Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 162

‘Ptoo… Ptooo!’

The last remaining magic worm sprayed magic mist around us.

Within the magic mist, there’s a 90% physical defense effect, but once the mist clears… Heh heh heh.

Is this finally the final boss?

Did this whole ordeal, which I started to live well after awakening [gaining my powers], only lead to this?

Well, it’s okay.

I’ve made quite a name for myself.

I’ve had meetings with the President, heard requests from ministers of various departments and association presidents, and people at the center of power came to me with their needs. I’ve also provided generously for my parents, in-laws, and relatives… This is enough…

Yes!

Even so, I won’t go down easily.

I’ll try as much as I can, and if it still doesn’t work… It won’t be too late to give up then.

… By the way, can my wife raise our son well on her own?

Why do I miss him so much?

I want to see my son’s bright face as he runs towards me, shouting, “Daddy!”… Just one more time… But it’ll be difficult, right? Yes, it will be difficult….

“Jooo… Gooooon.”

Am I hearing things?

It sounds like something strange is happening?

‘Dudududu… Dududu.’

‘Kieeeek… Kieeek!’

“Joo~ Gooon! Where are you! I have arrived!”

Uh?

Uh… Uh oh?

So, this sound is… Psy [a guildmate’s nickname]?

‘Kwagwang! Kwaaang!’

‘Kieeeek… Kieeek!’

‘Kuek… Kueeek!’

The entrance of the cave, located 4m above the massive cavern’s front, exploded open, and hundreds of fully upgraded Zerglings [a type of summoned creature] began pouring out. And,

‘Kwang! Kwaaaang!’

‘Kwaaang! Kwang!’

‘Kueeek… Kueeek!’

‘Kieeek… Kieeeek!’

‘Kuek… Kueeek!’

“Guild Jaaaangnim [Guild Leader]!”

“Guild Leader~.”

Thousands of fully upgraded Zerglings cascaded down like a waterfall from both cave entrances.

“Wowwww~.”

“Ah, it’s the Art Team [another name for the guild members]!”

“Shibal [a Korean swear word]! They appear at such an amazing timing!”

“The, the pillars! Destroy the pillars!”

“That’s right! Leave the units alone and focus on the pillars!”

Is this what they call a miraculous recovery?

No, is this divine assistance?

I am genuinely surprised, truly didn’t expect it, and really, sincerely, without any shame in my heart, this is the first time I’m so happy to see Psy.

If I clear this dungeon safely because of you guys, I’m telling you, I’ll give you a warm hug or a deep kiss… Ah, maybe not that. Anyway, really, really, really glad to see you!

“Destroy those pillars first!”

“Understood, Master! All upgraded Zerglings, destroy the pillars!”

“Destroy the pillars!”

“Ignore the dungeon units! Focus fire on the pillars!”

Good! Then, I can’t just stand still.

“All units except the Dark Assassins and Dark Warriors, focus fire on the lower part of the pillars!”

‘Kiaaaak… Kiaak!’

‘Kiak! Kiaak.’

‘Kkiaak! Kkiak. Kiaak!’

It’s not just us who are surprised by the sudden appearance of the Art Team.

The humanoid dungeon units, which weren’t very effective due to the defense towers and magic mist, are flustered.

Some dungeon units are trying to break the wide encirclement and stop the upgraded Zerglings from mindlessly throwing themselves, while others are suddenly attacking me with Blink [a teleportation ability], some are still trying to destroy the Zealots [a type of summoned unit] or defense towers, and some are wavering in the middle, all sorts of reactions.

As thousands of upgraded Zerglings pour out from the three caves, and hundreds of Zealots and the remaining summoned units ignore the dungeon units and rush towards the pillars, the bizarre cries of the humanoid dungeon units grow louder.

Moreover, what if they are OP [overpowered] characters?

We’re not even engaging them.

What if they are cutting down the upgraded Zerglings?

Thousands of upgraded Zerglings are still throwing themselves to destroy the pillars.

If they attack me, am I just going to sit still, stretch my neck out, and die?

I have to do what I can!

“Produce all Gateway Zealots! Create a Dracan Core [a building that produces Dracan units], create a Land Core [a building that produces Land units]! Produce Shuttles! Produce Grub Tanks [a type of siege unit]!”

I started producing Shuttles and Grub Tanks, scraping together the last gas I had.

All the dungeon units around are busy dealing with the upgraded Zerglings destroying the pillars, and this is probably the only chance I’ll get.

Even though there are thousands of upgraded Zerglings, their charge is just for show.

Will a rock break just because thousands of dogs charge at it?

No way.

Of course, it doesn’t make sense to compare the body slam attack of an upgraded Zergling to a pack of dogs, but no matter how I think about it, it’s impossible to destroy those huge pillars.

Right now, everyone is too shocked to think about it, but after some time, they’ll realize it.

That includes our guild members, as well as the intelligent humanoid dungeon units.

So, when this opportunity comes, we have to destroy it in one shot.

“Superior Potions, all Healers and Supporters, take them! We’re going in one shot!”

“H, Hyungnim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]!”

“Guild Leader!”

“No more talking, just take them! After the Grub Tank bombardment, focus fire on one spot! Give the mages as much healing and blessings as you can! Execute!”

“A, understood.”

Han Deuk took out six Superior Potions from his inventory and distributed them to the priests and healers, and he also drank about half of one himself.

“Mages! Supporters come in, and when I signal, focus fire with your strongest attacks! The target is the lower left of the front pillar. This is the only chance!”

“Understood, Guild Leader!”

“Yes.”

“I won’t leave even an inch of magic power. Trust me. Oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend from a female]!”

I heard the serious “Oppa of Wisdom” after a long time, and loaded the Grub Tanks into the produced Shuttles.

Looking at the situation, it’s a mess as expected.

The echo of the upgraded Zerglings barking from all directions is just a bunch of nonsense.

First, just in case, I’ll throw the produced Zealots as bait and drop the Grub Tanks on the opposite side.

This is the only chance. The last chance to clear the dungeon here.

It has to go well, absolutely well, absolutely.

“All Zealots, move while detouring to 11 o’clock!”

First, I gathered all the Zealots that had been summoned so far and the produced Zealots, and moved them all to one place.

To attract their attention.

“Hoo, hoo. Ready, Guild Leader!”

“Good! This is the only chance. Everyone, stay focused!”

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

First, I had the priests and healers use all the Superior Potions to prepare for the final attack.

The purpose is not to fight the humanoid units in the dungeon, but to destroy that huge pillar, but since it’s so big, I don’t know what will happen.

What do you mean what will happen!

We have to destroy it no matter what.

We have to destroy it to survive!

Stay focused. This is the only chance!

I carefully launched the Shuttle carrying the Grub Tanks.

‘Kiaaaak… Kiaak!’

‘Kiak! Kiaak.’

Thousands of upgraded Zerglings are still rampaging everywhere, and even the newly produced Zealots have joined the chaos.

But the upgraded Zerglings and Zealots summoned by the Art Team are bait.

If we can keep them tied up like this, they’ve done their job.

Thanks to them, I was able to safely drop 14 Grub Tanks from the Shuttle moving in the opposite direction, avoiding the eyes of the humanoid dungeon units.

And,

“Grub Tanks, focus fire on the lower right of the front pillar!”

‘Kkung… Kkuung!’

At my command, the 14 Grub Tanks folded their wrinkled bodies and fired dozens of shells at the bottom of the pillar from their small muzzles.

‘Kwaaang… Kwang!’

‘Kwagwang! Kwaaang!’

Then, the area hit by the shells exploded, and huge fragments of rock scattered in all directions, and

‘Jjeojeok. Jjeojeok.’

‘Kkiaaak… Kkiak! Kkieeaaak!’

‘Kiak! Kiaaaak… Kiak!’

The dungeon units, hearing the echoes of the explosions in the huge cavern, left the upgraded Zerglings and Zealots alone and ran towards the Grub Tanks.

We can’t have that!

“Upgraded Zerglings, Zealots, grab those guys! All mages, target the lower right of the pillar. Three, two, one! Magic attack!”

“Iaaaaa! The Fury of the Goddess Idea! Wall of Fire!”

“Going all out! Tears of the Goddess Idea! Wall of Ice!”

“Aak! Lament of the Goddess Idea! Dew of Sorrow!”

Dozens of mages around me, who had been waiting for my signal, unleashed their maximum magic power.

Please, please, definitely, absolutely….

‘Kwaaaang… Kwaaang!’

‘Kwagwang! Kuaaang!’

‘Jjeojeok… Jjeojeojeok!’

The situation is not clear due to the dust and the steam caused by the fire and ice magic.

Shibal [Korean swear word]!

It seems that the Core Tower has not been completely destroyed because the dungeon clear notification is not ringing.

Mages, priests, and healers who have collapsed around me are just barely breathing.

In this situation, further magic attacks are impossible.

Haa… Is this the only remaining means of attack?

“Grub Tanks, continue firing! Upgraded Zerglings, Zealots, focus fire on the lower part of the pillar!”

‘Kkung… Kkuung!’

‘Kwaaang… Kwang!’
The situation is vaguely visible due to the dust and surrounding steam.

The humanoid dungeon units were rushing towards the Grub Tanks that had finished their last bombardment, and thousands of dogs were rushing in one direction, throwing themselves at the bottom of the pillar, and some Zealots broke through the surrounding defenses and approached the bottom of the pillar, sticking long gauntlets into the magic attack and Grub Tank bombardment area.

But, give it up.

No, you guys do whatever you want.

It seems impossible anymore.

Is this the end?

Is this our last… Huh? What’s that sound?

‘Tudook… Tududook. Tudududook.’

It’s not that I heard the sound from that side and looked.

It’s just a feeling.

The pillar in the middle of the huge cavern.

The cracks gradually rising along that pillar… Shipa [Korean swear word]!

“Everyone, evacuate into the cave! Take all of them with you! Art Team, fall back!”

‘Tudududook. Tudung. Tududung.’

The cracks started from the very top of the pillar.

No, the rubble started falling from the very top of the huge pillar.

Like a landslide, like the law of universal gravitation, like the destructive power of potential energy, like rolling a small snowball from the top of a mountain, small rubble began to fall, and the dungeon floor gradually vibrated.

If we stay like this, we’ll all be crushed to death, dungeon clear or not.

First, I ordered the warriors who could move to move the people lying around into the cave.

But,

‘Tutudung. Kwang! Tududung. Kwaaaang!’

“Shibal [Korean swear word]! Everyone, get inside! Are you going to die here!”

The huge cavern itself is vibrating.

Starting with a rock the size of my head from the cavern sky, countless pieces of rock are falling.

However, it seems difficult for the warriors, who can barely move, to take all the dozens of mages, who have exhausted most of their magic power and are limply drooping, into the cave… Jang [Korean exclamation]!

“Really! Dark Assassins, take one guild member each and take them over there!”

After ordering the Dark Assassins, who are always there to protect me, to move the guild members, I also ran towards the cave.

Anyway, if I just stand here, I’ll die instantly.

There’s no guarantee that the cave won’t collapse, but I still have to bet my head on a place with a slightly higher probability.

How much time had passed since I ran into the cave?

The sky collapsed, and the ground caved in.

With a tremendous roar.

It’s dark and I can’t see anything.

My mouth is dry and my head is dizzy.

Where am I?

Ah, I remember running into the cave last… Was the dungeon cleared?

I don’t remember hearing the clear notification?

Jang [Korean exclamation]! What the hell happened!

I stood up and opened my mouth.

“Someone, turn on the light.”

…….

“Hey! Is anyone there? Are you all dead?”

…….

What is it?

When I ran into the cave, there were dozens of guild members lying around?

It’s not that they’re all dead because they’re short on magic power, why are they so quiet?

Ah, wait, wait!

Did the cave collapse?

I carefully moved and started waving my hands around.

Shibal [Korean swear word]! I can’t move unless I can see something!

Light, I need light.

I can’t manifest Light Magic or anything similar… Ah!

“Summon 1 Probe [a type of scouting unit]!”

[Tting! Summons 1 Probe.]

One Probe was summoned with a white light in an instant.

It’s not that I called you because I needed you.

Sorry.

But, I roughly grasped the outline in that instant.

I moved forward a little more and shouted again.

“Summon 1 Probe!”

[Tting! Summons 1 Probe.]

Okay. I can see.

Something is over there….

“Summon 1 Probe!”

So….

“Summon 1 Probe!”

Now this is….

“Summon 1 Probe!”

The front is done, and the back is….

“Summon 1 Probe!”

So….

“Summon 1 Probe!”

This side too….

“Summon 1 Probe!”

… I’m screwed.

The cave collapsed.

And I’m trapped.

I summoned dozens of Probes and looked around, but all I could see were stones and boulders.

I am the only survivor in a space of about 7-8m in diameter.

I carefully examined the dungeon floor, but there were no traces of blood or their traces.

What the hell happened?

There were dozens of guild members lying around inside the cave.

They were lying around me, barely breathing, but where did they all go?

Even if they were crushed together as the cave collapsed, there should be some traces left….

Hmm… Something is strange.

First, I checked my condition.

Maybe the dungeon clear notification rang while I was unconscious.

But, if the subject didn’t hear the notification, shouldn’t they leave a message?

What if the Awakener System doesn’t fulfill its obligation to notify the Awakener?

Just listen, I’ll bark.

What is this?

Shibal [Korean swear word], what kind of notification is this!

“Ehyoo [Korean exclamation]… Okay. Status window!”

[Tting! Checks your status.]

[Art Factor/Abyssal Warrior: Han Jiwon (Lv-110)

Nationality/Affiliation: Republic of Korea/Jiwon Guild, Age: 40, Height/Weight: 182cm/76kg,

Agility: 133, Stamina: 146, Strength: 137, Health: 138, Intelligence: 136, Luck: 144, Enchant: 124, Darkness: 210

Inventory: 15/22

(Dark Assassin (25), Corrupted Warrior (8), Dran (101), Mineral (1.055kg), Water (2.0L 1,998), Spam Canned (4,997), Cooked Rice (Large Container 9,998), Cabbage Kimchi (519.8kg), Raw Chicken (219), Pork (Pork Belly 59.7kg), Red Pepper Paste (99.2kg), Purification of Flame and Ice (1), Idea’s Healing (1), Dark Warrior (6), Key of Genesis (3))

Buildings: 11

(Force, Battery, Gateway, Dracan Core, Gas Mine, Upgrade Core, Land Core, Stargate,

Black Core, Light Core, Land Spore Core),

Crystal: 0/1,100, Personal Stats: 0, Summon Target Stats: 16,501 (Probe),

Possessed Artifacts:

Mineral Fragment (Absorption): 340, Gas Fragment (Absorption): 20, Idea Pouch (Absorption): 4, Idea Awl (Absorption): 2]

Hmm… It seems that the dungeon has not been cleared because the level is the same.

I don’t know if it’s because it’s the Genesis Dungeon or a dungeon within a dungeon, but when you clear the original dungeon, you get rewards according to your contribution, and your level should go up as your magic power stats increase due to the Spell Shockwave… Jang [Korean exclamation]!

Then, was everything I’ve done so far useless?

Was that huge pillar not the Core Tower [the main objective of the dungeon]?

No, surely! The reaction of the humanoid dungeon units wasn’t like that… Ah, maybe it’s because I’m trapped right now?

If I get out of here, the dungeon clear notification will ring loudly, and I’ll get a lot of rewards….

Okay, let’s check again after getting out of here.

That’s right, the inventory is completely empty.

None of the many Zealots are left, the bio units are completely annihilated, and only the food is left… Uh, wait?

Ke [Korean exclamation], Key of Genesis?

And there are 3 of them?

If there is an item that I don’t know, that I have never saved in my inventory, occupying a slot….

Then, is it true that the dungeon has been cleared?

Shibal [Korean swear word], that doesn’t make sense!

If the dungeon has been cleared, why am I trapped here!

At the same time as the clear, the clear notification pops up, the dungeon units are annihilated, and the Core Tower or Nexus should be regenerated!

That’s what dungeon clear is!

If that’s not it, then what are these stones blocking my way right now?

Why am I here!

Me being here means it hasn’t been cleared… and there’s a strange item in my inventory that I don’t know… This situation where an item that cannot be touched by anyone other than the Awakener, that is, the subject, is occupying a slot… How should I understand this?

Am I crazy?

Am I so exhausted right now that I’m seeing things?

Ah… Is it because there is not enough oxygen in this space that I am having a mental breakdown?

Hmm… Maybe that’s right?

It’s strange.

If there is not enough oxygen, breathing should be rapid, but it doesn’t seem to be the case, so it seems that air is passing through.

Then that means I’m in my right mind….

Haa… Let’s get out first… Let’s think after getting out.

As I always feel, this useless, terribly unfriendly Awakener System is really… Haa, okay.

As a result of carefully observing the surroundings, I discovered a slight air flow behind the position where I was lying down.

How did I find it?

Don’t ask.

I thought I was going crazy too.

So, that’s….

Summon the Dark Assassins and strike the back rock wall once. Then a lot of dust will rise, and if you leave it alone for a while, it will gradually sink or start moving with the air flow. That’s how I knew.