The moment the wave of world transformation spread, Sophia and her party, who were breaking through Hairedin’s fortress, felt it too. Hildegard, Esiocles, and Conra suddenly sensed the changed atmosphere and momentarily halted their movements. As seasoned warriors and handlers of mysteries, they couldn’t help but react sensitively to the environmental changes surrounding them.

“Ugh, suddenly turning into a dungeon like this!”

Hildegard’s outcry perfectly captured the group’s sentiment.

Sophia, who had foreseen the possibility of such a situation, clicked her tongue in frustration as the unwanted development unfolded.

“Tsk, we’re a bit late.”

She had hoped to eliminate Hairedin early and prevent or suppress the island’s dungeonization for an easy resolution. But realizing the first plan had failed, Sophia didn’t despair. The dungeon core was still the key.

Unlike typical dungeons buried in the layers of time, this open-type dungeon overlaying reality could be undone by handling the dungeon core.

Meanwhile, Conra felt his spear vibrate intensely as the world transformation wave spread and the island turned into a dungeon.

“Ugh, why is this happening?”

The spear, now fitted with a holy relic spearhead acquired in Marseille, seemed to crave something, leaving Conra bewildered.

Seeing Conra’s confusion, the spirit Rugus-Arthaios explained, “It’s reacting. The holy relic has sensed the manifestation of an ancient battlefield where heroic feats can be achieved. It will calm down once the battle begins.”

Hearing this, Conra felt a strange familiarity, recalling his father’s teachings on Celtic warrior philosophy.

Despite the chaos, the group pressed on, defeating obstacles until they reached Hairedin’s audience chamber, where pirates pledged loyalty to him.

Sophia sighed inwardly, “Tsk, the Heart Path is great, but it has one flaw.”

The Heart Path, a teleportation technique using the Heart Sword’s principles, required clear awareness of the destination. Unable to use it effectively, Sophia regretted not preventing the island’s dungeonization.

Upon reaching the audience chamber, the group sensed trouble. Their Qi Sense was cut off at the door, indicating the presence of a dungeon boss inside.

“No choice. We have to go in,” Sophia said, eyeing the door. The dungeon core was always near the boss.

“Let’s count to three and charge in,” Esiocles suggested.

“Ready,” Conra affirmed.

“Three!” Sophia counted, and the group burst through the door, with Hildegard letting out a sharp cry.

Inside, the entity possessing Hairedin had already prepared its battlefield.

“After an age-long slumber, I have returned to reclaim what was lost and remind this world of our ancient era!”

The entity threw the throne towards the ceiling, causing it to collapse. The group dodged falling debris and realized the boss had escaped through the hole.

“Since when does a boss just leave the room?!” Hildegard fumed.

The group quickly followed, arriving at the port where the enemy, Kukunis, summoned ancient allies and ships.

“I am Kukunis, son of Ruka, lord of Lycia, and leader of the nine tribes that roamed the seas! Rise, my brethren and allies!”

A deep horn sound echoed as ghostly figures and ancient shipwrecks emerged.

The group was stunned. The ancient pirates and ships, though primitive, posed a significant threat.

Conra acted first, throwing elixir bottles to disrupt the enemy formation and calling upon his spirit, Esras-Hermes, for spell assistance.

“Esras-Hermes, help me!”

“Leave it to me!”

Conra’s spells caused trees and icy patches to form, entangling the ancient ships and halting their movement.

“We’ve blocked their advance!” Conra shouted.

Hildegard and Esiocles charged towards Kukunis and his ancient pirates, with Conra following, determined to face the danger head-on.