"Get a move on!"
A loud man kicked another, sending him stumbling forward. He crashed into a nearby tree, then was yanked back and shoved ahead again.
"No, please, you don’t have to do this. Just let me go."
The man staggered forward, his face covered in bruises and his clothes torn apart. The one who had kicked him scowled at the plea and pointed ahead as he spoke.
"Shut it. Do you think we’re stupid? You think we’d risk you running off to report this to the guild?"
As soon as he finished shouting, another man with them began to laugh. This one was much larger, his face bearing a faint resemblance to an orc, though he spoke clearly.
"Yeah, just keep walking. Don’t worry, you won’t feel much once the spores paralyze you. Or at least, that’s what I’ve heard."
"Oh, and don’t worry. We’ll take good care of your wife and daughter."
The second man spoke as he continued pushing the injured prisoner forward. The bruised man stumbled again, barely able to stay upright as he approached the mushroom-infested section of the valley forest. The air became thicker, laced with glistening spore particles that became visible only when the light caught them just right.
Once the group reached the edge, the two men halted. Without hesitation, they hurled the injured man forward and quickly stepped back, and then wrapped thick cloth around their mouths.
"N-no..."
The man rolled across the ground from the force of the throw. Although he was not small by any means, they had tossed him as if he weighed nothing. Their strength clearly surpassed his, which did not surprise the person watching them from within his newly created lair.
‘If they want to kill someone, why go to so much trouble? He doesn’t even have a battle class.’
Nestled in the branches of a nearby tree was a strange object shaped like an octagon, with an orb embedded at its center. It was one of Roland’s floating drones, hidden among the foliage, invisible to all but the most perceptive eyes. These drones acted as a silent surveillance network and quietly monitored the area.
Roland had planned to return home, but now he found himself observing an unusual scene. A defenseless man was being paralyzed by the spores Roland had previously observed. The two tier-three warriors who had brought him here were now watching from a safe distance, uninterested in what came next.
‘Was he just a temporary worker they brought along? Did he break some rules or insult someone important?’
Roland had not intended to investigate the human settlement he had seen in the distance, at least, not yet. The region was crawling with dangerous creatures and even deadlier adventurers, any of whom could prove a threat even to someone like him. His level was respectable, but not high enough to take unnecessary risks.
While he was confident that his armor and tactics could allow him to defeat opponents with higher levels, he knew he wasn’t invincible. He planned to gain strength quietly and only reveal himself when he was certain that no one in the area could pose a real threat.
He didn’t fully understand the power structure in this region, but he had studied many reports before arriving. The area was ruled by adventurers, functioning almost like a small independent nation. Even nobility hesitated to venture too deep into the dungeon without the backing of an army and several high-level adventurers. Down here, strength dictated authority. Even if a high-ranking noble were to disappear, it was unlikely anyone would report it.
‘These adventurers create their own factions down here. It seems this guy angered the wrong person, but what should I do about it?’
He analyzed the man's class and quickly saw that he was nothing more than a blacksmith. While a place like this dungeon would normally be deadly for people without combat classes, some still chose to live here because the pay was good. They stayed in forts and settlements, working directly under the adventurers.
Earlier, the conversation had involved the guild, so Roland assumed this blacksmith had been assigned by the Adventurer's Guild to work here. Supposedly, he had even brought his whole family with him, which made things more complicated.
As Roland considered the situation, the man suddenly collapsed in the middle of the area where Roland had set up his hidden hideout. The two adventurers who had brought him here started to leave the moment they saw him inhale the spores and begin to show signs of paralysis. Then things became even more interesting as something awoke within the forest. A creature that had previously hidden its presence was starting to reveal itself.
"So it only reacts when someone gets paralyzed?"
Greenish tentacles began to slither toward the man who had collapsed. Roland had previously identified something that looked like a flesh-eating plant in the area but had decided to leave it alone. He thought it was better to let it remain as a deterrent to others. However, it now seemed the adventurers living here had been using it to get rid of people they had conflicts with, which made the location of his lair more problematic than he had anticipated.
“Do they do these things often?”
He asked himself as his wind-attuned armor began to lift away from his body, replaced by a red suit. Rune Salamander encased him, transforming his appearance into something more suited to the Valley of Drachinids, creatures often referred to as lesser dragons. While many of them had strong resistance to flames, plant-based monsters like the one trying to eat the blacksmith were a different matter.
There was nothing better than a good flamethrower in a situation like this, and Roland had no intention of letting a man die in front of him, even if it complicated his plans. In a way, this might have even turned out to be a useful opportunity. The man likely had valuable information about the valley, especially if he had been living here for some time and understood the local power structure.
Roland rose through the circular opening after confirming the perimeter was secure. With a precise arrangement of his golems, he activated the concealment field to shield himself from the two outsiders. The last thing he needed was for those men to come back snooping. They weren’t a threat to him, but if they went missing as well, the situation would become even more complicated than it already was.
As he stepped outside, the lingering spores burned away under the heat of his armor’s flame aura. There, he spotted the blacksmith, now entangled in fibrous vines that oozed a strange green mucus. The monstrous plant had begun to reveal its full form. It vaguely resembled a flytrap, its gaping maw filled with some kind of liquid.
"Does it dissolve its prey with that?"
Roland moved quickly to help the man. Inside the liquid, he could see the bones of other humans floating alongside the remains of smaller animals. It was clear the creature used the spores to lure victims in, then dissolved them slowly, a death that was likely excruciating. The man was paralyzed, but his senses were still active, and he would feel every moment of it until the very end.
His hand pointed toward the monster, and a surge of flames erupted. The moment the fire collided with the creature, it ignited instantly. Whatever mucus or liquid it had been using was highly flammable, and the resulting explosion lit up the entire area.
The blacksmith's eyes widened at the sight, but before the flames could reach him, an invisible force pulled him back. A shimmering blue shield appeared around him, protecting him from harm.
The monstrous plant didn’t scream, but it thrashed violently, its tentacle-like appendages flailing in every direction. They struck only the magical barrier, which began to glow crimson from the heat. The surrounding flames intensified, and within half a minute, the creature was dead.
"That about does it..."
Roland used his magic to contain the flames and smoke, keeping the destruction from spreading. Only then did the golems deactivate the protective shield. He glanced down at the man, who was still paralyzed but conscious. His eyes moved, showing awareness and fear. Roland raised a finger, and his glove emitted a soft glow as he cast a spell. The man's eyes began to flutter, then slowly closed.
"Sleep for now."
Roland said quietly, then summoned his mage hand spell and gently lifted the man from the ground. After burning away any lingering spores and checking for hazardous substances, he opened the hatch to his shelter. The man floated down into the opening, and Roland followed close behind. Once they were inside, the hatch sealed shut behind them. Moments later, the earth shifted, covering the entrance even more thoroughly to ensure it remained hidden from view.
After glancing at the console and confirming there were no further interruptions, he activated the miniature teleportation gate. The runes on the oval surface lit up, pulsing in sequence as the gate powered on. The air inside began to shimmer, gradually forming a silvery blue portal that looked like thick, flowing liquid.
"Destination confirmed. Calibration complete."
He murmured to himself and cast one final glance around the hastily assembled shelter. For now, it was holding steady. He saw no signs that the dungeon was pressing in too tightly. With a subtle wave of his hand, he sent the blacksmith through the gate first. The man’s limp body disappeared into the light with a soft ripple. A moment later, he stepped in after him.
There was no sound, no change in pressure, only an instant shift in surroundings. He emerged in the center of his workshop. The teleportation chamber and the larger gate within stood in stark contrast to the damp valley he had just left. The unconscious blacksmith now rested gently in Sebastian’s arms. His new humanoid body was pale and marble-like, giving it an uncanny appearance. His clothes resembled a professional butler’s uniform, something Lucille had arranged.
“Welcome back, Master.”
Sebastian’s voice sounded more natural now, not as robotic as Lucille wished to make him as human as possible but to him it didn’t matter much. His eyes moved around to keep eye contact for a moment, and then lowered themselves to the man he was holding in his hand.
“What shall I do with this gentleman, Master?”
“Call Mary and have one of her maids transport him to a holding cell, tell her that he can’t find out where he is and who we are. He will be asleep for an hour at most, so hurry.”
“As you wish, Master.”
Roland gave the order and stepped out of the teleportation chamber, shaking his head. He had planned to enjoy a quiet dinner with his wife before returning to the dungeon, but now he would have to deal with this man instead. Even though he had rescued him, he couldn’t reveal where they were or why the man had been in the dungeon. The stranger couldn’t be trusted with their secrets, so it was safer to let him believe he was just an unknown adventurer who had somehow teleported out on his own.
Once they finished gathering information from him, Roland intended to discreetly bring him back to Isgard, where the main entrance to the dungeon was located. There, the man could report what had happened to the guild and let them take over from there. Roland had no desire to involve himself any further, though he would wait to hear the full story before making a final decision.
Sebastian went to work quickly and informed Mary about everything through the workshop's communication system. He had a direct line set up with Arthur’s estate, and within minutes, two masked maids were already rushing through the underground tunnels to retrieve the man from his workshop.
Everyone seemed occupied. Arthur was making his final attempt at the ascension trial before their planned departure, while he was focused on gaining a few more levels and acquiring a new skill. The only thing keeping him grounded was his wife, and he decided to spend some time with her. He removed his armor, the parts separating and settling onto special racks where they would remain until his return.
“Oh, you actually made it back in time for once?”
Her voice greeted him with a touch of sarcasm, but he just smiled. He walked up behind her and gave her a gentle hug. She tried to squirm away as she was still busy cooking.
“Hey, stop! Go play with Agni. I need to finish this first.”
She waved her ladle at him in mock warning, and he backed off with a grin. Outside, not much had changed. Agni came running up and immediately tried to lick his face. Bernir was still at work, skillfully handling his tools with his prosthetic arm. In the distance, smoke rose from Rastix’s laboratory, and golems were already racing toward it to put out the fire.
In the distance, he heard young voices. The children were playing in their playground near the dormitory that had been built for them. It was a peaceful sight, a welcome relief for his tired eyes, and a reminder of what he had worked so hard to create.
Still, some things were in the process of changing. Further out, on a once-unused section of his land, a new building was beginning to take shape. It didn’t look like much yet, but he hoped it would one day become the foundation of industrialization. He knew it would be difficult to convince people of its value, especially with their heavy reliance on skills, but that was a challenge for another time. For now, he needed to focus on surviving the assembly and making it back in one piece.
“I should at least enjoy the time I have.”
His fingers brushed over Agni’s fur as the large wolf curled up at his side. Its eyes, usually alert, softened in his presence. Roland let himself breathe. Just for a moment. The smell of roasted vegetables and spiced meat drifted from the kitchen behind him, and he could hear Elodia humming softly, a familiar melody, one that always reminded him of simpler days. Days that he wished could last forever, but in this world ruled by power, such things were usually an illusion.
“Dinner is ready.”
“Coming!”
Moments like these were becoming rare in his increasingly hectic life, but he held on to the belief that something better waited for him after the struggle. If reaching it meant achieving tier four, or even tier five, then he would make it happen. In the beginning, he had lived only for himself, driven by the need to survive. But things had changed. He had changed. Now, he was a different kind of man, one guided by something greater than survival alone.
Soon, Roland sat at the table, surrounded by the simple warmth of his home. Elodia brought over plates filled with her cooking, and they chatted quietly about her new work at the school. The shop she used to manage was now run by a new worker, who was assisted by a few humanoid golems.
“... and you know what he tried to do?”
“No, what did he do?”
“He tried eating the box of crayons! We were lucky that he spit it out! I think we need to get some better lockboxes for the school equipment.”
“Haha.”
Roland laughed as Elodia continued recounting some of the events that had taken place at her workplace during the week. She was now the headmistress of their school, responsible for teaching young children the fundamentals, such as reading, writing, and basic mathematics. While it might not have seemed impressive to someone like him, who had gone through modern education, what they were doing in this world was entirely new.
"Were there any problems?"
"Well... some of the merchants have been complaining.”
Elodia admitted while grumbling slightly.
"They have?”
She nodded. Not everyone was pleased about commoners receiving free education. Nobles and merchants often paid large sums to hire private tutors for their children, yet now the same knowledge was being offered freely to anyone who wanted it.
"Yes, they said it would ‘disrupt the social order.’ As if that's such a great thing..."
He could see that his wife wasn't happy about it, but he also understood that change would come with some resistance.
"They’ll accept it eventually.”
He replied while chewing on some vegetables.
"I hope you're right."
She smiled, and they returned to their meal. For a brief moment, he considered whether he should increase the protection around the school. But before the thought could fully form, he felt a signal from Sebastian coming from within the workshop. It was magical, something only he could sense. It seemed that the man he rescued was finally awake and ready for questioning.
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