Volume 4 Chapter 41 Inside The Armor
A dungeon is fundamentally unreasonable.
Unreasonable for whom, and in what way?
It is unreasonable for the *final boss of the dungeon towards the challengers*.
As the final boss, those outside plan and come to challenge, bringing their strongest forces to try and defeat it.
If one could accurately measure the difficulty of each floor, it would be possible to take precautions, repeatedly challenge, and gradually grow strong enough to eventually defeat the boss.
All for glory, all for honor.
There are countless beings outside willing to use their life as a stepping stone.
What else would you call that if not unreasonable?
...And so, a dungeon is fundamentally unreasonable.
It is unreasonable for the *final boss towards the challengers*.
Essentially, a dungeon is like a small journey.
It is a space where monsters constantly spawn, and everything around can be considered an enemy. One must not only fight but also manage their health by bringing food and other supplies.
Dungeons in this world are all structured with a hundred floors, making it an inevitably long journey.
Some set up bases at various points to progress, but once they surpass certain floors, they are surrounded by monsters so powerful that even countries cannot control them, and only a handful of strong individuals can proceed.
Thus, the strongest being one encounters at the end of this long journey is the hardest to defeat.
Moreover, it is often much stronger than the boss of the previous floor—the ninety-ninth floor boss—and many challengers die without being able to win.
From either perspective, the opponent is unreasonable.
That is the position of dungeon challengers and final bosses, a situation that has persisted throughout history.
...However, there are exceptions to everything.
"Whoa, strong—and that's just unfair!"
"You're one to talk?"
Horace and Clim.
The final battle of the Myriad Legion army's base, which began at the innermost part of the fortress, was undoubtedly a *close fight*.
Horace swung the greatsword *Cosmo Traveler*, with thrusters attached to its peak, while Clim wielded the *Sacred Sword Yggdrasil*, which granted the wielder overwhelming resources.
Neither side landed an effective blow.
In other words, if a valid hit lands even once, it will decide the battle.
"Ah, and by the way, you've been messing with *my* magic and manipulating drop item rates, but none of your tricks will work on me. Stop with the petty tricks and come at me with your full power."
"How do you know I can do that? A complete countermeasure can only be done before the fight begins."
"The answer is simple."
Clim charged forward and swung his sword.
Horace blocked it, and a sword lock ensued.
In a low voice, Clim spoke.
"...My father predicted that I would fight you here, 2,200 years ago."
"Heh... So you know the outcome too?"
"Without even being surprised, you accepted it and responded like that. You've got a good heart."
"And *my* response doesn't surprise you either. It was predicted, huh? As expected... The strongest brain skill, *Singularity*, is on a different level."
"I see. So that's where it ends. It's rare for my father to be *overestimated*."
"Hm?"
"Certainly, my father had the strongest brain skill, *Singularity*. However... he lacked the means to gather the energy needed to fully activate it."
"To foresee 2,000 years ahead with sheer intellect? Hah."
Crackling, grinding—they were in a fierce struggle...
"This is hard to do."
At the same time, both voices slipped out.
They deflected their swords and distanced themselves.
"...Now then, you will *challenge* me, right? Then be mindful. Since you want to challenge *that*, you've faced how many existences? Do not think of me as inferior to them."
To challenge the God of Provisions Arzent, Horace has faced Astral Dragon Gai Gigant, Hoardspirit Dragon Zeth Halcon, and Calamityshade Dragon Terra Disas, absorbing their powers.
Gai Gigant and Zeth Halcon are *residual scent entities* formed from the enormous energy left by their immense power, and though they are not the true forms, Terra Disas, however, is undeniably the true body, faced and controlled using its power.
The opponent who challenged such a being was called "God of Provisions Arzent," one of the Five Divine Gods.
And now, Horace is about to challenge another of the Five Divine Gods—*God of Sealing Shildress*.
Clim Fourclover Apollyon, the emperor, fights to achieve this.
"Can you even know what's happening outside from a place like this?"
"Do you think I can?"
"...I guess not. Then, give it your all. No need for *consideration*."
"Are you sure? This is being broadcast live."
"I don't care."
"...Alright, then."
Clim snapped his fingers.
The massive armor he wore vanished.
Inside was...
"...Let's begin Round Two. No regrets."
A woman embodying the very essence of *beauty*.
Her lustrous, long golden hair swayed, and she wore a pure white dress.
However, the skirt had a deep slit, and the top exposed her back and cleavage.
Her ample chest, slender waist, and well-shaped hips were clearly visible, yet she exuded nothing but *divine grace*.
Wings appeared on her back, and a halo above her head.
"...You were using a voice changer to sound like a man, huh? I figured as much. The armor was designed to disguise your build, not prioritize combat ability."
"Exactly. Showing a woman being harmed wouldn't be acceptable, would it?"
"Times have changed. If it's against dungeon monsters, the public wouldn't care."
"I still question if it's appropriate for a school setting... but if you say so."
"...Can I ask something irrelevant?"
"I take after *my* mother. My father's traits are almost nonexistent."
"I see."
They both raised their swords.
They charged, their swords clashed with a loud bang—and the entire fortress was blown away.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!