Chapter 33

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 33

Chapter Title: The Chewer (3)

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1st Attempt.

Day 1 of dungeon exploration.

Just like the intruders who had visited Dreamland before.

Yuben's scouting party first checked the number of people who could enter, then used detection magic to grasp the structure of Dreamland.

The result: a maximum of 12 people could enter.

Was it because it was a newborn dungeon? The number of people it could accommodate was small.

Yuben reorganized the scouting party.

First, Yuben as the leader, one 3rd Circle mage as vice-captain, and two wandering knights.

They entered the dungeon with eight soldiers who would handle combat, chores, and supplies.

The soldiers who couldn't enter were told to wait at the entrance and return to the territory if supplies ran low.

"The dungeon map looks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like this. The odd thing is, nothing shows up on detection. Not even the Dungeon Master. It's definitely not jamming, but it's strange..."

According to the mage, Dreamland was close to an empty lot with nothing in it.

'Even for a newborn dungeon, no traps or even a single minion?'

Suspicious.

Yuben instructed them to stay vigilant for any unexpected situations.

The group proceeded.

And they arrived at the elevator where so many Branded Elves had lost their lives.

Screech- Screech-

The elevator was blocking the passage.

"I can't even break it with my sword..."

"Mage, this is different from what you said. You said it was empty."

"Th-this is weird. No jamming, and detection magic clearly didn't pick it up..."

An obstacle they couldn't destroy or remove.

The group was at a loss.

As everyone pondered what to do,

Yuben recalled a line from the materials he'd read before entering the dungeon.

'Dungeons grow stronger by feeding on intruders.'

Thus, newborn dungeons were weak.

It only made sense. Not many intruders had come yet.

'Even wandering knights who can use aura, and their blades don't work on this obstacle? In a newborn dungeon?'

Hmm.

The materials clearly stated, 'Dungeons each have their own unique characteristics.'

This might not feel like just smashing through like typical dungeons.

"We need to investigate inside that mechanical device first."

"I'll check it out."

The 3rd Circle mage raised his hand.

Mages were generally curious types.

The elevator not showing on detection seemed intriguing, so he volunteered eagerly.

"Be careful. Who knows what might happen inside. Hey, watch over him."

"Understood, my lord."

One wandering knight was assigned as the mage's escort.

And then.

Krunch! Krunch! Krunch!

The elevator's chewing motion began.

Moments later, the mage and knight returned as chunks of meat to the group.

"H-Henald, n-no..."

"Wh-what the hell is this..."

Everyone was horrified.

Some wailed and shed tears on the spot for a longtime comrade who had died.

But.

Yuben just stood there, deep in thought.

'I need to learn a bit more, but... I think I'm getting a feel for it.'

.

.

.

Dungeons each have their own unique characteristics.

That meant they were always consistent.

The knight who entered the elevator alone vowing revenge.

Stepped into the unlit corridor and died on the spot.

The soldier who bravely stepped forward to unravel the mystery of the machine.

Encountered a bugman inside and lost his life.

They all shared the fate of becoming corpses without lifting a finger.

Yuben was convinced.

'This doesn't seem like a dungeon that requires that much combat power.'

Think about it.

We just confirmed the lethality of this machine.

If it bared its teeth and chomped the moment intruders boarded, it'd be game over.

But this machine doesn't kill solo riders.

Something in the unlit corridor kills people.

But it doesn't if you don't go into the unlit corridor.

Same for the bugman, probably.

Daring to theorize: it's either non-hostile or ignorable—one or the other.

This dungeon has a way to proceed to the next zone without killing minions or destroying traps.

Escape routes are fundamentally provided.

This machine follows certain rules.

Follow the rules, and you don't die.

Probably the same for advancing.

As mentioned, dungeons are always consistent.

What a simple, straightforward dungeon.

A place that doesn't require that much specialized skill?

Magic and swordsmanship don't work in Dreamland.

Paradoxically, that means you don't need magic or swordsmanship.

Of course, having them is nice.

But do you really need to shell out big money for prideful experts who might go out of control?

If they learn I have escape scrolls, their actions are predictable.

People value their own lives above all.

This place is different from other dungeons.

Clearing Dreamland feels more like solving a puzzle.

"Ahhh..."

"Wh-what do we do..."

The downside was that it was a life-or-death puzzle, morale plummeting instantly.

Yuben spoke to the broken soldiers.

"No need to bring in expensive experts."

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"Sorry, but farewell. I'll tell your families you died bravely in battle."

"M-my lord...?"

They wouldn't listen to the end.

Before anything happened, Yuben tore an escape scroll.

He had a hunch now.

.

.

.

Yuben returned to his territory.

He jotted down the intel and summoned a retainer.

"Back already? What about the ones you took?"

"Dead. Send someone to console the bereaved families with some words and cash."

"......"

"Anyway, bring slaves now. Young, easy-to-handle ones. I think I've found the key to conquering the dungeon."

Despite the events, Yuben casually relayed requests as if it were nothing.

"Understood for now. But what are you writing...?"

"Intel from the dungeon. Read it if you're bored. It's really interesting."

The retainer blinked.

He was always like this, but today the lord seemed especially pleased—hard to read.

"You took two knights and even a mage and failed. Isn't it dangerous? And using slaves who can't fight for scouting? You should stop now..."

"Hey, don't worry. If I die, the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠territory's yours."

"I'll fetch the will right away."

"You bastard... Grab a magic book while you're at it."

"Suddenly?"

"Even basic magic would be handy. Communication and detection should suffice."

And so.

Yuben prepared for the 2nd attempt.

2nd Attempt.

Day 1 of dungeon exploration.

With his retainer's help, Yuben entered the dungeon with slaves.

Ten slaves in total, all young and frail.

A capable retainer had procured them from another territory.

He'd reward him later.

Yuben wasn't that strong.

Elite education since childhood meant he could toy 1v1 with regular soldiers, but three steps below aura knights.

Hence the young slaves.

They were naive and more obedient than soldiers as slaves.

And easy to subdue if needed. That was key.

But no complacency.

One soldier for oversight and promised rewards, just in case.

This should keep them leashed.

No mage.

Aside from detection and communication, no real need for one.

Fortunately, Yuben knew basic magic theory.

Rusty, so some study needed, but he could cover mage duties.

"Listen up. Obey me from now on, and you'll eat your fill. Do great in this dungeon scout, and I might free you from slavery. Got it?"

"Yes, my lord..."

As the ragged, skinny slaves bowed, Yuben patted the head of Heidi, the oldest girl.

"Heidi, right? They say the kids listen to you well. Your role's crucial. Keep them motivated and supported from behind."

"......"

Yuben's tone was gentle.

Like someone winning hearts, but well.

Heidi wasn't stupid.

This was a deadly dungeon.

His words meant: 'Trials ahead, kids might die overcoming them, so soothe them to keep them as pawns.'

"You slave bitch, answer the lord properly!"

"...S-sorry."

Heidi bowed her head.

She hated pain.

Had to submit.

'Dragging us into a dungeon...'

What could she do?

Powerless against injustice.

Her helplessness showed on her face.

The reality of no rebellion stung.

"S-sis..."

"I'm scared..."

"It's okay. Sis is here."

Heidi stroked the trembling kids.

She was scared too.

But as the eldest, she had to seem reliable.

'Will we die here?'

Chewing despair while following Yuben,

"Hm...?"

Thud thud.

Thud thud.

Someone approached from ahead.

And it wasn't a Dreamland minion or trap.

"What the hell, that crazy bastard."

Yuben's serene face twisted in bewilderment.