How to Survive as a Dungeon Manager in Another World

Episode 13 – Headquarters Meeting (2)

“For nothing in return?”

At my words, Cheong’s face paled.

He understood well enough how rude it was to display such an attitude before his lord.

But I remained brazen.

At least the Arkan I knew, in any type of transaction, ensured a clear give and take.

He wasn’t the type to force a one-sided deal, wielding only his authority.

However, this time it was different.

“So, you finally cross the line, do you?”

An immense magic churns.

Arkan was blatantly focusing her killing intent, all of it, on one single point: me.

It was just a pinpoint of murderous aura, but the aftermath was enough to spiderweb cracks across the floor beneath my feet.

Ludine and Chung were struggling to even breathe.

“Didn’t I make myself clear? That is *my* property.”

I raised my gaze, meeting Arkan’s stare head-on.

The overwhelming, terrifying killing intent was pressing down on the space, but still, I felt no threat.

But the important thing was, Arkan’s demeanor, which had been amicable only moments before, had completely transformed.

‘Well, it’s not like I can’t understand the situation.’

Yes, she’d be angry.

The True Ancestor she’d been searching for had been killed by some human she’d never even seen before, and when she demanded her stolen grimoire back, he had the gall to demand a price… Arkan’s rage at me was, in a way, a natural progression.

But that was a miscalculation.

“Did you say that damned grimoire was stolen?”

“Must I repeat myself?”

The killing intent gripping the space intensified.

Ludine gritted her teeth, gripping her dagger in a reverse hold, while Chung drew his sword, the atmosphere turning ominous.

Of course, I still felt no ill effects, but the tension was building, as if a fight would break out any second.

“Well, I can understand. Seeing as you’re still looking for it, it must have been quite precious to you.”

“Knowing that, you dare…!”

“But that’s just your perspective.”

It was exactly as I said.

Her perspective was just her perspective, and it wasn’t my concern.

“As you know, I’m the administrator here. So, naturally, I have a duty as administrator to investigate the Western District, and, well, I just happened to stumble upon a labyrinth in the process. So, what could I do? I had no choice but to attempt an exploration as an extension of my duties. And then, coincidentally, I discovered a True Ancestor there. A threatening individual at first glance, so I took it upon myself to eliminate him.”

I became assertive.

It was a response only possible because I was, in fact, assertive.

“The *Pindal’s Grimoire*, was it? That ominous object is also spoils I obtained while conquering the labyrinth.”

The Witch Arkan.

Head of the Arkan Council and one of the continent’s top figures, possessed a rather unique power.

The original work described her power in a multifaceted and complex way, but the core of that ability was simple.

‘She can discern lies.’

Lies hold no sway with her.

A mere unwavering stare is enough for her to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Yet, this insight isn’t omnipotent.

“The spoils of the Labyrinth belong to its first conqueror. And I was the first to conquer that Labyrinth. Surely, it’s the fruit of poured hours and resources, wouldn’t you agree?”

Between black and white lie countless shades of gray, and so it is with truth and lies.

The time spent exploring the Labyrinth amounted to a mere few hours.

In the eyes of others, I simply had an easy win, but if I say it was arduous, then arduous it was.

So, by now. She’s likely realized that everything I’ve uttered is the truth.

“Thus, your claims are unreasonable. I explored the Labyrinth through legitimate means, and merely claimed the spoils as reward for my conquest.”

“…”

“What do I care who that cursed grimoire originally belonged to? If it was such a cherished item, the blame for its theft should fall on the negligence of its owner, wouldn’t you say?”

“That’s…”

“But now what? You want it back because it was originally yours?”

Is that even possible?

An absurd notion.

“I’m the one who dispelled the grimoire’s curse, and I’m the one who slew the True Ancestor. Where, I ask, is your stake in this? From the moment the grimoire was stolen, haven’t you already forfeited your right? And now you claim ownership, expecting me to hand it over like some fool?”

“Uh… well…”

There was no loophole to be found.

That the one who conquers a Labyrinth claims its spoils is an inviolable principle of this world.

One who has lived for centuries upon centuries such as her should certainly know this much.

Arkan’s mouth fell agape.

She blinked, seemingly quite flustered.

Even the killing intent she had been exuding was gradually withdrawn.

“Now that you’ve calmed down, let me reiterate.”

“…”

“As I said before, I’m not ignorant of your position. Naturally, I have no intention of clinging stubbornly to my position.”

Here, I paused the lash of my tongue.

For a smoother negotiation, it was necessary to soothe her wounded pride.

“But the scales of a trade must be balanced.”

“…A bargain?”

“Indeed. Regardless of the outcome, I recovered that lost property you couldn’t even locate, after all, didn’t I?”

So shut it and cough up the reward.

Arkan stares at me, a look of disbelief on her face.

Naturally, I return the gaze with an expression that dared her to say something.

“…Haha!”

Finally, after a long silence, she bursts into laughter.

“Wow, what kind of person are you?”

“The answer?”

“Alright, alright. You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry; I was a bit on edge since I’d been searching for it. “

“Understood.”

Yes, Arkan is that kind of person.

She repays debts of vengeance twice over, and debts of gratitude tenfold.

That’s why I persuaded her with logic.

Once she acknowledges she owes me, Arkan is the type to offer compensation by any means necessary.

“Fine. Well, as it turned out this way, allow me to properly introduce myself once more. Thank you. You’ve saved me a lot of trouble.”

Arkan smiled brightly, her face considerably softer.

“You can forget the Dark Shadow Society matter. I’ll take responsibility and clean it up. There won’t be any further inquiry holding you accountable for those issues.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

“Yes, that’s that… and of course, I can’t avoid talking about the compensation.”

That’s right!

Finally, she’s come to her senses!

“The compensation I can offer is one of two things: money or an object. Which would you require?”

Money would be just that, and the object would be an artifact or relic.

‘I don’t particularly need either.’

I already have plenty of money.

I am, after all, the son of an Imperial Marquis.

An object? I don’t really need that either.

Artifacts and relics require mana infusion for activation, and sadly, I have no mana, so they’d be useless to me.

‘In that case, perhaps…’

“Hmm, guess there’s nothing else for it.”

I finished my thought and lifted my head.

“I would like to ask for something else.”

“Speak.”

“I need people.”

People?

Arkan tilted his head at those words.

“I don’t understand? Could you elaborate?”

“As I said, I’m the Blackmoor’s warden. But the territory is vast, and managing it alone is proving…difficult.”

“And so?”

A smirk.

I subtly curled the corner of my lips.

“Five years. I need manpower to assist with my duties for exactly five years.”

Inwardly, I prayed fervently.

The Arkan Lord Council was truly a cradle of talent.

Just being affiliated with them meant that their abilities and qualifications were beyond question.

And that wasn’t all.

With a system where all power was concentrated in the hands of a few, loyalty was also high.

If they sent only a few individuals, managing this cursed hellscape would undoubtedly become much easier.

And since we would likely be meeting often in the future, there would be no harm in building a connection beforehand.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Truly? That alone will suffice?”

“It is enough.”

She stroked her chin, as if intrigued.

Then, a small, devilish smile graced her lips.

“Intriguing. Very well. I accept.”

“Good. I will hand over the tome directly.”

And so, as that satisfying bargain was being struck…

In front of Luke Richter’s office, where Adina remained alone…

“Huk… huk…”

Three men.

They clutched at wounds in their sides, gasping for breath.

They were assassins.

The elite, dispatched with a commission to assassinate Luke Richter, infamous as a dark force in the Empire.

They held conviction.

A certainty that with veterans like them on the job, failure was not an option.

But.

“What… huk… what in the…”

Their grand ambition crumbled to nothing.

Not because of Luke Richter, nor the bizarre terrain of the Demon Realm.

But because of the fox beastkin before them, ears perked high.

Just this damn wench.

“Hmm hmm, this is normal, then! It was just those two who were abnormally strong? As I thought, I’m not the strange one.”

“…?”

Had the environment of the Demon Realm driven her mad?

The fox beastkin muttered something incomprehensible, then snapped her head around.

Violet eyes flashed with a predatory glint.

“How unfortunate.”

A silver ring encircling Adina’s form pulsed with shimmering light.

A chilling white wave brushed past their skin.

A damp and viscous sensation, like needles drawn across every nerve in their bodies.

They didn’t understand.

They only realized that a strange energy had grazed them.

Gooo!

The compressed violet aura, which had been pressing down on the space, scattered into the heavens as an intangible will.

Becoming light that illuminated the night sky.

The moment it burst outward, a brilliant flash.

“!!!”

KWA-GWA-GWA-GWANG!

A colossal bolt of light, tearing through the sky, shattered the moment, crashing into the earth.

An unspeakable power.

Truly, a strike potent enough to steal a man’s soul.

Those men caught in the blast were reduced to nothing.

All that remained of them was a fleeting, final cry.

Meanwhile.

Adina, having displayed a technique said to be the secret art of the Silver Fox Clan…

“…Huhu.”

Waggled her silver tail.

Intoxicated by the strength that had once again protected her home.