ALL NOVEL Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Monster Wave (3)
The power of Martin’s group was terrifying.
As proof, it took less than 30 minutes after they joined the fight for the monsters to be completely annihilated.
However, no one was relieved.
They all knew that once a monster wave began, the dungeon would keep sending out monsters endlessly.
Indeed, the sounds of monsters howling could be heard from all over the 34th floor.
Once a certain number gathered, they would attack again.
To prepare for this, everyone drank potions to restore their condition as much as possible.
Although there had always been a subtle power struggle between the main and branch families, today no one showed it.
Except for one person: Oliver von Bitenfeld.
He glared at not only Martin but even Adel Bitenfeld, who had her life directly saved by Martin.
‘How humiliating this is.’
Although they hadn’t clashed head-on, the conflict between him and Martin had been growing sharper by the day.
To make matters worse, he now owed Martin a debt, which was a huge blow to his pride.
Having looked down on Martin for so long, the shock was all the greater.
“There’s no need to be particularly grateful. After all, regardless of everything, the branch family is still part of the main family. It’s only natural for the heir of the main family to help the branch.”
Martin spoke with a smile on his lips.
His words, dripping with condescension, caused Oliver’s face to contort even more.
Lucas Hoffman’s next comment didn’t help.
“You don’t look well, Oliver. Are you hurt? Would you like a potion?”
“…There’s no need for your concern. And I’ll be sure to repay this debt in due time, so let’s part ways, heir.”
“Oh, come on. I can’t just leave when everyone’s clearly exhausted. Since we’re already together, I think it’s better if we search for the core together.”
“…Why should I do that?”
“The floors beyond the 30th are dangerous for both you and us. Of course, we’ve brought our strongest forces in preparation for this, but the limits of a small group are obvious.”
“Isn’t it foolish not to prepare for weaknesses when you know they exist?”
Lucas backed up Martin’s argument.
Oliver clenched his teeth at their blatant mockery.
But he couldn’t vent his anger.
Martin, Lucas, Philip, and Elder Oriana were all 7th-circle powerhouses.
That meant they were on par with Oliver and Bastian Friedrich, the captain of the Blue Dragon Knights.
Though Sien was only 5th circle, the same as his daughter, that wasn’t a reason to dismiss her.
After all, she was considered the strongest among the 5th-circle mages.
It was only natural to fight together.
Still, Oliver couldn’t easily agree because of his pride.
Martin spoke up again.
“I’m just making sure, but I trust this isn’t about personal feelings. Surely someone like you wouldn’t be indifferent to the deaths or injuries of your family members.”
“…You’ve got quite the talent, heir. It’s impressive how you can annoy people with just a few words.”
“I’m simply stating my concerns.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go along with you.”
“Thank you for making a wise decision. And don’t worry, I won’t bother you during the journey.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean I won’t interfere with whatever decisions you make, Oliver.”
“You’re saying I shouldn’t meddle in your decisions either?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t that be more comfortable for both of us?”
“Fine. I’ll do that.”
Oliver finally accepted Martin’s proposal.
But that was as far as it went.
He immediately turned his back on Martin and his group.
Of course, Martin didn’t care at all about Oliver’s attitude.
‘I just need to focus on completing the objective.’
The most important thing was to destroy the core.
However, protecting Adel couldn’t be overlooked either.
He had made a vow to repay her.
At the very least, he had to ensure she made it out of the dungeon safely.
It was then.
“You know, she seems completely smitten with you.”
“Huh?”
Sien approached him and whispered softly.
Martin, baffled by what he hadn’t even considered, looked puzzled.
Sien gestured towards Adel.
Martin followed her gaze and saw Adel standing there, staring blankly up at the ceiling.
“Why are you spouting nonsense, Sien?”
“You’re so clueless. You might not have noticed, but she’s been staring at you ever since.”
“Hmm. I’ve never thought of myself as clueless.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t. But seriously, the way you saved her was pretty cool, even to me. It wouldn’t be strange if that bad-tempered girl fell for you.”
“It’s a bit… awkward hearing that all of a sudden.”
Martin was genuinely flustered.
Sien, seeing his reaction, chuckled quietly.
Over the past few months, Martin had shown a completely different side of himself.
No matter the situation, he never lost his composure and wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. His judgement was sharp, almost as if he could foresee the future.
For someone who would become the head of the Adalbert family, these were positive changes.
‘I almost wonder if he’s a different person.’
A gentle smile appeared on Sien’s lips.
She was genuinely pleased to see Martin’s more human side again.
—
Three days had passed since Martin’s group began traveling with Oliver’s.
They had fought bloody battles against an endless stream of Venom Ogres and Bloody Lizardmen.
The battles had been so fierce that everyone had to sustain themselves on potions instead of regular food.
Still, both sides fought valiantly.
They succeeded in clearing the 34th floor without losing a single member.
As they stood before the entrance to the 35th floor, Oliver spoke.
Every one of his subordinates had been handpicked as the best of the best.
They lacked nothing in terms of skill or mindset.
But considering what lay ahead, Oliver needed to give them a stern warning.
“The 35th floor is nicknamed the Basilisk’s Nest, one of the most dangerous floors in this dungeon.”
The basilisk.
An ancient dragon subspecies, one of the most powerful monsters known.
Though it was the smallest and weakest in terms of physical strength among dragon subspecies, no adventurer ever laughed at a basilisk.
For one thing, they carried venom in their bodies comparable to the deadly poison of the Venom Ogres.
‘That’s why even their dragon’s blood is useless.’
Whenever dragon species were encountered, adventurers sought to collect their blood, but the basilisk was an exception.
Its blood was so poisonous that touching it would result in excruciating pain, or even death.
But the poison wasn’t even the basilisk’s most dangerous weapon.
“If you meet a basilisk’s gaze, you’ll be cursed with petrification. While our protection stones have anti-curse magic circles inscribed on them, never be complacent. No protection stone can block their curse more than twice.”
An entire floor ruled by dragon subspecies, all possessing fearsome special abilities.
The 35th floor was infamous for having claimed more adventurers’ lives than any other.
“That said, there’s no need to be overly afraid. Keep your distance, and we stand a good chance of winning. Let’s go!”
Oliver boldly shouted as he led the way, followed by the members of the Blue Dragon Knights.
“Let’s move as well.”
“Yes, heir.”
At Martin’s command, Elder Oriana responded on behalf of the group.
Shortly after, they followed in the rear of the Blue Dragon Knights.
‘Finally, the 35th floor.’
Martin thought about the location of the core.
The core was hidden deep within the floor, in a place adventurers referred to as the “Room of Death.”
He had to make it there and destroy the core.
Officially, this was to end the monster wave.
But he also needed to achieve this for personal gain.
‘Once I destroy the core, I can enhance Kaizen’s power.’
In the previous timeline, Stefan had personally destroyed the core with Kaizen.
The overwhelming power within the core had flowed into the sword, transforming Kaizen from a rare sword into a holy sword.
After that, Stefan wielded power far beyond his own abilities, winning countless battles with the strength of the holy sword.
‘I’m not obsessed with equipment, but ignoring information I know would be foolish.’
I must take everything I can.
Martin had no doubt that this was the duty of someone who knew the future.
As Martin was burning with determination,
Murmur, murmur.
A commotion broke out ahead.
The shouts of the knights echoed.
“The Gustin family! The Gustin family is here!”
Just as they said, at the entrance to the 35th floor stood Mateus von Gustin and Kalain Gustin.
Of course, they weren’t alone.
Ten others, including the captain and vice-captain of the Red Dragon Knights, lay sprawled on the ground.
The sight of them made everyone’s faces darken.
Their condition was a complete mess.
—
Martin’s expression was more serious than ever.
‘This didn’t happen in the past.’
It had been exactly 21 days since they entered the dungeon.
In the previous timeline, no group had made it this far at this point.
The Bitenfeld family, who had rushed ahead, had lost more than half their knights on the 34th floor and had to retreat.
But this time, the Gustin family had arrived first.
The past he knew had changed.
The reason was simple.
They had brought far stronger forces than before.
The problem was that this wasn’t the only thing that had changed.
“…At least I survived. Seeing you
and the heir together, Oliver, will make the others happy as well.”
“Stop with the nonsense and tell me what happened, Mateus.”
Oliver’s expression was worse than when he had received Martin’s help.
It was understandable, given that Mateus, like Vincent, was an 8th-circle powerhouse.
Yet, his body was covered in both large and small wounds.
Some parts of him had even turned to stone.
“What happened, you ask… A lot has happened.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could be more specific, Mateus.”
Martin interrupted their conversation with a question.
Mateus smirked.
“The day has come when I provide information to the heir of the Adalbert family. It certainly is a strange day.”
“Mateus.”
“Don’t rush, heir. I’ll tell you everything. First, we found the core.”
“…The core?”
Martin swallowed hard.
He had suspected as much, but it was clear now—the future had definitely changed.
Yet there was still something unclear.
“When a core appears, doesn’t the terrain change? Nothing seems different right now…”
“Ah, let me correct myself. The core came to us, not the other way around.”
“…Is that even possible?”
“There’s a basilisk that swallowed the core. It approached us first, so it’s as if the core came on its own. That’s why the 35th floor’s terrain remains unchanged.”
“A monster swallowed the core?”
“That’s right, Oliver. But that’s not even the worst part.”
“Stop dragging this out and just tell us.”
“The basilisk that swallowed the core has evolved into a Monster Lord.”
Normally, Monster Lords were born every ten floors.
But for the first time, that rule had been broken.
Just as the rule that the terrain would change when a core appeared had been broken.
Martin smiled bitterly.
‘The future is starting to change little by little.’
For someone who knows the future, nothing could be more threatening.
He now had to accept it.
That he was standing at a completely different starting point than before.
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