Today, too, desperate screams echoed from the depths of the dungeon.
“…Save me! I really don’t know…! Kuaaaack!”
A man who had once been a noble of the Seil Kingdom.
But now, with a wretched appearance, he could only continue to beg for his life.
When Irena took control of the Seil Kingdom, she had captured most of the nobles.
And she had sent the captured nobles to this dungeon, managed by Celia.
They were no different from death row inmates, so no one paid any attention to what happened inside the dungeon.
“What do we do? Left.”
“Right, the Administrator said so. She said to keep torturing him.”
This was Zone 1 of the 2nd Floor of the dungeon.
It was a space where the ogre brothers ‘Left’ and ‘Right,’ with two heads, resided.
They were called brothers, but they had only one body.
Instead, two heads were attached to a single torso, and each could think independently.
The head on the left was named ‘Left,’ and the head on the right was called ‘Right.’
The biggest difference between the two was that Left had only one eyeball.
And Left growled and spoke.
“Human. Answer. Where is the organization?”
The order Celia had given was simple.
To find out about the underworld of the Seil Kingdom.
In other words, to gather information on the organization that controlled the back alleys.
They had already confirmed the organization’s existence from Count Beerton. However, because it was made up of a cell-like structure, it was difficult to grasp its exact nature.
They had seized the Seil Kingdom, but could they truly say they had conquered it if they could not control the underworld?
So they tortured the other nobles as well, forcing them to vomit up any information they knew.
The moment its true form was revealed, Celia planned to deploy Necros.
“I…I really don’t know… Please, save me….”
Unfortunately, the man knew nothing.
He simply shook his head, trembling violently in terror.
But such excuses did not work on the ogre brothers.
“Left, this is bad. Human. He doesn’t know again.”
“Do not worry, Right. This time, fingernails. We pull them.”
“Oh, good idea! As expected of Left! Smart!”
Thanks to the ogre’s monstrous strength, a fingernail was ripped from the noble’s finger.
Naturally, a scream echoed throughout the dungeon.
Every time a fingernail was pulled, his body convulsed and shook.
“I…I really don’t know…!”
But it was no use.
The ogre brothers immediately pulled out the next fingernail.
The other nobles who witnessed the scene trembled at the ogres’ cruel actions.
When they were told they would be sent to the mountain ranges, they had briefly held some hope, but reality was cruel.
Wouldn’t it be better to just die instead?
Clap—
At that moment, Celia clapped her hands once, changing the atmosphere.
“We are taking too much time. All of this is for the Master. We must finish quickly.”
Startled by Celia’s voice, the ogre brothers replied.
“What do we do, Left. She is angry. The Administrator.”
“Right, I agree. We need something stronger.”
The tortured man fell into despair.
It had already been like hell, and now it wasn’t even over.
“I…it’s true… I don’t know anything… *sob*.”
This time, the ogre’s hand held a slime.
Just as they were about to bring the slime to the human’s face.
A Skeleton Knight approached Celia.
“Clack! Clack clack.”
“Are you saying the Dhampir has come?”
The story the Skeleton Knight conveyed was that a Dhampir had visited the dungeon.
She had clearly ordered the Dhampir to act as an adventurer.
Yet the Dhampir had returned to the dungeon.
What could have happened?
At this point in time, variables were absolutely not permitted.
“Then continue. Do not kill him.”
Celia gave the order to the ogre brothers and turned away.
“Understood. We will not kill him.”
Killing the nobles at this stage was not part of the plan.
The priority was to continue the torture and collect all information. Therefore, it would be troublesome if they simply died.
And so, the wails of the nobles began to continue once more.
* * *
Contrary to Celia’s worries, nothing particularly serious had occurred.
“So, a human with a taste for zombies made such a request? And you, Mr. Dhampir, took on that request.”
“That is correct. And my name is now Dambi.”
“Ah, I see. That is a good name.”
The Dhampir had registered as an adventurer and taken the name Dambi.
“But zombies, you say….”
Celia chewed over Dambi’s words, tilting her head slightly.
She had not expected him to return with a request to bring a living zombie.
The request details said it was for research on zombies, but what Dambi had heard was different.
Apparently, the adventurer guild’s receptionist had quietly told him the truth.
“Hmm.”
After a brief moment of thought, Celia soon nodded.
“Well, human tastes are indeed diverse. It is not that I cannot understand. To some, even a zombie can become such an object.”
Celia was a succubus.
Before she had been sealed by the church, she had spent a long time in a succubus dungeon.
And there, she had received various theoretical educations.
Although she had never practiced them, Celia knew how diverse human tastes could be.
Celia briefly reminisced about the past.
But that was already a thing of the distant past.
Her memories had grown hazy.
What had become of the succubus dungeon back then, or whether the Succubus Queen still lived—none of it was of concern to Celia.
She intended to serve only the Master who had rescued her from the abyss.
And Dambi’s activities as an adventurer were also an extension of service to the Master.
A time would come when Dambi, having established himself as an adventurer, would be needed.
For that day, she would simply sow the seeds and wait.
“Then you must take a zombie? Follow me.”
The request Dambi had received was to capture a zombie in intact condition.
Each and every request would determine Dambi’s record. Such records would accumulate and affect his adventurer rank.
Therefore, Celia intended to provide a zombie for Dambi.
Celia led Dambi to Zone 1 of the 1st Floor.
Zone 1 of the 1st Floor.
With a Death Knight as the mid-boss, it was a dwelling place for undead monsters, and zombies were present here as well.
Currently, Zone 1 was quiet.
Undead had no need to eat or sleep. They merely had to hold their positions, so Zone 1 was as silent as if time had stopped.
“It so happens that additional zombies and ghouls have arrived.”
After the situation in the Seil Kingdom was resolved.
The Master had once again bestowed monsters.
Though fewer in number than before, there were at least enough for Dambi to take a zombie.
“Then, excuse me.”
Dambi took out an iron chain he had prepared in advance and approached the zombie.
“Kuuur?”
The zombie made a sound at the approaching Dambi.
Dambi immediately put the chain on it and began to drag the zombie away.
“Kuuuur….”
The zombie made a strange noise, but upon seeing Celia’s gaze, it soon followed obediently.
Thus, Dambi’s objective was achieved.
Since his mission was to operate as an adventurer in the first place, there was no need to stay here any longer.
“Then I shall take my leave, Lady Celia.”
“Yes, I’ll be waiting for good news. Take care, Mr. Dambi.”
The two exchanged brief farewells.
Dambi immediately turned toward the dungeon exit, dragging the zombie.
“…….”
Once Dambi’s figure disappeared, Celia moved back toward the depths of the dungeon.
And she quietly spoke.
“Mr. Necros.”
Necros, who had been concealed in the darkness, revealed himself at Celia’s words.
He had been on standby because complete information on the underworld organization had not yet been obtained.
“I will assign Skeleton Knights to you. Find out about the request Mr. Dambi is undertaking.”
Celia’s expression changed.
* * *
A cold darkness devoured the room.
The air itself sank heavily here, and magic had been cast to prevent ordinary people from daring to approach.
Inside the room, a large round table was placed, and around it sat six figures.
They were the representatives of the ‘Jet-Black Hand’ that moved the underworld of the Seil Kingdom.
The Jet-Black Hand was an organization tightly bound by the iron rule that traitors would face only death.
To be precise, it was closer to a union formed by six separate organizations, each led by one of them.
Therefore, rather than trusting one another, they were filled with mutual distrust.
Naturally, they responded harshly to betrayal in order to prevent anyone from stabbing another in the back.
Changing the meeting place every time, and the rule that no one other than oneself could attend, were also unique methods born from their mutual distrust.
Still, thanks to their union, they were able to firmly grip the underworld of the Seil Kingdom.
However, today, the atmosphere was different.
“Hehe, why is everyone so gloomy? It’s been a while since we gathered for a meeting, so let’s smile, hehehe.”
The one who broke the silence first was Malcolm.
His large, red hooked nose disrupted the balance of his face, making him even uglier.
Even so, Malcolm giggled as he looked around at the others.
“How can you laugh, Malcolm, given the situation?”
Layla, sitting beside him, sighed and glared at Malcolm.
Though they held the underworld of the Seil Kingdom in their grasp, the current atmosphere in the kingdom was not good.
Because once the 7-star calamity had been settled, most of the nobles had been arrested.
Among the nobles, there had been no small number who generously sponsored the Jet-Black Hand.
The loss of the nobles’ patronage was a problem, but more than anything, Layla’s business had been forced to halt.
Layla was a notorious villainess infamous for kidnapping women and trafficking them.
She had expanded her power through that business, but the timing was bad now.
Because security had been deployed throughout the kingdom, making human trafficking even more difficult.
The longer the current situation lasted, the more her losses would continue to grow, so she couldn’t help but be sensitive.
“Just leave him. Looking at that bastard Malcolm’s expression, he must have collected some fine zombies somewhere. Zombie-fucking bastard.”
This time, another person spoke.
It was Annabel.
“What? Is that true? In this kind of atmosphere, you’re still going to fuck zombies? Well… I suppose that makes sense.”
At Annabel’s words, Layla looked at Malcolm with a pathetic expression.
However, she understood.
If a woman were to date Malcolm with that vicious face of his, that would be the bigger problem.
If such a thing were to happen, it would be one of two possibilities.
Either the woman dating him would try to assassinate Malcolm.
Or the woman would have a bizarre taste for men like orcs.
“Sigh, that bastard Malcolm must be nice having no worries. I’m completely ruined this time.”
Annabel, who had called Malcolm a zombie-fucker, sighed.
Annabel’s main business was drug cultivation and distribution.
Thanks to that, she was also the one handling the most money among them.
In fact, her entire body was adorned with jewels, so it was obvious how wealthy she was.
Even her outfit was extravagant.
Though she had spent money decorating her whole body like that, her expression was not good.
The reason was that a problem had arisen with the territories she had invested in.
The nobles she had been connected to were arrested one after another, and even their territories had been confiscated by the royal family.
“Fuck! How much did I invest in that land!”
Drug cultivation was not a business completed in an instant.
Vast land was essential for growing drugs.
It started with joining hands with nobles who would lend such land.
And personnel to take charge of cultivation and security guards to protect the farms were also needed.
It was not a business that could be sustained merely with some land and a few people.
Therefore, Annabel had invested in the nobles’ territories to secure places to grow drugs.
But the territories she invested in had collapsed in an instant.
Although not all the drug farms had been discovered yet, it was only a matter of time.
Even if she wanted to retrieve the drugs beforehand, the kingdom’s security had been tightened, making it impossible.
“Oh, my fate! Fuck, why did a calamity have to break out here of all places!”
Annabel began to pour out her woes, leaning over the round table.
Then Ferris, who had been watching her, spoke to Annabel.
“I could solve that for you. If you just pay me, I’ll kill the troops in the territory. You just need to smuggle out the drugs in the meantime, don’t you?”
Ferris, fitting his sleek image, mainly dealt with assassination requests and information.
Therefore, he offered to help her, suggesting she move the drugs.
Annabel was tempted by Ferris’s proposal, but soon shook her head.
"Forget it. I can already see exactly how much you'll skim off under that pretext anyway. I'd sooner abandon the drugs myself than line your pockets!"
Annabelle spoke without hesitation before lamenting her situation once more.
The mood in the meeting was gradually growing rowdier.
Then, a moment later, the figure who had been silent raised a hand.
"Everyone, quiet. It's too noisy."
Unlike the others, this figure wore a black mask.
At that, those who had been chattering trembled and lowered their heads.
"F-forgive us, Master."
The black mask known as Master.
No one had ever seen the face beyond the mask.
At first, the others had complained about him being the only one to wear a mask, but the black mask's power was immense.
Even if all five people gathered here rushed him at once, they wouldn't be able to touch a single hair on his body.
It was said that the Hand of Pitch Blackness had gathered each of their organizations and formed an alliance, but in truth, the actual leader was virtually the black mask himself.
And so, they had taken to calling him Master from some point on.
The Master stroked his black mask.
And after a brief moment of thought, he called the remaining five names one by one.
"First, Annabelle."
"Yes, Master."
"Drug distribution is forbidden for the time being. Too many eyes are watching. And as for the drug farms—regrettable, but give them up for now. I shall compensate you for any losses."
"Th-thank you, Master!"
Annabelle's expression, which had been on the verge of tears just moments ago, brightened.
"Next, Laila."
"Yes, Master."
"The kingdom is still mired in chaos. It will likely take time to resolve. I shall specially lift the restriction this time. I permit you to bring not only adult women, but girls as well."
"I shall obey your command!"
Until now, they had kidnapped only adult women by the Master's orders. But now, that restriction had been lifted.
Laila smiled and bowed her head to the Master.
"Next, Peris."
"Just give the order, Master."
Peris, who handled assassination contracts and information, bowed his head.
"I require information on Irena, who has recently become queen. Report to me without omission on who she meets and contacts."
"Understood!"
This time, the Master's command was issued.
Having received the order, Peris promptly left his seat.
Since the Master had already intervened and taken control of the meeting, it was clear that nothing more would come up for discussion.
"Next, Darkmoore."
"……."
The one called Darkmoore was a black mage clad in black robes.
But all he did was shake his head slightly in silence.
"Very well, continue as you have been. You've procured plenty of corpses this time as well, so it shouldn't be difficult."
"Yes…."
And one person whose name had yet to be called remained.
"Malcolm."
"Yes, Master! Hehe."
This time, the Master's voice dropped.
"Did you procure the zombies through the Adventurers' Guild?"
"That's right! Ah, I put forward a proxy, so you needn't worry."
The Master caressed the black mask once more.
"From what I've heard, the zombies are in optimal condition."
"Ah…."
The Master already knew everything regarding Malcolm's affairs.
A chill ran down Malcolm's spine, yet he bowed his head.
"Yes, I was very fortunate this time. It's a novice adventurer, but they say he brought the zombie without a single scratch."
"Mm. What is that adventurer's name?"
But Malcolm could not answer the Master's question.
"Da... was it Dambae? What was it?"
Because Malcolm cared only for zombies, human names were of no importance to him.
After a brief silence, the Master gave Malcolm an order.
"Find out who that adventurer is. Their origins, what they did before becoming an adventurer—everything."
Malcolm bowed his head, swearing to do so.
Having finished speaking, the Master rose from his seat.
And so, the regular meeting of 'The Hand of Pitch Blackness' came to an end.