The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The First Monster



3/5

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The two of them walked back the way they came, one ahead and one behind. Lily had initially wanted to start a conversation, but after a few curt responses from Yoru, she was too mentally drained to bother trying anymore.

Lily had met many adventurers before, but this was her first time encountering someone quite as peculiar as Yoru.

Most adventurers she had come across were either the type who bragged about their strength but were actually weak and talentless, or the kind who seemed respectable on the surface, promised generous rewards, and then turned their backs on those promises when it came time to settle. Occasionally, she would run into someone who might not act so badly—but even then, their attitude toward her was usually cold or outright hostile.

After all, in their eyes, she was nothing but a dirty little supporter, not worthy of being compared to their "noble" adventurer selves.

Did decent adventurers actually exist? Were all adventurers truly scum?

Sometimes, Lily couldn't help but ask herself that. But every time, she'd brush it off with a bitter laugh. As if such a kind adventurer—someone gentle to others like a fool—could possibly exist.

Adventurers were all arrogant. Just talking to a supporter like her was probably already considered a form of charity in their minds.

Lost in such hazy thoughts, Lily hadn't noticed they had already arrived at the 7th floor of the dungeon.

That's when a strange sound echoed through the air, making Lily—who was trailing behind—jump in fright.

Though she was just a supporter, Lily had spent a long time navigating the dungeon. She instantly recognized the monster that made that noise.

"Killer Ants!"

She cried out, rushing to Yoru's side.

Yoru had just turned a corner and paused, blinking in mild surprise. He had actually… encountered a monster?

It had been so long since he last saw one that it took him a moment to register what was happening.

"Yoru-sama, a monster has appeared! That's great—it looks like today won't be a total waste!"

Lily said this with an upbeat tone, but her heart wasn't quite in it.

Ugh… a monster had to show up now? Just my luck. I didn't get a single cut of the profits the last three days!

Was it due to distance?

As Lily rushed toward him, Yoru realized why the monster had spawned. She must've fallen behind, and the distance between them had widened enough to trigger a monster's appearance from the walls.

So… they're afraid of me?

As that thought flashed across his mind, Lily was already hiding behind him.

"Hurry… hurry up and kill it, Yoru-sama…"

Lily's voice trembled. She couldn't help it—large insect-type monsters were always creepy. The monster's menacing mandibles clicked and clacked in warning, but Yoru remained unfazed.

If anything… he was excited?

Finally… after a whole month, I've finally run into a monster in the dungeon!

From behind, Lily watched intently. She wanted to see how this so-called mage would fight.

But to her mild disappointment, Yoru didn't even bother drawing the longsword on his back. She didn't even catch what happened—one moment the Killer Ant was crawling toward them, the next it was encased in glimmering ice.

"Eh?"

A chill in the air made her shiver involuntarily. She stared blankly at the now-frozen monster stuck to the wall like an ice sculpture.

Then—

Crack.

The sculpture shattered into glittering powder and scattered across the corridor. Nothing was left behind.

"…So, uh… what just happened?"

Lily stood there dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Yoru wore a helpless expression.

Guess I got too excited… Ended up shattering the magic stone along with the monster.

Oh well. It was just a normal monster's magic stone anyway. At least now he understood how to make them appear. Next time, maybe he could try fighting without using magic.

With that thought, Yoru glanced at Lily behind him. Her expression stiffened slightly as she felt his gaze.

Ugh… Why do I feel like this guy is thinking of something really scary right now?

"Let's go…"

Yoru didn't voice what was really on his mind—something along the lines of: "You should act as bait and lure the monsters out." He figured if he said that, this girl would definitely run for the hills.

Well, it was only the first day. No need to rush. If he scared her off now, that would be troublesome.

This time, Yoru made sure to stay close to Lily as they continued their way back to the surface. Along the way, they didn't encounter a single other monster.

Lily had noticed something odd. She began to suspect that what Yoru had said earlier wasn't entirely baseless.

The monsters in the dungeon seemed to be afraid of something—and thus refused to come out.

The image of that Killer Ant turning into an ice sculpture, then disintegrating into nothing, replayed in her mind. She shivered again.

"I'm not a swordsman… I'm a mage."

A mage? A Level 1 mage could do something like that?

You've got to be kidding… What kind of monster is this man?

As that stunned thought swirled in her mind, she heard Yoru's voice again.

"Well then… I'll be counting on you again tomorrow, Lily."

"Ah… y-yeah, I got it."

Lily twitched as she looked at Yoru's emotionless face. For a moment, she wanted to ask if maybe—just maybe—they could cancel this arrangement. She wouldn't mind paying him instead.

But the words died in her throat. She didn't have the guts to say it aloud.

"Alright, go get some rest. Tomorrow might be a bit tiring for you."

Just like he did with Hestia, Yoru unconsciously patted Lily on the head. Then, he turned and walked away.

"…Might be tiring?" Lily muttered, shivering again.

What do you mean "might"…? You clearly don't need me to do anything. What, are you going to make me act as bait or something?

She let out a dry, forced laugh and walked away from the plaza, completely unaware that her own sarcastic comment had just foreshadowed her near future.

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