddenly, several of the stone coffins started moving. The coffin’s lid opening, and then a dirty yellow eye peered in.

“Look out!”

Even as she shouted, Scarlet launched a fire arrow towards.

“GRRB?!”

The flame arrow threaded through the rent in the coffin lid and pierced the goblin through the eye and exploded. The stone coffin turned into bits, revealing a secret passage underneath, where dozen Goblins were wailing in pain, blood-splattered and limbs scattered in an instant.

Rain turned towards behind him, there, Scarlet still with an outstretched hand, pointing at the exploded coffin.

“Nice shot,” he said with a wry smile on his face.

Scarlet’s face blossomed with a smile. She had never let down her guard, and most of all, Ants like her has the most sensitive smell, or rather, senses, hence the moment the stinking goblins appeared, she had already sensed it, even if it’s underground.

Although the Lamians were equally perceptive as her, however, since they don’t really care about weak monsters like Goblins, or that they were focused on something else, they were a few seconds late to react. And Scarlet took the ball, straight down to the goal.

Being praised by Rain, Scarlet’s expression beamed. Lafetti and the Granite could only roll their eyes. However, although they wanted to say something, suddenly, the other stone coffins burst out, and countless Goblins started pouring out from them.

“GORORB!!”

“GROOROB!!”

The cries of the Goblins echoed in the entire mausoleum. Even Laffeti and Granite furrowed their brows looking at it.

There’s too many, and to think that every stone coffins are an underground passage for Goblins—it was clear that they were hidden passages, a trap, rather than normal coffins, as it would be impossible to accommodate the number of Goblins coming out from inside the coffins.

“This is not a mausoleum, nor a tomb…”

Rain frowned as he readied himself for a fight.

“This is a trap!” he turned towards the only exit, only to see that it was now a wall made of Goblins and Hobgoblins. Though there is no Goblin Lords, there are certainly quite a high number of elite types; Goblin and Hobgoblin Riders, Mages, Warriors, Shaman, and many more.

“And it seems you’re not wrong, Rain,”

Lafetti said as she stared at the Goblins that were pouring out from the Stone Coffins, with a grave expression.

“This is a trap,”

In just a few minutes, the silent, eerie crypt was now filled with a noisy, and murderous horde of Goblins in every nook and cranny of the Mausoleum.

They had been encircled with bloodlust covering the entire place. The atmosphere was so tense, it’s as if a single spark could ignite everything and burn the entire area.

“GORORB!!”

“GROOROB!!”

The cries echoing through the entire place like the rumbling of a gathering thunderstorm.

“They’re well equipped.”

Granite noticed one exceptionally large creature who seemed to be leading them. It was at the far end, wielding an incredibly large mace-like club with sharp spikes protruding at its head, and some on its shaft.

“A hob… No.”

With a soft grunt and a flash of her right arm, she flung a dagger at the creature. It struck true, piercing the vital point of an exposed shoulder, but the wound was clearly not fatal. Goblins are often referred to as “little imps,” but there was nothing little about this one.

Even the toughness of its skin was like a natural armor, or perhaps it was even harder than ordinary metal?

“GROOROBOBOOOROBBBBB!!”

The monster’s dark green skin rippled with muscles, so many it seemed fit to burst with them. It held an enormous Barbaric Club with ominous sharp spikes. Depending on its appearance, and the horrifying murderous intention that the weapon was obviously emitting, it was certainly, and without a doubt a Magical Weapon. For how it managed to possess one, who knows. But it surely is not some ordinary magical weapon.

The ugly smile on his face was certainly that of a goblin, but…

“A goblin champion.”

Lafetti's expression darkened.

The champion had stumbled slightly when the dagger struck him, but now he pulled the blade out and gave a gaping grin. The wound on his shoulder seemed to have not even hurt it the least bit.

“GORAORARO!!”

It snorted in contempt. And even its expression seemed to be taunting and mocking at the same time.

“GORORB!!”

“GROOROB!!”

The Goblins responded with an equal mocking expression on their faces as they made noises with their weapons, and cries. They look like Tribe people who were preparing for battle.

“Wow, look at them welcoming us, what good people,” Rain smiled wryly.

“Yeah, it’s good to see that you still have some humor left in you, Rain,” Lafetti giggles reflected supreme confidence, not one that is facing such a despairing scene.

Anyone would have started trembling and shaking in fear in front of this many enemies surrounding you. This is basically a battle, where one is against a hundred enemies. A true Battle where you have to kill until your hands go limp with exhaustion.

Nevertheless, even if it's double the number, Lafetti and the others have their own pride, and arrogance engraved deep within their bones. Mere Goblins are nothing to be worried about!

Lafetti smiled nonchalantly, and at the same time analyzed her surroundings calmly. Rain was looking at the Goblin Horde with curiosity, and interest with also a clear hint of excitement in his gaze, while Granite wore an expression brimming with fighting spirit. As for the last one, the Ant Queen, Scarlet was silently observing from the sides, looking worried.

Noticing this, Lafetti couldn't help but smiled provocatively and turned towards the Ant Queen who was frowning while looking at the Goblin Champion, her gaze lingering for many moments, then turned the other way to regard the other group; the obviously Goblin and Hobgoblin Elites; Riders, Warriors, Mages, Archers, Shaman, and many more gathered behind the normal goblins that seemed to be cannon fodders.

“If you’ve not got the belly for it, you can stand back, and let us do our thing,” Lafetti began, interpreting the Ant Queen’s interest as fear.

“You’re not leaving me out of this!”

Scarlet came back sharply, rudely actually, and the uncustomary edge to her voice made Rain and Granite regard her curiously.

Well, this thing can’t be blamed on her, after all, she had never get to fight a horde like this, without any of her guards and minions. But with just only the four of them against this horde, she would surely need to fight more than usual—against this many. No matter who it was, anxiety and fear would surely appear.

In fact, Rain feeling barely anything even after seeing it, is the odd one here.

However, still, she might be a scaredy-cat or rather, ant, but nevertheless, she was not a coward. She’ll still fight properly when push comes to shove. As proof of it, the worries on the Ant Queen's face only lasted for a moment, before regaining its regal look.

The temperature around her, rose up, and then, her skin started to dye reddish, and her arms ignited in red blazing flames, causing Lafeti who saw it smirk bemusedly. She actually didn’t look down on her, just, she was teasing her. The Ant Queen’s reaction amused her.

“At least, there’s no Goblin King…”

It would have made things very difficult if a Goblin King appeared. After all, it was more powerful than a mere Goblin Champion. And it was said that a Goblin King can lay waste a small Kingdom without a problem. That’s the testimony of their strength. Therefore, even if Rain was confident with his and the other Lamians powers and abilities, against a Goblin King, their chances of survival would be doubtful with only four of them.

But since there is no Goblin King among the Horde and only a Goblin Champion as its leader, it's safe to assume that their victory on this battle, is already at hand.

“A Goblin King is an anomaly, like that of an Orc King. It will only appear once in a million if lucky. If not, then perhaps once in 20 to 50 years. It's not something you can just meet if you want. Furthermore, this is the inside of a Dungeon, these Goblins might be false beings like the others.” Lafetti said with an indifferent expression.

“A Goblin Lord could appear, but a Goblin King is impossible.”

“A false being?"

Rain's ears perked the moment he heard the confusing words of Lafetti. Although he had heard, read and know a lot, there are still many things he doesn't know in this world. This fantasy world is basically still a box full of surprises for him, waiting for him to uncover.

"...What do you mean?”

“They are Artificial Creatures, Rain… although not all, there are some Dungeons that generate Monsters through Magic.” Granite answered his inquiry.

“You can even say they’re forgeries created in the particular monster’s image.”

“Magic?! Is that even possible?” Rain’s eyes widened in shock.

Magic can also do such a thing?!

Lafetti nodded her head. “Yes, it’s possible. In the first place, Magic is the process in which Mana is consumed to create effects, as shown with Alchemy you love so much.”

“Are you saying Transmutation? But they are living beings, aren’t they?! Although I heard that there are some practices of transmuting living beings such as a Chimera. But it’s only done through the use of other living beings. And more so, the success rate is extremely low, and the outcome being disastrous, monsters without mind and soul. Hence, it’s considered a taboo practice!”

“Yes, and that’s what they are. But they are not truly, alive in some sense. They’re Magic created to emulate living beings, and they would do anything, without any qualms or hesitation in attacking and killing any of those that would appear in the Dungeon. That’s because they were made, solely for that purpose."

Lafetti explained. Then, she opened her palm and conjured a spear made out of water, which she shot at the annoying Goblin riding a dog-type ugly creature that almost resembled Bone eaters.

The Goblin was ramming its tattered sword against its shield, making a lot of noises, while even crying out along with the others. But with the sudden Water Spear, the Goblin's head exploded like a watermelon in a seaside, shocking the other Goblins.

To this, Lafetti didn't really care and continued: "... Like a Water Spear. A launched Water Spear pays no heed to why it was fired at a specific target. In the same vein, these monsters are an attack spell the Dungeon aimed at those who intrude on it.”

“… …”

“Haven’t you wondered why, when the Goblins we had encountered up until here, a few minutes after death, they slowly disappeared, without leaving any bodies behind?”

Rain tilted his head.

Now that she mentions it. Because he knows that this Dungeon was like a Virtual Game, and was even based on it, Rain immediately thought that everything was just the way they are, without questioning anything.

In Games, aside from drops and loots, it’s common sense that the body of a monster will disappear. Rain, who didn’t really care about it, just subconsciously thought that this Dungeon runs the same system.

But now that he thought about it, this is Reality. And to a native, like Lafetti and the others, it would surely be very strange. Then, there must be a logical reason.

Lafetti stroked his head with a sweet smile, seeing his realization of the matter.

“They are just a product of Magic that think they’re sentient beings. And also, every monster killed, will break down into mana…which they are made of. It’s like a cycle; they will manifest into being, and then die, will once again return back into mana.”

“That’s…incredible,”

“Indeed, incredible. But it’s not something anyone could easily do.”

Lafetti shrugged her shoulders with a wry smile.

“In the first place, it needed an enormous amount of mana to occur. The only thing that can do something like that easily, are those we call, a Dungeon’s Core. And that is the creator of the monsters found in this Dungeon, including these Goblins.”

[That is correct Master. In the first place, this kind of Dungeons is very rare and very special…just like this, whose creator possesses the power to affect, and recreate Laws that should only be done by Gods. It’s like recreating beings. But in this case, they are crudely made and not like true living beings. Without any soul or will, they are just made for the purpose of three things… and that is to kill, fight and guard the Dungeon. They more look like Dolls or Golems but with near biological-like bodies.]

Sylphy added.

“... A Dungeon's Core is a manifestation of Magic Energy and possesses an amount that no living being could ever possess. The only thing that can rival them in amount is Mythical Creatures, like Dragons or the Gods themselves. In any case, these Dungeon Cores are also considered as the Brain and Soul of a Dungeon. Of course, not only that, those rare Dungeons that could create such advanced techniques are one that is most sought by many people, especially humans. Why? Because, they are made of Mana, and when they died, a part of that refined and congealed mana will flow easily towards those who kill it, like some sort of reward. The people absorbed it, and made it their own, strengthening them and aiding their power growth…!”

[…that’s what you call in Game, as Experience Points, Master.]

“Of course, it’s not that convenient. Only a small amount of mana could be absorbed, almost negligible, actually. However, what they say, it’s better than none, and it could indeed help increase one’s magic power, more, and faster than when you are training. And once it stacks, even pebbles can become a Mountain.”

Lafetti continued while raising her head and saw that from not far away, a volley of arrows and magic flew towards them.

The Goblins in front as well started running towards them along with loud, terrifying roars.

“That’s why this kind of Dungeon was treated like a precious treasure that any Kingdom would want to monopolize,”

Lafetti once again conjured water in her hands, and splashed around them, immediately creating a barrier of thin water filament that covers them in every direction. This seemingly fragile barrier had saved them from a hail of arrows and magic.

Although she was not as strong as Stagna, Threia, or Zarda in Magic, she was still an incredible Mage that would not lose to any run-in-a-mill human elite mages.

She made a pushing action, and water struck from the water barrier, and like a tidal wave swept towards the coming Goblin Horde. This attack caused the rushing Goblins to be blown away by the impact of the water, violently knocking them back, killing them while at the same time, also causing confusion and panic through the enemies’ ranks.

This exchange signals the start of the battle.

"...They are so eager...!"

Rain's expression darkened, and his expression turned serious as well. Although he wanted to listen more about Dungeons and stuff, as he was quite interested to know about the. But the Goblins attack and charge took all his attention. It seems like the enemies didn't want to wait for them to finish talking like those in manga and anime.

These Monsters didn't learn any patience and respect... even Fr*eza knows how to wait.

Though, at the same time, Rain suddenly felt the rush of power through his body. As if feeling every cell in his body was trembling in excitement.

The muscles in his body had started to grow tense, his limbs and body filling with strength. His lips slightly twisting to one side in a grin, his previous slovenly attitude like that of a young boy or that of a gentle boy-next-door aura that he usually gave out, had all but vanished.

Rain smiled almost gleefully as he watched the rushing monsters and feeling their thick murderous intention, leaking out his true nature as a warrior.

Of course, him being happy by such incredible murderous intention that would make even a veteran of world war 2 scared shitless, directed at him is not his true intention. However, rather than forethought, he was guided by instinct which told him things would be incredibly more amusing when this battle starts. An innate instinct, or perhaps, the beast inside of him is now fully wide-awake?

And if one look closely, his beautiful azure eyes had now possessed a red hue at the center of his pupils- a savage bestial aura was slowly leaking out.

Rain felt his inner wolf was much more excited than usual, almost causing him to lose control--if he did, it would surely take over, and he would once again change into a werewolf.

Though, that seems to be not bad in this kind of situation. But Rain still dislikes acting like a savage beast, especially when he is under the influence of the wolf inside of him.

Since the root of human nature is animalistic and coarse, Rain felt as if he was losing himself under the curse of the Wolf, like his entire being slowly changing. And he dislikes such change.

Hearing what Rain said, the ends of Lafetti's lovely lips tilted slightly upwards.

Beautiful, dignified, yet ferocious was her smile. Overflowing with the will to fight, the unmistakable proof of a warrior. As expected of a high-level, Evolved Lamian, such perfectly natural arrogance, and fierce Fighting Spirit.

However, looking at Rain's aura as if he was about to rush forward, and charge, Lafetti couldn't help but smile wryly.

"No need to rush."

With the fierce smile of a warrior, Lafetti said.

Rain seemed to be so eager to dive into battles. Hence, Lafetti started to worry. Now, she was regretting why she allowed Drova to be the one to teach him, and train him in the arts of battle. Her bad habits had already influenced Rain to this degree.

I guess there is indeed a need for a change in who to train him.

But Lafetti also understands that if she does this, Drova would probably attempt to kill her.

Despite this, Lafetti didn’t want Rain to become a battle-junkie like Drova, and find joy in battles. Her pure Rain is much better than someone who seeks to fight for a thrill.

“Although it would be good to end this fight immediately, don’t forget to prioritize your safety- that is the most important!”

“I understand.”

Rain nodded his head understandingly, and his lips curved into a full bloom smile, showing his pearly whites.

He was never your normal pretty boy, his smile both bold and charming. But behind his smile and expression was like a Beast hiding and waiting for its unknowing prey to pass by.

Rain brushed back his hair in a show of arrogance. He continued, “And besides, I won’t be done in by small fry like them, Lafetti. It’ll be fine as long as I don’t mess up anything. This is not my first battle, you know. Besides, I used to be called “Rain the Hawkeye” as a kid. It won’t be a problem.”

With a laugh, Rain took out his new bow from his bag, pulled the strings, and point it at the enemies in front. He drew back the bowstring and the magic elements in the air condensed, forming a long arrow.

“I’ll provide support- that should be safe enough, right?

Lafetti shook her head and smiled helplessly.

“Just be careful,” then, she swung her sword sideways, manic savagery appearing on her face.

“Do you have everything you need?” she asked towards the other two, and looking at their fierce expressions, they were ready no doubt.

“Good, then let get started!”

"OOoh!"

"...fine, just this once!"

"Heh, don't forget to protect Rain as you fight. If there's even a scratch on him, I'll make the both of you pay!"

"No fair!"

When the barrier disappeared, Granite was the first one to charge. She was like a tank as she barreled towards the rushing goblins. Then, Lafetti followed behind her, while Scarlet and Rain stayed in their position, each locking onto their own targets.

The battle finally started!

… …