Strategic Investment

After finishing my meeting with Guide Jagan, I took the elevator back down to the first-floor lobby. Ding. The moment the doors opened, a cacophony of noise assaulted my eardrums. The lobby, teeming with monsters coming and going, was still utter chaos.

First things first, I need to find Mandy. There was too much I didn't know to just head back now. Montelli's layout, prices, how to make the most of this place going forward. I desperately needed a guide. I pushed through the crowd, scanning for that green lizardman.

Where the hell is he?

It must have been about thirty minutes. After combing every inch of the vast lobby, I finally spotted a familiar figure tucked behind a pillar in the corner.

"······."

It was Mandy. But the lively energy from before was completely gone. He was slumped against the wall, sitting on the floor with his hands clutching his face and his head bowed low. His limp tail dragged feebly across the ground.

What's wrong with him?

I approached cautiously and tapped his shoulder.

"Mandy."

"······Huh?"

Mandy jerked his head up in surprise. His eyes were hollow.

"Oh··· ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Suho."

"Why are you sitting like this? Something happen?"

"No, it's just···."

Mandy forced a weak smile, glancing at me nervously. His voice was thick with emotion.

"Did things go well for you?"

"Yeah. More or less. You?"

At my question, the corner of Mandy's mouth twitched. Instead of answering, he let out a deep sigh.

"Haa···."

"What's up? Didn't work out?"

"······It tanked."

Mandy muttered while clutching his head.

"Completely blew it."

"What?"

"That connection at the trading company I mentioned earlier··· I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠went to him, but···."

He spilled the whole story in a quivering voice. It was simple enough. He'd gone in full of confidence but got turned away at the door. The company had raised the bar for auction items dramatically, so his herbs and ores were treated like junk and didn't even make the entry cut.

"Couldn't even set foot in the auction hall. They wouldn't inspect the goods, let alone give me a ticket."

Mandy kicked at the leather sack on the floor.

"This is all debt··· I need to sell it to cover dungeon maintenance and supplies···."

"Dungeon maintenance?"

"Yeah. I've got dozens of my kin counting on me. If I don't bring back cash this time, we'll be fighting hunters bare-handed starting next month."

Thick teardrops fell from his eyes.

"Damn it··· Weapons and armor are all busted, need new ones. If I go back empty-handed, we're all dead meat···."

That's when it hit me. This guy wasn't just some wandering merchant. He was like a quartermaster, procuring supplies for his dungeon crew.

Running a dungeon ain't easy.

Losing even one weapon or potion could mean death. That was their reality. Seeing Mandy's slumped shoulders tugged at something in my chest.

Should I help?

The impulse hit me for a second. I still had the Plastic Surgeon ghost story left. Sell it to him cheap, or put it up at auction under my name? With the card from Jagan, it wasn't impossible.

But.

···No.

I shook my head, forcing myself to stay cold. I wasn't a charity case. My lifespan was down to less than three days. That last ghost story was my lifeline. I couldn't waste it on uncertain goodwill.

Mandy seems like a good guy··· but I can't stake my life on it.

For a merchant, emotions were a luxury. Pure profit calculations only. What I needed was solid lifespan, not gratitude from a broke lizardman.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and clamped my lips shut. That's when it happened.

A voice echoed in my head.

The voice sounded quite pleased. I frowned at the praise.

···You're not mocking me, right?

Haa.

Not like I was trying to impress anyone. I sighed inwardly. The "praise" didn't feel good at all.

Still, just walking away feels kinda off.

I pondered for a moment, then spoke up.

"Hey, Mandy."

"······."

"What if I fixed that problem for you?"

Mandy snapped his head up at my words. He stared at me blankly with teary eyes, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Fixed it···? You?"

"Yeah. The auction entry issue. I can get you in."

"······Don't joke. Not in the mood."

Mandy shook his head ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠weakly.

"Those trading company guys are sticklers. You're a total newbie here. How the hell are you gonna convince those snobs?"

"I never said anything about convincing with words."

"Then?"

"With this."

I pulled out the items Jagan had given me from inside my coat. The black leather envelope. And the gleaming gold card.

"······!"

The moment he saw them, Mandy's eyes bulged. His mouth hung open, words failing him.

"Th-this··· this is······!"

"Recognize it?"

"Holy shit! The trading company's black envelope··· and VIP gold card!"

Mandy practically screamed. He pointed at the card with trembling hands.

"How the hell do you have something this rare? You can't buy this with money! Only top-tier demon nobles get these!"

"Ah, well."

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Guy I know holds a pretty high spot at the Demon Realm Merchantry. Got it as a lucky gift."

"Guy you know··· who the hell······."

Mandy gawked at me, a mix of shock and fear in his eyes.

"So? This get me in?"

"Hell yeah! This isn't just entry— the branch manager themselves would roll out the red carpet!"

Mandy swallowed hard. He shrank back cautiously before asking,

"So··· what do you want from me? No way you're doing this for free. You after··· part of my body or something?"

"Ew, gross. What kinda talk is that?"

I waved him off.

"Don't need that crap."

"Then?"

"Guide."

"······Huh?"

"Told you. First time in Montelli. Don't know the layout or the ropes. Show me around."

I waved the gold card.

"And I'm hitting the auction too. Come with, explain stuff so I don't get screwed."

"······That's it?"

Mandy asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. That's all. You in or what?"

"Hell yes! Absolutely! I'd grind my soul to dust to serve you!"

Mandy nodded furiously, like he'd bow his head to the floor. He looked like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline.

I chuckled and hauled him to his feet. That's when it hit—a different, colder voice in my head.

···.

The voice tsked mockingly. I patted Mandy's back while retorting inwardly.

Soft? No way.

This is pure calculation.

Think about it. Without Mandy, I'd waste hours lost in this massive city. Could've wandered blind and gotten scammed.

I narrowed my eyes.

Mandy knows the layout and ecosystem inside out. Plus, he had the connections to hit up the trading company—guy's got skills. Hiring a guide like that for just flashing a card? Jagan's card isn't going anywhere. Top-tier guide for free? If that's not a profit, what is?

Information is money, time is life. With death in three days, every second counts. Helping Mandy wasn't charity—it was the most efficient investment in my survival.

The voice fell silent at my logical rebuttal. Then came a low, rumbling laugh.

There was an odd delight in the voice.

Montelli is the heart of demon commerce. Home base for The Demon Realm Merchantry, where the realm's top tycoons gather—and a city of desire where money buys anything. Dungeon masters from dungeons scattered across Earth, plus natives from the demon realm itself, flock here for supplies.

But for all its flashing lights, the city casts deep shadows. It runs on ruthless capitalism. No money? You're less than a monster. Cold, merciless world.

Except once a year, during the Grand Auction. That's when the elite strut their wealth, and feverish bids for overnight fortunes consume the city.

And amid that heat, one woman sat with a face like she'd been doused in ice water.

Succubus princess, Serria.

···If I don't score something good this time, it's over.

She bit her nails anxiously. Her glamorous dress couldn't hide the shadows on her face.

Normally, Serria wouldn't stoop to this. Direct descendant of Lilith, one of the great archdemons and succubus queen. Noble princess. So why was she wallowing in Earth's dusty dungeon?

Simple. A massive screw-up a year ago. Out of favor with the queen, she was exiled as punishment and demoted to dungeon master.

Damn it all.

To make matters worse, hunter raids had spiked lately.

Last one pierced Zone 3. Lost half my minions.

It was close. A bit slower, and the dungeon core would've shattered. She'd barely held them off, but the damage was brutal. Repairs, resummons—drained every reserve.

Next raid might be the end.

I must··· must get something good.

Serria clenched her fist. Powerful magic tool, cursed artifact—anything to turn the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tide. Or hunters' blades would claim her head.

But.

"Whoa, check it. Western overlord, Ogre Lord."

"Eastern magnate, Vampire Count's here too."

Serria's face twisted as she scanned the crowd. The competition was insane. Demon realm heavyweights packed the place. Could a punished princess snag anything in this?

No, I can. Gotta if I don't wanna die.

She shook it off, forcing resolve. Can't show weakness. This was a hyena den—hesitate, and they rip you apart.

As she held her head high, waiting for the auction to start.

"Long time no see, Princess Serria?"

A slick, oily voice slithered into her ear. Her brow furrowed. Turning, she saw a tall, weasel-faced man.

Incubus Jeon.

Famous demon playboy. Exactly the type she despised.

"······Jeon. What are you doing here?"

Serria growled. Jeon ignored the hostility, flashing a sleazy grin as he plopped into the seat beside her.

"What do you mean? Here to shop as a businessman. But Princess, you look rough. Skin's all dry."

"Butt out. None of your business."

"How could I not know? Heard the rumors. Your dungeon got wrecked lately? Zone 3 breached—total humiliation."

"······!"

Serria's eyes widened. Jeon tsked sympathetically.

"Poor thing. Queen’s noble daughter, chased by Earth hicks. Can't even rebuild properly, huh?"

"Shut it. One more word, and I'll rip that mouth off."

Killing intent rose from her. But Jeon was unfazed. He leaned in slyly, whispering.

"Calm down. Not here to mock. Here to help."

"Help? You?"

"Of course. Who am I? Jeon, famed for connections. Could back you, or loan defense supplies."

Tempting. A lifeline for her cliff-edge situation.

But nothing's free.

"Price?"

Serria asked coldly. Jeon's gaze turned predatory. He eyed her ample chest and slim waist, licking his lips.

"Simple deal. You and me··· one hot night."

"······What?"

"Think about it. You're succubus, I'm incubus. Sharing essence—natural, fun. You save your dungeon, I get your night. Win-win."

"You··· filthy bastard!"

Serria's face flushed with humiliation. Nearby monsters watching chuckled and piled on.

"Kekeke, Jeon, always straight-up."

"Hey, not bad terms honestly? Princess got that killer body."

"Yo, Princess! Don't play hard to get—close your eyes and take it! Better than dungeon falling and getting sold as slave, right?"

Vulgar jeers rained down. Serria's shoulders shook with rage.

Humiliating. Treated like this by a mere incubus and trash mobs.

She wanted to yank their tongues out, but this was Montelli. Private fights forbidden.

"······Get lost."

She spat through gritted teeth.

"Touch me, and I'll cut off that filthy thing and feed it to dogs."

Jeon shrugged dramatically at her venomous refusal.

"Scary. Turning down my kindness like that."

He stood, then looked down at her with a venomous smirk.

"But remember, Princess. Opportunities don't last. After the auction, one night might not cut it."

"······."

"Beg later, my price'll be steep. Heh heh heh."

Jeon vanished into the crowd with his creepy laugh. Left alone, Serria bit her lip in fury. Blood's metallic tang filled her mouth.

Better die than bow to scum like him.

Pride wouldn't allow it. But reality was brutal. Fail here, and ruin awaited.

Somehow··· whatever it takes, I buy something.

Mania gleamed in Serria's eyes.

I have to live. No way I'm dying.