S-Class Dungeon’s Mistress - Chapter 204

Chapter 204

Lycanthropy. A species that seems to combine human and animal forms like a Minotaur, not as strong as a Minotaur but more intelligent, making them a tricky opponent. They are mid-level, though some individuals can possess upper-level strength.

Adelaide surveyed the faces of the demons around her with a rolling gaze. Those who had been furiously angry with her just moments ago now had pale faces, trembling. From the murmuring voices, it seemed this wasn't the first time Lycanthropes had invaded.

'No wonder the buildings were damaged everywhere.'

Adelaide narrowed her eyes and gnashed her teeth. Though her memories of the union weren't particularly pleasant, this was still the place she had lived her entire life. Every corner was filled with memories of Penelope and Maximilian, and they dared to smash it to pieces. It was absolutely unforgivable.

"Everyone hide in the inner rooms! Those who can fight, follow me—"

"Pipa."

She tapped Penelope's shoulder, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"I'll take care of this. You rest."

You've worked hard until now, Adelaide added with a soft smile.

"……."

Someone raised their voice, questioning whether someone was spouting nonsense even in this situation, while others looked expectantly at Lupinus. In contrast, Penelope stared fixedly at Adelaide with blank eyes. Her pretty lips gradually parted.

'Why didn't I notice until now?'

Penelope trembled her eyelashes, scanning the magical energy spreading around Adelaide. It was truly like a calm sea. Immensely vast, with deep and unfathomable secrets hidden beneath its tranquil waves.

An upper-level demon? No, that wasn't nearly enough. Even Maximilian, who was strong among the upper-levels, didn't emit such an energy.

A devil. A realm she had only encountered in the Demon King's Castle. Adelaide before her eyes had reached that very realm.

"Adelaide, you...!"

Adelaide responded with a slight curl of her lips. Then she slowly turned and walked towards the portal.

Though a bit earlier than expected, the moment had finally come to proudly show her changed self to her precious friend. Imagining Penelope praising her, saying how proud she was, made her steps naturally light.

"Need help?"

Lupinus tilted his head, following like a shadow. Adelaide shook her head. Mere Lycanthropes could easily be handled at her level.

"Yeah, I think it's better if you handle it alone. If I get involved, they'll surely start blabbering some bullshit about benefiting from a man or whatever."

"Lupin, have you been influenced by Caladium? Your speech is getting similar."

"Change it to 'dog-like'."

How horrifying to be becoming like that idiot. Lupinus dramatically twisted his face in disgust. Then he turned his body and returned to the inner kitchen.

Swooosh—

As she passed through the portal, the wind blowing from afar tickled Adelaide's hair. She lightly leaped to the top of the tallest building nearby. Looking around from the summit, she saw a considerable number of Lycanthropes approaching.

'About fifty in total.'

Roughly forty Lycanthropes, with the remaining ten being low-level demons who saw this as an opportunity to feast on Succubi. How did they know about Maximilian's death when the news couldn't have spread yet? It was both surprising and contemptible.

'The strongest one seems to be that massive one.'

The Lycanthrope in the form of a huge black bear appeared to be the leader. He was breaking through surrounding buildings without hesitation, looking incredibly strong.

But compared to our Bell, they're nowhere near. Adelaide snorted and drew her sword from its sheath at her waist.

She had no intention of using her power against these mere demon levels. Of course, it would be more convenient, but it was better to conserve her magical energy in case something unexpected happened.

"Adelaide! Don't overdo it, come down!"

Lowering her gaze at the voice from below, she saw the demons who had followed her out of the portal. The Succubus who had just shouted was someone she had casually known during her time in the union. She distinctly remembered that this one had not participated in ostracizing her.

Not just her, but a considerable number of Succubi and Incubi had come out with weapons. Penelope and Lupinus were naturally among them.

What was unexpected was that Noxia, who had been arguing with Adelaide just moments ago, had also come out and was trembling, without even holding a weapon.

"Why did she come out if she's going to be like that?"

"I brought her. It's better to see such a spectacle with as many people as possible."

Lupinus, who had followed her to the rooftop, answered with a slight smile. No wonder he went back to the kitchen - he had personally dragged the demons who had been rude to Adelaide.

He must have scratched their pride with his unique wit. Adelaide glanced at the trembling demons who refused to escape into the union and surmised.

"Bringing them along... Lupin, you have a persistently meticulous side."

"I'll take that as a compliment, Adelaide."

It's not a compliment. Adelaide swallowed her words with an awkward expression.

There was no time for more chatter. The Lycanthrope group had already approached within a hair's breadth.

"Krraaaah!"

As the massive beast-shaped demons charged recklessly, the Succubi and Incubi gripped their weapons with high tension. Some called out Penelope's name in heartbreaking voices, but Penelope kept her mouth firmly shut and remained in place.

And at the very moment the leading werewolf was about to pounce on an Incubus—

Swishhh!

With a sharp ripping sound, crimson light rained down like a fierce storm. Simultaneously, the werewolf froze mid-charge.

"Uh...?"

The Incubus who had narrowly escaped death muttered blankly. He had witnessed the werewolf's upper body slowly separating from its body and falling downward.

Thud! Crash!

It wasn't just the werewolf. The lion-shaped Lycanthrope beside it, the pig-like Lycanthrope next to that one... About half of the advancing enemies were instantly split in two.

It happened so instantaneously that even those watching up close couldn't precisely comprehend what had occurred. Except for Penelope and a few demons, no one could even guess the identity of the crimson light.

Adelaide landed lightly in front of the portal. Drip, drop. Jet-black sword blade was stained with drops of red blood.

"Wh-what! What did you do!"

A surviving low-level demon shouted in a rough voice. It seemed the attackers were equally unaware of the nature of the previous attack.

As if considerate of their confusion, Adelaide slowed her pace and swung her sword leisurely. Of course, its power didn't diminish in the slightest.

Swishhhh! The long whip erupted crimson light, instantly slicing the remaining enemies' bodies. Thanks to its ability to endlessly extend at her will, she could eliminate even the farthest enemy at once. Even the black bear-shaped Lycanthrope who seemed to be the leader was killed without offering any resistance.

Crash! Once again, body fragments fell to the ground. The Lycanthropes that had just filled the space were now nowhere to be seen. They had all become corpses with just two sword strikes.

Amidst the nauseating bloody stench, shocked gazes focused on Adelaide. She cheerfully sheathed her sword and strode towards the Succubi, specifically targeting the one at the front.

"Pipa."

A tender voice broke the silence.

"Won't you become part of my dungeon? Of course, accommodation is guaranteed, and the welfare will be top-tier. I'll give you three times your current salary. You only need to work one day a week."

Penelope, staring at her with a dumbfounded face, suddenly recalled a past conversation. The dialogue they had shared when seeing Adelaide off to Chronathan.

"When you become a successful dungeon master, hire me. I'll demand an incredibly high salary, so be prepared!"

"Yes! I'll definitely do that! I'll adjust the welfare to the highest level! Work just one day a week! I'll provide accommodation!"

She never thought she would actually keep that promise. Penelope let out a helpless laugh. Come to think of it, Adelaide had always been thorough about keeping her promises. It seemed her personality remained unchanged despite everything else.

"Thanks for the good offer, Adelaide."

Penelope turned her gaze to meet the various eyes watching her. They all seemed afraid that she might leave the union.

If Adelaide's offer wasn't tempting, that would be a lie. However, her answer was already decided. As Adelaide said, Penelope possessed a broad and solid heart, and she could not abandon the other Succubi and Incubi no matter what happened.

"But that would be difficult. I have responsibilities."

"I knew you'd say that. You're so much like Maximilian in that respect."

"You're similar too. Just with different targets."

Not wrong. Adelaide chuckled.

"Alright, then I'll modify the proposal."

She turned her head and scanned the demons standing around Penelope one by one. Seeing the faces that had tormented her didn't make her feel particularly good, but thinking about continuing Maximilian's will helped her compose herself somewhat.

But no matter how she thought about it, she didn't want to accept Camilla. Clicking her tongue in disapproval, Camilla quickly lowered her head to avoid eye contact. Adelaide once again pictured Maximilian in her mind and continued.

"This time, I'm not proposing to my friend Pipa, but to Penelope, the representative of the union. Join under Greenville. I'll definitely ensure Morpheus's safety."

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