NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9
Whether summoning the corpse of an adventurer as a skeleton or using the body as a sacrifice to enhance existing soldiers, not everything about that adventurer is consumed entirely.
Unimportant memories, unused talents in necromancy, etc.
These remnants, the accumulation of a deceased existence, are stored in the core until they can be extracted or consumed in some other way.
Thus, when I click on the “adventurer sacrifice” section, the following information appears.
『Jack Miller = 2』
『Remia Olas = 3』
The names attached to the existence and the amount of magical power that the core can extract and utilize from it.
Although the amount is significantly lacking compared to the original due to entropy going berserk, nonetheless, those remnants can be used as power or currency.
Using human souls as currency or food is nothing new for any race inspired by “demons,” be it demon clans or actual demons.
So, hesitating to “sell” this soul would surely seem odd to the succubus in front of me.
I had already steeled myself for when a merchant might come by, ready to sell this soul for my benefit.
“Lady? What’s the matter…?”
Despite that resolve, I briefly froze at the moment. Perhaps the succubus sensed my unease, as she looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“It’s nothing. Here, take this.”
Calmly saying so, I extracted the human soul absorbed into the dungeon’s core without showing any sign of my agitation.
『Total Magical Power – 136 ▶ 131』
『Sacrificial Magical Power – 52 ▶ 47』
I could see the magical power being extracted from the core, diminishing.
Swish…!
This was the first time I was seeing a human soul.
Its overall shape was that of a sphere with smoke rising like flames.
On the surface, the memories the individual had while alive flickered by like images, and while both appeared to exhibit some hardened hue, Jack’s was relatively murky, and Remia’s was comparatively clear.
It didn’t take long to understand what the commonalities and differences implied.
“Oh my. Such a high-quality soul…”
The succubus’s eyes sparkled as if she had encountered treasure.
The “top-tier” label the system mentioned seemed indeed not incorrect.
“One possesses outstanding talent, while the other’s soul is noble. Moreover, you’ve beautifully tainted both souls with hatred. Oh my, oh my.”
The ‘material’ refers to the body’s talents. ‘Clarity’ refers to the soul’s purity. Lastly, the flames outside the sphere reflect the degree of processing… in other words, how much it was molded to meet ‘the taste of demonic existence’ before dying.
One could think of it that way.
It seemed the hatred and anger both felt when dying were profound.
I felt a slight heaviness in my mouth from those emotions, but I could shake it off quickly.
“It’s quite remarkable that a beginner lady such as yourself has secured such top-tier souls…”
“They were truly exceptional. It was regrettable that I couldn’t fully claim them as my subordinates.”
“I cannot deny that. Then…”
I meant to suggest they offer more in return. As I stared intently, Scarlett suddenly plunged her hand between her unusually large breasts and pulled out something resembling a square box with a magic circle drawn on it.
If it weren’t for my traits, I surely would have shouted.
What on earth made her activate the stash magic entrance there? Well, I guess it is very much like a succubus.
“First, the value of the items will be approximately this much.”
The item she took out seemed to be a calculator for measuring the value of souls.
She held that calculator towards my soul and then showed me the screen that projected in hologram form.
『Novice Human Male Warrior Adventurer – 250V』
『Novice Half-Elf Female Archer Adventurer – 600V』
In simple terms, V is the currency of the demon world, commonly referred to as either ‘Vice’ or ‘Bl.’ And 100V would allow one to buy a “Dungeon Lord Awakening Potion” that raises my stats by 1.
In other words, Jack’s soul has a value of 2.5 stats, while Remia’s has a value of 6 stats.
To be honest, even if it’s outstanding, that rather exceeds the typical value of a novice adventurer.
“Lower than I thought…”
“…?”
“Surprisingly low.”
“Oh…”
But contrary to my expectation, the words that spilled from my mouth carried an opposite meaning.
I was convinced that the succubus in front of me believed there was undisclosed value yet to be weighed.
Proving that thought, the succubus, whose eyes went wide with surprise and lips pressed together, soon grinned with a smirk on one side.
“You’re quite perceptive, Lady Libertus.”
“I thought you’d try to trick me again. You’re rather honest.”
“Let’s say it’s the price for the earlier prank.”
With a hint of charm, Scarlett squinted her eyes and smiled sweetly.
On the other hand, while my heart was filled with unpleasant feelings watching her, I managed to mask those feelings well. The current me was even more capable of hiding them.
“Fine. I’ll let it go this time. So, calculate it properly.”
“Sure thing! I’ll do it right away!”
With a cheerful tone, Scarlett soon operated the machine, and the holographic numbers I was viewing began to change rapidly.
“It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen a promising candidate for investment. Furthermore, a truly rare, high-quality young human soul! When we measure their total value…”
When she first laid eyes on me, she had already dropped hints.
She labeled me as indeed a proper newbie that she hadn’t seen in a long time.
She likely wanted to test the extent to which I could comprehend before succumbing to the notion that I wouldn’t understand anything and might die soon.
This also indicated that the dungeons and lords springing up like mushrooms across this continent were already easily facing death during their creation stages.
And if Dungeon Lords still carried over the settings from “Mill Don 1,” they would be successors to the “Demon Lord” or rather candidates for such.
While other strong successors exist on the surface, they don’t need to be overly protective but should still ensure they don’t fall into the role of helplessly dying.
After all, “a bit of investment” wouldn’t even equate to a speck of dust for a Maroon Trading Company.
Though, of course, this would only apply until the fact of my humanity was discovered… but the chances of that were almost negligible.
“This is how much they’ll be valued.”
『400V』
『1,200V』
Jack and Remia’s souls, now holding at least more than double their original value. Mixed emotions of contentment and bitterness swirled within me.
The amount was indeed a significant help to me, but I fully understood how the fates of those souls would unfold according to the “Mill Don 1” setting.
With any luck, they could become prey or be reborn as demons.
On the flip side, it could mean they’d become toys to be played with until their souls expired.
And normally, simply being dragged to hell would be enough to qualify as a vast misfortune.
No matter what, either outcome would undoubtedly be worse than simply being stored within the core and sleeping, so ultimately, this deed was one that shouldn’t be done against a person.
I had no intentions of turning a blind eye to that situation.
This was about all I could say.
“They were precious to me as well, so please find me a good buyer.”
“Of course. I’ll find a partner worthy of the noble’s first hunt. There are collectors seeking beginner souls, so I’m sure we can find a good one.”
Click.
After writing something down on a scroll that appeared from thin air, the succubus destroyed it and said that as she stored the two souls within her ample chest, another piece of information updated on my dungeon status screen.
『Owned Currency – 1,600V』
Shaking off my unease, I realized it was a sufficient amount of currency.
It was now time to decide what to do with it, but I had already made my decision.
“Now I should be able to buy something, right? I’d like to see a sword.”
“A sword… you mean?”
Her eyes opened widely in surprise.
Her gaze darted off to the side before fixing back onto me again, indicating she had caught on to my meaning.
I didn’t elaborate further.
“Quickly.”
“Y-yes! But, Lady? I understand your affection for your first summon, but the weapons suitable for a skeleton aren’t likely to be very impressive…”
“Don’t make me repeat myself. Choosing is my prerogative.”
“Y-yes…”
Seeing the succubus ultimately resigned, I diverted my gaze to the side.
I could feel the warmth of emotions radiating from Eve, who had understood the situation unfolding next to her. A sort of blend of admiration, fondness, and loyalty, coalescing like a snowball and growing larger.
The sight of a skeleton with hands clasped in a gesture of joy writhing about could be seen as unusual from an objective standpoint, but to me, who was already fond of that guy, it looked rather cute.
Cognition often wavers in such matters governed by emotions.
Just seeing that they liked something, it seemed that the sword being well-maintained was just a matter of duty as a warrior, not out of any particular affection.
That works for me as the gift-giver.
‘Calm down. We’re still in negotiations.’
– Snap!
I couldn’t allow such a sight, so I mentally instructed, and Eve regained her stance with a soft sound.
Mire, standing next to her, suddenly seemed to inch away slightly… actually, she really was doing so.
Regardless, that swelling wave of emotion remained unchanged, and the perfect stance was maintained to such an extent that only I, the summoner, could detect it.
I nearly felt like laughing, but with guests present, I simply suppressed it.
“Here they are, Lady. All quality pieces. However, I suggest you think it over once more…”
“Are you trying to force me to change my decision?”
“Y-yes…”
I could sense Scarlett’s eyes brimming with the sentiment of ‘How do I deal with this stubborn person?’ But I ignored her and instead gazed down at the bundle unfurled before me.
『‘Durable’ Bastard Sword』
It didn’t take long to select a weapon.