Unable to think of the right words, Ferdikion frowned and muttered to himself.
"They look like they want something so badly that they donāt care about their lives."
Suddenly, Rune looked down at Byakuya in his arms.
Byakuya, with his round eyes, looked up at him with a gentle face, saying "Pee?"
'Could they be after Byakuya?'
A bird that holds sacred fire.
The tears of a phoenix possess the power of purification and healing.
And it is the only species with the ability of immortality.
Although it looks small now, it is still a phoenix.
Having thought this far, Rune frowned.
'How dare they covet what belongs to someone else.'
Even if the monsters here are low-risk, the story changes if all the forces in the dungeon are after Byakuya.
"Brother, we need to clear this as quickly as possible."
"Yeah. Weāre approaching the area where the dungeon boss will appear soon."
'At least itās a good thing this dungeon is easy.'
Rune nodded in agreement.
Judging by the results, he had successfully provided Blackmi with a lot of hunting experience.
He had also collected minor materials, salt stones, and high-quality mana stones efficiently.
If they could leave safely, it would be perfect.
'These guys are quite strong, so it looks like the effect will wear off before we finish.'
Regaining his composure, Rune waited for the boss.
'The dungeon boss was a rock golem, right?'
A tough mineral that is hard to damage and doesnāt burn, making it a difficult dungeon boss.
However, it gives high-quality mana stones and minerals as rewards, which is why dwarves target it.
Ferdikion said that while it might take some time, Blackmi could defeat it alone, and he had already prepared Blackmi to be the final opponent.
He had even told Blackmi the location of the golemās core, so there was no need to worry.
As soon as the golem appeared, Blackmi nimbly dodged the rocks it threw and destroyed the golemās head, which contained the core, with overwhelming force.
"Mr. Rune! Did I do well?"
However, something was off.
The moment the boss fell, the entire dungeon began to shake as if an earthquake had struck.
The severe shaking made it hard to speak.
Jed, who had bitten his tongue, couldnāt hold on and fell flat on the ground, groaning in pain.
In contrast, Ferdikionās face turned grim.
"Of all times... This is bad."
Ferdikion, who had been tense since entering the dungeon, now looked even more worried. Cold sweat trickled down his cheek as he stared ahead.
"...Very rarely, but there can be another hidden dungeon or boss."
"You mean the one that only appears when certain conditions are met?"
A skeleton, with only bones left, stood with a black cloth torn in places.
Green light flickered in the deep, dark eye sockets.
It felt like a reaper rising from the dead.
Ferdikion bit his lip as he saw the first monster he encountered.
"Yes. The golem we thought was the boss was just the gatekeeper. This is the true master of the dungeon."
The offering the dead desire.
The monsterās gaze was clearly directed at Byakuya.
Byakuya, upon making eye contact with the reaper, quickly burrowed into Runeās arms to hide.
'So thatās it. This dungeon was unusually easy because this thing didnāt appear.'
Chapter 48: Abandoned Mine Dungeon (2)
Who would have thought that such an incredibly powerful boss would be sleeping in a mere mineral dungeon?
Moreover, the condition for its appearance is when someone with the ability of immortality is present.
Since the dungeon was created, there has been no reason for it to awaken.
But today, a phoenix chick entered the dungeon with them.
A phoenix, which can revive upon absorption!
Moreover, the one carrying it is currently the weakest life form in this team.
A thick aura of death emanated from the black breath.
Blackmi bristled in alert, and Jed, despite his fear, gripped his battle axe tightly.
The emaciated and grotesque bones pointed at Byakuya.
[I will devour, gain life.]
"To gain life... What do you plan to do with it?"
Ferdikion asked, and a chilling breath came from the shadowy reaper.
Whether by instinct or grudge, its goal was clear.
It intended to gain life through Byakuya.
'Is this reaper-like creature after resurrection?'
No matter how strong it is, itās just a monster shrouded in deathās aura now.
Itās not a body that can survive in a place overflowing with life.
But the heart of a phoenix could grant it a powerful life force.
Ferdikion, resisting the piercing ringing in his head, stepped forward and drew his sword.
"Iām sorry. This is my fault for not properly investigating the dungeons in my territory."
"Fall back. This is beyond your capabilities. Iāll... somehow deal with this."
Ferdikionās eyes focused on Blackmi.
'I can hold out until the effect wears off. I wonāt let my brother get hurt.'
Unfortunately, he was currently under a curse that weakened him.
He needed to buy time until the black dragonās potion effect wore off.
"Iāll buy some time with your servant and me."
The reaper skeleton twisted its body grotesquely and spread its arms.
Then, black smoke poured out and enveloped them.
"! Rune, donāt breathe it in!"
The pieces of the rock golem on the floor melted upon contact with the smoke.
It was a corrosive curse.
Ferdikion and Blackmi fought by surrounding themselves with flames to dispel the smoke.
Rune watched their battle and thought.
'They work surprisingly well together.'
Ferdikionās efforts to personally train Blackmi before coming to the dungeon were paying off.
Rune, who had fallen back, observed their fighting styles.
The reaper skeleton swept its hand, and dozens of black-tainted spears rained down like a meteor shower.
Unable to dodge all the spears that stabbed down at an incomprehensible speed, Blackmi and Ferdikion combined their flames to create a pillar of fire.
Blue and red flames intertwined.
The pillar of fire created a scorching storm.
In the storm that weakened the black spears, Ferdikion deflected them, and Blackmi took advantage of the opening to charge in.
Even the task of buying time seemed burdensome, but their determination to hold on was impressive.
Meanwhile, Jed, who had been rolling on the ground to avoid the attacks, stood up with a resolute face and clenched his fists.
"Mr. Rune! Donāt be afraid. I, I will protect you somehow!"
"...Your hands are shaking."
Despite trembling, Jed drew his battle axe.
Cold sweat trickled down, but the weapon in his hand reduced his trembling.
"Jed, arenāt you pushing yourself too hard?"
Jed, catching his breath, looked down at Rune.
"No matter the difference in species, Iām not so shameless as to put a ten-year-old in the front. I, I have the pride of a dwarf!"
Though he spoke bravely, Jedās eyes foretold defeat.
Seeing him try to smile to calm the young hatchling, Rune calmly replied.
Jed, bewildered by the fearless face of the young hatchling, chuckled.
"...Damn. Youāre really good at easing tension. Impressive. You really have the guts of a... dragon... no, the demeanor of a dragon."
Ranting, Jed positioned himself in front of Rune and gripped his battle axe.
At least it was better than seeing a child trembling in fear.
Rune, watching Jedās back, came to a temporary conclusion.
'If I could use magic, I should have revealed it already. Or not?'
Even if he was hiding his strength for some reason, he would reveal it if he wanted to live.
Whatever it is, itās useless if he dies here.
Even if Jed somehow survives alone, Fasyas would not let him or the dwarves off if Ferdikion dies.
'All checks are done. Time to start.'
Glancing at the situation, Rune saw Ferdikion using all his strength to fend off attacks.
A black sphere that absorbed life force.
"Damn. Just when that cursed potion effect is still active...!"
Rune replied calmly. Ignoring Ferdikionās glare, he patted his bulging chest.
To the bird that only poked its head out, Rune whispered.
"What are you doing? Cry."
Byakuyaās eyes, meeting Runeās, welled up with tears.
The luminous <Phoenix Tear> rolled down.
The young bird did exactly as told.
Rune used his finger to scoop up the tear and lick it.
'I didnāt expect the experience of mistaking mandrake for ginseng and eating it would come in handy here.'
As the <Phoenix Tear> went down his throat, the potionās curse began to fade.
It was a purification effect.
Rune felt his strength gradually returning and drew the dark mana he possessed.
In that instant, the entire space was engulfed in darkness.
Ferdikion, who was about to turn around at Jedās scream, was knocked out with a chop to the back of his neck.
"Sorry, brother. Itās still too early to reveal this kind of power."
With a large bump on the back of his head, Jed and Ferdikion were left unconscious.
Blackmi, exhausted, panted and looked at Rune.
"Good job. Rest now, Iāll take care of the rest."
Blackmi, who had been fighting the reaper until the end, jumped back.
The black skeleton, left in the middle of the deep darkness, seemed insignificant and pitiful.