Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Red Mask
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The raiding party pressed on alongside Marquis Davirus.
From Zone 1 to Zone 2.
From Zone 2 to Zone 3.
Two members bailed using escape scrolls along the way.
But the gains were more than enough.
"Could you watch your breathing? It's fucking annoying to listen to."
"Haa... We were as careful as we could be getting here, but it's already up 20%."
"The fascination effect must be ramping up."
The knights checked their status through the mirrors and each other's eyes.
Clearing this place was probably impossible.
Dungeons were like that from the start.
Clearing one—outside of newborn dungeons—was like reaching for the stars.
The real challenge started at Zone 4.
But judging by the current situation, most of the knights would drop out here.
"No helping it. Distinguishing every trap is impossible... and didn't they say the fascination builds just from breathing? We need to push fast and hard."
Everyone nodded.
The only one in the group whose fascination hadn't budged was Marquis Davirus.
Marquis Davirus was special.
At least in this dungeon, more special than anyone.
"It's really something."
"What's his secret?"
One of the marquis's escort knights swallowed back something along the lines of, 'You think the guy who's conquered countless women looks like a loser?' and just cleared his throat instead.
"Let's keep moving for now."
"Right."
"I have to meet those animal girls. Grab that fluffy fur in both hands and..."
"Pardon?"
Everyone turned to stare at the guy who'd let slip something so impure.
Escort knight Spade scratched his head.
"Haa..."
"Not a bear hunter, but a bear virgin lover?"
"Stop slandering me."
The knights pushed forward.
.
.
.
.
.
They broke through Zone 3.
More dropouts happened along the way.
A fair number this time, as expected.
Now just four remained.
The suspiciously obsessed-with-animal-girls Spade and Marquis Davirus.
And two knights who'd been suppressing their urges as best they could.
"Next up is the forest."
"Finally, finally, the forest."
"This guy's eyes are weird."
They gazed at the forest stretching out before them.
Everyone but the marquis was nearing their limit.
The remaining two knights moved diligently for their liege.
Spade hustled for his own desires.
Marquis Davirus stroked his chin.
Zones 4, 5, 6, and 7 left.
Previous max exploration had reached Zone 4.
So 5, 6, and 7 were unknown territory.
Zone 4 could be breached with the knights' help, maybe.
If he just watched for traps in 5, 6, and 7, he could handle the minions on his own.
'Worst case, pop an escape scroll.'
The position shift had just wrapped up anyway.
If not this time, wait for the next chance.
The marquis had plenty of time.
The issue was manpower.
Why the earl had only brought 12 at the start was simple.
No point in bringing more.
Zone 5's entrance might as well be called the Wall of Wailing.
That zone had an unbreakable fog trap.
It spread a special gas throughout the entire dungeon.
Except for special cases like the marquis.
It exponentially worsened everyone's fascination.
So comrades were only useful up to Zone 4.
Not even a Blessed One could shatter that trap.
What chance did they have?
The marquis enduring it was a miracle in itself.
Why it wasn't deployed from the start? Efficiency reasons, or some activation condition.
Still unknown.
"Same as before—you secure the safe path. I'll follow after."
"Understood."
.
.
.
.
.
The knights executed the marquis's orders perfectly.
Once done, they used their escape scrolls.
Left alone, the marquis checked his map.
And headed into Zone 5.
'Never thought I'd be tackling a dungeon myself, and I'm no Blessed One.'
Honestly, he wasn't some petty noble lording over a backwater fief.
What did a marquis lack that he'd step into a dungeon?
With his current wealth and power.
He was living a life most could only dream of.
Even he had to admit it was a foolish choice.
His goal carried risks.
Not like the knights, bailing at the right moment.
He planned to go straight until he claimed the Dungeon Master.
'Feels pretty good, though.'
Crave a dish? Eat it.
Want a woman? Have her.
Everything handed to him on a platter.
His pleasure threshold had skyrocketed.
But.
The rewards from this Night dungeon.
Were so immense, he wanted them even past that threshold.
Thinking of her took him back to his youth.
Tanned from adventures, lush golden hair.
Of course.
The Dungeon Master was the main prize.
But the minions were stunning too.
Time to enjoy what he could.
Looking back now.
His true goal.
Was savoring this dungeon from start to finish.
Bonus: with the knights along.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Footsteps approached.
The marquis looked up.
And stared toward the source.
"......"
In that moment.
He held his breath.
Blinked.
What the hell am I seeing?
The scene before him was hard to believe.
A woman stood ahead.
Presumably one of this dungeon's minions.
But.
Unlike the doll-like others.
She felt utterly alive.
Like a being untouched by sunlight.
Pale, ghostly white skin.
Her outfit was a dancer's garb.
Exposed flesh smooth as porcelain.
Glowing faintly, like moonlight.
She was like a statue come to life.
Not overly fleshy.
Her form perfectly balanced, streamlined.
Impossibly beautiful, harmonious.
If goddesses existed.
And one appeared before him now.
She'd look like this.
Long black hair cascading over her shoulders.
A red mask covered the lower half of her face.
Expression hidden.
But it felt like she was smiling at him.
'I've tired of easy women by now.'
Lips twitching.
The marquis stared silently.
Like a girl in first love.
"......"
She approached slowly.
Deliberately languid.
Elegant poise that brooked no vulgarity.
She stopped just close enough to touch noses.
The marquis swallowed hard.
Where have I felt this before?
Right.
This was the emotion from first meeting the Night Dungeon Master.
Her fingers brushed his wrist lightly.
Even the teasing motion—he waited patiently.
She took his hand gently.
Cool to the touch.
Like an afternoon breeze cooling feverish heat.
Mystical aura.
A minion with charms different from the Dungeon Master's.
She led him slowly.
He didn't resist.
She was that breathtaking.
Enough to instantly rewrite his purpose.
"......"
They arrived at a cabin in the woods.
To him, it felt like a honeymoon cottage.
This raid was worth it just for meeting her.
The thought struck suddenly.
A mirror inside the cabin.
Checking his eyes—fascination hadn't spiked much.
This wasn't a dungeon trap.
It was her allure.
This moment, she was lovable.
Worth more than his dozens of wives outside.
Even if the feeling faded someday.
Right now, his heart was pure.
With a trembling voice, the marquis said,
"Take off the mask."
"......"
"I want to see your bare face."
She hesitated.
Clutched her cheeks with both hands.
Shook her head side to side.
"Then let me hear your voice first? I want to hear it."
"Ah......"
"What a beautiful voice. I've never heard anything so clear since birth. No music in this world could be more precious."
"Tha...nk you......"
She'd lured him to the cabin.
Now playing shy?
Was a woman this seductive even allowed?
No calling her a toy or bitch.
He held back his usual crass words.
Kept gentle and kind.
"I know you're a dungeon minion."
"......"
"But tales of enemies falling in love aren't rare. Believe my feelings for you are real."
"Me too... the same......"
She was a genius.
A genius at tormenting below the belt.
The marquis was losing patience.
Finally, he threw her onto the bed.
"If you won't remove it, I will."
"......"
"Now, your face......"
Her hand went to the red mask.
Fingers moved slowly, like peeling fruit.
"A...m I pretty...?"
"......"
The mask came off, bare face revealed.
But all that waited was disappointment.
The marquis thought.
Honestly, below expectations.
And why not.
A woman with her mouth torn ear to ear.
Objectively, not pretty.
Without that flaw.
She'd have been heavenly.
Pity.
But.
Did that matter? This or that?
Even scarred, she was beautiful.
His love didn't cool.
Love at first sight, it seemed.
"The most beautiful person I've ever seen."
Marquis Davirus nodded.
Then.
Blushing, she said,
"Th-then... I'll make you... just like me......"
She grabbed his cheeks.
"Pardon?"
His face filled with bewilderment.
.
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile.
The knights who'd escaped first waited for the marquis.
"Wonder if we can head back in."
"Even the marquis can't prep that many escape scrolls, right?"
"I wanna see the succubus sis again."
"I just want to grab that fur one more time."
Sharing their thoughts, they burned through camp rations.
To them, this raid was a success.
Life's most valuable experience.
One day.
Two days.
Three.
Four passed.
The marquis didn't return.
"Worried about the marquis."
"Leave him be. Probably having fun."
.
.
.
10 days gone.
"Something didn't happen, right?"
"Maybe banging the Succubus Queen?"
"Let's wait a bit more."
.
.
.
15 days.
"Hmm."
"Everyone, gather up."
The knights began serious debate on the matter.
Someone floated: 'Marquis really got drained dry and died in there?'
They denied it at first.
But after 20 days since entry.
It gained the most agreement.
.
.
.
25 days.
Marquis Davirus was dead.
Cause: abdominal rupture.
Their conclusion.
"Shouldn't we at least retrieve the body?"
"Slimes probably ate it by now."
"Never thought he'd go like this."
"Dungeons are dungeons, huh..."
The mood darkened.
Nothing they could do.
"Still, a good death?"
"Good death?"
"Not stabbed by a sword, at least..."
"...Fair point."
The knights decided against further probes.
And returned to the territory.
.
.
.
After a full 30 days.
A man with a torn mouth appeared at the dungeon entrance.
Marquis Davirus.
His complexion was pallid.
Much thinner than on entry.
"......"
His eyes were different now.
Benevolent, serene.
Like an enlightened monk.
As if true awakening existed.
He discarded his luxuries one by one on the ground.
Even the ornate sword symbolizing his marquisate.
What happened inside?
Like someone returned from the brink of life and death.
His demeanor bolder than before.
"Truly priceless experience."
A red mask in the marquis's hand.
He clutched it, sniffed.
"Meeting you was truly......"
He donned it.
And turned toward somewhere other than Davirus lands.
Newbie, got a question.
Mind if I ask?
Yeah, shoot.
Say she's pretty and she rips your face.
Say she's ugly and she guts you.
So what's the textbook right answer?
"She's just okay" is the answer, bro.
Ah, got it...
So what the fuck did that crazy bastard do??
Is that even allowed??
Hell if I know, fuck...
The chaotic wave of nobodies wrapped up successfully.
Just a hunch.
But the sole wildcard, the marquis, probably won't set foot in Night again.
Still.
This wave was shocking in many ways.
Results way off from what I imagined.
I figured he'd die midway for sure.
Even me, an Anomaly Theme Dungeon Master.
Didn't know there was a hidden pure-love solution.
"Pure love was the bypass..."
Anomalies, man.
Truly unknowable.