Chapter 48
Perhaps it was thanks to the critical hit.
Even the vacant eyes of the others were slowly regaining their focus.
The man who had been standing in a daze mumbled quietly.
“Yeah, it was strange to begin with, having such rare items here.”
The woman next to him rubbed her eyes sluggishly, as if waking from a dream, and spoke in a dazed tone.
“In a dungeon, you can’t afford to let your guard down, but I lost focus for a moment.”
One by one, the team members were coming to their senses.
“What was I even doing…?”
“Ugh, my head…”
Watching this, I breathed a sigh of relief.
‘It worked!’
I had been worried it might not, but luckily, it did.
I read over the description of my item, the Eyes of Truth.
[[Eyes of Truth / Single-use Item (Favor: 20)
ㄴ A comically designed pair of glasses, but its effects are remarkable.
+Additional Effect 1: Blocks certain illusion-based skills while worn.
+Additional Effect 2: Triples the caster’s persuasiveness while worn.]]
Even though it was a one-time-use item with the downside of making me look silly.
‘Tripled persuasion and blocking illusion-type skills!’
The effects were truly impressive.
Was that why my Incite skill had landed a critical hit?
I scanned my surroundings with a much more relaxed mind.
It seemed that almost everyone had recovered.
Seeing the team members’ eyes clear and focused, I pointed toward the cage where the Phoenix was.
“Our goal is the boss alone.”
Suddenly pointed at, the Fire base’s boss let out a sharp cry.
“Caw!”
It had the harmless appearance of an adorable, fluffy creature.
But in reality, this little guy was more dangerous than a time bomb.
Its explosive power alone could blow up an entire area.
“We need to defeat the Phoenix.”
Naturally, everyone’s attention shifted to the small golden cage.
Inside it sat a tiny, adorable bird.
‘Chirp, chirp.’
Its feathers were puffed up in anger, making the bright red baby bird look even cuter.
The people began to murmur as they observed the bird.
“But that bird…”
“It looks too small and fragile…”
‘As expected.’
Most of them hesitated to kill it, unnerved by the boss’s small and cute appearance.
“Then, are you all planning to stay trapped here? Just because you feel sorry for a little bird?”
I spoke calmly, surveying the expressions of the group.
“Well, that’s…”
“We need to get out of here, don’t we?”
No matter how cute or pitiful it might seem, they all wanted to escape desperately.
After all, human nature is inherently selfish.
They might pity it, but feeding themselves comes first.
Instinctively, people choose the option that doesn’t harm them.
It was the same for them.
“No matter how pitiful it seems, in the end, it’s still a monster.”
“Yeah! I don’t want to stay here any longer!”
“Let’s just catch it quickly and go eat.”
Seeing how they suddenly seemed ready to catch the Phoenix, I smirked.
‘Those fools.’
That bird isn’t something you can just take down because you feel like it.
Here in the Fire base, there are two main strategies for clearing it.
The standard method involves defeating the boss.
Or you could abandon the relics and leave the room.
This second approach is called the “hidden route.”
Two choices exist.
The method I proposed first was the standard path—taking down the boss.
Of course, I never planned on touching the boss at all.
Why would I?
I’d have to be insane to willingly end up as grilled meat!
That Phoenix wasn’t meant to be defeated from the start.
It might look cute, but that thing is…
“Eek! That crazy bird!”
“Caw!”
“I’m going to catch it and fry it!”
Recalling for a moment what the original story’s bird did to Wendy, I shook my head.
Not only did it burn off her hair, but even her clothes, leaving it a miracle she didn’t die.
Maybe villains have long lifespans?
…Anyway, things weren’t going exactly as I had planned.
But there was another way to persuade the people.
After taking a deep breath, I spoke out along with my exhalation.
“If you don’t like this method, there is a second option.”
A peculiar tension filled the hall as silence took over.
“It’s very simple but also difficult.”
Simple yet difficult.
What a strange contradiction.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, a man spoke up first.
“What’s the method?”
I smiled warmly as I answered.
“Just open the door and leave.”
I pointed to the massive golden door through which we had entered.
“However, we must leave without touching any relics or treasures.”
People looked at me curiously after hearing my words.
“There’s really such a way?”
“How do you even know that?”
“Passing a dungeon without killing the boss…?”
“I’ve never heard of such a method.”
Everyone’s eyes were filled with suspicion.
They stared intensely, as if urging me to explain myself.
Luckily, I had enough grounds to persuade them.
“If the relics are dangerous, wouldn’t it be safer to leave without trying to take anything?”
“Well, I suppose…”
“You did mention there was a warning message.”
Fortunately, the atmosphere quickly shifted to one of agreement.
“Well then, I’ll take that as everyone’s consent.”
No one responded to my words.
But one thing was clear—they were all silently agreeing with me.
If there was an easier way out that didn’t require fighting, who would choose a more difficult path filled with bloodshed?
I was about to speak again to organize the group when—
“Hypocrite.”
A sharp voice rang through the hall.
“Sienna?”
I looked at the woman who had spoken and tilted my head.
Sienna had been kind before the start of the Black-White War, distributing water and simple snacks to the team.
She studied herbalism at a small village school on the outskirts.
With her knowledge, she even treated minor injuries that Yeriel couldn’t tend to.
But something was different this time.
“How can we trust what you say?”
Her eyes, usually green like fresh leaves, were now burning a bright red.
“You might just be lying because you want everything for yourself.”
It was as if she was ready to set me ablaze with that fiery gaze.
‘How is that possible…?’
I was sure I had extinguished all the desires.
Why were Sienna’s eyes still burning red?
Was there something I had overlooked?
Illusions tend to affect those who lack self-belief.
While Sienna was a bit reserved, she never seemed like someone with low self-esteem or deep insecurities…
Whatever the reason, it was dangerous.
Those who have lost their reason…
“It’s all mine! Mine, all mine!”
…could do anything, just like the Wendy in the original story.
“Please, Sienna. Listen to me. Logically, right now—”
“Logically?”
“…”
“Do you really think logic still exists after the world turned into this mess?”
But it seemed her heart had already been consumed by desire.
There was no sign of the red glow in Sienna’s eyes fading away.
‘Ugh, this is such a headache.’
Should I subdue her by force?
I signaled to Eden, preparing to restrain her.
“Sienna. I understand that you desire things, but you must not let it consume you. You agreed to follow my lead.”
“Follow your lead? You call this leadership? It’s just your own whims.”
Clearly displeased with the situation, she glared at me, pointing accusingly.
“Besides, you’re already strong enough! Why are you trying to hoard even these relics to get even stronger?”
Now she was shouting, her voice rising with anger.
It seemed she had no intention of listening anymore.
With a low sigh, I slowly opened my mouth.
This was a method I didn’t want to resort to…
“Eden.”
Eden nodded at my call and sprinted towards Sienna.
But it lasted only a moment.
“See, now you’re showing your true colors!”
When Sienna raised her hand, a fiery net unfurled in front of Eden.
“Pathetic tricks.”
Eden easily dodged the net, drawing a black spear and pointing it towards Sienna.
Wait, that brat—
“Eden, stop!”
I shouted, “Don’t shoot people!”
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment