It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

“Phew…”

The Magical Pen automatically moved before Sonia, continuing its recording before naturally coming to a halt.

“Hmm…!”

She stretched briefly and gazed out the window.

The window was merely an illusion etched into the cave wall, but the magic contained in the sunlight streaming through was genuine.

It was like the way Libertus treated them…

A contradictory light that embodied both affection and possessiveness.

‘It’s already been half a year.’

It had been five months since she made a contract with the Dungeon Lord and took her as a master.

Sonia found her situation to be ironically amusing.

She was serving the very one responsible for killing her friends, dominating them, and ultimately bringing her to her knees.

But at the same time, she understood why Libertus had no other choice but to live that way.

She believed that to be true.

‘The more we meet eyes… the less I can hate her.’

Hatred and rage still quietly burned in a corner of her heart, but more often did she recall Libertus’s gentle gaze as she looked at her.

Sometimes even the loneliness dwelling within those eyes.

“Sonia? Your hand has stopped.”

Muhr was observing Sonia’s subtle change in expression with interest.

Among all the demon clans and Dungeon Lords she had seen, Libertus was the most fascinating being. And Sonia was Libertus’s first disciple.

Observing their relationship had recently become Muhr’s small pleasure.

“Ah… It feels endless, no matter how much I extract.”

“That’s to be expected.”

Muhr smiled and replied to Sonia’s tired sigh.

They had been repeating the same task in the laboratory, where sunlight streaming in from outside the dungeon had been bright, for several days now.

It was the task of documenting Arpina’s vast knowledge.

“This female… I mean, sorry. According to her memories, she has spent over ten long years eating humans.”

Sonia smirked at Muhr’s hasty correction, made out of consideration for her.

It was as she said. Arpina had indiscriminately lured and devoured anyone with attractive knowledge, whether she needed it or not.

“She piled up all the knowledge of the humans she devoured without organizing it, so naturally, this is the result. But, thanks to that, I have had more opportunities to encounter new knowledge lately, so it’s not too bad.”

Ironically, her lewd and cruel tendencies had led to the accumulation of that vast knowledge being passed on to the Dungeon Lord in a certain place.

Although it was not systematically organized and not all of it was useful, the immense power, if refined and absorbed, would further enhance the dungeon’s strength.

Sonia thought about that…

“Isn’t that distasteful?”

Sonia was startled by Muhr Relix’s sudden question and straightened up.

It felt as if she had seen through her thoughts.

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“You’re human, Sonia. Yet, you work for the dungeon.”

Arpina’s knowledge was ultimately destined to elevate Dungeon Lord Lady Libertus above all humans and demon clans.

The fact that the innumerable human knowledge would be freely exploited in the hands of the demon clans.

“Isn’t that uncomfortable as a human?”

“… Are you testing me?”

Muhr lifted both hands with a sly smile at Sonia’s stiffened expression.

“Oh no. I was just curious how a human can sincerely serve the Lady like this. Given the circumstances…”

Muhr’s voice whispered softly.

To Sonia’s ears, her voice sounded sweet and dangerous, like that of a demon enticing a pure maiden to devour her.

“You’ve already escaped from the Lady’s hypnosis, haven’t you?”

“…! How do you know that?”

Sonia felt a chill run down her spine.

She had only recently broken free from the initial suggestion Libertus had cast upon her.

She guessed that Libertus must have noticed it, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject.

“Because I have the ability to teach the Lady soul magic.”

Looking at Sonia, who covered her mouth, Muhr maintained a joyful demeanor as she hid her excitement behind a gentle smile.

She felt curiosity about whether this young witch genuinely served the Dungeon Lord with all her heart and what that sincerity entailed.

“That’s enough. My lady.”

The one who stopped Muhr from getting too close to Sonia was the Alraune queen with black hair and rainbow-hued eyes.

Nirvana had also been helping with the research from the beginning.

Though she had no knowledge of soul magic, she was skilled in seduction just like Arpina.

“No matter what kind of past she has, or what feelings she possesses now… what’s important is that she serves our Master in the present. Unless, do you have other intentions, Baroness?”

Nirvana’s expression remained soft, as if she had no intention of scrutinizing or disputing.

However, her inner unease towards Muhr was gradually increasing.

Among the numerous Dungeon Lords she had met over a century wandering the surface, Libertus was one of a kind.

It was only natural to be wary of Muhr, who seemed to threaten such a unique existence.

Nirvana’s eyes glimmered with suspicion, which Muhr did not miss.

‘What’s this…?’

Muhr’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She could see that what lay beneath was neither pure concern nor camaraderie.

It was jealousy and desire.

A smile crept onto Muhr’s lips.

“That can’t be. I was merely curious. It’s not every day you see a human sincerely serving a demon clan, is it?”

It was no surprise that Nirvana’s innermost feelings twisted at those words.

What adorned Muhr’s lips was a distorted pleasure.

Although she appeared polite and gentle on the surface, she was essentially a rather twisted being.

Just as demons and demon clans often were.

“You may see it that way, but surprisingly in this world, it’s common. Demons and humans sometimes collaborate, or one falls beneath the other.”

“Is that so…?”

Muhr nodded silently.

Nirvana was the queen of monsters, who had grown up on the surface with a great deal of experience.

It was only natural for her to be more knowledgeable about things on the surface than Muhr herself, and there was nothing to gain by arguing otherwise.

“Sonia, please continue your research. The results await your Master, don’t they?”

Nirvana’s words carried deeper consideration than usual.

To her, Libertus was not merely a master but a subject of intense desire.

She believed assisting her disciple, Sonia, could benefit her as well.

“Ah, yes. I should do that.”

Sonia nodded and picked up the pen again.

The lines drawn by her quill carried a mix of complex emotions. Anger and sympathy, and perhaps emotions akin to motherhood.

She still had no certainty about how to treat Libertus.

‘Interesting people beside interesting people.’

Muhr enjoyed watching the whole spectacle.

Lady Libertus and the relationships surrounding her. She was curious how all this would unfold in the future.

However, she herself had yet to realize that she too was slowly falling under Libertus’s spell.

– 2 –

Clunk.

Not long after they resumed their research, the laboratory door quietly opened.

“Good work, everyone.”

A soft voice that soothed the listener filled the room.

It was as if the queen depicted in a portrait hanging in the palace had stepped out.

It was Libertus herself.

“Everyone, come here.”

She slowly surveyed the room.

The sound of her black dress brushing against the floor rang like a melody.

Occasionally, the glimpses of her white legs revealed beneath the translucent hem of her skirt were enough to capture one’s gaze.

“My Lady.”

“Master.”

“Lord.”

The three of them bowed respectfully at the same time before looking up and meeting Libertus’s gaze, which blossomed into a gentle smile.

She already knew the situation in this place.

“Muhr. You’ve been engaging in notable activities lately. Don’t let your curiosity run wild and trouble my people. I wouldn’t want to cast out one who will be my teacher from impious actions.”

Muhr’s eyes widened momentarily before settling down.

Her expression was one of deep embarrassment as a schemer whose true intentions had been uncovered.

“I’m sorry, my Lady.”

“It’s alright. After all, it’s only curiosity.”

She quickly lowered her head and replied, concealing her face.

Though it was through trickery, it was a word from a demon who had overpowered a mage several ranks above her.

Libertus’s warning, that if she troubled her disciple too much she would face consequences, sent a chill down her spine.

“Nirvana. I appreciate your loyalty but try not to be too tense. I hope this place can serve as a refuge for you as well.”

A bit of tension eased from Nirvana’s shoulders.

Her gaze still held a desire directed at Libertus, yet Libertus chose not to mention it.

Desire was the essence and driving force of an Alraune.

“And… Sonia.”

Libertus approached Sonia with an elegant stride.

As the hem of her black dress swayed quietly, her white hand gently rested on Sonia’s shoulder.

“You’ve made tremendous progress in just a few days. It’s truly commendable.”

“Master…”

“But…”

Sonia lifted her gaze at the warm touch.

Libertus’s violet eyes held true concern.

“… Don’t overdo it. Your health is what matters most.”

At that moment.

‘This is…’

Sonia realized that she had escaped from her power, feeling a tinge of betrayal, yet she understood clearly why she had chosen to stay here.

Her heart began to race beneath her chest.

Something beyond hatred and sympathy.

It was a sincere feeling that kept her tethered here.

Whether she knew Sonia’s state or not, Libertus turned away from her and raised a hand.

“Now, everyone, let’s take a break. How about a cup of tea?”

With a single gesture from Libertus, all the documents on the table moved as if dancing, finding their respective places.

Seeing the papers organized neatly without mixing the sorted and unsorted, Sonia’s eyes widened.

Her master hadn’t always been here, yet she had already grasped the progress of all the research.

Clunk.

As the documents got sorted, handmaidens and maids rolled in with trays containing tea, setting up a black folding table for tea time.

In the dungeon resembling a quaint mansion, a subtly contradictory scent of tea filled the room.

“While research is important, spending time together like this is also essential.”

All three smiled in their own ways.

The soft charisma of Libertus melted away all boundaries and tensions that had been filling the laboratory.

“Please sit.”

She personally used her magic to pour tea for the three of them.

Each tea held different colors and fragrances.

This queen of the dungeon knew the preferences of her disciple, guest, and subordinate.

Considering that her true form spread terror and chaos throughout this land, this demeanor was in striking contrast.

However, none of the women present had the luxury to care about such matters.

At this moment, what mattered was the tranquil time spent with Libertus.

– 2 –

“Are you saying that the Master will come personally?”

– Yes. So prepare accordingly.

As Tahan asked with a tense voice, Evangeline’s gentle voice echoed through the communication magic circle.

However, Tahan was aware. She should behave properly while the woman was still in a forgiving mood.

“Ah… Understood. Thank you, Commander.”

– Then, take care, Tahan.

After the communication ended, Tahan, who was Jason, head of Copgerin’s Information Guild and now recognized for his ability and experience to oversee Central Heisen…

… or rather, Tahan momentarily wore a bewildered expression on Jason’s body.

The news that the true master, not the humanity served by all information guilds, would visit him there.

Because she knew that the reason was inspection and testing.

“Everyone heard that, right?”

““Yes!””

With a coldly settled voice, Tahan spoke, and the gathered subordinates responded in unison.

The initial perplexity had already vanished. His eyes had grown icy.

He instinctively sensed that this was a new opportunity she was offering him.

“Prepare to organize and report the results from each location. It’s a chance to show what we have done so far and receive appropriate rewards. Move!”

““Yes!!””

The commanded monsters quickly dispersed into human forms.

Listening to their fading footsteps, Tahan clenched his fist resolutely.

‘Is it finally time to receive the delayed rewards…?’

If this went well, all information networks in Heisen would come under his and his master’s control.

Offering the information network completely to his master and finding stability for the dungeon… he could rise to a higher place than he is now.

In humanity’s land and the dungeon alike.

“Alright.”

A zealous smile spread across Tahan’s lips.

His drive was a different kind of greed than Nirvana’s.

It was power—the ability to wield this human world at will.

That was one of the highest values he pursued.

‘For my great master.’

Of course, he knew that all of this would only happen if he could prove his loyalty to his master.