Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Under the Peach Tree
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While Balrak was receiving various advice from Orek, who knew the ecosystem well, and refining the third chamber's completion,
A tournament was underway in Laiter outside.
"The winner is!! Lord Rodin!!"
"""Woooooooooo!!!!"""
Of course, even though the arena had been hastily built in just a week, thanks to the heavy human machinery that could wield mana, it was quite a spectacle.
Laiter's vested interests, who had made a fortune from the massive transient population up to this point, had invested heavily in this tournament with that money, making the prizes and the scale enormous.
And what happens when such a grand event takes place!
"Hmm? A tournament in Laiter?"
"We granted them short-term autonomy as a reward for their hard work in the last incident, and now they're participating in a tournament?"
"Butler Chief, the schedule ahead..."
The big shots of this world had scheduled preparations for the dimensional rift incident that had occurred before.
But the incident had ended too easily, leaving them with nothing particular to do!
As a result, in the dead of winter, the great nobles spread across the Empire, not to mention the imperial family, began portal-hopping to Laiter to watch the tournament.
And the big shots enjoying the tournament there could partake in Laiter's most famous tourist attraction: Dungeon Surface Skydiving.
"Hahahahahaha!!!"
"Whoa!!!"
"To think I've only just learned of this now!!! I've wasted more than half my life!!!!"
Having experienced extreme sports for the first time in their lives afterward, the big shots toured the sky islands in the mini-dungeon, which maintained a perpetually spring-like warmth unaffected by the outside weather.
The low-level spirits approaching nearby were dealt with by their escort knights, allowing the great nobles to enjoy an even more romantic respite.
But were the big shots so thoroughly satisfied with this utterly perfect tourist course?
They wanted to create their own private rest spots in this mini-dungeon.
"My lord, according to the intelligence we've gathered..."
"Are you talking about those pathetic fools? Sigh... Butler Chief. Consider why they can never establish their own forces in this vast world, my friend. It's not solely because of the entrenched vested interests, I'll tell you that much in advance."
"...Does that mean they chase only the immediate goals before their eyes, without any thought for the consequences?"
"Exactly. Those fools only covet the 'results' we've personally achieved, never pondering the processes that led there. That's why, knowing nothing about this place, they erect palisades and such in vulgar attempts to expand their territory, imitating us."
"Then what shall we do, my lord?"
"First, we must investigate this place—the Abyss Depths—thoroughly, from one to ten. And what lies beyond it as well."
Those who succeed do so for a reason.
As the capable big shots began their conquest of the mini-dungeon, determined to carve out their own spaces in this magnificent realm,
An endless path of grueling labor opened up for their subordinates.
***********
At the big shots' command, bizarre powerhouses began coming and going in the Abyss Depths.
Of course, they died too, overwhelmed by the place's crushing difficulty.
Thanks to their profoundly alien presences, Balrak's party, gathered in the first-floor boss room, also noticed them.
"...They're incredibly strong."
"They're even intensely exploring the interior of this mini-dungeon infused with the essence of nature."
"Brother Balrak, why do you think those beings are here?"
"Probably because of the tournament in the city nearby, as per the info you brought."
Who would have thought not only was there a city near my dungeon, but they'd hold a tournament in the dead of winter!
Somehow, I'd thought the transient population was too high, but it makes sense if there's a city—not just a village—around the dungeon!
So, my dungeon is near a city right in front of the starting village?
Plus, this world has magic, an absurd cheat ability.
Just like how they overcame the third chamber's environment with magic before, they could conquer winter cold and such environmental factors, so it was possible to hold such a massive event even in midwinter.
With nobles having nothing to do amid the trash falling from the sky, they'd flock to the big tournament.
And those guys would naturally be curious about my dungeon, so they're sending scouting parties now—but I can ignore it for the time being.
"But snow's already falling outside..."
"That means we've been trapped in this dungeon for nearly a year."
"Already that much time has passed."
Like the kids said, has that much time really gone by?
With nearly a year elapsed, I surveyed my dungeon.
It had transformed from a bland labyrinth into one brimming with diverse content.
Starting with the skeleton merchant, then Perguson, Orek, and so on—many connections had formed for me.
Looking at it like this....
Dungeon boss life wasn't so bad.
Except for one fact.
"Sigh..."
"Brother Balrak?"
"Benefactor, is something wrong?"
"I've been pondering why my realm has stagnated."
""What?""
What? Their faces say, "What the hell is that nonsense?"
Soon, Perguson spoke up.
"Uh... Brother Balrak, haven't you been getting continuously stronger?"
"As you say, I'm growing externally, but not progressing at all in another aspect."
"No way, you're saying there are more ways to grow stronger besides mana and physical body?"
Tsk, they wouldn't naturally know about wuxia novels here, so no helping it.
Afterward, I gave them a simple explanation of mind, energy, and body.
"A sturdy body, mana flowing freely through it. And finally, the mind that binds those two together."
"I understand what you mean, Benefactor. The body and mana are external, so we can check them immediately, but the mind..."
"Yeah, it's too abstract a concept—no way to verify it, and I still haven't manifested my mind-image world."
I can use sword aura as a solid state—basically, fist aura, the punch version of sword aura—so my level should be around the Flower Realm.
But strictly speaking, I didn't reach this realm through orthodox means; it's basically racial advantage from being a demon with superior physical abilities to humans.
"I rushed too much hearing I'd be dragged into a dungeon. I completely neglected the mental side and focused solely on energy and body training."
"So, you chose focus and specialization."
"But Benefactor, you're still growing stronger with your current method—why not just keep going down that path?"
"No, the Flower Realm is just Flower Realm trash."
The Manifest Realm lets you project your mind-image world outward, wielding god-like powers.
For example, ignoring enemy special abilities.
Or briefly stopping time.
Or regressing upon death.
Or slashing space itself—cheat abilities like that, and you think Flower Realm can beat Manifest Realm?
To a Manifest Realm expert, Flower Realm is just a durable sandbag!
Moreover, as time passes, the game story is obviously heading toward a bad end, and unless I'm at demigod Manifest Realm by then, what then!
If something blows up outside, I can't even go out, let alone do anything.
Plus, another way for me to grow stronger here is leveraging the battle race demon trait: growing through combat.
But can I even find worthy opponents inside this dungeon?
So, no choice for now.
I have to retrace the old man's teachings one by one.
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While recalling the old man's teachings one by one, I need to find a way to cultivate the mind....
But not now!
"Hey~ Skeleton merchant! You're here!"
"Is it really okay for me to join something like this...?"
"Come on~ Of course Karian should be here."
"I've only been here a short while and I'm participating—doesn't make sense for an original member like Karian not to join."
"W-Well, it's a bit embarrassing."
Now I'd called the skeleton merchant here too.
First, I made the dungeon rest area inaccessible to anyone by doubling the mid-boss's specs.
'Healthy smack!!!'
'Wh-What the hell aaaah!'
'Comedesto!'
'Uwaaaaaah!'
'Hmm!! Hmmm!!'
'Keurgh!'
Oh dear.
The sight of everyone being made healthy was utterly gruesome.
Now the players challenging that place faced puppets at double speed.
Seeing the mid-boss that only used cheat skills while walking around, I hoped they wouldn't get crushed.
Anyway! Now no one would come inside.
Activating the illusion device in my boss room, the area began transforming into an environment with a brilliant blue sky.
"Wow~ It's really cool!"
"Benefactor, what in the world is that tree called?"
"That's a peach tree! Commonly known as the tree that bears peaches, a type of fruit."
"A tree that bears fruit has such beautiful flowers..."
Soon, a fragrant floral scent filled my boss room as vivid pink petals fluttered down from the blue sky.
We admired the sight while spreading out under the largest peach tree.
There was only one reason for this gathering.
A celebration party for surviving a full year in the dungeon!
"Now that preparations are done, everyone—you've all worked hard surviving a year in this dungeon!"
"Brothers Balrak and Karian worked the hardest."
"Perguson is right."
"Hahaha....."
"Heh, you rascals...."
Honestly, we'd spent the past year just running the dungeon and training—surely we could relax a bit today!
Refreshing is always the right choice to avoid burnout.
"Brother Balrak, aren't you taking off your helmet?"
"Ah, this?"
"Huh?! Uh, Benefactor—food's going into your helmet!?"
"Karian, is there such magic?"
"It's enchanted for the wearer's constant safety... but seeing it in action like this is a first for me too."
That's right! My armor is the ultimate armor!
I can eat without even removing the helmet!
Still, for a face-to-face gathering like this, I should take it off as Perguson suggested!
After removing my helmet and chatting idly with the others, Karian stared blankly at the sky, seemingly moved by the sight.
"I never imagined we'd reach the point of having such a peaceful party inside a dungeon."
"Yeah, we started with absolutely nothing. And this is all thanks to your help, Karian."
"Huh? Y-You called me by name...."
"What's wrong with today! Right, Perguson? Orek!"
"Heh heh heh, having the Benefactor call my name feels better than I expected."
"They say people who change too drastically cause big trouble—don't go causing issues, Brother Balrak."
"Don't worry! I'll always be healthy!"
Thus, Balrak, who had called his family by name, stood up and raised his glass of liquor high.
"Come on~ Let's all keep surviving together in this dungeon for a long, long time!"
"Of course! Brother Balrak!"
"Benefactor, I'll follow you too!"
"...I never thought I'd feel such warmth inside a dungeon."
"That's only natural! And though our races differ, we're brothers bound by fate! Everyone ready?"
""""Yes, sir!!!""""
"For the brothers gathered here!!"
""""Cheers!!!""""
And so, the men gathered under the peach tree looked up at the sky where pink petals danced, etching anew the bonds they'd formed in this dungeon into their hearts.
And that friendship would grow deeper and stronger today.
Episode 4: Sworn Brothers END.