Chapter 24- Idece Last Words.

Mylo managed to cross over the lake by swimming. He was currently in front of the entrance of the cave. What he saw was a dark interior with manmade descending stone stairs. As he follows the one-way path, torches attached to the walls where lighting themselves up every time he passed them.

After a few minutes of walking down the stairs. He finally reaches the ground area. Similar to the stone stairs, the path ahead only had one set direction. Rather than being staircases, this time it was a long and straightforward alleyway. Having no other choice, Mylo kept advancing towards the predestined route. So far, he hasn't accoutered a single monster. This was very worrisome to him, based on his many years of gaming experiences, it was well known that a strong monster would be the cause of such drought. He took a more cautious approach after realizing his current situation.

"What is that?"

A few minutes of walking brought him Infront of a relatively large portal or gateway. It had a faint blue light circulating around itself making it look like a vertical whirlpool. Other than the mysterious matter was a single object next to it. A wooden sign planted into the hard stoned floor.

[WARNING: To whom it may concern. The space once set foot upon, will not allow you to leave any other way than through one's death…]

"Not like I can leave now that I'm here. I was already prepared to die anyway."

Mylo moved hesitantly toward the blue light, but as to confirm his doubt, a notification showed itself.

[Raid Dungeon: Valsea's Forest Guardian

Recommended Level: 100-150

Recommend Amount of Players: 50 Players

(Would you like to enter the Dungeon? YES/NO)]

"U-Unbelievable…"

"Wasn't Valsea forest a beginner's zone. Why would a raid dungeon of such difficulty be present?"

"Are you serious Idece? Where you really trying to hunt down something like that by yourself? There should be a limit to someone's pride and ego. It takes at least fifty level 100 players to subjugate whatever is beyond that gate. It's no surprise that nobody managed to make it back alive."

"I don't know if I should regret taking that quest or not... Ha~."

"Yes! I would like to enter the dungeon."

Mylo vision started to blur, he could faintly see his surroundings change from stone gray to olive green. After a few seconds, His vision cleared up. He took a good look at his surroundings. He quickly noticed himself standing in withered soils, the ground he was standing looked exactly like an arena or more specifically a coliseum, but instead of layered bricks surrounding him, it was thorns.

"Huh? What is that?"

Far ahead, Mylo could see an unknown creature standing tall and strong. The creature was quietly looking towards him but didn't seem to move at all. Behind him was a small stone altar and atop of it was some sort of giant seed floating and shinning a greenish light.

"Seems like it won't move until I approach him. What is that even, it looks like an…Elk…but not really at the same time?"

The creature had the stature of a majestic Elk, however, its body wasn't made of flesh. The elk's body was covered by thorns and withered roses , his horn were the same as those of a normal elks but much thicker and longer than usual. In the middle of its forehead was a shiny crystal, the size of a human nail. It color was that of corruption, a strong purple color.

"Let's inspect it."

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Name: Eolenuq (Raid Boss) (Corrupted)

Level: ???

HP:?????

Description:?????

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"Corrupted?"

"Anyway there's no need to dillydally, let's get this over with and report back to Ef-"

"… what is that?"

Right next to Mylo was what seemed to be a paper being etched onto the ground by a hunting knife. Mylo crunched down ,removed the knife and picked up the paper.

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Name: Idece Letter

Content:

Dear Father,

Either you came here personally after somehow removing the contract binding spell or someone else came here after me. I'm writing this letter expecting that it reaches you. If you're reading this letter than you already know what it means. I hope that you are reading this at home and not …here. Either way, I wanted to apologize to you. If I had listened to you and didn't have that prideful attitude, I could have lived a happy life by your side. Unfortunately those days can never happen. I may be apologizing to you, but that is only to ease your pain. You have to understand that I still don't regret the choice that I made and I hope you don't regret it either. You, better the anyone else should understand what it means to be a hunter. You were once as lively or even worse than me based on the stories you told me during my childhood. I did try to follow your footsteps but unlike you, I wasn't successful and that is fine. That is the charm of being a hunter.

Father! Stand tall! Do not guilt yourself because of my own decisions. I've never given you advice before, but if I had to give my first and… last advice. Get married once again and have another child. My heart aches by the thought of you living your remaining life alone.

I love you,

you're beloved son, Idece.

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"Why do I keep crying those past few days. Those Devs really out did themselves with that level of immersion. Crazy bastards, forcing me to deliver the deceased letter of my friend's son as proof."

"Let's head back to Efferus for now. Shame i ahve to kill myself without putting in a fight but i have no chance against that thing. WAIT! Maybe… yes! it could work! I could try and grab that item on the altar. It's going to be hard but I could still try. I got nothing to lose since I'm going to die either way."

"Now, Mr. Elk. You better kill me fast or else your precious seed will be mine."

*Grunts*

"GRUUHHH!"

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