Chapter 174: High Level Dungeon (Part 11)

"Also, no attacking anyone unless I tell you to, got it?""<Yes, understood, Master>."

"Is this really happening? I know I’m witnessing it with my own eyes, but I can’t quite believe it," Remarked the Healer incredulously.

"I like it...a creature that once tried to kill you, now bowing at your feet. It’s, like, karma at its finest, I suppose that’s just how life goes," Chimed in Damien.

"<Master, may I kill that human>?"

"No, you can’t," I replied with a sigh.

"Hey, this could be a good opportunity. She might know something about the Dungeon Boss," Aria whispered to me.

Yeah, that’s a good point.

"Tell me about the Dungeon Boss, anything and everything you know."

"<Of course, Master. The one you speak of is an Archdemon, he is far more powerful than us Greater Demons. However, I do not know what kind of Demonic Arts he possesses, all I know is that he came down to this level and cast some kind of Magic, but I do not know exactly what he did>," She explained apologetically.

"I wonder if that’s the weird feeling you and I have been sensing on this floor?" Suggested Aria uncertainly.

"An Archdemon, huh? That’s exactly what I was dreading. We haven’t seen any Calamity Level Monsters in over four years, just our luck," Sighed Kelsey warily.

"Come on, there’s no way we can trust this Demon, she could be lying," Frowned Keira suspiciously, before adding as she narrowed her eyes at me, "Maybe he’s on the Monsters’ side, this could all be some kind of trick he’s orchestrating."

Seriously? I’m feeling real tempted to tell Luxuria it’s okay to kill her.

"<Hm? This desire...do you want me to kill this human, Master>?"

Huh?

"No, I-...well, I guess I kinda do. But don’t actually do it. Also, did you just read my mind or something?" I responded with a sigh.

"<No, I sensed your desire. It only lasted for a brief moment, but it was certainly real>."

"See?! We definitely can’t trust him!" Exclaimed Keira, pointing at me.

"No, I’d say that was a very reasonable reaction to being baselessly accused," Chimed in Damien dryly.

"Yeah, what he said!" Nodded Aria in agreement.

"Yes, I can’t imagine many people would take kindly to that," Added Kelsey, placing a hand on Keira’s shoulder in an effort to calm her down.

"Hm? Hey, wait, she said that the Dungeon Boss came down to this floor, right? So, then, Monsters really can venture down the Dungeon? If that’s the case, why don’t they ever do that?" Inquired Aria, before glancing at me as Luxuria ignored her.

"Answer her question, please," I remarked as I nodded at Luxuria.

"<As you command, Master. Yes, it is possible for us to go to different floors in the Dungeons, but we usually avoid doing so, until the seal over the entrance disappears>."

She must be talking about when the Stampedes occur.

"And why is that?" I asked her.

"<If we do not stay on the floor we are assigned to, our power is cut in half. In other words, if we venture to any other floor, regardless of whether it is higher or lower, we will only be half as powerful as we usually are>."

"Huh, so that’s why. I’ve always wondered about that," Mused the Detector thoughtfully.

"It’s just like life...if you don’t know your place, you’ll often suffer for it," Sighed Damien dramatically.

"This is invaluable, we could get a lot of answers from her about the Dungeons and Monsters, like where they come from and why they appear in our world at all. But this is no place for that. Let’s head back now.

If there really is an Archdemon in the Boss Room, we need to report it, it’s far too dangerous to try and tackle by ourselves. None of us here have ever faced a Monster of that level, so it’s too high a risk," Stated Kelsey firmly.

Yeah, sounds good to me. And it doesn’t look like anyone else is going to argue against that either.

I got seventeen more points for my physical stats from consuming the two Greater Demons, and my MP has increased by fifteen too.

Even at full power, I was barely evenly matched with Luxuria, it would’ve been a lot closer if I’d fought her alone.

And with Enrage on cooldown, there’s no way in hell I’m going to be able to take on something that’s significantly more powerful.

Sure, I’ve punched above my weight plenty of times before, but that doesn’t mean I’m particularly keen on pushing my luck.

"Alright, <Withdraw, Apostle of Lust: Luxuria>," I chanted, before she faded into glowing energy and flowed back into me.

So, uh, is she, like, in my soul or something?

<She exists within you in a somewhat similar capacity to me, though she is in a more dormant state>

I see, so that’s how it works.

Well, I don’t fully get it, if I’m being honest, but I guess that doesn’t really matter.

"It’s too bad it turned out this way, huh? Your first High Level Dungeon and we’re leaving before conquering it," Smiled Aria wryly.

"Eh, I’m not complaining. Sure, it would’ve been nice if it was a successful raid, but there’d be no point if trying to conquer it resulted in us dying," I pointed out, as I stretched my arms out with a sigh.

"Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get plenty more chances to clear High Level Dungeons in the future. And besides, as Captain of this party, the responsibility for the decision to retreat lies with me. Now, come on, let’s get out of here," Remarked Kelsey, as we began to head back.


As I took a step forward, I blinked a couple of times as our surroundings abruptly changed, before tensing as I sensed a terrifyingly ominous presence behind me, a chill running down my spine as my blood ran cold.

I spun around in alarm, my eyes widening at the sight before me. Several meters ahead, was a throne, with a figure seated upon it, a Demon with three horns.

I...I’ve never seen an Aura that massive or intense before, my body’s breaking out into a cold sweat just looking at it. I...I can’t stop trembling.

"What the...?"

"Wh-What just happened?!"

"Hey, that thing, it’s...it’s an Archdemon! A-Are we in the Boss Room?! How?!"

A sharp, terrified gasp rang out as the Detector collapsed onto her knees, trembling in horror as she stared at the Monster.

"Everyone, stay calm!" Exclaimed Kelsey, stepping forward with her shield raised in front of her, her voice trembling slightly as a bead of sweat ran down the side of her face.

I glanced at Aria, who took an instinctive step back, her face pale.

"Welcome, humans, to your final resting place. I shall be your guide into the afterlife," The Archdemon greeted us with a malevolent smile...