Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 147

# 148

Dungeon Journal

My strength was overflowing. Unlike before, I wasn’t wasting energy on small fry, nor was I in a situation where I had to run around a vast battlefield to minimize damage.

Although the approaching Moais were putting a time limit on me, I didn’t feel bad.

[The power of the Commander of the Battlefield has been activated. Stamina drastically increases, and strength and agility…]

The message indicating the activation of the Commander of the Battlefield’s unique amplification ability, which he had seen countless times, filled his vision, but he ignored the message window and glared at Gorgon beyond it.

The giant with the name ‘Valor’ was faltering and retreating, despite his title.

“Your momentum has suddenly broken. Is your valor only effective against the weak?”

Despite the blatant mockery, Gorgon didn’t retort; instead, he retreated even faster.

Thud, thud.

Only his footsteps echoed through the central passage of the labyrinth, where screams and roars had been incessant.

“If you don’t come to me, I’ll go to you.”

Kim Jin-woo, returning the words Gorgon had used while massacring the soldiers of the 9th floor labyrinth, lowered his stance. Then, he took a short breath and kicked off the ground.

“Kuh-heong!”

Gorgon, startled, flailed his intact three arms reflexively. It was a desperate blow unleashed while retreating in fear, but the immense power within was worthy of the name ‘Valor.’

However,

“How pathetic.”

To Kim Jin-woo, it was just a meaningless struggle. He effortlessly evaded Gorgon’s attack and immediately charged into his chest.

“I hope your durability is as great as your massive size.”

“Eeek!”

Gorgon, belatedly angered by the arrogance of being looked down upon, gritted his teeth and desperately swung his arms and kicked. A brutal attack that echoed throughout the passage. But none of them touched him.

He dodged the attacks as if playing a game, tilting his upper body, and then lashed out with a short right kick.

“Ugh!”

It wasn’t a refined kick, nor was it particularly precise, but the result was far from insignificant.

Gorgon’s body floated into the air from the shin kick and tumbled awkwardly to the ground.

“Ugh, uhhhh!”

It was an overwhelming difference in power. Gorgon tried to get up several times, but he only staggered and fell repeatedly.

After struggling for a while, Gorgon’s stance looked unstable, as if he were standing on one leg.

He quietly watched Gorgon’s efforts, and as soon as he managed to stand up, he kicked the other leg again.

This time, he kicked with intent, and the giant’s massive thigh, tumbling on the ground, was grotesquely twisted.

“H-How could this be…?”

Gorgon seemed more concerned about the overwhelming difference in power than the pain of having both legs shattered. Kim Jin-woo smirked at the giant, who was looking at him with disbelief and horror.

Until a year ago, the difference in power between Kim Jin-woo and the nobles of the 10th underground floor wasn’t that significant. In fact, he had struggled greatly when he fought Boreas.

However, Gorgon, who, along with Boreas of the Icy Winds, had once been known as a valiant warrior, couldn’t even last a moment against him.

It was inevitable. While the underground nobles were holed up, protecting only the safety of their own labyrinths, he traveled to every corner, fought desperately, and increased his strength and experience.

In the process, his title of ‘Succession’ grew by devouring victories and had now become a monster.

And at this moment, one victory that the name of Succession would devour was right in front of him.

“If it were the old days, I would have undoubtedly suggested that you surrender, but…”

The blue light, which had been somewhat faint for a moment, exploded again.

“Unfortunately, a ‘single victory’ is more important to me than your help right now.”

The sword, which he had gripped tightly at some point, was brought down.

[A small victory has been added to the name of Succession. Although it is not a great victory that will overturn the tide of war itself, a victory against a dignified underground noble is by no means insignificant.]

[You have now achieved a total of 78 major and minor victories.]

[The effect of the Commander of Succession slightly increases.]

[The commander’s unique and special abilities will not disappear as long as the victories continue.]

[But be careful. You can lose everything with a single defeat.]

Messages filled his vision, and beyond them, he saw the giant head, which had been attached to a thick neck, rolling away.

***

As soon as Gorgon’s head fell, the entire labyrinth ceased its activity.

“The distribution of rewards will be done after the work is finished.”

The army of the 9th floor labyrinth, which had rushed in like a pack of starving beggars, looked disappointed at Kim Jin-woo’s words. They had pushed the enemy to the very end, paying a huge price, but ultimately failed to defeat their leader, wasting time. Kim Jin-woo appeared and personally beheaded the enemy’s leader, so it was impossible to recover the losses from this battle with spoils.

“Join the main force and wait for instructions. Individual actions are strictly prohibited.”

Kim Jin-woo, including the remaining forces in the main force due to the ominous movements of the Moais, immediately rushed towards the next labyrinth.

Other labyrinths were in almost similar situations. The 9th floor army, which had been pushing the enemy but was unable to defeat the leader and was stuck, began to advance with Kim Jin-woo’s joining.

“The leader’s head has been taken!”

Another victory was added to his record, and the labyrinth ceased its activity.

“You didn’t have to step in; I would have taken care of it myself.”

Morigan, who had been fighting the enemy until he arrived, muttered with a pout. But unlike her words, her body was covered in blood, and she seemed to be at her limit, gasping for breath.

“You talk big.”

Kim Jin-woo clicked his tongue and pushed Morigan’s body. She, who would have usually dodged or resisted, collapsed at that trivial gesture.

“All talk and no action…”

Morigan glared at him with a resentful face, but he ignored her.

As victories accumulated, the odds of winning grew stronger. Thanks to the troops who had returned to the main force to replenish their strength, they were joining the battlefield one after another.

Thus, the 9th floor army, having reorganized its forces, reversed the disadvantage in the last battlefield they had targeted and achieved an overwhelming victory.

“The distribution of rewards is later!”

But there was no time to enjoy the victory. It was because the Moais, who had retreated due to the disruption and lure of the Under Elves, began to swarm in groups.

“I can’t do it anymore. I want to avoid battles that don’t gain anything if possible, but the Moais, who have already smelled us and gathered, are approaching nearby. I don’t think we can avoid the battle.”

Dominique’s face was pale, as he had been squeezing his head to twist the Moais’ movements in a short time.

“It’s amazing that you’ve stalled for time so far.”

The presence of the Moais swarming around was enormous. To lure such a number by turning around a small number of Under Elves, no one but Dominique could have done it.

“Call Rickshasha and the Under Elves. I’ll take care of it from here.”

Kim Jin-woo, who said that, jumped up and boarded the Guardian Dragon.

“We’re running non-stop to the 9th floor from now on!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the twisted cries of the Moais began to be heard in the distance.

“Let’s go!”

Kim Jin-woo and the Dragon Knights launched a charge towards the red eyes gleaming in the darkness.

The first collision was with him and two Dragon Knights at the forefront. The Moais, staggering and approaching, bared their claws and teeth, but they were swept away by the flames spewed by the Guardian Dragon, unable to even scream.

“Don’t stop!”

The speed of the vanguard, which had momentarily hesitated due to the collision with the countless Moais, increased again.

“Run!”

The reckless charge against the endlessly swarming Moais – the Dragon Knights did not hesitate.

They were encouraged by the fact that they were with the king, forgetting their fear and fatigue, and continued to run. The determination not to fall away from the king’s side was contained in their charge.

But there were things that could not be done with motivation alone. This was exactly the case. The Dragon Knights at the forefront were quickly becoming exhausted due to the Moais, who were not even afraid of death, holding onto the Guardian Dragons.

“The injured and exhausted will automatically rotate with the rear!”

Even while frantically cutting down the Moais, Kim Jin-woo did not forget to check the formation. At his command, the Dragon Knights at the forefront retreated with resentful faces, and other Dragon Knights filled their places.

“Kuaaaaaaa!”

The Guardian Dragons of the newly replaced Dragon Knights spewed flames. The densely packed Moais were swept away at once in the fierce flames.

“Increase the speed!”

The speed of the Dragon Knights increased further. They were now trusting the Guardian Dragon’s brute durability and trampling the Moais with their bare bodies instead of thrusting their spears.

Torn flesh and limbs flew in all directions, and the Dragon Knights opened a path of blood.

Thus, the 9th floor army penetrated the countless swarming Moais and rushed towards the 9th floor.

“Master! There’s an open space ahead!”

Dominique, who had boarded the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Knight who had been pushed to the rear, shouted like a scream.

“I know that!”

“If we go this way, we’ll meet the Moais’ army!”

“It’s too late to go back! We’ll break through as it is!”

Just because it was the underground didn’t mean that only narrow tunnels existed. Some had wide open spaces, and some had forests made of stalactites. And to reach the 9th floor the fastest, they had to pass through the open space.

“But! The Dragon Knights are too tired!”

The Dragon Knights, who had been running and trampling the Moais without rest, had reached their physical limit. The Guardian Dragons with their tongues hanging out looked like they could collapse at any moment.

He glanced back and frowned as he realized that even the replacement troops were exhausted. In his eyes, he saw the Great Tusk Boars lowering their bodies and kicking the ground noisily.

“Oconotoshi!”

At his command, the somewhat lagging Great Tusk Boars and their chieftain sprang to the front.

“Open the way! I’ll back you up!”

“Just leave it to us! Hmph!”

The Great Tusk Boars, who were excited and snorting, stepped forward into the wide open space.

“Kkieeeeeek!”

The roars of the Great Tusk Boars burst out from all directions, and the Moais who had gathered in the open space and were waiting for them were swept away at once. If the Dragon Knights had trampled the Moais while continuing their charge, the Great Tusk Boars were burying their noses in the ground and throwing the Moais over.
The Moais thrown by the boars in the front row were impaled by the tusks of the Great Tusk Boars following behind and died instantly.

“The path is open!”

Kim Jin-woo, exclaiming in admiration at the boars’ brute but efficient charge, encouraged those who were lagging behind.

Indeed, the Great Tusk Boar tribe’s performance was no less than that of the Dragon Knights in terms of charge.

Thus, Kim Jin-woo and his army broke through even the open space where the Moais were encamped. And finally, they were able to reach the passage leading to the 9th floor, which had a gaping black maw.