Chapter 112: Dungeon of Lost Fragments

The next morning, Zaid, Erick, and John stood before one of the largest portals known in the central region of the Kingdom of Toluria.

It was so large that people were constantly coming and going. Sometimes a crowd of pedestrians would enter one after another and take a long time to come out.

The Dungeon of the Lost Fragments isn’t just a dungeon filled with tens of thousands of beasts of all ranks. It’s one of those peculiar dungeons that are so vast and strange that humans have built cities and fortresses inside them.

It’s not the only one. In fact, in Toluria, it’s one of the weakest dungeons to have served this purpose, but it’s still imposing for students like Zaid and his group.

"I can’t believe we’re actually going to go inside this place," Erick said, clearly excited.

Zaid laughed. "Last night I found out that you’re so excited because several of your favorite authors write right here inside."

"Yeah!" Erick got excited and turned to look at him. "A lot of my favorite books were written here. But it’s also because—my gosh—it’s the best locked-up dungeon in the Capital! All the students want to come here!"

’The director was very good at understanding what I wanted. I’m also a little nervous.’ Zaid didn’t waste any more time looking at the enormous portal in front of him. He started walking and urged his two friends to follow him.

The portal swallowed them up.

Kaa!

The piercing cry of an eagle woke them up on the other side. It was flying at a good speed across the sky, until it disappeared into the distant mountains.

"Wow, a Rank B beast..." Erick trembled despite the distance.

In front of them, to the left, was a small village with many horses and farm or pack animals.

"We can rent a horse there—this village belongs to one of the most prosperous livestock companies in this portal." John introduced them as soon as they entered.

His initial eloquence caught Zaid’s attention. "Have you been here before?" he asked.

"Sure, I worked here for several months last year. As someone from the streets, how do you think I managed to gain this strength, having woken up late like all the other misfits?"

Zaid was intrigued by something else. "How did you deal with that cursed energy, then?"

To avoid wasting time, John started walking and led them to find a horse. "There aren’t many in the conquered areas. One of the characteristics of these vast dungeons is that most of the cursed energy is concentrated in the deep beasts, and the conquered zones are only home to Rank F or E beasts. We barely have a stronghold in the Rank D zones because that’s where it starts to become a problem for most people."

"No, we have four strongholds now," a voice suddenly interrupted them.

John turned to look at him and was surprised to see who it was. "Fernando, are you still here?" John laughed and went over to hug him.

"Man, unlike you, who managed to wake up and go to the academy, I have to do what everyone else does: work with the horses and cattle, write books... Someday I’ll have to set foot in Toluria again."

"Are those your friends?" Fernando asked, and John introduced him to the pair.

"Have you told them your real age yet, John?" Fernando joked. "Don’t believe him when he says he’s 18 or 19. He’s really 60!"

"Tsk, even though I’ve seen more than 60 years go by before my eyes, I’ve done nothing but devote myself to things that don’t edify me—I’m not that old," John exclaimed.

But what he said was true. Having lived so many months inside a portal, he had practically seen many years pass before his eyes. Although that wasn’t reflected in their faces, thanks to the peculiarities of a portal.

Fernando burst out laughing.

"And what about you?" John retorted. "You look 20, but you’re actually over 100, aren’t you?"

The laughter faded in an instant, and he sighed. "Well... To live 120 years and still be this young—don’t you think I’m lucky? Out there, only those of Rank A or higher could do that."

"Hahahaha!" John teased his old friend, and the two chatted for quite a while longer.

Zaid and Erick also joined the conversation, while John asked him to saddle up three horses for them.

He saddled them up quickly.

"Not many people have access to this place to level up these days. Do it right. But be careful—there are some troublesome organizations lurking around lately," said Fernando.

Zaid, John, and Erick jumped onto their horses.

John stared at Fernando. "Organizations?"

"Crazy bastards, insane bandits, and a bunch of murderers. They’re weak, but there are a lot of them, and they’re always stealing along the road or in the hunting grounds."

"Oh." John nodded. "Thanks, I’ll come see you later, old friend."

"You’d better work hard to buy me a business abroad! I’m tired of living so many years and having accomplished nothing in my life."

"I’m sure you have plenty of savings—stop begging around here!"

The horses galloped away from the village, and Fernando was left laughing, but his smile slowly faded as he watched them ride off. It gradually turned into a somber expression.

"Fernando, come here." A man shouted from where the horses were.

Fernando ran over to him. "Yes, boss."

The man was burly and shirtless, wearing only shorts and a few straps tied around his torso.

Hysterically, he yelled at him. "Why are the three sick horses missing? Who was the idiot who sold or rented out horses that weren’t fit to run? Does that damn bastard want to kill us?"

Fernando trembled and swallowed hard. "I-I don’t know, boss. I-I don’t usually sell or rent out horses from the stable. Y-you know what I’m like—I always look for the healthiest ones."

"Well, find the bastard who dared to do it, and run downhill toward the city!" the man shouted.

"Y-yes, sir!" Fernando tried to run off, but suddenly his boss grabbed him by the arm and lifted him off the ground with just one hand.

"Let me tell you something, Fernando. The people who are allowed in here right now are definitely VIPs. Not just anyone can get in legally. So, if you put them in danger, before my bosses kill me, I’ll kill you first."

Fernando nodded several times. "Y-y-yes, sir. I’ll look into it thoroughly."

The boss let him go, and he stood there staring at the empty stable.

"With any luck, whoever rented those horses might make it to town before they collapse... Though that’s almost impossible. How many hours of travel could they manage before they collapse?" He clenched his teeth and felt the urge to cut someone’s head off.

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