Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Becoming the Dungeon Master! #3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
That day onward, we threw all our passion and fervor into repairing the dungeon.
Moto was fucking ruthless. "There's no such thing as impossible for you guys. If it can't be done, make it happen!"
"You're the Demon King Army that chose to come here, so give it everything you've got! Congratulations on your national defense duty! Enlisting in the Demon King Army is a proud privilege granted to you!"
Charge forward! The invincible Qlus Demon King Army shows no mercy!
"Keruk!"
"Gruruk!"
"Kyusat!"
At my command, the five loyal monsters attacked the dungeon entrance like mad. They clawed at the ceiling, dug into the walls, and cleared away the piles of dirt that came pouring out.
Of course, even with all five working together, they were still just puny monster trash, so the progress was inevitably slow.
"Hmm."
That said, even digging a trench with lower difficulty took soldiers with iron tools days or even weeks of cursing and bitching. So how could these little guys without proper tools do any better? Thinking about it that way, I had to respect those kobolds who'd originally carved out this tunnel. Wow. How the hell did they even make this?
No way these bastards inherited this tunnel generation after generation, right?
In the end, human society or monster society—it was all the same. Even monsters had it easier if they inherited property. Shit, they're better off than me.
Anyway.
Clap clap clap!
I clapped enthusiastically to praise them.
"Good work! You're all doing amazing! Just keep it up like that! That's all it takes! I'm so proud of you guys!"
A great leader never skimps on praise or tears!
No employee can stay focused with the leader right there beside them, shedding tears and clapping like a maniac.
When I was a kid,
I'd watch dramas where the company chairman or CEO had this nasty scowl, and I'd feel so bad for the workers. In those shows, the bosses always squeezed their employees dry and hurled abuse at them.
Back then, I thought, if I were in their shoes, I'd treat the staff right. Instead of cursing and yelling, I'd stick right by their side, tears streaming as I clapped for them. I'd make them happy.
That's what I thought.
And now, it was coming true.
"Kerurruk!"
"Grurung!"
"Kyusat!"
My sincere praise lit a fire under my subordinates—they were thrilled and burst with even more motivation. Yeah, sincerity always connects with sincerity.
Your joy is my joy.
Paat!
Of course, I'm not just some leader barking orders from the back. While praising my crew, I spun my ass off harder than anyone. These guys follow me so well— no reason not to suffer alongside them.
"Whew! Break time, everyone! Rest up, then back at it!"
"Keruk!"
"Guiil! Take your lackeys and grab some grub from the food storage!"
"Kyusat."
Kobolds were pretty good at errands, at least. Anyway, we chowed down on what Guiil's group brought back and enjoyed our break.
"Haa... You little shits. You know your big bro fucking loves you, right?"
"Keruk."
"Gruruk."
They got cuter every time I saw them.
"But."
Even after busting our asses, all we'd managed was to widen the entrance a bit. Remodeling the whole dungeon to my size would take even longer.
But time wasn't the only issue.
"Haa... This is a problem too."
The kobolds had stocked the food storage nicely, so we could focus on work while eating that up. But once it's gone, we'd have to hunt our own food while working.
No full focus on the job anymore.
It'd double the time needed.
And that's the real problem.
"You damn punks."
For hunting, how many do I take?
Leave these weaklings in the dungeon and go solo? They're five in number, but basically worthless.
I don't know what strong monsters are around, but right now, even three hostile goblins showing up without me would smash them all. And it's not just goblins, probably.
"Monsters like... orcs? Trolls?"
If something like that shows, our whole Demon King Army gets wiped, no question. Sure, I'm a bit stronger than an average adult guy, and I can pull off a few useful tricks, but my limits are crystal clear.
One armed soldier—or even an armed farmer—shows up, and I'm dead meat.
That's how shitty I am.
And I'm the strongest here.
"Kyusatsat."
"Kyuuu."
This weak ass me has to protect all these kids. No bullshit—for real, if I wander off alone, they could all die. But taking everyone is peak inefficiency.
What to do here?
"This must be a commander's dilemma."
Grunts don't get a commander's woes. Back in the army, on a freezing-ass day doing pointless trench work, I'd curse the company commander as a braindead piece-of-shit bastard.
But looks like even he had his troubles.
"Whew. Days like this make you grow up fast."
"Keruk?"
"Yeah, Buril, I'm counting on you."
"Keruk keruk."
Buril pounding his chest.
Seeing him gives me strength.
"Alright, go grab some water, then back to work!"
Let's hustle!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the end, the food storage ran dry. Fuck this. You kobold bastards—why didn't you stock more?
"We're screwed."
From today, we hunt our own grub.
"Take all five? Or go solo quick? Nah, hunting's tough without Buril."
But taking just Buril leaves these punks here: Imsoong and Guiil's crew. One passing goblin would fuck them up bad.
"No good. Dungeon expansion's on hold. Imsoong, Guiil—back to that pit from before and hide."
"Gruruk?"
"Follow me."
First, stash them in the pit. I grabbed my spear and sack, then headed straight there—the same pit where I'd watched the kobolds.
"Stay in here. Wait till I get back."
"Gruruk? Gruruk gruruk."
Imsoong answering.
Did he get it?
"Keruk keruk."
Buril chimes in, but no way I understand. Wait— what if they all bolt without me?
"Ah, shit. Not today. Buril, you stay too. You're the smartest and strongest—keep 'em from leaving."
"Keruk? Keruring! Kek!"
Pang pang!
Buril thumping his chest like he accepted the job.
Yeah, I can trust Buril.
"Alright, drink all the water... good. I'm heading out quick."
"Keruk!"
I watched them enter the pit, gathered nearby branches and leaves to camouflage the lid better.
Then I stepped out into the field.
"..."
First time moving solo. But not as scary as before. Life here felt routine now.
Let's see.
This dungeon's surroundings were decent. A short walk ahead led to a small stream—we'd used it as our water source during construction, trekking there as a group.
Head there first.
Jol jol jol.
Soon, the sound of water. I went to the bank, washed my face, drank, and filled my canteen.
"The little shits."
What if they're thirsty? I gave 'em the last of the canteen water earlier— if I'm too late, they'll suffer.
Gotta find game fast.
"Right."
Can't just look out for myself anymore. That's what a pack means. Felt my mindset armoring up automatically. This is how commanders are born.
"Learning bit by bit. Keep this up."
Nothing to worry about.
I raised my spear and crossed the stream. Today, no matter what, snag a lizard or dodo. If not, drag Imsoong out for bugs.
Thud thud.
I memorized the new path in my head as I advanced.
Sabak!
Sararak!
Familiar forest sounds now. I could tell what they were just by noise and tried to hunt, but solo was tough.
"Fuck."
After a few failed hunts like that, I hit a denser thicket.
"Hmm."
Perfect spot to get lost. No guide like Buril— no way I'm going in. I turned to leave without a second thought.
Sarak.
Suddenly, bushes rustled over there.
"..."
I tensed, spear at the ready. A big tree nearby, surrounded by thick foliage.
Something hiding behind that tree?
Whatever it is, I'll hunt it!
That's what I thought, briefly.
Ppeek.
When a human face popped out from behind the tree, I legit jumped in shock—no bullshit, scared the piss out of me.
Boing!
"...!"
A person.
Human face.
A woman's face, even.
"D-Dryad...!"
I even knew her! The naked forest woman—the dryad! The sexy dryad hiding behind the tree peeked out just her head, staring at me!
"..."
On her expressionless face.
Beaming.
A sinister smile crept in...!
Swish.
Then the dryad fully emerged from behind the tree. Same outfit as before: leaves covering key spots, vines adorning her arms and legs.
"Shaa, shaaaa? Shaaaa."
And she approached me, speaking like she was singing some song...!