Chapter 30
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Dungeon of the Four Directional Divine Beasts
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Dungeon Babel, Floor 2, 10:10 Mission.
The fifty matches and losers' bracket finals involving 1,000 hunters had all concluded.
794 survivors remained.
Considering survival rates on the first floor typically hovered around 25%, an 80% survival rate was the best possible outcome.
"With this, the second-floor mission is complete."
The office demon, Mastema, appeared before the hunters to announce the mission's end.
"But it would be a shame if Dungeon Babel had no actual dungeon."
Mastema traced a sigil in the air, and a grim underground staircase yawned open in the arena floor.
"This is the bonus dungeon for Floor 2. Those who wish to enter, do so."
Mastema conjured a chair beside the staircase and sat down.
"Mr. Mastema, you still need to explain."
"Let Nariel, the dispatched angel, handle it. I'm doing unpaid overtime. I want to go home."
"...Fine, I'll explain! This is the bonus dungeon for Floor 2, the 'Dungeon of the Four Directional Divine Beasts'!"
Nariel continued her explanation in an overly cheerful tone.
"Once you enter, you can't exit through this entrance! You can only leave through the designated exit! And the dungeon's difficulty is..."
All the hunters' attention focused on Nariel.
"Uh... It's doable! You all can clear it."
'No, what do you mean "doable," and by whose standards?'
'Two go in, one dies, and it's still "doable"?'
As the hunters' gazes turned icy in an instant, Nariel panicked and fumbled her words.
"Ah, sorry! Dungeon info costs coins."
Nariel pointed at Mastema.
"Mr. Mastema over there handles difficulty and monster info transmission, while I cover items and exits. The more coins you provide, the more detailed the info..."
"Tch, coins, coins. So damn stingy."
"Don't wanna die, don't wanna fight."
"Uh, I'm really sorry I can't help more."
Nariel wilted under the hunters' murmurs.
Hunters from the same teams began conferring.
The consensus was that the difficulty matched Floor 2.
Those with more victory buffs from Floor 2 would have the edge.
And...
"Let's form parties. Pooling coins from more people means we can get good info cheaply and share it."
Yulia, the savior of Floor 2, began gathering people.
"Don't worry. The info will definitely be shared. Parties may reshuffle inside for efficient hunting, but we'll all work to survive.
No need for us to fight among ourselves."
Over a hundred hunters gathered around her in moments.
It was the epitome of outstanding charisma.
Gonghyeok left the group behind, shouldered his axe-spear, and approached Mastema.
"First customer?"
Gonghyeok's hand overlapped Mastema's outstretched one.
Mastema's eyes widened in shock upon confirming the coin handed over.
"Th-this!?"
"Just give me the info quick."
"Haha, hahaha. Of course, right away!"
Mastema scribbled with his fountain pen, and Gonghyeok's head glowed blue.
It signified magical info transmission.
"How much did he pay to get that reaction? Didn't look like much."
"Even if he sprinkled indigo coins this floor, no way it's a blue one?"
"A blue coin trades for trillions back home. Doesn't it hurt to spend?"
Gonghyeok silently descended the dungeon stairs.
Mastema watched his back, stifling a laugh.
"Keukkeuk, what a hilarious guy."
In his palm lay a single worn purple coin.
＊ ＊ ＊
"GM."
[You called, Master?]
As the first to enter the dungeon, Gonghyeok summoned the GM for the first time since Floor 2.
"Skill Devour Stage 2 expansion."
[Expanding skill space using 40 indigo coins. Remaining Devour space: 1/2]
After expanding his capacity, Gonghyeok checked his condition.
No wounds, but the ten duels had drained his stamina considerably. His durability, boosted to C-rank via nine victory buffs, restored it in hours.
His pouch held Floor 2 rewards. First, absorb Counterattack (D) skill.
Then he gripped the 'Bonus Dungeon Key.'
This key was made to unlock a specific door in the Four Directional Divine Beasts Dungeon.
'With this key, I can only tackle the 《South》 and 《West》 ones.'
《North》 and 《East》 are impossible with current item combos. Actually, no item combo beats 'Southern Demonic Beast Grandaier' or 'Western Demonic Beast Mandarion'...
This regression, some good stuff landed in Gonghyeok's hands.
"Not massacring everyone and still clearing. Lucky break."
Muttering that, Gonghyeok vanished into the dungeon's darkness.
Southern end of the Four Directional Divine Beasts Dungeon,
In a massive cavern crouched a beast blending lion and lizard.
《Southern Demonic Beast Grandaier》
Strength 666 [S], Agility 546 [A], Durability 753 [S-D].
Skills - Demonic Beast's Breath (S), Cannon Roar (A+), Hundred Slash Chaos (A), Steel Fortress (A-)...
A true 'demonic beast' surpassing S-rank in all stats.
Gonghyeok observed from the cavern entrance afar.
"Apply buff."
[Consuming 1,320 purple coins to apply lesser buff 'Unyielding.']
[Your mind won't waver from external factors.
Resistance to status ailments strengthens.]
"Activate trait Indomitable Incarnation."
[You steel your resolve. Will rises from C to B-rank.]
[Neither death nor ruin breaks his will. No severe injury or curse bends his mind.]
"Prediction Path activate."
[Prediction Path (U.S) active. Predicts action patterns based on observed habits and info.]
Finally, Gonghyeok...
Sheathed the axe-spear that had sprayed blood freely on the way south.
Even for a monstrous human like Gonghyeok, a 300-400 stat gap made frontal fights impossible. Each rank difference multiplies power 4-5x, totaling 60-100x stronger by simple math.
"If I'd wiped out all 1,000 on Floor 2 ignoring missions, I'd have yanked every last fang."
The simplest path to max rewards and growth on any floor is one.
Massacre all hunters except yourself.
Post-Floor 5, challenge timings differ, so solo survivor raises flags. Pre-Floor 5, perfect crime if none left alive.
'But it'd make full enemies of the angels. Plus, overextending and dying suddenly? Nothing more pointless.'
Dragon God, strongest beastkin?
Gigalo Machina, highest manager of Machine God Clan?
Demon King of Genesis Annihilation Law?
“I’ve regressed. I know how to clear every dungeon. I’ve killed ’em multiple times before.”
Died three times from pushing too hard in overconfidence. Even at peak, killed all once—this life's game has no 'save' or 'load.'
"Thin and long."
No massacring all.
Grandaier crouched asleep-like. But it sensed Gonghyeok ages ago. Just squinting happily at long-awaited prey.
Thick iron chain collar on Grandaier's neck. Following it...
Massive iron door, leading to Angel Nataniel's sanctuary.
"Sephirot 1st Emanation, Malkuth (MALKHUT). Full power release."
[Fully releasing incomplete Malkuth. Over 2 minutes risks permanent vessel destruction.]
[All stats +50! Holy flames ignite across your body!]
[Special barrier 'Flames of the Holy Spirit' applied!]
The golden halo above Gonghyeok's head blazed fiercely.
Irritated by the unpleasant golden ring, the demonic beast Grandaier unleashed an enraged roar.
[Cannon Roar (A+) activates.]
[《Southern Demonic Beast Grandaier》 inflicts status ailments 'Intimidation' and 'Fear.']
[Buff 'Unyielding' and trait 'Indomitable Incarnation' resist Cannon Roar!]
Blood burst from Gonghyeok's ears. The roar exceeded sound limits, battering his organs.
- Danger! Left front paw attack in 0.09 sec! Projected damage...
Avatar warning and nape-tingling instinct halted Gonghyeok briefly. His vision filled with four greatsword-sized claws.
Gonghyeok gritted his teeth, eyes still smiling.
- Executing Prediction Combat Scenario 42! Motion start! 1. Evade. 2. Booster squad acceleration. 3. Authority manifest!]
Monkey God Flow Technique: Willow Branch Sway
Through the razor claws' narrow gap slipped Gonghyeok's body, swaying like supple willow branches.
But his chills persisted. In that instant, Grandaier's glare tracked the escaping loach-like form. A gaze deeming the pitiful thing cute.
Grandaier's right shoulder twitched. As is, right paw would lightning-crush Gonghyeok.
Had to charge like a dog first.
[Ignition Booster (C-) 4-stage ignition.]
[Doubles mana for enhanced power. Primary booster active.]
Kwaaaang!
Massive explosion from his waist rocketed him forward bullet-like. Where Gonghyeok stood, a giant paw cratered the floor.
Kwaang!
[2nd ignition, 3rd ignition, final ignition. All acceleration complete. Remaining mana 255/365.]
Flames jetted from shoulders and back. Like a spaceship blasting to orbit, accelerating—but still far.
[Archangel Sandalphon's authority 'Gigantification' manifests.]
[Your frame thickens, height surges! Giant-like form!]
[Physical stats rise one rank each!]
[Flaming in response, 'Flames of the Holy Spirit' burn fiercer!]
Using ace 'Gigantification' first to dodge initial strike.
Buffs pushed Gonghyeok's agility to B-rank. Height increased distance to door shortened further.
Biggest perk?
Grandaier, set to swallow him whole, could now only reach his arm.
Kkujijik.
Sharp fangs sank into Gonghyeok's left shoulder.
Eyes met as Gonghyeok glanced back at the beast.
Grandaier's gaze conveyed much.
Pleasure of big meat in maw, feral gleam of excited beast, anticipation for rare 'toy.'
Something funny, Gonghyeok's lips twisted.
'Eat shit.'
Left hand in Grandaier's slimy maw. Middle finger shot up stiffly.
The transparent gem Nariel had sadly yielded sparked lightning in his grip.
[Sephirot's holy flames react with 'Angel's Tear'!]
[Divine power in 'Angel's Tear' unleashes! Extreme backlash against beast's mana!]
Holy light leaked from fang gaps, nostrils, eye sockets. Sensing doom as maw and throat burned, Grandaier hastily opened wide—but.
Kwaaaaaang!
Krooooaaaarrr!
COUNTER ATTACK!!
Angel's Tear's divine power exploded grenade-like in Grandaier's maw.
Lizard-like lower jaw shattered, lion-mane blazed white-hot. Light and smoke poured endlessly from eyes and nose.
Gonghyeok's left hand leisurely withdrew. Middle finger, drenched in beast's red blood, gleamed brightly.
"Tasty? Wanted to give seconds, but gotta save for Mandarion."
Click.
'Bonus Dungeon Key' in right hand turned the doorknob.
"See you next—few more hits then. Bye-bye."
Kwaduk!
Fangs filled where Gonghyeok stood, gnashing empty air.
Gonghyeok vanished mirage-like, signature grin intact.
Grrooooaaaaarrr!
《Southern Demonic Beast Grandaier》 howled long into the labyrinth, spraying iron-thick blood.
Hunters fled south swiftly at the ominous roar.
[Title Acquired
「The One Who Gave an S-Rank Demonic Beast the Middle Finger」
When facing demonic beast monsters, Strength, Agility, and Will +25.
Demonic beasts enrage easily against this one.]