The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter - Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Translator: “Kell” Editor: ”Weasalopes”

After mulling it over, I chose the Path of Fury .

Now that I really think about it, making someone mad and making someone sad is somewhat similar in a sense that you’d have to do something horrible to them . If I said or did something horrible to a complete stranger, which emotion would I most likely trigger?

It still depends on the person’s character, but I believe most people would get mad . If someone’s close friend said something mean to them, they would probably be dejected, but if it came from someone they just met, they’d most likely snap . At least I would .

So I went into the hole that led to the Path of Fury . Before me stood the same kind of door as before and I opened it .

「―Welcome to the Strongest Corps!」

It was quite the passionate greeting . A group of ten soldiers wearing light equipment and weapons in their hands acknowledged me with big smiles on their faces . This time it was another room, though it looked more like a training facility . It was spacious with wooden practice dummies planted everywhere . They were all men with most of them having chiseled faces .

「I, uhh… came here not knowing anything . 」

「Oh, come on now! You came here to join the Strongest Corps, right? If not then we’ll have to send you away . 」

「Uh, yes . That’s right . I want to join your group . 」

Things probably won’t go anywhere unless I joined . As before, my Appraisal didn’t work on them so I assumed they were artificial beings created by the dungeon . A dandy fellow who looked pretty good with his beard wanted to shake hands so I did .

「Welcome . I’m the group’s leader, Son . You’ll join us in training starting today . I trust you don’t mind?」

「No, I don’t . 」

「Very good . I’m giving you an exception today to keep that outfit of yours on . Let’s get down to work right away and start your training . 」

Unlike the old gentleman from the Path of Laughter, this one’s not giving me any hints . I examined the facility and noticed a door in a corner .

「Sir, I have a question before we begin . What’s beyond that door?」

「It’s a room for isolation . We lock good-for-nothing soldiers inside there as punishment . 」

Ooohh, I get it now . If I piss them off, they’ll throw me in there as punishment . Then I’ll find the stairs I’m looking for in there .

「Let’s start with practice swings . Are you ready?」

I took out my own sword and swung a number of times, matching the other soldiers’ rhythm . After about ten swings, I realized something . I can’t make them mad if I just listen to them and do as they say . It was a bit risky, but to hell with it . I stopped swinging and sat down .

「What’s wrong, newbie?」

「I’m exhausted so I’m taking a break . 」

「A break, you say? Hmmm…」

The leader furrowed his brows . They were called the Strongest Corps so they should be strict and harsh against slackers . I hope he gets mad .

「……Fair enough . You’re still a newbie, after all . 」

He actually gave me permission for a break . I must say it’s quite strange to hate someone for being nice . I tried sitting cross-legged and rolled around . It was bad behavior but they weren’t even close to getting pissed .

「Haha! Looks like the newbie’s already worn out . Everyone’s like that at first . Can’t really blame the lad . 」

They were far from angry . In fact, they even talked to me like a kind senior . It was quite a comfortable atmosphere which put me in a spot . After practice swings, next was a one-on-one fight with real swords .

「Hey, newbie . Do you wanna go first?」

「Um, yeah . I’ll go first . 」

I have no other choice but to act like a jerk .

「Good luck, newbie!」

「We expect great stuff from you . 」

They were getting fired up . My opponent was a slit-eyed guy . He raised his sword above his head, its tip pointed towards me . I, on the other hand, raised mine mid-level, and taunted him .

「The Strongest Corps, huh? I’m sure you’re strong in name only . The truth is, you’re pushovers . 」

「Oh, big words, newbie . 」

「What are you waiting for? Come and get me~!」

I stuck out my tongue, trying hard to be annoying .

He kept a complacent smile and charged . I deflected the attack upwards, and with the opening, landed a kick on his hands .

「Whoops…」

He dropped his sword all too easily . I won . He wasn’t all that strong .

「Impressive, newbie!」

「…He was too weak . I didn’t even use half of my strength . Are you guys strong in name only, then? Strongest Corps… more like Strongest Snore .

「………」

Heavy silence descended upon the room . I deliberately said something to hurt their pride . I kinda felt bad about it . The calm before a storm… or so I thought but they burst out into laughter .

「You’re a funny one, kid!」

「Wow, this newbie has some spunk! Things are starting to get interesting . 」

With their mouths wide open, they guffawed like they were really having fun . It was contagious as I ended up forcing a smile as well . This is bad . They were too nice . I had no idea what to do to really piss them off . I sat down near the door in the corner .

I tried to open it while they were all focused on training but it was locked .

「What the hell are you doing?!」

Crap, am I busted? I tried to apologize, but quickly realized I wasn’t the one getting yelled at . A guy collapsed while in the middle of training and the leader rebuked him for it .

「Get up, you fuckin idiot! You think you can stay with us if that’s all it takes to wear you out?!」

「I’m sorry… Sir . 」

「Get up . I’ll give you three second to get on your feet . 」

The timid soldier tried to stand up, but he couldn’t keep his legs steady and collapsed once again . The leader spoke coldly .

「…You should quit . 」

「Please wait, Sir! I’ll get up… I’ll get up!」

He mustered all his strength to get on his feet but dropped on the ground once more . This time, though, it was because the leader kicked him . The soldiers who were watching roared in laughter . It was quite different from how they treated me which made me a bit uncomfortable .

「Out . You’re fired . Get your things and go back to the sticks . 」

「Please don’t fire me, Sir . I have a family to raise back home . I won’t be able to feed them if I get fired . 」

「Haaah? Like I care . You can live in the streets with your family, then . 」

「No way…」

Not one soul sympathized with the poor man . They all just pointed their fingers at the guy and mocked him . It was legit bullying . Not something a grown man should do . Before I realized it, I was standing in front of the leader .

「You went too far, Sir . 」

「Newbie, this guy is a disgrace to the corps . 」

「But he’s trained more than me . You should think of the long run . 」

「Are you taking his side?」

「A group that bullies the weak has no right to call themselves the Strongest Corps . The strongest should help the weak and take down bad guys . If you have that mindset, then I believe that’s the only time you can call yourself the strongest . 」

「You’re just a goddamn newbie! Where do you get off giving us a lecture?!」

The leader who was gentle to me was now irate . The rest of the soldiers jeered . I could feel extraordinary rage in the air .

「Wait… I just succeeded in pissing them off . 」

That wasn’t my intention, but it turned out favourable for me . They’ll probably take me to that room now .

「Boss, let’s kill that guy!」

「Yes . We can’t let him go around telling people nasty things about us . Everyone, kill him!」

Okay, this was not what I expected . Approximately ten people came charging at me, oozing with bloodlust . If the mock battle was anything to go on, I could handle one guy . But I was clearly outnumbered so I had to run around . I stopped with my back on a wooden dummy .

「Die, newbie!」

I crouched down to dodge his horizontal attack . His sword dug deep into the dummy and got stuck . Seeing my opening, I landed a powerful uppercut on his nuts .

「Hauuuuu…」

「Sorry, but I can’t really afford to fight fair and square . 」

One more came rushing at me so I moved behind the dummy . If I keep engaging in close combat with this many enemies, I’ll eventually get surrounded and that’ll be the end of me . I’d like to settle this quick with magic . So I created an 【Explosion skill】and granted it to the dummy .

It suddenly burst and chips of wood flew everywhere, causing the soldiers to freeze in place . Then I fired 【Stone Bullets】 at them . Their size a hundred centimeters .

「Gwah!」

They went tumbling on the ground, unable to withstand the barrage of rocks with their light equipment . One man stood tall, however―the leader . He was no doubt strong . He cut a stone flying at him in half .

「That won’t work on me . 」

I examined his sword right away . It was called the Sword of Vanity with the skills 【Stone Slice】 and 【Wood Slice】 . They made cutting wood and stones easier . He swung his sword diagonally and I stopped it with my two-edged sword .

「You’re quite strong for a newbie . 」

I was physically stronger than him . I pushed with all I got causing him to lose his balance and move back . Once again, I made a nearby dummy explode, which drew his attention and I used 【White Flame】 on him . The flames ignited his beard .

「Hot…」

He let go of his sword to put out the fire . It wasn’t really powerful so he was able to put it out right away without causing too much harm . Of course, I didn’t just stand there and watch him . I picked up his sword and with two blades, I thrust them right before his throat .

「Damn you, newbie . 」

「What, I’m cocky? I actually think so too myself . So how about this? I’ll lock myself up in that room and reflect on my actions . 」

「What?」

「Can I borrow the key?」

「…No . 」

「I’ll cut your throat . 」

「Here, take it!」

It seemed he was afraid of death as he tossed the key to me . I carefully took it and moved to the door, not turning my back on him .

「Wait! That’s my sword!」

「You’re the one who threw it away . I feel sorry for it so I’ll put it to good use . 」

「You goddamn insolent brat! Don’t show your face around here again!」

You don’t have to tell me . I don’t have any intention of coming back here either .

Thankfully the key was not a dud and the door opened . Inside was a small room, with the stairs I was looking for at the center .

「Bingo . 」

I revelled in joy, carrying my new-found sword, the Sword of Vanity .