Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: All is Mind Within the Dungeon
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The rabbit guild members' troubles outside the Abyss Pit were tabled for after the tournament ended.
To fulfill Ballak's request, Karian headed to the 90th floor to find Bellesa.
But after searching everywhere on the 90th floor without spotting her, he approached the dream demons tending to it.
"Oh? Karian, what brings you here?"
"Nice to see you all. I urgently need to meet the Queen. Do you know where she is?"
"The Queen? She's probably on the 50th floor with the city construction plans."
"Ah, thank you so much."
Thanks to the dream demons, Karian finally pinpointed Bellesa's location. He politely thanked them and hurried to the 50th floor.
The 50th floor that greeted him was nothing like what he remembered.
"My god... to think it's changed this much..."
The 50th floor had once been an endless dark swamp blanketing the horizon, with belligerent, grotesque creatures endlessly crawling up from deep underground.
But now, instead of eerie darkness and decay, a vast forest teeming with life stretched out, its massive blue-green trees piercing the sky like ramparts.
In the center of that forest stood walls of bricks glowing with a soft light.
Convinced the city's completion was near, Karian quickly made his way there and looked around.
"Hey~ Move that faster!"
"Got it! Shut it, you little runt!"
"Shouldn't we reinforce this part more?"
"Yeah? Looks like it needs extra enchantments."
"Ughhh!! So... heavy!!!"
"Stop straining yourself and lighten the load, huh? You fall from up there, you're done."
The construction site bustled with gremlins, harpies, ogres, goblins, centaurs, lamias, lizardmen, trolls, and more—
All sorts of races diligently working on their assigned tasks, turning the city construction into a true spectacle.
They were pouring their passion into it, knowing this would be their new home.
As Karian searched for Bellesa amid the site of this burgeoning megacity, he spotted powerful presences gathered at the tallest tower.
He swiftly ascended.
"Hmm? Isn't that Karian?"
"Lich, your minion's here."
"Disciple, what brings you?"
"Master, I hope you've been well. And... Lady Bellesa, Lady Ella. It's an honor to meet you in person."
Thus, Karian met the Lich, boss of the 92nd floor and his master; Bellesa, boss of the 90th; and Ella, the great witch and boss of the 91st.
***************
Who would've thought I'd run into Master and Lady Ella here.
Come to think of it, I heard Master's research group was working somewhere, and that must've been this 50th floor.
Anyway, I explained why Master had sent me here.
"Huh, collecting info on those entering the dungeon."
"And using it to create... virtual training enemies?"
"Hold on, that's actually a good idea."
To my surprise, Master and the other floor bosses looked deeply intrigued by my explanation.
Why...?
"Lich, your minion seems really curious. Why don't you explain?"
"True enough. Disciple, what do you think of the other forces—not like us, thrown into this dungeon?"
"Forces... you mean?"
"Yeah, actually—"
So, since we don't know what the dungeon's managers might do, you're making chimeras for new troops?
"Then, we feed the intel from Ballak's side into the chimeras Master creates!"
"Combine that with our knowledge, and we'll have the ultimate soldiers."
"But can we even control chimeras that powerful?"
"That's why we step in! Right, Ella?"
"Exactly. I'll craft obedience spells first, then Serena on her floor binds them with blood oaths. Finally, Bellesa seals the deal."
Ah, triple safeguards for the chimeras.
And Master last!
"Three-day workweeks—or four-hour shifts in rotating teams. Plus, generous Abyss Coins per hour as dungeon resources. As soldiers, they'll get perks better than most dungeon races."
Wh-what kind of evil genius?!
Ruling chimeras with top-tier treatment and welfare!
Master truly knows how to command minions—terrifyingly so.
No wonder I'm so loyal.
"Speaking of, Abyss Coins have become the dungeon's full-fledged currency now. Who'd have thought this started as praise stamps."
"Life's full of surprises. And this city will run on it."
"She's right. So... Karian, once you're done, check the new bank here. Your rewards for all your hard work are waiting."
"Rewards?"
"Disciple, everyone knows you're the dungeon's herald now. Time for compensation, no? And take this."
Master handed me... a grimoire?!
And a massive one!
"Lately, your duties leave little time for truth-seeking or research compared to the other disciples. Study this."
"N-no way, you mean the author of this grimoire is...!"
"Yes, I wrote it."
Thus, receiving the Lich's compendium of truths, Karian pledged even deeper loyalty to his master.
The Lich sent him to the 92nd floor—now a lab and grand library—to wait until the requested item for Ballak was ready.
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While Karian excitedly pored over the truth compendium on the 92nd floor,
Night fell on the dungeon's 50th floor.
From the untamed earth, grotesque beings crawled up and charged the city.
The city's defensive installations activated, sweeping away the hostile creatures.
"Wow~ Good to see it working perfectly. And Lich, leaving that land as-is was the right call, like you said."
"I figured managers might try hiding here someday. Those things attack indiscriminately—perfect for the job. And those wall magics are impressive. Witches, as expected."
"Our girls nail defensive spells. Too bad Bellesa missed this; she'd have loved it."
Ella and the Lich, verifying their magic on the 50th floor, strolled the city while chatting.
"That's where our research group's building goes, right?"
"Yeah, prime spot, isn't it?"
"Infrastructure's so concentrated, it might get noisy... but better than empty lots for snack runs. Speaking of, I heard you designed this city. How do you know all that?"
"Just the wisdom of ages."
"Come on~ 'Branch Manager,' why hide so much between us?"
"Tch, I told you not to call me that."
"What's wrong with it? Better than 'Director'! And I'm vice-manager."
Bickering playfully, Ella and the Lich toured the city, then climbed the tallest tower—where they'd spoken with Karian—to enjoy the night view.
"So many lights already—it's beautiful. Once the city's done, it'll be even prettier, right?"
"With hordes of races living here, yes."
"You're so stiff. Anyway, what should we name the city?"
"I'm no good at that. You decide."
"Hey, we do it together~ Or else, I'll name it after your real name, Lich."
"Wh-what?! How do you even...?"
"Why so flustered? Everyone knows it anyway."
"Hah, properly got me there."
Delighted by the Lich's reaction, Ella chuckled.
"You've lived less than us, so can't be helped. Plus, your debut overlapped with a famous human mage's exploits."
"Great, being old is fantastic."
"Alterion, that's an insult from my position."
"You really know it."
"Think I'd lie? Why not use your real name? It's nice."
"I forsook all for truth."
"And now?"
"...Call me by it; doesn't matter."
Ella smirked at the seemingly embarrassed Lich—Alterion—and admired the city lights and night sky.
Then, an idea struck, and she spoke.
"Alterion."
"First-naming me now?"
"You said it doesn't matter. Anyway, should we still call this a dungeon?"
"Why bring that up—"
"Hear me out. Know the origin of 'dungeon'?"
"Castle donjon, fortress, labyrinth—lots, but mainly 'underground prison.'"
"Exactly! We're no prisoners, so calling it that forever is silly."
"From the outside world's will and gods' view, we are prisoners."
"We're cutting ties completely now—ignore them. 'Dungeon' feels so drab anyway. Once we fully claim this place, why not rename the whole space?"
"Hmm... After everything's settled, to boost unity—solid proposal."
On Ella's suggestion to rechristen the place, Alterion pondered names. Then, realizing where he stood, he gazed at the false stars above.
"Found something good?"
"A really good name."
"Ooh! As expected of Alterion. What is it?"
"Tower."
Ella nodded enthusiastically at "Tower," joining him to stargaze.
"Tower... paradoxical, but fitting."
"It's layered dimensions from the start. 'Tower' works fine. And... if all believe it's up, not down, it becomes 'above.'"
"It's all about perception."
"Precisely, our collective perception."
As Alterion said, truth is defined by cognition.
If all see this not as a falling pit, but an ascending tower, it becomes one.
"So, we call it 'Tower' from now on?"
"Yes. A name isn't just words—it shapes how we see and feel this place."
"If it changes everything, will we see way more 'stars' than now?"
"Probably. No—definitely more stars."
With their talk done, the two gazed at the sky side by side.
In that moment, this was no longer a dark abyss or endless pitfall.
A small paradise where all accepted each other, living together.
The place closest to the brilliant stars and lofty heavens.
Tower.
That name was their promise, potential, and hope.