Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 89

Dungeon Journal – Episode 90

# 90

Dungeon Journal

[Malaxus of Hammer and Anvil has become a vassal (knight) of Kim Jin-woo, the Vice Lord of the Underground.]

[The fifth knight, Malaxus, will share his fate with his master. If the Labyrinth of Nagas is destroyed, Malaxus will also be destroyed.]

[The land of Hammer and Anvil, ‘Iron Forge,’ which Malaxus ruled, has become a fief [a territory held by a lord]. Malaxus is still the ruler of a labyrinth, but he now has a master to serve. 20% of the dungeon energy accumulated in the core that governs the land of Hammer and Anvil belongs to the Labyrinth of Nagas.]

[You can open a portal connecting the two labyrinths at any time. However, whether to open the portal or not is entirely at the discretion of the Vice Lord.]

“I pledge my utmost loyalty to you.”

Indeed, just as Dominique said. The lords of the labyrinths, who had already enjoyed more than enough rewards from the victory, were easily persuaded by Kim Jin-woo’s words.

Of course, some were reluctant to swear fealty [an oath of loyalty], but they began to hesitate when they learned that the King of Gluttony had already done so.

And then, the Queen of Somnolence and the King of Wanderers stepped forward.

In fact, they had already sworn fealty a long time ago, but they pretended to accept Kim Jin-woo’s offer in front of those who were hesitating, as if to show off.

And he bestowed top-tier Down Gems upon those who knelt.

That was the end of it.

The remaining three labyrinth lords, after sizing each other up, rushed to pledge their loyalty.

“Even though we fought together under the banner of an alliance, they are more accustomed to being in competition with each other. They probably couldn’t think for long at the thought of the labyrinths with similar power growing with the support of the master.”

Dominique thoroughly exploited their psychology. The growth of the surrounding labyrinths meant their own decline, and decline in the Underground was no different from death.

“Now, all that’s left are those who didn’t participate in the allied forces.”

In reality, there were more who did not participate in the last war than those who did.

Most of the labyrinths, located far from the 10th floor Noble Alliance’s invasion route, had only watched the situation.

“When they all kneel before the master, the real war will begin.”

At Dominique’s words, Kim Jin-woo nodded and began to classify the labyrinths based on the information sent by the patrols.

Labyrinths that could be persuaded, those that could not, and those that had to be suppressed by force were all marked in blue, yellow, and red on the huge map in the owner’s room.

And before long, the patrols who had left the Naga Fortress spread out in all directions, and in between, the sound of ravens flapping their wings could be heard.

***

He was in the midst of reorganizing the power structure of the 9th floor, but Kim Jin-woo himself was not busy. This was because Dominique was handling most of the work.

So, he aimlessly wandered around the labyrinth, waiting for the labyrinth upgrade to be completed as soon as possible.

But instead of the upgrade completion message he was waiting for, an unexpected message popped up in front of him.

[The Festival Land Party Hall has attempted to open a portal. However, the portal cannot be opened without the Vice Lord’s permission.]

[Do you want to allow the portal connection?]

Yoon-hee, who had gone down to the 7th floor and had not contacted him since, suddenly attempted to open a portal.

“Allow it.”

Without even thinking, he allowed the portal to open, and a door to space opened before his eyes, and Yoon-hee crossed over from the other side.

“Long time no see.”

“Master.”

Her appearance, bowing her head, was completely different from when they last parted.

Dressed in armor made of some unknown leather she had obtained from somewhere, she was no longer a clumsy dungeon baby.

Rather, seeing her attire resembling the Iron-Blooded Knights of the 11th floor, Kim Jin-woo asked her what was going on.

“Won’t you support me with troops?”

He frowned at her words, which cut off all preamble.

“Why do you suddenly need troops?”

“I’m thinking of expanding my power.”

It was an unexpected remark. So, instead of promising to support her with troops, Kim Jin-woo asked for more details.

“The labyrinths on the 7th floor are more vulnerable than I thought. There are a few easy labyrinths near my labyrinth. I’m thinking of absorbing those labyrinths first.”

“Hmm.”

Come to think of it, he had been neglecting to check the situation on the 7th floor to an excessive degree.

Well, it was understandable, considering that the labyrinths on the 7th floor were considered to be outside of his power because of the characteristic of the labyrinths becoming stronger as one went down.

But Yoon-hee was now saying that she was going to merge those 7th floor labyrinths.

“The Party Hall’s forces are excessively asymmetrical [lacking balance or proportion]. They are somewhat useful for disrupting enemy lines, but there are no useful troops to exert their power in a proper battle. I’m thinking of absorbing other labyrinths to fill in the gaps.”

In her own way, it made sense. He also knew about the Party Hall’s freakish summons, so her words sounded reasonable.

“Wouldn’t it be better to move the labyrinth to the 9th floor instead?”

It was cumbersome, but it was not impossible to move the labyrinth.

It would have been different before, but satellite labyrinths were already being formed near the Naga Fortress. She could become one of them if she wanted.

But she seemed to have other ideas. She shook her head and explained her thoughts.

“You already have more than enough talented people by your side anyway. There’s no need for me to add my strength.”

If that was all, Kim Jin-woo had no intention of allowing her to increase her troops. She knew this fact well and added an explanation.

“I will gather forces on the 7th floor. That will be more helpful to you.”

“Even if it’s the 7th floor, how much power can it exert in a real war?”

He had already realized through the war with the 10th floor Noble Alliance how much difference there was in power between each floor.

But he doubted how helpful it would be to unite the forces of the 7th floor, which was two floors away.

Yoon-hee spoke again to him, who was showing a skeptical reaction. She had already expected this reaction, so her expression was unwavering.

“I have no intention of increasing the size of the Party Hall. I’m going to increase my power as a purely single labyrinth.”

“Oh, explain more.”

“I’m going to attack the surrounding labyrinths and get their cores. And I’m going to refine those cores to grow the Party Hall. If there is a labyrinth that is useful among them, I can use two cores like your labyrinth.”

As she said that, she looked at him with a subtle gaze.

“Don’t be wary of me. I can’t exist in the Underground without your protection anyway. This plan was also devised to help you. Of course, I don’t like the fact that I’m stuck in this crappy labyrinth.”

Appropriate flattery and appropriate truth. Kim Jin-woo was intrigued.

“How much do you need?”

“Thirty Naga Dragon Knights, twenty Fighters, and twenty Warriors. And the Raven of the Battlefield is enough.”

“Everything else is fine, but Morrigan will take some time. She’s currently out of the labyrinth on a mission.”

Morrigan, who had gone to persuade the relatively violent labyrinth lords in her own way, had no promise of when she would return.

Given her personality, she was likely to finish all her work at once and return, so it was obvious that he would not be able to see her for the time being.

“Do you need Morrigan to subdue the opposing lord in the labyrinth war?”

“I haven’t escaped the penalty from the Succession War yet. I’ve been talking about the 7th floor, but in fact, I’m just a lord of a mediocre 7th floor labyrinth.”

“Then I’ll attach Balzac and Ortega as a substitute.”

The Dullahan [a headless horseman from Irish folklore] and the Draconian may be second to none in the Underground when it comes to being simple and ignorant, but their combat power is outstanding.

“I’m a little skeptical about that side……”

“They are quite reliable when it comes to combat.”

Kim Jin-woo said that and laughed heartily for no reason.

In fact, it was because Ortega, who was stuck in the depths thanks to the Invincible Mercenary Corps and was wasting time, was going to be sent together with Balzac, who had a similar personality, but he pretended not to know.

“It won’t take that long, so I’ll stop by again soon.”

“The troops I send, try to avoid damage as much as possible. Their power will weaken if they leave the 9th floor, so be especially careful. They are all precious to me.”

At Kim Jin-woo’s request, she replied with a confident face.

“Even considering the penalty, it would be strange to take damage with this level of troops. I also have my own ideas, so don’t worry about that. ”

“Well, if that’s the case, I won’t say anything more. Take care of yourself, too.”

With that, Yoon-hee and the troops who would support her left the Naga Fortress.

“I wish you good luck as well.

***

How long had it been since he sent Balzac and Ortega to the 7th floor? Kim Jin-woo, who was sitting on the throne and looking at the overall situation of the labyrinth, turned his head at the familiar noise.

The sound of flapping wings of a flying beast echoed, and Morrigan suddenly appeared in one side of the owner’s room.

“Oh? You came early.”

Instead of answering his words, the Raven of the Battlefield, who bowed her head, threw something she was holding in her right hand roughly forward.

“Ouch!”

Something that had rolled over from her rough touch screamed, and then froze as it discovered him sitting on the throne.

“What is this?”

Kim Jin-woo asked Morrigan to explain the situation at the sight of the humble yet somehow unreliable figure.

“I picked it up on the way.”

“What is it?”

At his words, Morrigan strode up and kicked something that was rolling its eyes under the throne.

“Introduce it.”

At her short and concise words, something that had been screaming stuttered and opened its mouth.