Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 1

Dungeon Expedition Log – Episode 1

#1

Dungeon Expedition Log

Episode 1

#Prologue

He was born to a mother already dead.

Instead of his mother’s soft embrace and milk, he grew up clinging to the hard, smelly teat of a monster. This was when he needed his mother’s warmth the most.

From the moment he could walk, he was burdened with a foul-smelling sack instead of being held in his mother’s arms. He was a tunneler, after all.

The job of a tunneler, forced upon him, was brutal for the young boy.

It was a terrible existence where even adults in similar circumstances died daily. But he gritted his teeth and endured.

Countless others persevered alongside him, enduring the harsh labor and the brutal environment that could turn into a battlefield at any moment.

“You are free.”

One day, the masters of the hundred thousand labyrinths, defeated in the war with the surface dwellers, released their prisoners. Many escaped the hellish labyrinths and emerged into the warm sunlight.

Those who grew up in that hell and finally returned to humanity’s embrace were called Dungeon Babies.

Dungeon Expedition Log

Episode 2

#1. Dungeon Baby

Being born and raised underground didn’t mean he could ever get used to it; the underground was too terrible a place. He hated and feared the dark world beneath the earth.

He wanted to avenge himself on the underground duke and the darkness that had ruined him, but he chose to run away instead.

But now, finally possessing the power to take revenge, he also had a chance to fix his ruined life.

[Synchronization complete. The Eighteen Thousand Two Hundred and Thirty Snake’s Nest, Naga’s Labyrinth, recognizes Kim Jin-woo as its master.]

***

“Still, I’m your only brother; it’d be weird if I didn’t show up at my sister’s wedding.”

[If you don’t have enough money, you can always adjust your situation and get married later. Don’t worry about it.]

“If I did that, Hyun-ji would nag me to death. I’ll take care of it myself…”

[You’re not thinking of going into a labyrinth again, are you? If you are…]

“No. Don’t worry. I have something to do, so I’ll hang up.”

Kim Jin-woo hurriedly ended the call on his smartphone to avoid the endless nagging. He could almost hear her shouting, ‘Jin-woo-ya!’ but he tried to ignore it.

“Marriage…”

His only younger sister had grown up so much that she was already planning her wedding.

Marriage is definitely something to celebrate, but the situation wasn’t ideal.

From what he’d heard, the groom’s family was an executive at a decent mid-sized company, and he wondered if he could even afford the basics to send her off properly.

Remembering his father’s usually smiling face looking strained recently, he let out a long sigh.

Although the government had forcibly created families to integrate Dungeon Babies into society, he genuinely considered them his family.

He’d been pretending not to notice, but if he kept ignoring the situation, he’d end up sending his only younger sister off empty-handed.

Click.

He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even feel his cell phone vibrating in his hand.

Belatedly realizing, he stared blankly at the screen.

‘Labyrinth Management Office.’

It was the only connection to the labyrinths he hadn’t contacted in a while. The thought of returning to the labyrinths had already crossed his mind, so he inadvertently pressed the call button.

“Hello?”

[Hello, this is Kim Jin-woo, head of the Labyrinth Management Office.]

It was the voice of the office head, familiar from several previous conversations. He’d heard the nagging phrase ‘Labyrinths are absolutely not allowed’ countless times.

How could that phrase be the first thing that came to mind the moment he heard the director’s voice?

But at this moment, he secretly hoped the director was calling with a job offer.

Born a Dungeon Baby, all he knew was navigating tunnels, and it was the only way he could repay his family’s warmth.

He grew impatient listening to the director’s formal greetings. Fortunately, they were brief.

[It’s not that, Mr. Kim Jin-woo, but I have a job offer this time. Are you still interested in exploring the labyrinths?]

He felt a strange mix of emotions. He wanted it, but receiving such an offer precisely when he needed it felt unsettling. Perhaps the director interpreted his silence as a refusal, and he lamented.

[Why else would I call Mr. Kim Jin-woo? The government is taking away a lot of manpower these days, so I’m swamped. Please reconsider if you can.]

Even now, he could hear his mother’s voice repeating that labyrinths were absolutely forbidden.

But soon, that worried voice faded, replaced by the sigh of his younger sister, Hyun-ji, struggling alone even after setting the date for her pre-wedding meeting.

[I know that Mr. Kim Jin-woo’s parents are very stubborn, but this mission isn’t that dangerous. It’s just guiding people around the allied labyrinths, so please…]

“What’s the pay?”

[Please… Yes?]

The director stuttered, taken aback by the question.

“I asked what the pay is.”

[Ah, for now, it’s just a simple guide job, and it’s 34 million won for 2 weeks. After taxes and deductions… it comes out to about 1.7 million won per day.]

The pay was quite low for entering a dangerous labyrinth.

[It’s only going up to the second floor for now…]

He acknowledged the director’s words, interpreting them as an excuse. He was about to end the call, planning to discuss the details later, but then he asked, as if struck by a sudden thought.

“How much is the down payment?”

[There wasn’t any talk of that… If you agree to do it, I can authorize about 10 million won in advance.]

After ending the call, he shook his head, his feelings conflicted. For now, 10 million won would be enough to contribute to the dowry. He’d addressed the immediate crisis.

But his face wasn’t entirely bright. His adoptive parents strongly disapproved of him setting foot in a labyrinth again.

“Sigh.”

He let out a long sigh and muttered, ‘Whatever will be, will be.’

***

Although many labyrinth masters had declared defeat or retreated deeper underground, the underground labyrinths were never truly quiet.

The value of the numerous materials discovered in the labyrinths during the war had been proven, and even after the war, countless explorers roamed the underground.

The labyrinth was a gold mine.

But it was also dangerous. The labyrinth masters had declared defeat and chosen coexistence or subjugation with humanity, but countless Under Beasts, beyond anyone’s control, still roamed the dark passages.

The narrow passages and the tough hides of the Under Beasts had caused much hardship even during the war. Many people were sacrificed when those blinded by dreams of quick riches rushed in recklessly.

However, labyrinth exploration stabilized as many soldiers who had fought in the war became explorers, and it was now recognized as a dream job – somewhat dangerous, but with the potential for high income.

And among them, the Dungeon Babies who had adapted to society were particularly powerful. Perhaps because they had grown up drinking monster milk instead of their mother’s, they possessed superhuman physical abilities and mysterious powers.

Kim Jin-woo was one of them.

If his adoptive parents hadn’t stopped him from entering the dangerous labyrinths, if his father’s business hadn’t struggled and his family hadn’t declined…

“We’ve talked on the phone often, but this is the first time we’ve met in person.”

He wouldn’t have had to face the head of the management office, whose hair was thinning in the middle.

“I’ve heard about your situation. I heard that Choon-bu’s business is struggling these days. It’s a pity, especially with a celebration in the family.”

It was an ambiguous remark, neither a congratulation nor a consolation, but Kim Jin-woo didn’t care. He was here to talk about work, not his family affairs.

“First of all, the job is to guide you to the labyrinth located on the second floor, as I said before. It will take about two weeks round trip, and if the schedule is delayed, 150% of the set daily wage will be paid.”

“Is it a dangerous job?”

“As you know, all the labyrinths up to the second floor in the Republic of Korea are friendly, so you only need to be careful of the Under Beasts you might encounter on the way. Anyway, manpower will be dispatched separately, so even that isn’t something Mr. Kim Jin-woo needs to worry about.”

Listening to the explanation, it seemed he was really just going to be a guide. After all, they couldn’t hire a Dungeon Baby for less than 200 [200,000 won, approximately $150 USD] a day unless the job was easy.

“That’s all I can tell you for now; you’ll have to talk to the client directly about the rest.”

He seemed to be asking for his opinion, but the director’s tone already implied he knew the answer. He must have done some investigating while Kim Jin-woo was on his way.

No, maybe he knew from the beginning that Kim Jin-woo’s situation was dire and had called him for that reason.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have offered such low pay, even for an easy job.

Looking at the director’s greasy face, he nodded firmly. The director smiled brightly, combing his non-existent middle hair to one side.

***

He felt like he’d been tricked, but after contacting others separately, he discovered that the market value of Dungeon Babies wasn’t great these days.

Nearly 10 years had passed since the end of the war, and ordinary explorers had accumulated enough know-how to explore without Dungeon Babies.

Because of that, there was no reason to seek out Dungeon Babies unless they were going below the 5th floor.

Standing in front of the ATM, he withdrew the 10 million won he’d received as a down payment and 5 million won from his existing savings. Then he visited his parents’ house for the first time in a long time.

“What’s going on? You haven’t contacted us!”

Despite her words, his mother was delighted to see him.

“Hasn’t Father come home yet?”

“He seems to be busy these days. He’s very late.”

He looked at his mother, who was trying not to worry him, feeling complicated.

If his younger sister Hyun-ji hadn’t told him, he wouldn’t have known about their difficult situation for a long time.

“Brother’s here?”

His younger sister, Kim Hyun-ji, who used to shun him as if he were a monster when she was young, greeted him with a smiling face.

“I’ll talk to Hyun-ji for a while.”

“Are you going to eat? I’ll set it up, so come out and eat when you’re done talking.”

“I’ll eat with Father when he comes back.”

His mother smiled brightly when he said he would stay until late.

Although he wasn’t her own child, her affection was deeply felt. He felt choked up at the sight and dragged Hyun-ji into her room.

“Take it.”

She opened her eyes wide when he handed her the money he had withdrawn.

“Use it to add to the dowry. I’ll give you more later.”

She counted the money, surprised, and tried to return it, but he stubbornly placed it back in her hand.

“Don’t feel inferior because your family is having a hard time.”

She soon teared up, looking apologetic, and hugged him tightly. Her warmth reached his heart.

This is enough.

He gathered his courage and announced his return to the labyrinth in front of his father and mother, who returned late at night. And, as expected, he had to endure a long lecture filled with worry.

[If you have time this week, the client wants to meet you. Should I give you their contact information?]

Kim Jin-woo, who woke up with a pale face from being nagged with worries, immediately replied to the director’s text.

[Yes. The contact number is 010-XXXX-XXXX, and the client’s name is Jang Yoon-ju. She is a PD [Producer Director] at YBS Current Affairs and Culture Bureau, so if she doesn’t answer the phone, leave a message. She will contact you right away.]