Chapter 94

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 94

Chapter Title: Tenacity

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"Ugh."

"Good job."

I'd more or less wrapped up the surveillance.

It was all thanks to Malang's power.

As a reward, I gave it a good, crunchy petting.

I'd figured out Lorenshia's scheme.

Yeah, yeah.

You came up with something pretty clever, huh.

People always find a way.

Back on Earth where I lived, humans even made it to the moon.

Seemed dungeon worked the same way.

They use magic to log info inside the dungeon.

From an intruder's perspective, that's pretty kickass.

If they could pull it off, anyway.

The Ink Rat's manipulation ability kicks in, after all.

Memory manipulation is a super useful gimmick for recycling anomalies.

If they could neutralize that...

Conquered anomalies turn into empty shells, like the elevator.

It'd makeing Dreamland—which was impossible before—suddenly feasible.

That's the kind of method they were aiming for, I figured.

"Fun."

That was the conclusion.

Intruders couldn't pull that off right now.

But the future? Who knows.

Tech advances and all.

Is this how Joseon folks felt seeing those Japanese pirates with matchlocks during the Imjin War?

Best counter was jamming, obviously.

It works against all magic.

Looked like getting a jamming device right now wasn't happening.

Everyone was too far away.

And the high-level players who could provide jamming devices were super limited.

Best to give up on the jamming device for now.

Regrettable, but unavoidable.

Nothing to do but hope Magic Hero ends up nearby next shift.

They couldn't pull off that method right away anyway.

Still, you never know.

Lorenshia might go "Eureka! The secret to magic and anomalies!" out of nowhere.

Can't say 0% chance.

Even if intruders made it, Dreamland wouldn't fall helplessly.

But better to prepare.

Crushing hopes is my specialty.

Losing memory manipulation would suck too much.

I tapped the table.

They're intelligent, but so am I.

There had to be a way.

"A way to break magic without jamming..."

Thinking about it...

This might be solvable super simply.

I posted the question in the gallery.

And then...

"No need to worry after all."

"Ugh."

Seemed doable.

Watch out 'cause they're elf-haters?

Sorry, but I'm an elf-hater too, so we're good.

I hugged Malang with peace of mind.

Ei's condition worsened further.

The count's worries deepened at his daughter's unbearable state.

"......"

He stood at a crossroads.

Let his daughter go, or the dungeon one more time.

He still hadn't discarded the Dreamland guide.

Lingering attachment.

No other way, no matter how he thought.

Manastones were unobtainable now, no matter the money.

And funds weren't ample.

"......"

The world would keep turning even if Ei died.

Like when Anemone died—back to normal.

He'd remain Count Wolfhaufen.

Handle duties, chat with subjects and retainers, live peacefully.

Just...

A fragment missing.

Sun rises, moon rises, clouds drift.

Under that sky, busy life continues.

'The world changes nothing.'

That was certain.

But...

A world without Ei in the count's eyes...

Was an utterly empty, meaningless void.

Her absence would choke him.

So.

He had to.

No arms?

Use legs.

No legs?

Teeth then.

Get Dreamland's manastone.

That's a father's duty.

His promise to his wife.

Count Wolfhaufen resolved.

All or nothing.

Irresponsible as lord.

But fulfilling as father.

He wrote his will.

If he died in Dreamland,

heir to Belluga.

Post-death instructions for Wolfhaufen too.

Put the will in the drawer.

"If I don't return."

Show this to everyone.

Left those words with a trusted servant.

No intent to die.

Planned to return alive.

Couldn't leave irresponsibly.

Had to leave it.

Count went to Ei's room last.

Ei slept soundly.

Fever down for now.

Pain subsided.

No groaning tonight.

But.

Didn't know when it'd worsen again.

"Daddy'll be right back."

"......"

"Sleep tight. I'll bring the manastone for sure."

Exiting Ei's room.

Belluga waited, arms crossed.

"You going?"

"Yeah."

"Escape scroll? Knights? It's a multi-run dungeon, you suicide maniac?"

"Not soloing. Plenty desperate for manastones like me. Gonna team up."

From start to end.

Her brother never listened.

"Please, bro, snap out of it."

"......"

"Not your fault with Ei or sis. Unavoidable. Give up already. No different from dying like a dog."

Count had no words.

So he placed a hand on Belluga's shoulder.

"Always sorry to you."

"..."

"Sorry again. Mind the territory."

Belluga's lips trembled.

Watched her brother's back recede.

Wanted to stop him.

But her hand wouldn't reach.

Count Wolfhaufen thought.

Dreamland no longer territory business.

Personal now.

So shed the title, stand alone.

Couldn't drag territory folk anymore.

He had two things:

Knight-level combat skills, personal wealth.

Better grab an escape scroll.

Couldn't distribute to a full party like before.

But one he could buy.

Ideal to clear in one go.

But honestly impossible.

Count visited Gray Tower first—space magic hub.

"One escape scroll?"

"Yes."

"Last time you bought in bulk?"

"Circumstances."

"I see. Good luck."

Space mage clicked tongue watching count leave.

"Tsk tsk. Dwarves too, huh. What a devilish dungeon."

Key to: personnel.

To avoid Dungeon Master.

Needed elites who could crush regular soldiers easily.

And beyond skill, crucial was resolve.

Must conquer the dungeon.

Without that grit, they'd break in Dreamland.

Count contacted info broker he knew.

Hunted elites desperate for 'manastones'.

PTSD-retired knight, black mage, noble killer, half-ogre from forced ogre-human breeding—shady figures unfit for sunlight appeared before the count.

Normally, wouldn't associate.

No, would've jailed them on sight.

But now, desperately needed.

"Pleased to meet you."

He mustered courage.

Extended hand to underworld types first.

But.

Chilly reception.

Makes sense.

The man before them was Wolfhaufen's lord.

Underworld folk usually hate nobles.

To just rulers, they were cancer.

Without credible broker,

They wouldn't have shown.

"Heard you all desperately need manastones."

"......"

"Same here. No long talk. Need comrades to gather manastones together. Want your help."

"Reward split...?"

Half-ogre asked cautiously.

"Fair five-way."

"Can we trust that?"

Black mage asked.

"Any trustworthy guys here?"

Retired knight drawled.

"Nope."

Noble killer agreed.

Atmosphere was a mess.

Unimaginable in Wolfhaufen team.

But what could he do.

This was his best shot.

Count told them:

Dreamland full of unknown anomalies.

Explained in detail; all faces soured.

But.

"One slip and head rolls..."

"Unlike other dungeons, 0% chance for manastones? Nah."

"Bunch of disagreeable bastards, but cooperation essential for."

"Shared goal proves trust."

They craved manastones like him.

No aversion.

Guys ready to die.

Not bad vibe.

"I'll prep supplies. Dreamland details en route."

Thus, the party formed.

Thought next intruder was Lorenshia.

At least before location shift.

Maybe once...

Unexpected intruder.

The count's tenacity exceeded my expectations.