15. Death Sorcerer's Dungeon
"Hmmm……."
As always, standing watch alone by the fire was boring. Even Dina felt that way. She poked idly at the crackling campfire with a stick, staring blankly into the flames. At least this time wasn't quite so dull, thanks to the potatoes Ian had left her before turning in.
Dina stabbed relentlessly at the round tubers with her stick, muttering to herself as she checked them.
"……Are they done yet?"
No one answered her murmur.
"Not ripe yet……."
If Ian had been there, he would've told her that poking them endlessly wouldn't make them cook faster and given her the exact time they'd be ready. But right now, Ian had gone to sleep early to take the watch after her.
Duroph and his comrades crept closer, watching Dina poke and play with the potatoes as she waited for them to cook. They signaled silently.
—Let's start.
The wordless mouth-shape was understood by one comrade, who nodded and pulled out a scroll. It was enchanted with a spell that suppressed mana in magic tools, rendering them unusable.
Fwoosh—.
Tearing the scroll released sparkling powder that enveloped the campsite. Another scroll followed—this one cast a silence spell around the tents, ensuring no sounds from outside would reach inside.
Preparations complete. First, subdue the kid. Then the ones sleeping inside. To anyone who knew Dina, this was a laughably idiotic plan. But to them, it seemed foolproof. They'd trailed far behind Ian's party during the dungeon delve, preparing for any mishaps.
So they didn't know. They hadn't seen Dina's overwhelming might. The monsters exploding under that tiny girl's fists. Just who it was they dared underestimate.
Exchanging nods, they moved with practiced speed—not their first time.
Even as they bustled about, Dina sat chin-in-hand, oblivious, fixated on her potatoes.
'Stupid brat.'
Why the hell did that party drag a kid into a dungeon? Still, she was pretty cute. She'd make fine entertainment for their fun.
Sneering inwardly, Duroph gestured to his men. Hanson approached first, club raised, sneaking up behind her as quietly as possible.
That was when it happened.
"Stand right there unless you want to die. Begone."
Dina's low murmur drifted back. A lazy, languid voice thick with annoyance. Yet laced with sticky killing intent.
Like a sated predator warning presumptuous prey to fuck off since it was already full. Hanson froze, body shuddering under the viscous malice. It felt like iron fingers clamped his heart, squeezing. Gooseflesh rippled from his chest outward, halting him cold.
A prey's survival instinct before a predator. The killing aura from a dragon in rabbit's clothing was far too intense for a mere mortal.
"Guh, guh……."
Sense was vital for adventurers—where a hair's breadth separated life and death. And of Dina's aura, only Hanson felt it. His clueless comrades stared at the frozen fool.
'What the fuck's wrong with that idiot?'
'Guilt tripping now?'
'Fucking moron.'
Oh well. Duroph and the others exchanged glances and approached. A pity they couldn't do it quietly, but whatever. Deal with the idiot later.
Seeing them come, Hanson—frozen behind Dina—shook his head frantically at them. Don't come! Run! He screamed it in his mind, yelling they'd touched something they shouldn't. But his body wouldn't move. His throat locked shut. Like drowning, words trapped. An invisible weight crushed him immobile.
"What're you doing, dumbass?"
"Tch. Can't even handle this simple shit."
Ignoring his plight, they smacked the back of his head sneering and closed on Dina. Duroph squatted beside her first.
"Hey, kiddo. Remember us?"
The forbidden word slipped out before her. Duroph pointed to his ruined eye.
"See this eye? Your 'comrade' bitch did this. Yeah? Fuck, I'm crippled for life now. Blame your pals, so don't hate us too much."
"Ease up, Duroph. Look, the kid's scared."
"There there, little one. Uncle's not scary. Just stay quiet and good, and we'll let you live."
"Kuhuhu…! Yeah, sure. We'll let her live, right."
As they took turns, Dina's icy voice cut in.
"……What did you just say?"
"Huh?"
"This body asked what you just called me."
Duroph snorted.
"Hah, listen to this brat. Doesn't even grasp her situation……."
"Twice now, you dared."
"Huh?"
Flash—.
Something bumped his head. Vision went white. No time for pain. Duroph foamed at the mouth and collapsed unconscious.
Not dead. Yet.
Dina rose slowly, eyeing the twitching heap coldly. Duroph's comrades finally sensed something wrong, staring at the foaming man and the furious little tyrant.
Dina turned slowly. Her green eyes gleamed red.
"Daring to call this body a kid……."
Only two in this world could call her that and live. Bella, now a comrade she'd piled affection on despite the bickering. And……
'Yeonja alone.'
Though Ian never actually called her kid.
A red glint like blood-dots in her pupils. A death sentence in her gaze. Panic seized them.
Run. But they couldn't. Feet glued like sodden grass. Legs refused.
Thud. Thud.
Dina approached. One, in terror-driven frenzy, screamed and lunged with his weapon. Pure idiocy amid mental chaos.
"U, uwaaaah…!!"
"G-Grayden!"
They could've begged on their knees for mercy. But too late.
Dina's body whooshed airborne. Her upkick met Grayden's charging jaw. Despite his bulk dwarfing hers, the tiny girl's kick launched him skyward, weapon flying.
Her foot stomped air, accelerating. Kick after kick—one, two, three. Twenty in total. Until Grayden's head cratered the cavern ceiling.
She landed lightly.
Tap.
Feather-soft, despite the height. No words. Just……
Wag wag.
A casual finger-crook. No mercy here.
"U, uuh……."
While Dina gleefully pummeled the fools who'd dared call her kid……
Silver-rank wasn't bought—Duroph came to quickly. Opening his eyes: mangled comrades. Ceiling-decor one, others pulped. Terror gripped him.
'What the fuck is that…….'
Gulping, he crept up stealthily. Gotta run……
"Where do you think you're going, you scum!"
"U, uhek…!"
No escape for the fool who'd said it twice. Spotting him awake, Dina charged.
Duroph bolted into the cave depths, panic-blind.
"F-Fuck…!! Damn kid!"
But Dina was faster. One stomp closed the gap.
"You arrogant shit, calling this body kid again!!"
Then—
Black smoke billowed before her eyes.
"……Huh?"
No way. No……
Dina froze, staring at the fire. Potatoes burning.
"U. Uu, waaaaah…?!?"
That day, Dina's world crumbled.
I woke a bit early. A little before my watch, but whatever.
Bolting up, I gently pried Cheong-ah's clinging hand from mine, then hurled Bella's leg—plopped atop my belly—far away.
"U, uung…."
"Shh, good girl, Bella."
She stirred, but a forehead stroke lulled her back. Out of the tent.
The fire blazed. Before it……
"U, uuu……."
Dina wailed pitifully for some reason.
Dina, crying like that? I rushed over.
"What happened, Dina?!"
"Uuu, Yeonjaaa……."
"What's wrong? Why cry like that?"
Soothing her sobs, I rubbed her back gently and asked again.
Dina sniffled.
"The potatoes……. The potatoes burned……."
"……Ah."
Figures. What else could shatter her world?