Chapter 56: 56 Dungeon Investigation Final.

The goblin knight seated on its crude stone throne flinched upon witnessing a trespasser who dared touch its land. Its yellowish eyes glinted ferociously, and it snorted its command to the battalion that gathered there, whose attention was occupied by wanting to see a vast blue sky and vibrant world outside.

*Gaah!

Its hoarse voice echoed within the place, freezing the atmosphere around it. The other goblins, who were still oblivious to the intruder, turned to the throne.

The goblin knight’s face twisted in exasperation by its foolish subordinates, who could move only at his behest. Its tall 170 cm body stands up and reaches out toward the broadsword leaning on the side.

Upon gripping the sword, its hand blurred, and then a violent wind whistled through the area with only a swing. It generates enough force to make the battalion stiffen like stone.

All the subordinates trembled upon seeing their king stand up, but deep within those fears, the desire to conquer and freedom boiled in their hearts, like lava ready to spurt from the pit.

It takes only a single move. The other goblins finally take notice that two trespassers have entered their lair.

The goblin knight pointed its sword ahead and let out an earth-shattering howl that shook the entire place, filled with rage that tightened the atmosphere even more.

Ryan and Marina walked close to the battalion, receiving the backlash with nonchalant expressions as they stood dozens of meters away from the group.

“I bet this was the last floor this newborn dungeon has to offer?”. Ryan commented as his blue eyes flashed deep into the innermost part behind the throne.

Within those small gaps, his trained eyes caught a glimpse of a small hollowed path that would lead them to another floor, but his instinct as a veteran adventurer whispered that it was the end.

The last place within the dungeon where its core lay wasted, guarded by its strongest monster.

However, thankfully, the place was just recently born, so the monster that stood against the last line was a monster at Mutant-Rank.

As the battalion noticed the two, their yellowish eyes gleamed before madness stepped in. One cry from a single goblin formed a reactive chain, turning the entire place into a wallowing abyss.

Ryan swung his sword sideways, preparing his stance. All his muscles tensed in a tight grip. And his eyes blazed with a desire to face a battle that boiled his blood.

However, Ryan’s eyes jolted open to see a blazing cape, and fluttering red hair blocked his view.

A brilliant spark ignited, and a swirling flame danced around her like falling petals before blooming into a raging inferno.

The flame gathers above her, forming a giant cocoon before it cracks and breaks free, transforming into a majestic bird clad in flames.

“Woah, it’s been a while seeing you use this level of magic again.” Ryan’s eyes flickered with excitement, looking at the familiar spell he used to see in his adventurer days.

It is one of the Master-class magic that stood at the pinnacle of fire elements.

Marina once used this spell to burn an entire army of monsters that marched toward the capital city years ago, turning the place into a hellish landscape filled with crisp air, charred land, and burning flesh, giving her a Nickname as ’Crimson Witch.’

Those scenes transpired once more before Ryan, whose eyes sparkled when the majestic bird flapped its fiery wings and soared so high.

“Sorry, but I don’t have time to deal with all of you, minions.” Marina pointed her staff forward and issued her command with a bone-chilling tone: “Go, Phoenix, burn the place down.”

*Screee!

A loud shriek from the phoenix sends all the regular goblins stumbling in their place. Their spirit shattered upon seeing the majestic bird flapping its wings and burning everything in seconds, leaving only a grey mana stone scattered across the space.

The goblin knight and all the other four stood petrified, witnessing a brutal massacre of their subordinates that faded like an illusion in a dream.

A bright, searing heat invaded their skin, scorching their eyes and making them unable to see even the tiniest figure of the bird.

*Screee!

*Gyaah!

Even though the goblin knight was not tall as much as the hobgoblin, with its last valor, it roared to match the phoenix cry. But when its sword pointed upward, it turned blazing orange and melted like butter. Soon its body turned into black smoke and vanished, leaving only a blue mana stone as big as an adult fist.

Marina twirls her staff and stabs it to the ground, “Thanks, Phoenix.”

The phoenix let out a joyful cry as it soared to the ceilings above, and suddenly, its body clumped together and burst apart like fireworks.

The event was fleeting yet left a deep, lingering regret. Marina stood still, her eyes gazing at the crystalized spark that scattered across the place as her mind wandered to her son.

“Heh, it looks like I didn’t have time to show my skill”. Ryan chuckles, his lips spread in a broad grin as he watches his wife’s impressive skill.

“Let’s go and check the Dungeon core”. He walked forward but stopped when he felt a pull on his sleeve.

“You know we have those kids staying on the second floor, right?”. Marina turned to the side, her brows furrowed together.

“You should trust the kid a little more”. Ryan shrugged his shoulders and stood beside his wife with a gentle pat on her head.

Marina’s eyes trembled as her thought revealed itself. She bit her lips and averted her gaze, holding back the stifling pressure that had weighed her down ever since Jin became involved in many cases that put his life on the line.

“I know Jin was strong, but I couldn’t get rid of this feeling.” She looked at the side and stared right into her husband’s eyes.

“They like, like, …As if telling me that he is bound with something far more than what we could handle”.

“And that thought terrified me”. Her finger curled against the fabric and she strangled the staff.

The man’s mouth was stitched, and he was unable to get a single word that stuck in his throat. Ryan gently pulled her closer and rested her face on his chest, “Jin is going to be okay. Let’s trust him”.

“But, “. Marina tightly wrapped her hands around Ryan’s waist, hugging him close.

“If we, as his parents, couldn’t accept the fact about that Kid,” he gently patted Marina’s trembling back and gently told her his heartfelt feelings: “Who else is going to stand by his side if something big is about to happen to him?”

“I can’t…”.

“It’s okay, everything is going to be fine. I will protect him no matter who comes and dares lay a hand on him”. Ryan tightened the hug and said solemnly. “I will cut them down with my sword”.

Both huddled in a tightened embrace, pouring their heartfelt wishes and determination into protecting their son, who seemed to hold a significant role within the world that they couldn’t even imagine.

After Jin and Silvia separated from the other group, less than an hour ago. They had regained their calmness and were engaging in casual banter.

A sound of tapping footsteps rang in their ears, prompting them to tense their grip on the sword and stand up from the leaned wall.

Jin glanced at his side, still noticing a barely noticeable trembling from Silvia’s figure. He exhaled softly and stepped forward, blocking her vision.

Silvia, whose vision was blocked, blinked for a moment before biting her lips, her fist clenched so tight it left a bloody mark, realizing just how weak and vulnerable she was.

The footsteps were getting nearer, and Silvia softly moistened her throat, afraid that her gulping sound could alert the approaching unknown.

On the other hand, Jin’s lips parted in a generous smile as he loosened the tension in his body, “That was fast? Not even an hour had passed since we separated”.

“Don’t look down on us that much, son”. Ryan’s deep and calm voice reaches out to their place, which makes Silvia’s eyes brighten.

“Well, I didn’t do much. It was all your mother’s doing.” He shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the back, and Marina returned holding five mana stones she had gained from defeating the superior class of goblins.

“Mother, are you alright?”. Jin walked toward her and noticed her eyes were a bit swollen. But, he didn’t dare to inquire further and let the hidden kept hidden.

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Those minions were nothing before my power.” Marina flashed her white teeth, clearly forcing her way to broaden her mood.

Jin’s corner lip lifted as he glanced at the shadow beside him. The silver-haired girl watched the two adults with widened eyes.

Silvia’s eyes never leave the blue mana stone in Marina’s hands, “Um, is that, Mutant-Rank monster?”.

Ryan’s eyes snapped open, “Hoho, you pretty well educated, Lady Silvia”.

“Um, yes, I happen to read a book that records every monster species and its habitat”.

“Eh? You have something like that at home?”. Jin grabbed the girl’s shoulder and faced her at a close distance, making her face flush pink.

Silvia looked down, her index fingers twirling against each other, and said, “Y-yes,”.

Jin scratched his cheek and shyly asked, “Silvia, can I borrow it?”.

“Um, sure”. Silvia reached out to her pounding chest, exhaling sharply to cool her face.

“Yes, thank you.” Jin curled his fist and pumped it in the air because this would lift one of his homework assignments from his mind.

“Okay, children, but we must get out of here first and report what we find to the Duke.” Ryan’s calm words snapped Jin and Silvia from their conversation.

Marina forms the side, covering her parted lips, holding back a chuckle as she stares at her son, deep in swirling thoughts.

Looking at the two kids, who nodded in understanding, Ryan glanced at his side and noticed everyone had the same thoughts. So they strode through the dungeon floor again.

Onward to the surface.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep