Chapter 416: Dungeon Experience V

[Dungeon]

Upon witnessing the assassin who boast for his speed just to impress some girl in his group, die an immediate death upon entering the dark hallway at the hands of a shadow monster in a shape of a knight, Everyone then slightly backed away from the entrance as some of the people near the entrance grew fearful of the monster that suddenly popped out.

With that the number of people in the room then decreased by one totaling about 80 remaining people from the former 100 plus raiders.

After awhile when the shadow monster in a form of a knight slowly disappears in the darkness without any signs of attacking any people in the room, everyone then let out a sigh or relief as they all calmed themselves down from this sudden surprise. In fact even Kaido himself was on edge the moment the monster appeared, after all everything happened in a split second that even he couldn't see it coming.

If he himself who excels in sensitivity of its senses and a calamity of some fantasy world realized far too late the presence of such a monster, then this obstacle in front of him is naturally something out of ordinary. After all this challenge itself can most likely also kill him if he lets his guard down even for a slightest moment.

In the midst of this commotion, the person who hails as the grand swordsman then spoke up as if he was the de facto leader of this small army of players in the room.

"Ehem!!! Looks like this hallway isn't something to be underestimated... In fact i thought that this hallway only has traps within it or some kind of illusion of distorting distance... I even assumed a boss monster to pop out... but to think that that only a mob would appear, truly disappointing"

Hearing his arrogant words, some people in the room naturally voiced out their contempt as they directed their frustration towards that particular person.

"Hugh?!?! What do you mean by that?"

"Its funny how you say that this hallway shouldn't be underestimated, and yet you yourself call it disappointing"

"Your just a show off!!! Shut the hell up!!!"

In response to this words, that person then clarified his words as he faced the crowd.

"Oh my! I'm not underestimating the hallway at all! its just that my expectations were so exaggerated that  having only a mob monster come out kind of let me down... However even thought i can say that the hallway is hard to complete, it isn't unbeatable"

With that Gus then stepped forward as he asked

"What do you mean?"

"To make it clear, we can finish this hallway challenge.... the only goal for this challenge is to have some of the players here reach the end of this hallway to proceed to the next part of the dungeon, meaning we don't have to specifically defeat the shadow monster. Albeit we can even ignore it" answered by the great swordsman

Hearing that answer, Gus then dwelled in his thoughts for a bit as some of the people in the room nodded in agreement upon realizing that fact. After all the dungeon didn't specifically says or portrays that they all have to defeat the shadow monster, it just showed the end of the hallway in a visage of blinding light.

If the exit is already shown, then defeating the shadow monster isn't the primary objective but rather getting to the other end of the hallway. However the way the person says his words troubled Gus.

"What do you mean some?"

With that question, everyone in the room once more grew silent.

"Well to be exact not all of us would be able to reach other end of the hallway, i assume that the moment we step into this hallway, the shadow monster would naturally try to kill us"

Once more realization hit everyone as they all wore grim faces, in fact even Gus who hailed as the toughest in the group seemed worried. No matter how you look at it, the person's words were actually a matter of a fact.

"Of course worry not! as long as I'm here, I will try my best to protect as much many people i could... naturally i would prioritize the girls in this room"

At that coupled with the sparkling wink from him directed to the woman's group, most of the girls naturally squealed in excitement as they grew fond of the grand swordsman. In fact the reason why many girls are attracted to the grand swordsman is because he is actually good looking to the point that could be labeled as a celebrity. 

By the way he talks, move, react, and court the girls in the room would naturally attract the majority of the girls. Of course there are some exceptions such as women that are already aged and women who are attracted to older men or small boys. fetishes in all shape and sizes.

Along those exception were both Shelly and Lilia besides Kaido, In fact Kaido even wanders whether this girls are interested to the opposite sexes. Just by looking at their nonchalant expression as if they were uninterested, Kaido couldn't help but imagine the future of this two ladies would live forever in a single life.

Putting aside the exceptions, the girls who are attracted to that particular arrogant person are like teens who longs for their idols. Among those group is the woman whom the assassin who died tried to impress and the saint of their group.

Ignoring the latter, Kaido felt sorry for the assassin who tried to impress the girl, who seemed to be fan-Girling at the guy who looked like a celebrity. In fact such admiration in her eyes was too much, to the point that Kaido was sure that if the guy asked for her to sleep with him, the girl would naturally wholeheartedly accepts. The late assassin's attempt to woo the girl was really in vain.

In that moment as if irritated from the attitude of the girls, one of the guy in the back of the room then voiced out his dissatisfaction.

"And who the fuck are you to claim that you can protect everyone?"

"Your just trying to show-off in front of the girls!!!"

"Kuh!!! this is why i hate good looking people, they always make average looking folk like us look ugly"

"The girls squealing is just too much! What is this? some kind of a concert?"

In response to all this dissatisfaction, the guy then calmly replied to all their comments.

"First of all i guarantee the safety of the majority of the girls in this room, it is up to them whether they include themselves in the majority or not, all i can say is that i will prioritize people who likes me and people who i like... second I'm not trying to show-off, after all I'm already famous in the internet, I'm the internet celebrity, the prince of all those who admires me... I'm Cedric!!!"

With that introduction, most of the girls squealed in delight as they grew excited for their so called internet celebrity prince. Of course some of the guys gave a look of disgusts upon hearing a guy calling himself as prince in a cringe way. 

Due to the guys reaction some of the girls that admire the so called internet celebrity prince, naturally scowled at the male group as if trying to protect something precious to them.

While this was happening, Kaido himself was shocked by this sudden revelation as he felt like he jinxed himself upon stating the arrogant person as a celebrity. Nevertheless for him this came in a surprise. However surprise is just a surprise, the fact that such a guy was arrogant was another matter. If such a person was arrogant, then perhaps he has the skills to back it up, and in order to prove his point, Kaido then slowly approached him as he will try to test the water out.

"Hoh! Big words from someone who isn't that much..."

At those words the whole room then suddenly turned completely silent as everyone's eyes turned towards the owner of those voice. Naturally Kaido who was the one who spoke out didn't mind the stares from strangers he doesn't know, after all he has the skills to back it up.

Even though the guy called Cedric didn't mean to harm anyone with his arrogant words, Kaido just couldn't stand someone  who is inferior to him in so many ways to talk him down as if he was nothing. For him the only people who are allowed to be arrogant are people who are above him, unfortunately Cedric wasn't one of them.

Not the three heroes he knew, not the ruler of countries he is acquainted, not the demons who he allied, nor his allies who accompanied him, not even the gods. In his view he himself alone is the strongest. As one of the person who has potential to rise to a higher dimension, Kaido himself wouldn't let anyone look down on him.

Such a phrasing may come out rude, but such phrasing is his own belief. As long as he believe that he is the strongest, no one could beat him. After all one day he believes that he will be able to take his revenge against the only person who managed to kill him back in the void.

When Kaido stepped up to confront Cedric, numerous eyes naturally turned wide in surprise as they recognized him for being the person who founded the escape route at the 2nd challenge. Despite in their eyes Kaido is just a random person they got acquainted while Cedric is a celebrity in it of itself, their status were just too different.

As Kaido's other members in the group looked at him with pitying gaze, even Gus himself who held him in high regards couldn't help but freak out when Kaido spoke out against Cedric, who is well known as an internet celebrity. If this situation wasn't handled right, then Kaido might end up the same as the assassin who fought against Cedric for the attention of a certain girl.

"You!!! Kaido..." ushered Gus

but before Gus could finish his words, Kaido then immediately cuts him off.

"Shut up! Don't interfere"

Even though such words were just a simple wording in Kaido's mouth, Gus couldn't help but feel pressured by his words as he unknowingly hushed silence from the aura that Kaido was emitting. Unbeknown to everyone including to Kaido, the person himself was emitting a hint of his Calamity aura that he acquired from being reborn as a calamity class being back in the wolrd of Ingrid.

While that was happening, Cedric seemed amuse towards Kaido's bravery to speak out despite the backlash that he may receive from his supporters. But since Kaido wanted to stand against him, Cedric was then  determined to ruin his life after this exchange. However before dragging  Kaido's reputation to ruin, he needed to defeat him at the upcoming argument as a base for his future ruination.

"And you are?" asks Cedric

"I'm this guys acquaintance" said Kaido as he pointed his thumb towards Gus

With a chuckle, Cedric then replied.

"I see... So what made you say those words?"

"Big words from someone who isn't that much? Isn't that pretty obvious? If i say you are someone who isn't that much, that means your weak" said Kaido as he stood before Cedric

"I'm weak? Stop with the joke! Don't you know my class? I'm a grand swordsman, meaning i can literally topple anyone in this room with my strength alone.... On the other hand i heard that your an Esper, aren't Esper's one of the basic class? How can you say I'm weak if my class is way stronger than you?" shrugged by Cedric

"Kahahaha! Now that's funny! Your telling me your basing your strength on how strong your class is? What is this a game? No matter how strong your class is, as long as you are afraid to die, you will always be weak in my eyes" said by Kaido as he tapped his finger towards Cedric

"What's so funny about it? It is only logical that a higher class is much better and stronger than a basic and normal class... Its common sense! why don't you know that? Did you live back in the mountains? are you uneducated? are you the type of person that believes that effort is equivalent to power? That's an old way of thinking" gloated Cedric

"Old way? Hahahaha!!! You actually said that my way of thinking is old? Do you even know who your talking to?"

As Kaido said those words, he then suddenly came in for a grab as he suddenly grabbed Cedric by the neck before saying the following words.

"You have no idea who you are messing with, if i wanted to, i could have killed you right here, right now"

The moment Kaido moved into a threatening manner, Gus quickly grabbed ahold of his wrist as Lilia and Shelly held him back in order not to cause discord within the group inside the room. even thought Kaido proved his point, this world was not not the same world he knew nor the same people who acquainted him trough hardships.

Even thought the people of this world could experience death and even overcome them to the point that they can get used to it and not be afraid of any threat since they wont die, it was still in the same category of disappointment in Kaido's eyes. After all if the people of this world regard such safety function as a miracle, Kaido himself regarded such function as a curse since such a function would not improve anyone in a long term.

Throughout history the only reason why people grew stronger and braver in times of hardship, is because they experience challenges and hardship in which they couldn't overcome. Due to the fact that they might get killed and be permanently dead, peoples instincts for survival would be honed to the maximum degree to the point tat they would grow stronger to survive. One can even call it as instincts of the wild.

Humans aren't actually a domesticated species but rather a wild species even from the time of beginning of man. With the will for survival is honed, the body and various strength would naturally correspond in order to survive, thus growing stronger in the environment they are in.

This system however wherein no one would actually die even if they were killed inside either dungeon naturally kills the meaning of ho0ning the survival instincts of mankind. Such method was only short term. the first generation up to the 20th may well be able to grow stronger using such function of the system, but the same couldn't be said to the following generations since the people would then become complacent as time goes on.

In fact the beliefs of the old ways was the only reason why people can survive longer and what Cedric did was simply an act of mockery that Kaido had experience throughout his three lives. No matter what Cedric simply insulted Kaido's way of life, thus the latter was literally irritated.

In the end Kaido wouldn't be able to do anything to the system of this unknown world, even though people could grow stronger using the system, it will still all be a hoax. Without the system such people would only be a normal citizen who doesn't even know how to fight. In the end everything is just superficial

After having Gus take ahold of Kaido's wrist and both Lilia and Shelly pulling him away. Cedric then pulled himself out from Kaido's grip as he glared back at the person himself.

"You've got the nerve to lay your hand on me.... I'll remember this... I'll make sure to ruin your life... You hear me... the moment you touched me your career is already ruined, dont expect to live an easy life"

In front of such words of provocation, Gus then glared back at Cedric before telling off Kaido

"That's enough... don't fight back"

Hearing his words, Kaido kept his frustration in as he smiled and retracted his reach.

"I know... I'm calm... Its no use to ruin my life, ever since i was captured... my life was already a living hell...."

After stating that Kaido then turned towards Cedric as he said.

"Right you don't even know what a life in hell right? Don't worry i clearly know what it feels like... plus you cant threaten me anymore, I've got nothing to lose"

With Kaido's declaration, Cedric was then shocked for a moment as he slowly back away in surprise of Kaido relaxed manner. After all the result was not something he expected, Kaido's reaction was completely different from his intended result. On the other hand Lilia only felt disappointed when Kaido declared such a thing, after all if Kaido truly meant what he said, then she and even the people who took him in wasn't worth much in his eyes.

With Kaido backing away,  Gus then faced everyone as he then decided on what to do.

"Anyway, we will follow what Cedric had offered... the girls in this room can relax for a moment as Cedric will completely protect you from harm, on the other hand the guys will have to work even harder in order to survive... Remember we don't have Cedric's protection, thus we would have to do our maximum effort to pass this challenge"

After that Gus turned to Cedric direction for confirmation for what he said and received a reply in a sign of a nod. In that agreement the girls safety was all on Cedric's hands while the boys would have no choice but to fend off for themselves.

"Just to make it clear, our goal is to get to the other side of the hallway, meaning fighting against the monsters in the hallway is just a secondary thing... do not forget our goal, focus on the objective... If everyone understood all the boys move unto the formation both front and back, while the girls will gather into the middle of the formation to avoid being killed"

Under Gus words, everyone then moved to their formation as the majority of the girls in the room hurriedly ran over to where Cedric is located. After all based on their understanding, the more closer they are to their protector, the more he will prioritize their safety. In this terms not even both Lilia and Shelly were excused as they were forcefully dragged away by some of the girls they were acquainted towards the center of the formation.

Lilia on the other hand showed a troubled expression, but the moment she saw Kaido serious expression, she then knew that such feelings were unneeded in this type of situation. nevertheless she couldn't help but worry for him due to the fact that the majority of the girls who fond over Cedric were  glaring back at his direction at the far back of the formation. After all nothing was scarier than a fan crazed army of girls.

Soon after when the formation was set up, Gus then looked over the whole group before finally seeing Kaido at the far end of the formation and giving out a command for everyone to move.

"Everybody stay in formation, remember to be alert in your surroundings also cover for each other backs... we may not know in which angle the enemy might hit us, but as long as we stay alert and fast, then we can pass this challenge"

"..."

"Everyone move! move! move!"