Chapter 227: Beginning of The End
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Gumihou
Even as the world shook, my companions stood firm, their superior sense of balance keeping them upright without issue. Now that they have moved past their initial panic, they were able to handle tremors of this magnitude.
Pieces of the ceiling, both large and small, fell from above. The collapse of the dungeon was happening so rapidly that if we lingered too long, we were in danger of being buried alive.
If we don’t end this battle quickly, we will end up crushed under the rubble.
Our long-range attackers, Shui and Vice-Leader Felmina, unleashed their strikes. However, the dark mist clinging to the King of the Netherworld intercepted everything.
Bat wings sprouted from Felmina’s back, and she hurled water at the King of the Netherworld, but she could not even manage to dampen the King of the Netherworld’s robes.
『So, there is a vampire among you. As I recall, one of the subordinates under the Left Leg General is a vampire. You’re fairly strong. Hoh, to think you’ve become the enemy』
The last remark was directed at Sulrim, who had launched a massive block of ice at the King of the Netherworld, which was also deflected by the black mist.
Sulrim had a bitter expression on her face, “I would never forget the help I received from you. However, I no longer belong to you.”
“That’s right, she’s my son’s potential lover! It made sense for people to choose young men or women over dried-up old coots!” Leader Keyroil yelled.
“So, this is what you thought of me?” Vice-Leader Felmina’s voice was very menacing.
“O-of course not! You have always been beautiful and cute! R-right, b-boys?”
“O-ou, mom is the prettiest~~”
“The loveliest~”
“Mother is always youthful and graceful!”
Although the Keyroil family had completely ruined Sulrim’s declaration of independence. Their exchange managed to ease the tension among their companions. Everyone seemed to let go of their excess tension.
『To show such composure before me… It appears that you are no ordinary hunters. I find myself wanting to see those faces writhe with despair even more. Very well, I shall allow you the opportunity to flee. I shall now send my monsters to the Beginner’s Floor. Try to survive my legions as you attempt to get people out of the dungeons.』
That fellow’s certainly cocky now that he was brimming with stolen power. Was he going for the classic villain trope of getting drunk on power and showing off, only to regret it later?
If I were on his side, I would have tried to stop him, but as it is. I won’t complain about being given an opportunity to escape.
『Whether the collapse claims you first or you suffer total annihilation under the hands of my monsters. Either way, I expected to be entertained. So, do not die just yet…』
After that final remark, the King of the Netherworld enveloped himself in the black mist, which rapidly shrank before vanishing entirely. Even so, everyone remained on high alert, weapons drawn, for a long while. Once it was clear he was truly gone, their shoulders relaxed, and everyone let out a deep sigh.
“We’re saved… or, were we spared?”
『He was acting tough, but the King of the Netherworld likely cannot control his power perfectly yet. This is not the time to let down your guard, everyone. I shall now draw a teleportation circle that leads directly to Clear Flow Lake. Please return there and leave the dungeon with the other residents.』
The Dungeon Master stood up unsteadily. His fingers traced a magic circle in the air without hesitation. When he slammed his hand to the floor, a bright blue magic circle gleamed under our feet. However, I am not sure
『Nearly ninety per cent of my power has been stolen, but I have managed to force open the door leading to the surface. That said, I am uncertain how long my strength will hold, so I would appreciate it if you could hurry. Alright?』
He’s using the last of his strength to help us escape. It’s a shame I never got to learn more about the dungeon or the Dungeon Master himself, but knowing that the person who created the place where everyone lived isn’t a bad guy is a significant takeaway.
『Mister Hakkon, was it? I am sorry that I could not grant your wish to return to human form.』
“It fi-ne”
“Tr-y a-ga-in”
Now that I know that wishes can really be granted, I have no regrets. There are other dungeons after all. Once this matter is settled, I can go out and conquer another dungeon, or just leave peacefully with my friends for a while.
I have gotten used to being a vending machine anyway, so there was no need to rush.
『You are an interesting person. I shall gather all the monster-repelling barriers of this floor into this temple. Once you have departed, the King of the Netherworld will not be able to come here. I will protect this place until my power is exhausted. I shall also try to delay the dungeon’s collapse.』
If he gathers all the barriers from across the Everlasting Floor, the King of the Netherworld most likely won’t be able to get close.
“But, if you do that, Dungeon Master…”
『That’s quite alright. It is customary for a Dungeon Master to use up all their magic to grant a wish before vanishing with the dungeon. I have lived far too long. This is an unexpected but poetic end.』
The smile on his face as he said this did not look forced. In fact, he looked genuinely happy. It must be hard for us, having only met him today, to truly understand his thoughts. But if this is what he wants, we have no right to deny him, do we?
『That is right. Hakkon-san, though I could not grant your wish, please at least take this with you.』
I received a parting gift from the Dungeon Master before stepping onto the teleportation circle.
『Now then, may there be a bright future on the path of the brave hunters who conquered the Holy Tree Dungeon. Congratulations, and… thank you. For enjoying my dungeon… until the very end.』
With those final words from the gently smiling, waving Dungeon Master, we were enveloped in blue light and left the Everlasting Floor behind. As soon as the floating sensation disappeared, we burst through the door and sprinted down a very familiar corridor and dashed into the Hunter Association hall.
Which was already crowded with many evacuees.
Our party spotted Director Bear among the crowd, and we somehow pushed through the throng to reach him.
“Everyone’s back? While I’d like to hear what happened, I don’t think we have the time for it.”
“Yeah, we get it. Our party should have the best grasp of the current situation. I’ll explain later, but for now, send everyone to the Beginner’s Floor through the teleportation floor. Get everyone out of the dungeon.”
Hyurumi started her explanation quite loudly, but when others started looking over, she leaned into Director Bear’s ear and whispered the rest of the details.
“Is that so? To think such a thing could happen… Understood, I shall have the staff guide the villagers to the surface and pass on the message to the other Directors.”
Director Bear began issuing orders to the staff and guards. Having grown accustomed to the chaos over the last few years, everyone responded quickly and efficiently.
Soon, the entire association building was empty.
“While it pains me to ask this of you when you’ve just returned, could you please go to the Beginner’s Floor and prepare for the monster attack? If the attack had begun, please cooperate with the hunters on the scene.”
“Yep, no problem,” Ramis agreed cheerfully. “You guys are okay with that, right?”
No one in the party disagreed with Ramis. We stepped onto the teleportation circle once more and warped to the Beginner’s Floor.
It was a bit hectic, but every second counts. We must stop the dungeon collapse and monster invasion with everything we have to make sure that as many residents can make it out alive.
As the glow of the teleportation circle faded, we found ourselves on the Beginner’s Floor. The sight of the village outside was familiar, but the sounds of a violent fight could be heard in the distance.
The enemy invasion had already begun. We must hurry.
We exchanged glances and, without a word, dashed towards the area where we had previously barricaded to block the passage.
As we neared our destination, we saw nearly twenty hunters desperately defending the barricade, which looked like it would collapse at any moment. Monster arms stretched through the gaps of the barricade, groping for anything within their reach. The hunters stabbed the reaching arms, but they were at an overwhelming disadvantage.
“I’ll help—!”
Lammis accelerated instantly, closing the distance in a single leap.
“Whoa! It’s that super-strength girl from before! We’re saved!”
“Reinforcements have arrived!”
The defending hunters cheered, clearly remembering our previous exploits. The welcome was nice, but let’s reinforce the barricade first.
I started producing concrete slabs one after another. Ramis carried them with ease, stacking them against the barricade. Pitee, who had just caught up, used her Gift to help move the slabs as well.
That should hold the enemy back temporarily. Meanwhile, Hyurumi was strengthening the structure with planks and ropes, ensuring that it wouldn’t be torn down easily.
“Ramis, now that things have calmed down here, go check the door leading outside. I want to know how the evacuation is going!” Hyurumi ordered.
“Got it!” Ramis smartly saluted her friend, turned on her heel and dashed in the opposite direction. Of course, I was being carried on her back as usual.
As the village blurred past, a massive set of double doors appeared ahead. Their size rivalled the doors in the Everlasting Floor that bore the carving of the Great Tree.
A crowd had gathered in front of it, and, rather than decreasing, it looked like the number of people was increasing. The Dungeon Master said he would open the doors—was that a lie?
As we drew closer and the details of the door and its surroundings became clearer, I finally understood why the evacuation was barely progressing.
The doors were indeed open, but the gap was so small that two adults could barely squeeze through.
Was that the limit of his remaining power?
As we ran toward the Directors who were desperately trying to organise the crowd, I racked my brain for what to do next.
[Gumihou: Oho, what an interesting logistics problem]
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