Chapter 14
As Carpe attempted to enter the dungeon, he was greeted by two notification windows.
[Attempting to enter the dungeon 'Lair of the Giant Squirrel.']
[Dungeon grade evaluation in progress.]
"A grade evaluation?"
-In the world of LaSé, there are dungeons where the grade is randomly determined.
Usually, this tendency was more common in hidden dungeons, where higher-grade dungeons meant increased difficulty and better rewards.
"Hmm... So, does that mean the 'Lair of the Giant Squirrel' unique grade is more challenging and offers better rewards than the rare grade?"
-You catch on fast, probably because you've played a lot of games.
Increasing the dungeon grade didn't drastically change the composition of monsters. Instead, it meant stronger versions of the same monsters and a few more traps in the dungeon.
-In legendary-grade dungeons, you might encounter mutant creatures that don't exist elsewhere... Well, you don't have to worry too much about it. I've only seen legendary dungeons nine times in over ten years of LaSé.
"...It's a subtle number. But what exactly qualifies as a legendary grade?"
-It's extremely high.
There were a total of six grades in LaSé: Normal, Magic, Rare, Hero, Unique, and Legendary, following a common and standard system.
-...That's what most people know, but there are actually three more grades beyond legendary.
Epic and Myth.
Above legendary were Epic, and above that, Myth grades.
These two grades were rarely encountered through regular hunting or exploration but were occasionally witnessed during major quest events that impacted the game's scenario.
"A question."
-What is it?
"Would the esteemed 10-year veteran's strategy guide contain information on obtaining these rare Epic and Myth items?"
-Interested, are we?
"Yes, very much so."
-You never know. If you follow the instructions carefully, you might be sporting a few Epic items in a couple of months. For now, let's focus on leveling up.
"Of course. Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty. Hail Cheonma! Down with the Righteous Sect!"
-...Cut it out with the Cheonma stuff. It's annoying.
"But Cheonma hyung..."
-You really don't listen to people, do you?
"Didn't you mention earlier that there are three more grades beyond legendary? What's the remaining one?"
-I have no idea.
"Huh?"
Unexpectedly, Carpe glanced at Cheonma in response to his unexpected answer. Cheonma sighed and continued speaking.
-Until recently, I thought Myth was the highest grade. But as I progressed through hidden quests, I came across clues indicating the existence of higher grades.
Discovering that clue was a miraculous stroke of luck, repeated multiple times during seven regressions.
When Cheonma found that clue, he trembled with emotion. Perhaps there was something that could put an end to this incessant regression.
-So, I pursued that clue and entered a dungeon...
"You entered a dungeon?"
-At that exact moment, like a ghost, my real body ascended, and my consciousness was preserved as a 0-star NPC. It's such a sad story.
"...That's really sad."
-If you don't want to die suddenly while gaming, take care of your health regularly.
Carpe silently nodded in agreement with the all too realistic advice. Dying while gaming and being preserved as an NPC was absolutely not an option.
And then it happened.
Ping.
[Grade evaluation complete.]
And in the subsequent notification window, both of them exclaimed simultaneously.
They expressed completely opposite sentiments.
[Dungeon grade evaluation: Legendary]
[Congratulations. You have acquired the title 'Discoverer of the Legendary.']
[Monsters have been significantly enhanced. The structure of the dungeon becomes more intricate. The number of traps has greatly increased.]
[There is a low probability of mutant creatures appearing.]
[Rewards and experience points from the dungeon are significantly enhanced.]
[Upon entry, you will receive the first entry bonus.]
[Will you enter?]
"Wow! Top-tier game! Of course, I'll enter!"
-No, it's more like a game of luck! Is this even a game? Damn LaSé developers. Can't they do anything right?!
While a legendary dungeon might have been experienced only nine times in ten years by some, for others, their first dungeon could be legendary.
* * *
Carpe cautiously proceeded towards the dungeon, his face now filled with tension like never before.
"But come to think of it, being legendary doesn't necessarily mean it's good, right? With the monsters getting stronger, the chances of failing the dungeon raid also increase."
"Well, that's often the case in reality. We've planned parties based on rare dungeons, only to have a unique dungeon appear and wipe out the entire party."
Of course, just like before, after the evaluation, there was the option to enter the dungeon or not.
"But human greed is frightening."
Naturally, as the grade increased, the probability of getting it decreased.
Moreover, dungeons with grades higher than unique were truly rare.
In fact, at this point in time, most LaSé users hadn't even seen the word 'unique' once since starting the game.
"Let's say you've prepared for a rare grade and suddenly a unique dungeon appears. Can you just let it go?"
Opportunities like these prompted hearts to race and lips to dry at the sight of the word 'unique.'
And suddenly, they began to overestimate their party's capabilities, their happiness circuits overheating. The difference in rewards between rare and unique dungeons was just too significant!
"Hey, aren't we dominating other players in terms of game sense? Aren't unique dungeons worth a shot?"
"Yeah. The last time we cleared a rare dungeon, it was too easy. We've surpassed the rare level by far."
"High risk, high return. How can we aim for a jackpot without facing a crisis!"
But reality was cruel.
Most parties that entered overspec'd dungeons couldn't withstand the sudden increase in difficulty and ended up being wiped out. Just because they got greedy, instead of unique rewards, they ended up with death penalties.
"Unless you're a true veteran or have a cold rationality, you just charge in without question. Just like you did earlier."
"...Sigh. I have no words. They really made the game so damn ruthless."
This was the true identity of the 'random grade system,' along with the tutorial behind-the-scenes gacha, which was known as one of the two major sins of LaSé.
"Did you see the notification window when we entered earlier? It said the first entry bonus is applied to the dungeon."
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Isn't it strange? I know about the existence of this dungeon, so why are you the first entry?"
"...Huh?"
Come to think of it, why was that?
Carpe was momentarily taken aback but soon came to a conclusion. No, he deduced it, and there was only one reason.
"You didn't enter this dungeon in this round, did you, Cheonma?"
"Yeah. There are two reasons for that."
Firstly, it was because of the level limit of 5 or lower.
"LaSé's world is vast. Even with millions of users, there are still so many secrets left to discover. Hidden pieces and Easter eggs are truly countless."
And that was no exception for the starting city, Raycene. Near Raycene, there were other hidden dungeons besides the 'Great Squirrel's Nest,' of course.
"I cleared a different dungeon this time, and after clearing it, I exceeded level 5. So, I couldn't enter this dungeon even if I wanted to."
"Ah, I see. But still, considering you chose that dungeon over this one, the rewards for that dungeon must have been better."
"Not really. In terms of rewards, this dungeon is better. The dungeon I went to was a hidden dungeon with a fixed hero grade, not a dungeon where the grade is randomly determined."
"Hmm? But why did you leave this dungeon and choose that one?"
"Surely, you didn't foresee your future self being preserved as an NPC and deliberately left a better dungeon to become the ultimate guidebook?"
"That's utter nonsense. Of course, there's a second reason. That is..."
"That is?"
Just as Cheonma was about to answer, the ground trembled, and the first monster of the dungeon appeared in front of Carpe.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!!!"
True to the name of the dungeon, the 'Great Squirrel's Lair,' the monster that appeared this time was also a squirrel.
"...Isn't this one bigger than the previous one?"
If the tyrant squirrel they encountered in the field was about the size of a Doberman, the one that appeared this time was the size of a small calf.
At this point, shouldn't they drop the name 'squirrel'? It looked much stronger than the one they caught earlier.
"Squeak, squeal!!!"
"Gah! It's fast?!"
Upon spotting Carpe, the creature screamed and rushed towards him at full speed. Its speed was incomparable to the one they encountered in the field. Carpe quickly rolled aside to avoid it.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
The giant squirrel's massive front teeth collided with a large rock behind Carpe. Surprisingly, the rock crumbled into pieces without any resistance. Not a single tooth was chipped!
"What kind of squirrel is this?!"
"At this rate, a direct hit would be fatal. Now, do you understand? That's the second reason."
Cheonma chuckled and continued, "I didn't have the confidence to face a dungeon that's unique or higher!"
"You should have said that earlier!!"
Carpe shouted as he rolled on the ground once again.
Crash!
Once again, a rock was shattered by the squirrel's teeth. Cold sweat ran down Carpe's back.
"No way, even after 10 years! How can I clear a dungeon without a guarantee of success?!"
"No, you will clear it. That's why I didn't stop you."
"What nonsense... Ugh! I dodged it!"
"What's nonsensical is your current spec. Stop exaggerating and look calmly. You haven't been hit even once."
"Huh, really?"
Come to think of it, that was true. No, he wasn't even grazed. Seeing Carpe in that state, Cheonma chuckled.
"You're a truly strange one. You're so skilled at capturing human monsters or humans, but why are you so flustered with beast monsters? Didn't you say you were second in the arena?"
"Well, beasts don't appear in the arena!"
Crash!
Once again, the tyrant squirrel charged, but Carpe evaded it once more. Perhaps he had become accustomed to its movements, as he now moved much more leisurely than before.
"It's fast. But..."
That didn't mean he couldn't react. Moreover, the creature's movement was so linear that it made it even easier to dodge.
"Why?"
"Well, it's because of your specs and physical prowess. Don't you realize how much of a monster you are? If it were any other normal level 5 user, they wouldn't even be able to react to that speed and would die instantly."
"What about you, Cheonma?"
"I feel like you're misunderstanding something. I wasn't that physically superior. Nor was I particularly lucky. Of course, I couldn't clear it. Am I some kind of god?"
Damn it, even if I had pulled out either the mastermind or the skill from this round, I would have made a mountain of squirrel corpses.
Cheonma grumbled.
"Squeeeak!"
The tyrant squirrel seemed to be furious to the core, screaming like a banshee as it charged towards Carpe.
However...
"Hey, wasn't this idiot only capable of charging straight ahead?"
Thunk.
"Squeeeal!"
This time, while dodging, Carpe swung his sword. As befitting a hero-grade weapon, the Green Skin Slayer effortlessly pierced through the squirrel's flesh.
"Huh?!"
However, it wasn't as easy as it was in the field. At the moment the squirrel was hit by the sword, it swung its sharp claws. Carpe quickly tilted his head to avoid the claws.
"Phew. That was close."
"Be careful. These squirrel guys have the 'Armor Penetration' trait."
'Armor Penetration' was a trait that dealt additional damage proportionate to the opponent's health stats and defense.
The combination of the overpowered attack power and armor penetration due to the legendary grade had created an otherworldly difficulty level!
It was truly a one-hit squirrel.
No matter how high your health stats and HP were, once you were hit, it was game over.
After swallowing his saliva, Carpe spoke.
"In the end, I have to clear it without getting hit even once."
"Then you'll probably be awarded the title 'Clearing the dungeon without allowing a single attack.' How about that? Can you do it?"
Cheonma was indeed an excellent guidebook as he confidently stated.
However, even if a ten-year veteran guidebook had prepared the table and spoon-fed, if Carpe couldn't even chew the food, it was meaningless.
The answer to the question was predetermined.
"Phew."
Carpe took a slow breath and stared at the tyrant squirrel.
"I have to, no matter what."
Without hesitation, Carpe charged towards the creature.
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