“Master, what nonsense are you talking about?”
“Huh? I mean, I want more people to enter the Dungeon for adventures. What’s so strange about that?”
Clorel gave him a look of loving pity, as if he were intellectually challenged.
Listening to her explanation, Su Yao realized there was a slight difference between his understanding of a Dungeon and the “Dungeon” in this world.
Like in the original world’s games or fantasy works, the Dungeons here were also gathering places for Monsters, usually maze-like and layered, filled with numerous Traps.
But the difference was that these Dungeons were simply playgrounds for adventurers to collect Monster materials; there was never any talk of “Box Rewards.”
When she had originally fled into the Dungeon, it was precisely because she hoped to use the maze and Monsters inside to shake off the pursuers behind her.
“What about the boxes I opened that gave you food and items? Don’t you find that strange?”
“It is strange, which is why I initially called Master a ‘witch.’”
Looking at the chestnut-haired maid tilting her head in confusion, Su Yao couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
She had never told her that she was actually a Dungeon Core.
In their usual interactions, she always referred to herself as the Dungeon Lord, and from Clorel’s perspective, a Dungeon Lord— being a kind of Monster— being all-powerful in a Dungeon didn’t seem odd at all…
He couldn’t keep making this up. How could this silly girl be so carefree? Wasn’t she curious at all?
But upon reflection, it all made sense. The kind of Dungeon with Box Rewards that Su Yao knew was actually the anomaly.
As the Dungeon Core, safety was paramount, and the best way to ensure it was to summon plenty of Monsters within the Dungeon.
The more complex the terrain and the more Traps there were, the better.
The instinct to survive compelled them to continuously summon Monsters, expand the Dungeon, and set up Traps. Boxes were simply unnecessary.
If a Dungeon had many Box Rewards, adventurers would swarm in, increasing the risk of the core being destroyed.
No Dungeon Core would willingly provide rewards to invading humans— except her.
“Aren’t there any Dungeons that humans particularly like?”
Su Yao was just putting up a front. She was a bit annoyed at being treated like a fool by Clorel.
“Well, there are some.”
“See? I told you there are always some Dungeon Lords as wise as me!”
The blonde little girl proudly puffed out her chest, successfully regaining her footing, her adorable look causing Clorel’s lips to twitch into a smile.
“To be frank, those few Dungeons probably aren’t intentionally attracting people. They just happen to have Monsters that humans need.”
“What kind of Monsters?”
Hearing Clorel’s explanation, Su Yao grew curious. Maybe she could set up Monster Refresh Points with the same Monsters in her own Dungeon.
That would be far more effective than luring people in with Boxes.
“The Steel Golem from the Dwarf King Dosalsuo Dungeon, the Diamond Tortoise from the Holy Nation Capital Yadian Dungeon, and the Unicorn from the Elven Sanctuary Dungeon.”
Su Yao carefully noted down all the Monsters Clorel mentioned, planning to check the DP Shop later to see how many DP it would cost to purchase refresh points for those Monsters.
But those three places— two of those Dungeons were located in the nation’s Capital? And one Dungeon had become a sanctuary for the Elven race?
Jealous. She was seriously envious.
Although she might not be able to replicate these coincidental circumstances, so what? If she couldn’t get those Monsters, she could find other things popular with humans.
“Clorel, one can’t always be bound by traditional thinking. Let me prove to you that the most perfect Dungeon is the one with Box Rewards!”
Seeing her maid’s expression that clearly said, ‘What is this guy even talking about?’ Su Yao smiled confidently.
————————————
Today was the day she was supposed to deliver goods to the benevolent Miss Hilvi.
But her mood seemed far from cheerful, evident from the lethal amount of sugar she just added to her cup.
“Something bothering you?”
“Of course. Sometimes, doing too good a business is a kind of trouble.”
She stirred the undissolved sugar water with focus, replying calmly.
But wasn’t that exactly the “achievement” she was pursuing? Su Yao didn’t quite understand, trying to recall the last time Hilvi looked like this…
“Did your brother try to steal your business again?”
“No, he doesn’t dare anymore. But now it seems he’s got his eyes on you.”
From what Hilvi said, she must have fought back somehow, causing her brother to retreat from direct competition and instead seek out Su Yao as a supplier.
“I’ll keep an eye out.”
There were only a few strangers Hilvi had dealings with, so it was only natural that she would look into Su Yao.
So annoying. Couldn’t she just quietly make a fortune?
“Enough about unhappy things, let’s talk about the next trade, Claude!”
Hearing her Master call, the old butler walked in carrying a leather case, bending down to place it on the coffee table. The gleaming yellow metal strips inside dazzled the eyes.
“The gold here is worth one thousand gold coins. I hope it meets your expectations.”
Su Yao stared intently at the box. Even though she had seen countless piles of gold coins before, nothing was as overwhelming as an entire large case of gold right in front of her.
She swallowed nervously and asked, “Is all this really for me?”
Falling coins from the sky couldn’t be more fortunate. Miss Hilvi was truly a benefactor who gave help in times of need. Who said meeting her would be troublesome? If anything, not meeting her would be troublesome for Su Yao.
“You’re hugging the box and still asking me?”
It was clear Hilvi was trying hard to keep a straight face, but Su Yao’s ridiculous look still made her laugh.
The blonde little girl was momentarily stunned—so this was what Hilvi looked like when she smiled. How to put it? Surprisingly gentle?
Noticing Su Yao’s expression, the noble girl quickly suppressed the upturned corners of her mouth and cleared her throat.
“Ahem, Monster Miss, if you have any other requests, please bring them up now. Next time we meet might be a month from now.”
“A month? Is something wrong?”
After all, she was a business partner, so Su Yao couldn’t help but ask.
“Nothing serious, just some unpleasantness in the Capital. I’m going to deal with it.”
Hilvi said lightly, giving the impression it was nothing major.
Afterward, they agreed on their next meeting and the additional goods for the next trade.
“Spice” and “Baijiu” had been warmly embraced by the nobles, and Hilvi hoped her trade guild could continue to monopolize these two goods, which was why she set such a sky-high price today.
Su Yao agreed readily but added one condition—usage rights to the land near the Black Dragon’s Lair Dungeon.