A point located 93 km northwest of the gate.
The dungeon, known as [Valley of the Bull] or [Hwangwoo Valley], was as vast as the Kurtala Mountains. To compare it to Korea, it spanned an area equivalent to two metropolitan cities combined.
True to its name, this place boasted enormous valleys throughout the dungeon, surrounded by lush forests and plains, with barren wastelands visible beyond the horizon and rivers cutting through the woods. Naturally, the ruling monster of this dungeon was the Minotaur.
While other monsters and beasts existed, common creatures in dungeons often devolved into prey or livestock under the dominance of such ruling monsters.
As this dungeon was a unique one with Minotaurs forming a collective, a request for extermination came in for the Hunter Train carrying over a thousand hunters.
Although there were paths, the area often seemed unwelcoming, as it primarily served as hunting grounds for the Minotaurs, rendering it quite rough. However, the three adventurers looked serene as if they were merely on a leisurely outing.
Having traversed extreme cold, lava lands, and even malefic contaminated seas, nothing could faze Menelapie and Shia as daunting as this wild forest.
Lilybet slightly spread her steel wings, hovering gracefully, suggesting physical stamina was not an issue.
Shia’s aim was straightforward.
With many A-grade hunters, including Teresa and her attendant Yane, at the Hunter Train HQ, it was unlikely for the situation to take a dangerously drastic turn. Instead, she could relax and enjoy the tranquility of this nature-given dungeon, relish some tasty beef, and casually explore the dungeon’s resources.
The Hwangwoo Valley is estimated to house more than 10,000 Minotaurs living in organized troops, so it’s likely that food to sustain them or unique dungeon fruits can be found here.
Who knows, they might stumble upon treasures while exploring?
Just like camping, right?
Although she was excited about the Minotaur beef, considering that a single Minotaur could consume as much as an elephant, other fruits or their livestock were also appealing prospects.
Of course, Shia hadn’t forgotten about her mother, Yoonjeong.
The main reason Shia brought Yoonjeong to the Hunter Train was for a filial tourism experience. Right now, it could even be considered a kind of pre-exploration for Yoonjeong.
“So, like, suddenly when we entered the dungeon, it felt like I couldn’t breathe or something!”
Shia, Menelapie, and Lilybet had no choice but to journey together due to the dungeon’s teleportation gimmick.
“At first, I thought one of my attendants might be revolting against me! You know how in dramas or old tragic tales, servants dunk the king or princess’s head into a bathtub to assassinate them? I kinda half-expected something like that might happen to me!”
“Come on, is there anyone among your attendants who could physically shove Lilybet into a tub?”
“Wahaha! Obviously not! Anyway, I realized my body had been teleported straight into that pond 아래! Thanks to that, my underwear got completely soaked, so I’ve just taken it off for now!”
Now, Lilybet hadn’t developed any perverted tendencies, but she felt remarkably free having shed the restrictive clothing.
The royal dress-style hunter garb she wore concealed that she wasn’t wearing any underwear.
Shia nodded in agreement with Lilybet’s sentiments.
“Yeah, right? If it’s uncomfortable, then stripping is the way to go.”
“Creating temporary clothes with synthetic enchantments isn’t hard, but unfortunately, my underwear is from some renowned designer in Charlequitte, so recreating it is pretty tricky! Hahaha!”
It wasn’t as if they were strangers; the group had bonded over dining operations in Green City, creating an amiable atmosphere that avoided awkwardness.
“How about you, Seongnyeo Shia? Did you find yourself teleported into a troublesome spot like I did?”
“I fell from the sky.”
“Wahahaha! Skydiving! Now that’s civilized!”
“Hmm…”
Menelapie, who had been quietly laughing at Lilybet’s story, was now wearing a soft smile.
“Oh! It seems the Emperor Hero is enjoying my story! I’m glad to see you laughing!”
“Mmhm. Indeed, very amusing. Yes, truly delightful. Uhuhuh…”
Yes, the mood was…
Very…
“Uhuhuhuh…”
“Wahaha!”
Probably pleasing.
Yet it felt oddly chilling as Menelapie’s eyes gleamed with a cold, sharp light while letting out low laughs.
But it didn’t seem to be an issue.
Of course, Shia wasn’t a fool.
She might appear foolish, but her intelligence was certainly intact.
After all, she merely disliked overthinking and studying; she hadn’t squandered her 85-year-long life as a Mangja Seongnyeo.
‘…. It’s suffocating…’
No, even if Shia weren’t aware, the strange aura rising between Menelapie and Lilybet would’ve been detectable to any ordinary bystander.
A golden aura had been swirling around Menelapie since earlier, and it would be peculiar not to notice it.
The one fanning the flames was none other than Lilybet.
In the depths of Green City, Lilybet had proposed marriage to Shia, which likely wasn’t just a joke.
While her personality might seem somewhat carefree and childlike, that only made her proposal to Shia more sincere.
“Ahem, still, as we proceed along here, we should spot some beef…No, Minotaurs, I mean.”
“Oho, so Seongnyeo Shia likes beef! I love it too!”
“Oh, really? Then, let’s hunt a lot so Lilybet can enjoy it too!”
“Hahaha! Sounds good! It’ll be my first time tasting your food in person, so I’m looking forward to it!”
Just ahead, Menelapie halted her steps as she listened to the cheerful exchange between Shia and Lilybet.
“Shia.”
“Uh, yeah? What is it, Menelapie?”
“I like beef too.”
“…You prefer beef over pork, right?”
It was not a misconception; Shia had spent years with Menelapie and surely would know.
While Menelapie didn’t discriminate against food, subtle preferences existed.
Menelapie favored pork or chicken over beef, lean cutlet over steak, and chicken soup rather than beef soup.
For some reason, Menelapie came off more like a child than a hero or emperor at that moment.
Was it Lilybet’s childlike demeanor causing her to treat them like children as well?
‘No way…’
Shia knew that Menelapie was usually perfect, an exemplar to others, and an unwavering noble; the absurd thought that Lilybet’s childishness would provoke a sense of rivalry in Menelapie would never surface.
While it’s unclear if such thoughts warranted the term “absurd,” it certainly bothered Shia to see the high-and-mighty hero she knew shift from her usual demeanor.
“Oh, something’s catching!”
At that moment, a holographic crosshair appeared over one of Lilybet’s eyes as she hovered gently in the air.
As expected from the queen of Gundam, the holographic display fitted with all kinds of targeting points and environmental analysis systems cut through the dense woods, revealing the scene she sought.
“A Minotaur colony! There are 192 of them!”
“I sensed it too. They all possess tremendous magic power.”
“Magic power? Must be mutated types, huh?”
Of course, having great magic didn’t suggest Lilybet or the S-grade hunters were in trouble.
A-grade mages on the Hunter Train might find it slightly troublesome, but many physical-type hunters were present, and even Teresa would be of little concern, even if significantly weakened.
“Haha, then let me catch some beef for Seongnyeo Shia to cook!”
Clash!
At those words, blades manifested from the steel wings of Lilybet, setting forth more elaborate designs.
However, Menelapie stepped forward calmly, extending her arm to gently stop Lilybet.
“Whoa there, young queen. Is your body fully adjusted to the main body yet? Instead of wasting energy here, why not focus on conserving strength to face potential dangers?”
“Wahaha! Don’t worry, Hero! I’m fine!”
“Hmm. It’s reckless and arrogant to conclude so quickly about your health and condition without a physician or healer certifying it, isn’t it?”
“Haha! Are you worried I might steal your glory, Warrior? Don’t fret! I’ll manage while keeping an eye on things!”
Crash!!!
“Me…Menelapie…?”
In that instant, a chilling crunch of bone grated against Shia’s spine, raising the hairs on the back of her neck.
She glanced nervously at Menelapie, who held an unexpectedly calm and gentle demeanor.
“Hmm, Lilybet. As a hunter, it’s natural to have competition and a desire to hunt; I completely understand that.”
“Then there’s no reason to stop, right?!”
“You are a queen before being a hunter, no? Regardless of ruling, you are the sovereign of your dynasty. While being recognized as an S-grade in your mechanical body is commendable, I highly doubt it applies to your true form. Yet you still aim to confront the ruling dungeon monsters recklessly, with no proper examination of your state?”
“Ugh…”
Lilybet furrowed her brow at Menelapie’s precise reasoning.
Clearly, she felt the urge of a dutiful wife wanting to present delicious beef to her future husband, Shia, while also brimming with the hunter’s desire to take down those monsters.
Yet, as Menelapie pointed out, Lilybet had not yet undergone a proper evaluation by a physician or Awakened inspector.
Especially considering her main body, while cared for by the Grasshopper Chef in Green City, hadn’t been tested for physical capabilities; if she were to sustain a critical injury from those Minotaurs, it would spell disaster.
Even with Shia, the Seongnyeo present, preparation against unforeseen circumstances was vital…
“Ah!”
Suddenly, Lilybet gazed at Shia.
“Instead, why not have Seongnyeo Isia evaluate my body instead?”
“Uh?”
“…What?”
“Hahaha! Don’t feel shy, Seongnyeo Shia! You’re to be my spouse! Feel free to inspect every inch of my body!”
“……….”
At that moment, Shia felt an overwhelming aura of malice looming behind her.
Naturally, the source was Menelapie.
With a controlled intensity to the pressure emanating from her, Shia felt a chill, swallowing back her breath.
Lilybet, concealed from view by Shia, seemed either oblivious to that aura or simply choosing to ignore it as she grinned, arms wide open, inviting Shia with a mock smile of “Come on over! Hahaha!”
“Ah! Should I undress?”
“Ah, no need to…”
In truth, Shia immediately assessed Lilybet’s capacities upon seeing her.
While Lilybet may have lost a bit of muscle tone from lack of exercise, that could easily be compensated with her innate mana control abilities.
Moreover, the purity and control of mana in her original body surpassed that of the mechanical doll she previously operated, implying an upgrade rather than a downgrade in her specs.
“Menelapie, Lilybet’s body is completely fine. It’s likely even stronger than when she was in the mechanical doll…”
“Ooooooh! How do you know?! Is it true that Seongnyeo can perceive those things without even touching me?!”
“Yeah, that’s right…”
“Oooooh!”
“………..”
Shia couldn’t help but chuckle at Lilybet’s pure astonishment.
She couldn’t imagine what expression Menelapie was wearing behind her.
“Phew, splendid. Young queen.”
“Oh! Then I’ll go get it right away! Hero, Seongnyeo! I’ll bring you delicious beef in no time…!”
“Actually, about that…”
As Menelapie slowly drew her sword from its sheath, Shia felt an unusual sharpness in the sound of the blade today.
“Just capturing them isn’t very exciting. How about a wager?”
“Oooooh, I love wagers! What shall the wager be?!”
“Who can catch more of those simpletons? The conditions of the wager can be revealed later, of course.”
“Oooooooh! This is going to be fun! So, Seongnyeo Shia??”
“Shia naturally needs to be the judge and witness of the wager! Besides, cooking up the beef falls to you, Seongnyeo, so it all makes sense for us to hunt those Minotaurs together anyway.”
“Truly a brilliant thought from Menelapie, the esteemed Hero!”
“Uh, Menelapie… is it really fair to challenge a child like this?”
“Shia?”
“Yeah?”
“Shh.”
Menelapie raised her index finger to Shia’s lips.
However, the pressure of that finger felt unnaturally firm, as if saying ‘shut it,’ compelling Shia to keep her mouth sealed.
The usually gentle, benevolent, and steadfast visage of Menelapie now bore strands of dark shadows twitching at the corners.
“……E-Eh…”
“Ready, set, go.”
“Wahahaha! Let’s go!!!”
Boom!!!
With the boom launched from Lilybet’s engine and the resounding crack from Menelapie’s feet, Shia crashed onto the ground.
She felt a peculiar drain of energy wash over her.
“By the way, why do I smell such a rich cocoa aroma in the forest?”
That’s quite intense…
“Is there cocoa fruit nearby?”
If so, that might be delicious too.
Like the chocolate originating from a dungeon.
