Back to where it started

[Verni]

I've returned to a nostalgic place. This place holds so much memories. This is the [Altar Domain] according to my system. Looks like this is it's name, huh?

This is where I first stepped when I came into this world.

There are bones and skull piling up into a mass of hill on top of a concrete altar. I may be the first to ever leave this place and conquer the dungeon from the perished students here.

Regardless, several questions arise. Why was I or the other isekaid students teleported here? Specifically in Sagus' dungeon. Next, where are the students who got teleported here previous from us?

Looks like the system can answer that.

[Answer. The teleported group of students must be dead or nonexistent before a new group arrives]

Regardless, I feel bad for the students who died here. Just like us, they wanted to live normal lives yet we got pushed into this insanity.

I'll give each one a burial here to respect them. Since the soil and air here is static for centuries and there isn't any signs of moisture, their ID's haven't decomposed and I can read their names.

Some sound very foreign, I've found an arabic name, russian name, indian name, western name and etc... Looks like being a loser is universal no matter which country we are, huh? Don't worry, I'll give everyone peace here.

But if we got separated for centuries in the fantasy world in time then why are the students from the same timeline on earth? Does time move faster here? I think that should be the case. I can see some are from recent years. Interesting.

Also, it seems this is the place where the dungeon receives its souls to grow.

Then a new screen opens up.

[Dungeon Name: Infinite Dungeon

Dungeon Points: 230/10,500,000 ]

Dungeon points?

[Reviving the general monsters isn't enough to make the monsters from the domains to respawn and kickstart the ecosystem. One should gather Dungeon points as well]

[Note: level 1 monsters will only give you 1 DP]

So a level 100 monster will only give me 100 DP, huh? How am I gonna fill out that number of Dungeon Points? From what I read from the library these world has barely any monsters from level 100. That means I have to rely on quantity, can my clones even farm that much monsters?

I returned to my clone city. My clones are working as usual. Looks like my resources gatherer clones have reached their limit, one of them reported. I've stopped them for a while since the minerals are mostly stripped from the domains. And I have a few thousand of them.

Will this be enough to farm these much DP? Most of all, it would be better if I can command some with intelligence since the outside world is unpredictable. My clones can only follow specific commands and has limited intelligence.

Afterward, I can hear the ground rumbling, looking to my left, a giant swirling vortex of flame is coming to our path, worse it's as large as my city.

Ehh? What the hell?!

Then in mid air, a young woman with an umbrella, wait, it is Eterna standing on a tall thin ice. She smiles boldly while holding her umbrella. "You have to do better than that Kravos." She throws her umbrella and as it passes the vortex of flames it gets frozen solid.

Using my [Divine Sights], I can see what's going on. Kravos sees the umbrella coming to him at immense speed. He holds his flaming sword and slams it against the umbrella. The umbrella becomes ice solid which gives Kravos a hard time pushing his force against it. "I'll definitely win for this round!"

For some reason Wye is on the air commentating the whole battle. "Oh, oh, looks like brother Kravos is having a hard time against sister'd Eterna's umbrella. With a score of 499 to 499, who will prevail this round?"

I fly beside him to check what's going on. "Ahem"

Wye gets surprised. His energy becomes disappointed. "Oh, hey my lord, didn't see you there. Hehe."

"What are those two doing?"

"Oh, Kravos and Eterna are competing on who's going to become the leader of the Generals."

I see, so that's what this is going on.

Eterna flies over him. She shoots ice bullets from her mouth.

Kravos deflects the umbrella, he leaps away from a safe distance. The umbrella returns to Eterna and she lands gracefully to the ground.

Kravos speaks with determination, "Eterna, everyone knows that I'm the most qualified to be the leader. I have the burning passion and motivation."

Eterna grunts with cold eyes, "everyone knows that one thing a leader needs is ruthlessness and discipline. I'm the only one who can shape up the Generals."

Hearing her speak sounds scary. She reminds me of that strict teacher from elementary, except this one will take your life.

Right now, Eterna's umbrella is closed. She smiles and is about to open it.

Kravos looks nervous, he squints as though anticipating that something dangerous might happen. "Come!"

Wye looks worried. "Ah! My lord, you can't let her open it, or this place might get messy."

I kinda can guess what will happen.

"Everyone, stop what you are doing!"

Hearing it, they drop their weapons down, also Eterna. She smiles casually and hides her umbrella. "Looks like you survive this time Kravos."

"Damn, you snow serpent." Kravos says.

I hope they stop fighting. Regardless, I gathered everyone.

Everyone seems to be listening but Karena is sleeping on the ground as always.

I sigh.

"Why don't we have a vote so you can elect the captain of your group?"

"Vote?" They look perplexed.

Minord looks excited. "Vote, huh? What type of duel is that?"

"It's not a duel but you can choose which of the two you want as your captain."

When everyone agreed, I have the two on front as they decide to vote. Looks like they will only receive 5 votes which is good since I want an odd number for a win.

"Okay, so who wants to vote for Eterna?"

Only Emperio raises his hand. As for the others they don't seem interested. Karena is still sleeping while Thea is nervous whether she should raise her hand or not. "I don't really know who to vote but you two are good so I want to vote for you two." Says Thea nervously.

"Sorry Thea, but you only have one vote."

Thea looks at Eterna nervously, "th-then I'll vote for Brother Kro-"

With Eterna's deadly stare, Thea's jaws gape. She corrects herself, "I mean Sister Eterna."

Eterna puts up a warm smile. "Good girl Thea, you won't regret voting for me."

I can see Thea's eyes swirling from nervousness. I can't believe Eterna would pull something that low.

I then proceed to Kravos, "to Kravos."

Wye and Minord raises their hands.

So that's two against two, huh? I look at Karena who's on the ground, sleeping comfortably.

Wye force her to wake up. And when she does, the first thing she does is yawn. "Is it morning already?"

"Hey dummy, we are currently voting. So choose between Eterna and Kravos."

Karena rubs her eyes. She points out to the two. "Why? Who are they?"

Wye chuckles from frustration. He looks at me. "Forgive me, my lord. All she does is sleep and she never met these two since they battled for the two whole weeks in a different domain."

"Well forget it, just tell her who she prefers."

Wye looks at her. "You heard our Top G? Pick."

Karena eyes Wye curiously, "how about you." She smiles and grabs Wye like a teddy bear hugging him tightly.

"Dummy, you shouldn't be messing around!" Wye cries as he is being pampered by Karena.

Looks like there wil be no concluson to this, huh?

Kravos sighs, "as it stands, it looks like we may just have to fight out."

Eterna chuckles with slight hint of creepiness. "Fine, I concede."

"Eh?!!" Was everyone's reaction. We thought she may be a little stubborn than that.

"You give up that easily? That isn't you snow serpent." Says Kravos.

Eterna harrumphs, "don't get ahead of yourself, molten swordsman. We'll settle this someday and it seems our Lord is busy. It would be disgraceful for me to waste more of his time."

At least, it's over, huh?

Karena chuckles. "Oh so that's what this is all about? Hehe, then I'll choose--"

Wye covers her mouth quickly. "Shut up, it's already too late dumb ass."

I take a deep breath as I face the Generals with determined look. "As you all guys know the outside world is a mysterious place. Anyone can be our enemy or a friend but I suggest anyone to not make any contact with humans or otherwise, especially if it's from the church. If it concerns you, you can talk with me through clone telepathy."

They are listening intently.

Minord laughs with excitement. "My lord, I have a question. Are those people from the church strong?"

Eterna raises the edge of her lips. "My lord it piques, my interest as well. Even if you suggest that we should avoid these people. Then do we see them as a threat?"

Eterna, huh? She's quite sharp.

"Yeah, we do or it can be the other way around. That's why we should proceed with caution before making a move."

Especially, the northern overlord. He is the one I'm being cautious the most.

Kravos asks, "my lord, what should we do once we are outside the dungeon?"

The first step, huh? From the library that I read there are some well known dungeons that my clones should raid. However, it might not be enough. Perhaps, I'll let them gather more information about the dungeons or monsters in this continent.

"I'll give you a walk-through once we are outside."

After bringing them outside, the Essential Generals are mesmerized. They stared at the forests and the sky for at least 10 minutes. They spent their entire time in the dungeon after all.

Wye decide to fly to the sky and then come back after a while. "My lord, where is the ceiling? How weird."

"There is none. It goes up forever."

"Huh?!" Says Minord. "Then what is there to see if you keep going forever?"

Kravos stares at the horizon with a serious look. "Then, does the horizon keep going forever as well?"

"Well, not really but there won't be any wall to stop you."

"How inconcievable." He replies.

I've been answering their questions for about an hour before we decide to move. Some of the Essential Clones from the lower ranks decide to join our journey.

I summoned some bird monsters that we can ride from the dungeon. We then flew to the village.

The Silver Fang Villagers were perplexed seeing the Generals and the Essential Clones. Ren, Vermil and Levia have been helping the villagers recover. Especially, Ren she has been helping healing their bodies from the curses and injuries from 3 weeks ago.

They have been grateful to us. Before we knew it, the Silver Village became a nice village. The houses are nicely built and repaired, also the smiles of the villagers have returned.

"It's the Eastern Overlord. All hail!" Says Minnerva as she is now the chief of the village. The villagers all bow in front of my presence.

I feel weird being a symbol of worship. Especially my clones have been revering me as well. I don't mind living a humble life for once in a while.

They guided me to the Silver Temple where I shall stay. I also took over the throne where Varlin used to sit. Ren comes to me to talk in private.

"Verni, I forgot to tell you but sooner or later the church forces might come here to investigate."

She told me the whole story. With the demons using my name for few years, my name is probably circulating around the land. No doubt, the first thing they'll probably check is the Infinite Dungeon.

It's location is somewhat known to the public. So I have to do something quick.

"Anyway, Verni. Those people are?" She refers to my generals who are standing outside the temple."

"Ah, they are my Essential Clones. They are like Vermil but their identity is fully that of the General Monsters. Do you think we can win?" I ask, hoping a good answer from her.

"That depends on who they send."

"I see, but don't worry I have something under my sleeve. It's too early for us to fight them."

Wye comes flying inside while panicking. "My lord! Bad news, Eterna disappeared!"

"Huh?!"

***

[Virgo]

I finally came to the Eastern Territory flying with my holy monks. One of the monks holds an orb on front, on each side there are two monk who are holding a scroll, while I lay down comfortably like I'm on vacation. We are riding a floating cloud coming from the Heavenly District.

It looks like Scorpio is here as well. How annoying, I already told him that I was enough. He is riding a pure white griffon while holding the Spear of Purity with a straight face. "Scorpio, fine, if you insist on coming, but just watch there while I demolish the one who may have took Libra in captive."

"Virgo, I doubt you can take someone down easily if they can manage to take Libra in captive."

I chuckle as though insulted. "It's not something unexpected, Libra is the weakest fighter among Guardians."

The monk on the front who is surveying the environment seems surprised.

"What's the matter?"

Even Scorpio looks shocked as well. I look on the front, and my eyes widen. Right before us, in the forest there are hundreds carbon copy of dungeon towers sticking out. It probably doesn't end since it goes also into the horizon.

"Virgo, can we find the real Infinite Dungeon by reading its magic power?"

It looks like one of the monks is done reading. "Great Lady, this is bad news. Each of the dungeon copy have immense magic power as the real one. So we can't tell which one is the original."

I'm amused but at the same time annoyed. How clever, but it seems you are really here, huh? The only one who can pull something like this is you Eastern Overlord. I'll find Libra and eliminate you from this world for good!