Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 142

Dungeon Chronicle – Episode 143

# 143

Dungeon Chronicle

Episode 143

Under Elf patrols left the labyrinth to deliver the message. The patrols leaving the labyrinth would head to the counts in the depths through Ustus’s labyrinth.

Although the front lines were not yet fixed and chaos was at its peak on the 11th floor, they, who had already successfully spied on the 11th floor several times, would be able to complete their mission.

How long had it been since the Under Elves had left?

Kim Jin-woo received a visit from Dinarion.

Dinarion, appearing as always with that unsettling aura, seemed unable to believe Kim Jin-woo’s explanation.

Indeed, how could anyone easily believe his words that the Underworld, which wasn’t even a living being, was devouring living things?

However, befitting the nature of the Underworld, where all sorts of bizarre things often happened, Dinarion looked serious at the repeated explanations.

“If that’s true, this war isn’t just a matter of winning or losing.”

Kim Jin-woo nodded at Dinarion’s words.

“In the current state, even if we win, it won’t be a real victory. There’s no guarantee that this side won’t change like the other side.”

His hope of getting information was dashed, but it was a success in its own way that Dinarion realized the seriousness of the situation.

“Is there a way?”

“First, we need to drive out the enemies. The Down Jam [a type of energy source in this world] problem is next.”

Indeed, as long as the enemies remained and plundered the Down Jam on this side, the situation would not improve. Fortunately, Dinarion didn’t seem too pessimistic about the war itself.

“Can you do it?”

“It’s not important whether it’s possible or impossible, is it? If things continue like this, mutual destruction is a clear fact.”

After saying that, Dinarion promised the next meeting and disappeared.

After Dinarion left, Under Elf messengers returned one after another. However, they only confirmed that none of the counts knew about what was happening now.

“It’s strange that no one has ever thought of going over to the other side of the passage.”

Anatolius of Iron Blood is a man of deep thought. Also, although he had never experienced it, he didn’t think that Parthenon of Despair would lack wisdom.

If Parthenon and the other counts were foolish, there would have been no reason for Anatolius to put so much effort into them.

But it was strange that none of those counts were curious about the other side of the passage.

But the question was just a question.

“The 11th floor will be cleared soon. It won’t take long.”

Kim Jin-woo was dumbfounded by Dinarion’s words when he had come again.

If they were enemies that could be driven out so easily, they would have been driven out long ago. He couldn’t understand why they were coming out so late now.

However, the counts in the depths had their own circumstances, so Dinarion did not explain it at length.

“We’ve been watching each other for too long. If we don’t weaken our forces like this, there will be another boring stalemate.”

It seemed that Anatolius of Iron Blood was not the only one waiting for the time.

“Anyway, although it’s late, I’m trying to fix the situation now.”

“How long do you think it will take?”

In response to Kim Jin-woo’s question, Dinarion answered casually.

“At most a month. There is still no way to eliminate a passage once it is created, but it is enough to push the front line right in front of the passage.”

Kim Jin-woo was in a dilemma at Dinarion’s declaration.

If the war lasted for a long time, there was no guarantee that the Underworld, where Down Jam was depleted, would not change like the other side of the passage.

However, if he ended the war early, the unidentified being called the Usurper might notice his existence, who had newly risen to the ranks of High Lord.

No matter how things turned out, he and his fortress were in danger. He couldn’t help but worry.

But the worry didn’t last long.

If he hadn’t foreseen this situation since he gave information to the counts in the depths, he would have dug his own grave. But he was neither stupid nor foolish.

“A month.”

A time that was long if long, and short if short, he finally made up his mind.

***

After meeting with Dinarion, Kim Jin-woo immediately went into a meeting with the leadership, including Dominique. Of course, the only subordinates he could trust who attended the meeting were Dominique and Quantus, as well as the Naga heroes and Rickshasha.

Morrigan and Heimdall were not called to this meeting.

“Everyone’s here.”

Looking at the faces of the people gathered, they already sensed an unusual atmosphere and looked nervous.

“In a month, the war between the deep counts will end. And I’m going to clear the 10th floor before they end the war.”

Dominique looked embarrassed, but he quickly continued without giving her a chance to ask questions.

“The goal is not their labyrinth or Down Jam. The barons and viscounts of the 10th floor, they are my goal.”

Kim Jin-woo’s plan was simple.

The nobles of the 10th floor were swept away helplessly by the enemy’s offensive, paying the price for their past indulgence and laziness. Numerous nobles were killed or eaten alive by enemies called Moira.

And the remaining nobles were scattered here and there, continuing a desperate battle to protect their labyrinths.

His goal was the nobles who had been weakened by repeated bloody battles.

“If you are worried about the counts’ checks, how about recommending them to move? The surviving nobles are barely surviving, and if you offer them relocation under good conditions, they will gladly pledge their allegiance.”

Dominique, who had been listening quietly, explained how the seemingly stable situation on the 9th floor was maintained under a precarious balance, and suggested a somewhat moderate method.

But her suggestion was not the kind he could accept.

In the past, he might have placed significance on expanding his forces and absorbing the nobles’ troops, but now what he needed was not the nobles’ troops and labyrinths, but the nobles themselves. As long as they were alive, they would not willingly hand over the nobles’ seals.

And he needed the nobles’ seals, no, the fragments of the old authority.

“This fact is confidential.”

After looking around, Kim Jin-woo ended the unproductive bickering with his worried subordinates by revealing the truth about the High Lord and the secret about the Usurper that he had been hiding.

“Since this is the case, do not discuss persuasion anymore.”

Perhaps because they had heard such a great secret, none of the subordinates opened their mouths. Only Rickshasha stared at his face with a strangely flushed face.

“Find a way. I need at least ten nobles’ heads.”

The silence of the leadership became even longer at his strong expression of will.

***

A summons was issued to the entire 9th floor. This was something that had rarely happened even during the year-long war.

It was also the first time since the front lines had been formed and the labyrinths at the forefront had begun to effectively defend against enemy invasions.

So, the owners of the 9th floor labyrinths couldn’t hide their doubts, but gathered at Naga’s fortress as quickly as possible.

“It’s war.”

Kim Jin-woo, who stood before the many labyrinth owners gathered in this way, briefly stated the reason for the summons.

“War, you say?”

Wuser, who had exhausted his strength in the last reconnaissance activity, had not yet restored his original size. Perhaps that’s why he asked Kim Jin-woo with a more frightened face than usual.

“Leave the minimum number of troops to defend the labyrinth and summon the rest.”

His declaration was direct and unilateral. But none of the labyrinth owners on the 9th floor who had already pledged their allegiance would object to his words.

“Who are we going to war with?”

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of switching from defense to offense now?”

The labyrinth owners murmured, trying to figure out the king’s intentions by making guesses that they thought were reasonable.

Only Wuser, who had witnessed the horrors beyond the passage with his own eyes, did not make hasty guesses and looked confused.

“It is not difficult to gather troops because it is the king’s order. But who are we going to war with…”

The king of the dwarves stepped forward and asked instead of everyone’s questions. Kim Jin-woo, who was looking at the dwarf who had four or five hideous scars across his face in a year, said briefly.

“The 10th floor. The 10th floor is the destination of this war.”

Words that none of the labyrinth owners gathered here had expected, so the labyrinth owners all had faces as if they had been hit in the back of the head and were gaping.

“Portal.”

Looking at them, Kim Jin-woo whispered softly instead of making them understand the situation.

“Huh?”

Darkness parted and a door of space was created between them, and Wuser’s labyrinth could be seen beyond it.

“Eek!”

Wuser, who belatedly realized that the labyrinth seen beyond the portal was his own, blocked the front of the portal and protested to him.

“What is this all of a sudden…”

At this moment when it has become difficult to supply Down Jam recently, the eyes of many labyrinth owners turned to the other side of the portal where Wuser’s labyrinth would be.

At this rate, Wuser swelled up his whole body and blocked the passage, as he was about to reveal his weaknesses to his competitors.

The labyrinth owners, who were glancing at the other side of the portal with eyes full of greed and curiosity, smacked their lips in regret.

But that was only for a moment, and another portal was created in the place where the labyrinth owners gathered.

The portal that opened this time was the labyrinth of the succubi ruled by the Queen of Mime. As the Queen of Mime spread her wings wide and pointed to the portal, another portal opened.

And another portal opened and another portal opened again.

In this way, nearly a hundred portals were created in the wide open space.

Many labyrinth owners screamed that they would block the portals connected to their labyrinths, as they did not know his intentions at all.

Chaos was at its peak.

From those who glared fiercely at the other labyrinth owners, to the labyrinth owners who took out their nails as if they were about to pluck out the other’s eyeballs right away. The atmosphere became a little more violent.

Looking at them, Kim Jin-woo opened his mouth belatedly. It was a low voice, but strangely, it was a voice with enough resonance to calm the commotion in the square.

“Summon the troops.”

What is this all about again? The labyrinth owners, who were glaring at each other and making a fuss, did not understand his intentions and waited with blank faces for him to explain the situation.

“The war starts now.”

But Kim Jin-woo did not make them understand the situation or explain the plan.