I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 240

The exploration strategy meeting ended, and it was late evening.

“Ugh~”

“That was a good meal.”

“The lord’s chef really knows how to cook, doesn’t he?”

Kuilran and the penal unit members returned to their barracks, patting their full bellies.

Every time there was a strategy meeting, Ash would feed them. The food was made with higher quality ingredients and tasted better than the meals from the barracks, so the penal unit members would eat until they were completely full.

They returned to their quarters in a good mood, enjoying their full stomachs.

“Welcome back, everyone!”

As they entered the barracks, they were greeted by the smell of warm food… and Kureha was waiting for them.

Kuilran and the penal unit members flinched, startled.

“Oh, hyung? What brings you here?”

“The temple said I didn’t need any more treatment, so I was discharged.”

Except for the ‘curse,’ Kureha’s body had recovered enough that he no longer needed to recuperate at the temple.

The temple had recommended that he stay longer, but Kureha insisted on being discharged, saying he had to take care of his younger brothers.

“I was so worried that you guys would skip meals, not clean up, and not wash your clothes while I was gone, you know?”

“Uh… well, that’s…”

“And just as I thought, look at the state of this place! I always told you, didn’t I? You have to live like people, like people!”

As Kureha began to nag, Kuilran and the penal unit members thought simultaneously.

‘Is he our grandma…?’

“Anyway, I cleaned and did the laundry.”

Indeed, the barracks, which had been messy from five men using it, was now sparkling clean, and the mountain of laundry was neatly washed and hung up.

The five members of the penal unit clapped in admiration at Kureha’s excellent housekeeping skills.

Kureha smiled warmly and gestured inside.

“Come on, you must be hungry after working so late, right? I’ve prepared a meal.”

…And on the table, a meal for five was set.

Kuilran, his face pale, frantically waved his hand.

“Ah… well, hyung… we ate a lot before coming here…”

“What do you mean you ate a lot! At your age, you get hungry again after running around. You can eat more.”

“No, we really ate a lot…”

“Besides, you’re going on another exploration tomorrow, right? You need to eat a lot and gain strength. Come on, sit down!”

Kureha grabbed Kuilran’s arm, who was trying to refuse, waving his hand.

“Look at this! You’ve lost weight from all the hard work! You’re nothing but skin and bones!”

Skin and bones?

The rest of the penal unit members looked up at Kuilran’s massive frame and broke out in a cold sweat.

Where in the world could such a huge skeleton exist…?

Anyway, Kuilran and the penal unit members, unable to resist Kureha’s insistence, had to sit at the table.

“Eat, eat a lot! You need to grow big and strong, my cute little brothers!”

Kureha, with a kind, grandmotherly smile, personally tore the food and placed it on Kuilran and the penal unit members’ plates.

“Eat.”

“……”

“I said, eat.”

In the end, the five members of the penal unit had to force down their second dinner.

Kureha forcibly grabbed the penal unit members, who were screaming that they couldn’t eat anymore and trying to run away, and made them sit back down, stuffing all the food into their mouths.

***

“It’s good that you’re better, hyung…”

Outside the barracks. In the rest area.

Kuilran, clutching his bloated stomach and panting, looked worriedly at his brother standing next to him.

“Aren’t you overdoing it? Cleaning, laundry, and cooking right after being discharged.”

“……”

“I’m grateful, but you don’t need to feel so burdened to take care of us. Take care of yourself more.”

“Since my body became like this, I’ve only been a burden to you guys.”

Kureha was leaning on a cane he had received from the temple. It was difficult for him to walk because of his mummified left leg.

Kureha tapped his left leg with the end of his cane and muttered bitterly.

“When I can, when there’s something I can do, I have to do it all.”

“……”

Kuilran, looking at his brother, smiled.

“Once we reclaim our homeland, we’ll be able to break the curse on our bodies. Just hold on a little longer, hyung.”

“……Okay.”

Kureha cast his gaze far to the north.

“I want to go home soon, to our homeland…”

After a moment of silence.

Kureha changed the subject.

“So, how is it, little brother? Living a life where you work and get paid?”

“It’s not bad, actually?”

Kuilran smiled and shrugged.

“It feels a bit uncomfortable, like wearing clothes that don’t fit, but it’s not a bad feeling.”

“We never had the chance to live this kind of life. I’m glad you were able to get this opportunity.”

Immediately after, Kureha sighed deeply.

“Except that your job is too dangerous… How about tomorrow’s exploration? Is it not dangerous?”

“Well, His Highness said it might be a pretty tough battle… but I’m incredibly lucky, right?”

Kuilran gave his brother a wink.

“I inherited your amazing luck, hyung. So, tomorrow will be fine too.”

“……”

“The name of Kureha of Great Luck, Kureha of Miracles… I, Kuilran, have inherited it. So don’t worry and wait, hyung.”

Kureha slowly raised his left fist and extended it forward.

“Here, take more. My luck.”

Kuilran grinned and raised his own fist to meet it.

“I won’t refuse. Gladly.”

The brothers’ fists met in the air with a thud, then fell.

***

The next day. Early morning. The lord’s mansion.

As the party members arrived one by one, Kellybay came in person, carrying the silver stake launcher I had ordered. Is your back feeling better?

Click!

“Oh, it works.”

As I was testing the silver stake launcher on my arm, Kellybay asked with a worried expression.

“You’re attacking the ‘Inner Checkpoint’ today? It’s going to be pretty tough there.”

“But we have to get through there to enter the 6th District. We’re going to have to face it eventually, so why not do it now?”

“Hmm, that’s true… but still, be careful. I’ve seen a lot of people fail there.”

Kellybay, after giving his advice, exclaimed, “Ah!” and took out a small pouch from his pocket and handed it to me.

“And on your way, please give this to Muyeong.”

“What is it?”

“A magic whetstone. Muyeong might need to maintain his sword while I’m not in the underground. His sword is too old and needs frequent maintenance.”

I figured I could do a favor on the way, so I took it.

“By the way, what exactly is Muyeong’s sword? It emits light… How powerful of a magic weapon is it to have such power?”

I was curious because I had never seen a weapon with such power in this game, even until the ending.

It easily overpowered most SSR-grade weapons.

Then, Kellybay chuckled quietly and asked,

“Do you know what the name of that old sword is?”

He asked a strange question.

I just blinked. Well? Judging by its power, it seemed like it would have a name like a legendary sword from mythology.

“What is it?”

“‘Ordinary Iron Sword.’”

“Huh…?”

“It’s just a common old sword with no special abilities other than being sturdy.”

“But how can such an ordinary sword have such power?”

Kellybay shrugged playfully in front of me, who was puzzled and confused.

“Well? You should ask Muyeong himself.”

I frowned, displeased.

Why do the people in this town all avoid spoilers?

***

[Now Loading… Teleporting.]

[Tip – The difficulty of the Lake Kingdom dungeons increases significantly from the 6th District. Please enter after making sufficient preparations!]

***

Whoosh-!

Lake Kingdom. Base Camp.

As I landed in this place, which was now as familiar as the backyard of the mansion, I saw a few people gathered for the first time in a while.

The teleport NPC, Granny Coco, Berdandi, a guest character in our party, and….

“Muyeong!”

Muyeong, the dungeon merchant NPC.

I greeted him happily, but wait. Something was off.

“Ah, Ash. You’ve arrived.”

Muyeong, who greeted me back with a smile, was… dirty.

I had washed him clean just a few days ago, but as if it had never happened, Muyeong’s whole body was covered in dust and blood, and his white hair, which had been shimmering, was now messy and disheveled, sticking out in all directions.

His doll-like beautiful face was also covered by his hair.

I couldn’t help but scold him.

“No, I just cleaned you up, why are you so dirty again!”

“Cleanliness is a luxury in this hell.”

Muyeong replied nonchalantly, scratching his head.

“I had a few intense battles these past few days, so I ended up like this again.”

“Or is it just that you’re messy?”

In Muyeong’s messy white hair, the red ribbon that Aider had tied while trimming his hair last time was swaying pitifully.

At least he didn’t throw that away.

I handed Muyeong the magic whetstone I had received from Kellybay.

Muyeong was delighted to receive it and immediately began sharpening his old sword.

“I was about to maintain my sword, so I came here. I was in trouble because Kellybay wasn’t here… You came at the right time, Ash. Thank you.”

“I just did a favor, it’s nothing…”

Muyeong held the whetstone and sharpened the blade, creating magical sparks.

I remembered what Kellybay had said earlier. Should I ask about the identity of that old sword? I hesitated.

Muyeong glanced at me.

“I heard from Berdandi. You’re attacking the Inner Checkpoint today?”

“Yeah. I was thinking of entering the depths of the dungeon.”

“Hmm…”

Muyeong let out a faint groan.

“If possible, I want to stop you… but then we’ll never be able to move forward.”

I blinked.

Stop me? Why?

“Be careful, Ash. The deeper you go, the darker the darkness becomes.”

Muyeong repeated the advice he had given me many times.

“Never, ever, let the fire go out.”

“……”

“I wish you good luck.”

His greeting felt more ominous than usual today.

Muyeong began to focus on maintaining his sword, and leaving Muyeong and the base camp behind, my party members and I set out.

Into the depths of the dungeon.

Towards the 6th District, the Inner Checkpoint.

***

Leaving the last 5th District and entering the beginning of the 6th District.

“Huh?”

“This is…”

“Wh-what is it?”

The party members all exclaimed in surprise.

It felt as if the darkness surrounding them was suddenly intensifying.

It was like the night sky was descending to the ground.

The pitch-black ceiling seemed to be getting closer, making it difficult to breathe….

Rustle, rustle.

Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch….

The sound of insects gnawing, the unique sound of the darkness here, was now blatantly louder.

“From here on, it’s the deep layer of the Lake Kingdom. Also called the demon realm… the ‘real’ dungeon.”

Berdandi, who was leading the way, turned to us with a face devoid of any smile.

“I have spent over a hundred years here, and I have seen the deaths of countless adventurers. Most of them lost their lives here.”

“……”

“Skilled and talented people have fallen without being able to overcome the walls of this deep layer.”

Berdandi, holding her lantern higher, began to walk forward again.

“I earnestly ask you, brace yourselves… and please, do not break.”

Forcing ourselves to endure the eerie feeling, we pushed through the jungle-like darkness.

Pushing away the clinging darkness, we barely managed to go deeper and deeper, and finally….

“……Ah.”

We finally arrived.

At a long wall, shrouded in a huge shadow like a mountain range of night.

‘From here is the inner city of the Lake Kingdom….’

Then,

“……?”

Something strange caught my eye.

The state of this wall, which separated the inner and outer parts of the city, was… somehow bizarre.

The bricks that made up the wall were not stacked neatly on the ground.

They were pulled out from the ground, defying the laws of physics, and floated in the air in heaps.

If that was all, I might have just ignored it.

“Wh…”

It was the things that were piled up together with the bricks that were the problem.

“What is this….”

People.

The shapes of people, shrouded in dark shadows like the darkness, were in the thousands, no, tens of thousands….

These countless human-shaped ‘things’ were stacked on top of each other like bricks, slowly floating in the air.

Like a wall that reached up to the sky.

Not only Kuilran and the penal unit members, who lacked dungeon experience, but also Lucas, Damian, and Evangeline, who had been trained by defeating all sorts of monsters.

Even I.

We were frozen in place, unable to move in front of this surreal and bizarre sight.

I heard Berdandi muttering in a bitter tone in my bewildered ear.

“From here is the real hell beneath the lake…”

My vision blurred.

“It is the deep demon realm.”