Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: End of the Clan Meeting
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Around the time a massive battle was raging in the back world.
Suddenly, the space in the center of the city center began to twist.
And that twist grew larger and larger.
Before long—
*Crash!!!*
The dimension shattered like glass, and two beings emerged.
In that instant, a ferocious aura enveloped the entire back space, causing everyone to halt their battles and turn their gazes.
In the city center, one being lay riddled with wounds across its body, while the other stood tall and proud.
The victor of the duel raised a fist toward the sky and shouted.
"Warrior Balak! I have slain the enemy leader!"
""""Waaaaah!!!!""""
The radical faction's leader, Oder, had been defeated by Balak.
And Zarkan, who had successfully taken out Oder's top lieutenants, shouted the news loudly.
"Your leader has fallen! If you do not wish for meaningless deaths, lay down your arms and surrender!"
The administrators' reactions to Zarkan's call for surrender split into two camps.
"We haven't lost... We haven't lost yet!"
"With the top administrator dying, what's the point of surviving..."
Some refused to admit their complete defeat.
Others charged forward, determined to die right there.
But those on the opposite end had their spirits utterly broken.
"So this is how it ends."
"Total defeat..."
"Mother, Father... I'm sorry..."
With the long battle finally over, the administrators who acknowledged defeat were subdued, while those who didn't were granted their wish.
Just as Balak was about to respond to the calls from his comrades.
"Cough... You... you're..."
"You're still alive, huh."
The dying Oder spoke to Balak.
Yet he still refused to accept defeat, spitting out words laced with resentment.
"You're... too strong... Cough! And you'll only get... stronger! In the end, you'll be alone..."
"......"
"Die alone... misunderstood by everyone... sinner."
Predator and prey could never understand each other.
The strong were profoundly lonely.
All the connections he'd made so far and those yet to come would ultimately fail to understand him.
It was a curse to die lonely in isolation.
But Balak's thoughts were entirely different.
"Then, can you understand other beings?"
"What... did you say?"
"From the start, we're all others to each other, so we can't truly understand one another. Anyone who claims to understand others is merely arrogant or conceited."
Balak approached the dying Oder and continued.
"There were two beings. Their pasts, experiences, and memories were completely different, so they never truly understood each other. Yet they lived together. And when they became three, four, dozens—they all lived together. Have you ever thought about why that's possible?"
"What... does that..."
"In the end, 'understanding' or 'empathy' aren't necessary for beings to live together. What truly matters is something far simpler, infinitely lower: just 'respect' for the other."
With that, he chuckled, saying it was fine even if no one understood him.
"Besides, the stormy phase where I craved others' understanding and attention is long past. And should a grown man whine about that?"
"Hah..."
Oder fell silent at Balak's words—that a man shouldn't waver under others' gazes but simply walk proudly forward.
Seeing the warrior striding confidently on his path, he slowly closed his eyes.
"I... have lost."
"Good duel."
And with that, Oder turned to ash and vanished.
But Balak returned to the embrace of those calling for him.
***************
Now that the battle in this peculiar space had truly ended, no more loud noises echoed.
However...
"Dragon, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Hohoho, it's nothing."
Did he just hear what I said?
It felt like the gaze of a grandfather beaming proudly at his accomplished grandson.
Anyway, the dragon said they'd handle the cleanup, so I should just rest easy.
"Balak, I'm truly sorry there's nothing more we can offer here."
"Haggle for some big discounts later."
"Hahaha! You got it—no worries there. And once everything's sorted, expect a reward worth looking forward to."
Ooooh... This guy's got some real class.
While following the dragon and watching the enemies get rounded up.
Karian came to me through a portal.
"Lord Balak, are you injured anywhere?"
"Just a few bruises; nothing else seems off."
"Wow, you actually got hurt?"
"...I'm a living being too."
As we chatted idly, the dragon suggested it might be better to rest outside and opened a portal leading out.
Outside, it resembled the back space but...
The city looked perfectly intact.
And in the distance, my brothers came running.
"Big bro Balak!!"
"Big brother! Great work!"
"Yeah, you guys too. But your clothes..."
""Ahem.""
The second brother's a brawler who switches forms mid-fight, so torn clothes make sense, but the youngest transforms into an animal and back—his should be fine. Why...?
"We got chewed out big time by Lady Zephyra."
"Ah..."
Apparently, she ripped into them for leaving her out of the dangerous fight until late.
Still under her thumb, huh? Poor guys.
"So, how was the battle for you?"
"Hahaha... Well, about that..."
"Sigh... When I saw you two at the clinic, it was no joke..."
"I'm worried how to face Lady Zephyra later..."
Good to see no lingering effects from the fight!
Plus, all the dead had been resurrected.
"Jeenjang! How ridiculously capable are you guys?!"
"Hahaha... We prepared everything in advance."
"This faction really is scary when you think about it."
"Tell me about it."
Practically zero casualties on our side!
Uh... So the one who dealt the most damage to this city was—
"Me?"
"Ahem... You did smash quite a few buildings, Lord Balak."
"Uh... Karian, could this cause problems later?"
"Problems? Nah~ Who do you think we are? Reconstruction's already underway, so don't sweat it."
Ooooh... Money really changes your mindset.
No worries about further enemy incursions?
"Already handled."
"""Whoa..."""
Thank goodness we're on the same side.
As we swapped war stories, the sun was setting in the distance.
************
Stars and the moon rose in the sky.
Under this sky as our roof, the banquet from yesterday's fortress now spilled into the streets.
The wounded and resurrected alike gathered, celebrating their victory in joy.
But soon, a deeply regrettable moment arrived.
"You're leaving tonight?!"
"Yeah, time to get back to dungeon business."
"What a shame..."
Balak's group had announced their return.
The 50th floor city was fully built now.
Everyone hoped they'd stay on the 50th floor.
But with the dungeon interior not fully cleared...
It made sense to send the battle-weary back to the 1st floor.
"You really think so, my dear?"
"Eh, Ella?"
Ella poked Belesa and sidled up.
"If you let him go like this, he'll just leave... How about a little walk together?"
"Aw... What would an old lady like me say?"
"Hey, you never know the future. Just try it my way."
Ella noted that the district Balak trashed was fully repaired, so they should check it out together.
It'd ease his worries about the damage and let him leave with peace of mind.
Did those words tempt Belesa?
Leaving smiling Ella behind, she approached Balak.
"They already fixed what I smashed?!"
"Shall we go take a look?"
"Of course!"
And so, the two walked the empty night streets.
Belesa briefly clutched her head, realizing how easy she was.
But so what!
She walked on proudly.
"No evacuees back yet?"
"Just in case of another invasion. Probably a few more days."
"Perfect precautions."
They strolled, chatting.
The wrecked district wasn't far from the banquet.
They arrived quickly, greeted by a beautiful night view.
Atop a high overpass, gazing at the perfectly restored city, Balak sighed in relief.
Seeing him relax lifted her spirits too, and she glanced slyly at him.
"........."
"Hm?"
Had she stared too obviously?
Balak, admiring the view, noticed Belesa's gaze.
"Belesa, what's up?"
"Well, it's just... I heard something from Zarkan during the battle."
"Ah... That? Don't overthink it; it's nothing."
"Pfft, I see Lord Balak embarrassed too."
Belesa could have teased him here.
Instead, she just smiled brightly.
"You already have sworn brothers, and Karian's with you. But now, we are too."
"Yeah, I learned that bone-deep at this clan meeting."
"Come visit anytime. We'll always await your return."
"Don't wait too long."
"Just saying~"
And so the night deepened.
Balak and his sworn brothers departed amid everyone's farewells.
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*Whoosh—!!*
"Suuuuuuck!!! Haaa!!!!"
My dungeon after all!
Feels just like coming home.
Or back to the office?
Anyway, as I'd asked Karian before, my boss room was now a reed field under a starry night sky.
My brothers seemed to love it too.
"Ooh... This one's really well done."
"Battling here... So cool."
"I agree. Anyway, you two did great at the clan meeting. We've got a day till the dungeon reopens, so rest up."
""Yes sir!!""
Now just handle work and wait for Dampir's group!
But Ferguson and Orek saw me and suggested resting a day.
Tch, can't argue.
Plus, I'd just learned the importance of rest!
After today's intense fight.
I sat in the boss room and closed my eyes.
Episode 11: Dungeon Clan Meeting END