Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 935- Sphinx Dungeon (3)

Had it been any other place, Simon wouldn't mind to take her with him. However, the place he was going was one of the most dangerous places in the world and it took everything he had just to protect himself.

If he brought Alice with him, he wasn't sure he would be able to protect her. And besides, the difficulty of the trials increases based on the challengers.

The more the challengers are on the trial, the more difficult it is to clear.

Take the Abomination in the Sixth Trial for example. Had it not been for the fourth finger's intervention and the subsequent event, who knew how the events would have transpired?

If he brought Alice with him to the next trial, based on her level the difficulty of the trial would definitely increase to a whole new realm.

SPANK… "Ouch!!" Alice screamed as Annette spanked her little butt.

"Little girl, don't be too impulsive. Master is going away on an important mission and not to play. If you go there, I will be more worried"

After teaching a lesson to her little sister, Annette fixed her glasses and stared at Simon "Master, how long will you be away for this time?"

At that question, the latter became silent. The last time, he was away for more than three months causing others to be worried about him. Although this time there would be no River of Destiny, he couldn't be sure.

The trial could take him anywhere and it could take any amount of time. That said, he had a solid reason to complete the trial within three months this time.

The Demon of Lust's Tea Party. When Simon explained the reasoning to them and his growth wall, the Valkyries and the others nodded in understanding.

"Then we will wait for your return. Don't worry master, you can leave the dungeon and the plans for the dungeon city to us"…

 "Yeah, I leave it to you guys then"

He had already explained to them the plan to build the dungeon city down to the finest details as such he did not have to worry about anything. He could leave it in their hands and be ready when the time came to reap the results.

On that note, he had also explained his reasoning to Cynthia who could now be considered one of his subordinates being a [Custodian] of floor zero and all.

Additionally, he left the matters of the dungeon to Irene who would act as a proxy dungeon master in his absence with Annette aiding her. All the other subordinates including Prime and the Forest Spring Sprits are to assist them in every way possible.

\"Now then, I am heading off. I will be back in three months"

Throwing those words as farewell, Simon crushed the transit stone in his hands.

 The world in his vision spun and quickly turned dark. Just like the last time, he felt a sense of weightlessness before plunging downwards face first.

.

.

While Simon embarked on his perilous journey to the Forbidden Grounds, in a far-off corner of the world, deep within the Vast Sphinx Desert, stood a grand construct that defied both nature and reason.

Rising from the golden dunes like a colossal monument to power, the structure resembled a titanic Sphinx, lying with its paws extended and its maw wide open as if waiting to devour any intruder foolish enough to approach.

Its features were sharp, regal, and terrifyingly lifelike. Like a living entity just waiting to pounce. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The eyes of the stone beast seemed to gaze into the very souls of those who dared glance upon it. The Sphinx's presence was so commanding that even the enormous pyramids surrounding it—each of them towering structures on their own—looked like mere toys in comparison, as though they had been placed there as an afterthought.

Around the Grand Sphinx structure, the air crackled with an oppressive energy. The billowing sandstorms that constantly swirled all around the desert and were fierce enough to strip flesh from bone.

Yet, in front of the Sphinx, these violent forces seemed to bend as if obeying some unseen will.

It was not only the sandstorms, Even the ferocious monsters that roamed the desert—creatures of nightmarish power and aggression—kept their distance from the construct.

Their primal instincts warning them to stay far from this place after all, they knew, with an unshakable certainty, that whatever lay within the Sphinx was far more dangerous than even they were.

And they were right, the Grand Sphinx structure was no ordinary ruin; it was a dungeon—a living entity that twisted and morphed within. It stretched down into the earth for miles, its labyrinthine depths housing all manner of treasures, traps, and deadly creatures.

The maw of the Sphinx was a massive gateway large enough for an entire battalion to march through side by side and served as the entrance to this ancient and forbidding dungeon.

Near the entrance, a large teleportation gate could be seen shimmering with ethereal light. This was the teleportation gate that was placed by the humans.

Teams of adventurers, mercenaries, and dungeon explorers—many hailing from powerful kingdoms—arrived through the gate, diving into the dungeon's depths in search of riches, glory, and power.

None of them could deny the allure of the Dungeon of the Sphinx, and many sought to conquer its depths, though few ever made it past the lower floors as it was a high ranking [A] tier dungeon.

Far underneath on the last and final floor of the dungeon, sat its ruler—a man whose mere presence radiated dominance and power.

His skin was the deep, rich brown of the desert sands, and he was clad in flowing, loose garments that shimmered like molten gold in the dim light of the chamber.

With his elegant and fine robes that were made with ease of movement and battle in mind, he unmistakably exuded an aura of nobility. Around his neck, heavy golden chains adorned with rubies and sapphires gleamed, and on his head rested a headgear made of the finest silk that glowed with a subtle but potent magical aura.