NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 29
A great deal of time has passed since anyone remembered when or by whom this mansion was built.
And now, to the ones who have come to inhabit this mansion, it doesn’t matter at all.
A single goblin ambles through the corridor. Following its instincts as a monster, it aimlessly patrols its territory without doing much of anything.
Monsters originated from magical species are truly unique beings.
The sense of self and ethics they held as humans dissipate, leaving only their intelligence and skills to rely upon as they indulge in killing. Moreover, they no longer need to sleep or die from hunger, losing all “proper” desires of living beings, desiring only to wreak havoc. It’s almost like a cruel joke.
Indeed, they will eat if they can, but even that is out of inertia, an unnecessary action at its core. Their indiscriminate and unreasonable nature seems almost otherworldly. There’s no semblance of “logic” to be found in these creatures as living beings.
The claim made by some mages that monsters are the filth of this world, discarded by the Hidden Moon, begins to make a certain kind of sense.
Just like the mansion, forgotten by all, this goblin, who can’t even recall a fragment of its past, followed its usual habits and ventured into the kitchen. The place that once satisfied the hunger of the household and servants now reeks of mold and decay. Nearby, the remains of a predator that had recklessly intruded lie scattered in disarray.
After a careful survey confirming everything to be the same as usual, the goblin turned to head back to the corridor. It would then spend some time loitering in front of a door before moving on to patrol another room.
As it moved to follow the instincts that churned like muddy swirls, its legs refused to obey. Lowering its neck in confusion, it saw something silver gleaming in the light streaming through the broken window, right in front of its toes.
What could this be? Before it could ponder further, its body went limp, its knees falling to the ground, released from its broken instincts …
【Tips】 Even after becoming a monster, one does not deviate significantly from the specifications they had as a human. Conversely, their “wisdom” for killing enemies does not diminish either.
Stealth assassination will always be strong. The problem lies in its limited application. Entering a stealth state during combat is usually slower than simply striking quietly.
I nonchalantly rolled the goblin’s corpse I had just stabbed to the corner of the room and carefully listened with my ears to ensure I hadn’t been noticed…
…Good.
A solid start, I’d say. The attempt to use an invisible hand charm to silently assassinate a patrolling goblin as I entered through the back door went off without a hitch.
I really find this magic convenient. Thanks to the tactile feedback, it can be used for tactile investigation, and within my line of sight, it can “extend objects,” enabling remote assassinations like this. Soon, I might even develop it into something dexterous enough to wield multiple swords simultaneously, taking down two or three foes.
Still, as impressive as specialization is, putting all my eggs into this one magical basket is a bit scary. Simple magic tends to be easily resisted, and there’s even the possibility of physical force fields that can interfere, not to mention the risk of it being manually torn away.
Perhaps I should work on a stronger build that accounts for these factors…
For now, let’s continue our dungeon exploration. This is the quintessential adventurer’s quest, one that everyone undertakes at least once.
The large kitchen was completely in disarray, revealing nothing of value. After all, even adventurers would find little use in rusted knives, pots with holes in them, or cauldrons corroded into solid masses of rust.
I decided to leave the extraction of magical crystals for later and headed towards the entrance in the corridor, where a door had fallen off its hinges. A mirror would be very convenient for situations like these…
I peeked cautiously into the corridor that was visible as if it were daytime thanks to the Night Fairy’s blessing; it was empty.
This area is the east wing of the manor, positioned to the left and right of the central building, likely designated for the servants since it houses the kitchen. If all goes according to convention, the master bedroom or study should hold significant items or the boss…
My current goal is to exterminate the monsters so that travelers passing through this area won’t fall victim to them. Had it not been me, there likely would have been fatalities already.
I bent down, moving cautiously, killing any sound. Let’s not underestimate the skills of someone who has refined their stealth through childhood hide-and-seek – a skill honed enough for dungeon explorations. Though I may occasionally hear “How immature!” from my peers, I must insist that since this works, it suffices.
Moreover, my armor posed no hindrance to my stealth. Careful design by Master Smith, incorporating soft materials to prevent noise during movement, has made all the difference. He apparently dealt with adventurers and received many requests for quiet mobility, so the craftsmanship is commendable indeed. This kind of thoughtful design truly makes all the difference.
But… doesn’t that make me an assassin? Considering how my very existence qualifies as a chimera-class threat, I suppose that’s a moot point…
Continuing my investigation through the eastern wing, I piled up five corpses.
You know, dungeons being dungeons, if a racket was raised, it would quickly lead to consecutive battles. Though trained, my stamina would not suffice against dozens of simultaneous attackers, and lacking any AoE attacks that blow things away, I must advance cautiously. If my movements seem dull, know they’re for safety’s sake. Besides, there’s no audience demanding spectacular explosions.
Up close, I could cover their mouths with a “hand” to stab them from behind, and from afar strangle with the same, silencing all five goblins effectively.
Though goblins are considered the quintessential low-level MOBs in fantasy, the sheer number here makes me wonder – is it due to their high reproductive rate? Still, it’s unlikely that an entire family was entirely monsterized. So, where are all these monsters being supplied from?
While the question arises, the elements to arrive at an answer are lacking, so I proceed with the search, consolidating the corpses in one place. Even allies lost in nuclear war wouldn’t ignore the deaths of their comrades, and magic crystals must be collected, so let’s gather them in one spot for later.
Incidentally, there wasn’t much in the way of valuable loot. With no real armor and tattered rags worth nothing, only rusted daggers and broken swords, none could fetch much…
The abandoned rooms held little more than rotted furniture and discarded rags. Seemingly, the residents had evacuated thoroughly…
Ah, it would be delightful if they dropped cash like in consumer games, but that’s perhaps asking too much…
No meaningful diaries or dying messages were encountered, so I quietly ventured into the western wing, leaving the central building for later. Dungeon hacking follows a structure where one clears sections methodically before confronting the boss room.
Judging by the location, the central building likely holds the guest hall and banquet room, and if there are any major adversaries, they’d be in those areas I assume.
Speaking of which, there was that one time. Playing under a dungeon-hacking-loving GM, we built stealth skill characters, infiltrating and quietly assassinating every sleeping enemy – a session resembling an Edo-period raid rather than a raiding party…
Interrupting a boss’s speech mid-monologue is second-rate work. A true elite assassin kills before the boss has a chance to say a word. A combination of nighttime raiding, smoke bombs, and six simultaneous backstabs brought even the most formidable boss to its knees instantly.
Since then, our GM started using sleepless golem-type enemies, which brought back some fond memories.
The western wing seemed to be the living space for the main family. Even as it was decaying, the slightly more presentable rooms showed signs of opulence. Most rooms still had carpets that had once been thick and luxurious, now reduced to flimsy remnants. In this world, having rugs represents significant wealth, indicating considerable monetary resources spent here.
Though it seems to have evoked no particular interest in the current monster inhabitants…
This time, I encountered a monster I hadn’t seen before in the corridor. A canine-faced upright canid called a dog demon, classified into either the Kobold or gnoll species depending on facial features, but with the quality of the illustrations in the book being a bit “off,” it’s hard to tell which exactly.
Regardless, describing it as a towering monster nearly 190 centimeters tall should sufficiently convey its terrifying nature. With a human-sized frame combined with a canine’s physical prowess, it’s a formidable adversary for a frail human – a creature one would never want to engage in direct combat.
Upon observation, the dog’s head swiveled toward me. Its dark, wet nose twitched – oh no… caught by its acute sense of smell!?
I quickly channeled a magic spell, using the rope I had found during my search to suspend it mid-air. Relatively well-preserved, it proved sturdy enough to withstand tension from my “hand.”
The rope, acting like a sentient snake, struck at the dog demon, wrapping around its neck.
Though it sported the silhouette typical of an upright canid, the neck was thick and muscular. Considering that my <[Unwavering Iron Grip]> is several times stronger than a child’s, I figured using an implement was the better option since merely attempting to choke it might not have been sufficient.
The rope creaked as it applied the strength of a vise, tightening around the throat. The sharp claws struggled to tear it apart but found no purchase. Their attempts only grazed their own necks as they clawed fruitlessly.
After several seconds of strangulation, the dog demon’s eyes rolled back, and it collapsed in a limp heap.
“Phew..”
Finally relaxed, I pulled its enormous body – my goodness, it’s so heavy – to hide it in a corner. While doing this, I briefly touched its body and noticed the remarkable musculature, especially how its neck armor comprised tough, stiff fur. Fur, contrary to appearances, is a formidable defense, resistant to cuts, capable of deflecting blunt force impacts, and even protective against similar species’ teeth. Its density here would’ve undoubtedly prevented an effective chokehold with bare hands. Close shave… its call would’ve alerted others otherwise. Observing enemies thoroughly remains essential indeed. This time, prior experience of a dungeon wipe due to skipping creature checks despite having the required skill points proved invaluable.
Without encountering any two-handed cel (hidden chambers) due to the narrow room or perhaps due to the number of inhabitants, I successfully secured the western wing. It was rather uneventful, but safety first remains key without resurrection magic. I must continue working hard, earning Eliza’s tuition fees and later adventuring with Margit, leaving no room for death’s leisure.
Indeed regrettably, hardly any valuable items remained in this wing, yet something was amiss. The bookshelf-lined study and the adjoining master bedroom had dimensions that didn’t quite align with their appearance from the corridor – an approximate gap of about a one-room apartment.
Striking the bookshelf on the wall side of the bedroom emitted a sound indicating space behind it. Ah, a staple within staples – a hidden room!
With growing excitement, I pushed the bookshelf – it slid smoothly along a hidden track until revealing a hidden study at its full extension.
The windowless room was filled with a foul mixture of dust and chemical odors. The sight suggested a laboratory, perhaps?
Moldy books lined rotting wooden shelves, and on the desk lay a bundle of sheepskin parchment corroded with age. On an experimental table, there were a variety of implements – small crucibles, distillation apparatuses among them. The intricately designed glassware had wooden parts that were now useless but the metals remained in good shape, still viable for practical use.
What exactly was the master of this house studying with such a hidden laboratory setup?
For now, since it likely holds value, I’ll take it later. Though delicate, the items could be transported with care but will be cumbersome.
While appraising the equipment, I saw a cage hanging nearby, decorated with complex patterns and intricate grids, designed for capturing small insects or similar creatures. Within, something rolled.
A palm-sized maiden rested there – dressed in a嫩green tube-top dress, bearing faint insect wings, a quintessential depiction of a fairy. She was curled up, sleeping peacefully compared to the night fairy who had given me the quest. This was truly “like” her description!
She, the pitiful kinswoman you spoke of – yes, it’s her.
As I pondered this, my pouch stirred suddenly. Out popped the night fairy, expanded to a palm-sized form, apparently in discomfort. Unfastening and releasing her, she landed on my palm with a gentle smile.
“Thank you, my dear. You’ve been most thoughtful.”
“It’s nothing. By the way, this is the one you mentioned…”
“Yes, that’s correct. She is the wind fairy, captured here for research purposes, a pitiable kin of mine.”
Upon the palm-sized space, she then began recounting the history of this estate and the imprisoned fairy.
Apparently, this was an affluent family’s vacation home until a few decades ago. A young couple resided here happily and were soon blessed with a child that made the husband ecstatic.
However, tragedy struck when the wife passed in childbirth. The husband, deeply devoted to their surviving daughter, doted on her, providing her with everything until one day, she began “floating in the air” and conversing with “invisible entities.”
The daughter was revealed to be a half-fairy.
Overwhelmed by this revelation, the husband spiraled into madness. The loss of his wife during childbirth and the reality that his child was “not entirely his own” pushed him to his limits. He also began to question if the fairy lineage was responsible for his wife’s demise.
Enraged, he imprisoned his daughter in house arrest and began researching to recover the “real” child. He assembled a vast library, hired mages, and experimented with everything, even procuring expensive artifacts like the cage capable of imprisoning incorporeal beings.
Nevertheless, financial resources eventually depleted, his extended family grew exasperated, and the staff left when their wages were no longer paid. The husband too fell ill and quietly passed away.
The remaining daughter and captured fairies were left in the laboratory, forgotten. The family settled the estate’s affairs marking it as an “accursed mansion,” but failed to discover the laboratory, leaving the fairy trapped indefinitely. Truly, she bore great misfortune.
What a disquieting tale, stirring an ache in my stomach. So grateful that Eliza has nothing like this in store for her.
“Then, let’s free this one now.”
“Agreed. The lock seems to be… this one.”
The lock was small, resembling one suited for a child’s treasure chest but undoubtedly enough to restrain the physically weak fairy. After inserting a dagger into the mechanism and applying slight pressure, the neck restraint that had bound the fairy for so long was effortlessly shattered.
“Thank you, truly remarkable, my dear.”
Gracefully dancing, she opened the cage’s door and entered to gently wake the sleeping fairy.
“Hey, come on, wake up, wake up…”
“Noo.. I’m so sleepy…”
“Despite being in a sheltered spot with no wind, don’t be so listless! Come on, wake up!”
“Nnii… who…?”
As the two engaged in a back-and-forth akin to a comedy skit, I felt a shift from the previous serious tone. If one is confined for decades, wouldn’t you expect some greater emotional reaction…?
“Aaah… good morning!”
“Good morning? You’ve slept way too long, haven’t you?”
“Indeed.. Since I couldn’t escape, I simply slept…”
“I adore sleep so much!” the wind fairy said with a carefree smile, as though spring breeze incarnate. Despite rescuing her with great effort, receiving such a nonchalant response was rather disheartening.
“Aaaah, such a cute one!”
Ignoring the night fairy’s frantic admonishments, the wind fairy effortlessly jumped out of the cage – showing no reflection on being imprisoned for so long – and hopped onto my head. Due to my exploration, I had removed my helmet for better visibility. It was distressing to witness such antics with one’s hair as a makeshift bed, especially when they began wrestling with one another atop my scalp!
“Oww! Ow! That hurts! Stop it immediately!”
Contemplating the numerous strands of hair that likely fell out in the tussle made my spirits sink heavily …
【Tips】 Time is a very ambiguous concept for fairies and spirits. Only higher beings can accurately recall temporal durations. Hence, guests from the fairy realms may return to find centuries have passed them by.
The wind fairy