(The next day)
The initial plan for that day was simple. I'd go to the dungeon on my island to test my new weapon.
Nothing too ambitious.
But my plans changed when a member of the Merchants intercepted me, informing me that Erik wanted to see me.
And here I was, in his office, holding his determined gaze while the silence between us was heavy with unspoken words.
"We've made a decision. We're willing to explore the dungeon."
"Excellent."
His voice was firm, his face serious, and yet I held back a laugh. Looked like the big fish had taken the bait—and with some enthusiasm, too.
"Anyway, we'll need a couple of days to prepare. You said the dungeon is located in an underwater cave, right?"
"Yes."
"Then we'll need something that helps us hold our breath longer... and see in the dark."
Proactive and determined. Good. At least this time, I wouldn't have to go in circles trying to convince him.
"Speaking of which, I've prepared a small list of necessary items."
I handed him a sheet, which Erik took with a doubtful expression. His eyes went from me to the list, then back to me.
"How did you know I'd agree?"
"If you hadn't, you would've just been a disappointment."
Seeing Erik and Alfred hold back their reactions was beyond amusing. Then, as they read the contents, their expressions grew more and more conflicted.
"The potions and antidotes are obvious choices. But two barrels of holy water and scrolls with the sacred binding spell? Do you even know how much those cost?"
"More than our lives, if we run into a cadaver golem?"
"…You said that was a one-in-a-million case."
"Lately, I seem to run into those exact cases."
I saw him glance at Alfred, who thought for a moment and then reluctantly nodded.
"Fine, we'll accept that too. But as for the return stones, that's a categorical no."
"Why not?"
"Do you have any idea how much a return stone costs for a yellow-category dungeon?" Erik snapped.
"Come on. Aren't you rich?"
Erik sighed heavily and massaged his temples, already worn out.
"We have funds, yes, but that doesn't mean we can spend them freely. Return stones are rare. Demand far outstrips supply, and their prices have skyrocketed. At the last auction I attended, one sold for seventy thousand valis."
"And here I thought you were betting on me..." I said with fake bitterness.
"We are, but you're not worth that much yet."
Seeing him so serious, when just the day before he'd let out a shrill scream as I nearly stabbed him, was a small pleasure I allowed myself.
In any case, the refusal wasn't a problem. I had already expected such a request to be denied—but it never hurts to try.
"To wrap it up, the last two items on the list: honey and… someone to use as a sacrificial decoy?"
"Better safe than sorry."
I understood their hesitation, but those two items weren't as extravagant as they thought. Without them, entering the dungeon would be impossible.
"The decoy I get... But honey?"
"I tend to get hungry."
Their expressions twisted almost in unison, and I couldn't hold back a laugh.
"Kidding. That's for distraction, too."
"And how can you be so sure it'll work?" asked Erik, increasingly skeptical.
"And you, how do you know you'll wake up tomorrow morning?"
"What the hell… what does that have to do with anything?! That's completely off-topic!"
"Now you understand how I feel every time you open your mouth."
Before Alfred could snap, I stood up and gave an overly dramatic bow.
"Well, gentlemen. It's been a pleasure speaking with you, but I have a new toy I'm eager to test. I'll be waiting for your invitation eagerly."
I turned to leave, but then paused at the doorway and suddenly looked back at Erik.
"Hey, Erik."
"What now?" he groaned, tired and annoyed.
"The collar suits you."
"Son of a bitch!"
I shut the door just in time, catching the object he threw at me midair. Then I burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Some people were so satisfying to annoy.
****
The island sun beat down hard, while the sea breeze tried in vain to soften the muggy heat hanging over the place. With a calm pace, I reached the gates of the bastion that held the dungeon.
If I wanted to save money, I could've gone through the secret passage, but since my presence was becoming more known, it would've seemed odd that I could get in without paying.
I paid the fee, but the guard refused to let me pass.
Would you look at this guy? He really seems to have a death wish.
I could see the greedy look in his eyes from a mile away, clearly eyeing my weapon.
"That's a nice weapon you got there."
"Sure is. I practically sold my soul to the Merchants for it."
I showed him the certificate, and his expression quickly darkened.
One of the iron rules of the archipelago was that no faction was allowed to interfere in another's business—especially if it involved Merchant money. They turned into rabid dogs over it.
"Honestly, I'd be more than happy to give it to you. I missed a payment once by accident, and as punishment, they ripped off one of my testicles. Want to hear the funny part? It wasn't even worth a quarter of the price."
Seeing me laugh lifelessly, the man paled and didn't bother me anymore.
Either way, I'd remember him.
Normally, I was good at blending in, but when there's a halberd sticking out of your back, it's hard not to draw attention.
Without wasting time, I entered the dungeon, where the humidity gave way to dry air.
Today, I planned to earn some money and get used to the new weapon before exploring the undead dungeon—but it seemed I'd have to wait a little.
With a resigned sigh, I turned to the group of people following me.
"Do we really have to do this?"
"L-Leave the weapon and nothing will happen to you!" said one of them, wearing tattered clothes and holding a sword that had seen better days.
"Do you know it belongs to the Merchants?"
"Doesn't matter! If I can pay even part of my debt, it's enough! So give up the weapon or die!"
The one yelling now was a bit younger. He gripped a dagger with shaking hands.
Ignoring them, I looked at the rune—it showed no reaction to them. Besides, I doubted they had any importance for the future; they were useless to me.
Even so, I wanted to avoid shedding blood needlessly. I didn't take sick pleasure in slaughtering pathetic people, but I also knew folks like them didn't back down easily.
Let's see… he should go.
I focused on the man farthest back.
"I accept, but I don't know if you'll attack. So you all stay back and only he approaches."
The group looked at the guy I pointed to and nodded.
The man I had chosen walked up with an arrogant smile.
The only reason I picked him was because he had the greediest look of the bunch—but he was also a coward, since he stayed in the back.
"Smart choice, kid."
"Too bad you didn't make one."
Before he could react, I activated Razor Claws and stabbed him in the throat.
He clutched his bleeding neck, spewing blood. He tried to stagger back, but the next moment, his head flew off, and his body collapsed to the ground.
"Alright, anyone else interested? You look like you might be."
The second person I pointed at fell on his butt, terrified, a dark stain forming on his pants.
"Big and tough, and you still piss yourself?"
At my remark, none of them reacted, still frozen by the sight of the decapitated corpse.
"Boo!"
With that one shout, they all ran away in terror.
"What a waste of time."
I searched the body I'd killed, but aside from some coins, there was nothing of value.
Without further distractions, I walked deeper into the dungeon. Grade 0 monsters didn't interest me, and I finally found something worthwhile: a group of Crimson Skrall.
They looked like wolves covered in flames, though they couldn't shoot fire. That's why they were early Grade 1 monsters.
I charged toward them, and they quickly noticed me.
I slid the halberd from behind my back and, with a swift twist, spun it clockwise. The blade cut through the air with a whistle and buried into the neck of the Skrall that tried to attack me, killing it in one blow.
Another one came at me, but I used the back of the pole to push it away, dodging a third with a body twist.
Not giving them a chance, I struck with a series of thrusts they dodged while backing off.
As I pulled the halberd back for another strike, one of them leapt at me. What it didn't expect was that I changed my grip and attacked with an upward slash.
The blade pierced the monster's chest. I swung the halberd, flinging the corpse toward the last beast. It dodged to the side—but I had predicted that. I activated Quick Step, got in front of it, and finished it with a thrust to the head.
With a flick, I wiped the blood off the weapon.
As I expected, the halberd was high quality. As for my performance, I still wasn't satisfied.
Now that I was magically in a younger body with new skills, it was still hard to give my best, but with some training, I'd solve that problem.