Dungeon Hunter - Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Episode 44. Return (2)

The four demons—Duke Depella, Marchioness Anastasia, Count Amorn, and Marquis Generald—from Pandemonium’s camp had gathered. They were filled with excitement.

Even if they were from the same camp, it was unusual for demons to gather together. However, they did so because they had a very important business.

A fierce battle was going on in front of them. It seemed like it at first glance. But actually, it was extremely favorable to one side.

Four demons sent an overwhelming number of monsters to defeat Dark Elves, a few angels, and high-grade monsters.

Krathra, Mago, and Tashumal were all strong, but they were wounded and exhausted. It was as if the demons had been hitting a huge rock over and over. Then the rock eventually began to crack.

“I heard there is something extraordinary on the 15th floor. The resistance there is tougher,” Marchioness Anastasia said.

All the remaining forces in the dungeon gathered to stop them. It was the first large-scale resistance since they had hit the dungeon for the first time.

Duke Depella grinned. “That’s just a last-ditch effort. The monsters that blocked us for a year are mostly gone. Randalf Bruciel…I’m surprised he hid so much power. It would be difficult for us to reach this far had we not enlisted Pandemonium’s assistance.”

Pandemonium was the oldest among the Archdukes. He had solid knowledge and familiarity with magic. He devised a simple way to twist the flow of mana in the dungeon. Also, Pandemonium was the one who figured out about Randalf Bruciel being the owner of this dungeon.

Thanks to that, the advance was pretty easy. They ensured that the fairy was unaware and unable to foresee their movements. They also made her lose control of low-intelligence monsters.

“Still, it took a year,” Anastasia muttered, displeased despite their success.

The death of Randalf Bruciel was confirmed during the last year’s auction. He had not shown up at the end. They figured out that he died while fighting against Oculus. In the process, Pandemonium uncovered the location of Randalf Bruciel’s dungeon.

There had been no problem until then. Subduing an ownerless dungeon should be a piece of cake. But the remaining power of Randalf Bruciel was beyond their imagination.

The quality and quantity of monsters were not something a demon could gather in the third year. It wasn’t an issue to be taken lightly. That was why the four demons had joined forces. Even so, it took them a year to come this far.

Had Pandemonium refused to assist them, they probably could not defeat the high-level monsters.

‘They lasted a year without any reinforcements.’ Anastasia gnashed her teeth.

They only managed to reach the 14th floor in a year. Troops weren’t able to be recruited without the owner of the dungeon. Yet, they persisted desperately. It was completely frustrating.

They gathered all of the remaining monsters to protect the 15th floor. It was a chance for victory. Now, they just needed to end it.

Depella, who stood next to Anastasia, said, “I sense a presence from the 15th floor. It is similar to the Tree of World, but more intense. Our master, Pandemonium, asked us to bring it to him. I wonder what they are hiding there.”

It was natural for the demons to wonder. There was ‘something’ hidden on the 15th floor.

Randalf Bruciel had shown strange behavior from the moment he first appeared. He had an overwhelming number of points that the other demons couldn’t imitate. Oculus once had used a shortcut to replicate Randalf’s identically, but it was still lacking.

Therefore, the four demons speculated on the possibility of a ‘secret’ being hidden on the 15th floor involving how Randalf Bruciel had collected huge points every year.

“Let’s end this.”

Depella moved, and a giant followed him. It was Titan, the highest among the high-grade monsters at level 2. He was the master of hand-to-hand combats, and his entire body was covered with metal armor. Even Gigantes had been defeated by Titan.

Depella had purchased him at the last auction. His power was beyond expectations. He would be the perfect one to wreak havoc in this situation.

“They won’t hold out anymore.”

Depella and the other demons were all beaming in satisfaction.

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A red spear flew through the air.

Thud!

A weak and struggling body fell to the ground.

“Argh!”

It was Krathra. He was an unyielding warrior who encountered countless enemies since the demons invaded the dungeon. He had never given up, but he was like a rock slowly being chipped away.

After Krithli was trapped by the enemies and suffered a critical injury, Krathra pushed himself further. However, he had also reached his limit.

‘I have to stand up.’

He tried to stand up, but he couldn’t. His shoulder and back were pierced, so there was a chance that he might become disabled.

As Krathra fell, numerous monsters surrounded him.

He had been fighting and killing more than a hundred monsters alone, but all hope was lost as he couldn’t move any longer.

‘I should protect it…’

The Tree of Origin was behind him. It was the hope of Dark Elves and a comfortable home for them. Krithli, who was being treated there, would die, too.

‘No. We hardly find this place. We promised when we started anew to settle down here…to protect it…’

But after the Dungeon Master had died, everything became dangerous. They managed to survive a year without the owner, but…

Krrr!

A Werewolf approached, intimidating Krathra with its sharp teeth.

Krathra bit his lips. His willpower couldn’t transcend the limits of reality.

“Ha!”

It was at that moment that Lyhee flew, wielding the Fairy Knight’s Sword.

Light shone from the sword, and that light had the power to repel evil things. The Werewolf stepped back, and the other monsters could not approach either.

“Fairy…”

“Don’t say anything anymore!”

“Please take care of Krithli and our home…”

“Don’t die! Lyhee won’t allow it. Never!”

Lyhee, holding the Jeweled Shield, shook her head. Then she burst into tears. Over the last year, she developed a sense of responsibility. She blamed herself for what had happened and regretted it every day.

“Lyhee won’t lose anymore. Lyhee was the one who made mistakes. Don’t die yet. Master will still come back…,” Lyhee sobbed.

She stood vigorously, but she was scared. Her hands were trembling, but she managed to grab her sword and rushed at the monsters.

Saber Tigers, Tashumal, and Mago were fighting hard. However, things worsened as soon as Titan and the other demons joined.

“You are Tashumal, right? I can’t believe he even made a fallen angel. Randalf Bruciel… If he was alive, he would be really annoying.”

Duke Depella, the leader of the demons, fought against Tashumal with Titan. Soon, she fell to the ground.

The massacre began. The rest of the demons put pressure on Mago. The situation was worsening.

‘Master…Lyhee is so sorry.’

Lyhee closed her eyes. Everything around her was terrifying. It was a punishment. She assumed that it was a punishment since she had sinned.

‘Lyhee did so wrong.’

But Lyhee wanted to see her master one more time…for the last time. Even if he hated her, she still longed to look at his face. She prayed.

How long had it been?

How could a moment feel like forever? Some changes were happening around her.

“You…?”

“Argh!”

“No…no way! What the!”

“Randalf Bruciel!”

The demons were shocked. They were flustered.

Crack!

Lightning struck.

Boom!

A huge explosion occurred.

Shriek!

Howl!

The demons and monsters were screaming.

Lyhee opened her eyes upon hearing all these strange sounds.

At the same time…

“Master!”

She could not believe it.

‘Is this a dream?’ she thought.

Lyhee wondered if it was an illusion that her wish created. But even if it was one, she was fine with it. She did not care.

“Master!” Lyhee called, sobbing. “Master!”

Lyhee couldn’t help it. She was now wailing.

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I raised Rage and the Sword of the Emperor. Demons and monsters had invaded up to the 14th floor of my dungeon. I felt like shit.

They didn’t have permission to enter. This was my dungeon, and they were nothing but trespassers and thieves. As invaders broke into the house, the owner wouldn’t just stay still. He must defend it.

“Your Majesty, what do you want me to do?” Maxium asked.

What did he have to do? It was obvious.

“Find the ones who are not allowed to be here. Kill them all.”

They coveted what was mine and took it by force. I wanted their lives as a requital.

“What about the other demons?”

“I’ll take care of them,” I answered briefly.

There would be no yielding. I saw the demons with familiar faces. They were my prey.

“I, Maxium, will follow Your Majesty.”

“I will also provide support,” Oswen added.

Maxium and Oswen left. I rushed forward, firmly grasping my two swords. The demons soon saw me, but it was too late for them.

I had grown stronger than they had been.

‘Dark Sword.’

Rumble!

My swords were covered with darkness. Moonlight was laid down on top of that. It was a sophisticated and perfected technique. Due to my overwhelming growth, I was already standing on top of their heads.

It was a risky situation, but I knew it wasn’t too late. There was still time to alleviate the current situation.

Crack!

Lightning God popped out. It immediately started to burn the enemies around me. He was furious.

‘Duke Depella, Marchioness Anastasia, Count Amorn, and Marquis Generald…’

I recalled their names and stood in front of them.

“Count Randalf Bruciel!” Depella cried out in disbelief.

He was clearly surprised at seeing me in the flesh. I hadn’t shown up in one year and eight months, and, suddenly, here I was.

I was back, stronger than ever, and prepared to kill them.

“Did you come back from the dead? But it’s already too late. You alone can’t change anything!” Depella stated haughtily, crossing his arms. He was trying to appear relaxed, but he couldn’t fool me.

Perhaps, in his mind, victory was already at hand—at their hands—and even if I were a unique demon, I would not able to change the situation alone.

“You shouldn’t have touched mine.” I gazed at each of the demons, a little longer at Depella.

I might not stand a chance to fight against the four of them before, but things had changed. Now, I was close to perfection. I had set foot in the realm of ‘transcendence’.

They were not even close to that stage. Thus, it was quite hilarious that they judged me based on my title.

“Your sins will be repaid with death,” I announced confidently.

For the last year and eight months without me, they had been prevailing as they wish. No one kept them in check. But not anymore.

Return!

I was back.

I had nothing to say anymore.

Punishment and annihilation were the only things left for them.