Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society Chapter 95-97

Chapter 95. Granting Freedom (2)

A+-rank Field Dungeon, Graveyard Over the Lake. There were three types of monsters that appeared here. First were the fish-headed, human-legged monsters that climbed on top of boats and attacked with their sharp teeth, the fishmen. As the weakest group of monsters at Graveyard Over the Lake, they were the greatest in number. They swam freely in the lake, then suddenly jumped on top of boats and attacked the pa.s.sengers. As melee attack monsters, they were also the monsters that annoyed Hwaya's party the most.

The second were the shark type monsters that resembled saw sharks, toothsaws. They had long upper jaw covered in saw-like teeth that seemed to be strengthened by mana as they vibrated like chain saws. These monsters didn't jump on top of boats like fishmen, but approached boats with chainsaw sounds and poked holes in them.

To prevent this, the cruise ship I was on was patched with the leather of the S-rank monster, wyvern. Even so, it couldn't last very long against the toothsaws' attacks. As such, we had to take care of them whenever we heard their chainsaw sounds. Although Hwaya's attribute wasn't the best for the dungeon, her SS-ranked flames could still burn their targets underwater. In other words, as long as they weren't left untouched as they attacked, they were easier to deal with than fishmen.

The third and last were the most precious and popular monsters, melting tunas! Why were they called melting tunas? Because they were so soft and delicious that they melted in our mouths! They were so delicious that they were called the blessing of Windermere's dungeon! Even without Bluestones, these melting tunas were said to be sold for 150 million won1.

"But you see, my magic roasts them instantly…"
"My magic is a bit slow to cast…"

"Useless people, ptui."

"You want me to roast you instead?"
"Just wait there until my magic is finished."

Oops, I accidentally said my thoughts out loud. Regardless, looking at the melting tuna that had jumped on top of our boat and splashed around, I asked the others.

"How do these things attack?"

"They shoot water from their mouths."

As soon as Hwaya's words left her mouth, the melting tuna turned it head towards me and shot out a stream of water. Mike, who was ready, blocked it with a wall of water. A thundering roar that shouldn't be possible from the collision of water rang out. I first wore a raincoat for sanitary purposes, then charged at the melting tuna.

"Hand over your otoro2 and I'll cook you with the least amount of pain… huk!"

"What's wrong, T.K.?"

I ran behind the tuna to its blind spot and swung my knife. Seeing the knife break the moment it touched its scales, my eyes opened wide.

"The knife… won't go in!"

"It's an A+-rank monster. What did you expect, stupid?"

"d.a.m.n it!"

I wrapped my arms around the melting tuna's gills. Although its constant struggling annoyed me, it couldn't overpower my strength, which was boosted by various equipment. When I let lightning flow into its body through its gills, the melting tuna stopped its water attack and began coughing. Good, it was working! I raised the lightning output and strangled him harder. Every time sparks of lightning flickered from my arms, the melting tuna twitched, its resistance becoming weaker.

"So that's Thunder Knight."
"My image of him is being… broken."

After wrestling with the melting tuna for a minute, I managed to kill it. However, looking at the smoked melting tuna, I realized I had made a fatal mistake.

"Oh no… I grilled it!"

"Ha, you're no different than me, T.K.!"

Killed by a minute-long exposure to strong lightning, even the inside of the tuna had been grilled to perfection. Although I was glad everyone said it was tastier than Hwaya's roasted version, I refused to give up. d.a.m.n, since I couldn't just bring out my spear, there was only one thing I could do!

"I need to learn a sword technique and strengthen my knife with mana!"

"Are you crazy?"

Kitchen knives couldn't penetrate melting tunas when they were alive or when they had just died. Knives only worked on them long after they died or when they were cooked to perfection! As such, I couldn't fillet the melting tunas like I wanted. Chewing on its delicious gill (with its size, its gill was also huge), I muttered with resentment.

"d.a.m.n it, my tuna sashimi…"

"I'll take you to eat some later, so stop whining."

"No, I vow to eat a fresh, living melting tuna! Nom nom…"

"Stop eating that grilled tuna and kill the fishmen!"

I was quite sad from being unable to eat the tuna sashimi that I had been looking forward to so much. Regardless, I had no problem killing the monsters in the A+-rank dungeon, Graveyard Over the Lake. I didn't even have to use Thunder Beast.

If it was me from the time I killed the Giant Iron Boar, I would undoubtedly have had trouble killing them, but in just a few months of leveling up and gaining battle experience, A+-rank monsters died in just a few punches from me. I once again realized the importance of stats.

"Strong."

"I'm unneeded."

"Same, but why so suddenly, Paul? We were only eating popcorn since a while ago."

When Paul spoke dispiritedly, Mike responded with surprise. Hearing their conversation, I lightly smiled and asked.

"Why aren't more melting tunas appearing? Since that first tuna, we've only seen those disgusting fishmen or those toothsaws trying to poke holes in our boat like woodp.e.c.k.e.rs."

"There aren't that many of them. We were lucky to have seen that one."

"I turned a precious guy into a grilled fish…"

Since I already cooked the tuna, we couldn't sell it. Hwaya lied saying that she'd store it using her extradimensional storage magic, and put it in her inventory. I didn't care, thinking I could always catch another one, but to think it was so rare… If she didn't give me my share later, bloodshed would be inevitable. Striking my lightning fist into a fishman's body, I pledged to myself.

After I stayed on the ship for three hours, I finally understood why Hwaya seemed to be crying every time she contacted me.

"This lake is really big. There's just no end to it. Was Windermere Lake always this big?"

"Of course not. When it became a dungeon, the area strangely became bigger. That's why we aren't sure just how long we'll have to continue. According to other countries' reports, the number of normal monsters decreases significantly when the Field Dungeon's boss is killed… But we haven't been able to find that boss."

Hwaya threw another fireball into the water as she answered my question. The toothsaw that was trying to drill into the ship made its death throes and sunk into the water. Watching the toothsaw, I muttered.

"Shark fin…"

"Don't. An S-ranker from China already tried it, and apparently the texture of toothsaw's fin isn't as good as other sharks. In fact, because it's so hard, ability users other than body reinforcement types can't even eat it."

"Did the Chinese S-ranker finish it? Did he say it was tasty?"

"No, he wasn't a body reinforcement type ability user, so his teeth broke."

"Kuk, so he at least tried, that S-ranker…!"

Giving up on the shark fin, I raised my head. It was already past four in the afternoon. The cold winter lake wind blew against my platinum blonde hair. Looking at the town that was only a dot over the horizon, I murmured.

"Even going back will take some time."

"Yep, we're going to go back soon. So? You understand why I said it would take a long time, right?"

"Yeah, you did well until now. Of course, since I'm here, it'll be much faster."

"Haha, at least your confidence doesn't lose to an SS-ranker."

As Hwaya and I were talking, Mike nodded his head and remarked.

"You are indeed worthy of the name Thunder Knight."

Hwaya took care of the toothsaws and I took care of the fishmen. Other than when we met the melting tuna, Paul and Mike only stood by. As for Madam Brown, she had spent the entire afternoon enjoying the lake winds. According to her, it was better if she didn't need to use her ability. She really had the mindset of a healer.

Although we encountered many monsters on our way back, no melting tunas appeared, and we didn't even catch a glimpse of the boss monster. When we spent over three hours to get back to the dock, the sky had turned completely dark. The sun wasn't out for long even in Britain's winter.

"T.K., let's go get some drinks with dinner."

"Okay."

Mike offered with his hand on my shoulder, and I gave him a thumbs up. Paul seemed to want to join in, while Madam Brown said her goodbyes and went back to her lodging. Hwaya then sent me a message as she gestured at me.

[Let's go finish the grilled tuna. Time is frozen in the inventory, so it'll be delicious and fresh. I'll treat you to the ultimate wine.]

[You know just what I want! Call!]

I exchanged glances with Hwaya and took Mike's hand off of my shoulder.

"Now that I think about it, I have to teach Hwaya how to control her mana. We'll have to drink tomorrow."

"That's not suspicious at all, hehe. Mastiford's fans across the globe will cry."

"Paul, let's leave the young lovers alone and go out for a drink with just the two of us!"

"Alright, since that's the case, let's drink until dawn, Mike!"

Paul and Mike walked away with a huge misunderstanding about me and Hwaya. Since I couldn't be bothered with chasing after them and correcting the misunderstanding, I simply followed Hwaya to her lodging. When I was watching the countless stars in the night sky with awe, Hwaya opened her mouth.

"You've spent a day with them now. How were they? They're good people, right?"

"Yeah. I think Britain's quite lucky. Although Brightman is here too, I was quite surprised there were so many people with camaraderie and clear hearts, even with their great strengths."

At my compliment, Hwaya let out a dry cough and puffed out her chest. I wished she'd restrain herself a bit with how bountiful her chest was. I didn't know where to look.

"Britain is a great country! Ah, I like Korea too. There are many good people in Korea too. Plus, I love Korean food. My mom is a great cook. But still, I like this country, Britain."

"I think being proud of the country you were born in is a good thing."

I replied with a bitter smile. She also responded with a bitter smile. Then, neither of us said anything.

We arrived at her lodgings and opened the door. As Hwaya was about to go in without much thought, I stopped her. With a smile, I closed the door. As I thought, he didn't listen to my warning.

Thinking that, I opened my eyes sharply and shouted.

"Ruyue, Peika, restrain him!"

[Aooooooo!]

The lodging was instantly surrounded by a wall of ice. A gasp rang out along with the sound of a window opening. A large amount of electricity sparked in the air. A black clothed man trying to escape from the window had become enveloped in Peika's lightning curtain.

"Kuk!"

The moment I heard his voice, I was reminded of someone.

"Ruyue!"

[You can't run!]

After falling on the ground, the black clothed man tried to escape without caring for the pain or injury he suffered, but Ruyue froze his feet before he could move. With his feet frozen to the ground, he couldn't move in the slightest. Peika created a spear of lightning in the air.

[Master, do I kill him?]

"Paralyze him for now! Don't let him take anything out!"

At my order, Peika sent her lightning flying toward him. As I expected, he tried to reach into an invisible pocket of dimension in mid-air. However, Peika's lightning struck him before he could take anything out. He trembled as he foamed at the mouth. Meanwhile, Ruyue's ice crept up from his feet to his shin, knees, then waist. He was being restrained perfectly.

Good, with this, he wouldn't be able to escape to the dungeon.

I stood in front of him. It seemed he snapped out of the paralysis as he sent a fist imbued with blue light toward me. However, I likewise imbued my hand with white light and grabbed his fist. He flinched as he trembled.

"How disappointing."

With that, I squeezed the fist in my hand. Crack. With an unpleasant sound, his finger bones snapped. His other fist instantly flew toward me shining with a strange light. Before what I expected was a skill could activate, I struck his elbow up. Crack. With another unpleasant sound, his arm snapped.

"Kuuk…!"

"I didn't think you were this kind of person."

"What? Shin… Do you know him?"

Seeing Hwaya standing still and blinking at me until the situation was taken care of, I was reminded how bad magicians were with using their bodies. On her shoulder was a small flame cat. It seemed she at least knew how to protect herself. I gave her 6 points out of 10.

I answered Hwaya.

"Didn't you realize?"

"Realize what?"

To prevent him from opening the door to the dungeon, I grabbed his other arm and bent it. Although he tried to resist me with his mana, my strength was vastly higher than his. He was undoubtedly a strong explorer, but I could so easily break his arm.

"Kuu!"

"… Hm?"

Even after hearing his voice, Hwaya tilted her head. You, that's uncharacteristically cute, so it's forbidden from now. I calmed my heart beating because of her, and told her the answer.

"It's Walker. Edward Walker."

"Ah, Walker! So that's who it was… Walker!?"

Author's note:
Walker finally appears! And gets beaten the moment he does! But it was to be expected. Walker is an explorer from the Third Dungeon… (tears)

About $130,000 USD. For the record, a sushi-grade bluefin tuna was sold for $173,600 for a 444 pound fish in 2001. So it's a very reasonable price for a good tuna. ↩ The most expensive, fattiest, and most delicious part of a tuna. ↩

Chapter 96. Granting Freedom (3)

Hwaya's eyes opened wide. It was to be expected. She probably didn't expect Walker's name to suddenly pop out.

But I was sure. The black clothed man who was frozen up to his stomach was undoubtedly Edward Walker. I could tell from his voice. Seeing him use a skill, I became even more confident.

I took off the mask he was wearing. A brown eyed and brown haired middle-age man was revealed underneath. Although he was gritting his teeth and glaring at me, I didn't pay it any attention and grabbed his face. Pzzt. Sparks flashed. This strong resistance. I was confident.

"You even have an item that hides your ident.i.ty."

"Like the one you're wearing?"

"I already said sorry."

I let Walker go. Since he could have Return skill like me (though he would have used it by now), I broke his two legs to leave behind an evidence he couldn't get rid of. Although I wasn't sure how severe the state of his arms and legs were, they were not of my concern.

"Kuuuuk!"

"Walker, sneaking into a lady's room is something only a piece of trash would do. Don't you think so?"

"Kuuuu….!"

"You see, I'm quite angry. It could be because I have a younger sister, but it doesn't feel like someone else's problem. I might be a bit harsh… so start talking."

First, I lightly punched his stomach. The mana surrounding his body undulated and a strong blue light shot out for a moment. From the resistance I felt against my fist, it seemed he was wearing a shock-reducing item, as it only reacted to physical shock, not to lightning or ice. No, perhaps the item reacted, but couldn't win against them.

I wondered how it worked. Was it a one-time use item? Or did it have a set number of uses? Perhaps, it simply activated using his mana. To answer my question, I punched Walker again. He frowned, and, at the same time, another blue light shot out.

It seemed he was using his own mana. Deciding that it was best to deplete his mana before he could do something to escape, I punched him repeatedly.

"Don't even pretend to be someone else."

"I'm… Walker. Kuk…!"

"Sorry, let me deplete your mana first."

"I… won't resist!"

"I don't believe you, so shut up."

I beat him repeatedly. When the blue light subsided completely, Walker's pupils dilated. It was the sign that his lack of mana was affecting his mind.

"Kuk… Yeon Hwawoo, you brute…! I was only inside here!"

"What, you were just trying to sneak a peek on Hwaya taking a bath? Did someone like you crawl into an SS-ranker's lodge to play tag? If you're going to continue your nonsense, I can always. .h.i.t you more."

"…"

"You, why would a dungeon explorer like you work under someone like Brightman?"

I, of course, judged that Walker was Brightman's subordinate and was acting on his orders. To be honest, it was rather obvious. Hwaya was also nodding her head in agreement.

"Would you believe me if I said I wasn't?"

When I raised my fist without a reply, Walker let out a deep sigh.

"You really are a brute… uk!"

"First, take off that item."

Walker glared at me, then reached his hands out to unequip his item. Then, realizing that his arms were broken, he murmured something. Surprisingly, something thin came off of his face, and he became a black haired, green eyed young man. Although his facial lines were rather thick, his green eyes gave a calming impression.

"Ah, give me that item of course."

"… It's a Floor Shop item, so it's untradeable."

"Oh, I see."

When I picked it up, it came in my possession without any resistance. He was lying.

[Ghostface (Unique)
Durability - 98/110
Equipment Limit - Level 40+, Magic 50+
Option - Magic -20, Dexterity +15
Skill - Ghostface: Wearing this item will allow you to change your appearance into someone you saw before. However, as the item uses your mana, you cannot use a portion of your mana while the item is equipped.]

The moment the item description popped up, I punched Walker's stomach again. As expected, blue light once again shot up. He was undoubtedly trying to do something, as he gritted his teeth at my attack.

"You son of a b.i.t.c.h!"

"You're the son of a b.i.t.c.h here."

I depleted his mana once again and put Ghostface in my inventory.

"Can you disarm yourself next?"

"I can't move my body. Heal my arm at least."

"Okay, I'll just take them off myself."

"Kyak, what are you doing when I'm watching!?"

Just like that, Walker was stripped until even his important parts were showing (Hwaya screamed and turned away). I put on some random clothes on Walker, and burned his undergarments. Then, I checked his equipment, and found what I was looking for.

"Here it is."

[Serina's Guardian Bracelet (Epic)
Durability - 551/1,120
Equipment Limit - Bound to Edward Walker. Other who equip it will not receive its effects.
Option - All stats + 10, Const.i.tution +10
Skill - Serina's Protection: Upon receiving physical or magical attacks that surpa.s.ses its wearer's defense, it automatically uses mana to protect its wearer.]

"Epic, huh…"

I didn't know at first, but I also had epic-grade items. Crimson Dragon Scale Armor Set, Crimson Dragon, Red Dragon Felixes' Cape, and Gluttony Spear were all epic-grade items.

As I didn't expect walker to have such a precious item, I couldn't help but let out an exclamation of surprise. However, as I already knew, epic-grade items became bound to their first wearers. Others who equipped them weren't able to enjoy their effects. As such, I ordered Peika to destroy Serina's Guardian Bracelet. It was a shame, but there was no other choice since I couldn't equip it.

"No, do you know how precious that is!?"

"Walker, just shut up."

I checked the rest of his equipment, but they were only rare-grade at best. I put them together in a pile and burned them up. Walker bit his lips and cursed.

"You son of a b.i.t.c.h. No, you son of a devil."

"Now, let's hear your story."

"Like this?"

"Your mouth isn't hurt. You, why are you working under Brightman? Don't tell me you made him a dungeon explorer. Though, there's still only 6 people in Earth's dungeon explorer rankings…"

"You think I'm crazy? Compared to him, the only thing I have going for me is that I'm a dungeon explorer. He doesn't know that I can go to a place outside this world and grow my ability… Plus, it just happens that my clan has been serving Brightman's clan for generations."

It really was a simple reason. Although I had doubts, Hwaya seemed to have accepted it.

"It's possible."

"Hey, it's the 21st century."

"Shin, in this world, there are lots of people living lives you can't even imagine."

"That's… Okay, I understand."

I looked at Walker and fell into thought. I didn't think I would beat Walker half-dead when I came over for dinner. It was so absurd that I felt like I was looking at an answer to a math problem without any work.

"Then why were you spying on Hwaya?"

"You two are really quite friendly. Calling her Hwaya… I've never seen Mastiford allow someone to call her by her first name."

"Walker, I thought you were smart…"

Perhaps, even though he understood the dangerous situation he was in, he might have wanted to show that his mind had not yielded to me. Or, he was simply comforting himself by telling himself that he had not completely lost yet. I didn't care either way, but I didn't have any intention of letting this drag out any longer. Did I have to resort to more violence?

Walker seemed to have noticed what I was thinking as he hurriedly continued.

"As you can imagine, it was Brightman's orders. He said to observe and report everything… He probably wanted to find something he could exploit. Not to mention, Yeon Hwawoo… though it's probably a fake name, you're also someone he ordered to observe. He was quite mad that Mastiford let you enter her lodging."

"Ek, creepy…"

Hwaya scratched her arms, likely from gooseb.u.mps she must have received. If I were her, I would have been creeped out too…

"Mastiford, you didn't let your guard down often. The only thing I could deliver to Brightman was a picture of you taking a shower that I took between the door gap."

"Kyaaaak!"

Hwaya screamed and threw her flame cat at Walker. The clothes I took the trouble to put on him were burned instantly.

"KUaaaaak!"

"Hwaya, calm down. Murder is bad."

"Creepy, creepy, this is the worst! Brightman who ordered to take pictures of me secretly and Walker who carried it out! I want to kill them both! I'm going to kill them both!"

"Be patient for now. I had something in mind. Unless you're really going to kill Walker, why don't you hear me out?"

"Huu, huu, huu…! You have a plan? I'll hear it out."

Walker breathed roughly and retrieved her flame cat. After half-burning a man to cinders, the cat turned around a meowed cutely.

I thought she'd refuse, but she regained her composure rather quickly. In the end, it seemed she was thinking the same thing I was.

"Really… kuk, you're letting me show very embarra.s.sing parts of myself…!"

Half-burnt Walker murmured as he gritted his teeth. As I had just finished talking with Hwaya, I replied to him, dumbfounded.

"You should have known this was going to happen if you were discovered."

"Right… You, how did you pierce through my stealth? I was confident I would never be found out…"

"Don't tell me you really thought I'd tell you… Alright, Walker, you have a few choices. Listen up."

I raised a single finger up.

"First, you can go back to Brightman and reveal to the whole world that you're involved with him."

"You seem to be missing some preconditions there."

"Of course, you'll use your real face and reveal what you did. Although Brightman is behind you, the British government cares for Hwaya just as much. I can certain that it'll be quite hard to have a proper life from then."

Walker closed his mouth. I continued.

"Second, you can run away to the dungeon and never come back. It's probably better than the first option, though, it's still the same that you won't be able to live on Earth."

"Is there more?"

"Of course there is. Third, you can betray Brightman and come to our side."

"… You think I will? After what you did to me?"

Walker asked me as if he had just heard the most absurd thing in the world. However, I nodded my head a.s.sertively.

"I think you will. You were only working under Brightman because you were born into it. If you thought about Brightman so much that you would always be loyal to him, you would have made him a dungeon explorer a long time ago."

"Someone who knows that would do this to me!?"

"What you did was unforgivable after all. Even if you can become my ally, you'll have to pay for your crimes."

At my words, Walker became silent. Watching him, Hwaya burst out into laughter.

"Kukuk, so this is Walker who cared for himself so much and didn't want to help… Walker, your actions frankly disgust me, but it's not unforgivable as you didn't make Brightman into a dungeon explorer. Although I wanted to end you no matter what Shin said… If you cooperate wholeheartedly from now, I can stop myself from ending your life. You should know this is an incredible mercy on my part."

"Someone who couldn't notice me until now shouldn't be so arrogant…"

"Uk."

After making Hwaya speechless, Walker turned his gaze toward me. Walker was certainly a dungeon explorer, as I could see his body naturally healing as time went on.

"I can't escape from him. Even before he became an ability user, the power and money he had was enormous. As long as I'm in Britain, I can't be free from his reach. Even if I can go into the dungeon, it would be the same when I come out. Unless I plan on living in the dungeon forever like you said, I can only be loyal to him. The only way I could resist him is not letting him know that I can turn him into a dungeon explorer."

"Setting aside the question of whether or not that was really the only way… Why can't you just leave Britain?"

"Were you listening to me? There's no way to leave Britain without him finding out."

"Why don't I give a very simple example. During the Event Raid, you could have left for another country and stayed there."

"You were just scared. Admit it. You didn't have the courage to change the way you lived."

"… Huu."

After a short sigh, Walker revealed his true thoughts.

"As long as I was loyal to him, I could have anything I wanted. You're right. Being able to thoughtlessly work under someone is indeed comfortable, and I grew used to it. Partic.i.p.ating in a raid and running away? I don't know how I would live after that. I was working under him the moment I was born. There wasn't a single time where I acted on my own accord."

"The reason you only laughed at others in the communication channel and never partic.i.p.ated, was it just a defense mechanism?"

"No, that was because I simply thought you guys were idiots. It wasn't a defense mechanism or the like. If jumping into danger on your own volition isn't stupid, what is?"

"You're doing exactly that right now…"

This guy, even if his body's a mess, he's mouth is alive… I decided to give him the ultimatum.

"Walker, make your decision. This is the last chance to change your lifestyle. If you agree, I'll separate you from Brightman completely. Pledging loyalty and living for Brightman for the rest of your life, or living in the dungeon without being able to come back to Earth. I can at least offer you a better lifestyle than that."

"… I."

Walker hesitated for a long time and finally answered.

Hearing his answer, I grinned.

Author's note:
I'm feeling a bit sick. I have a cold and my entire body hurts. I couldn't write much today. I hope I'll be fine when I wake up. Tomorrow's chapter is on the line!
Everyone, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll come back next chapter with Loretta!

Chapter 97. Granting Freedom (4)

The dungeon's Residential Area was packed with people today, as always. However, I headed straight to my mansion. I wasn't going there to rest, but to visit Fairy Garden through the Fairy Spring. In the pavilion on the way to Loretta's log cabin, I saw someone I had not seen last time.

"Lin!"

"Oh, if it isn't Kang Shin, the Crown Prince who died on the 40th floor?"

"Kuk!"

I knew he would make fun of me! But why was he here? I gave him an inquisitive glance. At the same time, I noticed someone next to him. It was a cute girl with cat ears on her head, who was shaking her long tail slowly. It was Lokanyan.

"h.e.l.lo, nyan."

"h.e.l.lo, Lokanyan!"

"My name isn't Lokanyan, it's Loka, nyan!"

"I see, Lokanyan."

"Kyaaaaa!"

After making fun of Lokanyan, I turned my attention to Lin. Just like always, he had a cigarette in his mouth.

"Thanks to your vitality hitting zero, I became free for a weak, so I'm enjoying my sweet vacation."

"I see. Well, you must be tired from making all those equipment for me. Thanks again, Lin."

"You really hate losing, don't you…!?"

"Lin nyan, Loka nyan made cookies, nyan. Eat some, nyan! Everyone liked it, nyan!"

As Lin's hand holding his cigarette shook, Lokanyan pushed a plate in front of him, which had cookie-like things piled on top of it. Were they items? I mean, they looked just like poison items!

"Ah, I was wondering where everyone went… Loka, you sent them away, I see."

"That's rude, nyan! Everyone shook because it was so delicious, nyan! Everyone said they'd bring them home to eat them, nyan!"

"There's this much left after that…? d.a.m.n, they should've taken a bit more for me…!"

"Don't say that, nyan! Try them, nyan! I put in lots of love for Lin, nyan!"

"I don't need them… Ah, I know."

"Alright, Lin, have a nice day. Lokanyan, I'm cheering for you!"

"Hey, wait! Kang Shin!"

"Oooh! You're a good guy, nyan! Goodbye, nyan!"

I had no intention of trying out cookies that would make even a draconian tremble in fear. Putting an end to Lin's attempt to get me to try those cookies, I wished him luck and headed to Loretta. I ignored Lin's scream I vaguely heard behind me and spat on the ground. A girl was trying to give him handmade cookies! It was a situation straight out of a manhwa. Not to mention, the girl was a cat-eared beauty that embodied the word 'cute'!

I hoped he would eat them and explode.

When Loretta first saw me, she welcomed me as she flapped her long ears. However, her ears drooped more and more as I explained the reason I was here.

"You want to learn a sword technique? To slice monsters for sashimi?"

My long and sad tale that no one could listen to without crying was cut off in the middle by Loretta. Then, she looked at me like she was looking at an idiot.

"You're an idiot."

She said it!

"Why don't you make a hand knife and imbue mana into it?"

"I don't have the confidence to control it carefully. Not to mention, it's illogical to fillet a fish with a hand."

"Why can't you put mana into your spear?"

"I'm trying to hide the fact that I user spears."

"You're okay revealing that you can suddenly use swords?"

"I'm just learning it today, so it shouldn't matter."

"There's a better method than that sweaty and brutish method, Shin-nim."

When I heard Loretta's words, I became slightly uneasy. Sure enough, she took out a kitchen knife glowing blue from her pocket.

"A kitchen knife forged by a master craftsman, able to slice all food ingredients, even if they are monsters, without having to know even the basic of sword techniques! Its name is 'All Crusher!'"

"It's not allowed to crush everything!"

"If it's now, I will throw in 'Burnt to White Ashes,' a magical pot that can heat all food ingredients to the perfect temperature!"

"Both the kitchen knife and the pot have weird names… Also, it's not allowed to burn things to white ashes!"

"Don't be surprised, there's more! 'Drug,' a magical seasoning that can sublimate the taste of any food with just a single sprinkle! If you eat it once, you might get addicted and never be able to escape it!"

"Drug? It that a narcotic? It isn't, right?"

"This mind-blowing combination of items is only 99,900 gold! They're only 99,900 gold!"

"Just say 100,000 gold."

"From my heart for Shin-nim, the 100 gold is… a service!"

Seeing Loretta make a heart with her two hands, I really considered flicking her forehead, but held myself back. Instead, I took out 100,000 gold and gave it to her.

"No, I just need 99,900 gold."

"Then I'll give 100 gold more as a service from my heart for Loretta."

"O-Oh."

Loretta's ears flapped wildly. I only gave back the gold she discounted, but she was incredibly happy. This elf really liked money. Then, Loretta spoke as she gave me the items with a blooming smile.

"Okay, I'll serve you some tea, so stay for a while. Huhu, Shin-nim is quite skilled at bargaining."

"Hm? Ah, tea time with Loretta is good too, but there's something I want to ask."

I put the kitchen knife, pot, and seasoning into my inventory, and tried to make a serious expression to explain what had happened today. That I had met another explorer as an enemy and that he was currently restrained.

Although Walker had agreed to betray Brightman, I had just beat him up severely, and it wasn't so easy to trust Walker, who had spent his entire life under Brightman's orders. I needed a way to ensure he wouldn't change his mind.

After listening to my story, Loretta made a thinking 'hmmm,' then rummaged through her pocket with a small exclamation.

"Something perfect for Shin-nim is right… here. Soul Contract."

It had a very dangerous sounding name.

"Let's see, since you've made more than two achievements, you can buy this too. It's pretty easy to use. You write the content both sides of the contract should keep with your blood. It doesn't matter what language you write it in. After that, say that you'll form a soul contract, and the contract will activate."

"That's it? It's that simple?"

"Ah, if either person violates the contract, the other person will take his soul, so be careful."

"This is a really dangerous contract!"

"But you need something like this, right?"

Loretta rolled the Soul Contract and gave it to me.

"It's 1,000,000 gold, but since no one's bought it for 500 years, I'll give it to you for 500,000 gold. That's the manufacture cost."

"A 50% discount, wow. It's still expensive though… Alright, here."

Dullahan gave 100,000 gold each time I defeated him, and as I defeated him over 80 times, I wasn't short on money. Even with the price I paid for Party Member Scarecrows, Floor Master Battle Vouchers, potions, equipment repair cost, and the equipment crafting cost I paid to Lin, I still had about 7,000,000 gold left. That is, I could spare 500,000 gold with only a light burden.

"Thanks for your purchase, customer!"

"Thanks, Loretta. I knew coming to you was a good idea."

"I, I'm… glad to be of help. I-If you there's anything troubling you, you can always look for me! As long as you pay for it, I can even make something I don't have!"

"No, I'll try to get Lin to take care of most of my needs. I'm here because my vitality hit zero. I did meet Lin, but I couldn't bother him during his date."

"… So you won't come over anymore?"

Loretta's ears drooped down. It was cute in a way, so I wanted to keep watching her, but Loretta's depressed appearance startled me, and I was making an excuse before I noticed it.

"N-No! I meant I won't visit Loretta only when I have something I need. I'll come over often, as long as it doesn't bother Loretta."

"It doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I'm almost bored to death! So please come over a lot!"

No, if you're that bored, do work… Aren't you the guild master…?

When I came back after some tea, Walker was crawling on the ground with his body and mouth wrapped in boxing tape.

"Walker, caterpillar suits you well too…"

"Mmmm!"

"His talking annoyed me, so I shut him up."

Hwaya was glaring at Walker with a reddened face. I first took the boxing tape off of Walker's mouth. Puha! He coughed out a mouthful of breath and complained.

"d.a.m.n it, I was only curious if Mastiford and you- kuaaak!"

"Walker, are you perhaps just stupid?"

Walker became a burning caterpillar and was wriggling violently, but I decided to leave him be until Hwaya calmed down. When Walker was letting out a slightly smoked smell, I showed him the contract.

"Alright, let's organize the content of the contract between us."

"You really are thorough. You even prepared something like this… What meaning is there to a contract? Don't tell me you think you could restrain me with the law?"

"No, and I'm not trying to restrain you. This is Soul Contract, just something that gives me your soul if you break the contract. Don't worry about it too much."

"How can I not worry about it!? I'd rather be restrained by the law!"

"But you have no choice!"

"d.a.m.n it, no! I'm not doing it!"

"What, so you were planning on breaking your promise…?"

Hwaya spoke with a low voice and made a flame on her hand. A white flame. It was an incredibly hot flame. Walker seemed to have noticed how dangerous it was, as he swallowed his saliva. Then, he silently pulled the contract toward him.

Clause one. Edward Walker (it was his real name) will not be able to directly or indirectly harm Hwaya Eleni Mastiford or Kang Shin, and this applies to their family, relatives, and friends.

"Well, of course, but I'm a bit worried just what 'direct' and 'indirect' encompa.s.ses."

"Simply put, you're not allowed to curse. Also, if you try to peek on me again, your soul might go flying from the mental stress I might take."

"I won't do it!"

Clause two. Kang Shin will safely take Edward Walker to Korea, and help him live a free life given that he does not violate the first clause.

"But what's your plan? It won't be easy to avoid Brightman's eyes."

"Don't worry, I have my ways."

Clause three. Edward Walker will carry out the following missions in exchange for not revealing his perverted actions publicly and privately.

First. Destroy all information about Hwaya Eleni Mastiford in Brightman's possession, and use his ability as a dungeon explorer to a.s.sist her to the greatest extent possible. Also, before Hwaya Eleni Mastiford gives her permission, do not appoint anyone as a dungeon explorer.

Second. Guard Kang Shin's younger sister, Kang Yua, perfectly.

"What's this?"

"It's exactly what it says. Brightman that b.a.s.t.a.r.d has a picture of me taking a ba, bath… I hate it! Get rid of it all! Also, when I make my dungeon explorer organization later, you have to help. I'll need your authority to appoint a dungeon explorer then too… That's my condition."

"No, I expected the first mission… Yeon Hwawoo, or rather, Kang Shin. What do you mean guarding your younger sister?"

"What are you talking about? I'm only accepting you to our side because of it."

I said as I glared at Walker.

"You see, my young sister is dangerously cute. Although I installed some safety devices, we live in a dangerous world. When something happens to my young sister and she's in trouble, I need someone to protect her until I get there. Your stealth ability and physical ability is perfect for a guard!

"You… just for something like that…"

"Something like that?"

The fist I raised up flickered with lightning. Should I kill this b.a.s.t.a.r.d? Hwaya sighed and stopped me.

"You only need to guard Shin's younger sister from morning to afternoon, so you'll be free after that. You can be in the dungeon or whatever then. What dungeon did you say you were from again?"

"The Third Dungeon… d.a.m.n it, my daily life is going to be completely gone."

"Ah, you're so noisy! You'll be free on the weekends! Just think of it as a job!"

"Kuk, a job of secretly guarding some young chick… I'd rather stay in the dungeon for the rest of my life."

"Shin, don't kill him."

I was already punching Walker's face, but thankfully, he didn't die.

"Hmph, you'll understand when you see my sister. In fact, you'll be thankful that I gave you the opportunity to guard such a pretty and cute reincarnation of an archangel."

"Kuuk… She's that pretty?"

"If you lay a single finger on her, you're dead. I'll rip you to shreds and burn you to cinders. I'll bring you back to life, kill you again, find you in h.e.l.l, and turn you into powder."

"I-It's in the contract! I know even if you don't threaten me!"

Clause four. When requested by Hwaya Eleni Mastiford or Kang Shin, Edward Walker will partic.i.p.ate in Event Raids and Event Dungeons. This clause takes priority over the second and third clause.

"That's it."

"You sure ask a lot of me…"

"You don't like it? Want me to give you a salary too?"

"I don't need it. I don't need you bossing me around even more."

"Alright then, repeat after me. I form a soul contract."

"Huu…. d.a.m.n it. I form a soul contract."

The moment we made our announcements, the Soul Contract floated up into the air and burned splendidly. Walker felt pain immediately afterwards and rolled on the ground.

"Kuuuuuuak!"

"Ah, maybe you can't curse us inwardly either. I heard your heart starts to hurt when the contract is about to be breached. If you continue, your soul will fly out, so be careful."

"Take it back, d.a.m.n it, take it back! Kuaaaaaak!"

I wasn't sure how long it would for Walker to calm down, but it was none of my business. After finishing my business with Walker, I got up from my seat with a refreshed mind. Hwaya looked up at me with curious eyes.

"Where are you going? Dealing with Walker and even going to the dungeon to get items, we didn't even eat dinner yet."

"Huu, Hwaya, there's something I have to do. Something really important that I have to do right now."

"I don't know what it is… but do you need help?"

"No, it's something I have to do myself. Alright… I'm off then. I might be late, so you can eat first."

"O-Okay. Good luck…?"

Even as she waved me goodbye, Hwaya tilted her head curiously. I left her lodging. The town and lake were both completely dark. There was no one in sight, and far in the lake, a melting tuna was breaching over the water…! Checking again that no one was around, I equipped my Crimson Dragon Scale Armor. In my hand was the All Crusher.

"Melting tuna sashimi… Wait for me, I'm coming!"

The next morning, there was a report of a strange monster running above the lake waters (borrowing Ruyue's power), screaming to attract monsters (Provoke), and calling down storms to slaughter them (Elemental Tempest). Thankfully, they hadn't seen me slice the melting tuna for sashimi…!

Author's Notes:
Can that be called freedom…? (Author's thinking)
Walker has joined the party with Soul Contract! Bambadabam! You obtained a good a.s.sa.s.sin to put to work!
PS - 1. The hard-to-describe cookies: 'Nyaruko: Crawling With Love' reference
2. The pot's name 'Burnt to White Ashes': Referenced from As.h.i.ta no Joe's famous scene