The Dwarf Elder's Legacy

In Irene's mind, Gert's voice kept echoing relentlessly.

"I am Gert Rilburg, the great elder ruling the dwarves of the Tirmant Continent, a splendid blacksmith, and a noble artist, you could say! But as I delved deeper into the dungeon, slaying those vile monster hordes, I faced a battle of 200 against 1. With all my comrades fallen, I stood alone against them, but sheer numbers proved too much—I was being pushed back! That's when I summoned every ounce of strength... somehow...!"

Lisa turned to Irene and asked, "Sis, what’s the constellation saying?"

"He’s... recounting all the tales from the dungeon he was conquering."

—And so, I sent 100 of them to the afterlife as my companions! Swinging my axe without rest, my heart felt like it would burst and drive me mad! But I didn't crumble...!

Irene just kept listening, wondering when this long-winded story would end.

"Still yapping?"

This time, it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was Josh asking.

"Yeah."

Even as they spoke, Gert's heroic saga continued.

—In the end, with just 10 beasts left, exhaustion claimed me, and I collapsed! Facing death, memories of my days with those who'd gone ahead flashed before my eyes like a lantern show. How I missed them! Lost in that deepening longing, wishing I could turn ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠back time, my life reached its final curtain. The long march of hardship ended, and the moment of choice arrived.

—Choose me as your guardian constellation! Then you'll wield power hundreds of times greater than your current skills!

"...!"

Irene's heart pounded like it would burst as she checked the skill info. Craft any equipment within her Dexterity limits? And dismantle finished gear to extract materials? Plus, no mana cost to use it. There was no reason for her to refuse Gert as her constellation.

"I'll do it. I accept you as my guardian constellation."

—What is your name?

"Irene Luker."

—From this moment, I acknowledge Irene Luker as my precious incarnation! Receive my power!

Along with the system messages, blueprints for countless pieces of equipment flooded her mind—Gert Rilburg's knowledge.

"Ahh."

Irene let out a groan of overwhelming joy surging from her chest. She immediately told everyone that she'd accepted Gert Rilburg as her constellation, who he was, and what skill she'd inherited.

Seol Ara clapped her hands with a smack! "So that's why Ji-woo shared all those weapons!"

"Ji-woo hyung had it all planned out, as expected. Haha."

Kim Jung-min chimed in, thrilled as if it were his own victory. Red, standing beside him, nodded vigorously with a proud look.

—But isn't it amazing~? How does Ji-woo always prepare everything at just the right timing?

Kayla's voice echoed in everyone's heads. Now that she mentioned it, they all found it miraculous. It even made Pierre think:

"Sometimes it feels like Ji-woo is managing this dungeon himself."

Priest Dennis nodded deeply. "Even God couldn't watch over us more closely than... oh. What blasphemy have I uttered?"

He hurriedly made the sign of the cross and clasped his hands in repentance.

Yui approached and smacked Dennis on the back with a pang! "Guh! Sister Yui?"

"Old man, even in this situation, you're going on about God this and that? Your faith is rock-solid. Instead of praying, thank Han Ji-woo."

Clap clap clap! Sudden applause drew Priest Dennis's gaze to the source—Red, clapping enthusiastically. Red pointed to the sky, then slashed his thumb across his throat, pointed to the weapons Han Ji-woo had shared, and gave a thumbs-up.

'No God—Han Ji-woo is helping us.'

Priest Dennis, who got the message loud and clear, could only murmur, "…Amen."

Amid the minor commotion, Mitchell bought every weapon and trophy Han Ji-woo had displayed. Including the beast swords from before, it all cost just 629 Dungeon Coins. He handed everything over to Irene.

"Please."

"Got it."

Irene swiftly dismantled the gear in front of her. No tools needed—just touching them reverted weapons and armor to raw materials. Then she recombined them. Countless blueprints were etched in her mind. Among them, she selected the strongest weapons possible with the given materials within her Dexterity limits, tailoring them to the group's needs and crafting them in seconds.

Moments later.

"Whoaaa!"

Jonathan's exclamation filled the Dungeon Shop as he gripped his gleaming steel staff. Its info window appeared in his vision.

"Boosts Magic Power by a whopping 50."

Those who received the same Demon Spirit Staff as Jonathan—Seol Ara, Mitchell, Josh, Diya, and Pierre—totaled six people. Priest Dennis had used a staff before, so Irene planned one for him too, but made something better instead. He held a thin, book-like item crafted from demon bones, leather, and tendons. His expression was complicated as he eyed its info.

"This... isn't this heretical?"

Laughter erupted here and there at Priest Dennis's trembling voice.

"But this dagger's too good to just carry for protection."

Kim Jung-min spoke up. Duduk-i beside him nodded eagerly in agreement.

Squawk!

Their eyes turned to the dagger in Kim Jung-min's hand: Ultimate Bone Dagger. Irene had refined Han Ji-woo's enhanced bone dagger further, boosting ATK by 40. Kayla, Lisa, and Irene herself each got one.

The Onelli siblings and Yui received shadowy Demon Bone Knuckles, +70 ATK and AGI each. Red got Demon Leather Gauntlets, +80 ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ATK and DEF. Lisa, on top of her dagger, wore Demon Fiber Gloves boosting Dexterity, AGI, and DEF by 50 each. Irene wore the same, as Dexterity was crucial for her too.

One key fact: Every weapon had the Bloodsuck skill as a standard option.

Thus, the 17 heroes equipped far sturdier weapons. Irene checked armor blueprints just in case, but the materials couldn't surpass Red Dragon Bone Armor.

Anyway, everyone was satisfied with their upgrades. Now...

"Tighten the reins on your slackened hearts these past few days. It's time to go."

They had to resume conquering the dungeon—toward floor 21. As they descended, they thanked Irene while harboring deep gratitude for Han Ji-woo in their hearts.

"Heck."

The bulk sale of Han Ji-woo's shared items skyrocketed the Dungeon Tree's mid-trunk progress. From just over 11% to nearly 43%. That meant massive aid to the dungeon folk.

"Last time it hit 10%, it gave a quest right away."

Now with +30% more, maybe three quests in a row? As he pondered cluelessly, the system clarified.

"Ah, got it."

So, three trips to the Demon Realm in succession to clear them. The Dungeon Tree spat out the first quest immediately.

The quest content matched the previous one exactly—except the number after the title changed from 1 to 2.

Han Ji-woo stared at the quest window. "The Demon Realm's 7th Prince Was a Scoundrel. That part's key. 'Was'."

The ultimate goal: Turn the "scoundrel prince" into a prince who was a scoundrel. Of course, "scoundrel" from the demons' perspective.

"This'll be tough."

To not be a scoundrel in demon eyes meant being cruel, treacherous, vicious—no mercy for humans on sight.

"Hmm. So as Azid stops being a scoundrel by demon standards, I get more dangerous?"

As complicated thoughts swirled...

The message hurried him along. "Whatever. I'll figure it out there. Azid doesn't seem that dangerous anyway."

As he packed food, he called Pao. "Pao."

"Yeah, Master."

"Got a job for you."

"What?"

"Don't go to the Dungeon Prison alone today—take Chubby with you."

"Why?"

Instead of answering Pao, Han Ji-woo stroked Seibier's head and asked, "Chubby, remember that time at the Dragon Tomb? Know where it is?"

Kyuruk?

Seibier tilted its head, memory fuzzy.

"Hmm. Pao, when you go to the Dungeon Prison, ask Sasuri to take Chubby to the Dragon Tomb. It's grown since last time—might get another power-up."

"Got it, Master."

"I'll be off to the Demon Realm, so no trouble, everyone."

As Han Ji-woo stood before the Dimensional Gate, the pets gathered.

"Please come back safely, Master."

"Yeah, Ferrofero. Been a while since I heard your voice."

"W-well, I'm subtly vigilant, you see! Ever since the dwarf brothers arrived, I've focused solely on Her Highness's safety, senses on high alert with no room for anything else!"

Come to think of it, Ferrofero had been laser-focused on Lucy since the dwarves showed up. Especially emitting faint killing intent whenever Arnok got near her.

"All good now?"

"Yes!"

As they chatted, Lucy mewled desperately, wanting to go with Han Ji-woo.

Nyaaaa~ Nyaaaa~

"Sorry, Lucy. Can't take you this time."

"Yohohohoho~ I don't know the Demon Realm, but it reeks of danger! Best avoid such places~ Be careful. Happy Toryong will chill here lazily..."

Han Ji-woo grabbed the chattering Toryong's squirming body with a squelch!

"Yeah, no chance. You're coming."

"Whaaaat?!"

The startled Toryong wriggled to escape, but Han Ji-woo leaped into the gate with it.

"Kyaaa! What kind of situation is thiiiis?!"

After the pitiful Toryong's cry, Han Ji-woo's voice echoed from the gate: "You're kidnapped."