Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?
Chapter 98: Overture to the Golden Age

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Overture to the Golden Age

During the recent period, the elite adventurers of Bed City had collectively gone missing, leaving everyone feeling quite frustrated as the Light Eagle Group and the guards were left to take charge.

Everyone had thought that the Strategy Group had moved on to another Dungeon after clearing the Sain Dungeon.

Now, their return was like a shot of adrenaline for everyone!

"Hello, everyone meow,"

Maru energetically waved at everyone, but there was something off about the atmosphere in the guild.

"What’s wrong? Why does everyone look so panicked?"

"Maru, stop teasing everyone," Leon, still with his radiant blond hair, rubbed Maru’s head with resignation as she giggled.

Tal and Drew, feeling somewhat reassured by the familiar decorations of the adventurer’s guild, knew that without completely defeating the Monsters, there could be no true peace of mind.

"I’ve already heard about the situation,"

Leon cleared his throat and spoke earnestly, "Right now, the most important thing is to protect the city. We absolutely cannot let the Monsters invade Bed City, and we cannot allow them to harm the civilians,"

"I have both good and bad impressions of this city, but regardless, this is where I live day and night, and I will never hand it over to the Monsters!"

"This is my duty as an adventurer!"

Leon’s demeanor had matured from what he had experienced outside, his face weathered as though he had grown taller and more robust.

Perhaps the old him would have lied just to save face in front of others, but not anymore.

Not only Leon, Tal had grown taller and more muscular, looking more like a qualified Beastman.

As for Drew... his race did not allow him to grow taller; instead, his slight hunchback had been cured, and he looked quite spirited.

"I will help too meow~"

Maru had changed the least, only her hair had grown longer, giving her a gentler appearance.

But her manner of speaking gave her away.

The adventurers looked at each other with mostly smiles emerging as they shouted:

"Exactly, protect the city! I want to help!"

"My greatsword is already thirsting for battle."

Even the old man sweeping the floors put down his broom and declared righteously:

"I used to be an adventurer, until I took an arrow to the knee. Give me a weapon, and I can still fight!"

Then he was reluctantly ushered to the resting room by the thin front desk girl.

Some people looked troubled, seemingly not likely to participate in the fight, and might sneak away.

Of course, whether they choose to stay and fight or leave, no one could force them, nor blame them.

"Everyone is very enthusiastic,"

With rhythmic applause, Ceder descended the stairs, his old face wearing a smile.

"The adventurer’s guild will issue an emergency commission— to protect Bed City. All participants will receive corresponding benefits from the guild based on their contribution, with the specific rules to be announced later,"

With this announcement, more people responded to Leon’s call. The incentive of rewards always works, whether managing Dungeons or other affairs.

"Mr. Ceder," Leon approached Ceder, "Do you know why there was a rampage in the Sain Dungeon?"

He was actually quite fond of the Sain Dungeon, not only because it was the first Dungeon he cleared, but also because of the legendary tales and various items that made him stronger.

Ceder did not answer his question but patted his shoulder, then pinched it, marveling, "The Sword Saint has indeed trained you well. It’s only been a few days, but your progress is evident. Reaching Gold Level is just a matter of time."

"I’m also grateful for the Teleportation Magic Scroll you lent us, otherwise, we wouldn’t have found the Sword Saint so quickly," Leon said sincerely.

Ceder nodded, "Go and show me your progress in real combat,"

"Yes,"

Leon gripped his Straight Sword tightly, eager to see just how strong he had become after the intensive training.

The Straight Sword emitted a faint magical power, adorned with the rewards obtained from the Sain Dungeon—Great Calia.

Speaking of which, it was almost his sister’s birthday. It was time to visit home.

The mobilization by the adventurer’s guild was very effective, but other forces with combat capabilities made different decisions.

Holy Light Church, Bed City branch.

In the church, sacred music played softly, stained glass windows cast colorful lights, and the statue of the Holy Light God overseeing all life was indiscernible.

"Albud, there has been chaos in that Dungeon,"

The hunched bishop raised his head, his gaze piercing as he stared at the Holy Light Knight.

Albud, who once explored Dungeons with Leon, was also the Vice Captain of the Holy Light Knight Order in Bed branch.

Only the leaders of the knights at Holy Light Church’s headquarters could be called Captain, Vice Captain; those at the branches were simply called ’leader’.

At this moment, he presented a familiar expression—stern-faced.

"This is the Dungeon you and I promised, blessed by God? The Dungeon that has a way to communicate with our God?"

The bishop seemed a bit angry.

"I think it’s a Dungeon tainted by Demons! If it weren’t for your assurance, I would have already declared it an enemy of God and summoned the Knight Order to obliterate it!"

Albud remained silent for a while before saying, "The actions of the Light Eagle Group and Earl Philip angered the Dungeon; it was legitimate defense."

The bishop wanted to add something, but Albud suddenly looked up, proclaiming loudly, "As the most devoted believer of my God, my god-given eyes shall judge any anomaly!"

His eyes shone with religious fervor, not looking at the bishop but staring directly at the statue.

"..."

The bishop paused before saying, "I trust you, Albud, you are the most devout and fanatical believer of our God. I can doubt anyone, but never you; your loyalty is well-known,"

He gestured with his hand, shaking the scepter lightly.

"Go, lead the Knight Order, quell the fury of the Dungeon, and if necessary,"

A hint of sternness flashed in the bishop’s eyes.

"Killing the Earl might just well serve to appease the situation."

After leaving the Church.

With no one around, Albud’s stern face finally collapsed, fatigue appearing on his nearly forty-year-old visage.

"It’s really tiring to keep up appearances..."

Lord Mansion.

Count Philip was panting heavily, coughing repeatedly for a long time before he managed to say disheveled:

"Gather all the guards, defend the walls! No retreats allowed!"

"Sali, where are your comrades? Where has the Hero gone?"

He stared intently at Sali, for the Hero was the greatest security at this moment.

"Elsa went to save people,"

Sali was slightly shocked by his father’s appearance, Philip seemed less human and more like a wounded beast at this moment.

His father... When had he changed so much.

"Save people? At a time like this, you let her go save people? What have you been learning following me?"

Enraged, Philip couldn’t imagine Sali contradicting him at this moment:

"That’s the duty of a Hero. If she sees someone being killed by a Monster and does nothing, can she still be called a Hero?"

"You!"

Philip pointed at Sali, at a loss for words, suddenly realizing how strange this child seemed to him.

How dare he talk back!

"Count Lord!"

Just then, an attendant came rushing over in a panic.

"Monsters, the Monsters have reached the city’s base! The Light Eagle Group is holding them off!"

The inner wall of Bed City was four to five meters high.

This exaggerated height originated from an ancestor of the Bed Family, who it is said, encountered a giant while conquering lands with the first King; the hundred-meter-tall giant left a deep-seated fear in Count Bed, prompting him to start massive building projects which, due to financial constraints, were only half completed.

Meanwhile, the outer city wall was rather ordinary. At this moment, the Light Eagle Group and temporarily organized guards were hurriedly transporting materials needed for defense.

The swarming black mass of Monsters moved towards the walls, shrouding every area they reached with an overcasting cloud of darkness.

Golka and Elsa stood atop the wall, the former remarked:

"It’s my first time seeing so many Monsters, the scale of this battle is much bigger than our previous encounter at Ink Stone Plain,"

He sneakily glanced at Elsa, only to see the girl gazing transfixed at the Monsters, paying no heed to his topic.

Unable to boast about his past exploits disappointed him, but he still proposed:

"You are quite capable, miss. May I ask your name? Are you interested in joining our Light Eagle Group? We offer favorable terms,"

Thinking it over, Golka added:

"With your strength, the leader might just make you the captain of the assault squad,"

"My name is El..."

Elsa suddenly paused, recalling Sali’s admonition:

"Listen, don’t tell suspicious characters your real name when you’re outside, especially men who seem untrustworthy. You don’t know, some enchantment spells can be cast using your name!"

Although it was meant to scare Elsa, the socially inexperienced Elsa took it for real.

Call her naive or a fool, but her mind only focused on killing members of the Demon Clan, she couldn’t wrap her head around anything else.

"My name is Gus,"

Elsa invented a name from a protagonist in a comic she had read, and asked a vague question:

"Can I find companions by joining the Light Eagle Group?"

Golka paused, he stared at the girl’s expression for a while to ensure she wasn’t joking, then burst into laughter and declared:

"We don’t use the term comrades in the Light Eagle Group,"

A flash of disappointment crossed Elsa’s eyes.

However, Golka quickly switched gears, opened his arms, and proclaimed:

"All of us are family here, how could we refer to each other merely as comrades?"

Elsa’s eyes brightened.

"How about it, would you join us?" Golka chuckled, "Let me tell you secretly, our leader is a very handsome guy, you’d surely be smitten at first sight!"

Regrettably, before Elsa could respond, the lookout guards blew the war horn.

This signified that war was imminent!

"What a pity,"

Golka clicked his tongue, waved his hand, and said, "Let’s talk after we survive this battle, I wish myself good luck and wish you the same, we must live through this,"

Elsa nodded.

Holding a greatsword even larger than a door, she suddenly felt a greater outlook on life.

"Roar!"

The Flying Dragon Yakir breathed a stream of Dragon Flame towards the city wall.

The army of Undead rushed toward the city wall one after another, knowing well they would be the first to be sacrificed, but still creating a stairway of piled bones for their king to climb the walls.

The Magic Statue, pulling a huge bow, launched a Big Arrow comparable to a Siege Hammer.

The siege by the Monsters had begun.