NOVEL NEXT Chapter 72
Chapter: 72
“Well, you really prepared well.”
Luca complimented Arthur’s party, who had just finished their strategy on the 1st floor.
“I didn’t expect a first-year to tackle the dungeon this neatly.”
It was pure admiration, not sarcasm.
As a professor in Combat Studies, Luca had met many new students over the years.
Among them were plenty hailed as promising candidates or geniuses.
But none had shown outstanding performance right from their first dungeon strategy.
That was to be expected.
The most important factor in dungeon exploration is experience.
No matter how much equipment you have, it’s meaningless without experience to use it.
Even if you’ve been practicing for ages,
Sought information about the dungeon extensively,
And prepared various items.
What good is it if you can’t utilize them properly?
But these students were different.
The three, centered around Arthur, displayed a strategy reminiscent of the academy’s upperclassmen.
“It seems His Highness prepared well for this,” Matthew, the clergy member, said, and Jack nodded in agreement.
However, the praised Arthur did not seem particularly happy.
“There were many small mistakes. We could have cut the time down further.”
Even though the 1st floor’s difficulty was relatively easy, to finish it in about 30 minutes without satisfaction was impressive.
What a guy with a strong desire to improve.
That must be why such a lackluster bloodline could still be called a genius.
Luca, feeling assured of Arthur’s potential, inwardly chuckled.
There are interesting people among this year’s new students.
The trio here is just the beginning.
Lady Kent, Lady Partlan, the Saintess, and even Lucy Allen.
These standout names alone are exciting, and there must be even more undiscovered talents.
It’s rewarding to hold the title of professor.
“Your Highness, there’s no need to rush. How could Lucy Allen possibly be faster than us?”
Jack suggested to take it a little easier, and Luca nodded.
No matter how skilled Lucy Allen might be, she was still a first-year.
She wasn’t preparing with the intensity that Arthur did.
And she hadn’t formed a party with talents superior to theirs, so how could she be that fast?
“That’s not it. In a match, we must never let our guard down. An overwhelming victory is better than a defeat after being careless. Onwards.”
But Arthur shook his head at that.
Even if they knew they had the advantage, they wouldn’t let their guard down.
Having talent and a strong will, this guy was born of the right bloodline.
If he was truly of noble descent, the kingdom would surely prosper.
As Luca walked behind Arthur’s party, he thought about Lady Allen.
In my mind, this time, the duel will be her defeat.
Her talent may surpass the Third Prince’s, but unfortunately, her arrogance will disrupt the outcome.
Will she crumble from the humiliation of defeat or grow stronger?
Considering the Allen family’s blood, the latter seems more likely, but I hope for the former.
Because those who fall become weak against temptation.
*
Bisi’s face, clinging to Lucy’s shoulder like a sack, was pale.
There were various problems.
First, Lucy Allen was moving so fast that it felt like she might outrun a horse.
And being hoisted on Lucy’s shoulder offered no stability whatsoever.
Most importantly, it was a problem that Lucy seemed to forget she was carrying Bisi as she pulled off all sorts of outrageous stunts.
Even now.
Lucy did not stop, even when faced with a headless executioner blocking the path.
As the executioner raised his axe, she swiftly darted back.
Boom!
The axe, ready to cleave a person in half, slammed into the ground just as Lucy dashed past the executioner.
Repeating such reckless behavior felt like a casual meal for Lucy.
Given that scenario, it was no surprise Bisi felt uncomfortable both physically and mentally, despite clinging to Lucy’s shoulder.
Just not throwing up so far should earn her some praise.
“Lady Allen! Could you please take it a bit safer?!”
“Shut up, sidekick. Why be so scared when you’re not going to die anyway? Are you afraid to go to the bathroom at night and pee your bed like a little kid?”
Bisi pleaded, but Lucy’s response was firm.
Don’t you know? Absolutely no one dies here!
Even if she knew that, fear is still fear!
Don’t you think it’s weird to act like life is nothing to you?!
You crazy reckless monster!
Bisi grumbled inwardly and sighed.
At least holding on is better than not.
Compared to Lady Kent, I’m practically a sack of potatoes.
Lady Allen is a monster, but so is Lady Kent, you know.
How do I keep up with this troll-like madwoman… huh?
“Lady Allen?!”
“What?”
“Lady Kent is over there.”
Lady Kent was raising a sword against the headless executioner.
Seeing her expressionless eyes focused on one point, her intention was clear.
As soon as Lucy saw this, she rushed forward and grabbed Lady Kent by the nape.
“Annoying sloppy swordsman! Are you chicken-brained?!”
“But she looked strong.”
“Charging in like a chicken with its head cut off is for when you’re alone!”
Lady Kent looked longingly at the headless executioner but did not charge again.
Despite all the shenanigans, their strategy speed was astonishing.
The reason they took 10 minutes to clear the 1st floor was solely to consider Bisi, the sack of potatoes.
Once Lucy truly started running, her dungeon strategy speed skyrocketed.
They passed the 2nd floor in just 3 minutes.
And they cleared other floors even faster, rather than slower.
Forty minutes after entering the academy dungeon,
The boss room on the 10th floor came into view.
*
They paused in front of the boss room to catch their breaths.
Carrying a sack made for some solid exercise.
Maybe I should add more weight for my morning run next time.
As such thoughts crossed her mind, she looked around.
Luca was fine, having dealt with worse for the Allen family, but the other two were different.
Frey, who had to keep up with her, looked tired, and Bisi, who was hoisted on her shoulder, started heaving as soon as she was set down.
Both are way too weak.
Well, for Bisi, it’s expected since she’s just an NPC who’s hardly ever mentioned in the game.
But why is Frey getting tired like this?
Where did the near-invincible character’s prowess go?
Being a reality makes this an annoying aspect.
When playing a game, I never needed to consider NPCs’ stamina.
Ugh! Wasting time on speedrun like this is just wrong!
Every single second, the timer keeps moving!
“Lady, don’t rush too much,” Karl advised her with a grin while watching the two with his arms crossed.
“Right now, your dungeon exploration speed is beyond fast. You could rest for an hour, and the Third Prince wouldn’t catch up to you.”
Well, that makes sense.
Even though Arthur is exceptional, at the end of the day, he’s just an NPC.
So, there’s really no need to be desperate like with veteran gamers.
‘Thanks for the advice, Karl.’
“Sloppy. Don’t give unnecessary advice.”
“Oh, haha. My apologies, Lady.”
After resting for a bit until Frey regained her energy, I opened the door to the boss room.
Bisi? She still looked half-dead, but that’s fine.
She just needs to watch from behind.
What awaited them inside the boss room was someone they had seen before.
It was the golem knight, the boss that had appeared in the entrance exam.
This time, he wielded a spear instead of a greatsword, but the difficulty was similar.
“I’ll go first.”
‘No, that won’t be necessary.’
“Annoying sloppy swordsman. Don’t do anything unnecessary before the leash goes on.”
I pulled out one of the items I had prepared from the space pocket I borrowed from Alsatine.
Ta-da! Corrosion Potion!
With just one hit, golem bosses can’t do a thing!
There are crazy guys with corrosion resistance in higher dungeons, but that’s a story for after I level up.
There’s no way this newbie boss has such a thing.
The spear-wielding golem, due to its heavy weight, moved slowly.
As a result, it couldn’t avoid the potion bottle I tossed, taking it head-on.
The golem, doused in the corrosion potion, turned its eyes red and tried to move its legs.
The armored knight golem, rumbling forward with its heavy frame, looked quite threatening.
But so what?
It’s become mush after getting hit by the corrosion potion.
Even a junior NPC could pierce its armor with a sword now.
My crazy dog’s teeth would dig in even better.
‘Frey, charge in.’
“Sloppy pest, bite.”
“Do I just say ‘king’?”
Frey joked back while lunging at the golem.
*
“Last time, you see…”
“Oh my.”
Though at a tea party intended for building relationships with other noble young ladies, Joy couldn’t focus on the conversations at all.
Lady Allen. What kind of confidence does that person have, refusing what I prepared?
I never doubted her abilities, but tackling it blind without any information is entirely different.
Moreover, she’s not just some random opponent but the Third Prince!
A person with brilliant talent!
To face such a figure without preparation while acting all cocky.
If she loses, doesn’t that just show what the Third Prince can make others do?
Ah, this is just too much.
“Lady Partlan?!”
“I need to step out to the dungeon entrance for a moment.”
“Are you worried about the Third Prince?”
“That’s unnecessary worry. Surely, the Third Prince will not lose to an arrogant Lady Allen.”
But that’s exactly what I’m worried about?!
Joy silently screamed those words in her head but smiled on the outside.
When she smiled, not a single noble young lady in the tea party dared to hold her back.
Without hesitation, Joy headed towards the dungeon entrance.
Only the professors at Soul Academy knew what was happening inside the dungeon.
However, there was one piece of information available to the students.
It was how far the top 100 students in each year had conquered the dungeon.
Right now, more students hadn’t entered the dungeon than those who had.
So as soon as they entered the dungeon, their names would appear in the rankings.
By checking the rankings, one could ascertain the matchup between the Third Prince and Lady Allen.
“What?!”
“Did they rise again?!”
“Is there some corruption going on?”
“This can’t be right.”
As Joy approached the dungeon entrance, she heard the murmurs of the surrounding students.
What’s going on? What’s happening?
Not understanding the situation, Joy grabbed a nearby student and fired off her question.
“You.”
“Lady Partlan! I apologize for not greeting you first…”
“That’s fine, but why is everyone acting like this?”
“Um, I thought you’d figure it out as soon as you see the 1st year’s dungeon strategy ranking.”
Ranking? Is the Third Prince writing records based on thorough preparation?!
Lady Allen! How I wish you had listened to me!
Joy inwardly screamed while checking the rankings.
‘Lucy Allen: 20th Floor’
…Am I under some illusion?
20th floor?
Not the 2nd?!