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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Development
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'It' was a forest.
It was full of dense thickets, thick trees, and damp earth teeming with insects.
But 'that place' was not a forest.
The silence, devoid of even the chirping of insects, the light from the mana stone fragments embedded everywhere, and above all, the sticky magic seeping into one's lungs and skin, made it clear.
This was an inhuman, demonic realm where intelligent species could never survive—a Labyrinth.
*Run away, now.*
Instincts screamed a constant warning.
Yet, the beast did not move.
Crouched and hidden among the bushes, it simply stared motionlessly toward the other side of the forest.
And just as the beast's ears twitched.
*Rustle.*
Four mice emerged from the woods.
Each was as large as a big dog, with mushrooms growing on their heads. The beast held its breath as it watched the bizarre group of monsters, the ★[Mushroom Rats].
Then, with a twitch.
The beast's muscles tensed.
*Slash!*
"Squeak?"
The beast's dagger, lunging from the bushes like lightning, embedded itself in one of the Mushroom Rat's heads.
Despite the surprise attack, the remaining four Mushroom Rats reacted quickly.
They lunged, aiming for its legs, wrists, and neck.
Their movements were swift and precise.
They were sharp enough that not only an ordinary person but even a 1-star Awakened One would have been bitten in one or two places.
But…
*Flash!*
"Squeak-eek?!"
Just as a chilling glint appeared in the beast's constricted pupils, the Mushroom Rats froze in their lunging positions.
Like mice before a snake.
And the beast did not miss the opportunity.
*Stab, slice, rip, slash.*
Necks were severed, heads were split open, and hearts were pierced as the Mushroom Rats collapsed.
Seeing this, the beast put away its dagger with a satisfied smile.
It then grabbed the carcasses of the Mushroom Rats it had hunted and turned to leave.
Or rather, it tried to leave.
"Squeak!"
"…?!"
It would have, had the Mushroom Rat whose heart it had clearly pierced not suddenly sprung up and charged.
The beast's eyes widened at the unexpected attack.
Just as the Mushroom Rat's sharp teeth were about to tear into the beast's neck.
*Thwack!*
A flash of light burst forth.
The mushroom on its head exploded.
The Mushroom Rat's body went limp.
"Letting your guard down in the Labyrinth is forbidden."
"…!"
"I told you before, didn't I? The Mushroom Rat's main body isn't the rat, it's the mushroom. Be careful."
With a leisurely voice, a boy appeared as if he had dropped from the sky.
Only the white half-mask covering his eyes stood out.
Seeing the boy, whose features were otherwise strangely indistinct, the beast wagged its tail and showed a pleased expression, but…
It was only for a moment.
Soon, the beast's tail drooped, and its face fell.
It seemed unbearably ashamed that the boy had to step in because it couldn't even handle a mere Mushroom Rat.
"You don't have to look so down. You did well just hunting this many on your own."
"…?"
"Yes, really."
With just those few words, the beastkin girl's expression brightened again.
Dion lightly patted the head of Orr Kai, one of the slaves he had bought from Ketlick.
He then took the Mushroom Rat carcasses that Orr Kai offered him while wagging her tail.
"Oh, these are some pretty hefty ones."
*Slice, slice.*
He cut open the bodies to extract the mana crystals and carved out only the mushrooms that could be sold as materials.
Dion finished the butchering with practiced ease.
He then tilted his head as he saw Orr Kai looking at the remaining rat meat with longing eyes.
"What? You want to eat the meat too?"
*Nod, nod.*
"Not right now. Monster meat is dangerous unless you cleanse the tainted magic with purification water."
*Pout…*
"Hmm."
Perhaps because she had been a cheap slave who hadn't eaten properly for a long time.
Dion pondered for a moment as he watched Orr Kai's blatant disappointment at being told she couldn't eat the meat.
Finally, he chuckled and said.
"Alright, let's take the meat with us today."
"…!"
*Grab.*
She was so happy.
Wagging her tail furiously, Orr Kai threw herself into his arms.
To this small beast, Dion handed the dripping Mushroom Rat meat, strung onto a branch.
The problem was that this caused them to reek of blood.
And the Labyrinth did not tolerate such a foolish, reckless act.
"Squeak, squeak."
"Squeeeak."
*Ssssssk.*
Before long.
Dozens of Mushroom Rats swarmed them from all directions.
Above all, the ★★[Mushroom King Rat], boasting the stature of a bull, was the price of their bravado.
Facing a Mushroom King Rat, which could wield minor abilities, along with its swarm, meant certain annihilation for any typical 1-star Awakened party.
It was a situation where even a 2-star party could expect a few deaths.
This was the Labyrinth.
A place where even an Awakened One could die from a single mistake.
"AlD Aid, aDRa."
*BOOM!!!*
"…Squeak?"
…Of course, that only applied to Awakened Ones of an ordinary caliber.
An eerie incantation echoed.
An arrow of darkness shot forth.
*Thwump,* and the Mushroom King Rat's head was blown off.
Thanks to that, the swarm of Mushroom Rats, now suddenly leaderless, blinked in confusion. Dion smiled brightly and said.
"Looks like we'll be taking home quite a haul of meat today."
***
"The Lord has returned!"
"Open the gates!"
*Creeeak.*
Waryongjang, the estate built in a square formation.
The gate on the 'outer' side, opposite the 'inner' side connected to Nangrang Fortress, opened.
It wasn't just the guards who greeted Dion and Orr Kai.
Those who were tilling the garden.
Those who were carrying luggage.
Those who were hanging laundry.
Those who were treating leather.
Over a hundred dark elves and a few slaves, all bustling with activity, knelt in unison to welcome Dion.
And at the center of them all.
The only one not kneeling, a graceful dark elf, bowed more respectfully than anyone else.
"Welcome back."
"We're a bit early today."
"Everyone may return to your duties."
Dion gestured as he replied.
Understanding the boy's intent from that alone, Arsha calmly gave the order, and the risen people returned to their tasks.
Arsha looked behind the boy.
Specifically, at the monster carcasses that Dion and Orr Kai were dragging, strung up with rope.
"You brought meat today as well."
"Well, you can never have too much food, right?"
"You are correct. Shall I have it processed immediately?"
"Yes, and cook some up for our little lucky charm right away."
"Understood."
Arsha immediately gave an order to a nearby kinsman.
A ratman in an apron and a few dark elves approached and promptly took the meat Dion had brought.
Perhaps she was starving.
Having received his permission, Orr Kai took the meat and ran ahead toward the kitchen.
Dion casually glanced around, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Hmm…"
"Is something the matter?"
"No, I was just thinking how everyone's gotten used to Waryongjang in just ten days."
"It is all thanks to you, my lord."
"What have I done? If anything, it's because you've handled your duties as regent so well, Arsha."
Managing supplies.
Distributing purification water.
Monitoring the Labyrinth's condition.
Preparing for monster attacks.
From the newly settled dark elf tribe to the slaves who weren't even fully healed.
Dion did not spare his praise for Arsha, who had skillfully assigned roles to everyone and handled the multitude of tasks.
But Arsha herself couldn't hide her look of apprehension.
"…Are you truly certain it is alright to appoint someone like me as the regent of this domain?"
"We've been over this several times, haven't we?"
"However, I lack the ability and the qualifications to be regent."
"I don't know about that. I don't think you lack ability, at least."
Dion smiled faintly.
He wasn't just speaking based on her performance so far.
Her ability to lead a weak race like the elves for over a hundred years was by no means common.
Especially since she possessed three domestic-focused classes: [Monarch], [Civil Servant], and [Village Chief].
She herself didn't even know, as she lacked the money to use a Goddess's sanctuary, but talent in domestic affairs superior to hers would be rare even among the Baekdaesega.
It was a shame to think that in his second life, he had lost such a talent without ever meeting her.
That was why.
That was why Dion playfully added another word.
"Besides, you're already qualified enough, aren't you?"
"…"
"Arsha is already my concubine."
"…!"
"A concubine so charming that even when I get a proper wife later, I'll want to dote on you the most."
"B-But, I am old, and an elf, and also…"
"It's fine. I don't really care about age or race. Especially if they're as pretty and smart as you, Arsha."
"…!"
"So I'm counting on you in the future, Arsha."
Perhaps because she was so flustered.
Dion chuckled at the dark elf, who couldn't find the words to respond.
He then took a step forward, closing the distance, and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, standing slightly on his toes.
"—Because I'll cherish and love you very much, too."
*Smooch.*
"Heeik?!?!"
"…?!"
Perhaps she hadn't expected him to suddenly kiss her ear.
Despite her efforts to maintain her composure, Arsha's face flushed a deep red.
She wasn't the only one flustered.
Not only the surrounding dark elves but also some of the slaves either bowed their heads so low their necks might break or stared up at the sky.
They all knew how sensitive an elf's ears were, and what touching them meant.
But no one criticized or scorned Dion for performing such a shameless act in public.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
'To make our chief so flustered she doesn't know what to do…!'
'No, it's the chief who's amazing for making the lord act like that.'
'I pray the two of them continue to be as harmonious as they are now.'
Most of the dark elves fervently supported the union of their chief and the lord.
One could ignore an elf, but not the lord's concubine. For a weak race like them, the harmony between the two was a matter of their clan's fate.
That was why.
That was why Arsha couldn't push Dion away, even as her face turned beet red.
As Dion held her and chuckled.
A single, cold voice cut through the air.
"To commit such a shameless act. Have you no shame?"
"Come on, it's not that shameless for a couple to share a light greeting."
"Among us dark elves, at least, kissing an ear is indeed a shameless act."
"…!"
Finally noticing the cold gaze upon her, Arsha stiffened.
The dark elf maid spoke to her, about 3.7 times more bluntly than usual.
"—Therefore, 'My Lady' should also restrain yourself in the future. No matter how happy you are to have a young husband."
"Parsha, I-I wasn't… It's not like that…"
Where was her usual self, who always had something to say no matter the situation?
Arsha fidgeted, flustered by her daughter's cold stare, yet unable to push Dion away.
Unlike her, Dion looked at Parsha calmly.
"Hmm, you're back pretty early today. Did something happen?"
"There was an incident where a hooligan who sent his personal maid on a suicide mission was busy seducing a widowed mother."
"Calling it a suicide mission hurts a little. I entrusted it to you because it was an important job."
Smiling faintly.
A mischievous smile on his lips.
Still holding her mother.
The maid, who had been coldly glaring at the boy she had raised since he was a one-year-old, said bluntly.
"So, how long do you intend to continue this madness?"
"Madness? What are you talking about?"
"The monster hunting."
It had been about ten days since he had killed Silan, saved the dark elf clan, and taken Arsha as his concubine.
Pointing out the only activity Dion had engaged in during that time.
Parsha said coldly.
"The Labyrinth is dangerous. Even if you've Awakened, Young Master, it's a place where you can die at any moment."
"Don't worry. That will never happen."
"On what grounds do you say that?"
"You already know the grounds, don't you, Parsha?"
"…"
Perhaps because she couldn't deny the fact.
The dark elf maid furrowed her brow slightly but remained silent.
Dion smirked, chanting a short spell and flicking his fingers to create a pitch-black crow.
"—Because I'm a high-ranking Awakened One now, too."
『Achievement: Attended the Labyrinth for the Tenth Day』
『Achievement: 100 Kills Today Too』
『Special effect of [Blood Slaughter Star] activates.』
『[Black Mage]★★★ Lv1→Lv2』
『[Slaughterer]★★ Lv7』
『[Thug]★★ Lv6』
『[Beast Hunter]★★ Lv3→ Lv4』
『[Thief]★★ Lv3→ Lv4』
『[Lecher], [Soldier], [Woodcutter], [Butcher], [Arsonist], [Detective], [Laborer] have reached Lv10, and the traces of the classes are engraved upon your soul.』
『Racial Traits [Vital Point Mutation(Un)], [Crawling(N)], [Hard Shell(N)], [Camouflage(N)], [Low-grade Poison Resistance(N)], [Low-grade Poison Generation(Un)], [Fast Recovery(Un)] have been plundered.』
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