The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices -
Chapter 53
EP.53 Monster Wave (1)
Now that an assistant had been assigned in the dungeon managed by Azmo, the overall shape was slowly taking form. I also selected another assistant. There was no urgent need to draw more, especially with the current monster.
“Moreover, depending on the species, they reproduce on their own.”
In cases like that, monsters often reproduced among themselves. A notable example was the blood-sucking butterflies in Area 3 of the first floor.
Even without additional gacha, their numbers were steadily increasing.
Being insect-type monsters, their reproduction speed was fast, so as long as an ecosystem was established, there were no significant issues.
“So, should we try drawing miscellaneous items now?”
It seemed like a good time to shift focus to something else.
How about drawing miscellaneous items?
The description mentioned that equipment, weapons, or skills mainly came out in miscellaneous item draws. To be honest, I had tried a miscellaneous item draw once before.
‘Back then, only trash items came out.’
While I couldn’t get a 1-star item from monster draws, the miscellaneous item draws contained items that could easily be called trash.
Unnecessary things like twigs, leaves, and even rocks came out. Fortunately, the dress Celia was currently wearing was among the draws. If not for that, I would have been quite upset.
However, completely avoiding miscellaneous item draws was not an option. Just by looking at Celia’s clothes, there were various options available. Even though the item obtained wasn’t from draws, the maid outfit Celia had worn before had enchanting characteristics.
“If I can draw just one really good thing, it’s a profit.”
With that thought in mind, I attempted to touch the miscellaneous item draw option in the shop window.
– Ding –
However, before pressing it, an alert popped up.
– The number of monsters in your dungeon ‘Temptation of Illusion’ has reached a certain level. –
– Adjust the population through expanding the dungeon or using monster waves. –
– You can choose settings for the monster wave. –
It was an alert stating that the number of monsters in the dungeon was full. Looking at Azmo’s dungeon status, it seemed that the recent increase in ghouls was the cause.
“How many did he capture, exactly?”
The increase in ghouls was likely due to the Death Knights.
Due to the Death Knight’s skill, any being killed by it would be reborn as a ghoul.
In Azmo’s original dungeon, which was an Incubus dungeon, having so many ghouls meant that the Death Knight had caught a lot of intruders.
The intruders might be people like me, but I didn’t particularly feel sympathy for them.
After all, the one rushing to steal something first was the other party. I only tried to block them to protect what was mine.
“Indeed, the number of ghouls is extraordinary.”
With the assignment of an Assistant, the dungeon seemed even narrower.
“Well… by the way, is it possible to configure the Monster Wave?”
Monster Wave. It referred to the phenomenon where monsters emerged from the dungeon. The most plausible hypothesis was that when the dungeon was full of monsters, it pushed them out.
“Based on the explanation now, it’s hard to say it’s entirely wrong.”
The Monster Wave settings window was straightforward.
The Monster Wave settings involved specifying the range and determining how many monsters to release.
Of course, I could choose to avoid the Monster Wave immediately by expanding the dungeon size.
However, considering the situation where monsters would breed among themselves in the future, I needed to take that into account.
I couldn’t manually check each dungeon under my control every time the number increased.
“Let’s set it up for now.”
Luckily, it wasn’t necessary to set up each dungeon in detail. There was also an option for the dungeon manager or assistant to make judgments and take action on their own.
“I guess this is better.”
Considering that these monsters had shown some intelligence so far and sometimes produced better results with appropriate neglect, I chose this option without hesitation.
“Azmo should handle it well on his own, right?”
Curious about how Azmo would respond to the current situation, I intentionally didn’t expand the dungeon size.
“He’ll probably send the ghouls out of the dungeon first.”
I’ll just do some draws for now.
====
***
====
“Why the hell do we have to put up with this?”
A hunter patrolling around the dungeon expressed his dissatisfaction.
Another person next to him spoke up, also discontentedly.
“We should just complain if we’re at the bottom. Well, what can we do?”
The individuals belonged to the Phoenix Guild, and the place they were guarding an Incubus dungeon.
It was the dungeon that Jung Woo-jin, the second son of the Phoenix Guild’s leader, entered to subjugate.
Of course, it failed.
Thinking there were only Incubi, it turned out there was a Succubus as well. Coming back from the dungeon with a pitiful appearance, there was no way the guild atmosphere would be pleasant.
Naturally, the Phoenix Guild prepared for a second attack. This time, they adjusted the gender ratio of the hunters to counter Succubus.
They even mobilized hunters specialized in mental defense skills and utilized artifacts.
The leader of the raid, as well as nearly half of the fifty hunters, were A-ranked hunters. In other words, the Phoenix Guild leadership was determined.
Yes, the success of this raid was inevitable. However, one variable arose.
“Is it going to be a waste again today?”
“Sigh, aren’t we going to be stuck here until the next day off at this rate?”
Despite a considerable amount of time passing since the Phoenix Guild’s raid, there was still no news. The dungeon remained closed, and the fate of the hunters who entered was still unconfirmed.
Whether the raiding party came out after conquering the dungeon or the hunters inside perished, and the dungeon reopened, or even if the dungeon owner, like Jung Woo-jin before, showed mercy and let the raiding party members return alive, any of these outcomes would be fine. However, harshly, the dungeon remained firmly closed.
In this situation where the Phoenix Guild’s hunters didn’t know when the raiding party would come out, they continued to guard the surroundings.
This was quite important. Suppose the raiding party members conquered the dungeon and came out exhausted. If there were individuals with grudges against that guild, what would happen?
Without seeing it, it was obvious. That’s why every guild dispatched two types of hunters for dungeon conquests, the raiding party that conquered the dungeon and the patrol party that could quickly provide support until news of the raiding party arrived.
The hunters currently patrolling, while harbouring dissatisfaction, silently carried out their mission. As they continued to patrol, another variable occurred.
A trespasser breaking the silence of the quiet night. The energy of the dungeon began to fluctuate. Shortly after,
–Wee-ee-eeeng –
The sound of sirens echoed here. It was a signal that the dungeon had opened.
“Damn. Of course, it opens when I’m around.”
Muttering complaints outwardly, internally, I had different thoughts. Hopefully, it wasn’t something like a Monster Wave…
====
***
====
Despite the loud sirens, nothing seemed to have changed. There was nothing noteworthy happening.
“Did the measuring device malfunction?”
Leading the patrol team was B-rank hunter Choi Ji-hoon.
As he examined the measuring device inside the outpost, he mumbled.
The device responded to the energy of the dungeon. The fact that the device had just rung meant that the closed dungeon had opened.
“Hmm.”
However, ultimately, nothing happened. The dungeon remained closed, and there was no news of the returning raiding party or monsters emerging.
“Well, it’s too early for a Monster Wave.”
Monster Wave referred to the phenomenon of monsters emerging from the dungeon. It usually occurred when the number of monsters inside the dungeon continued to increase due to neglect. It was somewhat like this, the house becomes too crowded, so things get pushed out.
Dungeons were the same. Anyway, Monster Waves were quite tricky. As more monsters emerged, there were more areas to be cautious about. Therefore, governments and guilds periodically cleared dungeons.
Choi Ji-hoon put down the measuring device in his hand. Indeed, Monster Waves were overly simplistic. Even now, it seemed like no monsters had come out.
“Well, as long as the raiding party members who entered the dungeon don’t turn into monsters…”
He said that while chuckling to himself.
“Ha.”
Originally, it didn’t make sense.
Of course, there were monsters that turned hunters into monsters.
Death Knights were representative, turning them into ghouls. Zombies that turned others into zombies by biting them also existed. Even vampires who made others of their kind.
However, this dungeon was inhabited by Incubus and Succubus. They had the weapon of enchantment, but that skill wasn’t about turning people into monsters. It was closer to mind control. Therefore, Choi Ji-hoon didn’t consider any other possibilities.
“Captain Choi Ji-hoon!”
Someone entered the outpost and called Choi Ji-hoon’s name. It was his deputy.
“Oh, right. Did you check the personnel?”
When the sirens sounded a while ago, Choi Ji-hoon had ordered his deputy to check the personnel.
“Yes, all here!”
Choi Ji-hoon looked at the status board handed by the deputy and muttered to himself.
“Hmm, twenty-two people…”
The status board showed how many people were currently here and even listed the names.
“Today, we were roughly around twenty, right?”
They patrolled the dungeon surroundings, prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. As the number of people changed slightly every day, the personnel situation kept changing.
Choi Ji-hoon gazed at the status board with a raised eyebrow. Originally, they should thoroughly check the number of personnel, but…
‘I’m not exactly an idle person.’
Since the roughly matched the number of personnel, there wasn’t a problem.
“Alright, you can go.”
Choi Ji-hoon gave the dismissal order to his deputy and immediately contacted the guild situation room. Reporting on the situation of dispatched hunters was essential for the guild, given that they were crucial elements.
Soon, he connected to the Phoenix Guild situation room.
“Yes, Patrol Leader Choi Ji-hoon.”
Choi Ji-hoon reported the current situation and the personnel status.
“…So, with this, there are no issues with the current twenty-two personnel.”
After reporting up to this point, today’s work was almost done. Just as he was about to cut off the communication and take a rest,
[Wait.]
A voice came from the guild situation room. It was the voice of the Phoenix Guild’s director.
[How many personnel are there now?]
‘Oh, did you not hear it earlier?’
Choi Ji-hoon slightly distorted his expression and repeated it once again.
“Currently, twenty-two personnel.”
However, the situation room asked again with a serious tone.
[Really? Are you sure? Could there be a mistake?]
‘Ha.’
Choi Ji-hoon let out a small sigh. Although slightly irritated, the other person was higher-ranking.
Smoothing his voice, he replied politely.
“There are no special circumstances with the personnel. There were no issues.”
[But. Hey, you!]
An exclamation of swearing came from the director.
[You didn’t check the personnel properly! Hey, you guys, today it’s twenty-one people!]
“What? Twenty-one people?”
Momentarily flustered, Choi Ji-hoon replied with a bewildered voice.
[Quickly check the personnel again!]
Urgency emanated from the situation room.
Choi Ji-hoon went through the status board handed by his deputy once again, naming each one.
“…Kim Min-jae, Lee Nam-hyuk, and lastly, Seo Yeong-ho.”
Certainly, the status board had ’22 people’ written on it. There were no duplicate names.
[Choi Ji-hoon, what did you say at the end?]
“Yes? At the end? Ah, Seo Yeong-ho, you mean?”
[You idiot! Are you kidding right now?]
Choi Ji-hoon was gradually getting annoyed. He always approached his responsibilities seriously. However, hearing accusations of joking while being cursed abruptly, who wouldn’t be angry?
“No! Please speak properly! I don’t joke about these things. Why would I?”
[…]
A moment of silence passed. Then, a voice echoed again from the situation room.
[Hey, Ji-hoon. Don’t you remember? Seo Yeong-ho, that dog, participated in the recent raid. I’m talking about the dungeon you guys are currently patrolling.]
“…Ah.”
Right. He remembered. The recent raid, and leading that raid was A-rank Hunter Seo Yeong-ho. Why had he forgotten?
“Oh, it’s just a coincidence with the name, right?”
There could be a possibility of a namesake. It must be the case. However, the response from the situation room shattered that hope.
[We just checked. There is no one named Seo Yeong-ho in our Phoenix Guild.]
“Are you kidding?”
[I’m not in the mood for joking right now!]
Rather, the director raised his voice and made a commotion.
[So, immediately check the personnel!]
–Click. –
Choi Ji-hoon disconnected the call.
Yes, he needed a moment to think. Perhaps, his deputy had made a mistake.
“… “
But what if, hypothetically speaking, it wasn’t a mistake? Now that he thought about it, the siren had gone off before the personnel check. Could it be…
“Damn it.”
Choi Ji-hoon shouted as he rushed outside the headquarters.
“Everyone, gather!”
Something had gone wrong.
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The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices – Prologue<time datetime="October 9, 2023">October 9, 2023</time>In "Dungeon Sacrifices"
The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices – 31<time datetime="January 8, 2024">January 8, 2024</time>In "Dungeon Sacrifices"
The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices – 15<time datetime="November 24, 2023">November 24, 2023</time>In "Dungeon Sacrifices"
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