Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 63

Dungeon Journal – Episode 64

#63

Dungeon Journal

Mercenary #25

[You have formed an alliance with Malakus, the King of Hammer and Anvil.]

[It’s merely an alliance; Malakus and his army fear the might of the Naga, who have even brought the Land of the Dead to its knees. They will do anything to maintain a friendly relationship.]

“Congratulations on your victory! This is a small gift from our king!”

Mlak, the envoy of Malakus, who was already small, bent even lower as he presented a box. The rattling sound suggested that something heavy and solid was inside.

[You have received tribute from Malakus. The dwarves will continue to pay tribute to maintain peace in the future.]

[You have obtained a set of ‘Master Craftsman’s Armor and Sword’ made by the dwarves themselves. As items made by dwarves renowned for their craftsmanship even underground, their quality is guaranteed.]

When Mlak opened the box, Kim Jin-woo could see the contents. A set of gleaming armor and a sharply honed sword looked extraordinary at first glance.

“Tell your king that as long as you do not turn your backs, the Naga will not invade the land of the dwarves.”

“The king will be very pleased.”

Kim Jin-woo, after quickly checking the contents of the box, spoke briefly, and the dwarves left the labyrinth with very satisfied faces.

“This isn’t a bad deal.”

‘Instead of warring with labyrinths that offer no real gain, solidifying our position like this isn’t bad. As long as you are strong, Master, they won’t dare to harbor any wicked thoughts,’ Dominique offered, though it wasn’t really needed, as Kim Jin-woo sighed deeply. As she said, attacking the labyrinths of the dwarves, who were geographically far away, had little merit.

It was more profitable to receive tribute through cooperation.

Of course, someday they would have to be brought to heel as well, but at least not now.

“Is everything roughly settled?”

‘Yes. According to the reports from the long-range patrols, no more envoys have been detected.’

At Dominique’s words, Kim Jin-woo finally looked relieved and stood up. He was in a temporary audience chamber near the entrance of the labyrinth.

It was a hastily made space because envoys visiting the labyrinth couldn’t be brought inside, but thanks to the increasingly skilled Naga workers, it didn’t look too bad.

“What about Valishus?”

‘He’s holed up in his assigned space, engrossed in chimera research. It seems he’s trying to create a body to replace his completely broken one.’

Valishus, who had lost the war, had his rights to operate the labyrinth taken away and was forced to become a subordinate, was desperate to fix his body.

“He’s chasing a pipe dream.”

‘It’s hard for him to endure unless he’s focused on something like that right now.’

Kim Jin-woo had no intention of sympathizing with the insidious Valishus, no matter how miserable he felt after being ousted from his throne overnight.

“Keep a close watch and get rid of him as soon as it looks like he’s about to be finished. If he regains his power, he’ll only have useless thoughts.”

‘Yes. Hoya is keeping a close watch, so don’t worry too much. Valishus, who has lost his power, won’t be able to detect Hoya’s stealth.’

He never imagined that Hoya, who had been holed up in the owner’s room like a parasite, would be used in this way.

“It’s always beneficial to pick them up. They all have their uses, even like this.”

Dominique nodded at his hearty laughter.

A month had already passed since the war with Valishus ended.

During that time, numerous envoys visited to request alliances, and Kim Jin-woo accepted the proposals after selecting those who were moderate and useful.

He had secured as many as four alliances.

Malakus, the King of Hammer and Anvil,

Corinthus, the King of the Swamp,

Hecarim, the King of the Wanderers,

Ariane, the Queen of Dreams.

It was difficult to use them as immediate forces just because they were allies, but it was encouraging that they had bowed their heads first.

That meant the power of the Naga had become that great.

“Until the Graveyard and Party Hall are fully operational, we will focus on strengthening our internal affairs.”

‘As you wish.’

Dominique bowed her head and disappeared again. She, who almost single-handedly took care of the labyrinth’s affairs, was busier than Kim Jin-woo, the owner of the labyrinth.

Kim Jin-woo, who had been watching the direction she disappeared in for a moment, looked for Yun-hee.

“Ah……”

Yun-hee, who had been in better condition lately, recognized him and acknowledged him, albeit awkwardly.

“How have you been?”

She didn’t open her mouth to answer, nor did she deny it, but Kim Jin-woo could tell that Yun-hee had found some stability.

The lifeless eyes were faintly filled with vitality.

He couldn’t tell whether it was because she had become accustomed to the free life in the Naga’s labyrinth, unlike when she was exploited in the depths, or whether it was a change that occurred as her own labyrinth, the Party Hall, smoothly rose to the 3rd rank.

“Hmm, something will change when it reaches the 5th rank.”

If the 4th rank is just a labyrinth in name only, the 5th rank is the real beginning of a labyrinth.

Also, a labyrinth reaching the 5th rank did not just mean that the labyrinth was growing. The growth of the labyrinth was also the growth of the owner.

Kim Jin-woo himself had his physical abilities significantly improved when he reached the 5th rank, and when the labyrinth reached the 6th rank, he even obtained the title of Commander and became stronger than ever before.

Perhaps the fastest way for Yun-hee to find stability in this dark underground was to continue to grow the labyrinth.

“I hope that day comes soon. There are many things I want to ask.”

He had many things he wanted to ask, such as why she hadn’t left the underground for 10 years after the war ended, and how she ended up being abandoned by her master and coming to the auction house.

‘Master!’

Kim Jin-woo, who was talking to himself while looking at Yun-hee’s face, which seemed ordinary yet had a strange feeling, turned his head at Dominique’s voice.

“Didn’t you say that no more envoys were coming?”

Dominique, who was approaching slowly, replied.

‘No. Not an envoy, but a mercenary has come to the tavern.’

There was a time when even one mercenary was sorely missed, but now that the Naga had grown significantly, the Naga’s labyrinth was not weak enough to make a fuss over a mercenary’s visit.

“Have Dominique talk to Quantus and deal with him appropriately. Hire him if he seems okay, and send him away if he’s useless.”

At the lukewarm response, Dominique shook her head and grabbed his hand.

‘It’s not just an ordinary mercenary….’

A somewhat excited voice; come to think of it, Dominique’s face was somehow flushed.

‘A hero-grade mercenary has come!’

***

“An author?”

In the middle of the labyrinth’s tavern, which had expanded beyond comparison to what it once was, stood a being he had never seen before.

“Loyalty to the King!”

Quantus, who seemed to be resting, discovered Kim Jin-woo and greeted him loudly.

The Naga in the tavern bowed their heads all at once, following Quantus, but the mercenary, who had been standing motionless, turned his body.

“Greetings to the King of the Naga and the Honorable Baron of the Underground.”

The mercenary, who bowed his head with precision, was dressed in a way that was not easily seen in the underground. The mercenary, who was covered in massive iron armor from head to toe, had an imposing appearance like a medieval knight.

“Hmm.”

At first glance, his precise movements and courteous yet not servile attitude seemed unusual, but Kim Jin-woo, who welcomed talent with open arms, observed the armored knight with sharp eyes.

“I am Balzac, a wandering knight of the underground.”

The voice coming from inside the helmet was strangely resonant.

‘A wandering knight is someone you can only see in the depths [the deepest levels of the underground world, typically inhabited by nobles]. I have no idea why he came all the way to the 9th floor.’

Indeed, there was no one who would call himself a knight unless it was in the depths where nobles lived.

“What is your purpose in visiting?”

At Kim Jin-woo’s question, Balzac took a step forward and answered.

“I have heard rumors that there is a Commander of Transcendence on the 9th floor and have come to find him.”

Kim Jin-woo twitched one eyebrow as he saw Balzac sending a challenging look from beyond the darkness of his helmet.

“So? Now that you’ve seen everything, are you going back?”

“Of course not.”

Balzac, who smirked, grabbed the abnormally large axe he had placed on the table and his eyes shone.

“I am Balzac, a wandering knight, and I have come to the 9th floor in search of a lord to serve! If your reputation of Transcendence is true, defeat me and accept my sword!”

[You have received a challenge from a wandering knight.]

[These bizarre people who revere martial arts have been conducting strange martial arts performances to find a master to serve since ancient times. Would you like to accept the wandering knight’s wish to serve someone stronger than himself?]

[If you win, you can take Balzac as your subordinate.]

[If you lose, your reputation will drop significantly. Your charisma will drop.]

[If you refuse the duel, your reputation will drop slightly, and the disappointed Balzac will leave the territory.]

Kim Jin-woo sighed at the classic development that didn’t fit the times.

“How presumptuous.”

Perhaps it was because he was bothered by Balzac’s actions of coming uninvited and suddenly requesting a duel, Kim Jin-woo’s face was cold from beginning to end.

‘Quantus!’

“Have you ever seen such an arrogant guy! Where do you think this is!”

Dominique looked for Quantus, wanting to stop Balzac’s sudden actions belatedly. Quantus glared at Balzac, who had challenged the sacred king, as if he wanted to kill him.

“If the achievements of Transcendence are true, prove it here!”

Balzac only said what he had to say, regardless of Quantus’s fierce eyes. Kim Jin-woo waved his hand to stop Quantus, who was about to rush at him as he watched him.

Reputation drops even if you refuse, reputation drops even if you lose; the decision was made from the beginning. But there was something to address before that.

“Before I accept your challenge, I have one question.”

“Ask!”

Kim Jin-woo, who frowned at Balzac’s unnecessarily loud answer, opened his mouth in a low voice.

“Tell me the real reason you came here.”

“I heard the reputation of the Commander of Transcendence and……”

“I told you to stop talking nonsense and reveal the real reason.”

Balzac shut his mouth tightly at the firm voice that didn’t even give room for rebuttal.

“The excuse was good. But, you see.”

Kim Jin-woo said, slightly pointing his finger.

“Why didn’t you at least change your armor before coming?”

“What……”

Kim Jin-woo cut off Balzac’s words at once, who was about to open his mouth to make an excuse.

“Neither you nor your master are good at disguises.”

After saying that, he raised one corner of his mouth and asked coldly.

“What is a knight of the Iron Blood Knights doing here?”