Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?
Chapter 206 - 179: Sun Warrior Must Be Paired with Stone Statue Ghost

Chapter 206: Chapter 179: Sun Warrior Must Be Paired with Stone Statue Ghost

Dal hesitated for a long time but ultimately did not summon Solar.

At least not this time.

As for the reason...

"I’ll first see what kind of Monster is inside the Fog Gate, get familiar with its moves. It would be too embarrassing if I got killed instantly at the start of the fight."

A down-to-earth thought; if it were just him alone, no matter how bizarre his death, there would be nothing to be embarrassed about.

But if Solar were beside him, it would be awkward.

Dal definitely did not want to make a fool of himself in front of this Sun Warrior he had just met not long ago; he really wanted to leave a good impression.

He looked up at the white Fog Gate in front of him; every time he saw this thing, a sense of oppression would surge in his heart.

What is behind the Fog Gate?

Probably a Monster twisted by the Abyss, or maybe the leader of the Soul-sucking Ghosts? How great would it be if the Wolf Knight could come help midway through the fight.

Having suffered in the fortress for so long, he still didn’t understand what this journey had to do with Artorias.

Other than the initial memories, what else was the connection? Could it be meant for him to experience firsthand how hard and terrifying the Abyss is, to highlight Artorias’s strength?

If that really was the purpose, it was now achieved. Dal felt that if Artorias were alive today, he could probably sweep through the entire Yanor Kingdom.

He guessed that this fortress was just an insignificant pebble in the other’s long campaign against the Abyss, not even worth quantifying as a difficulty.

Yet here he was, struggling between life and death, couldn’t help but lament how weak he was.

No, it’s rather that Artorias was too strong, so domineering and powerful, how could he not have slain the Master of the Abyss with his sword?

Dal remembered that from the intelligence they had discovered, it was mentioned that the Master of the Abyss had fallen silent after battling the Wolf Knight, which means that battle in his memories was a victory for Artorias, right?

He thought too much, only to confuse his own thoughts.

Standing still, he took a few deep breaths to calm his emotions, then Dal entered the Fog Gate.

The Monster that appeared before him was not the Abyss, not the Soul-sucking Ghost, but an old acquaintance—the Stone Statue Ghost!

Although its appearance was different, seeing the Stone Statue Ghost in that instant made Dal recall the first time he entered the Fran Fort.

Back then, he was much weaker than now and had no friends, taking on the fortress in the swamp region alone and ended up being brutally defeated by two Stone Statue Ghosts.

He had grown stronger now, but the dual Stone Statue Ghosts, the bosses, had disappeared; he didn’t even have a chance for revenge.

Though he didn’t know why Stone Statue Ghost appeared here, now he finally had the chance to redeem his past disgrace!

Dal’s spirits lifted, and he charged toward the nearby...

[Heroic Stone Statue Ghost (Great Sword)]

This guy was undoubtedly strong, but not as much as the Molten Furnace Knight; as of now, Dal could arm wrestle with the Molten Furnace Knight, so to say—

He could win, he could succeed!

A smile of joy spread across his mouth, he voluntarily triggered his Wolf Blood, momentarily gaining strength enough to clash directly with Heroic Stone Statue Ghost’s great sword, even knocking it back.

Injury was inevitable, but victory was within sight, so what if he got hurt.

The Heroic Stone Statue Ghost stumbled from his strike, Dal leapt up planning to deliver a descending sword technique from above.

Just at that moment, a huge shadow enveloped him, he looked up only to meet eyes with another Stone Statue Ghost.

[Heroic Stone Statue Ghost (Double-headed Sword)]

"I knew it!"

"Bang!"

He was slapped back to the ground by the Stone Statue Ghost, and without hesitating, he rolled to the side, narrowly escaping the smash of the double-headed sword.

Dal wiped the blood from his mouth corners, revealing a smile—it was one of exasperation, a heavy desire to complain fermented in his heart.

You Stone Statue Ghosts must really be growing together, always have to appear in pairs?

As everyone knows, when two Monsters come together, the increase in difficulty is not as simple as one plus one equals two.

Dal could handle one, but dealing with two Heroic Stone Statue Ghosts at the same time...

He was evading amidst a frenzied attack, quickly accumulating numerous injuries, the burning time of Wolf Blood also ended, his combat strength further declined.

However, when he thought he had familiarized himself with these Monsters’ moves, he deliberately collided against the opposing weapons!

"Wait for me!" Even with the double-headed sword piercing through his chest, he still showed a fierce expression, making a throat-slitting gesture.

Since you aren’t fighting fair with a two-on-one, I’ll also bring in some help!

After a tough slog, Dal resolutely summoned Solar.

As soon as Solar appeared, he struck a classic ’Praise the Sun’ pose, radiating vitality that clashed with the fortress’s vibe.

Seeing this resplendently golden Sun Warrior, Dal instantly felt a strong sense of security, warmth spreading through his body.

"This time I need your help, Mr. Solar, the enemies are two Stone Statue Ghosts," Dal shared the information.

Solar nodded, stepping forward into the Fog Gate with determined confidence.

Entering the Fog Gate together, Dal felt that the Stone Statue Ghosts had become a bit stronger, more troublesome to deal with.

But then, he glanced at Solar who was gathering the Thunder Spear, his confidence doubled.

As long as Mr. Solar is here, everything will turn out fine, he’s much stronger than me!

This time, the dual Stone Statue Ghosts came down to battle right away, not waiting until one was critically injured to ambush; perhaps they too sensed the threat.

Solar paired with two Stone Statue Ghosts, that’s a classic combo, simply the best match!

Dal exerted all his might grappling with the Great Sword Heroic Stone Statue Ghost, the intense battle left him no time to look back and check on Solar’s situation.

But just hearing the other side’s strong shouting and the crackling sound of the Thunder Spear was enough to make one feel at ease.

The Heroic Stone Statue Ghost fighting against Dal was not only adept with the Fast and Slow Blade but had also mastered the Nerve Blade, sometimes holding the great sword aloft for ages without striking, other times slashing out four or five slashes in an instant, the design of the moves was simply the worst of the worst.

After putting in an immense effort, and with the blessings of Wolf Blood and combat-enhancing Potions among other boosts, Dal finally severed one arm of the Stone Statue Ghost, significantly weakening its combat power!

"Solar, do you need help—"

He kicked away the Stone Statue Ghost, turned around to offer assistance, but the words got stuck halfway through his mouth.

"Hahaha, I’m fine."

With the Double-headed Sword, the Heroic Stone Statue Ghost fell at Solar’s feet, who then stabbed through the Stone Statue Ghost’s head with his sword, instantly draining the Monster’s life force.

"My God."

Dal couldn’t help but widen his eyes. What kind of horrifying efficiency was this? He had only crippled the Stone Statue Ghost, but Solar had already taken one out?

No need to be afraid anymore, because the Sun Warrior will protect me!

At this moment, Dal felt so elated he wanted to cheer out loud; it must be the Dungeon that specially dispatched Solar to help him since he could not escape on his own.

Thank you, Solar!

Thank you, Sain, even though this damned place is all your doing!

Dal and Solar together, truly a relentless slaughter, the remaining Stone Statue Ghost was quickly slain.

Thus, Ulashiro Fort was officially conquered by Dal, opening the path to the next forest, where he could head towards that vast city!

"Solar, Sir!" Seeing the Golden Spiritual Body starting to dissipate, Dal hurriedly said: "Thank you for your help!"

"If we meet again, summon me to fight alongside you, we really hit it off, let’s bask in the sunshine together hahaha..."

His hearty laughter echoed in the air, and after defeating the dual Stone Statue Ghosts, Solar left.

"Will we meet again?" Dal muttered to himself.

Other than meeting in this Painting World, could he possibly encounter Solar somewhere else?

Impossible, the residual shadow only lingers in the same place; he probably has to enter the Painting World again if he wants to meet Solar.

That being said, was the whole "event" Solar represented really just helping him defeat two Stone Statue Ghosts, with no further extensions...

Dal looked at the back door of the double Stone Statue Ghost boss room, which would lead through the forest to the real city.

"...it’s not over yet?"

He leaned weakly against the wall and sat down, sighing deeply.

He thought that after defeating the double Stone Statue Ghosts, he could leave this Painting World, but was this only the beginning?

What kind of torment still awaited him in order to leave this damned place?

Artorias, what were you thinking at the time, did you also find this place utterly nauseating?

In that moment, he was on the verge of becoming an animated corpse.

Complaints aside, the journey must go on.

Dal barely mustered some strength, rested a while, and then headed towards that grand city.

The familiar scenery of the forest he passed reminded him, after careful thought, that he might have seen this place in Artorias’s memories; further ahead should be a building resembling an arena, which houses Monsters, likely another hard battle awaits.

However, according to memory, Artorias had already eradicated the Monsters there; surely they couldn’t have regathered after so long?

The arena now appeared within sight, he could soon approach it.

As Dal was thinking this, a hoarse voice suddenly reached his ears.

"Whoever you are, don’t come over..."

This voice carried immense fatigue, as if it had suffered for a long time, below the exhaustion hid concealed pain.

"Who?" Dal immediately became alert, slowly moving towards the arena.

"I’m being eroded by the darkness..."

Being eroded by the darkness?

Dal furrowed his brow. Could it be someone who’s infected by the Abyss but still sane, warning me?

The closer he got to the arena, the clearer the voice became, oddly, this voice gave him a sense of familiarity.

He had never heard it before after all.

"Are you inside, I’ll help you!"

Whatever was inside the arena, it was an inevitable path to Ulashiro, even if warned, he had no choice but to go inside.

If he could help the injured person, maybe he could gain some combat strength!

"Don’t come near, leave quickly..."

The voice suddenly became urgent, continuously urging Dal.

Dal was also helpless, knowing there was danger ahead, but he had to go in!

"I’m here to help you!"

Dal rushed into the arena.