247 TO PAY FOR THE TICKET TO DIE
[At the entrance to the Rose Dungeon]
A massive sign was erected in front of the building that now housed the infamous Rose Dungeon:
"Entrance to the Rose Dungeon of the demon Black Cock. Only one team permitted per day. Entry fee: 50,000 silver dinari."
"What is this nonsense? Why are you charging us to clear your dungeon?" Ethene demanded, her voice cutting through the murmurs of the gathered crowd.
Petunia stepped forward, her expression calm and businesslike.
"Fellow heroes," she began, her tone dripping with practiced charm. "For those of you fortunate enough to have received the mission related to the demon Black Cock, the dungeon stands right before you. All you need to do is pay a modest fee, and you'll have the chance to clear a high-tier dungeon. Think of the treasures and rewards that await you inside!"
"Why should we pay you for the right to enter a dungeon?" Ethene snapped, speaking on behalf of the grumbling adventurers.
Petunia smirked. "Because this dungeon sits squarely on our property. We have every right to charge a toll on its access. If you'd prefer, you're welcome to try and force your way through the Gullee army first."
The heroes exchanged uneasy glances, their murmurs growing louder. It was clear they didn't like the arrangement, but the prospect of battling the Gullee army just to enter the dungeon was even less appealing.
Grudgingly, they began to organize themselves, pooling their coins to meet the steep entry fee.
"One team per day," Petunia reminded them with a saccharine smile as she watched the adventurers sign up, her coffers swelling with each passing moment.
Despite their frustration, the heroes complied, knowing they had no other choice. The allure of the dungeon's treasures was too great to resist and so was the threat of the iron grip of the Gullee army.
They lined up to enter the Rose Dungeon as they witnessed another sign before them. It was a quote:
"Warning: Those who live by the Sword cannot complain to die by it."
-----
[At the Palace of Willows]
"I should be the one out there collecting the toll from those adventuring suckers. Do you even realize how many Greed counters I'm missing out on?" Sujira grumbled, crossing her arms with a pout.
Leo glanced at her, his tone calm but firm. "There's a good reason you're staying out of sight. The Temple of Hera thinks you're missing, which means they can't interrogate you about Cruena and her assassins. Revealing yourself now would make you a target."
Sujira sighed, her annoyance giving way to reluctant acceptance. "I know… It just feels unfair."
"They're coming in," Yun-Yun interrupted suddenly, her voice sharp.
The ceiling of the palace shimmered, and a screen materialized, displaying the interior of the Rose Dungeon—the upper level of the Dungeon of Lust in a clear projection.
About a hundred adventurers, many high-tier Svad and even a few peak-tiered, poured into the dungeon.
"Bang"
The entrance sealed behind them with an ominous thud.
"I still don't get why you charge them to enter," Sujira asked while raising an eyebrow.
Leo smirked. "It's about control. The Rose Dungeon is dangerous, but it's not invincible. Limiting the number of adventurers entering lets us manage the situation if things get out of hand."
Down in the dungeon, the adventurers began to organize themselves for battle when someone pointed ahead.
"That's the Black Cock!" one shouted, gesturing at a woman. She was Lillsa, who stood in the center of the Rose Garden her posture composed and commanding.
She was here waiting for the adventurers.
"I didn't know Black Cock was a woman," one snorted with discrimination.
"Wait… Look at those bloody phalluses on her body. No wonder she's called the Black Cock!"
"Hahaha"
"Come on be serious! Let's take her down!" a third adventurer yelled.
The group surged forward, unleashing a barrage of spells. Magic shields flickered into place as others conjured weapons and magic creatures to attack.
Suddenly, the ceiling of the dungeon turned pitch black. Electricity crackled through the air before massive bolts of lightning rained down on the Rose Garden.
"Argh!" Screams erupted as many adventurers, unprotected by magic shields, were struck down instantly.
Those with magic shields struggled to maintain them as the relentless storm continued.
"What in the hell is this lightning?" someone shouted over the chaos.
"This is peak Svad-tier magic! This Black Cock dungeon is no fucking joke!"
"We came into a lighting trap!!"
"And we paid a fortune for it. For the privilege to die here? No..", another cried.
The storm raged on, wearing down even the strongest of defenses. As shields began to falter, the ground beneath the adventurers erupted.
Dark, sinewy creatures with sharp claws and glowing red eyes emerged— Hellhounds.
The Hellhounds attacked mercilessly, plunging the group into chaos. Scattered and panicked, the adventurers struggled to regroup. Without coordination, their magic faltered, leaving them vulnerable to both the lightning and the hounds.
"This is a disaster!" someone cried as the dungeon filled with screams and the stench of scorched flesh.
By the time the storm subsided, only four adventurers remained—peak-tier mages clad in powerful magic armor that resisted the lightning. The strongest among the group.
The group stood firm, their expressions grim as they faced Lillsa.
"Now it's up to us", the four told themselves.
The Hellhounds turned their attention to the remaining mages, attacking relentlessly. Despite their superior strength, the mages were forced onto the defensive by the sheer ferocity of the beasts.
Lillsa watched from her perch, a twisted smile playing on her lips. "You truly believe you can defeat me with so few of you morons? Even Man-tier mages would have fallen in my dungeon."
One of the mages opened his mouth to retort, but his words were cut short as shadowy figures emerged from the walls.
The Dark Guards of the dungeon—shadow assassins with ethereal forms and armed with deadly blades homed in to pierce any defense. The dark shadows descended upon the mages, their strikes swift and lethal.