"Hey! How are you two doing?"
Sitting on a sturdy wooden bench that wasn't ordinary, and waving her right hand, Amelie greeted the complicated siblings, Russell and Freya, as they arrived in the Chaos Training Grounds.
On the other hand, Amery was training her sword technique by keeping hacking the Elderwood Training Dummy, but this time, she wasn't using the Elderwood Training Sword so that the defense mechanism of the dummy wouldn't trigger, causing it to fire a ridiculous infinite barrage of Mana Blast that almost killed Russell back then.
"We're doing good. How about the two of you? It seems like forever you've been here. Must be bored as hell, right?"
Freya said with a smile before she glanced to one side of the arena or training ground where Amery was polishing her technique.
"Ha... Not really! Although it's personal for Amery, we're trying to find a way to read the contents of the diary of her mother, and why I wasn't affected by the God of Blacksmith's presence when he visited this place.
"Mind you, I'm pretty certain that nothing's amiss with my bloodline."
Amelie simply explained what she and Amery had been doing aside from training — sleep, eat, train, decipher the mysterious diary, and repeat.
Russell fell silent. He realized that apart from him, mysteries that defined the identity of Amery were also present. Also, if he included the panoramic scenery he was shown in the Area of Fealty on the 30th Floor of the Tower of Growth, he felt like the crack in his existence was just gotten bigger.
What he saw from the drone-like point of view as he traversed the Armageddon Mountain was very simple, so simple yet impactful to him who was questioning his identity.
— Monster Beasts were lingering around the area, who had even sensed his presence as an F- Rank puny player at that time, but at some point, those Monster Beasts seemed to be under control by something or someone because of their behavior, which was supposedly drawn towards the weak him as a prey, led them to avoid Russell instead.
'I feel like my situation is being determined by someone. The Goddess of Night probably knows, but it's not like I can ask Her such a thing anymore, and I can't use the Cosmic Question no matter what happens since the first and last time I did, the distortion of history and time took place, at least based on what I know.'
Russell deeply thought as he processed Amelie's words.
Sometime later, his voice called out to Amery, who was so focused on her training that she didn't notice Russell and Freya's arrival.
"Have you tried using the Elderwood Training Sword?"
Russell asked casually. With his voice, their presence became known.
"Ah, since when did you two come here?"
Amery asked as she stopped swinging and beating the training dummy with almost infinite durability.
"Just a minute or two. Anyway, maybe you should try using that sword."
Looking at the side of the Chaos Training Grounds, Russell's eyes landed on the hanging pieces of Elderwood equipment.
"Hahaha! About that...!"
Amelie interjected as she boisterously laughed, causing Russell to realize what had transpired on some time they weren't here.
Amery frowned at Amelie's mocking laugh because she recalled how Amelie had tricked her into using the Elderwood Training Sword and getting blasted by the training dummy without being able to defend herself.
Since Amery was the last one for now to be Russell's Chaos Companions and accessed the Chaos Training Grounds, it seemed Amelie had taken advantage of her ignorance at that time.
'Did she get a trauma for using the Elderwood Training Sword?'
Russell thought as Amery fell silent upon hearing his suggestion and Amelie's laugh.
"No thanks. Anyway, it's time for raiding a Chaos Dungeon, right? Can you show us first the available dungeon according to the key?"
"Alright. You should tidy yourself up, and let's also prepare everything we need."
Russell suggested as he looked at Amelie and Freya. They then nodded at his words.
After some time, sitting on the wooden benches, Russell as a party leader of this raid shared with them the information regarding the accessible Chaos Dungeons.
[Chaos Dungeons list:]
1. Lair of the Rabids (E+)
2. Fog of the Willow Tree (D-)
3. Desert of Wandering Stars (D+)
4. Tomb of the Lost (C)
5. Forest of Nothingness (C+)
6. ...
7. ...
8. ...
Since the System Reboot happened, the dungeons' ranks also either decrease or remained the same, though it would hardly affect the overall strength of the monsters themselves.
"We'll go with the weakest one first. Lair of the Rabids."
Russell firmly said as the others were in awe upon browsing the other names and seeing the ranks of the dungeons.
"Some dungeons have '???' on them, but the SSS+ rank can be seen. Does it mean there's something greater than SSS+ rank?"
Amelie thought upon browsing the information shown on the holographic screen in front of her.
There were at least thousands of Chaos Dungeons on the list, which made Russell wonder how bored the Goddess of Night must have been when She created them Herself or had asked someone capable to create them.
"Oi. You should focus. Even if there's something higher than SSS+ rank, it's not like we can do anything about it."
Freya ended Amelie's excitement, causing her to shoot glares at her.
"Both of you stop."
'These people were still kids at some point.'
Russell thought, letting out a sigh. But he also knew that there was no such person who was a hundred percent mature.
'It's dull to be always serious in all things.'
The two stopped, waiting for Russell's next words.
"Alright. First, according to the dungeon's name, we can assume that the monsters are canine type, which means that they excel in maneuvering, so be careful and be on guard.
The three listened and absorbed his words.
"If there's no more concern, then let's give it a go."
'I am getting a bad feeling about this.'
Russell said as he thought. He recalled for a while now how the System seemed to have a human or strange behavior even before the System Reboot happened. With that said, he wasn't certain about the peculiarity that the Chaos Dungeons contained.
Trying to compose himself and brush off unnecessary thoughts, Russell took out the True Key of Chaos from his Dimensional Inventory and instinctively thrust it into space.
Space was then torn apart and a dark blue warp gate to the designated dungeon appeared in front of them.
[Choosing the Chaos Dungeon...]
[You have chosen the Chaos Dungeon, Lair of the Rabids (E+)]
[Enter the Warp Gate.]
With the System messages that registered in their ears and echoed in their heads, Russell, Freya, Amelie, and Amery went through it.
***
A second later, they appeared in a forested area. Any sunlight wasn't provided, rather the moonlight illuminated the entire dungeon, and the entire area was foggy as the Chaos Miasma lingered around, but it was not enough to hinder their visibility.
[You have arrived at the Chaos Dungeon, Lair of the Rabids (E+).]
[The Time Difference ratio inside the Chaos Dungeon will always be 1:1.]
Then an unexpected System message rang in Russell's ears — something that would be of great advantage to them.
[The map of the Chaos Dungeon will be generated due to your temporary profession, Mediator of Chaos.]
[The generated map will also appear in every Chaos Companion.]
"Oppa... This is..."
Freya looked in wonder at the holographic screen that appeared in front of her. It's the same case with everyone, causing them to let out a sigh of relief.
"Yeah. It's good for us."
'I didn't think such a privilege exists, but I'm grateful for it.'
He thought as he browsed the holographic map. It was a thorough map that showed the geography of the dungeon itself — the trees, the caves, and the lakes.
Analyzing the map for some time, Russell and the others started to walk in the dark forest. According to the map or the virtual guide they received, the dungeon, though forested, contained three roads — which would likely pertain to the bases or the lairs of the monsters.
"Let's go North first."
Continuing their strides for an unknown period of time, they saw a slightly big cave entrance from a few meters away from them.
Hiding behind the grasses of unknown species, Russell raised his hand, prompting the three behind to stop.
With his profound vision due to the Attribute: Under the Night, Russell saw what was inside the cave, which then caused him to constrict his deep blue eyes and inwardly laugh at the ridiculous sight.
'You gotta be kidding me... Goddess, what did you do with these monsters?'
Name: —
Race: Chaos Goblin
Title: [Rabid], [Adorer of Night]
Rank: E-
— STATS —
Strength: 399
Swift: 399
Fortitude: 399
Intelligence: 399
Chaos Power: 399
— Skills —
[Pseudo-Swordsmanship of the Night]
Description:
The Goddess of Night was so bored that She taught a downgraded version of Her swordsmanship to the monsters She had created with the power of "???".
Rank: Zenith (Pseudo)
Effects:
- Granting the monster an Expert level of swordsmanship.
- Allows the monster to perform the downgraded First Movement of the Swordsmanship of the Night.
***
"She's crazy..."
Russell couldn't help, but mutter, but enough for his three Chaos Companions to hear him.
"Huh...? Who do you mean, Oppa?"
"No, it's nothing. Anyway, there are around twenty Goblins inside that cave."
Russell lampooned himself by his slip of the tongue, but also couldn't blame himself since the information was shocking enough.
"Goblins? I thought we are fighting hounds or something?"
Amelie spoke, confused. Even Freya and Amery were the same.
"Well, that's what I thought, too."
He recalled the Titles of the Chaos Goblin.
[Rabid]
Description:
It has been a long time since they have seen the Goddess of Night. They waited for Her to return and continue to teach them, but it cost them their sanity, though the longing for the presence of the Goddess is still lingering within them.
Effects:
- The possessor of this title will attack and defend without patterns.
[Adorer of the Night]
Description:
Since the Goddess of Night created them with the power of "???", they started to adore Her because of Her teachings.
Effects:
- The possessor of this title will be calm and collected.
'It's contradictory titles, canceling each other out, but a title isn't simple as it seems.'
He thought. Russell then signaled the three behind to follow and start their first fight in the Chaos Dungeon.
A few moments later, arriving at the mouth of the cave, Russell whispered, enough to be heard.
"Let me handle them for now. You see, I want to test them, especially their skills."
The three of them already saw the incredulous swordsmanship that mere Goblins possessed.
"Just cover my back and be alert in case any unexpected variable occurs."
Russell firmly said, which the three of them had no complaints about.
A few seconds later, Russell then lunged toward the nearest Chaos Goblin. As he lunged forward, a smile was drawn on his lips as he thought of something worth considering.
'I'll have one of them to be my summon monster.'
***
In the Human Domain, Ayleen just delivered the message to Artorious as per Russell's instruction, also the Mana Contract's agreement.
With how curious she was, instead of a simple call or text message, Ayleen personally went to see Artorious.
In the office of Artorious, in the Obelisk Organization Headquarters, just after she ordered the widespread use of mental manipulation to override the Tower's psychological cue for those who failed to conquer it, Ayleen was standing.
"Sir, may I know Russell's request?"
"Hmm... It's simple, he wanted me to visit a student's room and let me decide what I would do next."
Artorious answered vaguely.
"S-student? Why?"
Ayleen asked, confused. She was feeling a sudden anxiousness upon hearing the request because the motive wasn't clear.
"He didn't tell me, but I intend to fulfill it since he must be up to something."
He answered in a cold tone, admitting that he also didn't know the reason.
"Uh, Sir, may I know the student's name?"
"Tanya Drusilla."
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