Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society Chapter 101-102

Chapter 101. Granting Freedom (8)

The hunt was over. At least for the next six months, this Field Dungeon would no longer be dangerous. Although it was only temporary, Windermere had regained its peace.

From what I heard, the tourism would reopen as well. As A rank or higher Awakened had to continue observing the lake, the tourists would go along with them. However, in a situation of life and death, the tourists' lives wouldn't be guaranteed.

With such danger, I doubted whether any tourists would come. However, the moment people found out that the Field Dungeon had been cleared, tourists flocked to the area. Amazing, Windermere. In a way, it made sense. Supposedly, running into a monster once a dungeon was cleared was the same chance as being hit by lightning while walking in the rain.

"Hwaya, what are you doing?"

On the night we cleared the dungeon, I visited Hwaya as usual to teach her how to control mana, and saw Hwaya packing her belongings into boxes.

"Isn't it obvious? Since we cleared the dungeon, there's no reason for me to stay here."

"Oh, right. Did you get the permission?"

"Of course. I ended the negotiation with the government myself. Thanks, Shin. You're the reason I could regain my freedom."

"Freedom, you say… It's thanks to me?"

I asked with a grin.

"Yep. We could clear the Field Dungeon thanks to you, and you even found Brightman's wrongdoing. I can return to Korea because of it. The info on Brightman was especially useful in the negotiation."

It seemed she complained and revealed everything about Brightman's misconduct. Brightman had punched a famous ranker (though it's embarra.s.sing, that was me) that Hwaya invited for aid, and put him in a life-threatening situation. Hwaya was incredibly angry at the time. It was the same for her party's S rankers, although the other countries' S rankers only turned a blind eye as Brightman had likely paid them off.

Brightman himself had made a ridiculous excuse, that he thought he was being attacked and acted in self-defense. Hwaya's anger had reached its limit at that point, but I calmed her down. Nothing good would come out from Britain's strongest rankers fighting. More importantly, I couldn't let her take my revenge away. Brightman smiled, and so did I.

In any case, with this incident, Hwaya could easily detach herself from Brightman and the British government protecting him.

Although the incident had not become public because of the British government's desperate beseechment, but with my approval, Hwaya used the incident to put heavy pressure on the British government. She said that a friend she specially requested to help had suffered a humiliation from Brightman that couldn't be washed away, and that she had no plans to step a foot in Britain unless it was a national crisis. In other words, just as Hwaya had warned them before, Britain had lost Hwaya in exchange for Brightman. No matter how I thought about it, Brightman's actions were incredibly foolish. I wondered how an idiot who was blinded by his desire for a woman could rise to such a position.

"Are you coming to Korea?"

"Yep. I was planning on going to Korea anyways when I was done. Mom said she'd rather die than come to Britain. I think she wants me to come live with her in Korea. I was originally going to try convincing her again, but… with what happened this time, I really didn't want to stay in the same country as Brightman. If it's him, he would come visit me no matter where I was in Britain. …Do you not want me to go to Korea?"

Hwaya complained, then asked after a bit of hesitation. Her cheeks had turned red just like her hair.

"Not at all. We can meet more often too. I'm glad."

"… Right. We could. Kuhum."

Hwaya looked away and let out a dry cough. Did she breathe the wrong way? I got up with a grin.

"You must be busy with all the packing, so I'll go back for today. Ah, don't forget to give me the melting tuna later."

"You'll save some for me, right?"

"Of course. You can eat to your heart's content. Grilled, sashimi, stewed, steamed, I'll give you the full course."

"Good, excellent."

We made an expression of camaraderie and gave each other a thumbs up. The melting tuna I was talking about was none other than the giant melting tuna I killed! Hwaya put it in her inventory, using the ridiculous extradimensional storage magic excuse, and said that she'd give it to me later. In exchange for her performance in front of the others, I promised her an unlimited refill on melting tuna dishes. In truth, I didn't know how long it would take me to finish such a giant melting tuna, so I was glad Hwaya was there to help.

"Ah, by the way, Hwaya."

"Yeah?"

"Where can I get a good apple pie around here?"

"Apple pie…?"

Although Hwaya tilted her head, she still gave me an answer. I thanked her and left her lodging. I then went to the place Hwaya told me about to buy an apple pie. Because of the enticing smell, I ended up buying two apple pies, one of them for the obvious reason and the other to share with Yua when I got back home. Then, I summoned my elementals and circulated Peruta Circuit, waiting for dawn.

Once the night had pa.s.sed, I could enter the dungeon again. There were things to take care of, a person to find and questions to ask. I also had to stick my spear in the d.a.m.ned reaper's face as a reunion gift.

Then, a little before dawn, when no one was around, I went on the lake using Ruyue's power. Just by freezing the area of the water I was stepping on, I felt a strange sense of omnipotence. Lady of the Lake had finally blessed me!

"I brought the apple pie~."

After walking deep into the lake, I shouted in a rather loud voice. Although I felt like I was being stupid, but I couldn't help it.

"I said I brought apple pie—!"

[Show me!]

"Uwoah!"

A girl's face suddenly appeared above the surface. I almost fell underwater from being startled, but Ruyue saved me by instantly freezing the water around me. I thanked Ruyue, and since I was lying on the ice anyways, I observed the girl's face. Simply put, she had a unrealistic appearance.

Her sky blue hair, half submerged underwater, was shining as if the entire thing was an LED light, and it was the same for her blue eyes staring at me. She looked like a beautiful woman in other areas, but I was surprised by how mature her face looked. I had expected her to be a young girl.

[Hurry up, show me!]

"Ah, here."

I took out the apple pie from my inventory. The woman then made happy exclamations and crawled up onto the ice. Although I thought she wasn't wearing anything, she actually had a translucent light blue dress, which stuck to her body tightly. Although her slender, yet bountiful, figure was in full-view, because I had seen Hwaya's voluptuous figure for about a week, I could act aloof.

[Apple pie! It's really apple pie!]

"Yeah, it is."

[Can I eat it? Can I eat it?]

"You don't have to ask twice. There's only one for you anyways."

[Yay!]

Her long, slender fingers reached forward and took the apple pie whole. Feeling the coldness of her skin for an instant, I was reminded once again that she wasn't human. It was then that she took out a slice of apple pie and handed it to me. She blinked her eyes, glimmering with shining particles of light, looking unrealistically cute.

[Here.]

"Thanks."

[Thanks for the meal!]

When I accepted the slice she offered, she took the rest of the apple pie and took a bite. Then, the light in her eyes gathered and made a clear star shape. I was truly surprised. She was showing her non-human side too much! So she could control those shining particles!?

[Delicious! So delicious! Delicious, delicious!]

"Y-Yeah, eat lots."

[Yeah!]

She munched on the pie, making me wonder just where it was going in her slender body. The pie was gone in the blink of an eye, and she stared at the apple pie in my hand with longing eyes. The particles of light in her eyes were repeatedly scattering and regathering.

"Do you want it?"

[Wooooow!]

As if she was waiting for me to say it, she s.n.a.t.c.hed the slice of apple pie and ate it. After that, she made a satisfied expression and lay down on the ice.

[Thanks! I'll forgive you for hurting me!]

"Yeah, thanks."

[I like you now!]

Ye-Eun, be happy. There's someone similar to you here. But I got her heart with just a single apple pie. The difficulty was lower than even Ye-Eun! I thought about all the fries I had to feed Ye-Eun before she said she liked me. Ah, not that I was doing it so I could hear that. Really.

"Y-Yeah. If… If you don't bother other people anymore, I'll like you too."

Although I couldn't be completely sure, she seemed different than the other bosses who showed clear hostility towards humans. She really just wanted to let them listen to her singing.

Not knowing the danger of her own actions was foolish and it was annoying that she chose to appear during the boss fight, but since she hadn't killed anyone yet, it wasn't too late. She could still be redeemed. Her following words served as proof.

[But I never bullied anyone! Besides telling me to kill you, everyone said I could just sing like I wanted! I don't bully anyone that doesn't bully me first!]

"Right, right, but who's the one that told you to kill me?"

[I don't know, I can't remember! I forgot when I came here!]

"… Do you know why you were told to kill me?"

[Because you're a Hero! That's all I know! But I won't kill you. I won't bully other people either!]

She was told to kill me… because I was a Hero. I suddenly felt chills, but nodded my head regardless. Then, I answered her question.

"But you see, people are bothered by your singing."

[Why? Is my singing that bad?]

"The problem is that it's too good. It infatuates people because of it."

[Is that bad?]

"If people become infatuated by your singing and lose their consciousness, they'll fall into the water. What would happen after that?"

[Wouldn't they come play with me underwater?]

"They'd die."

[They'd die!?]

"Yep."

At my words, she became noticeably sad. The particles in her eyes also spiraled around in shock.

[I hate killing, but everyone else tries to kill people. I'm scared. He said I was special, but he didn't try to understand me.]

"Special, huh… Since you hate killing people, you are indeed a special monster. But who is this person you're talking about?"

[I don't know, I forgot!]

Huu, there's really nothing I can find out… I wanted to tell her how she almost killed people out of anger, but I held myself back. However, she seemed to be angry from what I just said.

[Also, I'm not something like a monster!]

"Ah, sorry. Then what should I call you?"

[I'm me.]

"You don't have a name?"

[What's that?]

"It's a mark that defines you. It's a way to separate you from everything else in this world. Something that can prove that you are you."

[Wow.]

Huu, it really was like teaching a child. In truth, I hadn't planned on talking to her so leisurely… Although I didn't get the information I wanted, I couldn't chase her away, so I decided to stick with her for a while longer.

[Then you can give me a name.]

"I can?"

[Yeah! If it's you, it's okay.]

For a moment, I hesitated. However, when I saw her innocent eyes, a word flashed across my mind. Since it wasn't a fitting name for a girl, I took off the front of it.

"Plene."

[Waaa, pretty! Is that my name? Yay!]

She seemed to like the name I gave her, as she raised her hands and jumped. At that moment, messages I never expected rang out.

[You made an achievement of taming the A+ rank boss monster 'siren.' You obtained 1 skill point. Current skill points: 16]

[You can obtain the subcla.s.s 'Tamer.' However, you must give up your current subcla.s.s 'Skill Collector' to obtain a new subcla.s.s. If you give up the Skill Collector subcla.s.s, you will no longer be able to use the Collector's Pocket Watch. Would you like to change your subcla.s.s?]

[If you do not obtain the Tamer subcla.s.s, you will not be able to use your tamed monster in Event Dungeons or the normal dungeon. However, you will not need to give up your tamed monster, and it can accompany you in Field Dungeons.]

Author's Note:
I'll say it now. Siren Plene isn't a harem member. She's just a slightly important support character! I mean, ICDS isn't harem in the first place!
PS - Lady of the Lake Blessing: Fate/Zero animation's Saber servant reference. (truly a short explanation!)

Chapter 102. Those That Climb the Dungeon (1)

"What's this…?"

I had already heard about taming before. In games, it referred to domesticating hostile monsters with food or training them to become one's allies. However, I didn't think a Tamer subcla.s.s would appear like this! Just by naming a monster, I could make it my ally? No, that probably wasn't it.

I shook my head at the words asking if I wanted to change my subcla.s.s. The Skill Collector subcla.s.s was a huge part of my strength. No matter how strong Plene was, she couldn't replace it. Not to mention, it seemed I could always change my decision. Though, I didn't think I would ever change to the Tamer subcla.s.s…

After looking through the messages, I looked at Plene, who was rubbing her head against my shoulder with a smile.

[Thanks for the pretty name! You gave me an apple pie and a name! I like you!]

She was being completely submissive. I patted her head as a test, and she showed her happiness by making her eyes into star shapes. Easy, she was too easy…! If a bad oppa became your master, bad things would have happened!

"Plene."

[Yeah!]

"It looks like I became your master."

[What's a master? I like you!]

With that, she hugged me directly. Feeling the cold, soft, and squishy sensation (the ice below me began to fissure with cracking noises), I sat blankly, then remembered I had things to do. In fact, there was something I had to ask Plene.

"Plene, you said you didn't want to kill humans, right?"

[Yeah! I hate monsters more than humans! They only want to eat, and they even tried to eat me! But… I also want to sing.]

"Then… do you want to come with me to find a way to do that?"

[Okay! I like you, so I'll follow you!]

"Y-Yeah."

d.a.m.n… I didn't think someone stronger than Ruyue would appear! Plus, although Plene had an unrealistic appearance, she still looked human. I couldn't help but react as a man. Snap out of it, Kang Shin! No matter how cute and pretty she is, she's a monster! Don't forget it!

Crack. The ice split into two right down the middle of my stretched out legs. The ice then began to drift apart, splitting my legs along with it.

"R-Ruyue!?"

[Shin… Meanie…]

"Not now! I'll play with you as much as you want later!"

From then, it took a considerable time before I could make it to the dungeon's Residential Area.

"So you tamed a siren, Shin-nim. This is the first time I've heard anyone taming a siren. Kuk, as I thought, a man that I find charming will also be like that to other women…!"

Loretta made a displeased expression as she stared at Plene who stuck was to me like glue. If I thought more about why Loretta was feeling unhappy, I felt like I would be in serious trouble, so I quickly changed the subject.

"Plene said she wants to sing without killing people. Is there a place like that in the dungeon's Residential Area?"

"Of course. There's the recreational area. You should already have the qualification to enter it, Shin-nim."

"Ah, yeah. I also got a life-time free voucher for a place called 'Resting Place of Angels' for the first achievement, uhuk!?"

The moment I brought up Resting Place of Angels, Loretta's eyes sparkled, pushing Plene aside and grabbing my hands. After being thrown on the floor, Plene blinked her large, clear eyes, unsure of what had just happened, then began to tear up.

"Shin-nim, go there with me! Now!"

"Can you let go of me first, Loretta? I want to pick Plene up before she cries."

"If you go there, you can probably find what this shallow and arrogant siren wants."

[I'm not shallow or arrogant! I don't even know what that means!]

From what I heard, Resting Place of Angels was a resort. The so-called recreational area was similar to the Residential Area's residences. Unlike the residences, however, it was a place purely for the purpose of recovering the fatigue built up from exploring the dungeon and letting dungeon explorers relax freely. It was truly like a resort in real life. Apparently, anyone from the guild of the resort's master could enter, and other than them, one person could enter as long as that person was accompanied by the master.

Explorers could go there by making achievements or completing special quests. Like the mansions and the houses, the area they could go changed depending on the scope of the achievement and the difficulty of the quest. There was an even trickier condition. Only those that owned a residence, had a room in a tenement house, or were a member of a guild could go to the resorts.

Furthermore, Resting Place of Angels was one of the few Special Resorts. Unlike the other resorts, which explorers had to share, it was bound to one specific explorer. If a guild master owned a Special Resort, the guild members could enter the Special Resort with the guild master's permission. Because it was called life-time free voucher, I thought it was for something like a waterpark, but it seemed it was even more generous.

"Then, can Loretta come with me?"

"The person accompanying Shin-nim can even be an outsider."

"What about Plene?"

[I'm going, I'm going!]

"That siren is Shin-nim's servant so of course she can go with you."

Without having to visit Meladel, Loretta exchanged the Resting Place of Angels voucher for a key. Thinking, 'so it's another key,' I received it with a bitter smile. Then, just like how I opened the path to my mansion, I used the key with familiarity. When I used the Resting Place of Angels' key with Loretta and Plene standing next to me, the surrounding scenery melted and a new scenery appeared. High, blue sky, warm sunlight, a sandy beach, crystal clear ocean, and fairly big birds flying above it. Behind me, I saw trees with all sorts of fruits hanging from them and a big seaside villa.

"… This is an island, right? It's the picturesque uninhabited island."

"Yes, it's indeed an island!"

[Uninhabited island!]

When Loretta spread her arms out and shouted excitedly, Plene also imitated her and shouted. I doubt she knew what uninhabited island meant. I mean, just what was that sun? I knew the dungeon was full of mysterious things, but this was…

"To think I would come to the Resting Place of Angels… Do you know why this place is called that?"

"Tell me."

"Because people staying here can relax without a worry in the world, like angels! The ocean, the sandy beach, the fruit trees with all sorts of different fruits, and this villa!"

"I can't help but think it has everything a resort should have."

"There's even an hot spring deeper into the island. That's not all! It even has dense forests, valleys, and springs!"

[Hot spring! I want to go to the hot spring! I like hot springs!]

I didn't know how this island could have so many different areas, but I understood that this Resting Place of Angels was an amazing place. I also didn't know how Plene could like hot springs.

"So? Why did I need to bring Plene here?"

"If it's here, there are no humans who would be affected by the siren's singing. She'll have an audience as well."

"Audience?"

[Lalala~]

Plene suddenly began to sing. Her voice was truly beautiful, and as I had tamed her, it didn't seem to have any effect on me. I glanced at Loretta. She had closed her eyes and was enjoying Plene's voice.

Soon, the audience Loretta talked about began to appear. Large birds from the sky, dolphins and fish from the ocean, and animals from the inner area of the island. They were gathering here slowly.

"No way…"

[Lalala~ Lalala~]

As Plene sang, the animals approached slowly, responding to her singing with quiet cries. Their eyes were clear and their minds did not look like they were affected by Plene's singing. Loretta opened her eyes, and seeing my surprised expression, smiled lightly.

"It's a good thing. No one has been here for a long time, so everyone has been lonely. Shin-nim luckily found a siren who is extremely good at singing. Her singing will be an excellent gift for them."

"Who's 'them'…?"

I felt a hint of sadness from Loretta's words and patted the small and cute wolf that walked up to me. Loretta then smiled sweetly and replied.

"Of course, they're the emergency food supply for when we're hungry. They all look delicious, right?"

I wanted her to let my dream stay a dream…! How mean!

Plene really liked the Resting Place of Angels and decided to stay here unless I needed her. Here, she would be able to play and sing to her heart's content. There were also no monsters which she hated. It was the ideal place she hoped for.

However, there seemed to be one thing she didn't like. It was that I wouldn't be there.

[You have to come visit me often! Otherwise, I'll go find you!]

"I'll visit often, so don't worry."

[Okay! I'll wait with the new friends I made!]

After promising Plene multiple times, she nodded her head as if she finally believed me. She then walked up to me and kissed my cheek. I was startled, but I thought back to the kisses Yua gave me and tried to calm myself down. Of course, it wasn't so easy.

Next to me, Loretta was shaking with her fists clenched.

"Obliterating Third…"

"Loretta!?"

In any case, with that, I took care of the matter with Plene. After saying my goodbye to her, Loretta and I returned to Fairy Garden. Opening the door to her log cabin, Loretta made an offer.

"Shin-nim, stay for a cup of tea."

"Sure. There's something I have to ask Loretta too."

"Huhu, come in!"

The tea Loretta brewed looked normal, but was incredibly tasty and fragrant. However, I couldn't be drunk on the taste of tea today. The reason I took care of Plene's matter was for this moment. Today, I couldn't just enjoy my time with Loretta.

I took a sip of tea, then slowly placed the teacup down and asked her.

"Loretta."

"Yes, Shin-nim."

With a small sigh, I asked her straightforwardly.

"What is a Hero?"

Loretta's smile became stiff. However, that only lasted for a moment, as she continued with a warm smile.

"Shin-nim already knows, right? There is only one such being in a world! They're amazing, and everyone respects them!"

"Loretta."

I called her name with a low voice. She flinched then froze, but I continued without paying it any attention.

"When I met Plene for the first time, she said she was ordered to kill the Hero… Am I someone that must die?"

"I-It's… the opposite! You're someone who isn't allowed to die! Never! Don't even say something so horrible! No! I-If you die, I! I!"

"Thanks for worrying about me, but that's not what I'm talking about. Am I someone that 'must die' to the monsters that are invading Earth?"

A cold silence flowed, and Loretta dodged my glance with her mouth shut. Just that was enough of an answer for me. …An empty laugh came out.

What was this? I had to die because I was a Hero? The monsters that appeared on Earth, or rather, its high-ranking monsters, were trying to kill me. I was their first priority. It was just that no one knew about it because it hadn't been long since monsters began to appear on Earth. If more time pa.s.sed, monsters that actively sought me out might appear. But how had I acted until now, hearing that I was the Hero?

I became conceited, thinking everyone was just raising me up. Even while I told them not to call me a Hero, I enjoyed it inwardly. I even named the skill I liked the most after it. Even while I looked down on the explorers who credited my strength to being a Hero, I was relieved that I was one. I might have even thought I was glad to have been born as the Hero. But what? Heroes are the first targets that monsters aim for? They had to kill me? There was no comedy like it. How much did the other explorers sneer seeing me? Praising me on the outside, while thinking how clueless I was.

To calm down my beating heart, I began to circulate Peruta Circuit. Trying to stay calm, I asked Loretta again.

"Loretta, just what am I? What exactly is a Hero?"

Loretta didn't say anything. Trying to stop myself from getting impatient, I asked again.

"Please, Loretta, I want to know. I should know. Or, do you also plan on leaving me to be clueless? You've shown me respect and did your best for me. I at least thought I had a special relationship with Loretta. Was I wrong? Did you just…"

"Stop."

She spoke with a trembling voice. She raised her teacup and gulped down the hot tea all at once. As she had moist eyes that seemed ready to burst into tears at any time, I was startled.

"Shin-nim, do you have to hear it now?"

"Loretta?"

"As you might already know, I don't really want to tell you right now. Once you hear the answer, you'll change without a doubt, and if you do, I will change as well. I don't like that. I want us to stay the way we are. For even a little while longer, I want to enjoy my carefree daily life with you. Am I being too greedy? Shin-nim, can you give me a little more time? You still have time to spare. The time hasn't come yet. So please, until then…!"

"Loretta…"

The words didn't come out. I felt like I had been punched in the most unexpected spot. Although my mouth was open, I couldn't say anything. Then, with a slightly cracking voice, I replied barely.

"I'll… wait. So… when the time comes, you have to… tell me."

"Thank you, Shin-nim."

Loretta wiped the tears around her eyes, and made a clumsy smile. I almost lost myself in her feminine and extremely beautiful appearance, but I held on, thinking about what she just said. Then like a fool, I asked.

"If I change… Loretta will change too?"

"Huhu, it's not like you don't understand, right?"

"I, no, well, that's…"

I didn't think I would say something so stupid. Seeing me stutter without knowing what to say, Loretta made a small smile and said in a voice that just barely reached my ears.

"Coward."

"Uk."

I became silent, unable to make any excuses. I felt dizzy. As it seemed so absurd, I thought I was dreaming, but when I pinched my thigh in secret, the pain was vivid. No, she even found out I pinched myself. I wanted to die. I really wanted to die.

Loretta again spoke in a whispering voice.

"I'll also give you time."

"… Thanks."

"You have to give me a proper reply, okay? Of course, I'll only acknowledge one answer."

With that, she once again smiled. Even while I was in a daze from her fragrance and beauty, her smile was ingrained in my head clearly. I had to accept it. To a certain extent, my heart was already stolen by her.

Author's note:
8,000 characters. I thought about writing 2,000 characters and splitting the chapter into two, but just stopping at the 8,000 mark seemed to be the best option.
The little bit of the secret of the Hero has been revealed. Some people have already guessed, but not saying any more will be our promise!
Also, the relationship between Loretta and Shin has taken a step forward. What will Shin do? Will he forget about Ye-Eun and choose Loretta? Not even the author (me) knows. Look forward to the future development ^^