The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City-Chapter 96: Violet Discovered the Jungle Ruins.

When we first stepped into the dungeon, it was just past 8 a.m.

By the time we reached our destination, the clock showed it was already noon.

Walking a bit further through the area where fake artifacts for field mission practice were hidden, there was a place with a concealed passage.

「We need to find a strange-looking tree. It should be just ahead.」

「The tangled one, right?」

It didn’t take long before I found the place where the passage to the hidden ruins in the dungeon was concealed.

In a secluded clearing, I saw four massive trees intertwined with one another.

“Here it is!”

Answering like that, the Violets began searching the area.

Dozens of Violets used sharp sticks to probe the ground, checking for anything solid.

Watching us rummage beneath the earth, Irene asked,

“Is this really the place?”

“Based on what I’ve heard, it’s definitely here!”

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

According to the memories from the main story, there’s an interesting gimmick hidden at the end of the Cloris Woodland.

To enter the ruins, you need to find a totem buried somewhere in this undergrowth.

「I think it was around here.」

I closed my eyes and combed through the jungle floor.

The dampness, the smell of soil, and the hum of insects had long since been drowned out by the rustling movements of the Violet battalion.

We focused intently on searching the ground beneath our feet.

After digging around for about ten minutes, I felt something solid.

“Here it is!”

One of the Violets excitedly pointed to the ground.

When we dug with our hands, a finely carved leopard-shaped figure caught our attention.

We had discovered the hidden leopard totem, patiently waiting for visitors, though it wasn’t meant to activate until five years into the future.

“How fascinating. To think such a sculpture exists this deep in an untouched dungeon…”

Daphne spoke with intrigue as she observed our work.

Irene, who had been silently watching, asked a question.

“That’s amazing. So, what do we do next?”

I placed my hand on the leopard totem’s forehead and said,

“You just have to slowly infuse it with mana. Watch closely!”

The totem’s surface was smooth.

At first, nothing happened as I gradually channeled mana into it.

Then, suddenly, the totem sank into the ground with a soft thud.

“As expected, it’s working!”

The ground around us began to tremble.

And that wasn’t all.

It was as if a long-dormant giant had awakened; the flow of ether surged violently around us.

Ether gushed from beneath the ground like a hot spring bursting forth.

「It’s opening! It’s opening!」

We all shivered at the phenomenon.

As the totem reacted, the ground beneath us quivered gently.

After some time, when the commotion subsided, the earth in front of the trees collapsed, revealing a dark passage.

Beyond it, stone steps came into view.

“So that’s the ruin Violet mentioned…”

“Yes. Let’s head in quickly!”

As the passage opened, the secret ruins hidden within the Cloris Woodland were revealed.

This was the deep-level ruin of the Cloris Dungeon.

In the game, it’s the area located at the dungeon’s very end.

And at the end of the dungeon, a boss awaits to challenge foolish adventurers.

“Before we go in, let’s take some time to prepare. If Violet’s information is correct, there’s a powerful beast waiting for us inside.”

Following Irene’s suggestion, we quickly grabbed some water and snacks.

We planned to have lunch after gaining some experience in the ruins.

One hundred and three girls sat on fallen trees or the grass nearby, taking a brief rest.

Daphne, lost in thought, suddenly asked me a question.

“When the entrance opened, so much mana was released. Won’t anyone nearby find it suspicious?”

The Violets were startled and gasped.

How had we not thought of that?

“Oh… right, what should we do?”

Hearing this, Irene quickly dispelled our concerns.

“Don’t worry about that. Remember how the vines were when we cleared our way here?”

“They were incredibly tough!”

After hearing my reply, she cut a dangling vine nearby and handed it to me and Daphne.

“Take a look. Can you feel the mana?”

“Wow, I really can.”

“It’s true. There’s a faint trace of ether.”

“Plants that grow inside dungeons undergo mutations after prolonged exposure to ether. They don’t turn into beasts but become much sturdier compared to plants outside the dungeon.” Ȑ𝘢Νꝋ฿ЁṠ

As I pondered what she meant, Daphne suddenly let out a short “Ah,” as if something had clicked.

“I get it now. Based on what Irene said, the jungle’s mana-infused trees and undergrowth will mask the mana released when the entrance opens.”

“That’s correct.”

So that’s what it was.

I’m glad there weren’t any students rushing over noisily or instructors coming here in a panic.

Come to think of it, our movement speed was faster than the other students.

It would probably be about an hour or two difference.

Normally, we’d have to detour through anomalous zones or unexplored areas, but the Violet Battalion pushed through using its strength.

After completing our reorganization, it was time to enter the ruins.

“This time, we’ll go in first!”

At the forefront, Violet No. 301 entered with a riot shield.

Irene glanced briefly at Daphne and nodded her head.

“Don’t overdo it. If there’s anything dangerous, let us know. Understood?”

Daphne’s protective shield enveloped No. 301’s body.

The shield seemed noticeably thicker than usual.

“Joint reinforcement, minimal noise reduction, magic enhancement, metal strengthening…”

Not stopping there, she even applied various minor support spells.

“Now you won’t get hurt at all. Don’t worry.”

“Oh, thank you…!”

Daphne’s gaze at No. 301 felt like looking at a fish in an icebox.

I wondered why.

After wrapping up the minor preparations, we entered the dungeon with a mixture of anticipation and concern for the adventure awaiting us.

As we descended the stairs, a dark, moss-covered passageway greeted us.

The air was filled with a damp smell that was hard to describe.

At some point, a bright light surrounded us.

It was the end of the passage.

“That is…”

Irene, moving right behind No. 301, murmured in surprise as she saw the view outside the passage.

The underground ruins were bright, boasting a vast open space.

Perhaps because of that, trees and grass grew abundantly even here.

Looking further, there was a small circular plaza made of stone flooring.

Around the plaza were trees and unrecognizable large and small walls and pillars.

They were all covered in moss or overgrown with vines.

The Violets shifted their gazes elsewhere.

At the center of the circular plaza was a massive yellow crystal, roughly the size of a person, surrounded by incomprehensible machinery.

Its name was the Aether Amplifier.

According to its lore, it was a relic left by a destroyed civilization from another dimension.

If activated, it could significantly enhance the abilities of Awakened individuals nearby safely and without side effects.

Unfortunately, monsters swarmed around the Aether Amplifier.

We approached the stone plaza cautiously to avoid detection.

Moving stealthily was a challenge with more than a full battalion of Violets.

“We have to eliminate all the ones around there to activate the ruins, right?”

“That’s right.”

The surroundings were teeming with a horde of Screx.

Some were lying down and sleeping, while others were picking their noses.

The Screx from the Novastia Dungeon were gray, but the ones here were green.

Anyone could mistake them for goblins or ogres.

“I only see small fry, no boss monsters like Kranos or Brask from the main storyline.”

The fake T-Rex that had suddenly appeared and wreaked havoc during the entrance ceremony was originally the boss monster here.

It wasn’t visible now, which was a relief.

Among the small Screx were larger, human-shaped beasts with spiky bodies.

“It’s a Warden. That one…”

“The one with the barrier field, right? Got it.”

The Violets quickly spread out.

Under normal circumstances, they’d unleash a hail of bullets and overpower the monsters with firepower, but they had to use crossbows this time.

A crossbow was essentially a sword-energy launcher.

Its power was impressive, but it had slow projectile speed and lacked impact.

In large-scale battles, it felt a bit underwhelming.

As agreed upon before entering the dungeon, Daphne waited in the rear with the protection of two squads, while the first platoon, tasked with assault, stood in a line with Irene at the center.

The remaining Violets all drew their crossbows and aimed at the monsters.

Irene raised her left hand and gave a hand signal.

The Violets, hidden among the trees and bushes, lifted their crossbows in unison like robots.

When the timing was right, Irene lowered her left hand.

“Fire!”

The sound of bowstrings snapping echoed repeatedly, and red beams of light struck the monster horde.

“Keekk!”

“Kroak!”

While the monsters were flustered by the sudden attack, the Violet battalion and Irene charged immediately.

The Screx Casters raised their arms and fired magical projectiles.

However, the vanguard, cloaked in golden magic and light-green protective shields, remained unharmed.

“Attack! Attack!”

With a single charge, the monster horde was sent flying.

The Warden, standing among them, deployed a grid-patterned defensive field.

But the slowly flying bolts, imbued with magic, pierced through the barrier like cutting water with a blade.

As it writhed in agony, Violets wielding axes and swords stormed inside the barrier.

-Don’t rush in too quickly. Usually, anything slower than a bullet can pass through, but there’s a chance it might rebound.

Before entering the barrier, think of walking slowly.

I recalled what Instructor Frederick had briefly mentioned during orientation.

We entered the barrier cautiously, as though walking.

The Warden thrashed its arms in desperation, but it was slower than expected.

-Slash!

“Kroaaargh!”

Before long, the monsters fell one by one as the battle concluded.

Since it was only a Screx horde, the task ended more easily than anticipated.

“Casualty report!”

“First platoon, three minor injuries. No fatalities.”

“Second platoon, one serious injury. No fatalities.”

“Third platoon, no injuries here!”

The Violets and our team surprisingly conquered the ruins quickly.

The progress was suspiciously fast, but we were lucky.

“No one got hurt. That’s a relief…”

While Daphne smiled quietly, Irene approached the Aether Amplifier with curious eyes.

It was time for the rewards.

And to search for treasure chests.