Dungeon Conquest Complete
Now that we'd taken down the boss—the greatest obstacle and stumbling block in conquering the dungeon—the rest of the process went smoothly.
Something like a treasure orb dropped. Baseball-sized and fitting perfectly in my hand. I picked it up for now. Figuring it might have some separate core, I debated smashing it. I examined it from every angle, turned it over, tapped it, tossed it in the air and caught it. Even infusing it with mana or qi produced no reaction, so I decided to pocket it for the time being. Susan had helped out and even handled the most dangerous part, so taking this much should be fine.
I wonder how the subjugation force is doing. The fact that they hadn't reached the core yet meant they'd run into fierce resistance, I judged. Sigh. I'd heard the surviving scout knight was okay, so I'd mentioned it in my speech, but it looked like that had been a trap after all. Still, with their numbers and the presence of knights and mages, they probably hadn't taken heavy losses.
Then let's quickly clean up the rest. I plunged into the gate, chasing the subjugation force's trail at a sprint. The space was pitch-black without a single light, but that was fine. With Dragon Blood Gong active, my senses were heightened to the point where I could keep my eyes fully closed—narrow slits were more than enough. No interruptions, just follow their traces, so catching up was easy.
I blazed through the 1st floor in seconds. Then the 2nd, 3rd, and swiftly to the 4th.
"Everyone! Sir Damil!"
The moment I hit the 4th floor, I spotted them fighting under glowing orbs and shouted.
"I'll handle this! Just hold on a bit longer!"
I leaped lightly, soaring over the subjugation force. Checking beyond them.
Ah, so that's why. A veritable feast of boneheads—at least a thousand strong. More kept spawning from ahead, pushing back relentlessly, so they couldn't advance an inch.
Better to wipe these out quick and smash the core myself. I kicked off the air with my Dragon Blood Gong-enhanced legs for acceleration, dropping behind the horde.
BOOM!!!
Skeletons shattered to dust just from the impact heat. I held my sword horizontally, eyeing the Dragon Fang Soldiers before me. Blue light flickered in their empty sockets instead of eyeballs. Filled only with the intent to kill enemies. No other emotions. That was a standard Dragon Fang Soldier. Puppets incapable of fear or remorse, acting solely on their creator's will at the moment of forging.
―Dragon Extermination Style.
Secret Technique.
―Dust Sweep.
One of the Dragon Extermination Style's secret techniques. Made purely for overwhelming the violent hordes of a dragon's minions with sheer sword force. The blade didn't need to touch. It didn't have to. Recognizing the foes as a dragon's minions—or dragon-spawn—and swinging at them was what mattered.
With that single strike, the bones filling my vision all cleaved in half.
"Hah…."
"Insane…."
Murmurs rippled through the subjugation force. No wonder—they'd been grappling up close, yet everything charging at them split perfectly in two while they stood unscathed.
"We'll push to the core like this! Cover the rear just in case!"
I shouted as I dashed forward.
"Was the subjugation force… really necessary? That's the question on my mind."
"Don't say it so flatly. We're getting double pay, after all."
I ignored the men's conversation that caught my ear and sped through the 4th floor.
Is this place really underground in the Dragon's Ridge Mountains? If it had abundant resources and safety, dwarves could've built a small city here—it was that vast. Pressing on through the darkness, a pink-glowing core embedded smack in the center of the floor came into view far ahead. The massive crystal core's light output was intense enough to illuminate the surroundings decently. At the same time, I understood why it was called the Gravekeeper Knight. And why this was a grave.
"…Impressive."
Remnants of dragons—nothing but bones—filled my sight. Headless torsos, wingless and forelimb-less skeletons, bisected and scattered remains… As Cardia's disciple, I could tell at a glance they'd fallen to the Dragon Extermination Style. I approached and touched a bone. Crush. It crumbled to powder like a cookie without much pressure. Despite being underground, they were as weathered as any exposed relics.
Susan'll be bummed. She'd been hoping for dragon byproducts from the Dragon Fang Soldiers to process into something useful. No chance now. Not in any sellable state. Well, even after smashing the core, the gate to here would stay open for a while. Something valuable down in these depths? Probably, and that'd be Susan's problem to handle.
It's basically bone dust in an urn anyway, so tidying up the bones shouldn't raise complaints. Thinking of the Gravekeeper Knight's final words, I carefully sliced apart the remaining skeletons. Just sever the lower halves, and they'd collapse on their own—easier than expected. Finally, I shattered the core. A light swing split it in two; the light died, and the crystal stilled. Dungeon conquest complete.
Tired. Time to head home. Wanna make a fire with the kids and grill some meat.
"Solved it. Susan."
"Y-… yes…."
After smashing the core and confirming no more bones spawned, I led the subjugation force back to the city and reported the conquest complete to Susan. We were back so fast that the townsfolk eyed us suspiciously, wondering if we'd really tackled the dungeon. We'd set out at dawn and returned before sunset—a brisk handling that left the force speechless in awe.
"Hah… feels like a dream."
"You too, bro? Damn, those traces outside when we got out…."
"Thought a meteor had hit or something."
I spotted the axe-wielding mercenary and adventurer uncles—frequent sights since departure—muttering in a daze.
"Everyone! Great job!"
I clapped before the senior knights. The finale matters in these things.
"Thanks to you all holding off that horde and buying time, I could take down the boss. If I'd come alone, things wouldn't have gone this smoothly."
My words flipped the citizens' skepticism to "They did it!" with applause. Some in the force clapped back, moved.
"……."
"……."
But the two conspicuous uncles and many others exchanged odd looks. Even as I continued praising them, their eyes said it all.
'Think it'd have turned out different if she'd been alone?'
'…Not a chance.'
"—Thus, Drakanscale will remember your resolve to step up for the city in this crisis! Well done!"
Clap clap clap clap clap.
The plaza filled with applause. Complex faces, relieved ones, disbelieving—none bore despair. I nodded, satisfied.
"…It was an honor fighting alongside you, Lady Aren."
"Good work. Sir Damil."
Sir Damil bowed deeply. His face hovered between gratitude and emptiness.
"…Well done."
The force, listening quietly, clapped in a stupor once I finished. Anyway, solid wrap-up. They'd earned their pay, the city's peace was secured. Hand the rest to Susan—my work here was done. Home time.
"Kids, I'm hooome~"
Sunset evening. Opening the orphanage door, the kids were just prepping dinner. Eating late today?
"You're back?"
Gia, apron on, set stew on the table to greet me.
"Dinner's late. Were you waiting for me?"
"Figured you'd be back around now, so we waited with the kids. Spot on."
"—Ah, Director's back!"
Camella spotted me from the doorway first; the others rushed over excitedly.
"Director! What's that in your hand?"
"Smells yummy!"
"This is what they call a refined aroma. Though saying it smells tasty isn't wrong."
"…Not veggies, I hope. Whew…."
"Pfft, nope. Sorry, Director."
I couldn't help laughing at Chloe's mutter, still scarred by healthy soup. I set the silk-wrapped wooden box from my left hand on the table and unwrapped it.
"Susan… our village lord sent all this."
Inside: premium foodstuffs at a glance. Smoked pork ham legs and sausages, cheese wheels, jars of premium honey, dried fruits galore.
"Whoa! Those sausages look delish!"
"That honey's top-shelf. Mmm, so sweet-scented!"
"Dried mango! Haven't seen one since forever—first since coming here!"
Neatly packed, the kids ogled with sparkling eyes. I'd initially declined, but took it when she said it was for the orphanage kids. Susan speaking so sweetly? Touching. True to her merchant family roots, the variety was generous. Save the ham and sausages; dip dried fruits in honey for snacks.
"Then, I'll leave Eseldra here, change, wash up."
This armor's always uncomfortable. Not cheap gear—Parates' Silver Wolf Knight Order plate, enchanted with protection wards and self-repair, customized for me. But exposing the chest doesn't vent sweat well. Can't strip more without eye-candy for guys, so compromise design.
[Ah, fun times end too soon….]
"That's life. As always, take good care."
[Got it…. Gonna spill today's drama to the elders.]
I descended to the treasury, hung Eseldra as usual, and entered. Scrolled, potions, elixirs sorted by type; luxury junk I was too lazy to sell; gold coins; gear chattering at my arrival. Quick scan to confirm all there.
This spot'll do. Cleared space, set down the Gravekeeper Knight's gem, told the gear I was heading up.
Gravekeeper Knight. Memorable enough for my records. Shame the game skipped him. Maybe I missed it. Either way, rest in peace with your master.
[…What is this.]
Some time later.
[I… haven't vanished?]
A faint light swirled around the Gravekeeper Knight's gem.
[Almost no power left from my kin. Natural, I suppose….]
As if he'd never imagined lingering like this, the Gravekeeper Knight chuckled softly.
[Hahaha… failed even to die, stuck in this world. My apologies, master. Just a bit longer….]
[—What the hell, who's talking?!]
[?!!]
A gruff young man's voice boomed out of nowhere. The Gravekeeper startled. A tiny red flame flickered within the gem. No body, but he sensed surroundings vaguely. A storeroom? He stayed alert.
[Ah, a remnant consciousness? That unique Dragon Fang Soldier Aren took down?]
[…Who are you.]
[Whoa, for real! Old timer! Esel! Sis! This guy's alive!!]
The young man's voice rang like waking a sleeper. Voices responded in kind.
[—For real? Been ages since a newbie joined this treasury.]
A bearded elder's voice evoked an old man.
[Wonder why that girl left it here. Knew it might have a lingering ego?]
A sharp woman's voice followed, laced with suspicion.
[Nah. Inferno. I watched her chatting at her waist the whole time—no way she expected a consciousness.]
A refined, intellectual woman's voice—vaguely familiar—wrapped it up.
[What is this… who are you all?]
[Heh, Eseldra filled us in on your tale. Short version…]
The elder spoke as representative, resounding in the Gravekeeper's mind.
[You can't enter or leave at will. Welcome to some orphanage's treasury.]
[…Pardon?]
[Get along from now on, little bro. Haw haw haw haw!]
[Whoa, a new maknae—didn't think the day would come!]
The old man and youth roared with laughter over him. The Gravekeeper Knight was speechless. He'd never foreseen this ending. Not even a little.