Chapter 155 – Blinding, but Welcomed
Chapter 155
Blinding, but Welcomed
Date : Day 4 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey watched silently as the Goblin Berserker slowly dissipated into particles of light.
It disappeared far slower than normal mobs. The ordinary goblins they had slaughtered throughout the floor had dissolved almost instantaneously. But the Guardian seemed to resist dissolution even in its final moments.
The giant body gradually broke apart from the edges.
The extremities dissolved first—fingers and toes crumbling into luminous motes that drifted upward like inverse snowfall. Then the limbs followed, the dense muscles and thick bones disintegrating into the same ethereal particles. the second axe fell as well, the weapon slipping from dissolving fingers and dropping toward the floor. The metallic sound echoed loudly across the Guardian Chamber. Finally, after the guardian completely disappeared, a huge magic stone dropped onto the floor.
For a few seconds, the only sound inside the chamber was their heavy breathing.
The air was thick with the aftermath of battle—the metallic tang of blood, the acrid scent of poison, and the strange ozone smell that accompanied dissipating Aethell.
Hyoren was still standing with his shield raised instinctively. Jackey still held his two axes high after his final strike. And Elise remained frozen in place after firing the Charged Magic Arrow that killed the guardian, her bow still extended toward the spot where the creature had stood, the string still vibrating faintly from the force of her final shot.
Slowly, the realization washed over them. They won. The thought seemed almost impossible after the brutal endurance contest they had just survived.
The first one to react was Jackey. The Cat-clan Beastkin's body seemed to explode with pent-up energy, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the surge of triumph that flooded through him.
"WOHOO!"
He raised both axes high into the air, the weapons catching the pale light.
"Freedom Party killed the guardian! WOHOO!"
His voice echoed throughout the chamber, the sound bouncing off the ancient walls and returning to them in layered repetitions that seemed to amplify his celebration. The tabby cat tail behind him spiraled wildly.
Hyoren finally lowered his shield. The steel surface descended slowly. A tired smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Wow… we actually defeated it."
His left arm still throbbed painfully from repeatedly blocking the guardian's attacks.
The accumulated strain had settled into his muscles like lead. He tightened his grip around his shield strap for a moment.
"When I first took the attack that almost made my arms useless, I thought the boss was impossible…"
He let out a small laugh, half disbelief and half relief. Then he looked toward his party members, his dark eyes moving from Elise's flushed face to Jackey's exuberant posture.
"Good work… Elise, Jackey…"
Elise slowly lowered her bow.
Her arms descended with visible reluctance. Her pointed ears twitched slightly as she exhaled, the breath escaping her lungs in a long, shuddering release that seemed to carry the weight of the entire fight with it. Sweat clung to several strands of her silver hair.
She smiled faintly.
"We did it, Hyoren."
Hyoren smiled back at her, the warmth in his gaze unmistakable.
"We did it…"
Jackey jumped excitedly.
His feet left the ground entirely and his muscular body ascending with surprising height before landing with a heavy thud that sent small tremors through the stone floor.
"Big Bro was too strong!!! I never actually saw a tank who could sustain that much damage! No wonder during our duel you were unbreakable!"
He grinned widely, his golden eyes blazing with admiration that bordered on worship. His tabby cat tail swayed wildly behind him.
"I never even had the chance of winning that! HAHA!"
Hyoren sheathed his Mithril-Alloy Broadsword. Then he scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I just got good teachers… and good equipment…"
He paused before looking at both of them again.
His gaze moved from Elise to Jackey and back, the appreciation in his eyes sincere and unguarded. He laughed dryly.
"And I got two party members who are doing their jobs well! Hahaha…"
Elise slung Moonveil Bow onto her back and walked closer from the rear line. She approached Hyoren with thoughtful eyes.
"But truly, your shield work was flawless."
She glanced toward his shield, the steel surface now bearing numerous dents and scratches from the brutal punishment it had absorbed throughout the battle.
"You could heal minor wounds in the middle of battle. You could debuff enemies continuously…"
She shook her head slowly, silver hair swaying with the motion.
"Against weak mobs, your true power wasn't really shown. Compounding debuffs would not show their true potency. Neither would your healing capabilities during combat without relying on healers."
Her eyes shifted toward the remains left behind by the Goblin Berserker—the two crimson axes and the massive magic stone lying in the center of the chamber.
"But against a Guardian…"
She paused slightly. Her emerald eyes narrowed with the intensity of someone arriving at a significant conclusion.
"By Sylvana's… you are a nightmare for single strong Guardians like this…"
Jackey nodded enthusiastically beside her, his head bobbing up and down with characteristic energy.
"Elise is right!"
His tail spiraled behind him energetically.
"I worked with many parties before! But Big Bro is the best tank ever! HAHAHA!"
Hyoren laughed awkwardly from the overwhelming praise, the sound carrying embarrassment beneath its surface. But deep inside, warmth slowly spread through his chest, the acknowledgment of his capabilities settling into his consciousness like sunlight breaking through clouds.
He looked toward Jackey first.
"But you were also strong, Jackey. You were the one who kept wounding the Guardian until its regeneration couldn't catch up anymore."
Jackey blinked, the observation clearly catching him off guard. Then he grinned proudly while resting Bloody Axe on his shoulder.
"Hehe! Of course! Leave whacking enemies to me!"
Hyoren chuckled before turning toward Elise. His dark eyes met her emerald gaze with gentle sincerity.
"And Elise, you were the one who dealt the killing blow."
Elise's ears twitched slightly at the acknowledgment.
"And your poison… without it, my debuff wouldn't be enough to weaken the Guardian that much."
Hyoren remembered how the Goblin Berserker's movements gradually slowed throughout the battle. The creature's once-fluid coordination had degraded into jerky, uncontrolled actions as the toxins accumulated in its bloodstream.
"Your poison kept it wincing in pain. Its breathing became uneven. It disrupted its rhythm."
He smiled softly at her.
"You are not useless anymore in boss fights… Your hard work paid off, Elise."
For a moment, Elise froze slightly.
Her body went rigid, her breath catching in her throat as the significance of his words registered upon her consciousness. The validation she had been seeking, the proof that her efforts had not been in vain, now stood before her in the simple acknowledgment from the man she loved.
Then she slowly tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear.
The gesture was unconscious and automatic, a small motion that seemed to ground her in the present moment. A faint blush spread across her face, the color rising from her neck to her cheeks in a gradient that was visible even in the chamber's pale illumination. Her emerald eyes glittered softly under the magic lamps of the Guardian Chamber.
"I…"
Her words trailed off awkwardly. She looked away for a second, embarrassed by the praise and uncertain how to respond to such direct acknowledgment of her growth.
"...I just didn't want to be useless anymore. I just glad my poison worked…"
The smile on her face widened slightly despite her embarrassment. The expression was small but genuine.
Hyoren smiled warmly back at her.
Jackey meanwhile was still too excited to stay still. He jumped around while swinging his axes proudly, his muscular frame bouncing across the chamber floor with boundless energy that seemed to defy the exhaustion that should have been weighing upon him.
"Freedom Party too strong! HAHAHA!"
Elise laughed quietly at his antics while still blushing a little.
The three of them stood there for a while, basking in the warmth of their victory. The chamber that had been a site of brutal combat now felt almost peaceful, the tension that had filled it dissipating like morning mist beneath the rising sun.
Their first Guardian victory together as a party.
***
Hyoren felt the celebration was enough for now and started focusing on the practicalities. The euphoria of victory still hummed beneath his skin, but the familiar instinct toward efficiency was already reasserting itself, reminding him that their work was not yet finished.
He walked toward the remains left behind by the Goblin Berserker. The massive magic stone still glowed faintly on the floor beside the two crimson axes.
"So… weapon drops and magic stones."
He crouched slightly and looked closer. His dark eyes traced the contours of the fallen equipment, noting details that had been impossible to observe during the chaos of combat.
"Two axes."
Then he looked toward Jackey, his expression curious.
"Do Guardians always drop their equipment, Jackey?"
Jackey walked closer as well. His tabby cat tail swayed lightly with each step.
"No, it's rare, Big Bro!"
Elise also approached and briefly looked down at the equipment before glancing toward Jackey. Her emerald eyes moved from the crimson axes to the Beastkin's face with thoughtful consideration.
"Two axes. Want them, Jackey?"
Jackey looked at his own weapons for a moment—Bloody Axe and Flying Kite Axe. His golden eyes studied the familiar forms with the attachment of someone who had fought alongside them for years, who trusted them with his life in every battle.
Then he stored both into his storage bag before picking one of the crimson axes from the guardian. The weapon was enormous in his hands, the shaft thick and the blade heavy with obvious destructive intent.
The Beastkin's muscles strained visibly as he lifted the weapon. He tapped the metal with his fingers, the sound ringing out with a deep metallic tone that spoke of dense, high-quality material. Then he swung it a few times experimentally.
The heavy axe cut through the air with tremendous force. The blade hummed as it moved, displacing enough atmosphere to create a noticeable breeze that ruffled Jackey's orange hair and made his tabby cat tail stream behind him.
"NOPE!"
Hyoren chuckled, the sound carrying amusement at the Beastkin's emphatic rejection.
"Why not, Jackey? The weapons look menacing and in good condition. They're unlike normal goblin crude weapons."
Jackey swung the crimson axe one more time before grimacing dramatically. His face contorted into an expression of exaggerated distaste, as if the weapon had personally offended him through its very existence.
"NO! These are too heavy!"
He pointed toward the axe with his free hand. Then he handed it to Hyoren
"I might be able to handle one for my right hand… but my second axe needs to be light! And the shape should be optimized for throwing!"
He proudly crossed his arms over his chest.
"My Flying Kite Axe was custom work! Nothing could replace it! HAHAHA!"
Hyoren took the crimson axe and inspected it more carefully. He turned the weapon in his hands.
The craftsmanship was surprisingly high quality. The edge was sharp, honed to a fine degree that spoke of skilled forging rather than crude construction. And the metal itself did not look like ordinary steel. Maybe a Mithril-alloy.
And yes, it was heavy. The weight settled into his grip with undeniable presence, the mass far exceeding what its size might suggest.
Most adventurers would probably need to wield this as a two-handed axe. The thought surfaced unbidden, accompanied by a renewed appreciation for the Guardian's monstrous strength.
"Right… this is too heavy to be dual wielded…"
Hyoren remembered the Goblin Berserker swinging both axes around like they weighed nothing.
"Those Goblin Berserkers are absurd to hold these with one arm each…"
He handed the axe to Elise, before picking another one and handed it over again.
She effortlessly stored both crimson axes into her storage bag. Then she nodded thoughtfully.
"We are lucky though. If I remember correctly, Guardian equipment drops are less than ten percent."
She scanned the Guardian Chamber briefly.
"Higher chance than a gold chest spawn, but still rare."
Her eyes swept around the empty chamber one more time. No gleaming treasure chest waited to reward their efforts beyond what the Guardian had already provided.
"But… it seems our luck was not good enough for a gold chest…"
Jackey laughed loudly, the sound booming through the chamber with characteristic enthusiasm.
"HAHAHA! Freedom Party is lucky though. The weapon drops are rare!"
Hyoren nodded in understanding.
"No gold chest, but we got weapon drops."
He started counting with his fingers.
"Combined with the pendant from the Monster Room, 1200 magic stones and this Guardian magic stone…"
He looked toward them with a grin.
"We are rich."
Jackey immediately jumped around excitedly. His feet left the ground entirely.
"FREEDOM PARTY IS RICH!"
His eyes sparkled with excitement, the golden irises practically glowing with anticipation.
"NOW I CAN HIRE MANY EXPENSIVE ESCORTS! WOHOO!"
Jackey truly was honest to the core. The declaration was delivered without shame or hesitation, the Beastkin's priorities laid bare for all to see with refreshing transparency.
Hyoren could not help laughing.
"Just don't blow all your savings on them though, Jackey…"
Jackey scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Don't worry, Big Bro… I will be responsible…"
He paused.
"…I will try. At least."
That only made the three of them laugh harder.
The sound echoed through the Guardian Chamber, the warmth of their shared amusement filling the space that had so recently been dominated by the sounds of violence and desperation.
Elise's laughter slowly faded first. She crouched down and picked up the massive Guardian magic stone before storing it inside her storage bag as well.
"We spent almost all our savings buying equipment and the house…"
She smiled softly.
"And now we already earned back even more…"
Her emerald eyes brightened slightly, the color deepening as thoughts of future possibilities filled her mind.
"We could buy more necessities for the house… Me and Ina always wanted more magic tools for convenience. And more furniture too… Fufu."
Hyoren smiled warmly at that, the image of their shared home filling him with contentment that had nothing to do with gold or equipment.
"Yeah… And equipment too."
He looked down at his battered armor, covered in dents and scratches from the Guardian fight.
The Ramtauro leather that had once been relatively smooth now bore the evidence of countless impacts, the surface marred by scars that told the story of every blow he had absorbed in their defense.
"I might need new armor. This Ramtauro leather armor was good enough when I was a speedy spear warrior…"
He lightly tapped the chest area.
"But now I actually need to take hits. Maybe I should buy better armor."
Then he looked toward Jackey.
"And you need better armor too, Jackey! Don't be like that Goblin Berserker! Wear proper armor!"
Jackey immediately scratched his cheek again.
"But I don't want stuffy armor. I can't move fast in those, Big Bro!"
Elise smiled.
"Don't worry. We could order a custom one from Jena. She could make something flexible and durable with thinner material so it won't hinder your movement."
Jackey's ears perked up instantly.
"If that's possible then… OKAY!"
The three of them laughed again, their voices echoing warmly throughout the now quiet Guardian Chamber.
***
Afterward, they walked toward the teleport orb together. The sphere hovered motionless above its pedestal at the far end of the Guardian Chamber, its surface swirling with crimson light that seemed to pulse with malevolent energy. The red light cast faint crimson reflections across the stone floor.
Hyoren stepped closer first.
His boots echoed against the worn stone, each footstep marking the final distance between themselves and the dungeon's deeper levels. Then he reached out and touched the orb. His fingers made contact with the cold surface, the chill seeping into his skin with immediate intensity.
The moment his hand touched it, Gidol's mocking voice echoed inside their minds again.
Are you ready to be killed on Floor 2??? Or are you chickens who are going to run?? Xixixi. Pick one, you pretend heroes!
Jackey immediately laughed loudly.
"HAHAHA! This dungeon spirit really likes provoking people!"
Even Elise let out a small amused smile. The expression was subtle but genuine, her emerald eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as she shook her head at the Demon God's persistent mockery.
Hyoren mentally answered calmly. His response was brief and matter-of-fact, stripped of any emotional reaction that might have provided Gidol with satisfaction, even if this just an echo.
Exit dungeon.
The teleportation activated immediately.
The world suddenly darkened, the Guardian Chamber vanishing from perception as reality folded around them like paper being crumpled by an invisible hand.
It felt as though the void swallowed them whole. Their bodies became weightless for a brief moment, the sensation of having no mass, no substance, no connection to anything physical. Sound disappeared completely. No light. No sensation. Only an endless nothing that seemed to stretch in every direction without boundary or limit.
Then suddenly—Light returned.
The three of them appeared in front of the large Archway inside the Main Tunnel of the quarry, which now served as the waiting area for adventurers entering Akela Dungeon. The familiar structure loomed before them, its pale blue runes pulsing with the same eerie rhythm they had observed upon entering.
A completely different atmosphere washed over them instantly. Fresh air. Warmth. Noise. The sensations arrived in a flood that seemed almost overwhelming after five days spent in the dungeon's oppressive silence.
The dungeon's stale silence was gone.
In its place was something alive and vibrant. Loud chatter echoed throughout the tunnel. Adventurers laughed, argued, discussed strategies, and checked their equipment. The overlapping voices created a constant murmur that filled the space with the comfortable noise of civilization. Magic lamps illuminated the bustling underground resting area with warm orange light, the glow far more inviting than the cold blue illumination that had characterized the dungeon proper.
Nearby, several merchants had opened temporary stalls.
The smell of grilled skewers drifted through the air, the savory aroma carrying hints of seasoned meat and charcoal smoke that made Hyoren's stomach clench with sudden hunger. Coffee. Roasted meat. Fresh bread. The scents mingled together in a combination that spoke of warmth and comfort and simple pleasures that had been absent during their expedition.
After five days inside the dungeon, the scent alone almost felt overwhelming.
Many adventurer parties were resting nearby. Some waited for comrades to return from dives, their expressions carrying the anxious patience of those who understood the dangers that lurked beneath the surface. Others were preparing supplies before entering the dungeon themselves, their movements quick and purposeful as they checked and rechecked their equipment with the meticulous attention of those who knew their lives might depend on every item they carried.
Hyoren instinctively looked to both sides. His dark eyes swept across the crowded chamber, confirming what his ears had already told him.
Elise and Jackey were still beside him. The Silver-haired Elf stood to his right, her posture relaxed but alert. The Cat-clan Beastkin occupied his left, his golden eyes wide with curiosity as he took in the bustling scene around them.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Let's go. Time to report to Sherly, then we head back to Akela."
Elise and Jackey nodded.
The three quickly left the waiting area and walked through the now reinforced quarry tunnels.
Unlike before, the corridors were much smoother and safer. The jagged passages that had once threatened to collapse with each step had been transformed into something far more stable and reliable. Wooden supports, metal reinforcements, and magic lamps had already been installed around the mining pathways, the infrastructure speaking to the Guild's commitment to developing this resource.
Their footsteps echoed against the improved and smoothed stone floor.
The Akela Dungeon had clearly transformed this abandoned quarry into a growing dungeon town.
Eventually, they exited the tunnel. The transition from enclosed space to open air was immediate and dramatic.
The sight outside greeted them immediately. The basin stretched before them in all its transformed glory, the changes that had been underway during their departure now even more pronounced.
The old quarry was no longer quiet and abandoned. The silence that had once characterized this place had been replaced by the constant sounds of construction and commerce, the noise of a community being built from nothing.
Temporary buildings, merchant tents, supply wagons, and resting areas filled the surroundings.
The structures had multiplied since their arrival five days ago, the encampment expanding with the relentless energy of something that refused to be contained. Adventurers moved everywhere through the growing settlement built around the dungeon entrance, their paths crossing and recrossing as they went about their various businesses.
Hyoren instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes.
The brightness of the cold sunlight from Silver Luna was intense. The pale silver sun hung high at its zenith, indicating it was already midday. Its light flooded the basin with illumination that seemed almost aggressive after the dim environment of the underground passages.
After spending five days underground, even the cold sunlight felt blinding. His eyes watered slightly as they struggled to adjust to the sudden brightness.
Elise narrowed her emerald eyes slightly while adjusting to the brightness. Her pointed ears twitched with discomfort.
Jackey squinted dramatically. His face contorted into an exaggerated grimace, his golden eyes reduced to narrow slits as he threw one arm across his face like a shield.
"AGH! TOO BRIGHT!"
Hyoren laughed softly.
The sound carried gentle amusement at the Cat-clan Beastkin's theatrical reaction, the familiarity of Jackey's exaggerated behavior providing a comfortable contrast to the unfamiliar brightness that surrounded them.
Even though Silver Luna's light lacked the harsh heat of Sol, the sudden brightness still forced their eyes to slowly adjust after days spent beneath the dungeon.
But it was a welcoming light.
After spending days inside the cold, stale, and oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon—constantly alert, constantly fighting—the sight of the suns above and the cold winter air felt refreshing beyond words.
The air was still chilly. But it was fresh. Alive.
Hyoren inhaled deeply.
The cold wind brushed against his face, carrying the scent of snow, smoke from merchant stalls, and distant cooking food. It was so different from the damp stone smell of the dungeon that for a moment, simply breathing felt comforting.
Beside him, Elise also quietly took a deep breath. Her shoulders visibly relaxed.
“Fresh air…”
She smiled faintly.
“Fufu… I missed this more than I thought.”
Jackey stretched both arms upward dramatically.
“WOHOO! FINALLY! SURFACE!”
His tabby cat tail swayed happily behind him.
“No goblins! No stale dungeon smell!!”
Hyoren chuckled softly at their reactions.
But honestly, he felt the same.
Not long ago, he thought dungeon diving would only be terrifying. Painful. Stressful.
But standing there now, after surviving five days underground with his party. The exhaustion in his body strangely felt satisfying. They fought together. Struggled together. And defeated a Floor Guardian together.
Hyoren looked briefly toward Elise and Jackey beside him. Then a small smile appeared on his face.
The Freedom Party had successfully finished their first dungeon dive.