WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Mordor
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Mistaken as the Dungeon Boss Monster ◈
Chapter 30: Finally... What Was Coming Has Arrived
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After their queen vanished, Vampires naturally declined into a weak race.
The Castle Full of Lust was both the most prominent and only case of Vampires belonging to the Seven Palaces of the Abyss.
Even the Vampires of that castle had only gained tremendous power after receiving their Boss's blood and becoming the Boss’s underlings.
It was widely accepted that Pure-Blood Vampires were weak.
Then there was the group of Vampires who had stumbled into the newly established Seven Palaces of the Abyss.
Among them, Isabella was aware of the contradiction in her own position.
She was embarrassingly weak compared to the Vampires of the Castle Full of Lust.
The very idea of someone like her belonging to the Seven Palaces of the Abyss was absurd.
“What do you all think?”
“You’re certainly right, noona.”
Isabella quietly spoke with the other Vampires.
Balutak, the Keeper, was strong. Charlotte, the adjutant, was strong too.
Yet although Isabella appeared to hold the same position as them, she was really no better than a fodder mob compared to either of them.
Hadn't Isabella been unable to do anything but faint before Wilhelm?
Shame and helplessness welled up inside her, but she didn't want to show it.
Instead, she deliberately put on a cheerful front to hide her true feelings. Even if she was only dead weight living off them, she wanted to remain here.
“To be honest, I've always wanted to stay here.”
More than the title of Seven Palaces of the Abyss, she liked the people here.
There was Balutak, whom she got along with well. There was the picky but secretly caring adjutant. More than anything, the Boss had looked after them despite not acting like a Boss at all.
“But it's too shameless. Even if the Boss permits it, I can't feel at ease.”
“Yes. I feel the same way.”
“I do too.”
This was one of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss.
Stronger enemies would come for them in the future, and Isabella's sense of helplessness would only grow.
No one knew better than she did that her presence would only get in the way.
She had settled down here claiming she would repay her debt, yet all she did was live off them like a parasite by sucking blood like a mosquito.
“Even if we stay, we'll only cause trouble.”
This was not just any dungeon. It was one of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss.
What would happen if word spread that Faith’s Tomb, ranked seventh, had taken in a group of weak Vampires?
The dungeon had avoided that only because it was still new and unknown. Once word got out, the other 72 Dungeons would pour scorn and ridicule on it.
The Vampires' affiliation was no different from tarnishing the Boss's name.
“That's right... The Insects at least pull their weight as workers, but we can't even do that.”
The Insects made the most of their racial traits and did their part as exceptional workers.
What about the Vampires?
They handled watch duty, but with the Security Crystal Ball in place, they were really just decorations.
The Boss must have known that, yet he took no action and simply looked the other way.
“We can't keep burdening the Boss. I think we should leave right away.”
He had evolved her into a True-Blood Vampire, saved her life, and allowed her to live in his dungeon.
She had received more kindness than she could ever repay in a lifetime.
If she continued relying on him, she might have to live with guilt for the rest of her days.
Besides, if she grew any more attached, she would never be able to bring herself to leave. It had to be now.
* * *
After making up her mind, Isabella gathered everyone on the tenth floor.
Taking a deep breath before them, Isabella revealed how she truly felt.
The indifferent expressions around her changed by the moment.
“Have you reconsidered? You may change your mind later.”
“Kirik. Balutak likes Isabella. Why does Isabella want to leave?”
“I've already talked it over with my kin. They all feel the same way. Rather than continuing to rely on you, I think it'd be better for us to make our own way. Most of all, Boss, thank you for everything you've done for us.”
There was no need to explain why they were leaving.
Aside from the Insects, everyone knew how useless the Vampires were, even if no one said it aloud.
“You have nowhere to go.”
“We need to figure that out ourselves. That's what it means to make our own way.”
“What do you think, Boss?”
At Charlotte's question, the Boss, who had only listened until then, spoke.
“I think you may stay.”
“....”
Isabella was honestly surprised by his answer.
For a moment, she was tempted, but then she shook her head.
“Thank you, Boss. I appreciate the offer, but we've already decided to leave. If we keep relying on you any longer, I don't think we'll be able to live with ourselves.”
He had evolved her into a True-Blood Vampire, saved her life, and allowed her to live in his dungeon.
She had received more kindness than she could ever repay in a lifetime.
“Don't worry. We were originally Vampires who lived in the wild. Um, I'm only sorry that we're leaving after receiving so much from you. If we ever get the chance to repay your kindness, we'll come find you right away.”
“I understand.”
The Boss did not try to stop them any further.
Still, he left the door open for them.
“If you change your minds, you may return at any time. This place will remain open to you.”
“If we come right back after saying all this, it'll look a little... awkward.”
Isabella scratched the back of her head and chuckled.
“My Lord! Thank you for everything!”
“We owe you one hell of a debt! We'll never forget this kindness for the rest of our lives!”
The Vampires suddenly dropped to their knees before the Boss and pressed their foreheads to the floor.
Startled, Isabella gasped and hurriedly followed suit.
“Thank you for everything! If I ever see you again, I'll definitely repay your kindness!”
“...All right.”
Click, click.
The sound of heels approached.
Isabella squeezed her eyes shut as she sensed Charlotte coming closer.
Charlotte was sharp-tongued. There was no way she would think kindly of Vampires who had only caused trouble before leaving.
Charlotte knelt on one knee and handed Isabella a Dungeon Association Ticket.
When Isabella raised her head and saw it, her eyes widened.
“This is all I can give you. If you need the Merchant Association's help, use my name.”
“...You don't have to give me this.”
“I'll worry less if you at least take this.”
“Huh. Are you worried about me?”
“Yes. We were companions.”
“Do not use Charlotte's name.”
The Boss suddenly joined the conversation.
“Use mine.”
“...What?”
“If you are known to the Boss of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss, even the Merchant Association will treat you as an honored guest. If you need the Merchant Association's help, use my name.”
Isabella's mouth fell open slightly.
Charlotte was even more shocked than Isabella.
“My Lord. That is too hasty a decision. The Merchant Association may take the Boss's prestige lightly.”
“They may also consider my relationship with Isabella important.”
Charlotte wore a blank expression at his unexpected reasoning.
A Boss of the Seven Palaces of the Abyss was saying that he would become the patron of a mere wild Vampire.
No one could blame anyone for calling him foolish if they heard of it.
The more Charlotte thought about it, the more questions she had.
The Boss must have known all the disadvantages that could arise from this, so why was he making such a decision?
“May I ask your intentions?”
“We have grown close over this time. I would not feel at ease sending you away like this.”
“....”
To the Boss of the Abyssal Palace, Vampires were no more than insignificant creatures.
Furthermore, undead without hearts found it nearly impossible to grow attached to others. They could practically be said to lack altruism.
The Vampires before him had not even known him for a year.
They had only caused trouble for him, yet he had grown attached to them.
The Boss of the Abyssal Palace, a cold undead, wanted to help insignificant creatures out of personal affection.
Charlotte could not believe he showed such altruism even while accepting a loss.
The memory of when he had first met Balutak and given Balutak water naturally came to mind.
At the time, Charlotte had thought that even undead could feel enough compassion to give water. After all, it cost the Boss nothing.
But the way he treated the worker Insects. Even the Necronomicon he had bestowed upon Charlotte.
Had all of it been driven not by efficiency, but altruism?
“....”
The Boss of the Abyssal Palace was incomprehensible in every way.
Just as it was impossible to understand an undead having a warmer heart than a human.
‘His body may be cold, but his heart is warm....’
Charlotte had discovered another side of the Boss.
Before she realized it, only one person filled her vision.
“Isabella. Come show your face whenever you feel like it. Balutak is sad to see you go.”
...He could even empathize with another's pain.
Charlotte pressed her lips tightly together as she looked at him, afraid her expression might give her away.
“Kirik. Balutak likes Vampires. But Vampires are leaving. Balutak does not want to send them away.”
“This isn't goodbye forever, Balutak. If we grow strong enough to repay the Boss's kindness, I'll come see you again as many times as I can.”
“Kiririk... All right. Before Isabella leaves, will Isabella drink Balutak's blood?”
“Ah, I'd rather not.”
Isabella awkwardly smiled and waved her hands.
“We'll be leaving now. I'm sorry that we're going after only burdening you in the end.”
“It is fine. Do not hesitate to come back anytime.”
“Kirik. Balutak is a tree. Vampires are the wind. When the wind comes, trees happily wave their hands. When Vampires return, Balutak will happily wave their hands.”
Starting with Isabella, the Vampires all bowed politely.
Then they turned their backs on everyone and left.
When someone has regrets, they tend to look back from time to time as they leave.
The Vampires had cast aside all their lingering attachments and walked forward without looking back.
‘Someday, I hope I can repay them.’
When she returned, she would not be a Vampire who sucked blood. She would be a Vampire who repaid kindness.
Isabella clenched her fist and made that vow.
* * *
“They're gone after all.”
“Kirik. Balutak's heart hurts.”
The group of Vampires, which had grown smaller and smaller in the distance, finally disappeared from sight.
Honestly, I wished they had stayed.
‘I’d grown attached to them.’
Of all the Vampires, Isabella was the companion who had spent the longest time with me here.
She had a clumsy side that made her impossible to hate, and she had brightened the mood whenever Charlotte made things heavy.
There was no way I couldn't grow attached to her.
Of course, the Vampires weren't useful to the dungeon.
But so what? I had no interest in relationships that only measured profit and loss.
You pursue practical benefits when it’s time, and uphold loyalty when it’s time to do so.
If all I did was pursue benefits, how would I be any different from a machine without a heart?
“You seem disappointed.”
I was about to answer when I noticed the color of Charlotte’s level had changed again.
‘Bone-lover mode on.’
What kind of flirting had I just done?
Now it seemed to change out of nowhere without even a trigger.
“Boss.”
I met her eyes to signal that she should speak.
Uncharacteristically for Charlotte, she hesitated.
“Um... what would you do if I said I wanted to leave?”
“You cannot.”
Are you crazy? If you run away, the dungeon is finished!
“Then, would that also be because of affection?”
“It is not unrelated.”
It was partly because I was attached to her, but also because she was such a capable adjutant.
She had transformed a cave into a dungeon, used magic well because she was a Witch, replenished our forces with undead, kept track of the Empire's situation, and built a network with the Merchant Association.
‘...She really is an adjutant who does everything.’
“You are the most valuable person here.”
So please don't leave.
That was what I meant, but Charlotte inhaled sharply. She soon lowered her head, only moving her lips.
“Ah... Um, I see. I am only grateful that you think so highly of me.”
Even though she didn't show me her expression, the green color of her level deepened at once.
That level gradually moved farther away. One step, then another, with an awfully awkward gait.
‘Did I flirt again?’
What was I supposed to do about this? I was an impotent undead.
Even if things looked like they might progress with Charlotte, I would have to firmly refuse.
Otherwise, Rose Sha would kill us both.
“Kirik. Great Chieftain. Balutak will go to the eighth floor too.”
“Fine.”
Isabella had left, and Charlotte had practically fled into the Adjutant's Room.
Now that Balutak was gone too, I was left all alone.
I had nothing to do, so should I go help the Insects at the mining base?
Wooooong!
I would have, if a portal hadn't suddenly appeared.
They say if something leaves, something comes. Something had zipped away, so something came zipping back.
“I greet the great Lord.”
As expected, the Demon Merchant who emerged from the portal bowed with perfect form.
Had Charlotte called the merchant?
That was what I thought, but the merchant's next words shattered my assumption.
“Seventh Lord, please forgive my sudden visit. I came without warning because I have urgent business.”
“What business?”
Before answering, the merchant held out a hand.
“This is it.”
What the merchant held looked like stationery made of black goat hide.
The seal, made by hardening human blood instead of wax, was particularly unsettling.
I accepted it and took out the letter, only to realize it wasn't a letter at all.
【A summons addressed to Vargoer, Boss of Rank 7 Faith’s Tomb】
-The Merchant Association first congratulates the 72 Lords on the resumption of their assembly after a hundred years. We respectfully request the attendance of all 72 Lords, who command myriad demons and defy the mandate of heaven. The second-ranked Lord is organizing this Eighth 72 Dungeons Assembly...(omitted)
A breath like cold mist escaped my mouth.
Finally, what was coming had arrived.
Footnotes:
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