Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 151

Mudeungsan New Dungeon Clear Entry, 4 days, 2 hours, 30 minutes later.

As expected, we returned to the dungeon entrance, but as we feared.

“We still can’t get out.”

“I didn’t think it would work, even if I considered it.”

“You idiot! You said it would work at some point, didn’t you?”

“It’s just a thought. Can’t I even express my opinion?”

“Oppa! Does this mean we have to clear the dungeon no matter what? But how are we supposed to do that?”

Why are you asking me that?

I’m entering this kind of dungeon for the first time, just like you guys.

I don’t know anything, so how would I know the answer if you ask me?

As I watched their antics, even Han Deuk and Gilsu started to let their imaginations run wild.

“Isn’t there a hidden nexus [a central point or connection] or a hidden mature tower, like Gilsu said? In a place we can’t find.”

“I only saw a small hill in the middle… there wasn’t any space to hide a nexus or mature tower in a Rank 1 dungeon.”

“Maybe it’s a mirror image magic or a hidden shield or something?”

“Casting that kind of magic on the entire nexus or mature tower? Why would a dungeon unit do that?”

“I’m just saying what I think. You son of a b*tch! And there’s no rule that a nexus or mature tower has to be on the ground… huh? H, Hyung-nim! Maybe….”

What?

So, you’re saying that the nexus or mature tower inside the dungeon might be underground?

You watch too many movies.

Okay. Let’s say the nexus or mature tower is underground.

Then, what about the dungeon units?

Would the dungeon units dig into the ground and go to sleep, or lie down and play dead until someone finds them, until their bodies rot away, and then dig their way out again when someone gives them an order to fight bravely and valiantly?

Or would the units dig a huge cave in the ground, build a dungeon, and create their own space to live well?

Yeah, that seems more realistic.

Using hundreds or thousands of Roaches to dig a cave, then Hydras, Ultralisks, and Zerglings carrying soil and stones out in their mouths for years or decades, and then a huge tunnel would be created.

But, but you know what?

Why would they do that?

It’s their own space, the dungeon!

Why would they dig a basement in their front yard and then leave their perfectly good house to go into a dark, gloomy, world of darkness to live?

It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t!

Mudeungsan New Dungeon Clear Entry, 5 days, 7 hours, 10 minutes later.

If we moved west after entering the dungeon for the first time, this time we started moving in the opposite direction, east.

Since we didn’t find anything even after flying west for more than 3 days, we changed direction to another place.

Since the dungeon is a huge sphere anyway, if you just keep flying in one direction, you’ll eventually come back to where you started.

If you don’t find something.

And still, as expected, as usual, we didn’t find anything today either, and when darkness fell on the dungeon, I landed the shuttle and ordered the guild members to set up camp.

The guild members create a chaotic atmosphere, fetching water from a nearby stream, gathering branches to light a fire, setting up tents, and preparing meals.

Right now, it’s a new dungeon, so the guild members only recognize it as a rather strange, somewhat annoying, and quite difficult dungeon to clear.

Still, some of the team leaders who sensed something was wrong must be worried about what will happen in the future, but they don’t bother to say it out loud.

They also feel that expressing their vague anxiety on the outside can harm the team atmosphere. Like me.

If the team atmosphere changes even once due to a careless remark, fear or anxiety will spread uncontrollably. Regardless of clearing the dungeon.

I’m worried about that too, and the team leaders seem to feel it a little bit.

But, what’s the point? There’s no solution….

Dinner time ended, and it was time for personal maintenance and rest.

The guild members didn’t have any physically demanding work at all, so some of them lit a bonfire and had small conversations, or spent time with tea time or card games.

The occasional laughter shows that the team atmosphere is still okay, but I don’t know how long this atmosphere will last.

I sighed deeply and looked at the bonfire that was spitting out small sparks.

What should I do?

Can we get out of here?

I brought 3 months’ worth of food, and I have a huge amount of supplies, so there’s no problem, but I heard that if a person is trapped in one place for a long time, they develop some kind of phobia….

Moreover, if it’s a life where you can’t promise tomorrow, you’ll inevitably have more and more mental problems….

“Ha… I’m really going crazy!”

I was fighting with the dark lump of worry in my heart alone, when someone approached from behind.

“My lord, if you have some time, may I have the honor of sitting next to you….”

“Shut up and sit down.”

“Yes!”

Yeah. At times like this, your annoying, absurd, and ridiculous words are a hallucinogen that prevents me from thinking differently.

As Sai carefully approached and sat next to me, I asked in a slightly affectionate voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, no. My lord. I am completely safe under your care.”

“… Then why?”

You son of a b*tch. That tone.

Yeah, keep going. If you’ve disturbed my precious time with something trivial, I’ll personally show you my cool sincerity on the back of your head.

“It’s not that, but it seems that my lord is having some, very slight, difficulty in finding the nexus or mature tower in the dungeon, so I’ve been thinking about it in my own way. As I mentioned last time, considering that the nexus or mature tower in the dungeon has the same magic power as the dungeon, I have created a magic power tracking item here. If you look here, our current location and….”

Huh?

Uh? Uh, uh?

Wh, what?

So, in other words, we’re not looking for the nexus or mature tower in the dungeon with our eyes… um… so… we’re figuring out the location with magic power… with an item… so… in the end… you found it, right?!

“F*ck! You’re going to be my Sai forever! Clear team, wake up! Everyone gather!”

My shout echoed in the quiet darkness, and the surroundings turned into chaos as the guys were startled here and there.

“Okay. Recite it.”

“Yes?”

The team leaders ran up first at my sudden shout, and the rest of the guild members quickly formed a formation and looked at me with blank eyes.

“Recite what you said earlier.”

Sai stuttered and opened his mouth in a situation where the dungeon clear team was all watching.

“Ah, I understand. My lord! As you all know, all the magic power in the dungeon is unified into one. Therefore, whenever you enter the dungeon, it emits the same pattern and the same type of wave, which can be found in existing items….”

“… Magic power unification!”

“… Same magic power tracking!”

“That’s right! If you only track the same magic power and find the accumulated space in the dungeon!”

What?

What is it?

So, can’t we all empathize together?

Don’t you wizards make such surprised expressions among yourselves, I have to enjoy a fun, surprise birthday party that will surprise me too….

“You’re talking about finding magic power waves with the same pattern, right?”

“That’s right. After all, isn’t the magic power in the dungeon the same?”

“Okay. If you just follow the same wave, there will be a stored magic power space….”

Hey.

Let’s empathize together!

“That’s a really good idea. Why haven’t I thought of that until now….”

“We were trying to find the nexus or mature tower in the dungeon with our eyes… it’s a difference in concentration. It’s a difference in thinking!”

“Then from now on, we’ll look for magic power waves….”

“Byungchan made an item for pattern waves in advance! You just have to follow it.”

“Re, really?”

“Same wave, same magic power pattern! Why haven’t we thought of this?”

“That’s because your head is a bird brain!”

“… Is that so? Haha, hahaha~.”

“That’s right! How can a bird brain know the meaning of a phoenix!”

“That’s right. Hehe, hehehe~.”

Yeah.

I guess so.

Well, you guys do well and live well among yourselves.

I don’t know what you guys are talking about, what it means… ahem.

Then now, from now on, we don’t have to wander around looking for the nexus or mature tower in the dungeon, right? Right?

That’s good, well.

After a while. “Then we’ll move from now on….”

“Um… according to the coordinates, it’s not far from here, but is it really necessary to move at this time? It’s too dark, isn’t it?”

“Isn’t that right? Considering the possible battles, it would be better to move after it gets brighter tomorrow, right? What do you think? Hyung-nim?”

“…….”

“H, Hyung-nim?”

“Yeah. Do that. I don’t know anything, and I didn’t hear anything. I’m going to sleep, so anyone who’s noisy will die. Then, good night~.”

After dismissing the guild members, the team leaders gathered around the bonfire and discussed this and that with the mineral plate that Sai had made in the middle. Without me.

Daring to leave me out, the guild leader, the head of the organization!

Even though I’m not a wizard… I am a wizard. Ahem.

Even if I’m an Art Factor and my understanding of magic circles or magic circuit theory is poor, shouldn’t you do this?

It’s good that you’ve given up on the illusion that I’ll be able to understand even if you tell me in detail, but shouldn’t you tell me about the future schedule to some extent?

Am I not needed? Really?

Okay, I’m going to stay in the tent and sleep, so you guys do well… huh? Hey, Gilsu, why are you… ah… you’re a warrior too.

You’re a warrior, so you can’t join them.

It’s okay, Gilsu. Come here.

Let’s just hold hands and sleep together.

I took Gilsu, who had drooping shoulders, and moved to the tent.

Mudeungsan New Dungeon Clear Entry, 6 days, 16 hours, 30 minutes later.

The next day.

After roughly eating breakfast, cleaning up the surroundings, and boarding the team leaders and guild members who were excited and gleeful (喜喜樂樂) [a Chinese idiom for great joy] on the shuttle, we started moving in the direction that Sai was telling us.

But, but you know what….

“You have to move 3.8 degrees to the right in front. My lord.”

“… Is it done?”

“You went too far. You have to turn 1.6 degrees to the left.”

“… Now?”

“1.1 degrees to the right….”

“…….”

“0.7 degrees to the left….”

“…….”

“To the right….”

‘Puh-wock!’

“Aagh! Aaaagh! L, Lord!”

“I’m not doing it! I’m not doing it because it’s dirty and petty! Get off. Everyone get off and walk! C-pa!”

That son of a b*tch!

What? 3.8 degrees?

What about what? 1.6 degrees?

What was the last one? 0.7 degrees~?

Am I a compass? Am I a protractor?

What do you mean by asking me to catch each angle to the decimal point!

You can just roughly estimate it and say left or right!

Once the direction is roughly right, that’s it. Why adjust each angle….

“Oppa! Why do you keep bothering Sai-ssi? If you can’t find the nexus or mature tower because of that, you’ll take responsibility!”

“… Huh….”

Jihye must be crazy.

Sai-ssi. Sai, ssi!

I gave him the nickname Sai by taking the first letter of Psycho, but it’s being called his name.

Moreover, with the honorific ssi attached to that name….

“Don’t say anything and listen to Sai-ssi!”

“…….”

C-pal!

Should I really tell everyone to get off and walk?

Suddenly I feel so sad?

Mudeungsan New Dungeon Clear Entry, 6 days, 19 hours, 10 minutes later.

“We’re almost there. 1km ahead!”

“Hey! There’s nothing there!”

“Ah, no. A magic power wave with the same pattern as the dungeon is being detected 950m ahead.”

“… It doesn’t look like there’s anything there….”

Let’s go for now.

If there’s nothing there, you’ll have to experience the bizarre phenomenon of being beaten to a pulp on a rainy day or having your hands become feet. C-bam-ba-ssack.

“200m ahead!”

“100m!”

“30m, 20, 10. Here it is! St, stop!”

At Sai’s shout, I made the shuttle stop.

“You idiot! There’s nothing there! What nexus or mature tower is in the middle of a stream….”

“H, Hyung-nim! Look here, look under here! There’s something black in the stream!”

Gilsu, who was leaning out of the shuttle on the left side to look down, shouted at me as if he had found something.

“What? What is it? Something black?”

I approached Gilsu and lowered my head to look down

“W, what is that again! Why is there another dungeon entrance inside the dungeon?!

A bizarre situation that struck the back of my head unfolded.

Shortly after.

“Heol….”

“Another entrance in the dungeon?”

“No, should we say a dungeon within a dungeon?”

“What should we do? Should we go in? It doesn’t seem that deep….”

I landed the shuttle nearby and moved towards the stream.

After wandering around for nearly a week, the result isn’t the dungeon’s main nexus [central point or hub] or a mature tower [likely a structure of significance within the dungeon], but another dungeon entrance, which is just unbelievable and suffocating.

“That’s why we couldn’t find it. Good job for now, Sai.”

“I, I’m deeply moved, My Lord.”

“Yeah, keep being moved. Team leaders, gather around!”

I said a word to Sai and gathered the team leaders.

Since this is a completely different dungeon clearing situation than before, I intend to gather opinions.

“Do we really have to go in?”

“Then what do you want to do? Just grow old and die here?”

“It’s not that, I just feel uneasy….”

Jihye says she feels uneasy.

Yeah. I feel uneasy too.

It’s like being extremely hot and not being able to take a shower in cold water.

How about it? Same, right?

“It’s commonplace. The reason is rejected.”

“Tch.”

“Since we can’t clear the dungeon here, I think we should go in unconditionally. However, since we don’t know what will happen in the future, some should stay behind….”

“Since this place itself is a new dungeon, it’s the same situation. Dividing the team is absolutely rejected.”

“Well, it’s an unavoidable situation. Let’s go in, Hyung-nim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]. But not today, let’s do it tomorrow morning? It’s getting dark, and the guild members need to prepare their minds.”

“Agreed. Set up tents, have a meal, and get enough rest. Tomorrow, upon waking up, check the quantity of food and water, inspect potions and emergency supplies, and enter if there are no issues. Execute.”

“Understood, Guild Leader.”

“Yes.”

At my command, the team leaders spread out to the surroundings, conveying the details to the guild members, and the movements of the guild members who were gathered and waiting become busy.

Yeah. This is the best way.

Everyone has to go in, and there’s no other choice but to go in.

If we divide the team here to assess the situation, one of the two will likely be annihilated.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Just like the color of that black pit.

Mudeungsan New Dungeon Clear Entry, 7 days, 7 hours, 30 minutes later.

After finishing breakfast and tidying up the surroundings, we checked personal belongings, food, water, potions, and emergency supplies for each shuttle team, and formed a formation in front of the stream.

As expected, the warriors are the first to enter the black pit in the stream that comes up to their waists.

The attack mages will follow, and then the healers and priests.

“Just maintain tension. Don’t tremble! Just think of it as the same situation as entering this place! Enter! Entry!”

“E, En.try!”

“Entry!”

The warriors splash and flounder as they jump into the stream.

Cutting through the water, they approach the center of the stream and reach the black pit.

“H, Heok!”

They are instantly sucked downwards.

“G, Guild Leader!”

“Keep going! Think of the dungeon entrance as being in the water!”

“Yes, Yep!”

The second warrior guild member disappears into the water with a scream, and the other guild members who were following hesitate and move forward.

“Move! Move!”

“It’s just for a moment anyway! Don’t be afraid!”

“Hey! You’re getting pushed back! Get in quickly!”

As the team leaders shout from the side, the movement speeds up a bit.

I also go down to the stream, and as my lower body begins to submerge in the water, um… for some reason, my heart pounds and the hairs on my body stand on end. Keuk-keum [onomatopoeia, sound of gulping or choking].

A strong current swirls around me in the black pit and pulls me in.

I’m dragged into the stream that only reaches up to my waist, and I think I swallowed some water.

Now, I’m about to move to a new dungeon….

‘Oooooo~ Oooo….’

What, what is it?

What did I hear?

Huh? What is this again?

A scene that I seem to have seen somewhere flashes before my eyes like a panorama.

Dozens, hundreds of bio units of a type I don’t even know are running around, and a beautiful woman is sitting on a huge chair with a bored expression.

The woman sips a green blood-like liquid from a luxurious glass, gives instructions to a wingless woman, and hundreds, thousands of mature towers fill the horizon.

And as time passes, the vivid mature tower dries up and falls, and a small mature tower metamorphoses again in its place, and zerglings [small, insectoid creatures] swarm around in groups, or hydras [larger, serpentine creatures] metamorphose into lurkers [stealthy, ambush predators], and ultras [massive, heavily armored creatures] run around.

I, I’ve definitely seen this somewhere….

The sky opens, blue light pours down, and the heavens and earth flash with a tremendous roar.

countless zealots [fanatical warriors] chop zerglings into pieces with long gauntlets, and zealots are annihilated by hydra’s poison needles.

Drakan’s cannon fire pours down on spine crawlers [stationary defensive units] and hydras, and the bombardment of siege tanks [heavy artillery vehicles] obscures the sky. Through the acrid smoke and red firestorm, hundreds, thousands of wyverns [flying, dragon-like creatures] and guardians [powerful, armored units], and mutalisks [flying, bio-organic units] cover the rear.

A huge number of torras [large, heavily armored units] tear apart ultras and lurkers, and the magic mist of magic worms [creatures that generate magical effects] covers the horizon.

The sky burns, and the earth dries up with a red blood color.

So, where did I see this….

A huge mature tower burns, and wingless women cover the torras with their bodies.

And then the replication of the fallen warrior.

As the blue eyes of the woman with huge wings, who was wielding a blue blade and slicing torras, turn red, an echo of a ghostly cry resounds towards the world from the depths of the abyss.

‘Oooooo~ Oooo….’

That’s right.

This is definitely the scene that appeared in my eyes when I was chosen by the goddess Idea last time….

[Ting! You have entered the Primordial Dungeon. Level increases by 10 due to accumulated usage rate. Personal stats increased by 100.]

[Ting! You have identified a clue to the abyss of darkness. The master of darkness is watching you.]

[Ting! The goddess Idea protects your existence. Connected to Idea.]

[Ting! The dungeon has been activated. Imbue magic power.]

[Ting! …]

Even after the dizziness subsided from the continuous notifications, I stood blankly for a long time before regaining my senses at the shouts of the guild members.

“1 o’clock direction, distance 500m! Multiple humanoid units detected! Approaching!”

“A1! H, Hyung-nim!”

“It’s A1! Warriors, rush out!”

“Guild Leader. Dungeon units! Humanoid units!”

“Oppa [Korean term for older sister, used by females]!”

As soon as I came to my senses at the surrounding shouts, I examined the humanoid units rushing from afar.

Dozens of dungeon units with female appearances like Skill Sarana or Dungeon’s subordinate In Theraphy, with black skin and eerie red eyes, were approaching this way with long greatswords.

With bizarre screams.

‘Kiaaaak! Kiaaaak!’

T, this is strange.

The sharp screams that scrape against metal are clearly not a friendly expression to us. A chillingly huge coldness rises, and my body trembles with an unknown sense of unease.

“A1! Mages, manifest magic! Summon all zealots! Summon all torras! Summon all dark assassins!”

After ordering the guild members to form a formation, I summoned zealots, torras, and dark assassins.

What if the unit summoning command itself doesn’t work….

[Ting! Summons 1,160 Zealots (Defense + Attack 200%).]

[Ting! Summons 600 Torras.]

[Ting! Summons 94 Dark Assassins.]

Okay. At least the units can be summoned.

“Idea Goddess’s Wrath! Wall of Fire! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s Tears! Wall of Ice! … Ready!”

“Idea Goddess’s Lament! Dew of Sorrow! … Ready!”

I hear reports from the surroundings that the mages’ magic manifestation preparations are complete.

“Target! Rushing humanoid units. 1 o’clock direction. Free fire!”

As soon as my shout ends, dozens of fire magic and ice magic fly towards the approaching units and… uh, uh?

C, can that even be possible?

Dozens of humanoid dungeon units knock away the person-sized magic orbs flying towards them with their greatswords or hands.

‘Kwaaang! Kwaang!’

“Shibal [Korean curse word]! A2! Mages, fall back! Healers, priests, support formation! Warriors, surround the outside! Zealots, torras, attack all!”

“A2! A2 Formation!”

“Mages, quickly turn back! Warriors! This way!”

At my shout, the guild members move quickly, and thousands of zealots and hundreds of torras rush forward.

‘Kieeeek! Kueeek!’

‘Krallala… Krack!’

‘Kuwoowowoo.’

Originally, there’s no match for quantity… Shibal! Seriously!

The zealots and torras who rushed at dozens of dungeon units are almost unilaterally pushed back.

No, it’s not that they’re being pushed back, but the expression that they’re blocking their path with their bodies is more appropriate.

Most of the zealots are annihilated without even swinging their gauntlets once they get close, and the torras’ lightning attacks don’t seem to do much damage to them.

“Damn it! Mages, magic attack! Free fire! Art team, summon all units! Summon all zerglings! Summon all hydras, wyverns, ultras, magic worms!”

Yeah, it means this isn’t enough!

Then I’ll show you what real quantity is!

Let’s see if you win or I win.

[Ting! Summons 388 upgraded Zerglings (Attack 100%).]

[Ting! Summons 300 Hydras.]

[Ting! Summons 300 Wyverns.]

[Ting! Summons 300 Ultras…]

Thousands of units were summoned again from the surroundings with white light.

Including the units I summoned and the units summoned by the art team members. All directions are filled with summoned bio units.

“Full attack! Get rid of those damn bastards!”

‘Kieeeek, Kieeek!’

‘Kureuk… Kureureuk’

‘Kkia…kkiaaaa!’

Thousands of upgraded zerglings rush out first, followed by hundreds of hydras.

Hundreds of wyverns take to the air, and ultras with huge bodies rush towards the battlefield, increasing their speed, and 100 magic worms wriggle and chase after them.

Yeah. Ssibal [Korean curse word] bastards!

This unknown strange sense of incongruity… Okay. It feels really strange, but let’s deal with these guys first!

There are dungeon units that can withstand thousands of quantities?

Don’t even talk about it. Let’s see how long you last!

“Magic worms, magic mist!”

‘Puaak… Puaak.’

“Zealots, torras! Enter the mist! Zerglings, rush! Ultras, push harder!”

‘Kiaaaak! Kiaaaak!’

‘Kwaaang! Kwaang!’

‘Kieeeek, Kieeek!’

‘Kureuk… Kureureuk’

The humanoid dungeon units that rushed at us from the beginning were roughly 30 or so.

As a result of me and the art team members summoning thousands of units to fight them, we have only managed to deal with about half of them now.

Only the magic attacks of the mages, who sometimes fire at the summoned units without regard, and the magic mist of the magic worms could damage them, and the rest only served to tie them down.

When zerglings rush in, they casually swing their long greatswords, and the hydras’ acidic poison attacks are useless.

They slightly dodge the wyverns’ long tail attacks, and confront the ultras’ body attacks with strength.

The zealots’ long gauntlet attacks don’t make a scratch on their coats, and the torras’ lightning attacks also don’t seem to do much damage.

Are they absolute grade units?

What kind of dungeon unit is each one a cheat character?

Their durability is that of a defensive unit with tremendous health, and their attack power is boss-level.

I think it was a good idea to boldly pour in the units from the beginning because of the strange sense of incongruity I felt.

Compared to the anxiety I felt at first, I think this is pretty good.

Furthermore, I still have a hidden card that I haven’t taken out yet. The reason I’ve been reducing the number of units so far is because of that.

Okay. The number of those guys is appropriately left.

Then….

“Summon all Fallen Warriors!”

[Ting! Summons 10 Fallen Warriors.]

‘Kiaaaaaa… Kiaaak!’

‘Kiaaak… Kiaaaaaak!’

Wh, what is it?

Why are the dungeon units suddenly going crazy… Uh? Uh?

“B, Blink! Dark assassin….”

‘Kaang!’

I stopped talking and hurriedly rolled on the floor.