Chapter 7 EPISODE 7 DUNGEON BOOK (1)

The amount of martial arts terminologies in the first half of this chapter drove me crazy. I feel like I went to a crash course of Korean martial arts with all the terms. Because of that, I ended up making some changes to the previous chapters to correct several mistakes or clarify some ambiguous words. Here are the changes:

Ive also edited phrases related to extreme power, as it actually meant extreme/powerful Yang energy. The previous ones were quite ambiguous as you may wonder what kind of power it was referring too. Theres also the fact that the sun is associated with yang energy, so the Sunfire Carp and Suns Necklace having lots of yang energy to cure/combat Gueumjulmaeks excessive yin energy makes sense, as yin and yang are dual opposites.

And if youre curious what Gueumjulmaek (, ) means, its Nine Yin Severed Meridians. The name is too long, so Ill still call it Gueumjulmaek in the following chapters.

Count Bayer.

The Bayer family is one of the 12 northern families that defend the northern part of the Slen Kingdom and is famous for producing powerful knights for generations.

Victor Cromwell, a long-time vassal of the Count and now a retired knight, reddened his eyes with tears at the sight in front of him.

Haa. Kuhaa. Kuhaa

Jude Bayer, who was called the anguish of Count Bayer because of his Gueumjulmaek disease that even disrupted his daily life, was now running in the training courtyard.

Though he gasped for breath as if he was going to die soon.

It is indeed a gift of the heavens

During Judes and his fiances tryst no, their daytime escape, they got the sun god Solaris divine item, which helped in the treatment of his Gueumjulmaek.

A literal eccentricity that is too coincidental to be seen as a coincidence but can only be seen as a coincidence.

O Askantor, thank you for watching over the Bayer family.

Victor, who prayed to Askantor, the god of war, looked back at the training courtyard with a smile.

A red-faced Jude was turning around the corner to complete the last lap.

10 laps around the training field.

For ordinary knights, it was only a warm-up and a barely possible amount of exercise, but for Jude, it was simply a great development.

Just a week ago, he couldnt even properly run a lap around the training field.

Haa Haa Kuhaa

Jude, who managed to keep the running form itself, collapsed in place almost as soon as he finished the last lap.

Kuhaa

The sky seemed to be spinning.

I didnt think of anything as if my head were empty.

Kuhaa

I ended up lying down. I sweated so much that my whole body was wet as if I were drowning.

Haa

How long has it been since I laid down?

When my breath calmed down to some extent, I was able to think.

Im dying.

10 laps around the training field.

Considering the distance, it is just over 1 kilometer?

It wasnt that short, but it wasnt that long either.

Still.

A smile began to spread on Judes face.

I could clearly feel that I was getting better little by little.

Suns Necklace.

The necklace of the sun god, Solari, was still hung on Judes neck.

Unlike the Sunfire Carp, which injects an enormous amount of Yang energy at once, the Suns Necklace slowly but continuously supplied Yang energy.

Gueumjulmaek meant a blockage of the meridians due to the immense Yin energy.

The Yang energy little by little had melted the excessive Yin energy, thus the symptoms of Gueumjulmaek began to ease.

Moreover, that was not the only effect of the Suns Necklace.

As the energies of Yin and Yang met to covet each other, the result was the creation of a clear and pure energy.

Right now, the mana training method in other words, the inner Qi cultivation method, was something that Jude couldnt properly train yet so he couldnt use the pure energy that was created, but that didnt mean the energy disappeared.

All these pure energies remained in Judes body, so if he fully absorbs them later, he could achieve great achievements at once.

Young master.

As I rolled my eyes at the call, I could see Victor with a face full of smiles.

Having retired after reaching the age of sixty, he didnt follow Count Bayers expedition, but his will to continuously reform/train himself knows no bounds.

I saw you achieve your goal without giving until the end. The Count will be very pleased when he comes back.

What he said wasnt just flattery.

Jude had managed to finish running 10 laps around the field even though he suffered and had a hard time breathing.

Even though Judes body was still in the process of being restored, Victor appreciated his strong will.

As expected, Jude is also a Bayer.

Gueumjulmaek was no different from a curse when it was appeared, but the spirit of Count Bayer, the master of the warriors, was also continuing to Jude.

If you recover a little more, youll also be able to master the familys martial arts. Young master, I do you think youll be able to unfold the Bayer familys martial arts Hoho, I may be old, but it gets my heart pounding.

It was Victor who was not very eloquent.

But what he said was good, so Jude ended up smiling.

Count Bayers Mugong (martial arts).

Like a playable character, Jude was also given his own growth points.

One of them was Count Bayers Mugong.

The Bayer family now barely occupies the lowest level among the 12 northern families, but at one time, Count Bayer was the head of the 12 families and held the margrave position.

The Mugong that have been passed down through generations never declined.

Its Mugong.

It was not just a martial art, but something superhuman that uses inner Qi, that it is not an exaggeration to say it is magic in a sense.

There was nothing strange about the world where not only angels and demons but also magic existed, but I felt amazed every time I felt it again.

Now, young master. Thats enough for today. Its not good if you overdo it. Dont forget that getting enough rest is part of the training.

After Victor helped him stand up by holding him with his giant-like hands, Jude nodded and took another breath.

One week.

It had been a week since I got the Suns Necklace from the Red Moons Leisegang.

In the next three days, the ban on going out would end, so it was time to prepare for the next step.

If I were alone, I wouldnt have dreamed of it.

Attempting to get it after the Suns Necklace.

The ultimate goal of Jude and Cordelia was to protect the world from the armageddon of angels and demons by stopping the Great Summons, but they havent made any progress yet.

Were still powerless.

It was obvious to say that it was impossible with the combination of a 1-star wizard and a guy who can barely run 10 laps.

For now, they had to suppress their impatience and lay the foundations for growth.

We can do it together.

I hadnt intended to do so, but I had leveled up thanks to Leisegang, and so with Cordelia, Ill be able to proceed to the next step right away.

But

How to contact Cordelia.

It was not that he hadnt had a means of communication.

It was just a burden.

Maja would like it

After last weeks flight, she was happy with her eyes even though she scolded me.

Dearest Yellow No, Lady Cordelia.

Recalling the first verse of the letter to his fiance, Jude became a face of misery without realizing it.

***

The next morning, at Count Chases.

Cordelia, who was training in meditation to raise mana hearts, suddenly opened her eyes shaking.

Because I had an ominous feeling.

What, what is it?

Since her time as Yellow Storm, her senses were good enough to beat Outboxers.

I cant believe its so sinister that I cant help but wake up in meditation.

However, there was no need to worry for a long time.

This is because I saw someone who is believed to be one of the causes of her premonition.

Miss.

Dahlia Ale, Cordelias escort.

She was approaching with a suspicious, no rather, an ominous smile.

Dahlia?

Why?

Why is she smiling like that?

In fact, she had a rough idea for the reason.

Ive seen her several times in the past week, and the name Jude Bayer always came out when she looked like that.

It wasnt the act of a chaste maiden, but I support your love.

Dahlia came up to her and said it to her, who had received a restraining order.

Her words were creepy enough that I could remember it without a mistake.

Why, why are you laughing like that again?

Youre going to say something strange this time again.

When the anxious Cordelia smiled awkwardly, Dahlia nodded as if she understood everything and said in a soft tone.

Miss, you have half a face. I understand.

T/N:

Half a face

came from the Korean idiom, , which literally means, to become half faced. It means to look very haggard from sickness or pain.

Source: Tutor-k

Im telling you. Ive been training hard. Its not for any other reason.

Hahaif you insist.

She said she understands it, but her eyes say otherwise.

It was clear that she was thinking completely different things.

Oh, really.

This was all because of Jude.

If it wasnt for that day, or those shameful lines and dialogue, Dahlia wouldnt have misunderstood this much.

In fact, Cordelia wasnt the only who got punished for her weekly run with Jude.

Dahlia was also given a pay cut for failing to escort her properly, but she was still taking the same attitude.

That shes like a sister.

If Maja was like a sister for Jude, for Cordelia, Dahlia was like a sister she had grown up with since childhood.

No, come to think of it, isnt this an act of revenge?

While Cordelia was doubting her, Dahlia spoke again.

Anyway, miss. There is good news for the troubled lady.

Good news?

Yes, good news.

What, what is it?

Ufufuits news from Mr. Jude Bayer.

Dahlia smiled briskly, took out a letter from her arms and held it out.

Its a letter full of warmth from Mr. Jude Bayer.

Letter.

Love letter.

The moment she heard it, Cordelia got goosebumps all over her body, but she also felt glad.

It was because she received news from Boxer after a week.

Come on and read it.

When Dahlia urged her with shining eyes, Cordelia had a complex and subtle expression as she opened the letter.

To my Dear Lady Cordelia whom I truly yearn for.

I couldnt stand it from just the first line.

But still, Cordelia swallowed her breath and firmly prepared herself.

I had to read anyway.

Moreover, it couldnt have been just a letter. There could be some hidden message.

Is it a vertical drip?

Or a diagonal drip.

T/N: Vertical drip () is the Korean version of an acrostic cipher. An acrostic cipher or code is when the first letter or syllable of every word, line, or paragraph spells out a secret message. Vertical means that the message is hidden vertically. A variation of it is diagonal drip, meaning the message is hidden diagonally.

Source:

Cordelia, who painfully read a letter full of sweet sentences from Majas corrections, widened her eyes suddenly.

It wasnt because she found a vertical or diagonal drip.

At the end of the letter full of words of love.

One line of Hangul that is written honestly, without any finesse.

Two days later, lets meet at the temple of Varuna at 2pm.

Oh, youve used your brain?

The only ones who can recognize Hangul in Pleiades are Yellow Storm and Outboxer.

At this rate, it was almost a perfect code.

More than that, Varunas Temple?

It was two days later, when the ban on going out was over, so I understood the date itself, but the temple of Varuna was on my mind.

Varuna, the god of the mirror wall.

A guardian and watcher of secrets.

There was a temple of Varuna in the border city where Count Bayer and Count Chase lived.

It wasnt that big, but as the god that governs secrets, people visited the temple to make confessions.

Is there anything there?

If youre asking me to see you there, there must be something.

Cordelia traced her memories for a moment, but nothing came to mind.

Anyway, the problem is

Cordelia, who folded the letter after reading everything, glanced slightly towards Dahlia.

And as expected.

Dahlias brightly shining eyes greeted Cordelia.

I hate to say it. I really hate to say it.

But I still had to.

I had to take Dahlia with me to go out in broad daylight, whether the ban is over or not.

Dahlia.

Yes, miss.

That two days later.

Yes, miss. Are you going to have a secret love affair with Mr. Jude Bayer a day after the ban ends two days later?

Ehhuh? Se-secret love affair?

HaaMr. Bayer must have been very sweet. I cant believe hes asking you out as soon as the ban ends.

At that moment, Cordelias mind went blank, but she nodded her head for now.

I had to go anyway.

The misunderstanding was a bit annoying, but I couldnt help it.

Ah, anyway. Im going to the temple of Varuna in two days.

Oh, even the place looks pretty good. Having a secret love affair at the temple of the god of secrets. Dont run away this time. Ill make time for you two.

Dahlia, who finished talking with a smile, even winked.

What should I say?

Its definitely a helpful story, but I feel like Im strangled.

Cordelia closed her eyes once and took a very long breath. It was for her peace of mind.

But Dahlias views on it was different.

Youre very relieved.

The fact that I can finally meet my beloved Jude.

Didnt Cordelia focused on training for the past week to suppress the pain of not being able to meet him?

It is not known when love has become so deep, but in nature, instant communion was more important than absolute time between men and women.

Miss, Ill help you a lot. Fighting!

Dahlia looked at Cordelia with warm eyes, and Cordelia who had just opened her eyes, thought with astonishment.

What, whats wrong with her? What are you delusional about!

But I didnt ask out loud.

Because I was afraid of what to say.

Ah, anyway. Two days later. Keep that in mind.

Yes, miss. Two days is not short but hang in there. Okay?

She said it cutely, but it wasnt cute.

Why do I have to endure this?

Id rather die than suffer.

With a dry nod, Cordelia drooped her shoulders.