Entering through the window, Enrico moved quickly around the room, looking for any special or useful item. He already knew what most of the castle contained, but to obtain what he sought, he would have to defeat the bosses.
[Normal Rank Sword]
That seemed to be the only useful thing he found, so he took it. Moving to the next room and then another, he proceeded carefully, always checking the hallway before leaving for the next.
'A normal spear, three healing potions, one mana recovery potion, and one temporary enhancement potion.'
Enrico carried the spear on his back, the sword at his waist, and stored the potions safely inside a high-resistance magic box.
"Fifteen minutes have passed, so it's starting."
[Good luck with that.]
In this dungeon, during the first fifteen minutes, there were only 100 Nartheis wandering around the massive castle — the reason why, even though there were few, he preferred not to face them yet.
"If one saw me, it would automatically summon other Nartheis."
These fifteen minutes served as preparation time given by the dungeon to anyone who entered, though few ever realized that. In the distance, on both sides of the corridor, several shadows emerged, turning into young men clad in animal-skin armor.
Spectral Squire – Nartheis Faizes Level 1
Magic: None
They looked like young men who had died before becoming knights, floating while holding cracked shields and short swords.
[Those guys have really empty eyes.]
'I know — quite beautiful, isn't it?'
[I wouldn't call that beautiful.]
Taking position, Enrico drew his sword, pointing it at the knights who began charging toward him at great speed.
There must have been about fifty Nartheis in that area, and likely more than ten thousand summoned across the entire castle after the fifteen-minute preparation period.
"Zero Impact."
Clenching his fist while gripping his sword, Enrico used his technique, making the blade vanish with its speed, cutting off the heads of five Nartheis at once.
Sensing a presence behind him, he pulled the spear from his back and swiftly sliced through all nearby foes. One sword struck his arm, attempting to sever it, but it shattered upon impact — as if hitting solid stone.
"Weapons of that level don't work on me."
With a confident smile, Enrico spun with his spear, channeling fire magic to unleash a circular flame slash around him, cutting all in half. With his sword, he created a fiery strike that burned through the entire corridor.
"Looks like the higher-level ones are starting to appear."
Animated Armor – Nartheis Faizes Level 2
Magic: Fire
Unique Ability: Separation
A group of hollow armors filled with green magic approached, clanging as they moved. Enrico knew exactly what they were.
"Explosive cores that activate upon death... and they can separate their limbs to attack from multiple directions."
[You'd better be careful then. There are many — want me to analyze a route to create some distance?]
"No, don't worry. I won't give them time to do that."
The squires took defensive positions in front of the armors, raising their shields to form a magical barrier and strengthen themselves.
"Large Fireball."
Throwing a spell forward, he destroyed several enemies in front, then appeared behind them, slashing directly at the core of a Nartheis.
"This bomb's for you."
Kicking away, he leaped back just before the armor exploded, destroying the Nartheis and the corridor, opening a large hole through both walls.
Gripping his spear tightly, he filled it with mana and hurled it at the remaining Nartheis, obliterating them completely. Immediately retrieving it, he placed it back on his back as before.
[Good thing these Faizes aren't like the ones you were thrown against by Matteo.]
"I'd actually find it pretty fun if they were."
[Let's hope you never have kids.]
"First of all, if I ever do, I won't put them through this."
Due to the increased difficulty, even low-level Nartheis—or the stronger ones like the Faizes Level 2—could vary in power, some being far too strong for a circle-two mage to defeat, far stronger than in the original version of this story, as usual.
"I don't think I need to heal just yet—"
"Interesting... a human?"
Becoming serious, he noticed five shadows approaching. Turning around, he saw four figures ahead — humanoid beings with cracked crowns fused to their skulls.
Servants of the Broken Crown – Nartheis Faizes Level 2
Magic: Silver
Unique Ability: Psychic Blades
'If I remember right, in the story they were nobles who went mad trying to gain eternal power.'
They wouldn't be that big of a problem — not compared to the Nartheis behind them, the fifth-strongest in this dungeon.
'Looks like my bad luck's acting up again.'
"It seems you're the same age as me — interesting."
The four stepped aside, revealing a young-looking knight with pointed ears, pale skin, and two black streaks running across his eyes.
Prince Vergel, Shadow Knight
Magic: Shadows
Unique Ability – Prince of the Kingdom: Can use the power of his subjects to become stronger.
"Since we're the same age, I hope we can have some fun."
"Fun?"
Drawing the spear from his back, Enrico took one of the stances Titanza had taught him — spear forward, sword behind. Licking his lips, he grinned eagerly.
"Since you want fun, I'll make sure this will be the best fun of your life."
Vergel drew his sword from its sheath, revealing a black blade with a white line running through the center all the way to the tip.
[Black Blade: Flames of Perdition — can burn the very existence of magic as long as it isn't stronger than the user.]
"What beautiful confidence. I hope you don't disappoint me."