Tedra watched Lixuman with a mixture of fear and curiosity as he worked among the corpses.A skeleton that possessed intelligence, that could speak and communicate.
Lixuman cleansed the garments stripped from the bodies with water magic and draped them over himself, concealing his terrifying bones.He then donned a cloak, covering his skull and cervical vertebrae, before approaching Tedra once more.
"Now, it's time to settle the debt for saving you," he said.Though a sense of justice had driven him to rescue her, his primary motivation was assistance in return.But he was a skeleton.By nature, his race stood opposed to humanity and could not easily place trust in any human.He would never entrust his life entirely to a woman he had just met.Even if she was beautiful, beauty did not equate to righteousness.Having emerged from the succubi nest, Lixuman knew this truth well.
"Of… course!"Tedra swallowed hard and continued."I'm a merchant; I understand the principle of equivalent exchange."
Lixuman noted her reluctance."Now, you have two choices," he said, extending two skeletal fingers."First, you may offer me a sum of money equal to the value you place on your life, then leave—we will have no further connection.""Second, you may assist me in blending into human society, but choosing this path means your life must rest in my hands; only then will I feel secure."
Because he had only recently learned to speak, his words were slow and hoarse.Reciprocity was crucial.As a skeleton, once in human society, his life could be ended by a mere thought of hers.Thus, for balance, her life must also be in his control.
"I choose… the second option," Tedra replied, exceeding his expectations.
"Oh? Why?" he asked, curiosity faintly coloring his voice.
"I wish to earn your favor in exchange for your assistance," she said."You are more trustworthy than humans. I am willing to stake both money and my life, since your presence in human society will not endanger me in the short term."
"I am Tedra Reby, merchant of White Bear City.""Lixuman, skeleton."
Without further words, Lixuman extended a phalange, pressing it against her neck.Bone sprouted from his fingertip, forming a skeletal necklace around her throat.The necklace's length was smaller than her head, making removal impossible.
"If you betray me, this necklace will pierce your neck," he explained succinctly.
"It's a lovely necklace, thank you," Tedra said, feigning ease.Yet Lixuman sensed the fear hidden beneath her composed expression.
"If you are afraid, now is your chance to reconsider.""No!"She shook her head firmly, her red hair flickering like flames.
"Good."
Together, they set off toward the town.Lixuman had revealed his intelligence to Pound and slain countless succubi; Lucia would undoubtedly pursue him.To evade such a hunt, human cities provided the best cover.
Through their journey, Lixuman learned their current location: White Bear City, a territory within the Mandate Duchy of the Lantes United Kingdom.The Lantes United Kingdom was a vast realm comprised of nine duchies, primarily inhabited by humans.White Bear City was governed by Count Witber.
Entering the city without alerting the guards, Lixuman finally exhaled in relief.The towering city walls stretched endlessly as they passed through.Buildings were orderly, their architecture closely matching Lixuman's imagined medieval aesthetic.Yet the streets were remarkably clean, perhaps due to magic.
The most conspicuous feature of the city was the massive central tower.
"What is that tower?" Lixuman asked Tedra.
"Hmm? You don't even recognize the city's landmark tower?""Didn't you retain memories from before becoming a skeleton?"Tedra's gaze was a mixture of astonishment and disbelief, as though looking at a primitive being.Lixuman, having come from another world, lacked memories prior to his transformation, so he "confirmed" her assumption.
"That explains it," Tedra said, her surprise abating.
"The landmark tower marks a dungeon. Beneath each landmark tower lies a dungeon, and each city has its own tower and dungeon."
"Dungeon?"
"Dungeons are filled with countless monsters and resources. Ninety percent of magical materials in this world are mined from dungeons. High-quality magical items and equipment, even job-change scrolls for non-faith classes, originate from dungeons. In ancient times, intelligent races were fragile, nearly extinct, until dungeons emerged. They conquered the dungeons, obtained opportunities to change jobs, and gradually rose to dominance in the world."
Lixuman listened silently, absorbing her patient explanations.
"Though called 'dungeons,' they are not literally underground. Attempts to dig beneath landmark towers long ago failed. Access is only through the towers themselves. The term 'dungeon' refers to the tiered, descending levels. The deepest floors of a dungeon can mirror surface landscapes and even reveal the sky. Of course, White Bear City's dungeon isn't that deep."
"Levels?" Lixuman asked.
"Yes. Dungeons are ranked by depth. Deeper levels are more dangerous but richer in resources. Levels are divided into ten tiers: below 10 floors is a first-tier dungeon, below 20 floors a second-tier, and so on, up to tenth-tier dungeons exceeding ninety floors."
"Why describe tenth-tier dungeons as over ninety floors?" Lixuman inquired.
Tedra continued, "Because no one has fully explored a tenth-tier dungeon; its exact depth is unknown. Perhaps under a hundred floors, perhaps exactly a hundred."
"I see… like a grind in a game," Lixuman mused.
"Grind what?" Tedra asked, puzzled.
"Nothing," he replied, turning his gaze to White Bear City's landmark tower. Something about the dungeon's existence felt eerily game-like.
"What tier is White Bear City's dungeon?""Forty-six floors, fifth-tier dungeon."
"We've arrived, my guild," Tedra said, leading him to an imposing four-story building with trade and sales windows.Adventurer parties came and went, trading their spoils.
Lixuman's silent observation noted the affluence."Don't be mistaken—this building is rented," Tedra added, noticing his shock."Hmm," he replied neutrally.
She led him inside.
"Greetings, Guildmaster.""Thank you for your hard work, Guildmaster."
Staff at the counters greeted him while casting curious glances, trying to gauge his identity.
"So, with your status, how do you travel alone outside the city?" Lixuman asked.
"I was deceived," Tedra shivered slightly."And my position isn't significant. In White Bear City, adventurers and merchants like me are common. The truly high-ranking are the nobility."
They ascended to the fourth floor, to the guildmaster's office.Tedra seated herself with the composure befitting a guildmaster, her gaze fixed upon Lixuman.