First Outer World Story Series: The Black Mist that Devours - Chapter 5
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
Dungeon release.
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On that day, the entire population of the world marveled, rejoiced, and feared.
The marvel centered on a sphere that had abruptly apparated in various parts of the world a year earlier, a sphere that could not be scarred by any means, not even by the bloodthirsty nuclear missiles unleashed by a certain country. These so-called “barriers” were greatly shaken out of their shape.
The joy that ensued after the astonishment was triggered by the fluctuation of the barriers, which amplified in size and gradually collapsed and extinguished their shape.
And fear was evoked by what arose from within the disintegrating barriers.
For what emanated from within the barriers were “strongholds infested with hideous demons,” “mountains that blazed with such ferocity that they threatened the heavens,” “towers whose tops were so high that they were obscured by a haze,” “dome made of ice roses,” and “a massive hole emitting smoke that could only be described as a miasma”.
And then, one of the dungeons that sprang out of the barriers was “a forest shrouded in an extraordinarily dense mist”.
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“Well, the dungeon is finally released…. A year is indeed a long period of time…”
While stroking the Thin Mist Wolf in human form, i gazed at the overhead screen of the ?Dungeon Create? with profound emotions.
I mean, a year is truly way too long! If I had constructed the dungeon efficiently (for me), I would have run out of things to do in about 6 months, and for the following half-year, there would be nothing to do but train my abilities and cackle with the Thin Mist Wolves!
Therefore, after a year of work, here was what my current dungeon specifications looked like.
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Dungeon name: White Mist and Black Swamp Forest
Ruler: Kurokiri (King of the Devouring Black Mist)
Affiliated monsters: Fogs, Thin Mist Wolves, Swamp Flying Fish, Disarray Dragonflies, etc.
Summary: The entire dungeon is dominated by dense mist (visible only up to 3 meters ahead), swamp (average depth 50 cm, minimum 10 cm, maximum 2 m), and a mixture of buildings and plants called walled trees (indestructible objects, which can be used as scaffolding or walls, and which can also be used as a place of refuge. Incidentally, the outer walls of the White Mist and Black Swamp Forest are also built with this material).
Some of the swamps are also existing with upgraded areas other than the depth of water.
An airlock is erected at the dungeon entrance, restricting the number of people who can simultaneously enter the dungeon to six, and for any subsequent person to enter, one of the following conditions must be met.
?The first person to enter the airlock is exterminated.
?The person who made the entry must be at least 1 km away from the entrance and at least one hour must have elapsed since the previous arrival.
Furthermore, one of the following conditions must be met in order for the person who entered to exit.
?Vanquishing of the ruler.
?The distance from the entrance must be more than 1 km, and more than one hour has passed since the entry.
Total number of people who have entered: 0
Cumulative number of destroyed: 0
Evaluation: Unknown (because no invaders have been present yet)
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The dungeon’s structures were remarkable, especially considering this was my first time creating one. Throughout the dungeon, the characteristics of the monsters and traps coincided, indicating that the traps would not be outdone so promptly. Even if they do, it would be unlikely that the creatures would lose before the humans discovered their skills.
The airlock at the entrance has been marked with access limitations. Otherwise, it would be a bit of a puzzle as to why people can’t easily access it.
By the way, there are also treasure chests placed in the dungeon. The contents include a thin misty wolf pelt (I was wondering if it is possible to summon just the pelt for a bedding? I tested it and it worked. It can be fluffed up like a luxurious feather futon).
Leaving all of that aside, I have set certain goals for my long life from now on… to be more accurate, for my existence as a Demon King. Since it seemed that I possessed everlasting youth due to the Demon King’s correction, it would be crucial for me to set goals.
1#I will not die until I want to die.
2#Payback to the mysterious little girl voice (the one that transformed me into a Demon King).
3#Be able to separate myself from the dungeon.
Regarding #1, it goes without saying. Since I had been granted eternal youth, living as long as I could was desirable. By the way, due to the Demon King’s correction, 100% of those who plead with humans for their lives will be unsuccessful. After all, the occupation of the Demon King encompassed a hidden skill that induced people to say to their opponents, “I’m going to kill you for sure!”
#2, that was the one who ended my life in the first place so I intended to retaliate correspondingly.
#3 was the most complicated of the Demon King’s corrections: the Demon King would not be allowed to leave the dungeon they administer. ( Their subordinate demons can get out, but their status is substantially reduced.) After all, not being able to leave the dungeon was a stifling experience. However, if I can fulfill the conditions, I will be able to venture outside, making my efforts worthwhile.
Those were my goals for the time being. One way or another, it would be inevitable that I had to raise my level by engaging with a large number of human beings and so on. The number of goals, such as growing my own level until it reached the maximum level or bringing the surrounding region under his domination, was projected to rise in the near future.
I would not hesitate to massacre people or do anything like that, for your enlightenment. Anyone can be more or less resolved to act to that extent after a year of living the life of a Demon King.
Now, let’s return to the main subject.
“Now the people outside have awakened their skills with the release of the dungeon… Let’s see which one will be the first to enter…?”
With the release of the dungeon, I employed ?Dungeon Create? function, a feature introduced with the opening of the dungeon, to monitor the outside of the dungeon for ascertaining the situation outside the barrier for the first time in a year.
“Hmm. As I expected, the military will show up at the beginning… unless some kind of situation arises.”
On the screen, a vast number of fences and pillboxes (military) were seen, erected several hundred meters away from the barrier. There were scarcely any dwellings that should have existed in the past.
And right now, a considerable number of military troops had assembled in the vicinity surrounding the dungeon to be on the lookout.
“Well, it’s a natural scenario and a natural response. But if it were possible, I would have been glad if they had stormed in without thinking about the consequences. Yeah. If they still have no intention of invading after a day’s wait, I’ll just send some monsters out and force some humans to eject themselves inside.”
Therefore, I opted to wait while stroking the Thin Mist Wolf with my whole body in mist form.
“Ah, it’s so soothing…”
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Check out other Outer World Story series in order: Outer World Story: The Black Mist that Devours (First series), Outer World Story: Pumpkin Sorcerer (Third series), Outer World Story: Basilisk of Ice Sculpture (Fourth series)