49. The next target grows
49. The next target grows
Bellatus Family's villa in the Labyrinth City.
Incredibly, the villa—which boasts vast grounds capable of housing a knight order and every facility imaginable—is called something else entirely.
'Bellatus Family's Testing Ground'
In truth, it's a place where the heir proves their competence and lightens the family head's workload.
Considering the blood and money shed by previous generations to earn the immense title of 'Dungeon Raid Team Member Overall Management,' this spot is no different from a small battlefield.
Every member of the Bellatus Family must prove their worth and earn recognition.
And now, that very place had nearly gone up in flames due to insiders...
"Reporting. According to the Magic Tower's mages, the perpetrator is identified as a necromancer of at least 6 Circles, as you can see from the Orc Hero's overdeveloped muscle structure..."
"..."
The Gongnyeo couldn't help but suppress her rage, stifling the breaths of her subordinates.
The reason the Gongnyeo couldn't lash out was clear: she bore some responsibility too.
In this incident, they discovered two spies. One had transformed into a Corpse Golem, and they barely caught the other.
She had to handle everything cleanly, no matter what...
Just thinking of those noisy, sagging old nobles made the Gongnyeo's head throb.
As she pressed her temples, the throats of the reporting nobles bobbed up and down desperately.
"Gulp... This concludes the report on the organization 'Rimes.'"
The Gongnyeo stared piercingly at the phrase in the report.
'For a world without borders.'
The words the tortured spy had screamed over and over.
'Rebellion? Revolutionary group? Magic Tower collapse? Religious reformation?'
Her mind grew tangled trying to decipher the meaning behind the slogan.
She had figured out their method of body-swapping.
Using a high-level necromancer's possession spell, they had stolen the original owner's body.
The collaborators Ethan and Ier seemed to be executives who used different methods...
"Information is severely lacking."
-Eek!
Seeing her retainers shrink back, the Gongnyeo clicked her tongue lightly.
She knew all too well that pressing them further would yield nothing.
"Tch, what's the next item?"
The next reporter straightened his attire and began his report.
"The final item! We've prepared the reward proposal for the Raid Members who subjugated the Orc Hero this time."
"Proceed."
"Yes, first, we exclude Selana Ain Velatus 2nd Gongnyeo from the discussion. Starting with the reward for 'Magna,' priest of the Temple of Light. 50 gold coins and a request for orphanage sponsorship. Also..."
The nobles reading Magna's report aloud exchanged quiet opinions.
-Hmm...
-A Temple of Light priest from The North? Heh heh...
-Seems appropriate.
The Gongnyeo nodded upon hearing the reward proposal.
"Approved. If he wants anything more, accommodate him."
"Yes, next is the reward proposal for 'Jenin' of the Hardin Count House. 50 gold coins, support with new magic tools, and..."
The reporter hesitated, looking like he really didn't want to say it.
The Gongnyeo furrowed her brows, showing clear discomfort.
"...He requested a meal with the young lady..."
-...
The conference room fell into instant silence.
The retainers spouted all sorts of nonsense to soothe the young lady's anger.
"Hahaha... It seems the young heir of the Hardin Count House has always admired the young lady greatly!"
"In these times, it's not weird for a man to approach like this!"
"Exactly! He's even the 2nd Gongnyeo-nim's 'comrade-in-arms,' right? They saved each other's lives, 'comrades-in-arms.'"
"He probably doesn't know what that implies, just a naive young heir asking for a simple meal..."
Normally, she'd ignore such a trivial matter.
But with her mood soured lately, the furrow between her brows never smoothed out.
And now, this guy—who hadn't even reached beyond the 60th floor like the Raid Members—dares to make such a request?
Either gutsy or stupid, one or the other.
The clueless young heir had no idea what people did to curry favor with the Gongnyeo.
The reason she wasn't exploding in anger was simply because the blame lay squarely at the Duke's residence.
Failing to catch the spy had led to this mess...
The Gongnyeo placed a hand on her temple and said,
"...We'll review it..."
"Your mercy, Lady Bel..."
"Enough, next."
The nodding reporter continued.
"The reward proposal for 'Jang Ryu-o,' disciple of Arin."
"Hm."
The retainers exchanged glances seeing the Gongnyeo's furrowed brow instantly smooth and a smile tug at her lips.
"???!??!"
Arin, who had sliced the Corpse Golem that burst from the villa not long ago in a single stroke.
Even though she had swept clean the Duke's residence of its herbs, no displeasure showed on the Gongnyeo's face.
On the contrary...
-She's smiling...
-Shh! Lower your voice...
-The report, the report...
Seeing the Gongnyeo in a good mood for the first time in ages, the retainers began flipping through the reports.
"In the world... He became the focal point for all those people?"
"And during the end-of-month Dungeon Break state, no less..."
"Oh, solo subjugation of the Orc Hero!"
"On just his second expedition..."
They started praising to cheer her up at first, but upon reading the report's contents, the retainers' jaws simply dropped.
"Insane..."
"Ah, Arin-nim's disciple! The Arin who wouldn't teach her techniques no matter how much we begged?!"
"We must forge a friendly relationship no matter what."
"They already held the Raid Member selection..."
As everyone looked to the Gongnyeo, her heavy lips curved up slightly.
"Heh."
Seeing the Gongnyeo not scolding the overheated atmosphere, the retainers were convinced.
'''This is it!'''
Already swamped with work and wary of the Gongnyeo's bad mood even during breaks, the retainers now had a chance to kiss up perfectly.
"The recruiter... My word, as expected of the young lady! How did you spot talent who's only entered the Labyrinth once and turn him into this..."
"Heh."
"The 2nd Gongnyeo-nim's skills are no joke either... But this guy handled that incident solo... Heh heh!"
"Hm."
"The Bellatus family's keen eye has been renowned since ancient times! Truly the young Duchess. It's an honor to share the future with you..."
"Ha, enough, all of you."
"""Yes."""
The Gongnyeo addressed her retainers, brimming with anticipation.
"I'll personally decide Jang Ryu-o's reward. Any objections?"
At that moment, no one dared contradict the Gongnyeo.
"None!"
Because she had to clock out early for once to see her bunny-like kids.
Mothers everywhere sacrifice today as always in this world.
"Slurp~! Slurrrrrr... Chup chup chup!♥♥"
"Good morning, dear..."
"Still sleepy?♥ Mwahhhhhh!!!"
"Ugh! Yeah... Thanks to you..."
"Mmm... Gulp♥ Haa... So full..."
I finished my morning routine and stroked Master's head as she snuggled into my arms.
"Ah... Don't wanna get uppp♥"
"Should I train alone?"
Master switched to her serious tone.
"That won't do, kiddo. Today's training could get you seriously hurt."
Today was the day to take the Dano Gongmyeongdan and train.
Not some simple exercise like blocking blindfolded, but the real start of sensory training.
Seeing Master's serious face, I nodded.
"Yes. Please take good care of me today too."
"Hehe, sure! Shall we get up now?"
Suddenly, I remembered something I wanted to consult Master about.
No time yesterday...
"Master, after finishing the expedition this time, I got two essences."
"Two, two of them? Did you catch every monster in the Labyrinth?"
I shook my head slightly at Master's blinking eyes.
"Nah, focused on Mimics and the boss. This one's the Orc Great Warrior's essence, and..."
I placed the essences one by one on my palm.
"This one's from the Mimic."
Master's eyes widened instantly.
"Mimic! Kiddo! Did you get it appraised at the Temple?"
"Nope, they were closed on Sunday."
"Phew... Good thing."
Curious why, I asked.
"Is there a problem with the Mimic's essence?"
"If it comes out as Stealth, you have to sell it immediately. They'd investigate the source too."
Thinking back, Master had mentioned an invisibility item before.
If even items caused such a fuss, having the Stealth skill?
Different from invisibility, but it'd be a huge hassle for sure.
"Mimics have 'Greed Lure,' 'Iron Teeth,' 'Stealth,' 'Uitae,' 'Adhesive Tongue,' and 'Treasure Absorption.'"
My ears perked at 'Treasure Absorption.'
"Treasure Absorption?"
"Yeah, a skill that absorbs equipment to boost strength or internal energy."
... Jackpot.
As if reading my mind, Master smiled bitterly.
"But historically, only one case has been discovered. The effect isn't that huge, samples are scarce, and anyone who finds one gets swallowed up whole?"
I scolded my own complacency.
If I'd gone to appraise it thinking it'd be great after eating the Mimic essence, how much headache would that have been?
Looking at the skills, over half are jackpots.
I nodded to Master and thought.
'Please, Treasure Absorption!'
Staring at my inventory-full items and my Luck stat, I swallowed the essence...
-Gulp!
-Ding!
[You have acquired the skill 'LV.1 Uitae'!]
I got 'Uitae.'
... Life is a battlefield.
Master smiled bitterly at my expression.
"Didn't get Treasure Absorption, huh?"
"Yeah... What's Uitae like?"
Wondering how it differed from Stealth, I asked, and Master rested her chin on her hand to explain.
"Hmm... Stealth hides your presence, Uitae changes your visible appearance."
I mentally shouted Uitae right away.
My hand shifted slightly to white along the white sleeve.
For now, I'd shelve the disappointment.
"Hmm... Gotta research uses for this one."
"Yeah, don't sweat it. Can you... get another Mimic essence next time? Mimic essence?"
"..."
"L-Let's hurry to training, kiddo! Hohoho~"
Sigh...
Still, it's fine. I have the ability to sweep Mimics clean.
'Treasure Absorption... I'll get it for sure.'