Dark Fantasy’s Extra – Chapter 84

Author: Dawn

We looked through both the bloodstone and moonstone research labs but found nothing, so we returned to the initial fork in the path.

“In the end, there were just a bunch of monsters and no research materials at all. Well, I guess it wasn’t completely fruitless since those were all made by this Vile person?”

Oscar said.

“Yes. Even this much is valuable. Just the information that behemoth Vile can artificially create Beasts to form an army is worth something.”

Sephira nodded.

Of course, what was in the two labs was impressive enough, but the real treasure – the research materials – was still to come.

“…Mr. Eugene.”

“Yes?”

“Is there something suspicious? Your face looks like something’s bothering you…”

Was my face showing it?

“Well, there is something.”

“What is it?”

“In the end, all we saw were created Beasts. Like Oscar said at first, we haven’t found any actual research materials. They must be hidden somewhere.”

“In that case, why don’t we call Mr. Dominic? He probably has lots of experience and techniques for finding things. Ms. Zepetia is also a scholar, so she might notice something we don’t.”

“Let’s look around a bit more first…”

“Oh, a rabbit.”

Oscar pointed somewhere.

Finally, it’s appeared.

“…”

A white rabbit approached us from the direction he pointed.

That rabbit is the key to reaching the final location.

Sephira and I drew our weapons simultaneously.

“H-huh? What’s wrong?”

Oscar asked in confusion.

“There’s no way a normal rabbit would be in a place like this.”

“It must be a disguise to lower our guard.”

“Well, normally that would be true.”

The rabbit said.

“But you can relax. We’ve decided to surrender.”

“What are you talking about?”

No really, what’s with this sudden surrender?

“You destroyed two trees in the bloodstone and moonstone labs, right? And quite easily at that. We were planning to resist at first, but you seemed too strong so it would be pointless.”

“This is… hard to understand. ‘We’? You mean there are more of you?”

Sephira asked.

As she said, the final hidden lab is supposed to be pure boss rush without any mobs or gimmicks.

You just defeat Lizard Bill, Mad Hatter, Time Rabbit, and Queen of Hearts in order, then all curses in this laboratory disappear and Vile’s hidden research materials appear.

Of course, with Sephira here, we could instantly deal with a few mid-game bosses.

But I never imagined the bosses would come to surrender first.

“Yes. Four including me. We’re experimental creations left behind by the person who created this cursed place.”

The rabbit’s appearance changed.

It grew larger and stood on two legs, wearing noble-like clothing with a monocle and an elegant noble’s hat.

The pocket watch in its hand gleamed with presence.

It looked exactly like the Time Rabbit, the third boss of ‘Wonderland’, the final research lab in Vile’s old laboratory.

Must be the same one.

“You in white there, even if my companions and I all attacked at once, we probably couldn’t defeat you. So we’ll give up on pointless fighting.”

“…You must be Beasts, and as a hunter, I cannot simply let that slide.”

There was no trace of sympathy in Sephira’s voice.

“I know… But still, forgive my shamelessness and hear my request.”

The Time Rabbit prostrated itself flat on the ground with its head bowed to the floor.

“Won’t you please let us be? The four of us remaining here have no future anyway. Even if you don’t deal with us, we’ll die soon.”

“You’ll die?”

“Yes. We are imperfect beings. We may look fine on the outside, but even at this moment, our life’s candle is flickering out. We won’t last past this year at most. Not unless our creator extends our lives.”

“Is your creator Vile?”

“That was probably his name. He rarely talked about himself so I’m not certain… But I know where he hid things like objects and books here. If you leave us alone, I’ll bring you everything. Please.”

Even the Time Rabbit’s long upright ears drooped to the ground.

“…What do you think?”

Sephira turned her head toward me.

“Well…”

But even I felt awkward and bewildered by this situation of a boss coming to surrender.

“Trust us. We know well that we can’t defeat you. If you think it’s a trap, you can kill me right here. Just please don’t hurt my companions.”

The Time Rabbit’s calm voice reached us.

Hunters hunt Beasts.

That is a simple and clear truth.

But at that one word ‘companions’, I found myself unable to speak.

“Ah ah, I suppose I need to show my sincerity first.”

The Time Rabbit suddenly stood up and drew a dagger.

And before Sephira could do anything, it held the blade to its own throat.

“If I die here, will you believe my words?”

“…Bring your companions.”

The words came out before I knew it.

“Huh?”

“Mr. Eugene?”

Oscar, Sephira, and even the Time Rabbit looked at me in surprise.

“How can we believe you? First bring all your companions.”

“…And how can I trust you? How do I know you won’t just wipe us all out at once?”

The Time Rabbit said.

“Either way, as you said, we could just kill all of you and search this place at our leisure. Your only choices are to die here, or take a chance on this small hope.”

“Ugh… that’s true. Give me a moment. I’ll go talk with my companions and return.”

“Alright.”

The Time Rabbit touched a spot on the wall between the forks and a secret passage appeared.

It hesitated for a moment looking at us before entering.

“…”

“I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head to Sephira.

“I acted on my own…”

“It’s fine. I trust Mr. Eugene’s judgment.”

“Well… I think that’s better too.”

Oscar, who had been too unsure to say anything until now, finally spoke.

“Honestly, I have no idea what to do. I know killing them all would be the right thing… but somehow I don’t want to…”

Oscar trailed off and lowered his head.

I understand how he feels.

I was just making things up to buy time.

If they had come to surrender normally, I would have killed them all, cold as that may be.

But when I saw that sincere willingness to throw away even their own life to save their companions, I instinctively knew it was genuine.

This has nothing to do with the original game from my past life or secret events.

I just know.

I know.

And after waiting about 10 minutes, footsteps were heard from the secret passage.

“Thanks for waiting. They all agreed to come out.”

The Time Rabbit emerged first and spoke.

Behind it appeared the Queen of Hearts, over 2 meters tall and looking like a doll in a dress.

“Hmph.”

She snorted at us, but her doll-like appearance made it not very intimidating.

Of course, she’s actually the final boss that appears at the very end of this laboratory.

Next came the Mad Hatter with his body completely wrapped in bandages like a mummy, wearing just a gentleman’s hat perched on top.

His face was also completely bandaged so his expression couldn’t be seen, and he didn’t say anything.

Finally came Lizard Bill, a 3-meter tall lizard walking on two legs while trembling.

“Eek…?!”

As soon as he saw us, he whimpered showing fear that was clearly recognizable even on his lizard face.

“It’s okay, Bill. Everything will be fine.”

The Time Rabbit held his hand.

“Don’t show such an unsightly appearance to these wretches. Even if I go down, I won’t go down without a fight.”

The Queen of Hearts spoke with a voice full of fighting spirit despite being a doll.

“Well, we’ve all come as you demanded. What will you do now?”

Befitting her role as the final boss here, she stepped forward as representative and asked without showing any weakness.

“Mr. Eugene?”

Sephira looked at me again.

Now I had to make some kind of decision.

“…This is everyone, right?”

I managed to get out the first words.

“That’s right. We are the last ones that old man created. No matter how much you search, you won’t find any more. So what will you do now? I’ll say it again – if you mean to harm us, we’ll resist with all our might.”

“Your Majesty…”

The Time Rabbit said carefully.

“Hmph! I never wanted to surrender in the first place. Even if I was born with this cursed body, even if this life will soon fade without someone to sustain it, I will not bow my head. I only came out here because of your earnest request.”

The Queen of Hearts’ fairy tale-like eyes showed she had already made her resolution.

“Now choose, hunter.”

“Who said anything about killing you right away?”

“What?”

“We didn’t come here to destroy this place in the first place.”

“Then why did you come?”

“We came to investigate behemoth Vile. This works out well, actually. Tell us everything you know about Vile.”

“And what will you do for us if we tell you?”

“…Didn’t you say earlier that you didn’t care about your life?”

“My life is nothing…”

“Right. But you care about the other three’s lives, don’t you? Like the Time Rabbit showed earlier.”

“…”

The Queen of Hearts maintained her domineering attitude, but she must have wanted the others to live deep down.

That’s why she came out here in the end.

Perhaps she was even trying to make herself the target to protect the others somewhat.

“Wait a moment. We have some preparations to make too.”

“What?”

I turned my back to them and went to Sephira.

“Lady Sephira. How about going to get Dominic and Zepetia? As a Heresy Inquisition officer and scholar, they might learn something from looking at those beings. It would be a waste to kill them hastily when we could get information.”

It was half sincere.

Of course the other half was sympathy, but I could never admit that.

“As I said before, I trust your judgment, Mr. Eugene. I’ll keep watch here, so please go with Oscar to bring the others.”

Sephira nodded without hesitation.

I was truly grateful.

This person really is the Saintess’s avatar.

“Let’s go, Oscar.”

“Okay.”

Oscar seemed noticeably brighter, perhaps relieved that we didn’t have to kill them right away.

He’s a really kind kid, but still has much to learn.

Sir Ozwald chose a good disciple.

Oscar and I went outside the lab and returned to base camp.