Do you want to defeat the Vice Guild Leader?
For a moment, I doubted if I had heard correctly.
‘What kind of change of heart could this be?’
Yerin Jeong wasn’t the type to say something like that.
Rather, the Yerin Jeong I knew didn’t want to cause trouble within the guild and was far from the type to confront things directly.
Didn’t she even accept Taekyoung Yoon as a spy, knowing he was one?
Well, regardless, she had now declared that she would oppose her own brother, the Vice Guild Leader.
‘A power struggle within the guild.’
These kinds of fights never end small.
If the conflict escalates, eventually one of them, either Yerin Jeong or Taeyoung Jeong, would have to be kicked out of the guild for the fight to end.
I wondered what plan she had.
She wouldn’t have said it without thinking.
I stared intently at her face, thinking for a moment.
There must be only one reason why Yerin Jeong told me this.
‘She wants me to lend her strength.’
It might be that she’s simply seeking my opinion as an advisor to the team, but it was hard to believe my plan had no connection to her plan.
‘Defeat the Vice Guild Leader by using the dungeon?’
In the dungeon, Baalcherit was the administrator.
In other words, she meant to eliminate Taeyoung Jeong by borrowing Baalcherit’s power.
Besides, since Baalcherit and that dungeon were mine, it was as good as me already intervening.
Of course, if I were to withdraw Baalcherit from the dungeon here, it would become unrelated, but I had no intention of doing so.
Conquering the dungeon and dispatching an administrator shortens the time it takes to absorb sacrifices.
Currently, even with Baalcherit managing the conquered dungeons, the time is reduced by 10%, so I had no reason to give up that dungeon.
More than anything, the current situation itself could be beneficial to me.
If she, who is favorable to me, takes over the Fire Bird Guild?
‘Not bad.’
However, I couldn’t support Yerin Jeong blindly.
After finishing my thoughts, I opened my mouth.
“For what reason did you come to this decision?”
I needed to know what she was thinking to decide my own actions accordingly.
At my question, Yerin Jeong hesitated for a long time. Then, she let out a deep sigh and began to speak.
“When Taekyoung Yoon died, the first thought I had was ‘Thank goodness.'”
My eyebrows naturally shot up at her honest feeling.
As I remained silent, Yerin Jeong continued.
“If Taekyoung Yoon had returned alive, he would have reported Baalcherit’s existence to the Vice Guild Leader.”
Her voice trembled slightly. It was a side of her I’d never seen.
Yerin Jeong, who had always been confident and composed in front of her teammates, now looked like she was facing deep fear.
“If that happened, the guild would surely attempt to subjugate the dungeon. And from that moment on… the fate of the Fire Bird Guild would be over.”
“What does that….”
What was this now?
The fate of the Fire Bird Guild ending. I thought it was a bit of an exaggeration.
“Kanghyeon, you wouldn’t know. How powerful a being Baalcherit is.”
No. Regarding Baalcherit’s full strength, I knew much more than she did.
“If we were to clash with such a being, the Fire Bird Guild’s prestige might rapidly decline. No, perhaps even the guild’s very existence might be threatened.”
Now I understood her true intention.
It seemed she was worried about a situation where the Fire Bird Guild and Baalcherit clashed head-on.
Perhaps she was afraid because she didn’t know Baalcherit’s exact strength.
Moreover, the inside of the dungeon itself is a huge maze.
With Minotaurus even present, if the Fire Bird Guild were to go wrong by mistake, it would be the end.
“But no matter how hard we try to hide it, the story will eventually spread. For now, all we’re doing is buying time. That’s why I considered a way to preserve the guild’s strength by sacrificing the Vice Guild Leader.”
I mulled over her words.
The Fire Bird Guild was by no means in a safe position.
It was one of the top ten guilds, but it could easily become prey for other guilds if it was shaken even slightly.
Ultimately, Yerin Jeong’s choice was cold.
To abandon the Vice Guild Leader and preserve the hunters’ strength.
Given the Vice Guild Leader’s personality, it was natural for him to send an extermination team to the dungeon using Taekyoung Yoon’s death as an excuse.
However, an extermination team that knew about Baalcherit’s existence was vastly different from one that didn’t.
Ultimately, Baalcherit was a game-changer for Yerin Jeong.
“…The transaction is already complete.”
She even said a transaction happened.
An intruder would soon appear in the dungeon, and she asked to deal with the leader and spare the rest. And Baalcherit agreed.
“…….”
Hearing up to this point, I couldn’t help but admire Yerin Jeong’s decisiveness.
I never expected she would have planned this much in such a short time spent in the dungeon.
‘It’s a relief, at least.’
It would have been troublesome if she hadn’t told me anything.
‘So the Vice Guild Leader will eventually form an extermination team?’
Baalcherit is the administrator of the dungeon I sent. And Taeyoung Jeong is trying to form an extermination team to subjugate that dungeon?
Moreover, when the extermination team is assembled, it will consist of dozens of hunters. If something goes wrong, they could be caught unaware.
I slowly nodded and said.
“I have heard the story well. So….”
I deliberately paused for a moment before continuing.
“How can I help you?”
Having told me everything up to this point, her request for help was inevitable.
As expected, Yerin Jeong’s eyes sparkled.
This must have been her main point.
“I really need your help, Kanghyeon. And like this dungeon conquest… could you also assign Familiars to the team?”
“Familiars….”
By Familiars, she meant Maru.
Actually, it was a request I could easily grant.
However, if you want something, you need to give something in return.
If I grant the request immediately, I won’t be able to gain the upper hand in negotiations.
“…….”
I pretended to consider it without giving an immediate answer.
Then, Yerin Jeong spoke with a determined look.
“I know it will be a difficult task.”
Of course.
The plan is to persuade the guild’s extermination team and eliminate the Vice Guild Leader.
“But if this succeeds, I will formally appoint you as the guild’s advisor.”
“Hmm.”
This changes things.
A formal advisor position for the guild, not just a team?
‘I can’t pass this up.’
In terms of treatment and position, it was bound to be better than now.
Barely suppressing a smile, I extended my hand to her.
“Don’t worry, Team Leader. I will take all the measures I can.”
At my words, Yerin Jeong laughed.
“Pfft, I didn’t know you were so funny, Kanghyeon.”
I didn’t know what was funny, but what I said just now was sincere.
I would gather all the Monster forces I could mobilize in the ‘Wandering Maze’ dungeon.
* * *
A dungeon located in the southernmost mountain range of the Orbis Empire.
The dungeon, which was covered in dust and cobwebs just three days ago, was now completely different.
The corridors were polished to a shine, and the carpet covering them was so clean that not a single footprint was left.
Expensive oil paintings adorned the walls on both sides of the corridor.
While it was a dilapidated dungeon before, it now felt like stepping into a noble’s mansion.
This is the ‘Fortress of Silence’ dungeon, completely transformed.
All these changes happened after Necros arrived.
Originally, the owner of the ‘Fortress of Silence’ was not Necros, but a Lich.
Necros was merely an administrator sent to conquer this place under the Master’s orders.
However, his impression upon first seeing this dungeon was, in a word, a mess.
The interior was unmanaged and full of dust, and the Lich, who was the dungeon’s owner, was struggling against a merchant from the Underworld Merchant Guild, being badgered for debt.
So Necros stepped in himself.
He paid off the Lich’s debts, repaired the facilities needed for the dungeon, and normalized everything for smooth operation.
Surprisingly, all these changes were made in just three days.
It wasn’t just the dungeon that changed.
“Oh, Master… your face still shines today…”
A Mummy respectfully bowed its head and meticulously wiped Necros’s skull.
The Mummy was the being who betrayed the original owner, the Lich, and guided Necros on the first day he arrived here.
The Mummy’s bandages, which were once tattered, were now replaced with new bandages made of high-quality material, embroidered with intricate gold thread patterns.
The Mummy’s appearance had literally transformed into a Golden Mummy.
“All of this… is all thanks to you, Master…”
Genuine respect was evident in the Mummy’s slow voice.
Necros indifferently nodded at the Mummy’s flattering words. Then, he turned his gaze to the Lich kneeling beside him.
“Crack-?”
(Have you realized anything-?)
At Necros’s words, the Lich respectfully bowed its head.
“…Cak-tak-tak-tak-tak”
(I have fully grasped the Master’s words.)
The Lich, once the owner of the dungeon, was now faithfully following Necros.
Not just following a new master, but revering him as a true mentor.
This was because Necros was an Arch Lich, a monster one level above the Lich.
And he was also captivated by Necros’s confident demeanor.
Necros accomplished things the Lich could only dream of.
Especially the way he flipped the tables on the Underworld Merchant Guild merchant was admirable.
The Lich felt triumphant seeing the merchant, who had verbally abused him due to debt, being intimidated by his mentor, Necros.
Thus, the dungeon was reborn in three days beyond recognition.
The teachings of an Arch Lich, a higher being, showed the Lich a new world.
The Lich also wished to become a dungeon master like Necros someday.
So, despite the short time, he received much tutelage from Necros as his mentor. Now, he even felt a connection to Necros through some unknown power.
The Lich’s gaze shifted sideways.
Unfortunately, he was not Necros’s only disciple.
“Demonic Sword… want…! Power!”
The undead being who muttered about Demonic Swords all day was Beter.
He was the Master’s second disciple, a Dullahan whose head and body were separated.
I didn’t know where the Dullahan came from, but my Master said.
– Crack! Crack! (It is the command given by Him.)
I didn’t know who “He” was, but the Lich strived to absorb everything Necros taught.
At least, he was confident he learned better than that Dullahan.
“…….”
Necros nodded at the Lich’s confident appearance.
As per His will, he had taught him at least everything he could.
Just then.
An unknown voice echoed in the air.
【Enter the dungeon】
With the voice, a crack appeared in the air, and a dimensional portal opened.
Although the Lich was flustered by the sight, Necros gestured.
“Crack, Crack-.”
(Go, it is His command.)
His command?
The Lich hesitated for a moment, but he thought it was right to obey his Master’s words.
He rose from his seat and headed towards the dimensional portal.
With each step forward, the Lich’s robe gracefully swayed.
Soon after, the Lich disappeared into the dimensional portal.
* * *
The moment he passed through the dimensional portal, a vast dungeon unfolded before the Lich’s eyes.
It didn’t matter where this place was.
What was most important in the current situation was that there was a group of humans in front of the Lich.
“Everyone, halt! Monster appearance ahead!”
“It’s the Vice Guild Leader’s order! Secure your positions and assess the situation!”
The Lich’s gaze scanned the unfamiliar equipment of the humans.
It was quite different from the equipment of adventurers he usually saw.
What was even more surprising were the Skeleton Soldiers lined up in front of the humans.
Undead with humans!
Could they be Warlocks, not Adventurers?
The Lich did not panic.
As the first disciple who received teachings from Master Necros, he analyzed the situation.
First, he disregarded the weapons and equipment he had never seen before.
As they were different from what adventurers used, proper analysis was difficult.
Next was the number of humans.
By rough estimation, the number of humans was enormous.
What would happen if they fought here?
Even if he detonated the Skeleton Soldiers in front of the human group with corpse explosion, a frontal assault would be impossible.
How would Master handle such a situation?
After a moment of thought, the Lich elegantly swung his robe and stepped forward.
He had made a decision.
“Crack.”
(There.)
The Lich approached the Skeleton Soldiers and politely spoke.
“Crack?”
(May I join you?)
The Skeleton Soldiers hesitated for a moment at the Lich’s unexpected action.
They glanced at each other for a moment, then nodded and made room for the Lich.
Thanks to them, the Lich was able to blend in naturally among them.
“Wh-what happened there?”
The hunters were just as bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
A strange Skeleton Monster appeared in the dungeon.
Moreover, it didn’t attack but calmly took its place among the Skeleton Soldiers!
The Necromancer among the hunters, who had summoned the Skeleton Soldiers, was also baffled. The current situation made no sense.
“No, why did that thing come here?”
Even as a Necromancer, the undead monster’s behavior was bizarre.
Then, a companion next to him asked.
“Isn’t it possible you summoned it and forgot?”
“…Is that so?”
Seeing that the Skeleton Soldiers he himself summoned were standing still, it seemed like the story was true.
In the end, the Necromancer accepted the Lich.
