Chapter 038
The dungeon monsters keep offering sacrifices – 038
EP.38 Celia Judgment (1)
Baren Bloodworth was on his knees.
As the leader of the ‘Red Fang’ mercenary group, his current appearance was far from what one might expect.
His eyes were swollen, bruised, blood trickling from his nose.
His front teeth were already missing, and saliva dripped from his mouth.
Celia smiled contentedly while seeing him in such a state.
It wasn’t because Baren looked pitiful but because capturing him pleased her.
“Well done, everyone fulfilled their duties according to their positions.”
Each had been assigned tasks corresponding to their positions, and they had all performed admirably, something she wanted to commend.
First, there was Squall, in charge of the Margrave Position.
He, as the master of a dungeon and the chieftain of an orc tribe, had splendidly subdued the enemies.
He was evaluated for faithfully fulfilling his duties.
Next was Inspector Lich.
He had surely carried out the duties corresponding to his position as an inspector.
He discovered the enemies first and escorted those subdued by Squall here.
Not only that, but he showed meticulousness in recording evaluations of others according to the situation.
“Hmm.”
Celia paused, contemplating as she reviewed Lich’s notes.
Then, she stated, “Since the results were good, there will be no deductions.”
Death Knight reacted to those words.
Lich’s notes.
It detailed negligence on duty and unauthorized absence from the dungeon, something Celia had just reprimanded Death Knight for.
The lack of deductions pleased Death Knight.
In this harmonious atmosphere, a goblin tribe appeared.
They halted before Celia, lined up lightly armed.
Hobgoblin, leading the goblin group, saluted Celia.
“Manager, everything is ready!”
They were the unit Celia recently established.
It was a reconnaissance unit.
The great one had set the stage, it was Celia’s role to fill in the details, starting with this reconnaissance unit made up of goblins.
Though Lich conducted patrols, they were more focused on surveillance of others than pure reconnaissance.
While it might not seem so, celia had formed a separate reconnaissance unit out of concern for security gaps.
It wasn’t difficult.
She equipped the goblins with lightweight gear, allowing them to scout around the dungeon without constraints.
The goblins, agile due to their small stature, had skin camouflage matching the forest’s hues.
Their numbers were sufficient for rotational scouting.
But it wasn’t just about organizing the goblins.
Systematic organization was necessary, so she divided the reconnaissance unit into three teams for shift work.
Each team was led by a 3-star Hobgoblin.
Lastly, she assigned a Goblin Lord to oversee the entire goblin reconnaissance unit.
It was a seemingly obvious choice.
And now, the first team going out for reconnaissance after being formed had appeared.
Addressing the leading Hobgoblin ready for the first reconnaissance, celia spoke.
“From now on, report only to the Goblin Lord and carry out your missions.”
Upon Celia’s words, the Hobgoblin saluted again and departed for the dungeon.
The official duties of the reconnaissance unit had begun.
‘With the reconnaissance near the dungeon resolved, there should be no more issues.’
For Celia, anything was fair game to achieve her master’s goals.
While Lich followed the reconnaissance unit as they left the dungeon, she paid it no mind.
Lich was doing well, and more importantly, celia had other matters to attend to.
“Now, it’s time for judgment.”
It was time for the judgment against the intruders in front of her.
And the one to pass down this righteous judgment was none other than Celia.
Appointed by the esteemed master as the Manager, she was in charge of diplomacy, establishing order within the dungeon, and would now deliver the final verdict.
Celia looked at those lying on the ground one by one.
“To dare intrude into the territory of someone superior. Normally, you’d all be dead, but I’ll give you a special chance.”
Chance?
Those who had looked forlorn at her words raised their heads.
Since being captured here, they had deemed themselves finished.
They probably thought they would die right away, but her words gave them hope of survival.
The opponent was surely the owner of the dungeon.
No, considering the earlier mention of the esteemed one, even if not the owner, they were clearly in a high position.
So, according to her words, their situation might change.
Everyone held hope within them as they heard her.
“I shall impose labor punishment on you until death.”
Celia passed judgment on the intruders.
A punishment of working until death for everyone.
Certainly, it was evident they’d be treated like slaves.
Yet, everyone breathed a sigh of relief at her words.
Surviving was crucial for now.
One could only plan for the future after surviving.
In any case, everyone was thinking of finding an opportunity to escape.
Though they were told they’d have to work forever, surely there would be chances.
If they could utilize those opportunities well, the situation wouldn’t be so despairing as they could just flee.
Some sang songs of hope, thinking of families they needed to support.
Celia, who had given the judgment, looked at Death Knight.
“Death Knight, as the knight commander guarding the dungeon, administer their punishment.”
Death Knight nodded at Celia’s words.
Then, he drew the sword hanging from his waist.
With a clear sound, the sword was unsheathed.
“Huh…?”
Baren was momentarily bewildered.
Why suddenly draw a sword?
But his thoughts were cut off right there.
The next events happened in an instant.
– Thud –
As soon as Death Knight drew the sword, he stabbed it towards Baren’s heart.
Baren’s heart was pierced by the sword.
“Ugh.”
Baren let out a brief scream and met his fate.
Others who witnessed this were in shock and yelled in dismay.
They said they would be spared!
Given a chance!
But there was no one to heed their cries.
Just silent screams.
When everyone was crying out, a very faint change began.
“Ughhh…”
Some strange, boiling noise was heard from somewhere.
Those who were shouting fell silent at this small sound.
What sound was that?
Where was it coming from?
Soon, they realized where that sound came from and what change was occurring.
Baren, whose heart had been pierced, seemed to be making a strange noise while rising.
“…….”
Everyone fell silent.
Those who once revered Baren as their leader were appalled.
The Baren they knew was already gone.
There existed only a ghoul in Baren’s form.
Baren Bloodworth, sentenced to death and reborn as a ghoul.
It was Death Knight’s skill effect.
Seeing his appearance, celia grinned.
“Oh my, this time a normal ghoul came out.”
When sentenced to death by Death Knight, one would be reborn as a ghoul.
In fact, until now, abnormally powerful ghouls had appeared, so this situation was in line with what was expected.
This particular ghoul was simply a very ordinary 2-star ghoul.
They weren’t intended to be used for combat from the beginning, so Celia was satisfied.
“Well, there shouldn’t be any problem with their work.”
Celia looked at the rest of them.
“Now, we can train these laborers.”
Ghouls were undead.
Once undead, they naturally didn’t need rest. They didn’t require sleep or even food consumption.
They could solely dedicate themselves to work, ignoring durability, and ghouls would continue to be mass-produced anyway.
Laborers and slaves armed with extreme cost-effectiveness.
Those who survived at Celia’s words screamed and struggled.
“We don’t want to die like this!”
Someone shouted and tried to flee, but they were already inside the dungeon.
As soon as they stood up, Death Knight swung his sword, and they died.
Then, like Baren, they became ghouls shortly afterward.
“This isn’t right! I have a family to support! Please… Please, I beg you. Show mercy.”
One of the mercenaries began pleading.
However, that was their problem, celia had no business caring about such humans.
Above all, if they were so concerned about their families, they shouldn’t have come here in the first place.
Tackling dungeons always involved considering death at any time.
The sword of Death Knight moved again.
“Oh, goddess, please grant me salvation.”
Amidst screams and overwhelming despair and sadness, someone prayed.
But the goddess who could grant prayers was not present here. Instead, Death Knight tore apart the man who had been praying.
The outcome was different, that man could find release from despair and pain. And in becoming a ghoul, he found salvation.
The birth of a new life that appears alongside death. This dungeon was the scene of salvation.
Death Knight’s sword continued its movement. It was like a dance. Everyone screamed as they transformed into ghouls.
In the future management of the dungeon, they would handle all the menial tasks.
Unless a second death approached them, they would dedicate eternal loyalty to the master.
That was how they would atone for their wrongdoing.
This, too, was fate.
“Grrr.”
“Grrr…”
Everyone was reborn anew. Just like Baren, who was once their leader, they became part of the dungeon.
Celia, who had been contentedly watching this sight, raised her head again.
“Another visitor has arrived?”
Someone had entered the domain of the dungeon.
Celia had already sensed a group’s energy from earlier.
Although she had left them alone as they were far away, she couldn’t simply ignore them once they directly entered her master’s domain.
Depending on their purpose, celia’s actions would vary.
“Now, finish up and get ready to greet the guest.”
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Gurlon, presenting himself as a Demon Merchant, had returned once again.
Of course, he wanted to shout his surrender right away, but the presence of shadows behind him troubled him, so he was just beating around the bush.
Awkward laughter was thrown in as a bonus.
“Don’t you need anything else for the dungeon these days?”
“Haha, isn’t the weather these days just lovely?
Countless conversations related to the current weather had already taken place.
In short, meaningless conversations were continuing endlessly. Wanting to cut the time short, celia finally spoke up.
“Well, it would be great if we could get to the point. Let’s skip the meaningless talk.”
Gurlon thought for a moment at her words.
Then, he glanced behind him. The shadows remained still. Gurlon, who thought this was the opportunity, swallowed hard and soon made up his mind to act.
Swiftly, he ran toward Celia and dropped to his knees.
“Please, spare my life! The Demon Merchant want to get rid of me and this dungeon!”
Gurlon raised his voice. Then, he glanced back.
‘This is odd.’
His current behavior clearly showed him as someone who had betrayed the Demon Merchant and was sticking to this dungeon.
However, contrary to his fear, the shadows took no action. Instead, they just stood still, showing no signs of movement.
“Huh?”
Something was strange. While Gurlon was baffled, celia’s voice reached him.
“You’ve brought me such a gift. I don’t know who you are, but you’re appreciated.”
Simultaneously, the shadows bowed their heads towards Celia.
“Uh…?”
Gurlon didn’t understand the current situation.
It seemed as if the shadows were pledging loyalty to Celia.