The atmosphere of the banquet was gradually heating up.
It was filled with brilliant lighting and delicious food.
Those attending were enjoying themselves, intoxicated by the luxurious and elegant atmosphere.
Despite being intoxicated by the atmosphere, they had not forgotten the purpose of their attendance.
Some attended hoping to forge many connections with dungeons.
Based on those connections, could they unite and aim for an alliance?
They harbored such hopes.
Or there were those who came to overcome the difficulties they were currently facing.
Although the reasons for attending the social gathering were varied, they had one thing in common.
It was to secure their own benefit.
Regardless of the reason, the fact remained that they all acted for their own gain.
And to achieve their goals, they could not remain idle.
In fact, they were already acting swiftly.
Especially at this social gathering, the arrival of one being had quickened the steps of the undead monsters.
“Tap tap?”
(Did you hear that?)
“Hear what?”
Currently, in a corner, a Skeleton and a Mummy monster wrapped in bandages were whispering to each other.
“Tap tap.”
(Someone truly magnificent has attended here.)
“Magnificent… person?”
The Skeleton glanced around and then whispered to the Mummy.
“Tap… tap.”
(Don’t be surprised… none other than the Arch Lich has graced us with their presence.)
“…!”
And the name of one being was being passed around their lips.
It was the Arch Lich.
Who was the Arch Lich?
Wasn’t it a high-rank, 5-star undead monster?
The moment they heard the name, their task was clear.
It was to immediately go to the place where the Arch Lich was.
Was he truly a magnificent being?
A long line of various monsters was formed before the table where the Arch Lich was.
Most of them were undead monsters.
They were desperate to make contact with the Arch Lich.
Even forming a connection with the Arch Lich would more than suffice to achieve the purpose of attending this social gathering.
However, it was not an easy feat.
Quite a few had already turned away with expressions of despair.
“Tap tap-”
(They say you need money if you want to form a connection with the Arch Lich.)
That was correct.
Various gold coins and jewels were piled on the table where the Arch Lich was.
These were all form of gifts presented to the Arch Lich.
A connection was formed when the Arch Lich accepted the gift.
“Tap tap tap!”
(And your name gets written in the Arch Lich’s book!)
The Mummy’s eyes sparkled the moment she heard that.
Usually, powerful beings make only empty promises.
However, the Arch Lich before them was different.
He actually wrote your name in his own book.
What was the meaning of that?
It meant that having your name written in the Arch Lich’s book would solidify the connection.
The Mummy, as if resolved, dragged her bandaged body to the very back of the line.
The line was quite long, but if she could form a connection this time, it would be of great help someday.
However, contrary to their thoughts, the Arch Lich didn’t think much of connections.
“……”
Instead, he came here and deeply realized something.
And based on that realization, he was continuously writing something in his notebook.
– Ghoul dungeon, located near the Free Cities Alliance. Further than expected.
It was information about the opponent’s dungeon.
Before attending the social gathering, Celia had told him.
Collect as much information as possible.
To carry out her command, the Arch Lich’s hands were constantly busy.
His recording was unhindered, thanks to the realization he had just gained.
He had figured out a way to gather information about the other party while also receiving gifts.
*Clink-*
Quite a few gold coins were placed on the table at that moment.
The Arch Lich nodded and wrote down the names and dungeon locations the other party provided in his notebook.
Thanks to that, his blue, high-quality robe’s pockets were filled with gold coins and jewels.
*Nod.*
The Arch Lich nodded slightly, showing a satisfied expression with his modest earnings.
* * *
– The Arch Lich has gained a realization at the social gathering.
– The Arch Lich’s [Dungeon Monster Strengthening System] has been unlocked.
“Oh, what’s this?”
The Arch Lich, who was sent to the [Dungeon Social Gathering], has gained a realization.
“So sending the Arch Lich was the right choice after all.”
However, unfortunately, there were no suitable skills or traits to strengthen the Arch Lich with at the moment.
“Hmm…”
Time was ample anyway.
When suitable traits or skills for the Arch Lich appear, he could proceed then.
After checking the alert, I immediately called Maru.
“Maru, let’s get ready to head out.”
Maru, who had returned from the El Dorado Continent, had now transcended into a 5-star Skeleton.
He had become a Skeleton Paladin, not just an ordinary Skeleton.
Thanks to that, he nullified all the inherent weaknesses of undead monsters.
With Maru now, it would be of immense help to roam dungeons.
‘A Skeleton Paladin wielding a Demonic Sword.’
It was a contradictory description, but it was true.
With Maru as he is now, he could easily hunt down villain hunters.
And my goal was also to hunt villains.
“Shall we go level up some dungeons now?”
* * *
The banquet had reached its peak.
While everyone was acting for their own benefit, there were also those who simply enjoyed the atmosphere.
Succubi and Incubi were precisely such beings.
“Isn’t this social gathering truly splendid and charming?”
A Succubus initiated the conversation.
She elegantly tilted her wine glass to her lips.
But she never drank normally.
She swept her long hair back, emphasizing her physique.
It wasn’t just the Succubi.
The Incubi were the same.
Everyone was exuding their charm, engaging in a fierce battle of wits.
“Haha, it’s truly a magnificent place. Those splendid paintings and sculptures are so beautiful that I wish I could put them in my dungeon.”
Azmo, separate from that struggle, honestly confessed his thoughts.
This was truly a beautiful place.
He wanted to bring those artworks into his dungeon right away.
“Is this your first time at this social gathering, Mr. Azmo?”
A Succubus showed interest in Azmo.
As she spoke, she subtly approached Azmo.
It wasn’t just that one.
Most of the Succubi gathered here were looking at Azmo.
“……”
Looking at Azmo, something tugged at their heartstrings.
They didn’t know why they felt that way.
But one thing was certain.
Azmo was different.
He exuded an aura and atmosphere that couldn’t be felt from other Incubi.
It was like the aura of a beast that seduces everyone without discrimination.
It was this very point that drew them in.
The problem was that some Incubi also felt this way.
‘How can I feel this way towards a fellow Incubus…’
They were confused by the current situation.
Little did they know, this was Azmo’s skill, [Distorted Charm].
The small gathering of Succubi and Incubi was peaceful.
And as they exchanged various stories, they naturally disappeared from the banquet hall.
Where they went was a secret that could not be told.
While everyone was enjoying the banquet in their own way, there was one person who watched them with displeasure.
It was Arcanea.
Arcanea.
Her race was Lamia, possessing a female human’s upper body, but the lower half was that of a snake.
And currently, she did not like the banquet.
‘How did it turn out like this…!’
At the table where she was currently, there was no one else but her subordinate officer.
Not a single person came to her.
“Hmph…”
It was a humiliation.
There was no greater humiliation than fading into obscurity at a social gathering.
Furthermore, this year’s banquet was without the Succubus Queen.
She had predicted her absence, as she had not shown herself for a long time.
If so, she didn’t have to worry about one of her strongest competitors.
And another competitor, the 5-star Vampire Baalcherit.
She was also a powerful being.
Powerful beings were always favored at gatherings.
Therefore, she considered Baalcherit her biggest competitor.
But even that did not last long.
Baalcherit’s current situation was not good.
She had heard news that the White Church was suppressing surrounding forces to keep her in check.
At first, she thought it was just a rumor, but seeing Baalcherit’s somber expression, she knew it was true.
And the reaction was immediate.
Baalcherit might have been famous at the last social gathering, but not this time.
Not a single monster approached her, who was seated in a corner.
Even the Vampires, Baalcherit’s own race, began to ignore her.
Everyone had already heard the news.
That Baalcherit was currently in danger.
The Vampires were probably being cautious, fearing that getting close to her might invite trouble.
‘Still, she did show up.’
Baalcherit must be busy defending her dungeon from the Church’s attacks, yet she attended the social gathering.
‘Well, she had no choice but to come.’
Arcanea understood.
Even if her own dungeon was in danger, she would have definitely attended the social gathering.
The social gathering hosted by the Merchant Guild was not an ordinary meeting.
As long as one attended, there were various benefits, one of which was the Merchant Guild taking responsibility for protecting the dungeon.
Thanks to this, the dungeon owners could attend social gatherings with peace of mind.
Arcanea was confident that Baalcherit, with her back against the wall, would not miss this opportunity. That way, the Merchant Guild would protect her dungeon.
Well, even so, Baalcherit was as good as nonexistent.
“Tsk.”
However, Arcanea also faced a problem.
Two 5-star beings had fallen out of this banquet, and even she had faded into obscurity.
“How dare they…!”
A banquet where 5-star beings had disappeared.
And she herself was on the verge of becoming 5-star.
She had no doubt that she would be a prominent figure at this banquet.
She wanted to display her power to the Merchant Guild by showcasing an unrivaled presence.
If so, the Merchant Guild would look upon her dungeon favorably.
She had definitely thought so.
But this thought was distorted by the appearance of one being.
“Where did that guy come from?”
Arcanea muttered in an irritated voice.
Her eyes were fixed elsewhere, at the table where the Arch Lich was.
“Stia.”
“Yes, Lady Arcanea.”
Arcanea secretly instructed her subordinate officer, Stia.
“After this banquet ends, no, use your connections to find out everything about that guy.”
“Understood.”
Stia listened to her mistress’s command and immediately got up from her seat.
“Where have you been hiding yourself?”
Clearly, the Arch Lich was not present at the last banquet.
Yet, the Arch Lich appeared at this banquet.
This didn’t make sense, as a 5-star being didn’t just fall from the sky.
‘Where on earth did this guy come from?’
The good news was that the opponent was an Arch Lich.
Liches were basically undead monsters who utilized magic, but their power wasn’t very strong.
The only useful skill they had was corpse explosion, and they couldn’t use it freely here.
“Anyway, I just need to show my strength in the dungeon battles.”
There would be a dungeon battle in an upcoming event.
It was a competition to determine which dungeon possessed the strongest forces.
Dungeons that performed well here would receive the patronage of the Merchant Guild.
She just needed to show her strength there.
“I’ll show that skeleton that I’m superior.”
Moreover, she had attended every social gathering.
The guy who just showed up for the first time couldn’t possibly have many connections at the gathering.
This would become increasingly apparent as time went on.
“Yes, then the tide will turn in my favor.”
Arcanea smiled slyly.
She intended to show the world how terrifying a snake’s jealousy could be.
However, she did not know.
“Oh, Arch Lich! What a coincidence to meet you here. *Hiss!*”
“Tap?”
The Arch Lich turned his head at the voice calling him.
There stood Skoll the Orc.
And Skoll was an Orc who also served the same Master.
“It’s great that all the ruler’s confidants were invited, isn’t it!”
Skoll said with a smile.
He too had been invited to this social gathering for the first time, and he felt it was natural as a subordinate of the ruler.
That wasn’t all.
He also conveyed to the Arch Lich the news that the masters of four dungeons managed by Celia, who served the great being, had all attended the social gathering.
The fact that his allies were officially debuting at the social gathering, while being under the same Master…
Arcanea had no idea of this fact.
