It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

* * *

“What… what have you done, no, what have you done-!!”

Elias’s reaction immediately after ascending to a demon was quite interesting.

It felt like visually intuiting one of the initial reactions in a TS novel.

Though it’s not just becoming a woman, but a demon.

“It suits you well. It was worth choosing a species with the most human-like appearance.”

Elias had become a tall, slender beauty with balayage-style hair that had black painted here and there on brown hair, and grayish-blue eyes that matched well.

Black hair had grown between the original brown hair due to the influence of the demon he had transformed into, and he had become a woman because the changed demon species only had ‘female forms’.

“What did you change me into? Huh?!”

“A banshee.”

“That… that’s a demon! And one that has nothing to do with power!”

“‘That’, you say. It’s a life form with proper intelligence. Call her ‘she’.”

“That’s not the important part!!”

Banshee.

There’s a legend that it first originated when a woman who lost her lover in war evolved into a demon, and perhaps because of that, it’s a demon that appears in the form of a woman crying on a hill.

It’s natural to think it has nothing to do with power in general perception, as it’s a demon that has the power to enchant listeners with magical power contained in its cry.

But.

“It’s not unrelated. Demons basically all have better physical abilities than humans. It’s better to look at something pretty than just swollen muscles.”

The body of a demon is harder than humans and has higher muscle density, like that of beasts.

So just by changing into a demon, physical power increases.

He probably can’t feel it now because he’s mentally overwhelmed right after the change, but he’ll soon realize properly.

“Such wordplay-!”

Thud!

“Ow!”

He finally tries to stand up and confront me, but is hit by Eve again and tumbles down.

Glancing at the bruise on his face, I checked his changed physical state.

『Title/Individual Name – ‘Combative’ Banshee』

『Title – Combative: Given to individuals somewhat superior in health, technique, and magic power compared to the same species.』

‘It attached properly.’

I proceeded with the contract while having human sacrifices prepared in the shadows in advance, and enhancement of the sacrifice was carried out simultaneously.

Thanks to that, it was certain that his… no, her abilities were clearly strengthened compared to before, but I couldn’t be 100% sure if it attached as she or I wanted…

『Job and Rank – High-rank Knight』

『Attributes – Health 34(◀ 26) Technique 35(◀ 17) Endurance 25(◀ 28) Magic Power 32(◀ 14) Resistance 33(◀ 18)』

Fortunately, though not perfect, it applied well.

The large increase in magic power and resistance is due to the influence of changing into a ‘banshee’, and instead, health and technique were compensated through sacrifices.

At this level, the decrease in endurance should be a minor loss.

『Characteristics – High-rank Specialization: Linear Short Spear, Specialization: Broadsword, Explosive Power』

『Characteristics – Finesse, Enchanting Tears, Lovely Sorrow, High-rank Specialization: Spear, Specialization: Sword』

The banshee’s characteristic of enchanting people was added to the characteristics, and the characteristics prepared in advance were well combined, so he who could only handle one or two weapons well can now handle a wider range of weapons.

Among them, this was the most important characteristic:

『Finesse – Gains correction for actions using all cutting and piercing attack means, dodging, and magic power manipulation ability.』

The explosive power characteristic that Eve also has disappeared, and this heroic-grade characteristic was created by combining one of the rare-grade characteristics that banshees generally possess, ‘Precise Magic Power Control’, with characteristics of other human sacrifices.

It was a quite good miscalculation produced by chance.

Evangeline also has a characteristic similar to this now. Though its name and details are different.

Anyway, this was more than enough as initial support.

“Can’t you turn me back… Me, a woman… a woman…”

“It’s punishment. Accept it gracefully.”

“Isn’t this too much…! I just liked you, Lady…!”

“While mobilizing soldiers and informants to try to confine my movements to that mansion.”

“That’s… sniff.”

For now, she probably feels like she received a yard for an inch. Like she became a woman because ‘he’ looked at others with those kinds of eyes.

By the way, she’s crying quite pitifully.

A appearance that most men would not be able to help but comfort if they saw.

“You seem to have adapted well to a woman’s body already, Elias. Or should I call you Elena?”

“Sniff, don’t tease me… I can’t control it…”

Sudden hormonal changes, or whatever.

It’s a side effect caused by various changes rushing in that can’t be explained by simple physical changes.

It’s a bonus that her crying appearance looks quite pretty in the midst of that.

‘The banshee’s characteristics are quite powerful.’

To make even a succubus just feel attractive, and to make me, who knows she was originally a man, feel this much emotion.

It seems to be a style of characteristic that strengthened power instead by limiting conditions.

It’s a shame that the effect is just enchantment.

‘I should advise her to always keep weapons close if she’s going to cry in front of others.’

Otherwise, she might have a truly pleasant experience.

“When you return to your family, say you were cursed.”

When I opened my mouth as Elias who had become a woman calmed down, she looked at me with curious eyes.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course. No matter what exorcist or priest comes, they won’t be able to restore your appearance. Unless a saint comes, or unless they cover you with a human appearance again. Because it’s the power of a Demon King.”

“That’s… quite troubling talk.”

Elias smiled bitterly. Not because she wanted to smile, but because the expression she usually made naturally flowed out.

If we’re just talking about her feelings, she’s probably in a state where she wants to sit down and not do anything.

“So speak well. If you say you were cursed in the dungeon, priests will come to you right away.”

“That shouldn’t happen… Ah.”

“Yes. Since our power is inside your body, if a priest examines you directly…”

I deliberately left the words hanging, but Elias didn’t avoid the situation she faced.

“I’ll die. To you.”

Her face reciting her expected future was quite calm.

Not brave, but close to resigned.

“Yes. You’ll die with that priest.”

“Then, my family will be in big trouble too. Should I say I’m fortunate I won’t be lonely since I won’t go alone?”

“Don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll actively drive a wedge between the Holy See and Heisen.”

I smiled as gently as possible at Elias, who looked at me incredulously.

With the meaning ‘You’ll have to do well if you don’t want that to happen’.

Whether she properly understood that meaning or not, she just remained silent, and I continued the explanation as if nothing had happened.

“After several exorcists have come and gone, when the time comes, someone I send will come to you and restore your appearance for a while.”

“Restore it? No, for a while?”

“If my person is to help you inside your mansion, wouldn’t it be best to always be by your side?”

“Haha… Yes, I suppose so.”

Elias laughed a laugh that wasn’t a laugh while contorting her face strangely. As if annoyed but understanding.

I tossed the last words to her as if letting them slip.

“And if you do well, I might restore you to your original form. As a reward.”

The words she had probably been waiting for most.

“…Really? Earlier you…”

“I’m the one who presided over your contract, so how could it be impossible?”

To be precise, it meant I would make a contract to return her to that appearance again since I had magically memorized and stored his appearance, but the fact that I could return her to her original appearance was true regardless.

“…Yes. I understand. I’ll follow.”

From the beginning, there was only one choice she could make.

Now should I throw a carrot?

“My goal is to raise you to a count. As long as your identity isn’t discovered, and even if it is discovered. I won’t abandon you.”

“You’ll try to reuse me in any way. Because you seem… like that kind of person.”

“You’re clever.”

As expected, she had excellent insight into people. At this level, even without my power, she would likely have made a name for herself in other ways.

But now she doesn’t know that.

Because her eyes were drawn to others’ talents shining brighter.

If she had discovered her own talent early on, she might have walked a purely glorious path by refining it, which is a pity.

‘It’s a good thing for me though.’

Thanks to that, I was able to point a dagger at the west of the Kingdom of Heisen. What remains is to refine that dagger to make it sharper, and to fill it with poison.

“…I’ll follow the Lady’s orders. Anyway, you decided to save me… and your plan seems realistic too.”

As I explained the process in detail, Elias’s eyes also sank coldly.

What fills those eyes is ambition, as expected.

Ambition to climb the stairs through any power, and to draw the sword and make everyone praise.

“Don’t worry. The contract will be kept.”

When I stab this ambitious dagger at the targeted place, and when that poison spreads.

I will obtain the western part of the Kingdom of Heisen.

If she hadn’t tried to confine me under the pretext of loving me when she was still a he, this wouldn’t have happened.

It was, so to speak, a calamity she brought upon herself.

* * *

“…”

Serica, who entered the room connected to the Mammon Guild in the demon realm, had a very regretful face.

I don’t know what excuse she gave to her family, but it was time for her to return after visiting me under the pretext of watching Elias’s dungeon adventure.

“Take care, Serica.”

“Aren’t you sad? I don’t know when we’ll see each other again after I leave now.”

How regretful must she be to throw a tantrum with such a disappointed expression even at my meaningless greeting.

Fortunately, the current me had somewhat realized how to handle her.

Enough to resolve her disappointment with one word.

“Whenever it is, I’ll try to visit you next time.”

“Is that really true? I’ll be angry if it’s a lie. When will you come?”

“I can’t make an exact promise. I have quite a lot of things going on.”

Serica expressed expectation with sparkling eyes, but I had to shake my head.

My situation isn’t easy enough to set an exact visit appointment. Although I resolved her disappointment, it’s just regrettable that I couldn’t resolve all her longing.

Fortunately, though she slightly pouted her lips, she didn’t seem too annoyed.

“Tsk. Then, just answer my calls well. I’m not a child anymore, so I won’t throw tantrums.”

“How mature.”

“Ahem.”

Serica nods her head proudly with her hands on her waist. It seems she’s so happy with my one word of praise.

“Alright. I’ll think of something so that we can have more fun when we meet again.”

“Okay! Take good care of the core. I’ll take it next time.”

“Alright.”

Serica’s dungeon core was in a state where I hadn’t absorbed it, nor had she taken it.

Because even if you recover the dungeon core, a special process is needed to reactivate it fully as a core again.

This was also the reason why Serica wouldn’t be able to come to the surface for a while.

“It can’t be helped. I’ll be on the surface for a long time next time. It’s just for a moment.”

“You’ll do well.”

“Yeah!”

She has to take a test in the demon realm first, or something.

Since the qualification requirement for that test is to secure the core but go through the process without the core, she ended up entrusting the core to me.

She had made a verbal promise to enter under my command after recovering the core.

I don’t know if that will work in her family… but I thought I could help if necessary while watching.

Chu!

“Bye bye!”

Having completely accepted the brief farewell like that, she smiled brightly, then suddenly kissed my cheek and crossed over beyond the gate.

“…My. You’re incorrigible.”

-Grrr…

“Xue?”

“…It’s nothing…”

Leaving behind Xue who was extremely jealous, and me.

“You too. Come here.”

“Huh…? Okay…!”

In the end, I had to stroke her jaw and ears for about 30 minutes until her mood improved.

Considering that the emotion of jealousy doesn’t easily dissipate, in fact, that alone showed just how well-behaved Xue was being.

* * *

Creak – Bang!

I came down to the underground prison and found a woman there.

A woman who was looking this way in a pleading posture while muttering something, with a blindfold on her eyes and shackles on her body.

“Please…”

It was none other than Eleanor.