Chapter 192

Chapter 192

“What… what is this supposed to mean…?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen anything like this.”
“We’d better stay on guard…”
“Hmm… but there’s really nothing here, huh?”

It was probably the final day of our dungeon expedition.

After spending the night in a canyon-like area on the 120th floor—something that hardly felt like a dungeon at all—we stepped into the 121st floor.

But what awaited us wasn’t a deadly labyrinth.
It was just a spiral corridor, the kind you’d find in the early levels—maybe the third or fourth. No monsters. No traps. No obstacles at all.

Just a broad, well-lit spiral walkway.
No hint of monsters lurking, no beasts on the ceiling, no poisonous gas, no searing heat, no freezing air.

For a supposedly unexplored, near-final floor, it was strangely… peaceful.

And more surprising than anything was the open chasm in the center—the massive shaft we were supposed to dive into to return.
Even though there were only three floors left, the hole still stretched endlessly into the depths.

“So this really isn’t a normal space, huh? This whole dungeon thing.”
“Seems that way… maybe there isn’t even a bottom at all.”
“…Careful not to fall. If you do, we’re starting all over again.”

At Rivana’s warning, everyone instinctively stepped back from the pit, fear in their eyes.
…Yeah, that made sense. A typical gimmick here could easily be something like ‘fall and get sent back to the start.’

I explained that possibility to everyone and suggested we move quickly—head straight for the next floor, for the bottom.

“You’re right. After coming this far, the last thing we need is some mechanism that drops us into a pit. It might not be instant death, but for challengers like us, it’s as good as a dead end.”

“You’re not wrong… that would be dangerous if it exists.”

“I think it does. If she said it without lying, then it probably means she’s planning to use it.”

I told everyone to stay alert and move quickly through the corridor.
And just as the end of the 121st floor came into sight—

“Hooi! I won’t let that happen!”

The shout came not from ahead, but from behind—Melt, who was bringing up the rear.
When I turned around, a huge pillar that had emerged from the wall was colliding with a massive mound of earth—one Melt must have conjured up to block it.

“Melt!? What happened!?”

“Shizuma, remember what you said earlier? About there being a trap to drop us into the hole?
So I stayed in the back, just in case. The ones up front could dodge something like that, but the people behind probably couldn’t. If there was an attack, it’d go for the ones at the rear. So when that huge pillar shot out of the wall, I blocked it with this! How’s that? I totally read the dungeon master’s move!”

“I see… You predicted they’d strike just as we let our guard down near the goal.
You saved us, Melt. The magic team, the scouts… they’ve all fought hard to get this far.
Losing anyone here wasn’t an option.”

Sure enough, Melt had sensed and stopped the trap meant to hurl us into the pit.
It made perfect sense—the moment people see the finish line is when they’re most vulnerable.
For a dungeon trap, that’s the most effective timing… and the cruelest, mentally.

“Alright. I’ll move ahead to the next floor first. Follow me when it’s safe.”

I stepped through the thin membrane of light at the corridor’s end, into the 122nd floor.
But instead of another stretch of the same passage, I suddenly found myself standing in a completely different place—like a boss chamber.

It resembled the deepest part of an ancient ruin: rows of stone pillars, a straight stone-paved path leading toward a massive, pyramid-like altar with a long flight of stairs ascending it.

“What the… it’s like this is the final floor…”

When I turned around, the corridor I’d just walked through was gone.
The others probably saw me vanish the moment I crossed the threshold.

“Yes, that’s more or less correct,” 

came a familiar voice—Ferschüler, the Dungeon Master.

“This is effectively the final floor. Beyond here lies the 123rd— the front line of the dungeon, and the place you call ‘the source of the land’s corruption.’”

From the top of the altar, she descended the steps with a calm, almost sacred grace.

“Hm… The others haven’t arrived yet? Or perhaps they were pushed and fell?”

“Unfortunately for you, that trap was blocked. They’re probably just being cautious since I disappeared.”

“I see. Then they’ll be here soon enough. Until then, shall we have a little chat—just you and your ‘big sister’?”

To my surprise, she actually wanted to talk.
And she even remembered how I’d once called her “big sister,” correcting herself mid-sentence.

“Alright… though I doubt you’ll tell me much. Still, why are you letting this dungeon spill into the outside world? That’s way beyond your jurisdiction.”

“Yes, I agree. It’s not what I wanted either. But to stop it, someone has to clear the dungeon and obtain the core.”

“So this isn’t your doing?”

“No, not directly. When I established this dungeon, the land itself was too compatible.
It overreacted and grew far beyond what I intended. Honestly, unless someone clears it, it could start interfering with our own territory in the future.”

“So… you people are basically fighting a territorial war in this world?”

“Hm… What’s your name, boy?”

“Shizuma.”

“I see… Shizuma, huh. Seems that fool Grim gave you far too much power. You’ve learned things you were never meant to know, haven’t you?”

At that instant, my body froze.
Not from any visible force—just pure instinct.

My muscles locked up on their own, every joint straining tight, while my heart pounded wildly out of sync.
I couldn’t even remember to breathe.
I was terrified—completely, instinctively terrified.

“…Well, I know this isn’t your fault. You’re a good kid, Shizuma. I won’t press you further.
If anyone’s to blame, it’s Grim. I’m sorry for scaring you.”

“…Thank you.”

“Your guesses are mostly correct, by the way. You’ve probably figured out what we really are, at least a little. Anyway—this situation is irregular. I don’t approve of the dungeon’s corruption, but erasing or shutting it down would be wasteful. If the country collapses because no one can clear it, that’s on the country. So I’ve simply let it run its course.”

“I understand. That makes sense.”

“Yes, well, it seems our chat ends here.”

I sensed people behind me and turned.
The rest of the exploration team was appearing one after another.

“Shizuma! You’re okay!? We thought you were gone!”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Looks like this is the final floor—the boss’s chamber. That’s why I seemed to vanish.”

“So that’s it… Then our opponent here really is you, Dungeon Master.”

“A dangerous foe. Everyone—give it everything you’ve got.”

“Rear guard, stay behind me. Careless support will do nothing. Wait for the right moment—then strike all at once.”

The three leaders raised their alert level.
Melt, recognizing the same kind of being that once tormented her, was visibly trembling.

“Shizuma… she’s really strong. Can we… actually win this?”

“…We’ve prepared as best we can. But honestly—I don’t know.”

I believe the only reason I was able to defeat Grimgram before was because the items recreated in this world from the game’s system truly worked as described.

No, even so—when I was in Silent form, I could withstand Grimgram’s attacks.

…If necessary, I won’t hesitate to change form here again.

“…Melt. As a last resort, I’ll become… the bad guy.”

“W–what!? No, I don’t want that… but… there’s no way out, is there? What about Grandpa?”

“…I need to take on a form that guarantees victory.”

This opponent, Ferschüler, is said to be even stronger than Grimgram.

There’s no guarantee I can win as Silent.
No guarantee I can win as Rue either.

The surest, safest way is to bring out my strongest possible power.

“But that’s only the final option. For now… I do have a plan.”

I knew she was stronger than Grimgram.

So… all I can do now is bet on that.

“Now that all the actors are here, our little chat ends here. Allow me to properly introduce myself.”

Ferschüler straightened her posture, took a few steps back, and faced us squarely—
like a duelist announcing the start of a fair match.

“You are the first to reach this place. I am Ferschüler, one of the World Observers—‘Quantum Gazer.’ I will be your opponent.”

Like other Dungeon Masters, she wore a devilish costume.

Her outfit was mainly black, resembling a formal suit—but she also had the trademark demonic wings and tail.

Yet… the wings she spread didn’t evoke a demon at all, but rather an angel.

They were jet black, like a raven’s feathers— a figure reminiscent of the “Golden Thread Maiden” from the “Memories of the Old Workshop.”

Except, her hair wasn’t gold—it was ashen gray, drained of color.

“…Then, shall we?”

The next instant— even my eyes couldn’t follow her attack as she lunged to pierce Melt’s chest.

But Melt must have seen it; she twisted her body just in time.
Her arm was sliced open as she was thrown back—
I caught her midair and immediately activated healing magic.

“Melt, stay alert. She’s targeting you.”

“Got it… I’m fine now, I can still move.”

I cast healing magic on everyone.

The Basic All-Purpose Magic set includes more spells than regular Basic Healing Magic—
not especially powerful, but if it increases our odds of surviving even slightly, it’s worth using.

Regeneration

Applies [Auto HP Recovery] to allies within range.
Restores 1% of HP every two seconds.
Duration: 5 minutes (short).

It’s not much, but combined with the accessories I gave everyone—which also grant auto-heal—it adds up.
As long as we don’t die instantly, it’ll give us room to recover.

“Everyone! I’m casting a healing spell! Frontliners, fall back to me whenever you find an opening!”

Araza retreated toward me, evading incoming strikes, and I extended the healing zone to include the rear guard.

“Araza, please keep an eye on the rear guard that Gark is protecting. She might suddenly change targets.”

“Understood. Gark, stay alert.”

“Got it. Everyone, prioritize defense! Support me!”

We strengthened our defenses.
I made sure Araza understood the plan as well.

Meanwhile, Rivana, who had been holding off Ferschüler’s attacks alone, leapt back toward me just as Araza rejoined the front.

“Heal me.”
“Got it. Rivana, can you coordinate with Melt?”
“Yes. Our movements are similar—I can match her.”

Watching Melt charge forward again, Rivana rejoined the offensive.

…Alright. It’s almost time.

I began layering buffs and skills onto myself, preparing for the decisive moment.

All those different jobs I’d taken on— the crafting ones that seemed useless, the dangerous ones I’d once avoided, even the PvP-focused classes— they were all paying off now.

“Hah… Guess it’s a good thing I ate a big breakfast today.”

Silently thanking the abundant food, I began activating every skill and enhancement I had.

[All or Nothing]
Reflects received damage, but has a chance to quadruple it back on yourself.
Even if incapacitated, the effect still triggers (cooldown time doubles).

[Full Belly, Full Power]
While under the effect of food buffs, Max HP is doubled.
Max HP further increases according to total damage received.

[Devout Zealot’s Offering]
Sacrifice defense to greatly boost magic and attack power.
Duration scales with skill level.

[An Eye for an Eye]
Within 5 seconds of activation, deals the total damage received back to the attacker.
Remains active even if the user falls.

[Time of Great Calamity]
PvP-exclusive skill.
Can only be activated after 30 minutes of combat.
Forces both sides’ Max HP to become 1/10 of their original.
Not considered a status ailment—cannot be removed except by very specific skills.

That last one’s a forced effect—but whether it’ll work on this opponent, I have no idea.

Still, the fact that I can even use such powerful Rue-class skills now
is thanks to the training I endured in the mental realm— and the countless battles Rue fought, the lives she took, all that experience now flows through me.

Maybe it’s coincidence that my hand is so strong right now.
But I believe this will be the key— that fate itself is leaning toward our victory.

All of our shared battles, our accumulated strength— I believe it will bring us triumph in this fight.

“Ah… so it’s a curse, then? Truly, you’re quite the versatile child.”

It worked.

Apparently realizing that something strange had happened to her own body, Ferschüler spoke to me even as she effortlessly deflected Melt and Rivana’s fierce attacks with one hand.

…A monster, seriously.
I can’t even see the trajectories of their strikes, yet she’s perfectly parrying every one of them.

But that just means you’ve still got the composure to observe your surroundings, doesn’t it?

Then… you get it, don’t you?
You sort of understand the rules of the game.

You know the tropes—the clichés, the “this is how you make things miserable for players” logic.

In that case… you know what comes next, right?

I see Ferschüler’s figure, locked in combat with Melt and Rivana, vanish in an instant.

And then—
I look down at the arm now protruding from my chest… and smirk.

A searing pain tears through me as my consciousness begins to fade.

A flood of blood gushes from my mouth.

But that’s not all I hear.

There’s a groan from behind me.

I feel the arm being pulled out of my collapsing body.

“…I… win…”

“Kh… guh…!”

Using the last of my strength, I lift my head—
and right in front of me lies Ferschüler, collapsed on the floor just like me.

You understood, didn’t you?

“In a group battle, the first thing to take down is the healer or debuffer.”

You saw me, didn’t you— casting those big, obvious healing spells on everyone.

You even noticed that I’d somehow been draining your HP with some mysterious power.

Of course you wouldn’t leave someone like that for last.

“Damage redirection… no, perhaps reflection?”

“…That’s right.”

As my fading consciousness resurfaces, I feel strength return to my body.

I gather my power, stand tall with my fully healed body, and look down at Ferschüler lying on the ground.

[Gourmet Linker]

• “After eating, gain a 6-hour regeneration effect and remove stamina consumption.”
• “As long as you’re not hungry, you can revive from the brink of death once every 10 minutes.”
• “Drawback: you must consume at least 1 kg of food.”

I can avoid death once.

That’s why—even after taking a killing blow—I can survive.

I gambled everything on raising my max HP first, then taking quadrupled reflected damage.

I mean, really—this isn’t a game anymore, right? There’s no such thing as a “damage cap.”

So I set myself up to take massive damage, then used both [An Eye for an Eye] and [All or Nothing] to bounce it back twice over.

It seems that, after her max HP had been reduced to one-tenth, she took the full brunt of her own absurd attack power—
several strikes’ worth of instant-death-level damage—
and ended up draining her own life force in an even exchange with me.

Though unlike her, I can avoid incapacitation once.

“…It appears this is my loss. You have indeed surpassed me—‘me, the master of this dungeon’—through sheer strength. I acknowledge it. You, and you alone, have defeated me. You may proceed to the next floor.”

With that, Ferschüler—who had been lying motionless—stood up as if nothing had happened.

Her body, moments ago on the verge of collapse, now looked completely unfazed, as though the battle had never occurred.

We all instinctively raised our guard.

“You have defeated me on the dungeon’s final floor—without question. I am merely treating myself as one of this dungeon’s mechanisms, one of its floor masters. As its administrator, I acknowledge your victory. Be glad—by defeating me, you have earned the right to obtain the Dungeon Core.”

“…Wait. Isn’t the core your heart?”

“My former heart, yes. But I am of the type whose core is placed externally. Proceed to the twelfth and thirteenth floors, Shizuma-kun. You now officially possess the right to bring this dungeon to its end.”

Saying that, she pointed toward the staircase leading upward from the altar of the floor.

Apparently, that was the path to the final level.

“There’s a teleportation sigil up there.

However, that floor will be a proper final dungeon level—thoroughly so.

Steel yourself and be prepared.

The core has long since left my hands and continues to evolve on its own.”

Leaving those ominous words behind, the Dungeon Master Ferschüler vanished.

I… don’t really feel a sense of achievement yet, but… is this really the end?

“Shizuma-kun… I don’t know how, but you defeated her and earned her recognition. Let’s go—let’s finish this dungeon.”

“Yes… let’s. Let’s go retrieve the Dungeon Core.”

At the top of the altar stood a floor engraved with intricate symbols.

As all of us stepped onto it, light rose from beneath our feet—just like in the artificial dungeon before—
and in an instant, we were transported to another place: another ruin-like floor with a similar atmosphere.

“Hmm… a single path forward. And… that must be the Dungeon Core.”

Before us stretched a narrow bridge leading straight toward the center of a vast chasm—
like something out of a movie scene, a path suspended above an endless abyss.

At the heart of the pit glowed a radiant red orb.

Looking back, there were now proper stairs behind us—
and somehow, I felt certain that if we ascended them, we’d return to the Spiral Corridor.

“I see… Araza-san, I think I’m the only one who can go any farther from here. I’ll retrieve the core.”

“I see… that makes sense. You’re the one who defeated and was acknowledged by the Dungeon Master, after all.”

“I believe so.”

Now that I think about it, when Ferschüler conceded defeat, she emphasized ‘You’—not ‘You all’.

That probably means if anyone other than me tries to cross this narrow bridge, it’ll collapse—
a typical ‘dungeon or ruins-style trap’ built right into the structure.

“W-will he be alright? What if Shizuma gets trapped in there all alone…?”

“I’ll be fine, Melt. Don’t worry.”

As I said that, I took out the Summoning Bell for the first time in a while and handed it to her.

“Melt, you remember how to use it, right?”

“Ah! Got it! If anything happens, I’ll ring it once we’re outside the dungeon!”

Right—this bell is an item that lets you return to the location of its paired bell when rung.
It’s a consumable, and we don’t have many left, but there’s still a small stock remaining.

…Although Still used some without permission.
That guy didn’t just go through the candy supply—he went and burned through these too.

“Well then, I’m off.”

Even knowing it should be safe, I still stepped cautiously onto the narrow bridge leading toward the center of the great pit.
It didn’t crumble, but my heart was pounding all the same.
Step by step, I made my way forward—and then…

『Ferschüler’s Dungeon Core』

“The altered heart core of the Dungeon Master Ferschüler.”
“A type of magic stone that governs the dungeon and holds immense power.”
“She severed her own life from her body in an attempt to control this dungeon.”
“When that failed, she continued to operate it, waiting for someone who would one day conquer it.”

It seemed to record Ferschüler’s true feelings—her honest heart laid bare.

I slowly reached out toward the Dungeon Core.
But at that very moment—

“Be careful, Shizuma-kun. This dungeon intends to remain a dungeon until the very end.
You should already understand what that means…”

Suddenly, I heard her voice right beside me.
Startled, I turned—and sure enough, Ferschüler was standing there.

But her expression was different now—not the calm, composed look she’d worn before, but one of genuine concern.

“…I see. I understand.”

“When you’re ready, reach out your hand. This is the final moment of the Dead Sea that Devours the Earth.”

Without hesitation, I reached forward and retrieved the Dungeon Core from its pedestal.

The instant I stored it in my menu— the entire dungeon began to shake violently.

Of course. I knew this was coming.
It’s the classic rule:

“Take the treasure from the deepest part of the dungeon, and the place collapses around you.”

“Everyone! Can you hear me!!?”

I shouted as loudly as I could toward the others across the chasm.

“The dungeon’s collapsing! Climb the stairs behind you—fast! You should reach the corridor, and from there, jump straight into the main pit! That should take you all the way out!”

I didn’t think we’d make it in time by just running upward, so I told them to jump once they reached the corridor.

“What’s happening!? Shizuma-kun, is that the Dungeon Master beside you!?”

“Yes! She warned me the dungeon might collapse! There’s no time—go back now!”

As I shouted, the narrow bridge connecting us crumbled away.

That meant I was now completely cut off—no way to return.

“Shizuma! The path—!!”

“It’s fine! I have a backup plan! Hurry and go!”

Rivana’s voice echoed in anguish, but I really was okay.
I’d already given the bell to Melt, after all.

I could see Rivana struggling against the others’ grip before they finally pulled her up the stairs.

Hopefully Melt could explain things clearly to everyone.

“Hm… so this is that scene, isn’t it? ‘Leave this to me—go on ahead.’”

“Haha, another classic cliché.”

I couldn’t see this powerful Dungeon Master—this Ferschüler—as evil.

“Do you truly have a way to return? I can’t save you, nor do I have that kind of power.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got this bell—”

And then, suddenly, a violent dizziness hit me—
and my consciousness went black in an instant.

“My lord! You must not do that! The Summoning Bell will not function!”

“I’m sorry, Shizuma! If I’d known it would come to this, I should have told you sooner! I just wasn’t sure enough to say anything…!”

Apparently, I’d been pulled into the spiritual world in an instant.
In the darkness, Still and Seim stood before me.

“What do you mean?”

“The bell’s effect is ‘priority goes to whoever used it first.’ The item in your inventory should no longer be the ‘Summoning Bell,’ but its separated counterpart—the ‘Transfer Bell.’ Unless you use that one first, that little fox girl’s bell won’t activate.”

“I had a vague idea of when Still might have used the bell,” 

Same said quietly. 

“But I couldn’t be sure, and I thought he must have his reasons. I’m sorry, Shizuma.”

“…Then I’ll just use that other bell. As long as it gets me out of this dungeon, that’s all that matters.”

“That won’t do, my lord,” 

Still said firmly. 

“I must be the one to use that bell. I need to take my original form again. This is my responsibility—and if you use it carelessly, it could cause… very troublesome consequences in the future.”

“…You implanted the bell in someone, didn’t you, Still?”

“…Yes. Which is why I, the ‘mysterious third party,’ must be the one to use it.”

“Got it. Then once you’ve taken care of the issue, come back to me as soon as you can. We’ll wait for Melt’s bell to activate after that.”

“Indeed. The little fox girl will probably be heartbroken when the bell doesn’t ring… but let’s trust that she won’t give up and will keep ringing it until it works.”

“…You really hate making Melt sad, don’t you?”

“…I just like animals, that’s all, my lord.”

“Shizuma,” 

Same said, lowering his gaze. “I should’ve shared this with you sooner.”

“It’s fine. Really. …Alright then—I’ll be going back.”

My consciousness floated back up. Apparently, I’d only been unconscious for a few seconds.
When I came to, Ferschüler was kneeling beside me, peering at my face with concern.

“Was that just bravado? Or had you given up in despair? I can’t save you, but… shall I give you one last pleasant memory, Shizuma-kun? How about a kiss from your big sister?”

“What are you even saying? I’m fine. I’m about to use my last resort—and I’d rather you didn’t see it if possible.”

“I see. Then… shall I truly leave this place now? You don’t want a kiss or a hug?”

“Stop treating me like a kid.”

“My apologies. Then… somewhere, someday, we may meet again. Farewell, Shizuma-kun.”

Leaving those words behind, Ferschüler vanished once more.
After confirming she was gone, I opened the character menu—and switched to Still.

My consciousness faded.

I’m counting on you, Still. Knowing you… you’ll find some way to act for our sake again—
Just… don’t go doing anything reckless, alright?