Chapter 277: Entering The Crimson Marsh Dungeon

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Riven already knew that on the second floor there was a small Mana Reactor that helped fuel several machines and two separate factories. There were also around a hundred people working there every day. He had no intention of targeting innocent civilians, of course. However, he was sure as hell going to take this dungeon away from Claymore control and kick their people out later when the time was right.

Blood Crystals were extracted from deep underground where the Giant Blood Leeches lived in large numbers. Those crystals were amazing materials for creating high-quality healing potions and other advanced medicines. They sold for high prices on the black market and were constantly in demand among high-ranking hunters who needed reliable recovery items during long expeditions.

Meanwhile, Mana Stones were naturally mined underground as well. They were a much more highly refined form of ordinary Mana Crystals and held far greater value. A single well-cut Mana Stone could power a mid-tier barrier for days or serve as the core component in advanced magical tools. Controlling a steady supply of both materials would give Riven a serious advantage in the long run.

The factories on the second floor already had furnaces and advanced purification technology that processed the materials they mined and extracted. If Riven could secure all of that infrastructure for himself, his production of useful items would increase dramatically in a very short time. He could start manufacturing his own potions, reinforce his gear, and even supply trusted allies without relying on outside sources.

"Nothing too extreme for now," he said calmly. "We’re just going to take a quiet trip underground and see for ourselves what they have set up around that Mana Reactor. Just to make sure of the situation, and then we take over the entire dungeon when the opportunity presents itself."

"..." Vladimir narrowed his eyes even further but finally gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. Not like I can protest at this point..."

He still looked unhappy about the plan. Riven understood the hesitation. Walking into a Claymore-controlled Gate without immediately attacking felt unnatural for someone like Vladimir, who preferred direct confrontation. Still, the man had no real choice left but to follow.

"Let’s go then!" Daniela said cheerfully. She comfortably rode on Noir’s broad back, making Vladimir visibly jealous once again.

"Tsk! Why does she get to ride the young master and not me?" Vladimir complained under his breath as he walked into the marsh through the cave-like entrance.

The Crimson Marsh’s first floor entrance was a small cave that soon opened into vast red-colored marshes filled with long crimson grass, scattered murky swamps, and tall crimson trees that reached toward the sky like bloody spears. The skies remained constantly cloudy with swirling red and white clouds that never fully cleared. Giant monsters of various kinds roamed freely through the marshes’ interior, their presence filling the air with tension.

The ground underfoot was soft and wet, sinking slightly with every step. A metallic smell of blood mixed with the heavy scent of stagnant water and rotting plants. Insects the size of a human hand buzzed near the surface of the water, and the tall grass swayed even when there was no wind, as if something moved beneath it.

It was a dangerous place because one could easily drown in the deep water or get trapped by a lurking monster waiting just beneath the surface. Hunter parties usually had to go well prepared and often used boats to move safely across the flooded areas. Even experienced groups moved carefully here, always watching the water for sudden movement.

Riven required no such precautions. Using his Psychic Powers he walked easily in midair as if the ground itself was solid beneath his feet. Vladimir followed him with a similar floating technique of his own, while Noir could already move freely through the air by riding his own shadows. Daniela stayed low against Noir’s back, holding onto the thick black fur with both hands as they advanced.

As they moved deeper into the marshes, monsters started getting in their way, instinctively protecting the dungeon from invaders just as they were programmed to do by the Gate’s rules. The first signs came from the water itself. Ripples appeared in several places at once. Then the surface broke.

SPLAAASH!

"SHYAAAGH!"

The first batch of monsters appeared suddenly from the water. They were large and worm-like, with thousands of sharp teeth lining their circular mouths and bodies as big as cars. Their skin was a deep red, almost the same color as the surrounding grass, which made them hard to spot until they were already close. Thick mucus dripped from their bodies as they rose, and their mouths opened wide enough to swallow a grown man whole.

[Crimson Marsh Leech – D Rank: Level 30]

They were nothing too difficult for the group, but Riven decided to attack with pure magic this time so he would not create such a huge mess like he had done in the previous dungeon. He wanted to keep the area relatively intact for the later stages of his plan.

His Mana Aura swirled with his various Mana Natures at once. Dozens of ghostly blades formed in the air and were fired forward in a rapid volley, piercing the bodies of the leeches and slashing them to pieces before they exploded in sprays of thick red fluid. The blades cut cleanly through the soft flesh, leaving the water stained dark red in seconds.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As the first wave died and poured blood everywhere, even more leeches began to show up. They generated a massive swarm that started leaping out of the water and pointing their sharp teeth at the group from every direction. Some launched themselves high into the air while others stayed low, trying to drag anyone who got too close into the deeper water.

Some of them stayed farther back at a distance and began spitting acid and poison with surprising accuracy, trying to weaken their targets so they would fall into the water. They were really damn good snipers for simple D-Rank monsters. The acid sizzled when it hit the surface of the water, and the poison left faint green trails in the air.

"Uwaaaha?!"

Daniela panicked for a moment as the leeches came from every direction at once, but Noir protected her instantly with solid shadow barriers. Thick walls of darkness rose around them, absorbing several of the acid projectiles. He then redirected the incoming projectiles back at the leeches with practiced ease, making several of them explode because he had infused the returned attacks with his own darkness. The redirected shots tore through the nearest leeches, causing them to thrash and sink back into the water.

"Let’s end this quickly. We can’t waste our time with a bunch of boring leeches!" Vladimir roared. He inhaled deeply and then released a powerful stream of dragon breath from his mouth. The air around him heated up immediately as red and black flames mixed with pure force gathered in his throat.

FLUOSH!!!

BOOOOOOOMMM!!!

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