Episode 352: The Dark Continent (3)
The end of Raven’s harassment (?) was when it reached its destination after a full-day voyage.
A continent with wide plains.
A dark purple barrier that spreads along the boundary of the ground as if to deny intruders.
And to the portal located in the sea in front of it.
“Wow!”
“You have arrived!”
As soon as the long-awaited image unfolded beyond the horizon, the explorers gathered on the deck cheered.
Well, sailing was boring.
When I was fine, I looked around the islands, and most of them suffered from motion sickness, so I never felt bored.
“It’s Lichen Suits.”
As soon as Erwen stood next to me, I gave my attention once more, and Erwen bowed her head. He seems to be aware of his own faults… … .
If that’s enough, you can’t talk anymore, right?
“So why are you here? It will take a while to get into the portal.”
“It’s just… I want to be with you… … .”
At first, I felt a lot of pressure from such direct words, but now it has decreased a lot.
No, should I get used to it?
“… But what about that boat? I don’t think I saw you when we left.”
I pointed to a place with my finger.
The portal we arrived at was full of ships that had already arrived, and there were quite a few ships of a different type from the sailing boat we were on.
“Ah, that one? It’s a speed boat. Usually, only those who arrive on the 6th floor are gathered and sent in advance.”
“Are you trying to stop the Noarks from coming down?”
“Yeah, it’s been happening more and more recently. Seeing that there were no signs of battle on the ship, it seems that no such attempt was made this time… … . Not long ago, it was said that it was so violent that more than half of the speedboats were completely destroyed.”
I see
Anyway, they must have caught the monster called the gatekeeper because they arrived the earliest.
Jeongsu didn’t come out?
As I was looking around while thinking like that, I felt the gaze of the explorers around me.
It was a change that occurred as the voyage became longer.
“That woman is a blood spirit… … .”
“But do you know who the man next to you is?”
“Well, when I asked a friend who joined the magic corps, he said that this was his first expedition.
“Hmm, by the way, you have become one of the members of the Seven Rivers… I want to see if I can do something different than it looks.”
Thanks to Erwen’s fame, she received attention wherever she went, including me and Amelia.
First of all, the emotion mixed in the eyes is 99% curiosity.
It’s a war where unnamed new faces appeared every time, but since I’ve been with Blood Spirits from the start, I’m curious about their identity and abilities.
Oh, by the way, 1% was hostility.
“Suits.”
“Oh, you mean Raven?”
“You’re doing that again from afar.”
As the expedition was just around the corner, Raven’s gaze was fixed on this side and didn’t know that it would fall off while gathering with the corps people and talking.
“I… If the situation arises later, will you fix it? … ?”
What is it, boy?
When I put a chestnut on my forehead as if to stop talking nonsense, Erwen looked up at me with unjust eyes and said:
“But what if you find out? I mean, I’m anxious.”
Actually, I was a little worried about this part.
Of course, it’s not about whether to kill them or not, but whether or not to reveal my identity and ask for cooperation.
but… … .
‘I mean, it’s just going to be a hassle for nothing.’
It is also a job to convince them that they are not evil spirits, and even if they do, there is no guarantee that they will keep the secret and cooperate.
Raven, it’s true that he has a lot of affection, but that doesn’t mean he can’t distinguish between public and private.
‘Even if it’s a secret, it’s a royal family, so if it gets caught in the future, it could cause damage.’
After all, I made the final decision that it would be better to finish all the situations with my own hands.
However… … .
“If you get caught, then you have no choice but to say it openly.”
That’s my hope anyway, if you find out before that, you’ll end up asking for your help—.
“… Mr., then it will increase.”
… Was that what you were worried about?
***
Boo woo woo woo-!
At the moment when the thumping sound of the boat that was at the forefront of the ship, the boat we were on also became disorganized.
“Each one in their place!”
Finally, after the short waiting time, it was time to enter the battlefield all at once.
At the direction of the royal family, the explorers who were watching on the deck moved to their assigned seats.
Oh, by the way, we didn’t have to move.
This is because the assigned waiting position was on the deck.
“Uncle… No, I’ll tie up Lichen!”
“uh?”
“I’m good at this!”
Soon, we tied the boat to the body with the supplied rope.
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Measures for fear of falling off the ship.
As soon as the preparations were complete, the boat started to move again with the sound of a boat beating from the front.
“This is a little tense… … .”
“Do not worry. Lichen… I will definitely protect it.”
Uh, isn’t that the line for me as a tank?
Even with that thought in mind, I didn’t bother to continue the chatter.
“Entry into the blacksmith line is complete!”
The ships that were in the lead passed through the portal, and as the ship we rode got closer to the portal, we could feel our bodies heating up.
Well, right now we’re heading to the battlefield.
Not only me, but the other explorers also have a rigid and wretched expression on their faces.
Whoops, everyone is like that, so it reminds me of what happened on the first floor, so I think PTSD is coming.
“Main unit, entry complete!”
It was time to let go of my light heart.
Isn’t this the 7th floor that I enter for the first time in my life?
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Moreover, explorers who are more dangerous than monsters are infested there.
Even if you go there to get something.
It is possible to come back only after losing something.
“Erwen, and Emily.”
“yes.”
“Tell me.”
He said, clutching the railing with one hand and the shield he bought recently with the other.
“Never leave my side.”
flash-!
Soon, the ship we were on entered the portal.
***
Koo-!
A large sailing boat that floated in the air for a while as if it had been caught and thrown by a giant crashes into the water surface and pours a stream of water.
It was an amazing experience, but there was no time to look away.
Because where we are now is not a calm sea under the blue sky.
“You have entered the Dark Continent on the 7th floor.”
The sea is dyed black as if it were covered with oil.
Even though it is only the beginning of the continent, the fog around it is already affecting the view.
and… … .
Quang! Quang! Whoops-!
Explosive noises from all over the place hit the eardrums.
It was because of the magic cannon fired by Noark’s troops waiting on the canyon.
“Welcome today is fierce.”
“Those guys, where the hell did the magic cannons come from?”
“It must have been stolen from our ship some time ago, huh?”
During the conversation, magic cannons, black magic, and various abilities flew into the ship.
Just by hearing the sound, you could tell that it was a considerable firepower, but there was no damage from the Royal Fleet’s side.
There’s nothing that can’t be done with money.
aah
The defensive magic circle activated from the moment you enter the 7th floor blocks all incoming attacks in advance.
Occasionally, the ship may shake a lot due to the impact, but it never goes to damage.
It is a measure taken by the royal family, which suffered heavy damage during the initial landing, and a large-scale investment on all warships.
Is it that 10 million stones per minute are consumed just to maintain that magic circle?
‘How much money does it take to enter the continent in this state? … . Oh, but it’s a bargain compared to the ship.’
Of course, it was not the time to worry about money, so I erased my thoughts and focused on the present.
Receiving a warm welcome head-on, the fleet advancing steadfastly broke through the adjacent shore and now changed formation in a line and entered the narrow canyon.
“The character has entered the special area.”
「Field Effect – Demonic Rift is given.」
「All healing and regeneration effects are disabled.」
“The divine power is sealed.”
The canyon of the ghost.
A must-go course that all coastlines must pass to enter the dark continent of cliffs.
Soon, as our warship follows the ship in front of us into the canyon, the mist filled with an ominous and gloomy feeling deepens.
and… … .
“Ready for battle!”
Undead monsters start climbing up the outer wall of the ship.
There were as many different types as there were grades.
「You have killed Deadburn. EXP +3”
「Exp +4 for killing Red Eye」
「You have defeated the Banshee Quinn. EXP +6”
「You have killed the Teeth Skeleton. EXP+ 4”
“I defeated the Cliff Ear… … .”
Of the monsters that appeared, more than half were huntable even on the 6th floor, but as the 6th floor was skipped, the experience points were quickly filled no matter what you caught.
Erwen’s ability to attack from a distance was great.
Almost 70% of the monsters fell out before getting on the ship.
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Marine monsters had no means to attack at all.
「You have defeated the Chaos Seaman. EXP +6”
「You have killed the Malder Elphant. EXP +5”
「Defeat the Skeleton Mermaid Queen… … .”
The experience points that come in even if Erwen, who has the bond magic, buries a single normal hit.
Of course, it wasn’t just honey sucking.
Puff-!
The deck was full of spirit-type monsters that did not need to climb, so they had to wield their weapons nonstop.
「You have defeated the Ghosties. EXP +4”
「You have killed the Soul Drinker. EXP +6”
「You have killed the Rift Wraith. EXP +3”
After all, the number of respawns is no joke since there are so many people on board.
Even in the midst of a fierce battle on the deck, the vicious Noark cubs fired their magic cannons over the canyon.
Well, this was incapacitated by the defensive magic circle, but… … .
“Ahhh!!”
There were some explorers who fell into the sea as the rope broke during battle on the swaying deck.
furthermore… … .
“What, why isn’t the boat moving forward?”
“The ship has sunk ahead!”
“Huh? Why is the boat going well!”
“It seems that Deadrec has appeared and has damaged the magic circle of the warship!”
Listening to the battle situation updated in real time, it seems that there are cases where the defense magic circle is broken because of the monster and the entire ship sinks.
‘Zep, it’s worth the persistent bombardment from above.’
Luckily, destroying only one ship is not a loss, and if they continue to attack in the first place, the fleet side cannot turn off the defensive magic circle.
The magic circle was turned on all the way through the canyon, and there was no choice but to consume massive amounts of armament—.
“Amelia, back!”
When I shouted urgently, Amelia smashed the skeleton that was attacking from behind with a back kick.
and… … .
“It was a thank you. We are colleagues—.”
“It’s Emily.”
“yes?”
“No one has ever heard of this, but I want you to be careful.”
“Oh, I’ll be careful… … .”
It’s the same pseudonym I used in the past, but somehow it doesn’t stick to my mouth.
Whoo, aren’t you in a position to blame Erwen for his speech mistake?
“mister… … ! Look over there!”
“It’s Lichen.”
“ah… yes… Anyway, here it is! We’re almost there!”
I looked at where Erwen was pointing, but my eyes saw nothing but fog.
but… … .
「Field Effect – The Valley of the Demons is canceled.」
As time passed, a narrow canyon opened up and a wide lake was revealed.
A waterfall was pouring down from the wall, and the color of the water was red, reminiscent of blood.
and… … .
“Wow, it’s over!”
“I’m going to catch my breath now.”
The monsters that appeared ceaselessly disappeared, and the bombardment of the Noarks ended.
Fortunately, it means that the first gate was safely crossed.
‘Then from now on… … .’
I gulped down my saliva as I gazed at the glimmering waters covered in mist.
“… … .”
“… … .”
I don’t know if it’s because of my mood.
Somehow, I felt like I was already smelling blood.
Shameless barba-human mode!