Dungeon Breaker

Chapter 24 

—–CROW—– 

Aris blushed as she burped involuntarily, and Luciel giggled softly.

It reminded her of herself two days ago.

“Our Hero’s cooking is delicious, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s truly delicious. I didn’t know One-Horned Rabbit could be this tasty.”

Cheon-ho had cooked.

As promised to Luciel, he made One-Horned Rabbit stew and roasted the seasoned Giant Rat meat.

‘How nice.’

It wasn’t authentic rabbit stew.

Real rabbit stew required gochujang (Korean chili paste) and gochugaru (Korean chili flakes).

But Cheon-ho was satisfied.

This time, he had other ingredients besides salt to enhance the flavor of the stew.

Garlic and green onions, for starters.

It was a village for a reason.

Although the quantities were small, he was able to obtain various spices, including garlic and green onions.

And then there was fruit.

The Forest Elves were small, but the forest wasn’t. Naturally, the garlic, green onions, and fruit were all normal-sized.

He put the bite-sized rabbit meat into the pot, added chopped green onions and crushed garlic, and sprinkled salt.

Then came the umami boost.

With his cooking skill, even with simple ingredients, the food tasted delicious.

After the rabbit meat was cooked, he cut it into smaller pieces for the Forest Elves, gave Luciel a small dish of salt, and gave the Forest Elves a bowl of concentrated salt water.

The Forest Elves dipped the pieces of meat, larger than their fists, into the salt water and ate them, then poured the broth Cheon-ho had scooped out with a cup into their bowls and drank it while blowing on it.

“Your cooking skills are truly excellent. I’m sincerely impressed.”

Saschiel said in a solemn voice.

He had frowned when Cheon-ho initially offered him raw meat, but he seemed to have warmed up to him.

“Even the God of Cooking acknowledges his skills.”

“The God of Cooking?”

“Yes, the God of Cooking.”

Luciel smiled, boasting slightly as if it were her own accomplishment.

‘Ah, this is purifying.’

It felt like all the emotional wounds he had received today were healing.

“[When were you wounded?]”

Mitra, who had played the biggest role in inflicting those wounds, asked, but Cheon-ho didn’t bother to answer.

Looking at the generous amount of garlic Aris had given him, he thought,

‘Beans… I want beans…’

If he had beans, he could make tofu.

He could also make delicious soy milk.

And if he had rice straw, he could even make soybean paste.

Soy sauce, soybean paste.

If he could just get some chili peppers, he could even make gochujang.

‘And… with soybean paste and gochujang, I could make ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce).’

He didn’t have sesame oil, but he could substitute it with vegetable oil.

Imagining Luciel dipping grilled meat in ssamjang, Cheon-ho made a resolution.

He would make ssamjang for her someday.

It was a promise to himself.

He wasn’t sure if there were chili peppers, but he had already confirmed the existence of beans from Mitra.

Beans were common everywhere, both in the East and the West.

Fortunately, it seemed like beans also existed in the Labyrinth World.

‘Thank you, Father.’

As expected, none of his father’s teachings were useless.

When he was young, he had complained about why his father was teaching him how to make soybean paste, saying it made him smell.

“[Hmm, you seem lost in your own world.]”

Brought back to reality by Mitra’s words, Cheon-ho looked around at everyone.  They all seemed to have finished eating, so it was time to continue their discussion.

“Let’s do the dishes first.”

“Yes, Hero.”

Cheon-ho and Luciel worked together seamlessly.

“The general terrain is as follows.”

Aris spread out a map on the ground.

It was a very large map for the Forest Elves, but for Cheon-ho and Luciel, it was no bigger than their palms.

Still, they could make out the general terrain.

“Our current location is here. Unlike the south, where the Hero and the angels came from, the further north you go, the fewer shadows there are, and it becomes like an ordinary forest.”

Aris pointed to the southwest of the map. Since it was a map made by the Forest Elf Kingdom, the Forest Elf capital was located in the center.

“The Plague God’s followers have occupied the capital. The Forest Elves and the royalty captured from various places are also imprisoned there. It seems they’ve built an altar in the center of the capital.”

Saschiel squinted as if he couldn’t see the map clearly.

“It’s not just Rat Men.  There are Rat Ogres, and… there’s bound to be an Apostle of the Plague God – a named monster.”

Considering the completion and scale of the altar and their forces, it was highly likely that the enemy would be much stronger than the Mad Crawler they had defeated on the first floor.

“To reach the Treant tribe, we need to head northwest from here.  There’s a fork in the road… the place where the Forest Dragon resides is a little further north.”

Aris moved her finger across the map, indicating the general route.

It seemed they would travel together until just before reaching the Treant village, where they would split up.

“What are you planning to do with the villagers?”

Luciel asked, and Aris pursed her lips before answering,

“We plan to evacuate to the Treant village. The Rat Men might attack again.”

Since they had attacked the village for sacrifices and their forces were annihilated, it was likely that the Plague God’s side would send a new force.

“We’ll travel together until the fork and then split up.  Will there be any problems persuading the Treant tribe?”

Aris pursed her lips again at Cheon-ho’s question.

“Um… could one of the angels come with us? I think it would be easier to persuade the Treant tribe that way…”

No one could refuse Aris’s humble request.

Luciel looked at Cheon-ho and said,

“Hero, I’ll go with the Village Chief and try to persuade the Treant tribe.”

“That sounds good.  The current problem is the Forest Dragon. I’ll take care of that.”

Saschiel added.

Cheon-ho was slightly disappointed that he had to separate from Luciel, but since this was the logical course of action, he nodded.

‘The Forest Dragon might be dangerous.’

They didn’t know why the Forest Dragon was refusing the Forest Elves’ requests.

Considering the possibility of danger, it was better for him to go with Saschiel than with Luciel.

“[Forest Dragons generally have a gentle nature.  You don’t have to worry too much.]”

Mitra said, as if to reassure him.

Cheon-ho nodded at Mitra and looked at everyone.

“Let’s meet up at the Treant village, whether we succeed or fail in persuading the Forest Dragon.”

“Yes, Hero.  That sounds good.  Even if the Treant tribe doesn’t fight, they won’t chase us away after we’ve taken refuge there.”

Judging by her tone, she seemed quite confident.

“Then let’s get going.”

They had finished eating, and they had prepared for the evacuation while doing the dishes, so there was no reason to delay any longer.

Cheon-ho stood up and looked north.

The Forest Elves’ evacuation went smoothly.

They loaded the Forest Elves into the large baskets the Rat Men had been carrying and placed the baskets on Saschiel’s back.

Since they were secured with wire, there was no risk of the Forest Elves falling, as long as Saschiel didn’t do any somersaults.

They continued on their way.

By sunset, they reached the fork in the road.

“I’ll be back, Hero.”

“Be careful. And make sure to eat.”

“You too, Hero.”

Cheon-ho held Luciel’s hand tightly and said goodbye, and she squeezed his hand in return.

It seemed he wasn’t the only one who was sad about their temporary separation.

“[You, Luciel has the inventory.  She’ll eat and sleep better than you, so don’t worry.]”

‘Hmm.’

Cheon-ho had already packed several prepared meals in the inventory. Since time practically stopped inside the inventory, she just had to take them out and eat them whenever she was hungry.

On the other hand, Cheon-ho only had a small amount of dried food – dried rat meat – in his basket.

“[You’re not going to cook like you usually do?]”

‘Luciel isn’t here.’

There was no need to cook with only Saschiel.

Actually, it wasn’t just because of Luciel. The biggest reason was that it was difficult to carry raw meat without an inventory.

The same went for all his cooking utensils.

“Then let’s go.”

Saschiel took the lead, Cheon-ho followed, and Luciel stood there for a long time, seeing him off.

And after some time…

Cheon-ho, glancing at the sky, said,

“Let’s set up camp a little further north.  If we leave early in the morning, we should arrive around lunchtime.”

“Let’s do that.”

Cheon-ho searched for a campsite, recalling his father’s teachings.

Camping in the middle of a forest was quite dangerous, but since they were surrounded by forest, there was no other choice.

After finding a suitable spot, Cheon-ho started preparing for bed.

Saschiel also lay down on his stomach and curled up.

“Hmm.”

Cheon-ho looked at Saschiel for a moment, but he didn’t offer a wing as a blanket or invite him to sleep next to him.

‘As expected, Luciel is the truly angelic one.’

Cheon-ho sat down under a suitable tree and wrapped himself in the blanket he had brought in the basket.

Mitra said,

“[You, I’ll keep watch, so sleep soundly.]”

Cheon-ho was slightly touched by the most benevolent words one could hear at a campsite.

“Mitra, are you also an angel?”

“[I am a holy sword. Not an angel.]”

It seemed Mitra wasn’t an angel, even though it was much more angelic than Saschiel.

Cheon-ho chuckled softly and closed his eyes.

“See you tomorrow, Mitra.”

“[Sleep well, you.  Sweet dreams.]”

It turned out just as Mitra said.

On the third day since he arrived in the Labyrinth World…

Cheon-ho slept more soundly than ever before.

Waking up early the next morning, Cheon-ho and Saschiel continued north.

They didn’t have a guide, but the map the Forest Elves had given them was very detailed, and Cheon-ho’s cartography skills were excellent, so there were no problems.

‘It’s a bit of a shame that I can’t fly.’

The golden lion flying in the sky was too conspicuous, day and night.

Moreover, Saschiel hadn’t fully recovered from his injuries.

“[You.]”

About two hours after they started walking, Mitra suddenly spoke in a low voice.

And Mitra wasn’t the only one who sensed something.

Cheon-ho stopped in his tracks and narrowed his eyes.

Saschiel also looked ahead cautiously.

A line was drawn in Cheon-ho’s mind. 10 meters ahead of where he was standing.

The territory changed beyond that line.

There were beings watching them from beyond that line.

“I am Saschiel, the 7th Grade Battle Angel! I have come to meet the Forest Dragon, guardian of the forest!”

Saschiel spread his wings wide and shouted.

The winged angel in partial plate armor was a truly magnificent sight.

But there was no response from beyond the line.

“I repeat.  I am Saschiel, the Battle Angel! If there is no answer, I will take it as acceptance of my visit!”

Roaring again, Saschiel took a step forward.

Immediately, arrows flew and landed at Cheon-ho and Saschiel’s feet.

Two arrows.

Since they came from different directions, there were at least two opponents.

A voice spoke.

“Go back.”

It was a low but beautiful voice, clearly a woman’s.

Saschiel growled softly.

“Are you trying to drive away an angel serving the Five Goddesses?”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re an angel. We cannot grant you entry. Next time, it won’t just be a warning.”

Saschiel’s face hardened at the firm voice. A faint but distinct anger flickered in his blue eyes.

“[You, draw me.  If you mention my name, they might let us pass.]”

It was the Holy Sword Mitra, after all.

Agreeing, Cheon-ho drew the Heat Dagger and stepped forward.

“Holy Sword Mitr-”

Before he could finish, arrows flew again. A slightly higher and more cheerful voice came from beyond the line.

“Don’t lie! Mitra is a longsword!”

“[Hmm.]”

It seemed it was impossible to pass using Mitra or Saschiel’s name.

So Cheon-ho sheathed Mitra and spread his arms wide.

Showing his lack of hostility with his body, he took another step forward.

“A great calamity has befallen the Forest Elves! We need the help of the Forest Dragon-nim, the guardian of the forest!”

There was no immediate response to Cheon-ho’s cry.

It seemed they were hesitating slightly.

“Still no!”

“Go back!”

The two voices followed immediately.

But he couldn’t just turn back now.  Cheon-ho took a deep breath and spread his ki sense.

Exhaling, he took another step forward.

“This is your last warning!”

Arrows flew. They were still warning shots. So Cheon-ho took another step.

This was it.

And at that moment, the owners of the voices revealed themselves.

“This is truly your last warning. Don’t come any closer.”

The owner of the low, calm voice wore a plain green mask.

She wore a green top and leather pants, and with the quiver on her back, the daggers at her waist, and the large bow in her hand, she looked more like a hunter than a ranger.

The owner of the cheerful voice, who appeared alongside her, wore almost the same outfit, but with one crucial difference.

The owner of the calm voice had black hair, while the owner of the cheerful voice had light green hair.

Cheon-ho maintained his Poker Face as he faced the two, but inwardly, he was quite surprised.

‘They’re human-sized!’

Normal human size.

Judging by the long ears protruding from the sides of their masks, they were definitely elves. They seemed to be the Dragon Maidens – the Shadow Elf sisters – Aris had mentioned.

“[You, your heart rate suddenly increased.]”

“[Is something the matter?]”

“Hmm.”

Cheon-ho observed the Shadow Elf sisters objectively.

He sensed a slight hostility from them, but no killing intent.

They were refusing entry for some reason, but they didn’t seem to harbor any malice towards him or Saschiel.

‘The fact that they revealed themselves seems like a gesture of goodwill.’

It was closer to a plea for them to leave because they really didn’t want to attack.

But he couldn’t just turn back now.

Cheon-ho took another step forward, his gaze fixed on the Shadow Elf sisters – specifically, the black-haired elf.

“This is your final warning.”

The black-haired elf aimed her bow at Cheon-ho’s shoulder. The green-haired elf also aimed an arrow at his legs.

Still no killing intent.

Cheon-ho held his breath and envisioned the trajectories the arrows would take.  He was practically forcing his way through, but he couldn’t engage in a bloody battle with the Shadow Elf sisters.

‘Let’s break through.’

He would use Skanda’s swiftness to rapidly approach and incapacitate the green-haired elf.

It was just a hunch, but he felt like the black-haired elf was the older sister.

She also seemed to have a more stubborn personality.

Negotiations were usually easier with someone flexible rather than someone stubborn, but there were different kinds of stubbornness.

Cheon-ho drew up his internal energy.

The tips of the sisters’ arrows trembled slightly, and Saschiel glared at them with his wings spread wide.

And just then…

The two sisters, who had been aiming at Cheon-ho, suddenly flinched and shuddered.

Both of them looked clearly bewildered.

“Y-Yes… I understand. I’ll do that.”

The black-haired elf muttered softly and lowered her bow.

She hesitated slightly, then bowed slightly to Cheon-ho.

“The Guardian of the Forest grants an audience to the one of noble blood.”

Noble blood.

Despite the mask, he could sense the black-haired elf’s confusion.

He sensed strong curiosity from the green-haired elf.

And actually, Cheon-ho was curious as well.

The noble blood that had moved the two, who had even ignored an angel.

Saschiel blinked and looked at Cheon-ho.

Mitra asked in a very low voice,

“[You, do you have some secret about your birth?]”

Actually, Cheon-ho didn’t know either.

The noble blood they were talking about couldn’t be referring to his father’s blood, the blood of a Hero.

‘Mother.’

Son of ???.

Cheon-ho took a step forward.

—–CROW—–