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"The dungeon is growing?"
"Yes, Mr. Allen, the dungeon is growing. We've seen signs of it before, but no one thought it would reach this scale..."
Allen quietly looked at Os, who was sitting in front of him. Whether it was because of the low temperature, Os's tall body was trembling.
The streaks of rain fell from the sky, cutting through their voices. They couldn't hear clearly beyond a meter.
The torrential rain poured down on the small boat, which was already crowded with eight people.
Two hours ago, the repaired large ship was about to break apart. The adventurers had prepared three small emergency boats in advance, which were quickly repaired. They finally managed to leave the original location before the ship sank.
Compared to the hurriedly repaired long-distance ship, these emergency boats were meticulously made. They even had many paddles prepared and carefully stored in the cabins.
They were clearly prepared for the current 'unexpected situation.'
At this moment, the adventurers on the boat were divided into two groups. One group used Battle Aura to splash the water out of the boat, and the other group used paddles to row.
In the direction the small boat was heading, the "Main Island" was already in sight. When the occasional lightning flashed in the sky, they could even see the beaches on the main island.
No one looked excited. Their faces were filled with a deep sense of dread.
Because the dungeon was indeed 'growing.'
This was a fact that was verified two hours ago.
Someone took over Os's words. "That's right, Mr. Allen. The range of the eye of the storm is also expanding! It used to only cover the area of the 'Main Island,' but now it has expanded to a range of thirteen nautical miles. So, logically, we shouldn't have been in the eye of the storm so early! You shouldn't have woken up so early!"
When he said this, all the adventurers' bodies stiffened. They all looked at Leuf as if he were a lunatic.
Why bring up an unpleasant topic?
Then, they all turned to look at Allen.
In the rain, Allen was sitting on the boat without any special reaction. His expression was as peaceful as ever.
He glanced at 'Leuf,' who was sitting beside him with a look of excitement that was a stark contrast to the other adventurers.
—Leuf had not been called out. In fact, in the past two hours, no one had mentioned it.
Because they all tacitly agreed to take Allen, this 'sharp blade,' back to the main island, so they could follow this fierce man to clear the dungeon and make a fortune.
What kind of adventurer would be willing to spend almost half a year at sea, and only bring back some dried fish and worthless fragments of Specter magic stones that were shattered by an Emperor-rank Divine Strike? What's more, they had to use the ordinary magic stones they bought for consumption?
What was the point of going to sea? They might as well go to a dungeon on the mainland. At least the number of magic stones they could get in half a year would be enough for a year of reckless spending.
This was an 'adventure' where they had to put their lives on the line!
It shouldn't be like this...
It shouldn't be like this!
So, everyone intentionally or unintentionally cooperated with Leuf. The latter also successfully knocked Merna out and threw her into the cabin, allowing Allen to 'have a good sleep.'
After all, even if Allen had no sailing experience, if he opened up the sky again, the ship, which should have been 'lost' in the outer sea of the 'Archipelago,' would have already been able to see the volcano on the 'Main Island.' It was very likely that he would turn back.
It would be too difficult to deceive him then.
So, the adventurers with sailing experience were constantly watching the route, estimating the progress, and waiting for the 'perfect' time to wake Allen up.
But, a plan can never keep up with changes.
The ship, without Allen's precise weather control, and without knowing that the eye of the storm had expanded, was caught in the storm.
A small tornado came at them!
The adventurers managed to resist it, but the broken mast of the ship that the tornado brought with it crashed into their own ship.
It proved that the makeshift team, which had been so indecisive, did not have much wisdom. It was bound to be a disaster.
This was what happened two hours ago.
But...
This group of adventurers still didn't expect that Allen's Emperor-rank magic, which was as if a god had descended, could not disperse the clouds in the eye of the storm.
How could this be?
How could this be??
Did this mean that the S-rank dungeon, the "Main Island," was even more dangerous than the rumors said?
No one was willing to believe it, but Os's 'indecisive' attitude spoke volumes.
Because he had indeed come from the "Main Island." Among all the adventurers, only Os and Leuf had been to the bottom of the dungeon, the "Inferno Volcano."
Someone recalled the life-and-death crisis of being surrounded by Specters on the hilltop and immediately had second thoughts.
Maybe we still have a chance to get out of the eye of the storm before we land on the main island? Right?
But it was too late for them to have second thoughts.
Because.
Whether they turned back or not was not up to them.
The clouds above them grew thicker.
The storm tossed the boat up and down, just like the adventurers' uneasy hearts.
Os wiped the rainwater from his face. In the pouring rain, his efforts were futile. He cautiously looked at Allen.
The latter, a day ago, had shown no interest in the dungeon and had been determined to return to the mainland. But now, with the 'Main Island' right in front of them, he said nothing.
But Os could clearly feel that Allen had developed a deep interest in the 'Archipelago.'
Under Os's gaze, Allen was looking at the sea, which was as black as ink. In the rain, his pupils reflected:
—Faint shadows were moving under the sticky surface of the sea.
But as lightning flashed, the water only had waves. It was as if it were just Allen's eyes flickering.
He narrowed his eyes and spoke. "Tell me about the 'Archipelago' and 'Main Island' dungeons."
Os gritted his teeth. "This 'Archipelago' dungeon cluster suddenly changed a little over a year ago. Before that, the entire dungeon cluster was composed of small dungeons beneath the islands and reefs, and the B-rank dungeon, 'Inferno Volcano,' on the 'Main Island.' But because it was so scattered, the dungeons on the mainland were more attractive to adventurers."
"So a year ago, this Archipelago was mainly a fishing ground for deep-sea fishing boats. You know, in the 'Lingus Sea Treaty' between the Sea Folk and the human race, the area where fishing is allowed is only these islands that are connected to the mainland, and some areas of the sea near the ports. The navigable range along the coastline is also limited to ten nautical miles. So the Archipelago is a natural fishing ground for fishermen."
"I don't know."
"Hmm, you know... what?"
"I said, I don't know."
Allen answered honestly. He had been a Water God Style practitioner since childhood, so he hadn't received a noble's elite education. He wasn't very familiar with some 'common sense' that nobles should know.
But he was much better than the other adventurers. Ninety-nine percent of the people in this world were illiterate, so the 'common sense' of nobles was not really common sense.
Allen looked at Os, who was trying to be polite but was flustered. "You know a lot. Were you a noble before?"
Os nodded.
"I was a noble... a fallen noble from the Dragon Kingdom. To be honest, these histories were only circulated in the Dragon Kingdom. After all, before the Golden Knight shattered the original land and created the Lingus Sea in the Second Human-Demon War, our ancestors often dealt with the 'Sea Fish Folk' from the Sea Folk."
"The 'Sea Fish Folk'? I remember there were also 'Sea People'."
Os looked pensive. "Mm, the 'Sea Fish Folk'."
"In the historical records of the Dragon Kingdom, the Sea Folk are divided into two races. In ancient times, when the Dragon God destroyed the world, the 'Sea Fish Folk' fled from the 'World of the Sea.' They were more like fish and were very violent. They didn't like humans and lived in the deep parts of the 'Outer Sea' beyond the Lingus Sea. Before the Lingus Sea was formed, they completely occupied all the sea areas, not even leaving the islands alone, let alone the coastline. At that time, our ancestors often clashed with the 'Sea Fish Folk' over fishing."
"The 'Sea People' were half-human, half-fish. Their physical characteristics were closer to humans, and they were more willing to communicate. When the Lingus Sea was formed, the Sea People of the Sea Folk negotiated with the human race, giving up a part of the coastline and allowing humans to use the Archipelago for fishing. In exchange, they got to have ownership of the new sea area of the Lingus Sea."
"So the 'Archipelago' was favored by fishermen from all countries because it was close to the deep sea. They could fish freely without worrying about the Sea Folk, so it was a natural fishing ground."
Allen turned to look at the sea again.
"Oh, so the 'Archipelago' was given to humans by the Sea Folk, and this sea area has no Sea Folk. So why did it suddenly change from a fishing ground to a dungeon where you bastards are fighting over?"
The word "bastards" clearly reached everyone's ears, but they all pretended not to hear it. They went about their business.
Os turned to look at the direction the boat was heading.
At this time, they were less than a hundred meters from the beach. The "Main Island" was massive, like a volcano. Even through the rain, it was a looming presence.
The scene of fishermen counting their catch on the beach, which used to be a common sight, was a thing of the past. And the tents of the adventurers who were waiting on the beach to form temporary teams to clear the A-rank dungeon, "Main Island," were also gone.
Now, at the edge of the "Main Island," besides some stranded large ships, there were no signs of people.
He licked his lips. "A little over a year ago, to be precise, a year and nine months ago, the 'Archipelago' suddenly changed."
A year and nine months ago was the same time as the monster tide in the snowy valley. Allen's mind raced with thoughts. He nodded. "Continue."
"The monsters in the small dungeons under the outer islands and reefs increased, and the B-rank dungeon, "Inferno Volcano," which was originally only in the 'Main Island,' started to merge. A mana vortex appeared at the bottom of the dungeon, and the range of the dungeon gradually expanded towards the outskirts of the volcano. At the same time, some previously unheard-of monsters appeared."
"In just a few months, the fishermen all left the Archipelago, and adventurers started to swarm in."
"In those few months, there were many monsters and many magic stones. Although not as abundant as the commissions issued by the Adventurers' Guild, which promised a dungeon in three steps and a pile of magic stones in five, it was pretty close..."
"And after that, the level of the 'Main Island' dungeon increased from B-rank to A-rank in just one year. Every adventurer team was full of joy. Everyone thought that if they adventured for a few more months, they could earn enough gold coins..."
When he said this, Os's face turned pale. He closed his mouth, unable to say a word.
Allen looked at the sea and suddenly took over the conversation.
"A year ago, at the beginning of this year, something happened. The 'Ghost Blade Secret Sword'—Idazlidd?"
"Yes."
"The dungeon was re-evaluated as S-rank at that time?"
"Yes."
"The number of monsters on the island kept increasing, and it became more and more dangerous. But the news had already spread, and even the Dragon Kingdom was interested in the secret sword in the Lord monster's hand. They issued a bounty, which attracted more adventurers to the main island?"
"Yes."
Swish!! A lightning bolt sliced through the sky.
Allen looked up.
"So you gathered a team of adventurers to attack the 'Ghost Blade Secret Sword,' and almost all of you were wiped out?"
Os was stunned. He gritted his teeth and said.
"It was more than just one wave. The people who died before were followed by new people. Everyone was blinded by greed... By the time we realized, the storm had already started. That's when I escaped from the 'Main Island' by ship..."
The adventurers stopped rowing. They were all in a daze.
Allen just nodded. "I see."
He pointed to the volcano. "When you escaped from the dungeon, how far had the range of the composite dungeon expanded?"
"Four kilometers from the coastline of the 'Inferno Volcano'."
"How many kilometers across the main island?"
"...Ten kilometers..."
Allen nodded. He suddenly turned to look at Merna. A ball of warm yellow light was in her hand. The light, which was mixed with the rain, was like a lantern, illuminating the small boat and making everyone feel warm.
It was as if the light could drive away the darkness.
"What is that?"
Merna, who was soaking wet, was holding her hands to her chest. She looked at Allen with a confused expression.
"A beginner Divine Strike Art. Have you never seen it? Well... you're right. This was cast before I boarded the ship. The Divine Strike Art only looks like lightning when you reach the advanced level. It's... it's not very powerful. It can only drive away weak D-rank ghosts. But it can be used for light..."
Allen nodded and suddenly stood up.
"I see. My apologies. You've given me a lot of information. My theory about the 'composite dungeon' being created by the mana vortex is probably correct."
Merna looked at him blankly.
"The two people who are on the ship with you and Spelld. They're also from the temple, right?"
"Yes... Spelld is my cousin, and the other one is my best friend."
Allen nodded. He turned to look at the sea.
"Are you sure that the 'composite dungeon' is only limited to the area of the 'Main Island'?"
Merna was silent for a moment, then she shook her head. "I don't know."
Allen looked at her with a calm expression. "But you can find out. Right?"
Merna looked at Allen, her eyes wide. She seemed to realize something.
"You mean...?"
"The 'Composite Dungeon' is a magic circle in itself. It has the property of the Divine Strike, which is to destroy ghosts. We can use the Divine Strike to destroy a part of it."
"Destroy... the 'Composite Dungeon'?" Merna was stunned.
"No. That's not right. The Divine Strike Art is a magic that can only be used on ghosts. It can't destroy a dungeon."
Allen smiled, "You're right. The Divine Strike Art can only destroy ghosts. But what if the dungeon itself is a ghost? What if the mana of the dungeon is a ghost?"
Merna looked at Allen, her face pale. "That's... that's impossible. The dungeon is a place where we fight monsters."
"And a ghost is something that you can fight. The dungeon is in a state of 'spiritification.' It is slowly turning into a ghost. That's why the monsters can go in and out freely, and that's why the weather is so strange."
Merna looked at Allen, then at the sky. She felt a chill run down her spine.
"But... but what does that have to do with me?"
Allen pointed his finger at her.
"The dungeon's 'spiritification' is still in its early stages. If we don't destroy it now, it will grow into a giant ghost. So we need you, the one who can use the Divine Strike, to destroy it."
Merna's face was ashen. She looked at Allen with a trembling voice. "But... but I'm just a beginner Divine Strike user. I can't do anything."
Allen smiled, "You're right. But you can use my mana. I've already engraved a Divine Strike on your body. You can use my mana to destroy it. But you have to tell me how. What is the chant for the Divine Strike Art?"
Merna was stunned. "You... you don't know the chant?"
"I've never learned it. I don't need it. I have you. The Divine Strike Art is a powerful magic, but it can also be a tool to kill you."
"A tool... to kill me?" Merna looked at him with a horrified expression.
"Yes. A tool to kill you if you don't cooperate. So, what's it going to be?"
Merna stared at Allen, then at her own hands, which were trembling.
"You... you're a demon."
Allen smiled. "I'm a human. You, however, are now in a very dangerous position."
"I... I can't."
"You can. You have a chance to live. If you don't, you die. It's a very simple choice. So, what's it going to be?"
Merna stared at Allen, then at the sea, which was raging.
"I... I..."
Allen's smile was gone. He was expressionless. He reached out and grabbed Merna by her arm.
"It's time."
A loud bang was heard from the sky. The ship trembled.
And the next moment, the sky was filled with a massive golden vortex.
The Great Teleportation.
"I... I... I'll tell you the chant." Merna said, trembling.
Allen smiled. "That's a good girl."
Then, a huge blast of golden light shot down from the sky.
It hit the ship.
The ship, however, did not break apart.
Allen had already cast a barrier spell around the ship.
Merna, on the other hand, was not so lucky. The golden light passed through her body. She screamed in pain.
Allen looked at Merna, then at the sky, which was twisting.
"The Great Teleportation... the range is not just Flowing Falls City... it's the entire Archipelago..."
Merna was crying in pain. "Why... why... why... is this happening..."
Allen looked at her with a serious expression. "Because the dungeon... the dungeon is a part of the Great Teleportation. We're in the Great Teleportation. We're in the Great Teleportation... We're in the Great Teleportation..."
His voice was getting louder and louder.
Then, a sudden, powerful force pulled him.
"I have to go back to the royal capital..."
He said, and then, with a flash of light, he vanished.
Merna looked at the spot where Allen had been, then at the sky.
The golden vortex was gone.
The sky was a mix of dark clouds and blue sky.
The storm was gone.
The sea was calm.
And in the distance, the "Main Island" was also gone.
The Great Teleportation was over.
She looked at her hands. The tattoos on her hands, which were of the four elements, were gone.
She was no longer a mage.
She was just an ordinary girl.
The ship was also gone.
She was alone on a small piece of land.
The Archipelago was gone.
The sky was clean and blue.
The sun was out.
And a huge, powerful, beautiful ship was sailing towards her.
It was a ship of the Dragon Race.
And on the ship, stood a figure.
It was Allen.
He was smiling at her.
She, however, just stared at him, tears streaming down her face.
"Why... why did you do this..."
Allen just smiled. "To save you."
"Save... save me from what?"
"From being a slave to your faith. From being a slave to your past. From being a slave to your fate."
He said, and then, a huge wave of light enveloped her.
She was on the ship.
Allen's hand was on her head. He was looking at her, his eyes full of love.
"We're home."
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