Dungeon Defense

Description

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Do you know how this world ends?

Become the hero and defeat the 72 Demon Lords. The game that was boasted as the absolute hardest strategy game, 『Dungeon Attack』.

I used to be the ‘hero’ who had accomplished everything in this game, but after answering a suspicious survey, I found myself in the game as the weakest Demon Lord, 「Dantalian」.

With only my eloquent tongue and my memories of conquest as a hero—.

In order to survive as Dantalian. I shall tear this world apart.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Deonjeon Dipenseu
ダンジョンディフェンス
던전 디펜스
Related Series
Dungeon Defense (WN) (Web Novel)
Recommendations
The Lazy King (13)
My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending (12)
Dungeon Hunter (9)
The Second Coming of Gluttony (9)
Your and My Asylum (9)
Sevens (8)
Recommendation Lists
  1. enjoyed my time
  2. An actual attempt at ranking
  3. Novels That I Have Read Over The Years
  4. Peak Villains
  5. Op Mc / simulation systems

Latest Release

Date Group Release
11/26/17 Shalvation Translations v5 afterword
11/26/17 Shalvation Translations v5 intermission
11/23/17 Shalvation Translations v5c4
11/11/17 Shalvation Translations v5c3
10/28/17 Shalvation Translations v5c2
10/17/17 Shalvation Translations v5c1
10/09/17 Shalvation Translations v5 prologue
10/06/17 Shalvation Translations v5 illustrations
02/03/17 Shalvation Translations v4 afterword
02/03/17 Shalvation Translations v4 intermission
02/03/17 Shalvation Translations v4c5
01/29/17 Shalvation Translations v4c4
01/21/17 Shalvation Translations v4c3
01/13/17 Shalvation Translations v4c2
01/04/17 Shalvation Translations v4c1
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316 Reviews sorted by


Tyizor
Tyizor rated it
November 27, 2017
Status: v5c2
Review: 4*+ (signs of improvement. If I rate the more recent volumes alone, they'd be 4.5-5)

Dungeon defense was more of an acquired taste for me, but I genuinely began to enjoy it after volume 1 ended. If I were to say anything about volume one, it'd be that volume 1 is... the "special" volume of the group. It's just bad.

The author improves immensely past volume 1: the status windows go away, characters begin to flesh out more, and the story becomes significantly more immersive. The amount of effort the... more>> author uses to immerse his/her readers (didn't do my research. sorry) is obvious, esp in the more recent chapters. The illustrations blend well with the story, paragraphs and spacing are used specifically to create certain moods, and it's read in almost a poetic manner. The prose becomes beautiful in its own twisted way.

As a a whole, Dungeon Defense is written in a way that showcases insanity and wit of its characters, and how they clash. Dantalion (our MC, or rather, the demon that our MC becomes) is a clever-overlord type of character that enjoys working from the background, and his supposed overarching goal is to eventually save the world from the fate that the game end with. In reality, he has a rather twisted personality that gets off on dominating and outplaying his opponents. He cares little about how lofty his reputation is (rather, he'd prefer if it's dragged in the mud), and plays the part of the schemer that has little to nothing to lose. The author is constantly improving, characters are becoming more distinct (a prior criticism I had through volume 3 was that the characters were far too similar in terms of personality).

Yes, Dungeon defense has its shares of flaws, but it remains as one of the few novels I continue to look forward to. The author is improving at a rapid pace, and it's entertaining to watch it happen. I highly recommend readers to give it a chance, and those who dropped it early to give volume 2 a chance before deciding to drop it. <<less
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ieh
ieh rated it
November 27, 2017
Status: --
Started out pretty good, anti hero who just wanted to get away from his terrible, mu*derous family. Had an interesting attitude, would rather fight and win with words over violence. Reminded me of Lelouch and a little of Death Note. Volume 1 has him going into a fantasy world on lunatic difficulty as a penniless good for nothing cave hooligan.

The 1st volume ends with him making a fool out of some powerful people and sets out a great start for his world domination plan. However, volume 2 and 3 feel... more>> like they were written by completely different people. Many things built up and introduced in a previous volume are completely dropped and never mentioned again. Such as the gaming elements, his selected cheat, any pretense of defending or winning with words only, anything to do with a dungeon. The world building also grinds to a halt focusing on introducing new characters that serve mainly to be impressed or defeated by the main character. The main character vomits out an insane rambling about authority on the scale of the infamous "Who is John Galt" speech and somehow it makes his emotionless love interest just fall absolutely head over heels in love with him. Concidentially we pretty much never hear from her again and she plays a smaller role in the story.

Even the writing style and the way the chapters are organized are slightly different each novel. I feel frustrated reading this story, it has a great translator -really- I can't imagine how hard it is to translate some of those authority ramblings into a semi-coherent narrative but they managed. I just wish I wasn't left reading what is essentially the same origin story over and over again. Why would I be invested enough to keep reading when it feels like things and rules are just getting made up as we go? The story also starts out saying how pedophilia is a serious mental illness but starts including multiple 10 year old body - 400 year old immortal lust monsters. The main character just hangs out in the middle of a field or goes around gathering what is essentially a harem of powerful women who do his bidding so he can be a shadow leader. A very frustrating read all and all. <<less
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Kattz
Kattz rated it
October 7, 2017
Status: v4 afterword
This is easily one of the best light novels I've ever read, I even love the afterword which I usually skip in most books. If you like intelligent, unique, and excellent writing paired with intelligent, unique, and psychotic characters this series is something you may want to try. If you aren't okay with villain-esque roles, twisted methodologies, cold pragmatism, or the occasional WTF moment, try it out anyways. You may like it, but it's understandable if you don't.

Pros:

    • Unique characters
    • Unique plot despite the generic "game nerd boy gets transported into game he is in expert at beginning"
    • Genius political maneuvers, plots, plans, and schemes
    • Shalvation Translations is amazing and is always responsive with updates, no worries about a translator suddenly dropping the project or disappearing on you
Cons:

    • (It's not that spoilery but doing this jic.)
      Spoiler

      I personally don't like the "every girl falls for the MC guy" or "it's the MC guy's personal mission to build a harem" tropes but it's somewhat averted here. Many of the girls that are "into" him have their own interests in mind or love him less in the traditional sense and more in their own unique way. He never sleeps with anyone other than his love interest unless it is for business purposes. Even when he tries to charm, joke, or flirt with another girl, you can tell the difference between when he's just messing around or doing it further his goals and when he just genuinely wants to mess with his love interest.

      [collapse]
    • I guess the author had different plans in the beginning because the MC begins there, doesn't even remain anywhere near the dungeon for nearly the entire series. However, this too can be explained since the name of the game that the MC was transported into was titled "Dungeon Attack". Since his current role is the complete opposite of the original one he played in the real world, its likely that that is the real reason for the title.
    • The only bad thing I can really say about it is that in it's summary as well as the first and second books, it repeatedly is mentioned that the MC has been transported in the the game world and has access to game knowledge and techniques, but it's inexplicably dropped by the 3rd novel? However even that can be done away with a simple explanation of "Oh, yeah... the MC is probably so immersed in the game world that it has become his life and no longer a game."since we, the readers mostly see through his POV. This previously huge character skill/plot device is also dropped around the time multiple POVs are consistently being used so, even when it switches back to the MC's POV, that could also be another explanation for why it was suddenly dropped.
If you are still reading this and wondering why I wrote a paragraph on the one thing that really I didn't like about the book while still defending it/coming up for plausible reasons on why its valid, its because the author tends to put such attention to detail into the plot that its weird when something suddenly loses continuity with no concrete explanation.
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atronache
atronache
September 19, 2017
Status: v4c1
This LN deserve your attention, I really recommend it.

I truly believe this is a 5 star for one good reason: it's flawless.

Let me explain, in every book, LN, TV series or whatever there is this "thing" that could have been obviously better, like a too OP character, a forever-Ongoing story, a useless girl in love, a pointless arc, a bad habit in writing, too much overExageration, or nonsense in a plot to make the MC 'smart' etc...

Well, this LN have not a single main flaw, so if you like this... more>> genre you will automatically love it. Nothing will stop you from enjoying your writing, and that's RARE !

Sorry for my grammar, I'm French we prefer baguette. <<less
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crochetcocoking
crochetcocoking rated it
June 21, 2017
Status: --
One of the review said that you would either love or hate this and I f*cking love this shit, THIS IS GOLD!! I love how every characters are so toxic, it's more about mindgame than anything else so those that really dislike that shouldn't try it + it's pretty violent but unlike some other novel where it's just crude violence, in DD it's beautifully done
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aj0413
aj0413 rated it
April 29, 2017
Status: v4 afterward
....... Amazing story. Volume 1, in particular, deserves high praise. There are certainly some questionable aspects in plot details, but probably one of the best LNs I've read in a long time (slightly below Overlord).

Hahaha the MC ain't just dark, he's a straight up selfish, manipulative, using bastard and he gets off on that; he knows it and preens about it. So if you take issue with that, welp stay clear from this.

Most of the other complaints (i.e. About multilingual and casual sex) are easily explained in context and implication;... more>> most of the complaints I see don't even make sense if you carefully read everything.

Id recommend most readers who enjoy darker more mature writing to give this a shot. <<less
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Suwandy
Suwandy rated it
April 21, 2017
Status: v4 afterword
Short: "To triumph against all odds"

Overall, the story development is Great. If you truly put yourself in the shoes of the protagonist, you can feel the real tension of "Lunatic" difficulty in game setting. The protagonist handicap is big. This is not your average over-powered character, but he literally has "nothing" but his intelligence. The protagonist constantly bombarded with disadvantages, yet he successfully triumph many adversities with only his intelligence.

The only thing that seems off about this novel is only its title "Dungeon Defense" where the notion of "Defense" only... more>> pictured briefly at the start of the story (tutorial part). The rest of the arc has nothing to do with "defending a dungeon", so don't expect any development like tower-defense game. <<less
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uberpr0
uberpr0 rated it
March 21, 2017
Status: v4 afterword
I've read a shitload of stuff up till today, be it mangas, LN, WN, VN, games w/e

This is the best Light Novel i've read up to date. Brilliant.

However, this is not for those with light stomaches and those that simply want a lazy slice of life or simple gore and brutality kind of story. This isn't a Light novel for everyone or anyone. The depth behind this story goes way under human psychology and moral ethics of society during the times and ages. This is not something for people with... more>> low education or poor general knowledge. The amount of references and analogys involved by the author cannot simply be interpreted by face value. If you cannot link the obscure references and wrack your brains around and connect the dots, then im sorry, this isn't for you and you wont like it. It's not like you have to be someone who has suffered through some trauma in your life to be able to understand and relate to a small detail here or there, but you must be able to understand and discern the different points of view presented by the author. This work of fiction has inspirations from some very famous psychological thrillers from book authors. You must be able to separate the reality from the "fiction" inside of this light novel. There are multiple layers of understanding underneath each chapter and it's just like peeling an onion. You have to take out the outer layers to reach the next one and predict what you will find on the next layer. Ideally, this Light novel should be read with breaks between chapters. It's so you have time to regroup the events that went down and organize them inside of your head and build tension / hype what will happen next and if it goes according to your predictions / expectations.

Be mindful that not everything is what it seems in this visual novel.

And that's why it's 5 stars, because its Art. <<less
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Vejay
Vejay
March 9, 2017
Status: --
One of the best novels I have read up till now.

It simply keeps being interesting, even though there are some flaws if you really look for those and not forget them. For example his extra skill he got at the start is hardly used and even though nearly everyone in that world is crazy as f. Ck it still does not get boring.

I just dont hope that the MC will die with a dagger in his back from his vassels im the end.
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Gin_Hindew
Gin_Hindew rated it
January 29, 2017
Status: --
The main point of this novel are the strategy games and deception, the MC is not an edgy "badass" wannabe but truly an evil guy who likes to ramble Lelouch (or Shakespeare) style, the MC's main objective is to climb to the top by stepping on others because it pleases him and because he may die if not

... more>>
Spoiler

And is later revealed that he is planning to save the world while doing so

[collapse]

Some people complained about the second volume because the MC was acting in a foolish way but it was so obvious that he had an underlying plan that is hard to take those reviews seriously, is as if the MC hanged a sign in his neck saying "im trying to manipulate the environment for my plot" but those readers failed to realize it simply because they assumed the MC to be a regular edgy MC and could not feel any edginess in the second volume

The characters in the story are selfish in many ways and the MC's brilliance comes from the way he handles everyone's selfishness to make them work together, as the main characters are inmortal demon lords they have plenty of twisted personalities despite their clear objectives but as the plot is not edgy it doesnt dwell into their perversions as other novels would do and simply accepts it as the defining traits of the characters and builds from there

The chapters are long so the four available volumes have plenty of weight <<less
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Zyraph
Zyraph rated it
January 23, 2017
Status: v4c3
I won't write much since this is my first review but in case you're interested on this series, I just wanna point some things this KR novel emphasizes.

-Bantz
-Heavy dialogue
-Edge
-Politics
-Edgy fun characters
-Ruse
-Keikakus
-Fun MC

So far each chapter is a treat and it never disappoints. Easily one of the best KR novels out there.
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AlesandroSamuel
AlesandroSamuel rated it
January 21, 2017
Status: v4c3
This is my first review. Usually in NU I just read the novel and never give a review because english is not my first language and even my vocabulary good my grammar is just so-so. Okay here's the Review (Mostly contain minor Spoiler)

Warning! This novel isn't about Lazy guy in a dungeon (as you think at first chapter, some chapter will show you he is rotten since he's a kid 'mostly because his father'). This novel have 3 Genius MC (Not typical Light/Web Novel Genius who's gaining power and... more>> treasure as easy as breathing).
1. Dantalian His character is a little Psychopath, Genius and Crazy. The Pyscho and Craziness comes from Joker (but unlike joker, Dantalian doesn't like kill many people with his own two hands Except his F****R), Genius both in walfare and poltical like Lelouch vi Britannia and Genius in Human Psychology like L / Sherlock Holmes.
2. Laura de Farnesse. Her character is the most similar to Joker in terms of Psychopath. She's like killing and playing with the deceased body. But unlike Dantalian or Lapis who admit their Craziness, she's still think herself as being a normal person. Her Intellect for warfare and Politic of course still inferior compare to Dantalian and her ability to grasp human psychology is inferior too compare to Lapis.
3. Imperial Princess Elizabeth. Not much character development from her, Her Intellect is as good as Dantalian both in walfare, politics and Human psychology, and the same realm of Psychopath and craziness with Laura

Other side character in Dungeon Defense isn't some mediocre Villain or Ally, they're even have their own story and have accumulate their Experience and have a firm believe to their Faith (Lapis, Barbatos, Paimon, etc). In other Story, they can be as good as the MC on other novel or be the best supporting role. But in Dungeon Defense they're just become a minor character, Because what? Because they're not competent enough to face those giant fight (Dantalian + Laura de Farnesse vs Imperial Queen Elizabeth + The Hero)

Note: Anyone who've rated this novel below 4 star should read this again, the twist and the character development is astonishing and this novel doesn't deserve any rating below 4 star ! <<less
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herpderp357
herpderp357 rated it
January 21, 2017
Status: v4c3
The author does a very good job of writing the 3 genius characters that are just way smarter than everyone in the world. Usually if an author tries to write a character that is smarter than they are, it ends up with the people around them just being idiots or the genius being all knowing with all their plans being perfect successes. That is not the case here, the genius characters make mistakes and incorrect assumptions sometimes. The non-genius characters are mostly competent with decades to centuries of life experience... more>> and they don't end up needing lengthy explanations every time a genius does something super smart. The protagonist has prior knowledge from the game but he doesn't use it as a crutch too often and mostly gets by on his own ability or by delegating to the right person.

Not much else to say that hasn't been said in other reviews. <<less
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GroseHerrscher
GroseHerrscher rated it
January 8, 2017
Status: v3
How did the theologians and clerics of the past feel when they were struck with the epiphany of a divine intervention at work in the mortal work? Like reading this novel, yet around a diabolic philosphy in this case.

The main character has a very twistedly villainous personality who revels in the despair and anger of people after delighting them with their happiness. Indeed. Entertaining the other party with their sadism or simple joviality, and thereafter skinning that happiness from the victim slowly and painfully, is the talent of our beloved... more>> protagonist. He is the incarnation of evil, truly befitting of the title Demon Lord; though 71 others share the same rank, he's a cut above the rest for his immaculate wickedness.

The premise of the story is interesting. A NEET with a dark past who wanted to take a break from the burdens he had always carried in the world was suddenly pulled to the world of a game he once played. Reincarnated as the Demon Lord Dantalian of the Ars Goetia (the prepositional argument hasn't been mentioned), the MC is a skillful master of rhetoric and wordplay, often witnessed throughout the series to be dabbling with his rotten philosophy about the triviality of life and the pleasure birthed from authority. Together with his half succubus partner who is similarly an artist of speech and daughter, who is known to be a psychopathic who*e who enjoys in manslaughter and construction of a perfect world made of bones, his lordship slowly grows as an influential power in both the demon and human worlds.

The character interactions are very satisfactory that you could only think the author writes this solely for dialogues. Most of the characters in the novel have an indepth character sketch like real people. You could never feel that they're laconic. The way the author writes their viewpoint of the world is too superb that even the guy who was killed just after a few volumes seemed to be important from his character's flesh. The world building is also great. It revolves around a continent where humans and demons feud for over a millennium. Certain circumstantial factors like plagues make up the premise of the setting to highlight the importance of the main character and his exquisite display of being a shrewd schemer.

Simply, this is one of the greatest novels in Novel Updates, and perhaps in human literature. Dungeon Defense made me hooked for Korean novels, honestly. Kudos to the author and the translator. <<less
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Haigi
Haigi rated it
October 17, 2016
Status: v3
I believe you need to have a certain amount of literacy in order to fully enjoy this masterful piece of psychological warfare multiplied by insanity and loose bolts. The characters drag you into flow of insanity and bring you up to the climax as the plot unravels, only to make you swim in a whole mindf- explosion of the universe when the cards are all laid out.

I'll be rereading it by the volume once they finish to get a clearer picture for my head still can't accept all the bombs... more>> being set off so maniacally. The author is a genius in grasping people's minds. <<less
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Akciel
Akciel rated it
October 17, 2016
Status: v3c2
This is first Korean novel, which I really liked. Sadly - but most of currently translated Korean novels is about some really boring for me stuff - farming and soloing some VRMMO. Not interested, sorry.

But this - this is a masterpiece. In my opinion - even though from the sideline this novel may look like a story about some psychopaths, this is really good, and even somewhat amazing story.

If you are like me - who has grown tired with good in two shoes "heroes" from most of the Japanese novel,... more>> and grown somewhat bored with Chinese cultivation stuff and arrogant young masters, if you like antihero protagonists and prefer intellect over strength - give this novel a try, you wont be disappointed.

P.S. Oh and I forgot mo mention - just illustrations alone for this novel are amazing as well. <<less
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TaoTie
TaoTie rated it
October 13, 2016
Status: v1c0
I loved the style and the thought process I love the use of little resources to gain muh and I love the climb to power but the author really couldve used a coauthor as the story loses sight of tself a little and loses momentum. The plot gets too caught up on the disease and relationship philosophy and doesnt focus enough on climbing the ranking and gaining political power. Also the affection knowledge power is near useless and not even used much. Powers should be more involved as it is... more>> it might as well be regular humans, story would be just as good. Would have more otential if powers played a larger role. I thought they must be exaggerating but the reviews are right volume 2 sucks, he gets all emotional and arrogant and thinks with his g**itals.
Would be a much better story if climbing and gaining power was focused on instead of relationships. If volume one is the Godfather movie, then Volume 2 is the Godfather part 3. <<less
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clowred
clowred rated it
September 14, 2016
Status: v3
This novel surprised me with its down to earth approach to some sensitive situations. The pace is good and the action is absolutely amazing. The comic relief is dark, but because of that it feels very refreshing. The biggest blessing of this novel is the weak protagonist that doesn't obtain power ups. Instead he is trying to adapt to the new world by using others as pawns while he controls the board as a king. There is no need for spoilers, this novel delivers way to much to be able... more>> to present just one exceptional part of it. For anyone that agrees with a cynic points of view, this story is the cherry on top of the cake. <<less
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Kidusk
Kidusk rated it
September 3, 2016
Status: v3c1
I cannot begin to describe the splendor of this fantastic novel. Its intriguing and twistedly dark; carrying a somber and melancholic atmosphere. The writing is the absolute pinnacle of what I've ever been graced to experience. It stresses deep character development and blackened moral personalities; to which I adore as an avid lover of anti-clichés.

The plot is rather fresh in the sense of its genre of 'fantasy', but yet still manages to draw you into the spire of emotions that it offers with each persona. Every single character paints an... more>> hidden abyss of personality and rationality to which I as the reader, is given the personal joy of attempting to discover and infer. This is a story of elegance and catharsis of our corrupted, sinister protagonist. Within the plinth of splendorous novels, this would be the absolute epitaph. <<less
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RussIsWatchinU
RussIsWatchinU rated it
September 1, 2016
Status: v5c2
Magnificent! I haven't been captivated by a light novel like this since I started. Truly, the author has a way with words, and the translator does a fantastic job relaying it to us. Even the illustrations send chills down my spine, each one a perfect portrayal of some of the most alluring scenes I've read in a long time. I'm not a fan of flashbacks, but the ones in the story have been essential for setting up the MC for his descent into what some would call madness. It's not just some typical
Spoiler

"I'm now a demon lord, I'm now more OP than anyone ever!"

[collapse]

Give this a shot. You won't regret it.

Update:

I can only get so erect.

Seriously though there was only a chapter that I wasn't really a fan of, but I couldn't say anything bad about the series. The author does a fantastic job of building atmosphere, really putting you into the room with the action.

The speeches are a little odd at first, but once you get used to it they feel really satisfying.

Still recommend you read this.
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