Chapter 104: Run!

Still clinging to Zephyr, Lucien turned his attention toward the crystal sphere floating at the center of the lake.

That was what he had come here for.

In the original novel, the dungeon core was the final major discovery Erick made in the Second Disaster Level dungeon. On its own, the core offered little direct benefit to an individual. It served as the dungeon’s energy source, sustaining its environment and maintaining the space within it.

However, all these dungeons had been created by the demons. And that meant their cores, particularly those of Disaster Level dungeons, contained something Lucien desperately needed to accomplish his goal.

A connection to the Fallen Realm.

Throughout the entire novel, this was the only known link that allowed someone to enter and leave that realm.

Without it, everything Lucien had planned would become considerably more difficult.

Lucien’s gaze sharpened.

Zephyr carried him through the shallow water until they reached the floating crystal sphere. He adjusted his hold whenever the uneven lakebed threatened to throw him off balance.

Once they reached the core, Lucien immediately reached out.

Zephyr quickly issued a warning.

"Be careful."

His voice was unusually serious.

Lucien paused.

"I know."

His tone had changed, too. The earlier excitement had given way to solemnity.

He reached forward and wrapped his fingers around the crystal sphere.

A faint electrical buzz emanated from within it.

Lucien felt a strange current stir beneath his palm, but it didn’t harm either him or Zephyr.

Closing his eyes, Lucien focused.

He guided his mana toward the sphere, carefully directing the strange electrical current. The energy crept along his fingers and gradually gathered around his wrist. Then, with a faint flicker, it entered his skin.

When Lucien opened his eyes, a dark mark had appeared at the center of his wrist.

It resembled a bat with its wings spread wide.

A smile slowly curved his lips.

He had done it.

The mark was proof that he had obtained what he had come for.

Lucien released the crystal sphere and gave Zephyr’s shoulder a light, satisfied pat.

"Let’s go back. There’s no reason to stay here any longer. I’ve got what I wanted."

He glanced at the surrounding lake before continuing.

"Besides, we have killed so many monsters along the way that I doubt this dungeon will remain for much longer. It will probably disappear on its own soon."

Zephyr nodded.

"All right."

He turned around, carrying Lucien back toward the barrier.

Onicus, still clinging to his shoulder, let out a weak sigh of relief. At last, they were leaving this place. Perhaps the rest of the journey wouldn’t be quite as terrifying.

Unfortunately, Onicus had no idea that the worst was yet to come.

As Zephyr stepped through the watery barrier, his attention drifted back to the dungeon core behind them.

Something about it bothered him.

Although the lake had felt peaceful, the core itself radiated an unpleasant, almost malicious presence. The sensation was subtle, but Zephyr could sense it clearly, like a poisonous current lurking beneath still water, silently watching him.

He didn’t like that feeling.

So how could he simply leave something like that behind?

Without changing his expression, he extended his power toward the crystal sphere.

Lucien was looking ahead, completely unaware of what he was doing.

Zephyr’s Psychokinesis skill closed around the core.

Then, without hesitation, he crushed it.

The crystal sphere shattered beneath the invisible force, breaking into countless tiny fragments before dissolving into the air like mist.

Zephyr withdrew his power and continued walking as though nothing had happened.

He had no idea what consequences his actions would bring.

The instant the core was destroyed, the entire dungeon convulsed.

At first, the tremor was barely noticeable.

For a few moments, nothing seemed particularly wrong. Then a deafening rumble shook the surroundings, and the tranquil lake they had just left behind erupted into violent waves.

Cracks spread across the lakebed, tearing through the ground beneath the water and racing outward. The water barrier shuddered before shattering completely, and the destruction spread beyond the lake, ripping through the surrounding sand. The air itself seemed to tremble as the dungeon’s carefully maintained space began to collapse.

Darkness surged from behind them, swallowing everything in its path.

Cradled in Zephyr’s arms, Lucien didn’t even need to turn around to witness the horrifying sight of the world behind them crumbling into darkness.

All the color drained from his face.

"Fuck..."

Snapping out of his shock, he frantically slapped Zephyr’s back and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"RUN! THIS PLACE IS COLLAPSING!"

Onicus, which had only just managed to regain its balance on Zephyr’s shoulder, nearly fell off again.

"What? The dungeon is collapsing?!"

Its tiny voice rang out in pure horror.

"But why?!"

Zephyr’s expression grew serious.

He had a vague suspicion that his earlier action might have something to do with the sudden disaster.

But there was no time to investigate.

He tightened his hold around Lucien and immediately accelerated, pouring every bit of strength he could into escaping. His Psychokinesis spread around them, lifting their bodies off the ground as he shot forward through the collapsing dungeon.

Behind them, the world disintegrated.

Darkness swallowed the landscape, leaving nothing but a void in its wake. Even the monsters scattered throughout the dungeon seemed to sense the approaching catastrophe. Their roars echoed through the chaos as they fled in every direction, desperate to escape before the darkness caught up with them.

Zephyr didn’t slow down.

He flew across the scorching sand at a terrifying speed, heading straight back the way they had come.

Lucien clung tightly to him. The wind battered his face, and dizziness threatened to overwhelm him, but he gritted his teeth and endured it.

He couldn’t afford to faint now.

Not when the entire dungeon was collapsing around them.

Finally, the endless stretch of sand gave way to the familiar forest.

Zephyr rushed between the trees, his mana sweeping ahead. Suddenly, he sensed several familiar presences in the distance.

Erick.

Jake.

The others.

They were close by.

Zephyr’s expression tightened. He deliberately slowed just enough to draw a breath before shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Run!"

Ahead, Erick froze.

After searching for Zephyr for so long, he had finally caught sight of the familiar figure rushing toward them. Relief flashed across his face, and he was just about to call out when he noticed the person in Zephyr’s arms.

Lucien?

Before he could ask a single question, the darkness behind Zephyr caught his attention.

It was coming toward them, devouring everything in its path as though the entire world were being erased. Erick’s eyes contracted, and every trace of relief vanished from his face.

He didn’t hesitate.

Turning on his heel, he bolted in the opposite direction without a word.

Jake and the others stared after him, momentarily dumbfounded by his sudden reaction.

Then Jake finally noticed the darkness spreading toward them.

"HOLY SHIT!"

His heart nearly leaped out of his chest.

Unlike Erick, however, Jake didn’t immediately abandon everyone else and flee. He hurriedly grabbed one of the Guides and hauled them over his shoulder before taking off.

Oreon scooped up Eleven without wasting a second, while the burly Esper seized the remaining Guide and sprinted after them.

As for Sylvia and Ryan, they had fled even before Erick did, heading straight for the dungeon’s portal without waiting for anyone.

Jake caught sight of the two siblings running ahead and nearly choked on his anger.

Those two spineless bastards!

They were always the first to run whenever danger appeared, yet they had no problem shamelessly coming back to ask for help!

"Just wait until we get out of here!"

Jake roared as he ran, clutching the frightened Guide over his shoulder.