chsdbacks Chapter 142: It Is Not an Illusion
Chapter 142: It Is Not an Illusion
Chapter 142: It Is Not an Illusion
The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices – 142
EP.142 It Is Not an Illusion
“It has been three days since we lost contact with Arcane.”
Kandel, a minor demon under Sernu and a member of the Demon Merchant Association, bowed as he reported to his superior, Sernu.
The message was that they had lost contact with Arcane, who had headed to the Arch Lich’s dungeon. It had been three days since they lost contact with the entire group of Lamias as well. The lack of any news made it clear to anyone that something had gone wrong.
“Arch Lich...”
Sernu muttered in a trembling voice. Another failure. The plan had not gone as intended. Sernu had decided to eliminate the Arch Lich to make up for the consecutive failures. Arcane was used in this plan, thinking that a jealous Lamia would act with just a little push.
Thus, Kandel was sent to the Lamia dungeon to deliver a potion. The potion was a rare one that forcibly increased strength, and Sernu believed that giving Arcane this power would surely make her act. As expected, Arcane moved. She gained the strength of a 5-star through the potion and headed straight for the Arch Lich’s dungeon.
‘I thought it was almost a success...!’
Sernu had hoped for two things.
First, that Arcane would subjugate the Arch Lich’s dungeon. Touching the Arch Lich would draw out the mysterious entity that had been with the Arch Lich during the banquet. If everything went well, Sernu even planned to provide more support to Arcane.
Second, the potion Arcane consumed was an experimental one being tested in secret. During the auction, potions had been given to the priests of the Order to embarrass the Arch Lich.
Those potions only amplified holy power, but the potion given to Arcane was on a different level. If Arcane, who had just become a 5-star, could face the Arch Lich with the potion, it would be a groundbreaking success. However, reality was harsh.
Neither goal was achieved, everything had failed. Losing contact with Arcane meant she had not been able to confront the Arch Lich. This led to doubts about the potion’s effectiveness.
‘If the potion had worked properly, she should have easily dealt with the Arch Lich....’
Not all 5-stars have the same power. While the extent of the Arch Lich’s power was unknown, Sernu had expected Arcane, empowered by the potion, to handle it easily. No, Sernu had been certain of it. Yet, the failure implied the potion was not perfect. Feeling a headache coming on, Sernu changed the subject.
“So... what’s the situation with the Arch Lich’s dungeon?”
The only remaining hope was that Arcane and the Arch Lich had fought and both perished. Sernu hoped Kandel would report that the Arch Lich’s dungeon had also fallen. However, Kandel’s expression was grim.
“Well, we have no information at all.”
Sernu’s face showed confusion, wondering what he meant. But Kandel’s words were literal.
“We sent mercenaries, but all contact was lost. It seems to be the work of wandering goblins.”
“Goblins, you say.”
Previously, Gnolls had been sent to the Arch Lich’s dungeon. But what was the result? They were found dead in a nearby forest before even reaching the dungeon. Investigation revealed it was the work of wild goblin hordes. This time, mercenaries were sent to scout the Arch Lich’s dungeon, but again, there was no success.
“Did you send the Shadows as well?”
Unlike mercenaries, Shadows were frequently used by the Association. These smoke-like beings excelled in gathering information and assassination, and their origins were unknown. Their numbers were few, so they couldn’t be deployed recklessly. However, the current situation was different. They needed to uncover everything about the Arch Lich.
“Uh... well, that is...”
Kandel’s expression darkened further at the mention of the Shadows.
“We sent two Shadows, but all contact was lost.”
“?”
Sernu asked again, thinking he had misheard, but received the same answer.
“We don’t know the cause. All Shadows sent to the dungeon have disappeared.”
What did that mean? Shadows were elusive entities. It was almost impossible to believe that something could kill them.
‘Unless they were swayed.’
Unfortunately, the Shadows could only be controlled by the Association, so Sernu dismissed that possibility.
‘Could it be him?’
The mysterious figure who had been with the Arch Lich. If he had moved, the current situation made sense.
“Hmm...”
Sernu pondered. While the Arch Lich was known, the mysterious man had no information at all. The whole plan had been to lure him out. With the plan now in ruins, continuing was a waste of time.
“We have no choice. We’ll cease our interest in the Arch Lich’s dungeon for now.”
A headache was setting in. Where had it all gone wrong? Initially, it was thought to be just a succubus dungeon. However, it turned out to be the Arch Lich’s dungeon, and its security was so tight that no information could be obtained.
“Oh, and Sir Sernu.”
As Sernu’s expression darkened further, Kandel brought up a topic to lighten the mood.
“While investigating the disaster in the Sael Kingdom, I discovered something interesting.”
Sernu looked up at Kandel’s words. Anything interesting often led to results, so Sernu waited for the next part.
“I found out by chance, but do you know about the underworld of the Sael Kingdom?”
Of course, he did. Every nation had an underworld where those who lived in the shadows thrived. But what about it?
“There’s going to be a monster arena in the underworld of the Sael Kingdom.”
“A monster... arena?”
The intriguing news piqued Sernu’s interest.
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***
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“Hey, Raymond. Get a grip!”
Ethan tried to stop him, but Raymond’s eyes were already fixed on the gold coins.
“Haha, excellent! Please, have a seat here!”
Kaleido offered a chair, and Raymond, as if hypnotized, sat down. Watching this, Ethan felt a chill run down his spine, but it seemed too late.
A moment later.
“Now, you will explore the illusion I’ve created. Overcome the challenges you face there. If you fail... well, you might be trapped in the illusion forever.”
Kaleido grinned and raised his staff. A mist of multicolored light emanated from the tip, enveloping Raymond.
“...Raymond!”
Ethan called out in alarm, but Kaleido stopped him.
“Shh. He is now exploring the illusion.”
Ethan wanted to protest, but meeting Kaleido’s eyes, he found himself speechless. There was a madness in those eyes.
“Don’t worry. Raymond is merely playing a game in the illusion I created.”
Kaleido smiled faintly at Ethan.
“Of course, the game comes with risks. But if he overcomes them, great rewards await.”
“A game...?”
“Yes, an illusionary game. He must complete the tasks given in the world I’ve created. Defeat monsters, explore dungeons, find treasures. If he fails...”
Kaleido trailed off, shrugging his shoulders.
“Even if he fails, his body will remain unharmed.”
Ethan glanced at Raymond, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
“Haha, the line between illusion and reality is finer than you think. Let’s see if Raymond can clear the game safely. Would you like to join as well? If you win, all those treasures will be yours....”
Ethan looked at the pile of gold coins. The sight of the glittering gold stirred his greed.
‘All of that could be mine? It must be a lie.’
But what if it was true? What if he refused and Raymond cleared the game, taking all the gold? Even as friends, that would be hard to swallow.
Ethan swallowed dryly and nodded.
“I’ll participate.”
“Haha, an excellent choice! Please, have a seat here!”
Following Kaleido’s instructions, Ethan sat down. Despite the suspicious feeling, the thought of acquiring the gold coins clouded his judgment. After all, it was just a game.
“Now, you will enter the illusion I’ve created-”
“Gah!”
Before Kaleido could finish, Ethan cried out.
“It’s real! The illusion is real!”
A terrifying creature appeared before his eyes.
“I’m really inside the illusion, aren’t I!”
Ethan couldn’t contain his excitement. The illusion magic was real.
“I can see a monster right in front of me!”
Kaleido said nothing, but Ethan continued to babble.
“Uh... but it’s strange. It looks like a knight, but it has a maid outfit attached to its shield... Is this really an illusion?!”
Ethan felt a thrill looking at the surreal monster. If this was truly illusion magic, it was incredible.
Kaleido sighed.
“That... is not an illusion.”
“What?”
“You haven’t even entered the illusion yet.”
That couldn’t be true. There was a monster with a maid outfit on its shield right in front of him. Ethan thought Kaleido was playing a trick on him. Unfortunately, Kaleido was telling the truth. Ethan was still in reality.
Kaleido’s gaze shifted to the Death Knight standing in the back. A few days ago, the dungeon’s overseer had sent the Death Knight for expansion work. The creature’s appearance before Ethan entered the illusion had caused the confusion.
“Then what is that...?”
Ethan began to realize something was off. Could he have spoken to someone while inside an illusion? Raymond had been silent. Fear started to creep into Ethan’s voice.
“What-”
Thunk-
“Gah!”
At that moment, Kaleido’s staff pierced Ethan’s heart.
“Tsk.”
Kaleido decided to abandon Ethan. His attention turned to Raymond, who was still exploring the illusion.