In my left hand was the shield that felt like part of my body, in my right the miniaturized vibration stone emitting red light like a lamp. When the red light touched the dark dirt floor lacking light stones, it melted smoothly to create a slanting passage about 2m in diameter.


    Though the vibration stone couldn''t melt the fortress walls and gate, it easily pierced through dirt. Thanks to that, the 3m Master Bobo left took less than a minute to break through, revealing the dark fortress interior beyond.


    "I''m going in. Don''t follow right away - be ready to block the tunnel with sacred law if needed."


    "Got it."


    So I entered alone. Since I was confident I could withstand whatever shitty gimmick might suddenly trigger, I handed over the vibration stone and took back my warhammer.


    The familiar armor like a second skin, the invincible shield that deflected rather than just blocked, the trustworthy warhammer that had never disappointed me. With these weapons I''d held more than put down over 11 years, I pressed forward--


    Inside the fortress I found cannons scattered messily. Glancing where they pointed, I saw the firmly shut fortress gate. This must be where the mid-boss fired at Irene''s legion soldiers.


    Otherwise the fortress interior was empty, no traps or soldiers. After I gestured toward the hole I''d dug, party members rushed out starting with Katie gripping her sword tightly.


    "Wow, bigger and... darker than expected."


    "Must be because the roof''s sealed."


    "Ah... what a waste. Looks like they used up all the shells. I was hoping to grab some if any were left."


    I stayed alert until they came out and gathered around me, but there really were no traps. Despite Grace''s sharp senses and Han Se-ah''s camera scanning everywhere inside the fortress, they found nothing.


    It was called a fortress but looking at its layout, maze would be more accurate. The pointed walls with a covered roof meant the interior was made up of equally complex pathways.


    The fortress gate was right behind us, but the path ahead split left and right. The boss monster Heavenly King dark knight was probably in the center, so we''d have to wind our way there.


    "Ah, this must be where that dark mage''s troops were... Ugh, the stench of decay."


    "Since he handled undead along with alchemy, you can find the barracks by the smell. Ugh... oh God, seriously!"


    Inside the star-shaped jagged fortress, we couldn''t go straight to the center. We had to move left along the wall, through troop passages to the inner layer, then right along the wall - that''s how we headed toward the fortress center.


    Well, they weren''t idiots building this fortress - of course there wouldn''t be a direct path from the gate to the command center. Using Han Se-ah''s minimap and Grace''s detection ability, we zigzagged forward one section at a time.


    Past barracks reeking of undead troops, past storerooms piled with alchemy supplies, as we kept moving through the fortress, a thought occurred.


    "This would''ve been tough entering head-on. Good thing we cut it off early."


    "Why bring that up?"


    "See how there''s a passage in the middle of the wide walls? And watchtowers for shooting at the corners? No matter which direction you come from, you keep getting caught in crossfire before reaching the interior."


    Though addicted to gacha games on mobile, I had broad PC gaming experience from RPGs to FPS.


    So in MOBA terms, this fortress had a vicious structure with layers of walls that melted troops trying to breach the entrance. In RPG terms, it was a grindy dungeon requiring gimmicks to enter each section. In FPS terms, the corridors were designed for crossfire from every angle. R?α????s


    If there''s an entrance on the left, you had to clear the right then deal with enemies charging from the far left before entering, then turn right and clear troops there - an endless zigzag breakthrough pattern.


    Though we moved smoothly back and forth since the fortress was empty, imagining what would''ve happened if we arrived later made me shudder at the hassle.


    Naturally, while pointing her camera that he couldn''t see.


    "What are you plotting, self-proclaimed Heavenly King?"


    "Self-proclaimed? Such harsh words, hero."


    The party seemed a bit surprised by Han Se-ah''s sudden conversation with the dark knight, but they understood seeing me grip my shield without advancing.


    Like he wasn''t some hidden character protagonist from an outdated fantasy game world, or actually a battle mage who creates weapons with dark magic and might be laying magical traps - with similar thoughts, Han Se-ah confidently began talking.


    Han Se-ah''s topic was naturally the Four Heavenly Kings. Having a Demon Lord meant having a hero, and Four Heavenly Kings appearing to interfere was a classic cliche?.


    "You called yourself a Heavenly King but gave up on everything?"


    "Hehe, bold words from invaders who broke through the blocked gate."


    "You called our companion a rat and thief, but aren''t you just a quitter who gave up? The other Kings would be embarrassed."


    Though the internet streamer jabbed at him with online-learned barbs, he didn''t get angry. Han Se-ah kept needling hoping he''d say something when angry, but he remained completely calm despite all insults.


    Something, something felt wrong...?


    But what could we do about someone suspicious who had given up everything, with no traps or ambushes, ready to face the final battle?


    As I thought this, a pale green wind arrow suddenly flew past me.


    Whoosh--!


    "Isn''t that going too far, hunter girl? I was having a conversation with your leader."


    "Hanna, we''re too late."


    "Too late? For what?"


    "Hooh...?"


    Grace ground her teeth and drew her bowstring to fire again. This time her arrow targeted not the Heavenly King in his huge chair but behind him. Using an alchemy arrow instead of wind arrow, the arrows stuck in the ceiling and pillars shone like flares.


    And below in the darkness were hidden faded dark magic crystals.


    At Grace''s bitter words, everyone''s gaze turned to her, then slowly moved between the faded crystals and the Heavenly King''s face. He leisurely clapped his gauntlets as if impressed and mocking.


    "Roland, Hanna. Remember the full moon wolves and orcs when we first started adventuring? The orcs in Auvergne Forest."


    ...No wonder the Empire''s monster wave suddenly appeared in season 2.


    Could the Heavenly King''s gimmick be attacking outside the tower from inside?


    Enjoy the chappy!