The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

"Alright, now can you tell me why that adventurer kept chasing after you?"

After entering the dungeon, the number of people around them gradually decreased. As they descended several floors in a row, Yoru turned to the silent girl walking behind him, her head lowered.

"..."

Lili remained silent, saying nothing at all.

"I'm sorry…"

"You should be saying sorry to that adventurer, not me."

Yoru stopped walking and turned to look at the small adventurer following him.

"You stole something from him, didn't you?"

"Y-You… How did you know?"

Lili was startled by Yoru's words. She had no idea how he could've figured it out.

"Do I even need to think about it? It's written all over your face."

Yoru smiled and shook his head, then continued walking.

"If you knew… then why… why did you still help me? I'm just a bad kid…"

"Well, that guy was pretty annoying too. Honestly, getting robbed by you served him right." Yoru said lazily, resting his hands behind his head.

"As for why I helped you… Maybe it's because I'm a bad kid too? But more importantly, I got a porter for three days free of charge."

"Yoru-sama… You're so sly. I-I'm only working as your supporter, okay? I won't offer any weird services!"

"Relax. I'm not interested in a brat like you. I already have someone I like."

Yoru glanced at Lili from the corner of his eye and clicked his tongue.

"Ugh… Makes sense. Yoru-sama likes girls like Lady Riveria."

"Huh? You know about that?"

Yoru paused for a moment and looked at her with mild curiosity.

"Of course. Yoru-sama's public confession spread all over Orario."

"Ahh… I see."

Yoru rubbed his chin. Maybe the gods had already taken notice of him. Still, they probably just laughed it off. After all, he was just an unknown LV1 adventurer.

They must've thought it was just a foolish toad dreaming of eating swan meat… Too bad for them—this toad already got the swan.

Wait… Isn't that just insulting myself?

Realizing this, Yoru shook his head vigorously.

"Let's go, Lili. Today we're heading to the tenth floor."

"Eh?! You're going to use me as bait again?!"

Lili looked shocked, while Yoru rolled his eyes.

"What do you mean 'bait'? I always save you just in time, don't I?"

"Ugh… So you really are using me as monster bait."

"I said I'm not! Come on, have some sympathy for someone who can barely attract monsters due to a weird trait!"

The two of them bickered like close friends, yet their pace toward the lower floors didn't slow.

Close friends, huh… Even though Yoru-sama is stingy, annoying, and uses me as bait, for some reason, I've been feeling stranger and stranger about him.

I used to think all adventurers were selfish and heartless… And maybe he is too, but still…

"Oh right… Yoru-sama, where's your weapon?"

Not seeing the signature longsword on his back, Lili asked curiously.

"Oh, that… uh… it got stolen by your replacement supporter."

Yoru put on a tragic face, like he had lost everything.

"What?! It got stolen?! Are you stupid?! That giant sword got stolen?! That was supposed to be my target! How could you let someone take it?!"

"But don't worry, I've got something that suits me better now. I am a mage, after all."

Yoru casually tossed a stick toward her.

"This thing… This just looks like a fire poker."

Staring at the object he threw, Lili facepalmed and spoke in an exasperated tone.

"Fire poker?! That's a magic staff, okay?! I spent a million valis on that treasure!"

"A million?!"

Lili screamed in disbelief. Yoru, meanwhile, stood tall and proud. He wasn't exaggerating—in fact, the actual value was far higher.

This staff wasn't just any item. Even putting aside its core functions, its casing alone was forged by the God of Craftsmanship, Hephaestus, and easily worth over ten million.

Ugh… That number really was a crushing amount of debt. Yoru felt a bit of regret. Why did he have to act cool back then and insist on paying upfront?

Still… He had already shown off, so even if it killed him, he had to see it through to the end.

"So you do know you got scammed… with that hopeless expression on your face."

Watching his conflicted look, Lili muttered and handed the stick back to him.

"Alright, enough talk. Let's get down to business."

The moment Yoru said that, Lili's face fell.

"Ugh… Yoru-sama is so cruel, sending me to act as bait again…"

"Don't worry. I'll be nearby. You won't die."

"That's not reassuring at all!"

Lili shouted begrudgingly, but still obediently walked alone toward the depths of the dungeon.

Why… do I feel this way? This strange sensation…

Walking alone in the dense mist, she pondered with confusion.

She was sure—absolutely sure—that nothing would happen to her. Funny, considering this was the tenth floor of the dungeon, where countless adventurers had met their end.

And yet, she didn't feel afraid. Not a bit of panic or anxiety. Because she knew—he would protect her.

Maybe… this is what trust feels like?

Trust…

What a laughable word…

Suddenly, the roar of a monster echoed nearby. A massive orc holding a giant club appeared. As it swung its weapon toward Lili, a sharp, crystal-clear icicle shot through the mist and pierced the creature's heart.

"Not bad. Well then…"

"The hunt begins."

Yoru stepped out of the mist with a calm smile that made Lili feel completely at ease.

It was silly… but this feeling wasn't so bad.

---

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