The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices

EP.185 - Betrayal Comes Naturally

As Jung Ye-Rin suggested, Jung Tae-Young assembled a raid team to conquer the dungeon. News quickly spread that a large number of A-rank Hunters, the guild’s core strength, would be deployed.

’Tsk, his actions are impeccable.’

Jung Tae-Young’s swift actions were impressive. The day after Jung Ye-Rin emerged from the dungeon, the order to assemble the raid team was issued. Simultaneously, Jung Ye-Rin was suspended from her duties, justified by the death that occurred in the dungeon.

’But Jung Tae-Young has no idea.’

He couldn’t possibly imagine that Baalzerith was in the dungeon. And it wasn’t just Baalzerith. With a single touch on my smartphone, I could dispatch any monster I desired. No matter how many Hunters Jung Tae-Young gathered, the chance of conquering the dungeon was nearly zero.

’Now, who should I send?’

Simply sending monsters wasn’t enough. I had to choose carefully, considering the forces needed to guard the existing dungeons.

’Let’s send the lich that Necros is teaching.’

’Who else?’

A crucial point was not to annihilate the Phoenix Guild’s Hunters with the dispatched monsters.

’The target is solely Vice Guild Master Jung Tae-Young.’

Jung Ye-Rin’s goal was only the vice guild master. Preserving the rest of the forces would make it easier for her to lead the guild in the future. The complexity of the situation made my head throb.

’It’s important to redirect the raid team’s loyalty to Jung Ye-Rin.’

But how? Should I use Celia after a long time? Her charm skill as a succubus could easily sway the raid team’s hearts.

’No, that’s not right.’

I dismissed the thought. It was only a temporary solution. Unconditional obedience to Jung Ye-Rin might be beneficial in the short term, but in the long run, it would be detrimental to the Phoenix Guild. For Jung Ye-Rin to continue benefiting from the guild, it needed to remain strong. If the guild faltered soon, what would be the point?

’Let’s keep Celia as a last resort.’

What other ways are there to sway the raid team’s hearts without using charm?

’It would be great if a situation arose where Jung Ye-Rin could shine...’

If a situation unfolded where she could showcase her strength, the guild members would naturally follow her. The problem was whether such a situation would arise. It’s not like those situations happen all the time—

’No, there’s no need to wait for such a situation to arise.’

Why not create the situation myself? Like when Azmo orchestrated a monster wave. Thanks to the staged performance by Necros and the Death Knight, the media spotlighted the masked me and Maru for a while. Even now, the story occasionally surfaces, but it was all a fabricated act.

’Yes, why not turn Jung Ye-Rin into a hero in a similar way?’

An idea suddenly struck me.

’Phoenix Guild in peril, saved by Jung Ye-Rin!’

Even a staged scenario like that would make it unnecessary for Jung Ye-Rin to defeat the vice guild master. The guild members’ loyalty would already be directed towards her.

’Yes, this is the way.’

The throbbing in my head cleared. Thinking of dispatching actors rather than monsters to the scene made me feel much more at ease.

As I continued to devise my plan, an incubus approached me.

"Master, I’ve brought mana potions made from Terrif leaves."

I was at a general store established by Azmo, which outwardly sold various items. In reality, it was a corporation selling items to various dungeons. To avoid suspicion, incubi disguised as humans roamed the store.

"Manufactured with newly acquired equipment, the effects are even more potent than before."

The incubus handed me a potion.

"It looks more concentrated than last time."

A small bottle filled with a deep green liquid. It was noticeably darker than the practice batch.

The Terleaf Tree is rare, occasionally found in dungeons, but difficult to cultivate, much like a fragile sunfish. However, its effect of replenishing depleted mana was unparalleled, making potions made from its leaves highly valued. They were traded at high prices.

I drank the rare mana potion without hesitation. I could drink it freely because I was cultivating a Terleaf Tree in the open space behind the store.

’I never thought I’d need an elf here.’

The government and guilds had tried countless times to cultivate the Terleaf Tree, only to fail. It wasn’t long before I realized the absence of elves was the reason for those failures.

Fortunately, I had the elf Siel, and under her devoted care, the tree was thriving.

’Hmm.’

Before I could savor the rich aroma, the liquid slid down my throat. The effect was indeed remarkable. Previously, it felt like mana was simply being replenished, but this time, it felt as if the mana within my body was expanding.

"After experimenting on various monsters, we confirmed an increase in maximum mana capacity."

The incubus’s explanation left me astonished. Was that why I felt what I did? If what he said was true, it was beyond amazing. It wasn’t just recovery; it increased the maximum mana capacity. This was nothing short of revolutionary.

’Amazing.’

The quality was undoubtedly exceptional. But because it was so good, a new concern arose.

’How should I sell this?’

Azmo’s lieutenant, Better, had mentioned handling distribution without issues.

But no secret remains perfect forever. No matter how cautious, the truth would eventually surface.

’Should I strengthen security here?’

The rare elf and the rare tree were both here. For now, their identities were hidden, but if these mana potions hit the market, I’d need to pay more attention to security.

’The best solution would be to move here.’

That way, I could respond immediately to any situation. With Maru and Gagoil here, security issues would be much improved.

’I’ll have to discuss this with Azmo once this is over.’

Last time, it was just a thought, but now it was time for a serious discussion.

*

Three days after Jung Ye-Rin emerged from the dungeon, the raid team assembled by Jung Tae-Young entered the dungeon. Time continued to pass.

"Let’s take a break here."

Hearing the voice from behind, Kim Dohoon sat down. Others around him also sat on the ground or leaned against the walls to rest. Such behavior would be unimaginable in a typical dungeon, but this place was different.

’I was worried for nothing.’

Kim Dohoon had been scared initially. He’d heard it was the Minotaur Dungeon, where another team had failed to conquer and suffered casualties. But what was this? Upon entering, there wasn’t even a shadow of a Minotaur, let alone any monsters. Only a complex maze stretched endlessly.

The reason Kim Dohoon was more tense was largely due to Vice Guild Master Jung Tae-Young. The ones who entered the dungeon were all Hunters from the Phoenix Guild, hastily assembled by Jung Tae-Young’s order.

Usually, it took over a week to organize a raid team, but this time, they were deployed into the dungeon in just three days. How dangerous must this dungeon be for the vice guild master to rush like this?

Moreover, the unique aspect of this raid team was that A-rank Hunters formed the core. Deploying A-rank Hunters, the guild’s strength, into such a mere dungeon? It was certainly unusual.

When Kim Dohoon first heard about it, he thought it must be an extremely dangerous dungeon. But upon entering, what did he find? It wasn’t dangerous at all; nothing happened. Now, Jung Tae-Young’s actions seemed strange.

’Was there really a need to deploy A-rank Hunters here?’

In fact, Jung Tae-Young, judging the dungeon’s danger level as low, divided the raid team into several groups.

No matter how complex the maze, sticking together as one team was safer, but now it seemed like a waste of time.

Kim Dohoon’s gaze wandered around. The Hunters, who were initially on guard, were now relaxed.

The A-rank Hunters trusted their skills, and the others trusted the A-rank Hunters’ strength, allowing for such ease.

Kim Dohoon, taking a break, approached the skeletons gathered in front. His trait was Necromancer. The skeletons here were summons he had called forth. He checked each skeleton and then focused on a lone robed figure.

’What is this guy, really?’

Watching the unique figure, he recalled the strange occurrence earlier. It was the first odd experience since entering the dungeon.

Suddenly, a skeleton appeared and joined the ranks of his summoned skeletons. It was so natural that other Hunters teased him, saying he must have summoned it and forgotten. But he felt wronged.

This one was the only one wearing a robe, and unlike the obedient skeletons, this one seemed free-spirited. Even in chaos, he could easily tell if a creature was his summon or not. This one definitely wasn’t.

"Who are you, really?"

He muttered to himself.

"Clack, clack."

The creature responded immediately.

"Huh?"

He didn’t understand the meaning, but it was fascinating that it reacted to his words. Could this be a special entity?

’Is it possible...?’

If it were a dungeon monster, they wouldn’t have encountered it like this. Dungeon monsters would have attacked immediately.

’Does it really have a consciousness?’

Every Necromancer, or any summoner-type Hunter, dreams of this: a summon with consciousness. If this creature was indeed such a being, it was a jackpot. Kim Dohoon’s heart raced with excitement.

"Hey, Dohoon!"

A voice suddenly called out, and Kim Dohoon turned his head. Namgoong Hyuk, the team leader and an A-rank Hunter, was approaching.

"Oh, Team Leader."

"Do you need anything? Let me know if you’re low on mana."

Namgoong Hyuk looked at Kim Doon’s face and continued.

"Is something wrong? You look troubled."

"No, it’s just... I’ve been thinking about this guy."

Following Kim Dohoon’s gaze, Namgoong Hyuk also looked at the skeletons. Naturally, the robed figure stood out. It was the monster discovered earlier.

"Hmm... Are you sure it’s not one of yours?"

"Well... I initially thought it wasn’t, but it responded to me earlier. Isn’t that strange?"

Namgoong Hyuk seemed to ponder for a moment before shrugging.

"Well, don’t overthink it. It’s behaving, isn’t it?"

Indeed, it wasn’t showing any hostility. Wasn’t that enough?

"Just make good use of it."

Namgoong Hyuk grinned as if it were no big deal.

"Anyway, we’re moving soon, so get ready."

With that, the team leader walked towards the other team members.

’Well, it probably isn’t a big deal.’

Kim Dohoon decided not to worry about it anymore, as the team leader suggested. It was time to get busy if they were moving soon.

Even if no monsters were visible in the dungeon, traps could still exist. Namgoong Hyuk’s team planned to use Kim Dohoon’s skeletons as the vanguard for exploration. If they encountered traps or monsters, the skeletons would buy time. That was the value of a Necromancer.

A few minutes after Namgoong Hyuk left, Kim Dohoon led the skeletons forward. The Hunters followed behind the skeletons, and then it happened.

They encountered a monster.

"...!"

But the monster was entirely unexpected.

"Go, go..."

Namgoong Hyuk’s voice trembled. The monster before them wasn’t just any monster. It was a massive creature with a crown on its head.

"It’s a Goblin Lord! Don’t attack; just hold your ground!"

Namgoong Hyuk’s shout echoed through the dungeon. The problem wasn’t just the Goblin Lord. A horde of goblins stood behind it.

"Kim Dohoon! Send the skeletons forward!"

At Namgoong Hyuk’s command, Kim Dohoon quickly ordered the skeletons.

’Damn it!’

The Goblin Lord was an A-rank monster. The issue was that no one, except for Team Leader Jung Ye-Rin, knew how to deal with it.

’Why did a Goblin Lord appear here?’

Wasn’t this supposed to be the Minotaur Dungeon? And now, with Jung Ye-Rin absent, a Goblin Lord appeared. Kim Dohoon felt dizzy.

Even if it wasn’t the Goblin Lord, the sheer number of goblins was overwhelming. No matter how much time the skeletons bought, it wasn’t enough.

Then it happened.

"Clack."

The robed figure took a sword from a nearby skeleton and slowly advanced.

"Don’t go!"

But it didn’t heed Kim Dohoon’s command. It continued walking towards the Goblin Lord.

"Clack, clack."

He couldn’t understand the words, but he could feel it.

"Ah..."

It was clear that the creature intended to sacrifice itself to buy time.

"Clack."

Even without knowing the meaning, he could feel it.

’Is this the Necromancer’s way of bonding...?’

It was the first time Kim Dohoon felt such an emotion as a Necromancer. The creature was walking into danger, intending to sacrifice itself for the others.

"..."

Kim Dohoon wanted to capture the moment in his memory. The robed figure, with its robe billowing, reached the Goblin Lord.

"Clack, clack!"

Then it turned its back, raising its sword towards Kim Dohoon and the raid team.

"Clack, clack, clack!"

It was then that he realized. The creature was showing hostility towards them. The special entity he thought had a consciousness...

Had naturally joined the Goblin Lord’s ranks.

"Ah..."