It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

---

– 1 –

Crisp, crunch… Tap.

Sunlight streamed in at an angle into the noble’s office.

In a luxurious space adorned with bookshelves covering the walls, a handsome young man sitting at an elaborately decorated desk put down his quill after signing some documents.

“I heard there’s been a change with the ‘cooperating candidate.'”

As he scratched his chin while speaking, the middle-aged man standing in front of him shook his head.

They both wore similar noble attire, but tension was evident on the older man’s face.

“It’s nothing serious. It appears to be a case of revenge killing. Someone among his victims must’ve thought a mere execution wasn’t enough.”

The young man nodded. It sounded like a reasonable explanation.

The deceased Alexis Samigina was not only well-known for his handsome appearance and his title as a baron, but he was also infamous for his escapades with women.

The prevailing view was that it wouldn’t be surprising if he died at any time, anywhere, and by anyone. Thus, the subordinate’s assessment was accurate.

“Dig a little deeper.”

However, more than that was needed.

A look of confusion appeared on the middle-aged man’s face in response to the young man’s firm resolve hidden within his soft voice.

“Is something wrong?”

“The Master was planning to give a barony to one of his illegitimate children, and that person was supposed to be a puppet for someone else.”

“Ah.”

“I need you to find out the truth so when asked, we have accurate information. Just gather the details for now.”

“Understood. It won’t take long.”

Of course, it was not a grave matter.

The one referred to as ‘The Man of a Thousand Faces’ or ‘The Gray Eye’s Master’ wouldn’t have any substantial interest in a mere baron.

He was caught up in a different endeavor, so it was just a matter of checking things out.

That was all there was to it.

“When he gets angry, it can be quite bothersome.”

The young man soon put the matter out of his mind. Likely, he wouldn’t even think about having given that instruction to his subordinate soon.

Getting bitten by a viper while rummaging through a thick bush is something that can happen anywhere, anytime.

However, they were resistant to the venom, so catching a viper wasn’t considered a significant issue.

– 2 –

The Underworld Trading Company, Midas.

During my visit to Sonataph due to Serika’s affairs, while putting Hailey under my control, I found that this organization was not exactly a secret society or a power group.

It was simply a gathering of underworld dealers across the continent, but since being known by ordinary people would bring them no benefits, they were naturally shrouded in mystery.

That’s merely their essence.

“So?”

– If the members gain power, then ‘just a gathering’ will inevitably gain power too.

“Indeed, you’re right.”

As Hailey said, it’s a simple matter.

If there are members within the gathering who have both wealth and military might, then that gathering itself cannot be overlooked.

Those members, that is, the four who are continent-class targets and engage in underworld dealings, are the actual backbone of this Midas, and one of them is…

– The underworld figure ruling the central part of the eastern continent, known as ‘The Man of a Thousand Faces.’

Information dealer, The Man of a Thousand Faces.

Hailey articulated that name upon spotting a document found in Alexis’s residence.

– All underworld dealers who feel a sense of belonging to Midas within Kaisen can be considered under his influence.

“I can guess who he is just by his nickname.”

– Yes. As you might expect, he was once affiliated with the Information Guild but branched out to set up his own information business. That was fifty years ago… If he’s still alive, he must surely be a Noble Monster.

“An old underworld dealer, huh…”

‘The Man of a Thousand Faces’ was a figure whose true name and appearance were concealed in shadows.

He was simply engaging in covert activities, positioning his superbly skilled subordinates in each capital city.

It seems only those known as ‘Midas’s Four Fingers,’ along with his disciples and immediate family, truly knew his real appearance.

– In fact, he was also my superior, but I have yet to see his face.

“No.”

In response to Hailey’s question, I slowly shook my head.

To have her investigate this matter would be akin to throwing away an important piece.

“If your behavior suddenly changes, there will undoubtedly be some in the gathering who will grow suspicious. For now, it’s best to continue showing yourself as someone pursuing power and wealth, safety first.”

– Yes! Understood.

If the opponent was an information dealer who had withstood the test of time, it was wise to assume he held the informational upper hand.

Even if I were the Dungeon Lord or a Demon Clan member, the same applied.

“Of course, let me know if you hear anything.”

– Naturally. I’m touched by your concern… I, Hailey, don’t know how to express my emotions.

“I am always grateful. I count on you in the future.”

– Yes…!

I smiled as I bid farewell to Hailey, who ended the communication with a cheerful expression, and I fell into thought for a moment.

‘Well, it seems it wasn’t a big issue after all.’

Following the memories of Alexis that Evangeline brought back and the Q&A with Hailey, it seemed there was no cause for great concern.

It appeared assured that Alexis had indeed had contact with The Man of a Thousand Faces’s underlings, but it seemed to be merely a customary affair.

Flick.

A card was currently flipping and spinning atop my hand.

This was one of Alexis’s belongings, and the card depicted a golden hand with a gray eye embedded in its palm.

It was said to be provided as a means of contact by the information dealer known as ‘Gray Eye.’

The card itself held no particular power, but presenting it anywhere in the underworld would serve as a symbol to connect with informers.

‘What Hailey had was much flashier.’

After all, the number of eyes on hers was two.

Though I had once regarded it as trivial, it indicated one was deemed ‘an important external individual.’

Conversely, it also implied that Hailey was merely an external individual.

This also meant it would be dangerous to have her dig into the Underworld Trading Company.

And…

“Talhan.”

– Yes, Master.

“I have one instruction for you.”

– Just give me your orders.

Information dealer tasks are, originally, matters that need to be dealt with by an information dealer.

– 3 –

“You’ve returned safely, Maria.”

“I’m back, Master…?”

Maria, returning from her mission trip, let her sentence trail off in question as she unexpectedly found herself in someone’s embrace.

The identity of that person was quickly revealed.

The one who tapped her shoulder a couple of times and then released her to begin examining her was none other than her master, Libertus.

“Good. It seems you’re not hurt.”

In a low, warm voice, Maria felt relief wash over her, and a gentle smile spread across her face.

Libertus’s expressed concern was only half genuine; however, in Maria’s eyes, that sincerity was all she could see.

Finding her master’s increased affection lately made Maria bow her head once more, smiling in return.

“You were overly worried. It was a journey without any issues.”

“It was my first time sending you out, so I was worried. Now that you’re back, that’s all that matters.”

As Libertus affectionately patted Maria’s shoulder and praised her, he finally turned his gaze to the wagon beside them.

“Looks like this woman is Elias’s sister.”

“Elias… She’s said to have been renamed Elena at her family home.”

“Really? In the end, it came to that. I suspected as much.”

After hearing Maria’s words, Libertus raised an eyebrow, expressing subtle interest, then calmly nodded.

A noble valuing face and honor wouldn’t let a ‘temporarily transformed female prince’ keep a man’s name, after all.

Even offering the simplest reasons, it would be quite awkward when presenting her to outsiders.

“Sonia?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Keep Elena’s sister detained. Assign one person for protection and one skeleton.”

“I will do as instructed.”

As Sonia left to carry out the assigned tasks, Libertus gently took Maria’s hand, leading her as he spoke.

“Did you enjoy the journey you went on alone?”

“The walking felt nice. However, without the wild monsters around, I quickly found myself missing ‘home.’”

“Home, huh…”

At Maria’s words, Libertus paused for a moment, warmth flickered in his eyes.

After flashing her a smile, Libertus resumed walking, and as Maria followed, they soon came upon the door to her personal quarters.

“I see. There are times when I too find it quite lonely.”

“Not at all. When the monsters are making a racket and charging at you, you’ll probably think that the dungeon is preferable.”

“True… Come in.”

Upon opening the door, Maria was greeted by the sight of a room she had never entered before.

Unknowingly, she looked around curiously.

It was her first glimpse of her beloved master’s room.

‘Neat, but not plain.’

It wasn’t adorned with the usual extravagant sparkle of common noble quarters, yet the dark-hued wooden furnishings, finished with marble and decorated with metal, exuded a unique sophistication.

Additionally, she could quickly discern that the actual value of these furnishings far surpassed those typically found in a noble mansion.

What she thought were metal decorations turned out to be black-dyed precious treasures.

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

“It feels much more elegant than the guest room.”

“It’s necessary that those children possess some talent.”

At the mention of ‘those children,’ Maria forced a shy smile.

The totalitarian of training and internal affairs, the cold-blooded commander in battle and foreign relations.

Though he typically exuded a comforting demeanor, he hid a passionate side, often displaying a madness in combat or dueling.

He appeared demure only to his master, merciless and cruel to all others.

She understood that she was referring to those three.

‘They’re all terrifying individuals. Somehow, it feels like to you, the master is just ‘that child.’’

Before the last war, during the ‘surrounding cleanup’ she had gone out with two beastmen to organize the area near the dungeon.

They were indeed supposed to be ‘Kings’ within the unit, yet abandoning the troop and boldly advancing made them like ‘Queens’ piercing through the battlefield, the white wolf.

Conversely, keeping their elegance and rarely emerging unless their unit members were in danger showcased the black fox, soaring curses and flames from a distance.

Whichever way, each was a challenging superior.

“What tea do you prefer?”

“Anything is fine by me.”

“Is that so? Then it’s better if I have something… a bit weaker than what I drink.”

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

With a smile, Libertus gestured once.

No special words or signals were needed, yet the moment he gestured, the sound of knocking followed.

The handmaiden who entered the room approached with a tea set without needing any specific orders and soon brought two cups of black tea.

‘This is…’

Maria recognized it as a kind of tea no longer in existence, which the man used to drink, and she momentarily got lost in memories.

Just for a moment, but deeply.

“I see you also recognize it.”

“Yes, Master.”

Maria lifted her head at her master’s words, quickly shaking off her thoughts before bringing the tea to her lips.

The bitter taste spread in her mouth, but the unique aroma was alluring.

A pleasant smile appeared on Maria’s face, mirrored by a similar smile on Libertus’s.

“How is it?”

“I want to drink it again next time.”

“If it suits your taste, I should keep some in your room as well. Just be wary that if you drink it in the evening, you might not be able to sleep.”

“Thank you.”

What followed was a time of peaceful conversation.

Subsequently, Maria recounted tales from her journey and rumors she had heard nearby, while Libertus occasionally smiled or nodded as he listened attentively.

“So that merchant…”

“Indeed…”

Maria was enthusiastic about sharing her experiences vividly, engrossing herself in the retelling.

Lately, she noticed Libertus had been focusing on dungeon affairs, giving rise to a growing desire for outings.

She wanted to satisfy him, even if just in this manner.

Before asking a particular question, she figured she should lighten the mood.

“Master.”

After speaking for quite a while, taking a sip of tea brought a break in the conversation.

Maria cautiously opened her mouth.

“Could you return Remia… to me?”

Suddenly, an unsettling silence descended, as if a bomb had dropped in the room.

Maria watched her master closely, but she couldn’t read anything from Libertus’s expression as he took a sip of his tea.

Only a blank smile appeared on his face.

Eventually, just as Maria began to give up on figuring out his expression…

Clack.

“…That question was indeed wrong, Maria.”

Setting down his teacup, Libertus began to speak.

And upon hearing his next words, Maria felt her head go blank.

“You should ask, ‘Does she wish to return?’”

She realized the implications of that statement.