Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 70

Dungeon Journal-70 (70/319)

# 70

Dungeon Journal

Episode 71

#30. The Battlefield Raven

“Hmm, what’s this?”

Kim Jin-woo frowned as he examined the item the black marketeer handed over. A map, intricately drawn on leather of an unknown material, quickly materialized before his eyes like a phantom.

[You have acquired a map of the entire 9th floor. The existing map has been updated by the Pathfinder ability.]

[There are no more unknown areas on the 9th floor.]

[However, there may be hidden labyrinths not marked on the map.]

With the notification that the map had been updated, the areas that had been blacked out were brightly illuminated.

Kim Jin-woo scanned the map, careful not to let the black marketeer notice, and frowned inwardly.

He was newly wary of Anatolius’s information-gathering ability, which allowed him to see the situation on the 9th floor clearly even from the 11th floor.

The map Anatolius had given him was that detailed and precise.

“He also had some words to pass along with the item.”

Whether Kim Jin-woo was surprised or not, the black marketeer continued to chatter.

“He didn’t set a specific deadline, but he said he’d like to see results as soon as possible.”

Kim Jin-woo, who belatedly dispersed the map floating in the air, frowned at the black marketeer’s words.

“How arrogant. Is he trying to treat me like one of his underlings now?”

“Oh, no, how could that be? Anatolius-nim [respected title] said that all of this is just a request.”

“That arrogant Anatolius actually used the word ‘request’?”

Seeing the unpleasant look on Kim Jin-woo’s face, the black marketeer hurriedly added, “Really! As proof, Anatolius-nim promised additional support if the Baron achieves results within half a year.”

“I’ve subjugated one more labyrinth since my secret deal with him ended. Isn’t it greedy to ask for more sincerity than this? Surely he doesn’t think I can bring the entire 9th floor under my control in that half year?”

Kim Jin-woo, who actually owned three territories, feigned exaggeration. The power of his unrevealed territories had been proven in the battle with Valishus.

There was no need to reveal his full strength to the black marketeer.

“He doesn’t expect that much, but he said he’d be satisfied if you show enough sincerity to secure a path to the 10th floor.”

“Hmm.”

Kim Jin-woo pretended to consider the black marketeer’s words. In fact, he had already planned to subjugate the entire 9th floor, but he intended to get as much as possible and make a show of it.

“What’s the price?”

As if it were a decision made after much deliberation, he spoke casually, and the black marketeer eagerly jumped in and excitedly talked about the rewards.

“He promised fifteen Hero-grade mercenaries who haven’t been touched by anyone yet, ten top-grade Down Jams [a type of magical artifact or resource], and in addition, he said to ask separately if you need anything else.”

Kim Jin-woo couldn’t help but be interested in the larger-than-expected reward.

“Whew, he spent quite generously.”

“And he left this in advance as a down payment.”

As if there was a lot of room in that small chest, the black marketeer once again rummaged through it and took out a gem about the size of two fists combined.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a summoning stone of an ancient war hero.”

***

After the black marketeer left, Kim Jin-woo quietly fiddled with the red gem in his hand. The dark red gem, with its irregular angles, was quite a strange object.

The dark smudge flickering inside whenever it caught the light was particularly noticeable.

‘There is a powerful hero inside. But as powerful as he is, he has a high nose [is arrogant], so he might try to act as he pleases after being summoned. In the worst case, the Baron might be defeated by the summon itself.’

‘He even told me that.’

‘Once you subdue him, he will be a great help. And Anatolius-nim said he believes in you.’

Kim Jin-woo twisted one corner of his mouth as he recalled the black marketeer’s words. He understood Anatolius’s intentions in handing over the summoning stone.

Perhaps this was also a test from Anatolius.

“Master, that is……”

Angela, who had been by Yoon-hee’s side lately, showed up for some reason.

“It’s a test paper sent by Anatolius.”

Angela seemed to know the identity of the summoning stone. She asked with a wary face what was inside. Kim Jin-woo shook his head.

Even the black marketeer who handed over the summoning stone said he didn’t know which hero the summoning stone contained.

After hearing the answer, she said to him with a serious face.

“Then don’t use it. It would be better to convert it into dungeon energy and use it.”

Kim Jin-woo gestured for an explanation at her unusually serious attitude.

“All the useful summoning stones have already been released. And all the summoning stones that haven’t been released yet all have their own reasons. They have a history of killing summoners, or they have a quirky personality, or they have overlapping bad relationships that are difficult to handle.”

After saying that, she once again earnestly requested that he reconsider using the summoning stone.

“In the end, he entrusted me with a useless item and made a show of it.”

Kim Jin-woo said that, but his expression was somehow unusual.

“Master!”

“Even waste can be useful if recycled. Sometimes there will come a day when you regret throwing something away. Isn’t that right?”

Angela closed her mouth at the chilling voice that seemed to drip with cold water.

“Gather the troops!”

Kim Jin-woo grinned as he looked at her.

“It’s a welcome party.”

***

A wide square, a whirlwind and flashes of light like a storm lashed out in all directions. With an ear-splitting noise, the light flickered and spat out a black shadow before disappearing as if by magic.

[An ancient hero has been summoned through the summoning stone.]

[Morrigan, the Battlefield Raven who served the One-Eyed Lord, the most powerful of the ten lords when the Underworld was only one floor, has awakened.]

The giant raven visible beyond the message slowly rose and shook its bright red beak.

‘Are you my summoner?’

The voice echoing in his head was sharp and high like a scream echoing on the battlefield, and it was eerie.

‘You look so small and weak.’

[The ancient hero Morrigan tests your qualifications.]

[You must completely subdue Morrigan to wield her great power. If you fail to subdue her, she will never obediently return to the summoning stone.]

As soon as the words were finished, the raven spread its wings, which must have been several meters wide. The feathers, which had already stood stiffly, were like sharp daggers.

‘Prove your worth.’

Kim Jin-woo sneered at the tearing voice.

“Qualification?”

He raised his right hand and answered indifferently.

“You’re not the one to test my qualifications.”

The moment his hand dropped, Quantus, Ortea, and Balzac jumped out from behind him.

The raven looked flustered at their sudden intrusion.

‘Do not defile the sacred test!’

“Sacred my ass.”

Kim Jin-woo snorted at the raven’s roar and said firmly.

“Subdue it.”

“As the King wills!”

Balzac rushed out on his Death Steed, followed by Ortea and Quantus, charging towards the raven with a fierce momentum.

[The Commander’s unique ability ‘Domination of the Battlefield’ has been activated.]

[The collective combat ability of allies has increased. They will listen to your every little murmur and try to follow it.]

[The formation of allies becomes more solid and resilient.]

[The combat ability of allies has been amplified by the Domination of the Battlefield effect.]

[This is a battle within the labyrinth. The combat power of all allies located within the reach of the core’s domain is amplified.]

[The Naga shaman has blessed the allies entering the battlefield. Physical abilities have temporarily increased.]

[The abilities of allies have increased unbelievably due to the overlapping of three amplification effects.]

The moment the words ended, Balzac’s ridiculously huge axe was already rushing towards the raven.

“You are the one who must prove your worth.”

Kim Jin-woo smiled coldly and took a step back.

***

As Angela had feared, Morrigan was indeed powerful. Even against three Hero-grade summons, Morrigan did not falter at all.

Every time it flapped its huge wings, dozens of dagger-like feathers shot out, stirring up everything around it.

At such times, even Ortea, who was usually confident in her durability, had to retreat.

“It’s giving me trouble.”

Kim Jin-woo let out an ambiguous sound that was neither admiration nor a groan as he watched his subordinates, whose abilities had been literally inflated by as many as three amplification effects, struggle.

‘You are not worthy to be called a warrior!’

“Since when was I a warrior?”

He pretended to pick his ear at Morrigan’s roar and asked Angela, who was next to him.

“But at this level, it doesn’t seem like Anatolius couldn’t handle it?”

“That’s right. I’m wondering if Anatolius himself, as well as a few of the upper knights of the Iron Blood Knights, could have subdued it, but I’m also wondering…”

“Is there another flaw?”

Kim Jin-woo and Angela racked their brains because the ability itself was great, but it wasn’t enough to cause trouble for the Underworld Count.

“Kuaaaak!”

Even at that moment, the battle between Quantus and the others and the raven was becoming more and more intense.

“Master, do you know the identity of that raven?”

“I heard it’s Morrigan, the Battlefield Raven who served the One-Eyed Lord.”

At those words, Angela tilted her head with a face that seemed to grasp something, and Dominique suddenly intervened.

‘Oh my god! Master!’

Kim Jin-woo turned his head at her completely horrified voice, and there was Dominique with a pale face.

‘You have to send her back right away!’

“Why?”

‘The reason Anatolius handed that raven over to you is not because there is a flaw in her own ability!’

Kim Jin-woo frowned at Dominique, who was not easily calmed down and only repeated incomprehensible stories. She belatedly realized her situation and hurriedly explained.

‘Morrigan is a being that is no different from a disaster in itself. Morrigan is a troublemaker who has killed many nobles! Among those who have a grudge against Morrigan is Parthenon of Despair, the Count of the 11th floor deep layer!’

Kim Jin-woo gritted his teeth as he belatedly understood her words.

“Anatolius, that bastard, he used a petty trick.”

In Kim Jin-woo’s eyes, the faces of countless people filled with resentment, who could pounce on that ominous raven, were vividly drawn.

Perhaps Anatolius had foreseen this situation and sent the summoning stone of that arrogant raven.

According to the cunning Count’s scheme, he would be entangled in the chain of causality that Morrigan carried, and after that, whether he liked it or not, his relationship with the nobles of the deep layer, whom he had never met, would be twisted.

And among them would be the Count of the 11th floor, who would still be difficult to deal with.

‘If you don’t send her back quickly, word will reach their ears faster than you think…….’

Before Dominique could finish speaking, Morrigan suddenly cried out.

Kkaaaaaak!

Dominique collapsed to the floor at the terrifying sound that shook her mind, and the Nagas who were waiting vomited blood.

Balzac, Ortea, and Quantus, who were in the middle of the battle, also retreated at the same time with shocked faces, and the raven’s huge body began to change.