Chapter 795
Chapter 795: Skull Island (2)
The hidden piece of Skull Island is very simple. As you continue hunting around the map, there’s a very small chance you’ll encounter a monster called the ‘Keykeeper.’ It’s somewhat like a mid-boss, but it’s not particularly strong. Technically, it’s classified as a rank 4 monster, but just barely. In terms of combat power, it’s more like an upper-tier rank 5. Anyway, if you cast ‘Distortion’ magic on this monster, defeat it, and obtain the ‘key,’ you can open the cave at the center of the island.
And……
‘If you keep pushing through to the end, you’ll eventually reach the boss room.’
The boss monster, also known as the leader of Skull Island, is quite challenging. It’s only a rank 3 monster, but only one team can enter the boss room at a time. This means large-scale raid strategies aren’t possible……
‘Its patterns are quite tricky too.’
Back in my early days, I sold information about Skull Island on Ghost Busters, and the information I provided was none other than the boss battle strategy.
‘I wonder if she managed to defeat it? That woman……’
Come to think of it, since then, I don’t recall ever seeing her nickname again, whether on forums or in question posts, up until Ghost Busters shut down…… Well, it’s not something to worry about now.
“Mr. Yandel, are you sure about this?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“This situation we’re in. You were so confident we’d be the first ones to get into the cave, but we haven’t even seen a glimpse of the Keykeeper yet.”
Ah, that? It is a bit disappointing that we haven’t seen a single one in two days.
But……
“Just wait. We’ll be the first to enter.”
From the start, I didn’t intend to follow the standard strategy anyway. Why you might ask? What are the odds that the 12 of us wandering around the island could find the key faster than a group of 90 people? The source of my confidence was something else.
There exists a guaranteed way to obtain the key on this island—.
“Phew, finally found it.”
Talk about terrible luck. It took two whole days of practically uncovering the entire map before it showed up. I was honestly getting nervous because it took so long. Well, fortunately, it seemed the other side hadn’t had any luck either, as the cave was still unopened.
Crunch, crunch.
I walked forward, crushing the bone fragments that covered the ground with my steps. This was a distinctive feature of Skull Island’s terrain. This island is covered with bones of all kinds, whether human or monster. And the important thing here is……
‘There’s a special skull hidden among them.’
Just like this one. As I approached the skull I’d been looking for, I looked down at it for a moment. Its size was more suited to a boulder than a skull. Still, such sizes weren’t uncommon on this island, so it didn’t immediately stand out.
‘Two horns and a square jaw.’
After confirming its features, I raised my hammer. That’s when Raven spoke up.
“This skull… it looks like the Keykeeper, doesn’t it?”
“…Huh? It doesn’t look anything like it.”
“No, it does. I even brought an anatomy chart with me……”
“Why do you even have something like that?”
“I did some research when I heard we might go to Skull Island. Anyway, look! Doesn’t it look similar?”
“…It does look similar.”
To be honest, it didn’t just look similar, it was completely identical.
“Do you think another explorer might have cast ‘Distortion’ on it, hunted it, and left it behind? Unlike other floors, the Great Sea doesn’t reset every time the labyrinth opens and closes, right?”
Hmm, well…… That’s true, the sixth floor doesn’t reset, so that could be possible. But if that’s the case, shouldn’t there be multiple skulls scattered around this island? Why is there always only one? My curiosity as an explorer living in this world momentarily surfaced, but……
“I’m not really interested in that.”
I brushed it off, maintaining my gamer mindset. That’s just how it is, right?
Gamers don’t try to understand phenomena. They simply exploit them.
Just like now. The only thing that matters to me is one fact.
Crack-!
‘If you destroy a specific type of skull at the center of Skull Island, you can obtain the key.’
That’s all there is to it.
“Beleg, lead the way to the cave.”
After obtaining the key, we quickly made our way toward the center of the island. As we moved, a smirk crept onto my face, prompting Raven to ask me.
“What are you thinking that’s got you smiling like that?”
“Nothing in particular.”
What kind of expression will that ‘Golden Ghost’ person make when he sees me with this key?
***
When we finally reached the cave entrance, the area was almost empty, save for a single team that seemed to be standing guard. As they noticed us approaching, they tilted their heads in confusion. But when they saw us nearing the cave entrance, their expressions shifted to visible panic.
“C-Could it be that you’ve found the key?”
“And if we have?”
“……”
“Move aside.”
“W-Wait! Could you wait just a moment?”
As I moved as if to open the cave and step inside, they desperately tried to stop me. Though I had anticipated this situation, I feigned ignorance and furrowed my brows.
“Why should I wait? From the looks of it, you haven’t found a key yet, while we have. So we have the right to challenge the cave first. That was the agreement, wasn’t it?”
“Ah, yes, you’re right. That’s Correct. But… Just for a moment! If you could spare just a brief moment, would you be willing to meet and talk with our leader?”
“Hmm… I’ll give you ten minutes.”
“Yes……? Ten minutes… You say?”
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“No, no! How could that be? Thank you for giving us this opportunity!”
As soon as the conversation ended, the quickest-looking member of their team dashed off somewhere, and time passed by. And finally, after having been informed, ‘Golden Ghost’ appeared. About 8 minutes had passed by then.
‘Looks like he wasn’t hunting himself, but just ordering people around nearby.’
Well, leadership style is a personal matter, so I won’t comment on it. I prefer to be in the thick of things myself.
“Huu… I’ve heard the situation. Thank you for waiting. So you’ve obtained the key?”
“And if we have? Are you planning to stop us?”
When I spoke sharply, Golden Ghost waved his hands and shook his head.
“No, how could that be? I just wanted to propose a deal to you, Lord Viscount. Once again, thank you for giving us even this opportunity.”
What a funny guy. He was thanking me in advance before I’d even agreed to hear his proposal.
“Fine, speak. Time is ticking, and as you know, time is gold in a labyrinth.”
“Yes. Since you put it that way, I’ll get straight to the point. Would you name the amount you want?”
“…You’re asking for the key?”
“No. We also obtained a key about thirty minutes ago, so we don’t need the key. We just want to buy the opportunity to challenge it first. Of course, if we fail, you can challenge it next, Lord Viscount.”
Is it because his nickname is ‘Golden Ghost’? How interesting that he immediately pulls out money as soon as things go wrong.
“But you and I both know already. That whoever goes in first is bound to succeed.”
“So, would you please tell me? The amount you want?”
“No, why do you keep asking about the amount?”
“Because I need you to tell me—.”
“Would you give me 10 billion stone if I asked for it?”
“……”
Hah, suddenly going silent just like that.
“Just be straight with me. Tell me the maximum amount you can offer. Then I’ll consider it. But let me warn you, don’t try to negotiate by gradually increasing the amount. I hate annoying things like that.”
“……How about 400 million stone?”
“Just selling the boss essence would be worth 500 million, wouldn’t it?”
“But there’s no guarantee that essence will drop.”
Hmm, that’s true. To be honest, if I were them, I would never pay that amount of money to enter that cave first. If the boss doesn’t drop an essence, it would definitely be a loss.
‘Still, it does feel like he really offered their maximum amount.’
While we were talking, it seemed word had been spread, as members of the Golden Tree Clan that were scattered across the island, began gathering at the cave.
“So, what’s your decision?”
“Hmm……”
I pretended to think for a moment before answering.
“I’ll accept the deal.”
“Oh, that’s very wise—.”
“However, only if you hand over Abman Urikfried to us.”
“……?”
Golden Ghost’s expression changed completely at my added demand. From a bright smile to the keen look of a hunter who’s just found something interesting.
“I know about the connection between you two… But it seems you’re still quite close?”
“Trustworthy people are rare in the labyrinth.”
“Haha, true words indeed.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
“I refuse. As you said, trustworthy people are rare in the labyrinth.”
Huh, trust? Would someone who truly values trust let Mr. Bear be treated that way in their clan? I was tempted to give that smirking face a good punch, but as a civilized person from the modern era, I barely held myself back. Besides, he wasn’t finished talking yet.
“Moreover, people like Mr. Urikfried who know how to sacrifice themselves for the group are even rarer.”
This bastard…… He’s threatening me, isn’t he? Basically implying he’ll keep throwing Mr. Bear into dangerous situations and treat him like a dog.
“Hah……”
With superhuman patience, I held back once more and said to him.
“Fine. Forget the money, just hand over Abman. Then we’ll give up the cave—.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s also difficult.”
“…What?”
“Considering the amount Mr. Urikfried has borrowed, the interest is larger than the principal.”
“What……?”
Just how much did he borrow for the interest to be bigger than a 400 million stone deal? I couldn’t understand, but the negotiation ended there.
“Then we’ll cover the difference—.”
“No, we won’t be terminating our contract with Mr. Urikfried.”
“……”
“Now, go ahead and enter first, Lord Viscount.”
He seemed like he had no lingering regrets. No, rather, as I watched Golden Ghost turn away almost cheerfully, I gritted my teeth.
[Open the cave before Golden Tree Clan.]
Although the main quest was successful……
[Get Mr. Bear out of the evil clan.]
…The sub-quest failed.
***
The cave entrance was made from a gigantic skull. It looked like it would fit perfectly in a Jurassic Park-themed amusement park. It was a structure that required entering through a gaping maw where the inside led to an iron door with a keyhole.
[Grrrrroooooooooarrrrr—!]
When I inserted the key and turned it to the right, the eerie and intimidating roar of a monster echoed across the entire island.
“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you going in?”
I stared beyond the now-open door for a moment, then turned my head slightly to check outside the cave and my eyes met with Golden Ghost’s, who was watching from outside.
‘…He’s smiling?’
He really is an unpleasant person in many ways. I can’t even tell what he’s thinking.
“Mr. Yandel?”
Hah, I suppose I should focus on completing the main quest for now.
“Alright, stop nagging.”
Pushing aside this inexplicably uneasy feeling, I stepped into the cave. And……
Thoom-!
The entrance closed with a thunderous sound.