Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 232

Dungeon Journal-233

# 233

Kim Jin-woo had been anticipating the moment when the Nagas would overcome their limitations and become a true force. He was certain the Sea Dragon’s Heart would be the catalyst.

From his perspective, it was a moment of pure joy.

But the celebration was cut short.

“Master! There’s a monster rampaging on the outskirts of the labyrinth!”

Dominique’s urgent voice echoed. Ordinarily, he might have dismissed it. The forces bolstered to prepare for the Dukes’ provocations were sufficient to stall in most situations, and the formidable Grand Labyrinth wouldn’t easily permit intruders.

However, ignoring it now was poorly timed.

With the Usurper beginning to stir, no sign could be ignored. So, he rose from his seat, biting his lip as he glanced at the box Daedalus offered.

“Stay here until I return.”

Though regret lingered, once he made a decision, he moved with unmatched speed, heading directly for the outskirts of the Grand Labyrinth.

“Report the situation!”

“A monster we’ve never encountered before has appeared, leading Satyrs! The Nagas, including Quentus, are stationed on the outskirts, but they won’t be able to hold them off alone!”

To compound the problem, the Satyrs were already challenging opponents, and now an unknown monster had emerged, targeting the Grand Labyrinth.

Kim Jin-woo felt a surge of anxiety and quickened his pace.

“Could the monster Dominique mentioned be… that thing?”

He had abandoned even the Sea Dragon’s Heart upon hearing the urgent report, but when Kim Jin-woo identified the monster, his face betrayed a hint of disappointment.

He already knew the identity of the monster that had breached the labyrinth’s boundary.

“Ah…”

Dominique glanced back and forth between the monster and the Satyrs, a confused expression on her face.

“Kieeeek!”

A Satyr shrieked as the grotesque monster, an Antlion, crunched its massive jaws, devouring the Satyr’s flesh. The chaotic battle between the Satyrs and the monster raged on.

“What on earth is going on?”

It seemed they had mistaken the Antlion and the Satyrs as allies, assuming they had arrived from the same direction.

“Tsk.”

Kim Jin-woo sighed, a displeased look on his face, and explained to Dominique.

“They are not allies.”

The sight of the massive monster and the Satyrs attacking each other made it clear their relationship was hostile, even without his explanation.

“I apologize. The monster’s appearance was so hideous, unlike anything I’ve ever seen…”

Her confusion was understandable. The Antlion he encountered again had changed so drastically that even Kim Jin-woo was taken aback.

The writhing body was so immense it filled the entire passage, and the mouth, visible between the grinding teeth, was so deep and ominous its end couldn’t be seen.

Furthermore, the tail, which appeared to have been severed, spewed disgusting fluids with every rampage. It was a sight that would prompt any wise king’s advisor to urgently report a crisis.

“Tsk.”

Kim Jin-woo didn’t blame Dominique. On reflection, it was his fault the monster had reached the 9th floor, so he couldn’t scold her for interrupting such an important moment.

She must have been just as disappointed as he was.

If anything, Dominique probably wanted to use the Sea Dragon’s Heart as soon as possible, perhaps even more than he did.

Besides, the Antlion’s surprising transformation after so long piqued his curiosity as much as the Sea Dragon’s Heart did.

“What on earth happened?”

Kim Jin-woo narrowed his eyes as he observed the Antlion, which had grown several times larger and more ferocious than before.

The Satyrs were all being hunted down. They were formidable warriors, almost too skilled to be defeated so easily, but the Antlion was an even more terrifying creature.

But that terrifying monster, strangely enough, displayed friendliness toward Kim Jin-woo.

Kkuung.

The Antlion, its mouth neatly closed after smearing itself with fluids and the Satyrs’ blood, lowered its head to his feet as if trying to curry favor, then flipped over to expose its belly.

It was a sight that was terrifying in a different way from the Antlion’s hideous appearance.

[The Antlion expresses affection for you.]

Kim Jin-woo, who had been frowning at the nauseating sight, looked surprised. He had suspected it, but the Antlion was genuinely trying to ingratiate itself with him.

“What?”

[The Antlion seems to have something to say. But unfortunately, the Antlion has no means to express its feelings and will.]

[The Antlion is very frustrated.]

Kkuuoooong.

He was dumbfounded after reading the messages. He couldn’t comprehend the Antlion’s behavior, which had changed so much in just a few days.

[The Antlion is desperately trying to ‘say’ something to you. If its grotesque gestures can be called ‘language’.]

Whether he wanted to or not, the Antlion was constantly trying to convey something to him. But understanding the Antlion’s gestures, which had nothing in common with its innate physical appearance, was a difficult task.

“Huh?”

But despite that, Kim Jin-woo could vaguely sense what the monster was trying to say.

“You don’t mean…”

With a feeling of disbelief, he asked the Antlion.

“Do you want to tell me who cut off your tail?”

Kkeueong! Kkeueoeong!

It seemed his guess was correct. As soon as he finished speaking, the Antlion nodded its massive head, then pointed to its severed tail and the Satyr’s head it had chewed on.

“Tsk.”

Kim Jin-woo couldn’t be happy even though his guess was correct. The massive monster’s gestures were no different from those of a tattling child.

[The Antlion is very happy. The Antlion seems to feel even more affection for you because you understood its intentions.]

Kkeueoeong!

[The Antlion says with its whole body. It repeatedly explains that the Satyrs cut off its tail.]

“Master?”

Dominique, who had been watching the scene from the side, called out to her master with a look as if she had witnessed something she shouldn’t have.

“What on earth is going on right now?”

Even the wise Dominique was in an incomprehensible situation, her fair face filled with confusion.

“I’m not sure either.”

But Kim Jin-woo was just as bewildered.

“However, I think I picked up someone ridiculous.”

He looked at the Antlion with an ambiguous expression that was neither laughing nor crying.

***

The Antlion was left as it was on the outskirts of the Grand Labyrinth. He was worried it might forget what had just happened, but there was no other way.

For now, he could only hope the Antlion’s intelligence had become even more advanced than he thought.

“Still, just in case, I’ve instructed the Under Elf patrols in charge of the outskirts’ boundary to avoid the western entrance.”

Only after Dominique issued a curfew in the vicinity could he barely set the Antlion aside.

“It’s a troublesome guy, but it will earn its keep from now on.”

His face was full of embarrassment as he spoke, as if making excuses. He had lured the Antlion in the first place to scout Luyang and the Satyrs, so he hadn’t expected the situation to unfold like this.

But it was only for a moment, and then he wore a satisfied expression. Although it was a violent visit, unexpected luck was always welcome.

Kim Jin-woo recalled the Antlion slaughtering the Satyrs and looked reassured.

“But even that Antlion was no match for the Duke.”

However, he was somewhat worried about the Duke’s power, which had driven away even that terrifying monster.

“All the creatures in the vicinity have been dealt with.”

In the meantime, Angela, who had left her post on orders, returned. She had been patrolling the area to prevent the Satyrs who had been tracking the Antlion from informing their master of the Grand Labyrinth’s location.

Looking at her mouth, which was smeared with red, it was clear how she had dealt with the pursuers without having to ask.

“Wasn’t it too much for you?”

“Of course not. It was just the tasteless meal that was a chore.”

It seemed the power of the True Blood [referring to her vampire lineage] was significant, as Angela displayed unprecedented confidence. Dominique, who was next to her, glanced at her and said.

“You probably just dealt with the pursuers and came right back. So, I ordered the Under Elves to erase the traces, so don’t worry too much.”

“Thank you. For your concern.”

Angela curved her eyes and smiled, showing her gratitude in her own way.

Kim Jin-woo, who was watching the scene, noticed something. It was strange that Angela, who was usually arrogant and self-centered, was so docile only to Dominique.

“As I said before, it’s regrettable, but she is the existence that Master cherishes the most.”

As if she had read his thoughts, Angela added.

“Things will be different on the surface.”

It was a truncated statement, but it was obvious what she was implying. Kim Jin-woo frowned, suddenly reminded of his parents’ faces, who kept pressuring him to get married.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Hmm, let’s just say I’m the first wife and you’re the concubine.”

Dominique immediately raised her eyebrows and glared at Angela before turning to him.

***

“Your Majesty! The Sea Dragon’s Heart, quickly!”

There was some commotion, but Daedalus’s research hadn’t been forgotten. The big-headed dwarf was still standing in the owner’s room, hoping the Sea Dragon’s Heart he had worked so hard on would be used as soon as possible.

“I was about to do that anyway.”

Kim Jin-woo, who was sitting on the throne, took the box Daedalus offered.

Gulp.

Dominique, who was watching from the side, swallowed hard. She didn’t show it, but she couldn’t maintain her composure even with the Sea Dragon’s Heart right in front of her. It wasn’t just her.

All the Nagas who filled the owner’s room, gathered at some point, wore the same expression as her.

“You have endured well. Your efforts will surely…”

Kim Jin-woo clenched the Sea Dragon’s Heart once and looked at the altar.

“…be rewarded.”

The Sea Dragon’s Heart finally left his hand and landed on the altar.

[You have used the ‘Improved Sea Dragon’s Heart’.]

[It became the core of the Grand Labyrinth, but the essence of the Naga’s Heart remained the same. The Sea Dragon’s Heart is still the only way for the Naga’s Heart, which was still at level 7, to rise above level 8.]

[The ‘Improved Sea Dragon’s Heart’ has been absorbed into the altar.]

[The Naga’s Heart begins to grow.]