Chapter 523 – Exploring Further.

“Unauthorized entry attempt detected. Please comply with identification protocol or face consequences.”

The mechanical voice emanating from the orb was cold and unsettling to the adventurers standing nearby. It issued from within the metal box, through which the strange, mechanical-looking orb’s arm protruded. To the onlookers, it resembled a peculiar, lidless eye, and the words it spoke filled the two adventurers with unease.

“What is this thing? It knows my name!”

“Sir. Please just show us your identification, don’t make it more difficult than it has to. If you resist, you will be reported to the guild and also to the forces of our lord, Lord Arthur Valerian! “

The guards raised their weapons. Though they were no match for the two high-level adventurers, they stood firm, emboldened by the presence of their lord’s name behind them. For a moment, Roland feared he might need to intervene, but it seemed the situation was under control.

The construct with the orb was his creation, designed in collaboration with the dwarven union. It was a golem with limited functionality, built specifically to scan adventurer cards and verify their legitimacy. While a similar device operated above ground, this secondary checkpoint was established to track the flow of people entering and exiting the newly discovered dungeon. The system recorded not only the number of adventurers but also their classes, counting those who entered and those who perished.

These statistics were not only crucial for assessing the dungeon’s danger level and the threats posed by its monstrous inhabitants but also served another purpose: preventing murders committed by adventurers. Such incidents, like the attempt on his and Rastix’s lives, necessitated stricter oversight. Through the golem’s scans and the sensors embedded in the walls, it would be possible to track individuals to some extent and confront them later if they attempted to leave the dungeon under suspicious circumstances.

‘I guess we won’t have to make a move’

Once the noble Valerian name was invoked, the two adventurers began to backpedal. They were likely unaccustomed to resistance in dungeons, which were typically lawless zones. However, the sight of the magical machine capable of identifying their names and ranks had clearly thrown them off guard. Begrudgingly, one of them fished out a shimmering adventurer’s card and handed it over to the guards. The other muttered something under his breath but eventually followed suit. The orb scanned the cards, emitting a strange mechanical noise before blinking green.

“Verification complete. Access granted. Please proceed with caution.”

The mechanical voice stated, retracting into its housing. The guards stepped aside, letting the adventurers pass, though their expressions remained stern. Once the group was out of earshot, the two guards could be seen sighting out in relief.

“Uh… I thought we were done for…”

“Yeah, luckily the Valerian name carried enough weight to scare them off.”

The guards exchanged nervous glances, clearly relieved the confrontation hadn’t escalated. Roland, still observing from the shadows, allowed himself a small, amused smirk. He had also used this tactic in the past just like these guards. Invoking the Valerian name was a great shield and helpful in maintaining order. However, he could only hope that the men he chose and that would soon join would not abuse this power.

“Let’s move, Agni.”

Roland whispered, stepping into the open with his hood pulled low.

The guards snapped to attention as they noticed him.

“Halt identify your…”

Before one of the guards could finish the sentence, the older one grabbed his shoulder and shook his head.

“Sir! We were expecting you, please go ahead.”

Roland gave no reply and simply walked through the entrance he himself had designed. The scanning machine, which would typically activate for other adventurers, remained silent. It was then that the guard realized who Roland truly was. The man was perceptive – a valuable trait for a guard to have.

“Continue your duties.”

“Yes, my lord!”

With that, Roland strode deeper into the dungeon’s tunnels. The rhythmic thud of mining and the hum of mana-powered equipment faded behind him as the narrow corridor gave way to a vast, dimly lit expanse. Agni padded silently at his side, his ruby-hued form shimmering as he shifted into his Sun form. Flames of divine energy ignited around him, and the undead monsters lurking nearby groaned in discomfort, their decayed forms reacting to his radiant aura.

“Well, I’ll leave them to you, Agni.”

“Awoo!”

Agni charged forward, engaging a hulking Infernal Skeleton while Roland glanced at the display in his helmet. Two dots marked a hidden chamber ahead – his next destination.

“There they are. They must be resting.”

Agni was already battling two massive skeletal monstrosities and several screeching, floating skulls. Thanks to his radiant energy, the creatures’ decayed bodies were disintegrating just by being near him. It was an ideal training ground, and Roland appreciated that the dungeon’s map allowed them to avoid other adventurers, most of whom were busy exploring deeper, uncharted areas.

“I should check on those two first,”

Roland said while stepping past the crumbling remains of fallen monsters.

“Then see what’s further down. Most expeditions stalled at areas with monsters near level two hundred. There might be a boss chamber somewhere close.”

This wasn’t a baseless assumption. For some reason, dungeons in this world seemed to favor multiples of ten. Typically, monsters on each floor wouldn’t exceed ten levels, and a boss would appear on every tenth level of a dungeon containing multiple floors. This rule was quite consistent, though there were some notable exceptions. The problem with this particular dungeon, however, was its unique nature as it didn’t have a true entrance that they were aware of. Which made counting the floors difficult.

While Agni dealt with the remaining mobs, Roland advanced toward an old grinding spot he had introduced to Mary, Armand, and Lobelia. The trio had spent a lot of time here training, using his holy mana bombs to thin out the undead. Now, another adventurer was occupying the spot, and Roland was eager to assess their progress.

“Finished already?”

Roland asked with a chuckle.

“Awooooo!”

Agni howled in response.

“Haha, I suppose we’ll need to find stronger undead on the lower levels for you. But first, let’s check on those two.”

With a nod, Roland set off, weaving through twisting passages and descending deeper into the dungeon. His boots made no sound on the stone floor, and his armor – refined through countless iterations fit him like a second skin. Soon, he reached the hidden chamber. A wave of his hand activated the secret entrance, which slid open silently. Inside, two figures immediately raised their weapons, only to lower them upon seeing the glow of Roland’s visor.

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“Ro—High Commander? What brings you here?”

One of them asked.

“At ease, Sir Durendal, I’m here to check on your progress. How’s it going?”

He turned to the second figure in the chamber, Sir Gareth. As his younger brother’s chaperone, Gareth was responsible for ensuring Robert’s safety against unexpected monster surges. A tier-3 Sword Champion armed with powerful runic equipment, Gareth could make short work of the undead fiends.