Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win
Chapter 116: [Core Dungeon] [3]

Chapter 116: [Core Dungeon] [3]

[Event <Core Dungeon>]

’This seems really odd.’

Akamir looked up at the place that was completely different from the last level.

Their group had already completed the second and third floor and now they were on the fourth floor.

It was an enormous jungle with the sounds of the animals and beasts filling the place.

"Damn, look at the view." Viros mumbled, standing just beside him. "It’s like an entire different environment."

Akamir nodded in response as the previous floor was like a rocky mountain.

The air on the fourth floor was humid and thick with the scent of damp leaves and blooming flowers.

A sharp contrast to the dry, jagged mountains they had climbed just an hour ago.

Bird-like creatures screeched in the distance, and somewhere nearby, something heavy rustled through the underbrush.

"It’s like we’ve been dropped into a different world," Zaina whispered, her eyes scanning the dense forest above.

Her staff glowed faintly, reacting to the mana in the air. "The amount of natural magic here... it’s high."

"Natural or not, something about this place feels off," Luca muttered, crouching near a puddle and dipping his gloved fingers in it. "This place is bad."

Raniga stood near a thick tree with twisting roots, her arms folded.

"There’s no sign of paths. If we’re not careful, we’ll get lost here."

’So this girl does know how to be helpful.’

Akamir thought, nodding at her words.

He took a step forward. "Let’s stay close and move in a line, we’ll mark our trail."

Viros groaned. "How?"

"We’ll use chalk," Luca replied flatly, already pulling a piece from his pouch.

They began their slow trek through the forest.

There was no sunlight in the place, but the bioluminescent flowers glowing between the roots and ceiling provided just enough light to keep them moving.

Suddenly, Lyselle paused in her path.

"Wait."

Everyone stopped, glancing at her in confusion.

She pointed forward.

Something was hanging from a tree branch ahead.

It was a creature or what was left of one.

Its body was shredded, hanging like wet cloth.

Chunks of fur and skin dripped with old blood.

One of its eyes dangled loosely from the socket.

"Is that..." Luca stepped forward, voice low. "A bear-type beast?"

"...Yes," Zaina said slowly. "It’s a berserker class. That thing’s supposed to be one of the stronger monsters on this floor."

Viros turned towards her. "And something did that to it?"

Akamir narrowed his eyes. ’I don’t like variables like these.’

Luca knelt down, his hand hovering over the grass. "There’s nothing... no steps, no broken plants. It’s like whatever did this never even touched the ground."

Ronin clicked her tongue. "Something’s hunting the hunters."

Akamir looked around, then back at the body.

His instincts buzzed but he wasn’t sure what it was.

’We will see when the time comes.’

"Keep moving," he said firmly. "And stay sharp."

As they continued forward, the jungle grew denser.

The air felt heavier now, pressing on them.

Viros tried to keep the mood light. "Okay, but seriously, how many floors are left again?"

"Six," Zaina answered. "Ten in total."

"Great," he muttered. "So we’re not even halfway through."

"What if we go more than ten?" Akamir asked curiously. "What will happen?"

"We will get extra points." Zaina replied before frowning. "Wait, you didn’t join the class when they were briefing about it, right?"

Viros chuckled. "Is there any theory class that he joins?"

Luca chimed in as well.

"If my fiancée was vice headmistress I would laze around too." He grumbled. "Except I am not lucky enough."

"I can relate." Viros patted the boy’s shoulder with regret. "Us ugly shits can only dream for a princess bride."

"Don’t lump me together with you." Luca slapped his hand away. "I am not ugly."

"You have a default girl’s body." Viros rebuked, grinning. "The only thing that you are seducing is thirsty men."

Luca glared furiously. "What did you say?"

"Can you guys shut up."

Zaina said, her voice echoing within the forest.

"The princess is nothing special anyway."

An awkward silence followed Zaina’s words.

Viros raised a brow. "Oof. Someone’s got opinions."

Luca snorted. "And a very controversial one."

Akamir didn’t say anything, he wasn’t in the mood to defend his fiancée from his other fiancée.

’.....’

Akamir let out a sigh. ’I have painful days ahead of me.’

He just kept walking, brushing a leafy vine out of his path.

Zaina’s voice had been loud and it definitely would attract beasts.

Raniga gave her a side glance. "Jealous?"

"No!" Zaina said quickly, a little too quickly. "I just think being a princess doesn’t mean anything when you’re in a dungeon crawling with monsters."

"Fair," Viros muttered. "Still, you sound like you’ve got something personal against her."

"I don’t." She picked up her pace, walking a few steps ahead. "Forget it."

Zaina arrived beside Akamir, giving him glances.

Akamir frowned. "Just say it."

Zaina opened her mouth but shut it down immediately. "...It’s nothing."

He gave her a look but didn’t press, knowing it would only make things worse.

They moved deeper into the jungle, the foliage growing thicker, the trees taller.

The air was getting even warmer now, and sweat clung to their skin.

Akamir stayed alert, his eyes scanning the tree branches above.

He couldn’t shake off the uneasiness that had been crawling over him since they saw the dead beast.

"Hey," Raniga said softly, stopping beside a strange tree with wide, bowl-shaped leaves. "Is that... water?"

The leaf was filled to the brim with a clear, glowing liquid.

Zaina stepped closer, peering into it. "Looks like condensed mana... this is rare."

"Can we drink it?" Viros asked, already reaching for it.

"No," Zaina and Luca both said at once.

Viros pulled back, pouting. "Why?"

"Mana pools like this are usually for magical creatures," Zaina explained. "If we drink it, we might get sick. Or hallucinate. Or die."

"Hallucinations?" Viros’ eyes lit up. "Maybe I should try—."

"Are you completely ignoring the part about dying?" Luca asked, glaring at him. "Stop playing around, boar head."

Viros glared at his cousin before he walked away. "Whatever."

They kept walking.

Eventually, the trees opened into a wide clearing.

But before they could even move further, Akamir stopped in his place.

His eyes were staring at a crimson raven sitting on a far away tree branch.

Nayomi floated closer to him, her hands folded under her chest.

"It’s a bond animal." She informed him. "A signature animal of Bloodhound Omen used for surveying."

"...."

Akamir quietly looked at the raven without any words.

The group looked at him confusedly.

Zaina asked. "What happened?"

Akamir glanced at the girl before he shook his head. "Nothing."

They moved past the clearing, but the air around Akamir still felt off.

Akamir was aware that the Bloodhound Omen would attack them.

But....

’I don’t like how they are completely in the dark and can attack us anytime.’

Akamir also didn’t want to kill the raven so as to not alert them.

"Huff...."

He drew in a deep breath as the sounds of animals echoed in the forest.

Slowly, from the clearing, multiple bear-like animals began to walk out.

The group tensed up as they quickly got into position.

Akamir raised his hand to stop them.

"I will take care of them."

Lyselle’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Are you mad!?" she barked. "Those things can easily rip you—."

Her words died down when he simply glanced at her.

Just that look made her knees wobble in fear.

Akamir focused back on the beasts as he took out his black sword.

"Stand back."

He said to everyone.

"It won’t take long."

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