It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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1 –

『The Lord of the Necropolis – The highest stats of your Skeleton army increase.』

『Member of the Necropolis – This soldier is under your special favor.』

The shared trait between my soldiers and me, ‘Necropolis.’ I initially thought it was just one of the perks I got for choosing to become a Necromancer.

But it seems that was not all there was to it.

『Class and Rank – Werewolf Berserker』

『Trait – … Blade of Blood, Member of the Necropolis』

‘Why is this here…?’

Information about a wolf beastman possessing legendary, heroic, and two rare-grade traits in a flashy manner. The detailed information didn’t show up yet since they have not contracted with me, but the colors alone were enough to catch my eye.

However, what truly drew my attention was the lowest-ranked trait at the end.

Well, of course.

It’s not like just because it’s called the ‘City of Spirits’ that it has only ghosts and undead. Adventurers come to deal with those undead, don’t they?

But this trait explicitly states that they are a resident of that city, which is a problem.

“Have you heard of Necropolis?”

“Necro…polis? Sounds like a dungeon name. Nope, never heard of it… At least not among the famous dungeons.”

I wondered if there was a setting in my body that I didn’t know about, so I asked Mari about Necropolis, but she seemed to have no idea either.

Even the mercenary she facilitated didn’t seem to notice that this ‘Lin Xue’ possesses such abilities.

Honestly, the latter could be understandable.

Even if those who cannot see the status window name their abilities, this ability is exclusive to me, so how could they possibly know its official name?

However, it’s frustrating that even when I ask metaphorically if it seems like they have various powers, they just respond with ‘I don’t know.’

There was only one way to resolve this doubt.

“I’ll accept the offer. With such resources, it’d be foolish not to.”

Meeting in person.

At least meeting while safety is guaranteed by one of the seven great dukes of the Demon World might give me some judgment on allies and enemies.

“Y-yes! Then the contract… The mana maintenance costs will be covered half by the guild… The down payment is free, as requested by the mercenary…”

“Free?”

“Yes… I don’t know why, but they insisted so strongly…”

“Right. That’s quite strange.”

Moreover, the conditions are so good that not accepting it would make someone a fool, which makes me suspicious instead.

Are they really trying to swindle us? Or does this mercenary harbor some cruelty towards a novice Dungeon Lord?

However, what dispels that suspicion is some ‘premonition.’

“… This is quite strange.”

A premonition that this mercenary and I are connected in some way.

If I meet them, I feel like I could resolve all my doubts, or at least not have to worry about them.

That inexplicable premonition was leading me.

2 –

I sent Mari off to bring the other party of the contract and crossed into the room serving as the living room to examine the contract I purchased from the guild.

At the top, there was a blank space to fill in personal information, and below it, a handwritten copy stating that this being is registered in the Demon World, certified by the Demon Lord.

‘The handwriting is nice.’

The Demon Lord’s handwriting was rather stylish. I couldn’t tell if it was the Demon Lord’s own script or that of a scribe.

The mana contained within it is real, so it shouldn’t concern me.

‘Then…’

“‘Soul Contract, Inscribe.’”

Following the knowledge every Dungeon Lord is aware of, as I dissipated my mana, the personal details automatically filled in the contract following the signature of those who have entered a minor contract with me.

Moreover, on top of those letters, strange symbols that are difficult to record by hand or draw as images began to shine and manifest, which can be described as a sort of ‘fingerprint.’

It should rightly be called a ‘Soulprint’ rather than a ‘Fingerprint.’

By engraving the Soul Trace into the contract and activating the mana according to a specific pattern, that soulprint is inscribed into the Demon World.

From then on, the target of the contract belongs not to this continent, but to the Demon World.

“Daniel.”

– …! Is that you, Lady?

The completed contract took on an ethereal form with glowing letters densely inscribed atop complex characters.

Placing a hand on one of the contracts and speaking, I could hear Daniel’s voice, who should be traveling by now.

Since the Soul Trace is engraved here, it is possible to speak directly to the target.

“Alright. I’m about to execute the contract. Observe your surroundings, and if the situation permits, you may respond even if you become momentarily paralyzed or faint.”

– Ah, please wait a moment.

Currently, the targets that can establish a contract are Sonia, Leonis, and Daniel.

The contract involves forcibly tearing apart the soul from the human world and binding it to the Demon World, so it cannot be without shock.

Therefore, preparation was necessary for Daniel.

– … I’m ready.

“Alright. I shall proceed. Prepare your heart.”

All others have been left behind.

What is about to happen will be extremely difficult for ordinary people or summons to endure.

“Then, ‘Contract Established.’”

Fwoosh!

As I bit my finger to draw blood and let it fall while reciting the incantation, the contract instantly burst forth with a strong black light, and a white orb was summoned above it.

A shape I had now grown accustomed to.

Daniel’s soul, or rather, a fragment necessary for the contract.

I immediately rose from my seat and prepared to show respect. The entity that would emerge next, whether it be the original or a fragment, was someone deserving of acknowledgment.

Boom!!

A massive hand broke through the floor and created a fissure in space.

The hand, dark and red like it was sculpted from rock and magma, boasted blue claws that looked as if they had been carved by hellfire.

Rumble…!!

The black hand took the soul firmly and dragged it away.

As an eye began to appear from the hole in the floor.

The moment I felt the presence of that eye, I dared not meet its gaze and bowed my head.

‘If it’s “by setting,” just meeting its gaze would be enough to incinerate a young demon clan member.’

‘Kuh… Ugh.’

And as if to prove this, an overwhelming pressure began to weigh down on my body, to the point where my limbs trembled and I felt the urge to kneel. My back was already damp with cold sweat.

No matter how I thought about it, this presence could not have been felt by a mere fragment.

‘No way, is the original appearing here?’

It was entirely outside my calculations.

– The contract has been established. My child.

“Thank you deeply for your efforts, Your Majesty!”

The one who obscures the sun of the earth. And who establishes the black sun. There is no name to define that existence, other than being referred to as ‘Demon Lord.’

Engaging in a conversation while merely sensing the presence of an eye.

Even just the pressure emanating from that conversation caused my limbs to quiver, making it feel like I should be kneeling.

I could barely manage to continue the conversation without kneeling, only bowing my waist…

In other words, that was all it was.

– … A splendid soul. Both the contractor and the contracted. For a child to secure such a soul… You have quite the potential. I shall watch over you.

“This honor, I will never forget…!”

I couldn’t care less about that; just go away!

– You have quite the way with words. However, you seem to be struggling.

“It’s not…!!”

– It would be better not to lie in front of me. Come. Next time, send a fragment.

Rumble…!!

The ground fissured and vanished as if it were an earthquake.

Once the eye and its presence completely disappeared, I was finally able to release the strength I had been forcibly holding onto.

Bang!

As if it had been waiting for this, the door opened.

Confirming the figure beyond it was my first skeleton, Eve, who was armed with a longsword at her waist.

I felt my eyes instinctively close.

‘Now I should give Daniel the order to do my work…’

The emotion swelling deep in my heart.

I can definitely name it ‘relief.’

3 –

Thud!

‘Hah.’

Evangeline, barely managing to catch Rita just before she collapsed, exhaled a sigh of relief inwardly and reached for the still-glowing contract.

Having seen the scene of the ‘contract’ countless times, she was well aware of the patterns of mana involved.

– Lady? Lady? What’s going on? Is it over?

As expected, the Demon Lord’s power clearly did not reach that far. If it had, Daniel should have fainted too.

With a sigh she hadn’t managed to suppress still mixed in, she relayed her message.

– Snap (This is Evangeline. Continue following orders).

– This voice… Evangeline? That’s definitely the skeleton beside the Lady…

As she conveyed the voice of the soul embedded in the mana, she could hear something in response from across the room, but Evangeline ignored it and detached her hand from the now two contracts.

Using only one hand to embrace her precious Master would be blasphemous.

There were still many things to do.

Her Master’s body, which usually didn’t even sweat, was drenched in perspiration now.

‘Still not pleased with it…’

– Snap.

Evangeline directed one of the two soldiers standing in front of the Master’s door to bring Sonia before making her way to a newly established facility within the dungeon.

Creak. Thud!

That facility was none other than the bathroom.

Drawing up underground water from the mountain and purifying it with magic, this magical bathhouse was one of the two facilities that Evangeline had strongly advocated for alongside Rita’s situation.

Because she remembered that her Master always felt much better after taking a shower back in the ‘past.’

Swish.

Entering the bathroom, Evangeline sat her embraced Master on a sofa against the wall and waited for Sonia to arrive.

After all, she was not someone who could carry out this process. She may have wanted to, but it simply couldn’t happen.

It wasn’t because her body was made of bones or that her fingertips were sharp, but because it was clear that a situation would occur where she would resent the fact that she didn’t have a body.

Someone who could calmly do the job while seeing her Master’s bare body was required.

“Did you call for me…? Huh?”

– Snap.

“Huh… What happened?”

At Sonia’s question, Evangeline silently shook her head.

A signal not to ask for the reason.

Sonia fell into a momentary silence before rolling up her sleeves and stepping into the bathroom.

“I got it. In any case, I have to do it, right?”

– Snap.

As Evangeline stepped aside and Sonia took a step forward, only the sound of water and fabric brushing against each other filled the space for a while.

‘She looks so cute while sleeping, but…’

Watching the sleeping Libertus, Sonia suppressed her complex thoughts.

His skin glimmered like glass and was incredibly beautiful, but the body revealed beneath the rich black dress was merely frail.

Even considered as an adult female human, it was a rather small physique.

The owner of this tiny body had dealt with us, who had the advantage through deception, and had ultimately succeeded in suppressing and ‘possessing’ us.

Moreover, even though she looks this small, the power she truly possesses is overwhelmingly great.

She seemed to be a perfect existence in every sense.

On the surface.

‘… If that’s the case, what should I do when dealing with her?’

However, Sonia did not forget.

That previous ‘hypothesis.’

‘Perhaps…’

What she had to do with this woman might not be revenge after all, she thought.

Sigh…

As those complicated thoughts pressed down, Sonia continued to wash Rita’s frail body with awkward hands.

After a brief while.

“Still, you can’t tell me what’s going on, can you?”

After laying the cleaned Rita down on the bed of truth, Sonia faced Evangeline.

– Snap.

Evangeline shook her head with determination.

Sonia merely nodded in response.

She had only just barely escaped her position as a prisoner. Although her feelings toward the Dungeon Lord were complicated, they could never evolve into a sign of trust.

“Understood. But if anything happens, I’ll help, so just call me.”

– Snap.

Sonia, having seen Evangeline’s nod, then left the room.

After confirming that there was no one nearby nor any existence capable of remembering something, Evangeline returned to Rita’s reality.

This time, it wasn’t for selfish reasons.

It was because she needed to be there beside her.

“… Huh.”

Just as expected.

Hearing the muffled noises coming from the bed, Evangeline hurriedly approached the side.

“I…”

There lay Rita, tossing and turning while mumbling words that were barely decipherable apart from the first word.

The shining something flowing from her eyes made Evangeline’s gaze tremble as she wiped it away with the soft cloth she had brought with her.

“How…?”

The voice trembled weakly. And her tiny hands wrapped around her arms as if feeling cold.

When Rita fell asleep, the ‘ability’ that had always enveloped her body lost its power. It wasn’t entirely gone, so it minimized reactions, but that’s exactly why her current appearance was all the more pitiful.

It seemed like she was suppressing the pain.

“My, gaaa…”

[What dream are you having?]

This current state was the reason she could not be kept within the dungeon yet.

Right now, she was best suited for moderately busy activities.

Even if she didn’t exert herself too violently, it would be best to keep her mind at ease, so she could sleep deeply at night without dreaming.

Wiping the shining something flowing from her eyes again, Evangeline cautiously extended her hand toward her.

Grab…

[It’s probably not a good story.]

The Dungeon Lord’s body sought out something to rely on and gripped that hand tightly.

A small hand. However, the strength of the grip was entirely out of proportion.

Crackle…

[I was foolish. It’s fine now. Don’t worry.]

Even though the sound of cracking was heard from her hand, Evangeline had no intention of pulling away.

Even if her hand were to break.

“… What should I have done…”

[To be like this, you and your kind here.]

She already knew what Rita was going to say next.

In this early stage, after her mind had been strained, the dreams that Rita had were converging into only one.

Nightmares.

Nightmares of the times when she parted with her family.

Even the first time she killed a person, and more recently, when she bound Sonia and her group to the dungeon.

“How…”

[Now I don’t even care.]

Evangeline’s wait, holding onto Rita’s hand until she wakes, was the only thing in the room.

“Eve…? Why am I here… Ah.”

The moment of stillness did not last long.

This fainting was merely due to sudden mental shock, so the sturdy body of the Dungeon Lord and the naturally flexible mind of Rita quickly exhibited resilience.

“You saw, didn’t you…?”

Nodding.

Rita’s face, having guessed what had happened just from Eve’s presence, briefly lit up in realization before relaxing.

With a faint smile while lying down, Rita reached out toward Evangeline’s chin.

As Evangeline took that hand and rubbed it against the place where her cheek would be if she had one, the sight of a small woman with a tall skeleton might seem bizarre to an outsider, but it didn’t matter in their own space.

“Thank you. You protected me again.”

– Snap.

Over their faces, the soft indirect lighting turned on for sleep, dimly illuminating them like the sun during an eclipse.

Right now, at this moment.

In this small, dark world, there were only the two of them.