Chapter 7 - Respect
The next day, the number of female knights who rushed to the dungeon had significantly decreased, down to about 50.
From eavesdropping on their conversations, it seemed the brawl among the knights the previous day had become a major issue in the palace. Today, only a carefully selected group of elite members had been sent to investigate.
Still, sending 50 elite knights to a newborn dungeon was clearly excessive—or rather, pointless. There was no doubt that these “carefully selected” 50 were just as eager to soak in the hot spring for its beauty benefits as the others.
“The bath is clearly larger than yesterday, isn’t it?”
“Yes, without a doubt. The day before yesterday, the bath could barely fit 100 people, but yesterday it could accommodate 200 out of 250. This dungeon... is growing.”
“You brought 250 people to a bath that could only fit 100?”
“We originally planned to divide into three groups and take turns... But when we saw the bath had expanded, everyone rushed in at once...”
“So, people ended up being left out and it turned into a brawl... What a mess.”
“I deeply apologize.”
“Hmph... Well, now that the Sepans Female Knight Order, under Her Majesty’s direct command, is taking charge, there will be plenty of opportunities to soak without rushing.”
“Will it not be open to the public?”
“That’s Her Majesty’s order. If we open it widely, men will swarm in and cause trouble. Besides, it’s just a newborn dungeon. It’ll take at least a year to grow to the second layer.
As long as we keep the hot spring’s effects a secret, no one will complain about us monopolizing it for now.”
“Uh... um... Captain...”
A knight who had been exploring deeper in the dungeon came to report.
“What is it?”
“Underground... it’s there. The second layer...”
“...What?”
This was unheard of.
A dungeon growing to the second layer in less than a week? No one had ever heard of such a thing.
...Speaking of which, a dungeon that only has a hot spring was also unheard of.
“What should we do, Captain?”
“With 50 elites... that’s more than enough to investigate the second layer. We’ll explore it thoroughly.”
“ “ “ “Yes, ma’am!” ” ” ”
Their voices were filled with determination.
Not just as knights...
...but with the anticipation of finding an even better hot spring.
Usually, dungeons become more complex, and the monsters stronger as you go deeper.
And... the rewards to be gained will also increase.
Stimulating people’s desires, drawing more and stronger individuals deeper... and in the end, killing them to use as nourishment.
That is what a dungeon is.
These knights were already falling under the spell of the dungeon’s demonic allure.
All of them had passed the test of surviving alone in the eighth layer of the No-Hunger Dungeon. A mere second layer was nothing to them.
They easily defeated the monsters on the second layer, found the hot spring, and without even checking for safety, stripped off their clothes and dove in.
“What kind of hot spring did you put on the second floor, Master?”
“An upgraded version of the beauty spring from the first floor... Apparently, the second floor’s spring is even better for the skin and even improves hair quality.”
Using the second layer’s miasma to create the same spring had added various effects, so this should be fine...
This wasn’t cutting corners—no, not at all!
Imagine their hair, rough and damaged from years of being trapped under helmets, transformed into silky smooth locks. It would be a great advertisement for the spring’s beauty effects and make the bathing scenes even more appealing.
“Peta-chan, Peta-chan, when should we build the third layer?”
“Maybe after earning around 50,000 points?”
“Then we might be able to build it by next week.”
“Maybe... You’re amazing, Master.”
Peta had completely acknowledged the Master by now.
This person is incredible.
This Master will undoubtedly surpass the eight layers I built over 100 years.
And in no time at all...
The difference is too stark.
The gap is so clear that I don’t even feel jealous.
All I feel is awe and respect.
...And the long-awaited anticipation of growing beyond eight layers.
Ten layers... no, maybe even beyond 20 layers. This person might take me to the heights of a super-massive dungeon.
And so, the Hot Spring Dungeon reached the eighth layer just two months later.
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