The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 170

Chapter 170: Trap of Malice

While driving a torch into the head of a mummy swinging a rusted sword, I shot arrows from my crossbow, imbued with darkness, to pierce through the mummies approaching from the opposite direction.

Though grabbed by a mummy emerging from the floor’s crevice, I forcefully lifted my leg, kicked it into the gap, and snapped it, causing it to fall onto the stakes below.

(Each one is weak individually… but their numbers are overwhelming!)

Being constantly assaulted by nearly a hundred undead creatures was mentally taxing. Moreover, we had to be extra cautious in our fighting due to the unstable footing.

We needed to hurry deeper into the dungeon, but the undead creatures were densely packed around the staircase ahead. If we took too long to defeat them, we would inevitably be overwhelmed by their sheer numbers.

(Just need one shot!)

“Squat down!”

As we reached the densely packed undead creatures, I swung my Snake Sword, imbued with darkness, from my right hand.

As I swung, the blade detached and extended like a whip due to wires connected inside, emitting a whirring sound. It not only sliced through the densely packed creatures but also those approaching from behind.

“…Next time, can you use that sooner?”

“I’m not used to using it.”

As I responded to Aria’s muttered question from my crouched position, we finally reached the door where the staircase should be. Serena attempted to open it after applying a barrier to keep the undead creatures at bay, but the sturdy door didn’t budge.

(Is there some kind of mechanism!?)

I observed the door again, and under the door, I saw something that made me freeze in shock.

“Huh?”

Under the door was a plate with ancient writing that read “Offer proof of victory in struggle and conquest.” Next to it were the characters “warrior,” “statue,” and a round indentation.

I felt an urge to punch something as my mind simultaneously wanted to escape from reality. But amidst that, a calm thought led to an answer, and I clenched my fist in frustration.

…That gold coin was a trap. It was designed so that anyone who entered this room and found that coin would trigger the undead creatures to attack.

However, at the same time, that gold coin was also the key to advancing further.

It seemed Aria and the others had also understood upon seeing the plate, as we all froze momentarily.

“Um… Berg?”

“…I’ll go pick up the gold coin. Aria, you and the others secure our path here and draw some of the undead creatures towards you.”

“If we’re searching, wouldn’t it be better for me to—”

“Even if we draw some away, we’ll still be surrounded by many. It’s better for me, who has more means to forcefully break through, to go.”

Turning back while enveloping my sword in a storm of darkness, I addressed Serena. Despite being tired of the undead creatures rushing at the barrier, she prepared herself.

“Serena, release the barrier when I give the signal.”

“Understood.”

“Aria and Shurin, blow these guys away as soon as the barrier is lifted, then make sure they don’t come near here.”

“Got it.”

“Yeah.”

“Here we go. Three, two… one!”

As the barrier was lifted, the three of us scattered the undead creatures that had gathered. Without a moment’s delay, we dashed through the dissipating undead creatures.

…There was a bit more force in my sword swings than usual, but it couldn’t be helped.