Full Crown

After resting, we carry on with the expedition of the dungeon. If the previous stages has zombies and skeletons, this time are specters and phantoms. The path from the sixth stage onwards is considered more difficult than fighting the monsters here, since the stage took the shape of a large hallway. A ceiling that is high enough that you can’t see the top, maze like hallways with dark corners that may or may not have any monsters that will jump at us, and sounds of crying in pain, grief and sadness can be heard. And these cries are not simple cries, a long exposure can cause your mind to break, and it may also give hallucinations of someone or something that will expose your weakness. These cries are the reason why this path is called ‘Wailing Road’.

“The previous stages have an eerie feeling, but this place has that creepy vibes on it.” (Lux)

“Uhm… Leader, what are you doing?” (Dolph)

“W-what do you think? I-I’m just protecting you in case an enemy attack you from the rear.” (Rosa)

“You know that we just got barely through the sixth stage yet right?” (Dolph)

“I know that! I-it’s just for precaution!” (Rosa)

“Master Frederick, could this be…” (Lux)

“It looks like it. It’s rare to have moments like this since we always fought monsters with flesh.” (Frederick)

“So that’s why leader hates it when we try to pick out missions that requires ghost extermination.” (Lyra)

“You, on the other hand, are surprisingly calm. Are you not afraid of ghost?” (Rufus)

“Ghost can be turned into familiar, especially beast type ones. So they don’t really look that scary to me.” (Lyra)

“Is that so? That’s kind of amazing, turning a ghost into a familiar.” (Rufus)

“Thank you.” (Lyra)

“Master Frederick, is the world going to end tomorrow? Why is my sister having a sweet smile on her face? My mind is not being affected by the wailings right?” (Lux)

“Unfortunately, you are fine Lux. I am also taken aback by what is happening right now. All we can do is watch these things unfold before our eyes.” (Frederick)

“Everyone is really lax while treading the most dangerous path of the dungeon. It makes me feel that something is wrong with us.” (Clare)

“Well, they can’t really help it since the church’s barrier spell repels the effect of the wailing and almost all of the low ranking specters.” (Crystallis)

“Well, the big problem will be that thing over there.” (Flora)

“It’s just watching over us for now because it’s being warry of someone in our group, but the moment we let our guard down, it will surely attack us.” (Molaris)

While having a leisure walk down the hallway and watching the things happening around me, there is a certain figure watching over us while hovering above our expedition group. It is a phantom monster called the ‘Weeping Shade’. It is a monster that can be called a sub-boss of the tenth stage boss and the cause of the wailings that can be heard around us.

Weeping Shade (Phantom)

Danger Rank: Copper

Class Piece: Bishop

Class Skill: Painful Scream

Innate Skill: Mental Collapse

“Wouldn’t it be easier if we just kill that monster? Instead of just letting it follow us, let’s just end it fast.” (Cyan)

“We can but it’ll be a difficult task, since it is hovering above us and physical attacks don’t really work on it.” (Scorpius)

“Is your poison effective though? Since you’ve said that physical attacks won’t work.” (Cassius)

“It’s not like it won’t be effective, it just has less effect since my poison is coated on weapons.” (Scorpius)

“So, are you saying that if it is coated into someone who can use his body as a weapon, it can have a much better effect?” (Cassius)

“It is possible, we just need to coat it to someone here as an experiment right?” (Scorpius)

The idiot party is having a different kind of lax conversation. Looking my way while having an ominous topic, they really do get on my nerves if they want to.

“Then cover yourself with your own poison and I will throw you at the enemy. Let’s see how effective it is with the creator as the experimental subject.” (Adrienne)

“Huh?! What did you say you low rank?!” (Scorpius)

“What? Did your poison took away your hearing ability?” (Adrienne)

“You really want to die, you punk!” (Scorpius)

“You sure know your words even though you’re just an embodiment of curse, death bringer.” (Cyan)

“Are those your final words?” (Cassius)

The moment we are taking our stance and getting ready to fight, Callan suddenly intercepted in between us.

“Stop this immediately. We are still in an expedition and we are in the presence of a monster, do this foolishness after we climb back out of the dungeon.” (Callan)

“Tsk! Be thankful that you can live a little longer. Rejected failure.” (Scorpius)

“There won’t be any next time for you. Let’s go you two.” (Cassius)

The three moved to a different position of the formation and Callan walked back towards his party members without saying anything. I was left at the rear and started walking to maintain our formation.

The formation was suggested by the church since we all need the protection of their barrier spell. Some of the adventurers protect the casters of the barrier, while those who are part of the main group will each be in a place where they can react fast if a problem will arise.

“You really are brave. Not even considering what will happen if you lose.” (Rufus)

“I’m not that weak to be wary of the three of them, and it is none of your business.” (Adrienne)

“You really have severe trust issues. Oh, and I am curious about something.” (Rufus)

“…” (Adrienne)

“What did he mean by ‘rejected failure’?” (Rufus)

“It’s none of your business. Go back to your position.” (Adrienne)

“Don’t be so cold to me now, we’re doing this expedition together so we are buddies, right?” (Rufus)

“…” (Adrienne)

“So? What is that rejected failure thing?” (Rufus)

I threw a punch towards him and a sound of two metal hitting each other was heard. Everyone turned around and Clare suddenly came running to get Rufus.

“I already told you, it’s none of your business. So just shut up and go back to your position.” (Adrienne)

“…” (Rufus)

“Stop that you two! Rufus, what happened here?!” (Clare)

“Nothing. I think I said something that annoyed him. Sorry about that, I was being insensitive.” (Rufus)

“If you know it yourself, then get lost.” (Adrienne)

“Come on Clare.” (Rufus)

He sheathed his sword and marched towards Clare, then they moved back to their position and we all resumed our expedition. A lot of whispering from the others can be heard, and all the peaceful leisure walking from before is completely gone.

“You saw that? You should really think first before saying something, or you will end up fighting someone.” (Crystallis)

“How low is your trust in me?!” (Molaris)

“None!” (Crystallis)

Amidst of the unpleasant atmosphere, the leaders of the party Brutes created a scene which restored the relaxing ambiance. Laughter can be heard, but it didn’t last long since enemies that can’t be affected by the barrier finally showed up. And with that acting as the signal, the short but relaxing journey came to an end.