Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 112

Dungeon Journal – Episode 113

# 113

Dungeon Journal

Kim Jin-woo looked dumbfounded, as if he had been struck in the back of the head.

“The true king?”

Dominique, seeing his reaction, spoke with unwavering conviction.

“Yes. The most noble and singular naga, that is the king.”

The naga’s king. He had heard the words hundreds, thousands of times, but never had they resonated so deeply. Even as his expression hardened, she continued her explanation.

“Master will now become stronger, wiser, and more noble.”

“Am I becoming a naga?”

Finally voicing the question he had been dreading, Kim Jin-woo squeezed his eyes shut.

He knew better than anyone that he wouldn’t be able to bear it if his fears became reality.

He was, after all, only human, and he had no desire to become anything else.

“No.”

His eyes snapped open at the unexpected answer.

“The one and only king is merely the one who inherits the name of the naga.”

“What does that mean?”

He questioned her, unable to understand, and she replied with a bright smile.

“It is not the king whose appearance changes, but we nagas.”

***

Left alone, Kim Jin-woo cautiously ran his hand over his back. The rough texture of the scales still felt foreign, but unlike when he first discovered them, his expression was calm.

Now that he could completely dismiss the burden of transformation, there was no reason to worry.

‘Our appearance is not that important to us. We are merely the king’s mirror and shadow.’

Dominique had said that it was not the king but the ordinary nagas whose appearances changed. And that was how the nagas, who had existed in the underground for so long, had continued their species.

Or perhaps that wasn’t a story limited to the nagas.

The Gluttonous Masses, the succubi, the half-human half-demons, and even the dwarves—perhaps they weren’t born that way either.

‘The reason Master’s appearance is changing now is because his body is being restructured to more actively accept the power of the labyrinth. Even when the changes are complete, Master will not grow a tail or have his body covered in scales like us. He will simply change to befit the appearance of a king who has inherited the name of naga.’

Dominique understood exactly what he was worried about. And she assured him that such a thing would never happen.

Ridiculous as it was, he was relieved to hear it.

“Hoo.”

A sigh escaped him belatedly. The sharp tension finally eased, and he chuckled without realizing it.

Ignorance is such a frightening thing.

When he didn’t know, he was so afraid and uneasy, but now that he knew everything, it was ridiculous, and he even felt a sense of anticipation.

His heart pounded just thinking about the immense power he would gain when all these changes were complete.

“The naga’s king….”

The murmur that escaped him echoed through the quiet owner’s room.

***

[Durahan (Heroic) Balzac has evolved.]

[Balzac has become a Death Knight (Elite) from Durahan (Heroic).]

[The curse of the headless knight, who was so glorious in life but was tainted by a resentful death, has finally been lifted. Instead of pursuing his own honor and glory, he will gladly go to the battlefield for the honor and victory of the king.]

Balzac’s appearance after the change was not significantly different. He had simply placed the head he had been awkwardly holding under his arm back on his shoulders.

[Death Knights possess not only individual martial prowess but also great charisma to command troops. In battles where Balzac participates, all the dead and reapers will exert power beyond their capabilities.]

[Acquired special ability ‘Roar of the Dead.’ This terrifying shriek, which sounds like it came from hell, has the effect of freezing the bodies of living beings. Enemies whose bodies are frozen will be good prey for the dead.]

“Uwahahaha! O King!”

Balzac laughed frivolously and prostrated himself at his feet.

Normally, his head would have fallen off and rolled on the floor by now, but the head on his transformed body seemed to be firmly fixed, and he no longer showed such unsightly behavior.

“Is that head completely attached now?”

Even though monsters were overflowing in the underground, a headless knight was somewhat eerie. When he asked about the welcome change, Balzac raised his hands and showed off his head.

“How could that be? My strongest weapon *is* my sturdy head.”

His proud appearance was rather absurd, but he was so used to Balzac’s simple-minded behavior that he simply shook his head.

Kim Jin-woo, having confirmed Balzac’s change, now looked at Quantus.

[Naga Warrior (Heroic) Quantus has evolved.]

[Quantus has become a Naga Honor Guard (Elite) from Warrior (Heroic).]

[This brave warrior, who sacrificed himself for the victory of his master, will now fight for even greater victories.]

[The Naga Honor Guard only exerts its power when protecting the king. The Naga Honor Guard is superior to anyone else in defending the labyrinth and defending the territory. In defensive battles in which Quantus participates, the nagas will exhibit abilities beyond their usual capabilities.]

[Acquired special ability ‘Iron Wall.’ There are not many who can overcome this naga once it has solidified its defense. The Naga Honor Guard with the Iron Wall ability activated has increased defense and is not affected by most attacks.]

Quantus, who had been wearing crude armor made by the naga blacksmiths, had transformed to be as solid as if he were clad in iron armor.

The larger and harder scales surrounded his entire body like armor, and the protrusions that grew like a helmet covered his face, making him look even more ferocious and brave.

“Loyalty to the King!”

He nodded with a satisfied expression at his unwavering loyalty, and then looked at Ricksha, who was just finishing the transformation process.

The bark-like shell that had been surrounding her began to fall off one by one.

[Under Elf Ranger (?) Ricksha has evolved.]

[Ricksha has become an Under Elf Runner (?) from Under Elf Ranger (?).]

[This wanderer, who roamed the underground without pride, has finally learned what pride is after serving the king and offering true loyalty. Her pride is the glory and victory of the king, and she will not hesitate to do anything for it. Even if it is something dirtier and more vile than anything else, it is the greatest glory and joy for her.]

A flash of light that could not be compared to the changes of Balzac or Quantus filled all directions. Within it, message windows flashed endlessly.

[The stealth, tracking, and fastest movement skills learned to survive in the darkness of the underground have further evolved as an Under Elf Runner. With a pace faster than anyone else in the underground, she will ensure that the king’s orders reach every corner without missing a place. At times, she has become a secret and deadly being, capable of playing the role of an assassin hiding in the shadows of the enemy leader to aim for his neck for the sake of the king.]

[Unique ability ‘Loyalty and Service’ has been created. She derives true joy and pleasure from carrying out the king’s orders. If it is the king’s order, she will gladly smile and stab her own kin in the back.]

[Acquired special ability ‘Shadow Blade.’ This small dagger made of darkness is sharper, more secretive, and more deadly than anything else. Even those who protect their bodies with the strongest armor cannot be safe from her blade.]

“Ah….”

Kim Jin-woo couldn’t help but exclaim as he looked at Ricksha, who had awakened after the flash of light subsided. She was there, looking more beautiful than ever before.

“My one and only master.”

Ricksha was like a black panther.

Her swarthy skin was supple but surrounded by muscles that were never excessive, making even the simple act of bowing her head look incredibly dynamic.

He couldn’t help but gulp as he looked at the breathtaking curves extending from her long legs.

“Master.”

“Master!”

If Dominique and Angela hadn’t called out to him from the side, he would have continued to stare at Ricksha’s appearance indefinitely.

“Ahem.”

He cleared his throat, belatedly realizing his unsightly behavior.

Ricksha, rather than being embarrassed by his gaze, leaned forward slightly, positioning herself so that he could see her more easily.

Her appearance was so subtly seductive and enchanting that he inadvertently averted his gaze.

“Congratulations, everyone.”

He congratulated them, composing himself, and Quantus and Ricksha prostrated themselves on the floor, while Balzac pounded his chest.

“All glory to the King!”

***

Ricksha looked very happy. That was because her master had arranged a private meeting with her.

“Command me. I will gladly accept any order. Even if it is an order to enter a fiery pit….”

“Ah, there’s no need to jump into a fiery pit. I just need you to answer one question.”

Kim Jin-woo, looking somewhat uncomfortable with her excessive respect, paused for a moment before speaking again.

“Ricksha.”

“My master.”

“Why is it that only your rank is not displayed?”

The reason he had ordered her to stay behind was none other than the fact that, among the information of his subordinates that he had checked through the message window, only her rank was marked with a question mark.

Before, he had thought it was because she was a mercenary who had not joined long ago, but it was strange that her rank was still not displayed even after she had acquired loyalty and service as a unique ability.

As expected, Ricksha seemed somewhat embarrassed by his question, as if she had been hiding something.

But only for a moment. True to her word that she would not hesitate to do anything for the king, she immediately answered.

“I suspect it may be related to my humble origins.”

“Origins?”

Come to think of it, he didn’t know much about her. So he deliberately settled himself deep into the throne and prepared to listen to her story.

“It seems like it will be a boring story. I am worried that the clumsy words of a humble servant may disturb the master’s mood.”

“The important thing is not whether it’s interesting, so tell me the story, whether it’s long or short.”

Ricksha seemed unable to organize her thoughts easily, as if she had a story to tell. At this point, Kim Jin-woo was beginning to be curious about this under elf’s story.

“Perhaps the master knows when our clan first existed in the underground?”

“No. Tell me as if I know nothing at all. There’s plenty of time.”

When he urged her to continue, she began to explain in a rather unsophisticated tone.

“Our clan was once one of the most prosperous clans in the underground. But the glory was short-lived. We were defeated in a great war and fell into ruin. Now, the glory is gone, and even the brothers and sisters of the clan are scattered and living apart.”

It seemed to be related to the owners of the ancient labyrinths who had disappeared, like the ancient heroes.

“Are you talking about the time when the one-eyed lord ruled the underground?”

“That is correct.”

As expected, it was as he had expected. He gestured for her to continue her explanation, impressed by the surprisingly long history of the under elves.

“In exchange for enjoying a life like beasts, we were spared the grace, protection, and even the mysteries of the underground.”

She pulled back her shabby hood to reveal her bare skin. Kim Jin-woo, his eyes wide at her tanned skin, froze as he saw the hideous brand engraved on her skin.

“That is the brand of banishment and the never-ending curse.”

The brand engraved on her beautiful body was so deep and clear that it could not be erased even by a single transformation.

“And this is one of the reasons why the descendants of the cursed fairy lord, the under elves, must wander the underground.”