VIP Chapter 208: “See, fate isn’t always bad.”
Shuna should have been here.
While he was more interested in the story behind the “Green Ghost Stone,” Shuna had the same clue as him, and…
She was also someone who wouldn’t miss an opportunity to “explore the secrets of the Dungeon.”
Which meant she would undoubtedly come to Tsimat Town, the city of the next clue, where the Tenth Demon City was located.
Even though they seemed to have parted ways on different paths, after making their choices, they would eventually—reach the same destination.
This wasn’t a “coincidence” behind the scenes; it had actually been arranged.
It’s just that…
This meant…
Will hadn’t “kicked” Shuna out of the party.
An event like this, where “coincidence” somehow steered things back to the original path…
It was like an arrangement made by “fate.”
“What are you staring at me for? What? You don’t recognize me after two days?”
Shuna waved her hand in front of his face, pulling Will out of his complex thoughts.
“You know, weren’t you supposed to be on your way to the Capital? Your Little Princess might be getting impatient there. Being a day late could have dire consequences. How did you end up here?”
Shuna wore a strange expression and glanced at the commission in her hand.
“Oh, you’re interested in the Tenth Demon City.”
“Because… I can’t show up empty-handed.”
Will spread his hands. Apart from the staff he held in one hand, he indeed had nothing else.
“A man can’t apologize without a gift, right?”
“Entak… Demon… Hmm, you mentioned it and asked me about related books. The sword style they practice is indeed mysterious, and it is indeed related to demons.”
“This demon is a ‘demon defined by the Dungeon’…”
There was a very obscure race in the Dungeon that didn’t exist in “reality,” only encountered within the Dungeon.
Demons.
Their lower forms generally had horns, small wings, and were mischievous. Higher forms resembled humans closely, were very beautiful, and could imitate various human techniques, doing them faster and better.
The BOSS form of “Emperor” level approached “concept,” lacking a specific appearance and manifesting as black mist. It created abstract Dungeons with illusionary and mental attacks, preferring to split a party through sweet talk within the Dungeon rather than direct confrontation.
Although the people in this world seemed to find them “rare,” to Will, these types of monsters were like—a collection of stereotypes of the word “demon” from various works of art.
“So, you’re here to try your luck, to see if you can get resources to craft swords from here?”
“Mhm.”
Will nodded.
“But how did you get here right after me? Even by carriage, I hired people to ride day and night to get here first.”
Shuna scratched her head sheepishly.
“Well… you know? About ten kilometers further, there’s a city that’s a mining area, meaning… there are trains.”
“…”
“After we parted ways, I hitched a ride on a train and came over first. To clarify, it wasn’t right after you; I’ve been here for two days.”
As expected of her!
Shuna really was…
Always giving Will unexpected surprises, always ready to startle him.
However, this was also similar to Xiu.
As a protagonist whose “specialness needed to be shaped with effort,” he often did things that, while slightly unconventional, were surprisingly efficient.
So…
Did she indeed have an inseparable connection with the missing Xiu?
Perhaps she herself was the cause of all this…
“Hmm… as expected…”
While Will was lost in thought, Shuna suddenly leaned closer, his reflection appearing in her eyes.
“W-what… as expected?”
“You really don’t look happy. Your eyebrows are already furrowed like an eight. You look dejected, which is a look I rarely see on your face.”
Shuna was unusually sensitive to his facial expressions.
“I’m so sad, is meeting me by chance such an unhappy event? Wow, we used to be so close.”
Shuna’s…
Was she angry?
“No, look, I’m very happy to see you.”
He instinctively put on a fake smile.
But Shuna interrupted him—
She gently placed a finger on her lips.
“No, I know. You really dislike these ‘coincidences that feel arranged.’ Perhaps, in your words, ‘fate’? Right?”
Shuna was still the same Shuna who understood him and cared about him from a very “unexpected” angle.
A Shuna filled with mystery, yet who believed every word he said.
“But, precisely because of this, at least you won’t be alone in this strange town, facing the Tenth Demon City all by yourself.”
“Yeah. This godforsaken place doesn’t even have another Adventurer.”
“And there will always be someone to remind you…”
Shuna reached out and pulled the hood back up, which Will had carelessly let down while relaxed and alone, placing it over his head.
“Be careful, don’t expose yourself.”
After doing so, Shuna snapped her fingers lightly towards his side with a knowing look.
Only then did Will realize…
Although there were no other Adventurers here, a Wanted Poster for him had already been posted on the notice board!
The Royal Family’s claws had already reached here!
“Since there’s no one else… it should be fine, right?”
“Also…”
Shuna tore up the posted commission in front of him.
The tiny fragments, along with the dust falling in the sunlight, landed on the ground, blending into the thin layer of dust. It was possible that no one would clean up the commission Shuna tore up today for many years.
“I don’t want two salaries; I’m still a member of the ‘Shining Star’.”
“So you see, fate isn’t always bad, right?”
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Tsimat Town, Night.
As night fell, Tsimat Town became even more deserted.
There was no commercial street, no snack stalls. Most of the residents here were self-sufficient small farmers. The Adventurer’s Guild hadn’t set up any shops here either.
Shuna hadn’t shared much information about the “Tenth Demon City” with him. According to her, she had explored this Dungeon thoroughly during her two days here, and it was interesting, something he should “discover” for himself.
Therefore…
They only discussed Treya’s Entak Sword Style and how the Entak Royal Family clan managed to obtain this power.
As night fell, it was time for them to eat.
“Shuna, what have you been eating these past two days? Did you go hunting and cook for yourself, or did you freeload at the residents’ homes?”
“Of course, I hunted for myself!”
“Huh?”
“Just kidding. I freeloaded at the residents’ homes—if I had to choose, it’s similar to that?”
“What do you mean, ‘similar’?”
Shuna walked a few steps towards the end of the road.
Then…
She stopped.
And pointed to the sign behind her…
The sign of the Tenth Demon City.
The doors of every Dungeon were built by the monsters within the Dungeon themselves when they came out at night, filled with their own characteristics.
This Dungeon’s sign…
Why was it so bright at night? The words “Tenth Demon City” printed on it shone brightly in the darkness and among the lush dark green branches—
It was practically like neon lights in a nighttime entertainment district.
“At night, I usually choose to eat here.”
“Huh?”
“This is… the wonderful place of this Dungeon. It’s probably also where its secrets are hidden.”
“It… is more like… a Dungeon for people to entertain and play in…?”
“…An amusement park?”
“Wow, that’s a good word, let’s use that!”
