– We have repelled all intruders who entered the Satellite Dungeon ‘Nest of Corruption’.
– The Satellite Dungeon has been perfectly defended.
– A special reward will be given.
– As a special reward, we will add the ‘Stealth’ attribute to the Satellite Dungeon ‘Nest of Corruption’. Whether it is hidden or not can be set by the owner of the Satellite Dungeon.
“It hasn’t been long since it was made, and there are already intruders?”
An intruder appeared shortly after the Satellite Dungeon was established.
Fortunately, an alarm indicated that the intruders had been repelled, as Necros and Kaleido seemed to have blocked them well.
“Stealth is fine.”
The Satellite Dungeon was essentially a newly formed dungeon, so more attention needed to be paid to its management.
The problem here was that the Satellite Dungeon was not a dungeon that I could directly manage like the main dungeon.
Therefore, instead of the title ‘Administrator’, it was designated as the ‘Dungeon Master’ to give it an independent feel.
Even if I summon monsters or items, the standard was ultimately the main dungeon where Celia was located.
Except for Kaleido, who was originally selected as belonging to the Satellite Dungeon, other monsters had to be dispatched from the main dungeon, meaning they were dependent.
In that sense, Stealth was a very efficient feature.
Moreover, Kaleido’s ability enhancement was a big success.
– As a special reward, Kaleido’s (★★★★) magic is enhanced.
– Kaleido’s skill ‘Illusionary Eye (A)’ is enhanced to ‘Illusionary Prison (S)’.
– Illusionary Eye (A): Sends the target into a world of illusion. -> Illusionary Prison (S): Traps the target in an illusion, making them unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.
– Kaleido’s skill ‘Illusion Projection (B)’ is enhanced to ‘Illusion Distortion (A)’.
– Illusion Projection (B): The caster projects the desired illusion as if it were real, confusing the target. -> Illusion Distortion (A): Distorts not only the target’s visual effects but also their senses.
‘I should ask Celia to pay more attention to support for now.’
Since Necros is the master of the Satellite Dungeon, he will surely do well, but it requires special care as if I have an extra life.
I immediately gave Necros a separate order.
Even though it was an independent form, I could still give orders to Necros.
– Stabilize the dungeon and its surroundings.
It’s not enough for the dungeon to be safe.
The current location of the Satellite Dungeon is near the Monster Coliseum in the underworld.
No matter how much Necros was guarding it, the underworld itself felt uncertain.
While dungeon defense is important, the most crucial thing is to prevent intruders from coming in the first place.
So, I ordered Necros to stabilize the area around the dungeon as well.
I don’t know how Necros will lead the dungeon with Kaleido, but watching will be a form of entertainment.
* * *
A dark and eerie space dominated by silence.
Various assassination weapons were meticulously displayed, and numerous traces of cuts remained on the walls.
Although the surroundings were enveloped in darkness with no windows, Peris was deep in thought.
Peris is one of the representatives of the organization ‘Black Hand’ that controls the underworld of the Sail Kingdom.
Within the organization, his area of expertise was assassination and information gathering.
Although he might be busy managing two tasks, assassination and information were inseparable.
Information was inevitably required to identify assassination targets, so it was natural for him to also serve as an information broker.
Moreover, Peris was not satisfied with his current position.
He harbored an ambition to seize control of the entire Black Hand someday.
To achieve this, meticulous preparation was necessary.
“……”
Peris closed his eyes in silence.
And he felt the surrounding silence with his entire body.
This was the central hub where all the dark information flowed.
Therefore, it was a space that was completely sealed off from the outside with thorough security and barrier magic.
Although it incurred enormous costs, it was merely an essential investment for his plan.
Thanks to this, this place, which was like his small kingdom, was an impregnable fortress that no one could enter without permission.
Peris was not the type to fall for such shallow traps unless someone lured him out.
A moment later, Peris opened his eyes.
“Come in.”
Peris’s voice echoed through the space.
At his command, a subordinate cautiously revealed himself.
The subordinate, with a pale face filled with fear, knelt before Peris and bowed his head.
Peris’s cold gaze pierced through the subordinate.
“So, have you found anything out about Malcolm?”
The first question was about Malcolm.
Malcolm had disappeared after the last Black Hand meeting.
I thought he would just be idly looking for zombies somewhere, but all contact with him was lost.
No, although rumors of Malcolm’s death were circulating, it was necessary to confirm it directly.
As an information broker, I did not believe that Malcolm was dead until I had confirmed his actual existence.
Information tends to move ostentatiously.
“Yes, Peris-nim. Malcolm-nim is still missing. However…”
The subordinate replied with a trembling voice.
“A new person has appeared in the sector that Malcolm-nim managed.”
Peris’s brows furrowed.
The appearance of a new individual in Malcolm’s sector.
This would be a bad omen for the Black Hand.
Various possibilities intertwined in his mind.
‘Could it be?’
Is it true that Malcolm is really dead?
But something felt off.
The Black Hand is like an alliance of various organizations.
Malcolm was also one of the six representatives as the head of one organization.
And then, a mysterious person appears and takes Malcolm’s place?
‘It’s impossible.’
It would be one thing if Malcolm was playing a prank, but the system was not so lax that an outsider could easily step into the organization.
“Have you found out who the opponent is?”
Sharpness was infused in Peris’s voice.
If Malcolm was indeed gone, the question was who had taken his place.
“I have investigated. The person who has taken over Malcolm-nim’s sector is known as Necros. He is currently operating the Monster Coliseum, but since he has never shown his face publicly, it is highly likely that it is a pseudonym.”
“The Monster Coliseum…”
Peris was well aware of the Monster Coliseum, as it had recently been the center of attention.
It was a battleground where actual monsters and people risked their lives. Spectators cheered while watching the brutal fights.
At first, I thought Malcolm had set up the coliseum using zombies.
He was always obsessed with zombies, and more importantly, it was a facility that sprung up in Malcolm’s jurisdiction.
The subordinate’s report continued.
Information about the Monster Coliseum. And details about Necros, the owner of the coliseum.
However, Necros remained a veiled figure, his identity unknown.
Lack of information was the entirety of the information.
And then, the subordinate’s cautious report made Peris’s mood unpleasant.
“Um… Peris-nim. It seems Malcolm-nim’s death is indeed true.”
“……”
This meant that the rumors were true.
“I randomly asked those who frequent the coliseum. Some said that Malcolm-nim himself participated in the coliseum one day.”
The absurd anecdote that Malcolm himself decided to fight monsters in the coliseum.
If one person said it, it might be dismissed, but many witnesses had already testified to Malcolm’s demise.
‘You foolish bastard.’
Peris sighed deeply, never expecting such a hidden story.
At the same time, the current situation became understandable.
After all, how else could a new person seize Malcolm’s position?
It must have happened because he did something so reckless.
‘This will be an agenda item at the emergency meeting later.’
There was already an emergency meeting scheduled today, convened by the Master.
It was likely related to Malcolm’s case.
Peris put aside his thoughts about Malcolm and moved on to the next topic.
“So, what’s the situation with the other representatives?”
For him, who coveted power, understanding the movements of his colleagues was essential.
“Yes, Lyra-nim is experiencing difficulties with human trafficking these days. As the kingdom’s crackdowns have intensified, trading has become difficult. It seems the Queen is focusing on improving public safety.”
“Hmm.”
Lyra, one of the six representatives, primarily earned profits through the human trafficking business.
“Annabelle-nim is also in the same situation. Major drug cultivation sites have been discovered by the royal family, causing significant damage. It seems a large-scale investigation is underway under Queen Irena’s protection.”
And Annabelle, who was in charge of drug cultivation and distribution, was also struggling.
From Peris’s perspective, it was indeed satisfying to see his colleagues struggling.
It meant fewer competitors.
However, his expression was not good after hearing the report.
The entity inflicting blows on Lyra and Annabelle was Queen Irena.
‘The Queen…’
The Sail Kingdom was swept up in a whirlwind of change after the disaster.
Princess Irena ascended to the throne as Queen following the abdication of the previous King.
That was the problem.
Queen Irena’s actions were having a negative impact on the Black Hand.
The Black Hand’s businesses were collapsing one after another.
‘This is not good.’
While the downfall of competitors was welcome, it would be problematic if the organization that would eventually be his own collapsed in this manner.
However, it wasn’t as if there were no countermeasures.
“What did the informants I planted in the royal family say?”
Long ago, Peris had infiltrated key informants to monitor the royal family.
They were all skilled assassins.
It was a choice considering the assassination of royal family members in case of emergency.
However, the news that came back was like a thunderclap in clear sky.
“Uh, well… I’m sorry. Contact with all informants has been severed.”
“What?”
What was this now?
Why were things progressing smoothly until now, but suddenly encountering obstacles?
“After Queen Irena’s accession, contact was gradually lost, and it was completely cut off recently.”
“Is there a possibility of mere communication problems?”
Even in despair, he clung to a glimmer of hope.
The current royal family was in chaos, so it was understandable that there might be difficulties with communication.
However, all that came back were bleak stories.
“It seems almost impossible. In my opinion… there might be a secret unit directly under the Queen’s command. Otherwise, there’s no way contact with all informants would be simultaneously severed.”
“Hmm.”
Peris nodded heavily.
If as he said, the Queen secretly had a direct unit?
If a shadowy unit that only obeyed the Queen’s orders and operated secretly existed, it would explain the current situation.
‘This is the worst.’
Queen Irena’s aggressive actions. At the same time, the blows being dealt to the Black Hand.
All the adverse factors converged into one conclusion.
Currently, there was no clear solution.
“For now, let’s put this matter aside. For the time being, do not send any informants to the royal family, and if necessary, withdraw all those operating in the vicinity.”
Hasty actions were a direct path to self-destruction.
As long as the Queen had an unexpected move, a reckless frontal assault was not an option.
‘I should mention this at the meeting.’
The meeting would bring together the six representatives, including Peris.
Now that Malcolm was gone, it was reduced to five, but that was not the issue.
‘Master…’
The Master, who effectively oversaw the Black Hand.
No one knew his real name, let alone his face.
He always commanded the Black Hand with a black mask on.
‘Now that I think about it, Necros resembles the Master.’
Necros, who was reported by his subordinate to be operating the coliseum.
‘His actions while wearing a mask… Hmm?’
Peris tilted his head slightly as he thought.
Come to think of it, the subordinate reported that Necros had never shown his face.
This meant that Peris himself couldn’t know whether Necros wore a mask or not.
‘Perhaps I was mistaken.’
There was a mix-up due to the sheer volume of information.
He erased the thoughts from his mind and moved on to another topic.
“What about the Master recently?”
This was now the most important part.
As a representative of the Black Hand and its de facto leader.
Peris asked about the Master.
He was the most person of interest.
“We have not yet obtained accurate information. He is moving so discreetly that it is difficult to even approach him.”
The expected answer reached his ears.
A frozen smile spread across Peris’s lips.
‘As expected, it’s not easy.’
The other representatives were all incompetent and foolish.
Lyra and Annabelle could be controlled at any time, so it didn’t matter, and Darkmore, the warlock, had no interest other than experiments, so he wasn’t a threat.
But the Master was different.
‘Even if all of us attack, we cannot defeat him.’
Even when the representatives, who were considered quite skilled, all attacked, they couldn’t even touch the Master’s collar.
If he was to rise, he needed to learn about the Master someday.
But there was no need to rush.
It would rather serve to alert the opponent.
“Let’s stop here too. If you drag your feet too long, you’ll get stepped on.”
Peris was cautious.
The moment his plan was revealed, his faction would fall, so he had to be careful at all times.
“That’s all for the report. I have to attend a meeting soon, so you may leave.”
“Understood, Peris-nim.”
The subordinate, trembling with fear, was about to leave but stopped.
“I’m sorry, Peris-nim, there was one more thing I had to deliver.”
“What is it?”
“A letter arrived for you earlier. The sender was not written, so I was suspicious, but I thought it might be important.”
Peris’s brows furrowed as he accepted the letter.
Judging by the touch, it was of good quality.
“I see. You may go.”
After dismissing the subordinate, Peris carefully examined the letter.
There were no clues on the envelope.
He carefully opened the letter.
【To my dear human】
I am Necros, chosen by the Great One and currently operating the Monster Coliseum.
I pay my respects to your strength, humans. This is a compliment.
I wish to establish a relationship with you and offer a small banquet.
Please attend with gold coins and jewels to grace the occasion.
Let us always serve the Great One and draw a brighter future together. Otherwise, it will be a penalty.
What is this?
Peris frowned as he read the contents of the letter.
The content of the letter felt like a prank.
However, Peris’s eyes caught a familiar name.
‘Necros.’
The guy who took over Malcolm’s sector.
He was now toying with people through letters.
‘And it’s really strange.’
How did he think of sending a letter?
Peris’s question did not last long.
He heard someone calling him.
“…s.”
S?
“…ana, Peris.”
Someone was calling him.
“Wake up, Peris!”
*Slap*
A strange pain was felt on his back, and Peris opened his eyes.
“Hmm? What is this?”
Peris scanned his surroundings.
A room sticky with darkness, and a strange silence.
Only candlelight illuminated the darkness, but even that light seemed to have lost its vitality, exuding a strange feeling.
In the suffocating stillness, three shadows sat around a round table.
It was Peris himself, Lyra, and Annabelle.
This was the meeting space for the Black Hand representatives, a peculiar space where ordinary people were strictly forbidden.
‘Meeting?’
Just a moment ago, Peris was in his own space.
Then why was he here?
“Why am I here?”
Lyra and Annabelle scoffed at Peris’s question.
“What? Did you fall asleep again? The meeting is about to start, so you need to wake up!”
A meeting.
Did he feel tired lately?
Peris looked around, feeling an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
The Black Hand meeting consists of six seats.
However, three of those seats were empty.
‘Even if Malcolm is dead, why aren’t the Master and Darkmore here?’
It’s impossible.
Meetings are absolute.
No matter who the Master is, his absence is unthinkable.
“There are many empty seats.”
Peris murmured as if nothing was wrong.
Lyra was the first to react to his words.
“Well, the Master and Darkmore are probably late. It doesn’t matter about Malcolm since he’s dead anyway.”
Annabelle replied to her words.
“Tsk, honestly, Malcolm is really strange. Why did he participate in the Monster Coliseum, Peris, you heard the report from your subordinate, right-”
Annabelle’s words did not finish.
Peris immediately lunged forward and grabbed Annabelle’s throat.
“How did you know?”
He had heard the report from his subordinate that Malcolm had died participating in the coliseum.
But Annabelle knew that fact?
“Tell me the truth.”
Peris squeezed Annabelle’s throat tighter.
The pulse of life in her throat, caught in his grasp, grew weaker.
However, Annabelle’s face showed no sign of the fear or despair of facing death.
Instead, the corners of her mouth began to lift chillingly.
As if her face was being torn apart from side to side, her mouth opened wider and wider.
“Ah, I made a mistake?”
The sound echoing from deep within her throat was clearly not Annabelle’s voice.
It was closer to the voice of a demon from hell.
Annabelle’s face began to contort grotesquely.
As if her skull was being crushed by an invisible hand, her face twisted and bent somewhere.
