Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Dungeon Monster Reinforcement
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I was idly touching the screen, sightseeing the dungeon, when an alarm popped up.
A group had entered the dungeon.
"Oh, we've got intruders?"
I checked right away, and it was an odd combination.
A Holy Knight at the front was leading several others.
I immediately touched each of the people entering the dungeon one by one.
Touching them didn't trigger any special effects.
It just brought up a simple description above them.
[Adventurer]
It was a really basic description.
Hoping for something different, I clicked on each one.
But no matter who I clicked, they were all the same.
"Just your average adventurers, huh?"
They all just showed up as plain adventurers.
I'd thought they might be some invading force since there were so many of them, not just adventurers.
I stared intently at the adventurers on the screen.
"Just a party, then?"
Dungeons were dangerous places.
That held true not just on Earth, but on the Eldorado Continent as well.
Since tackling them solo or in small groups was mostly impossible, people always formed groups.
The most basic form of group was the party.
Like-minded adventurers banded together into parties to conquer dungeons.
And this group looked like they'd formed a party and come in together.
I zoomed in on the screen to check their gear.
"Hmm... doesn't look all that impressive."
Their equipped gear didn't seem particularly high-level.
At best, bronze-grade?
A few had decent stuff here and there, but even that barely reached silver-grade.
"This'll be easy to block."
After gauging the intruders' levels, I settled in to watch.
Come to think of it, intruders had visited the dungeon several times before.
Among them were not just adventurers, but even Holy Knights from the Church.
So I'd assumed this adventurer group was targeting my dungeon.
But judging by their gear, they were just unlucky passersby.
"If they knew what monsters were in here, they never would've come."
And the Holy Knight leading them wasn't just any ordinary one.
[Banshee (★★★)]
- Controlling the mind of Holy Knight 'Eric'.
Its true nature was a Banshee.
A monster guarding Zone 1 of the dungeon, manipulating the Holy Knight's mind.
"These guys will come in handy."
The Banshee was one of my monsters, drawn in the last gacha pull.
Useless against high-rankers, but pure nightmare fuel for no-names like these.
And sure enough.
The Banshee-controlled Holy Knight lured the adventurers deep into the dungeon.
Then the waiting Banshees pounced on the defenseless adventurers.
What followed was pure chaos.
Adventurers stabbing their own throats, swinging swords at their comrades.
The dungeon interior was drenched in blood.
If I were a regular Awakener instead of a normie, I might've puked right there.
"Guess this counts as lucky."
Having worked as a porter and seen all sorts of things, it wasn't horrific enough to faze me.
I just felt indifferent.
Of course, I wasn't without pity for them, but it was karma in the end.
If they ever made it to the dungeon core without dying, it'd be my last day.
So I just had to do my best.
"Once this penalty's lifted, time for a major overhaul."
I'd been managing the dungeon too frantically lately.
Plus that incident not long ago meant it was time to tweak the chain of command.
Got lost in thought for a sec, and the situation wrapped up.
Seven adventurers left, all covered head to toe in blood.
And under Banshee control.
The atmosphere was straight-up terrifying.
They bolted out of the dungeon on the Holy Knight's orders.
"?"
A Death Knight trailed behind the fleeing ones.
"What the hell's with this guy."
Why were they all trying to leave the dungeon?
Wanderlust or something?
I tapped the Death Knight and issued a command.
Simple order: stay in the dungeon. It obeyed just fine.
The Death Knight slunk back with slumped shoulders.
Well, it came back, but then turned around again.
And started dragging the corpses of the freshly dead adventurers.
More precisely, the Death Knight moved on Celia's orders.
"As expected, only Celia can manage Death Knights here."
Made sense.
She had the highest rank around.
The Death Knight hauled the bodies to one spot.
Destination: the altar at the dungeon's heart.
It stacked the shoulder-slung corpses one by one on the altar.
Celia nodded in satisfaction at the sight.
Sacrifice alarms rang out simultaneously.
It had been ages since the last ones.
Of course, fully absorbing them would take time.
Six whole hours.
"Gonna pass out again."
From past experience, absorbing sacrifice abilities always knocked me out.
The difference this time? Even if I blacked out, someone would guard me.
Maru.
This was home, so safe enough.
But nothing was absolute.
No guarantees it'd stay safe forever.
Prepping for contingencies now seemed smart.
"Maru, come here."
I turned and ordered Maru.
From now on, whenever sacrifices were offered, Maru would stand guard around me.
Luckily, Maru got it.
Maru drew the magic sword from its waist and took position beside me.
"This should do it."
Maru would protect me even at the cost of its life.
Now I just waited to pass out.
But.
Another alarm blared.
"Dungeon Monster Reinforcement?"
It was one of the systems that appeared after acquiring the 'True Dungeon Master' trait last time.
All locked, so I had no clue what they did.
Just guesses.
Now I finally had a clue to unlock one. Hard not to get excited.
Still locked, unusable for now, but I'd unlock it eventually.
"Does the number of sacrifices unlock them?"
That was my last memory.
"Ah..."
Sudden wave of drowsiness—I just let it take me.
The adventurers split into two teams.
One to track the mystery footprints, the other to backtrack their path.
The footprint trackers kept trekking through the mountains.
Guide Naril led, confirming traces and setting the route.
Warrior Grekto stood guard nearby.
The rest followed in vigilant formation.
They definitely looked like veterans.
No rash moves, advancing steadily.
How long had they followed the faint dirt tracks?
A dungeon appeared ahead.
But it wasn't just the dungeon.
Orcs stood before it, eyeing the adventurers.
"W-what the hell!"
Goblins surrounded the orcs too.
The sudden ambush threw the adventurers into panic.
And the monsters looked ready for battle any second.
"Damn it! A trap?!"
The footprints they'd followed were mostly skeletons.
But no skeletons—or anything like them—in sight.
Just run?
Couldn't turn their backs.
Monsters would pounce the moment they did.
Fighting head-on was iffy too.
Way too many opponents.
As the adventurers hesitated in this bind,
"I beseech thee!"
Skol from the orc group called out to them.
"Fight me one-on-one to the death. Win, and I'll let you all go free."
The proposal stunned the adventurers.
Why would a monster offer first?
They had the numbers advantage.
Maybe a whim.
Or monster entertainment.
But none refused.
They eyed each other, hoping someone else would step up.
"......"
No way out anyway.
Even if they broke through, casualties would be brutal.
Not everyone would survive against that horde of orcs and goblins.
So they had to go all-in on the orc's duel challenge.
Win, and they'd live. A lifeline from the heavens.
"...I'll do it."
Warrior Grekto stood.
He approached the orc with his massive greatsword and shield.
A chill wind blew through the forest.
They locked eyes.
"I am Skol, chieftain of the Red-Haired Tribe!"
Grekto spoke to the introducing orc.
"You really let us go if I win?"
He double-checked.
Grekto still needed these adventurers.
Not out of humanity, but as tools to complete his commission.
Skol nodded lightly at the question.
Final confirmation given, Grekto nodded too.
No idea why a monster made the offer, but it wasn't bad for him.
As Grekto thought that, Skol was thinking the same.
Skol had no reason to lose—he was confident.
His earlier taunt was just a bluff to psych them up.
Fighting scared foes was no fun.
"......"
Brief silence.
Then wordless battle cries erupted.
As if on cue, both charged.
Skol's massive axe could fell even thick forest trees.
That destructive power swung at Grekto.
But shield-bearing Grekto was no pushover.
Bang-
Axe met heavy shield, sparks flying.
Perfectly even—no give from either.
They swung relentlessly, dodging lethal blows.
Grazes added up, drawing blood.
Wounds multiplied, blood and sweat spraying.
Tension peaked, atmosphere boiling.
Skol tried overwhelming with size; Grekto countered with skill.
Precarious balance, heavy breaths filling the air.
The fight's endless weight engulfed them.
As it dragged on, Skol inched forward.
Subtle, but gaining the edge.
Grekto refused to yield despite the power gap.
Block, block, and wait for an opening.
Strike without mercy when it came.
But Skol dodged effortlessly.
Countering with savage axe swings.
Grekto backpedaled, raising his shield.
Skol's axe clashed mid-air.
Screeech-
Eerie sound from the shield.
"Haha! Thou art a true warrior!"
Even blocked, Skol laughed heartily, eyes on his foe.
"May this battle rage on! Kek! This glory to the Ruler!"
Skol loved this.
When was the last thrilling fight?
He'd love to recruit this guy for daily spars.
But impossible—he'd invaded the Ruler's domain.
No mercy for personal desires.
Skol ramped up the pressure.
Species gap? Experience? Foe's strength waning.
But he couldn't slack—that'd disrespect him.
Trample a warrior's honor? Never.
Skol poured on more power.
"Here I come!"
That instant, Skol's axe gleamed in the sunlight.
It cleaved air toward Grekto.
"......"
Red blood poured from Grekto's mouth.
His greatsword and shield hit the dirt.
His stance crumbled, head rolling free.
But Skol didn't pick it up.
Just closed his eyes in silent tribute.
"A fine bout."
At least a worthy warrior.
Honor his passing.
Tribute done, Skol turned away, replaying the fight.
And moments later.