In the inn room, Su Yao lay sprawled out on the bed in a star shape.
Dealing with people was so exhausting, especially with clever ones—Hilvi’s blue eyes always gave her a subtle, almost imperceptible pressure.
But her abilities might not be as strong as she let on; at least, Su Yao didn’t sense any bluffing from her.
“Clorel, stop just standing there. Go take a shower. We’ll buy some furniture tomorrow morning and then head back.”
“Ah, okay.”
She didn’t know what Clorel was thinking, but after leaving Hilvi’s room, Su Yao felt that the princess seemed somewhat absent-minded.
She checked today’s loot—a pouch full of gleaming gold coins, far more than the Royal Princess had brought into the Dungeon. If all were exchanged for DP…
She couldn’t help but open the Shop to check for new items she could purchase, but unfortunately, it wouldn’t open outside the Dungeon’s range.
Behind her came the sound of clothes rustling against the bedsheets; the chestnut-haired maid had somehow climbed onto Su Yao’s bed.
Don’t get the wrong idea—being a civilized person of the modern world, this room certainly had two single beds.
“Eh? What are you suddenly doing?”
The powerless little loli was pinned down again. Though the hands pressing on Su Yao’s forearm weren’t forceful, she still couldn’t move.
They locked eyes for a moment before Clorel spoke first, “Su Yao, you’re amazing. You’ve accomplished so much in less than a night.”
Though she praised her aloud, her expression showed no hint of happiness.
“But since you’re a monster, what if one day you feel I’m useless and just abandon me?”
Su Yao finally understood what was on her mind. The fallen princess’s experience made her constantly suspicious of everything around her; she was the kind of person with an extreme lack of security.
No matter what assurances Su Yao gave, Clorel probably wouldn’t easily believe them. The only way to make her realize their relationship was inseparable…
Besides blood ties, there was only one answer left… love.
Thinking this over, Su Yao’s gaze was drawn to Clorel’s lips. As for whether she harbored feelings for her—undoubtedly, the answer was yes.
But this affection was born out of some sense of contract and friendship, which made her a bit troubled.
“Clorel, you’re overthinking it. How about trusting others more? You can’t keep fighting alone forever.”
“Sorry, I was rude.”
Luckily, though she lacked security, Clorel was at least rational enough not to do anything outrageous…
That’s what Su Yao thought—but the next moment, the chestnut-haired maid’s delicate face suddenly loomed closer in her sight.
Ignoring the difference in strength, she struggled. The Royal Princess looked like she was about to kiss her.
Moments later, they parted. Su Yao sat on the bed, gasping heavily.
Clorel stopped at a dangerous distance, and with her eyes closed, Su Yao could even feel the warm breath from her nose against her face.
“Sorry, I originally wanted to play a little trick, but that would’ve been unfair to you.”
Her mind was spinning; she didn’t quite understand what Clorel meant. Come to think of it, she had even faintly been looking forward to it.
She must be broken.
Originally, she had them share a room for safety’s sake, but the greatest danger turned out to be right beside her…
Though she was a Dungeon employee, she kept thinking about turning the tables and becoming the master.
Su Yao turned away, wrapping herself tightly in the blanket. She decided not to pay any more attention to Clorel tonight.
The maid behind her chuckled, “Miss Su Yao really is quite human.”
How rude! Like what does “quite human” even mean? She was human, wasn’t she? But she wouldn’t say that out loud.
——
The next morning, Su Yao, sporting dark circles under her eyes, took Clorel back to the streets.
She had insomnia, and the reason was simple: as soon as she closed her eyes, all she could see was the chestnut-haired maid’s soft, pink lips.
She couldn’t sleep—just couldn’t.
They went to the furniture shop recommended by Hilvi and bought some pieces to store in a warehouse outside the city, transported by carriage.
Su Yao still made Clorel carry her back to the Dungeon.
Not seeing her for a day had made her miss her dearly.
For the Dungeon Core, returning to the Dungeon was like going home.
Still the familiar dark cave, and besides herself and Clorel, who was casting Light, not a single ant stirred.
But this quiet state was about to end! Su Yao had earned enough money and was ready to splurge.
A total of 110 gold coins—half of which she converted into DP.
Right now, two things were most important. One: there was no mana source in the Dungeon, which was why no creatures or monsters had settled there.
Two: Su Yao and Clorel needed to carve out a living space for themselves.
When it came to the Dungeon, the classic setting had to be the Catacomb. Without hesitation, Su Yao spent 2,000 DP to purchase a Catacomb environment for the Dungeon.
After a brief rumble, the ground beneath her feet transformed from dirt to gray stone tiles; the rocky walls became brick walls.
Next, she spent 500 DP on eight stone pillars and ten torches.
The pillars were evenly distributed throughout the Catacomb, and the torches were placed at the Dungeon Entrance and on the pillars, consuming fuel worth 50 DP per day.
The newly brightened Catacomb no longer required Light spells, so Su Yao stopped casting and continued browsing the Shop.
She could set up a Maze, but it wasn’t cost-effective yet.
The initial Dungeon was too small; she could expand it twice in the Shop. The first expansion cost 5,000 DP, and she wasn’t sure if prices would rise afterward.
Setting up a Maze cost 1,000 DP. Clearly, expanding the first floor to the maximum before adding a Maze was the best plan.
She spent 200 DP on an Ordinary Room and 500 DP on a Rotating Room.
The Ordinary Room would serve as their living quarters, and the Rotating Room would be placed before it, so their residence wouldn’t be easily discovered.
Finally, Su Yao spent 1,000 DP to install a large fountain in the center of the Catacomb—this was no ordinary fountain.
[Fountain of Magical Water—Large]: Will not run dry within 30 days. After the first drink, it slightly increases all attributes. Nearby, [Slime—Water] (max 0/10) will spawn, with a small chance of spawning a Water Sprite. Repeated purchases extend overflow duration.
The redecorated Dungeon looked brand new.
The torches on the pillars illuminated the entire Catacomb, and the faintly glowing large fountain stood tall at its center.
It was impossible to imagine that just hours ago, this was a pitch-black cave with nothing in it.
“Let’s go, Clorel. It’s time to set up our room.”
Su Yao called out to the dazed Clorel and headed toward the innermost chamber.