The Game Difficulty
Is Insane
A party dungeon.
Just as the words imply, it is a special dungeon that can only be entered if two or more members form a party.
And in Gray Eden, where multiplayer is impossible, the player naturally has to bring along NPC companions they have recruited as party members.
Due to the nature of the dungeon, it is structured so that the protagonist cannot dominate everything alone. Because of that, the performance of the NPCs recruited as party members is extremely important.
Glen had previously cleared the Emerald Bath located in the Wordsworth territory while bringing Romina along.
“So, I’m counting on you again today.”
With a fresh smile, Glen lightly tapped Romina on the shoulder.
However, unlike usual, a shadow fell across Romina’s expression.
“……It’ll really be okay… right?”
Although the results were good, when they challenged the Emerald Bath back then, Romina had faced danger severe enough to nearly lose her life.
It seemed that those unpleasant memories had resurfaced in her mind.
“It looks like we’re not making any special preparations like last time. Are we really just going like this without preparing anything?”
“Yeah. Why?”
When they challenged the Emerald Bath back then—
Glen had made Romina memorize the thirty-six trials that were randomly assigned to dungeon challengers.
“But for the dungeon we’re going to this time, there’s no need to memorize patterns. It’s easy.”
Glen smiled meaningfully.
Just because it’s a dungeon doesn’t mean it always has to match your own level.
As long as the rewards are decent enough, there’s no problem clearing a dungeon far below your level.
For reference, the party dungeon Emerald Bath that Glen and Romina cleared was a 6-star difficulty.
However, the place Glen’s expedition party was going today was a 5-star party dungeon, one level easier than Emerald Bath.
Unless something truly absurd happened, there was no way Glen and Romina—whose average combat power exceeded 7 stars—would fail.
‘The only thing that worries me is if a Lunatic Trial gets assigned…’
Whenever Glen entered a dungeon, Lunatic events tended to explode into action, so there was a fairly high chance this time wouldn’t be much different.
Still—
Even if a Lunatic modifier appeared and raised the difficulty, it would only jump from 5-star to 6-star.
Unless it jumped two full levels, Glen probably wouldn’t suffer any serious trouble.
‘Well… the rewards are a bit lacking, but given the current situation, there’s nothing better.’
The holy capital Istirenne, as massive and vast as it was, contained countless events, hidden pieces, and dungeons.
Events naturally occurred within Istirenne as time passed, but dungeons were different.
Most dungeons were evenly scattered outside the city, and depending on the distance, you’d need anywhere from half a day to several days to visit them.
Since Glen had to go to Rubelin Village in two days, distant dungeons were out of the question.
Compared to those, this dungeon was ideal.
Rarely accessible from within the city, and the rewards were fairly decent.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, its 5-star difficulty meant it was somewhat underwhelming for Glen, who was approaching 8 stars.
But the important thing was that those underwhelming rewards would allow Glen and Romina to connect the next link.
“Well… if you say so, then I guess it’ll be fine. Still, I can’t help but worry.”
“I understand.”
Glen nodded.
After all, despite his confidence during the Emerald Bath, a Lunatic event had still triggered.
Romina’s anxiety was only natural.
‘Still, just in case, I should explain a few dangerous trials on the way.’
Raising his gaze, Glen recalled each of the trials in the party dungeon they were about to challenge.
* * * *
Deeeng—
Deeeng—
Deeeng—
The sound of bells announcing three o’clock.
Archbishop Bastian was walking through the snow-white cathedral corridor near the bell tower.
“May God’s grace be with you this afternoon, Archbishop Bastian.”
“A blessed afternoon to you, Archbishop.”
From apprentice priests to fellow archbishops of equal rank—
Everyone Bastian encountered in the corridor smiled brightly when they saw him.
The great elder of the cathedral.
A role model for all priests.
Though he had not risen to the position of cardinal, everyone looked at him with eyes full of respect.
And yet—
“May God’s grace be with you.”
Every time he saw those ignorant fools, Bastian felt as if his insides were being twisted inside out.
Clack—
Arriving at his private office, Bastian revealed the eyes hidden beneath his gently arched white eyebrows.
His deep blue eyes, devoid of light, carried a chilling coldness.
“God’s grace… What a joke.”
His once-gentle voice sank low.
Then, from deeper within the office, a kind woman’s voice responded.
“You should be careful with your words. Someone might hear.”
The woman, wearing a dark crimson robe, was seated at Bastian’s desk.
“Hmph. Do you think there’s anyone in this cathedral who dares to monitor me?”
For decades, two cardinals beneath the Pope had divided their factions and clashed.
During that time, Bastian had outwardly maintained neutrality, appearing devoted solely to faith and belief.
No—
He had acted that way.
“One never knows.”
“……For someone from the Black Order, you seem to have some reason left.”
The man named Bebeluga, who had come previously, had raised his voice instead, denying Miniss.
“So then. Who are you? I heard that the prophet Bebeluga was the one meant to deal with me.”
“Prophet Bebeluga was martyred in the Langlois territory.”
“What…?”
Bastian frowned.
The woman in crimson stood up and removed her hood.
Dark hair, similar in color to her robe, spilled out.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Amelia Cluny, the one who will succeed the martyred Prophet Bebeluga and act as your contact, Archbishop Bastian.”
“From now on, all communication between the Order and you will go through me.”
Amelia lifted her head and smiled faintly.
It was a gentle, embracing smile, faintly alluring—but Bastian paid it no mind.
“Then can you, like him, freely shake a person’s mind?”
“That ability was a unique blessing granted to Prophet Bebeluga by Kalungod. I do not possess the same power.”
“……A useless woman.”
Step. Step.
Bastian walked toward her.
“Please watch your wor—”
“I planned everything with his abilities in mind. And now you dare say something like that? Your Order is truly irresponsible.”
“……Please understand that Prophet Bebeluga’s martyrdom was God’s will, not that of us humans.”
“Silence. I have no interest in your Order. Nor in the Miniss faith.”
With a cold glare at Amelia, Bastian shoved her aside and sat in his chair.
“At this point, I’m even starting to doubt the plan to eliminate the Saintess.”
“That part is proceeding without issue.”
“You release a demon of eight rings against a Saintess with nine rings, and you call that ‘no issue’?”
Bastian openly displayed his irritation.
“Can’t you even do basic arithmetic?”
“We explained this before. Though she has many rings, the Saintess’s actual combat power is far less—”
“I didn’t bring a Black Order member into my office to listen to pathetic excuses.”
“……I assure you, the plan we promised will succeed.”
