Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Rotten Root Dungeon Core
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Souls were smoothly accumulating in the dungeon core of the Rotten Root.
With six or seven parties crushed, one might think someone would notice, but considering the number of adventurers who vanish without a trace on the continent every year, this was barely a pinch from a salt mountain.
‘Vitality is coursing through my body.’
For some miraculous reason, my lazy, pathetic body was improving—I could feel it.
What was it like? The sense of fulfillment as mana slowly filled the jar that held it?
And when that jar was full of mana, rather than shattering, it felt like an even larger jar would take its place.
‘No, it actually is that way.’
Swish…
‘Even though it’s my own body, it’s still fascinating.’
Emotionally, the existence known as Faust might be confusing, but physically, it had quite a few appealing aspects.
This body’s martial prowess was already perfected. Meaning, even without special thought or training on my part, there were no flaws in its movements.
Clean, perfect movements.
The problem lay elsewhere.
Only once the body’s durability and stability increased would Faust’s true value emerge.
It was like a computer armed with the latest graphics card and all sorts of deluxe components, yet unable to manage heat and liable to explode at any moment.
‘Well, as time passes like this, it’ll improve eventually.’
When that time came, I might not have to venture outside trembling in fear.
…Enough self-deprecation about my body.
“Ruby, do you know why I called you?”
“Yeah, one of the guys from outside is coming today, right?”
Crunch!
The werewolf Ruby stretched and yawned.
“Yawwn… I was feeling itchy anyway.”
At that moment, someone hiding behind a pillar in the heart chamber called out to Ruby.
“Ruby… are you really going?”
It was Phenex.
I whispered to Lucifer beside me.
“…I didn’t summon that one.”
“She has been here for quite some time already.”
“Why didn’t you send her away?”
“I was cleaning.”
“…….”
Ruby smiled brightly at Phenex.
“Yeah, Phenex. I’ll be away for a while.”
“…Take care of yourself.”
“You too, Phenex!”
While the two exchanged words, the expected guest arrived.
“Bill.”
“He just arrived, Lord Faust.”
Curious about the new family member she was seeing for the first time, Ruby stood side by side and eyed Bill with an intrigued gaze.
Both were talents suited for espionage, so their physiques weren’t bad.
‘Now the issue is…’
I had to decide which of the two would lead the espionage operations.
The gap between 5-star and 4-star combat power was massive, so appointing Ruby as leader based on raw strength had its hang-ups. Her personality wasn’t meticulous, and I worried that if given authority, neither Bill nor Mori could rein her in.
Espionage wasn’t decided by strength alone… It was a dilemma.
“Take good care of things, Bill. You’re the boss, right?”
“…….”
“I’m no good at using my head anyway. I’ll just do what the boss says, yeah?”
…Still, her judgment was decent. She understood her position perfectly.
‘Satisfying.’
The hierarchy settled naturally like that.
Sorry to dump childcare on Bill, but he’s a prime specimen, so cut him some slack.
Next up, then…
“What about the trio?”
“We had no leads until recently, but we’ve obtained some fairly reliable information.”
“Reliable information?”
It was about the unpleasant trio, the bosses of Stage 2. Just like with Karl Kurso, I needed prior intel to prepare, and I had to keep my promise to Romwell, the flayer I met in the black market.
‘They agreed to contact me separately once ready… but just waiting is a last resort.’
I didn’t fully trust Romwell anyway.
More than that, reliable information?
“We discovered traces of them near Liudira.”
“…What?”
The trio clashing with me this soon?
“But only one of the trio, a guy named Ching, was sighted.”
“Ching… just one? Is that confirmed?”
“No doubt. We’re currently tracking the whereabouts of the other two.”
Strange.
I thought those three always stuck together…
‘Is the story still avoiding a clash with me for now?’
If it followed the original story, they wouldn’t appear as Episode 2 bosses until much later, but I’d already abandoned expectations of things proceeding exactly as in the original since Karl Kurso.
The unpleasant trio.
They hailed from the eastern lands.
Ching, Kyung, and Baek—users of a rather unique power from the East. No need to mention their differing personalities; their individual strengths were exceptional, and their teamwork was outstanding.
Plenty of players had been knocked out by a conk on the head from their combos. …Though that wasn’t the only reason they fell.
Anyway, they were brutally savage, and their power was so great that even Romwell couldn’t easily eliminate them—that was the established lore.
‘They’re not the type to show their tail this easily… And splitting up is odd too. Something influenced their movements…’
Flash—like being struck by lightning, my mind cleared.
‘I see… Why didn’t I think of that?’
The reason for their recent unusual movements was probably what I was guessing right now.
‘Because of Grimhal’s territory?’
The biggest recent incident around here was Baron Grimhal’s death. Adelia had handled the matter itself, but the territory that suddenly lost its lord was still in chaos, wasn’t it?
“Bill, by any chance…”
When I asked Bill about it, he nodded.
“I reported it in writing before, but there still seems to be friction over the territory.”
“Looks like plenty of nobles want to swallow it whole.”
“They wouldn’t have dared before.”
“True enough…”
With dozens of trained soldiers whose identities weren’t exposed, he must have appeared to command even more externally.
The displaced soldiers and knights probably sought refuge in neighboring territories… providing an excuse for opportunists to meddle in the cleanup.
…The calm before the storm?
“I see… Planning to play mercenary, are they?”
The trio had likely sniffed out the flow of money and treasure, slipping into this quiet territory grab as hired guns.
‘If I’m not careful, unexpected trouble could arise.’
The unpleasant trio’s individuals were formidable, so I couldn’t underestimate them just because they’d split.
“Bill.”
“Your orders.”
“Don’t let anyone die.”
A brief silence flowed.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
* * *
“Miss Ruby, how should I address you?”
“Do you usually speak formally to everyone?”
“Most of the time, but…”
Bill thought of Mori for a moment.
“There are exceptions.”
“Heh… Just call me Ruby. Easier that way, right?”
“Fine name. Then, Ruby, looking forward to working with you. Your strength is exactly what we need.”
“You’re pretty strong too, Bill.”
Bill shook his head.
“I’m only suited for infiltration and high-value assassinations—pure strength-wise, I’m no match for you, Ruby.”
“Hmm…”
Ruby didn’t deny it.
That was how vast the gap between innate 4-star and 5-star was.
“Well, if anyone bullies Bill from now on, tell me. I’ll sort them out.”
“Just hearing that makes me feel secure. I’ll be sure to remember it if I’m ever bullied.”
“Kihit… Don’t go getting bullied on purpose.”
“Of course not.”
The two were in Liudira.
Liudira was practically Faust’s front yard now. Eyes and ears were attached to every building and person here.
Even if those arrangements were discovered by someone, there was no major worry. No one except Bill and Mori even knew Faust’s name.
“Bill, so when’s he coming?”
“You mean that guy.”
“Yeah.”
“…Right on cue.”
Someone appeared in the rundown shop where only they were.
Swish…
“You must be Ruby.”
“Huh? You look human.”
“Kick…”
Mori flipped his face, turning it identical to Ruby’s.
“Amazing!”
“Hahaha, what a fun girl.”
“I’m Ruby. You?”
“Name’s Mori.”
“Then who’s that guy?”
“Oh, forgot the intro.”
Mori introduced the unfamiliar man.
“One of the underlings who’s somewhat useful.”
“Smart?”
“Nope.”
“Strong?”
“Nope.”
“Then what’s he useful for?”
“Quick on the uptake. Lots of little things to handle going forward, so dump those on him.”
The man bowed his head in introduction.
“I’m Luteo.”
“Luteo, got it.”
With introductions done, the group reviewed the given intel.
“First off, Ruby. You know nothing about this guy, right?”
“This guy?”
“The one we’re chasing.”
“Yeah, fill me in.”
Mori glanced at Luteo, who began explaining.
“There’s this infamous group around here called the Unpleasant Trio.”
“Ugh… Hate the name already.”
“The reason they’re called that ties to the power they wield.”
“Oh? Not your average types, huh?”
Nod…
“They’re all from the East, masters of peculiar martial arts.”
“Hoh… Never fought a martial artist before.”
“They infuse their bodies with a unique energy called qi—said to be a variant of mana.”
“…Sounds fun.”
Ruby licked her lips and asked.
“How strong are they?”
“Each is formidable on their own, but their trio combo has never lost.”
That was the intro.
“One of them recently split off from the trio.”
“They split up?”
“Doesn’t seem like it… He just wanders around.”
“…Why?”
“What’s weird is, they used to commit their evils out of sight, but this lone guy kills people like breathing—wherever he goes.”
“What types does he mostly kill?”
“Beggars, merchants, priests, whores… Hard to pin down one group, so basically kills anyone he lays eyes on. Seven murders in a short span.”
“Weird dude. No Solomon cops hauling him in? Why the sudden murder spree…”
“Frontier incidents are usually handled by the local noble, but with Baron Grimhal’s sudden traceless death, there’s no real lord in the territory…”
Bill carefully broached.
“Seems some local noble’s covering for him, Ruby.”
“Huh? When it could become his own turf? Turning a blind eye to someone killing his future subjects?”
“Necessary to claim the territory, even if it’s that kind of guy.”
“…Aha.”
“These local nobles are infamous for valuing commoner lives like fly lives. Understand?”
“Plenty. So, no need to watch his back—kills freely.”
“Exactly.”
“Can I kill him?”
“No. Lord Faust wants to track him for more intel.”
“Ugh… Frustrating.”
“We don’t even know exactly where he is now.”
Luteo pointed to a spot on the map.
“He’ll likely hit here next.”
“Why?”
“So far, he’s gambled at every stop, big or small. Half the murders happened during those.”
“Murder, gambling… Does all the bad stuff.”
“Follow the path, and this place comes right up.”
Mori nodded.
“Mencani.”
“Yes, huge gambling den. Horse racing’s a big draw too.”
“No way a gambler skips it. Close by too.”
Nod…
Everyone looked at Bill.
“To Mencani.”