Chapter 8

An: Just putting it here...

OC characters profile:

D rank hunter team:

Agatha Evans| D rank

• fighter

Emer| D rank

• Tanker/ Warehouse Manager

Johan| D rank

• Mage (Ice and Water)

Ophelia| D rank

• Mage (Wind and Thunder)

Samson| D rank

• Ranger (Bow)

Natasha| D rank

• Healer

Roland| D rank

• Fighter

Dian| D rank

• Fighter

Gilbert| D rank

• Tanker

Merida| D rank

• Assassin

_____________________

Chapter 8: Non Human Morality

    The air is caressing them. It feels so fresh and relaxing. The grasses are tall and swaying to the wind's direction. The surroundings are wide and vast. It was also fascinating, but the thought of them being inside the dungeon immediately poured down their thoughts of appreciation of the nature.

To think that a low rank dungeon like this exist. Is it really an E rank dungeon? Could they believe in what was written  on those game like notifications?

[ Attention to the adventurers, you have left the safe area. You are within the attack range of the monsters. ]

All of them heard a rumbling sound behind them. The only passage of the pantheon was now blocked.

" It seems that we have really need to move forward. "

Agatha then started taking off her winter coat. She have it thrown to Emer who have managed to catch it and have the clothing stored inside his skill <warehouse>. Getting the idea, the other members decided to remove their winter clothing. It would just be an inconvenience if they have them in this refreshing but warm weather.

[ You have used your sense. ]

Agatha close her eyes for a moment. But she immediately opened it and frowned when she didn't feel anything within their nearby vicinity. On a very vast area like this, it would be very difficult to grasp the location of the monsters.

" Watch the surroundings carefully. In this kind of environment, it was easy for the monsters to fall off on our radar. Be prepared in case of surprise attacks. "

"" Yes. ""

Later, Agatha and her team continued walking. There were no trees, or anything that can be identified or prominent on this place other than the pantheon that has disappeared from their sight just an hour ago. There was only grass in the grass field. And the clouds and sun in the sky. Speaking of the sun, one thing that they have noticed was the unmoving sun in the sky. It remained in a single position. It has supposed to be adjusted but it remained there.

An artificial sun. A place where they can't tell the exact time. Thankfully, one of her team members Gilbert always wore a pocket watch. It was currently 10: 45 am.

" Captain, I can sense nearby presence of monsters! "

Samson quickly informed her. His amber eyes was glowing and dilated as he look to the distance. He was already have his bow and arrow prepared. Ready to change at any direction any time and have the three arrows released.

" Which direction it is? "

" Southwest. Eight o'clo– "

Samson didn't finish his words when Gilbert immediately brought himself in front of him and have his shield brought forward.

Something impacted the shield. Instead of their usual expectations, it wasn't a sound of something forceful or hard. The thing was squishy. And it also made an odd bouncing noise. What entered in Samson's mind was a water inside a balloon.

He look at the thing that was sticking to Gilbert's shield.

[ Wind Slime– Level 5 ]

" What the heck?! "

Samson stared at the slime. It wiggled while it was sticking on Gilbert's shield. Slime? Seriously... Those things has supposed to only exist in games. Never before he encountered any slimes in the dungeons until now.

Not waiting for Agatha's orders, Gilbert immediately pushed his shield to the ground hard and have the slime squished. His shield is a bit heavy. So it was convenient for things like this. Or bashing it to the monsters when there are too many of them.

[ Wind slime is dead. ]

" Man, that was too brutal... "

Samson commented. The others haven't even manage to properly look at it. A few moments later, Agatha have Samson pointed out the every direction and location where the monsters are located. Among them, Samson has the sense when they started exchanging information about their basic status. For the team, it was quite reasonable since it was always Samson who was the one who have immediately located the monsters. He has also a good instinct when it comes to monsters that have helped their dungeon runs and escape a life threatening situations.

Looks like slime was their current enemies on this floor. After the wind slime, they have encountered 2 grass slimes, followed by 3 earth slimes. Physical attacks weren't effective on them unless they have managed to destroy or pierced the floating orb stone that was inside them. It was also their weak spot. Jonah and Ophelia's magic was useful in this situation since it looks effective on them despite not hitting their weak spots. They only need to be hit by their magic attacks 3 times before they would dissipate along with their core.

Then they also encountered another four slimes, defeated them and suddenly found themselves feeling disoriented.

[ You have defeated all of the monsters on the first floor. Teleporting the adventurers to the second floor. ]

---------------------

Graal watched the events that transpired through the screen that was provided by the system.

[ 100 dungeon points was consumed again for the one hour service view... ]

His heart can also feel the pain everytime that a dungeon points was consumed for the usage fee. While he was on his word, he have thought or imagine himself living many times in a fictional world. The fate grand order and solo leveling was included in those passing fantasies. Graal was aware of the danger and cons of living in those worlds. But wouldn't it be awesome if he can experience what it was like to be a protagonist? Or experience interacting with the servants or become powerful and cool like Jin Woo?

Now.... He was really in one of those worlds. And he has also a chance to fulfill some of his impossible fantasies. He could interact with the servants and view look at how awesome, great, powerful, funny or scary are they. And there was also their Noble Phantasm. Just the thought that he could view them personally– he would definitely have a chance in the future... It was enough to have him start crying out or give in to his fanboy side.

In the future... Through he needed to summon them first if he want have those fantasies fulfilled. The system was really a cheap stake. Graal was confident on his unluckiness. Unlimited salt works would definitely happen.

As for being powerful and cool like Jin Woo.... His circumstances was different from what have he imagined previously from his mind. How should he become a hunter if he was trapped inside a dimension? What's more he was dungeon master. Managing dungeons... Heh, it was out of his expectations.

If he wasn't careful. There was also a chance in the future that the protagonist of this world would come knocking on his doors (or gates). Just the thought of it was enough to give him shivers. The future shadow monarch... The protagonist's personality have changed so much in the story. If that happened or before it happened, Graal just need to make sure that he wouldn't do something that would cause that guy to confront him or become his enemy. Through there was also the second option of finding ways to protect himself or being powerful. But, is he considered powerful because he was already semi- immortal and have an amazing amount of Mana thanks to the Grail? Maybe he could start training and utilize those Mana properly and with the permission of the Grail.

{ That was a good thought of ideas, Graal. }

" You think so? "

{ Yes, it would be worth of your time and keep me occupied if you started utilizing my Mana. }

" I didn't think that you would be so generous Grail. Thanks. "

{ Generous? Hmmm... Not really. }

" What do you mean by that? "

{ Well, you learning to use my Mana... You could help me with my project in this dimension. I am not still with my work. The Avalon isn't still enough. There was still the land of shadows for example. }

So he was also a construction worker now.. or was he already a kind of one? Anyway, isn't that kind of impossible or too OP thing to do? He was certain that he hasn't that kind of ability.

Graal glance at the screen and saw the team was already at the third floor. They have defeated those 7 white horned rabbit on the second floor and was currently fighting the pack of wolves. Giving orders on the monsters was quite a struggle for him. For him the most difficult monsters that can be given commands was the slimes and the undead skeletons. He have nearly give in to the urge of just let them do what they want. But wouldn't it be too easy for those hunters?

Once he have done something, or put his attention and effort– Graal can't let it be finish or end it in a half assed manner just because it was difficult.

Even it involves in things that would end up badly. Just like this situation where he taught those monsters to attack the hunters and defend their assigned floors. He doesn't want them to kill the hunters. He can't just let the system tempt him to kill hunters just because of those precious dungeon points.

But....

{ Would you just let those hunters kill the monsters that you have spent your dungeon points? You have spent time and effort in those monsters. }

" Yes. "

Since they would just revive.

{ I see.. }

Graal was currently thinking that the Grail sounded that it was like amused by his answer while he watched the hunters.

{ But what if they wouldn't revive? }

" I would still let them be killed. "

Through it would hurt thinking that he needed to spent dungeon points constantly. Graal hoped that if that situation happened, he wouldn't end up poor.

{ Then what if a Servant were killed by those hunters? What if you have scene something unsightly inside your dungeon just like those some situations or most that was described in this world's story? How would you respond Graal? }

Graal thought of it for the moment. He noticed his hands clenching. He have done it unconsciously. How strange...

" Grail why are you suddenly asking that kind of questions? "

{ Just checking something.. }

" ...Then, Grail.... What did you found out? "

Graal asked as he stared at the screen intensely. The team have just finished killing the last wolf of the pack.

{ Your thoughts.. }

[ Adventurers are now moving to the fourth floor. ]

{ You are quite a hypocrite Graal isn't? But I guess I couldn't fault you for that thought of yours. Those humans, they wouldn't really compare to my servants. They are special and one of a kind compared to them. So it wasn't really your fault for thinking that way... }

Graal didn't answer when the Grail could read his thoughts.

" I was also at fault since a fragmented soul like you was being affected by my inhuman perception isn't? "

From the moment that the grail have told the method on how did it keep both of them alive, Graal has a hunch that something like this would happen. More and more that a time would passed, his perspective would change into something different from his human self.

But before it happened, Graal would like to indulge in this so called hypocrisy and self-denial.

Isn't it such a human thing to do?

Graal thought on his mind while watching one of the members of the team get injured. Their healer immediately came to help. But Graal couldn't help to think if his monsters would also get stronger if they have killed the "monsters" from the Earth.

It was a fair exchange considering that they are gaining experience inside his dungeon.

{ See? you're being hypocrite right now Graal.. Or is it more proper to call it contradictory or a bipolar? }

Graal can feel himself growing annoyed.

" Shut up Grail! don't read my thoughts! "

{ But being a chuuni called also apply in your situation... }

Damn it..