Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 268

The subterranean tremors that seemed would never end had finally ceased. The vibrations that shook the Great Labyrinth as if wringing it dry were no longer felt, and the deafening roar had faded away.

“Is it finally over?”

Even Kim Jin-woo, who rarely batted an eye at anything, found the time to be long and dreadful enough to be weary.

“Let’s keep the barrier up for now. Angela, I need you to scout outside. Can you do that?”

“It’s nothing difficult.”

Angela, who could retreat to the Crimson Castle in the Reverse Layer at any sign of trouble, was full of confidence.

“Still, be careful. The Subterranean World is not to be underestimated.”

No matter how great the power of a High Lord, it could not compare to the monster that was the Subterranean World, which had endured for countless ages. He repeatedly cautioned Angela.

“I understand. I’ll return here immediately if anything happens.”

Angela, seemingly pleased by his concern, smiled brightly, an inappropriate reaction to the situation, and then departed.

“Do you think she’ll be alright?”

Dominique’s face darkened as she watched Angela disappear. It seemed her master’s worries were contagious.

“She should be fine, for the most part. Even the ancient monarchs couldn’t do anything about the Crimson Blood Lord.”

But today, an ominous feeling lingered. Perhaps it was because they had been huddled in a narrow space for too long, but he felt his shoulders involuntarily shrinking.

“Just in case, have the Nagas prepare.”

Was this truly the end? Was the second restoration merely a longer-lasting earthquake than the first? He couldn’t be sure, nor could he jump to conclusions.

So, he gripped his Mana Spear tightly, ready to spring into action at any moment.

“Master!”

How long had he waited anxiously like that? Angela suddenly appeared out of thin air.

“What’s the situation outside?”

He asked without preamble, but the pale-faced vampire’s expression was unsettling.

“I think you should see for yourself.”

Perhaps not detecting any immediate danger, she suggested that the Great Labyrinth’s defenses be lowered.

“Alright, Great Labyrinth. You may lower the barrier now.”

At his command, the Great Labyrinth groaned and twisted. But a problem had arisen.

[The Ice Rampart of the Great Labyrinth, which withstood the terrible disaster, was truly an impregnable fortress. However, the frozen chill does not easily melt.]

[It is expected that considerable time will be required to thaw the Great Labyrinth.]

[It is estimated that it will take at least four days for the passages and entrances to completely melt.]

[If there is strong heat, the time required for thawing can be reduced.]

Unfortunately, the Great Labyrinth, which had gained formidable defensive power and durability by being surrounded by the Ice Rampart, became a shackle that held him and the Nagas back once the disaster was over.

“The Nagas might be fine, but the other races are in trouble.”

He had taken various precautions in preparation for the worst, but he never imagined that they would be trapped inside the frozen labyrinth.

He wondered how long the other races, who had already endured three days in the biting cold, could last.

“For now, we must hope they can hold out.”

Using Angela and the Crimson Castle, it wouldn’t be difficult to check the shelters located throughout the Great Labyrinth, but he decided to check the situation outside first.

“Dominique, I entrust the command of the Nagas to you while I’m gone.”

“Leave it to me, Master.”

Dominique thumped her chest.

“I’ll be back.”

At his words, Angela grabbed his hand tightly.

“What are you doing?”

“The Crimson Castle, now belonging to the Master, can no longer be entered by anyone except me. It could be a big problem if you think as easily as before. If you let go of this hand, Master, you might become a stray in the boundary [a dangerous, undefined area between dimensions].”

He frowned at the inappropriate behavior, but it seemed there was a reason.

As he nodded, saying, “I see,” at her explanation, Dominique wore an anxious expression.

“Angela, if you happen to let go of that hand, I won’t let you off.”

Dominique glared at Angela, who was a High Lord.

“I’ll keep that in mind, so don’t worry too much, Sister.”

As if pleased that the Master’s fate was in her hands, the mischievous vampire shook their clasped hands in front of Dominique.

“Don’t worry. I trust her.”

Kim Jin-woo, who had built up unprecedented trust in Angela through various events, showed no sign of anxiety on his face. Angela, looking at him, grumbled with a flushed face.

“Saying it like that makes it sound like I had some wicked thoughts.”

He simply smiled.

“Then I’ll be back……”

Before he could finish speaking, he disappeared.

“Ah……”

The connection with the Master, which had never been broken at any time, was only severed when the summons entered the Reverse Layer, the only time the summons could not feel their master.

“I can’t get used to it.”

Morrighan complained with a deeply furrowed brow.

“Hmph, surely that sly vampire isn’t up to something.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Dominique, who had become more sensitive because the connection with the Master was severed, spoke sharply, causing Morrighan’s eyebrows to rise and then return to their original position.

“When I’m not here, think of Dominique as me. Obey her every word.”

It was because she belatedly remembered the Master’s words. She understood, but the once-sensitive mood did not easily dissipate.

She discovered Anatolius surrounded by the Nagas and inexplicably lit up her eyes.

The Iron-blooded Giant, already exhausted from having his life force plundered by the Crimson Blood Vampire, trembled as he felt hundreds of pairs of eyes filled with inexplicable hostility directed at him.

***

Kim Jin-woo, who had entered the Reverse Layer, unknowingly inhaled sharply. The vision, turned red as if submerged in blood, was eerie.

“No matter how powerful the Master is, it’s useless here. So, you must never let go of this hand.”

It seemed that he was not actually submerged in blood. Angela’s chattering voice was clear.

But the strange sense of floating did not disappear, and he felt as if he were swimming in a sea filled with blood.

Kim Jin-woo pressed his lips tightly at the terribly surreal sensation.

“Um, let’s see.”

Leaving him alone, Angela stood in front of a mirror located on one side of the wall.

“I guess we can go out around here.”

Surprisingly, something flickered beyond the mirror she was looking into. It was so blurry and faint that it was impossible to accurately discern its shape, but Angela seemed to have found something beyond it.

“Ugh.”

This was why the ancient monarchs were so wary of the Crimson Blood Lord.

The Crimson Blood Lord, hiding in the boundary between layers that no one could dare to approach, peeking beyond the thickly laid shadows, and able to seep into the darkness whenever he wanted, was an uninvited guest that no one could stop.

“Don’t worry. Everything I have exists only for the Master.”

Angela fawned, as if noticing his uneasy expression.

“No, rather than that.”

Kim Jin-woo shook his head at her words.

“Were you watching me in hiding like this?”

At the unexpected question, Angela closed her mouth. But since she didn’t deny it, his words must have been correct.

“Ugh.”

Following the Naga Queen, whose thoughts were connected and whose senses were forcibly shared, even the Crimson Blood Lord was secretly watching his every move. It seemed that it was impossible to guarantee privacy in the Subterranean World.

“Then let’s go over.”

Angela hurriedly changed the subject. He had to leave the Crimson Castle again with a lingering feeling.

A strange sensation passed through his body as if passing through the surface of the water. There was no time to shake off the unfamiliar sensation. Kim Jin-woo widened his eyes at the sight that unfolded before him.

“Is this……”

“Can you believe it?”

There was a reason why she told him to see everything with his own eyes. An unbelievable sight was unfolding before him.

The ceiling, where grotesque stalactites were hanging, soared so high that it could not be reached even if he jumped with all his might, and the tangled passages were wide open, creating a large open space.

It was like moving the night view of the surface, but what surprised him even more was the strange structure that crushed the boundary of the Great Labyrinth and rose up.

What would it look like if only the gate was removed from a huge castle? The heavy appearance was more solemn than splendid.

“This is……”

As if possessed, he approached and put his hand on the gate, and he trembled as if struck by lightning.

[You have discovered the entrance to Valhǫll [also spelled Valhalla, in Norse mythology, it is a majestic hall in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin.], the castle of the most powerful one-eyed monarch in ancient times, Votan [another name for Odin].]

[Valhǫll is also the fortress where the Einheri [the slain heroes chosen by Odin and the Valkyries], the dead of the battlefield who failed to achieve their purpose, resided. Although a long time has passed and the souls of the dead have scattered and no longer remain, you may encounter one of them if you are lucky.]

Before he could even finish reading the belatedly rising message, the Mana Spear he was holding in his hand trembled wildly.

[This legendary fortress, which has finally reappeared in the Subterranean World after a long time, senses the energy of the one-eyed monarch that has melted into your body.]

[Would you like to use Gungnir [Odin’s spear], the only key to open Valhǫll?]

The spear shaft seemed to melt, and the Mana Spear twisted and turned into a key. Kim Jin-woo alternately looked at the rough wooden key in his hand and the gate that had risen before his eyes.

It seemed that he had found the castle of the one-eyed monarch that Mimir had once mentioned.

“Master seems to know what that is.”

Angela looked puzzled, saying that she didn’t know he would be more interested in that rough gate than the changed appearance of the Subterranean World.

“The gate to Valhǫll.”

Kim Jin-woo barely answered, but she still looked like she didn’t know what was going on.

“If the Crimson Blood Lord had the Crimson Castle, Votan had this fortress.”

Only then did she show a surprised expression after he finished explaining.

“Then is this the fortress of the one-eyed monarch?”

“It used to be his.”

Kim Jin-woo inserted Gungnir into the groove carved in the gate.

[The castle of the one-eyed monarch, the fortress of the Einheri, Valhǫll, has unlocked its latch for the first time since ancient times.]

Before the sparkling message was over, the Subterranean World began to vibrate once again.