Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 56

<<Not again… Please, just stop…>>

The moment I stepped into the dungeon, I felt like I heard something. But it was probably just my imagination.

Even though it’s called a deep layer exploration, reaching that point isn’t easy. One must start from the entrance, clear the upper levels, then the middle levels, and finally the lower levels—defeating each area’s boss in order to proceed.

And this time, I was here for a serious exploration. No one had the right to tell me to stop.

So, it must have been my imagination.

<<It’s NOT your imagination! I’m telling youuuuu!!>>

I said it’s just my imagination, damn it!

I haven’t gone on an enjoyable dungeon run in ages, so don’t ruin my mood!!

<<Hyaaahhhh!! IT’S NOT BEEN THAT LONG FOR MEEEEE!!>>

Annoyed by the incessant whining, I decided to pick up my pace, dashing through the dungeon at an unprecedented speed while exterminating every monster in sight.

Look at that. All those monsters—turning into dust one by one.

<<This is bullying!!>>

Excuse you? This is how proper dungeon exploration is done.

Defeat enemies, collect dropped loot, and move forward. Isn’t that what a model adventurer should do?

Besides, how can there even be “bullying” between an adventurer and a dungeon?

It’s nothing more than a fight to the death!

<<Waaaahhhh!!! This is too cruel!!!>>

Without missing a single step, I proceeded cautiously through the upper and middle levels. I didn’t let a single insect escape as I wiped out every last monster.

At last, I reached the lower levels.

<<This guy is a complete menace…! If that’s the case, I’ll throw every irregularity I have at him! Go! Stampede!!>>

Now, that’s more like it.

A massive horde of monsters appeared, including dragons of deep-layer caliber—creatures that weren’t supposed to spawn in this area.

It was clear that they had been summoned as a desperate last resort.

And wiping them all out was the only way to make this thing listen to me.

I’ll cut them all down…

I sheathed my sword, gripping the hilt with my right hand and the scabbard with my left, positioning it horizontally.

Staring down the approaching horde, I waited for the perfect moment.

What I was about to unleash wasn’t necessarily my full power—just a well-placed, serious strike.

A technique befitting a serious adventurer like myself.

I closed my eyes… then opened them.

Monsters filled my vision.

Here goes…

“Void Severance.”

I whispered the name in my mind as I slashed.

In that instant, all sound vanished from the lower levels.

With a single stroke, I cut through every monster.

And not just the monsters—the dungeon walls, the ground, the air itself—everything was cleaved apart at the same time.

Magical energy gushed out all at once.

Everything I had cut was dungeon-born.

And as they were severed, their fragments—composed entirely of magic—began to scatter and dissolve.

What remained was…

<<Everything’s gone!! You’re horrible!! Absolutely horrible!! What did I ever do to deserve this?!>>

Standing in the middle of a vast, empty white space, I saw nothing but a lone door and a circular platform.

What the hell is this place?

Wait… what’s going on here?

Wasn’t I supposed to clear the lower-level boss and then proceed to the deep layer?

Before entering the deep layer, I had planned to intimidate the dungeon’s overseer, forcing it to create a function that would allow me—and only me—to teleport straight from the entrance to this point so I wouldn’t have to go through this hassle every time.

But now…

Everything beyond the floating island I stood on was pitch-black, an endless void.

I couldn’t even see a way to return.

What the hell just happened?!

<<It’s because you cut down the boss and EVERYTHING ELSE, you fool!!!>>

Huh?

<<Waaahhh!! I spent so much time building this place, and now it’s all gone!!!>>

…Apparently, I had sliced through the dungeon itself, completely erasing it.

Looks like I went a little overboard.

<<A LITTLE?! A LITTLE?! You just casually wiped out my entire existence with your “light exercise”!!! That’s beyond cruel!!!>>

And so, I spent an entire day consoling, flattering, and forcefully patching up the fragile heart of what seemed to be the dungeon’s administrator.

Honestly, just going through the dungeon normally would’ve been faster…

Now, all I could hear from them were pitiful groans like “Aaaah…” and “Uuuuhhh…”

If this dungeon were to disappear completely, what would happen to the Riofendarl Viscountcy?

A hint of unease crept into my mind.

Maybe I really overdid it…?

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it now. I could only hope things would return to normal.

So, I decided to set up camp and sleep—

—until I noticed an unwelcome guest.

“…Why the hell are you here?”

“…You noticed?”

How the hell did she even manage to follow me here?

And more importantly—how did she dodge my Void Severance?

“…So you were the mastermind all along.”

“No, I’m not… I’m an ally…”

“Then take care of this mess. I’m going to sleep.”

“Huh?”

As I dozed off, I could vaguely hear her muttering:

“This isn’t right… A guy who can destroy a dungeon like this doesn’t need training…”

“He’s a monster… Far worse than any demon…”

…Yeah, I’m sure that was just my imagination.