Chapter 541 – Dungeon Setup and Skill Training.

“What do you mean the dungeon is closed?”

“There should have been a notice at the Guild. Have you not heard?”

“No, I haven’t heard anything about this! Now step aside! I’m not listening to your made-up bullshit – I know what you’re trying to do! But I wasn’t born yesterday!”

Shouting erupted at the entrance to the deeper dungeon, a name that had recently come into use. A party of five adventurers was arguing with the guards stationed there, unable to enter for reasons unknown. Their leader was shouting loudly at one of the guards, thinking the soldiers were trying to get money from them.

“Sir, please step back. If you attempt to force your way in, we will report you to the Guild.”

“Hah! I’d love to see you try. Do you even know who we are?”

The guards raised their shields and leveled their spears, but they knew the truth – if the adventurers charged, they wouldn’t stand a chance. They were merely Tier 2 class holders, while this was a platinum-ranked party that had been delving into the dungeon for months. Tension crackled in the air as the adventurers stood their ground, eyes burning with frustration.

“We’ve paid our dues! We’ve been diving into this dungeon since it was discovered, and now you tell us it’s closed? On whose authority?

“Under my authority.”

A voice boomed from the distance before this could get out of hand. The loud adventurers felt their knees buckling under pressure as a strange aura washed over them. The soldiers they were shouting at didn’t seem affected by it. The adventurers turned sharply towards the source of the voice, their expressions shifting from anger to caution. A figure approached with measured steps, clad in dark runic armor.

“We greet the High Knight Commander!”

The soldiers snapped to attention as they instantly recognized the man’s magical armor. Beside him stood a massive wolf, its mane flickering with flames as it yawned, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. Behind them, a large group of dwarves, along with other adventurers, slowly emerged, all making their way toward the entrance of the deep dungeon.

“Wait, is that…”

One of the adventurers muttered under his breath, recognizing the man instantly. Wayland, High Knight Commander – a name spoken in both reverence and fear among those who operated in the city of Albrook. His reputation preceded him, not just as a man of title but as one who commanded respect through sheer presence and power. Everyone knew of his unparalleled battle strength, and even a platinum-ranked adventurer was no match for him.

The adventurers tensed, their bravado faltering in the presence of the infamous High Knight Commander. The leader of the group clamped his mouth shut, unwilling to utter another word as the pressure in the chamber grew heavier.

“Who’s making all that fuss? Is that the guy? Want me to shut him up, Wayland?”

From behind the armored Knight Commander, a man stepped forward. He was tall and muscular, wearing a strange harness that left his chest exposed. However, before he could act, Wayland raised a hand, silently ordering him to stand down. The man clicked his tongue, shook his head, and retreated without another word.

“Just be quiet, you big oaf, and stop making trouble!”

A woman with longer ears and wearing a bow shouted at the muscular man before he settled down. Silence settled over the chamber as more figures emerged from a nearby tunnel. A large group of dwarves, clad in mining gear, stepped forward. While no heavy machinery was visible, spatial bags carried by hired porters hinted at the equipment hidden within. Among them were soldiers, adventurers, and several strange floating golems – dodecahedron-shaped constructs with orbs for eyes that hovered eerily in the air.

“What… was that?”

After the last of them had disappeared into the dungeon, one of the adventurers finally spoke.

“It was a warning, Let’s take a break and check that guild notice.”

The leader kicked a loose rock in frustration and then turned away. He knew better than to meddle in noble affairs, and whatever was happening in the dungeon, it was best to steer clear – for now. If they insisted on entering, they’d be risking more than just failure.

******

‘Weren’t those the same adventurers?’

Roland led the expedition, Agni walking beside him, deep in thought. The group they had just encountered was the same one he had tricked when setting up the illusion device on the dungeon’s lowest floor. It seemed they had returned, possibly equipped with tools to detect illusory magic this time.

‘I guess I got lucky. Best if no rumors about the lowest floor spread before we’re finished with it.’

It had been around two weeks since his battle with the dungeon boss at the lower level of the dungeon. After a short period of recovery and preparation, he had finally put together a team to begin full-scale operations. Now, with the funding secured through Arthur, he could take the next step toward unlocking the dungeon’s hidden potential.

Armand had come along for the ride, and Lobelia was also present. Neither of them was close to reaching level two hundred – the threshold for the final level but that didn’t matter. With all their combined manpower, the monsters in these levels wouldn’t be able to stop them, especially with him and Agni generating enough radiant aura to weaken the undead.

Roland had hoped to bring his brother along to help him gain experience, but Robert had yet to reach his first Tier 3 class. However, he was close – once he finished assembling the teleportation gate, Roland expected Robert to complete his first advancement. Roland wondered what kind of class his brother would unlock. Since Robert didn’t possess any spirit or aura warrior classes, Roland suspected he might gain a champion variant focused on swordsmanship.

He wished he could have done this sooner, but gathering all the necessary craftsmen and materials had proven challenging. They had to negotiate a new agreement with the union dwarves regarding the distribution of wealth in the lower dungeon region. Certain mineral pockets were present there, and the boss chamber contained large quantities of obsidian rock – a potent material for golem creation.

To Roland’s annoyance, their progress was slow. With so many people on this journey and the dungeon’s tight corridors, moving downward was a tedious process. The dwarves, with their shorter legs and lack of adventuring experience, frequently insisted on taking breaks – and drinking alcohol along the way making the descent even slower. It took them several days to reach the bottom, forcing them to set up camp along the way.

‘I’m glad this is the first and last time we’re doing it like this…’

Roland exhaled as they finally reached the lower depths of the dungeon. The only thought that kept him going was that once he assembled the teleportation gate, he would be able to go home. His illusory barrier was still intact, confusing the party as they arrived.

“Is this a dead end? Did our great leader take a wrong turn?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Armand wasn’t afraid to mock him, much to the disappointment of the soldiers, who by now held Roland in high regard. The dwarves, however, burst into laughter – though their amusement quickly faded when Roland waved his hand, revealing a path forward.

“No, we’re in the right place, just try not to get yourselves killed. The monsters down there are close to level two hundred.”

“He’s not you, blockhead.”

Lobelia was quick to tease Armand for being wrong again, and soon the group continued to the level with the five elemental temples. Since his last visit, all the monsters had respawned, complicating things to some extent.

“This place is something else… Is that tower… or is it some type of temple? on fire?”

Lobelia asked, gazing into the distance from the entrance they had just stepped through. The rest of the group quickly stopped to take in the vast chamber and the five towering structures. As expected, they had all been fully restored and would need to be cleared again before the group could advance – which was exactly why they were here.

“Don’t wander off. It’s too dangerous for you two to go in there alone. Stick to the plan and don’t waste any more time.”