I’m Telling You, I’m Not a Boss Monster!

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The days are just getting tougher.

Lately, the Mage Tower Master has been sighing and wrinkling his brow more than ever.

I’ve set aside my research and have only been wrapping my head in a tight coil at the round table.

All because of the single Lair that’s causing the Empire to spiral into unprecedented chaos.

It’s time for the wizards to shed their cloaks of seclusion and step into the world.

“Damn creatures. They keep calling me around.”

The Mage Tower Master muttered as he headed toward his private office.

Yet again, he was summoned for a meeting that yielded little results.

They call it a committee or a roundtable meeting, but in reality, it was just a continuous cycle of futile digging.

*Bang!*

The Mage Tower Master paused as he opened the door.

A thick wave of deathly energy washed over him. His body bristled, and cold sweat dripped down.

This wasn’t the usual, tiresome undead but a deathly aura that sent shivers down his spine.

It was clear that this undead was of substantial rank.

“…Who are you?”

Even the act of speaking felt like a vice around his throat.

He strained his eyes and surveyed the room.

“Caw.”

A raven perched on a shelf flapped its wings.

Thin, bony fingers moved toward the approaching raven.

Only after it perched on his fingertips did the Mage Tower Master finally see it.

“Mortal. I have been waiting for you.”

The figure cloaked in dark colors blended into the shadows. Its hooded face was featureless, purely an abyss.

The scythe draped over its shoulder appeared ready to reap lives.

The Mage Tower Master swallowed hard without realizing it.

That shape was one he had seen in the texts regarding the Seven Lairs.

No, he wouldn’t have needed to look there to recognize it.

The shape of the reaper was common knowledge amongst all.

*Rank five of the Seven Lairs, the Soul Reaper of the Decaying Abyss, where death breeds.*

It was the right-hand of the Lich King, who served as both a lieutenant and a mid-boss.

“…Have you come for my soul?”

“Depending on your words, that may be so. But not now. The Lich King has taken an interest in you.”

*Swish.*

The bony finger pointed at him.

“Become a Lich, mortal. He has granted you a favor.”

An unexpected proposal.

The Mage Tower Master narrowed his eyes, trying to gauge the true meaning behind this.

There was no need for lengthy contemplation. There was only one interpretation of its statement.

“Do you wish to destroy the Empire? Humanity?”

“Wise for a mortal. Yes.”

“…But why?”

“If you ask for a reason, you will not comprehend. It lies beyond the realm of logic, in the realm of instinct. We taste life within death by killing humans. Soon, you will too.”

*Caw.*

The raven cawed as if in agreement.

The Reaper turned its head.

The night view outside was painfully radiant.

“He intends to instigate a grand act. When that day arrives, the lights will dim, and the flames of fear will light up the horizon. All will perceive death through their senses.”

“…”

“However, he shall not bring suffering to all humans. My lord wishes for you, the colorful Mage Tower Master, to join his ranks.”

The Mage Tower Master flinched.

If that were true, some among their peers might have already crossed over.

“If the end of the Empire approaches, a new undead legion will be born abundantly. He will entrust the title of legion commander to you. Become a pawn to execute His grand design.”

“…”

“Isn’t it an enticing offer? A chance to escape the shackles of mortality and enjoy eternal life, relishing in the honor of the Seven Lairs.”

“Do you think I would accept?”

“All mortals yearn for eternity. You will too.”

A hypothesis crossed his mind.

The Death Knight Barugore from the Temple of Faith.

Was his overthrowing of the Empire part of Calandas’s plan?

The relation between the Death Knight and the Lich King is something even a child would know; the Mage Tower Master wouldn’t be oblivious to it.

“Barugore. That Death Knight would also join.”

“…”

Silence was a nod of affirmation.

The Mage Tower Master understood that the reason humanity persisted until now was due to the mercy of the Seven Lairs.

If even one of them took action, humanity would face annihilation.

With Calandas now joining Barugore, the odds were quickly diminishing.

A candle facing a storm might have more hope.

“…What if I refuse?”

“Mortal cannot escape death. But you can choose.”

“…”

“Foresee the future from the present circumstances. Soon, the land will be drenched in blood, and what once was the Empire will be replaced by mountains of corpses. Your body will not lie there. You will stand atop that pile of cadavers.”

“This is my answer.”

*Whoosh!*

Suddenly, red magic circles flared up all around.

Dozens of magic circles interlocked in rapid succession. The darkness was filled with light akin to fireflies.

The ground blackened, and heat caused mirages to swirl.

“Is that your choice?”

“Yes. When I open my eyes again, I will surpass this limit.”

*Whoosh!*

From the still-operational magic circles, columns of fire shot out in unison. The target was none other than the caster himself.

As life extinguished, flames scattered in all directions, leaving behind charred marks. A body met its end amidst the blaze.

The Reaper leaned down to take a closer look at the corpse.

“Is this your only level? A clear limit of a mortal.”

Life was entirely snuffed out.

Yet the soul was not collected solely to uphold His will.

“The last flicker of life is merely the beginning of death.”

The Reaper hoisted the corpse over its shoulder. The scythe hung from the opposite shoulder as he turned to leave.

*Caw.* The one-eyed raven perched above him.

“O Lich King. Is everything proceeding according to your will?”

The Reaper melded into the darkness, disappearing without a trace like smoke.

***

“I have news to share. Everyone, gather quickly.”

Not long after Roseha left, Charlotte called the executives together.

She coughed lightly while holding a newspaper.

*Whoosh!* She pointed at the headline of the newspaper.

“The Empire has officially corrected the rankings of the Temple of Faith.”

“Oh!”

“Kirik?”

Isabella and Balutak leaned in eagerly, their heads craning like curious chicks.

Blocking my view while reading the paper was almost enough for me to want to give them an ear flick.

…I feel like I’ve seen this scene somewhere before.

Selina squinted at them, her eyes narrowing as she spoke hesitantly.

“The Temple of Faith… rank promotion… right?”

Promotion?

Why a promotion out of the blue? And what right does the Empire have to do so?

The dungeon’s name might be tacitly accepted, but rank is different.

From the get-go, changes in rank are instinctively sensed among the 72 Lords.

Yet, to arbitrarily change a rank that hasn’t even changed?

The pride of the higher rank, the Seven Lairs, surely wouldn’t allow it.

‘Could that be it?’

To correct the de facto ranking would imply it is just a single entity.

That must be certain, as there’s no other viable reason.

“Wow!!”

“Kirikirikiri!”

From the golden group, sporadic gasps of admiration erupted.

With their reactions, curiosity was starting to bubble up in me as well.

Suddenly, I felt a gaze and noticed Cecilia peering at me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“…Go take a look.”

In a flash—

Before I could finish my sentence, Cecilia dashed out.

Though I chose these executives, I couldn’t quite fathom why they were acting this way. Had I inadvertently gathered a bunch of eager ones?

“I disagree with this ranking correction. I believe it should be a level higher.”

If Charlotte says that, it’s probably a promotion by one or two levels at best.

If there must be a promotion, the fifth spot would be just perfect.

Roseha would generously congratulate me, saying it’s good, while Calandas would be boiling with rage but wouldn’t show it.

Daron and the twins would act similarly.

Since they held affection for me, they wouldn’t think too differently.

Any rank up to the third one would be fine as long as it wasn’t Roxanne.

[The truth hidden behind the veil is that it's the second rank....]

“….”

Nothing goes right.

“Don’t you all think so? Although it’s been corrected, this ranking is still wrong. As long as the boss exists, the Temple of Faith remains the true number one.”

“Kirik. That’s right. Balutak is strong. He beats all 72 commanders.”

“Exactly. If it’s one-on-one, the boss will win every time!”

Cecilia silently nodded in agreement.

As a group, they sat there assessing the already deceased body.

These thoughtless ones clearly didn’t grasp the seriousness of the situation.

Of all times, the fact that I had surpassed Roxanne was troubling.

While it might be a tangible ranking for humans, it was enough to upset Roxanne.

With her haughty nature, she’d surely be gunning for me.

Right now, I was so anxious that I felt like Roxanne would open a portal and storm in at any moment.

If you’d want to settle who truly holds the second rank, by life and death stakes.

Looking around, thankfully there was no sign of a portal.

‘Please don’t mess with me. Just leave me be.’

This damned world has been unbearably unfair to me.

If you want to be unfair, do it properly. If you’re going to be equally unfair, then do it right.

How many times has it been now, this nonsensical unfairness?

I couldn’t complain about the pride of the Seven Lairs.

All I could do was quietly swallow my frustrations.

It seems they have gathered to deliberate why I am the first rank, laying out my past actions.

Saying how the boss killed the great sage with just a glance or that even Roxanne would consider it a piece of cake.

It was painful for me to witness.

‘The ice of retribution is heavy indeed.’

I didn’t want to dampen the excited atmosphere, so I let it be.

Given the rank fluctuations, it feels like I must keep my eyes on Roxanne, but in truth, Calandas was the first threat.

Now that the Empire is facing unprecedented chaos, Calandas would not miss this opportunity.

If Calandas invades the Empire soon… my stance toward him is still undecided.

If I leave it as is, the next target could very well be me, but if I choose to confront him, I would undoubtedly face substantial damage and be held accountable.

Fighting against Calandas for the sake of humanity is quite the ironic concept.

I can already visualize getting summoned for an emergency meeting only to be executed.

Thus, the foremost priority must be my own strength.

Whether to stop Calandas on humanity’s side or confront him as a potential adversary.

In either case, the only sure defense against him is overwhelming power.

‘Fortunately, I know about the ancient dungeon that’s directly effective against Calandas.’

With Cecilia by my side, the second ancient dungeon challenge should be easier than the first.

If I can acquire the holy sword along with that, I could even think of having a one-on-one match with Calandas.

To exaggerate, I might just have a shot at victory.

But above all, the priority is—

“I will ask.”

At my words, the executives’ attention turned to me.

“There will come a time when you will have to risk your life for me. If that time comes, will you willingly risk your life?”

“Kirik! Balutak is always ready!”

“Me too! Me too!”

“I’m okay with being revived as undead after death. I just want to serve my master.”

“I shall dedicate my life after becoming a vampire, and when I die, I will serve you as a Lich for eternity.”

Gradually, a silence settled, and everyone’s gaze fell upon one person.

Selina blushed awkwardly and then laughed.

“Ahaha… I’ve relied on my lord both before and now. Of course, I’ll follow.”

A magnificent display of deep pink and green levels.

The sincerity visibly seen was far more credible than mere words.

They all had their quirks, but their potential was undeniable.

With such a power level, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to consider them on par with the Seven Lairs.

*Bang!*

Just then, the door to the executive room swung open.

Esitizel rushed in, her pace quickening.

Standing lively in front of everyone, she raised her fingers in a V-sign, grinning widely.

“49th rank! I’m the 49th! I made it to 49! The greatest genius ever, even defiling the gods! Clap for me…!”

The response was an icy silence.

Esitizel’s brightly smiling face gradually stiffened.

Eventually, Charlotte pointed at me with a deadpan expression.

“This one has been promoted to the second rank.”

“……Huh?”

*Creeeeak.* Esitizel tilted her head like a malfunctioning puppet.

She looked at me for a long time, then pursed her lips and hung her head.

Shuffling back with weak steps, Esitizel exited.

Feeling no guilt, for some reason, an odd sense of remorse filled me.

“Kirik. Don’t act so childish in front of a pupa.”