《Domain Lords Battle Royale》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    "As I said, Professor, our Phase 1 of "Wake up the Goddess using the Saintess" grand plan have gone awry already," I yelled as I entered a cafe. "It''s not like it''s a bad idea to make a back-up plan, right?"


    The bell chimed as I stepped into Caf¨¦ Gentiane, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries greeted me like an old friend. The place had a modern yet rustic feel¡ªpolished wooden tables, soft lighting that cast a gentle glow, and large windows that let in just enough of the late afternoon sun. A slow jazz tune played in the background, blending into the quiet murmur of conversation.


    A waitress in a neatly pressed uniform approached with a polite smile.


    "Welcome to Caf¨¦ Gentiane, Sir! Do you have a reservation?"


    I adjusted my phone down, covering the mic, and gave her a warm smile. "Yes. Under Nashchor Meir."


    She tapped on a small digital pad, scanning the list before nodding. "Ah, yes. Right this way, Mr. Meir. We''ve prepared your table at the back, as requested."


    Following the waitress, I weaved between occupied tables, catching glimpses of patrons immersed in their own worlds¡ªsome working on laptops, others engaged in hushed conversations. The farther back we went, the quieter the atmosphere became. Finally, in a more secluded corner near the rear wall, I spotted a young woman sitting alone.


    She looked to be in her early twenties, dressed in a sharp yet professional outfit, her jet-black hair neatly pulled back into a low ponytail. She didn¡¯t fidget, didn¡¯t check her phone¡ªjust stood up immediately there with an air of composed patience, her eyes briefly flicking up to assess me as I approached.


    "Good morning...ummm... Mr. Meir?"


    "Yes, are you Yamamoto Aiya? The one applying for Human Resource Management position?"


    She immediately reached out to accept my offered handshake. "Yes, I am. Please to meet you, Sir Meir."


    The waitress gestured toward the seat opposite her. "Your guest has arrived earlier, sir. Would you like to order first, or shall I give you a moment?"


    I tapped the waitress'' shoulder and gave her a small tip. "Thank you."


    Sliding into the chair, I took a quick glance at the menu but didn¡¯t bother reading it. "Bring me today¡¯s best selection. And a coffee, black."


    The waitress nodded, now noticibly brighter than earlier, before turning to the young woman. "And for you, Miss?"


    Before I can even hear her answer, the voice on the phone spoke again. "Are you even listening, Meir?"


    "Yes, I''m listening, Professor," I answered with calm voice.


    "Listen to me, okay?" Professor continued, her voice obviously trying to be patient with me. "We don''t have any time for any side plans or back up plans or whatever plans you call that¡ª"


    "Oh, actually we do," I interrupted her, "In fact, I have been stucked in Nagoya for a week already!"


    I rolled my eyes. Then I caught Yamamoto-san staring at me. I gently smiled at her and stretched out my hand to gesture her to wait.


    "Oh my, then are you perhaps bored, huh, my dear disciple?" She answered sarcastically. "Didn''t I gave you your temporary mission? What happened to the dream pearl? Did you find it already?"


    "Sighs, Professor. Didn''t I already sent a report? It''s hard to schedule with Seikishi-dan Guild. I already told you, I was lucky enough to get a slot for a meeting two days from now." I massaged my temple.


    "You should have prostrated in the lobby back then."


    "Professor, didn''t I already told you. I even cried crocodile tears in front of them but doesn''t work here. I was nearly reported to the JNHA, you know?"


    I heard the professor sighed excessively followed by rhythmic tapping of fingers by a table.


    "In any case, Meir, if you want to form a team, just make a small group of raid party. You don''t need to build a normal domain like a you''re a domain lord." She sounded exhausted.


    "But I''m a domain lord, Professor," I replied firmly on which Yamamoto-san''s attention was even caught. "What''s wrong with a domain lord building and managing a domain?"


    I noticed that Yamamoto-san has been trying her best not to eavesdrop at my call. She can''t hear professor anyways, though hearing my replies seems rude behavior for eavesdropping.


    "Sighs... Meir. In case you are forgetting, we sent you twenty years to the past to help save the future. Not to dilly-dally doing domain lord play as if you''re playing house," she replied, a hint of stressed tone. "Nothing''s gone right of phase 1. This is a tough phase to correct. Please cooperate a bit, Meir."


    I gestured Yamamoto-san to buy me a castella by tapping its picture by the menu. Seemingly understanding it, she stood up and went to the counter.


    "I am, Professor. I''m doing the most logical decision that I can think of. Aren''t you the one that taught me how important back-up plans are? What''s wrong with applying what you taught to me? And it''s not like I''m ditching my mission, right? For your information, I have successfully linked my domain to the mana crystal depot hidden underneath Mount Fuji. Won''t you congratulate me? I have successfully secured source of our funds. Just treat me like a walking bank."


    There was a pause and then a heap of sigh before I heard the professor answered again.


    "Do what you want then. I can''t really win at your logical arguments, Meir... Sighs... You''ve always been like that."


    This professor, really? Guilt tripping me won''t solve any of our problems anyways.


    "Wait a minute... Why are you grilling me so hard anyways? I thought Deir landed in Jilin Province at China and was on hot track of the saintess, going to Korea?"


    "Sighs... The Korean Hunters Association is much stricter than we thought. They have successfully organized all the domain lords inside Korea and established a unified association... It''s tough to go inside as an outsider on this era before the great storm."


    "At this rate, we will need to wait for the quarterly domain transfer system. Maybe one of us can successfully transfer our domain inside Korea. The next one I think is on March, which is two months from now..."


    "Guess, we will need to wait a bit. Just update me when you had progress about the dream pearl." She said as the phone call ended with beeping sound.


    I closed my eyes and tried to relax a bit. When I opened my eyes, the ceiling stared back at me. It has a strange design of messy brush strokes. I thought it was like mocking me and our plans which gone awry and messy just like those brush strokes.


    "Ehem... Sir Meir, this is our order." Yamamoto-san grabbed my attention away from the chaotic ceiling. She handed me over my castella, a black coffee, and a.... duck shaped pastry.


    "It''s just like what I saw on advertisements." I murmured as I took a picture of it with my phone. "Though it''s a bit smaller right?"


    Yamamoto-san glanced at me. Her hand is stirring her spoon on the tea since she came back. "A-Ah, yes. I also saw their advertisement yestersay... I thought it will be as big as a basketball."


    "Right? I thought so too, hahaha." I stabbed the duck pastry with my spoon and had a bite already to taste it. It tasted like a red velvet cake.


    "So you''re Yamamoto Yuriko, huh?" I swiped down my finger and an interactive UI system appeared out of thin air. It is the Oriya''s Goddess Blessing System given to all humans of this world after the first fall arrive.


    From the UI, it showed Yamamoto Yuriko''s application to my domain as an HR Manager which I posted three days ago.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    "To be honest, I had strict qualifictions. But you are the first candidate to pass all those pre-qualifications." I gently smiled at her as I review her profile window.


    [ Human Profile Window


    Name: Yamamoto Yuriko


    Age: 23


    Alignment: Lawful Good


    Job: Non-Awakened


    Level: N/A


    Basic Skills:


    Administration Governance Lvl. 2


    Talent Appraisal Lvl. 2


    Negotiation Mastery Lvl. 1


    Resource Optimization Lvl. 1 ]


    "This is my resume also." She slid a document across the table. Examining it, the document extends information as to her former domain work and educational background. Though I don''t mostly care about this because I am someone not from this era.


    I don''t know which university background or past domain work is famous for getting experience and worth taking consideration when checking an application.


    [ Work Experiences:


    Domain Name: 13 Royal Knight Blood Guild


    Position: Junior Hunter Assistant


    Date: April 2022 ¨C November 2024


    Managed mission schedules, resource allocation, and supply chain logistics for guild members.


    Assisted in guild recruitment, onboarding, and administrative tasks for new hunters.


    Provided support in emergency operations, handling documentation and logistics.


    Working Student Experiences:


    Company: Nagoya Logistics & Transport Co.


    Position: Intern ¨C HR & Operations Assistant (OJT Experience)


    Date: January 2021 ¨C December 2021


    Assisted with employee scheduling, payroll processing, and recruitment paperwork.


    Handled shift coordination for warehouse workers and transport staff.


    Helped streamline logistics for deliveries and goods transport.


    Company: FamilyMart ¨C Nagoya Branch


    Position: Cashier & Store Assistant


    Date: April 2020 ¨C December 2020


    Operated the cash register, managed customer transactions, and restocked inventory.


    Provided customer service and assisted in maintaining store cleanliness.


    Handled basic bookkeeping and reconciled daily sales reports.


    Company: Hanamura Ramen Franchise


    Position: Dishwasher ¡ú Kitchen Assistant ¡ú Cashier (Promotion Over Time)


    Date: March 2019 ¨C March 2020


    Started as a dishwasher before being promoted to kitchen assistant and later to cashier.


    Assisted in food preparation, stock management, and kitchen maintenance.


    Learned customer service, order management, and cash handling at the counter.


    Company: Local Cleaning & Maintenance Service (Freelance Part-Time)


    Position: Housekeeping & Office Cleaner


    Date: June 2018 ¨C February 2019


    Performed cleaning services for offices, dormitories, and small businesses.


    Managed bookings, schedules, and customer service for regular clients.


    Gained experience in maintaining hygiene and sanitation standards. ]


    I raised my brow reading over her experiences.


    Flipping through the pages, I scanned each entry carefully. Dishwasher, convenience store cashier, ramen shop assistant¡ªthen a slow climb to HR and operations. A far cry from the usual pedigreed managers or career professionals. Yet, it wasn¡¯t the job titles that caught my attention. It was the pattern.


    She had worked constantly. Nonstop.


    Most people with ambitions in administration would¡¯ve taken a more straightforward route¡ªa university degree, internships at high-end firms, maybe even a cushy job handed down by connections. But she ground her way up from nothing. A series of jobs that smelled of sleepless nights, barely making ends meet, scraping by while pushing forward.


    I tapped my finger against the paper, glancing up at Yamamoto Yuriko. She sat straight, hands clasped together in practiced composure, but there was no mistaking the slight stiffness in her posture. Waiting. Gauging my reaction.


    I exhaled softly and leaned back. This will be a problem... do I really need to take a fledgeling like her just to start my domain works immediately?


    "Quite the history you¡¯ve got here," I remarked, keeping my tone neutral. "Hardworking. Resourceful. Not exactly what I expected, though."


    A flicker of something passed through her eyes¡ªannoyance? No, restraint. Like she¡¯d heard that before.


    "I take it you were expecting someone from a corporate background?" she replied smoothly with a tone of disappointment.


    "Not really. I was expecting but not that much," I admitted shifting the papers. "But yours not necessarily a bad thing. Someone who¡¯s used to grinding from the bottom up tends to understand how people actually work. They¡¯re less about theories and more about reality." I tapped the resume again. "And I think... that is what I need to make my domain work."


    Her fingers curled slightly in the edge of the table, the only sign of tension breaking through.


    "What¡­ do you mean, Sir?"


    I smiled slightly. "Do you live in Aichi Prefecture? My domain is located in southern part of Nagano Prefecture though."


    Her posture relaxed just a fraction¡ªjust enough for me to notice. "No, Sir... I live, err my family lives as unaffiliated in a domain by Kanazawa..."


    I tilted my head, "Kanazawa, huh. That''s too far. That''s a problem... I don''t have any housing unit yet in my domain."


    "Huh?"


    "Well," I scratched my cheek ", just what I said on the job recruitment, I''m just a new domain lord. Just think of my domain as a wide plain with a single house. My house, of course." I chuckled.


    Yamamoto blinked, clearly caught off guard. Her fingers twitched slightly against the table¡¯s edge before she leaned back, brows knitting together.


    "Wait, Sir Meir¡­ are you saying your domain doesn¡¯t even have any worker''s housing yet?" Her voice carried a mix of disbelief and concern, as if she had just realized she might be signing up for something far more unstable than she had anticipated.


    Her gaze flickered to the resume I had placed on the table, then back to me, as if reconsidering whether she had misread the job description entirely. "Then¡­ where exactly do your people stay? Where is your administrative office? Or¡ªwait¡ªdo you even have one?"


    The questions came faster, her usual professional demeanor faltering under sheer confusion.


    "You," I pointed at her, "and me." I smiled gently before continuing. "We are the founders of this guild."


    I saw a trinklet of sweat ran across Yamamoto-san''s temple. Oh goddess Oriya, I hope she is not backing out now.


    "Well, about the shelters, that is what we will discuss next. For now, I need workers and engineers. Mining Engineers and miners to work in a mana crystal cave. Then I also need civil engineers and workers to build houses. Lastly I need mechanical and electrical engineers to build special buildings. The faster you can get, the faster our domain can start working. Ahh, also cooks and administrative support you might need. Well, you can just hire families as one set so like they can be motivated to work, right? For now, how about we hire the first fifty members and see how it goes?"


    Yamamoto let out a slow breath, rubbing her temple as if trying to process everything at once. "So, let me get this straight Sir Meir," she started, her tone measured but laced with lingering disbelief. "You''re telling me that¡ªright now¡ªyour domain is just open land with a single house. No infrastructure, no administration, and no workers¡­ and you want me to recruit fifty people to basically build everything from scratch?"


    "Yes, is that a problem?" I asked.


    She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "Sir Meir, do you realize how insane that sounds?" But even as she said it, I could see the gears turning in her head. She wasn¡¯t rejecting the idea outright. "And how about our combat force? How about hunters? No one''s going to apply on an unstable domain like this..."


    "Don''t worry about the hunters. I''ll handle that. I just need a workforce immediately. Can you handle it or not?" I asked straightly as I rest my chin on my hand.


    Her fingers tapped lightly against the table as she shifted in her seat, her previous confusion giving way to something more calculating.


    "Well, Sir Meir," she started, bringing out a recruitment window of the goddess blessing system, "If we implement the family package deal, I guess I can find more willing workers."


    "Just remember that both parents needs to be working okay? Or half of the family is included in the workforce. I don''t mind taking in children, but it would be good if they can contribute something also to the domain..."


    I sipped the last drop of my coffee before accessing my system. "So... Miss Yamamoto... are you in or not?"


    Yamamoto-san stared at me for a long moment, her fingers still tapping against the table¡ªa steady rhythm that betrayed her inner conflict. She wasn¡¯t the type to rush into decisions, that much was clear. And right now, I had just dropped a proposal so absurd that any reasonable person would have walked away already.


    She exhaled through her nose, shifting her gaze to the recruitment window hovering before her. Her brows furrowed, her teeth grazing her lower lip in thought. "This isn¡¯t just hiring people for an office job, Sir Meir. This is relocating entire families into an empty domain, into a place that barely qualifies as livable yet. It¡¯s risky. Hell, it¡¯s borderline reckless."


    Her eyes flickered back to mine, searching for hesitation¡ªdoubt¡ªanything that might indicate I hadn''t fully thought this through. But when she found none, she sighed again, slower this time. "If I say yes¡­ this means I¡¯m staking my own reputation on this gamble. It means that if things go south, those families are going to look at me, not you, because I¡¯m the one who convinced them to take this chance."


    She leaned back, crossing her arms, her jaw tightening as she weighed her options. I could almost see the battle in her head¡ªthe part of her that craved stability and order, warring against the part that saw potential in the madness I was offering.


    Then, after a long pause, she took a deep breath and asked, "Sir Meir¡­ would it be possible for my family to come as well?"


    I raised an eyebrow. "Your family?"


    She nodded, sitting up straighter. "My father used to work construction jobs¡ªhe¡¯s got experience with foundation work, framing, and some minor masonry. My mother worked as a cook in a school cafeteria for years. And my younger sister is still in elementary." She hesitated for a second before adding, "None of us are affiliated with any domain yet, so we can move without any legal trouble."


    I tapped my finger against the table, considering it. "Hmm¡­ a construction worker and a cook. That¡¯s already two useful additions. I don¡¯t expect kids to work, but¡­" I glanced at her, "your sister¡ªdoes she help around at home? Any particular skills?"


    Yamamoto blinked, then let out a small, uncertain laugh. "She¡¯s eleven. She¡¯s good at organizing things, I guess? And she helps my mom with prep work in the kitchen. Not exactly a specialized skill, but she¡¯s not lazy."


    I nodded, satisfied. I answered with a gentle smile as I reached out for my coffee, "That¡¯s enough. Your family qualifies to what I need. I¡¯ll make sure there¡¯s a place for them."


    Her hand hovered over the recruitment interface for just a second longer before she finally pressed "Confirm."


    "Alright, Sir Meir. I¡¯m in. And so is my family. But don¡¯t make me regret this."


    I chuckled, "Now, now. It''s not like the end of the world choice, isn''t it? But please, I just have one general criteria for those that will come inside my domain."


    "What is it, Sir Meir?"


    I answered as I allowed some authority settings to Yamamoto on recruiting followers to my domain. "Please, don''t recruit any evil-aligned or chaotic-aligned persons. I have enough trouble on my plate."


    Due to Oriya Blessing System, we can surely check the alignment of any person. Like for example, Yamamoto Yumiko is a lawful-good aligned person.


    "Yes, Sir Meir." She brought out a laptop and another goddess blessing system interface. Somehow, the look of the two of us starting the groundwork of a domain in a cafe looks pitiful.


    But then again, a great place always starts somewhere.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    From what professor told me, the domain itself was a living thing, a species of organism born from the goddess will. It is born with a high concentration of magical particles and forms as a domain core, like this ball of crystal in the bedroom of this house.


    Like many other organisms, domain core were born weak and frail. They were incredible easy to destroy early on in their infancy.


    Back in the future, domain lords were particularly well known for their domain-crushing antics. Their attacks were heavily driven by greed. Or at least what I assumed to be greed. The domain¡¯s core, the pearl-like orb that served as its heart, was hunted because afterall, they can absorb the remaining power of the domain they usurped.


    In the future where stronger monsters born in the world, domain lords needs any means to be stronger and protect their domain.


    Unfortunately, humans weren¡¯t the only creatures that attacked domains. Monsters, born from the dark miasma that falls every night, did as well. Domain cores were rich in goddess Oriya''s mana, and thus, the monsters¡¯ instincts drove them to destroy them along with the humans whom goddess Oriya''s creation as well.


    In other words, domains will havd enemies on all sides after the great storm.


    Everyone and everything was hostile.


    And it was for that reason that born of a domain often accompanies the awakening of a domain lords, guardians that could protect them from the harsh environments in which they were born. Domains concentrated their magical energies in their domain lords and allowed them to become much more powerful than ever before. In exchange, the domain lords protected the domain and bolstered their chances of survival.


    It was a picture perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. Just as what goddess Oriya ambitioned creating the domain system.


    A place to protect her dearest humans as the world collapses in the future.


    Now comes again my one week dilemma on mornings: figuring out breakfast. Looking at the wall clock in the dining room, the time says its 7:47AM.


    I opened up the goddess blessing system and headed to one of the domain lord exclusive blessing UI: the Domain Shop. It has different catalogues and I began browsing for something I could turn into a quick bite. There were many options to choose from, almost too many.


    It took me a while to make up my mind, but I ended up settling on a heavy meal. Since this day seems like it will be a heavy day. I purchase Tonkatsu Meal which costed 240 DP. Ugh... cooked meals here sure is pricy.


    The tonkatsu meal appeared immediately at the dining table and I casually plopped down on the chair. If cooked meals are pricy, then raw foods are cheaper like fruits, vegetables, and meats. But cooking them... I don''t know how to cook.


    I need to get a cook soon to save some money. But... If I pay money to the cook, wouldn''t it just be another way of spending money? What a dilemma. Is living back to this era always this hard?


    There''s no more plantation, nor food manufacturing factories. All raw foods now comes from domain lords and their exclusive domain shops. Every humans relies on domain lords to live.


    This was an era of absolute reliance on domain lords, as the history said. Every piece of food, every tool, every resource¡ªpeople could only get them through us. It made sense in theory, but in practice? It felt... strange. Like we were playing gods, deciding who got to live comfortably and who had to struggle. I wasn''t sure how I felt about that."


    Though I¡¯d found myself a seat, I was by no means relaxed. In fact, I was feeling somewhat anxious. I needed to earn more DP. I¡¯d only started with a 1,000 DP last week. And was earning 3,000 DP passively per day. If I spend money on managing my domain, spending money of humans and other things to help my domain grow stronger, my resources were sure to run dry if I just sat around, and I wasn¡¯t exactly what I would call keen on starving to death.


    There were a total of three different ways to get DP or domain points.


    The first was to wait. The domain grants naturally generated passive DP to all my domain followers as time passed. It seemed that the precise amount of DP gained depended on their levels.


    Meaning, the more I recruited, the more I passively earned. The higher their levels are, the more I also earn.


    But, my domain, which was apparently just the lone house for the time being, could only generate my passive DP regeneration. The amount I passively gained was enough to support mildly my domain in the mean time.


    Heck it was enough for self-support only for now.


    Though I noticed Yamamoto-san pledged herself and her family under my domain which means my domain now have five people.


    Though, who knows how much it will cost for me to support shelter, food, equipment, and daily activities of my domain.


    Not to mention I have so much defensive plans to build on this domain.


    The second method was also somewhat meddlesome but it is our responsibility as awakened humans. The domain would generate DP as long as we kill monsters, extract mana cores from them and donate it to the domain core. More powerful enemies provided more DP.


    The final method was allowing the domain core to absorb corpses and items or garbages as a lot call it. The method generated varying amounts of DP; it seemed the exact quantity depended on what the domain core was fed. Well, mostly, they feed mana cores.


    That''s why killing monsters or mining them in mana rich environments is a grind. There are also herbs and trees that are mana rich but they are not as safe as mining them in a secured cave like the one I secretly found inside Mount Fuji.


    My domain was located in southern tip of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. After I quietly ate my breakfast with dilemmas here and there, I went out of the house. My domain is somewhere on the mountains, forest and plains.


    The morning sun painted the sky in soft golds and blues, stretching light across the empty land that was now my domain. A breeze rolled through the open plains, rustling the tall grass at the edges of the nearby forest. Aside from that, everything was still. Too still.


    I stood at the center of it all, hands in my pockets, surveying the barren landscape. No walls. No roads. No structures. Just dirt, grass, and a single house that came with the domain core.


    I don''t even know whose house was that. Just that it manifested as my domain manifested.


    But then again, even with that lone house, it didn¡¯t look like the start of something great¡ªit looked like a wasteland.


    "So this is what a fresh start looks like," I muttered under my breath.


    It felt strange. In the future, I had seen domains fall, swallowed by monsters or conquered by stronger lords. Back then, the fight was just about survival.


    Well, everything changed after the start of great storm. What did they call that turn of era again? Domain Lords Battle Royale?


    Now, standing here, with a domain of my own, the real battle was something else entirely first¡ªbuilding something out of nothing.


    I had a plan. Last day¡¯s meeting with Yamamoto-san settled that much. I even spent my last night finalizing a skill inside Mount Fuji.


    But looking at this empty land now, I could feel the weight of my expectations pressing down.


    Then, cutting through the silence, I heard it¡ªthe low rumble of an approaching truck engine.


    I turned toward the sound, exhaling slowly.


    "Right on time." Two mini-trucks is heading towards where I am heading. I even saw Yamamoto-san peeked out and eyed me out.


    The trucks rumbled to a stop, kicking up a small cloud of dust as their engines died down. I watched as the first door swung open, and Yamamoto Yuriko hopped down, dressed in casual yet practical clothes¡ªjeans, a light jacket, and a cap shielding her from the morning sun.


    She dusted off her hands, then looked up at me with a bright, eager smile. "Good morning, Sir Meir!" Her voice was warm, a stark contrast to the empty land surrounding us.


    Before I could respond, she took a quick glance around and let out a small laugh. "Wow... it''s really just open land, huh?"


    I smirked. "Told you."


    Yamamoto-san didn¡¯t seem discouraged, though. Instead, she clapped her hands together and turned back toward the truck. "Well... Everything great has to start somewhere."


    As if on cue, the truck¡¯s doors opened, and her family stepped down¡ªher father, a sturdy-looking man with sleeves rolled up, ready to work. Her mother, carrying a warm, motherly aura, already eyeing the area like she was planning and skeptical of the place. And lastly, a younger girl peeking out shyly from behind her mother¡ªher little sister, likely still half-asleep from the early trip.


    Yamamoto-san gestured to them. "Sir Meir, this is my family. My dad''s ready to help with construction, my mom will handle meals, and my little sister..." She glanced at the girl, who immediately clung to her mother. "...will mostly just be studying online, but she promised to help where she can."


    Her father gave me a respectful nod. "I hope you don''t mind us settling in."


    "Not at all," I replied. "Welcome to the domain."


    I already knew that she added her family to the list of my domain followers. Since the numbers of my domain followers went up to 4/99 last night.


    Meanwhile, the second truck¡¯s doors swung open, and a group of workers stepped out, carrying pickaxes and equipment. Their presence made it clear¡ªthe work was about to begin.


    Yamamoto-san turned back to me with that same kind smile. "Shall we get started, Sir Meir?"


    "Let''s talk inside the house in the meantime." I suggested and we all headed to the lone house in the domain.


    We headed towards the dining room whereas it is also connected to the living room. Some workers sat in the sofa while Yamamoto-san, and what looks like a head engineer sat also together with me in the dining table.


    "Sir Meir, this is Tanaka-san," Yamamoto-san introduced as the man, who looks like in his late twenties, offered me a handshake. "From Hachiji Builders."


    "Hello. Sir Meir, right? I''m Tanaka Kentaro. Senior Engineer from Hachiji Builders. We''re an upstart construction company that started last year. But don''t worry, Sir Meir, our engineers has already experiences working on different domain constructions."


    I shook his hand firmly. "Good to have you here, Tanaka-san. I assume Yamamoto-san has already given you a rough idea of what we need?"


    Tanaka-san gave a confident nod as he settled back into his seat. "Yes, Sir Meir. First of all, this is my profile."


    [ Profile Window


    Name: Tanaka Kentaro


    Age: 28


    Alignment: Lawful Neutral


    Job: Non-Awakened


    Level: N/A


    Skills:


    Engineering Lvl. 3


    Team Management Lvl. 2


    Rapid Construction Lvl. 2


    Resource Management Lvl. 2 ]


    I glanced over Tanaka-san¡¯s profile window, nodding to myself. His skills were solid¡ªefficient, practical, exactly what I needed for the foundation of this domain. Engineering at Level 3 was reassuring, but what really caught my attention was Rapid Construction and Resource Management. Those weren¡¯t just passive skills; they meant he had experience optimizing both time and materials. It was a relief to know I wasn¡¯t throwing my DP at an amateur.


    ¡°So, what kind of projects are we looking at, Sir Meir? Yamamoto-san mentioned that this is a new domain, so I assume we¡¯re starting from scratch?¡±


    I leaned back slightly, crossing my arms as I considered how to explain it. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re at square one. For now, the priority is three key structures: a cafeteria, a starting shelter for the Yamamoto family and starting families, and a mineshaft main building to support future mining operations.¡±


    Tanaka-san nodded along, but the moment I mentioned the mineshaft, his eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Wait¡ªhold on. You have a mineshaft? Does that mean this domain has a mana crystal deposit?¡±


    I caught the subtle shift in his tone¡ªcuriosity mixed with something else. Respect? Envy? Either way, it was clear that a mineshaft wasn¡¯t just another building to him.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± I confirmed, watching his reaction closely. ¡°It¡¯s not just any mine, either. There¡¯s a confirmed mana crystal vein beneath the domain.¡±


    Tanaka-san let out a low whistle, shaking his head in amazement. ¡°Now that¡¯s rare. Most new domains struggle just to sustain their DP flow, but with a mana crystal mine? That¡¯s practically a guaranteed long-term income.¡± He leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    He chuckled, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. ¡°I¡¯ve worked on two mineshaft projects before. Both domains started small, just like this, but once their mining operations took off, they shot up in rank. Of course, once they became successful, they swapped us out for bigger-name firms to handle their large-scale expansions.¡± He shrugged good-naturedly. ¡°That¡¯s just how the industry works, but it¡¯s always satisfying to see a domain thrive from something we helped build.¡±


    I gave a small, knowing smile. ¡°I see.¡±


    Tanaka-san¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly as he continued. ¡°A cafeteria? That¡¯s a bit unusual for a starting domain, but I see the logic. Feeding workers and hunters efficiently will keep productivity up.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Food and shelter come first, but the long-term goal is self-sufficiency. The mineshaft will be essential.¡± I tapped a finger against the table. ¡°I have pre-designed blueprints for these buildings, which should streamline construction. Your team will handle the actual building process, and I¡¯ll provide the materials as needed.¡±


    Tanaka-san exchanged a glance with Yamamoto-san before looking back at me. ¡°Pre-designed, huh? That should make our job easier but will also reduce our earnings, hahaha. Can I see the blueprints?¡±


    I nodded, reaching into my storage and pulling out the architectural plans. The designs, of course, came from the future¡ªthick steel reinforcements, glass-paneled roofing for natural light, and brass fixtures for both function and aesthetics. It felt like a steampunk theme of buildings and I don''t know how they came out on top on surviving the long battle royale.


    Tanaka-san took one look at them and let out a low whistle. ¡°Hah¡­ You weren¡¯t kidding. This is way more refined than I expected. Almost feels like something out of a high-tech industrial era.¡±


    One of the workers, peering over his shoulder, muttered, ¡°Boss, if we build something like this, people are gonna think we¡¯ve got some big-time backer.¡±


    Tanaka-san took his time examining the blueprints I provided, his fingers gliding over the detailed sketches of the basic housing, mineshaft main building, and cafeteria. Every now and then, he would glance at the material list I handed him, occasionally typing something into his calculator. The soft click-clack of buttons filled the quiet room as I waited for his assessment.


    After a few minutes, he exhaled and set the calculator down. "Alright, Sir Meir, here''s the breakdown," he said, straightening his posture.


    He tapped the first blueprint¡ªthe basic housing. "For the residential shelter, including labor and materials, we¡¯re looking at 2.2 million DP."


    What the hell?! For real?! I can''t help but look at Yamamoto-san with wide eyes.


    His hand moved to the mineshaft main building. "This one is the most resource-intensive. Reinforcement structures, ventilation, storage areas¡ªeverything considered, it''ll be 12 million DP."


    Finally, he gestured to the cafeteria. "A large-scale kitchen, storage, and dining area. 5.7 million DP to build everything up to standard."


    Tanaka-san folded his arms and leaned slightly back in his chair. "So in total, for all three structures, including full labor costs, we¡¯re looking at 19.9 million DP. Given our workforce, we can complete everything within one week."


    The number hit like a boulder. Nearly 20 million DP.


    I kept my expression composed, but inside, my mind was already racing. That¡¯s an astronomical amount compared to what I currently have.


    I only have about 20,000 DP on my passive generation of DP. I even thought I was generating a huge amount of DP per day but I guess not...


    Well, I have some extra emergency DP I''ve been saving up from clearing monster domains around my domain.


    Tanaka-san watched me carefully. "I know it''s a big investment," he admitted. "But I assure you this is the lowest cost we can offer to you. What do you think, Sir Meir?"


    What do I think? This is my first time contracting with a construction firm that I''m at a lost.


    I glanced at Yamamoto-san to at least get her thoughts.


    Yamamoto-san, sensing my hesitation, leaned forward with that same reassuring smile. "Sir Meir, I understand that this is a large sum, but I can personally vouch for Hachiji Builders. They may be a young company, but they¡¯ve already completed multiple projects for some of the most prominent domain lords in Japan."


    She pulled out a tablet from her bag, tapping the screen a few times before turning it toward me. "Here, take a look. I compiled a portfolio of their previous projects."


    On the screen, high-resolution images flicked past¡ªmassive office buildings, sleek industrial workshops, fortified training facilities, and even multi-tiered residential districts designed for sustainable living. Each project was stamped with an approval mark from different domain lords.


    "As you can see, they¡¯ve worked with names like Izanami Guild, Black Typhoon Guild, and Fushigawa Conglomerate Guild," she continued. "Even Shingen Guild, one of the most secure independent strongholds in central Japan, used their services for expansion."


    I kept my expression neutral, nodding as if I recognized every single name. In truth, I had no idea who these people were. None of these guilds or domain lords meant anything to me¡ªI wasn¡¯t from this time. All the major names I remembered were from decades in the future, when the world was in ruin.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t let that show. I exhaled slowly, maintaining my composure. "It¡¯s impressive work," I admitted, glancing at Tanaka, who was watching me expectantly.


    "Of course, if you need time to consider¡ª" Yamamoto-san began, but I shook my head.


    "No, I just need to figure out the funding," I said. Nearly twenty million DP. I needed a way to secure it¡ªand fast.


    Yamamoto-san tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her expression thoughtful. "Sir Meir, if securing the funds is the issue, have you considered taking a loan from the JNHA Bank? They have financial programs specifically designed to support starting domain lords."


    I frowned slightly. "A loan?"


    She nodded. "Yes. The Japan National Hunter Association runs its own banking institution to provide financial aid to newly established domains. They offer low-interest loans, but there¡¯s a catch¡ªyou¡¯d have to participate in mandatory raid missions until the debt is repaid."


    That didn¡¯t sit well with me. Debt. Owing something to an organization. Being tied down.


    I already have my mission also.


    She must have noticed my hesitation because she quickly added, "I actually have a few colleagues from university who now work in the JNHA Bank. I can reach out to them and see if they can get you favorable terms." She smiled again, trying to be reassuring.


    I clenched my fist under the table. This could solve my problem, but at what cost?


    Raids meant risk, forced encounters with monsters outside of my control. I wasn¡¯t opposed to fighting¡ªI had already been killing monsters for the past week for practicing myself¡ªbut my mission already demanded my full attention.


    Heck I''m just inserting this domain management as a way to pass time in idle times.


    Am I this heavily invested in this side mission?


    If I took on a debt that required me to participate in JNHA raids, would I even have enough time to focus on finding the saintess? What if their missions pulled me away from the leads I needed to follow?


    Still, twenty million DP wasn¡¯t something I could conjure out of thin air. The alternative was to earn it myself, which meant hunting monsters¡ªa lot of them.


    Oh... Wait a minute. That''s right!


    "We can take the loan, but can you ask for a special negotiation? You see, I''ve been clearing low level monster domains around the area for a week now. I''ve cleared around twenty monster domains earning 18,000 DP per clear."


    "Oh... So that''s why the monster domains around here has been cleared..." Yamamoto-san sounded surprised. "But next time Sir Meir, please register your monster raid first to the JNHA or we will be file for illegal raiding."


    "Oh? I need to do that?" Ugh... people of this era is too troublesome. Back in the future we just need to clear monster domains as soon as we see it. "Anyways, that means... I just need to clear about... 1100 low level monster domains? Ugh... What a pain."


    Yamamoto-san gave me a knowing look, as if she could already tell what I was thinking. ¡°I understand, Sir Meir. Committing to mandatory raids would be a heavy burden, especially when you¡¯re just starting out. But what if we adjusted our approach?¡±


    She tapped a few times on her tablet, then turned it toward me, showing a map of the surrounding area. Several red markers dotted the terrain, scattered within a ten-kilometer radius of my domain. ¡°Rather than taking on a full loan with strict conditions, we could apply for around 25 million DP¡ªjust enough to cover the construction costs and some initial operational expenses.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°And the catch?¡±


    ¡°The JNHA expects domain lords to take responsibility for the monster domains within their ten-kilometer radius. It¡¯s part of the basic duty of a domain lord, whether you take a loan or not. But if we phrase our loan request properly¡ªoffering to clear low-level monster domains as compensation instead of participating in general raids¡ªwe might be able to negotiate an exemption from mandatory JNHA deployments.¡±


    That¡­ made sense. Technically, this was work I would have had to do anyway, loan or not. The difference was that I could clear them on my own terms rather than being summoned whenever the JNHA saw fit. It gave me control over my battles and my time.


    Yamamoto-san watched me closely. ¡°I can reach out to a colleague in the JNHA loan division. We can present this as a fair trade¡ªafter all, clearing monster domains improves overall safety, and they¡¯d still get their repayment through the standard low-interest plan.¡±


    I exhaled slowly, considering my options. Taking the loan still wasn¡¯t ideal, but if this deal worked, it might be the best compromise I could get.


    Yamamoto-san gave me a reassuring smile, sensing the weight of my thoughts. "Sir Meir, you don¡¯t have to do this alone. No one expects you to clear a thousand monster domains by yourself." She spoke with a quiet confidence, her voice steady yet understanding.


    She glanced down at her tablet, tapping the screen before continuing. "This is why domain lords recruit hunters. We can bring in skilled fighters who will clear monster domains as part of their job. Some will even pay a commission to operate under our domain¡¯s jurisdiction. We won¡¯t just be relying on you alone to handle all the work."


    Her eyes softened as she looked at me. "And besides, we have something most domains don¡¯t¡ªa mana crystal mine. That¡¯s a stable, long-term source of DP. We¡¯re not as desperate as some of the newer domains struggling to stay afloat. You don¡¯t have to grind yourself into exhaustion just to make ends meet."


    She tapped on her tablet again, determination flickering in her gaze. "I¡¯ll prioritize hiring miners as soon as possible. The sooner we get operations running, the faster we can establish a steady income. That way, you won¡¯t have to rely solely on hunting to keep the domain afloat."


    I blinked, surprised at how¡­ reasonable that sounded. She wasn¡¯t just managing the domain¡ªshe was also managing me, making sure I didn¡¯t take on everything alone. It was practical, but it also felt like she genuinely cared.


    It was reassuring to hear. At least I wouldn¡¯t have to carry everything on my own.


    Yosh, I''ll leave everything to her. She is capable enough. I''m not even suited to lead people.


    Yey, let''s celebrate. This is the birth of Captain Yamamoto. January 20th, 2025, huh. I hope it doesn''t coincide with any holiday.


    I leaned back, exhaling slowly as I praised my yesterday self for hiring this girl. It was a relief to know that I wouldn¡¯t have to shoulder everything alone, but at the same time, I didn¡¯t want to rush blindly into expansion.


    "That¡¯s good to hear," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "But let¡¯s take it one step at a time. No need to rush hiring too many people at once. We should make sure we have the infrastructure to support them first. No point in bringing in miners if they don¡¯t even have a proper place to eat or sleep."


    I thought about at the DP to be loaned in my domain system. 25 million DP was a lot, but it wasn¡¯t infinite. If we burned through it too fast without proper planning, we''d be right back where we started¡ªstruggling to sustain the domain.


    "Start with a small team, maybe just enough to get operations going. Once the basics are in place, we can expand gradually. No point in sprinting if we trip over our own feet."


    Yamamoto-san nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Understood, Sir Meir. I¡¯ll handle it carefully."


    Good. We had the resources, but patience was key. This wasn¡¯t just about survival¡ªI was building something meant to last.


    In the end, I agreed to Yamamoto-san¡¯s proposal. With her connections at the JNHA, the loan application was processed swiftly, and within the hour, 25 million DP was transferred to my domain account.


    The approval came with the expected terms¡ªlow interest, repayment flexibility, and the condition that I clear the surrounding low-level monster domains in place of mandatory raid participation. It wasn¡¯t an ideal situation, but it gave me the funds needed to move forward without being tied down to the JNHA¡¯s broader agendas. With that settled, it was finally time to begin construction.


    I also signed the contract terms with Hachiji Builders.


    As I reviewed the contract one last time and signed my name, Tanaka-san straightened his posture and gave a firm nod.


    "Thank you for trusting us with this project, Sir Meir," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "Hachiji Builders may not be a big name yet, but we take pride in our work. I promise we¡¯ll give this our all and make sure your domain gets a solid foundation."


    I met his gaze and nodded. "I¡¯ll be counting on you, Tanaka-san."


    With the paperwork settled, we stepped outside. I tapped Yamamoto-san¡¯s shoulder playfully. "Good work. Thanks." I appreciated her help with a gentle smile.


    Yamamoto-san blinked in surprise before her cheeks flushed a light pink. She quickly looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as if to compose herself. "Ah¡ªum, well, it¡¯s my job, after all," she murmured, clearing her throat.


    Then, as if trying to shake off her embarrassment, she straightened her posture and gave a small, confident nod. "I just want to make sure everything runs smoothly for you, Sir Meir."


    Tanaka-san and Yamamoto-san walked alongside me as we made our way southwest, the air crisp with the scent of damp earth and fresh grass. This area, slightly elevated and away from where the mining operations would eventually begin, was designated as the residential zone.


    ¡°This is where the houses will go,¡± I explained, gesturing at the open terrain. ¡°We¡¯ll start with simple family homes, just enough for the Yamamoto family and any early recruits. Eventually, we¡¯ll expand as more people settle in.¡±


    Tanaka-san nodded, already scanning the surroundings with a professional eye. ¡°Good location. Far enough from industrial activity but still within reach of the main facilities.¡±


    I pointed toward the northeastern side of the domain, a rough stretch of land that sloped gently downward. ¡°That area will be for mining and industry. The mineshaft will be set up there first, and eventually, any workshops or production facilities will follow. I want to keep the work zones separate from the residential area so people can rest properly without the noise and dust.¡±


    ¡°Smart planning,¡± Tanaka-san said approvingly. ¡°That¡¯ll make zoning and expansion much smoother down the line.¡±


    While they continued discussing layout plans, I pulled up the Domain Shop and began ordering materials. One by one. Wood, stone, metal, insulation¡ªevery piece had to be selected manually.


    Click. Confirm. Click. Confirm.


    What a hassle. Why wasn¡¯t there a bulk-buy feature? Did the goddess expect domain lords to have the patience of a saint?


    I suppressed a groan and kept tapping away, my DP balance steadily dropping with each order.


    As I begrudgingly continued the ordering process, the effects became immediately visible. With each confirmation, materials began to materialize in the open plains¡ªstacks of steel beams, bundles of lumber, pallets of bricks, and crates filled with construction supplies. The sheer volume of it all made me pause for a moment.


    It was strange watching entire shipments appear out of thin air, perfectly arranged in neat rows as if an unseen force had placed them down with precision. The Domain Shop was efficient, I¡¯d give it that, but the process of manually selecting every last item was exhausting.


    With an annoyed sigh, I finally admitted to myself¡ªI was not cut out for this.After several more orders of mind-numbing clicking and confirming, I finally gave up. This was ridiculous. Whoever designed this system clearly never had to manage a domain themselves.


    I let out a quiet sigh and glanced over at Yamamoto-san, who was still deep in discussion with Tanaka-san. Sensing my gaze, she turned toward me, one brow raised in silent expectation¡ªwaiting for an instruction.


    Without a word, I stepped closer and lightly tapped her shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave the ordering of materials¡­ and hmm, also food, to you, okay?¡± I said with a gentle smile.


    For a brief moment, she looked at me as if I had just handed her a mountain of responsibility¡ªthen her mouth opened as if to say something then she immediately closed it. With a small smile, she nodded.


    "Yes, Sir Meir. I''ll assist you."


    For a brief moment, she looked at me as if I had just handed her a mountain of responsibility¡ªher mouth opened, then quickly shut. After a pause, she nodded with a small smile.


    "Yes, Sir Meir. I''ll assist you."


    I had the vague feeling I was piling too much on her already. Silently, I apologized and adjusted her authority access to the domain shop.


    With the initial plans set, I let out a slow breath. This was just the beginning.


    Somehow, I missed the future¡ªwhere my only concerns were research on spatial manipulation skill, my hobbies of studying odd spell and the Professor¡¯s constant nagging¡­

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    I spent the rest of the day dealing with the bureaucratic headache of clearing my past week¡¯s work with the JNHA database. Apparently, every single monster domain I had wiped out needed to be registered properly¡ªlocation, estimated threat level, proof of extermination, and a post-clearance report.


    It was tedious, to say the least. One by one, I logged the twenty domains I had taken care of, submitting the necessary documentation through the system. Thankfully, Yamamoto-san guided me through the process, handling the more intricate details while I provided the raw data.


    By the time we finished, the sky had darkened, and I exhaled, rolling my shoulders to shake off the stiffness of sitting too long.


    Yamamoto-san tapped her screen one last time before turning to me. ¡°That¡¯s all. Are you sure, Sir Meir?¡±


    Before I could answer, the scent of warm food drifted through the room, pulling my attention away from the glowing screen. A soft clatter of dishes echoed from the dining area, followed by a gentle voice.


    "Sir Meir, you''ve been at it all day. Come have something to eat."


    I glanced up to see Yamamoto Aoi, Yamamoto-san¡¯s mother, setting down a steaming bowl of rice, karaage, vegetable salad and miso soup on the dining table. Her younger daughter, Yamamoto Chie, busily arranged side dishes beside her, the two having taken charge of preparing dinner while we worked.


    I let out a small chuckle as I leaned back in my seat, finally allowing myself to relax. ¡°I was wondering what smelled so good earlier,¡± I admitted, eyeing the spread before me. ¡°Turns out, it was a feast enough to make me realize just how hungry I am.¡±


    Yamamoto Yuriko, still seating beside me, exhaled quietly, rolling her shoulders before rubbing her temples. Even after all these hours, she maintained the same composed expression, though the exhaustion in her posture was clear. She had spent the entire evening guiding me through the bureaucratic mess, patiently explaining every requirement and double-checking my submissions.


    As I took my seat at the table, my eyes flickered to Aoi-san, who was carefully packing extra portions of food into plastic containers. Her hands moved with practiced ease, sealing each meal neatly before setting them aside. It was a quiet, methodical act¡ªone that hinted at experience in taking care of others.


    Before I could ask, the front door slid open. Yamamoto Daisuke, Yuriko¡¯s father, stepped inside, followed closely by Tanaka-san and his team. They looked tired but satisfied, the weight of the day¡¯s work evident in their movements.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wrap up here for today,¡± Tanaka-san said with a respectful nod. ¡°We¡¯ll be back early tomorrow, and I¡¯ll arrange for extra manpower. We¡¯re aiming for a 24-hour rotation to keep things moving.¡±


    As they made their way toward the door, Aoi-san lifted the neatly packed food containers and held them out. ¡°Take these with you.¡±


    Tanaka-san blinked, hesitating. ¡°Ah, no, we couldn¡¯t possibly¡ªDP should be saved for domain development, especially for a new one. We¡¯ll manage¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nonsense.¡± Aoi-san gave him a warm but firm smile. ¡°Everything we¡¯ve cooked today was already accounted for. My daughter handled the calculations, and I trust her numbers. There¡¯s no issue with making portions for everyone.¡±


    Daisuke let out a hearty chuckle as he stepped forward, clapping Tanaka-san on the shoulder before pressing one of the packed food containers into his hands. ¡°Come on now, Tanaka. A hard day¡¯s work deserves a good meal. Besides, if you collapse from hunger, who¡¯s going to lead the extra manpower shift tomorrow?¡± He grinned, making it clear there was no room for argument.


    Tanaka-san scratched the back of his head, clearly still reluctant, but after a glance at his hungry-looking team, he finally relented. ¡°In that case... thank you. We¡¯ll gratefully accept.¡±


    Tanaka-san let out a sigh of defeat, but a small smile tugged at his lips as he and his team took the neatly packed food containers from Aoi-san. One by one, the workers received their meals, exchanging murmurs of gratitude before stepping aside to eat. The warm aroma of freshly cooked rice and simmered vegetables filled the room, momentarily easing the exhaustion from their faces. Even the most reluctant among them, hesitant to accept what felt like charity, couldn¡¯t resist the home-cooked comfort after a long day of labor.


    As I took a bite of my own meal, my mind briefly wandered to the economics of it all. If I had bought this same meal pre-cooked from the DP Shop, it would¡¯ve easily cost around 200 DP per serving. But by purchasing raw ingredients and preparing everything in bulk, the overall cost per portion dropped significantly¡ªnearly halving to 100 DP per serving. The savings became even more noticeable when feeding a large workforce. Efficient DP management like this would make a massive difference in the long run.


    But even with all the cost-cutting measures in place, our biggest challenge remained unchanged¡ªwe still needed to earn DP. And with a 25 million DP debt that has just arrived, saving 100 DP or 200 DP is very much appreciated.


    As the workers left, I turned to Yamamoto-san... err... they are all Yamamoto''s now, right? I mean the vice-guildmaster: Yamamoto Yuriko-san. Yosh, I''ll just call her Yuriko-san,


    Yuriko-san had been quietly observing the distribution until I spoke. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll be clearing the remaining monster domains north of our domain territory,¡± I said, keeping my voice low but firm. ¡°Hahaha, we need to earn DP.¡±


    Yuriko let out a small sigh, rubbing her temple. ¡°That means I¡¯ll have to work overtime tonight to register the raids in advance.¡± Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of exasperation¡ªjust a flicker of her true self slipping through.


    I winced. ¡°Ah¡­ sorry about that.¡±


    She shook her head, adjusting her glasses before giving me a tired but patient look. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Sir Meir. More important than my sleep is making sure we follow the proper legal procedures. We don¡¯t want any unnecessary trouble with the JNHA.¡±


    I could only nod, feeling a little guilty. Bureaucracy in this era was a headache, but she was right¡ªit wasn¡¯t something we could afford to ignore.


    The next morning, I set out early, determined to make the most of the day. Last night, I offered the Yamamoto family the use of the lone standing house in the domain until their own residence was completed. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was better than staying in makeshift shelters, and they accepted with grateful nods.


    By mid-morning, I had already cleared the first two monster domains on my list. A cave full of hounds pack, and a goblin monster domain. The first netted me 5,000 DP, and the second brought in 6,500 DP¡ªsmall steps toward repaying our debt.


    More importantly, I hit level 5, feeling a slight but noticeable improvement in my body¡¯s physique and mana capacity. So I checked my attributes only to see that they level up by 2 or 3 points.


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Nashchor Meir


    Age: 25


    Alignment: Neutral Good


    Job: Domain Lord-Tinkerer


    Level: 5 (¡ü+1)


    Stat Rating: 113 SR


    HP: 270/270


    MP: 210/210


    Attributes


    Life: 27 (¡ü+4)


    Strength: 15 (¡ü+2)


    Endurance: 15 (¡ü+2)


    Intelligence: 21 (¡ü+3)


    Aura: 15 (¡ü+2)


    Agility: 20 (¡ü+3) ]


    The numbers weren¡¯t anything groundbreaking, but they were consistent. A steady, predictable growth pattern¡ªnothing like the power spikes I¡¯d read about in myths or seen in some of the more monstrous Domain Lords.


    Still, every bit counted. Life saw the highest increase, which I was thankful because it gives me more health points. While Intelligence and Agility weren¡¯t far behind. Strength and Endurance lagged slightly, but that was expected. I wasn¡¯t some brute-force fighter; my fighting skills leaned toward mid-range combat and spell casting.


    More interestingly, Aura, which is the amount of mana enveloping my body, had grown alongside my physical stats. I hadn¡¯t consciously trained it, but maybe it naturally thickened as my mana pool expanded. If that was the case, then in time, I might develop a passive magical resistance strong enough to shrug off mid-tier spells. Not that I planned to rely on that alone.


    Well, in the end, what matter most is that I finally hit level five. As planned for today, I can now solo dive on level three monster domains safely. Time to head at that place.


    I leaped from branch to branch, my steps light as I moved through the treetops. The forest canopy swayed slightly under my weight, leaves rustling in my wake. I wasn¡¯t just passing through¡ªI was searching, my senses stretched for any sign of the monster domain.


    Then, I felt it. A faint, pulsing sensation at the edge of my perception. Like a ripple in the air, a disturbance in the natural flow of mana. I came to a halt on a thick branch, crouching low as I called Yuriko-san via my phone.


    "Yuriko-san," I called. "I think I found it. Can you please confirm near my location?"


    Her response came after a brief pause. "Checking the mana satellite feed¡­ Yes, Sir Meir. It should be roughly 300 meters north of your coordinates."


    North, huh? I adjusted my stance, focusing my vision in that direction. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, drawing in a slow breath before activating a skill.


    "<Mana Sense>..."


    The world around me dimmed, its colors dulling as I attuned myself to the flow of mana. And then, I saw it. A deep red glow, faint but unmistakable, bleeding through the trees ahead. The aura of a monster domain, spilling out from a cave entrance nestled between jagged rock formations.


    Two figures stood at its mouth, their twisted, hunched forms outlined in crimson. Kobolds. Their eyes flicked back and forth, scanning their surroundings with restless vigilance. Clawed fingers gripped crude spears, their tattered leather armor barely covering their wiry bodies.


    I exhaled, tightening my grip on my weapon. Time to earn more money to pay back my debt.


    I steadied my breath, keeping my posture low on the branch as I adjusted my grip on the mana gun. The weapon¡¯s frame was sleek but lightweight, resembling a hybrid between a soft air rifle and a high-pressure water gun. Instead of conventional ammunition, a translucent container near the stock held shimmering mana essence, swirling like liquid sky blue light.


    The two kobold guards stood rigid at the cave entrance, their jagged spears gripped tightly. Their heads twitched every few seconds, scanning the surroundings with sharp, animalistic awareness. A direct shot from here would give away my position¡ªso I''ll refrain from that direct shot.


    Instead, I''ll just make a suprise long distance shortcut shot. I exhaled slowly and raised my rifle.


    "< Gate >." I chanted and casted a skill.


    As I activated the skill, the air in front of my mana gun twisted and folded, forming a diamond-shaped rift that shimmered with faint, rippling light.


    Space Manipulation Basic Skill: Gate Portals. One of my favorite and most used spells.


    Space itself bent unnaturally, connecting two places instantly. Through the rift¡¯s surface, I could see the other side as if I were standing right there¡ªthe rough stone of the cave entrance, the flickering shadows, and the backs of the unsuspecting kobolds.


    It was seamless. No distortion, no lag. The distance between me and the kobolds was now irrelevant.


    With my mana gun still aimed through the rift, it felt almost unfair¡ªI wasn¡¯t firing from meters away; I was right behind them, aiming at them at their blindspot .


    There was no chance of missing. The instant I pulled the trigger, the mana shot would emerge from the rift¡¯s exit point as if my rifle had been placed directly at the target¡¯s back.


    A perfect angle. A guaranteed hit. But before I took the shot, I checked first their stats. Its never bad to check out what monster domain I''ll be diving in. With that plan, I casted a skill to check them, "< Inspect Monster >."


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Kobold Gate Guards


    Name: N/A


    Level: 3


    Stat Rating: 48 SR


    HP: 150/150


    MP: 40/40


    Attributes


    Life: 15


    Strength: 8


    Endurance: 7


    Intelligence: 4


    Aura: 7


    Agility: 7 ]


    Yosh, I have three times intelligence stat compared to its aura stat. I can pierce through its magic resistance easily with my basic attacks from my mana gun.


    I steadied my aim, lining up the shot. I didn¡¯t hesitate. I pulled the trigger. Then, I fired. Kssshhh...


    A magic circle materialized at the tip of the barrel of the mana gun and burst of condensed mana shot through the gate and shot like a beam instantly towards the kobold. The first kobold barely had time to flinch and glance back before the bolt struck through its aura armor and continued to its eye, a sharp shriek tearing from its throat as it reeled back.


    Before the second could react, I adjusted my aim and fired again. Another crack of energy and a mana beam flew and split the air. The second kobold howled, clawing at its bleeding eye socket.


    They are now blinded. Disoriented.


    Now that they have no vision, its easy to finish them off. Ksshh.. Kssshhh... I finished them off with few more shots from my mana rifle.


    The two kobolds slumped to the ground, their bodies twitching slightly before going still. I kept my rifle raised for a few extra seconds, ensuring they wouldn¡¯t get back up. Once I was certain they were dead, I closed the rift with a flick of my wrist¡ªthe diamond-shaped tear in space shimmering before vanishing without a trace.


    That took care of the gate guards. Now, it was time to move in.


    I took a deep breath and raised my hand. "< Gate >."


    The air crackled with energy as a second rift formed before me, this one far larger than the first. The diamond-shaped portal widened, its edges humming with an ethereal glow. Through it, I could see the dark cavern beyond the entrance, the damp stone walls, and faintly glowing moss clinging to the rocky surfaces. The scent of wet earth and the distant, guttural sounds of kobolds chattering reached me.


    I tightened my grip on my mana gun. A direct entry. A silent approach.


    Without hesitation, I stepped forward, passing through the gate portal in a single stride. The air around me shifted as I crossed the threshold, the cool darkness of the cave replacing the forest breeze. The portal sealed behind me, leaving no trace of my entry.


    The scent of blood lingered in the air, mixing with the damp, earthy musk of the cave. I turned back to the kobold corpses sprawled at the entrance, their lifeless forms still fresh.


    Before moving deeper, I crouched beside them, inspecting their bodies for anything of value. Their crude weapons¡ªstone mace with barely sharpened edges¡ªweren¡¯t worth salvaging. Their fur was rough, their claws dull, and their fangs, while somewhat useful, weren¡¯t rare materials.


    Still, waste not, want not. Anything that came from monsters can be converted to DP.


    Raising my hand over the corpses, I activated my Spatial Manipulation Advance Skill. "< Dimensional Storage >."


    A faint pulse of energy rippled through the body, and then¡ªa rift appeared beneath them. Unlike my Gate skill, this portal didn¡¯t connect to another physical location. Instead, a void of absolute blackness stretched beyond its shimmering edges, an empty abyss that devoured all light. The moment the kobold corpses touched the surface, they sank inwards as if pulled by unseen hands, their forms slowly submerging into the endless dark.


    Not a single sound. No resistance. No weight. Just¡­ gone.


    The rift sealed itself shut, vanishing without a trace.


    I straightened, dusting off my hands. That was two less bodies to leave behind. With my storage space, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about carrying excess weight or leaving evidence of my kills. Efficient and clean.


    Now, time to head deeper. As I stepped in towards the entrance of the cave, a notification from the system ping before me.


    [ You have entered a monster domain: < Kobold Cave Den [ Lvl. 5 ] > ]


    The system notification flickered before my eyes, but I barely paid it any mind. My focus was on the cave ahead.


    With a deep breath, I activated Mana Sense, pouring more energy into it to enhance my vision. The darkness of the cave should have been suffocating, but through my skill, the world took on a different form. A dull blue haze spread across my vision, outlining the rocky interior in faint luminescence. Every surface shimmered with ambient mana, like heat rising from the earth.


    No movement. No signs of life.


    I took a cautious step forward, my boots pressing against the uneven stone floor. The cave walls stretched high above me, their jagged surfaces dripping with moisture. Small clusters of bioluminescent moss clung to the rocks, casting eerie green patches of light.


    Strange. One path. No branching tunnels, no side passages. Just a single route leading further inside. That was unusual for a monster domain.


    I pressed on, my steps silent against the damp ground. The deeper I went, the cooler the air became, carrying the scent of damp stone and something¡­ musky. Faint, but distinct¡ªthe unmistakable stench of monsters.


    The kobolds were here. Somewhere ahead.


    I tightened my grip on my mana rifle and moved forward, my senses sharp. This was no ordinary cave. And something about the air, about the design of this domain, unsettled me.


    Each step I took was measured, my senses stretched thin to detect any disturbance in the mana around me. Yet, despite my caution, the moment my boot pressed down on a loose section of the ground¡ªclick.


    A strange, muted shift beneath my foot.


    Something was wrong.


    My body tensed, instincts screaming at me to move, but before I could react¡ª


    Shhhhffff!


    The earth responded.


    A section of the cave floor sank like a brick being pressed into place, and in an instant, thick slabs of clay erupted from below, rising at breakneck speed. The walls shot up, curving at the top, sealing me in before I could even blink.


    A prison.


    A cube-shaped cell of hardened clay now surrounded me, the walls so tightly packed there wasn¡¯t even a gap to slip a finger through. I reached out and pressed against the inner surface¡ªit was solid. No loose mana flow, no cracks. The trap had formed seamlessly.


    And I hadn''t sensed it at all.


    Mana Sense had given me nothing. No trigger point, no disturbance in the flow of energy. How?


    Then, from somewhere in the darkness beyond my new prison, a high-pitched snicker echoed through the cave.


    A kobold laugh.


    A realization struck me like a jolt of cold water¡ªKobolds were masters of traps.


    I had let my guard down, assuming my mana sense could detect everything. But kobold traps weren¡¯t normal. They weren¡¯t imbued with mana beforehand like magic formations or enchanted devices. They were physical. Concealed. Only activating once triggered, giving no warning until it was too late.


    I clenched my jaw.


    I had just walked straight into a beginner¡¯s mistake.


    <div>


    Well, its not like my job is suited for detecting traps. Maybe an advanced Assassin-type skill could have picked up the trap¡ªsomething specialized in detecting physical inconsistencies, hidden mechanisms, or the subtle shifts in terrain that signaled danger.


    But Mana Sense was only a basic skill. It was great for tracking magical disturbances, sensing life forces, and mapping mana flow, but it had clear limitations. It couldn¡¯t detect purely mechanical or alchemic traps unless they had an active mana signature. And this one didn¡¯t. It was a purely shrewed, complicated hidden mana trap mechanism, likely built into the cave¡¯s structure itself¡ªa primitive but effective countermeasure against intruders like me.


    Trapped inside the cube-shaped prison, I ran my hand across the clay walls. The structure was solid, reinforced with magic, yet it had formed in an instant. A skill, no doubt.


    I let out a small chuckle. Kobolds, huh? Masters of traps indeed.


    Rather than panic, I leaned in, pressing my palm flat against the wall. ¡°< Deconstruct >.¡±


    A pulse of light flickered beneath my touch, tracing intricate, glowing patterns across the surface. Technological sigils¡ªdata woven into magic¡ªcrawled along the clay, forming circuits of knowledge. The skill itself was revealing its mechanics to me, unraveling piece by piece.


    Fascinating. A low-tier trap, but executed with surprising precision.


    I smiled, already picturing its potential applications. Raising my free hand, I whispered, ¡°< Archive >.¡±


    With a shimmer, my grimoire materialized midair, falling neatly into my grasp. It flipped open to a blank page, and like an eager scribe, it began transcribing. Lines of script etched themselves onto the parchment, recording the composition of the spell, its activation method, and its limitations.


    [ You have successfully learned the skill < Trap Creation >. ]


    I smirked. Not bad. Now, let¡¯s see how I can turn this against them.


    I closed my grimoire revealing its title: "List of Interesting Skills". What a fun hobby. In the future, I can''t collect enough data to study skills. Now, I can do work and have fun with my hobby at the same time.


    I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders as I placed my palm against the hardened clay. Alright, let¡¯s make this quick.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "< Gate >."


    A soft hum vibrated beneath my fingertips as space twisted before me. A diamond-shaped rift shimmered into existence, linking the cramped prison to the ceiling above. Through the portal¡¯s surface, I could see the rough stone overhead, perfectly positioned for a clean escape.


    With a quiet breath, I bent my knees and jumped. My body slipped through the rift effortlessly, gravity shifting in an instant. A heartbeat later, I landed lightly atop the hardened clay prison, barely making a sound.


    From below, confused chittering echoed through the cave. The kobolds hadn¡¯t expected their trap to fail so easily.


    I smirked, dusting off my coat as I peered down at the dim-lit cavern. My eyes with activated Mana Sense skill already saw the group of four kobolds-two with spear and another two with bow and quiver. All are level 3 kobolds.


    "Sorry," I called out, my voice laced with amusement. "But I think I¡¯m a bad matchup for your traps."


    A chorus of startled yips rang out, followed by an angry, guttural snarl.


    I chuckled. Well, now that I¡¯ve made an entrance, let¡¯s see what else these kobolds have in store for me.


    The two spear-wielding kobolds wasted no time. With shrill battle cries, they charged forward, their clawed feet scraping against the stone floor as they lunged toward me with reckless aggression.


    I watched them closely, my mind already working. Let¡¯s see if this skill is as useful as I think it is.


    I flicked my wrist and pressed a palm to the ground, the sensation of structured mana flowing through my fingertips. "< Trap Creation >."


    A faint glow pulsed beneath my hand, sinking into the stone. I stepped back just in time as the kobolds unknowingly triggered the newly formed trap.


    The ground beneath them shifted. A dull, heavy thunk echoed through the chamber as a cube of hardened clay surged upward from the floor, engulfing the two charging kobolds before they could even react.


    Their snarls turned to panicked yelps as the walls of the prison solidified around them, leaving only their heads exposed above the surface. They thrashed, squirming, trying to claw at the earthen prison, but it was no use¡ªthe clay had hardened almost instantly, trapping them in place.


    I grinned. Perfect. The prison was even tighter than the one I had been caught in. I guess I made some improvements.


    The two kobolds with bows hesitated, their beady eyes darting between me and their immobilized comrades. One of them hissed something in its guttural language, gripping its bow tighter. It shot an arrow towards me. Swoooosh.


    I barely moved. Instead, I raised a hand, my fingers already forming the invocation. "< Gate >."


    Space warped. A rift snapped open just before the arrow could reach me, swallowing it whole. At the same time, another rift¡ªits exit¡ªmaterialized behind the unsuspecting kobolds.


    With a soft whoosh, the arrow reemerged, now flying straight into the back of one of the archers. The kobold barely had time to register what happened before the projectile buried itself into its skull with a sickening thunk. It let out a choked gurgle before collapsing, twitching, its bow slipping from its claws.


    The last kobold yelped, its yellow eyes widening in horror. It scrambled to nock another arrow, but I was already moving.


    Ksshhh¡ª


    A streak of condensed mana beam burst from my mana gun with a sharp hum. The kobold barely lifted its bow when the shot hit dead center between its eyes. The force snapped its head back, its body going limp before it crumpled into a heap next to its fallen comrade.


    I exhaled, lowering my mana gun. "That worked better than expected."


    With all threats neutralized, I surveyed the scene. Two kobolds encased in my improved trap, two lifeless archers. Not bad for a first run.


    I turned my attention to the two remaining kobolds, still trapped up to their necks in hardened clay. Their beady eyes darted wildly, their guttural snarls shifting into panicked whimpers as they thrashed in vain.


    I sighed. ¡°Can¡¯t have you calling for reinforcements.¡±


    Ksshh¡ª Ksshh¡ª


    Two quick shots, one for each. The mana beams struck true, piercing their foreheads cleanly. Their heads lolled forward, eyes dimming as their bodies went slack within the trap.


    Silence settled over the cave once more.


    Holstering my mana gun, I stretched a little, rolling my shoulders. ¡°Alright, time for cleanup.¡±


    I walked up to the corpses and activated my skill, " < Dimensional Storage >".


    With a flick of my wrist, a rift-like void opened before me. One by one, it dragged the lifeless kobolds toward the dark space. As soon as they touched its surface, they sank into the void as if being swallowed by an endless abyss. No resistance. No weight. Just complete oblivion.


    With the loot secured and no immediate threats left, I turned my gaze toward the depths of the cave. The air grew heavier, damp with an earthy musk, and the darkness beyond felt deeper¡ªthicker.


    Cracking my neck, I took a step forward.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what¡¯s waiting for me deeper in.¡±


    The next stretch of the cave was more of the same. Two more ambushes, two more sets of kobolds thinking they had the upper hand¡ªonly to fall for their own tricks.


    Each time, I refined my Trap Creation, adjusting the timing and structure until the clay prison snapped shut even faster. The kobolds never stood a chance.


    Their loot and corpses went straight into my Dimensional Storage, and with every encounter, my understanding of their tactics deepened. Kobolds weren¡¯t strong, but they were persistent, using numbers and terrain to overwhelm their prey. Unfortunately for them, I was neither outnumbered nor outmaneuvered.


    After clearing the last group, I finally reached a massive chamber deeper in the cave. A heavy, oppressive aura seeped from the entrance, a telltale sign of something¡ªor someone¡ªstronger waiting inside.


    I smirked.


    ¡°Looks like I¡¯ve found the boss room.¡±


    I raised my hand on the wall and quietly murmured a skill, "< Gate >."


    A small rift shimmered into existence before me, no larger than a book, its edges glowing faintly as it connected my position to the inside of the chamber. Through it, I peered inside.


    Five figures stood within the cavernous space. Two kobolds clad in ragged armor, spears gripped tight. Two more perched at a higher ledge, bows ready. But my gaze locked onto the last one¡ªthe largest.


    It stood a head taller than the others, its frame bulkier, its snout more pronounced. In its grip was a massive, jagged-edged butcher blade, the kind meant for cleaving through flesh and bone with a single swing. Its deep red eyes flickered in the dim glow of the cave, exuding an unmistakable air of authority.


    I narrowed my eyes and invoked my analysis skill, "< Inspect Monster >."


    A familiar translucent screen materialized before me, listing out their stats in crisp, glowing letters.I exhaled through my nose.


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Kobold Guard


    Name: N/A


    Level: 3


    Stat Rating: 48 SR


    HP: 150/150


    MP: 40/40


    Attributes


    Life: 15


    Strength: 8


    Endurance: 7


    Intelligence: 4


    Aura: 7


    Agility: 7 ]


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Kobold Archer


    Name: N/A


    Level: 3


    Stat Rating: 44 SR


    HP: 120/120


    MP: 50/50


    Attributes


    Life: 12


    Strength: 6


    Endurance: 5


    Intelligence: 5


    Aura: 6


    Agility: 10 ]


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Monster Domain Lord - Greater Kobold


    Name: Gorak the Ironfang


    Level: 5


    Stat Rating: 87 SR


    HP: 240/240


    MP: 90/90


    Attributes


    Life: 24


    Strength: 14


    Endurance: 15


    Intelligence: 9


    Aura: 12


    Agility: 13 ]


    ¡°That one¡¯s a problem.¡±


    The guards and archers? Standard. I¡¯d dealt with their kind earlier. But the Greater Kobold had double their health, and the strength, and enough endurance to soak up several of physical attacks. If I didn¡¯t kill it quickly, it might actually become an issue.


    I smirked.


    ¡°Luckily, I still have a higher intelligence stat compared to its magic resistance aura stat. I can still deal damage with it with my mana beams, though it will take a longer time because of its high life stat.¡±


    Even so... a named monster, huh. Named monsters were different.


    Unlike their lesser kin, they weren¡¯t just mindless beasts acting on instinct. A named monster tended to have greater awareness, sentience, enough to learn from experience. They adapted to battles, recognized patterns, and, worst of all, improved over time. That was why they often served as the boss monsters of monster domains like this.


    If a normal monster can be prepared and countered becaues of their usual and predicatable behavior, the same thing cannot be applied to a name and evolved monster.


    The Greater Kobold before me¡ªGorak the Ironfang¡ªwas a perfect example. Normal kobolds were barely more than cunning pests, relying on sheer numbers and rudimentary traps. But the moment one of them evolved, everything changed.


    A Greater Kobold was the second evolution in a kobold¡¯s growth line¡ªstronger, smarter, and far more dangerous. Just looking at the weapon it is holding, it may probably be heading and working to evolve towards a Kobold Warrior.


    Which meant Gorak was no simple opponent.


    His Stat Rating of 87 SR wasn¡¯t overwhelmingly high, but combined with its fighting experience, strength and endurance, he¡¯d be a pain to take down with brute force alone. Even my mana beams, while effective, would take time to whittle him down thanks to his high Life stat.


    I exhaled slowly, already forming a plan.


    "Alright, Gorak. Let¡¯s see if you have any interesting skills to show me."


    Before making my move, I decided to set up the battlefield in my favor.


    I raised my hand toward the small Gate I had left open, the portal shimmering faintly in the air. Channeling mana through it, I whispered the incantation:


    "<Trap Creation>"


    Immediately, the spell took hold. One by one, traps materialized within the room, seamlessly merging with the cavern floor. Ten¡­ fifteen¡­ twenty¡­ I kept going, each trap draining a chunk of my mana reserves. Thirty in total.


    By the time I was done, I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. Half my mana reserves was gone. That was more than I had expected, but it was worth it.


    Pulling out mana potions from my Dimensional Storage, I uncorked it and took a deep swig. The moment the cool liquid ran down my throat, I felt the refreshing pulse of mana recovery spread through my body.


    Then¡ª


    "GRAAHK!"


    A sharp cry rang out from inside the chamber.


    I quickly leaned forward, peeking through the Gate once more. My lips curled into a grin at the sight before me.


    The two kobold guards had stepped right into my traps. Their entire bodies were encased in cubic clay prisons, leaving only their heads exposed. Their yellow eyes darted around in panic, snarling and growling as they thrashed, but it was pointless. The material was as sturdy as hardened stone.


    I smirked, rolling my shoulders.


    "Two down. Three to go."


    I leaned in closer, peering through the shimmering portal.


    The kobold archers were already on high alert, their bows raised, eyes darting toward the trapped guards and scanning the room for the unseen attacker. They knew something was wrong. That was a problem. Maybe if come stepped through the entrance, they¡¯d have their arrows trained on me.


    Getting in headfirst would be a hassle. But then again, I had other ways to enter a battlefield.


    I smirked and raised my hand.


    "<Gate>."


    A second portal shimmered into existence¡ªthis time, forming silently behind one of the archers. It was perfectly positioned in their blind spot, just a few feet away from the back of its head.


    I drew my mana gun in one swift motion, lining up my shot.


    Pew!


    A condensed beam of mana shot through the Gate, piercing the first archer¡¯s skull cleanly. It collapsed without a sound, its bow slipping from its lifeless fingers. Damn... this archers really have a low aura... Getting a clean headshot like this is lucky


    The remaining archer let out a startled yelp, its beady eyes snapping toward its fallen comrade.


    Bad move.


    I was already opening another Gate behind it.


    Pew!


    The second archer barely had time to react before my next shot blasted through its head. It crumpled to the ground just like the first.


    I exhaled, flicking the side of my gun before returning it to my holster.


    "Archers down. That just leaves..."


    I turned my attention toward the last remaining monster in the room.


    Gorak the Ironfang.


    The Greater Kobold stood in the center of the chamber, his red eyes locked onto the corpses of his fallen kin. He hadn¡¯t moved an inch.


    A slow, deep growl rumbled from his throat.


    I felt a faint shiver in the air¡ªan almost tangible aura of rage.


    Interesting. I smirked and rolled my shoulders. "Alright, big guy. Your turn."


    "<Gate.>"


    A portal shimmered to life beneath me, and in an instant, I stepped through, emerging inside the boss room.


    The moment my boots hit the stone floor, Gorak¡¯s gaze snapped toward me. His bloodshot eyes burned with fury, his grip tightening on the massive butcher-like machete he wielded.


    I raised a hand in mock apology, smirking.


    "Excuse me for intruding," I said, my voice casual. "And for killing your kin. I''m in dire need of DP. But don''t worry, I''ll take care of their bodies." I chuckled, "As nutrients for my domain growth, that is."


    The Greater Kobold let out a guttural snarl, his sharp fangs bared. He stomped forward, brandishing his weapon, rage fueling every movement.


    Good. He took the bait.


    Before he could charge, I raised my mana gun and pulled the trigger.


    Ksshhh!


    A sharp mana beam erupted from the barrel, streaking through the air toward Gorak¡¯s chest.


    But the bastard was fast.


    He twisted, leaping sideways, dodging the shot just in time. His movements were sharp, practiced¡ªfar more refined than any kobold I¡¯d faced before. He knew how to fight.


    I smirked.


    "Oh no you don¡¯t."


    I snapped my fingers.


    "<Gate>!"


    A small portal materialized right in front of the mana beam, absorbing it mid-flight.


    Another Gate formed behind Gorak¡ªright in his blind spot.


    Before he could react¡ª


    Zzt!


    The mana beam blasted through his left ear, searing flesh and cartilage.


    "GUYAAAHH?!" Gorak roared in pain and surprise, clutching the side of his head as blood dripped down his fur.


    I leveled my gun at him again.


    "Lesson one: Don¡¯t look away," I chuckled.


    Thud.


    Gorak lunged.


    His massive frame propelled forward like a cannonball, his machete raised high, aiming to cleave me in two.


    Then¡ªsnap!


    The moment his foot slammed down, the ground beneath him rippled like liquid clay.


    <Trap Creation>¡ªactivated.


    A cubic prison erupted from the stone floor, swallowing Gorak¡¯s entire body¡ªleaving only his snarling head exposed.


    "Ohh," I mused, tilting my head. "This skill is really useful."


    Gorak thrashed, his neck veins bulging, his feral eyes burning with pure hatred. His clawed hands were trapped inside the hardened clay, leaving him unable to swing his weapon.


    Perfect.


    I lifted my mana gun, aiming directly between his eyes.


    "Time to end this."


    Ksshhh!


    A bright mana beam streaked forward, cutting through the dimly lit chamber, heading straight for Gorak¡¯s skull¡ª


    "Grurghk! Va¡¯ash¡¯nek dur¡¯roh!"


    The monster snapped its jaws open, growling something guttural and ancient.


    The moment those unintelligible words left his lips¡ª


    Fwooom!


    A barrier of pure energy exploded outward, forming a transparent dome-shaped shield around Gorak''s trapped form.


    The mana beam slammed into it¡ªonly to be absorbed entirely.


    I frowned.


    "Ah. A defensive spell."


    Gorak grinned, his bloody fangs glinting.


    So¡­ the bastard had magic. Well, I should have expected it. Kobolds evolves to Greater Kobolds. And Greater Kobolds evolves to either Kobold Warrior or Kobold Shaman.


    Crack!


    The clay prison shuddered.


    Then¡ª


    Boom!


    With a sheer display of brute strength, Gorak burst free from his confinement, shards of hardened clay exploding outward.


    I clicked my tongue. "Tch. I should''ve put more mana into it."


    Not that it mattered now.


    Though my original plan was solid, I hadn''t expected him to use magic. That defensive barrier had completely absorbed my attack, throwing off my rhythm.


    I took a deep breath.


    "Don''t think of just one plan always," my professor¡¯s words echoed in my mind. "Monsters and fate are unpredictable. Always have a backup plan."


    Right.


    I exhaled slowly, steadying my aim.


    Gorak¡¯s muscles tensed. The moment his feet found solid ground, he launched himself toward me once more¡ª


    "<Gate>."


    A portal flickered in front me, connecting to a blindspot again. Meanwhile, I aimed my mana gun and I fired straight through Gorak''s blindspot¡ª


    Ksshhh!


    The mana beam shot out from in a straight angle, striking Gorak¡¯s barrier at full force. I put all of my int stat to that attack, not withholding the mana cost it will take.


    Krack!


    Krackkrack¡ª


    SHATTER!


    The shimmering dome fractured like glass, breaking apart as my attack overwhelmed it. I saw it before


    Gorak staggered.


    I narrowed my eyes. "Interesting. So it¡¯s not a spell¡­ but rather, like a shield."


    It could block attacks, but not indefinitely.


    And now¡ª


    He was wide open.


    Gorak''s calves and hamstring muscles coiled like a spring.


    Then¡ª


    BOOM!


    He pounced. What a speed. His machete is ready to swing also at me.


    I casted quickly and had taken a step back, anticipating his move.


    "<Gate>."


    A portal flared to life behind me, and I stepped back through it, instantly relocating to the opposite side of the chamber. Gorak''s machete blew an air pressure in front of me as it nearly misses my face on a hand''s width. Unfortunately, his machete beheaded one of his subordinates head trapped in the clay prison. Well, I don''t know if he still cares for them or not.


    I immediately closed the portal before Gorak can cross it also. Gorak skidded across the ground, snarling, his body hitting the clay prison.


    I didn¡¯t waste time.


    I raised my mana gun and fired again. I need to assess how quickly he can cast again his barrier. He has low int stat but decent agi stat, which means he has somewhat a decent casting speed also.


    Ksshhh!


    The first mana beam shot straight at him.


    Gorak¡¯s sharp eyes caught the attack, and he leaped sideways, narrowly dodging it. As he dodge, he immediately casted also his defensive spell mid-air.


    As he landed, a dome barrier was protecting him again.


    My smirk widened. About 2 seconds chant, huh.


    Sorry, but I can cast faster than you, and my mana gun has a fire rate of up to 3 shots per second. Too bad he can''t dodge midair.


    I fired again, this time utilizing the maximum fire rate my mana gun can do. One trigger, three magic circles formed near the tip of the barrel. Three mana beams flew, streaking the dim lit cave with its ethereal blue streak if mana.


    "<Gate>."


    Two portals snapped open¡ªone above him, one behind. Two mana beams entered the two gates I invoked. One mana beam flew straightly at Gorak who was straightly charging at me also.


    From each portal, a mana beam streaked toward him, converging like a crossfire.


    Gorak snarled¡ªand leaped through me with all of his might.


    A dome-shaped barrier still protecting its body.


    First shot, the mana beam flying straightly towards him¡ªabsorbed.


    Second shot, shot from a blind spot¡ªBOOM!


    The barrier fractured and shattered under the force of my attack, just like before.


    I chuckled. "As I thought, huh?"


    The third shot hit his back and Gorak skidded through the dirt.


    Gorak roared, his guttural voice vibrating through the chamber as he charged again, his massive butcher-like weapon swinging for my head.


    But I was already moving.


    "< Gate >."


    A portal snapped open beneath my feet, and I stepped through it, just in time to avoid the deadly arc of steel.


    WHOOSH! The weapon cleaved through empty space where I had stood a moment before.


    I reappeared several meters away, raising my mana gun in a steady grip.


    He can¡¯t keep up with teleportation. And now, he¡¯s running low on options. Now, what will you do, Greater Kobold Gorak?


    Ksshhh!


    First shot.


    Gorak snarled and immediately invoked his barrier.


    "Krath''zul Vorath!"


    A translucent dome shimmered into existence, absorbing the hit.


    I narrowed my eyes. "But still, this is the first time I''ve witnessed a barrier spell casted by a monster." Interesting, I want to study this one also and how much can I utilize it.


    My hand flashed with blue light as I activated a spell, "< Deconstruct >!". A stream of arcane symbols unraveled in my vision, peeling away the layers of Gorak¡¯s spell like an intricate blueprint.


    So, it functions by creating a barrier with the durability as tough as one''s endurance and aura? So it functions both as a physical barrier as well as a magical barrier. But a skill with this properties... it will sure drain mana fast. I wonder if I can do something about that property.


    As the second shot left my gun, I studied how the mana inside the dome shifted and dispersed.


    Ksshhh!


    Second shot.


    A fine crack spread across the dome. His spell was strong, but not invincible.


    BOOM! The barrier shattered into glowing fragments.


    "Got it."


    I raised my hand.


    " < Archieve >!"


    A faint golden light shimmered around my hand as my grimoire, List of Interesting Skills, materialized in front of me. The pages flipped open, and a blank page etched itself with new text.


    [ You have successfully learned the skill < Construct Barrier >. ]


    I smirked. "This might come in handy later."


    With that done¡ª


    KSSHHH!


    Third shot.


    The last shot tore through the air, now unimpeded by any defense.


    The battle had just turned in my favor. The last shot would rip through his flesh.


    But Gorak wasn¡¯t just standing still. The moment his shield collapsed, he lunged again, moving in unpredictable zig-zags, trying to close the distance. His bloodshot eyes burned with fury.


    I smirked.


    "You''re fast¡­ but not fast enough."


    "<Gate>."


    I vanished before he could reach me. I have higher int and agi stat. I can cast spells faster than he can move.


    Gorak slid to a stop, whipping his head around, searching for me.


    I had already repositioned at another angle.


    Ksshhh!


    Another mana beam shot toward him.


    With no barrier left, the attack seared into his shoulder, burning away fur and flesh.


    He let out a strangled growl, but he wasn¡¯t done. His eyes flashed with understanding.


    "Oh?" Did he perhaps understood now that there was no point casting the barrier? Or casting the barrier is working against him?


    He was learning mid-fight. A desperate opponent, backed into a corner, could sometimes become the most dangerous. He raised his free hand, muttering in his guttural tongue¡ª "Krath''zul Vorath!"


    I was expecting a dome-shaped barrier to materialize, but nothing happened. "Oh, did you perhaps... drained all your mana?" I chuckled.


    His mana had run out. Well, that is to be expected of a low level monster with low int stat. His snout wrinkled in frustration.


    I chuckled darkly. "Out of tricks already?"


    Gorak let out a furious bellow and charged one final time. No magic. No barriers. Just brute force.


    I didn¡¯t move. Well, I didn¡¯t need to. I aimed my mana gun at him with three magic circles materializing immediately at the tip of the barrel.


    KSSHHH!


    One shot¡ªright in the gut.


    Gorak staggered.


    KSSHHH!


    Second shot¡ªright in the chest.


    The Greater Kobold coughed up blackened blood, his movements slowing.


    His legs buckled.


    For the first time, his eyes flickered with something other than rage.


    Fear.


    I exhaled. "You fought well, Gorak."


    And then¡ª


    KSSHHH!


    Final shot.


    Right between the eyes.


    Gorak collapsed in a heap, lifeless.


    The chamber fell silent. Left with a silent squeak from the last kobold guard alive. I smirked at it as I finished him off.


    I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders.


    "That took more effort than expected." I said while messages of the system appeared before me.


    [ You have defeated the Monster Domain Lord - Greater Kobold < Gorak the Ironfang >! ]


    [ You have received 1500 DP as rewards. ]


    [ You have cleared the monster domain: < Kobold Cave Den [ Lvl. 5 ] >! ]


    [ You have received 7710 DP as reward. ]


    Ohh, sweet. I earned around 9000+ DP in this domain. That is still not including the DP I will earn from scavenging the monster corpses I''ve gathered.


    I walked toward the Greater Kobold¡¯s body, pressing a hand against it.


    "< Dimensional Storage >." My skill flared to life, swallowing the corpse into my inventory. I also collected the other four monster corpses in the boss room. I wonder how much I will earn from this monster. Though 25 million DP seems still so far.


    I gave my mana gun a quick check¡ªits essence vessel still had a bit of charge left. Good. I¡¯d recharge it later.


    I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders.


    "That took more effort than expected."


    I was just about to relax when¡ª


    ¡­An aura approached.


    No¡ªthree auras.


    And they weren¡¯t weak.


    I instinctively cast beneath my feet and let myself fall through it, repositioning to the far back of the room. As I landed, I crouched low, pressing my back against the jagged rock formations.


    I stayed still.


    The auras weren¡¯t just strong¡ªthey far exceeded my current stats.


    Something was off.


    I narrowed my eyes and peered from behind a cluster of stalactites, carefully observing the figures that entered the boss chamber.


    First, I saw two monsters.


    A Troll Shaman¡ªa hulking figure wrapped in crude ceremonial robes, carrying a gnarled staff etched with glowing runes.


    A Green Hobgoblin¡ªa more evolved form, equipped with refined armor and a jagged blade, much smarter than its lower-tier cousins.


    But what caught my attention was the third figure.


    A woman.


    She walked between the two monsters, dressed in a black robe that bore the insignia of some kind of research division. Her long pink hair cascaded down her back, but what stood out the most were her sharp, pointed ears and the black, twisted horns curling from her head.


    ¡­An Oni?


    No, something was off. Oni were usually more muscular, more imposing.


    A Dark Elf?


    Again, not quite. Dark elves had pointed ears, but not horns.


    What the hell is she? Maybe a named, evolved monster?


    More importantly¡ªwhy is she walking alongside evolved monsters?


    I remained hidden, watching. I wasn¡¯t in the best state for another fight, specially that my mana gun is on low mana left, and against these three, a direct confrontation was suicide.


    I gripped my mana gun tightly, muscles tensed.


    I needed to gather information¡ªfast. I narrowed my eyes and invoked my analysis skill with a murmured voice, "< Inspect Monster >."


    A familiar translucent screen materialized before me, listing out the monsters details immediately.


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Monster Domain Lord - Troll Shaman


    Name: Groznak the Bonecaster of the Valthorne Grand Order


    Level: 7


    Stat Rating: 111 SR


    HP: 310/310


    MP: 170/170


    Attributes


    Life: 31


    Strength: 16


    Endurance: 21


    Intelligence: 17


    Aura: 17


    Agility: 9 ]


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Monster Domain Lord - Hobgoblin Warrior


    Name: Thragul the Bloodfury of the Valthorne Grand Order


    Level: 15


    Stat Rating: 178 SR


    HP: 500/500


    MP: 180/180


    Attributes


    Life: 50


    Strength: 39


    Endurance: 27


    Intelligence: 18


    Aura: 24


    Agility: 20 ]


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Monster Domain Lord - Abyssal Dark Elf


    Name: Vaerilith Valthorne of the ??? Grand Council


    Level: 22


    Stat Rating: 317 SR


    HP: 660/660


    MP: 730/730


    Attributes


    Life: 66


    Strength: 34


    Endurance: 38


    Intelligence: 73


    Aura: 62


    Agility: 44 ]


    I froze. 317 SR. Hey, hey, that was nearly three times my stat rating.


    My fingers tightened around the grip of my mana gun. My thoughts were racing, but I forced myself to stay calm. I¡¯d sensed they were stronger than me¡ªbut this?


    My gaze flickered between the two monsters. They weren¡¯t just random evolved types¡ªthey belonged to a Grand Order.


    The Valthorne Grand Order, huh? Never heard of them. But a grand order is an organized faction of monster domain lords, or human hunter domain lords operating under a singular banner. The fact that both the troll and hobgoblin that are both monster domain lords carried that name meant this wasn¡¯t just some loose alliance¡ªthis was a structured organization.


    And then there was her.


    Vaerilith Valthorne.


    And a Grand Council.


    Not a Grand Order¡ªbut a Grand Council. A closed alliance of leaders of grand orders.


    This wasn¡¯t just some random encounter in a dungeon.


    I had just stepped into a battlefield I didn¡¯t even know existed.


    One wrong move here, and I wouldn¡¯t just be fighting three strong enemies¡ªI¡¯d be marking myself as an enemy of an unknown organization of monsters.


    A war I wasn¡¯t ready for. Heck, I''m just starting building my domain!


    I forced my breath to slow. Think, Meir. What do they want? Why are they here?


    I had cleared this dungeon¡ªit was supposed to be cleared now.


    But these three¡­ had entered as if they owned the place.


    Was I just unlucky? Or was there something else at play here?


    I swallowed hard, carefully shifting deeper into the shadows. This wasn¡¯t a fight I could win.


    I remained completely still, pressing myself against the damp stone wall, barely daring to breathe. From my hiding spot behind the stalactites, I had a clear view of the three figures standing in the boss room. Their presence alone was suffocating¡ªa weight pressing down on my instincts, warning me to stay put.


    The Troll Shaman was the first to speak. His voice was deep and guttural, laced with a thick accent. He planted his staff into the ground, the skull ornaments tied to it rattling softly.


    "This domain... it is empty." His glowing eyes swept over the chamber, taking in the aftermath of my fight. "No bodies. No corpses. Just blood and signs of battle."


    His thick fingers traced a claw along the ground, scooping up dirt mixed with dried kobold blood. "All the monsters that once dwelled here have disappeared as well. Even the domain core."


    I watched as he tapped his staff against one of the shattered stone pillars, examining the battle damage.


    "The traps are all triggered as well," he continued. "But none of them were reset. This was no gradual purge¡ªsomeone came in, wiped this place clean, and left no trace behind."


    The Hobgoblin, Thragul, snorted and crossed his arms. He had a deep scar running down his left cheek, and the sharp, jagged teeth exposed in his smirk made him look perpetually aggressive.


    "That stupid kobold," he spat. "He got himself killed for sure."


    His nose twitched as he sniffed the air, his expression darkening.


    "Probably by human hunters. Maybe a strong one, judging by how clean this place is." He turned his gaze to the troll, then the woman. "I can''t even trace the scent of human blood. That means whoever did this wasn¡¯t just trying to raid,¡ª"


    His golden eyes gleamed.


    "¡ªthey dominated against the kobolds nside this monster domain.."


    His gaze swept over the remains of the shattered stone and the mana-burnt walls.


    "But Gorak was an evolved type, right? That dumb lizard had a defensive skill too¡­ how the hell did he go down this easily?"


    The woman had been silent the entire time, standing at the center of the room with her arms crossed. Now, she stepped forward, her black robes swaying with the movement. The pink of her long hair was eerily vibrant against the darkness of the cave, and the sharp, curved horns that protruded from her head only added to her intimidating presence.


    She was stronger than both of them.


    And she knew it.


    Her crimson eyes flickered toward the bloodstains, taking in the evidence of battle. For a brief moment, I swore she narrowed her gaze toward my exact hiding spot, but she made no move to investigate.


    Then, she simply turned away.


    "Let''s go," she said, voice smooth but firm. "There''s no value in this domain anymore."


    Her cloak billowed slightly as she strode toward the exit. "We¡¯ll just waste time if we dawdle any longer."


    The troll grunted in agreement, and the hobgoblin gave the chamber one last glance before clicking his tongue and following.


    I stayed perfectly still.


    Only when their footsteps faded did I let out a slow, controlled breath.


    That was too close. I need to get out of this place immediately.


    I exhaled slowly, forcing my heart rate to steady as I lowered my mana gun. My body remained tense, every instinct screaming at me to stay hidden for a little longer. Even after the three figures left the chamber, the residual pressure of their presence lingered like a shadow over my senses.


    That was too close. Far too close.


    If I had hesitated even a second longer in my retreat, if I had made the slightest mistake in hiding my aura, I would have been dead¡ªor worse, marked as a target by an entire organization of monsters.


    That¡¯s not a fight I can take right now.


    I had pushed my luck far enough. It was time to leave.


    I reached out with one hand, summoning the familiar hum of system commands at my fingertips.


    "Blessing Command! Activate Skill < Linked Gate Portals >. Accept Coordinates [35.792328,137.647541] to Coordinates: [35.224408,137.660919]..."


    The moment I spoke, I felt the weight of the spell settle onto my shoulders¡ªa manual casting, spatial construct so complex and vast that it threatened to burn through my mana veins. It wasn¡¯t just like my usual <Gate> skill. It was long-distance displacement.


    Mana surged violently through me as the spell''s core locked onto the coordinates.


    "< Generate Gate >!"


    The air in front of me fractured, as if the very fabric of reality was being forcibly peeled apart. A sharp, diamond-shaped rift tore into existence, crackling with condensed spatial energy. It expanded until it was large enough for me to step through comfortably.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate.


    With one last glance at the now-empty boss room, I stepped forward¡ªleaving the dangerous, unknown depths of the domain behind.


    The moment I passed through, the rift collapsed, sealing off any trace of my escape.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    One moment, I was stepping out of the cold, dimly lit dungeon, the scent of kobold''s blood and stone still clinging to my senses. The next, I was back in my domain¡ªbathed in the golden hues of the afternoon sun. A warm breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the faint scent of wood and soil.


    I let out a slow breath. My domain. Home.


    It has been only half a day at most, right? But the domain had changed in the short time I was away. More people, more movement, more progress.


    From my vantage point I emerged from, I look at my growing domain. Several dozen workers were spread across the area, moving with purpose. Some carried stacks of wooden planks, while others worked at the frame of a building taking shape in the distance. The construction of the first industrial structures had begun.


    Near the center of the domain, there''s a new open tent that had become something of a hub. Rows of monoblock chairs had been set up under the large canopy, where a gathering of people sat in what looked like an impromptu local meeting or briefing session. They were listening to someone at the front, though from this angle, I could see it was Yuriko-san speaking.


    I barely had time to process all of this before her familiar voice called out to me.


    ¡°Meir-sama! You¡¯ve returned!¡± She called over the microphone, which of course made the other listeners to look at my direction.


    Strange, so it is not "Sir Meir" anymore but "Meir-sama", huh. Well, I changed the way I called her also so its a fair trade. She rose swiftly from her seat under the tent, her sharp eyes scanning me from head to toe. Before I could say anything, she was already approaching.


    Her crisp white blouse and black slacks made her stand out among the more roughly dressed workers. She carried herself with the professional air of a businesswoman, yet her expression was edged with something close to concern.


    ¡°Meir-sama, I thought you will dive three more domains for this day?¡± she remarked as she stopped in front of me, eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Is there any problems?¡±


    Smiling gently, I showed her my mana gun. "I need to recharge my mana gun." I lied, I just don''t want to accidentally cross path with those high leveled monsters roaming around my planned domain raids.


    "Is that so?" Yuriko-san observed the mana essence vessel attached to my gun. There are about 1/5 mana essence left in the vessel.


    "Who are they?" I asked.


    Yuriko-san glanced back at the gathering under the tent before returning her attention to me. "Ah, I was just finishing a briefing," she said, lowering the microphone in her hand. "They¡¯re from Hachiji Monster''s Scavenging and Processing Company. A new company specializing in monster scavenging and material recovery."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Hachiji? Wait, isn''t that Tanaka-san''s ...?"


    She nodded. "Yes, Meir-sama. They''re a sister company of Tanaka-san''s company, Hachiji Builders. Tanaka-san recommended and proposed them to me. Since Hachiji Builders primarily focuses on construction but given the rapid expansion of domain-related industries lately, they decided to branch out. Monster materials are highly valuable on the past years and their raw materials, processed or not, is skyrocketing ing the market and auctions. Moreover, Japan has been struggling with an efficient monster processing infrastructure."


    "Meaning they¡¯re testing their business model on our domain?" I asked.


    "Yes, Meir-sama." Yuriko-san folded her arms. "Since we¡¯re planning to conduct daily raid, we will now be also steadily collecting monsters from raided monster domains, it made sense to collaborate with a company specializing in scavenging and processing monster corpses."


    "Don''t we just need to sell the corpses at the DP Shop?" I asked.


    "Meir-sama, I''m not sure if you are already aware of this but instead of selling monster corpses to directly to the DP shop at low value, we can instead scavenge their corpses and process them into refined goods, extract rare materials, trade commodities, or usable resources." Yuriko-san made a gesture of money symbol with her fingers and continued. "Domains earns more DP through this process."


    "I see... Good job then. Thank you Yuriko-san," I said as I glanced toward the seated workers under the tent, some still murmuring among themselves as they stole curious glances at me.


    "But still... they¡¯re running their first trial here?" The thought of being a testing ground doesn''t sit well for me.


    "Yes." Yuriko-san confirmed. "They¡¯ll be immediately handling the processing of monster parts, mana core extractions, and scavenging for any leftover valuable materials. Actually, we already tried a trial run earlier." she pointed at another large canopy at the other edge of the domain.


    "We focused on hound-type and goblin-type monsters from the recent hunts," Yuriko-san continued. "With proper dismantling, we managed to extract intact mana cores, fangs, and pelts from the hounds, while the goblins provided usable bone fragments, sinew, and even a few salvaged weapons. The pelts and sinew, on the other hand, are suitable for basic armor crafting."


    "I see..." Yuriko-san has this side that loves to report, huh?


    "Meanwhile, goblin''s blood is on high demand lately on the global trading store because they can be processed to cheap healing potions. So we focused on extracting goblin''s blood essence and since Meir-sama provided clean corpses with minimal damage, the trial run went smoothly, and we even earned a notable increase in DP compared to just offering raw corpses to the domain core."


    More DP, huh? I folded my arms and glanced at the workers,"So you approved of their work?"


    "Yes, Meir-sama. If they succeed in establishing a working system, we can create a proper monster scavenging and processing department within our domain earlier than other domains average growth."


    A structured industry for monster scavenging¡­ It made sense. Like she said, it was inefficient to just dump corpses, offering them at the DP Shop without getting their full value. If we could integrate a processing chain, it could bring a sustainable source of DP and materials.


    Still, there was one thing I needed to clarify.


    "Are they reliable?" I asked, lowering my voice slightly. "This domain is still in its early stages. I don¡¯t want security leaks or third parties selling information about our capabilities."


    Yuriko-san smirked, clearly expecting the question. "Hachiji Monster''s Scavenging and Processing Company is still a small company, but its key members have been working under Hachiji Builders for years. They''re handpicked veterans in logistics and material processing. They won¡¯t betray us, especially since Tanaka-san has a stake in their success. Plus¡­" she paused, tilting her head slightly. "I¡¯ve already made them sign an exclusive contract with our domain. If they breach it, they lose all rights to work with domain lords."


    That was good enough for now. Tanaka-san¡¯s involvement meant they had a vested interest in keeping this deal clean.


    I exhaled through my nose and gave a slight nod. "Alright. We¡¯ll see how they perform. Just don''t sell the mana cores. Offer them directly to our domain core for its growth. I''ll leave them to you, okay?"


    She smiled, professional but pleased. "Understood, Meir-sama. I''ll handle the rest."


    With a flick of my wrist, I chanted, " <Dimensional Storage> ".


    A faint ripple of mana spread outward as the space before me distorted. A diamond-shaped rift materialized in the air. In an instant, numerous hounds corpses, goblin corpses, kobold corpses and the remains of the greater kobold I had fought earlier fell, landing heavily onto the ground with dull thuds. They were the whole loot of the three monster domain I raided today. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the dry afternoon air.


    "Please take care of these corpses as well," I said, stepping back.


    Yuriko-san widened an eye at the sight, but she immediately turned to the workers nearby. She clapped her hands once, "Marika-san, please handle these corpses as well."


    I saw a woman swiftly rose up and attended Yuriko-san''s demand, probably the Marika-san, a sturdy woman in her late thirties with a no-nonsense demeanor, gave a curt nod at Yuriko-san¡¯s instruction. Adjusting the cap on her head, she turned to her team.


    "You heard her! Start sorting the corpses¡ªmana cores first, then separate the equipment and salvageable parts!" she barked, her voice carrying authority.


    "Thank you, Marika-san."


    "Oh my gosh, Yamamoto-san! Just look at this fresh and high preserved quality corpses!" Marika-san''s eyes gleamed at the pile of monster corpses I deposited to them. Weird, it''s strange for humans to be delighted at monster corpses. "Did the Domain Lord-sama collected them all alone?"


    "Yes," I offered her a handshake as I smiled gently at her, "The name''s Meir. Nashchor Meir."


    "That doesn''t sound like a Japanese name, hahaha." Marika-san chuckled as she accepted my handshake. "Are you a foreigner?"


    "Something like that, but my family tree traces back to Japan." I answered though I don''t know. I was an orphan just taken in by the Professor.


    "I see. I''m Tanaka Marika, cousin of that idiot engineer over there." She pointed her thumbs backwards in the construction site where I can barely recognize Tanaka Kentaro. "My team will be working here. Please take care of our team, Meir-sama."


    "Likewise, please take care of our loots."


    Without hesitation, her crew sprang into action. A pair of workers immediately began checking the kobolds for intact mana cores, using small, specialized knives to extract them from the chest cavities. Others inspected the pelts and claws, muttering assessments to one another as they worked. The greater kobold¡¯s body required extra hands, so two more workers joined in, ensuring nothing went to waste.


    I noticed that their reaction is like they just found a treasure chest, all of them are smiling wide with eyes appreciating the beauty of the kobold corpses.


    By the time a pickup truck rolled into place, the team had already finished their initial assessment. "Load ¡®em up, make sure they don¡¯t get damaged on the way!" Marika-san ordered, stepping aside as her team efficiently transferred the corpses onto the vehicle.


    A few men rushed forward as they open the guard railings of the pickup truck while the others hoisted the bodies onto the back with practiced ease. Even the greater kobold, despite its bulk, was lifted without much difficulty¡ªthese people were used to handling monster carcasses.


    As the corpses was being loaded one by one, I tapped Yuriko-san¡¯s shoulder, catching her attention again. "I''ll leave them to you, Yuriko-san. Ah, right, right. Can you cancel the remaining monster domain raids?"


    She blinked, momentarily surprised by the request, but quickly adjusted. "Cancel them? Did something happen?"


    I flicked my head to the side, gesturing for her to follow me. Yuriko-san hesitated only a second before nodding, falling into step beside me as we walked away from the workers. We didn¡¯t stop until we were far enough that no one could overhear us.


    Keeping my voice low, I recounted everything¡ªthe domain raid, the greater kobold¡¯s surprising strength, how I barely managed to take it down, and most importantly, the three suspicious monsters who arrived afterward. I explained how they were all much stronger than me, their presence alone enough to make me retreat.


    When I finished, I swiped my hand in the air, pulling up a hunter system UI window and shifting it towards Yuriko-san. The floating screen displayed captured footage¡ªthree figures standing amidst the bloodied dungeon.


    The level 7 troll shaman, with his hunched frame and tribal ornaments.


    The level 15 hobgoblin, arms crossed, exuding a menacing presence.


    And their strange level 22 leader¡ªpointed ears, pink hair, and dressed in black researcher-like clothing.


    The analysis skill automatically identified them as monsters. Alongside the footage, I pulled up details from my analysis skill, highlighting the mention of a Grand Order¡ªevidence that these weren¡¯t just random strong creatures wandering about.


    "You can make a report to the JNHA to help them investigate the matter," I said, watching as Yuriko-san¡¯s brows furrowed in thought. "But if we seek their assistance, can you make sure it''s anonymous? Don''t mention our domain at all."


    She looked at me sharply. I continued, "I don¡¯t want us gathering unnecessary attention from a secretive organization of high-level monsters. Especially now that we¡¯re just an upstarting domain. We can''t afford that risk."


    Yuriko-san¡¯s eyes remained fixed on the hovering system window, her brows furrowed as she absorbed the information. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she closed them again, still processing what I had just handed her.


    She exhaled slowly, tilting her head as she studied the footage. "This is¡­ concerning," she muttered, her fingers tapping lightly against her crossed arms. "If monsters of this level are freely roaming the north side of our domain, then it¡¯s far too dangerous to continue raiding there in the mean time."


    I gave a small nod. "Exactly. I barely got out."


    She turned her gaze back to me, eyes sharp with calculation. "Specially that our raiding team only consist of you, Meir-sama. Thankfully you are not as naive as other hunters and have a reliable monster analysis skill. Thank goodness," She let out a sigh through her nose.


    "Understood. I¡¯ll reach out to the JNHA and provide them with this intel. I¡¯ll make sure the report is anonymous¡ªno mention of our domain. We can¡¯t risk drawing attention to ourselves, not with something this big."


    I let out a breath I hadn''t realized I was holding. "I''m glad you understand."


    Yuriko-san shut the system window with a swipe of her hand, her usual composed expression returning, though I could tell she was already planning the next steps in her head.


    "I''ll just finish our business meeting with the Hachiji Monster''s Scavenging and Processing Company, Meir-sama."


    "Oh, okay. I''ll also consult someone regarding this issue." I answered.


    Yuriko-san bowed and turned on her heel and strode back toward the canopy, her posture straight and purposeful. I hope the discussion with the monster scavenging company went well, ensuring everything was set in motion.


    I watched her go for a moment before shaking my head and stepping toward the house. The moment I crossed the door the cool air inside greeted me, offering a welcome reprieve from the afternoon heat.


    Heading toward the dining room, I caught sight of Aoi-san and Chie-chan, both busy packing food into containers. The kitchen area which was small, has been cramped with lots of plastic container. This kitchen area is definitely not suitable for large batch of cooking. But their movements were smooth and practiced¡ªAoi-san carefully sealing the lids while Chie-chan neatly stacked them into a delivery bag. The scent of fresh bread and fried cutlets filled the air, making my stomach tighten in response.


    Aoi-san was the first to notice me. She looked up with a warm smile. "Meir-sama, welcome back. Do you want to have some afternoon break-time meal?"


    She reached for a neatly packed food container and handed it to me. Inside were two kinds of sandwiches: Tamago Sando, a fluffy egg sandwich, and Katsu Sando, a crispy chicken cutlet sandwich drizzled with rich tonkatsu sauce.


    At the sight of the food, my stomach betrayed me with a low growl. I gave a small chuckle, accepting the pack with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Aoi-san. These foods looks delicious."


    Before I could say more, Chie-chan stepped forward, carefully holding out a pitcher of lemon tea. Her expression was composed, but I noticed the slight eagerness in her gaze.


    "Meir-sama, please accept this also," she said, her voice soft but clear.


    I took the pitcher, feeling the cool condensation against my fingertips. "I appreciate it, Chie-chan. You¡¯re both too kind."


    Chie gave a small, pleased smile, while Aoi-san chuckled lightly before returning to packing.


    "I''ll eat them in my room. Thanks again, okay?" I smiled at them.


    Balancing the food container and pitcher in one hand, I made my way upstairs to my room. The moment I stepped inside, I set the meal down on my desk and exhaled. The day had been long, and it wasn¡¯t even over yet.


    Before anything else, I needed to check something.


    I walked over to a small safe embedded in the wall, pressing my hand against its surface. A faint shimmer of mana pulsed as it recognized me, unlocking with a quiet click. As the door swung open, my eyes fell on the domain core resting inside¡ªa pearl-like crystal, roughly the size of my hand, pulsing faintly with energy. The protective spells surrounding it hovered like rings around a planet, shifting subtly as they detected my presence.


    Still intact. Still stable. That meant everything inside the domain was secure.


    Satisfied, I closed the safe and turned to my desk. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and tapped on a saved contact labeled "Professor".


    Calling someone in the future wasn¡¯t as simple as making a normal phone call.


    The moment I pressed the dial button, I felt a pull¡ªa strange sensation as if something deep inside me was being siphoned away. Mana. The device was actively drawing energy from me, weaving it through time itself to establish a connection.


    A few rings later, a voice came through the line¡ªclear and distinctly feminine. "Yes, Meir? Do you have any updates regarding the Dream Pearl?"


    I adjusted my grip on the phone, my expression turning serious. "Not yet, the scheduled meeting with Seikishi-Dan Guild is tomorrow, professor. Well, I have something else to report."


    "Go on," the professor prompted, her tone sharp with expectation.


    I exhaled and leaned against the desk. "During my last domain raid, I encountered a Greater Kobold acting as a domain boss. It wasn''t much of a challenge, but after I took it down, three unfamiliar monsters appeared¡ªstrong ones. A Troll Shaman, a Hobgoblin, and a third... something else entirely. This last one had pink hair, pointed ears, and was dressed like a researcher in black robes. My analysis skill flagged them as part of something called the ¡®Valthorne Grand Order.¡¯"


    I let the words settle for a moment before asking, "Professor, do you have any data on this Valthorne Grand Order? Or about this... Vaerilith Valthorne monster?"


    There was a brief pause, then a quiet sigh from the other end. "Forget about it, Meir. You have more important things to focus on. Stay on mission."


    I frowned. "Professor¡ª"


    "You¡¯re running out of time," she cut in, her voice firm. "I¡¯ve been digging and transcribing virtual data through the global archived files and found something that might be useful. If my computations and transcriptions were right, you''ve arrived at the time close to when there was a mysterious incident involving the Seikishi-Dan Guild and the disappearance of Dream Pearl. Details are scarce, but if we¡¯re right, we need to focus on it before the Dream Pearl disappears from our handreach. It''s our only way now to find the Saintess. You must find out exactly what''s the current situation is before making any moves."


    I ran a hand through my hair. So that was why she was pressing so hard for results.


    "Understood," I muttered as I drank lemon tea. "I''ll look into it."


    A faint electronic beep echoed through the line, followed by the professor''s voice shifting into a more focused tone. "Oh, wait¡ªadditional details about the incident just finished transcribing, Meir. Let¡¯s see¡­"


    I heard the faint rustling of digital files being sorted before she continued, "After one year of investigation, it was later found that the culprit was a Senior Hunter of the Seikishi-Dan Guild¡­ who had become a Shever Follower¡­" Her voice trailed off for a second before she muttered under her breath, "Oh no¡­ Shever¡¯s followers already knew about how the Dream Pearl hidden power works?"


    I felt my grip on the phone tighten as a realization slammed into me. "Oh shit¡­" My mind pieced together the implications at once. "Professor, I think I have a clue on how things worked out here. They probably used the Dream Pearl to get the exact location of the hiding Saintess in Korea!"


    The line was silent for a moment, as if she was processing the same horrifying conclusion. Then, a sharp inhale. "That means¡­ if Shever¡¯s forces haven''t found out the Saintess exact location yet, but they could have a way to track her location. Meir, this just escalated beyond a simple retrieval mission."


    I exhaled sharply, setting my phone on speaker mode as I reached for my tablet. The glow of the screen illuminated my face as I quickly navigated through the database, pulling up information on the Seikishi-Dan Guild and its current roster.


    ¡°But who is the Senior Hunter that betrayed them?¡± I muttered, scanning through the registered squad parties, cross-referencing them with past mission records. Names and ranks filled the screen, but nothing stood out immediately.


    "I''ll try to transcribe more data, but it will take some time," the professor responded. Her voice held a note of frustration, likely from dealing with the security enchantments woven into the classified files. "The data is protected by alternating security spells. For now, we need to obtain information on how far the incident has progressed. Since you''re playing house as a domain lord working there, try to take advantage of that."


    I frowned. "I¡¯m not playing house, Professor. I''m a legit domain lord."


    "So what? It''s the same thing anyway." She dismissed it without hesitation. "Focus on your mission and take advantage of everything you have. Don¡¯t forget¡ªthis is our last hope to open the ''Gate.'' "


    Her words hit like a quiet thunderclap. I leaned back in my chair, opening the plastic container and getting the egg sandwich. "Yes, yes. I''ll focus, okay?"


    A brief silence hung between us before she sighed. "Sorry. I know how much you admire domain lords and domains, but we have a mission here."


    I didn''t respond. There wasn¡¯t much to say.


    "Contact me if you find anything."


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    With that, the line went dead. The conversation was over.


    I set the tablet down, staring at the screen where the Seikishi-Dan member list was still displayed. A senior hunter turned Shever follower. The Dream Pearl already compromised. The Saintess possibly tracked.


    Everything was spiraling faster than I expected. Well at least I''m eating delicious food, for now.


    Later that night, as Yuriko-san and I was doing our daily report. I let out a quiet sigh, rubbing my temple as I skimmed through the final numbers for the day. Sitting across from me at the small living room table, Yuriko-san had a similar look of exhaustion, her pen tapping idly against the edge of her laptop as she double-checked the expenses.


    ¡°We need more people,¡± I finally said, breaking the silence. ¡°And an office. Handling all of this¡ªDP expenses and earnings, domain reports, raid results¡ªwith just the two of us is¡­ exhausting.¡± I flicked my pen toward the growing stack of reports in front of us. ¡°At this rate, we¡¯ll be drowning in paperwork before the domain even properly expands.¡±


    Yuriko-san let out a tired chuckle, stretching her arms over her head. ¡°Meir-sama, you know, just yesterday I thought managing one raid team and starting a guild wouldn¡¯t be so bad. But at this rate, I¡¯m going to end up calculating numbers in my sleep.¡±


    I smirked. ¡°I¡¯d believe it. You already talk about DP calculations in dinner earlier.¡±


    She blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Wait¡ªdo I really?¡±


    ¡°No, but I had you there for a second.¡±


    She sighed, shaking her head with a small, amused smile. ¡°I''ve noticed but you¡¯re a carefree person, Meir-sama.¡± She typed down the last few figures before closing down her laptop. ¡°But actually, I already interviewed two potential assistants online. They might be able to start tomorrow or the day after.¡±


    That was good news. ¡°What are they like?¡±


    ¡°But actually, I already interviewed two potential assistants online. They might be able to start tomorrow or the day after.¡±


    That was good news. ¡°What are they like?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re both fresh graduates with impressive credentials. One specialized in bookkeeping and finance and worked part-time at a logistics company to support her studies. The other studied business management and had a part-time job as a receptionist at a hunter association branch.¡± She explained as she opened one of her notebooks and prepared her calculator again.


    I nodded approvingly. ¡°Sounds like exactly what we need.¡± I don''t know much about hiring people and what qualities are good. Sorry but I''ll leave them to your judgement, Yuriko-san!


    She tapped her pen against her notebook, thoughtful. ¡°People like them are easier to train than hiring someone too set in their ways. I¡¯d rather build a team that grows with us.¡±


    My lips went for an appreciative smile, "I agree."


    Yuriko-san stretched again, stifling a yawn. ¡°Sounds like a plan. For now, we have one final interview before the day ends.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Final interview?¡±


    She nodded, flipping through her notes. ¡°You remember my friend at JNHA who helped us with our loan?¡±


    ¡°The one who pulled strings to get us better terms? Yeah, what about her?¡±


    ¡°Well, she reached out to some investors on our behalf¡ªpeople looking for promising up-and-coming guilds to support. One investor came forward, saying they¡¯re willing to provide capital for our guild.¡±


    That caught my attention. ¡°That¡¯s great news. What¡¯s the catch?¡±


    Yuriko-san exhaled, tapping her pen against the table. ¡°They want one of their hunters to gain experience through our low-level domain raids.¡±


    I frowned slightly. ¡°So, we¡¯d basically be training their hunter?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much. It¡¯s not the worst deal, though. If we accept, we get much-needed funding, and in return, we mentor a hunter who¡¯s still in the early stages of their career.¡±


    I leaned back in my chair, considering it. ¡°It¡¯s not unreasonable, but it depends on the hunter. Do we know who they¡¯re sending?¡±


    She hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of her notebook. ¡°Well¡­ she''s my junior back in high school.¡±


    That was interesting. ¡°What¡¯s she like?¡±


    Yuriko-san sighed, shaking her head with a wry smile. ¡°She¡¯s a bit¡­ well, let¡¯s just say she has a strong personality. But she¡¯s a good girl.¡±


    I chuckled nervously. ¡°That sounds ominous.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough." Yuriko-san placed a tablet before us. Inside, there is a video meeting already set-up. Yuriko-san opened her laptop again and joined the video meeting also.


    "Meir-sama, do you want to change to formal clothes?" Yuriko-san asked as she stood up. "I''ve bought different suits for your earlier just in case."


    I don''t like formality and things that much. I also already did my bath and is ready to go to bed anytime. Changing clothes is too much hassle now... "Can''t I just attend with this hoodie? I''ll be an observer anyways."


    Yuriko-san scanned my hoodie, whereas she thought for moments before answering. "Hmmm, maybe that''ll do anyways." She left quickly as soon as gave her verdict. "I''ll still change clothes, Meir-sama. At least one of us needs to stay professional."


    I let out a small sigh, shaking my head with a smirk. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m about to meet a handful.¡±


    Yuriko-san only gave a knowing smile before disappearing into the other room to change.


    Left alone, I shifted my chair slightly and glanced at the tablet screen. The meeting was already set up, the interface waiting for the other participant to join. I leaned back, contemplating whether I should have taken Yuriko-san¡¯s advice and changed into something more formal. But then again, it was already late, and I was comfortable. The hoodie stays.


    Just as I adjusted my posture, the screen blinked.


    [Hoshimizu Aiya has joined the video meeting.]


    Her video camera turned on immediately, revealing a young woman with sharp, attentive eyes.


    "Hello? Can you hear me?" She waved at the camera, her tone bright but confident. Her gaze landed on me. Her eyes narrowed immediately, "Are you perhaps the domain lord at the domain where Yuri-chan is working?"


    I took a moment to observe her. Shoulder-length platinum hair with dark roots¡ªeither a dyed job or natural regrowth. Her features were striking, refined, but not overly intimidating. About on the same level as Yuriko-san in terms of looks. What stood out more was her attire¡ªshe was dressed in a formal blazer and blouse, looking completely composed for a 9 PM meeting.


    I glanced at my reflection in the screen, suddenly aware of my hoodie and relaxed posture. Maybe I should have worn a suit after all.


    Clearing my throat, I straightened up. "Yes, I''m Nashchor Meir. Nice to meet you, umm... Hoshimizu Aiya-san."


    She looked around, seemingly searching for Yuriko-san. Her forehead knotted as she continued darting her eyes around. "Where is Yuri-chan?"


    I glanced at the door, waiting a few more seconds for Yuriko-san. Hoshimizu-san was about to speak again, but I interjected first. "She''s just changing clothes. Please wait a few more moments."


    Now that I thought about it, there were still about five minutes before 9 PM. Did we join the call earlier than scheduled?


    Hoshimizu-san nodded slowly, as if piecing together the situation. She glanced at her wristwatch and gave a knowing look. Did she also realize she joined earlier than expected?


    After confirming the time, she fidgeted slightly, adjusting her clothes with her hands. As she did, she caught me watching her. Her expression immediately wrinkled, and she rolled her eyes before glancing away.


    Miss¡­ you could have just turned off the camera.


    She pulled out a folder containing documents and began reading. I figured there was no need to entertain her. We could just pass the time quietly. Yeah, that seemed like a good plan.


    I was about to go back to reviewing the Seikishi-dan Guild data when I caught her sneaking a glance at me with a grumpy expression.


    I¡¯m starting to think this girl is a little odd.


    "What is it?" I asked.


    She rolled her eyes again before answering, "Yuri-chan is taking her time changing. I also put in the effort to wear something professional. Don¡¯t you think you should change too?"


    Oh, so that¡¯s what¡¯s bothering her. But changing is a hassle¡­


    "Do I really need to?" I asked.


    She scoffed and shook her head. "So unprofessional," she muttered before going back to reading.


    I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "I''m just trying to make the environment more relaxed. Chill. Why are you so grumpy?"


    "What did you say?!" she asked, her voice rising slightly¡ªnot quite angry, but definitely sharper than before.


    I decided not to say anything else that would add fuel to the fire. Instead, I just shrugged and focused on what I was working on.


    "For your information, I¡¯m not a grumpy old auntie," she muttered.


    Miss, where did the "old auntie" part even come from?


    After three more minutes, Yuriko-san arrived, now fully dressed in professional attire¡ªa corporate blouse and skirt. She even had light makeup on, and her hair was neatly styled. The two ladies immediately noticed each other.


    "Ah, Aiya-chan," she beamed. "You''re here already," Yuriko-san greeted her.


    "Heya~ Yuri-chan." Aiya greeted cheerfully, waving her hand. She seemed all happy, but the moment she looked away to another direction, her face turned grumpy again.


    She raised a brow, her gaze fixed on what I assumed was my video feed on her screen. I raised a brow in return, silently asking What now?


    "Meir-sama, this is Hoshimizu Aiya, the hunter I told you about from our potential investor," Yuriko-san said, elbowing me. "Greet her properly, Meir-sama. First impressions matter," she whispered.


    I¡¯m sorry, Yuriko-san, but I think I¡¯ve already ruined my first impression.


    "I greet you."


    The words left my mouth before I even processed them. I realized, too late, that I was still in my unserious mode. I met Yuriko-san¡¯s surprised eyes with an equally surprised expression.


    Hoshimizu-san immediately glared at me. "Okay. Thanks," she said dryly, rolling her eyes again. Doesn''t she get dizzy from doing that?


    "A-Ah, Aiya-chan, how¡¯s your training going? I heard you finished your Hunter Training Course last month. How have you been?" Yuriko-san quickly followed up, her tone light and cheerful.


    "My life was great until that stranger showed up," she complained.


    ¡­I''m definitely that stranger.


    "She took you away from me!"


    What?!


    Yuriko-san and I exchanged surprised looks. I leaned closer, whispering, "You''re in a relationship with her?!"


    I was genuinely curious¡ªI had never witnessed a same-sex relationship before.


    "No, Meir-sama! You misunderstood!" Yuriko-san looked flustered. "I was supposed to start working for their domain next month, managing her team. But then you came along and made me an unexpected better position offer, and well... things happened... and now we¡¯re here."


    She clapped her hands together, then turned to Aiya-chan, her eyes widening as if they were having some kind of silent conversation.


    "Don''t worry, Hoshimizu-san," I reassured them. "I¡¯m not a fan of NTR."


    "What?!"


    Now they both looked at me, utterly baffled.


    "You know what," Yuriko-san sighed, massaging her temple. "Let¡¯s just focus on work, please..."


    I mean, I would like to comply but Hoshimizu-san kept glaring at my feed, even narrowing her eyes, maybe trying to stab with imaginary daggers through her glare. Now this is awkward.


    Yuriko-san cleared her throat, shaking off the awkwardness from earlier. "Alright, let¡¯s move on to the main discussion."


    Hoshimizu-san adjusted her posture, looking more composed. She pulled out a few papers from her folder and glanced at the screen. "The proposal is simple. In exchange for the investment we will put on your domain, I¡¯ll be conducting five domain raids as part of my training with your raid team."


    I leaned back slightly, processing her words. "So, field experience."


    "Yes," she confirmed. "I''ve completed my combat and basic hunter training, but I lack real-world experience in actual monster domains. My sponsor¡ªyour investor¡ªwants me to go through a structured training process before they assign me to larger operations."


    That made sense. No matter how much training you had, it was useless without real combat experience.


    She continued, "Your domain is a prime candidate for this because of your record¡ª23 cleared monster domains in just a week, level 1 to 5 monster domains, solo. That kind of efficiency is rare, and they want to evaluate your domain¡¯s potential for long-term investment."


    I glanced at Yuriko-san, who gave me a subtle nod. The record we have confirmed on clearing monster domains have been uploaded in JNHA public database. Maybe they got our achievement there. So, that¡¯s how it is. Not just training, but also a test.


    "That¡¯s fine," I said. "But let¡¯s set some expectations first. I don¡¯t normally take outsiders into my operations unless I trust them. These raids aren¡¯t like any training camp. The moment we enter, everything is real. Your safety will come first, always, whether we clear the monster domain or not."


    Hoshimizu-san raised an eyebrow. "That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m here to learn. But let¡¯s be clear¡ªI''m not asking for special treatment. Just treat me like any other new recruit."


    A straightforward answer. At least she had the right mindset.


    "Alright," I said. "Five raids only. After that, I''ll submit the evaluation report. No additional raids beyond that, okay? Once it''s done, we¡¯ll let your side decide whether you''re fit for more advanced hunts."


    "Works for me," she said with a nod.


    I sighed, not entirely convinced by this whole proposal. "Can she really work with me?" I asked Yuriko-san.


    "Umm... Aiya-chan, can you work with Meir-sama? I mean we don''t have any other teams to help you raid right now..." Yuriko-san asked cautiously.


    "Yeah, I don''t care that much about him," she replied, not even looking in our direction as she flipped through her documents.


    "Yuriko-san, I think she has attitude problems going on..." I chuckled as I joked lightly.


    "Meir-sama, now please... That is just how Aiya-san is. She is a good girl, I promise." Yuriko-san defended her but it feels like not defending her at all.


    "Sighs... teens of this era... really." I shook my head, forcing myself to be a bit more patient.


    Hoshimizu-san immediately stood up and leaned closer to the camera. She glared more looking at our direction. She crossed her arm and raised a brow. I think she is showing that she dislikes me.


    Oh, this is a test. She is testing my patience again. Now, now. I''m a mature young adult. I loosened up the tension of my face and gave her back a warm smile.


    "Excuse me, I''m not a brat anymore!" she snapped, as if I had personally insulted her.


    Really, this girl. She is easy to rile up. But her reactions is so amusing. Ibit my lips, trying to stop myself to stifle a chuckle.


    "Chill, no one called you a brat. I just said you¡¯re a teen," I replied calmly.


    "I¡¯m not a teen, I¡¯m a young adult! I¡¯m already 22! Are you mocking me?!" she leaned in even closer to the camera, clearly agitated.


    I glanced at Yuriko-san to see if she will say anything. And also to ask for help. Instead, I caught her covering her face and was smiling behind her hand. She''s enjoying this right? Yuriko-san is enjoying this childish banter?!


    Hey, that''s not fair! I''m the only bad guy if you''re not caught also!


    "No, why would I mock you? You''re our precious trainee after all. Please smile. Let us all smile. We will be working with others from now on, right?" I tried to save the proposal in the end.


    "Only for five domain raids." She grumbled. I think this investment proposal will go down the drain for sure after that five domain raids.


    Yuriko-san finally interjected, guiding the talk back to business again. After confirming all the clauses of the contract, we finally ended our video meeting.


    Yuriko-san smiled. "That settles it, then. I¡¯ll handle the paperwork, and we¡¯ll try to contact you as soon as possible for the first raid."


    "Looking forward to it," Hoshimizu-san said, though her eyes carried a sharp determination, like she was sizing me up.


    The video meeting finally ended, with me feeling exhausted after all of that.


    Yuriko-san began cleaning our documents. "Please don''t play with Aiya-chan that much, Meir-sama. She is a hardworking and honest person. I guarantee she will be a decent support for your raids."


    "Okay, I''ll try to. We also need the investment, right?" I said. Then I remembered something to ask. "Yuriko-san, are you busy tomorrow? Can you accompany me tomorrow at the Seikishi-Dan Guild?"


    Yuriko-san paused, glancing up from the stack of documents. "Seikishi-Dan Guild? I don¡¯t recall anything scheduled with them. Or is there? What¡¯s the meeting about?"


    I leaned back in my chair, choosing my words carefully. "I have scheduled the meeting a week ago. There¡¯s an important artifact I¡¯m investigating and trying to secure. If the meeting goes well, I might be able to ask about it. Securing it could be a valuable investment for the growth of our domain."


    Her eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more to it, but she didn¡¯t press. "An artifact, huh? Something from the Domain Shop?"


    "Not exactly," I said, shaking my head. "It¡¯s something... rarer. I need information, and Seikishi-Dan might have the right lead. If they do, it could be a major advantage for us."


    Yuriko-san crossed her arms, thinking. "And you want me there because...?"


    I smiled. "Because I trust your communication skills more than my own. I think I fail at communicating professionally with people. You handle negotiations better than I do. If they get wary of my questions, you can smooth things over."


    Her lips curled into a teasing smile. "Ah, so you admit it. Meir-sama, you should work on your social skills. But fine, I¡¯ll go with you. What time?"


    "Before 8 AM tomorrow," I replied.


    She nodded. "Alright. I''ll schedule a rental service. Just don¡¯t get us into any unnecessary trouble."


    I chuckled, though my mind lingered on the true reason behind this meeting. The Dream Pearl¡ªthe artifact the professor had asked me to retrieve. I couldn''t let anything slip, not even to Yuriko-san. For now, all she needed to know was that this was an investment opportunity.


    "Don''t worry," I reassured her. "This is just business."


    The next morning, we arrived at the Seikishi-Dan Guild¡ªthe Holy Knight Order Guild of northern part of Nagoya City¡ªbefore 8 AM. A staff member greeted us at the entrance and promptly guided us through the grand halls of the guild headquarters. The place exuded prestige, its towering white stone walls adorned with banners of the guild¡¯s emblem. Knights in polished armor moved about¡ªprobably paladin job class hunter¡ª some busy with their conversations, others checking their equipment and armors.


    Soon, we were led to the Guild Relations Division Office, where a man in his mid-thirties sat behind a polished wooden desk. His black hair was neatly combed back, and his sharp brown eyes assessed us with a mix of curiosity and professionalism.


    The nameplate on top of his table says:


    [ Reiji Himura


    Deputy Director of Relations


    Guild Relations Division


    Seikishi-Dan Guild ]


    He folded his hands on the desk and spoke first. "Are you perhaps, Nashchor Meir? How can I help you, sir?"


    Seeing the title on the nameplate, I felt a slight twinge of surprise. I had expected to meet with a mid-level officer or a liaison, not someone holding a high-ranking position like a Deputy Director. This meant that either my request had drawn more attention than I anticipated, or the Seikishi-Dan Guild took even minor domain lords very seriously. Either way, it changed the stakes. A man of his rank wouldn''t waste time on trivial matters¡ªI''d have to choose my words carefully.


    I quickly adjusted my posture, straightening my back slightly as I stepped forward.


    I nodded as I offer a handshake. "Deputy Director Himura, thank you for meeting with us. My name is Nashchor Meir, a new Domain Lord operating south of Nagano Prefecture. This is Yamamoto Yuriko, the acting Chief Operations Officer of our guild."


    Yuriko-san¡¯s posture stiffened slightly, her eyes widening for just a fraction of a second. She shot me a glance but remained composed, not voicing her surprise. I had just given her a higher title than she expected, but it wasn¡¯t just for show¡ªshe was already handling most of our domain¡¯s management, and for this negotiation, a formal corporate-sounding role would give us more credibility.


    "Yamamoto Yuriko. Nice to meet you Himura-san" Yuriko-san also offered a handshake.


    Reiji Himura arched a brow, shifting his gaze between the two of us as he return both of our handshakes. Then, a knowing smile appeared on his face. "A new domain lord? Interesting. And a COO, you say? So in Nagano, huh. What Grand Order are you affiliated with in Nagano? Rengou Seishi-kai? Kanshou Dantai? or perhaps from Hoshimizu Grand Order?"


    I shook my head lightly. "None, Deputy Director. I''m not affiliated with any Grand Order¡ªI''m operating independently for now. I only started as a Domain Lord about two weeks ago.


    Reiji Himura leaned back slightly, tapping a finger against his desk as he studied me. After a brief pause, he gestured toward the chairs in front of him. "Please, have a seat," he said, his tone remaining neutral but laced with curiosity.


    Yuriko-san and I sat down, the polished leather chair cool beneath my hands as I rested them on the armrests. Himura reached for a folder on his desk, flipping through papers and documents. The air in the room felt heavier now, the kind of weight that came with business negotiations where both sides were still gauging each other.


    Only after a moment of silence did I speak again. "Ah, we¡¯re also looking into potential collaborations, investors and resource exchanges. But more importantly, I came here to inquire about a certain artifact rumored to be connected to the last Domain Lord Wars."


    Himura¡¯s expression remained neutral, but I noticed a flicker of interest in his eyes. "An artifact? That¡¯s a rather broad topic, Nashchor-sama. You¡¯ll have to be more specific."


    I leaned in slightly. "I''m looking for information about something called the Dream Pearl."


    Himura-san''s expression remained neutral, but his fingers drummed lightly against his desk before he finally spoke. "Mikhail-sama, the Golden Holy Saint, entrusted this artifact to the Golden Holy Knight Grand Order, which our Seikishi-dan Guild is affiliated with."


    As he spoke, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a small, worn token along with a neatly folded letter. He placed both on the desk between us. "A week ago, we received a letter¡ªthis letter¡ªasking about the whereabouts of the Dream Pearl. And along with it, this token. You''re the one who sent us this right, Meir-san?"


    My eyes flickered to the token. A coin-like emblem engraved with intricate holy symbols¡ªone that had been given to me by my ''friend'' from the future. According to them, if I ever needed assistance from the Holy Knight Grand Order or any of its affiliated guilds, presenting this token would guarantee their cooperation.


    "Yes, the staff wouldn''t allow me to meet anyone so I had no choice but to use that."


    "Sorry about that, but there are only select few who know about this case."Himura-san exhaled, his fingers brushing against the letter as he continued. "The Dream Pearl is an artifact once used by Aiyehssa Hoshigetsu, the famed mage of the Hero¡¯s Party¡ªthe very one that marked the end of the Domain Lord Wars fifty years ago. However, I found it strange because this artifact is only used by Hoshigetsu-sama during her early days as a novice mage, it was little more than a simple, low level orb-class mage weapon. By all accounts, it holds no significant power compared to modern low level or novice level artifacts."


    His gaze darkened slightly, as if recalling something troubling. "And yet¡­ I¡¯ve never quite understood why Mikhail-sama himself ordered us to maintain the shrine where Hoshigetsu-sama left the artifact on a whim. That order was given to a select members of our guild twenty years ago when our domain was just starting and I was just a simple founding member here. I still remember his words clearly¡ª''Someone will come for it in the future. Someone bearing the token of the Holy Goddess.'' And now, here you are."


    So that was it, huh. The Professor had guided me in writing that letter, but neither of us could be sure if the Dream Pearl¡¯s importance had been recognized yet. Did Mikhail-sama, being the Golden Holy Saint, someone blessed directly by the Goddess herself, saw the future where we will need the Dream Pearl to locate the hidden Saintess? Then does that mean the Professor sending us back to the past... and this timeline ... did Mikhail-sama perhaps saw this future twenty years ago?


    I met Himura-san¡¯s gaze. "Then¡­ can you tell me where this shrine is?"


    He hesitated. For the first time, his composed demeanor faltered slightly. A quiet breath left him before he leaned back in his chair. "I¡¯m afraid now is not the best time."


    I frowned. "Why?"


    "The higher-ups are currently occupied with urgent matters in Europe," he said, his tone growing heavier. "Even Mikhail-sama himself, along with several of our top raid squads, has been called there. And as for the artifact itself¡­" He sighed. "We are currently tied up with internal affairs. If this isn¡¯t an emergency, I must ask you to wait until these matters are settled."


    I studied his expression carefully. Something about the way he phrased it¡ª''internal affairs''¡ªfelt like an intentional vagueness.


    "Is it something bad?" I asked, recalling the warnings the Professor had given me before I came here.


    Himura-san¡¯s eyes sharpened slightly. "Even though you are a guest holding this token, I cannot divulge internal matters to an outsider."


    A carefully diplomatic answer. That only confirmed my suspicions¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just standard bureaucracy. Something had happened within their guild, something sensitive enough that they couldn¡¯t afford leaks.


    I leaned back slightly, lost in thoughts. "As we thought," I murmured, more to myself than to him. "There may be a traitor involved."


    "What?!" Himura-san''s expression darkened, his frown deepening as he shot me a sharp glare. "Meir-san, where did you hear that? Did someone tell you to probe me for such information?"


    I stiffened. "A-Ah¡­ no!" My pulse quickened. How was I supposed to explain that I had received that report from the future? "I was just¡­ deducing based on what you said. A-And didn¡¯t Mikhail-sama also mention something twenty years ago? About a Senior Hunter betraying you at this time?"


    Himura-san¡¯s glare turned ice-cold. His fingers curled slightly against the desk, his voice lowering to a warning tone. "Watch your words, Meir-san."


    I swallowed.


    "Is this some kind of joke?" His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was anything but. "We are a loyal guild sworn under the Golden Holy Knight Grand Order. Every single one of us has dedicated our lives to serving Mikhail-sama and upholding the will of the Holy Goddess. We take pride in our duty." His gaze sharpened. "Even though we strive to be unwavering devotees, we are still human¡ªwe do not take baseless accusations lightly."


    The tension in the air was suffocating. I could feel Yuriko-san stiffen beside me.


    "Be careful what you say next," Himura-san warned. "Some things should not be spoken so carelessly."


    Yuriko-san subtly shifted beside me, her posture straightening as she placed a firm hand on my forearm under the desk¡ªa silent but urgent warning. Her expression remained composed, but there was a tightness in her gaze as she turned slightly toward me.


    "Meir-sama," she said in a low voice, her tone carefully measured, "you shouldn¡¯t make such remarks so lightly."


    She maintained eye contact with me for a brief second before turning toward Himura-san with a polite but reassuring smile. "The Seikishi-dan Guild takes immense pride in their devotion to Mikhail-sama and the Holy Goddess. Their loyalty is not something to be questioned without proof. Even a mere suggestion of betrayal could be seen as an insult to their honor."


    Her grip on my arm tightened slightly¡ªjust enough to emphasize the weight of her words.


    "These are individuals who have sworn their lives to their cause. Accusations, even indirect ones, are not just words to them¡ªthey are challenges to their very beliefs," she continued, her voice soft enough that only I could hear. "If you keep pushing like this, we may lose any chance of their cooperation."


    It was a warning, a plea, and a subtle reprimand all wrapped into one.


    I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to ease the tension in my shoulders. She was right. If I pushed too hard, I wouldn''t just risk Himura-san''s patience¡ªI¡¯d risk turning an entire faction against us.


    Yuriko-san withdrew her hand from my arm and turned to Himura-san with a composed expression. She straightened her posture, offering him a respectful nod.


    "I sincerely apologize, Himura-san," she said in a professional yet courteous tone. "Meir-sama did not intend any offense. He simply speaks with a direct manner, and sometimes his curiosity can come across the wrong way."


    She placed a hand lightly over her chest, a subtle gesture of sincerity. "We fully recognize the dedication and unwavering loyalty of the Seikishi-dan Guild to Mikhail-sama and the Holy Goddess. We deeply respect your commitment and the sacrifices you have made in service to your order. Please forgive any misunderstanding."


    Her words were smooth, tactful¡ªcarefully chosen to ease the tension that had begun to rise in the room. She met Himura-san¡¯s gaze steadily, neither overly submissive nor confrontational, but with the practiced professionalism of someone who knew how to mend relationships before they soured.


    I watched as Himura-san¡¯s sharp gaze softened just slightly, his fingers, which had been gripping the desk, easing as he exhaled. It seemed Yuriko-san¡¯s words had managed to prevent this conversation from derailing entirely.


    Thank goodness I brought her here.


    Just as the tension in the room began to settle, the door behind Himura-san suddenly burst open. A young man, dressed in the same formal uniform as the staff who had guided us here, rushed in, his breath uneven. He was so focused on delivering his report that he didn¡¯t even notice Yuriko-san and me seated across from his superior.


    "Sir, it was confirmed!" he blurted out, his voice laced with urgency. "Three more Level 5 monster domains have spawned near the shrine. That brings the total up to ten! The Hoshimizu Guild has agreed to help us deal with five of them since they''re also part of this deal. They¡¯re sending a team tomorrow."


    I caught the flicker of shock in Himura-san¡¯s expression. His fingers tensed against the desk, his brows furrowing at the sheer scale of the problem. But as the staff member finished his rushed report, realization dawned on his face¡ªthere were outsiders in the room.


    His gaze snapped to me and Yuriko-san, and his jaw visibly clenched. "Enough," he cut in sharply, raising a hand. "We¡¯ll discuss this later."


    The staff member blinked, confused, before finally registering our presence. His eyes widened, and a hint of panic crossed his face as he straightened his posture, lips pressing into a thin line.


    Himura-san exhaled through his nose, schooling his features back into something more composed. But I had already heard enough. A total of ten monster domains near the shrine where the Dream Pearl was kept? That wasn¡¯t normal.


    I exchanged a quick glance with Yuriko-san, who remained perfectly poised, though I could tell she had picked up on the implications as well.


    Something was seriously wrong.


    Himura-san exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. He cast a glance at the still-stiff staff member, then turned his attention back to me and Yuriko-san.


    "My apologies, but I¡¯m afraid this is where we must end our discussion for today," he said, his voice measured but firm. "As I mentioned earlier, our guild is currently tied up with internal affairs. I will contact you or Yamamoto-san once we have settled matters on our end."


    I leaned forward slightly. "If the issue is with the monster domains, I might be able to help. I am a Domain Lord, after all."


    Himura-san¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. "I appreciate the offer, but this is an internal matter of our guild. We will handle it ourselves." His tone left no room for argument.


    I studied his face for a moment, searching for any sign that he might reconsider, but his resolve was clear.


    Yuriko-san tugged at my elbow again, probably trying to say that we need to retreat for now. I wasn¡¯t going to push any further also¡ªnot here, at least.


    "Understood," I said, standing up. Yuriko-san followed suit, offering a professional nod of acknowledgment.


    Himura-san called a staff member via his telephone. "Escort our guests out."


    Moments later, the same staff that guided as in here, fetched us.


    With that, Yuriko-san and I were led out of the office, but my mind was already racing. Ten monster domains near the shrine? A high-ranking guild scrambling to handle the situation while their top members were away? Something wasn¡¯t adding up.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    The hum of conversation and the clinking of utensils filled the cozy family restaurant as Yuriko-san and I settled into a booth near the window. The scent of freshly grilled meat and simmering sauces wafted through the air, mixing with the subtle aroma of brewed tea. Outside, the midday sun bathed the streets of Nagoya City in a warm glow, casting soft shadows as pedestrians bustled along the sidewalks.


    A waitress in a neatly pressed uniform placed two menus before us with a polite smile before stepping away to give us time to decide. Around us, families chatted over steaming bowls of ramen, and office workers enjoyed their lunch breaks, their briefcases resting beside them.


    Despite the lively atmosphere, a heavy silence hung between Yuriko-san and me. The meeting at the Seikishi-dan Guild still lingered in my mind, the weight of unanswered questions pressing down like an anchor.


    I exhaled quietly, picking up the menu. "Well," I said, forcing some lightness into my tone, "we might as well eat something good while we''re here."


    Yuriko-san flipped through the menu, her eyes scanning the selection with careful consideration. A small smirk played on her lips as she mused, "Meir-sama, you have an inner talent for riling up people, huh."


    I let out a short chuckle, leaning back against the cushioned seat. "I guess I was lucky you didn¡¯t get angry when I was recruiting you, then."


    Yuriko-san paused, glancing at me over the menu. "Well, I never had a reason to doubt you back then. I just never saw you as that kind of person, Meir-sama." Her warm smile widened slightly before she turned her attention back to her choices. But after a brief pause, she added, "Still¡­ I can¡¯t help but wonder. What exactly is this so-called ¡®simple¡¯ artifact, the Dream Pearl?"


    Her gaze lingered on me, carrying an unspoken message¡ªshe wanted to help. "Is it something important for our domain¡¯s growth?"


    I hesitated, my fingers idly tapping against the table. How much should I reveal? How much should I keep to myself?


    And more importantly¡ªhow much is enough?


    Yuriko-san was different from others. She wasn¡¯t just another recruit; she was the person actively helping me build my domain from the ground up. If there was anyone I could trust with even a sliver of my mission, it was her.


    But even then, caution was necessary. In this world, trust was a fragile thing. You never know who is truly on your side.


    I exhaled lightly, then met her expectant gaze. "Sorry, Yuriko-san, but I can¡¯t divulge any more information." I said, my tone firm but not unkind. "Not unless you take the Oath and Pledge of Loyalty."


    The Oath and Pledge of Loyalty was no simple contract. It was a binding domain magic¡ªone that tethered a person¡¯s very soul to the current Domain Lord they served. Once sworn, their devotion to the domain became absolute. Any act of betrayal, any attempt to endanger the domain or its ruler¡­ and the magic would take its toll. The curse would seize their heart, ending their life instantly.


    Moreover, if she cannot leave the current domain she was in. It''s either she stay or she die. There is no option of leaving the domain.


    Would Yuriko-san be willing to take that step?


    I watched her closely, waiting for her answer.


    Yuriko-san remained silent for a moment, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the menu. Then, with a small nod, she looked up at me. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do it.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°Do what?¡±


    Her expression was steady, unwavering. ¡°The Oath and Pledge of Loyalty.¡±


    For a second, I thought she was joking. But there was no hesitation in her voice, no sign of doubt in her eyes. She was serious.


    I leaned back slightly. ¡°Are you sure, Yuriko-san? This isn¡¯t something you can undo. Once the oath is made, you¡¯re bound to the domain. There¡¯s no leaving¡ªonly staying¡­ or dying.¡±


    She gave a small chuckle, shaking her head. ¡°I know what it entails, Meir-sama. I wouldn¡¯t have said it otherwise.¡± Her gaze softened. ¡°Besides, I was planning to spend the rest of my life in our domain anyway.¡±


    I frowned slightly. ¡°Why? You still have other options. You don¡¯t have to tie yourself down like this.¡±


    Yuriko-san let out a quiet sigh before resting her arms on the table. ¡°And go where?¡± She met my eyes. ¡°In what other domain would I ever get to hold a position as high as I do now?¡±


    She wasn¡¯t wrong. In most domains, positions of power were locked behind noble lineages or decades of service. Even the most competent individuals were rarely given real authority.


    ¡°My family¡¯s future is already secured inside our domain,¡± she continued. ¡°We don¡¯t have to worry about whether some Domain Lord will change their mind and stop supporting free immigrants. We don¡¯t have to live in fear that, one day, we¡¯ll be cast out with nowhere to go.¡±


    She gave me a small smile¡ªone that carried both certainty and conviction. ¡°I¡¯d rather devote myself to building something stable. Something... permanent.¡±


    I studied her carefully. She had already made up her mind.


    Yuriko-san gave a small, teasing smile. "Besides, I guess I''m just that curious about what the Dream Pearl is¡­" She leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady. "And, I suppose, I''m also that curious to know more about you, Meir-sama."


    Her words caught me off guard for a moment. She wasn''t saying them lightly. It wasn''t just about the artifact anymore.


    I hesitated, glancing around the restaurant. The warm chatter of families, the occasional clink of cutlery, and the soft hum of background music hardly made for the kind of setting where one would take an unbreakable oath.


    "...Here?" I asked, lowering my voice. "Are we really doing this in a family restaurant?"


    Yuriko-san raised an eyebrow, amused. "Why not? It''s not like the spell will make a scene, right?"


    "That¡¯s not the point," I muttered. "This isn¡¯t some simple work contract. Once the oath is made, it can¡¯t be undone." I studied her, searching for any hint of doubt. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"


    "Meir-sama," she looked and smiled at me warmthly, "Do it."


    Her words caught me off guard. She wasn¡¯t saying them lightly. It wasn¡¯t just about the artifact anymore.


    I let out a slow breath, still feeling the weight of the decision. But if she was this certain¡­


    "...Alright," I finally said. "If you''re truly sure, then let''s begin."


    Summoning my Domain Lord system, I navigated to the Domain Followers tab. At the top of the list, Yamamoto Yuriko''s name was displayed. Her name was displayed with the status as "Recruit Member".


    I tapped on her name and lead me to her specific details window. Below it, an option stood out with a green button: < Bind as Domain Follower >.


    I glanced first at Yuriko-san, waiting for last minute hesitation, but she seems really sure so I clicked it. Immediately, a system prompt appeared, instructing me to place my hand on the recruit''s head to establish the bond.


    Before proceeding, I materialized my odd grimoire, List of Interesting Spells. The moment it appeared, the pages fluttered open on their own, stopping at the exact spell I needed¡ªOath and Pledge of Loyalty. The elegant script shimmered faintly on the page, waiting to be invoked.


    I glanced at Yuriko-san. "Can you please lower your head?" I asked, gesturing with my right hand.


    "O-Oh, right." She immediately lowered her head. A quiet murmur escaped her lips. "This is it... finally. I''ve been dreaming of this for years."


    For years, huh¡­ Just how long had Yuriko-san and her family lived as a free immigrant under other domain lords, never truly belonging to any domain? Does she looks forward that much to be officially being tied down to a domain and finally being secured that she will not be thrown away easily?


    I placed my palm just above her, facing downward. As I focused, mana gathered at my fingertips, a faint glow illuminating my hand.


    Yuriko-san let out a small, amused giggle. "Feels like I''m a pet dog getting blessed."


    I sighed. "Please don¡¯t joke around. This is a serious spell, Yuriko-san."


    Her laughter softened, but a playful smile lingered. "I know, I know. Just trying to lighten the mood, Meir-sama."


    I shook my head slightly, but I couldn''t help the faint smirk tugging at my lips as I prepared to begin the oath. At this family restaurant. I can even see the family beside me watching us do this sacred spell.


    ¡°Repeat after me.¡±


    Yuriko-san hesitated only briefly slightly nodding.


    ¡°I, Yamamoto Yuriko, swear upon my name and soul,¡± I began.


    ¡°I, Yamamoto Yuriko, swear upon my name and soul,¡± she repeated, her voice steady.


    ¡°To serve and protect the domain under Nashchor Meir''s rule.¡±


    ¡°To serve and protect the domain under Naschor Meir-sama¡¯s rule.¡±


    ¡°To act with loyalty and devotion, so long as I shall reside within its borders.¡±


    ¡°To act with loyalty and devotion, so long as I shall reside within its borders.¡±


    ¡°Should I betray this oath, may my soul bear the consequences.¡±


    ¡°Should I betray this oath, may my soul bear the consequences.¡±


    A faint glow surrounded my hands and Yuriko-san as the spell took effect. I inhaled sharply as my <Mana Sense> skill activated on its own. I saw the accumulation of holy mana settle deep within her. A binding warmth wrapped around her heart¡ªgentle, yet unbreakable, like unseen chains wrapping around, linking her to the domain and me as her domain lord.


    She lifted her gaze to me, and for the first time, I could feel it¡ªa connection. It was as if my very presence resonated within her, filling the space where uncertainty used to be.


    This is my domain. She is now one of my official "Domain Followers". This was where she belongs now.


    I pulled my hand back, watching her carefully. "It''s done."


    Yuriko-san flexed her fingers, pressing a hand to her chest where the warmth lingered. Then, she gave me a small smile. "That felt¡­ different."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Good different or bad different?"


    She chuckled. "Good different. I feel warmer¡­ and somehow, safer."


    I nodded, satisfied. "Then welcome, officially, to my domain, Yuriko-san."


    A brief silence settled between us, the weight of what had just transpired lingering in the air. Then, as if snapping back to the present, Yuriko-san glanced at the menu still in her hands.


    "So¡­ should we order now?" she asked with a small laugh. "I think we need to celebrate this sacred oath."


    "Right, that''s a good idea." Somehow I felt like a huge portion of my mana was taken out of my mana reserves. It made me feel hungry more. I glanced around for a staff member, and soon enough, a young waitress approached our table with a polite smile.


    "Are you ready to order?" she asked, pulling out a small notepad.


    Yuriko-san tapped a finger against the menu, her eyes scanning the options. "Hmm¡­ how about a pizza?" she suggested, then turned to me. "What do you think, Meir-sama?"


    "That''s fine. I also wanted to eat a pizza," I said. "I''ll order the ''All Meat Texas BBQ'', thin crust. How about yours, Yuriko-san? What toppings do you want?"


    She hummed in thought before grinning slightly. "I''ll take the Margherita. Classic and safe."


    I nodded. "And drinks?"


    "I''ll take iced tea," Yuriko-san said.


    I turned to the waitress. "Same for me."


    The waitress scribbled down our orders, "Anything else?"


    I glanced at the menu again. "What appetizer do you want?"


    Yuriko-san looked dumbfoundly at me, "Oh, I''m good with just the pizza, Meir-sama."


    I frowned at her reply, "I''m not. So what do you want? French fries or potato wedges?"


    "Really, Meir-sama, I''m fine-"


    "Ah, miss, and let''s add a serving of potato wedges." I asked the waiter.


    Yuriko-san blinked. "Wait, that''s already¡ª"


    "Do you want a fruit shake?" I interjected.


    "N-No, that''s-"


    "And a four seasons fruit shake," I continued to the waiter, "Two orders."


    She fidgeted slightly. "Meir-sama, that''s more than enough, really¡ª"


    I ignored her hesitation and turned to the waitress pointing something at the menu. "Also can you give us this plate of watermelon slices."


    "Is that all, sir?" The waitress smiled at what she just witnessed.


    "Yep, that''s all." I answered. The waitress then left us and went back to the register.


    Yuriko-san let out a soft sigh, looking both amused and flustered. "You really didn¡¯t hold back, did you?"


    "Why did you hesitated to order more?" I pointed out. "It''s better to eat properly than regret not ordering enough. Especially on an occasion like this."


    She pursed her lips but eventually relented with a small smile. "You''re really treating this like an occasion."


    "It is one," I said simply. "It''s your first meal and our celebreation for you being my official domain follower."


    Her expression softened for a moment before she chuckled. "I suppose that¡¯s one way to put it. Though what we will pay are funds that we loaned."


    "Hahaha. Then we will just need to work to pay it off." I chuckled.


    Yuriko-san leaned back in her seat, exhaling softly. "It''s been a while since I last ate at a place like this," she mused, absentmindedly tracing a pattern on the table with her finger. "Not including the other day where you interviewed me, of course."


    I raised an eyebrow. "You don''t go out to eat much?"


    As Yuriko-san lift up her glass of water she glanced at me with a thoughtful expression. "Meir-sama, how many members can you recruit into our domain using the system?"


    I considered it for a moment before answering. "For now, since I''m a low-level Domain Lord, I can recruit up to 99 members."


    She nodded, as if expecting that answer. "As expected. But did you know that when a Domain Lord reaches their first awakening, their recruitment limit expands to 249 members. Then, upon their second awakening, it jumps to 549." She paused, tapping a finger against the table. "That¡¯s the highest recorded limit so far, at least officially."


    I leaned back slightly, listening as she continued.


    "And speaking of records, did you know that since the Domain System and monsters first appeared 75 years ago, about ten million Domain Lords have emerged worldwide?" She tilted her head slightly, watching for my reaction before pressing on. "Out of those, there is a ratio of roughly one in every three domain lords have reached their first awakening. And from that group, only one in three ever make it to their second awakening."


    She let that sink in for a moment before giving a small, wry smile. "So when you do the math, the numbers boil down to this¡ªof the five billion people currently on Earth, only about two billion can safely live inside domains under a Domain Lord. That means a two-in-five chance of having real security."


    I frowned slightly. "That¡¯s¡­ lower than I expected."


    Yuriko-san nodded. "It is. And those odds are even more skewed when you consider that people born into domains¡ªespecially those whose parents are already official members¡ªhave a much higher chance of securing a spot. The system naturally favors existing domain followers over outsiders." She exhaled, twirling her straw in her drink. "That¡¯s just how things are. If you¡¯re born outside, you have to fight for a place."


    Her words lingered between us, settling like an unspoken truth neither of us needed to say out loud.


    "So what I''m trying to say here, Meir-sama, is that yes, we don''t go out that much to eat food," she admitted while smiling wryly. "For us, eating out always felt like a luxury. When you''re a free immigrant living inside a domain under another Domain Lord, you never know if you''ll still have the means to afford a meal tomorrow."


    She idly traced the rim of her glass before continuing, her voice calm but edged with something heavier. "As free immigrants, we don¡¯t have access to Domain Points or the Domain Shop like official members working under a domain lord do. The DP we earn through work isn¡¯t something we can use freely. It¡¯s what they call ¡®invisible DP¡¯¡ªwe earn it, but we never actually handle it ourselves. Once a week, we¡¯re allowed to purchase foods and necessities from an official merchant, with access to domain shop, affiliated with the company we work for, and that''s it."


    She let out a quiet sigh, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "So, for my family, going to a restaurant like this was almost impossible¡ªunless it was one owned by the company itself. Even then, we had to be careful. Free immigrants don¡¯t have job security, and we don¡¯t have a guaranteed place in the domain. One wrong move, and you could be fired or kicked out. The only thing we could do was be frugal, save what we could, and stretch our food supplies for as long as possible."


    Yuriko-san glanced up at me, her expression unreadable. "That¡¯s just how it was. Survival meant being careful."


    I listened quietly. How many years had she lived that way¡ªalways cautious, always uncertain?


    She smiled wryly, as if sensing my thoughts. "But now, I guess I don¡¯t have to worry as much. Your domain provides everything we need, after all. My family can access the domain shop anytime we need it."


    "That''s good then." I leaned back and tried to absorb her story gently. "If you ever need any assistance or anything, please don''t hesitate to consult me."


    She chuckled. "We will."


    A comfortable silence settled between us before Yuriko-san tilted her head, her eyes glinting with curiosity.


    Yuriko-san stretched slightly before resting her elbows on the table. "Alright," she said, tone light but expectant. "You heard my story, Meir-sama. So, what''s the story about the Dream Pearl, Meir-sama?"


    The waitress came back with two glasses of iced tea and a serving of potato wedges. After serving our food down the table, she smiled and went off again.


    I took a sip of my iced tea, letting the coolness settle in my throat as I mulled over everything she had shared. The weight of her words lingered, painting a clearer picture of the struggles free immigrants faced¡ªof the uncertainty, the limitations, the quiet battle for stability. It wasn¡¯t something that could be fixed overnight, but at the very least, she and her family wouldn¡¯t have to worry about that anymore.


    As I set my glass down, I exhaled, gathering my thoughts.


    "I have a master, back in Europe," the Europe continent in the future. "My master''s parents is a disciple of the Golden Holy Saint, Mikhail-sama and the great mage of the Hoshigetsu Grand Order, Aiyehssa Hoshigetsu-sama," which is true as the professor told me though I don''t know the finest details. It was all bedtime stories she used to tell when she is feeling nostalgic.


    "My master sent me and my co-disciples for a mission," back to the past, that is, "I was supposed to be sent to Korea but I was instead sent here in Japan. Then I was told to secure the Dream Pearl instead."


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    "And your mission is to get this Dream Pearl, Meir-sama?"


    "Not really, but I need the Dream Pearl to do my mission."


    "You need the dream pearl for your mission that is....?" Yuriko-san looked at me curiosly as she nibbled her potato wedges.


    I pondered for a bit. Since she is already under the spell of Oath And Pledge of Loyalty, there is no way she will do something that will harm me or the domain, right? I hesitated a bit before typing the something on my phone.


    "My mission is..." I said as I slid my phone to show my screen to Yuriko-san.


    ''To find the third Great Holy Saintess.''


    Then I signalled Yuriko-san to be quiet and not say anything.


    Yuriko-san¡¯s gaze lingered on the screen, her fingers tightening slightly around her glass. The ice inside clinked as she shifted in her seat, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she looked up at me, her lips parting as if to say something, but then she stopped herself.


    Instead, she raised her hands, forming air quotes with her fingers. "As in¡ª" her voice was barely above a whisper, her brows subtly lifted in question.


    I understood immediately. The word she left unsaid hung between us, unspoken yet deafening.


    I met her eyes and gave the smallest nod. "Yes," I murmured, my voice low enough that only she could hear. "As in like Mikhail-sama."


    A slow exhale escaped her lips. She leaned back slightly, one hand pressing lightly against the table as if grounding herself. Her expression wavered between awe and calculation, as if trying to gauge the weight of what I had just confirmed.


    She picked up a potato wedge but didn''t eat it right away, absently turning it between her fingers. "That''s¡­" she trailed off, shaking her head slightly before giving a soft chuckle, more out of disbelief than amusement. "That''s not something you just drop over a meal, Meir-sama."


    "I know, right?" I let out a quiet chuckle of my own. "But what can I do? You are so determined to know that you even did the Oath and Pledge of Loyalty."


    Her eyes flicked back to the screen for a brief moment before she set the potato wedge down. "You¡¯re serious about this?"


    I tilted my head. "Would I joke about something like this?"


    She huffed, rubbing her temple. "Fair point." Another beat of silence stretched between us before she spoke again, softer this time. "This¡­ changes things."


    I didn¡¯t answer, letting her process it on her own. After all, I had done the same when I first learned the truth.


    I leaned back slightly, fingers tapping idly against the side of my glass. "Be that as it may," I said, my voice calm but firm, "I''m serious about building my domain as a domain lord."


    Yuriko-san blinked, her gaze still carrying traces of quiet astonishment from our previous exchange. I met her eyes, unwavering. "It¡¯s been my dream to build one," I admitted, letting the words settle naturally between us.


    She studied me for a moment, perhaps searching for hesitation, but there was none. Then, with a thoughtful hum, she rested her chin on her hand. "I see..."


    "So what I''m trying to say is," I lifted up a potato wedge and pointed at her, "that I''m commited about my domain lord duties as I''m committed to what my master has tasked me to do."


    Yuriko-san¡¯s lips curled into the barest hint of a smile. ¡°I get it,¡± she said, nodding slightly. ¡°You¡¯re not the type to neglect one thing for the sake of another. Both what your master asked you to do and your domain matter to you.¡±


    I inclined my head in agreement, taking a bite of my potato wedge. She leaned back, exhaling softly, as if processing everything.


    Then, after a moment, she straightened. ¡°Alright,¡± she said, tapping a finger against the table. ¡°Then let¡¯s go back to that artifact. I now understand how important it is. But what''s our plan now, Meir-sama? Should we just wait just like what Himura-san said?¡±


    I glanced at her, noting the shift in her tone¡ªsteady, businesslike, yet laced with underlying concern.


    ¡°You heard them earlier,¡± I continued, lowering my voice slightly. ¡°Ten monster domains have spawned at the shrine where it¡¯s hidden.¡± My fingers traced the rim of my glass absentmindedly. ¡°Doesn''t that sound... ¡±


    I lifted my gaze to meet her equally ''pieceing-it-together'' gaze, "Abnormal?"


    Her eyes lowered down again, her pointing finger fidgeting at the table, drawing a circle.


    "Just yesterday, I met a ''bizarre'' group of monsters." I added just before the waitress came with our ordered foods.


    Yuriko-san¡¯s fidgeting stopped as the waitress approached, expertly balancing a tray with their orders. She quietly set down two steaming pizzas, their rich aroma wafting through the air, followed by a tall, vibrant fruit shake. The condensation on the glass glistened under the warm lights of the restaurant.


    ¡°Enjoy your meal,¡± the waitress said with a polite bow before stepping away.


    For a moment, neither of us spoke. The conversation we¡¯d been having still lingered between us, unspoken yet heavy. I reached for my glass of iced tea, taking a slow sip as I mulled over my own words. Across from me, Yuriko-san picked up a slice of Margherita pizza but didn¡¯t take a bite right away. Instead, she stared at it as if it held the answer to our predicament.


    Our surroundings inside the restaurant carried on as usual. The low hum of distant conversations, the occasional clatter of utensils, and the soft background music all contrasted with the weighty discussion hanging over our table. It was a strange juxtaposition¡ªtwo people planning around monster domains and retrieving an ancient artifact while sharing a meal to celebrate a what supposed to be a sacred oath and pledge.


    This is not what I''m expecting the least when I started planning how to build my domain while juggling it with my mission.


    I hesitated, then picked up my own slice of pizza, letting the thought settle before continuing.


    Finally, Yuriko-san exhaled, setting her pizza slice back onto the plate. ¡°Now that I think about it¡­¡± she prompted, tilting her head. "The territories where Seikishi-dan Guild is responsible, and where Hoshimizu Guild is also..."


    Yuriko-san trailed off, then reached into her bag and pulled out her tablet. With a few quick taps, she opened a website with a sleek blue-and-white interface. The header read JNHA ¨C Japan National Hunter Association, and after navigating through a few menus, she brought up a map.


    The screen displayed a detailed topographical map of central Japan, overlaid with several red circular areas of responsibility, each labeled with different names. Some territories were small and densely packed, while others stretched across mountain ranges and rural regions.


    She zoomed in on an area where two large circles overlapped. ¡°Here,¡± she said, pointing at the northern part of Aichi Prefecture. ¡°This is Seikishi-dan¡¯s assigned territory.¡± Her finger then slid slightly upward and to the right. ¡°And this,¡± she continued, ¡°is where Hoshimizu Guild operates¡ªthe southeastern part of Gifu Prefecture, bordering Aichi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture.¡±


    I studied the map as she highlighted the overlapping region. ¡°They¡¯re covering a significant range,¡± I muttered, noting how the colored boundaries stretched along the mountain ridges.


    If I recall correctly, Yuriko-san mentioned yesterday that each domain lord is responsible for any monster domains that spawn within a ten-kilometer radius of their domain. Thanks to the goddess¡¯s blessing through the domain cores, no monster domain can appear within three kilometers of a domain core. However, beyond that protected zone, domain lords are still obligated to manage and respond to any emerging threats within their designated ten-kilometer range.


    ¡°Right,¡± Yuriko-san nodded. ¡°That place isn¡¯t exactly close to where you encountered those monsters, but look at this¡ª¡± She tapped a feature on the map, highlighting the mountain ranges and their winding pathways. ¡°If those monsters were freely roaming along these ridges¡­ the range eventually leads straight to this area.¡±


    I frowned, my gaze lingering on the screen. Yuriko-san pointed to an overlapping section of the two guilds¡¯ territories at the end of the mountain range. The path led to a single, secluded village with a shrine¡ªOnose Shrine.


    She shifted slightly in her seat, fingers hovering over the screen before tapping another menu. A list of reports appeared, displaying the latest updates on monster domain activity. ¡°Just as you said, Meir-sama, it¡¯s definitely not normal,¡± she murmured, scrolling through the data. ¡°Look here.¡±


    The map updated, marking ten separate monster domains that had spawned around the village. A few more taps, and another detail emerged. Each of them had already been assigned a raid schedule for tomorrow under Seikishi-dan and Hoshimizu Guild.


    Her voice lowered, her brows furrowing. ¡°Monster domains don¡¯t usually spawn near each other like this. Not unless¡ª¡± She hesitated, then looked up at me.


    I glanced at her, catching the sharp focus in her eyes as she finally asked,


    ¡°What if those monster domains aren¡¯t naturally spawning domains, but something that was¡­?¡±


    The thought lingered between us, heavy with implications.


    I leaned back slightly, exhaling through my nose as I mulled over the implications. The logical part of me wanted to believe this was just an unfortunate anomaly¡ªa rare but natural occurrence. But another part, the one honed by my cautious nature and my master''s warnings, whispered otherwise.


    ¡°If someone¡ªor something¡ªis forcing those monster domains to appear,¡± I said slowly, ¡°then it changes everything.¡± My fingers tapped idly against the table, thoughts racing. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to just sit back and hope things go smoothly.¡±


    Yuriko-san nodded, her expression unusually grave. ¡°The timing is too convenient. The dream pearl is there, the shrine is isolated, and suddenly ten monster domains spawn right after the higher ups flew to Europe?¡± She shook her head. ¡°It almost feels like someone is setting the stage.¡±


    A chill ran through me at the thought. ¡°And if that¡¯s the case¡­ then just waiting like Himura-san suggested might be the worst thing we could do.¡±


    We fell into a brief silence, the distant hum of the restaurant around us feeling strangely muted against the weight of our conversation.


    I exhaled, steadying my thoughts. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s one of our final chances to locate the ''hiding sheep'',¡± I admitted, my voice quieter but firm. ¡°Losing it would mean gambling on an uncertain future. I don¡¯t like gambling when something this crucial is within reach.¡±


    Yuriko-san¡¯s brows furrowed in thought, her fingers resting against her chin. Then, as if something clicked in her mind, she straightened.


    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± Yuriko-san muttered, her brows drawing together as realization struck. Her lips moved unconsciously, repeating the name under her breath. ¡°Hoshimizu Guild¡­ Hoshi...mizu¡­ Hoshimizu?¡±


    I glanced at her, waiting for her to finish the thought.


    Then, her eyes widened slightly, and she turned to me. ¡°Aiya Hoshimizu,¡± she said with certainty. ¡°The investor we met last night¡ªthe one interested in funding your domain.¡±


    I blinked, processing the connection. ¡°She¡¯s part of Hoshimizu Guild?¡± My voice carried a hint of intrigue, though a part of me was already anticipating the answer.


    Yuriko-san nodded, exhaling as she gathered her thoughts. ¡°Meir-sama¡­ you didn¡¯t really pay attention to the finer details last night, did you?¡± She gave me a knowing look before continuing. ¡°Aiya-chan¡¯s father¡ªthe man looking to invest in your domain¡ªis the domain lord of Hoshimizu Guild.¡±


    I frowned slightly, recalling the conversation from the previous night. I had focused more on studying the case of Dream Pearl and Seikishi-dan Guild rather than paying attention to the finer details of the talk.


    Yuriko-san tapped her fingers lightly against the table, her voice dropping slightly. ¡°And Aiya-chan isn¡¯t just some ordinary guild member. She has plans to form her own raid squad that will be active in Southern Gifu Prefecture. That is, after her evaluation of on-the-raid trainee hunter. Well, that is what his father wants her to achieve.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°I see. So that is how her case was.¡±


    ¡°She just graduated from hunter studies,¡± Yuriko-san explained. ¡°But because of her family name¡ªand her own ambitions¡ªshe¡¯s being treated as an executive within the guild. She has a high-ranking position as a raid squad leader though her raid squad is not yet finalize and despite her lack of field experience.¡±


    That was an interesting piece of information. Hoshimizu-san had struck me as confident, but not overly assertive. Still, if she had the backing of her guild and was forming a new squad, she¡¯d be eager to prove herself.


    I leaned back slightly, my mind shifting gears, my mouth eating pizza.


    ¡°So what you are suggesting is that we ask Hoshimizu-san for help,¡± I asked. ¡°If she¡¯s trying to establish her own team, she won¡¯t want to miss an opportunity to secure a successful raid.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Meir-sama. We can use her as a pretense to join their raids at the Onose Shrine as a support raid squad,¡± Yuriko-san said, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. ¡°And since we already have a contract with her, she has every reason to work with us.¡±


    I nodded slowly. This was more than just a connection¡ªit was an opportunity. If Aiya Hoshimizu-san had influence in her guild, then bringing her into our plans wouldn¡¯t just give us an insider¡ªit might give us a direct means to act before it was too late.


    ¡°We need to contact her immediately,¡± I said decisively. ¡°


    Yuriko-san was already one step ahead, pulling out her phone. ¡°I¡¯ll message her now. Let¡¯s see if she¡¯s free to meet.¡±


    As she typed, I exhaled, already considering how to approach Aiya. She needed experience. We needed access. If we played this right, we could turn this into a win for both sides.


    And with something as critical as the dream pearl at stake, we couldn¡¯t afford to waste time.


    Yuriko-san''s phone buzzed just as she finished typing her message. She glanced at the screen, then blinked in surprise.


    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s calling already,¡± she murmured before quickly answering. ¡°Aiah-chan?¡±


    Her tone shifted, lighter, almost familial. It was a stark contrast to the serious conversation we had just moments ago. She leaned back slightly in her chair, holding the phone to her ear.


    ¡°Hey, sorry for the sudden message,¡± Yuriko-san continued. ¡°Are you free right now?¡±


    There was a short pause as Aiya responded on the other end. I could faintly hear her voice, though not enough to make out the words.


    Yuriko-san hummed, glancing at me before nodding slightly to herself. ¡°Perfect. Actually, I wanted to ask you something in person. Can you come to Nagoya Bistro Sora? It¡¯s not far from where you are, right?¡±


    She listened intently, her expression softening. ¡°I promise it won¡¯t take long. It¡¯s about your first monster domain raid.¡±


    Another pause. Yuriko-san¡¯s lips quirked up. ¡°Great. See you soon, then.¡±


    She ended the call with a satisfied sigh, slipping her phone back onto the table. ¡°She¡¯s on her way. Shouldn¡¯t take her more than fifteen minutes.¡±


    I nodded, glancing at the entrance of the bistro. The air was thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and simmering broth, a deceptively calm backdrop to the quiet urgency pressing against my thoughts.


    Fifteen minutes. Just enough time to plan how we¡¯d steer this conversation.


    First, Yuriko-san and I changed clothes. Wearing suits felt too formal¡ªthis was supposed to be a friendly conversation, not a business negotiation but we are indeed subtly negotiating something.


    I switched to a plain black T-shirt paired with denim pants, simple and casual. Yuriko-san changed into a white blouse layered under a brown vest, matched with black trousers. It struck the right balance¡ªrelaxed but still refined.


    We went over our approach for the conversation while waiting for Hoshimizu-san. Exactly fifteen minutes later, she arrived.


    The first thing I noticed was her disheveled state¡ªher expression was slightly frantic, and her jeans were torn.


    I immediately frowned. "Are you okay?"


    Despite looking a little flustered, she still greeted Yuriko-san with her usual energy, sliding into the seat beside her. "Hello, Yuri-chan~" she chimed, brushing a hand through her platinum ponytail. "Sorry, there was an accident on the way. Did I make you wait?"


    Did she just ignore me? By the way, an accident? That didn¡¯t sound good.


    "Really?" I asked, leaning forward slightly. "You¡¯re not hurt, are you?"


    She turned to me with a deep frown, as if I had just said something utterly ridiculous. "Of course, I¡¯m fine." Her tone was sharp. "Why wouldn¡¯t I be?"


    "You just said there was an accident," I pointed out.


    She gave me a blank look before casually waving a hand. "Oh, that? It wasn¡¯t my accident. A truck in front of us hit some pedestrian."


    I blinked. "¡­Oh. I thought you got caught up in it because your pants were torn¡ª"


    "What?!" She looked first at her pants and then glared back at me. "Don''t you know ripped jeans?!"


    I glanced at Yuriko-san for confirmation, clearly confused. "She¡¯s wearing damaged clothes on purpose?"


    Yuriko-san chuckled. "It¡¯s a fashion statement, Meir-sama. Designers intentionally rip parts of the fabric to give a more ¡®stylish¡¯ look."


    That explanation didn¡¯t really help. "So people pay more for¡­ already ruined pants?"


    "You just don¡¯t get it." Hoshimizu-san rolled her eyes before narrowing them at me.


    Then she suddenly leaned forward, scrutinizing my outfit.


    Her expression twisted. "Wait a minute¡­ can you please stand up?"


    I raised a brow. "What? Are you planning to insult my clothes in retaliation?" I grumbled, but I stood up anyway.


    Her eyes widened before she dramatically pointed at me. "Are you kidding me?! Did you copy my style?!"


    I looked down at myself¡ªplain black shirt, denim pants¡ªthen back at her. She was wearing a black tank top and ripped jeans. Her ponytailed was tied up and she was wearing shades.


    Okay, I kind of saw the resemblance.


    "Why are we wearing the same fashion?!" she demanded. "It looks like we¡¯re a couple and Yuri-chan is the third wheel who got dragged into this!"


    I groaned. "What are you even saying¡­?" Keeping up with this girl was exhausting.


    Yuriko-san, meanwhile, just covered her mouth, shoulders shaking as she tried (and failed) to stifle a laugh.


    "Alright, alright," Yuriko-san said, clapping her hands lightly to break the tension. "Before anything else, let¡¯s order first."


    She gestured towards the menu on the table, subtly shifting the conversation away from whatever chaos Hoshimizu-san was trying to start.


    "We already had lunch," she added, looking at me for confirmation.


    Hoshimizu-san sighed dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Same. I had a late lunch before heading out. Almost regretting it, though. That truck accident made me crave something sweet."


    "Then, let¡¯s go for something light. How about strawberry shortcake?" Yuriko-san suggested.


    "That works." Hoshimizu-san gave a lazy nod. "And tea. Nothing too heavy."


    Yuriko-san flagged down a waitress, a young woman with a bright, polite smile, and placed their order.


    A few minutes later, the waitress returned, carefully placing their plates on the table.


    "Strawberry shortcake for you," she said sweetly as she set one in front of Yuriko-san, then another in front of Hoshimizu-san.


    When she reached me, I noticed a small detail¡ªmy shortcake had two strawberries, while theirs only had one.


    Before I could even process that, Hoshimizu-san was already snapping a picture of her dessert. "Presentation¡¯s nice," she mumbled, adjusting the angle.


    Then, she turned slightly, lifting her phone for a selfie with Yuriko-san.


    "Smile, Yuri-chan~" she chimed.


    Yuriko-san, ever composed, gave a soft smile as they posed together.


    I waited.


    And waited.


    But the camera never once pointed in my direction.


    Hoshimizu-san lowered her phone with a satisfied nod. "Perfect."


    I raised a brow. "You didn¡¯t even consider including me?"


    She shot me a flat look. "And why would I?"


    "I¡¯m literally right here."


    "Exactly," she said with a smirk. "Which means you¡¯d ruin the aesthetic."


    Yuriko-san let out a small laugh, covering her mouth politely.


    I sighed softly and picked up my fork. "Whatever. Let¡¯s just eat and start."


    But just as I was about to take a bite, I noticed Hoshimizu-san suddenly narrowing her eyes at my plate. "Did you order extra strawberry?" She asked.


    "Huh?" I took a bite already. "Didn''t you guys order for my share also?"


    Then, without a word, she turned her head and glanced over her shoulder¡ªtowards the counter.


    Curious, I instinctively followed her gaze.


    There, standing behind the counter, was the waitress who had served us. She was staring directly at me, a small blush dusting her cheeks.


    When our eyes met, she hesitated¡ªthen gave a shy wave and a soft smile.


    I blinked.


    Hoshimizu-san exhaled sharply and rolled her eyes, turning back to me with a look of pure exasperation.


    "Favoritism?" she scoffed, motioning towards my double-strawberry shortcake. "This guy¡¯s not even that handsome."


    I sighed, rubbing my temple. "What is even happening right now?"


    Yuriko-san simply sipped her tea, wisely choosing to stay out of it.


    Hoshimizu-san let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing her temples. "Ugh... why do problems keep popping up?"


    Yuriko-san tilted her head slightly. "Problems?" She glanced at me just as she asks. I paid attention to what Hoshimizu-san will say.


    "Nothing," Hoshimizu-san muttered, waving a hand dismissively. "Just guild matters. A bunch of new monster domains appeared at the same time. It¡¯s a nightmare to manage while my dad and other higher ups is off in Europe. My mother¡¯s the acting head of the guild right now, but even she¡¯s struggling with the sudden problem."


    I stiffened. New monster domains appearing simultaneously. It was the same matter with the Seikishi-dan Guild.


    Across from me, Yuriko-san¡¯s fingers lightly tapped against the table, her brows knitting together in thought.Our eyes met, silent understanding passing between us.


    Breaking the momentary silence, I started what we planned. "Have you found the Dream Pearl yet?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral.


    Hoshimizu-san¡¯s entire body tensed. Her head snapped toward me, eyes widening in pure shock. "What?!" Her voice came out sharper than expected. "Where did you hear about that?"


    Yuriko-san held up a calming hand. "Wait, calm down, Aiya-chan. It¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking."


    Silence filled us as Hoshimizu-san¡¯s gaze flickered between us, still rattled, but now more wary than hostile. She was demanding an explanation, even if she hadn¡¯t said the words outright.


    "Mikhail-sama entrusted this task to Meir-sama," Yuriko-san said evenly. "Securing the Dream Pearl was something Mikhail-sama has entrusted Meir-sama to do."


    It was not entirely true but in a roundabout way, considering the matters of the future, it all boils down to that anyway. In any way Hoshimizu-san¡¯s expression shifted¡ªher sharp skepticism now laced with uncertainty.


    Yuriko-san kept our explanation brief, summarizing what we had planned earlier on things to tell to Hoshimizu-san. We didn¡¯t reveal too much, only that retrieving the artifact, dream pearl, was something Mikhail-sama has phropecized me to do.


    For a moment, Hoshimizu-san didn¡¯t say anything. Then, her eyes suddenly locked onto the phone Yuriko was holding, staring at the image on the screen. It was the image of the token of the holy goddess. Her pupils dilated.


    "...Wait." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "That token..."


    She pointed at the picture on the phone, her hand trembling slightly.


    "That¡¯s the same one my mother told me about." Her voice grew distant, almost like she was recalling something from long ago. "Mikhail-sama gave her a prophecy¡ªone bestowed by his power as the Holy Saint."


    She took a deep breath before continuing.


    "¡®Someday, a man carrying the Token of the Holy Goddess will come looking for Hoshigetsu''s Dream Pearl. And when he does¡­ please help him.¡¯"


    Silence settled over the table.


    Yuriko-san¡¯s fingers curled slightly around her fork, her usually composed expression flickering with intrigue. My own thoughts were already racing, piecing together the implications of what Hoshimizu-san had just said.


    Mikhail-sama not only asked the Seikishi-dan Guild using the holy token, but also the Hoshimizu Guild as well that someone will come to retrieve the dream pearl. As I thought since earlier in the Seikishi-dan guild, has Mikhail-sama, with the powers of the Goddess and as the Holy Saint to dream of the future, perhaps foreseen through the future that much?


    While I was caught in my existential crisis, Hoshimizu-san, on the other hand, had an entirely different reaction.


    "So that person is YOU?!" she suddenly burst out, her voice rising in frustration and stress.


    I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, why are you angry?" What is it now?


    "Of all people, it just had to be you?!" she fumed, crossing her arms. "The same guy who stole the future manager o my raid team?!"


    I sighed heavily, rubbing my temple. "Are we seriously still on that?"


    Yuriko-san covered her mouth, hiding an amused smile as she watched our back-and-forth.


    I exhaled, shaking off my irritation. "Anyway," I continued, "is the Dream Pearl safe?"


    Hoshimizu-san narrowed her eyes at me, still clearly annoyed¡ªbut despite her exasperation, there was a new weight behind her gaze.


    The prophecy had come true. And now, she had to decide what to do about it.


    Hoshimizu-san¡¯s phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the lingering tension. She glanced at the screen, her lips pressing into a thin line before exhaling and picking up the call.


    "Hoshimizu Aiya speaking."


    Her posture stiffened almost immediately.


    "What? The shrine turned into a monster domain?"


    Yuriko-san and I exchanged a glance. Another one? Wait, Shrine? Is it perhaps the Onose Shrine where we hypothesized where the dream pearl is kept?


    Hoshimizu-san pinched the bridge of her nose, her fingers tightening around her phone.


    "What level is it?" A pause. "Level 5....?"


    My brow furrowed. That¡¯s a low level domain? Considering that the ten surrounding monster domains around the shrine is about level 10 to 15, why is the one that stationed itself at the shrine a low level one?


    "But we¡¯ve already scheduled all of our standby raid squads..." Her voice lowered, frustration creeping in. "How about the northern part? Have the 6th and 7th squads returned?"


    Another pause. Then, her face twisted slightly.


    "What? Not yet?"


    I watched as Aiya pulled the phone away for a second, inhaling deeply as if trying to restrain her irritation. The muscles in her jaw tensed before she put the phone back to her ear.


    "Alright. Re-evaluate the available teams and check with the reserves. No, don¡¯t send them in yet. We need confirmation on the monster domain''s mana density first. Its abnormal that it is level 5 only. Confirm again via mana satellites and get me the latest readings in ten minutes."


    A sharp tap ended the call, and Hoshimizu-san let out a heavy exhale, pressing her forehead against her palm.


    From my seat, I could see the stress weighing on her shoulders.


    For a few moments, she said nothing, staring at the table as if mentally sorting through the chaos.


    I leaned back slightly, keeping my voice as gentle as possible. "...Onose Shrine?"


    Her head snapped up, eyes narrowing in surprise.


    "How do you even know that? It was a secret of our family and guild."


    "Through simple deduction and through Yuriko-san''s help." I gestured as Yuriko-san showed us the screen of her tablet, confirming that a new red circular reading was added at the JNHA mana satellite reading, exactly at Onose Shrine, the shrine we have guessed earlier.


    Hoshimizu-san let out a sharp sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. You¡¯re right. Happy?"


    I ignored her irritation and pressed on. "So all ten surrounding monster domains¡ªeach above Level 10¡ªalready have raid schedules?"


    Her fingers drummed against the table, the irritation in her voice giving way to exhaustion. "Yes. For better or worse, we¡¯ve allocated our remaining teams and finalized the raids. I don¡¯t know why all of this had to happen now, when my dad and the main squads are in Europe..."


    I watched her for a beat before speaking plainly. "Then I¡¯ll give you a straightforward offer."


    She blinked, caught off guard.


    "If it¡¯s really a low-level domain, I can help you clear it." I met her gaze head-on. "For the record, I¡¯ve raided and cleared twenty-three monster domains¡ªfifteen Level 3s, seven Level 4s, and one Level 5. Alone."


    Her eyes flickered with something unreadable¡ªskepticism, maybe. Or calculation.


    Either way, she was now seriously considering it.


    Hoshimizu-san studied me, her expression unreadable. She was clearly weighing her options, but hesitation flickered in her eyes.


    Before she could speak, Yuriko-san leaned in slightly, her tone firm yet respectful. "Aiya-chan, please help us."


    Hoshimizu-san glanced at her, brows furrowing.


    "We need to secure the Dream Pearl," Yuriko-san continued. "This isn''t just about clearing another monster domain. That artifact is too important to be left unattended, especially now that it¡¯s inside a domain."


    Hoshimizu-san let out a frustrated sigh. "I get that, but it''s not that simple¡ª"


    "If something happens to the Dream Pearl," I interrupted purposely, my voice dropping into a serious, almost conspiratorial tone, "Mikhail-sama will be..."


    I trailed off deliberately, letting the weight of the implication settle. I don''t want to use him but I need a really heavy push now. Even if it means I''m subtly blackmailing someone.


    Hoshimizu-san stiffened, and I didn''t miss the way her fingers tensed against the table. The message was clear. Mikhail-sama wasn''t just some unknown figure¡ªhis influence was vast, his reach extending far beyond their guild alone. If anything went wrong because of negligence, the consequences wouldn''t be small.


    Silence hung between us for a moment. Then, with a sharp exhale, Hoshimizu-san pulled out her phone.


    "Mobilize our raid squads immediately," she ordered the moment the call connected. "We¡¯re starting the raid today. As soon as possible."


    A muffled voice crackled over the line, questioning the sudden decision. Hoshimizu-san¡¯s eyes darkened, her tone turning cold.


    "Contact the Seikishi-dan Guild and inform them of this decision as well."


    Another hesitant response.


    Her grip on the phone tightened. "I ordered it. I''ll talk to the acting head about this."


    With that, she ended the call and exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples.


    "Happy now?" she muttered, glaring at me as she dialed another call. Probably her mother to explain our case.


    I offered her a small, knowing smile. "You made the right call."


    She scoffed but didn''t argue.


    The raid was happening. And now, it was up to us to make sure the Dream Pearl didn¡¯t slip through our fingers.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    " < Dimensional Storage > ...."


    I silently invoked my skill. In an instant, a diamond-shaped rift materialized at the surface of the table, just beside the bento box I was in the middle of eating. For a second, I nearly jolted my body to catch the bento box in case it fell into the abyss of the dimensional storage.


    Phew.


    "Meir-sama?" Yuriko-san noticed my reaction. "Is everything alright?" she asked, eyeing the dimensional rift on the table.


    I immediately retrieved my mana gun and ten bottles of mana essence potion from the dimensional storage. Also a toolbox and some extra mana steel from the one I bought for Tanaka-san yesterday. It is quite easy to retrieve specific items because all you need to do is to think of the item you want to retrieve and it will come into your hand.


    "Nothing, I''ll just refill my mana gun," I answered. "I nearly forgot it was on low reserves since the raid yesterday. Also I''ll make a simple artifact."


    Yuriko-san nodded in understanding, her attention shifting back to the wide screen mounted on the table. It is showing a map, detailing the current known topography of the Onose Shrine and the surrounding area¡ªterrains that had changed drastically since the shrine and the area surrounding it was transformed into a monster domains.


    A gust of wind flapped the edges of our tent, carrying the distant murmurs of the camp.


    "Dammit, are they serious about pushing the raid today? We haven''t even scouted the deeper layers of the domain yet."


    "Orders are orders. Both the acting guild master of Hoshimizu guild and the Seikishi-dan guild made the call. We move as soon as the final briefing is over."


    Past the thin fabric of our tent, the temporary raid camp stretched across the clearing¡ªa hive of restless activity. Hunters, scouts, and strategists moved between clusters of makeshift tables and campfires, each lost in their own preparations. Some adjusted armor straps, others rechecked their weapons for the third or fourth time.


    The combined forces of Seikishi-dan and Hoshimizu Guild had mobilized a total of ten raid squads for this operation. Each squad had been assigned to a different monster domain in the region¡ªexcept for one. The newly formed eleventh domain: The Onose Shrine.


    The combined forces of Seikishi-dan and Hoshimizu Guild had mobilized ten raid squads for this operation, each assigned to a different monster domain in the region¡ªexcept for one. The newly formed eleventh domain: The Onose Shrine.


    To address this, an additional squad had been hastily assembled¡ªthe newly formed 11th Raid Squad. And this tent belonged to that squad.


    Beside Yuriko-san, Hoshimizu Aiya-san sat, meticulously studying the map, various scout reports, and stacks of mission documents. Across the table, a senior hunter from the Seikishi-dan Guild analyzed the same data, his brows furrowed in concentration. Alongside him, five rookie members from the both guild¡ªhastily gathered to complete the squad¡ªwas also preparing themselves, their postures stiff with tension.


    This raid has one mission: Retaking the Onose Shrine.


    Somewhere nearby, a scout muttered under his breath, voice laced with tension.


    "...Something feels off about this domain. A level five, appearing out of nowhere? And right in the middle of the region where every other domain is above level ten?"


    "Also, how can monsters and monsterr domains form this quickly....?" His companion¡¯s voice was steady, but the slight edge in his tone betrayed his own unease.


    From my seat, I observed the raid camp carefully, a temporary raid camp that had been established just outside the boundary of the affected zone, a joint effort between Seikishi-dan Guild and Hoshimizu Guild. Tents lined the clearing, each assigned to one of the ten raid teams.


    The usual pre-raid chatter was there, but beneath it, something else festered¡ªan undercurrent of unease. Hunters warmed up with their weapons with just a little too much force. Strategists pored over maps they had already memorized, triple-checking the smallest details. Squad leaders paced, speaking in hushed, clipped tones with their subordinates.


    Even the scent of food from the campfires was subdued.


    The raid camp was alive with restless energy.


    This wasn''t a normal case of monster domain spawning and hunters raiding it.


    Normally, monster domains don''t just suddenly appear inside Domain Lord''s territory¡ªespecially not a shrine that had been under strict mana warding for generations. Yet, ten monster domains enclosed it in just two days, and a Level 5 Monster Domain had formed overnight, an anomaly that set the two guilds, tasked on protecting it, on edge.


    To-to-toot, To-to-toot.


    The sharp chime of Hoshimizu-san¡¯s phone alarm cut through the evening air. Instinctively, I glanced at the time. 6:05 PM. The scheduled start of the raid meeting.


    Hoshimizu-san stood, her expression sharpening as two scouts from the Hoshigetsu Guild straightened beside her, ready to relay their reconnaissance findings.


    ¡°We will now begin the pre-raid briefing. Everyone, please pay attention,¡± one of the scouts announced, unfolding a holographic mana map onto the table. A detailed projection of the Onose Shrine flickered into view. ¡°The core structure of the shrine remains intact. However, a large rift has opened in the main courtyard, releasing corrupted mana throughout the grounds. The torii gate has already warped into a monster nest, and mana fluctuations suggest the presence of a high-tier domain boss.¡±


    Hoshimizu-san frowned, tapping her finger against the projected terrain. ¡°As you can see, both the shrine and the surrounding village have undergone significant topographical changes. What was once a flat plain has been transformed into a small, elevated monster domain. A hill-type category monster domain. The entire area is now blanketed in thick fog.¡±


    The scout exhaled, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s the problem. We haven¡¯t been able to finish a thorough scouting of the domain. However, we¡¯ve confirmed the presence of multiple monster species. We also have done multiple readings but it always ends up in a high tier level five monster domain category."


    The second scout swiped across the holographic display, and a series of images appeared. ¡°We¡¯ve documented sightings of spiritual entities. Sightings of fox monsters as weill as wisp type monsters was seen roaming at the hill."


    The images flickered in front of us. Shadowy foxes with fur like living black mist prowled the shrine¡¯s perimeter. Floating orbs of blue fire¡ªwisps, the size of a basketball¡ªdrifted ominously along the hill¡¯s fog-laden paths.


    A heavy silence settled over the tent.


    Hoshimizu-san exhaled, crossing her arms. ¡°That complicates things. Regular weapons won¡¯t be effective against spirits unless we bring blessed armaments or anti-ethereal runes.¡±


    ¡°Please leave that to us.¡±


    The senior hunter from the Seikishi-dan Guild finally spoke, his voice steady and assured. ¡°We Holy Paladins of the Seikishi-dan guild are trained to deal with that type of monsters. Exorcising spirits is part of our expertise.¡±


    Well, if they are paladin job class and are devout believers of the Holy Goddess just like Mikhail-sama, then their skills are honed to light and purity magic element. A direct counter of corrupted spiritual monsters.


    ¡°What about enemy numbers?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Our initial readings has estimated at around fifty for now,¡± the first scout responded, ¡°but we suspect that number fluctuates. The domain is still shifting, which means more monsters could be pouring in at any moment.¡±


    "Fifty already, huh? For a low level dungeon that''s quite a lot of monsters already," Hoshimizu-san straightened, her tone firm. ¡°Then we can¡¯t afford to waste any more time. We need to move before the domain stabilizes further.¡±


    As the discussion continued, I leaned toward Yuriko-san, who was busy jotting down the meeting minutes. Lowering my voice, I asked, ¡°Who¡¯s that guy?¡± I tilted my head toward the senior hunter from the Seikishi-dan Guild.


    Even seated, I could tell he was tall. His silver and blue armor gleamed under the tent¡¯s lighting, the insignia of the Seikishi-dan Guild prominently displayed on his chest plate. His presence carried an air of unwavering calm, his piercing gaze assessing the room with practiced ease.


    Yuriko-san glanced at him before leaning in, her hand half-covering her mouth. Oi,oi, if you do it like that, it will feel like we were gossiping about a fellow hunter now...


    ¡°That¡¯s Leonhardt Eisenwald,¡± she murmured. ¡°He¡¯s the newly appointed squad leader of the 17th Raid Squad of the Seikishi-dan Guild. A rookie Paladin of the Seikisihi-dan, but already well-known for his skills, raid clearance record. Also at his unshakable resolve and unwavering faith to Mikhail-sama and in the Holy Goddess.¡±


    Leonhardt Eisenwald. A rookie Paladin, huh, but already making a name for himself.


    I glanced at him again, noting the disciplined posture and the way he observed the discussion with quiet confidence. Someone like him wouldn¡¯t be the type to hesitate when facing monsters. That would make things easier for the squad¡ªif his skills matched his reputation.


    Before I could dwell on it further, Hoshimizu-san clapped her hands once, regaining the room¡¯s attention. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve gone over the key intel. Now, one final matter¡ªwe need a squad leader for this operation.¡±


    She let the statement hang for a moment before turning her gaze toward Leonhardt. ¡°For this mission, Leonhardt Eisenwald will be leading our squad.¡±


    A few heads turned toward him, some with mild surprise, others nodding in recognition.


    Hoshimizu-san continued, her tone unwavering. ¡°This decision isn¡¯t without reason. While Eisenwald-san is still classified as a rookie, he¡¯s already commanded squads in twenty-two successful low-level monster domain raids. And he has participated clearing 103 low-level monster domain raids in just his first year as a hunter.¡±


    A murmur ran through the room. Even among veteran hunters, that was an impressive track record as a rookie hunter.


    Leonhardt-san himself remained composed, offering only a slight nod. ¡°I¡¯ll do what¡¯s necessary to ensure mission success.¡±


    Hoshimizu-san exhaled sharply. ¡°That¡¯s what I want to hear.¡± She turned back to the rest of the squad. ¡°Final preparations will take place in the next twenty minutes. At exactly 6:30 PM, all squads will commence their respective raids simultaneously. That includes us. Make sure your equipment is in top condition.¡±


    One of the scouts nodded, checking his wristwatch. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll relay this to the other squads immediately.¡±


    Leonhardt-san stood, the weight of his armor shifting as he adjusted his longsword at his side. ¡°May the Holy Goddess grant us strength,¡± he said, his voice composed.


    Hoshimizu-san exhaled sharply, then turned to our group. ¡°That applies to all of us. No unnecessary risks¡ªstick to your roles. Dismissed.¡±


    With that, the meeting concluded. The room shifted into action, hunters standing, checking their gear, and stepping out into the cold evening air.


    As the meeting concluded, hunters filed out of the tent one by one, some heading toward other squads, others making final checks on their gear. The air outside was thick with anticipation.


    By 6:26 PM, the once-crowded tent was now nearly empty. Only Yuriko-san and I remained. The muffled sounds of last-minute preparations echoed from outside, but inside, the space felt quiet, almost detached from the impending battle.


    I glanced at Yuriko-san, who was reviewing the meeting notes, her pen tapping lightly against the paper. "Yuriko-san, are you going to provide support here?"


    She looked up, blinking at my question. ¡°Ah, yes. There¡¯s no other staff available for now to assist you. Or rather I don¡¯t have anyone to call for support yet.¡± She exhaled, leaning back slightly. ¡°The new staff members I interviewed yesterday will start working tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow, huh?¡± I murmured. "I suppose it can¡¯t be helped. But you can finally get some help off your works, hahaha.¡±


    Yuriko-san gave a small, tired smile. ¡°I didn''t expected managing a new domain to be this hectic.¡± She stretched her arms before tilting her head at me. ¡°But its better than doing nothing. Why do you ask? Do you need something, Meir-sama?¡±


    For a moment, I didn¡¯t answer. Instead, I reached into my coat pocket, my fingers brushing against the small folded paper I had prepared earlier.


    ¡°Actually, yes,¡± I said, my tone shifting. I placed the paper on the table and slid it toward her. "Can you help me investigate on this side of the raid?"


    Yuriko-san raised an eyebrow but took it without hesitation. She unfolded it, her expression neutral¡ªuntil her eyes landed on the single line of text inside.


    "Traitor. Senior Hunter. Seikishi-dan."


    Her breath hitched. She snapped her gaze back to me, her grip tightening around the paper. ¡°Meir-san¡­ what is this?¡±


    I met her eyes, my voice low. ¡°Keep your guard up. Something isn¡¯t right about this abnormal incident.¡±


    Yuriko-san swallowed hard, glancing toward the tent entrance where the sound of hurried footsteps and clanking weapons echoed in the distance.


    Before she could say anything else, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a simple bracelet, placing it on the table. It was unadorned¡ªjust a band of mana steel with faint runes etched on the underside, barely visible against the dull metal.


    ¡°In case anything happens and you need to escape,¡± I said, sliding it toward her, ¡°use this. It will open a portal directly back to our domain.¡±


    Yuriko-san hesitated, her fingers hovering over the bracelet before she picked it up. She turned it in her hands, examining the runes. ¡°You made this?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve been working on it since earlier. I also have one.¡± I showed her the one I''m wearing on my left hand.


    She pursed her lips. ¡°I¡¯m not a combatant, Meir-san. I shouldn¡¯t even be in danger.¡±


    I stood, tapping her shoulder lightly. ¡°You never know. Don¡¯t do anything rash, Yuriko-san. And if things go south¡ªdon¡¯t hesitate to use it.¡±


    Just yesterday, I made contact with three high level monsters. Long-Distance Gate incantation takes time but this simple artifcats has the incantation pre-recorded already. This way I can cast it quickly without relying on manual incantation. Though I can only use it once, its better than nothing.


    Her fingers curled around the bracelet, her expression unreadable. But she gave a small nod.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Outside, an announcement sounded¡ªthe signal that the raid was about to commence. It was time.


    I stepped out of the tent, making my way through the gathered hunters until I found my assigned squad. The 11th Raid Team stood near the edge of the staging area, already assembled and waiting. As I approached, Leonhardt-san caught sight of me and gave a sharp nod.


    "Good, you''re here," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "Let¡¯s go over the roles before we move out."


    He glanced around the group before continuing, his tone taking on a practiced efficiency. "I¡¯ll be leading the front as the main tank," he began, resting a hand on the hilt of his longsword. "Kido will be beside me as the secondary tank."


    A broad-shouldered man with a shaved head grunted in acknowledgment. His heavy armor clanked slightly as he adjusted the straps of his shield.


    "For front-line damage, we have Fujikawa-san, a swordsman-class and Gorou-san, a knight-class."


    Fujikawa, a lean man with sharp eyes and a katana at his waist, gave a curt nod. Beside him, Gorou¡ªa hulking man with a massive battle mace slung over his back¡ªgrinned, rolling his shoulders like he was eager to start.


    "Hoshimizu-san and Takane-san will handle long-range attacks."


    Takane, a wiry young lady with a bow strapped across her back, nodded in acknowledgment. Hoshimizu-san, standing nearby, adjusted the bracers on her arms, her expression focused.


    "For support, we have our bard, Rika," Leonhardt gestured to a woman cradling a lute in her arms. She had a relaxed posture and... what can I say, she is small compared to all of us. How old is she anyways?


    Finally, he turned to me. "And Meir-san, you¡¯ll be another long-range damage dealer and rear guard."


    I inclined my head. "Understood. Please take care of me."


    Leonhardt swept his gaze over the group once more, then exhaled. "We move in two minutes. Get ready."


    As the team made their final preparations, I found myself studying my new squadmates with growing curiosity. While their guild reputations preceded them, I wanted more than just hearsay¡ªI needed facts. Without drawing attention to myself, I activated a skill, "< Inspect Hunter >..."


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Nashchor Meir


    Age: 25


    Alignment: Neutral Good


    Affiliation: N/A


    Job: Domain Lord-Tinkerer


    Level: 5


    Stat Rating: 113 SR


    HP: 270/270


    MP: 210/210


    Attributes


    Life: 27


    Strength: 15


    Endurance: 15


    Intelligence: 21


    Aura: 15


    Agility: 20 ]


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Leonhardt Eisenwald


    Age: 23


    Alignment: Lawful Good


    Affiliation: Seikishi-dan Guild


    Job: Paladin


    Level: 10


    Stat Rating: 124 SR


    HP: 320


    MP: 140


    Attributes


    Life: 32


    Strength: 22


    Endurance: 20


    Intelligence: 14


    Aura: 17


    Agility: 19 ]


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Aiya Hoshimizu


    Age: 22


    Alignment: Neutral Good


    Affiliation: Hoshimizu Guild


    Job: Novice Mage


    Level: 5


    Stat Rating: 68 SR


    HP: 190/190


    MP: 120/120


    Attributes


    Life: 19


    Strength: 8


    Endurance: 9


    Intelligence: 12


    Aura: 10


    Agility: 10 ]


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Kido Masanori


    Age: 28


    Alignment: Lawful Neutral


    Affiliation: Seikishi-dan Guild


    Job: Paladin


    Level: 7


    Stat Rating: 82 SR


    HP: 220/220


    MP: 90/90


    Attributes


    Life: 22


    Strength: 17


    Endurance: 19


    Intelligence: 9


    Aura: 9


    Agility: 6 ]


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Fujikawa Renji


    Age: 32


    Alignment: True Neutral


    Affiliation: Seikishi-dan Guild


    Job: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 8


    Stat Rating: 90 SR


    HP: 250/250


    MP: 1440/140


    Attributes


    Life: 25


    Strength: 14


    Endurance: 11


    Intelligence: 14


    Aura: 14


    Agility: 12 ]


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Gorou Takeshi


    Age: 30


    Alignment: Lawful Neutral


    Affiliation: Seikishi-dan Guild


    Job: Battle Knight


    Level: 7


    Stat Rating: 82 SR


    HP: 260/260


    MP: 110/110


    Attributes


    Life: 26


    Strength: 13


    Endurance: 9


    Intelligence: 11


    Aura: 12


    Agility: 11 ]


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Takane Mitsuru


    Age: 24


    Alignment: Lawful Neutral


    Affiliation: Seikishi-dan Guild


    Job: Magic Archer


    Level: 8


    Stat Rating: 90 SR


    HP: 220/220


    MP: 230/230


    Attributes


    Life: 22


    Strength: 10


    Endurance: 8


    Intelligence: 23


    Aura: 10


    Agility: 17 ]


    [ Hunter Profile Window


    Name: Rika Hanabusa


    Age: 22


    Alignment: Neutral Good


    Affiliation: Hoshimizu Guild


    Job: Bard


    Level: 5


    Stat Rating: SR


    HP: 400/400


    MP: 150/150


    Attributes


    Life: 40


    Strength: 5


    Endurance: 5


    Intelligence: 15


    Aura: 8


    Agility: 9 ]


    I exhaled slowly, absorbing the details that flashed before my eyes.


    First, the most glaring fact¡ªamong the eight of us, only Leonhardt and I had a Stat Rating (SR) above 100. Leonhardt-san sat at 124 SR, while I followed closely at 113 SR. The rest of the team averaged around the mid-80s to low 90s, with Hoshimizu-san at the lowest, sitting at 68 SR. So it was true that Hoshimizu-san was just a fresh graduate of the hunter academy.


    Leonhardt-san¡¯s stats were exactly what I expected. As a Paladin, he was built to withstand damage and lead from the front. His high endurance and life stats made him a solid tank, and his strength ensured he could hold the line.


    The others, however¡­ I frowned. Kido-san, the secondary tank, had respectable endurance, but his agility was abysmal. He was sturdy but slow. Gorou-san and Fujikawa-san, both melee fighters, had balanced stats, but neither of them stood out as particularly overwhelming.


    Takane-san, the archer, had a surprisingly high intelligence stat for her class, which suggested her magic-based archery played a crucial role in her combat style.


    And then there was Rika-san.


    I almost did a double-take when I saw her HP was a whopping 400. That was higher than even Leonhardt-san¡¯s. Her life stat was ridiculously high at 40, but everything else¡ªher strength, endurance, and agility¡ªwas well below average. A true support role. If anything, she was like an immovable fortress¡ªhard to take down, but not built for direct combat.


    Still, the numbers granted by the goddess''s blessing system didn¡¯t lie. This team was well-balanced, but when it came to sheer power, Leonhardt-san and I would be carrying most of the weight.


    I clenched my fist lightly. This meant two things.


    First, Leonhardt-san, the youngest squad leader of the Seikishi-dan guild, had both a higher level and stronger stats than me. If the traitor was a senior hunter¡ªsomeone leading another raid team¡ªthen their stats would likely surpass even Leonhardt-san¡¯s.


    Second, if a traitor intended to act, this raid would be their best opportunity. With a squad composed mostly of lower-level hunters, we would be preoccupied, forced into evenly matched fights against the monsters. That was the perfect moment for an ambush or sabotage.


    What a troublesome scheme they brewed up.


    A chill ran down my spine. I closed the Inspect Hunter windows and refocused my attention. The raid was about to begin, and I needed to stay sharp.


    Just as I pushed those grim thoughts aside, a pair of figures approached.


    ¡°Please take care of us.¡± Rika-san greeted me with a professional bow. She''s even smaller up-close. ¡°Aiya-sama and I are both the lowest level in the team, but we¡¯ll try our best not to weigh everyone down.¡±


    Oh, I like how polite she is. And her soft-tone voice is very refreshing and soothing. For a rookie hunter, she is also composed. Beside her, Hoshimizu-san wasn¡¯t nearly as composed. She was glaring at me.


    I blinked, what is it this time. ¡°Why are you glaring at me?¡±


    She crossed her arms, her expression full of judgment. ¡°Are you seriously going into the raid wearing¡­ that?¡±


    I glanced down at myself. Plain black shirt. Denim pants. I didn''t bother changing clothes because as soon as she pushed the raid to be conducted tonight, we just followed her all the way here.


    But... isn''t this enough? I mean, I''m raiding monster domains without any thoughts to what I''m wearing. Is there any fashion sense again for hunters and raiding? Ugh... people of this era sure like to nitpick at every little fashion thing.


    I glanced around and did a quick observation. The Seikishi-dan knights wore light iron armor that looks like crafted by a talented artisan. Hoshimizu-san and Rika-san had sorcerer¡¯s majestic robes over their leather armor. I see, I see.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re right,¡± I replied, as if I had suddenly realized something important. I got what you are trying to imply, Hoshimizu-san


    Hoshimizu-san looked somewhat relieved¡ªuntil I reached into my Dimensional Storage and pulled out a large hiking jacket. With a fluid motion, I threw it on, adjusting the sleeves before zipping it up.


    What a coincidence! It has the same hazelnut brown color as Hoshimizu-san¡¯s robes. "Oh~ Thanks for reminding me, Hoshimizu-san. It will be a chilly night, right?"


    Hoshimizu-san froze. Then, she twitched. ¡°I meant armor! Don¡¯t you need to wear armor?¡± she snapped.


    What? I didn''t got that right? I tilted my head. ¡°Armor? It¡¯s a hassle to wear. And don¡¯t we have tanks?¡± They will provoke and lure the monsters to them anyways.


    The sheer stress on Hoshimizu-san¡¯s face looked like it aged her five years. Rika-san, meanwhile, was biting back a laugh.


    ¡°And that color!¡± Hoshimizu-san groaned. ¡°Can¡¯t you wear anything else? We¡¯ll look like a pair of idiot couple hunters¡ªugh!¡±


    I let out a resigned sigh, zipping my jacket up to my neck. ¡°Yuriko-san gave me this jacket only. We¡¯re just a starting domain, and poor, okay? Please bear with us a little more.¡±


    Hoshimizu-san looked ready to argue again but then just covered her face with both hands, muttering something unintelligible. Rika-san finally let out a giggle.


    I had a feeling the raid hadn¡¯t even started, yet I was already giving Hoshimizu-san a headache.


    "And this man was supposed to be my supervisor my first raids..." she grumbled.


    "Right, right. Before I forgot about it, here." I handed her over the same escape bracelet artifact that I gave to Yuriko-san.


    Hoshimizu-san eyed the bracelet warily before taking it. She looked me seriously straight at the eye as her frown deepens. "Do you like me?" she suddenly asked.


    "What?" I was flabbergasted.


    "I don''t like you," she answered rolling her eyes, "I mean romantically. No, not a chance. But as respect towards Yuri-chan, I will respect you as her domain lord. Nothing more, nothing less."


    I let her continue blabbling as I turned towards Rika-san. "Sorry, I only made enough for three people." I slipped the escape bracelet off my left hand and handed it over to her, "Well, in terms of escaping, I have more chances of escaping by myself alone. I mean, I can just manually cast it. So I''ll just be giving this to you."


    "Are you sure, Meir-sama?" She asked though she didn''t hesitate to accept it and wear it on her wrist.


    "Yep, but give that back to me after the raid, okay?" I said.


    "Hey," Hoshimizu-san suddenly stepped in between us, arms crossed like a human shield. "Do you like our Rika-chan? Sorry, but she already is interested in someone else¡ª"


    "What?" She blinked, looking back down at the bracelet in her hand. "Wait, what is this again?"


    "An escape artifact," I repeated. "If I give the command, or if you think the situation is too dangerous, activate it."


    Her fingers traced the smooth surface of the bracelet. "And¡­ what happens when I activate it?"


    "It¡¯ll open a portal back to my domain," I said simply. "Step through it and evacuate if things go south, okay?"


    Hoshimizu-san¡¯s expression turned serious. Rika-san nodded.


    The weight of the conversation settled in the air for a moment. Even with all the banter and complaints, the reality of what we were about to face lingered beneath it. This wasn''t just another raid. A monster domain was always unpredictable, and the risk of a traitor in our side only made things worse.


    I adjusted my jacket and looked toward Leonhardt-san, who was already rallying the team. His presence was commanding, his silver armor glinting faintly under the shrine¡¯s lantern light. The Seikishi-dan holy knights stood ready at his side, their weapons and armor pristine, a stark contrast to my simple outfit.


    "We¡¯re moving out!" Leonhardt-san called, his voice cutting through the cold air. I followed, walking at the back, holding at my mana gun.


    The 11th Raid Team¡ªthe eight-man raid squad led by Leonhardt-san¡ªbegan our march toward the fog-covered path leading to Onose Shrine¡¯s monster domain. After ten minutes of walking, we reached the boundary of our assigned monster domain.


    Rika-san, walking slightly ahead of me, glanced down at the specialized phone-like equipment in her hands. The dim glow of the mana satellite interface reflected off her face as she carefully examined the readings.


    "We''re on the east side of the domain now," she confirmed. "Coordinates match. The mana satellite and GPS are both aligned."


    Leonhardt-san gave a firm nod. "Good. That means the monster domain should be just up ahead."


    As we crossed the boundary into the monster domain, the world around us seemed to shift.


    " < Mana Sense > ..." I activated my skill as the surrounding fog become thicker.


    As I look around with my skill, the once-familiar surroundings of the forest path were swallowed by an eerie mist, thick and unnatural. The further we walked, the quieter everything became, as if the domain itself was holding its breath. The trees loomed taller, their branches twisting unnaturally overhead, casting jagged shadows through the fog.


    It didn''t help even if it was full moon tonigt. Something was watching us. Ugh... creepy.


    The sensation prickled at the back of my mind, an instinct sharpened by experience. I wasn¡¯t the only one who felt it¡ªLeonhardt-san subtly slowed his pace, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword.


    As the team cautiously advanced through the dense mist, the oppressive silence was broken only by the crunch of gravel beneath their boots. The landscape around them was eerily transformed.


    ¡°This used to be a flat riverside village, right?¡± Hoshimizu-san muttered, glancing around. ¡°How did it become a hill?¡±


    ¡°The domain changed it,¡± Leonhardt-san answered, his tone grim. ¡°Monster domains warp the land. If this place was once flat, that means something powerful reshaped the terrain.¡±


    Fujikawa-san scoffed. ¡°Hah. A pile of dirt isn¡¯t enough to scare us.¡±


    Rika-san hugged her lute closer. ¡°It¡¯s not just the land. The air here feels¡­ heavy.¡±


    She was right. The moment we stepped through the mist, the atmosphere thickened, pressing against our skin like unseen hands. The torii gate at the base of the hill loomed before us, marking the threshold of the Onose Shrine Monster Domain.


    As we passed beneath it, an unsettling sensation crawled up my spine.


    Then, the growl came.


    A low, guttural sound echoed through the mist.


    Fujikawa clicked his tongue. ¡°Tch, just some mutts¡ªeasy prey.¡±


    Through my Mana Sense''s eyes, I saw three wolf like figures in the path ahead us. But there are more of them at the further back of the path. Ten... Twelve... Eighteen? That''s too many of them!


    " < Inspect Monster > "


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Kagemori Wolves


    Name: N/A


    Level: 5


    Stat Rating: 59 SR


    HP: 180/180


    MP: 80/80


    Attributes


    Life: 18


    Strength: 10


    Endurance: 8


    Intelligence: 8


    Aura: 8


    Agility: 7 ]


    Those dark, shifting figures emerged from the fog¡ªshadow-coated wolves, their bodies flickering between reality and illusion, their yellow eyes gleaming like lanterns in the dark. They are low levels and has low SR but they outnumbers our raid party.


    Leonhardt-san stepped forward, drawing his sword in one swift motion. ¡°Prepare for battle!¡±


    Steel rang as weapons were unsheathed. The kagemori wolves circled us, their movements erratic, their forms warping in and out of sight.


    Then, they lunged.


    The first clash of the raid began. The Seikishi-dan knights held their ground, defending the rear from the shadowy beasts. The wolves darted between attacks, their unnatural forms shifting like living shadows.


    I kept my stance relaxed but ready. Aiming my mana gun at one of them, I pulled the trigger.


    KSSSSH!


    It shot directly at the head of a leaping kagemori wolf.


    Then, without warning¡ª


    I sensed something approaching from the rear. I turned quickly and a sudden, slithering noise from behind.


    Creeping vines and gnarled branches shot out from the fog like grasping hands.


    ¡°Wha¡ª?!¡±


    The rear support¡ªHoshimizu-san and Rika-san, and I¡ªwere the target of the vines.


    Instinct took over. Without hesitation, I aimed my mana gun at the incoming vines and pulled the trigger.


    KSSSH!


    The blast seared through the first tendril lunging toward me, its blackened remnants withering into the mist. But more were already slithering forward, twisting and coiling with unnatural speed.


    A sharp yelp cut through the chaos.


    I turned just in time to see Hoshimizu-san and Rika-san collapse onto the ground, vines wrapped tightly around their feet. They struggled, clawing at the restraints as the vines began pulling them deeper into the fog.


    "Meir-sama!" Rika-san gasped.


    "Tch¡ª!" My mind raced. There was no time to cut them free. I needed to stop them from being dragged away first.


    "< Trap Creation >!" I invoked, slamming my palm against the ground.


    The earth trembled. Then, from beneath where the two were being pulled, a clay-like prison erupted, encasing their bodies up to their necks. The sudden formation severed the vines in an instant, leaving the two trapped but safe.


    Hoshimizu-san coughed, her face twisted in frustration. "What the-?! Are we going to be buried alive?!"


    "No, I''m saving you!" I informed, already moving on to the next step.


    Lifting my hand, I invoked my next skill.


    "< Gate >!"


    A shimmering diamond-shaped rift opened beneath each of the clay prisons, swallowing them whole. At the same time, a second portal materialized behind me.


    A split second later, the clay cubes dropped out of the rift and landed with a thud near the rest of the raid formation.


    The moment they hit the ground, the clay structures crumbled, freeing Hoshimizu-san and Rika-san.


    Leonhardt-san, mid-swing against a lunging kagemori wolf, turned toward the commotion. "Meir! What happened?!"


    "Ambush from the rear!" I shouted, stepping back into formation.


    Hoshimizu-san groaned as she pushed herself up, shaking off the remnants of dust from the crumbled trap. "Tch¡­ That was the worst, but¡ªthank you for saving us!"


    Her eyes sharpened as she quickly regained her composure, gripping her staff tightly. With a deep breath, she raised it high, mana surging through the air. Flames crackled at the tip, casting flickering light against the swirling mist. "I¡¯ll burn every last one of these things. < Flame Missile >!"


    Rika-san, still catching her breath, let out a weary groan. "Ugh¡­ I really hate slithering monsters¡­ and ambushes¡­" Despite her complaints, she steadied her lute, fingers gliding over the strings with practiced ease. A soft, enchanting melody resonated through the battlefield, its harmonics weaving a golden glow that spread across the raid formation.


    " < Healing Melody > " She invoked as she continued playing her lute. The warmth of her spell washed over the team, soothing wounds and restoring vigor, as if the very air pulsed with renewed strength.


    The ground trembled again. More vines slithered through the mist.


    " < Construct Barrier >!"


    A translucent, glass-like barrier materialized in an instant, stretching across the rear of our formation. The incoming wave of vines slammed against it with a sharp crack, recoiling like snakes striking solid rock. Their writhing tendrils scraped and twisted against the surface, unable to breach through.


    I quickly assessed the battlefield. The front line was holding strong¡ªthe Seikishi-dan knights had already engaged the kagemori wolves in direct combat, their swords flashing as they cut down the shadowy creatures. Takane-san, our magic archer, loosed arrow after arrow, each one glowing with enchanted light as they struck true. Hoshimizu-san, now fully recovered, was unleashing a barrage of fire spells, her Flame Missile spell burning through the approaching vines and reducing creeping threats to ash.


    With that level of firepower covering the mid-range and long-range support, our offensive output was more than secured. The only weak point now was the rear. If these vines were part of a coordinated ambush, then securing our backline became my top priority.


    I reinforced my stance, readying my mana gun in case anything slipped through. "Leonhardt-san, we''ll handle the rear guard! Focus on the front!" I called out, keeping my eyes on the shifting fog. If this domain had more surprises waiting, I wasn¡¯t about to let them catch us off guard again.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    The ground was shifting.


    At first, I thought it was just my vision¡ªsome kind of lingering dizziness from the battle. But no, the stairs beneath my feet were softening, melting into something thick, something that clung to my boots like tar.


    I tried to take a step, but my legs wouldn¡¯t lift.


    "What the¡ª?"


    I looked down. My feet were already halfway submerged. The stone steps had turned into something else¡ªsomething alive, something pulling. The more I moved, the deeper I sank.


    Quicksand? No. That couldn¡¯t be right. This stairs are made of stones!


    I reached out, fingers grasping for anything solid, but there was nothing. Just that thick, heavy sensation swallowing my legs, climbing past my knees.


    A spell? A curse? What kind of curse? One that blocks my mana flow? But who?


    Tch. I don¡¯t have time for this.


    I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. Think, Meir. Think.


    I stretched out my hand. I need to do something. "Blessing Command! Activate Skill < Mana Manipulation >! Convert Entity to Cryo Element! "


    I placed my hand to the quicksand to freeze it and stopped myself from further sinking down. ¡°< Crystallize >!¡±


    Still nothing. Not even a flicker of mana.


    A chill ran down my spine. I couldn¡¯t feel my magic.


    My pulse quickened. I struggled harder, twisting my body, but the more I fought, the deeper I sank. My hands, my arms¡ªthis damn thing was pulling me in, swallowing me whole.


    I gritted my teeth. I wasn¡¯t going down like this.


    But the more I moved, the more the world around me darkened.


    And the deeper I fell.


    [ Warning! Your HP has gone down below 40%! ]


    Damn it! Just what the hell is happening!


    "Blessing Command! Open Grimoire!" I shouted trying to summon my odd grimoire. I need a spell. I need to activate something to get out of there. "Blessing Command! Open Spell List!"


    Nothing is happening. My List of Odd Spells Grimoire is not materializing. Now the quicksand is on my shoulder level. I''m raising my hand with the Dream Pearl artifact on it.


    "Blessing Command! Activate Skill < Inspect Debuff >!"


    Nothing.


    No matter how much I willed it, no matter how desperately I called out for my skills¡ªnothing responded.


    The quicksand swallowed me deeper, slithering up to my shoulders like living hands pulling me under. My breath came in short, sharp bursts. My free hand clawed at the surface, but there was nothing solid to hold onto¡ªjust that thick, cloying mass dragging me down.


    My fingers tightened around the Dream Pearl. At least I still had this. At least, even if I couldn''t escape yet, I had secured the one thing we came here for.


    I raised it above the surface, my last act of defiance against whatever hellish magic was at play.


    And then¡ª


    A crack.


    I barely had time to process it before the pearl in my grip crumbled.


    Like dry sand slipping through my fingers, the once-solid artifact turned to dust, disintegrating in my palm, carried away by an unseen force.


    I watched, horrified, as the remains drifted past my fingertips¡ªpast my sinking hand¡ªvanishing into the void below.


    No¡ª


    No, that wasn¡¯t possible.


    What the hell just happened?


    My vision blurred as the quicksand reached my chin.


    I barely had time to think before the darkness swallowed me whole.


    Weightless. Silent.


    I wasn¡¯t falling, yet I wasn¡¯t standing either. It was like floating in the vast emptiness of a space¡ªa space I couldn¡¯t manipulate.


    So much for being a researcher of Space Manipulation Skill Tree.


    My mind grasped for something, anything, but I was sinking deeper into nothingness.


    Was this death? Then does that mean I failed my mission? Does that mean Yuriko-san and the others inside the domain will have no domain lord to welcome back?


    A creeping sensation slithered through my body. Something was watching me. No, something was holding me.


    Then I heard it. A whisper echoed in the void. Too distant to make sense of, yet close enough to send a shiver down my spine.


    Then¡ª


    Pain. A dull, aching pull at the edge of my consciousness. It clawed at me, dragging me out of the abyss.


    I could hear something now. Voices. Familiar voices.


    My eyelids felt heavy. My body, sluggish. It was like waking from a dream I wasn¡¯t meant to wake from.


    Noise filtered into my ears¡ªclashing steel, the distant roars of monsters, and¡ª


    ¡°No matter what happens, just keep pouring mana potion into that irritating guy!¡±


    That was Hoshimizu-san¡¯s voice. Sharp and frantic. Determined.


    ¡°For some reason, even though Meir-sama is under mind manipulation, he¡¯s still protecting himself. His barrier is also protecting us from that snake and this horde of monsters!¡±


    Rika-san and her melody was playing near me.


    "We are already applying two debuff skills but he is still not waking up. Just who cursed him this badly?" She asked.


    My fingers twitched. The ground beneath me was cold, solid¡ªreal. My body ached, my mind foggy, but I forced myself to focus.


    I was lying down. My right hand¡ªlifted.


    A steady stream of mana pulsed from my palm.


    A barrier.


    A dome-shaped shield of glowing energy surrounded us, shimmering under the assault of countless enemies.


    And in the center of it all¡ª


    A black serpent loomed before us, its scales gleaming like polished obsidian, its slit pupils locked onto me.


    I exhaled sharply. I understand it now from the gist of it.


    I was under an illusion.


    I staggered as I pushed myself up, a sharp pain shooting through my entire body. It was only then that I noticed it¡ªtwo gaping holes on my right side, torn through the layers of my black T-shirt and hiking jacket. Blood seeped from the wounds, soaking into the fabric.


    Rika-san was at my side in an instant, steadying me. ¡°Meir-sama, your awake! Thank goodness. But your wounds are severe. Please don¡¯t move that much. Just focus on maintaining your barrier skill.¡±


    I glanced up at the shimmering dome of mana surrounding us. It was still holding, keeping the monsters and the serpent at bay. I was¡­ still protecting them, even while unconscious?


    ¡°Hey, you idiot.¡± Hoshimizu-san¡¯s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She looked both relieved and furious. ¡°Why the hell are you fighting that snake on your own?¡±


    I blinked. ¡°What snake?¡±


    She gave me an incredulous look before pointing ahead.


    ¡°That snake, obviously. Don¡¯t you remember it biting you? Before you fainted?¡±


    My gaze followed her finger¡ªand I saw it again.


    A massive black serpent, its body coiled and shifting like a living shadow, slithered across the battlefield. Its forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air, before it exhaled a thick purple haze toward Leonhardt-san and the others at the front. Hoshimizu-san hurried and release another flame skill towards the Hitodaman Wisp infested trees fighting with the snake.


    My mind raced. I had no memory of this.


    I shook my head. ¡°No¡­ I was fighting three other monsters. A troll shaman, a minotaur, and a senior hunter traitor from Seikishi-dan Guild named Amamiya Jin. They were trying to steal the dream pearl, but I killed them. Then¡­¡± I hesitated, piecing it together.


    ¡°I was under an illusion spell.¡±


    Hoshimizu-san and Rika-san exchanged looks, realization dawning on their faces.


    The dream pearl.


    If everything I experienced had been a lie, then¡ª


    My heart pounded. Was the real artifact already stolen?


    I turned my gaze toward the shrine. Or at least, where it should have been.


    Instead of the structure I remembered, there was only devastation¡ªcollapsed beams, shattered stone, and remnants of sacred wards flickering weakly before vanishing into the wind. The shrine was gone.


    My chest tightened. ¡°The artifact¡­ the Dream Pearl¡­¡±


    I turned to Hoshimizu-san. ¡°Where is it?¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°We don¡¯t know. The shrine was already in ruins when we arrived.¡±


    I stared at her. ¡°Already in ruins?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Yeah. By the time we got here, you were already fighting that snake¡­ or more like, being bitten by it. You weren¡¯t conscious, but for some reason, you activated your barrier skill on your own and kept yourself from getting torn apart. We¡¯ve been fighting this thing for twenty minutes now.¡±


    Twenty minutes?


    I gritted my teeth. If the shrine was already destroyed when they arrived, that meant¡­ whoever put me under that illusion had already taken the real artifact before I even realized what was happening.


    Damn it. I had been played.


    "Incoming!" I heard Leonhardt-san yelled, "Fall back inside the barrier!"


    Then he, Kido-san, Fujikawa-san, and Gorou-san immediately retreated inside the barrier where I was.


    The moment they crossed the threshold, the black serpent reared its head, its jaws parting wide. A deep, guttural hiss echoed through the battlefield, followed by a sudden surge of violet mist pooling in its throat.


    Then¡ªit spat.


    A barrage of jagged, needle-like projectiles shot toward us, their gleaming purple tips reflecting the dim light. They weren¡¯t ordinary venom spits. These were massive¡ªeach one nearly the size of a small stalactite, honed to pierce through flesh and bone.


    Shit¡ª


    The moment they struck, I braced for impact¡ªbut nothing pierced through.


    A loud, shuddering clang echoed as the projectiles collided with a translucent dome surrounding us. My barrier.


    And then I felt it.


    A sudden, forceful pull at my core¡ªlike something was siphoning my very essence. My mana reserves trembled as raw energy poured into the barrier, reinforcing it against the snake¡¯s attack.


    This thing¡­ is draining my mana?


    I hadn¡¯t even been consciously maintaining the barrier, yet my body had been instinctively funneling power into it. Was this part of the < Auto-Defense System > skill?


    Must be a program installed by the professor to my system before.


    I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth as another wave of purple-tinged stalactites rained down. Each impact sent another jolt through my core, my mana reserves being pulled out with every second.


    If this kept up, I¡¯d run out of mana before we could even counterattack.


    Leonhardt-san turned toward me, his sharp eyes softening as he patted my shoulder. His touch was reassuring.


    "You''ve done your best to stop the enemies. Thank you," he said, his voice calm and collected.


    I blinked, caught off guard by the lack of anger. After breaking formation, I had expected a scolding or at least some frustration. Instead, there was only gratitude.


    "Is your wound hurting you?" he asked, his gaze shifting briefly to the deep puncture wounds on my side. "Sorry, but we focused all our skills on debuffing that curse on you. It was quite a strong one."


    I exhaled, shaking off the lingering dizziness. "Thank you¡­ for saving me," I said. "Even though I didn''t follow your orders to stay with the team."


    Leonhardt-san gave a small chuckle. "Only you saw the full extent of the enemy¡¯s forces. You tried to stop them from stealing the Dream Pearl, and we doubted you. That was our mistake." He gave me a firm nod. "I''m sorry for doubting you, Meir."


    I had no words for a moment. Just a dull ache in my chest¡ªnot from my wounds, but from the simple relief of not being blamed for everything.


    Leonhardt-san¡¯s expression turned serious. "How much longer can you keep up the barrier?" he asked. "It¡¯s the only thing keeping us safe from these wide-range attacks."


    I hesitated. I always made sure to keep my mana reserves above half, but right now, that wasn¡¯t an option. I couldn¡¯t afford to be a burden.


    A quick glance at the team told me everything I needed to know¡ªthey were exhausted. Their breaths were ragged, their stances unsteady. They had been fighting nonstop while I was out of commission.


    Then, my eyes flickered downward. Scattered around me were several empty mana potion bottles, their glass surfaces smeared with dirt and blood. A realization struck me¡ªthey had been forcing me to drink them probably trying to keep my barrier active even when I''m unconscious.


    The weight in my chest tightened. Even while I was down, they had been trying to protect me. Even if the better choice is to save the mana potions for themselves.


    Instead of answering, I raised my left hand, steeling myself as I activated my skill. For a brief moment, doubt crept in¡ªwhat if it didn¡¯t work?


    I pushed the thought away and invoked the command.


    "< Dimensional Storage >."


    A sharp hum resonated through the air as space cracked open in front of me, a diamond-shaped rift splitting reality apart. Then, dozens of mana potions tumbled down, clinking against the ground in a chaotic rhythm. A quantity that tripled the empty mana potions lying on the ground.


    "I¡¯ll keep this up as long as needed," I said, my voice firm. "Everyone, take a potion and restore your mana."


    The others let out relieved laughter, instantly grabbing bottles and downing the shimmering blue liquid.


    "Hell yeah, Meir!" Kido-san grinned, wiping his mouth. "I was already feeling my mana run dry!"


    "Same here," Fujikawa-san added. "Fighting that black serpent has been eating up more of my energy than I expected."


    Rika-san sighed in relief, resting down her lute first. Then slowly she reached down for a bottle of mana potion. "Meir-sama... huhuhu... thank you so much! There''s no doubt that the decision to cure you first was the greatest decision we made!"


    Leonhardt-san took a potion but didn¡¯t drink immediately. Instead, he gave me a knowing smile. "We¡¯ll pay for these later after we clear this raid."


    "Don''t worry about it." I said, cracking a small grin despite the pain.


    Leonhardt-san chuckled, shaking his head before stepping forward. His expression turned resolute as he raised his shield high, his free hand forming a familiar sigil in the air.


    "< Healing Ward >!"


    A golden powder began to accumulate in the air above us, crackling with divine energy. From the accumulation of golden dust, a brilliant radiance poured forth, illuminating the battlefield with an ethereal glow. Slowly, a massive statue materialized¡ªits form emerging from the golden light as if descending from the heavens themselves.


    The statue depicted a serene goddess, her hands clasped in silent prayer. Flowing robes of deep crimson and emerald green adorned her form, sculpted with such lifelike detail that they seemed to ripple with an unseen breeze. As her feet touched the shattered earth, a deep, resonant chime echoed across the battlefield¡ªa sound that sent a soothing vibration through my very bones.


    The moment the statue fully settled, its eyes glowed with a soft, golden light. A pulse of warm energy rippled outward in concentric waves, washing over us like a gentle tide. Where the light passed, wounds sealed, fatigue ebbed away, and the suffocating weight of battle lifted, even if just for a moment.


    I inhaled sharply as the pain in my side dulled, the torn flesh knitting itself back together. The air felt lighter, clearer, as if a divine presence had momentarily graced the battlefield.


    Leonhardt-san¡¯s voice rang out with steady resolve. "The goddess watches over us. Let¡¯s make sure we live long enough to return her favor."


    I let out a slow exhale, feeling my body grow lighter. "Thanks."


    Leonhardt-san gave me a firm nod. "This should keep us going."


    Around me, the others visibly relaxed as the ward¡¯s effects took hold. Small cuts and bruises sealed, and the weight of exhaustion lifted, if only slightly.


    Kido-san rolled his shoulders with a relieved groan. "Finally! I thought I was gonna drop dead before this snake did."


    Fujikawa-san flexed his fingers, testing his grip on his katana. "Good. I¡¯ll need my full strength for what¡¯s coming next."


    Rika-san, who had been wiping the sweat off her brow, looked at us with apologetic face. "I''m sorry for not providing enough healing support for everyone..."


    Hoshimizu-san scoffed lightly. "You''ve already done your best by continously buffing us, and waking up this man," she said as she points at me.


    Leonhardt-san¡¯s gaze shifted toward the serpent still looming in the distance, its slit pupils narrowing as it assessed us.


    "This fight isn¡¯t over," he said, his voice steady. "Everyone, prepare for our counterattack."


    As they charged towards it, I turned my gaze toward the monstrous serpent, my pulse steadying as I took in its sheer size once again. Even after everything they¡¯d thrown at it, the creature remained an overwhelming force.


    The snake was enormous¡ªeasily the size of a sixteen-wheeler truck, its obsidian-black scales glistening under the dim light. Each shift of its massive body sent tremors through the ground, the sheer weight of it displacing chunks of stone and earth. Its long, muscular coils undulated slowly, a predator¡¯s patience evident in its controlled movements.


    Despite the wounds we had inflicted, it remained poised, its head hovering high above us like a specter of death. Twin golden slits narrowed in predatory calculation, its forked tongue flicking in and out, tasting the air thick with mana and sweat.


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    The crimson markings along its body pulsed in a slow, rhythmic glow¡ªmana veins of power running beneath its armored hide. Whatever mana core sustained it, whatever malevolence had birthed it into existence, was still thriving.


    I raised my hand and muttered the invocation, my eyes sharpening as the familiar flow of mana surged into my vision.


    "< Inspect Monster >."


    [ Monster Profile Window


    Monster: Monster Domain Lord - Venom Serpent


    Name: Velgrith the Venom Fang


    Affiliation: Onose Shrine Monster Domain


    Level: 5


    Stat Rating: 85 SR


    HP: 210/210


    MP: 120/120


    Attributes


    Life: 21


    Strength: 16


    Endurance: 10


    Intelligence: 12


    Aura: 13


    Agility: 13 ]


    My eyes widened slightly as I processed the numbers. 85 SR. That was¡­ surprisingly manageable.


    For a moment, I had expected something far worse¡ªa monstrous opponent that completely dwarfed us in power. But this? This was within our range.


    I quickly did the math in my head. Our party''s average Stat Rating floated somewhere between 80 and 90. That meant, despite being a Monster Domain Lord, Velgrith wasn''t overwhelmingly stronger than us. It was powerful, sure¡ªespecially with its monstrous endurance and venom-based abilities¡ªbut it wasn''t an insurmountable foe.


    We could take it down.


    I exhaled sharply, my earlier hesitation fading. This wasn¡¯t a fight we had to survive¡ªwe could win.


    Leonhardt-san and Kido-san was already on the front, throwing taunting skills towards the snake monster.


    Fujikawa-san adjusted his stance, katana glinting under the dim light. ¡°Let¡¯s bring this thing down.¡±


    Velgrith''s golden eyes flickered, sensing our shift in energy. Its tongue flicked out again, tasting the battlefield as if recognizing that its prey had turned into predators.


    The serpent reared up, its massive form towering above us like a living nightmare. Its obsidian scales gleamed with eerie reflections of the shrine¡¯s dim torches, and its fangs glistened with venom so toxic that the very air around it seemed to hiss.


    Leonhardt-san raised his shield, the paladin¡¯s golden aura surging. ¡°Hoshimizu! Keep the tree monsters at bay! Everyone else, formation!¡±


    ¡°On it!¡± Hoshimizu-san¡¯s staff ignited with runic fire. She slammed its base into the ground. ¡°<Flame Ballista!>¡±


    A torrent of flame erupted from her hands, rushing toward the waves of tree creatures that slithered in from the shrine¡¯s broken gates. The fire consumed them in an instant, but more kept appearing, crawling out of the cursed earth like specters hungry for blood.


    Meanwhile, Velgrith lunged.


    Leonhardt-san reacted instantly. ¡°< Holy Shield >!¡±


    A barrier of golden light formed in his shield as he used it just as Velgrith¡¯s tail smashed down. The impact sent shockwaves through the shrine¡¯s courtyard, the ground splintering under the force. Kido-san roared, bracing his shield alongside Leonhardt¡¯s, their combined defense barely holding against the sheer power of the monster¡¯s blow.


    ¡°Ghh¡ªThis thing hits like a damn war hammer!¡± Kido-san growled.


    ¡°Keep holding!¡± Leonhardt commanded, his voice unwavering.


    Fujikawa-san darted forward, finding an opening. ¡°My turn.¡±


    His katana glowed with arcane light. He chanted under his breath. ¡° < Four-wayward Slash >!¡±


    In a blur, he slashed, his blade slicing through the serpent¡¯s side. A deep gash appeared, and black ichor splattered onto the shrine floor. Velgrith let out an ear-splitting hiss, its tail whipping around wildly in response.


    I barely had time to react before the tail was upon me. I poured more mana towards the still active barrier.


    The translucent shield flickered to life around the rear, absorbing the brunt of the impact. Still, the force sent vibrations towards me, the caster, my boots struggling for grip.


    ¡°Kido, lure it again. Throw a taunt skill again!¡± Leonhardt shouted.


    Good, they''ll lure it again. I''ll try helping to damage it.


    I reached to my side, expecting the familiar weight of my mana gun¡ªonly to grasp at empty air. A jolt of unease shot through me.


    My gaze darted around the battlefield, scanning for any glint of silver or the distinct curve of the weapon¡¯s frame. Nothing.


    Where is it?


    A sinking feeling settled in my chest. I turned to Rika-san, who was in the middle of strumming her lute, weaving magic into the air with each chord. "Rika-san!" I called over the chaos. "Have you seen my mana gun?"


    She blinked, momentarily distracted from her song, then followed my frantic gaze. Her expression turned apologetic as she raised a hand and pointed toward the ground a few feet away.


    I followed her gesture¡ªand my breath caught.


    There, scattered across the dirt and debris, lay the shattered remains of my weapon. The crystal vessel that once held the mana essence had fractured, shards of broken glass glinting under the flickering light of magic. The gun¡¯s barrel was bent at an unnatural angle, and the entire structure looked warped, as if crushed under something heavy.


    Rika-san¡¯s voice was quiet but firm. "It was already broken when we arrived."


    I stared at the wreckage, feeling a strange hollowness settle in my chest.


    My mana gun was gone.


    But Velgrith, doesn''t letting me to grieve on the death of my favorite weapon, let out another guttural hiss. Then its eyes began to glow with malevolence.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Hoshimizu-san yelled. ¡°It¡¯s preparing a venomous breath attack! Everyone, get ready to evade!¡±


    ¡°Not on my watch.¡±¡¡Takane-san, perched on a fallen pillar, had been waiting for the perfect opportunity. She drew back her bowstring, the arrow crackling with pure arcane energy. ¡° < Flaming Piercing Arrow Shot >!¡±


    The arrow shot forward like a comet, striking Velgrith right between the eyes. The monster reeled back, its breath attack faltering as the energy disrupted its concentration.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Rika-san cheered, but she winced immediately after, clutching her lute. ¡°Ugh... my mana¡¯s running low...¡±


    Hoshimizu-san tossed a mana potion toward her as she was also drinking one. ¡°Please keep the buffs going as long as you can, Rika-chan!¡± She asked as she released another set of flame spells towards the tree monsters.


    She caught it, nodding. ¡°Right! <Song of Valor!>¡±


    Her voice resonated across the battlefield, invigorating us with renewed energy. Leonhardt, Kido, and Fujikawa pressed forward with renewed vigor, hacking away at the serpent¡¯s hide.


    But Velgrith was not going down without a fight.


    Its tail lashed out again, this time striking Kido full-force. The armored warrior was sent flying, crashing into a stone pillar with a sickening thud.


    ¡°Kido!¡± Leonhardt shouted.


    Kido-san coughed, spitting blood, but grinned. ¡°I¡¯m not done yet.¡±


    The serpent took that moment to strike again, its fangs aiming straight for Leonhardt¡¯s exposed flank.


    ¡°< Holy Shield >!¡±


    A radiant shield materialized just in time, stopping the deadly bite inches from Leonhardt¡¯s torso. He gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow.


    The serpent hissed, its fangs scraping against the divine barrier, sparks of raw energy crackling on impact. Leonhardt-san¡¯s boots dug into the ground as he braced himself, his muscles straining under the force of the monster¡¯s bite.


    "Not happening," he growled, raising his free hand toward the sky.


    A golden light surged from his fingertips, crackling and twisting like a living thing. His voice rang with power as he invoked his next spell.


    ¡°< Divine Lightning >!¡±


    The heavens answered. A streak of blinding light tore through the darkened sky, striking Velgrith¡¯s coiled body with a thunderous crash. Bolts of divine electricity danced across the serpent¡¯s scales, illuminating the battlefield with flickering arcs of gold and white.


    The monster let out an ear-piercing shriek, its body convulsing violently as the holy energy coursed through its form. Smoke curled from its charred flesh, the acrid scent of burnt scales thick in the air.


    Leonhardt-san gritted his teeth, forcing the spell to linger, keeping the divine current flowing. ¡°Kido! Now!¡±


    Kido-san, already waiting for an opening, roared as he lunged forward, his greatsword crackling with his own charged mana. With a powerful swing, he aimed for the weakened section of Velgrith¡¯s body, right where the lightning had seared its flesh.


    Kido-san¡¯s blade cleaved through the smoking scales with a resounding crack, sending a spray of black ichor into the air. Velgrith howled in pain, its massive body writhing as it recoiled from the assault. The divine lightning still crackled along its body, but the monster¡¯s raw endurance was on full display¡ªit refused to go down easily.


    ¡°We¡¯re making progress!¡± Fujikawa-san called out, dashing forward to strike at the beast¡¯s exposed flank. His mana-infused katana slashed in precise arcs, carving deep into the serpent¡¯s hide.


    Takane-san unleashed another volley of enchanted arrows, each one bursting into small explosions upon impact. Hoshimizu, keeping the battlefield in check, continued raining down fiery barrages to suppress the smaller shadow creatures that threatened to flank them.


    But then, something changed.


    Velgrith suddenly coiled in on itself, its body trembling. Its golden eyes flickered with something dark and sinister. A low, guttural hiss reverberated through the shrine grounds, sending a shiver of unease down my spine.


    "Something¡¯s wrong," I muttered.


    The serpent¡¯s chest expanded unnaturally, its throat bulging as if something massive was building within. Then¡ª


    With a violent exhale, a thick purple mist erupted from Velgrith¡¯s maw, rolling across the battlefield like a creeping tide. The temperature seemed to drop instantly, and the very air took on an acrid, stinging quality.


    ¡°Poison Breathe!¡± Leonhardt-san shouted. ¡°Fall back¡ªdon¡¯t breathe it in!¡±


    The moment Leonhardt-san¡¯s warning rang out, we moved.


    ¡°Inside the barrier! Now!¡± Leonhardt-san commanded, raising his hand.


    Mana surged through my body, responding to my will as I raised my palm, focusing at the barrier.


    ¡°< Construct Barrier >!¡±


    I recasted the spell to make it more sturdier. A translucent dome of shimmering blue light expanded outward, enclosing us just as the thick, purple mist swallowed the battlefield. The acrid vapor pressed against the barrier¡¯s surface, swirling ominously like a living entity searching for a way in.


    I exhaled sharply, my breath steady despite the rapid pounding of my heart.


    Takane-san coughed, covering her mouth with her sleeve as she steadied her bow. ¡°Damn it! That thing just turned the whole field into a death trap.¡±


    Leonhardt-san clenched his fists. ¡°Stay focused. The poison won¡¯t reach us in here.¡±


    Hoshimizu-san¡¯s fiery gaze darted around. ¡°We lost sight of it. That snake¡¯s using the mist to vanish again.¡±


    A tense silence settled over the group. The outside world was now nothing but a void of shifting violet, obscuring our vision. The only sound was the faint, ominous hissing of Velgrith somewhere beyond.


    Kido-san gritted his teeth, shifting his grip on his greatsword. ¡°We just need to wait for an opening. The moment it attacks, we strike back.¡±


    Then, something struck the barrier.


    A massive, crushing force slammed against the dome, sending ripples of distortion through my mana. The impact rattled my bones, forcing me to dig my heels into the ground to maintain the spell.


    ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Rika-san gasped, her song momentarily faltering.


    Another impact. This time, the barrier groaned under the pressure. Fine cracks splintered along the surface like fractured glass.


    I swallowed hard. ¡°It¡¯s ramming us.¡±


    BAM!


    The barrier trembled again, a jagged crack running from the top and branching outward. My breath hitched as I felt the strain pressing down on my mind, my control wavering.


    ¡°Meir-sama¡ª!¡± Rika-san pointed.


    A thin wisp of purple gas curled through the expanding fractures in the barrier. The poison was seeping in.


    Hoshimizu-san¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The barrier¡¯s breaking!¡±


    Leonhardt-san stepped forward. ¡°Meir, how long can you hold it?¡±


    My fingers curled into a tight fist. ¡°Just please plan something to deal with the snake.¡±


    Velgrith had found our weakness¡ªand it wasn¡¯t going to stop until we were swallowed whole.


    The first tendrils of the poisonous mist slithered through the cracks, curling toward us like grasping hands. A sharp, acrid scent filled my nostrils, burning my throat even though I held my breath.


    ¡°Step back! Stay away from the mist!¡± Leonhardt-san ordered.


    We moved in unison, retreating to the farthest point within the barrier as the creeping haze spread. The violet fog coiled around the barrier¡¯s shattered edges, seeping inside drop by drop. I could already feel its effects¡ªthe unnatural weight in the air, the tingling sensation against my skin.


    I keep pouring mana towards the crack but that damn snake keeps ramming the same spot.


    Takane-san coughed, clutching her sleeve over her mouth. ¡°We won¡¯t last long like this!¡±


    Leonhardt-san¡¯s eyes darkened with resolve. He took a deep breath and brought his hands together. Mana surged around him, a golden aura igniting along his arms like holy fire.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± he said firmly. His voice resonated with unwavering determination.


    He slammed his hand onto the ground.


    ¡°


    !¡±


    The world seemed to pause for a brief moment.


    Then, with a flash of blinding white light, another stone statue descended from above¡ªan ornate effigy of a warrior priest, standing resolute with a shield raised high. As soon as it made contact with the earth, a pulse of divine energy erupted outward.


    The light expanded like a crashing wave, slamming into the creeping poison mist. The violet haze recoiled upon contact, writhing as if in agony. The tendrils curling through the cracks of my barrier burned away instantly, purged by the divine force.


    The ward continued to radiate power, its presence like a beacon of purity amidst the darkness. The mist outside the barrier remained, but within its radius, the air was clean once more.


    I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight on my chest lift slightly.


    Rika-san, still clutching her instrument, let out a relieved sigh. ¡°That... that was amazing, Leonhardt-san.¡±


    Kido-san nodded, lowering his greatsword slightly. ¡°Tch. That snake keeps trying to corner us, but we¡¯re not that easy to kill.¡±


    Leonhardt-san exhaled, his hands still glowing faintly with residual mana. ¡°This won¡¯t hold forever. The mist will return once the purification fades.¡± He turned toward me. ¡°Meir, can you still hold the barrier?¡±


    I flexed my fingers, testing my mana reserves. My barrier was still active, but it wouldn¡¯t last through continuous direct hit.


    I met his gaze and nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this before it tries something else.¡±


    Fujikawa-san clicked his tongue, shifting his stance. ¡°Tch. The purification ward¡¯s effective, but we can¡¯t reach beyond its range without stepping into the poison.¡± His grip tightened around his sword. ¡°We¡¯re trapped in our own safe zone.¡±


    Gorou grunted, slamming his fists together. ¡°Damn snake¡¯s just playing with us now. Hiding in that mist, waiting for an opening.¡±


    The fog churned at the edges of the purification ward, moving unnaturally, as if alive. The oppressive silence stretched, only the distant hiss of Velgrith breaking through the uneasy quiet.


    Takane-san tensed. ¡°Be alert guys...¡±


    I activated my skill again to see through this another kind of fog. " < Mana Sense > "


    Then, without warning¡ª


    The mist split open.


    A massive shadow surged forward, golden eyes gleaming like twin embers in the smog. Velgrith shot out of the poison fog like a living spear, its open maw revealing curved fangs dripping with venom.


    ¡°Left flank¡ª!¡± I shouted.


    Leonhardt-san reacted instantly.


    ¡°< Holy Shield >!¡±


    His shield ignited with divine energy, meeting the serpent¡¯s lunge with an earth-shaking crash. Sparks erupted as fangs clashed against the holy barrier, the impact sending tremors through the ground. Leonhardt-san gritted his teeth, pushing back with all his strength.


    Fujikawa-san moved in, his blade humming with mana. ¡°Now¡¯s my chance!¡±


    ¡°<Three-way slash>!¡±


    Lightning crackled along his sword as he slashed upward, aiming for Velgrith¡¯s exposed neck. The attack connected¡ªa flash of blue light followed by the scent of singed scales. The monster recoiled with a furious shriek.


    ¡°<Divine Slash>!¡± Gorou followed up, slashing his longswords into Velgrith¡¯s flank. The sheer force sent shockwaves rippling across the serpent¡¯s body, forcing it back further.


    ¡°< Flame Ballista >!¡±


    ¡°< Arrow Shower >!¡±


    Hoshimizu-san and Takane-san unleashed ranged firepower in perfect sync¡ªblazing spears of fire and jagged lances of ice streaked through the air, exploding against Velgrith¡¯s coiled form.


    The monster shrieked in pain, writhing from the impact. But before another strike could land¡ª


    It vanished.


    The moment Velgrith retreated into the smog, its massive body seemed to dissolve into the shifting haze. The battlefield was silent once more.


    Rika-san¡¯s fingers trembled over her instrument. ¡°It¡¯s blending in again.¡±


    Leonhardt-san took a steadying breath, lowering his shield. ¡°Damn it¡­ It¡¯s waiting for another opening.¡±


    I clenched my jaw, scanning the thick mist, my senses stretched to their limit.


    ¡°We need to draw it out,¡± I muttered. ¡°Or else it¡¯ll keep ambushing us until we make a mistake.¡±


    The air grew still, but the tension only thickened. The fog swirled ominously, curling around us like a living thing, as if Velgrith itself was one with the smog.


    Then, a shimmer.


    Hoshimizu-san¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°There¡ª!¡±


    Velgrith slithered out of the mist again, its enormous body coiling with unnatural grace. But something was different. Along its charred scales where Leonhardt-san¡¯s lightning had struck, a strange glimmer pulsed, like liquid moonlight threading through its wounds.


    Leonhardt-san¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°It¡¯s healing¡­ The mist is regenerating his wound!¡±


    Velgrith lunged, striking with the force of a battering ram.


    Leonhardt-san reacted on pure instinct.


    ¡°<Holy Shield>!¡±


    His shield flared with golden light as he stepped into the monster¡¯s path. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, Leonhardt¡¯s boots skidding against the stone as he gritted his teeth, forcing all his strength into holding the serpent back.


    ¡°Ghh¡ª! I can¡¯t hold it forever!¡±


    Kido-san snarled, dashing in with raw power. ¡°Then we can just pin it down¡ª< Holy Strengthening>!¡±


    Mana surged through his limbs, his muscles bulging with enhanced strength as he grabbed hold of Velgrith¡¯s thrashing body, trying to wrestle it into submission. His veins pulsed from the sheer force of his grip.


    For a moment, it seemed like they had it.


    Then¡ª


    Velgrith twisted its massive frame, its sheer bulk making restraint impossible. The beast wrenched itself free, flinging Kido-san back with a brutal lash of its tail. The warrior hit the ground hard, rolling before slamming his fist down to steady himself.


    ¡°Damn it¡ª! It¡¯s too big to hold down!¡±


    Takane-san and Hoshimizu-san had already begun casting.


    ¡°< Icicle Lance >!¡±


    ¡°< Split Fire Arrow >!¡±


    Fire and ice streaked through the air, racing toward Velgrith. But the serpent had learned. It slithered back into the fog just before the attacks landed, vanishing once again into the poison-laced darkness. The explosions crackled harmlessly against empty air.


    The battlefield fell silent once more, save for the slow, taunting hiss echoing through the mist.


    Gorou-san cursed under his breath. ¡°Tch. We¡¯re hitting it, but it¡¯s healing too fast. We¡¯ll run out of mana before it runs out of tricks.¡±


    Leonhardt-san exhaled sharply, gripping his shield. ¡°This isn¡¯t a battle we can win with brute force alone.¡± His gaze hardened as he looked toward me. ¡°If we don¡¯t change our approach, we¡¯ll be worn down before we can kill it.¡±


    He was right. The monster was outlasting us. The longer this battle dragged on, the closer we were to being overwhelmed.


    He clenched his hand holding his longsword. ¡°Then we need to end this¡ªbefore it can fully heal again.¡±


    The answer was right in front of me.


    Velgrith wasn¡¯t just resilient¡ªit was regenerating through the mist itself. The fog was its lifeline, an endless wellspring that kept it from dying. That meant brute force wouldn¡¯t be enough. No matter how much damage we dealt, as long as that poison cloud remained, it would simply heal and strike again.


    We had to take out the fog.


    But how?


    Leonhardt-san¡¯s


    was the only thing keeping the mist at bay. However, its range was limited, and the way he had been conserving mana told me all I needed to know¡ªit must be also an advanced skill considering how he just keeps using only one spell for a while now, and that is a defensive spell with low mana cost. That means, Leonhardt-san is low on mana after summoning these healing ward and purification ward statues. If he had the strength to cast another purification ward, he would have done it already.


    I exhaled through my nose, shifting my stance. One thing I needs the most now is to purify and eliminate the fog. And to do that, I need a purification spell. Unfortunately, I don''t know any purification spell. I''m a researcher of Spatial Manipulation Spell afterall. If it is about Divine Spells, I know someone who specializes about it. But he is not in Japan right now.


    Then that means, I need to learn it.¡­ a purification spell.


    My gaze flicked toward the statues Leonhardt-san had summoned. Their divine radiance pulsed steadily, the stone carved with runes too complex for casual replication¡ªbut to me, they were more than stone. They were knowledge waiting to be unraveled.


    I stretched my arm toward the two statues direction, fingers hovering just above its smooth, glowing surface. Behind me, the others had already resumed battle. Velgrith had emerged again, and Leonhardt-san had thrown himself in front of its latest attack.


    I tuned them out.


    Silently, I invoked,


    ¡°< Deconstruct >.¡±


    A pulse of light flickered beneath my fingertips.


    My vision expanded. Intricate, glowing patterns unraveled across the surface of the statue, tracing circuits of knowledge woven into its magic. It wasn¡¯t just a spell¡ªit was a system, a carefully constructed mechanism encoded in divine energy.


    I let out a quiet breath as the composition of the spell revealed itself to me, its workings unfolding like an open book.


    A smile tugged at the corner of my lips.


    Raising my free hand, I whispered,


    ¡°< Archive >.¡±


    A shimmer flickered in the air. My grimoire materialized before me, falling neatly into my waiting palm. It flipped open to a blank page, and, like an eager researcher, it began transcribing the information I had just analyzed.


    Lines of script etched themselves onto the parchment, recording every facet of the spell¡ªits formation, activation, and limitations.


    A familiar notification appeared before my eyes.


    [ You have successfully learned the skill <Healing Ward>. ]


    [ You have successfully learned the skill


    . ]


    I clenched my grimoire, my thoughts already racing with its potential applications.


    The solution was in my hands now.


    All that was left was to use it.


    I stretched out my hand, fingers splayed as mana surged through my body. If Velgrith¡¯s regeneration came from the mist, then I had to remove its source.


    ¡°Eliminate the fog,¡± I murmured.


    A golden glow ignited at my fingertips, five orbs of condensed energy flickering to life.


    ¡°Blessing Command.¡±


    The orbs pulsed, responding to my will. I focused, shaping the spell in my mind before manually casting it and invoking it aloud. A part of me was still hesitant because it did not work earlier when I was inside an illusion.


    ¡°Generate: Air Skill.¡±


    The light coalesced, the surrounding air stirring as mana wove into wind.


    ¡°Apply Enchantment: Vacuum.¡±


    The glowing orbs flickered, their form shifting as spiraling currents took shape. The wind spheres above my fingers churned like miniature storms, pulling in the stagnant air around them.


    ¡°Form Shape: Vortex.¡±


    The spheres expanded, twisting into spinning masses of air, each one no larger than a pingpong ball but radiating immense pull.


    I flexed my fingers, sending them outward in different directions.


    ¡°Disperse!¡±


    The vortexes shot forward, slicing through the battlefield like guided missiles. The moment they reached their designated spots, they spun violently, sucking in the dense, poison-laced fog that clouded our surroundings. The violet smog curled and twisted, dragged toward the miniature vacuum orbs


    But just removing the fog wasn¡¯t enough.


    I called out again, focusing my will.


    ¡°Blessing Command!¡±


    The grimoire floating beside me flipped to the page where had been recorded. A sharp tug on my mana reserves made my stomach churn, but I just ignored it.


    ¡°Convert Element: Self to Light Element!¡±


    The swirling vortexes began to change. The air currents flickered, their dull translucence replaced by a brilliant, golden luminescence. They no longer just absorbed the fog¡ªthey began altering it.


    With a final breath, I tightened my grip on my grimoire and commanded,


    ¡°Purify.¡±


    The absorbed miasma trembled within the vortexes¡ªthen, in a flash, its dark hue dissolved into pure, radiant light. Luminous spirals danced where the corruption had once lingered, scattering the last traces of poison like dust swept away by the wind.


    The battlefield cleared, bathed in a soft glow. The suffocating grip of the mist was gone.


    And with it, Velgrith¡¯s advantage.


    I exhaled slowly, feeling the last remnants of the luminous mist dissipate. The battlefield was finally clear.


    ¡°This battle has dragged on long enough.¡± My voice cut through the silence, firm and unwavering. I turned my gaze toward the exposed form of Velgrith, its massive, truck-sized body slithering frantically without the cover of its cursed fog. Its scales gleamed under the purifying light, but there was no longer anywhere for it to hide.


    ¡°I still have a thief to catch and an artifact to retrieve.¡±


    I pressed my palm against the earth, fingers digging into the rough soil as I focused my mana once more. My body protested, exhaustion creeping in, but I ignored it. This had to work.


    Mana surged from within, flowing through my veins like liquid fire. The ground beneath me trembled in response.


    ¡°< Trap Creation >!¡±


    A pulse of energy erupted from my fingertips, spreading outward like invisible ripples in a pond. The earth convulsed, then, suddenly¡ªstone and clay burst forth.


    Thick cubic structures emerged from the ground, rising with precision and force. One after another, they shot up in rapid succession, slamming shut around Velgrith¡¯s body. The serpent thrashed, its massive tail coiling and snapping in resistance, but each section of its elongated form was systematically locked into place.


    Snap¡ª!


    A final section closed in, sealing its movements completely. The battlefield stilled.


    For a brief moment, I remained kneeling, chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. Then the exhaustion hit me like a collapsing wall. My vision blurred at the edges, my limbs heavy as if weighed down by iron shackles.


    Strange... I should have had more mana left... What happened? Did I miscalculate my mana reserves?


    My strength gave out.


    I staggered, my body pitching forward¡ª


    ¡°Meir!¡±


    A pair of arms caught me before I could collapse fully. Hoshimizu-san held me steady, concern flickering in her golden eyes.


    ¡°Invoking such spells¡­¡± she murmured, feeling the slight tremors running through my frame.


    Leonhardt-san stepped forward, gripping his sword tightly as he watched the imprisoned serpent struggle. ¡°It must have drained a lot of mana,¡± he finished for her, nodding in understanding. Then, he turned to me with a rare look of gratitude. ¡°You did enough, Meir. Leave the rest to us.¡±


    I exhaled, forcing my body to relax against Hoshimizu-san¡¯s hold. I''m planning to still help but it seems like something happened at my mana reserves. But I had done my part.


    Leonhardt-san and the others wasted no time.


    ¡°The goddess is watching us! Let us finish this!¡± he commanded.


    With a battle cry, they surged forward.


    Kido-san led the charge, his greatsword glowing as he brought it down in a devastating arc against the snake¡¯s exposed midsection. Fujikawa-san followed immediately, her enchanted blade slicing through its scales in a blur of steel and mana.


    Hoshimizu-san and Takane-san raised their hands in unison, unleashing a storm of ranged firepower¡ªflaming arrows and piercing ice shards bombarded the trapped monster, each explosion shaking the battlefield.


    Velgrith screeched, thrashing violently within its clay prison, but it was locked down, forced to endure every strike as the team unleashed their full might upon it.


    This was it.


    The final assault.


    The battlefield trembled under the force of the team¡¯s relentless assault. Velgrith let out an ear-piercing screech, its body convulsing, the once-mighty serpent reduced to a flailing mass of shredded scales and ichor. The cubic prison I had created still held, but cracks were beginning to form¡ªthe monster was on its last breath.


    Leonhardt-san tightened his grip on his sword, stepping forward as golden light gathered around the blade. His entire form radiated brilliance, the purification ward behind him pulsing in resonance with his mana. This was the finishing blow.


    He raised his sword high.


    ¡°< Divine Slash >!¡±


    A radiant arc of light erupted from his weapon, slicing through the air like a judgment from the heavens. The brilliance was blinding for a moment¡ªthen, with a sickening shnk, the purified blade cleaved through Velgrith¡¯s thick neck.


    The serpent¡¯s screech abruptly ceased.


    Its severed head crashed onto the ground with a dull thud, rolling slightly before lying still. The body convulsed once¡­ twice¡­ then fell limp, collapsing like a felled tree. The purple venom mist that once shrouded the domain dissipated completely, reduced to harmless particles of light.


    Silence followed.


    Then, in my vision, system notifications flashed:


    [ You have defeated the Monster Domain Lord - Venom Serpent < Velgrith the Venom Fang >! ]


    [ You have received 25,000 DP as rewards. ]


    [ You have cleared the monster domain: < Onome Shrine [ Lvl. 5 ] >! ]


    [ You have received 1,400 DP as a reward. ]


    I let out a slow exhale, my shoulders sagging. It was over. The domain lord had been vanquished, and with it, the cursed fog had been lifted.


    Leonhardt-san planted his sword into the ground, steadying himself before glancing at me. His usual stern expression softened just slightly. ¡°Good work.¡±


    The others, still catching their breath, let out relieved sighs. Kido-san sheathed his weapon with a grin. ¡°Damn, that was one hell of a fight.¡±


    Fujikawa-san wiped sweat from her brow. ¡°I almost ran out of mana¡­ if that thing had lasted any longer, we might¡¯ve been in real trouble.¡±


    Takane-san crouched beside Velgrith¡¯s fallen head, inspecting it. ¡°So this is its insides¡­ Its mana core must be valuable.¡±


    I remained silent, still feeling the lingering drain of my mana expenditure. My mind, however, had already moved past the battle.


    The thief. The artifact.


    I need to find them quickly.