Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Julius
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This is an old post.
I've always told you all to survive as long as possible, but I never thought I'd be the first to go.
The situation is the worst. All my minions are dead, and almost all the traps are smashed.
I'm holed up in front of the core room now... but honestly, I don't think I can beat these guys.
Anyway, these Branded Elf bastards said they'd let me live if I spilled secrets about other dungeons.
Screw that—loyalty to you guys comes first, and they'd take the magic stone anyway even if I burned everything... so I told them to fuck off.
True man's honor, right? Lol.
Don't worry too much—no harm will come to you from this, even if I die.
Is it bad luck, or am I just an idiot...
If I'd known, maybe I should've picked a steampunk theme like Golem King.
Sorry for coming with bad news when you're all struggling...
But I wanted to say this might be my last message to you...
...
...
...
...
...
Feels so much better after spitting out all the things I always wanted to say.
I don't want to die, but what can you do.
I wanted to survive long enough to bullshit and share info with you all.
But this is fate, so I'll just accept it.
Not sure if anyone will grieve, but if it applies to you, just accept it too.
One last request.
Later on, if—and I mean if—these fuckers show up at your dungeons.
Make them pay, nice and thoroughly. Then I can rest in peace on the other side.
Especially that elf bastard Julius. Total scumbag.
Remember my favorite minion? He killed it right in front of me, made it suffer horribly.
Please give him the same. I'm begging you.
Anyway, time to go.
Even if I die, I'll take at least one with me.
Live long, everyone.
And I hope you're happy.
As I explained before.
The Dungeon Gallery is a place for camaraderie, but at the same time.
It's where Dungeon Masters share info to make blocking waves a bit easier.
Besides the daily life posts and live updates I usually share on the gallery.
All sorts of posts from various fields pop up.
For example, info on the races living in this world and such.
Thanks to that, even a newbie like me can easily access unfamiliar data.
And pull up whatever I need right away with search.
Of course, newbies get special treatment on DunGal.
We mostly get help from the veterans who know a ton.
But some things are awkward to ask about directly.
The search function is super handy for those.
Now that I've come to the Forest of Life.
I dug through all the Branded Elf-related posts.
And found some from way back by a Dungeon Master called Totot Sage.
Stuff on their culture, tendencies, attitudes, tech they use, types of magic.
Intellectual levels, average combat power—tons of useful info.
The Forest of Life info the veterans told me about.
Was mostly based on Totot Sage's posts too.
Yeah... he was a really upbeat guy, right? One of those likable anonymous posters... super well-organized info, traded jokes to keep the vibe light and fun...
You know that type? Even with heavy shit going on, turns it into humor and keeps an upbeat atmosphere...
He was so dedicated to DunGal! Cheered us on every day to survive long, practically no one disliked him—a really pure soul...
It wasn't just Shib Love Dog.
Jootak, No Subordinates Only Me, and other users remembered Totot Sage fondly too.
The reason I asked about him specifically.
Was because he was the author of the Branded Elf posts.
He's dead, right?
Yeah...
Killed by Branded Elves?
Yep.
He was a Dungeon Master murdered by Branded Elves in the Forest of Life.
Nobody starts out strong. Everyone has a childhood phase—even Dungeon Masters.
We're all high-level now, untouchable by most, but back then levels were low. Way more DMs around too. Yeah, that's how it was.
Totot Sage was a fun DM, no idiot either, but the Branded Elves he ran into were nastier and stronger than expected... bad luck, basically.
I don't know Totot Sage personally.
Never talked to him, and I wasn't a Dungeon Master back then.
I only came across his posts for info.
Learning his story was pretty much coincidence.
What is it...
Doesn't feel like someone else's business.
Maybe because I'm up against Branded Elves too.
Right now, I feel like I can be colder than ever.
Totot Sage asked for revenge on the Branded Elves.
Human greed has no end, and with escape scrolls around, my guess is they'll come back.
Who's Julius?
Big boss of the Forest of Life. Used to be a regular Branded Elf, but apparently devoured Totot Sage's magic stone—talented or lucky. Not a blessed one, but young for an elf and already reputed as a powerhouse.
Hmm...
But he's magic stone obsessed, so don't worry too much!
As a junior who got free info...
Isn't it only right to handle the senior's revenge?
I decided to play the patient fisherman.
Waiting for the right moment.
Forest of Life.
Branded Elves headquarters, elders' chamber.
"Did you really confirm they entered?"
"Yes, Lord Julius."
"You're sure?"
"Absolutely. Plenty of us saw them enter—not just me. The Branded Elf exploration team led by Tyr has entered Dreamland. No doubt."
Elder Julius stroked his chin.
Tyr had definitely entered Dreamland with an escape scroll.
She should've been able to escape even if things went south, so why did she die?
His subordinate's testimony ruled out her fleeing with the scroll.
'Dungeons have tons of variables, but Tyr's not the type to lose control. Did they spot the escape scroll early on and things spiraled?'
No clue.
His face stiff, he drummed the table.
He'd cleared the dungeon once before.
Dreamland was about half a year old per the mages' estimates.
But the one Julius faced was from a decade earlier.
Even in worse conditions back then.
He'd killed the Dungeon Master and claimed the magic stone.
Tyr was reliable not just in skill, but as a person.
Most loyal to him in this forest.
That's why he gave her the escape scroll.
'Of course, magic stones turn anyone's head, so I didn't trust fully.'
He never expected her to clear in one go.
Dungeons are tricky by nature.
Even new ones hide sharp teeth.
This was more recon for info.
"......"
Sacrificed the scroll and minions.
Zero gains.
Shit mood.
Julius pondered deeply.
'Need to rethink team comp. Heavy losses. Took lots of fighters and still failed—maybe packed with magic traps. Losing Reverio, our best mage, hurts.'
Not giving up.
Fully doable.
'Two escape scrolls. Two chances.'
Couldn't buy more? Sure he could.
He was a villain who'd made bank on crime.
But.
Some pricey items can't be bought no matter the cash.
Escape scrolls, exactly.
Why so expensive?
A bitch to make, limited mages who can.
Space school sells fewest items.
Finished scrolls go to blessed first.
Crooks like Julius pay way more time and money.
Not just flash cash.
"......"
Still, after thinking it over.
Doable.
He's strong.
Top magic knowledge, brute force too.
Devoured a Dungeon Master's stone, after all.
Plus, atmosphere's turning sour.
South Kingdom gearing up to purge Branded Elves.
Humans as usual—use us when convenient.
Now public hates us, labeling enemies, scapegoats.
Tons invested; fleeing's huge loss.
But.
Secure the stone.
Not just recoup losses—massive profits.
Skip it? Coward pussy.
Didn't take long.
Julius entered Dreamland with a new exploration team.
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.
Screech... screech...
Julius swallowed hard.
Staring at the veiled, rusty machine.
Her name was Tyr, right?
In the rulebook she left.
Were phrases like this:
1. Ride suspicious machines alone.
2. Avoid unlit corridors.
3. DieYouFuckingRetardedBastardsJustDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDieDie
4. Do nothing.
I struck through it.
And rewrote it more rulebook-like.
These things need some flair, right?
.
.
.
.
Dreamland Entrance Guide
1. Elevators are single occupancy.
2. Unlit corridors are not part of Dreamland. Never step in.
3. If you have an escape scroll, don't let your allies find out. Could lead to gruesome results.
4. If you can't proceed, suicide is an option.
5. ......
6. ......
Newbie, when's the live update? ㅠㅠ
Heard Julius entered this time. For real... wonder how it'll go...
Probably has escape scrolls and tons of caution... killing him might be tough...
Maybe Newbie can pull it off?
Saw him sow discord before... Newbie's got real Dungeon Master talent ㅇㅇ
From what I hear, Julius is greedy as hell—might not quit till he grabs the stone, so he could bite it this time ㅇㅇ
Future Dungeon Master avenging a past one... intriguing.
Lol these guys don't even consider Newbie's dungeon falling—that's hilarious.
Newbie's anomaly winning is beyond imagination...!
No need to force Totot Sage's revenge. Your life comes first, always.
Good luck on this wave too.
Newbie yamm!
Heard somewhere... 'If you swear to yourself after this wave, "I'll marry Sarang," even the blessed can't stop you' ㅠㅠ
(Newbie's expected answer: Yeah, sure, love you)
What a nutjob lol
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I set down the pen.
No intention of gifting this to the intruders, obviously.
This rulebook's to help the veterans understand.
Upload it to the gallery after the live update ends.
And.
Today's camera-monitored scenery went up on the gallery too.
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