If you were to pick a country closest to the Demonic Realm, everyone would say the Sail Kingdom.
The Demonic Realm was an unknown land, and no one precisely knew what monsters lived there. They only speculated based on past records.
So, does that mean the Sail Kingdom, being adjacent to the Demonic Realm, is a dangerous place invaded by monsters every day?
I can confidently say that is not the case. Between the Sail Kingdom and the Demonic Realm, a colossal wall existed. It was a mountain range that blocked the way.
Therefore, the existence of this massive mountain range could explain why the Sail Kingdom was relatively safe. This colossal mountain range granted the kingdom a unique privilege. And there was one more being who received such a privilege.
“Haa… haa…”
The one who had been running at full speed moments ago stopped and gasped for breath. The one taking deep breaths was a small girl. However, the fangs protruding from her mouth were unusual for someone to be called human.
Her name was Aren. She was also a vampire.
“Mom, Dad… where are you…”
Aren said sadly. Her parents, with whom she had been playing just a while ago, were no longer by her side.
“…Bad uncles.”
Aren was living in a small dungeon inhabited by vampires. But that peace did not last long. Suddenly, individuals clad in pure white armor raided the dungeon where Aren lived. It was a completely unexpected event. The dungeon lacked the power to repel their surprise attack. Only Aren, using her small physique, could escape. She was lucky. After that, she ran without looking back. Even with paladins chasing her, she kept running forward. Although it was difficult to run while hugging the sword her parents had given her, Aren ran bravely. As a result, she managed to escape the paladins and run all the way here. A colossal mountain range bordering the Demonic Realm.
“Just a little further.”
If she could cross this mountain, the Demonic Realm would be there.
“Then I’ll be able to see Mom and Dad again.”
Before they parted, her parents had told her. They would follow later, so she should go to the Demonic Realm first. If she went to the Demonic Realm, she would meet her parents again. Aren firmly believed this.
*Gurgle*
But she hadn’t eaten anything all day. For the small-bodied Aren, even that was a critical situation.
“I’m hungry… I miss Mom…”
Tears threatened to fall again.
“Hold back. I must hold back…”
She couldn’t cry now. She had to muster more strength during the time she would be crying. Aren muttered, wiping her tears.
*Snap*
A squirrel approached Aren, who was crying.
“Hehe, a squirrel.”
Aren’s expression brightened with the appearance of the cute squirrel. The hardships she felt moments ago seemed to melt away because of the squirrel.
“Squirrel friend, come here!”
Aren reached out her hand toward the squirrel. Did the squirrel know her feelings? At first, the wary squirrel soon climbed onto Aren’s palm.
“Friends are good!”
With a lisp, Aren gently enclosed the squirrel.
*Snap?*
Holding the squirrel in her hands, she raised it and sunk her molars into its body.
*Snap!*
“Delicious friend, hehe.”
Joy overflowed from Aren’s face.
“It’s sweet!”
It felt like drinking sweet juice. Red liquid dripped from the corners of Aren’s mouth.
“Squirrel friend, see you again later!”
After sucking dry the self-proclaimed friend, she placed what used to be the squirrel on the ground and stood up. There was still a long way to go. Staying here was not a good option. She never knew when the scary uncles might chase her. Therefore, Aren bravely stood up.
“Let’s do our best!”
For the day she would meet her Mom and Dad again. Aren cherished the sword her parents had given her. Her parents had explained something about the sword, but the young Aren had no way of remembering it.
“Ah!”
Aren’s eyes went to the ground. She spotted a snake slithering on the ground.
“A long friend!”
With the sword held in her embrace, she snatched the snake with her cute hands.
“Let’s go together. Delicious friend.”
At least for now. Aren’s mouth did not look bored.
* * *
Celia was busy moving around the dungeon. It was for the inspection of the dungeon’s interior. Upon hearing that paladins had appeared in the vicinity, Celia immediately began preparations. Fortunately, the funds needed for these preparations were abundant.
‘Where did all these magic stones come from…’
The great Master had given her a staggering 20,000 magic stones. This amount was more than enough to prepare for the paladins.
“I’d like traps installed here.”
Celia pointed to the interior of the dungeon. She mentioned the necessary parts during the inspection.
“Please install traps that can be installed quickly.”
She was in a transaction with the Underworld Merchant Guild regarding this. The person in charge, ‘Moru,’ had a smile on her face. Moru had recently been the talk of the Underworld Merchant Guild. This was because her performance, which was zero, was rapidly increasing. Moru had been discriminated against within the guild solely due to being a half-Succubus born between a Succubus and a human. However, she was fortunately assigned as the person in charge of the current dungeon. For her, this became a turning point. The current dungeon she was in charge of was not a typical wealthy place.
‘I heard you used a lot of magic stones last time too…’
This time, she requested not only traps but also replacement weapons for the monster soldiers.
“In addition to traps here, add weapons for goblins and skeletons. Is that all?”
“It doesn’t matter how many magic stones are used, so we need the best quality.”
She even demanded good quality for each weapon.
“By the way, Moru-ssi?”
“Yes! Just say the word.”
“Are there also armor-like equipment?”
The weapons were passable, but the armor was poor. No matter how good the attack was, what was the use if the defense was penetrated?
“Of course! Our Underworld Merchant Guild is equipped with adventurer gear as well as equipment confiscated from the Church. Especially the Church’s armor, it’s of good quality. But the price, well…”
“Shall we discuss that?”
“Ah! Yes!”
Moru replied with joy. If this transaction also went well, she wouldn’t have to worry about her performance at all.
‘I have to stick with this person until the end.’
Moru glanced at Celia beside her and thought. For her best regular customer, she decided to provide maximum convenience.
* * *
I had to correct one thing. Breaking my word that I wouldn’t be able to play games for a while, I ran the game as usual.
[Eldorado]
A simple game title appeared on the screen. In truth, it was close to an idle game, but it had its own fun.
“Oh.”
Especially the characters, how should I put it? They were somewhat three-dimensional. Even now, various characters were busily moving around the dungeon. Except for Sector 1, where the undead lived, everyone seemed busy.
“But who is this?”
A character with an unfamiliar face was next to Celia. I clicked on it to check who the character was.
“Moru?”
Her name was Moru. According to the explanation, she was a merchant belonging to the Underworld Merchant Guild, and next to her were two stars. The merchant was moving around with Celia.
“Ah, so it’s through her that the dungeon progresses.”
Moru… If I need to make any transactions in the future, I should remember the name Moru.
“Tsk.”
By the way, if she moves around so busily, I won’t have anything to do. Actually, there was only one purpose for entering the game. I intended to dispatch Celia to support another dungeon as a pastime. But Celia was diligently working. If I assign her additional tasks here? I would be a wicked employer. Also, it was difficult to remove a Death Knight in this situation. Someone had to guard the dungeon.
“This dungeon seemed a bit special…”
A different-looking dungeon appeared in the [Dungeon Support & Dispatch] list. Incubus Dungeon. On the outside, it looked ordinary. The problem was that the dungeon’s location was not on the El Dorado Continent.
“Another dimension?”
A part that defied my expectations appeared. It was interesting, so I was about to dispatch immediately.
Moreover, it was an Incubus Dungeon. An Incubus Dungeon would have monsters with opposite characteristics to Succubi.
“No matter how I look at it, Celia is perfect for this.”
I looked at the screen with a feeling of regret.
“Well, there’s still time.”
Time was displayed next to that Incubus Dungeon.
– Remaining Time: 1 day 2 hours 16 minutes
I guess I just need to dispatch before this time? Since the in-game time and real time flow identically, Celia’s work will likely be finished before then. I watched the dungeon change with satisfaction.
* * *
In the Vice Guild Leader’s room of the Fire Bird Guild. Two individuals were having a conversation.
“You said Jeong Yerinn is entering a dungeon tomorrow?”
Vice Guild Leader Jeong Taeyoung asked back in a chilling voice.
“I’m telling you! She’s even fully committed, preparing thoroughly.”
Jeong Woojin replied to Jeong Taeyoung’s words. Jeong Woojin, who held the personnel authority and managed dungeons at the Fire Bird Guild, though not to the same extent as Jeong Taeyoung. He was Jeong Yerinn’s older brother and second older brother.
“Brother, think about it. What a great opportunity!”
That dungeon had a Goblin Lord. A Goblin Lord is an A-Rank monster. And younger sister Jeong Yerinn is a B-Rank Healer. The team members under Team Leader Jeong Yerinn were also all C-Rank or D-Rank Hunters. Even if Jeong Yerinn was a B-Rank Hunter, she was a non-combat healer. In fact, it was safe to say that the party’s highest rank was C-Rank. Entering a dungeon with a Goblin Lord with such a composition? It was obviously a crazy act. But they didn’t stop her.
“Then, provide as much support as possible. That way, there won’t be any complaints later.”
Instead, they looked forward to Jeong Yerinn entering that dungeon. They planned to provide sufficient support so that if Jeong Yerinn died later, there would be no complaints. In reality, Jeong Yerinn was nothing to them. Still, there was a possibility. They planned to stomp out the sprout so that Jeong Yerinn wouldn’t grow any further. And a good opportunity had come, so how could they let it pass?
‘Mother will be pleased.’
Especially their mother disliked Jeong Yerinn. No, beyond dislike, it was close to disgust. She was the child from her husband’s other wife. But now, that was also over. Soon, good news would come.
“Ah, speaking of which, are you preparing well?”
Jeong Taeyoung, as if remembering something, asked Jeong Woojin. Jeong Woojin was also scheduled to enter another dungeon.
“Of course! Who do you think I am? I’ve already sent reconnaissance to that dungeon.”
“What if the dungeon makes preparations because of that?”
If it were low-level monsters, it would be fine. As the rank increased, so did the intelligence of the monsters. If reconnaissance was openly conducted, the monsters could prepare. That’s why high-rank dungeons were said to be difficult to clear. The dungeon Jeong Woojin was preparing for was B-Rank. It was definitely not a low-rank dungeon.
“Don’t worry, brother.”
Jeong Woojin said dismissively and smiled.
“Besides, there were only Incubi there.”
“Is that true?”
What are Incubi? Unlike Succubi, they were dream demons that targeted only women. But a dungeon with only Incubi?
“Then you must have organized it with only males.”
It was natural to form a party composed only of male Hunters for a dungeon with only Incubi. Men were not susceptible to the Incubi’s brainwashing. No matter how much the Incubi prepared, it would be useless.
‘The picture where Jeong Woojin succeeds and Jeong Yerinn fails…’
It seemed that heaven was on the side of Jeong Woojin and himself.
