Chapter 231: Epilogue
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Gumihou
It happened suddenly.
Countless monsters began pouring out of the dungeon that supported the vast majority of the town’s income.
No, calling it sudden would be wrong. To be precise, there had been a few warning signs. However, a few months ago, the dungeon entrance was sealed up, preventing anyone from going in, and no one had come out.
Since the town’s economy had depended on the dungeon, the Mayor had searched desperately for the cause, but to no avail. Months passed by just like that.
When hunters and merchants dealing with dungeon items realised they could not enter the dungeon, they simply decided that it was a waste of money to stick around and moved on to towns with active dungeons.
Just like that, the town withered day by day; more than half the residents left, and the settlement followed a steady path of decline. It was then that it appeared. Without warning, an incomprehensible object—a strange block of iron attached to a trailer—appeared beside the dungeon entrance. That was when people started pouring out of the dungeon all of a sudden.
The Mayor and residents were overjoyed to see them, but the Directors of the Hunter Association quickly urged everyone to step away from the dungeon entrance. At first, the Mayor and the townspeople were confused, but seeing the pale faces of the people running out, they sensed that something was amiss and ran back to evacuate the town.
One stroke of good luck in the midst of misfortune was that the majority of the remaining residents had already planned to leave within the next few days. Therefore, many had already packed their belongings, so the evacuation proceeded smoothly.
Under the guidance of the Hunter Association and hunters, the people fled away from the dungeon entrance, taking up refuge on a small hill near the town. It was a decent enough vantage point from which to see the entire town.
However, it also meant they had to witness the destruction of their home.
First, massive tremors shook the earth so hard that their bodies practically lifted into the air. Moreover, it was not just one tremor that seemed to radiate from the dungeon entrance. It got to the point that the people were forced to sprawl on the ground, unable to stand, with their eyes fixed on the town.
As outer walls and buildings collapsed easily under the earthquake’s might, debris erupted from the dungeon entrance, spewing dirt and stone high into the air. At some point, the shaking had subsided, but the scene before them was so unbelievable that no one noticed.
Monsters poured out from the huge hole that had opened up in the centre of the town. The townies were overwhelmed by the horde of monsters they had never seen before, while the dungeon residents stared at the scene with grim expressions.
The monster swarm did not head towards the hill where the people had taken refuge; instead, they headed north, opposite the hill. The number of monsters was so cast that counting them seemed futile, yet it finally seemed to be coming to an end.
The march of monsters finally stopped. Everyone held their breath for several minutes before finally letting out a sigh of relief.
That was when the final monster crawled out of the hole.
It looked like a massive dog made of rock, but its shape was twisted and distorted in various places. The right fore paw was bone wrapped in flames in place of muscles; the left fore paw was that of a reptile; the left hind leg was basically a tree trunk.
At this, Hyurumi let out a gasp.
“He fused the Floor Bosses together!?”
The people shivered at her words. The townies had some basic knowledge of their dungeon’s interior. [1] That was their main economic and point of interest after all. Although none of them had ever seen a boss monster with their own eyes, they knew the exact implications of her words.
That’s right, monsters that could only be reached after a party, professional hunters had fended of dozens with no guarantee of winning had just crawled out of the dungeon. Moreover, these formidable boss monsters—each a terrifying threat on their own—had been fused into a single entity!
That thought alone was enough to plunge people into despair.
Fortunately, the people who had just fled the dungeon and survived several monster waves were already on the move.
“It looks like they’re heading towards one of the fortified cities. Those with great speed and flying abilities head to the Empire and report the situation. [1] Be sure to warn any town or village you come across!”
“Yes, sir!”
At the order of the bipedal bear-man in a coat, beastkin with wings took to the air and hunters blessed with the Gift of [Swiftness] were already dashing away.
“Those who are willing to fight, please lend us your strength. We cannot face that number head-on, but we can at least whittle down their numbers and slow them down!”
[1] A surprising number of people leapt to their feet at Director Bear’s call. Many of them immediately ran after the monster horde. Those who stayed behind searched through the town for any residents who may have been left behind.“We will go after them. What will the rest of you do?”
Several hunters gathered around Director Bear exchanged glances. Among them were the four who had been captured by the Ruler of the Netherworld. [2] The four of them managed to escape when the Ruler of the Netherworld had grown overconfident, believing that Hakkon’s [Barrier] had been broken by Leader Keyroil’s power. [2] Instead, while the King had been gloating over his victory, Leader Keyroil had used [Shattering Eye] to break the brainwashing on Sulrim, who had in turn used [Teleport] to move everyone out.
“We will join the monster subjugation. We wish to repay Hakkon’s spirit, even if only a little.”
“Yes, we will carry out any mission, no matter how dangerous.”
“Just tell us what to do. If I don’t act now, I’m not a man, right, Red?”
“Yeah, I’ll do whatever it takes. I won’t let Hakkon have all the glory.”
“We have to buy time for Hakkon’s sake.”
“I’m coming too. I don’t think this will atone for my sins, but still.”
Captain Kerioyl’s family and Sulrim stared at the rear of the monster army, eyes almost glowing with powerful determination. Their gaze was not directed on the giant boss monster hybrid, but at the much smaller monster floating above it.
“As a member of the party, it is only right for me to go with you. Personally, I don’t think I can forgive them either.”
“That’s right. We can’t just let them get away with this.”
Hevoy and Shui also chose to fight.
“We shall also join in the fight. We can leave this place to the Director of the Labyrinth and the Director of Rocky Dog Mountain.”
“Just leave it to us, Director of the Beginner Floor. Though it may be troublesome, I shall do my best.”
“Hm? Director of the Labyrinth is rather less eloquent today, but indeed, we shall do our best.”
In fact, these two Directors felt kind of unreliable, but Director Bear seemed to believe that they could handle things. Especially since most of the Hunter Association staff remained.
“I shall not be satisfied until I’ve incinerated those monsters! Let’s hurry up and chase those suckers down!” the Director of Scorching Sand roared, flames shooting out of his body.
The people nearest to him backed away.
“I shall remain here. If we are to dig Hakkon up, we’ll need to scout out the location first,” said the Director of Darkness.
With the Director of Darkness’s ability to dive into shadows, it would be possible to investigate underground, making it a very useful skill.
“Pitee… will help… here…”
“I’ll be staying too,” said Hyurumi. “Someone has to keep things under control.”
Since Pitee has the [Weight Manipulation] gift, suitable for clearing rubble and transporting earth. Hyurumi intended to use the magic items she had on hand to gather materials from the ruined town and create a magic tool suited for excavation.
“I want to help find Master Hakkon! I really do! But Master Hakkon would be angry if I didn’t go to subjugate the monsters! I will swallow my tears and leave this to everyone else!”
Mishael said through clenched teeth, his face bitter with anguish as he bowed deeply to his companions who had elected to stay behind.
“Ramis… I suppose there is no need to ask,” said Director Bear.
He smiled gently at Ramis’s retreating back as she was already dashing towards the giant hole. What made him happiest was that not a single one of their comrades believed Hakkon was broken—no, dead.
On this day, those who had chosen their respective paths parted ways for a time. What they would think, what they would accomplish, what they would gain, and what they would lose. What awaited them now that they had moved beyond the dungeon? No one yet knew that they were about to throw themselves into a historic war that would leave its mark on future generations
[Gumihou: Woah, okay… This is not the end, guys!!]
[1] Adjusted the details for clarification [2] Added details for clarification
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