The Dungeon Guard Materializes Its True Form!
The Dungeon Guard was originally a formless entity that parasitized the dungeon system to survive. It was a mass of intense energy. However, within the dungeon, it could materialize into any desired shape at any time.
Shwoooosh—
A massive energy clump appeared before Ferrofero in a blaze of light, gradually taking on a distinct form. It soon transformed into the figure of a stunning beauty with crimson eyes.
Floating languidly in the air, she gazed down at Ferrofero with eyes full of utter boredom. She brushed back her wavy hair, which cascaded down to her waist.
"You really..."
Her face suggested she had a lot to say. But even that seemed too much of a hassle, so she just shook her head slowly.
"It's been a while, Dungeon Guard."
"Esperona."
One of the woman's eyebrows twitched in anger at those words. Then, the name 'Esperona' appeared above her head.
"Don't you remember?"
Esperona had once commanded that, when materialized, she be addressed by the name she used back when she had a physical body. Realizing this a bit late, Ferrofero nodded.
"I forgot."
"Explain yourself."
"My memory isn't bad, but I haven't seen your materialized form in so long..."
"Not that—your betrayal!"
"Because there's no longer any reason for me to live as your servant!"
Grinding her teeth in fury, Esperona jabbed her index finger straight at Ferrofero.
"After all the favoritism I showed you!"
"...When exactly?"
"You don't remember?"
Ferrofero racked his brains, wondering if there had ever been such a time. But he could swear he'd never received any special treatment from Esperona. She had always been indifferent, dumping all the work on him the moment he got the manager title and then lounging around.
"You never did anything for me, right?"
"So you remember now."
"Pardon? Are you saying doing nothing counts as favoritism?"
Esperona shot him an affirming look.
"How is that favoritism?!"
"Any other Dungeon Guard would've whipped you into shape first thing to break you in as manager."
She seemed to think that since she hadn't beaten him and merely offloaded the work, that qualified as kindness.
"And yet you betray me?"
A subtle rage laced her voice, and suddenly the space trembled as if struck by an earthquake. Startled, everyone asleep in the mansion bolted awake and rushed out.
"What? What's going on?"
"What happened?!"
"Pussycat! What did you do this time?"
"...Who the hell is she?"
"She isn't a monster, is she?"
As the group buzzed in confusion, Pierre stepped forward to scrutinize Esperona closely. If she were a monster, his Monster Encyclopedia skill would provide info on her. But nothing appeared at all.
"She's not a monster."
Pierre's words only deepened their bewilderment.
"Then what is she?"
"But... she's gorgeous."
"Even in a situation like this."
"Classic Jonathan."
"Shut it, twins."
"She looks kinda intimidating."
"My friend Jung-min~ Don't get intimidated already. We don't know who she is yet, but go in strong."
"That's hard for me. I can't pull it off like you, Josh hyung. Ha, haha."
As they traded quips, Kayla's voice echoed in everyone's minds.
-It'd be nice if that beautiful woman were an ally, but the odds are low~ My intuition's screaming bad vibes, so everyone stay sharp~
The speechless girl was using her Brain Scan skill to warn them. Mitchell stepped up to speak to Esperona on behalf of the group—
Grab!
—but Seol Ara yanked his arm back.
"Ara-ssi?"
"Why not ask Ferrofero what's going on first instead of talking to her?"
For some reason, she felt like trying to talk to Esperona would lead to disaster. And her instincts were spot on, as usual.
Esperona was already pissed off because of Ferrofero. If these puny humans dared address her now?
Who knew what catastrophe might unfold.
"Nyaa! Can you explain?"
At Seol Ara's question, Ferrofero finally managed to speak.
"Y-Yes."
Facing Esperona's wrath head-on had left him frozen, unable even to blink. But Seol Ara calling to him sparked sudden courage, letting him confront the suffocating fury.
"This is the true ruler of this dungeon—the Dungeon Guard!"
"Dungeon Guard?"
"She looks totally human."
"Dungeon Guards actually exist like that?"
As murmurs rippled through the group, Esperona's rage-filled voice rumbled low.
"You..."
Her lips twisted into a sneer.
"Ignoring me mid-conversation?"
Normally, Ferrofero would've groveled at this level of anger. But not today. He kept ignoring her and addressed the heroes.
"I can no longer stay by your sides! From now on, you'll have to overcome countless trials without my help!"
"Ferrofero."
Esperona called his name.
"As a final gift to you all!"
"Ha, you made her grab the whip."
Whoosh!
A crimson whip materialized in Esperona's hand. She swung her arm, and a burning red streak tore through space with a sharp whistle.
Snap!
The whip lunged at Ferrofero like a venomous serpent striking prey.
Then, the unexpected happened.
Ferrofero uses Creator's Authority 1-Minute Rental Ticket.
Creator's Authority descends upon Ferrofero for 1 minute.
With the messages, Ferrofero's hand shot out and snatched the incoming whip mid-air.
"You... bought that from the manager shop?"
"Yes!"
Ferrofero had previously bought a 3-minute rental of the Creator's Authority for 50 years of his lifespan. This time, it was a 1-minute version costing 25 years—only a third of the duration for half the price, making it a terrible value. But he had to buy it. He couldn't be sure he'd live another 50 years.
With the Creator's Authority temporarily in his grasp—even if just for a moment—Ferrofero matched Esperona. No, he was overwhelming her.
"Ferrofero. It's only 1 minute. No matter how much you borrow the Creator's stature, you think I can't endure that?"
Subduing a sleeping Esperona was easy. The lazy woman, steeped in sloth, would succumb to drowsiness again if not fully awake. But once roused, it was different. She couldn't harm him right now, but neither could he put her back to sleep. He could vent his pent-up frustration by beating her to a pulp, sure.
'But I don't have time for that!'
Ferrofero glanced at the 17 heroes and spread his free hand wide.
Before his pink jelly palm, a kaleidoscope of lights shimmered.
Seeing this, Esperona let out a deep sigh.
"Haaa... You're really going all out on the betrayal."
"Quiet!"
"What? Did you just tell me to be quiet?"
Esperona yanked the whip in outrage, but it didn't budge.
"This punk turned me into a statue?"
Ferrofero had sealed her movements with the Creator's power. Meanwhile, the blooming orb of light in his palm grew larger, splitting into 17 strands that shot toward the surviving 27th heroes and seeped into their bodies.
Then, the message appeared before everyone.
You receive 100 Bonus Stat Points by the grace of the Creator.
"...!"
"B-Bonus stat points... 100?!"
"Ferrofero! What did you do?!"
Gazing at the stunned group, Ferrofero offered a faint smile.
"It was truly fun spending these three days with you! Coming to the dungeon meant endless loneliness every day, but the moments with you weren't lonely at all!"
At his farewell words, Seol Ara stepped forward.
"Why talk like you're a cat heading out to prepare for death?"
Ferrofero's eyes turned to her, and they quickly grew misty.
"Ara-nim! Thank you for understanding and cherishing me more than anyone! I'll never forget this kindness!"
"I don't know what you're planning, but maybe we can help. Isn't there another way?"
Feeling Seol Ara's sincere concern, tears streamed down his face.
"As expected of Ara-nim—you're so warm! I'll never forget you in my lifetime! Sorry for everything, and thank you!"
Seol Ara realized she couldn't hold him back anymore. And she could guess what he planned to do. So she accepted the parting.
"You helped us a ton. At least that's how I see it. Thanks, Ferrofero."
The others hurriedly chimed in. Their voices overlapped in a chaotic jumble, but it was clear they were expressing gratitude.
"...Why are you all so kind to me? This makes parting so much harder."
Meanwhile, Esperona silently watched the scene. No matter what she did now, she couldn't break free of Ferrofero's pressure. She had no desire to waste energy on futile struggling.
"As regrettable as it is, it's time to say goodbye for real."
He briefly dulled Esperona's sight, hearing, and senses.
"...To the very end."
Then he tore open a rift in the dimensional fabric.
That's right. Ferrofero was trying to flee to the Hidden Space. But to hide it from Esperona, he'd shut down three of her senses. Whether she knew of the Hidden Space or not was uncertain, so no need to tip her off.
Only seconds remained until the Creator's power faded. Ferrofero took one last look at everyone and stepped into the rift—
"Ferrofero."
Seol Ara's voice held him back for a moment. With his body fully inside the rift and only his head poking out, she made her request.
"Tell them we have to survive and go home together."
Seol Ara knew he was heading to the Hidden Space.
"...Understood."
The cheese-patterned tabby cat nodded solemnly, and even his head vanished as the rift sealed shut.
Only then did Esperona's dulled senses return. She frantically scanned the surroundings.
"Where'd that troublemaker go?"
Her piercing glare swept over the dungeon entrants. But no one opened their tightly shut mouths.
After glaring at them for a long while, Esperona's shoulders slumped.
"Haa... Guess I have to manage them myself?"
Grumbling in clear distaste, she added a chilling remark.
"...To avoid the hassle, I should kill off the rest as fast as possible."
Leaving that ominous warning, the red-haired Dungeon Guard vanished.
"Now... we enter phase two, I suppose."
Someone murmured those words.