“Fuck!”
A man dressed head to toe in black spat out a curse.
The man’s neat hair, black suit, and black glasses gave him an intelligent aura.
But his eyes, visible beyond the glasses, were filled with blazing anger.
The man’s name was Serinu.
As a demon, he was an executive of the Underworld Merchant Guild. He was in charge of overall management, and the reason for his anger was none other than this:
“What is this, not being able to find that one vampire!”
His managed tasks had hit a snag. Thanks to this, the subordinate demon who reported it trembled all over and lowered his head, fearing Serinu’s wrath.
“That crazy vampire bitch!”
Serinu slammed his desk and shouted. The target he was currently chasing was Baalcherit. Baalcherit owed the Underworld Merchant Guild a massive debt but lacked the ability to repay it. Furthermore, Baalcherit’s forces had been almost completely annihilated by a surprise attack from the White Church.
However, Serinu didn’t care if she couldn’t repay the debt. In fact, it had become a better opportunity. Baalcherit was a 5-star Vampire, born with the blood of a Vampire King. Such a being was of immense value. Therefore, Serinu, under the guise of debt repayment, had seized control of Baalcherit’s dungeon management. Now, by using the seized dungeon, he just needed to control Baalcherit to his liking. It was supposed to be perfect if that happened.
But Baalcherit had slipped through his grasp. She had already disappeared, and there wasn’t even a trace left to find her by. While the dungeon left by Baalcherit remained, it couldn’t compare to the value of a 5-star Vampire. For Serinu, who managed his duties, it was the worst-case scenario.
“Find Baalcherit immediately! No matter where she’s hiding, bring that bitch here!”
His 신경질적인 (nervous/irritable) voice echoed throughout the office. The subordinate demon, seeing his chance, nodded and quickly left. Left alone in the office, Serinu let out a deep sigh.
“Sigh… Useless bastards.”
Things weren’t going as planned. Everything he had touched recently had ended in failure. The social gathering and auction he had hosted ended in failure, and some scoundrel had taken all the auction items.
‘That Arch Lich and the Black Mask bastard…’
The one who took the auction items was a person wearing a black mask. And an Arch Lich was by his side. Serinu knew the location of the Arch Lich’s dungeon, but the identity of the masked man remained unknown.
“There must be something going on.”
Judging by the actions of the Black Mask at the social gathering and the Arch Lich, it looked like the Arch Lich was following the Black Mask. As the two left the banquet hall together, the Black Mask disappeared alone. It was like he evaporated. As if he were a being that didn’t exist on the El Dorado Continent.
Furthermore, recently, a 7-star catastrophe appeared in the Sail Kingdom. A catastrophe that hadn’t appeared in hundreds of years. This was a major event that any member of the Underworld Merchant Guild would be interested in. Serinu also wanted to climb higher within the Guild. So, even going to great lengths, he had dispatched informants to the Sail Kingdom, but even this yielded no significant results.
‘If this continues, my position will be in danger.’
Despite Serinu’s ambitions, his standing was shaking due to recent repeated failures. Losing Baalcherit in such a situation was a painful blow. If only the Baalcherit matter had gone according to plan, he could have made up for his past mistakes. Perhaps he could have even been promoted within the Guild. But reality was cold.
Baalcherit had vanished without a trace. Serinu was at a loss as to where to find her.
“Hmm.”
What would happen if he couldn’t catch Baalcherit? Demotion would likely be unavoidable. Even if one was successful, a single major mistake would lead to losing one’s place in the Underworld Merchant Guild. The Guild was a large and cold organization. In the end, Serinu himself was just a small disposable item supporting the Guild.
‘I must avoid demotion.’
He had to find a way to overcome the current situation. Serinu gnashed his teeth and tore at his hair.
“What can I do?”
His subordinates would continue to search for Baalcherit. There was no need to rush to find clues about the 7-star catastrophe, as no one had found any yet. Only one thing remained: finding the person who took all the auction items. Of course, finding his whereabouts was currently impossible. However, he knew who was associated with the Black Mask.
“Arch Lich.”
The Arch Lich had diligently served the Black Mask as if he were his master. He figured he could get clues by questioning the Arch Lich.
“How should I do this…”
The problem, however, was the approach. Serinu couldn’t step forward himself.
“Is there anyone who can fight the Arch Lich in my stead?”
As he was lost in thought, a certain being suddenly flashed in Serinu’s mind.
“Right. There was that guy, wasn’t there?”
Serinu gnashed his teeth and clenched his fist. His eyes blazed with the fire of revenge.
* * *
Lamia. Monsters whose upper bodies were human-shaped and lower bodies were snake-shaped. The dungeon where such Lamia lived was filled with dark and humid air. If an adventurer had entered, they would have felt the heat. Soft soil covered the floor, and a small pond flowed in a corner, increasing the dungeon’s humidity.
Walking along the walls carved with snake motifs, one could reach the center of the dungeon. The center was a large hall, and candelabra burning with green flames weakly drove away the darkness. Walking a little further following the flames, one could see a gorgeously decorated throne.
On that throne sat Arcanea, the dungeon’s master, with a haughty expression.
“Arcanea-nim, I am an envoy sent by Serinu-nim.”
Stia, the dungeon’s subordinate officer, bowed her head and introduced Serinu’s subordinate. There, a small, fat demon smiled and nodded.
“Arcanea-nim, hello. I am Serinu-nim’s loyal servant, ‘Kandl.’ Serinu-nim has a message to deliver, so I have come.”
However, Arcanea’s expression did not look very bright.
“Hmph, I don’t know why that guy sent an envoy like this again.”
She stared at Kandl, wriggled her lower body, and rose from the throne. At the same time, the snake scales embedded in her skin faintly glowed.
“Speak quickly. Don’t waste my precious time.”
A long tongue flickered between Arcanea’s lips. She was a being with strong pride and immense self-esteem. The fact that Serinu sent her an envoy meant he needed her help. Arcanea felt a thrill at this fact.
‘Even the Guild is nothing special.’
Therefore, despite her expression, she was in a very good mood. Kandl, knowing this fact, still opened his mouth with a smile.
“Of course. Then, let’s get straight to the point. Do you remember the Arch Lich you met at the last banquet?”
For a moment, a spark flashed in Arcanea’s eyes.
“How dare you… mention that bone bag in front of me.”
At the last Guild social gathering, Arcanea should have undeniably received the most attention. The 5-star Succubus Queen’s whereabouts were vague, and another 5-star, Baalcherit, was in a bad situation, owing money to the Guild. Therefore, it was only natural that Arcanea, on the verge of becoming a 5-star, would receive the most attention. But as soon as the banquet began, a completely different scene unfolded. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the Arch Lich who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. In other words, the Arch Lich had stolen the attention she should have received. Because of that, Arcanea was in a bad mood even after the banquet ended. She had wanted to face the Arch Lich in the duel event held during the banquet, but the Arch Lich had already left early with all the auction items. Even thinking about that incident made her stomach churn.
“Oh dear… We understand how you feel, Arcanea-nim. That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?”
“Hooh.”
What kind of remark was she going to make? Arcanea suppressed the rising anger and looked at Kandl.
“If Arcanea-nim intends to subjugate the Arch Lich’s dungeon, my master, Serinu-nim, has promised his full support.”
However, Arcanea was a 4-star. Even if she was on the verge of becoming a 5-star, it was questionable whether she could stand against the 5-star Arch Lich. Kandl possessed an uncanny smile as if he saw through that fact.
“Of course, we intend to grant you special power so that you can surely subdue the Arch Lich.”
Then, he took out a small vial from his pocket.
“This is a potion that forcibly unlocks one’s potential, a very rare item. If you take this, Arcanea-nim will also become a full-fledged 5-star being.”
A smile spread across Arcanea’s lips at his words.
“Heh heh… Yes, that’s what you should do. I’ll show them how powerful I am compared to that bone bag.”
She licked her lips with her red tongue and laughed. A cruel madness flickered in her eyes. Kandl also smiled coldly inwardly.
‘Stupid bitch.’
Serinu had long ago perceived Arcanea’s inferiority complex towards the Arch Lich. Before coming here, Serinu had said:
– A snake’s jealousy is fearsome. If they tear at each other, it will be quite an amusing spectacle.
Seeing her drink the potion without a moment’s hesitation, Serinu’s judgment proved to be accurate. Arcanea poured the vial handed by Kandl into her mouth. A sweet yet bitter taste spread across her tongue. Then, for a moment, her body began to convulse. Something seemed to be wriggling beneath her skin. Arcanea gasped for breath and looked at her arm. The scales were deepening in color, turning golden.
“Kugh… This, this power…!”
A snake’s body swelled behind her back. Her lower body grew larger and more bulging. Arcanea groaned in pain but didn’t stop laughing.
“Hahaha… Finally, finally, I have reached the ranks of a 5-star!”
The golden scales that wrapped around her body were a symbol of her newfound power. The change was not limited to her lower body. Her upper body was also transformed into a more beautiful and menacing form. Her blue hair glowed brilliantly, and sharp fangs protruded from her mouth. Arcanea slowly stood up. Intoxicated by her new power, she asked Kandl:
“If I defeat the Arch Lich and obtain the soul stone… who will it belong to?”
Her ambition didn’t end there. If she had the chance, she intended to take another leap and aim for 6-star. To do that, she needed two soul stones of the same rank. Therefore, Arcanea asked who would own the soul stone if it dropped after dealing with the Arch Lich. Even if she herself stepped forward and defeated the Arch Lich, wasn’t she stronger thanks to the potion Serinu gave her? Therefore, claiming full ownership was ambiguous. Kandl quickly understood Arcanea’s concern.
“Don’t worry about that. All spoils of war from this battle will be yours, Arcanea-nim.”
Kandl gave a meaningful smile. They had their own objectives, so it was fine to concede this much.
“Hooh, I like those words very much. When this is over, I will express my gratitude to Serinu.”
Arcanea also couldn’t hide her joy. Feeling the new power enveloping her entire body, she was confident that she now had no rivals.
“Ah-”
With this much power, not only the Succubus Queen but also Baalcherit could be brought under her heel. Of course, the one she had to defeat before anyone else was the Arch Lich. Arcanea declared to Kandl:
“In the name of Arcanea, with the Guild as witness, I declare war on the Arch Lich!”
With the Guild’s approval, a war between dungeons began.
* * *
– ‘Arcanea’, the master of the Lamia Dungeon, has declared war on ‘Lee Kanghyeon-nim’s Dungeon.’
– Form forces to defend against Arcanea’s army.
What on earth was going on?
‘Hmm, this is troublesome.’
I don’t know who the opponent is, but my dungeon’s current strength should be more than enough to defend. However, I didn’t want to end it like this.
“Dare to declare war on me?”
It was absurd. Such a being needed to be crushed. Above all, this current situation. Ever since Baalcherit came to my dungeon, strange things had been happening.
“Baalcherit, you must take responsibility for this.”
Baalcherit was not a member of my dungeon, so she could not be mobilized for battle. However, there was a way to mobilize her. I immediately commanded:
【Order Baalcherit to stop the intruders】
This was a method of forcing her through Celia.
