Duo Leveling LITRPG | Post Apocalyptic | SYSTEM-Chapter 61- The Ghost Train’s True Master

Chapter 61- The Ghost Train’s True Master

"The Ghost Train dungeon originally belonged to kobolds."

It was before they had crossed into section D-5. Pete spoke carefully, as though coughing up the last bits of information he had held back.

"The goblins drove out the kobolds and claimed this dungeon."

"And why are you telling us this now?"

"You never asked."

Jhin narrowed his eyes at him. Pete only shrugged. Caleb, who had been listening from the side, tilted his head and asked,

"But is that even possible? For a different monster to drive out the original dungeon master and take over?"

"In theory, yes. If another monster consumes part of the boss monster before it dies, it can inherit the dungeon’s authority."

But such a scenario typically only occurred in high-level dungeons. After all, devouring a dungeon boss required a level of intelligence most monsters simply didn’t possess.

’Monsters not fighting each other is an unspoken rule. And yet not only did they attack each other, one even seized the dungeon?’

In Exodia, there existed an invisible rule: monsters didn’t attack one another.

And that rule was naturally upheld by lower-tier monsters who lacked intelligence, and even upper-tier monsters adhered to it out of unspoken agreement.

’Right. It’s something that wouldn’t happen unless under very special circumstances.’

Jhin could say this with certainty because Exodia was a game. Monsters prioritized the elimination of their common enemy—the ’player’—above all else.

Yet a dungeon had been stolen?

By goblins, no less?

Only then did Jhin begin to understand the cause.

"It was the Company again."

"Correct. This dungeon belongs to the Company."

What was once an ordinary kobold dungeon had become a themed dungeon infested with goblins thanks to the Company’s intervention.

In short, everything happening here was manufactured.

Jhin exhaled in irritation.

This was why the Company had to be wiped out.

Nothing good ever came from getting involved with them.

"The Company uses this dungeon to source their items. It’s essentially a supply hub. That guy you mentioned being a runner? The backdoor contracts? Those are probably just one piece of the Company’s many criminal activities."

Recently, the Company had even managed to promote the dungeon to grade D, expanding their operations. The ongoing third round of auctions here was proof of that.

"This place is New Capital’s black market. A dumping ground for the filthiest desires."

Human trafficking was just the beginning. The bodies of those who had lost their minds, the limbs of stolen children, even conscious people were chained and sold like livestock.

But the crown jewel of it all—was the auction house.

If it wasn’t something outright missing, it was on sale. Even personal belongings steeped in vile, wretched betrayal were fair game.

"And they’re doing it all under my name."

Leaving Pete to stew in his fury, Jhin turned to face the door leading into the auction house. Thoughts raced through his mind.

"An auction house, huh..."

So this was the hidden truth behind the mobile dungeon known as the "Ghost Train," according to Pete.

They followed the goblin into a massive hall. At its center stood an iron cage, perfect for locking up beasts.

The faint scent of blood lingered in the air, coming from somewhere nearby.

In this unsettling space, thick with an eerie energy, the goblin smiled coldly and said,

"This space was prepared for a special guest."

"A special guest, huh..."

Jhin let out a faint laugh as he activated his Ryuan. Now able to see things previously hidden, the intentions of these creatures became just as transparent.

From the merchants of zone F-5 to this dungeon itself—everything seemed too damn sharp.

"Tch... If it was going to be like this, they could’ve just told me from the start. Why keep making me act in this annoying play?"

Clicking his tongue, Jhin crushed the handcuffs that had been binding Millie. His sudden move drew startled gasps from Luke and the others.

"W-what?!"

But as the air in the room visibly shifted, they quickly fell silent.

From the air, Pete began to reveal himself. Glancing around at the others as they readied their weapons, he said,

"The exit’s blocked. Looks like it was a trap from the beginning."

Jhin narrowed his brows and scanned the area. In the shadows of the cavern, several goblins emerged, their killing intent thick in the air.

Pete asked,

"When do you think they caught on?"

"Hmm. Honestly, we were pretty obvious."

Jhin clicked his tongue lightly. The truth was, they had known from the start they’d be walking into danger.

They had known so little about this place.

The goblins had a different secret phrase for each day of the week to identify themselves, and they even changed them monthly—total secrecy was their standard.

Of course the auction house wouldn’t be unguarded.

Even so, Jhin had pressed forward.

’We didn’t have time.’

Knowing the enemy’s goal, they had no luxury to wait for an ideal opportunity. Who knew how long the soul could last? There was no time to move slowly.

With a shrug, Jhin said,

"Either way, we’ve entered a space with no outsiders—just the enemy. It’s not a bad situation. Let’s wipe them out and move on."

If it were possible, they could’ve done more without being noticed. But with the circumstances as tight as they were, hoping for more was just wishful thinking.

Jhin quietly stared at the goblin before him and the others that were beginning to appear from the shadows.

"So this time, don’t waste my time—come at me all at once. Got it?"

"You humans... so arrogant."

Jhin stared at the goblins steadily emerging from every direction. Dozens of them, all baring their teeth.

With growls, they began to swing their clubs.

One suddenly puffed up like a balloon, towering over three meters tall. It glared down at Jhin and roared,

"That arrogance will be your death!"

With a deafening boom, the goblin hurled its massive fist down.

Kwaang!

But the enormous punch halted trembling in midair—mere inches from Jhin .

He had stopped it with his right hand. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"I was thinking the same thing. Your arrogance will be your death."

KWA-BOOM!!

With a single blow, Jhin sent the goblin flying into the wall. Debris exploded as the creature collapsed, groaning as it struggled to rise.

"You... how does a human already wield magic in his fists?!"

"You can do it, why wouldn’t I?"

Loosening up, Jhin stepped forward. The goblin gritted its teeth and scanned the area before yelling,

"A-All of you, ATTACK!"

UOOOHHHH!!

The goblins’ roar shook the hall. Amid the blood-chilling noise, Jhin smirked.

His eyes caught a glimpse of a woman popping the cork off a potion and downing it in one shot.

"Seems like you guys don’t know much about us after all."

"...What?"