Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Warrior, Welcoming a New Family Member
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That said, all the bosses I've met in the dungeon so far seem to have some serious talent.
Does that mean the qualification to become a dungeon boss is talent itself?
Good grief. Even dying in a dungeon requires overwhelming talent like ours.
The world truly is a cold place.
And as I kept reaffirming the bizarre energy from Orek, it seemed like the purer power grew stronger the more spirits gathered around.
What should I call it? Holy power?
No, shamans worship spirits as gods, but looking at these little ones, they clearly aren't true deities.
So maybe spirit power is the better term?
Anyway, I played with the little ones around us until Orek snapped out of his ecstatic trance.
A little while later, after spinning the kids around like they were in a centrifuge.
I sensed a presence and turned to see Orek slowly rising from his spot, finally coming to his senses.
Alright then. Time to officially recruit Orek into my dungeon.
Originally, since this guy trashed the boss room.
And he even attacked Perry and the skeleton merchant, who might as well be family.
I planned to have him work off his debt as a cleaner for a set period in the dungeon lounge where Perry works, then ask the skeleton merchant to let him go somewhere else.
But talent like his is insanely tempting.
Even if recruitment succeeds, I don't know where he'll end up operating.
But the more bosses in the dungeon, the better!
And conveniently, I have a top-grade spirit stone that can summon the highest spirits, so I can use that as bait for a true voluntary enlistment...
"Benefactor!!!!"
"Huh?"
Before I could even speak to him, the guy dropped to his knees in front of me.
As a question mark hook formed above my head in confusion.
Orek bowed deeply to me and shouted loudly.
"Benefactor, you've bestowed upon me an immense grace that I could never repay in a lifetime!"
"Grace... you say?"
"Thanks to you, Benefactor, I've fulfilled my one and only wish! So I, Orek, gladly offer even my life if that's what you desire—please, accept me!"
Hah... no way.
That one wish—was it really just to meet the spirits again?
In a sense, I led a lost priest to his object of faith, so Orek's reaction makes sense.
I was planning to recruit him anyway, so this is a pretty good situation.
But this changes things a bit.
It might just be a momentary impulse making him want to join me, so I need to confirm Orek's resolve even more firmly.
"The moment you truly join me, it's the same as saying you're ready to die."
"..."
"Don't forget that. My fate."
The closer I get to my goal, the stronger the players and NPCs outside will become, and those who stand with me here will edge closer to death.
Perry, who's with me, knows this full well, so even his little brother has steeled himself for death to stay by my side.
To join me, one must truly brace for death—or I have to compensate them for it.
But this guy...
Even after hearing me out, his eyes haven't wavered.
That means!
"True resolve means you're happy even knowing you'll die right away! So tell me! What's your resolve?"
"...When I was young, I heard a story from my master, who was also my mother. She said all paths for mortals lead only to death, so become a legend while you're alive."
"Then, like your mother said, do you want to become a legend with me?"
"Of course, Benefactor!"
Thud!!
The man firmly grasped the hand I extended, deciding to join me.
****************
Orek had truly volunteered to enlist in my dungeon.
I shared the good news with Perry's little brother too.
"I never thought Orek would really join us."
"Hahaha! Little brother, good things are good, right?"
"You're right. Well, pleased to be working with you, Orek."
"Likewise, Mr. Ferguson."
Little brother seemed pleased with Orek's extremely polite demeanor.
He genuinely welcomed the new member.
Alright then, now that introductions are done, time to seriously train up Orek.
Thud!!!
"Uh, Benefactor. What in the world is that bundle?"
"Elixirs."
"That's all of them?!"
"Ah... That brings back memories."
Perry's little brother gazed at the bundle I brought with distant eyes toward Orek.
"Orek, hang in there. That one bundle..."
"Is a full day's worth!!!"
"What?!"
Oh dear, Orek seems truly shocked seeing one way to get stronger in my dungeon.
If you're gonna commit, go all in!
With elixir buffs, more is always better!
"So! Eat up quick, Orek!"
"Uh... um... uh..."
This isn't some evil army tradition from another country like 'instrument overload' or whatever!
It's just one desperate struggle for survival in the dungeon!
However, these elixirs!
"Urk...!"
"Take it slow. Here's some water."
"Th-thank you."
Even I think they taste awful!
But this is training too.
Life is about facing what you hate to get what you truly want.
And I want to improve these elixirs Orek's eating too!
I once asked the skeleton merchant if he could make them strawberry or grape flavored.
But he gave me that 'you think that's possible?' look, so improvement was impossible!
No choice!
"So endure the pain!"
"Grghhh."
Even Perry's little brother took over two hours to eat them all the first time.
Orek will definitely need ages to get used to the taste.
But! I've already figured it out.
A way to drastically cut that time!
It's none other than!!!
"Orek!!! You can do it!"
"Balac's right! I managed it, so there's no reason you can't, Orek!"
"Grghhh!!!"
Crunch! Crunch!
I realized that cheering from the side makes him eat faster!
Just like in the gym or tough workouts—encouragement from beside you taps into grit for one more rep!
"Yeah!! That's it!! Just a bit more!!"
"Only 10 left now!"
"W-wait, it was 5 just now?!"
"Don't worry about that!"
Of course, there are times like this when the encourager feels betrayed.
But if you get hung up on that, you won't survive this dungeon!
Orek seemed to know it well too—despite his body twisting midway from the awful taste.
He steadfastly succeeded in eating every last elixir.
"Hahaha! You did it!"
"Honestly, with those, it's better to just scarf them down quick."
"True that."
Frankly, gobbling down these tasteless elixirs is the only way to overcome the agony swiftly without lasting harm.
The downside is, eating them this fast leaves you like Orek now—burning white-hot and passing out.
But the elixirs' effects are top-tier!
Why else would Perry's little brother's healing factor recover him the instant he's hurt!
Why else would our muscles compress instead of bulking up!
These are custom-ordered elixirs.
Way better effects and side benefits than store-bought ones.
So, we'll wait till Orek wakes up.
In the meantime, I turned on the video magic tool to check on the guys in my dungeon for the first time in ages.
But... huh?
Those guys?
***************
Before the orc in the dungeon experienced instrument overload, outside Laiter, various knight orders had gathered to enter the Pit of the Abyss.
"""........."""
These were vigorous, prideful warriors, so knights from different orders glared at each other, the air thick with tension.
One wrong word, and they'd all draw swords and charge.
Fortunately, before that, imperial officials and others emerged from the city, calming things down for now.
Then the knight order captains and vice-captains gathered where the imperial clerk was, stating their demands—but as expected!
"We've sealed the most dimensional rifts, so we'll enter the dungeon first."
"Tch, a mere baron's knight order trying to cut in line?"
"What...? Hah, you bastards."
"Knights with such long tongues? I want to cut them off right here."
"Yeah, I've been dying to test if your order's reputation is real—"
"Big talk from empty wagons..."
"Done talking? That your last words...?"
Even with the imperial clerk right there, they bickered over who enters the dungeon and city first!
These knights lived on pride and refused to yield an inch!
But had the clerk anticipated this?
He smiled faintly and drew the captains' and vice-captains' attention.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Now, now, gentlemen. No need for this mind game, is there? The palace knows your convictions and pride well. But cramming all these armed forces into the city at once is impossible. And you know what happens if too many enter the Pit of the Abyss, right?"
"""........."""
"So we've prepared an event for everyone gathered here."
"An event?"
"What's that supposed to be?"
"With so many knights assembled, what else? A 'tournament'!"
""""!!!!!""""
"And with prizes galore, it can decide entry order into the city and dungeon, perfect!"
The imperial clerk basically told the knights to kill each other!
And the effect was tremendous!
Hearing of prizes, rights, and massive honor from the tournament.
Every knight order captain here started glaring while loosening up.
The imperial clerk, watching contentedly, slowly rose and spoke.
"The tournament's in a week, so no fighting till then. But info on the Pit of the Abyss is scarce, so we'll provide it from Laiter. And each order, send two reps."
"Two each?"
"How do we form teams?"
"Up to you. But... if captains or vice-captains here die in the dungeon before the tournament, morale will tank, so I don't recommend it."
"Us dying in there...?"
"Don't underestimate the captains here—"
"No. You'll definitely die."
The knights' pride stung at the clerk's cold, certain tone.
But they weren't foolish enough to ignore imperial advice unless in a pissing contest.
"The hero party didn't conquer it for a year for nothing. Don't get arrogant. I'll take my leave."
Thus, the captains leading their rival orders eyed the departing imperial clerk's back with huge curiosity for the Pit of the Abyss.
And Laiter erupted into a dopamine festival heating up the midwinter.