Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 330: What the Dragonfolk Desire
　The Dungeon Core chamber lay on the 265th and lowest floor of the Dungeon of Beginnings.
　When Chief Ryuga arrived with Tauro’s group, the room was filled with the aroma of curry. Every member of the conquest and support teams was eating in a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere.
“What… is this?”
　Chief Ryuga had expected to arrive at the height of an emotional ceremony marking the fulfillment of the dragonfolk’s centuries-old dream. Instead, he found an enormous communal meal.
　A [Great Sage] from one of the conquest teams noticed his confusion.
“Everyone cried, celebrated, and finished the emotional part before you arrived, Chief.”
“You didn’t need to explain that.”
　Chief Ryuga responded with a mild retort. Still, when he looked at the battered expedition members enjoying their food, his annoyance vanished. They had earned this moment of peace.
“Everyone, listen for a moment!”
　The chamber quieted.
“I’m profoundly proud that you reached this lowest floor. As chief, I could ask for no greater achievement from you. During the past several hundred years, our people challenged this dungeon again and again, and many never returned. Today, you have fulfilled the wish carried by the entire dragonfolk race. Thank you.”
　Ryuga drew a massive war hammer from [Magic Storage].
“I won’t make a long speech. Let’s finally bring our dearest wish to its conclusion.”
　He approached the pedestal supporting the Dungeon Core.
“Chief Ryuga, once you destroy it, the dungeon should cease functioning,” Tauro said. “The person who destroys a Dungeon Core also receives an item reflecting that person’s desire. What do you think the dragonfolk desire most?”
　Tauro had suddenly become curious about what reward could lie beyond the conquest itself.
“What do we desire…? I suppose we’ll learn when I break it.”
　Chief Ryuga stopped before the pedestal.
　Tension spread among every dragonfolk in the chamber. The historic moment that would end their people’s centuries-long struggle had arrived, and nobody wished to miss even an instant.
“Then let us fulfill the dragonfolk’s dearest wish.”
　Chief Ryuga raised the war hammer and brought it down upon the Dungeon Core.
Crash!
　The enormous, seemingly indestructible core shattered beneath a single blow. Fragments scattered across the chamber in every direction.
　Tauro hadn’t expected to witness the destruction of a Dungeon Core a second time. If events followed the pattern of the newborn dungeon near Dansas, the entire dungeon should now cease functioning.
　Then an alarming thought occurred to him.
　Would [Spatial Transfer] still work after the dungeon died?
　If it didn’t, how long would it take everyone to climb from the 265th floor to the surface?
…
……
………
　Nothing happened.
　The lights didn’t flicker or go out. The dungeon showed no sign of dying.
　Uneasy murmurs spread among the dragonfolk.
　Chief Ryuga looked back at Tauro, silently asking for an explanation.
“That’s strange…”
　As Tauro tilted his head, the floor beneath the pedestal rose. A treasure chest emerged from within it.
　Perhaps the dungeon would cease functioning only after the reward was removed.
“Chief, please open the chest and see what’s inside.”
“Very well.”
　Chief Ryuga opened the large treasure chest.
“Th-this is…!”
　His astonishment made Tauro hurry to his side and peer inside.
　A white core lay within the chest. Apart from its color, it was an exact duplicate of the blue Dungeon Core Ryuga had just destroyed.
“Another Dungeon Core!?”
　Chief Ryuga stared at it in silence before understanding gradually entered his expression.
“I see… Conquering this dungeon was the dragonfolk’s dearest wish, but the struggle itself became part of our lives. Somewhere along the way, perhaps we became unable to imagine the Dragonfolk Village without the dungeon.”
　Tauro used [True Eye] to appraise the white core.
Artificial Dungeon Core Created by the Dragonfolk
– An artificial Dungeon Core produced in accordance with the dragonfolk’s desire.
– When placed upon the pedestal, it allows the dungeon to continue existing under dragonfolk control.
– Because the dungeon will become artificial, it’ll no longer expand, produce realm guardians, or cause monster stampedes.
– The number and types of monsters generated within the dungeon can be adjusted through this core.
“The appraisal identifies it as artificial,” Tauro explained, “but this means the dragonfolk can continue using the dungeon without allowing it to die!”
“Ha ha… A dungeon truly does grant what the destroyer desires.”
　Chief Ryuga smiled wryly, lifted the Artificial Dungeon Core from the chest, and placed it upon the pedestal.
　The earth immediately began to shake.
Rrrrrrrrrumble…!
　The tremor seized the entire dungeon and continued for what felt like an eternity.
　Then a staircase rose from the floor before them. It extended upward, piercing the ceiling as it climbed.
　Once the stairway had fully formed, the shaking finally stopped.
“It appears we now have a direct stairway to the surface,” Tauro said, staring upward.
“So it does…”
　Chief Ryuga sank to the floor and gazed at the impossible staircase in stunned silence.