Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 24

Dungeon Journal – Episode 25

# 25

Dungeon Journal

Chapter 25

Not a single creature in the depths was weaker than Kim Jin-woo.

Moreover, his hide was so tough that he, armed with nothing but a bone of unknown origin and his two fists, had no way to tear through the enemy’s skin and shell to inflict damage.

Despite all these adversities, he managed to survive. And he passed through numerous labyrinths to finally ascend to the surface.

All thanks to the abilities he developed while growing up in the depths.

And now, his ability, ‘Weakness Detection,’ was activated.

A gaze burning with blue ether quickly scanned Drakan’s massive form.

Where his gaze passed, a red line appeared. The red line, repeatedly tangling and unraveling like a thread, scanned Drakan’s body covered in golden scales.

It was the effect of his unique ability, ‘Weakness Detection.’

“Kuaaaaak!”

Drakan let out a roar that was somewhere between a scream and a battle cry, and swung his fist. Kim Jin-woo bent at the waist, lowering his body to evade the attack. His gaze followed Drakan again.

The red line was still frantically darting around Drakan’s body.

Kim Jin-woo took a step, weaved past legs thicker than his torso, and chased after Drakan’s back. Even then, his gaze remained fixed on Drakan’s massive form.

Where is it!

The red thread now scanned Drakan’s back and began to race.

The red lines, scattering and gathering repeatedly, began to converge at a certain point. Drakan’s broad back, near both shoulder blades.

Found it.

The corners of his lips lifted. His eyes, which had been shining blue, regained their original light, and at that moment, his biceps swelled as if they would burst.

“Kuaaaaak!”

Simultaneously, Drakan turned his body and swung his arms. A fierce motion as if to grab and crush the rat that was bothering him in an instant.

But when that brutal attack slashed through the air, the opponent had already disappeared from that spot.

Kim Jin-woo soared towards the back of Drakan, who was bewildered at losing track of him. The sword, firmly gripped in both hands, tore through the air and stabbed towards the cluster of red threads that flickered red.

Thwack!

A different sound than before, Kim Jin-woo’s sword easily tore through the golden scales and dug in.

“Kkeueoeoeoeong!”

Blood spurted like a fountain, and a belated, desperate scream erupted.

Covered in the red blood, he twisted the hilt of the sword with all his might.

Crack!

“Damn it!”

Unfortunately, at that moment, the sword that had been holding up well until now snapped. And at the same time, Drakan’s thick tail shot up and struck his back.

“Heop!”

Barely dodging the tail, Kim Jin-woo lowered his stance again, preparing to attack.

Meanwhile, Drakan was thrashing about, flailing his hands behind his back to pull out the sword stuck in his back.

“Kkeueok!”

It looked comical, but the aftermath was anything but funny. Because of Drakan’s rampage, a creature that happened to be nearby was trampled and its torso burst open.

“Fall back!”

Kim Jin-woo hurriedly retreated his forces, as Drakan’s rampage did not distinguish between friend and foe.

“Kyak!”

“Kkieeeeek!”

The ferocious creatures died horribly for the crime of choosing the wrong leader.

On the other hand, the naga suffered no casualties. There had already been an initial barrage of buckshot from the naga workers, and the naga mages’ magic had been timed perfectly.

Thanks to this, the naga were able to literally trample the enemies without any damage.

‘Master!’

Dominic cried out with a face full of joy at the clearly evident victory.

“Not yet! It’s not over yet!”

Watching the naga build a wall, Kim Jin-woo rummaged through his pack. In his hand, which emerged from the pack again, was a small pack.

“Raise the shields!”

At his command, the naga warriors raised a barrier, and the gatekeeper supported them from behind.

And at that moment, the pack left his hand, the homemade bomb collided with Drakan’s bloodied back and exploded.

Bang!

***

[You have achieved victory against a strong enemy. Surprisingly, no one died against the mighty enemy forces.]

[All the troops who participated in the battle have become proficient in combat. They will demonstrate amazing fighting spirit and ability in future battles.]

[The naga workers are very surprised that they contributed to the battle. If they go into battle again and win, they will gain new potential.]

[The naga warrior you had your eye on has become a naga elite warrior, thanks to this battle experience.]

[All the naga are in awe of your achievement in achieving a thrilling victory against a mighty challenger. Charisma greatly increases.]

Kim Jin-woo smiled as he looked at the succession of message windows that popped up. More than anything else, the fact that the naga workers, who were classified as outside the main force, had done their part admirably was a great boon.

[You have achieved an impeccable victory against the robbers targeting the labyrinth. Dungeon Owner Kim Jin-woo and the Naga’s Labyrinth have gained great fame.]

Kim Jin-woo looked embarrassed at the congratulatory message, which sounded somehow exaggerated. He didn’t like the fact that the existence of the labyrinth was being revealed, even if nothing else.

‘Master! Congratulations on your victory!’

As Dominic shouted, all the naga who participated in the battle bowed their heads in unison.

They seemed quite moved by this victory, as they all roared with their throats.

It was no wonder. Who else but him could have turned the tide of the battle, which was numerically and qualitatively inferior?

As the battle ended, Kim Jin-woo clenched his fist as he looked at the shotguns that the naga workers had thrown away. The naga roared once more as they saw his gesture.

[The ferocious challenger Drakan is not yet dead. You must finish him off to avoid future troubles.]

Kim Jin-woo, who thought it was all over, looked at Drakan’s bloodied body when he saw the message window that suddenly popped up.

Come to think of it, his chest was rising and falling slightly, so he really seemed to be alive.

“That’s one hell of a tough bastard.”

Dominic, who had been watching where his gaze was, brought him a sword, showing good sense.

The sword he had obtained from the black marketeer had already broken, so he had no suitable weapon at the moment, so he thanked him with a nod.

Dominic sent Kim Jin-woo, who had overcome his disadvantage and achieved an overwhelming victory, a look of rapture that went beyond respect.

“Kkeueueueu…….”

Drakan only rolled his eyes and looked up at him. Kim Jin-woo hardened his expression as he saw his teary eyes.

He held the sword in reverse grip and tilted the tip of the sword along the grain of the scales, which now drooped and looked limp.

“Wa, wait a minute!”

Just as he was about to plunge the sword down, Drakan called out as if screaming.

“Sa, save me!”

His voice was so desperate that even Kim Jin-woo couldn’t help but stop.

But only for a moment, he looked down at Drakan with indifferent eyes and raised his sword again.

In the first place, he had no reason to spare a robber who had invaded his labyrinth.

“Let’s make a deal!”

Kim Jin-woo inhaled and put strength into his biceps. Seeing the tip of the sword that looked like it would plunge down at any moment, Drakan cried out urgently.

“Down Gem! I’ll give you Down Gems!”

“Down Gems?”

Kim Jin-woo momentarily paused at the word Down Gems.

Seeing this, Drakan rummaged through his pockets in desperation and took out a bundle.

“I’ll give you all of this! So please, just spare my life!”

Kim Jin-woo slyly reached out and snatched the pouch.

“You were going to use these Down Gems as military funds after taking my labyrinth anyway, right?”

A bitter smile, a face that showed no intention of sparing him after taking the Down Gems. Drakan shouted out in frustration.

“I gave you Down Gems!”

“It was going to be mine anyway after you died.”

Drakan opened his mouth wide, perhaps embarrassed by the seemingly logical rebuttal.

“Then you have nothing more to say, right?”

“Wa, wait a minute!”

He really was a terribly talkative guy. Kim Jin-woo snorted and raised his sword, inhaling and slowly lowering his arms.

“A subordinate! I’ll become a subordinate!”

Kim Jin-woo, who had hooked the tip of the sword on the scales, widened his eyes.

“I’ll be your subordinate! No, if you want, I’ll swear allegiance!”

“Hmm, how can I believe that?”

When he showed a face that seemed interested this time, Drakan rattled off words like a machine gun.

“Our Drakans don’t lie! Really!”

At those words, Kim Jin-woo’s gaze turned to Dominic.

‘It’s true. Drakans are descendants of dragons, a race that is not allowed to lie.’

“This guy might be special? Like, a guy who rarely lies.”

Drakan desperately defended himself against his still suspicious gaze.

“That’s ridiculous! The proud descendants of the earth dragons don’t lie! If I lie, all the blood in my body will drain out and I’ll dry up and die!”

‘I don’t know why, but Drakans die the moment they lie. Thanks to that, they fall into traps ridiculously easily compared to their powerful bodies.’

“That’s right! Please believe me!”

Drakan nodded diligently, not even knowing that he was being insulted for being stupid. Because of that, blood welled up again from his wound, but Drakan was desperate to live.

“Really? Is that so.”

Kim Jin-woo, who had been holding the sword in both hands, changed his grip to one hand and made a conflicted face.

“If you spare me, I will be loyal!”

[Drakanus Orteaaga, a descendant of the Earth Dragon tribe, Drakans, swears allegiance to you. Will you accept him as your vassal?]