Dungeon Breaker

Chapter 18

—–CROW—–

His father once said,

‘Son, when you rest, you must rest properly.’

‘You mean eat well?’

‘Of course, eating well is important. But son, the world isn’t all about eating.’

His father was always right.

Therefore, Cheon-ho wanted to be faithful to his father’s teachings this time as well.

“Hero?”

Luciel looked at Cheon-ho with a voice mixed with curiosity, anticipation, and bewilderment.

He could hardly blame her, since Cheon-ho’s work was quite different from before.

“[You, what are you making me cut?]”

Mitra’s voice wasn’t very pleasant either.

A slight dissatisfaction was mixed with its already low and husky voice.

“Hmm.”

Cheon-ho was cutting a bookshelf.

To be more precise, he was using the heated Heat Dagger to cut the shelves inside the bookshelf, the boards meant for holding books.

What was he planning to do with those?

They already had a pile of tree roots and branches they had gathered on their way down, enough for firewood.

Luciel was curious, but she decided to wait and see.

It was something Cheon-ho was doing, after all.

Whatever it was, it would surely improve their quality of life.

Contrary to Luciel’s trust, Mitra continued to grumble in a disapproving tone.

But Cheon-ho silently continued his work and finally succeeded in removing all the shelves from inside the bookshelf.

“Hmm.”

With all the shelves removed, all that remained was a large wooden frame, formerly known as a bookshelf.

‘Good.’

It was a shame that he couldn’t smooth it out without sandpaper or anything, but it seemed workable enough.

After eyeballing the dimensions of the former bookshelf, Cheon-ho scooped some spring water with a pot and sprinkled it inside.

The surface of the bookshelf became wet.

But it didn’t stop there.  He sprinkled water in the crevices, but no water leaked out.

“Hero?”

“[You, what are you doing?]”

The curiosity of the angel and the holy sword continued to grow, but Cheon-ho just nodded.

He had finished all the bookshelf work he could do for now.

“Luciel, please fill the bookshelf with water.”

“Fill it with water?”

“Yes, please.”

Luciel hesitated for a moment at Cheon-ho’s request, but then she nodded and diligently began scooping water with the pot.

Cheon-ho watched her for a moment and then started cutting the shelves of the second bookshelf.

*Slice, slice.*

*Splash, splash.*

How much time passed as they silently continued their work?

When Luciel had filled the bookshelf about halfway, Cheon-ho, having finished removing the shelves from the second bookshelf, immediately started his next task.

‘The tree monster’s fruit.’

They were items he had picked up on the fourth floor.

Cheon-ho carefully wrapped the peel and seeds of the fruit in the Plague Doctor’s robe and then pounded the cloth with the war hammer.

“[You, are you making something to eat?]”

Mitra was ignorant about cooking, but even it seemed to think that what Cheon-ho was doing couldn’t be called cooking.

Cheon-ho focused on his task instead of answering, and soon the peel and seeds of the tree fruit were crushed and broken inside the cloth.

‘Good, very good.’

Nodding in satisfaction, Cheon-ho squeezed the cloth tightly over a crudely made wooden bowl.

Thanks to his increased strength from leveling up, he was able to squeeze out more oil than he expected.

“[Hmm, I don’t know what you’re planning to use it for, but it looks a bit murky.]”

Impurities were mixed in because the cloth he used to extract the oil wasn’t very good.

But Cheon-ho didn’t mind.

Considering its purpose, this form was actually better.

Cheon-ho sprinkled salt into the murky oil and stirred.

‘This is roughly complete.’

Cheon-ho had made a shampoo substitute.

It would definitely be less effective than real shampoo, but it was better than nothing.

And the reason he made a shampoo substitute…

“Hero, I’ve filled it up.”

Luciel, who had scooped water with the pot dozens of times to fill the bookshelf, said, stretching her arms.

Cheon-ho looked at the shimmering water and asked Luciel,

“Luciel, don’t you want to take a bath?”

“Huh?”

“A bath with hot water.”

Actually, he wanted one himself.

He had been sweating profusely for the past two days since entering the labyrinth world.

Moreover, hadn’t he bled a lot today?

Of course, with the spring, he could just scoop water and wash himself roughly.

But he wanted a proper bath rather than a shower that wasn’t really a shower.

“Uh… you mean… in the water inside this bookshelf… no, tub?”

“Yes.”

He had prepared the first bookshelf specifically to use as a bathtub.

Luciel dipped her hand into the water in the bookshelf.

“Hmm… it’s a little cold, but…”

“No, I’ll make it hot.”

How?

Luciel looked at Cheon-ho, and he raised the Heat Dagger, which housed the Holy Sword Mitra.

“[You?]”

“Please generate some heat.”

“[What?]”

“Heat.”

Saying this with a grin, Cheon-ho dipped the Heat Dagger into the bookshelf.

Entering the narrow cave they were using as a hideout, Auriel collapsed on the spot.

Seeing her exhaustion, Raguel cautiously asked,

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Just… a little tired.”

Auriel replied softly and looked herself over.

Her gauntlets and armor were covered in the blood and flesh of monsters.

Her ebony hair was oily and tangled, and her face was smeared with oil, blood, dust, and sweat.

‘I want to wash up.’

But it was an impossible wish.

They were inside the Great Labyrinth.

Taking a bath while they couldn’t even have a proper meal was a dream, beyond a luxury.

“Let’s move again when it gets light tomorrow. I’ve roughly surveyed the route.”

“Alright, here, at least wipe your face with this.”

Raguel handed her a piece of cloth soaked in water.

Auriel reflexively took the cloth and cautiously asked,

“What about drinking water?”

“We replenished it yesterday. We still have enough. So you can enjoy this small luxury.”

Raguel said with a small, uncharacteristic smile, and Auriel smiled wryly and nodded.

Grateful for her kindness, she covered her face with the wet cloth.

“Haa…”

Wiping her face made her feel a little better.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Auriel tried to wipe her neck as well, but she had to stop.

The cloth quickly turned black with grime.

“It can’t be helped.”

They had been rolling around in dirt for two days and sweating profusely.

Raguel muttered and took the cloth from Auriel, wringing it tightly.

She wanted to wash the cloth properly and soak it in water again, but that was too much.

“Sorry, you’ll have to be content with just washing your face.”

“I’m glad I can even do that.”

Forcing a cheerful smile, Auriel wiped her face again with the wrung-out cloth Raguel handed her and leaned against the wall.

Azel, the youngest angel of their branch, was asleep, curled up in a corner of the cave.

Her face, clothes, and hair were also a mess.

“Things will get better tomorrow. If we find a spring, we can wash up properly.”

“Yes, they will.  So let’s go to sleep now.”

Staying awake would only make them hungrier.

Agreeing, Auriel leaned against the cave wall and wrapped herself in her wings.

Raguel went to Azel’s side, lay down, and covered her with her wings.

‘Luciel.’

Auriel closed her eyes and thought of Luciel.

She was fine.

She had a small amount of emergency rations, and she could at least wash her face.

What about Luciel?

Where was she now, and what was she doing?

‘Just stay alive.’

Auriel clutched her empty stomach and closed her eyes.

She prayed for Luciel.

At the same time…

“Haa…”

Luciel, immersed in the steaming bookshelf – no, bathtub – let out a sigh of deep contentment.

The performance of the Heat Dagger, inhabited by the Holy Sword Mitra, was truly amazing.

After she dipped it into the bookshelf and heated the blade, the water inside actually started to warm up.

“Hoo…”

Exhaling a long breath, Luciel looked around.

It wasn’t an open space.

The walls made of stacked bookshelves provided good cover.

And there was more.

The soap and shampoo that Cheon-ho had made.

She washed the grime off her body.

She washed her hair.

It was refreshing.

It was blissful.

Soaking in the hot water brought a smile to her face.

‘The Hero is the best…’

How could she not praise Cheon-ho after experiencing this feat?

With flushed cheeks and a relaxed expression, Luciel suddenly sniffed the air.

A delicious smell wafted from beyond the bookshelf.

The intermittent sizzling of cooking meat sounded pleasant as well.

“Hehehe.”

Giggling to herself, Luciel closed her eyes slightly.

She briefly thought of the other angels in her branch, but then shook her head.

‘They’ll be fine.’

Auriel was a powerful battle angel, and Raguel, who was with her, was a very wise and intelligent angel.

They were probably resting comfortably, having joined other angels or heroes by now.

So, for now, she wouldn’t worry.

She would just believe they were doing well.

Making up her mind, Luciel stretched languidly.

She savored the small happiness Cheon-ho had created for her.

“[It really works.]”

Even though he had done it once before, it was still fascinating to see.

Mitra, residing in the Heat Dagger, was currently inside the bookshelf.

More precisely, it was heating the water inside the bookshelf, and steam was starting to rise from the bathwater, which had become lukewarm after Luciel’s use.

“[You, what were you in your previous life?]”

Mitra had camped out countless times during its journey with the founding emperor, Leon, to defeat the Demon King.

But it had never heard of this kind of camping.

Making a bath out of a bookshelf, grilling meat on a shield, and boiling soup in a helmet.

He even made something like a fragrance from tree fruit for washing hair.

Judging by his fighting, he was indeed a Hero, but…

Cheon-ho, who was checking the water temperature, asked in return,

“Me?”

“[Who else would I be talking to?]”

“Well, this and that.”

A Hero needed an air of mystery.

Faithful to his father’s teachings, Cheon-ho took off all his clothes and roughly washed himself with hot water scooped from the pot.

“[Hmm, you’re more well-built… no, you have a good physique.]”

It was still low and husky, but with a strangely shy tone.

Cheon-ho flinched and turned his back to Mitra, but it didn’t change the fact that he was naked.

“[Ooh, your back muscles are well-developed.  And your waist is narrow.]”

Mitra muttered softly.

Cheon-ho flinched again at the soft mutter and quickly immersed himself in the bath.

“Ahhh…”

It was refreshing.

Even though the bookshelf was wide, the water level was so low that it barely covered his navel unless he practically lay down, but he was grateful even for this much.

Feeling good, Cheon-ho spoke to Mitra, who was (sort of) in the bath as well, attached to a wire.

“Mitra, doesn’t it feel refreshing and nice?”

“[You, do you think a sword feels refreshed when placed in hot water? It only rusts.]”

It was a valid point. So Cheon-ho said again,

“Next time, I’ll put you in hot oil.”

He would have to fry something someday.

“[…Just make sure to wipe me clean.]”

After exchanging jokes for the first time in a while, Cheon-ho took another deep breath and closed his eyes.

‘Son, food, clothing, and shelter are important for a reason.  Wherever you fall, make sure to secure food, clothing, and shelter. Eat well, wash well, poop well, sleep well.  Got it?’

His father was always right.

Therefore, after finishing his bath, Cheon-ho gritted his teeth at the reality that made it difficult to follow his father’s teachings.

“Hero, come here.”

Luciel was lying on her side on the bed.

It was a makeshift bed, made by layering leather and a blanket inside a bookshelf with its shelves removed, but it looked reasonably soft and comfortable.  She beckoned him with one outstretched wing.

Her cheeks were flushed.

Her hair was slightly damp and moist.

She wore the Imperial Maid’s dress, which was a little too big for her.

Her collarbone and round, white shoulders were slightly exposed.

Cheon-ho gulped involuntarily and walked stiffly towards Luciel, standing at attention beside her, just like yesterday.

‘Father!’

He called out, but of course there was no answer. Only the image of his father with a manly smile flickered in his mind.

“Goodnight, Hero…”

Luciel covered Cheon-ho with her wing and quickly fell into a deep sleep, just like yesterday.

*Snore, snore.*

Regular breathing sounds.

The faint beating of her heart.

‘Son! Endure! Endure! Sublimate your worldly desires into your strength!’

Gritting his teeth, Cheon-ho closed his eyes tightly and practiced the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

It was a truly all-out cultivation.

And Mitra, watching Cheon-ho from beside his head, clicked its tongue and said,

“[His worldly desires are overflowing.]”

Indeed, tremendously.

The night deepened.

A night where Luciel slept soundly, Cheon-ho couldn’t sleep, and his mastery of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art increased.

—

[Worldly Desires Lv1 acquired.]

—–CROW—–