The Evolution Of A Goblin To The Peak

Chapter 1258: Knights of Vasrun Family and Dungeon I

"Find Tasman below. He’s the King of the Everlasting Kingdom, you can work with him. I’ve already informed him of my plans, so he knows what to do," Souta said.

...

Rulman Household.

Souta sat on the floor, quietly observing Fadu as he practiced his swordsmanship.

Fadu executed a swift cross slash through the air. His movements were smooth and precise, mana flowing seamlessly into the blade and producing a sharp, cutting sound.

He was improving steadily, and noticeably.

Souta could tell the boy had some talent.

Fadu lowered his sword and turned to him. "How was that?"

"Not bad," Souta replied. "But don’t get complacent. You’re still far from acceptable. With the resources you’ve been given, you should have already reached A-rank or at least the Liquefying Realm."

"I’ll get there soon," Fadu said firmly.

Souta chuckled. "I doubt it."

Fadu sat down, resting his sword at his side. After a moment, he glanced at Souta. "Atos, do you know what happened during the battle?"

"How would I?" Souta shrugged. "I’m just a bodyguard. I’m not privy to that kind of information."

"I asked my father, but he refused to tell me anything. I can’t even see Mother right now. And we’re not allowed to leave the household," Fadu said, frustration evident in his voice.

"Get stronger," Souta said calmly. "Then you’ll start learning the truth."

In reality, Souta already knew that Freida wasn’t here. Not even a trace of her energy remained.

He couldn’t help but wonder how many people would lose their minds once they discovered that Freida was no longer within the Rulman Household. For now, those outside were still in the dark, unaware of what truly happened during the attack.

Meanwhile, a storm of rumors swept across the Tarrant Nation.

An unknown dungeon had surfaced in the western region. Its origins unclear and its depths unexplored. It was first discovered by a small, unremarkable group, yet what they brought back was enough to shake the entire nation.

Treasures that were rare, powerful, and unmistakably extraordinary.

What began as whispers quickly turned into a frenzy. Influential families mobilized their forces without hesitation, sending elites to confirm the truth. Even the Supreme Council was thrown into unrest, its members unable to ignore the implications of such a discovery.

A dungeon of this scale appearing out of nowhere... it was anything but normal.

Suspicion spread just as quickly as greed.

Many believed it to be a carefully laid trap, a scheme devised by the Bodam Kingdom. The timing was too convenient, the rewards too enticing.

And yet, no one backed down.

Because if it was real... the gains would be immeasurable.

In the face of such temptation, caution became an afterthought.

Meanwhile, the original discoverers had already disappeared without a trace. They understood the reality of their situation what they had uncovered was no longer an opportunity, but a death sentence.

Hunters were already closing in.

Not for answers.

But for what they carried.

At the same time, far from the rising chaos, the Bodam Kingdom underwent a silent upheaval.

The Kraken Clan had fallen.

It wasn’t a sudden collapse, but a calculated dismantling. Various factions descended upon it like starving beasts, tearing it apart piece by piece, seizing everything of value until nothing remained.

And through it all, the King remained still.

He issued no orders.

Took no action.

As if the destruction of one of his own clans... meant nothing at all.

Or worse...

As if this outcome had been expected from the very beginning.

...

Blue Current City.

One of the largest cities in the entire Tarrant Nation, it stood as a symbol of power beneath the sea. Two Supreme Council families resided within its domain, and its population exceeded three million including both demis and sea monsters.

Unlike other cities, there was no protective bubble enclosing it.

The entire city lay submerged.

Massive coral formations shaped its architecture. Towering structures of hardened reef, intricately carved into homes, halls, and fortresses that swayed gently with the ocean currents.

Within an inconspicuous coral dwelling, a group of figures clad in scaled armor gathered in silence.

They were the knights of the Vasrun Family, one of the ruling powers seated within the Supreme Council.

At the center of the room floated a man who immediately commanded attention.

He had long white hair that drifted like strands of silk in the water, purple skin that marked his lineage, a pair of sharp red eyes, and pointed ears that gave him an almost regal, predatory presence.

Reyukal Vasrun.

Captain of the Vasrun knights.

His gaze swept across the group, cold and measured.

"We’ve confirmed the dungeon’s location," he said, his voice calm yet authoritative. "Prepare yourselves. We move to explore it immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

The knights responded in unison, their voices firm and disciplined.

Reyukal allowed himself a faint, satisfied smile.

This mission was simple in principle, enter the dungeon and secure its treasures. But in reality, it was anything but.

The Vasrun Family had stood at the pinnacle of the Tarrant Nation for decades, accumulating vast resources and influence. They were not merely powerful as they were one of the very pillars that upheld the nation itself.

And now, a newly discovered dungeon had emerged.

An opportunity.

And a battlefield.

Reyukal knew exactly what it meant.

Other families would not remain idle.

They would come, each seeking to claim the dungeon’s riches for themselves.

Conflict was inevitable.

With a slight nod, Reyukal turned and led his men out of the coral dwelling. Their figures blended seamlessly with the surrounding waters as they concealed their presence, slipping through the city like shadows before quietly departing toward the dungeon’s rumored location.

As they traveled, one of the knights moved closer.

"Captain... do you think there’s danger inside?" he asked cautiously. "According to the reports, the group that discovered the dungeon didn’t encounter anything threatening."

Reyukal didn’t slow down.

"There may not be," he replied. "But that doesn’t matter."

His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.

"Even if the dungeon is safe..."

He paused for a brief moment.

"...the people heading toward it are not."

The meaning behind his words was clear. The true danger wasn’t the dungeon. It was everyone else who wanted it.

Before long, the group arrived at the mouth of a massive cave.

At first glance, it was almost impossible to notice. Dense, towering seaweed blanketed the area, concealing the entrance entirely. Without probing it with their senses, no one would have realized a cavern lay hidden behind the swaying vegetation.

"Let’s move."

Reyukal took the lead and slipped into the darkness, his knights following closely behind.

Inside, a vast underwater passage stretched forward. The walls and ceiling were layered with thick mold, and not a single source of light illuminated the path. Darkness consumed everything.

But to them, it was nothing unusual.

They were creatures of the deep.

The group advanced in perfect coordination, their movements fluid and synchronized, as if they were part of the ocean itself. Not a single ripple disturbed the surrounding water as only silence followed in their wake.

After traveling for more than a kilometer, the environment suddenly changed.

The water... disappeared.

They emerged into an open space filled with air.

Beneath their feet lay soft, green grass. Trees, ones that only existed on the surface, stood quietly, their leaves swaying despite the absence of wind. Above them, bioluminescent stones embedded in the ceiling cast a gentle glow, bathing the entire area in an eerie, tranquil light.

Reyukal slowed, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.

Behind him, the knights were visibly stunned.

The flow of mana here was different subtly distorted, yet undeniably rich.

"Is this... the dungeon?" one of them whispered.

Reyukal raised a hand, signaling for silence.

Without a word, he gestured for them to follow and moved forward, gliding just above the grass.

The knights followed suit, advancing carefully. Not a single blade of grass bent beneath them, nor did they disturb the stillness of the place.

"It feels... untouched," one of them murmured.

"Pristine," another replied. "But something about it is off."

"...It doesn’t feel natural," a third added. "More like... it was made."

Their voices never carried beyond their small group. Mana wrapped around their words, containing every sound within an invisible barrier.

Even so, an unspoken tension began to settle in their hearts.

Because places like this... were never as peaceful as they appeared.

Not long enough, three diverging paths appeared ahead, each leading deeper into the unknown.

The group came to a halt.

They hovered in silence, their eyes fixed on the three routes before them. Each path looked nearly identical. It was quiet, undisturbed, and equally mysterious.

"Captain, should we split up?" one of the knights asked.

Reyukal shook his head without hesitation. "No. Splitting up would only put us at a disadvantage. We move together."

His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

There were clear benefits to dividing their forces. They could cover more ground, explore faster, and secure more resources. But the risks outweighed the gains.

This place was unknown.

Unpredictable.

And possibly designed to separate intruders.

Reyukal wasn’t willing to take that chance.

"Stay close," he added, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "We choose one path and we see it through."

The knights nodded, their earlier curiosity now tempered by caution.