The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices

The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices – 137

EP.137 The Snake Enters the Dungeon (2)

 

– Intruders have entered Lee Kang-hyun’s domain! –

Finally, the intruders had entered the nearby forest. Since receiving the declaration of war, I had made extensive preparations.

‘They don’t seem to be weak opponents.’

The dungeon’s master, Arcane. While I couldn’t gauge the full extent of their strength, one thing was clear.

‘They managed to locate and eliminate a hidden goblin in an instant.’

One of the Lamias had killed a member of the goblin scouting party. Underestimating goblins would be a mistake. The goblins under my command were not ordinary; they were elite warriors trained rigorously under the Goblin Lord’s supervision. Moreover, Celia had put significant effort into equipping the scouting party.

For them to take down one of my goblins with a single strike indicated that the enemy’s skills were formidable.

‘They didn’t declare war for no reason.’

If they were weak enough to be defeated by the goblin scouts, they wouldn’t have dared to come here. Initially, I was taken aback and incredulous when they declared war on my dungeon, but now, I welcomed it.

In fact, I saw it as an opportunity. I needed an objective assessment of my dungeon’s current strength. Various challengers had entered my dungeon before, but they were all dealt with too easily, leaving me somewhat unsatisfied. I wasn’t looking for an overwhelming opponent, but rather a challenge to gauge my dungeon’s capabilities.

‘In that sense, they are the perfect candidates.’

I had to commend them for realizing the goblin scouts were lying in wait and launching a preemptive strike. However, the scouts were not my main force. As their name suggests, their primary role was reconnaissance, not annihilation of enemies.

After dealing with the goblin scouts, the enemy was now rapidly approaching the dungeon.

‘Let’s see how this unfolds.’

I tapped the screen of my charging smartphone. It might look like I wasn’t doing anything, but I was in a position where I earned my keep.

“Tsk.”

I needed to visit the Phoenix Guild sometime soon. I had become an advisor to the team led by Jung Ye-rin at the Phoenix Guild. I felt guilty about just collecting my salary without contributing, so I planned to make time for a visit.

“Well, this is more important right now.”

Not going to the Phoenix Guild immediately wasn’t a big deal. However, if my dungeon fell, it would be catastrophic for me. Therefore, my actions now were crucial. I had already given Celia strict instructions. The dungeon’s areas could be restored, so I ordered her to fight boldly. However, I emphasized the importance of protecting the dungeon core at all costs.

To prepare for any eventuality, I had also dispatched a 5-star gargoyle from my home to El Dorad Continent. This was possible because the system had advised assembling forces to repel the intruders. Additionally, I instructed Celia to withdraw the troops if their strength was adequately measured in each area. It would be a waste to defeat the enemy too early in the initial areas.

“Or maybe not? If they die in the first area, is there even a point in measuring?”

I decided not to dwell on it. Celia would handle it well, as per my instructions. I trusted her to manage things on the ground. However, I did pull back two guests from Area 3 to the rear where Celia was stationed.

Area 3 housed carnivorous tentacle plants and bloodsucking butterflies. According to Celia’s report, an elf named Nariel and a young vampire named Aren were present there. For some reason, they weren’t officially part of the dungeon yet. They were more like guests.

“It’s better to pull them back since they might join the dungeon eventually.”

Technically, the carnivorous tentacle plants and bloodsucking butterflies could be replenished through summoning. Moreover, the monsters could reproduce on their own, leading to a higher number of butterflies than initially summoned. The dungeon seemed to regulate their numbers naturally, maintaining a balance.

“Maybe those plants are eating the butterflies.”

Nature worked in mysterious ways. The carnivorous plants in Area 3 had grown stronger. Celia mentioned that they had been enhanced with the elf’s power. Coincidentally, an elf named Ciel resided in my home.

“If it’s useful, I should ask for one too.”

Raising a carnivorous tentacle plant seemed worthwhile. Of course, being a 3-star crrature, it couldn’t be summoned to Earth. Instead, I planned to obtain its seeds through a loophole.

As I pondered this, another alarm went off.

– Warning! Intruders have entered Lee Kang-hyun’s dungeon! –

– Subdue Arcane, the master of the Lamia Dungeon, who has invaded the dungeon. –

The enemy had finally entered the dungeon.

“Alright. Let’s see how this unfolds.”

I called Maru over and handed him a notebook.

“Here, watch this screen and evaluate their performance.”

“Clink?”

“Yes, yes. Just record who handles things well and fights effectively. Their promotions depend on you, Maru.”

A monster’s perspective would likely be more accurate. I had the duty to oversee the overall flow.

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As they entered the dungeon, a chill greeted them. The passage wasn’t very wide, but it wasn’t narrow enough to hinder combat.

“The humidity is maintained at an optimal level, suggesting there’s water flowing inside.”

Stia’s observation was correct. The dungeon maintained a suitable humidity for Lamias, aside from the cool temperature.

“Once we take over this dungeon, we’ll call in the Association’s representative to make modifications immediately.”

“That sounds good.”

Even if the temperature was low, the Association could adjust the environment to their liking. But that wasn’t the immediate concern.

“……”

Arcane examined the dungeon walls. The interior was well-maintained and clean, though somewhat plain. The walls bore no markings, only torches placed at regular intervals.

‘This is strange.’

A shiver ran down her spine, but she quickly calmed herself and moved forward. Soon, they reached the end of the passage. Before them lay three diverging paths.

“Hmm.”

Arcane took a deep breath as she examined the three paths. The leftmost path exuded a powerful stench of death—fear, screams, and emptiness all at once. There was only one explanation for such a place.

“That path likely houses the undead.”

However, it didn’t quite feel like the Arch Lich’s domain. It was highly unlikely that the Arch Lich was there. The central path emitted a scent similar to the goblin scouts they had encountered earlier.

“The central path seems to be where the goblins reside.”

The rightmost path was more perplexing.

‘Nature, blood, fear…?’

What could be causing such fear? It wasn’t just one or two entities; many were experiencing fear.

‘Blood?’

Were they afraid of a vampire? But there was no direct scent of a vampire.

“Hmm.”

She couldn’t quite figure out the rightmost path. Usually, such areas were dominated by a single type of creature, but this one had too many possibilities.

“Lady Arcane.”

Stia approached the pondering dungeon master.

“Shall we split our forces or break through one path?”

It was time to make a decision, as Stia suggested. Each choice had its pros and cons. Concentrating their forces on one path could lead to being surrounded and isolated. If the enemy forces from the other two paths flanked them, it would be troublesome. Splitting their forces carried risks but could offset the disadvantages of the other strategy.

“We have no choice. Stia, you take the leftmost path.”

The first path reeked of death, but Arcane didn’t sense the Arch Lich there. Stia should be able to handle it.

Arcane herself chose the rightmost path. Given its numerous possibilities and variables, she planned to proceed with some of her followers.

“And Picha, you take the central path.”

A slender Lamia emerged at her command. Picha was exceptionally skilled in magic among the Lamias, making her well-suited to face the goblins.

“Understood, my lady. I, Picha, will conquer the central path.”

Arcane swiftly divided and positioned her forces.

Stia led twenty Lamias down the leftmost path, while Picha commanded thirty-six Lamias down the central path. Arcane herself chose the right path, accompanied by twelve Lamias. With this, the preparations were complete.

Each group, ready and determined, set off in their designated directions. Stia watched until Arcane disappeared down the right path before she slowly rose.

“Then, let’s move out.”

Twenty Lamias followed Stia. As they advanced, the air grew thick with the stench of death, piercing their senses. The smell of decay filled their nostrils, and the dropping temperature made it increasingly difficult for the Lamias.

“We need to hurry.”

Stia frowned as the temperature continued to fall. Cold was deadly for Lamias. Concerned for Arcane’s safety, Stia pressed on towards the first area. Soon, she was forced to stop, her breath catching at the sight before her.

An army of undead filled the space, waiting for her.

“Ugh…!”

The eerie aura struck her like a hammer, threatening to overwhelm her senses.

“E-everyone, stay focused!”

Barely maintaining her composure, Stia shouted to her subordinates. Despite trying to steady her troops, she herself was puzzled by the intensity of the aura. Her gaze then fell upon a figure standing behind the undead army.

“A Death Knight!”

An unexpected presence. This dungeon was supposed to be the Arch Lich’s domain. But a Death Knight?

‘Could the Association’s information be wrong?’

Realizing the gravity of the situation, she turned sharply.

“Lady Arcane is in danger! We must retreat immediately!”

However, the undead army had no intention of letting them go. From the moment they entered, the Lamias had no choice. Skeletons and zombies with rotting flesh and bones, along with wailing banshees, surged towards Stia.

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While the intruders roamed the various areas of the dungeon…

“Is this really necessary?”

Baalzerith asked in a sullen voice.

“Of course, Riche. This is the will of our great master. Surely, you’re not suggesting we defy our master’s will?”

Celia smiled sweetly as she ushered Baalzerith into Area 4.

“Uh… Manager, can I go in too?”

Unlike Baalzerith, who was sent to Area 4, the ogre brothers were called to the dungeon’s core.

“I want to go in too!”

“Of course. Everyone except Riche, come in.”

Celia emphasized a particular name as she spoke. Following the general manager’s orders, not only the ogre brothers but also the water spirits and nobles captured from the Sael Kingdom were moved to the dungeon’s core.

‘As expected of our master. It’s too early to trust that mosquito-like woman.’

Everything happening now was according to the great one’s will. Even before the Lamias invaded, the master had ordered an investigation into Baalzerith’s connections with them. The simplest method was to pit Baalzerith against the Lamias. Now, everything was in place. With the master even providing a gargoyle, all variables were effectively neutralized.

Celia moved on to the next matter.

“Kazel, think about how we can utilize these Lamias to satisfy our master.”

Kazel von Rosenberg, now acting as the chief steward within the dungeon, was the first human to handle such important tasks. Not only was he efficient in his duties, but he also provided satisfactory answers to Celia’s inquiries. This time was no different.

“General manager, there is a type of liquor that some nobles enjoy.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a liquor made by infusing snakes. Given that Lamias have snake-like lower bodies, they might produce an even more potent version.”

As a former baron of the Sael Kingdom, Kazel’s words carried weight.

“Snake liquor, you say…”

Celia pondered seriously over Kazel’s suggestion. She recalled that Maru, the master’s bodyguard, had mentioned that the master enjoyed unique flavors. They had even offered a gnoll’s hand as a tribute.

“In that case, let’s capture one Lamia and make snake liquor from it.”

Surely, the master would appreciate Lamia-infused snake liquor. Smiling, Celia immediately began preparations for making the liquor.