episode_0021

At the central lounge of a mercenary base.

Inside, a group of tense officers maintain silence with grim expressions, as if waiting for something.

Amidst their silent anticipation, a strange tension lingers without a word spoken.

“I’m here!”

“Kain!”

With a cheerful laugh, a man bursts in through the door, causing the officers to stir and rise from their seats.

Kain’s expression is so bright it’s almost radiant.

Predicting the outcome wasn’t difficult.

“Success?”

“We’ve successfully conquered that measly dungeon, of course!”

“Any casualties?”

“Our youngest took a hit to the knee, but that’s the worst of it!”

“Aaargh!”

Cheers echo through the lounge, urging Kain forward as he high-fives those demanding it, finally reaching the reception area.

Within his grasp, a small stone reveals itself.

“This is the core of Dungeon 57. Please appraise it.”

Embedded deep within the dungeon’s inner chamber,

A stone emitting a somber purple light.

This is the dungeon core, proof of a successful conquest.

Once the core is extracted, the dungeon’s functions cease, no longer spawning monsters.

The appraiser places their hand on it, closing their eyes in concentration.

“Yes. Confirmed. This is indeed the core of Dungeon 57.”

“Wow!”

Renewed cheers erupt as hands reach out from all directions, patting Kain’s head.

It’s a success.

Kain’s party has finally conquered Dungeon 57 after much hardship, without any sacrifices.

Pushing through the crowd, Kain reaches the large map laid out on the central table in the lounge.

“Here’s number 57, Kain!”

The dungeon marked on the map bears stars indicating its difficulty level.

A yellow star denotes an unconquered dungeon.

Intermittent red stars signify dungeons where sacrifices were made during unsuccessful attempts.

Even if the number of stars is the same, a dungeon with red stars is considered more dangerous.

Lastly, there are only 13 Black Star Dungeons in total across the entire map.

A Black Star signifies a dungeon officially abandoned if all mercenary leaders agree.

Even with the same five stars, a Black Star dungeon is on a different level.

If a red star implies danger, a Black Star means certain death.

“Sigh.”

Dungeon 57, adorned with five yellow stars.

Among dungeons with five stars, Dungeon 57 remains the only one still yellow.

Kain picks up a pen and marks an X on the map.

With this, Dungeon 57 becomes the sole top-tier dungeon conquered without casualties.

“Send messengers to inform all mercenary groups! We’ve succeeded in conquering Dungeon 57! Not a drop of blood shed!”

“Yes!”

Subordinates receiving orders rush out of the lounge with excited faces.

All information about dungeons is shared among mercenary groups.

Despite mercenaries fighting over loot, when it comes to creating dungeon maps, cooperation is essential.

There was no other way.

If the discovery of a dungeon is concealed, civilian casualties increase drastically.

Will my family be safe?

Will my hometown remain secure?

With these thoughts in mind, mercenary groups collaborated to construct dungeon maps.

Born from a mix of selfishness and mutual interest, the constantly updated dungeon map now boasts significant credibility, even purchased by nobles and royalty for reference.

The cooperation to protect my family and homeland elevated the honor of mercenaries.

“Kain! Aren’t you coming for a drink?”

“I’m good. You guys go ahead.”

“What’s the fun without the hero!”

“Today is the anniversary for my brothers. Let’s drink tomorrow. Tomorrow.”

“Ah······.”

The tense atmosphere dissipates in an instant.

The mercenaries, ceasing their attempts to persuade Cain, quietly exit the lounge.

As the mercenaries all leave.

Cain gazes intently at a spot on the map.

A dungeon marked with five black stars.

It was the 6th dungeon.

“It’s already been five years.”

Alone in the lounge, Cain places five empty glasses on the table.

Whiskey pours smoothly from a bottle as he uncorks it.

Finally filling all five glasses, Cain picks one up, raises it to the air, and toasts.

“My friends. I feel like I’ve finally overcome my trauma.”

He closes his eyes and reminisces.

It was five years ago.

A memory of young Cain excitedly informing his party members about a new dungeon discovery.

Recollections of his comrades praising him for his bravery and journeying towards the dungeon resurface.

That dungeon was peculiar from its very appearance.

While most entrances were on walls, this one was right in the center of a large pupil.

However, in his youthful excitement, Cain carelessly touched the door, setting off a tragedy.

‘Aaahhh!’

‘That’s Fenrir’s howl!’

‘Battle formation! Surround Cain!’

“Damn it! When does the door open?!”

‘Oh, here they come! How many are there?!’

‘Aaaahhh!’

A one-sided slaughter, or rather a hunt, began.

The sounds of flesh tearing and sharp screams filled the air.

In that living hell, young Cain survived thanks to a burly mercenary who shielded him.

He had to witness the breaking bones and agonizing screams of those who covered him.

“If I hadn’t insisted on going, would the outcome have been different?”

From that day on, the party was labeled as foolish, failing even to enter the dungeon, let alone conquer it.

Naturally, the difficulty level was not set, and numerous parties attempted to conquer the dungeon thereafter.

However, no party could breach the entrance, and eventually, the dungeon was adorned with black stars.

The 6th dungeon, remembered as one of the worst dungeons, was declared unbeatable.

“I’m sorry. I insulted your party. I didn’t know it was such a dangerous place.”

While the party’s honor was somewhat restored, it wasn’t enough.

Cain, inheriting the will of his fallen comrades, diligently challenged the dungeon.

He grew stronger and stronger.

And today, after five years, he successfully conquered the notoriously vicious 57th dungeon without losing a single comrade.

It was a great achievement that would be remembered in history.

Thus, he upheld the honor of his comrades.

He proved that the choice his comrades made to save him was right.

Even in the eyes of those above, it would not be shameful.

As Cain chuckled and refilled his glass.

“Hmm.”

A boy approaches the map, looking around nervously.

He is a newly hired apprentice cartographer.

Cain sets down his glass and approaches him.

“It seems like you need help.”

“Oh, yes. That’s right. I haven’t memorized the map yet, so it’s hard to find the dungeon.”

“Which dungeon are you looking for?”

“The 6th one.”

“What?”

Cain’s expression twists.

It couldn’t be.

Why would anyone touch the 6th dungeon marked with black stars?

“Why are you looking for the 6th dungeon?”

“To mark it as completed.”

“Hahaha. You must be mistaken. The 6th dungeon is marked as unbeatable. Who in their right mind would challenge a black-starred dungeon?”

“Really? But, when I analyzed the core we just received, it clearly matched the resonance of the 6th dungeon······.”

“What? Let me see that!”

Cain takes the ominous stone from the boy’s hand and examines it.

The sinister rock emits the same energy as the door Cain touched five years ago that day.

“Who gave me this core? Who was it?”

“Yes, yes? I don’t know either. They’re not part of our mercenary group; they’re an outsider…”

“Where are they now?”

“They must have left a little while ago.”

“Darn it!”

Thud.

Cain stormed out of the lounge and scanned the area outside.

After searching around frantically, he spotted someone’s back at the end of the corridor.

“Wait! Stop right there!”

“…?”

Upon hearing Cain’s voice, the figure paused and turned around.

However, something seemed off.

Short stature.

Messy silver hair.

No matter how you looked at it, it was the appearance of a young girl.

The girl gazed at Cain expressionlessly and slowly raised her arm.

“Peace.”

“What?”

She showed him the V sign she made with her hand.

Not understanding its significance, Cain froze in place.

It was as if he was watching an emotionless machine mimic emotions.

Just as Cain was taken aback, the girl moved away and disappeared around the corner.

“Hey! Stop right there! Just a moment to talk! Ugh…”

Chasing after the girl belatedly, Cain emerged outside the building to face a crowd of people.

No matter how much he looked around, he couldn’t spot the girl.

He had missed her.

Cain felt drained of energy, exhaling heavily in his spot.

“That little girl took down the Fenrir pack by herself?”

Cain’s gaze trembled slightly.

It was hard to believe, but he had no choice but to believe it.

Having experienced the difficulty of the 6th dungeon firsthand, he knew.

The girl’s prowess far surpassed that of an ordinary mercenary.

It was the moment a new legend was born.

…

“At this moment, she’s probably acting all high and mighty like this.”

A new legend.

An emerging divinity.

What is the true identity of the cool-beauty chic silver-haired girl?

By now, the mercenary group is probably buzzing with such discussions.

It’s only natural considering that a dungeon they had given up on and neglected for five years has been breached.

If one keeps breaking through such high-level dungeons, attention is bound to be drawn.

As reputation rises, so does the likelihood of contact with the main heroines.

I want to sweep through dungeons as I please and avoid becoming famous, hence my decisive measures.

“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”

“…I’m not hungry.”

“I am, so let’s go. You never eat anyway.”

“…Fine.”

I decided to use this guy as a front.

Mijung, with his hood flipped, glanced at me discreetly.

Now that I look at it, the hood suits him quite well.

Given his sensitivity to sunlight, protection is necessary.

To prevent revealing his pale skin and risking exposure as a vampire, covering his face is essential.

He doesn’t seem like the type capable of slaughtering dozens of Fenrirs.

So, I was worried that no one would believe me…

“I saw her! It was a small girl!”

“Are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”

“Ugh, frustrating! I’m certain! Her lack of emotion was evident; perhaps she fought too much and lost her emotions! Maybe her growth stopped due to excessive fighting!”

“Sigh. Cain wouldn’t lie about this…”

Look at that.

It’s going smoothly.

One side of the restaurant is occupied by mercenaries, bustling as they discuss Mijung’s story.

With a wry smile, I turn to look beside me.

“…Hmph.”

Mijung lets out a snort.

He looks quite pleased.

His expression remains impassive, though.

“Phew, I’m tired. How many dungeons did we clear today?”

“…12.”

“Right.”

“My performance… was significant.”

“Yeah. Thanks to you, we cleared them smoothly.”

Having tirelessly cleared twelve dungeons from early morning, it was a remarkable feat.

Previously, when he ventured with the heroines, the limit was around five dungeons a day.

Even when he ventured alone, ten was the maximum.

As long as Mijung supplied blood regularly, he didn’t tire, silently following and activating his Paladin skills.

“Death looms large as a tempting lure, yet I obey without hesitation. It’s all too easy.”

“The harvest is plentiful.”

Upon opening the bag, it reveals a pile of Mana Stones.

While mercenaries claim to fight monsters tormenting people, the dungeon’s rewards are likely the greater incentive.

If obtained properly, it could lead to hitting the jackpot.

However, the issue lies in the randomness of these rewards.

One might find a heap of Mana Stones at the end just by defeating slimes without any risk.

On the other hand, reaching the final room after losing comrades may result in finding it empty.

Of course, exceptions exist.

In the Black Star Dungeon, top-tier rewards are guaranteed.

“Wow.”

Bringing out a separate pouch, it is slowly opened beneath the desk, revealing a dazzling black gem.

The inner light shimmers beautifully, as if holding a galaxy within.

Even stacked like a pile of cheap Mana Stones inside the bag, this premium gem is incomparable in value.

“I want to touch it.”

“No, you can’t.”

Closing the pouch, it is pushed back into the bag.

Selling it would make one rich instantly, but such a wasteful act is not considered.

Since it’s been acquired, it should be put to good use.

With Magic Control still at level 1, managing it is difficult.

Today, Magic Control couldn’t be utilized due to the risk of Magic Drain or overload inside the dungeon, which could lead to instant death.

Crafting a magical tool with this Mana Stone will aid in controlling Magic better.

“I’ll let you touch it once it’s crafted.”

“Mm.”

I know an extraordinary craftsman.

He becomes famous in the latter part of the story, becoming a giant.

I plan to recruit him in advance.