Is That My Alter Ego

8 – The Paradise of Flowers

The next day.

We woke up early in the morning, soothing our stomachs with the Birong special stew we had last night and preparing ourselves for the dungeon expedition.

Shack – Square.

“Ugh. Why are there so many weeds like this..”

Hans, who was cutting through the thickly grown weeds with a small knife, complained.

Since we heard that the dungeon we’re heading to is deep in this forest, we had no choice but to navigate through the tall weeds that were as high as a person.

“Hmm. According to the map, we’re almost there…”

We’ve been walking without a break yesterday and today, so we must have almost arrived.

Hmm… According to the information marked on the map, there should be a large tree with a marking…

“Captain, over there.”

“Hmm. Looks like we’ve almost arrived.”

At that moment, Ceris discovered a marking with an X carved into the large tree.

Sasak-!

“….Captain!”

“Everyone, get ready for battle.”

Thunk-!

At that moment, Ceris and I simultaneously sensed something. It was like the sound of a small human footsteps… and also the sound of shallow breathing.

“……………..”

The mercenaries also followed our signal, taking out their weapons and lowering their stances.

Ping-!

“Where!”

Swish-!

Kyaryaaak-!

Seris effortlessly deflected the arrows flying from the square. Simultaneously, repulsive screams echoed through the forest.

Dudududu-!

“….Nol?!”

Nol. Resembling kobolds with some features of mice, but their size is more than half of an adult male.

Their physical abilities are nothing special, but considering their ability to form groups and proficiency in using weapons, they were classified as Grade 2 monsters in the Empire.

Kriyaaak-!

Spurt-!

The Nol warrior swung a sharp sword towards Seris and me, who were at the forefront.

The blade seemed quite sharp, but the swinging posture and strength were a mess.

Can’t lead an army with such attacks.

Swoosh-!

I easily sidestepped the blade rushing towards me. Then, immediately struck Nol’s chin.

Crr… Crrr…

A single blow, concentrated with magic, was enough to fatally wound Nol, even without any armor.

Krrr-!

“Suck!”

Spurt- Gurgle-!

Seris sliced two charging gnolls in half with a single swing.

“Ha, gnolls? Just weaklings!”

“Kill them all!”

The mercenaries began hurling insults and slaughtering the suddenly appeared gnolls.

Cackle… Gurgle.

It was a scene of overwhelming, one-sided violence. Then, a moment later.

Swoosh-!

Rattle…

With the decapitation of the last remaining gnoll by Seris, the gnoll pack was successfully subdued.

Despite appearances, this was a mercenary group with an average potential of three stars. A two-star monster pack like the gnolls was hardly a warm-up.

“Nobody’s hurt, I hope.”

“Yes! Commander!”

“Then let’s move out again. We’re almost there.”

Despite the sudden attack, we moved towards the dungeon without a single injury.

“Wow… this is the dungeon…!”

“Hmm.”

It didn’t take long. After walking a bit, a massive temple-like structure appeared before us.

An altar? A pyramid? I wasn’t sure which, but it felt similar to the typical ‘dungeon’ one might imagine.

‘Great, great. What treasures await me inside?’

“Everyone, enter! Seris and I will lead. Follow closely!”

“Yes, Captain!”

With a mix of anticipation and excitement, I slowly walked into the vast open entrance of the dungeon.

“Stairs, indeed.”

“There are stairs.”

Cautiously entering, Seris and I simultaneously discovered stairs that seemed endlessly deep and high, with no end in sight.

Just in case, we scattered to look for other entrances or doors, but we found none.

There was only one path to take, relying on the faint light from the torches blazing on the wall below the staircase.

“Attention everyone. We need people to stay at the entrance and keep watch. Any volunteers among the mercenaries?”

“I’ll do it, Captain.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll do it too!”

Following Virion’s lead, several mercenaries decided to stay and guard the entrance.

Good. As expected, my friends are reliable and loyal. Just like my mercenaries should be!

“Then, let’s go down. Everyone, be on guard and follow.”

Thus, we began our descent, stepping slowly, one foot after the other, down the endless staircase.

Checking the walls, ceiling, and floor for traps as we went, fortunately, we didn’t find anything unusual.

‘But what’s with this length? It feels like we’ve already descended more than 200 steps.’

I had been counting roughly, and it was over 200, but it still seemed like we were less than halfway down.

What could possibly exist below? My steps quickened, driven by growing excitement and anticipation.

Finally, the long staircase ended, and we reached a large entrance. There, we saw enigmatic statues and braziers burning fiercely on either side.

“Advance.”

“Everyone, advance! Keep an eye on the perimeter defenses!”

Ssssh-!

After exchanging glances, we immediately entered through the entrance.

“….Huh.”

“Wow…”

What emerged before our tense and expectant eyes was a vast flower field, unfolding like another world.

The large hole in the ceiling let in beams of light, and we could see the peaceful fluttering of birds’ wings.

In the endlessly spreading flower field, colorful flowers bloomed in abundance.

It was as if this was what the mythical paradise, Mureungdowon, would look like – so beautiful and dreamlike.

“What’s going on here.”

“Huh. This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“If only I could have captured this scene….”

Even the rough and aggressive mercenaries were captivated, losing themselves in the grandeur and beauty of the space.

‘Ah, this isn’t the time for that.’

“Everyone, stay focused. Anything could emerge in this place.”

It was a sight so beautiful that it momentarily took our minds off our purpose. But we still had a job to do. We hadn’t come here just to see this scene.

“Oops! Ahem! Don’t lose your focus, everyone!”

“Yes! Understood!”

At my shout, Seris, who had also been dazed, shook her head and yelled at the mercenaries.

The mercenaries looked at Ceris with expressions that seemed to say, “You were spaced out too,” but they didn’t say it out loud.

Thump, thump.

We started to slowly move forward, trampling on the flowers with each step.

Although the underground passage was quite wide, there were solid walls on both sides, so there was only one direction to go.

Thump, thump.

The sound of our footsteps passing over the flowers and grass was the only sound in this peaceful time.

“Wha… wha… what?!”

Then, suddenly, screams from behind the mercenaries reached my ears.

“Everyone, get ready for battle!”

I turned around and had no choice but to shout in a hurry.

Swoosh!

Amidst the spread of flowers, I discovered a giant tentacle shooting up and wrapping around one of the mercenaries.

“Ugh… ahhhhh! Help… me…!”

Along with the screams of the struggling mercenary, several more tentacles shot up from among the beautiful flowers.

No, upon closer inspection, they weren’t tentacles, but rather the stems of giant flowers.

“Ceris, Vice Captain, go first! I’ll follow right behind!”

“Yes, Captain!”

Clatter!

I tightly gripped my dual swords and rushed towards the stem of the flower that was holding onto the mercenary.

Saliva-!

“Kwak!”

Perhaps realizing that it was being attacked, the stem pulled out another stem from among the flowers and threw it as if it were throwing a spear.

I narrowly avoided that sudden attack.

“A 2-star. No, a 3-star demon.”

[Name: Venice / Age: 29 / Gender: Male]

[Unique Ability (Magic Eye): Eyes that can see magic. Can see the trajectory of magic and use it more smoothly.

Unique Ability (Talent Perception): Can perceive the talents of others. Can assess unique abilities and potentials at a glance.

Unique Ability (Superior Body): Your body is as if it were created by a god! Stamina, strength, situational judgment… all physical abilities are greatly enhanced!]

Even for someone like me with unique abilities, a superior body, and magic eyes, it was an attack that I could feel quickly.

It was a much faster attack than Iron Claw Monkey, who was considered weak even among the 3-stars. It was probably a mid to upper-level 3-star demon.

Shwok-!

Kkuruk…

“Uaaah!”

Thud.

When I cut off the stem that was holding onto the mercenary, the mercenary collapsed to the ground. The ground was filled with soft flowers, so it seemed that he wasn’t hurt.

As soon as I confirmed that the mercenary was unharmed, I immediately shouted with magic in my voice.

“Everyone, be careful! It’s a 3-star mid to upper-level demon!”

“Kwak! No wonder it was so damn fast!”

“…Ugh!”

Looking around, I could see the mercenaries struggling on the battlefield.

Swoosh!

Rumble…

“Move aside!”

Amidst the chaotic battlefield, Seris shines brightly. Like a flame burning in the darkness, where nothing can be seen in front.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Swift and precise, she cuts through the tough stems with just one attack.

I can’t just stand here and watch.

“Huff!”

Whoosh! Swoosh!

I dodge the stems reaching towards me and cut them with a vertical slash.

“Be careful!”

“Thank you!”

Even the mercenaries who were initially hesitant, being their first encounter, gradually start to counterattack as they become more familiar.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Squelch!

Our attacks, now synchronized, prove too much for the flower stems to withstand.

“This will be the end!”

Swoosh!

Rumble…

With Seris cutting off the thickest stem among the rising flower stems, we were able to defeat the monsters that ambushed us unharmed.

“Gather, everyone!”

“”Yes, Commander!””

At my command, the members started gathering around me one by one.

Some had bruises, and there were those bleeding, but no one seemed to be severely injured.

Phew… considering it was a surprise attack, we managed to defend quite well.

“Is everyone able to move? I will be advancing further from now on. If anyone wishes to take a break, feel free to go back.”

“”It’s okay, Commander!””

“…Alright then, let’s depart.”

They could have opted out if it was too strenuous. Well, it’s better if everyone can keep up.

With a satisfied feeling, I began to move forward even more.

I passed through the field of flowers that I had thought was a paradise.

***

Despite walking for a while, we faced no further attacks. As if nothing had happened, the peaceful flower paradise was restored.

“Commander, do you see that over there?”

“Yeah, I see it too.”

At that moment, in the distance, the figure of an ancient pagoda emitting a majestic aura came into view for Seris and me.

And beneath the shadow of that pagoda, there was some object placed.

“… A sword?”

Upon closer inspection, it seemed like an object resembling a sword was embedded in the ground.

Could it be the artifact I was hoping for?!

“Everyone, head in that direction. It’s likely that it’s our final destination.”

Behind that pavilion, there was no ground, only what seemed to be a cliff, making our dungeon exploration seem like it would culminate there.

“I wonder what’s there? I’m quite excited.”

“I’d love to find some gold and treasures. hehehe…”

As we reached the end of the quest, the mercenaries seemed somewhat relaxed, chatting away casually.

Of course, as veterans, we never completely let our guard down.

Just as we reached the pavilion, something extraordinary happened.

Kugugugugung-!

A crazed vibration echoed, and we couldn’t help but sway. Birds soared into the sky with a tremendous noise, and the grass rained down from above.

Sarararack-!

“What in the world…”

Around the pavilion, the flowers that had been blooming began to move as if gathering in one place.

And, as the flowers gathered, they formed a gigantic figure.

“Master… Lord.”

“Oh no… darn it.”

Pbogeurgle…!

Even a 3-star demon had the power to turn a small village into ruins.

If that’s the case, how powerful would a 4-star demon be?

According to the book I read, there were cases where a single 4-star demon destroyed an entire city.

And now, before us, the 4-star demon Nephendes appeared.

Rumors alone turn the residents of all surrounding villages into refugees. A monster that endeavors to capture even the Empire’s finest hunters.

A paradise of flowers. And the guardian protecting that paradise.

With the appearance of Nephendes, we couldn’t help but clutch our weapons tightly, sweating coldly as if facing prey on the brink of death.