V56C4P1 – Dungeon of Argoldia

Weed led 1,000 dwarven warriors from Treestub Village.

He busily moved along with them to Argoldia!

“We have to run.”

The dwarven warriors hurried on their short legs and headed to Argoldia.

The dwarves were gifted with stamina and Argoldia was just beside the Central Continent.

– Spenson: I will send you a detailed map that I drew out the last time I visited Argoldia.

– Chase: I have a collection of information that I gathered about Argoldia.

He received the a.s.sistance from fellow adventurers and the avian.

The avian around Argoldia scouted the desert regions in detail.

There were considerable numbers of flying monsters that meant they had a few collisions but even still, they made quick progress.

– Swift Coldwind: I found it. It’s about half a day in distance from where you are now. You will see it after 3 rock mountains.

“Everyone, run!”

Weed dragged the dwarves mercilessly, giving them as little rest time as possible.

The bunch were over level 500, the best dwarven warriors with vigorous strength and stamina.

Some were even near mid and late level 500.

Most of these dwarves had a story. They bore the vocation of confronting the dragon since a young age and lived in the dungeons all along.

‘They are different from other players that spare themselves. They will gladly use the Brazier of Sacrifice for the glory of the dwarves.’

Leading them well was the most important matter.

He had to command them when they finally met Kaybern.

In Argoldia, flying monsters were roaming freely.

– Kuaaaagh.

– Kyaaaagh!

In the past they were fearsome figures and still remained just as formidable.

When the monsters descended to the ground, they fired arrows and threw handaxes to keep them away while running.

Weed arrived at the location marked on the scroll but there was a thick rock wall in their way.

“We have arrived.”

– Swift Coldwind: Judging by the surrounding terrain, this is surely the place. However, I did not find the entrance yet.

Weed examined the drawings on the map and the nearby mountains and was a.s.sured that this was the rock wall.

“The problem is the entrance.”

He pondered for a bit but quickly arrived at a simple answer.

“I bet there are dungeons still unexplored. Maybe an avalanche blocked it or someone sealed it off…”

If the map was correct, they would just have to excavate the entrance.

“We will dig an entrance.”

Weed’s words got the dwarves to pull out their pickaxes and begin digging through the wall.

After less than 30 minutes, they busted through the rock and created a path inside the dungeon. The possibility of untold events had them dig the entrance just wide enough for two or three people to pa.s.s at once.

– Dungeon. You are the discoverer of the dwarven special storage.

< Benefit: Reputation increased by 15,000.

Experience and drop rate increased 2x for a week.

In the first hunt, the monster will drop the best item from its potential loots. >

Just shovels upon shovels of reputation.

The surplus of reputation was perhaps a common trait of the dwarven race quest.

Normally the dwarves spread their reputation as great generals.

Not many became adventurers.

That aside, this quest was extremely vital for the entirety of the dwarven kind, hence he received a substantial amount of reputation.

“We found it earlier than I thought.”

Weed led the dwarves and made his way slowly inside the dungeon.

‘From this point on, I can’t get the help from other players. There are other disadvantages too.’

He would not be able to use Undead Summoning, which was despised by dwarves. Needless to say, that meant he cannot call upon Van Hawk nor on Torido.

The dwarves were simple minded and did not compromise for the things they hated.

“Hmm. Then I just have to exploit these dwarves to the fullest. We have enough of a fighting chance.”

Weed brought 7 pieces of dwarven gear that he obtained from the dragon lair and distributed them.

There were a huge amount of treasures but it was unexpectedly difficult to find dwarven equipment with level restrictions around 500.

“Is this the work of the great commander Weedhand-nim?”

“I brought this from Kaybern’s home. You are all welcome to use them.”

In a ma.s.sive war, the equipment of 7 dwarves wouldn’t be much of a difference.

However, if the dwarves leading the group inside the dungeon had reliable defense, they could withstand just about any foe!

“Maintain close formation.”

The dwarven secret storage had marble walls, quite s.p.a.cious with corridors 20 meters in width.

“Be careful of traps and advance slowly.”

*Clack-clack-clack.*

Weed divided the dwarves into 20 teams of 50.

He already confirmed that these warriors could use about 5 to 6 types of weapons freely.

From throwing weapons like handaxes, daggers to heavy weapons such as double axes and big spears.

They were blacksmiths and consequently had a deep understanding of weapons.

They even wielded s.h.i.+elds well, truly the jack of all trades in combat.

– Kwat!

– Kwa-Kyagh!

Keya, the herbivores that inhabit Argoldia appeared in front of them.

They were herbivores 5 meters long, tyrannical creatures that attacked smaller creatures for fun.

“Enemy spotted. Begin battle!”

The cluttered dwarven warriors lifted their weapons and advanced.

Due to the thick skins of the Keyas, typical attacks had little effect.

“Front line throw handaxes and pull back. Second row, throw your spears. Third row, s.h.i.+eld charge. Fourth row, arm up with axes and attack.”

The dwarves carried a variety of weapons on their backs and swiftly adapted to the kind of enemy they were up against.

They fended with their s.h.i.+elds and attacked the body with spears while cutting off the approaching tentacles with axes.

“Excellent.”

Weed was satisfied at the sight of the dwarves moving exactly as he commanded.

Each dwarf was pulling off their role and the innate intrepidness of dwarven warriors stirred up an intensely engaging battle.

They weren’t as extreme as barbarians, but the defense that came from s.h.i.+elds and armor was incredibly effective in close combat.

They took care of the Keyas while sustaining only minor injuries.

“K-hmm. It stings a little.”

“It’s more than bearable. I can fight more.”

It was impressive to see them treat their own wounds after the end of battle.

“Slight tweaks will make them great.”

Weed refined the warrior composition further with each battle.

In the treasure storage, all kinds of monsters from ma.s.sive insects, rock monsters to cursed spirits appeared.

At times he ordered the battle with mostly handaxes and spread them out in a defensive formation on purpose to confirm their effectiveness.

It was crucial for him to confirm the combat level of the dwarven warriors through a variety of situational combat before confronting the dragon.

“Their defense is great. Currently there are no priests… If they join as well, these dwarves could plant their feet in the ground.”

When they fought with axes in close combat, they were a bit reckless. They swung mindlessly and did not back away even a step.

Conversely, when they wielded swords or spears they were true to their role of keeping the enemy in check.

“So their combat style changes with the weapons. Not too surprising.”

However, when they came across monsters with high defense, the limits of the dwarven warriors were evident.

They hit with strength, then even more strength.

Ultimately, they would swing until the enemy broke and shatter, but it was time-consuming.

“They aren’t half bad in hunting, but not enough to defeat the dragon.”

Weed frowned.

The dwarven warriors were utilizing only the simplest skills.

Their defense skills were diverse but lacked proficiency because they wielded so many.

Thanks to their high strength and good weapons, they were unstoppable against monsters with mediocre defense. But when the enemy was just as dense, they couldn’t kill it swiftly enough.

Spear and axe warriors had decent attack and if arranged in a good composition they could hunt speedily. This method was meaningless against a dragon.

‘It would be a ha.s.sle to kill the boss monster of this dungeon, let alone Kaybern. They do hold their ground well though.’

Maybe Weed could mitigate those weaknesses.

The dwarves could wield swords, spears, axes and s.h.i.+elds.

He just needed to teach them more efficient and powerful skills.

“Mapan-nim.”

– Mapan: At your service!

“The dwarves are capable of wielding just about any weapon. But their skills are outdated and I need useful ones.”

– Mapan: Is it for battling the dragon?

As expected, Mapan understood his motives clearly.

“It would be helpful to find skills that will do well in normal hunts, but of course we will need secret techniques for the dragon hunt.”

Secret techniques of the sword, axe and spear.

In the past it was difficult to learn just one, but times have changed.

Weed was the emperor of the Arpen Empire and he held the ultimate authority.

With the exception of those within Haven territories, every secret technique could be collected.

‘Not just anyone can master the secret techniques, but I’m sure these dwarves are worthy.’

– Mapan: I will scavenge the best as quickly as possible. Oberon-nim, too, would know quite a bit of defense skills.

Fulfilling the lacking skills of dwarves wasn’t the end.

For them to reach advanced levels, they had to go through an intense grind.

Luckily for them, Weed was an expert in the field.

‘The dwarves are prideful and have high tolerance levels. I can make them crawl just before they die short of breath.’

Now it was time to increase the tempo of the hunt.

– I am Weedhand!

Weed roared and pulled out his Loa sword.

From this moment out, he was to win the hearts of the warriors and engage in the hunt himself.

“Oh. Finally Weed has pulled his weapon.”

“Sword? So he primarily uses swords!”

The Dragon Slayer Axe reduced stats, so he had no intentions of using it.

The weapon was almost forbidden unless he were to face a boss level monster!

Weed’s roar was effective in boosting the morale of the dwarves, but he had a different motive.

From afar, endless legions of monsters stomped towards them.

The dungeon became a living h.e.l.l filled with the horrific cries of the monsters.

“Now we are going to clean the house.”

Weed did think that it may be dangerous to funnel all the monsters together.

‘I have to save time. With our forces, it’s worth a shot.’

The dwarves did best when pushed to the limit!

If he sealed the halls of the dungeon, only a small number could fight at an instance, no matter how many monsters.

He confirmed the high defense of the dwarves and all that was left was for them to fight until the end.

“Sculptural Destruction! All shall become strength.”

Sculptural Destruction converted all Art stats into Strength!

“Heraim Fencing Skill.. Haaah!”

He ruthlessly slashed through the monsters and wiped them out together with the warriors.

“He’s incredible, that dwarf.”

“He might overpower an ogre.”

The dwarves followed behind him with admiration.

He looked back after they fended off the monsters for a while. The dwarves were worn out but there were no casualties.

It was all because they protected each other with the close bonds they have for their own kind. Weed was very impressed.

“Mmm. I am a.s.sured that I can drive them even further.”

He did not want his subordinates to die in vain, but he took the mindset of the exploitative CEO to heart!

“We’ll keep moving forward.”

At some point in their charge, they found iron golems. Thick dust had collected on the head and shoulders and when the dwarves approached them, they opened their eyes.

“Enemy. Prepare for battle!”

– Guuuuuuuuuuuuh. You finally arrived.

– We have been waiting for ages.

Surprisingly, the golems weren’t enemies but the allies of the dwarves.

They were iron golem reinforcements created by dwarf commanders.

“As one should expect from an advanced dungeon in one of the 10 forbidden locations.”

(To be continued…)