The inner castle of the Roeide Ducal Family was partially opened.
Adventurers started gathering at the ducal territory in small groups.
The third solo dungeon to appear in Astria Online, 'Tomb of Swords', seemed to offer a new skill to those who conquer the top floor, just like the previous solo dungeons.
However, gaining new power is never easy. The solo dungeons in Astria Online required numerous tries from users. Even setting aside the named boss matching their class that they would meet on the top floor, even the new boss mobs on the floors below boasted insane difficulty.
"There was 'Warrior General Jeff' in the Training Tower, and 'Ice Ogre King' in the Ice Spire Tower."
Anyway, I can't get information about what I'll see on the 10th floor, the top floor of this tower, from other users. However, I had obtained some information about the one on the 9th floor from users who had reached level 53 ahead of me.
I too achieved level 53 today, the entry level for 'Tomb of Swords'. I've been given the qualification to challenge the new solo dungeon.
Sneak sneak.
Reaching the bottom of the tower, I looked around. As expected, many users had gathered.
The new elite dungeon, 'Celestial Basin'.
The new solo dungeon, 'Tomb of Swords'.
With the discovery of these two new dungeons, the atmosphere among users enjoying this expansion pack was lively.
Well then, shall I go get some new power too?
Swoosh.
Tap.
"Eek."
A hand suddenly on my shoulder. I stiffened.
Rain's special human detection radar didn't react. If so, there's only one person it could be.
"Rain."
"Chris unnie... You startled me."
"Hehe, you still get surprised when touched by people?"
Turning around, Chris was standing there grinning as if it was natural.
I grumbled unnecessarily.
"It's worth being wary, isn't it? You'd get angry if my body touched someone other than you."
"A-Ahem. When did I ever get angry? You can play with friends too."
I looked at Chris with a doubtful face. She cleared her throat and fanned her face with her hand. But soon she stiffened her expression and asked me with a serious face.
"You, you brought medicine to your room, right?"
"..."
I avoided Chris's gaze.
"It's clear from past experience. Our Rain-nim, who even clears raid dungeons alone, always gets in bad shape after coming back from solo dungeons that others eventually clear too. ...Your condition worsened when we first met after the Training Tower too."
Chris unnie is surely a ghost.
Even though she always seems busy with work and just likes to pat me without much thought, Chris had grasped all the problems I face depending on my play tendencies.
I let out a deep sigh.
How should I talk my way out of this?
I sat down behind the tower for a moment and talked with Chris.
"...Unlike others, a named boss with significantly higher difficulty was waiting for you. It resembled you, and that's why you've been hurt so far."
I nodded. And I watched Chris's reaction.
Although I didn't outright say 'I'm a hero who lived in this world', there were many events that would raise questions for her who had been with me so far. Though she didn't seem to think much of it outwardly, Chris must have had her own thoughts.
Elaine and the Emperor too. As long as there are clearly people in this world who know me, as long as Chris has met those people with me, she must know that there is some connection between this game and me.
But that I lived in this world and came to Earth? And that the world I lived in became a game? It's a story that defies common sense. For Chris living in the current Earth where science is extremely advanced, it would be hard to accept easily.
Her caring for me and matters of common sense are separate issues. And not just me, but having her become immersed in the mission too is not something I want.
I ultimately want to enjoy this world as a game, and want Chris to enjoy it as a game too.
"...I know it's a strange story. And I, um."
"It's fine. You'll go even if I try to stop you, right?"
"What?"
"How did I end up falling for such a high-maintenance kid?"
Chris laughed brightly. And she pressed her forehead against mine.
"Ha."
I felt Chris's breath close. Her slightly flushed cheeks and my heated face came extremely close.
For Chris unnie, who's more shy than me, to make such a bold move first.
"You know, whatever you did in the past, even if you came from another world, it's not that important to unnie."
"I've only caused you worry, and couldn't even explain properly. I'm so sorry."
"The most important thing is that Rain is here, in front of unnie like this. And people in this world are calling you Hero, right?"
I felt like I might cry a little.
Chris helped me up.
And pat pat, she patted my bottom.
"Go on, you need to go get the power you should have, right?"
I advanced without looking at Chris, trying not to show my reddened eyes.
"My little hero."
To the Tomb of Swords.
○
[Tomb of Swords 1st Floor]
A circular hall welcomed me.
I'm different from before. I've grown a lot both mentally and physically since then.
I was confident I wouldn't be easily defeated even if I faced that thing.
I set my goal for today.
Don't die. Don't get hurt.
If only to not cause any more trouble to the grateful person who cherishes me but doesn't block my path.
And still, I take what I should have.
Swoosh.
The starlight that arose around me flickered between the shields and spears rushing towards me.
[Tomb of Swords 2nd Floor]
I fight using not just skills, but my whole body.
I who have the holy sword basically used the sword, but a hero isn't specifically a swordsman class.
The holy sword gave me the lacking strength. And now the system gives it. If I have a small body, I just need to fight using agile movements suitable for it.
Twirl.
Floating in the air, I strongly kick-turned towards the temple of the 'Demon's Illusion' that appeared around.
Thwack!
[Tomb of Swords 4th Floor]
An ice statue in the form of a witch shatters and scatters.
[Tomb of Swords 5th Floor]
The huge body of a Black Dragon lays itself on the ground.
...
[Tomb of Swords 8th Floor]
Rumble.
Leaving behind the shell of what was Army Commander Crow, severely weakened to fit the solo dungeon, I headed to the 9th floor.
[Tomb of Swords 9th Floor]
"I knew that Sister Melissa admired an ancient master who used the spear as their main weapon."
And yet she insisted on the sword as her favorite weapon. Saying the sword suited her well. Even while saying that a true master isn't bound by the form of weapons, she subtly cared about the family tradition. It would have been good if she had reconciled with the head of the Roeide family at that time.
Facing the illusion waiting for me in the center of the 9th floor, the ancient master, I smiled remembering the old days.
A warrior wearing dense chain mail armor, a sturdy middle-aged man who seemed to embody strength itself.
That warrior's illusion had a long beard. A reddish tinge somehow surrounded his face.
In one hand he held a huge spear firmly rooted to the ground. And a crescent blade attached to its end.
There were ancient warriors who used such weapons on Earth too. Come to think of it, the appearance is similar too. That weapon, was it called the Blue Dragon Crescent Blade?
That being is the gatekeeper blocking the way to the top floor.
I heard that all users who have reached level 53 are stuck here. Even if they farmed legendary equipment from the previous expansion pack areas, the level design makes it practically impossible to break through without upgrading the tier using materials obtained from the current area's elite dungeon.
This solo dungeon, 'Tomb of Swords'.
From past experience, this solo dungeon might have opened somehow even without me. In fact, the knights of the Roeide Duchy would have needed to become stronger to prevent the threat from the east that had become reality.
In a way, this 'Tomb of Swords' was opened early thanks to me.
It's ultimately a matter of choice.
Wait for the new elite dungeon to open, upgrade the previous tier equipment there and then challenge?
Or challenge the limit of what users can reach with the current equipment level?
Of course, the limit set by the system is not a problem for me.
"If it's blocking the way, I'll just break through."
I raised my sword and pointed it at the warrior.
And I took one step towards the warrior's recognition range.
Beep, along with the system notification sound of aggro being drawn.
The warrior's eyebrows raised, and from within, blue eyes glared at me.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The crescent blade rotated fiercely above his head. And.
Thud!
It was strongly thrust into the floor of the Tomb of Swords.
Woong!
Blue concentric circles generated from there, spreading at high speed.
[Level 55 Ancient Master]
[HP 30,000,000 / 30,000,000 (100%)]