Taeyoung Jeong mobilized an extermination team to conquer the dungeon, as Yerin Jeong had said.
Furthermore, news spread in less than a day that a large number of A-rank hunters, who could be considered the guild’s power, would be deployed.
“Tsk, his actions are truly impressive.”
Taeyoung Jeong’s actions were astonishingly swift.
The order to mobilize the extermination team was issued immediately yesterday, when Yerin Jeong emerged from the dungeon.
Even more, Yerin Jeong’s duties were suspended simultaneously with the mobilization of the extermination team.
With casualties in the dungeon, the grounds for suspending her duties were solid.
“But Taeyoung Jeong wouldn’t know.”
He likely couldn’t even imagine that Baalcherit would be inside the dungeon.
Moreover, Baalcherit isn’t the only one present.
With a single touch on my smartphone, I can dispatch any monster I desire.
Ultimately, no matter how many hunters Taeyoung Jeong mobilizes, the possibility of their subjugation is close to zero.
“By the way, who should I dispatch?”
Simply dispatching monsters isn’t the end of it.
I must choose carefully.
I also need to consider the forces that will defend the existing dungeon.
“Let’s deploy the Liches that Necros is teaching, for starters.”
Baalcherit had requested help, needing undead like Necros anyway.
Therefore, I was determined to send the Liches.
“Who else could there be?”
One crucial point is that the dispatched monsters must not annihilate the hunters of the Fire Bird Guild.
“The target is still Vice Guild Leader Taeyoung.”
Yerin Jeong’s target is solely the Vice Guild Leader.
Beyond that, she needs to preserve as much of her strength as possible to make it easier for her to lead the guild in the future.
The situation was more complex than I thought, giving me a headache.
“It’s important to direct the extermination team’s loyalty towards Yerin.”
But how to achieve that?
Should I use Celia after all this time?
With her Charm skill as a Succubus, she could easily sway the hearts of the extermination team.
“No, that’s not it, no matter how I think about it.”
I immediately abandoned the thought.
That would only be a temporary measure.
While unconditional obedience to Yerin Jeong’s words might be good for now, it would be detrimental to the Fire Bird Guild in the long run.
If the Fire Bird Guild is to be able to continue supporting me, it must remain prosperous.
What’s the point if the guild falters soon after?
“Let’s keep Celia as a last resort.”
What other methods are there to sway the extermination team, besides Charm?
“I wish a situation would arise where Yerin could show her prowess…”
If a situation unfolds where she can showcase her strength, guild members will naturally follow Yerin.
The problem is whether such a situation will arise.
Such situations don’t happen all the time—
“No. There’s no need to wait for such a situation to arise, is there?”
Can’t I create that situation myself?
For example, like when Azmo caused a Monster Wave before.
Thanks to the staged act by Necros and Death Knight, the masked me and Maru were spotlighted by the media for a while.
Even now, it occasionally comes up, but in reality, it was all manipulated performances.
“Yes, can’t Yerin be made a hero in a similar way?”
An idea suddenly struck me.
“The Fire Bird Guild in danger, Yerin saves it!”
If such a scenario were created, Yerin wouldn’t need to defeat the Vice Guild Leader.
The guild members’ loyalty would naturally turn to her.
“Yes, this is better.”
The throbbing in my head cleared.
Instead of just dispatching monsters, I felt much more at ease thinking of them as actors being deployed to the scene.
As I continued to devise plans, Incubus approached me.
“Master, I have brought Mana Potions made with Terrilif Tree leaves.”
Where I am is a general store established by Azmo, outwardly a shop selling various items.
Of course, that’s just the exterior; in reality, it’s a corporation selling items to various dungeons.
To avoid suspicion, Incubus clerks disguised as humans were milling about the store.
“Manufactured with newly acquired equipment, their effects are even more potent than before.”
Saying so, Incubus handed me a potion.
“It looks stronger than last time.”
A small bottle filled with a dark green liquid.
The color was definitely darker than the previous ones I made for practice.
The Terrilif Tree is rare.
It is found only occasionally in dungeons, and when one tries to grow it, it dies quickly, much like a Sunfish.
However, its effect of replenishing depleted mana was unparalleled, so potions made from its leaves were treated as top-tier.
It was natural for them to be traded at a high price.
I unhesitatingly downed such a rare Mana Potion.
The reason I could drink it so freely was that I was growing Terrilif Trees in the open field behind the store.
“I never expected to need Elves here.”
Despite numerous attempts by the government and guilds, the cultivation of Terrilif Trees had always failed.
It wasn’t long ago that I learned the reason for their failure was the absence of Elves.
Fortunately, I had the Elf Ciel, and under her devoted care, the trees were growing well.
“Hmm.”
Before I could even savor the rich aroma, the liquid flowed down my throat.
The effect was indeed tremendous.
While before it simply felt like mana replenishing, this time it felt as if the mana itself within my body was expanding.
“Based on experiments with various monsters, we have confirmed an increase in maximum mana.”
I was astonished by the additional explanation from Incubus.
Was that the reason for what I just felt?
If those words were true, it was more than just amazing.
Beyond simple recovery, it increases maximum mana?
This was nothing short of revolutionary.
“Amazing.”
The quality was undoubtedly outstanding. However, the high quality gave rise to a new concern.
“How should I sell this?”
Betta, Baalcherit’s subordinate officer, had mentioned it last time.
He said he would handle sales and distribution without any problems.
But there are no perfect secrets in the world.
No matter how careful one is, their identity will eventually be revealed.
“Should I strengthen the security here?”
Rare Elves and rare trees were already here.
For now, it was fine because their identities were hidden, but if this Mana Potion were to be released into the market, I would need to pay more attention to security here.
“The best way would be to move here, of course.”
Then, I could respond immediately no matter what happens.
Moreover, with Maru and Gargoyle here, security-related issues would be greatly improved.
“Once this matter is resolved, I should discuss it with Azmo.”
While it was just a thought last time, it was now time for serious discussion.
* * *
It was the third day since Yerin Jeong had come out of the dungeon.
The extermination team, mobilized by Taeyoung Jeong’s order, ventured into the dungeon.
Time continued to flow.
“Let’s take a short rest here.”
At the voice from behind, Kim Dohoon slumped onto the ground.
Other members also began to sit down or lean against the walls to rest.
This would be unthinkable in an ordinary dungeon, but this place was different.
“I was worried for nothing.”
Kim Dohoon was initially scared.
He had heard that this was the Minotaurus Dungeon, where other teams had failed and even suffered casualties.
But behold? When he actually entered, there was no sign of a Minotaurus, nor even the shadow of a monster. Only a complex maze stretched endlessly.
In fact, Kim Dohoon was even more tense due to the influence of Vice Guild Leader Taeyoung.
Those who had entered the dungeon now were all hunters belonging to the Fire Bird Guild, an extermination team hastily mobilized by Taeyoung’s order.
Usually, it took over a week to assemble an extermination team, but this time, they were deployed to the dungeon in just three days.
Just how dangerous was this dungeon for the Vice Guild Leader to be in such a hurry?
Furthermore, the peculiarity of this extermination team was that it was comprised mainly of A-rank hunters.
Deploying A-rank hunters, who were practically the guild’s core strength, to a mere dungeon like this?
It was certainly an unusual event.
When Kim Dohoon first heard about it, he thought it would be a very dangerous dungeon.
But now that he was inside, what was the reality?
Instead of being dangerous, nothing had happened.
Rather, the Vice Guild Leader’s actions now seemed strange.
“Is there really a need to deploy A-rank hunters to a place like this?”
Indeed, Taeyoung, the Vice Guild Leader, seemed to have judged that the dungeon’s risk level was not high, as he divided the extermination team into several teams.
Even with a complex maze, it was safer to stick together as one team, but now it seemed like a waste of time.
Kim Dohoon’s gaze turned to his surroundings.
The hunters, who were initially wary, were now all relaxed and at ease.
This was possible because the A-rank hunters trusted their own skills, and the rest of the personnel trusted the strength of the A-rank hunters.
Kim Dohoon, while resting, walked towards the Skeletons gathered in front of him.
His trait was Necromancer.
The Skeletons present here were familiars summoned by Kim Dohoon.
He checked each Skeleton, then looked at the one that was uniquely wearing a robe.
“But what is this guy really?”
Watching the outlier, he replayed the situation that had just occurred.
It was the first strange experience he had encountered since entering the dungeon.
Suddenly, a Skeleton appeared and joined the group of Skeletons he had summoned.
It was so natural that other hunters mocked him, thinking he had summoned it and forgotten.
But he felt wronged.
This creature was the only one wearing a robe, and more importantly, unlike the obedient Skeletons, this one felt carefree.
No matter how chaotic it was, he could easily distinguish whether it was a creature he had summoned or not.
But this creature was definitely not.
“Who on earth are you?”
As I muttered to myself meaninglessly.
“Clack.”
The creature immediately responded.
“Huh?”
Even though I didn’t understand the meaning, the fact that it responded to my words was amazing.
Could this creature be a special one?
The thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“It might not be impossible…?”
If this were a dungeon monster, it wouldn’t have reacted like this.
Dungeon monsters would have attacked immediately.
“Does it really have self-awareness?”
This is what any Necromancer, or rather, any summoner-type trait hunter, would wish for.
A familiar with self-awareness.
If this creature was of that kind, it would be amazing.
Kim Dohoon’s heart began to pound with excitement.
“Hey, Dohoon!”
The suddenly heard voice made Kim Dohoon turn his head.
Namgung Hyuk, the team leader and an A-rank hunter, was approaching.
“Ah, Team Leader.”
“What, do you need anything else? Let me know if you’re low on mana.”
Namgung Hyuk, speaking, observed Kim Dohoon’s face and continued.
“Is there some problem? Your expression looks complicated.”
“No, well… I was just thinking about this guy.”
Following Kim Dohoon’s gaze, Namgung Hyuk also looked at the Skeletons.
Naturally, the one wearing a robe stood out.
It was the monster discovered earlier.
“Hmm… Are you sure you didn’t summon it?”
“Well… I thought I didn’t at first, but it responded to my words just a moment ago. Isn’t that strange?”
Namgung Hyuk seemed to ponder for a moment, then shrugged.
“Ah, don’t think too deeply about it. It’s staying put anyway.”
Indeed, it showed no hostility.
Isn’t that enough?
“Just try to utilize it well.”
Namgung Hyuk gave a nonchalant smile.
“More importantly, we’re leaving now, so get ready.”
Saying so, the team leader walked towards the other team members.
“Well, it’s probably nothing.”
Kim Dohoon decided not to pay it any more mind, just as the team leader said.
Now that they were about to move, it was time to be busy.
Even if there were no monsters visible in the dungeon, there was always a possibility of traps.
So, Namgung Hyuk’s team decided to proceed with exploration with Kim Dohoon’s Skeletons as the vanguard.
If they encountered traps or monsters, the Skeletons would buy them time.
That was the value of a Necromancer.
A few minutes after Namgung Hyuk left, Kim Dohoon moved forward, leading the Skeletons.
The hunters followed behind the group of Skeletons, and then an incident occurred.
They encountered a monster.
“……!”
But that monster was a completely unexpected being.
“Gob… Gob…”
Team Leader Namgung Hyuk’s voice trembled.
The monster in front of them now was not just any monster.
It was a being with a massive build, wearing a crown on its head.
“It’s a Goblin Lord! Everyone, don’t attack, just maintain a standoff!”
Namgung Hyuk’s shout echoed through the dungeon.
It wasn’t just the Goblin Lord that was the problem.
Behind it, a group of Goblins was positioned.
“Kim Dohoon! Send out the Skeletons first!”
At Namgung Hyuk’s words, Kim Dohoon quickly issued orders to the Skeletons.
“Shit!”
The Goblin Lord is an A-rank monster.
But the problem was that no one, except for Team Leader Yerin, knew how to defeat it.
“Why does a Goblin Lord have to appear here!”
Wasn’t this the Minotaurus Dungeon?
Moreover, a Goblin Lord appeared in Yerin’s absence.
Kim Dohoon felt a chill.
Even if it wasn’t the Goblin Lord, the sheer number of Goblins was overwhelming.
Even if the Skeletons bought time, it wouldn’t be enough.
Just then.
“Click.”
The one wearing the robe snatched the sword from a nearby Skeleton and slowly moved forward.
“…Don’t go!”
But the creature didn’t listen to Kim Dohoon’s command. It continued to walk towards the Goblin Lord.
“Clack clack.”
I didn’t understand the words. But Kim Dohoon could feel it.
“Ah…”
He could feel that the creature was sacrificing itself to buy them time.
“Click.”
Even without understanding the meaning, he could feel it.
“Is this the empathy of a Necromancer…”
This was the first emotion he felt as a Necromancer.
The creature was walking towards its doom on its own.
It intended to sacrifice itself for the remaining personnel.
“……”
Kim Dohoon wanted to witness that sight until the end.
And the creature, after walking to the front of the Goblin Lord, waving its robe.
“Clack clack!”
Only then could I understand.
That posture meant it was hostile towards us.
The creature, which I thought was a special one with self-awareness…
It naturally joined the Goblin Lord’s ranks.
“Ah…”
