Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 118: [Core Dungeon] [5]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC118: [Core Dungeon] [5]
Chapter 118: [Core Dungeon] [5]
[Event
The air inside the fifth floor was different from all the floors before it.
It was darker and filled with more humidity.
Sticky threads hung from trees, some nearly invisible until someone brushed against them.
Even though the place was enormous, there were a lot of threads blocking their view.
Akamir sliced through one with a careless flick of his blade. "Stay alert."
They moved in a tight formation, but this time Akamir remained at the back.
He didn't plan to take active part in the fight this time, fearing any sudden sneak attack from the Bloodhound Omen.
Viros and Luca took the lead, their eyes looking around, weapons drawn.
Zaina stayed behind them, her staff faintly glowing, her breath steady as she prepared her next spell.
Ronin stayed back, already fitting an arrow to his bow.
Lyselle and Ragina followed the group but hadn't drawn their weapons.
Akamir gave them a look but didn't say anything.
'It's better if they just stay out of this.'
A low rumble echoed within the place.
The trees ended suddenly, revealing a cavern hollowed into the side of a hill.
Jagged webbing pulsed with a faint blue light, covering the walls and floor.
In the center, hanging from the ceiling, was the boss.
A spider the size of a cart, its body covered in mottled black armor, legs long and thick with barbs.
Its eight eyes glowed faint green, fixed on them.
It dropped to the ground the moment they reached its radar.
The impact shook the floor before the monster screeched at them.
Without waiting, Viros charged first with a grin and Luca followed.
The spider screeched, a high-pitched sound that made Zaina flinch, but she didn't stop.
Her staff moved as she chanted softly under her breath.
A faint shield formed around the two rushing ahead.
The beast moved quickly despite its size, lifting a leg to stab down.
Viros rolled to the side, swung his axe hammer, and left a gash on the creature's joint.
Luca slid beneath the spider's body, slashing twice across its underbelly before retreating.
It turned sharply, trying to catch him with its mandibles, but Ronin's arrow flew past its leg, embedding into one of its eyes.
The spider jerked back, enraged by the sudden attack.
Zaina's spell activated and a burst of light surged around Luca, blinding the creature but didn't have any effect on him.
Akamir stood at the edge, one hand resting on his sword, the other held behind his back.
He was ready to interfere if things got out of their hands.
The spider lifted its abdomen and spat a thick web toward Viros, who barely ducked out of the way.
It wasn't just sticky—it hissed, steaming where it touched the ground.
Ragina tried to step in, but Lyselle caught her wrist and shook her head.
Akamir looked at the Duke's daughter but didn't say anything.
The beast lunged again, once again making Luca and Viros split apart.
Zaina followed them with her eyes, her next spell forming quickly.
The spider turned toward her—only for another arrow to hit its side.
Ronin didn't stop shooting.
Each arrow aimed for the eyes or joints, forcing the spider to keep shifting its stance.
Luca jumped up a rock and pushed himself off it, slamming his blade into the spider's back.
The beast shrieked, thrashing wildly.
One of its legs caught Luca mid-air, flinging him across the ground.
Zaina didn't panic as she made her next spell.
A spherical thing wrapped around Luca's body before he even hit the dirt, slowing his impact.
Viros gritted his teeth, ducked under a swinging leg, and lodged his axe deep into the spider's side.
He twisted hard, tearing flesh off its body.
The creature screeched again, backing up quickly.
Ronin let out a low whistle. "It's getting reckless."
'Alright, let's help them a little.'
Akamir finally stepped forward.
He raised his left hand slightly, and the air shifted.
Not much. Just a soft flicker.
The spider hesitated, its legs twitching. It sensed something.
But Akamir didn't attack as he noticed something.
He stepped to the side and stopped again.
Zaina's third spell lit up the cave, raining sharp shards of blue light from above.
They cut through two of the spider's legs, clean and deep.
The monster collapsed with a heavy groan.
"Hahaha, got you, bitch!"
Viros didn't give it time to recover.
He leapt up, landed on its back beside Luca, and drove his axe into its head. Luca followed with a final strike to its mouth.
The beast spasmed once, then went still.
A soft hum echoed through the cavern.
The core within the spider's body pulsed faintly before dimming.
A silence followed as the spider died, and the only sounds were their breaths that filled the air now.
Zaina wiped sweat from her brow. Ronin lowered his bow.
Lyselle exhaled slowly, and Ragina stepped forward but said nothing.
Akamir walked past the body without stopping. "We move after a few minutes of rest."
No one argued.
They knew waiting too long would only expose them to more trouble.
Akamir glanced to the side and saw the raven again.
It wasn't the one from before but had the same crimson color.
His hand twitched slightly near his sword, but he didn't reach for it.
'Should I just go attack them?'
He quickly shot that idea down.
Akamir wasn't really sure how strong they were or what tricks they had under their sleeves.
'Let's just wait for a while.'
The group gathered themselves quickly, forming up again.
As they moved out of the cavern, no one spoke for a while.
Until Viros began massaging his hand. "Damn, that thing was tough."
"You guys took care of it easily." Akamir said, glancing at him. "Good job."
"Meh, it wasn't that hard." He replied, shrugging off. "With all the training we did, I would be ashamed if I got worked up over the first boss."
"Still," Luca muttered, brushing dirt off his shoulder, "it had some real weight behind those legs. I felt that hit in my spine."
Zaina turned her head, frowning slightly. "I could've done more if I had been more active."
"You did enough," Viros said from the back. "Your shield probably saved us twice."
Ragina nodded quietly but didn't join the conversation.
Lyselle kept scanning the surroundings as they walked, her hand now resting lightly on the hilt of her weapon.
Akamir trailed at the rear again.
His steps were steady, but his eyes flicked toward the raven.
They followed a narrow path between towering moss-covered trees.
The threads were thinner here, less sticky, and more decorative than functional.
"I thought you said the fifth floor boss changes every time," Ragina said suddenly.
"It does," Luca replied. "But there are patterns. Spiders show up a lot around this level."
"Then what about the others?" she asked once again. "Will they not face a boss monster?"
"They will." Luca replied, glancing at her. "A new monster will take the previous one's place in a few hours."
"You think there'll be another boss before the tenth?" Ronin asked after a while.
"There will be," Luca answered. "Seventh floor sometimes has core beasts, but depends on the path we take."
"Isn't that rare?" Lyselle asked.
He gave her a glance before she shook her head.
"Not in this section of the dungeon," Luca said. "You see, this dungeon adapts. It picks things based on how fast we move or how strong it thinks we are."
"That's disturbing," Ragina mumbled.
Viros chuckled. "Makes it more fun."
Zaina gave him a flat look. "That wasn't fun."
"It was kind of fun," Viros said, smiling.
Akamir closed his eyes briefly, tuning out the idle talk.
He stopped the urge to stare at the raven, to let them know.
"You should be careful." Nayomi said, floating beside him. "Remember those things aren't humans and don't follow human logic."
Akamir nodded silently. "Yeah, you told me before."
The Bloodhound Omens have multiple races with them.
But...
They have one thing in common.
The ability to harness and create blood fire.
'Hmm?'
Akamir stopped as he felt something in front of them.
He slowed down, and so did the rest of the group.
"What happened?" Viros asked, glancing forward.
Akamir moved and cleared a path toward his side.
He kept on removing the threads before he reached someone.
....A dead body.
It wore full body armor along with a helmet that covered his skull.
Akamir removed the moss off his breastplate.
"Oh, goddess."
A gasp escaped from behind, and Akamir kept staring at the insignia.
The one that belonged to the Polmona Dukedom.
It was one of those who entered the dungeon with the Duke of Polmona.
He let out a sigh as he looked behind him at Lyselle, who had a concerned look on her face.
"Let's go." Akamir said, walking away. "It's not the time for this."
Lyselle lingered for a second longer, fingers brushing the insignia.
She didn't say a word, but her jaw was tight.
The group eventually found their way to the sixth floor.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 119: [Core Dungeon] [6]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC119: [Core Dungeon] [6]
Chapter 119: [Core Dungeon] [6]
[Event
Slash!!
The sound of flesh being cut cleanly echoed within the seventh chamber of the Core Dungeon.
Akamir flicked his sword, shaking off the blood before sliding it back into its scabbard with a dull click.
It only took them four hours to cover the entirety of the sixth floor.
And just when they had stepped into the seventh, they were immediately attacked by mushroom-like creatures.
'What a pain,' he thought.
Their bodies were soft, but they released clouds of spores with every strike.
Breathing them in made the air feel heavy, like a weight pressing on their lungs.
Luca coughed and waved his hand. "These damn things don't even bleed right."
Ronin had tied a cloth around his mouth, eyes narrowed as he shot down another one before it could release more spores.
"They're not even strong, but they are seriously annoying."
"They're called Mourncaps," Zaina said as she struck one down with a burst of flame from her staff. "They grow from leftover corpses and feed on decay."
"That's disgusting," Ragina muttered, smacking one with the flat of her sword. "Why does this place keep getting worse?"
"Because we keep going deeper," Viros grinned as he stomped on a twitching stalk, crushing it underfoot.
The area was damp and narrow, the walls lined with glowing fungus.
Some of the spores clung to their clothes, making the air shimmer faintly around them.
Akamir walked ahead, unbothered by the spores, his coat fluttering behind him.
He paused near a fork in the path and glanced down at the ground. "Tracks."
Zaina stepped beside him, her gaze following where his finger pointed. "From a fight?"
Akamir nodded. "It's old boot prints, might be from the previous party that entered to raid the place."
Everyone glanced at Lyselle who silently stood on the side without a word.
"Wait, we are the group with the lead, right?" Ronin asked in confusion.
"Let's hope we are," Zaina said under her breath.
Akamir kept walking, now a little faster.
The group followed in tighter formation than he had planned.
After twenty minutes of walking, they reached a clearing.
The spore mist had thinned out and the mushroom creatures were gone.
Instead, a circle of stone pillars rose around a dry basin.
In the center lay something strange.
A thin red line ran across the stone, like blood drawn into a perfect circle.
Akamir narrowed his eyes.
"I don't like this," Luca said, frowning. "Looks like a trap."
"It is a trap," Nayomi whispered near Akamir's shoulder.
He didn't move, just quietly nodded to himself.
Zaina stepped forward, raising her staff slightly. "Should I dispel it?"
"Wait." Akamir raised a hand. "Not yet."
He crouched near the circle, studying the markings.
Old runes, but he could understand them.
Maybe it was from far back in time.
Akamir let out a sigh as he noticed a faint glow.
"Someone's been here recently," he muttered. "This circle was activated not too long ago."
"Could it be another beast?" Luca asked.
"Possibly." Akamir stood back up. "But it seems they didn't die or maybe the dungeon swallowed them."
Akamir looked around the place, finding a clearing spot on the side with no grass.
'...Hmm?'
He rubbed his chin for a moment before he looked at his group.
"We have been traveling for almost twelve hours." He said, looking at them.
"Now, do you guys want to take rest for a while or do you want to continue?"
"We should rest." Zaina said, looking at him. "It's better for all of us."
Others nodded to her words, and even though Viros looked reluctant, he didn't speak up.
Akamir turned around. "Alright, let's have some rest."
They moved towards the area and immediately fell down on the stone floor.
"Urgh, my body feels sore." Viros groaned, laying on his back. "I need some milk."
"Can you shut up?" Luca groaned, rubbing his temples. "And stop talking about milk all the time."
Viros lay spread out like a starfish, muttering something about back pain and revenge on mushrooms.
Luca sat with his back to a pillar, trying to rub the ache out of his shoulders.
Zaina quietly set her staff beside her before sitting cross-legged.
Akamir sat on the side as he looked around the place.
Nayomi floated beside him.
"When did the Bloodhound attack Zaina in the novel?" Akamir asked, glancing at her. "Like which floor?"
"Tenth floor." She replied, looking at him. "They ambushed her after the boss fight."
Akamir nodded his head softly. "And she survived by throwing herself in a pit?"
"Yeah." She replied, nodding her head. "She did that in order to save herself."
Akamir nodded in response as he placed his head on the stone.
'Why am I even doing this?'
He wondered to himself, glancing at Zaina who sat quietly on the side.
Akamir would be lying if he said he wasn't fond of the girl.
Even though she wasn't really nice to him at the start, the girl has opened up to him a lot.
She isn't a bad girl; on the contrary, she has a good soul.
'She became a tyrant villainess because of her circumstances.'
Had she not been so unlucky, she might really have a normal life.
'Either way, I hope she gets stronger and remains an ally.'
She was still his fiancée in name.
'hmm?'
Akamir tilted his head in confusion as he found Lyselle walking towards him.
'What does she want now?'
He looked at her in confusion as she sat beside him.
Lyselle didn't look at him but kept on staring at her legs.
"What happened?" Akamir finally asked.
"Do you think..." She hesitated before sighing. "That my father is alive?"
Akamir looked at her. "Why are you asking me?"
"I...I just, you are strong." She whispered. "I want to know your opinion."
"I have no way to tell you that." Akamir replied flatly. "But he should be safe."
"...."
Lyselle didn't say anything for a while as she stared at her hand.
She finally looked at him.
"My father used to send his bond animal outside of the dungeon every week." She whispered, her voice barely audible.
"It's been half a month and we have no information about them."
Akamir didn't answer immediately. He watched her quietly, taking in the way her hands trembled slightly.
"He might be trapped." Akamir replied, looking away. "You can't be certain if something did happen to him or not."
"Just tell her that he is dead." Nayomi said, clicking her tongue. "Why give her false hope?"
'Because that's what she wants to hear.'
Akamir thought, glaring at Nayomi.
'And I don't want her to cry here inside a dungeon.'
Even though she wasn't much of a help, Akamir doesn't want her to become a liability.
Lyselle nodded slowly. "I just... I hope he is safe."
Before Akamir could say anything, Zaina stood up and walked towards him.
He barely controlled another sigh.
Zaina stood in front of them, glaring at Lyselle.
"He is my fiancé." She said, grabbing his arm and forcing him to stand up. "Don't try to take him away."
Akamir blinked, caught off guard as Zaina pulled him up.
Lyselle looked up, surprised. "I wasn't—"
"You were." Zaina cut her off. "I don't care what you meant. Just keep your distance."
Lyselle's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue back.
Akamir let out a sigh as he stared at Zaina.
The girl looked into his eyes. "What?"
Akamir shook his head. "Nothing."
He looked around the place before he said, "Go rest, I will look around."
Zaina wanted to argue, but she didn't say anything.
Akamir walked away from her as he inspected the place.
He moved away from the group as he looked at the stone monuments.
Nayomi floated closer to him. "Akamir."
"I noticed." Akamir said, as he looked up. "That thing..."
On a large branch of a tree, a half-bat and half-wolf sat there.
Its face grinning as it looked at Akamir.
Akamir began to draw his weapon.
"Oh, a Faithless, I see."
Only to stop when that thing spoke.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 120: [Core Dungeon] [7]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC120: [Core Dungeon] [7]
Chapter 120: [Core Dungeon] [7]
[Event
"Oh, a Faithless, I see."
Only to stop when that thing spoke.
Akamir froze.
His hand hovered near his sword's hilt as his eyes locked onto the creature above.
The thing on the branch didn't move.
Its wings curled lazily behind it, and its long, furry arms draped over the branch like it had all the time in the world.
The head was mostly wolf, but the ears were long and pointed like a bat's, and its glowing red eyes shimmered with an eerie intelligence.
"Relax," it said, voice deep and slow, like thick honey poured over gravel. "I'm not here to fight."
'The fuck is even this thing?'
Akamir didn't loosen his grip. "Then why are you here?"
The creature tilted its head. "Curiosity. It's not every day a Faithless walks into the dungeon."
Akamir frowned. "Faithless?"
Nayomi floated in front of him, her expression was tense.
"He can see your soul signature," she whispered. "This isn't just a dungeon beast... something has possessed that thing."
The creature chuckled. "You don't know?"
Akamir's grip tightened. "You're not supposed to be on this floor."
"Oh, I know," the beast replied, unfazed. "But this dungeon is old. It doesn't care if I broke some rules."
'Should I kill this thing?'
"You can't," Nayomi informed him. "His soul will simply transfer to another thing."
'What a pain.'
"What do you want?" Akamir asked again, more sharply this time.
The beast's grin widened, showing rows of jagged, uneven teeth. "A trade."
Akamir didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.
"I'll give you information," the creature said, tapping a claw to its chin. "In exchange... I want a story."
"A story?" Akamir asked, confused.
"Yes," it purred. "One that doesn't end in survival. One with failure, tragedy... and blood."
Akamir raised an eyebrow. "You want me to tell you a sad story?"
The beast laughed, a dry, hollow sound. "Not just any sad story. One real enough that I can taste it."
Nayomi leaned closer.
"Don't agree," she said under her breath. "Creatures like this feed on memory and regret. If you give him too much, he can enter your soul."
"I'm not interested," Akamir said flatly, turning to leave.
But the beast spoke again, this time more serious.
"The last party... the ones whose tracks you saw... They made a deal and now they're part of the dungeon. A few of them still breathe, trapped in the **** floor."
Akamir stopped.
'Did his voice just glitch?'
Akamir couldn't understand what he said as he glanced at it.
"You're lying," Akamir said.
"Am I?" the creature grinned. "Then go down there and see it for yourself."
Akamir stared at him. "What's the catch?"
The creature leaned closer from the branch, claws curling against the bark. "Nothing, I just like watching."
It let out a low laugh before leaping off the tree.
It didn't fall.
It simply vanished into the shadows like it had never been there.
Akamir stood still for a long moment, listening to the silence it left behind.
Then he turned and walked back toward the group.
Nayomi followed beside him, silent for a while.
Akamir glanced at her. "Do you think—"
"Yeah," she replied, nodding her head. "A human possessed that thing... perhaps to gain immortality."
Akamir rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't like it," he grumbled. "I should have killed that thing."
"It could have been a trap," Nayomi said, looking at him. "There are so many things that you aren't aware of."
Akamir looked at her but didn't say anything.
'That thing could have tried to possess my body.'
But Akamir couldn't help but wonder.
'Whose soul was inside that thing?'
As they reached the group again, Zaina looked up at him from where she sat.
"Anything out there?"
Akamir hesitated before shaking his head. "No. Just... strange carvings."
Zaina didn't question it.
But Lyselle watched him carefully, a faint crease forming between her brows.
They had rested enough.
It was time to keep moving.
Akamir turned toward the tunnel. "Get ready," he called out. "We're going deeper."
They stood up and began to walk towards the next floor.
Viros and Luca were taking the lead while Akamir remained behind looking around.
"Do you guys think we will meet other students?"
Viros asked, glancing back at everyone.
"Like anyone?"
"I don't think so," Zaina said, shaking her head. "The place is too vast for us to find anyone."
"Fair," Viros mumbled, not hiding his disappointment. "It would be great if we could find some."
"Why though?" Luca asked, looking at him. "Do you want to fight with them or what?"
"Something like that," he shrugged. "Man, I am bored."
Akamir began to walk towards them, passing Lyselle on the way.
"Can you smell that?" Akamir asked, looking at him.
Viros sniffed the air before his expression turned serious. "Something is in the air."
"No... what?"
Akamir frowned, looking at him.
'I was about to make a joke.'
"Viros is right," Luca replied, his expression serious as well. "I can smell something close by."
Akamir gave them both a weird look.
'How fucking good is their sense of smell?'
He wondered before he looked forward.
Just as they had predicted, a poisonous gas began to fill the place.
"Get in formation,"
Akamir said, taking out his sword.
"We got company."
---
[Sixth floor.]
Arthur walked along with his group as he looked around the place.
The previous charm on his face was nowhere to be seen as he looked more depressed now.
Even though the prince said he had his back, Arthur was still unable to do anything.
'Why?'
He thought grimly.
'Why is she behaving like this with me?'
Arthur couldn't understand what happened to Zaina.
The girl who used to do everything as he told and behaved properly was now actively ignoring him.
'It's all that fucker Asher's fault.'
A burning desire for revenge crawled in his mind, but he wasn't sure how he should do that.
'I can't just kill a duke's son.'
Arthur never felt as worthless as now.
'Should I ask the prince?'
He quickly shot down that idea.
Arthur wasn't really sure why, but he could never believe in the prince.
'He may be using me to keep Asher away from Zaina.'
Perhaps that's what he was doing.
A bitter feeling rushed through his body as he thought about Zaina.
She hadn't even looked at him the last time they crossed paths at the academy.
It was like she didn't even know him anymore.
"She used to smile just hearing my name," Arthur muttered under his breath.
"Hmm?" one of the girls behind him asked.
"Nothing," he said flatly.
"Arthur," a boy at the rear called out. "We found something."
The group had stopped in front of a collapsed chamber.
The wall had caved in partially, revealing a hidden corridor behind it.
One of the students, a tall kid named Rurik, pointed to the faint glowing symbol etched on the wall.
It pulsed slowly, like a heartbeat.
"What's this?" Rurik asked.
Arthur stepped closer and studied it. "...I don't know, maybe a rune?"
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet trembled.
A sharp crack echoed through the air as another piece of the wall broke open, revealing a staircase leading down.
"Should we go down?" one of the girls asked nervously.
Arthur hesitated.
He should turn back or report this and wait for support.
But instead, he smiled.
A slow, twisted smile.
"No," he said. "We go in."
"But—"
"If Zaina's group is ahead of us," Arthur said, his voice cold, "we'll cut the shortcut and I'll show her."
His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword.
"I'll remind her who I am."
Arthur began walking inside the hidden path.
Never noticing....
...A giant half bat and half wolf staring at him with a grin on his face.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 121: [Core Dungeon] [8]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC121: [Core Dungeon] [8]
Chapter 121: [Core Dungeon] [8]
[Event
[Tenth floor.]
Akamir looked at the door to the boss of the tenth floor.
It only took them six hours to reach this place without any problem as this time Akamir actively helped them.
'It was much faster than expected.'
He thought, glancing back at the team who were still in good shape.
"Are we going to rest or attack now?" he asked, looking at them.
"Attack, baby!"
Viros said, grinning as he placed his axe over his shoulder.
The others didn't oppose the idea as they looked at him seriously.
Akamir gave them a nod as he walked forward.
"Try taking care of it without my help."
The others nodded without any problem while the door shifted.
The gate opened with a deep groan, revealing a wide arena-like chamber.
Zaina was already chanting softly under her breath, her staff glowing faintly.
Ragina adjusted her gloves and looked toward the others.
Ronin strung his bow, and Luca and Viros both kept their weapons ready.
The air was thick and cold, and the floor was cracked with old scars from past battles.
The beast stood at the center.
It was taller than a house, its upper body that of a massive ape, muscular and fur-covered, while its lower half slithered like a serpent across the ground.
Its eyes were small, red, and sunken, but they flicked toward the group with sharp awareness.
"Grhhhh."
A low growl rumbled in its throat.
No orders were given as the team now moved on instinct.
Ronin loosed the first arrow.
It struck the beast's arm but bounced off, barely drawing blood.
Luca rushed forward with Viros beside him, they struck him together, but the monster's long tail whipped around, forcing them to dodge.
Viros managed to score a shallow cut, but the beast didn't even flinch.
Zaina raised her staff and launched a wave of fire that slammed into the beast's side.
Lyselle followed up with a sharp burst of ice, trying to slow its movement.
Ragina threw a barrier in front of Ronin just as the ape-like creature sent a boulder-sized chunk of stone flying their way.
The attacks landed, but nothing stuck.
Every spell that hit the creature left only a faint mark.
Every strike seemed too slow or too weak. It moved with surprising speed, ducking, twisting, and swinging its massive arms with crushing force.
Ronin kept firing arrows, but they were doing less and less.
The creature's skin seemed to harden with every shot.
Zaina tried to cast a stronger spell, but her speed wasn't fast enough to aim at the agile thing.
Ragina reinforced a barrier just in time to keep Lyselle from being crushed.
It was clear they weren't winning.
Akamir hadn't moved yet.
He stood near the gate, eyes following every movement, studying the rhythm of the fight.
His sword was still sheathed.
"You should help them," Nayomi suggested, floating beside him. "It would be better if they are in good condition."
Akamir looked at her. "Do you think they will attack how they did in the novel?"
"Perhaps, they will," she mumbled softly. "I can't see why they would change the plan."
Akamir let out a sigh as he nodded. "How strong will they be?"
"Blue core," Nayomi replied, looking at him. "All of them except one will be blue core."
"...."
Akamir looked at her seriously. "No way."
Nayomi smiled. "The leader should be Indigo core."
Akamir touched the bridge of his nose. "You could have told me sooner."
"I did tell you," she replied, blinking innocently. "Why do you think Zaina has to run away?"
"Is it because of the Starburn flower?" Akamir asked, looking dead into her eyes. "Were you paranoid that I wouldn't even enter the dungeon?"
She smiled softly.
"I hate you," Akamir said, looking away. "Fucking scheming bitch."
"I like you too, babydoll."
'Still, I did have the plan to check the lower floors.'
Akamir thought as he looked at his group struggling to fight the ape.
'hmm....Can I kill the purple core guy?'
He wasn't sure.
Akamir hasn't fought with beings that are stronger than him.
He hardly finds anyone in his age group that can fight equally with him.
'If I need to grow stronger, then I need to explore more places with stronger races.'
He let out a sigh as he took a step forward.
The moment he moved, everything shifted.
The monster turned to face him, sensing something different.
Akamir walked calmly, then dashed forward without hesitation.
His coat fluttered behind him as his hand reached for his blade.
In a blur, he was under the creature's guard.
The first strike came so fast that the beast couldn't defend.
A clean upward slash with the sword coated with chi that severed one of its arms at the elbow.
Blood sprayed, dark and thick, but Akamir didn't stop.
He twisted, ducked under the tail, and struck again, this time across the chest.
The beast howled, spinning wildly, but Akamir was already on its flank.
The beast howled as its massive form spun, trying to catch Akamir in its tail's sweep.
But he was already gone, moving faster than its eyes could track.
His blade shimmered faintly with chi, the edge singing through the air as it carved another deep slash along the creature's side.
The monster bellowed, its snake-like lower body slamming against the ground in fury.
Cracks spread out along the stone as it lunged toward him with its remaining arm, mouth wide open to bite.
Akamir didn't dodge the attack as he stepped in.
With one sharp movement, he drove his sword upward, piercing straight through the beast's jaw and up into its skull.
The impact sent a jolt through his arm, but he didn't flinch.
The beast froze, blood leaking from its mouth and eyes.
It twitched and then dropped like a collapsed pillar, the sound echoing through the entire chamber.
Silence followed.
Everyone stood frozen where they were, panting and wide-eyed.
Viros stared. "What the hell..."
Zaina let out a shaky breath, gripping her staff tighter. "He wasn't even trying earlier."
Luca sat down, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't even know why we try sometimes."
Ronin lowered his bow with a tired shrug. "At least we kept it busy."
Akamir didn't pay them any attention.
He pulled his sword free from the creature's skull, flicked off the blood, and slid it back into its sheath in one smooth motion.
Then, without speaking, he turned around and walked past them all toward the center of the room.
Nayomi floated beside him again. "Impressive."
"Shut up," he muttered. "You could've told me how annoying it would be."
"You handled it."
He didn't respond as he looked at Zaina walking towards him.
She smiled softly. "That was nice."
Akamir didn't say a word as he looked at the girl in silence.
Zaina blinked in confusion. "What?"
Nayomi's expression also changed as she whispered. "Akamir."
Akamir didn't respond as he waited for it, placing his hand on his sword.
Zaina tilted her head.
"Hey, guys!" Viros' voice echoed from the other side of the chamber. "There is a massive fucking hole here."
Zaina turned to look at him and Akamir drew his blade instantly.
The sound made Zaina turn towards him in horror.
Akamir didn't wait as he plunged his sword forward.
A sick sound of flesh being cut open echoed in the chamber.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 122: [Core Dungeon] [9]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC122: [Core Dungeon] [9]
Chapter 122: [Core Dungeon] [9]
The sound made Zaina turn towards him in horror.
Akamir didn't wait as he plunged his sword forward.
A sick sound of flesh cutting open echoed in the chamber.
"ARGHHH!!!!"
A scream echoed within the chamber as a dagger fell just beside Zaina.
The girl flinched, moving away as Akamir pulled out his sword.
A distortion formed where he had stabbed before a man turned visible to everyone.
He wore all crimson as he clutched his side that bled furiously.
The man dropped to one knee, coughing as blood spilled between his fingers.
The others quickly rushed towards them, encircling the man.
"What the hell is going on?" Luca asked, blade halfway drawn.
"Who is that?" Ronin's voice was low, nocking the arrow.
He stepped forward, wiping the blood from his blade.
Akamir stood in front of the man. "Where are the others?"
He struggled to his feet, still holding his side, the blood wasn't slowing. "That should've pierced my lung."
"I aimed for it," Akamir said, placing the sword on his neck. "Where are the others?"
"Barkel was right," the man said, "I should have waited."
Akamir blinked and the man began to blur out.
A smile crept on his face as he looked at him.
The world slowed down for Akamir as he felt a spark from his sweating blood.
"RUN!"
He yelled to others as he pulled himself away along with Zaina.
BOOM!!!
The man's blood turned into a cluster of flame that blinded everyone.
The explosion swallowed the space in fire.
A deafening blast tore through the chamber, lighting it up with a wall of flame.
Akamir landed hard, holding Zaina against him as they hit the ground and rolled.
The only thing he could hear was his own heartbeat pounding like a drum.
Zaina coughed against his chest. "Wha—what was that?"
He pulled her up, checking her for burns. "You're fine?"
"Yeah."
"Luca! Viros!" Akamir barked, eyes scanning.
"I'm alive!" Viros coughed from somewhere near a broken pillar.
He limped forward, shirt scorched, but his axe still in hand.
"Luca?" Akamir asked.
"Yeah," Luca groaned. "Burned my damn sleeve, though."
Akamir quickly looked at the man only to find he wasn't there.
He looked around for any kind of clue but only found clusters of flames.
'Tch. Where did he go?'
"How many more of them are in here?" Lyselle asked, glancing toward the place.
Her answer was met with a sudden screeching sound.
Six figures stepped into view, each cloaked in deep crimson.
Their eyes were covered, but they moved quickly, surrounding the group in a wide circle.
Without warning, one of them slashed his own palm.
Flaming blood burst forward like a whip, snaking toward Ronin.
Ronin barely had time to raise his bow before it struck him.
The burning tendrils wrapped around his chest and yanked him into the wall with a crack.
"Arghh!!!"
Ronin yelled in pain as the flames licked his body.
Ragina raised a barrier, trying to defend herself and Lyselle, but another enemy swept his arm down, scattering droplets of fire that ignited midair.
The shield held for a moment, then shattered.
One blast struck her shoulder.
She cried out, collapsing beside Ronin.
Lyselle tried to retreat, her hands glowing with energy, but the flames were faster.
A wave of burning blood crashed into her, knocking her to the ground.
"Fuck!" Viros shouted and rushed in, axe raised.
He clashed with one of them head-on, steel meeting a burning blade.
But the enemy twisted, cut his thigh with a flaming dagger, and dropped him with a second strike to the ribs.
Luca moved next, fast and low, targeting the cloaked figure near Viros.
He managed to land a blow, but the attacker didn't even flinch.
Blood sprayed from the crimson-cloaked figure's mouth and turned into another burst of flame.
It hit Luca square in the chest.
He was thrown backward and didn't move again.
The five fallen teammates lay scattered across the ground, groaning or unconscious.
The six crimson figures didn't advance further.
They all turned in unison and looked straight at Akamir.
He stood alone now, sword unsheathed, coat singed.
They just stared at him.
Zaina stood behind him, breath shaking.
Finally, the tall man, perhaps the leader, walked forward.
He stood a few meters away from him, intertwining his hands in front.
"I have noticed your strength," he said, his voice emotionless. "Who are you, boy?"
Akamir tilted his head. "Why don't you introduce yourself?"
The man paused for a second before he nodded.
"My name is Barkel," he said, removing his hood. "An executive of Bloodhound Omens."
"....."
Akamir kept on staring at the bald man while Zaina slowly held his sleeve.
"Someone with a dark green core at such a young age," he said, his voice impressed. "That's a rare thing."
"A what!?"
A kick to Viros' face made him roll over as he interrupted them.
Barkel kept on looking at him without any words.
Then, he slowly raised his hand. "Give me the girl."
Akamir's eyes stayed locked on Barkel as the man's hand rose, like he expected the demand to be obeyed without question.
Zaina gripped his sleeve tighter, her other hand trembling at her side.
When he didn't reply, the man tilted his head.
"You seem like someone who values survival," Barkel said. "Give me the girl, and I'll let the rest of you live."
Nayomi floated beside him, staring at them without any words.
"Akamir," she finally whispered softly. "Be ready."
Akamir glanced at her before he sheathed his sword.
He looked back at Zaina, who was drawing in deep breaths.
When her eyes met with his, she nodded her head.
'What?'
Akamir gave her a look.
'Are you saying I should sacrifice you?'
He sighed as he grabbed her hand firmly.
"Oye, idiots," Akamir said, glancing at those on the floor. "Do you guys trust me?"
Luca and Viros blinked towards him without any words.
"I do," Viros finally said, rubbing his face. "What about it?"
Barkel tilted his head. "What are you doing, boy?"
Akamir smiled at him. "How many did you kill before coming here?"
That question took the man by surprise. "What do you mean—"
"Earth Splitter."
His words were cut short when someone attacked them from behind.
The ground beneath them shook and multiple spikes rose from there.
The entire group was distracted by one man as their focus shifted.
"Now!"
Nayomi yelled and immediately Akamir began to dash.
He looked at Viros and Luca, signalling them to follow.
Those two didn't think twice before they stood up and ran.
Akamir glanced at the professor who had attacked them.
'Thanks for helping us, man.'
He gave him one last look before he ran towards the enormous hole on the side of the chamber.
"Akamir, you are not—!"
"Don't worry," he said, grabbing her by her waist before jumping down. "You will be safe."
The wind rushed past them as they fell through the darkness of the hole.
"Cannon Bolt!!"
Viros yelled as he jumped after them and Luca followed suit.
Just when Barkel got back to his senses, five out of seven were already gone.
---
Barkel stood in silence, his bloodstained hand still dripping onto the stone floor.
The professor's body lay limp at his feet, neck twisted unnaturally, head rolled a few paces away.
It only took him ten seconds to take care of the nuisance.
The rest of his group were silent as they all waited for the little girl in their group to speak.
Out of Akamir's group, only two were left behind.
Ronin and Ragina.
The rest entered the massive hole like some madmen.
"I can't sense her," the girl finally said, her voice uncertain. "I..I think she is dead."
Barkel didn't move, but his lips parted slightly. "You're sure?"
"I don't know," she said. "She vanished."
Ragina coughed weakly from where she lay slumped against the wall.
Ronin was still unconscious, scorched and barely breathing.
Barkel turned slowly, his gaze drifting to the gaping hole on the side wall.
He wasn't really sure if he should believe in her words.
'That man is dangerous,' he thought to himself. 'I wanted to recruit him but I don't think it's possible now.'
He walked forward and crouched near the edge of the hole, staring into the dark abyss.
"They're alive," he finally said. "I don't know how... but they are."
The girl behind him clenched her hands. "Should we follow?"
"No." Barkel stood. "We wait, she'll come back up, one way or another."
His eyes drifted to the two wounded left behind.
"As for them," he said, his voice cold. "Give them a painless death."
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 123: [Core Dungeon] [10]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC123: [Core Dungeon] [10]
Chapter 123: [Core Dungeon] [10]
The water was colder than it looked, glowing in a gentle hue.
Akamir hit the surface hard, dragging Zaina close to him as they plunged beneath.
For a moment, everything went still and then the pressure of the fall knocked the air from his lungs, but something else caught his attention.
The water shimmered faintly, not with light, but with a low hum of energy that crawled along his skin.
It only took him a second to notice it was Liquid mana.
His body reacted instantly, warmth pushing into his limbs, flooding his veins.
He tightened his grip on Zaina and kicked upward, dragging her along with him.
"Get to the shore!" he shouted once they surfaced.
Viros came up next, gasping, followed by Luca who sputtered and wiped his eyes.
Lyselle surfaced moments later, arms flailing, her eyes wide.
"The water!" she gasped. "It's—"
"Mana," Akamir cut in, already swimming fast toward the shore. "Don't let it seep in too much. you will die from mana poisoning."
Too much of anything is never good and the same could be said about mana.
If someone took in too much mana there was a high chance of his core collapsing due to it.
They didn't need more warning.
All of them swam harder, muscles burning as the mana-filled lake pulsed against them, pulling at their cores.
It was as if it wanted to stay inside them.
"Cough! Cough!"
Zaina coughed once they reached land, collapsing to her knees while Viros groaned and lay flat on his back.
"That was awful," Luca muttered, shaking off water from his arm. "My heart's still racing."
Lyselle didn't say anything.
She sat near the edge, eyes fixed on her soaked hands, glowing faintly with traces of mana.
Akamir stood slowly and looked around.
The place was quiet, eerily so.
Thick moss covered the ground like a blanket, stretching out into the distance.
The sky above wasn't the sky, it was a ceiling with just a small hole, curved and etched with old symbols that pulsed with light.
Strange trees with hollow trunks swayed without wind, and faint blue insects flitted around, leaving glowing trails behind.
Nayomi floated up beside him, her eyes moving around the place.
"We're on the forty-fourth floor of the Core Dungeon," she said. "It's the same place where Zaina was thrown in the novel."
Akamir didn't respond.
He was too busy scanning the distance.
No sign of the crimson-robed attackers and no sign of Barkel.
He relaxed slightly, turning to check the others.
Zaina was wringing water from her hair, still shaking a little, but okay.
Viros sat up and looked over.
"Hey, man," he called out. "Back there... how did you know the professor was coming? You didn't even look surprised."
Akamir glanced at him, then at Luca who had joined in.
"Yeah," Luca added. "And what was that about your core? Barkel said something about it being dark green, are you a dragon by any chance?"
Akamir walked past them without slowing.
Viros frowned. "Oi, come on. That's not a normal reaction."
"You'll get your answers when I feel like giving them," Akamir said flatly, not looking back.
Viros and Luca shared a look, but neither pushed further.
Lyselle finally stood up, her voice was quieter than usual. "What about the others?"
She didn't name them but the others understood quickly.
Akamir stopped for a moment.
His fingers curled slightly around the hilt of his sword, then released.
"I don't know." He finally said. "I have no idea."
Zaina looked at him, her mouth opening like she wanted to say something, then closing again.
He kept walking towards the one path that was made there.
It was like a bridge that led them somewhere.
The others followed behind, some limping, some silent, some wary.
The deeper they went, the more unnatural the place felt.
Streams of mana slithered through the moss like snakes, changing shape when touched.
The air was damp and heavy, like it had been sealed for centuries.
They were far from the surface now.
Far from safety.
'I need to make sure we don't die here.'
He let out a sigh as he glanced back at Zaina who stayed quiet.
"Which floor are we in?" Lyselle asked softly. "We were falling for quite some time."
"Pretty sure we are in really deep." Luca said, grimly. "Maybe fortieth floor?"
"Forty-fourth," Akamir corrected, his voice clear as he walked ahead. "We're on the forty-fourth floor."
Viros groaned behind them. "That's way too deep. The rescue teams won't even think to search this far down."
"No one's coming for us," Akamir muttered. "So don't count on it."
Luca scratched the back of his neck. "I wasn't."
The group moved along the narrow moss-covered path.
The "bridge" felt oddly stable, but the mana in the air made it hard to relax.
Zaina kept close to Akamir, her steps light and quiet.
She hadn't said anything since they left the lake.
"So..." Viros started, keeping his voice low. "Who were those who attacked us?"
Akamir didn't know how to inform him about it.
He glanced at Zaina who had her head lowered.
"I don't know—"
"They were here for me." Zaina cut in his words. "...They are after me."
"...Yeah, but why?" Lyselle asked, her voice low. "Aren't you just a normal girl from a baron?"
"..."
Zaina hesitated for a while before she let out a sigh.
"Because I am the apostle of goddess Morana." She informed them. "Maybe that's why."
The other three who listened to her stopped in their tracks.
Their shock was to the point that they couldn't move.
Viros and Luca turned to look at Akamir who stopped because of them.
"Did you know?" Luca asked, looking at him. "You did, right?"
Akamir just gave a faint nod.
"My fucking god." Viros said, placing both his hands on his head. "This fucker is going to marry a princess and an apostle."
Akamir sighed, not even bothering to correct Viros.
The words echoed around the mossy corridor, but no one laughed.
Zaina lowered her gaze again, a small frown forming on her face.
"I didn't choose this," she muttered.
"Don't think too much about it." Akamir said. "It's not your fault."
The girl looked at him then nodded softly.
"Still," Lyselle said, trying to process it. "An apostle? Of Morana?"
"Can we stop thinking about that." Luca said, looking at her. "We have a bigger problem."
"Yeah." Viros nodded in agreement. "How the hell are we supposed to get out of here?"
"Uh, I have an idea." Lyselle said, raising her hand. "It might be helpful."
Akamir looked at her. "Tell us."
"What if we tried to find my father?" She asked, looking at him. "He should be somewhere close."
"..."
Akamir looked at her with pity as he didn't speak any words.
Lyselle frowned in confusion. "What?"
"Yeah, I think it's a great plan." Viros said, looking at her. "But we got no fucking idea where your daddy is."
"...If we go down there we die." Luca said, shaking his head. "If we go up then we die, anything here can kill all of us."
The bridge began to lead them to a platform as Akamir remained quiet.
Zaina slowly grabbed his sleeve once again.
"What should we do?" She asked, her voice soft.
Akamir looked at her then at others.
"I have a plan." He said. "Just follow me."
They let out a sigh of relief as Akamir turned his head towards Nayomi.
The woman smiled softly. "Step on the platform."
Akamir tilted his head. "Why?"
"If everything goes as in the novel, then you will see it."
Nayomi said, staring dead into his eyes.
Akamir tilted his head before he looked at the platform.
He let out a sigh as he stepped on it.
The platform began to move in an instant.
The rest of the group quickly jumped on it and the platform levitated over the mana lake.
"The hell is this place?" Viros mumbled, looking around the area. "Why is there so much mana here?"
"Wait, that's not the problem." Luca mumbled, looking at everyone. "Why did we not see any monsters?"
"..."
The group turned silent.
The platform finally stopped on the other side as it brought them to a different place.
Akamir silently looked at it.
An entire abandoned place.....
...With hundreds of dead bodies of both humans and monster lying all over the place.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 124: [Core Dungeon] [11]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC124: [Core Dungeon] [11]
Chapter 124: [Core Dungeon] [11]
An entire abandoned place.....
...With hundreds of dead bodies lying all over the place.
"..."
Akamir quietly looked at the dead bodies, taking a step closer.
The others also turned silent as the sickening smell of death and decay burned their nostrils.
Akamir stopped just in front of a body as he looked at the man, wearing an armor.
....The armor of Polmona Dukedom.
"...Oh, G-goddess."
Lyselle whispered as she fell on her knees unable to handle the shock.
The moment everyone moved out of the platform, it levitated back to its original place.
Now, they were all left alone without a way to go back.
'...What the hell happened here?'
Akamir wondered as he examined the monster's bodies.
They didn't have a single scratch on their bodies, not any marking of any resistance.
Every single one of them had died in the same manner.
Something killed them and they couldn't even fight back.
Akamir crouched beside one of the bodies, his eyes scanning the details.
The man's eyes were wide open, lips parted like he had been trying to scream.
"This doesn't make sense," Luca muttered behind him. "They're all just... dead. I don't understand how?"
"It's like they just dropped." Viros stepped over a fallen spear and looked around. "They didn't even unsheathe their weapons."
"W-why?" Lyselle asked, her voice trembling. "T-They weren't supposed to be here."
Akamir glanced back at her as he saw her crying.
'Her father must be somewhere here.'
Akamir thought as he looked around the dead bodies.
Nayomi floated beside him, her eyes looking forward.
"You should keep on moving." She advised, glancing at him. "It's better to not stay here."
Akamir nodded in agreement, he too had noticed the weird feeling this place was giving him.
He looked back only to find Zaina staring at a dead body.
"Zaina?" Akamir called, making her look at him.
"Their bodies are empty," she said softly. "I can't sense anything left inside them."
"Isn't that what happens when someone dies?" Viros asked, his brows knitting together. "Mana leaves their body right?"
"I...I mean, I..I can't explain it." Zaina said, her voice meek. "It's like something sucked out their soul."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"Like some soul-eater?" Viros asked, looking around quickly. "Those are just myths, right?"
"We should start moving." Akamir said, looking at them. "It's not safe here."
The others nodded in agreement as Akamir once again took the lead.
Lyselle hesitated for a while before she pushed herself up as well.
Akamir glanced at Zaina who didn't even try to help her.
'Is she upset for the bullying Lyselle did?' he wondered but didn't ask aloud.
They moved forward slowly, the heavy silence following them.
The sound of breathing echoed strangely in the vast chamber.
The corridor stretched ahead, winding past collapsed pillars and broken stone arches.
More bodies appeared as they walked, some slumped against walls, others lying face-down with arms outstretched.
All of them untouched and all of them dead in the same way.
"Do you think it's still here?" Luca asked, his voice low, eyes scanning the shadows.
Akamir didn't answer right away.
He kept walking, hand near the hilt of his sword.
"I don't know," he finally said. "But we won't wait around to find out."
Lyselle glanced at him, as if trying to decide whether to respond.
Akamir could clearly see the fear on her.
'Well it's obvious, her life is pretty much over now.'
Eventually, the path split into two.
One side curved upward, the stone cracked and narrow.
The other sloped downward into a darker stretch of ruin.
"Go downwards." Nayomi said, floating beside him. "Upper one will only lead you to a dead end."
Akamir examined both the paths on his own before he made the decision.
"We go down," he said.
"What? Why?" Viros asked. "The higher route might take us out of this floor."
Akamir shook his head. "There's no airflow up there. It's sealed but there's a faint draft coming from below."
Luca stepped closer to the edge and peered down. "You've got a scary sense for this stuff."
Akamir slapped his back. "Let's go."
They descended, one step at a time.
The deeper they went, the colder it became and the light almost gone.
The blue glow from the insects faded until they were walking with only the faint shine of Zaina's light spell to guide them.
Then, without warning, the narrow corridor opened up into a massive underground hall.
The ceiling arched high, covered in half-faded murals.
Strange symbols were etched into the floor, still pulsing with a faint silver light.
At the far end stood a black obelisk, cracked down the middle.
'Hmmm, this feels odd.'
Something about the place made Akamir's stomach twist.
He stared at the thing, trying to understand what that even is.
Zaina stepped forward slowly, eyes locked on the obelisk. "I think... I think this is where it escaped."
"You mean whatever killed them?" Lyselle asked, her voice brittle.
"Yes." Zaina swallowed. "And if I'm right, it's still in this dungeon."
Viros swore under his breath as he roughly messed his hair.
"What are we supposed to do now?" He asked, looking around. "And damn this fucking smell is killing me."
Akamir wanted to ask what smell but his mind was completely occupied with that thing.
"You should keep moving." Nayomi said, her voice soft. "Things will only get weirder from here."
Akamir looked at her. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"I told you how things go in the novel right?" Nayomi asked, floating closely. "How someone will meet with Zaina and guide her."
"...Yeah." Akamir replied, remembering her words. "You said, one of the surviving members of Polmona—"
"Well, he wasn't a random person." Nayomi said, looking at him. "...I didn't think it would be important but he was...someone you know."
"..."
Akamir stared at her without any words.
It didn't take him long to understand who she was talking about.
He let out a sigh as he glanced at Lyselle.
'Things are only going to be more painful for her.'
He fully turned to look at the group. "There is no point of standing here." Akamir said. "Let's keep on moving."
The others though doubtful still followed behind him.
They moved past the cracked obelisk, the air growing colder with every step.
Even Viros stayed quiet, his usual sarcasm toned down by the heavy tension.
The corridor ahead narrowed again, turning jagged and uneven.
Strange carvings stretched across the walls—old, worn-out depictions of people kneeling beneath something massive and dark.
Some of the carvings were made with dried blood.
"This place is cursed," Luca muttered under his breath. "I'm telling you, we shouldn't be here."
"We don't have a choice," Akamir replied without looking back. "The only way out is through."
"Still feels like walking straight into our grave," Viros added, his hand resting uneasily on his weapon.
They kept walking until they reached a wide chamber—larger than the one with the obelisk.
Its roof was cracked open just enough to let a dim blue light pour in.
At the center stood a statue, broken at the head and both arms.
Around it were more bodies.
Older this time, bones and dust, robes faded and torn.
Zaina stopped near the statue, lowering her light spell.
"There's something here," she whispered.
Akamir walked over to her, kneeling down beside the cracked base.
Symbols were carved all around it, but unlike the ones before, these were recent.
Someone had added them after the original carvings faded.
"What does it say?" Lyselle asked, stepping closer despite herself.
Akamir frowned. "Some type of warning."
Zaina placed her hand near one of the symbols. "Can you read it?"
"Some of it," he said. "It talks about... a prisoner and something breaking free."
"Let me guess," Luca said, rubbing the back of his neck, "we're standing on its doorstep?"
Akamir stood up, brushing the dust off his palms. "We need to move again."
"Are we even going on the right path man?" Luca asked, his voice filled with anxiety. "You do know, I am still a virgin."
"Want my help?" Viros asked, biting his lips. "I can tap that as—"
"Alright guys, pay attention." Akamir said, looking at them.
They both nodded and the group began to move again.
They continued forward, following another descending path carved into the wall behind the statue.
The air turned damp and metallic, and the silence felt thicker than before.
Then they heard it.
Akamir raised his hand to stop everyone from moving.
He glanced at Zaina and she nodded before raising her staff.
"Arghh!!"
The sound came again, this time more clear.
Without a word, Akamir stepped forward, hand ready on his sword.
He approached the source of the sound slowly.
.....And then he saw him.
A man slumped against the wall, wrapped in bloodied bandages, his armor torn and scorched.
The symbol of the Polmona Dukedom was still visible on his chestplate, though barely.
"...He's alive," Viros said, blinking in disbelief.
The others rushed forward but Akamir stopped them.
"Stay back." He ordered before he looked at the man.
"Hey! Can you hear us?"
The man's eyes fluttered open slowly.
He looked at them and then at Lyselle.
His lips moved, cracked and dry.
"...Lyselle?"
She froze in her place.
"...Father?" she whispered, stepping back in disbelief.
Zaina cast another spell to shed more light on the man.
"Oh, God!"
"Wait, What the fuck!?"
"No way!!"
Different reactions escaped everyone's lips as he looked at the man.
Who had one of his hands placed on his stomach.
....Bloated stomach.
'Ah, What the fuck am I seeing?'
Duke Vareon of Polmona....
....Was pregnant.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 125: [Core Dungeon] [12]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC125: [Core Dungeon] [12]
Chapter 125: [Core Dungeon] [12]
Lyselle's breath hitched in her throat.
She stumbled backward, barely able to keep her footing. "No... No, this... this can't be real..."
None of them moved completely in shock.
Even Viros, who usually had something to say, stood completely frozen.
The man lying in front of them was Duke Vareon Polama, one of the strongest nobles now looked like he hadn't seen sunlight in weeks.
His face was pale, sweat clinging to his brow but that wasn't what held their eyes.
It was the clear bulge beneath his armor. It was swollen, round and completely unnatural.
"Is... Is that real?" Luca finally muttered, eyes wide with disbelief. "Am I high or is a grown-ass man about to give birth?"
"I-I don't..." Zaina started but couldn't find the words.
Akamir took a step forward, keeping his hand on his sword. "Vareon, can you hear me?"
The duke's eyes fluttered again. "Asher... is that you...?"
"Yeah," Akamir said, walking closer. "What happened to you?"
Vareon's face twisted in pain.
"The... the obelisk, something came out of it and infected everybody." He said, looking at them expectantly. "H..help me."
"Infected?" Viros asked, his voice hoarse.
Vareon gave a faint nod, "yes...now help me."
Lyselle took a step forward, her eyes wide with tears. "Father...?"
Vareon's eyes flicked toward her, glassy and unfocused.
For a second, it didn't seem like he recognized her.
Then, slowly, his expression softened. "Lyselle... my little girl... you're safe..."
A trembling breath escaped her lips.
She fell to her knees beside him, grabbing his cold, sweaty hand.
Akamir had his hand on the hilt of his sword as he kept staring at him.
"My little girl." Vareon said, his voice trembling. "Help...me, my child."
"Lyselle," Akamir called her. "Step back."
"What?" Her head snapped back at him. "Can't you see!? He is alive!?"
Vareon tried to speak, but a pained groan escaped instead.
His hand clutched at the bulge on his stomach, which shifted just slightly but enough to make everyone flinch.
Something was alive inside.
"Back away," Akamir said quickly, his eyes sharp as he drew his sword.
"No!" Lyselle snapped, shielding her father. "He's still alive!"
"For now," Zaina said, her voice tense. "But something's growing inside him and it's not human, his life force—."
"Shut up!" Lyselle yelled. "He is fine. If..if only we can cure him."
Luca was already a few steps back, face pale. "That thing moved, I swear it moved."
"It did," Viros said, placing a hand on his own chest as if trying to keep himself steady.
"I saw it too. This isn't some infection, whatever that is... it's trying to be born."
"I'm... still me..." Vareon said weakly, tightening his grip on Lyselle's hand. "I held it back... as long as I could..."
Zaina stepped forward, holding her staff tightly. "Duke Vareon, if we don't remove it now... it'll kill you and then use your body to grow stronger."
Luca quickly added. "We gotta kill him, now!"
"No!" Lyselle shouted, her voice cracking. "There has to be another way!"
"He is fucking pregnant Lyselle!" Viros yelled. "The fuck you want? A congratulations!? Just end his miserable life."
"Shut up, you damn commoner!?" Lyselle snapped at him. "You don't know anything! He's my father!"
"Call him mother—."
"Shut up!"
Lyselle turned towards her father. "You will be fine... Please, I will help you."
"Lyselle—."
"I can help." Vareon suddenly said looking at Akamir. "I can help you guys out of the dungeon."
Akamir tilted his head as he stared back at him.
'...He is probably lying.'
Even if he can, Akamir didn't plan to let him live with that thing inside him.
But....
He still glanced at Nayomi who said nothing.
'...Well, I do know how things will go from here.'
Akamir exhaled slowly as he stepped a little closer.
"You can help us escape?" he asked, not lowering his sword.
Vareon gave a slow nod, his eyes fluttering again. "The map. There's... a gate that will lead back to the upper floor. I memorized the path."
Lyselle turned quickly, clutching her father's hand tighter. "See!? He can help us! We just need to treat him, slow down the infection—"
"Lyselle," Akamir interrupted, voice steady. "He's not going to make it."
"You don't know that," she snapped. "You're just giving up!"
"I don't want you to save me." Vareon said, looking at Akamir. "Just bring my daughter and my will out of here."
"..."
Akamir didn't say a word as he looked at the man.
He finally let out a sigh. "Fine...show us the way."
Vareon nodded as he stood up with the help of his daughter.
He groaned as he pointed towards West. "It's this way."
Akamir nodded and gestured to him. "After you."
Vareon stumbled forward, every step unsteady.
Lyselle stayed right beside him, arms wrapped around his back, whispering soft words he probably wasn't even hearing.
The others followed in tense silence, eyes flicking between the duke and the dim corridor ahead.
"How long has he been like this?" Luca whispered, walking beside her.
"Hard to say," Zaina replied, voice quiet. "But if that thing grows any more... it'll burst."
"Thanks," Viros muttered behind them, "that's exactly what I needed to hear."
Akamir moved a little away from them as he glanced at Nayomi.
"How will things go from here?" Akamir asked, looking at her.
Nayomi looked at him then floated in front of his face.
"In the novel, he brought Zaina to the gate." She said, her voice soft.
"There she was ambushed by three creatures that were hatched before."
"..."
Akamir looked past her at Vareon's back without any words.
"He did that so she can take the thing that's growing inside her." Nayomi continued, facing him.
"Apparently that thing grows much better inside a female."
Akamir nodded once as he looked back at Nayomi. "His plan is still the same right?"
"....No." Nayomi whispered, looking at Lyselle. "I don't think so."
Akamir caught up to her words.
'...This is going to be painful.'
He thought, sighing for what is to come.
***
'What the hell is happening!?'
Arthur screamed in his mind as he looked around the small cave-like place.
For the last eight hours, his group had been walking in the same damn path without any way to go out.
He stopped, breath heavy, sword drawn out of habit more than reason.
Sweat clung to his forehead, and frustration burned behind his eyes.
"We've already been here!" he snapped, turning to the others. "This is the same split path we passed twice!"
"No it's not!" Marie, the pathfinder of the group, protested weakly. "It... it just looks similar—"
"It's the same." Elric cut in, his voice tired. "The scratch marks I left are still there."
He pointed at a low stone where he had etched a crooked arrow earlier.
Arthur growled under his breath and kicked a rock aside.
"Alright," he muttered, pacing around. "We've been walking in circles. Which means either this place is cursed or someone is messing with us."
"Cursed," Elric replied flatly. "And why are you talking like it wasn't you who brought us here?"
"Shut up," Arthur snapped. "It wasn't my fault."
Mikel, his closest friend, sighed. "It's your fault, Arthur. Just accept it."
Arthur glared at Mikel, then turned his back and ran a hand through his damp hair. "I didn't know this would happen."
"Alright." Elric said, taking the command. "From now on, I will be the leader."
"What?" Arthur frowned. "Fuck you mean, you will be—."
"I agree with him." Marie said, raising her hand. "It's for the best."
Mikel also raised his hand. "I agree with Elric."
Arthur stared at them, his mouth opening slightly, then closing again. "Seriously? You're all turning on me now?"
"We're not turning," Mikel said, adjusting the strap on his pack. "We're just trying to survive."
"Now, follow me." Elric said, raising his hand. "Come on."
The rest of the group followed him, leaving Arthur behind.
The boy stood there, his eyes blank.
'Why?'
Anger spiked within him as he couldn't understand.
'Why does this keep on happening to me!?'
Time and time again, Arthur has noticed how everything is taken away from him.
Whatever he does, whatever he chooses, things are always snatched away from him.
This led a deep scar on his already fragile ego.
'I will kill them all.'
Arthur thought but immediately calmed himself down.
'What am I thinking?'
He let out a sigh as he began to walk once again.
"Do you wish the power to win against all of them?"
A voice made him halt in his place as he looked around.
"Do you wish unimaginable power?"
Arthur turned as he looked at a half-bat and half-wolf staring at him.
He frowned. "What?"
The being smiled, his wisdom-filled eyes staring deep into his soul. "I can fix that."
Normally, Arthur would have walked away from such things.
But....
Right now, he wasn't normal.
All the walking around in circles and the pressure he had before made him numb.
Arthur looked at the beast. "What do you mean?"
"I can help you achieve all your dreams." He said, his voice honey-filled.
"The girl you like, the places you want to go... The beings you want to kill, I can help you achieve all that."
Arthur frowned. "How?"
"We make a contract." The thing said. "You get my powers and I get to make your story mine."
Arthur fell into deep thought as he lowered his head.
'At this point, do I have the option to say no?'
He was sure if he didn't take this opportunity, he will definitely lose everything.
Arthur finally looked up and asked. "What do I need to do?"
The thing finally smiled. "Tell me your story."
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win Chapter 126: [Core Dungeon] [13]CROWNLESS REINCARNATION: NEW WORLD? NAH I'D WINC126: [Core Dungeon] [13]
Chapter 126: [Core Dungeon] [13]
"....No." Nayomi whispered, looking at Lyselle. "I don't think so."
'...This is going to be painful.'
He thought, sighing for what was to come.
It took them only a few more minutes to reach an enormous gate-like structure that lay at the centre of the path.
Vareon's womb twisted once again, making everyone flinch in disgust.
Even Lyselle had an uncomfortable look on her face.
Vareon pointed at the door, his eyes on Akamir.
"This is the way." He said, his voice shallow and ragged. "If you go inside, you will find a way out."
Akamir looked at the door and then at him. "How?"
"The... there is a shortcut." He said, trying his best to hide his uncertainty. "If you go up, you will return back to the upper floor."
"He isn't lying." Nayomi said, floating beside him. "This is a trap to bring people from the fifth floor to this floor, making it impossible for them to return."
Akamir gave a short nod to her as he looked at the others.
'I wonder if they can keep themselves alive.'
"You can kill those three that are going to ambush." Nayomi said, her voice strained. "Just be careful about their soul attack."
'...Not very helpful.'
Akamir kept his hand on his sword as he studied the massive door.
It was covered in old runes, some glowing faintly with red light.
He turned to the others once again. "Everyone will go inside together."
Viros muttered under his breath, "Why do I feel like we're walking straight into a beast's mouth?"
"We are," Luca replied simply. "But it's the only way forward."
Zaina shifted nervously, glancing between the duke and the door. "And what about him?"
Vareon was barely standing, his face pale and drenched in sweat.
He leaned heavily on Lyselle, who kept her eyes on the door.
"We take him with us," she said quietly. "He's helping."
"No!" Duke Vareon yelled in pain. "Leave me be! You guys should go!"
"But, father—!"
"Listen, Lyselle, I am already on the brink of death." He said, his voice barely audible. "Only you can keep me safe in your heart!"
"We are going in." Akamir said, already over with his drama. "We are leaving him here."
"No!" Lyselle screamed, glaring at him. "We are—Father!?"
Duke Vareon fell on the ground, dragging her with him.
He breathed heavily, groaning at every other second.
"You guys should go." Vareon said, taking in deep breaths. "I wish to talk with my daughter for a while."
"...."
Akamir looked at him, then at Lyselle who was helping her father.
He felt pity for her but he didn't stop anything.
'If she can survive for only a few minutes... until we are done with those inside.'
Her death won't affect his plans, but Akamir hoped she won't die a worthless death.
He sighed and turned around. "We are going to check if the inside is safe or not."
Akamir walked towards the door and pushed it open.
Surprisingly, it opened up without any problem.
The chamber beyond was pitch black, save for a faint green glow pulsing from deep within.
....One by one, they stepped in.
Just when Zaina stepped inside the chamber, the place shuddered.
Akamir turned to look at Lyselle, whose hand Duke Vareon grabbed tightly.
He blinked and the door slammed shut, separating them.
The chamber pulsed with an eerie green light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Akamir didn't waste time.
The moment the door slammed shut behind them, he drew his sword.
"Grrrrr!!!"
From deep within the chamber, a low growl rumbled, followed by a sharp clicking sound that echoed off the walls.
Viros raised his axe and Zaina gripped her staff.
Luca stepped back automatically, sweat forming on his brow.
Zaina raised her hands, muttering something under her breath.
With a quick burst, she released an enormous orb of light that surged across the entire chamber, swallowing the darkness.
"Oh, Lord."
"What the fuck is that."
....Then they saw them.
Three creatures slithered into view from different directions.
Their forms were tall and lean, with six jagged legs and eight tentacles rising from their backs like whips.
Their faces resembled cockroaches—chitinous, twitching, and glowing with slimy mucous.
Without a sound, they attacked in a blink of an eye.
One leapt toward Zaina, Viros, and Luca.
The other two came straight for Akamir.
Akamir didn't even hesitate.
His sword met the first with a sharp metallic clang, slashing through one of its tentacles.
The creature screeched, more annoyed than injured, and retaliated with its remaining limbs that moved fast.
Akamir ducked, parried, and moved just out of the range of its limb.
Each tentacle strike cracked the air like a whip, but he kept cutting through them, one at a time.
Behind him, chaos exploded.
Zaina cast a barrier spell just in time to block the creature that lunged at her.
Viros rolled under the swipe of its leg, but Luca was slower.
A tentacle wrapped around his torso and hoisted him off the ground.
The creature's mouth opened and dozens of small, needle-like teeth vibrated inside.
A translucent mist began leaking from Luca's chest, drawn towards its maw.
It only took them a moment to understand... that's his soul.
"Shit!" Viros yelled, hacking at the tentacles but not getting through.
Akamir turned his head sharply as he created a distance between himself and the creatures.
Without breaking pace, he raised one hand and unleashed a pulse of telekinesis.
The force slammed into the creature holding Luca, ripping it from the ground and sending it crashing into the rocky wall with a wet crack.
Luca fell hard, coughing and shaking, but alive.
"Group up!" Akamir shouted.
Zaina moved to his side, casting a defensive barrier.
Viros helped Luca to his feet, and they all gathered behind Akamir.
One of the creatures lunged again, but this time Akamir was ready.
...He stepped forward and spun his blade.
In one clean stroke, he severed its front limbs, then slammed his boot into its chest and drove his sword straight through its open jaw.
It twitched violently, then went still.
One down.
The remaining two backed away for a second, their tentacles twitching erratically.
Then they shrieked and charged again.
Viros stepped up this time, hacking his axe on them as he kept on aiming for the joints.
Zaina threw a fire lance, this one sharper, that aimed at their eyes.
She also kept her barrier between the group and the advancing beasts.
Akamir sidestepped another tentacle, then used it to pull himself closer, landing a series of fast cuts along the creature's side.
It screeched, flailing wildly, but Akamir didn't let up.
He drove his knee into its midsection and swung his sword in a wide arc, severing three tentacles in a single blow.
The creature twisted in pain, trying to retreat, but he caught its movement and slammed it against the stone wall with a telekinetic push.
Black blood sprayed the ground, steaming wherever it landed.
Viros, on the other side, wasn't doing as clean.
He managed to land a few hits, his axe splitting through one of the beast's legs, but the creature was faster than he expected.
It ducked low, sweeping its limbs under Viros' feet and knocking him flat.
On the other hand, the beast howled and slammed Akamir against a stone pillar.
Akamir rolled with the impact, flipping over its back and driving his blade through its upper neck.
The beast let out a scream but it soon turned into another corpse.
Now only one remained.
This one was cautious now, limbs tense and twitching.
It turned to run but Zaina wasn't letting it.
"Don't let her kill it." Nayomi said, floating beside him. "If she does then we would be trapped here."
Akamir glanced at her before he grabbed Zaina's hand.
She looked at him but he shook his head. "Not yet."
Despite the protest on her face, she didn't go against his words.
The creature was injured and its blood made a marking that would lead them to it.
Akamir panted slightly, wiping the sweat from his face. "Everyone okay?"
"Barely," Viros muttered.
Luca nodded weakly, still shaken. "Thanks... for that."
Zaina kept her eyes on the corpses, her voice panicking now. "What are those things!?"
"That's okay, but what about Lyselle?" Viros asked, as he looked back at the door.
Akamir turned and rushed towards the door.
He pulled it with all his might, using telekinesis to get a grip.
The door creaked open and he got a glimpse of the other side.
Lyselle...
....Covered entirely with blood.
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