Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Dungeon of the Necromancer
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South Korea, Black Tower, 72nd Floor.
It was a linked quest continuing from the 71st floor.
A place where you progress by following a specific storyline.
Would the Black Towers of other countries be exactly like this?
With humans appearing as quest targets, or linked quests progressing.
It's still unknown.
Because Joo-hyuk was the only player currently climbing the 70s.
Since America was also climbing, it would be revealed gradually.
The quest location on the 72nd floor was the Necromancer's Dungeon.
As always, Gobang took the lead.
Chimeras appeared as soon as they passed through the corridor.
[Dungeon Chimera]
Their appearance was grotesque.
Joo-hyuk checked for information just in case, but nothing appeared.
For the same reason as the [Formell Mercenary Member], if there's no name, there's no information.
Therefore, no background description appeared either.
In short, trash mobs.
Since they weren't named monsters, it wouldn't be difficult.
Of course, if another player entered alone, the difficulty would be different.
It was only easy from Joo-hyuk's perspective.
Then, Gobang pointed at a chimera and said,
"Chimera. Not naturaly born, created by humans. Mixing two or more types of monsters."
Oh! Gobang was even sharing information?
Usually, it was Gyeon Dal-rae or Kosak who played the role of explaining the strategy.
"A Bloodslayer's torso with a Venomous Python's head attached."
"We should be careful of the poison."
"It's fine. The warrior will just tear its head off."
The strategy began.
Joo-hyuk also took out his Thunderstorm Mace from his inventory and held it in his hand.
"Advance!"
In that instant.
"First servant, I request your assistance."
"Hoe, yes, yes."
At Gyeon Dal-rae's request, Razix, who was pulling things out one by one from his subspace backpack,
First, a handcart like the ones delivery couriers use.
On top of it, he neatly stacked a power bank, a large speaker and amp, and an MP3 player, then switched it ON.
*Thump-thump! Thump-thump! Thumpa-thump!*
*Chang-chang! Chang-cha-chang-cha-chang-jang!*
*Char-reuk! Char-rurururu!*
The sounds of drums, gongs, and bells resonated in a three-part harmony.
"It is a pre-recorded exorcism ritual."
"...Ah, yes, yes."
"A cleansing ritual is also included. We just need to change the track."
Gyeon Dal-rae grabbed the handcart's handle.
It seemed he would push it and follow along.
He resembled an auntie selling coffee at a rural market.
"It is a talisman-attached artifact, so do not worry about its effect."
"..."
"The sacred rope is also a first."
"..."
Right. As long as it's effective, that's all that matters.
One should live life comfortably.
Like Gyeon Dal-rae.
Alright, let's go. Let's get it!
The human holy sword Bardin, who satisfied both lighting and striking simultaneously.
The gigantic Gobang holding him in his hand.
Dungeon Chimeras, two or three or four at a time, jumped out in pairs from the dungeon corridors.
"Light!!!"
*Thwack! Fsssssh!*
They were sliced apart the moment they appeared.
Like splitting bamboo!
Veronica's covering fire.
"Full pulling in sniper mode, aggro transfer."
"Transfer received."
"Light!!!"
*Spot!*
Kosak, wielding dual daggers, stabbed in and out, dealing damage.
Dungeon Club DJ Gyeon Dal-rae also followed, pushing the handcart from which ritual rhythms flowed, applying buffs to allies and debuffs to the chimeras.
Meanwhile, Razix was...
"Hoe..."
Riding Hyeolrang, nodding off drowsily.
'Hmm.'
Had he been influenced by Veronica?
He said he enhanced his detection ability.
'Lately, he really doesn't bring anything.'
No.
Don't be disappointed.
His contributions so far were more than enough.
Wasn't he the Ultimate worker Razix?
Besides, this was a Necromancer's Dungeon.
What came to mind when you thought of a dungeon?
Immense treasure.
He didn't know if there was treasure or not, but if there was, he'd probably find something big.
Joo-hyuk and his party reached the end of the corridor.
Then, *ding*.
Basic quest completed.
Even if he left now, it would be judged as quest success.
But.
"Continue."
Joo-hyuk was still hungry.
Where would high-grade magic stones fill him up?
Let's scrape up everything, even the super-high-difficulty quest, and then leave.
When you complete it, rewards are given without fail—how could he resist?
Before he knew it, Dungeon Enhanced Chimeras appeared.
Bipedal, huh?
"Chimera with head of Steelhorn Mountain Goat, torso of Ogre, and tail of Swamp Scorpion."
Doctor Know-It-All Gobang.
"Warrior bigger than Ogre. Assassin will cut the tail's poison stinger."
"Yes, sir... um, got it."
Our Gobang has gotten smarter!
"Now you could even play an intelligence character."
"Huh? Go...Gobang as an intelligence character? I can explain that much too."
"Yes, yes, I'm sure you can."
"Anyway, I'm smarter than Gobang. No, I *have* to be smarter."
He seemed to feel a sense of crisis from Gobang's rising intelligence.
The memory of him throwing a fit when a 'dumb guy' was summoned at their first meeting felt like just yesterday.
Anyway, the Dungeon Enhanced Chimeras.
They were stronger than the regular Dungeon Chimeras.
But like the basic quest chimeras before them, they were guys who didn't even show information, let alone background descriptions—meaning they were weak.
'Maybe even ordinary players could handle them.'
The core of the 72nd floor was probably the final super-high-difficulty quest: defeating the dungeon master, the Necromancer.
"Warrior will lead. Summoner, follow safely."
Of course!
He was a tank skilled in both civil and military arts.
The Dungeon Enhanced Chimeras were gone in an instant.
"Oh!"
See? More came out.
That's why he had to continue.
Healing Potions without a Tower-exclusive modifier, and three of them at that.
Ah, why even ask?
"Continue!"
Subdue 5 Dungeon Ruin Chimeras.
Turning the right corner.
A body that filled the entire corridor.
A horrifying form.
"Torso of Hell Rhinoceros, limbs of Manticore, and head of a Flame Wyvern. Be careful of breath attack."
"I see."
A chimera capable of breathing fire.
"Sergeant V, shoot in to its mouth when it opens."
"Roger that!"
Now he was even giving orders.
At least here, in the Necromancer's Dungeon, Gobang was the commander.
The Dungeon Ruin Chimeras were also sliced up in the blink of an eye.
How could they withstand being ganged up on by SSR's attack-class summons?
It wasn't far now.
The Necromancer would appear soon.
Plus alpha as well.
Finally!
*Ding!*
"Yes!"
Look at that. Equipment item.
Gloves where leather and metal harmoniously blended.
'Perfect, I didn't have any gloves.'
Since it was an item he needed, he should equip it right away.
The lining was leather, the exterior was metal plates and studs.
His fingers could move freely.
"Continue!"
It was another passageway turning right.
A portion of a large space came into view ahead.
It seemed to be the end of the dungeon.
Before entering,
"Summon Release: Hyeolrang."
*Spot!*
"Hoeeng?"
As the Hyeolrang he was riding disappeared, Razix's plump buttocks hit the floor with a *thud*!
"Sorry, Mr. Razix. From now on, walk. You need to exercise."
"Hue..."
He needed to clear a spot.
For their big brother's seat.
Joo-hyuk and his summons entered the dungeon's final chamber.
The sight that appeared then,
'It's way bigger than I thought?'
He thought a dungeon would be small in scale, but
An immense space, easily the size of a school playground, appeared.
And how about the height?
The ceiling looked to be at least 50 meters high.
And the quest target visible in the distance.
An old man with a bald head full of wrinkles, a hunched back, leaning on a bizarre staff with skulls dangling all over it.
"I thought Dragon Guardians had invaded because the Chimera Guardians were wiped out..., but it was adventurers."
He was the 8th-Circle Necromancer, Noma.
[Necromancer Noma]
- Grade: SSR+++ (Highest-Grade Special Super Rare)
- Type: Necromancer (Human)
'...Highest-grade SSR?'
That meant he was stronger than his summons.
If he were 9th-Circle, he might have been Legendary.
For the 72nd floor, the difficulty was quite high.
It couldn't be helped.
This was an optional quest.
If you only completed the basic quest, you wouldn't even have to meet Noma.
There was no reason to do the super-high-difficulty optional quest.
Joo-hyuk wouldn't have come this far either if there were no grade judgments or item rewards.
"How fearless. Did you think the kingdom would offer a reward if you killed me? Do you even know who's behind me?"
Joo-hyuk answered Noma's sneer.
"Uh, isn't it King Norton of the Norton Kingdom?"
"...Huh? How do you know that? Did the king betray me? That can't be."
He knew because he could see it.
- Necromancer Noma received a commission from King Norton of the Norton Kingdom to restore, enhance, and grow the Super-Monster Hydra. For this, he was handed over the fresh corpse of the Super-Monster Hydra, which had been subjugated 50 years ago. Due to an excellent preservation spell, it hadn't rotted even after 50 years.
- Noma's Super-Monster restoration was on the verge of completion. An enormous budget had been invested, and it was a grand undertaking that consumed at least 1,000 children's life spirits.
- By reviving the dead soul and resurrecting the Super-Monster Hydra hatchling corpse, then successfully completing enhancement and growth, it would become a strategic weapon even Dragons couldn't ignore.
"Kekekeke, right! What does it matter? I was short a few souls anyway. With you lot, I can birth the perfect Super-Monster Hydra."
Hmm. Joo-hyuk frowned deeply.
Noma grinned viciously.
"Scared, are you? Then you shouldn't have come here. How dare a clueless brat calling himself an adventurer enter my dungeon?"
Scary, but...
There was one word that kept grating on his ears since earlier.
Super-Monster Hydra.
'Where have I heard this before?'
His memory was hazy.
"How fortuitous. With your souls..."
"Hey, hold on a sec."
"Huh?"
With an apologetic look, Joo-hyuk said,
"Could you just be quiet for a bit? Something's on the tip of my tongue, but you keep talking and it won't come to me."
"Hah!"
Necromancer Noma looked utterly dumbfounded. He was so
flabbergasted he couldn't find words to retort.
"Let's see if you keep that insolent attitude after seeing this."
"Mr. Hi, I almost remembered it."
"...Let me personally introduce you. My masterpiece, the Super-Monster Hydra, resurrected after 50 years."
Noma raised his staff.
"Strengthened with dragon bones and scales, with a soul gem containing the life spirits of 985 children placed in its heart."
Then, from one corner of the large cavern,
*Thud, thud, thud,*
A gigantic life form walked out.
It was a monster with nine heads.
"Become the sacrifice for my Hydra here."
[Super-Monster Hydra]
- Grade: SSR+ (High-Mid Grade Special Super Rare)
- Type: Super-Monster
At that moment.
Gobang's body flinched and trembled like an aspen tree.
'Why is he acting like that?'
Gobang's complexion changed the moment he saw the Super-Monster Hydra.
Was that Hydra that strong?
Since information appeared, he could probably see the description.
- The Super-Monster Hydra subjugated by King Norton Arius when he was a hero 50 years ago. However, back then, it was merely a hatchling, a baby. Still, because he slew a Super-Monster, the hero's popularity skyrocketed, and using that as a stepping stone, he even ascended to the throne.
- Now, with the power of necromancy, it has been resurrected in an adult state with its soul restored. But there is an unknown truth. The person who beat the Super-Monster to near-death back then was not the hero. In fact, it was a nameless barbarian warrior from the Great Plains.
"...Ah!"
A scene flashed through his mind.
A barbarian warrior fighting against the nine-headed Hydra.
A group of humans looking at that scene from behind with despicable eyes.
Now he remembered.
Gobang's background description.
Tricked by a fake hero's deception, chosen as a meat shield for the battle against the nine-headed Super-Monster Hydra.
He fought bravely and ripped out the Hydra's necks, but due to accumulated acid breath damage, he eventually met his death.
This was Gobang's world.
A world 50 years after his death.
"Mr. Gobang, is that the Hydra from back then?"
"Yes. It has changed, but it's the one that killed me."
In that instant!
*Whooosh!*
Gobang enlarged his body through Gigantification.
"I'll handle that thing alone."
What? Alone?
That enormous thing?
"W-wait a minute. That Super-Monster Hydra, it's not the same one from back then. It's been made stronger by necromancy."
"The warrior has also become stronger. Thanks to the Summoner."
That may be true, but.
"If the Summoner orders me not to, I won't. Warrior begs the Summoner. I want to face it alone."
"Uhh..."
This was a dilemma.
The Super-Monster Hydra's grade was SSR+, high-mid grade SSR.
If the two fought, who would win?
He didn't know, but it would be a tough fight.
Gobang might be slightly pushed back.
He was worried.
Back then, his body melted and died from acid poison.
The poison was probably even stronger now.
Given Gobang's nature, he wouldn't fight while avoiding the poison.
Joo-hyuk made eye contact with the other summons.
To try and talk him out of it.
"Hey, Gobang, Summoner Bong said..."
"Be quiet, Assassin. You protect the Summoner in my place. I ask this of you."
"Yes, sir! ...Fighting!"
No, what if he gets persuaded?
"Sir Gobang, trust your comrades. Even a blank sheet of paper needs two to carry it."
"Comrade Gobang, I'll at least provide covering fire."
"Gobang! Take up Bardin! Are we not one body?!"
"Hueeeek!"
Gobang remained silent.
He just looked at Joo-hyuk.
As if asking for permission.
Joo-hyuk felt Gobang's unwavering resolve.
Was he trying to overcome the past where he was tricked by a fake hero and reduced to a meat shield?
'Wait!'
Fake hero.
Now he was the king, right?
'Could it be the next quest is...'
Meanwhile,
Watching this, the 8th-Circle Necromancer Noma was speechless.
They were truly insolent adventurers.
They were just chattering among themselves, completely ignoring him.
"Kekekeke, such insolent brats. Are you deliberately trying to insult me?"
Joo-hyuk flared up in anger,
"Seriously! Chattering away beside me, so noisy! I'm worried sick here."
"...What?"
"Ahhh! Yes, yes, fine. I'll call someone to keep you company so you won't be bored. Have a nice chat with him."
"You damn brat!"
Noma raised his staff, and
Joo-hyuk whispered quietly.
"Gwang-ma, Designated Summon!"
*Whoosh!*
*Spot!*
"Summoner."
"Gwang-ma-nim."
As expected, Gwang-ma grasped the situation the moment he was summoned.
His eyes turned toward Necromancer Noma.
"An old man who learned petty tricks."
*Oooong!*
Gwang-ma's aura spread throughout the large cavern.
"You dare point your staff at this old man's Summoner?"
*Shiver! Sssss.*
Goosebumps rose on Noma's bald head.
It felt like facing the lord of hell.
A 9th-Circle Archmage?
No.
He seemed far stronger than that.
"W-who are you?"
Ignoring him, Gwang-ma took step after step forward.
Pressed by his aura, Necromancer Noma could only falteringly step back.
Joo-hyuk also granted Gobang permission to act alone.
He even promised to let him fight alone, not to interfere.
What could he do?
When his resolve was that firm.
*Thud, thud, thud, thud!*
Gobang walked toward the resurrected Super-Monster Hydra.
Kosak scratched his head and said,
"What do we do?"
"What do we do? We watch the situation and prepare to backstab if needed."
"...Backstab? Gobang will have something to say about that, we made a promise."
Promises were made to be broken.
Have you ever seen an ordinary guy keep a promise?
"Then should we just leave him to fight alone? We can apologize later after striking first."
"Got it. Actually, this Kosak is a backstabbing expert. Good at side-stabbing too."
Leaving Gobang to fight alone while they cowardly stayed back?
That was absolutely unacceptable.
He wouldn't create that kind of tragedy again.
But where did Razix go?
He was just here a moment ago.