Chapter 153
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Kobolds and the Underground Labyrinth
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"What the fuck is wrong with these village asshole pricks?"
The stew was ridiculously expensive.
These country bumpkin bastards were gouging adventurers who flocked here because of the dungeon threatening the village's safety. Trying to fleece the very people who came to conquer it? They all deserved to be skinned alive.
What did they think this was, some tourist trap?
Watching these highway-robber fucks swarm like sharks in bloody water, ripping off adventurers due to the sudden dungeon outbreak, filled me with uncontrollable rage. Humans were all worthless trash not worth saving.
"Sir, maybe we should try another shop..."
"Nah. Every place around here is the same. Fuck it, we'll eat here. Innkeeper! Four bowls of stew!"
A normal meal like stew for four people wouldn't cost more than 10 coppers, but surprisingly, ours came to 20 coppers. 5 coppers per serving. At this rate, I couldn't even guess how much the inn would cost.
Fuck it, maybe we should just camp outside.
"Katt's mad?"
"How could I not be? These fuckers need the whole village trampled by the kobolds bursting out of that dungeon to wise up."
"Calm down, Katt. It could be worth it. As long as it tastes good, right?"
Claudy, sitting next to me, massaged the back of my neck.
"Ugh... yeah, right there. That feels good."
"There, there. Good boy. Calm down now."
Fine, whatever. If it tastes good, it's okay. But tourist trap food has to actually taste decent first. It's usually as shitty as the markup. No idea what these bastards eat normally.
A short wait later, the waitress brought out bowls of stew.
"Smells good, at least."
The aroma wasn't bad. Elise did a pre-meal prayer, so I half-assed one to Buddha and Hwanung. Winia took the first bite.
I asked her.
"How is it?"
"Tastes just like what a blackie would love."
"My kind of taste?"
When did she figure out my palate?
Sounded good, so I scooped some up.
"Yeah. Tastes like livestock feed. Perfect as blackie chow."
"You bitch?"
No forgiveness for that.
Still, it tasted like cheap soup from a rundown inn at dinnertime—1 or 2 coppers a bowl. Not bad enough to spit out, but definitely not worth 5 coppers.
No wonder picky Winia wasn't satisfied.
Though stew and soup tasting the same was weird. Not sure the difference anyway.
"It's decent enough for me."
"Sis has the same taste as a blackie, huh?"
"Hehe, maybe? Here, Katt. Ahh."
Winia smirked as Claudy giggled and held a spoonful to my lips. Even bad food tastes great like this. I chomped it down.
"Ahh."
"Ugh, you annoying blackie! Why'd you eat it?"
"Fucking delicious. Want me to feed you?"
"..."
Winia blushed while munching potatoes and nodded.
She took it well.
We finished eating and headed out.
"Wasn't bad. Shall we head out then? Adventurers are heading that way—looks like we should follow."
"Yeah."
It was a good time.
Maybe around 4 PM? Sun still high—plenty of time to check the dungeon and come back. Adventurers streamed out of the village. Apparently a less-than-hour walk. Nothing else to grab, so we set off.
Male and female adventurers with swords and axes headed the same way everywhere. I scanned for familiar faces—none.
"Word is it's a massive dungeon. We think kobolds are using pre-existing underground structures, not ones they dug themselves. Though they've probably expanded it since they live there."
"Pre-existing underground structures?"
"Yes. Not sure details, but likely some facility kobolds nested in. They multiplied until recently discovered."
Elise explained smoothly. All from church intel. Unlike freelance adventurers, she had that reliable, proper vibe. Made me more curious about the Radiant Cross Society.
We finally reached the dungeon entrance.
Dozens of adventurers camped before what was originally a kobold doorway. A party was entering without even ringing the bell—rude.
The entrance was huge. Kobolds wouldn't make it that big—they just need to scurry in. At least 3 meters high, similar width.
They didn't build this, confirming Elise's theory: kobolds squatting in an old underground facility.
Such a big entrance wouldn't go unnoticed recently—probably buried until something exposed it.
"Straight in?"
Elise asked, already drawing her sword, raring to go.
"I'm fine either way."
"We came to go in. Let's hurry. Winia, enough stored lights?"
"Stored lights? Blackie talks weird again. I'll handle the magic—don't worry."
Elise and I led into the dungeon.
Not much "entry" with all the adventurers—place lit up like daytime inside, crowded. Dozens probably already in.
In this chaos, winners grab treasure rooms or valuables first. Kobold dungeon valuables? Three things:
First: loot from dead adventurers.
Unlike outside kobolds, cave ones swarm walls/ceilings in 3D. Slack off thinking they're chump change, get ambushed, overwhelmed, die.
Bodies and gear dragged deep into darkness, but sometimes clumsy kobolds miss drops. Field loot waits for new owners—weapons especially valuable.
Second: treasure rooms.
Buried underground treasures sleep there... mostly junk like roots, but useful stuff piles up. Dead adventurers' gear heads straight there too.
Finally, the big third.
This is key.
Kobold Queen.
Lifelong breeder in the deepest, darkest room—unique monster worth money just existing.
Her body parts sell as pricey magic ingredients. Nearby young females—Kobold Princesses—fetch top dollar at arenas. Females ease kobold supply, so arenas hunt them eagerly.
Anyway, money-makers all around.
Land of opportunity: kobold dungeon.
Built on underground facility—might snag ancient relic like last time.
"Crowded as fuck. Total tourist spot."
Passed three parties descending. Worried they'd turn murderer, but too many people for that.
Psssh.
Darkened, Winia cast light. White orb formed on her staff ring. Good—no staff-snag worries. Darkness banished instantly.
"What? Stairs?"
Stairs down ahead.
Kobolds don't make stairs. Confirmed: 100% artificial facility by intelligent species. Ancient.
Kobolds took over empty ruins... Necromancer-related? Who knows.
"Winia, any guess what this place was?"
"Why ask me?"
"You're a mage—know ancient underground stuff? Like day-off research with friends. Local history: hundreds years ago, whatever."
"Don't ask if you know I don't as much as your dumbass talk."
"Oh, right. Kinda deflating."
"Wanna die, blackie?"
Anyway, down we went.
Mid-stairs, spotted a resting trio: axe woman, staff guy (male mage), sword boy.
Decided to chat.
"Hey. Hi. Seen any kobolds?"
"...Pardon?"
The trio reacted.
I smiled friendly.
"Kobolds nearby?"
"Ah... none around here. Probably deep underground. They all fled inside."
Sword boy answered kindly. Dark circles under eyes—rough day.
"I see."
"Intense fights below... We're heading up. No gains."
"Too bad. Thanks."
To see kobold faces, need deeper. Makes sense—dozens stormed in, surface cleared out.
They holed up inside.
Reached presumed B2: vast cavern. Multiple down passages scattered, three parties resting.
Using as base for scouting. Felt like vendors incoming.
"Deeper? Gotta slice a couple kobolds for the vibe. Craving blood."
"Hmm... rest spots midway. Fine to go down."
"I think down too."
Agreed to descend. Winia shrugged, nodded me ahead. To B3: Elise front, me second, Winia/Claudy behind.
"Reminds me of an underground city. Maybe dwarves lived here. They're handy—underground facilities no big deal."
Elise said; Winia replied.
"Dwarves, huh? Possible. This burrow's ancient, but well-preserved—solid durability."
Ancient dwarf underground city.
Kept descending, turning, repeating. Dwarf theory gaining traction—ant-nest complex.
Such depth, maze-like: impossible without expert engineers. Perfect kobold nest: vast, complex.
"Yo, kobold corpse here."
"Yeah?"
Rotting kobold bodies mid-way reminded it was a dungeon.
We pressed into the endless depths.
Would we reach the treasure room?