The Legendary Dungeon Master

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Dungeon Secrets

”Master.”

Arin blinked. ”Me?” The demon girl gave a small nod. ”Yes.”Arin glanced around the empty chamber.B”There isn’t anyone else here.”

”There isn’t.” He gestured at himself. ”So why are you calling me Master?” The demon girl tilted her head as she looked at his right hand. ”The mark.” Arin followed her line of sight and saw the strange black mark on his palm. It no longer glowed, but it still remained. He rubbed it with his thumb. ”What is this?”

”I do not know.” Arin looked up at the girl. ”You don’t know?” She shook her head. ”I only know what I was taught.” ”And what were you taught?” The demon girl’s voice darkened. ”Demons must never raise their weapons against the one who bears the Dungeon Master’s Mark.” Arin frowned. ”But you attacked me.”I did.” ”Why?” ”I did not see the mark.”

Arin thought back to the battle. The strange black mark had only appeared when he had leveled up to Level 10. It was the same timing as now. ”So... you were trying to kill me before?””I was testing you,” she said.

”You nearly killed me,” Arin complained.”You survived.” Arin sighed. ”You really like saying that.” The demon girl said nothing. For a moment, the chamber was silent.

”Status.” Arin whispered.

Numerous blue windows appeared before Arin’s eyes.

[Level 10 Reached.]

[Major System Functions Unlocked.]

[Status: Updated]

[Skills: Unlocked]

[Inventory: Unlocked] ℯℯ𝑙.

[Quest: Unlocked]

[Dungeon: Unlocked]

[Reward Granted.]

Skill Acquired: Basic Mana Control Lv.1

Skill Acquired: Monster Appraisal Lv.1

Skill Acquired: Dungeon Mapping Lv.1

He gave a relieved smile.It wasn’t a dream. ”Now we’re talking.”The demon girl tilted her head in confusion. ”What?” Arin quickly dismissed the windows. ”Nothing.” ”You smiled.” ”I remembered something.” She gave him a dubious look. Arin hesitantly changed the subject. ”You never told me your name.” The demon girl responded without hesitation. ”Saira.” ”Arin.” ”I know.” He blinked. ”You know my name?”

”You spoke it during the battle,” she said with a shrug.”Did I?” ”You shouted it several times.” Arin scratched the back of his head sheepishly. ”That’s embarrassing.” For the first time, Saira smiled. It was a small smile that vanished almost immediately, but Arin caught it nonetheless. ”So you can smile.” ”I can.” ”I wasn’t sure.” She ignored his comment and Arin opened another System window.

Monster Appraisal.

He looked at Saira and a blue window appeared above her.

[Name: Saira]

[Race: Demon]

[Level: ???]

[Status: Information Restricted]

Arin frowned. ”That’s all?” The window vanished. ”So the skill has its limits.” ”What are you looking at?” Saira asked. Arin shook his head. ”Nothing.” ”You keep looking at nothing.” ”I know.” He gave a sheepish smile. ”It’s difficult to explain.” Saira merely nodded. ”If you cannot explain it, then don’t.” Arin was relieved she did not press further. He opened another window.

Dungeon Mapping.

A map appeared before his eyes. Numerous tunnels were visible. The chamber they were in was glowing. The tunnels Arin had explored were visible, while the rest were covered in thick fog. ”So it only shows the explored areas.” That made sense. Otherwise, exploring the dungeon would be pointless. Arin closed the window. ”I like that.” Saira gave him a curious look. ”You look happier.” ”I am.” ”Why?” ”I found something useful.”

She said nothing more and merely nodded. Arin looked around the chamber. ”So...” ”You live down here?” ”Yes.” ”Alone?” ”Most of the time.” ”You don’t get lonely?” Saira hesitated for a moment before answering. ”I am used to it.” Arin gave a sad smile. ”I don’t think anyone gets used to being alone.” Saira did not object. Instead, she walked toward one of the tunnels. ”Come.” ”Where?” ”There is a safe room.” Arin followed her and the tunnels grew larger.

After a while, they arrived in a large stone chamber. There was a small table in the middle, along with a few old chairs. Numerous bookshelves lined the chamber and a lantern was burning in one corner. Arin looked around in surprise. ”This doesn’t look like a dungeon room.” ”It is.” ”You built this?” ”Yes.” ”You built... all of this?” Saira nodded. ”I have lived here for a long time.” Arin sat on one of the chairs. His body relaxed and he realized just how tired he was.

Saira disappeared into one of the rooms and returned a minute later with some dried meat and a wooden cup of water. She placed them on the table. ”For me?” ”Yes.” Arin was surprised. ”Thank you.” He ate the food she prepared for him, though it did not taste very good. However, considering his situation, it was delicious. Saira quietly observed him. When Arin finished eating, he leaned back and looked at the small meal with mixed emotions. ”I owe you one.” ”You owe me nothing.” ”I do.” Saira looked at his right hand again. ”My duty is to serve the one who bears the mark.” Arin sighed. ”We’re back to that.” ”I cannot ignore it.” She said. ”But I don’t even know what it means.” ”Neither do I.” ”You know almost nothing about it.” ”Correct.”

”Then why are you so certain?” Saira looked him in the eye. ”Because some truths do not need explanations.” Arin fell silent. He could not argue with that.Not yet. He stood and stretched. ”So, I need to find a way out of this dungeon.” Saira nodded. ”There is a path.” ”There is?” ”Yes.” Arin smiled. ”Finally, some good news.” ”It will not be easy.” His smile vanished. ”I knew there was a catch.” ”The path passes through stronger monsters.” Arin chuckled. ”At this point, I’d be disappointed if it didn’t.” Saira looked at him for a moment before giving another small smile. ”You’re strange, Master.” Arin picked up a spare wooden stick that leaned against the wall and rested it on his shoulder.

”Maybe.” He walked toward the tunnels. ”But if I’m getting out of here...” He looked back at Saira. ”...you’ll have to guide me.” Saira gave a respectful nod. ”As you wish, Master.” Arin sighed. ”I’m really going to have to get used to hearing that.” Together, the two left the safe room and searched for the only path that would lead them back to the surface.