Chapter 18 - Ancient Ruins (1)

　　Magritte, the central city of the western Astral Continent. It was one of the territories belonging to Count Monaton Magritte, a bustling hub where merchant caravans constantly flowed, drawn by its thriving commerce. On this day, like any other, the streets were choked with wagons and people. An employee of the Raider Association pushed through the crowd, making his way toward the cathedral.

　　This place gets more crowded every day, he thought. Let’s see… The recipient is named Sebastian?

　　It was the first time Beth, a low-level employee, had been tasked with delivering a request personally. Standing before the grand Kendroll Cathedral, he reviewed the instructions one last time. According to the file, Sebastian prayed here every morning.

　　Beth. When you meet Sebastian, just give him the request and come straight back. Don’t you dare say anything stupid in front of him.

　　The warning from Gelix, the Partren Branch Manager, echoed in his mind. Gelix had said Sebastian was a rookie who had shot up to C-rank in just one month.

　　Even so, he’s just another C-rank raider. Beth wasn’t particularly concerned. The entire purpose of the Raider Association was to manage raiders. It was unthinkable that a raider would dare harm an Association employee.

　　Brimming with confidence, Beth pushed open the heavy cathedral doors and stepped inside. The nave was hushed and still, every person seated in the pews deep in prayer.

　　Beth approached the man seated at the very front, a raider in a drab, hooded cloak, just as she had been instructed. "I’m from the Raider Association," she announced. "I have a formal request from the branch manager of Partren."

　　"Excuse me?" she tried again.

　　Sebastian, deep in prayer, remained unresponsive. Beth reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

　　In a blur, his hand shot out and clamped around her throat.

　　"Aah—argh!"

　　The cathedral erupted into chaos. Worshippers scrambled to their feet, fleeing in terror as Sebastian rose, his grip on Beth’s neck unrelenting.

　　"If you possessed a brain, you would know better," he hissed, his voice dangerously low. "It’s basic courtesy. When someone is occupied, you wait until they are finished."

　　"Gah… aah!"

　　"Hm? And what’s this?" Sebastian’s eyes fell to the request form on the floor, and he bent to retrieve it. The instructions were simple: he was to join the raid party assembled by Gelix for the upcoming operation. "Aha. This must be about Viscount Crowley’s dungeon raid. That bastard Gelix is sharper than he looks, setting up an insurance policy in advance."

　　"Gah… It’s Branch Manager Gelix," Beth choked out, defiant even as she struggled for air. "You will address him properly—ugh!"

　　He flung her to the stone floor. "The words came from my mouth. Are you telling me I cannot speak as I please? How amusing." A cruel sneer twisted his lips as he drew his sword. "You clearly don’t know who I am. You have made a grave mistake."

　　Beth stared up at him, her face a mask of pure fear. "W-Wait! Stop!"

　　"Your name," he demanded.

　　"What?!"

　　"Tell me your name." His eyes, now blazing with killing intent, bored into hers.

　　Beth swallowed hard against a dry throat. "…Beth."

　　"Right. Beth, a low-level clerk from the Partren Raider Association," she said, savoring each word. "Do not forget me, even in death."

　　"Wh-What are you—!"

　　A primal fear finally seized her, and she scrambled toward the cathedral doors. But it was too late. Sebastian’s blade plunged deep into her heart.

　　"Gaaaaah!" Beth coughed, blood bubbling from her lips as she collapsed.

　　With a soft, chilling laugh, Sebastian sheathed his sword. He glanced down at the request form again, his eyes lingering on the final paragraph.

　　If you have killed Beth, the courier, I would appreciate it if you would accept this request as payment for her life.

　　"Interesting," he murmured. So, Gelix had anticipated her death. The branch manager of Partren was clearly no ordinary fool. Tearing the request form to shreds, Sebastian turned and strode out of the cathedral.

　　***

　　The arid plains. This was now Taehyun’s territory, secured after he had occupied the Blue Tribe Orcs’ fortress. His scouts and familiars patrolled it daily, and with all the nearby monsters and fiends eliminated, it was effectively his domain.

　　"To think a ruin would suddenly appear in a place like this," Taehyun mused, staring at the entrance on his world map. According to Riel, it was a random event with a low probability of occurring.

　　"In a way, this is for the best," Riel noted. "We were planning to explore the uncharted region beyond these plains."

　　"That’s true," Taehyun agreed. "A ruin inside territory we already control is far closer and safer than some unknown land." He had been organizing an expedition to gain direct combat experience, so the timing could not have been better. This was a clear advantage.

　　[The Elite Low-rank Goblin Scout, self-proclaimed captain of the scouting party, desires a reward.]

　　"So, these ancient ruins… they’re like a dungeon you raid, right? Like Balak?"

　　[The Elite Low-rank Goblin Scout, self-proclaimed captain of the scouting party, desires a reward.]

　　"Not a dungeon, precisely, but similar," Riel explained. "They typically feature numerous traps and installations, along with a fair number of monsters."

　　"What kind of rewards can we expect?"

　　"Most likely items or Zen to aid in dungeon management. You might also find equipment for your subordinates. In ancient ruins, especially, artifact-grade items can appear as rewards, so it is well worth the effort."

　　[The Elite Low-rank Goblin Scout, self-proclaimed captain of the scouting party, desires a reward.]

　　"…Hmm." Taehyun finally turned his head, the persistent notifications getting the better of him. "First, I had better give that goblin his reward."

　　"I believe that would be wise," Riel said with a faint smile. He had tried to ignore it, but the incessant alerts had finally compelled him to grant the goblin’s request.

　　***

　　The next day, Taehyun left Balak with the bulk of his forces, leaving only a small garrison behind to defend the ancient ruins.

　　[Elite Low-rank Warrior Goblin (15)]

　　[Elite Low-rank Mage Imp (10)]

　　[Elite Low-rank Spirit Master Imp (5)]

　　[Elite Low-rank Archer Goblin (8)]

　　[Elite Low-rank Infiltrator Wild Dog (10)]

　　[Elite Mid-rank Minotaur (2)]

　　His army numbered fifty soldiers in total. Even without the twenty left to guard the dungeon and fortress, it was a formidable force. He had planned for a three-day expedition, purchasing the necessary food and items in advance. Seeing the world outside Balak with his own eyes, not just on a map, was a novel experience.

　　"I will protect the Dungeon Master! Moo!" one of the minotaurs bellowed.

　　"I will protect him better! Trust in me! Moo!" the other roared back.

　　The two Minotaurs, whose loyalty and favorability scores were now higher than before, were fiercely competing for the spot beside him.

　　"That’s enough," Taehyun said, cutting them off. "Just stand on either side of me."

　　"Understood! Moo!"

　　"As the Master commands! Moo!"

　　With the minotaurs flanking him, Taehyun reviewed the items he had brought.

　　[Dungeon Return Scroll (All)]

　　[Rank: D]

　　[Restriction: None]

　　[Description: A scroll that, upon use, returns all troops to the dungeon within 10 seconds, maintaining their current formation.]

　　[2nd Circle Mana Scroll]

　　[Rank: D]

　　[Restriction: None]

　　[Description: A scroll containing a 2nd Circle magic skill. Upon use, one random 2nd Circle magic spell will be activated.]

　　The Dungeon Return Scroll was a single-use consumable that had cost him a staggering 5,000 Zen. The three 2nd Circle Mana Scrolls were the ones he had taken from Roman.

　　I’ll save the Dungeon Return Scroll for an emergency, like a raider invasion, he strategized. It was expensive, but since it teleports the entire army, it’s a worthy investment for the future. The 2nd Circle scrolls are my trump card; at nearly 10,000 Zen each, I can’t afford to waste them. If his soldiers were ever overwhelmed, a well-timed spell could turn the tide. I have two Mid-rank Minotaurs, but this is my first time in ancient ruins. I can’t afford to be careless when I don’t know what to expect inside.

　　Taehyun equipped the basic gear from his inventory and led his forces out of the Valley of Silence.

　　"It suits you, Master," Riel commented.

　　"…Is that sarcasm?"

　　"No, a compliment."

　　"Really?" He sighed. "I feel like ripping it off. It’s suffocating." The armor was cheap, offering only a marginal defensive boost, and it felt terribly restrictive.

　　"We may have cleared the immediate area, but enemies could still be lurking," she reminded him gently. "Please, keep it on."

　　"Ugh, fine. How about you?"

　　"The robe and staff you purchased for me are a perfect fit. Though they are low-grade, they are suitable for a D-rank dungeon and my current level." Even in simple shop-bought attire, the beautiful Riel looked elegant.

　　"I’m sorry," Taehyun said, feeling a pang of guilt. "I’ll get you better equipment later."

　　"It is quite all right. I understand Balak’s current limitations better than anyone. And you are managing our resources exceptionally well, Master. To invest all our Zen into the army at this stage would be madness."

　　He knew she was right. First, I need to build a solid foundation. It’s more efficient to develop the dungeon and fortress before heavily investing in the soldiers. Recklessly gearing up his troops without the infrastructure to support them would be a colossal waste of Zen.

　　"It appears we are about to enter the forest," Riel observed.

　　Ahead of them, the dense canopy of the Silent Forest loomed. As the sun began to set, Taehyun knew they would have to make camp within its borders. I have food and water, and we just need to reach the fortress. Sleeping outside for a few nights should be manageable. Unlike raiders, he lacked proper camping kits, but he had purchased enough blankets from the shop. The expedition continued without incident.

　　***

　　Day 2

　　[You have personally discovered the entrance to the ancient ruins.]

　　[You have achieved the Dungeon Master’s achievement: ‘First Ruin Discovered’.]

　　The fissure in the arid plains, once just an icon on his map, now lay before him. He peered into the hidden path and reviewed the achievement details.

　　[Achievement: First Ruin Discovered.]

　　[Description: As a Dungeon Master, you have found your first ruin. This is a random event, which means you are exceptionally lucky.]

　　I suppose I have been lucky, he mused. Summoning two Mid-rank Minotaurs, acquiring a fortress… it was far from ordinary luck. Brushing the dust from his clothes, Taehyun led his soldiers into the fissure.

　　"Master, are you uncomfortable?" Riel asked, her voice soft with concern.

　　"It’s been manageable so far," he replied. "My only complaint is not being able to wash properly, but I can endure it until we return to the dungeon."

　　"I understand. However, Master, you are too far from the soldiers. Even with the minotaurs flanking you, I may not be able to protect you in an emergency."

　　"Hmm. You’re right." Taking her warning to heart, Taehyun allowed Riel to guide him into the center of the formation. Shielded by his troops, he walked on until an ice door materialized at the end of the corridor.

　　[You have discovered the ancient ruin ‘Yuslan’s Ice Palace’.]

　　[Rank: D]

　　[A ruin hidden beneath the arid plains. The witch Yuslan, who fled here long ago, plotted her return from this place. Now, it is little more than an abandoned palace.]

　　The witch Yuslan. So this was the ice palace she had left behind. They weren’t kidding, Taehyun thought, feeling the biting cold radiating from the door. He motioned for his soldiers to halt. "Riel, it’s a D-rank ruin. Anything I should know?"

　　"I am not familiar with the specifics of ruins, Master. I only know that a D-rank ruin is generally more difficult than a D-rank dungeon."

　　"I see." The rewards for clearing a hidden ruin would undoubtedly be substantial—he might even find the artifact-grade items Riel had mentioned. But the risks would be equally great. Still, I’ve come this far. Turning back is not an option.

　　He ordered the two minotaurs to force the door open. A blast of frigid air washed over them, putting everyone instantly on edge.

* * *