Dungeon Predator (WN)

With Kang Oh and Eder's help, the Dwarven Warriors were able to defeat the Hacrabs without much difficulty. Piles of Hacrab corpses lay on the floor.

"Hurry up and dismantle them!"

"Hey, someone get over here!"

"Gather the shells separately!"

Even though the battle had ended, the Dwarven Warriors didn't rest, and immediately got to work. They immediately dismantled the thirty Hacrabs.

Randelhoff approached Kang Oh. "Nothing goes to waste. Their shells can be used to make bowls or repair armor, and you can eat their meat. You can even use the Hacrabs' eggs as medicine."

"Is that so?"

"I'll treat you to Hacrab soup sometime. It tastes exquisite! And... good job." Randelhoff patted his shoulder.

"It was nothing." Kang Oh grinned.

"You're quite strong."

"You don't see me getting bullied."

'Unless I'm against a monster like Valan!'

"So... I'd like you and Eder to help us out with something."

"What is it?"

"There are three extremely dangerous dungeons in the volcanic region."

"Dungeons?" Kang Oh's eyes gleamed.

"The heart, the crater, and the Eagle's Nest."

"The heart, the crater, and the Eagle's Nest, huh..." Kang Oh muttered.

'The Eagle's Nest must be the home of the Death Eagles.'

"Our tribes' greatest warriors will go on an expedition to the heart soon. I'd like you to participate in that expedition," Randelhoff said.

"Mm." Kang Oh acted like he was acting thinking about it.

"You said you were looking for the Temple of Death, right? You'll have to head to the next floor... The door to the next floor should be in one of the three dungeons. After all, we've looked everywhere else besides those three dungeons," Randelhoff said.

"I assume the heart is extremely dangerous?" Kang Oh asked.

"Of course it is. But don't worry. We're not going to push our luck and try to clear it."

"I'd like to participate. But I feel slightly uncomfortable going on an expedition without preparing myself first."

"Are you refusing?" Randelhoff furrowed his brow.

"No. But... I'd like to make a request."

"I can't make you any equipment," Randelhoff said firmly.

"Mm, then please allow us to set up a transfer magic circle."

"A transfer magic circle?"

"Eder, explain."

"Yes. A transfer magic circle is..." Eder took over and briefly explained how a transfer magic circle worked.

"So you want to make a passageway that'll allow you to come and go as you wish."

"Yes. And you can use this magic circle to return to the continent too. Of course, that's only if you want to," Kang Oh said carefully.

"We can't do that. If we return, then Inarius will come for us. The volcanic region is the only safe place for us."

Despia was Deborah's domain. Thus, Inarius and his subordinates couldn't just enter it as they pleased. But if the Black Hammer Dwarves left Despia, then they would inevitably be caught by Inarius once more.

"Mm. If that's the case, then Eder and I will use the magic circle to prepare for the expedition."

"What if our enemies or an unwelcome guest comes through it?" Randelhoff asked.

"Unless they have our permission, they will not be able to pass through the magic circle," Eder said.

"And we can use the magic circle to bring goods from the continent here," Kang Oh added immediately after.

"Goods from the continent?"

"Yes. Like Phamas Beer."

"Phamas Beer!"

Phamas Beer was made in the Phamas Mountains, which was the home of the dwarves, and was the dwarves' most beloved drink. Obviously, the Black Hammer Dwarves were no exception.

They haven't had one sip of it since coming here. The environment here wasn't conducive for making beer; even if it was, they lacked the materials to make it.

"I can also bring food, medicine, potions, and other day-to-day necessities. I know a trustworthy merchant. I can get the goods from him."

"Hoo, this isn't something I can decide on my own. I'll ask the other dwarves what they think."

"Please make a wise decision."

"Mm."

Several days later.

"Set up the magic circle." Randelhoff finally gave them permission. "And bring some Phamas Beer!"

The dwarves had had an intense argument regarding the magic circle.

"This is our chance. We can't afford to squander it!" a young dwarf said, in favor of the magic circle.

"Are you kidding me? That's what Inarius wants us to do. He's trying to make a path to capture us again! We have to kill Kang Oh and Eder immediately!" an aggressive, middle-aged dwarf yelled.

"We can't keep living like this!"

"What's wrong with this!? Remember our time with Inarius!?"

Then, the oldest dwarf said, "Mm, I may not be able to see our home again before I die, but... I'd like to drink its beer one last time."

"Mm."

"Aah!"

Their home's beer! This had a profound effect on the dwarves. All of the Black Hammer Dwarves yearned for their home, the Phamas Mountains. Ultimately, this singular feeling was the reason the dwarves had allowed Kang Oh and Eder to set up the magic circle.

"But you need to let us know when you use it. And we're going to station some guards around it too," Randelhoff said.

"Understood." Kang Oh obediently nodded his head.

"Mm, I'm not sure whether this is a good idea or not, but... I'll be counting on you from now on."

"Yes."

Kang Oh and Randelhoff shook hands.

All of the Black Hammer Dwarves were watching this spectacle. Some of them looked on with excitement, while others looked on with fear.

"I'll set up the transfer magic circle immediately." Eder opened his subspace. A subspace was like a player's inventory, except it was exclusively used by mages.

Eder pulled out various magic materials from his subspace, like a magic crystal, gold magic powder, a dimensional transfer scroll, etc.

"Alright." Eder rolled up his sleeves and began constructing the magic circle.

Sometime later...

A circular magic circle, with a radius of about 2 meters, was formed.

Whir!

The magic circle radiated dim light. That meant it was working properly.

"I'm finished." Eder wiped his forehead. Since he was undead, he didn't sweat, but he did it out of habit.

"We'll be back. And when I return, I'll be bringing the merchant that I told you about," Kang Oh said.

He'd already discussed this with them beforehand. They needed a merchant to bring the goods over and trade with them.

"Mm, alright."

"Let's go."

Kang Oh and Eder stood atop the magic circle.

Swoosh.

They were enveloped in iridescent light, and the landscape instantly changed. They were no longer inside of a dark, dreary cave, but were instead surrounded by a bustling crowd and large, refined buildings!

Kang Oh and Eder had returned to Altein!

* * *

Eder's mansion.

"Wow, I'm back home!" Eder exclaimed. He'd been through hell and back for a few weeks, so he couldn't help but feel happy to be back home.

Eder exited the Lich's body and returned to Arumode's body. It was much more comfortable for him.

"Hehehe." Eder threw himself onto the sofa. He felt great just laying on the comfy sofa.

Kang Oh sat on a sofa too, and then opened a message window.

- Mr. Man Bok.

- Yes?

An immediate response.

- Are you busy?

- What's the matter?

- If you're not busy, then please come to Eder's house. I have something to tell you.

- Understood. I'll be there within an hour.

- I'll be waiting.

Man Bok came in about 30 minutes.

"It's been a while." Man Bok's face was shining.

'Business must be good.'

"Oh, Mr. Man Bok! Welcome!" Eder greeted him differently. It only made sense. After all, he was a good person that made him a ton of money!

Man Bok smiled and said, "How did... Despia go?"

"We found it," Kang Oh said.

"Ooh, is that so?" Man Bok was astonished.

"We were able to come back because we set up a transfer magic circle there. Of course, we can go back there too," Eder said.

"How is Despia?" Man Bok asked, his eyes gleaming.

"Despia is..." Kang Oh briefly explained the volcanic region and the monsters that appeared within it. "I met the Black Hammer Dwarves there. And it looks like we'll be able to trade with them," Kang Oh said.

"Hoh, trade huh?" Man Bok's eyes narrowed. It seemed like his merchant instincts were reacting to that.

"They want Phamas Beer the most, but they want other goods, such as food, day-to-day necessities, potions, medicine, etc."

"What do they have to offer?"

"They're willing to trade natural resources, minerals, materials, etc. that are found in Despia."

"Mm. An exchange of goods."

"Yes. So I'd like you to be in charge of trading."

"I accept."

Man Bok obviously accepted. The more customers you had, the better. Plus, Man Bok could monopolize this particular customer!

'Moreover, they're trading goods that come from Despia.'

There were no downsides to this deal.

"We agreed to return in three days via the transfer magic circle. Please be ready by then."

"Understood."

"And I need some things too."

"What do you need?"

"All the items that you provided me with while I was in the west."

"Ah, the mass-produced BB-rank swords, various potions, and other items needed when adventuring. How about junk?"

'Junk' referred to crappy items that Kang Oh fed Ubist.

"I don't need those."

"I'll bring everything that you need, along with the items that the dwarves want, in three days."

"Yes, I'm counting on you."

Once Kang Oh was finished with him, Eder brought Man Bok to his room. They must have something to discuss regarding business.

Kang Oh closed his eyes and enjoyed his long-awaited rest.

* * *

The Black Hammer Dwarves' hideout.

Whir!

The magic circle glowed with radiant light.

Gulp.

Randelhoff and the other dwarves anxiously looked at the magic circle.

Swish.

Figures appeared above the magic circle. It was Kang Oh, Eder, and Man Bok. Of course, they hadn't come empty-handed. They'd brought along a wagon filled with goods too.

"We're back," Kang Oh said.

"Mm."

"This is Mr. Man Bok. He's a trustworthy merchant." Kang Oh pointed at Man Bok.

"My name is Man Bok." Man Bok beamed. Then, he pulled out a square box and passed it to Randelhoff. "This is a small gift."

"This is..." Randelhoff opened the box and widened his eyes. There was a thick brown cigar inside.

"It's a Phamas Cigar." A Phamas Cigar was, like Phamas Beer, an item that was deeply enjoyed by the dwarves.

"Thanks."

"I brought a ton of Phamas Beer too," Man Bok said.

"Mm!"

"Phamas Beer!" a dwarf yelled.

"Waaaaa!" the other dwarves exclaimed.

That day, the Black Hammer Dwarves drank through the night.