Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 193

“That is absolutely correct, My Lord.”

“Relay the order.”

“Understood.”

Psy quickly responds and runs forward, shouting loudly to the guild members maintaining the formation.

“Shuttle teams, board! We’re moving out!”

“Stand by in front of the produced shuttles!”

“Shuttle Team 1, Team 2, in order from the left.”

“Warriors, fall back and align!”

At Psy’s shout, the team leaders issue detailed commands again, and the guild members move with perfect coordination.

Before long, the guild members are waiting in front of the eleven produced shuttles.

With a resounding echo of my boarding command, everyone boards the shuttles. Except for one person.

Hongchan hyung [older brother/friend] is blankly out of it.

Hey, mister. Get a grip?

Did you lose your mind from clearing a dungeon after so long?

Should I help you snap out of it? Huh?

45 minutes after entering the new dungeon off the coast of Brighton, England.

“Direction, 12 o’clock forward, remaining distance 215km, arrival in 3 hours and 10 minutes!”

“Arrival in 3 hours and 10 minutes!”

“3 hours and 10 minutes until arrival!”

At Psy’s shout, the surrounding guild members echo the situation, and Hongchan hyung, who doesn’t understand the current situation at all, finally can’t stand his frustration and approaches Hanteuk to ask.

“What’s going on right now?”

“Pardon?”

“When we come to clear a dungeon, isn’t it usually scouting, moving, attacking, and so on? What the heck is going on right now? What was that earlier? Magic tracking? What’s that? And….”

It’s been a long time since Hongchan hyung cleared a dungeon. Moreover, a new dungeon.

Instead of examining the dungeon situation or discovering dungeon units, he’s being quickly moved somewhere as soon as he enters.

Well, producing shuttles and flying is something we’ve done together many times before, so he might accept that, but everyone else seems to know what’s going on, and he’s the only one who doesn’t understand, so he must feel like an idiot.

Well, he kept hesitating to approach me and ended up asking Hanteuk, so I guess he held back for quite a while.

“Should I explain it simply? Or should I explain it one by one?”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“Simply put, this dungeon is a new type of dungeon, so it’s an empty dungeon. Actually, it’s more accurate to say it’s a dungeon within a dungeon. There’s another entrance to the original dungeon besides the entrance we came through, and we’re going there now. Thanks to Psy’s magic circuit, we can easily find it. That’s it for now. I’ll tell you the rest when we enter the original dungeon. If we clear that, we probably won’t be in England anymore. It’ll be connected to another country. Right, hyung?”

“Yeah. Roughly.”

“… S, so… what the heck are you talking about!”

Hongchan hyung bursts out in anger at Hanteuk’s explanation and my answer.

I stepped in at Hongchan hyung’s blank expression, not understanding at all, unable to grasp what was being said.

“Just watch. You’ll understand everything later.”

“B, but I need to know roughly!”

“What! Hanteuk’s explanation was perfect. It’s the person who didn’t understand who’s at fault.”

“Wasn’t the explanation weird?”

“Nope. No problem at all. No problem.”

“…….”

Hongchan hyung tries to say something but holds back.

He must be frustrated.

I was frustrated too.

But, I think Hanteuk explained it well?

3 hours and 55 minutes after entering the new dungeon off the coast of Brighton, England.

“Distance, 500m ahead, 200m, 50m! 10m! We’ve arrived.”

“Shuttle landing. Entry formation.”

“Re-enter the dungeon. Entry formation after landing!”

“Warriors, come forward, mages align behind!”

As Psy shouts our arrival, the team leaders reorganize the dungeon entry formation after landing the shuttles.

A dark pit is visible on the flat dungeon floor.

The entrance to the dungeon within a dungeon, the original dungeon.

However, Hongchan hyung, who is seeing another entrance inside a dungeon for the first time, stands blankly and mutters to himself.

“W, what on earth is this….”

“Vice Guild Leader! Come forward quickly! Aren’t you a warrior!”

“B, but why is there another entrance inside the dungeon….”

“Ah! Seriously! Hurry up!”

Gilsu, frustrated, turns around, grabs Hongchan hyung’s arm, and forcibly drags him forward.

“I told you! Just follow me closely! Then we’ll go first.”

“W, wait! I’m not ready yet….”

“Ready for what!”

“Aaa….”

Hongchan hyung’s strange cry is buried in the dark pit.

“Hehe. Why is the Vice Guild Leader like that?”

“Is he acting like that because he hasn’t been here in a while? I don’t know. Anyway, let’s go in quickly. Warriors, enter quickly!”

Dozens of warriors throw themselves into the dark pit one after another, and the mages and I follow them.

‘Oooo~ oooo….’

Hmm….

Is this the third time already?

But why do I keep seeing this scene?

Dozens, hundreds of new types of bio-units I’ve never seen before are running around, and a beautiful woman is sitting on a huge chair with a bored expression.

She’s sipping green liquid from a luxurious glass and giving instructions to other women with similar appearances but without wings, and behind them are hundreds, thousands of mature towers.

Time starts to pass quickly, and when the vivid mature tower withers and collapses, a small mature tower metamorphoses again in its place.

A huge number of Zerglings swarm around, a Hydralisk morphs into a Lurker, and the roar of an Ultralisk is heard from afar.

Then the blue sky splits, and blue beams of light pour down on the world, and the world flashes with a huge roar.

Hundreds of thousands of Zealots chop Zerglings with long gauntlets, and Zealots are incinerated by Hydralisk spines. Dragoons’ cannon fire pours down on Spine Crawlers and Hydralisks, and the bombardment of Siege Tanks obscures the sky. Thousands, tens of thousands of Wyverns, Guardians, and Mutalisks cover the rear again, piercing through the acrid smoke and red fire net. Thousands of Thorcans tear apart Ultralisks and Lurkers, and the magic mist of Magic Worms covers the horizon.

The sky is burning, and the earth is drying up with red blood.

A huge mature tower is burning, and wingless women cover Thorcans with their bodies as shields.

And then the replication of the corrupted warrior.

The blue eyes of the huge winged woman wielding a blue blade and slicing Thorcans turn red, and the echo of a ghostly cry resounding from the depths of the sea towards the world.

‘Oooo~ oooo….’

[Ding! You have entered the Original Dungeon. Your accumulated usability increases your level by 2. 20 personal stats are granted.]

[Ding! You have confirmed a clue about the Abyss Darkness. The Lord of Darkness is watching you.]

[Ding! The Goddess Idea protects your existence. You are connected to Idea.]

[Ding! The dungeon has been activated. Grants magic power.]

[Ding! …]

“…….”

“A2 formation! Watch all directions!”

“A2! Warriors forward!”

“This is where it starts! Everyone, focus!”

…….

“… Guild Leader?”

“… Hyung [older brother/friend]. Aren’t you going to produce shuttles?”

“Oppa [term of endearment for older brother/male friend from a female], are you sick? Why?”

I don’t know how long I stood there blankly, but the guild members and team leaders in formation were all staring at me.

Hmm….

“Sarah.”

…….

“Sarah Matilda.”

…….

Like last time, Sarah can’t manifest in the Original Dungeon.

What’s the difference between the dungeon within a dungeon, the Original Dungeon, and a regular dungeon?

If it’s a dungeon, shouldn’t the skill usage be the same as before?

No, is the Original Dungeon not a dungeon?

The notification clearly included the word dungeon… moreover,

“… Did you guys only hear the notification once this time too?”

“Yeah. Same as last time. But the level up is a bit stingy. Level up 5.”

“Hyung, isn’t it normal for it to ring only once? Last time too….”

“No. Hyung said it rang several times back then.”

“R, really?”

“Yeah. What did you say back then… um, I remember… Kakakak [onomatopoeia for laughter]. I don’t know. Ask Hyung.”

“Idiot.”

At Hanteuk and Gilsu’s sudden banter, the reason why I was even worrying about this became meaningless, and I chuckled.

Yeah.

Let’s bury what doesn’t have an answer right now.

No matter how much I worry, only my head hurts.

Why that scene comes to mind every time I enter the Original Dungeon, why Sarah can’t manifest only here, whether this place called the Original Dungeon is really a dungeon, why multiple notifications ring only for me… let’s put it all aside.

I’ll know someday.

After all, even the reason why I awakened and why they awakened is unclear.

While we can’t even reveal the reason why we’re here, what reasonable solution are we going to find….

While I was repeatedly contemplating a problem that has no answer, I heard Hongchan hyung’s nonsense from the side.

“… L, level up… g, good heavens… what on earth….”

Stuttering?

Mental illness due to somnambulism and hallucinations?

Hmm… there’s someone else who’s more serious right now than my fundamental problem.

2 hours and 30 minutes after entering the Original Dungeon in England.

After stuffing the mentally unstable Hongchan hyung into the shuttle and using Psy’s magic tracking circuit to move towards the mature tower in the dungeon for about 2 hours.

Hongchan hyung, who had been wriggling on the shuttle floor, staring blankly at the distant horizon, and rolling his unfocused eyes, finally came to his senses.

“Haa… life is fleeting.”

“Vice Guild Leader. At this time, words like windfall and great fortune are more suitable than life is fleeting. However, these words will soon be useless after being hit by the Dungeon Spell Shockwave that the Lord will perform. Maybe that’s when the word life is fleeting will be perfect….”

“Psy.”

“Yes? Yes, My Lord.”

“Shut up.”

“Yes!”

“… Hehe. Jiwon, you too, really… hehe. Hehehe.”

Hongchan hyung suddenly chuckles after hearing me talk to Psy.

Did he lose his mind?

Or is he really crazy?

If there’s a mad dog next to you, you’ll get bitten… hmm… should I throw him out of the shuttle?

Somehow, that strange laughter sounds like it’s mocking me. Kheuheum.

4 hours and 50 minutes after entering the Original Dungeon in England.

After moving for about 4 hours following Psy’s magic tracking magic circuit.

With about 30km left to the mature tower in the dungeon, we landed the shuttle and started preparing a campsite.

It’s been almost 8 hours since we first entered the new dungeon, so we were hungry, but more than anything, it was to discuss the dungeon clearing and mature tower destruction plan.

I felt it last time too, but clearing this Original Dungeon is really not easy.

Crawling on the dungeon floor, using up all the potions we brought, the magic power of the guys running out, and some injuries occurring, only then does some dungeon clearing possibility appear, boasting extreme difficulty.

I absolutely refuse to do the same stupid thing as last time.

“Let’s scout after eating first? The structure of the mature tower might be different from last time?”

“Good. Junghwan, Munhee.”

“Yes. Guild Leader.”

“Yes.”

“After eating, take a Wyvern and fly around once. Just grasp the structure from afar.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

“And Hongchan hyung.”

“Yes. Guild Leader.”

Hongchan hyung is using honorifics to me, so it seems like he’s finally back to his senses.

Well, an Awakened 4th grade isn’t something you get from playing hopscotch.

“Did you distribute the magic power?”

“Yes.”

“What about the level?”

“… I leveled up 20 levels. Kheuheum.”

“Wh, what!”

“Good heavens!”

“C, congratulations. Vice Guild Leader!”

As the team leaders exclaimed in surprise at Hongchan hyung’s answer, Gilsu, who was next to him, pouted and grumbled, scratching at my insides.

“It’s because it’s his first time coming in. We also leveled up quite a bit when we first came in. And it’s because the Vice Guild Leader is 4th grade. Awakened 3rd graders like us don’t get that much magic power all at once….”

‘Thwack!’

“Aagh! H, hyung [older brother/friend]. Wh, why?”

“I told you. Why is Japanese [referring to Gilsu using Japanese honorifics]. You come here. What, it’s because he’s 4th grade? Why are you still riding the bus and still 3rd grade?”

“N, no, that’s not it….”

“Then is this inside or outside? Are you coming here or not?”

“I, I’ll go check on the guild members.”

Gilsu runs away so fast that the tent entrance seems like it’s about to tear.

Gilsu, who poured a bucket of ice water on the excited atmosphere and disappeared.

As a very uncomfortable silence came after he disappeared, I opened my mouth first.

“Hyung. If you think you can’t handle Gilsu later, tell me. I’ll beat him up for you.”

“… No, Guild Leader. Team Leader 2 is right. How dare a measly 4th grade spit and shake his legs in front of a great 3rd grade Awakened. Aren’t we in the middle of clearing a dungeon? I understand everything. The great and respected 3rd grade Team Leader 2 told the 4th grade Awakened to cower in the corner, so that’s what he should do. Of course, that’s right. A 3rd grade with tremendous abilities! An Awakened deserves that. How dare I….”

Huh….

Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan is completely sulking.

Those lips that seem to be full of spite and eyebrows raised as much as possible. The left corner of his mouth slightly raised is the typical sulky, ‘do your worst’ mode.

Gilsu, you’re screwed now.

7 hours and 30 minutes after entering the British Primordial Dungeon.

“The structure is almost the same as last time. There are numerous caves pierced in the exterior, and humanoid dungeon units were going in and out of them.”

“That’s right. Based on where we are, there were the most units in the 3 o’clock direction. So….”

“Let’s go to 9 o’clock?”

“Yes. First, like last time, we lure the dungeon units to one side and then go around to the other side and enter….”

“Is there any reason to do that?”

Han Deuk-i questions Munhee’s opinion.

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“Hyung [older brother/friend], no, Guild Leader. I think we were a bit like that last time, but isn’t it different now? Let’s just push through? Our grades have also risen, and everyone has absorbed the Psi items, right? With this much power now….”

“Ah….”

“Y, yeah, that’s right!”

“Even so….”

“Hmm….”

I also feel tempted by Han Deuk’s objective assessment of our power.

Han Deuk’s right.

Team leader-level guys and a few guild members ate Psi’s 1st grade items, and after clearing the last Mudeungsan Dungeon [a mountain in South Korea], the Primordial Dungeon, they leveled up quite a bit and increased their magic power, and there’s even a skill book, so with this much, we can just go to one side without a lure operation… Huh? W, wait. Skill, skill book?!

So, skill book, skill book….

I’m still, from the beginning, staring intently at Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan, who is glaring only at Gilsu with his eyes wide open.

A magician’s absolute grade skill book for a 4th grade warrior Awakened… Hmm….

8 hours and 10 minutes after entering the British Primordial Dungeon.

After roughly gathering opinions, we take a short break.

I call Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan out separately and head to a nearby open space.

“Where are you going all the time?”

Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan complains with a still sulky expression.

Seeing that he was silently glaring at Gilsu even during the pre-briefing for the dungeon clear, it seems like he’s seriously sulking.

Well, I can roughly guess that the result of his desperate efforts to run the guild until now is Gilsu’s insubordination.

The dignity and position of a guild leader belonging to a mid-sized domestic company have now been completely forgotten, and he’s just recognized as the vice guild leader of the support guild, or rather, a supporter who handles administrative tasks. That’s why he’s here in the dungeon to raise his Awakened level and stats even now.

It can’t be helped… my ass.

Of course, I haven’t paid much attention to guild management until now, so I also felt a little responsible for Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan being so stagnant.

So, well, I just need to pay attention from now on. Cough cough.

I glance around and summon two skill books that I had carefully stored in my inventory and throw them on the dungeon floor.

‘Fire Wall (Absorbable) Skill Book, Time: 60 minutes/60 minutes

Source: Primordial Dungeon, Grade: Absolute Grade,

Effect: Fire Wall within the range of recognition

Damage: Fire Magic Power +200%, Critical +50% additional’

‘Ice Tornado (Absorbable) Skill Book, Time: 120 minutes/120 minutes

Source: Primordial Dungeon, Grade: Absolute Grade,

Effect: Ice Tornado within visual range

Damage: Ice Magic Power +250%, Critical +70% additional’

“What? Dungeon clear note… Wh, what! Sk, skill book?!”

Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan indifferently watches what I’m doing, and then, after checking the status of the skill book, he stutters and sits down on the floor.

He picks up one of the skill books with trembling hands and then,

“S, so this is… now… Ab, absolute grade? D, did such a grade even exist?”

“…….”

“Wh, why aren’t you saying anything? Are you giving this to me… Ah! Shit!”

“…….”

“This is for magicians only! Why are you showing this to me, a warrior?”

“…….”

“Hey!”

When I look at him without saying anything, Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan looks at me with a glare.

“How much magic power do you have?”

“Magic power? Why are you suddenly asking about magic power?”

“Anyway.”

“You probably know roughly, right? It’s a little over 3,000 since I’m in the late 4th grade. But why?”

3,000, 3,000, huh.

Hmm… It’s true that I haven’t paid attention until now.

If you have 3,000 magic power after 10 years of awakening, you’re only in the mid-to-upper ranks even among our support guild members.

How can the vice guild leader be like this… Cough cough.

Sorry, hyung [older brother/friend]. I’ll whip you into shape from now on. Look forward to it.

“Hyung [older brother/friend]. Be a magician instead of a warrior.”

“… What the hell are you talking about? The jobs are completely different, how can that be possible?”

“You have a skill book. It’s possible.”

“Yeah. It’s possible because it’s a skill book. Then what about the skills I’ve built up until now?”

“You have to give them up.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Hyung [older brother/friend], it’s been over 10 years since you awakened, right?”

“Yeah. But why?”

“Gilsu is a little over 2 years old and is already 3rd grade. You know. There are separate awakenings for each job. You can only be 2nd grade at best if you do well from now on. If that’s the case, switch to a magician this time.”

“Th, that’s because you’re giving them a ride on the bus in high-level dungeons….”

“It’s been 2 years. 2 years. Even if you’ve been tearing through 1st grade dungeons, a 10th grade Awakened became 3rd grade in 2 years? Do you think that makes sense?”

“… Well, that’s true. Ah! You too! You also became 1st grade in 2 years!”

“If a crow-tit tries to follow a stork, its legs will be torn [an idiom meaning trying to emulate someone beyond your capabilities will only hurt you]. I’m out of the norm.”

“Shit!”

“If I take this to the team leader-level magicians right now….”

“W, wait a minute! I never said I wouldn’t do it! It’s just because you suddenly brought up something so important. Just, just 5 minutes!”

“I’m timing 5 minutes.”

“… You bastard.”

After a while.

Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan really says a word to me with trembling lips, shuddering, and a look like he hates it more than death, so I hand over the two skill books with a slightly apologetic heart.

Hyung [older brother/friend], it’s just the beginning from now on.

It’s not like there aren’t any Awakened who started as warriors and became great magicians… Uh, are there none? Maybe… If you look for it, there might be.

Anyway, two absolute grade skill books.

It’s going to be a bit difficult in the future because you don’t have enough magic power, but work hard. I’ll push you hard from behind.

So first, throw away the greatsword.

Ah! Give it to me. I also have a warrior job. Cough cough.

It’s an unnecessary item for you now, right? Right?

10 hours and 40 minutes after entering the British Primordial Dungeon.

After checking individual equipment and team potions for the last time, we withdraw the tent and board the produced shuttle again, and carefully move to the dungeon entity tower for about 30 minutes.

‘Kyak!’

‘Kyaak! Kyaeek!’

The humanoid dungeon units wandering near the entity tower let out strange screams as soon as they discover the shuttle we are riding in.

“Pull them out. Magician magic power manifestation.”

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

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

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

“Idea Goddess’s….”

“Target 1 o’clock forward, magic attack from the prepared magicians!”

At my magic attack command, dozens of fireballs and ice magic fly towards the giant entity tower and explode.

‘Kuaang. Kuang!’

‘Kwaang. Kwaaaang!’

‘Kiaaaak. Kiaaak!’

‘Kiek. Kieeek!’

With considerable explosions, flames soar and sharp ice shards burst out, and hundreds of humanoid dungeon units begin to pour out from the countless pierced caves.

I watched the guys running towards us and summoned the units.

“Summon all Zealots, summon all Dark Assassins, speed-up Zerglings, summon all Magic Worms!”

[Ding! Summons 3,360 Zealots (Defense + Attack 200%).]

[Ding! Summons 100 Dark Assassins.]

[Ding! Summons 2,000 Speed-up Zerglings (Defense + Attack 200%).]

[Ding! Summons 100 Magic Worms.]

Thousands of units were summoned under the shuttle with white light.

“Okay. Let’s play! Zealots, destroy the dungeon units. Dark Assassins, protect us, Speed-up Zerglings, turn right! Magic Worms, magic mist!”

‘Krrr. Kreuk.’

‘Kueeek. Kueeek!’

‘Puhak. Puhahak.’

3,000 Zealots run ahead, competing against hundreds of humanoid dungeon units running towards us, and 2,000 Speed-up Zerglings turn to the right and approach the guys’ sides.

And I hear the shouts of Junghwan, Munhee, and Psi next to me.

“Speed-up Zerglings, Hydras, summon all Wyverns!”

“Speed-up Zerglings, summon all Hydras!”

“Summon all Speed-up Zerglings!”

Thousands of bio units summoned by the art team members with white light.

Let’s deal with them with quantity for now.

“Turn to the left. They’re rushing in from all directions.”

“I understand. Everyone to the left!”

“Yes!”

“I will engrave it in my bones. My lord!”

You! [This is a Korean expression (놈!) expressing annoyance or disbelief]

Isn’t this not the time for that?

When thousands of bio units summoned by the art team members turn to the left, and the Zealots and Zerglings I summoned enter the magic mist spewed out by the Magic Worms,

“Magicians, maximum magic attack! Target, front dungeon units! We’re going for a concentrated attack. Three, two, one, now!”

“Aaaah! Idea Goddess’s Tears! Wall of Ice!”

“Iaaaak! Idea Goddess’s Wrath! Wall of Fire!”

“Here we go! Idea Goddess’s Lament! Dew of Sorrow!”

‘Kuaaang. Kwaang!’

‘Kwaaaang. Kwaang!’

With tremendous explosions, flames soar, sharp ice spears burst out, and soon create water vapor.

However, as before, Speed-up Zerglings, Hydras, and Zealots cannot handle the guys. It’s just for drawing attention and stalling for time.

The main attack is the only way to deal with the guys with the magicians’ magic attacks… Huh?

I sense some strange magic power behind me. This tremendous magic power overlap that I feel….

“Uaaaaaaat! Absolute Grade Skill! Fi.re. Wall!”

‘Krrr… Kwagwagwang!’

“Kkaaaak!”

“Wh, what!”

“Gu, Guild Leader!”

“Get down, get down!”

“…….”

Fireballs explode in front of the shuttle, in all visible sight, creating a giant pillar of fire, swirling and rising as if to cover the dungeon sky.

This is a skill of the absolute grade like Sarah, Fire Wall.

With this kind of skill, there’s no need to give it to Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan… Uh? Uh uh?

“Keueok! Keok! Keokeok!”

Feeling uneasy that something was wrong, I turn around and see Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan collapsed on the shuttle floor, screaming and spitting out blood from his mouth.

“Han Deuk! Heal! Hit him with Blessing!”

“Th, this is… Wh, what is it!”

“Hit him with Heal!”

“Ye, yep! Idea Goddess’s Providence, Personal Heal!”

“Kuaak! Keueok!”

“… Uh, uh? Idea Goddess’s Providence! Personal Heal! … Heal! Heal!”

“Shit! High-level potion! Take out all the potions you have! Han Deuk! Keep healing!”

“Yes, yep! Personal Heal! Heal!”

“Guild Leader! Here it is!”

“He, here….”

Mihye and Kim Eunhee, who were the first to come to their senses in a daze, hurriedly take out high-level potions and bring them to me.

What the hell, what the hell!

What are you going to do if a 4th grade Awakened uses an absolute grade skill!

Are you crazy? Are you crazy!

Are you trying to die after using the skill once, or what!

Shit! Damn it! Goddamn it!

“Kulkeok! Keueok!”

“Damn it! Hold him here! Quickly!”

“Yes, yep!”

“Ah, I understand.”

At my shout, the team leader-level guys around me finally come to their senses and hurriedly approach and start holding down Hyung [older brother/friend] Hongchan, who is convulsing.

What the hell, what the hell why!