It would take some time until the dungeon merchant returned this time. While conceptualizing the dungeon theme I had in mind and dealing with imaginary foes in the meantime.
Suddenly, it felt like the enemies were getting stronger.
"That means it's time for the real heroes to arrive!"
Perfect timing.
First impressions are always crucial!
It was time to present my newly revamped dungeon to the heroes.
With great excitement, I waited quite a long time for the dungeon merchant. Finally, the skeleton merchant came to visit me.
"Ooooh!! You've finally come?!"
"Hahaha... Hello."
At Balak's enthusiastic welcome, the skeleton mage Karian nearly shattered to pieces and wanted to flee right away.
But since he had received a task from his master, he had no choice but to proceed if he didn't want to be erased.
"Before we talk, let's seal the boss room entrance first."
"Oh ho, getting serious, are we?"
When Karian tossed something at the broken wall, the entire room was enveloped in an opaque barrier emanating a powerful aura.
"It's a barrier that blocks sight and sound, so please don't tamper with it."
"Don't worry. I'm not that violent of a guy."
"I-I see. Anyway, you already know I'm a dungeon merchant, right?"
"Of course!"
Soon after, Karian handed Balak a board and a single coin.
"What's this?"
"This is an Abyss Coin. And this board lists the number of Abyss Coins you currently possess."
"Abyss Coin...? What the heck is that?"
"To put it simply, you've been defeating enemies so far, right? So..."
"Aha! I get it!"
"Yes? I haven't even explained yet—"
Was this world a defense game?!
In defense games, defeating waves of enemies or clearing a wave rewards you with resources—it's a fundamental truth!
The same principle applied here, so even though I'd only been fighting imaginary enemies, I'd accumulated this many coins.
"Tsk, who knew so many coins would pile up... Why didn't you show up sooner? Why now?"
"H-Haha, I had my own circumstances... A-Anyway, you seem to know the gist. I've compiled a list of items you can buy with these coins."
"You have a catalog or something?"
"You know about product catalogs? Can you read, then?"
"Hang on. Mind if I take a look at that?"
"Of course."
As expected...
Just as I thought, the catalog the skeleton merchant held was written in Korean.
King Sejong hadn't descended upon this world, so why the hell was there Korean here?
I had some doubts about this world, but whatever. I was a demon born to die in the heat of battle.
It wasn't that important anymore, so I handed the catalog back to the skeleton merchant and listened to his explanation.
***********
While the monster in front of him peered into the catalog, Karian felt a profound sense of despair.
He had devoted everything to his master to grasp the truths of this world, only to end up as a mere salesman!
'I have to go back there?!'
'You're acquainted with Balak, so you're the best choice. That's the consensus.'
'H-Ha, but...'
'Want to be erased?'
'I always follow my master's will. So this task too, I'll handle perfectly...!'
He couldn't rebel against the unreasonable orders, even if it twisted his non-existent guts.
What could he do? It was the only way to avoid erasure.
And this Abyss Coin nonsense. What a sham!
'What is this...?'
'Demand is only from one place, but think of it as currency we issue to survive.'
'Where do we even use this... Ah, no. In this abyssal pit with nothing, how do we even make precious metals...'
'I could make them if I wanted, disciple. Let me explain the details for your dull mind...'
According to his master, there was an alchemist on the 80th floor who could turn stones into gold, and these coins were freshly minted in a rush.
'So take this catalog and sell to that warrior called Balak.'
'But we don't have any of the items listed here, do we?'
'Don't have...? Who do you think we are, foolish disciple?'
'...!!!'
If Balak spent coins to order from the catalog, the versatile bosses on other floors would craft and supply them immediately. Hearing this, Karian's mind went blank.
'That... works?'
'Want to be erased?'
'Aaaah!! As expected, Master is supreme! This scam will fool even that monster on the first floor—no, it fills me with bone-chilling fear!'
And now I'm stuck in this mess!
Life really is unpredictable! Hahaha!
"What?! No way?!"
"...Is there a problem?"
"Th-This! It really exists?"
The catalog only had mediocre items so far, right?
Curious, Karian looked where the monster pointed with its massive finger. It was just a plain item.
"Telekinesis Necklace, huh? Mostly used on construction sites."
"Construction sites... Construction sites! What's the output on this Telekinesis Necklace?!"
"It varies with the wearer's mana, so apologies, I can't give an exact answer."
"I'll order this right now!"
"Why would you want this junk... No, not my business. Understood."
"And the dungeon remodeling—"
Karian, who had been wallowing in self-pity, ended up taking Balak's enormous order list back to his master.
************
The moment Balak was happily reviewing his shopping results.
Heroes and their companions had gathered in front of the sealed boss room.
"Wow... I didn't expect this many to gather the moment the anomaly occurred here."
"Yeah. What are we calling this operation, by the way?"
"They said in the old days they called this format a 'raid,' so we're sticking with that."
"Apparently, it's a method where everyone performs their roles to subjugate a tough foe. Perfect for taking down that Balak warrior."
The heroes' first attempt at a strategy against Balak: a raid.
That's right! Over 100 people ganging up on one boss!
The boss room where Balak currently resided was enormous.
The heroes concluded they could all fit inside and fight without issue.
They felt a bit cheap ganging up like this, but they believed it was nearly impossible otherwise.
Just as tension eased with the first floor clear in sight.
"The boss room's open! Battle positions, everyone!!"
"Time to head to the second floor! Stay sharp!"
"Yeah! Charge!!"
[Waaaah!!!!]
At last, the Balak raid began.
"...Is this really the final phase? Never thought I'd see a tactic like this."
"Ignore what the boss says! Get to your positions!"
"Move, move!"
This raid was set to proceed very textbook-style, as described in ancient texts.
Tanks up front handling defense.
Dealers slipping in attacks on the raid target whenever possible.
Healers immediately treating the wounded.
Reserves to replace any dropouts from the groups.
Finally, the strongest among them formed the strike team to handle emergencies.
With everyone in their roles facing the boss, even the strongest would eventually wither away.
It seemed like a surefire win...
But the opponent was Balak!
He too was a gamer from his previous life who had done raids in games!
So, the fatal flaw in this textbook setup revealed itself immediately.
"Th-The healers!"
"No!!"
"Forget your groups—just block him!!"
Balak leaped over the tanks and dealers blocking him upfront, targeting and slaughtering the healers at the rear first!
Slash!!
Boom!!
"Argh!"
"Eeeeek!!"
"Nooo!! Lena!!!"
To peel Balak off the healers, all groups soon mixed chaotically.
The heroes and companions ended up perfectly hindering each other.
And shortly after.
"Huff... Huff..."
"Is it just us left outside...?"
"Tch... They hyped this as foolproof. Hilarious."
In the end, of the raid group, everyone except the three strongest in the strike team was ejected outside the dungeon.
Even in this desperate situation with only them left, the exhausted heroes refused to give up, raising their weapons into stance.
Watching them, Balak seemed to sense something and slowly nodded.
"Impressive. Even after your comrades all fell, you still challenge me?"
"Of course. We can't rest easy without avenging everyone, right?"
"...Balak, I'll be the first to scratch that armor of yours."
"I'll definitely wound you."
"Remarkable. True 'heroes.' So... I'll give you a gift."
As Balak raised his hand high, an immense invisible force spread throughout the room.
Wary of the power, the imaginary enemies—perhaps overly hyped—saw Balak start rambling unnecessarily.
"Once this battle ends, the dungeon will close for about three days."
"!!!"
"To commemorate the dungeon's makeover, I'll show you a taste of my power."
Soon, the weapons Balak had used to decimate the raid group began writhing on the ground.
They burst forth from the dungeon's gray earth, floating into the air as if granted life, approaching their master.
Yearning for something, they freely swam through the air.
***********
The moment I spotted this Telekinesis Necklace in the catalog, my second phase came to mind!
Phase 1 would be Weapon Master concept.
The final Phase 3, Savage Warrior concept.
But I hadn't decided on the mid-phase 2 concept.
Then I saw the Telekinesis Necklace, and a flash of inspiration hit me.
Flying Weapon Arts!!
If I used this necklace well, I could pull it off!
Of course, in wuxia tales, Flying Sword Arts require 'sword auras' like starlight descending on the floating weapons to unleash true power.
But my weapons were all heavy and massive to begin with, and even I could tell they were top-tier quality!
So, I'd cover the realms I couldn't reach with gear power!
"Here I go!!! Heroes!!"
Whooooom!!
Thus, Balak settled on 'True' Weapon Master for his Phase 2.
Though imaginary foes, he charged at enemies with warrior spirit alongside his weapons.
"Ha, ha, ha..."
"Damn, this is insane."
"Shit..."
The heroes fell helplessly to the storm of massive steel onslaughts.