Chapter 73
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Trap
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Ruins.
The remnants of a lost history.
Once, they were little more than the remains of estates or religious sites.
But in Odo Baekryeong, their significance had become far more profound.
Back when the Labyrinths first overflowed.
An entire fallen ancient kingdom was swallowed whole, its fragments scattered across countless Labyrinths.
Of course, most of these were common farmhouses or storehouses.
But such ordinary remains couldn't last even a few years in a Labyrinth teeming with monsters.
The traces that still remained were anything but ordinary.
In other words, they were either extraordinary from the start, like royal palaces or temples, or they were once-ordinary buildings that had become extraordinary by absorbing tainted mana.
That was why, for the Crawlers who scoured the Labyrinths for resources, discovering ruins was a windfall.
It was a chance to strike it rich, to change their lives by unearthing ancient treasures.
There were two problems.
Most ruins lay deep within the Labyrinths.
And excavating them was, in itself, an incredibly dangerous and difficult task.
Even high-level Awakened who carelessly set foot in ruins were more likely to die in vain than to succeed and survive.
And so it was.
A vassal of Ren Unlight.
A high-level Awakened with the class 【Archaeologist】☆☆☆.
This was the very reason why Kaul Kade was impatiently tapping his tail.
‘Tsk, I don’t know how much longer I’m supposed to wait for reinforcements.’
A goat-headed demi-human.
Kaul puffed on his hookah, his expression one of discontent.
Of course, he knew.
It was an honor simply to become a vassal of Unlight without being from a noble family, let alone to be entrusted with leading a precious excavation team.
It was an honor that even a Master-class 【Archaeologist】 would find difficult to attain in a lifetime.
Nevertheless, there was one reason Kaul couldn't help but lament his situation.
‘If it weren’t for that damn assailant, or whatever it is, this would’ve been sorted out long ago.’
Gazing at the piles of broken bricks that were all that remained of the ruins, Kaul sighed.
The excavation team had four high-level Awakened.
They even had a Driver with a Divine Beast, albeit a 2-star one.
That alone made it clear how much their patron…
…Ren Unlight, cared about these ruins.
But that was in the past.
After several survey teams went missing due to some unexpected assailant.
Security was tightened for all dispatched personnel, and support was cut off, leaving Kaul feeling utterly stifled.
The only way to breach ruins of this scale was through human sacrifice—that is, by sending people in first to disarm the traps.
Slaves.
Or the lower class.
He was frustrated that he could no longer use the method of indiscriminately pushing them forward to clear the way.
He was puffing on his hookah, trying to soothe his frustration.
That was when he saw something strange.
"Hm?"
The ruins were nothing but the debris of collapsed buildings, save for the occasional monster that wandered by.
Spotting an unfamiliar shadow at the very top, Kaul blinked.
*‘—Crows?’*
As if searching for prey.
Crows were staring intently at the excavation team.
It wasn't just one or two, but dozens of them. Kaul’s face hardened.
The class 【Archaeologist】 was specialized in detecting the traps and dangers of ruins.
His innate talent screamed at him with a primal sense of foreboding.
The moment Kaul, without realizing it, threw down his hookah and shot to his feet.
With a flutter,
The crows spread their wings in unison and took flight.
And then…
*BOOM!*
"Keuk?!"
"I-It's an attack!!!"
A deafening roar.
Burning tents.
A series of explosions.
The entire encampment, centered around the inn carried by the 2-star Divine Beast, was thrown into chaos.
Having been on alert, Kaul, who had narrowly dodged the crows, hastily issued orders.
"All units, battle stations! Form a defensive line around Blackwall!"
Though it was a completely unexpected ambush.
The excavation team responded to his command instantly.
As their profession was excavating perilous ruins, they were accustomed to sudden crises.
Moreover, with the recent disappearances of survey and dispatch teams, everyone had been on high alert.
*‘Damn it! To lose a high-level Awakened in a single surprise attack.’*
That was why Kaul couldn't help but grind his teeth.
Not only had the team of over a hundred been cut in half.
But one of the original four high-level Awakened was nowhere to be seen.
Considering that each high-level Awakened was a powerhouse equivalent to a hundred men, it was a devastating blow.
*‘This is the work of an expert… No, a Master-class high-level Caster.’*
Casters required time for incantations and preparations, but given enough of it, the power of a single spell was unparalleled.
This was something only a Master-class Awakened, one who had mastered their spells, could accomplish.
Kaul judged coolly.
The good news was that the attacker must have exhausted most of their mana with this ambush, so they likely couldn't cast another large-scale spell.
The bad news was…
*Thwack!*
"Kuhk!"
"Kite!"
"You bastard, how dare you!"
…just as Kaul had predicted, the attack didn't end there.
As another high-level Awakened fell, pierced by the sword of a boy who had seemingly sprung from nowhere.
Kaul, along with the remaining high-level Awakened and the other team members, surrounded the boy.
But that was a mistake.
Another assailant, who had been waiting for that exact moment, did not miss the opening they created.
And so, the moment the dark elf maid, who had become a flash of light streaking through the excavation team, swung her aura-clad steel gauntlets.
*CRASH!!!*
—The tragedy had begun.
***
"...You really pulled it off."
The Myoto boy with long bangs that covered his eyes.
Naru muttered uneasily as he looked at the heaping pile of corpses.
He had seen them wipe out survey and dispatch teams several times, but to think the two of them could annihilate an excavation team that included four high-level Awakened.
Even considering the advantage of a surprise attack, it was a truly astonishing feat.
It was something only Dion and Parsha, whose abilities were a cut above other high-level Awakened, could have achieved.
"Hmph. For my master, this much is only to be expected."
"Your confidence is quite something, considering all you did was watch..."
"Did nothing? Please speak clearly. Without me, this ambush would have been impossible."
"Well, I suppose that's true."
Naru's expression was conflicted.
It wasn't just because he found her attitude absurd—acting as if this incredible accomplishment was trivial, despite not having the strength to defeat even a single member of the excavation team herself.
It was because Geumgojigi had, in fact, played a huge role in the ambush.
"Geumgojigi, pack everything up."
"The corpses, too?"
"Yes. We can sort through it later."
"Are you perhaps mistaking my vault for some kind of garbage can?"
The boy pocketed the [Orb of Vengeful Spirits], an artifact that increased the power of black magic in exchange for a curse.
At Dion's command, Geumgojigi, though grumbling, stepped forward.
That was why Naru wasn't surprised by the change that occurred in the mountain of corpses.
*Sssshhhk.*
They sank.
Broken weapons.
The scorched remains of tents.
The mangled, pulped bodies.
Like a ship sinking beneath the waves, everything was slowly descending below the shadows.
And at the source of it all were a pair of shackled, pure white, bare feet.
The shadow extending from Geumgojigi was swallowing the bodies and belongings of the entire hundred-plus member excavation team.
It was a truly astonishing sight.
But Dion took it in stride and gave another order.
"Don't forget the Purified Water. The batch from the Twin Forges is already contaminated."
"Contaminated inside my vault… I don't know what kind of bizarre water this is."
She had once boasted that nothing stored in her vault would ever spoil.
Perhaps remembering the humiliation of having to discard the ineffective Purified Water.
Geumgojigi glared, but she still collected the water flasks containing the Purified Water from the sleeping Divine Beast.
Dion watched her with a faint smile.
*'This is why an inventory is just indispensable.'*
One of the reasons he had to acquire Geumgojigi before any other vassal.
It was her ‘vault.’
A subspace that could store anything, as long as it wasn't a living creature.
Her convenience, surpassing that of a thousand porters, was indescribable.
What was even more amazing was that items stored in her vault were never damaged, no matter how much time passed.
If you put warm food inside, it would still be warm when you took it out months, not just days, later.
Although the Purified Water had become contaminated…
Purified Water, created by the power of a Divine Beast, would normally lose its purifying properties in less than a day, no matter how well it was stored.
The fact that her vault could maintain its potency for several days was, in itself, incredible.
It was thanks to her that they had been able to venture this deep into the Labyrinth without a Divine Beast of their own.
*'Hmm, now what to do with this Divine Beast.'*
With Geumgojigi having cleared away all the corpses and debris.
The ant-shaped Divine Beast, Blackwall, which was carrying a large inn on its back, was left sleeping alone in the empty space.
Dion fell into thought as he looked at it.
A Divine Beast was a Divine Beast, even a 2-star one.
If raised well to 3-stars, it could establish a manor, making it priceless.
The problem was that traveling with a Divine Beast would attract too much attention and restrict their movement.
For starters, they wouldn't be able to use Gates.
For Dion, who had to move stealthily to avoid the eyes of Unlight, it was not an option.
*'If I had more time, I would've taken it to the Twin Forges to sell...'*
"...Looks like that's not going to happen."
"Pardon?"
"We have company."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
What kind of company could they possibly have in the middle of a Labyrinth?
As Naru tilted his head, his rabbit ears shot up in alarm.
Only Geumgojigi remained puzzled.
Dion casually reached out and grasped the [Blade of Lashanta] at his waist.
And…
*CLANG!!!*
"Eek?!"
Geumgojigi was startled.
One moment, Dion had suddenly pulled her toward him and drawn his sword.
The next, sparks flew from the sharply swung blade as it deflected an arrow that had been flying toward her.
Thanks to him, Geumgojigi, who had narrowly avoided getting an arrow hole in her head, swallowed dryly.
Dion took a step forward, shielding her with his body, and said.
"Why don't you show yourselves? You've probably finished setting up your encirclement by now."
*Shhh.*
There was no need to wonder who he was speaking to.
The moment the calm flow of mana stirred.
The surrounding space distorted, and from within the altered scenery, a group of figures emerged.
"...My god."
Knights in black armor.
Wizards in drab robes.
Archers with bone bows.
A tamer commanding a giant made of corpses.
There was even a Driver, riding a Divine Beast, albeit a small one.
A total of twelve.
It was a small number compared to the excavation team of over a hundred.
But seeing the group, which exuded more danger than the entire excavation team combined, Naru broke out in a cold sweat.
*'They're all high-level Awakened...!'*
He didn't have a fraudulent trait like a status window, but the demonic crest on their armor and their aura told him everything.
They were high-level Awakened.
And not a ragtag group recruited from here and there like the excavation team.
This was an organization that only a high-ranking noble could form, composed solely of true fighting machines from among the high-level Awakened.
A ‘Knight Order.’
"Hmm... It seems Ren is angrier than I thought. I didn't expect him to send you, of all people."
After sweeping his gaze over the mysterious knight order that had surrounded them.
Dion’s eyes settled on a single point.
On the 1-star Divine Beast, which looked particularly shabby compared to the other Awakened.
No, to be precise, his gaze was fixed on the thirteenth person, riding in the carriage pulled by that Divine Beast.
"It's been a while, Uncle Alcan."
As a direct descendant of Unlight, it was impossible not to recognize him.
A vassal of Unlight.
A trusted confidant of the Lord of Soma Castle.
And…
"Or should I call you Commander of the Soma Knight Order?"
The uncle of Silan Alcan, whose life Dion himself had ended when he had targeted Arsha.
A high-level Awakened with the classes 【Warlock】☆☆☆ and 【Transmuter】☆☆☆.
Gazing at the palanquin of Sirgal Alcan, Commander of the Soma Knight Order, Dion’s eyes narrowed.
***
[Forsaken Valley]☆☆
One of the common Labyrinths in Odo Baekryeong.
Aside from the occasional discovery of old building remains, there was nothing particularly special about it.
For a 2-star Labyrinth, it took several days just to reach, yet…
it lacked any particularly valuable resources, making it a rare destination for Crawlers and even minor domains.
But at this moment, a tense atmosphere filled the once-quiet Labyrinth.
Facing the cheerfully smiling boy, Dion…
…from the pitch-black palanquin opposite him, a greeting echoed with an ominous air.
[—It has been a long time, Seventh Gongja.]
Deep.
Distant.
But clear.
At the voice coming from within the palanquin perched on the back of the 1-star Divine Beast.
Dion replied with a broad smile.
"Yeah, has it been about ten years?"
[If we count from the last celebratory banquet, it would be five years.]
"Ahaha, that's not right. Five years ago, I was beaten half to death by Ren and couldn't even attend the banquet."
[...Indeed. Forgive my discourtesy.]
At Dion's correction.
The younger brother of the Lord of Soma Castle.
The de facto second-in-command of the Alcan family.
Sirgal Alcan apologized.
His attitude was impeccably polite and respectful.
It was exemplary enough to serve as a model for any vassal, let alone a retainer.
…except for the fact that he remained cooped up in his palanquin, not even showing his face.
But Dion didn't bother to point out Sirgal's rudeness.
He simply opened his mouth and spoke leisurely.
"I'm sorry about your nephew."
[There is no need for your sorrow. Rather, it is I who should feel shame.]
"Shame?"
[But of course.]
He couldn't possibly be unaware that his nephew had died at Dion's hands.
Yet Sirgal showed no hint of resentment or anger toward Dion.
He simply continued speaking with utmost composure.
[To become a sacrifice for a finally Awakened Gongja of Unlight is, in itself, an honor.]
"..."
It might have been different before his Awakening.
But now that he was Awakened, Dion was a legitimate direct descendant of Unlight.
Had his nephew recognized his power and knelt, he might have been impressed, but openly defying him was a mortal sin.
He was clearly stating that such a foolish and incompetent person was no kin of his, and even as a nephew, he had no connection to him.
As Dion narrowed his eyes at the clear line being drawn.
Sirgal continued.
[That is why it is all the more regrettable.]
"Regrettable?"
[This situation, where I am forced to confront the Seventh Gongja in such a manner.]
"..."
[Had you remained quiet, we might have been able to form a good relationship.]
"No, that's impossible."
With a short laugh.
Dion dismissed Sirgal's words with a chuckle and said with a wide smile.
"If you really wanted to maintain a good relationship with me, you shouldn't have touched my people."
[Our people... Are you perhaps referring to the dark elves?]
"That's right."
[To risk your life for mere elves. How amusing.]
*Huhu,*
Sirgal let out a low laugh.
It was closer to a chuckle than a sneer. At the end of it came a quiet question.
[Do you know how I was able to find you?]
"Well, I suppose my trail was too long?"
[Indeed. Far too long.]
Along with the deep voice.
Sirgal asked casually.
[—Isn't that right, you lowly thing.]
Naru and Geumgojigi tilted their heads in unison.
For a moment, they couldn't comprehend who he was speaking to.
No matter how high a noble he was.
Or even a knight commander.
It was hard to understand why he would call his own knights "lowly things."
But as if in response to the call.
A single figure emerged from behind the palanquin, and with a shock like a blow to the back of the head, everything became clear.
"Huh?"
"…!"
Perhaps because she hadn't had time to wash after bludgeoning the excavation team members to death.
Blood-soaked steel gauntlets.
Steel boots flecked with flesh.
And, strangely, a pristine maid uniform.
A dark elf maid whose pearlescent skin and unparalleled beauty only served to deepen the sense of incongruity.
The informant who had revealed Dion's whereabouts—the traitor.
With Parsha standing behind him, Sirgal let out a sneer.
[To have expected sincere loyalty from a mere base elf... It seems the Seventh Gongja's foolishness remains, even after Awakening.]