Journey of Vampire Lord
Copyright© 2025 by Vamp
Chapter 27
After leaving Silion behind in a farming village near the forest, Eugene led the subjugation squad through the deep forest and arrived at the low hill, where the dungeon was located.
Eugene first ordered the troops to conduct a search around the entrance of the dungeon, just as Galfredik had done during their first subjugation.
No new monster holes were discovered, perhaps due to the fact that they exterminated quite a few low-rank monsters during the first subjugation. “If there are no problems, we will enter right away.” Eugene walked towards the entrance, and Partec followed right behind. A large latch was blocking the passageway into the dungeon. Eugene had replaced it after the first subjugation.
“I will help you, Sir Eugene.”
“No, it’s fine.”
After shaking his head, Eugene placed his hand under the latch without any hesitation. Maverick and his mercenaries scoffed after seeing the three-meter-long latch. Its surface was wrapped in steel, and it was thick.
Even if he wanted to show off, he was clearly overestimating himself. How could he possibly lift a latch that weighed as much as an intermediate-rank monster by...
Boom.
Himself!?
“...!”
The latch fell with a heavy thud. Maverick and the mercenaries stared with blank looks.
“What are you standing around for? We will be entering right away.”
The mercenaries were shaken awake by Eugene’s voice. They quickly shook themselves out of their daze and started entering the dungeon in orderly rows.
‘Hmph! It doesn’t matter. You will still die if I stick a sword in you. It’s all the same.’
Maverick also headed into the dungeon whilst desperately trying to disregard Eugene’s display of incredible strength.
Aroooof! Kieeeng!
The last kobold collapsed while letting out pitiful cries. Its head was almost decapitated.
“Confirm and report the damages,” Eugene turned around while shaking the blood off his battle axe.
“No issues.”
“One with minor injuries. None are dead or have serious injuries.”
After listening to the reports of both Partec and Breen, Eugene turned his head once more. After receiving Eugene’s gaze, Maverick spoke with a stutter. “Uh, none are dead. None are seriously injured. Minor injuries ... ah, three, there are three of them.”
“A completely crushed arm. Are you calling that a minor injury? Or perhaps he’s left-handed?”
“...”
Maverick shut his mouth after glancing at the injured mercenary. His wrist was in tatters after being bitten by a kobold.
“So there’s one who is seriously injured and two with minor injuries. To think it would be like this after only the second battle. Sir, it’s been half a day since we’ve entered. Do you know that we still haven’t met even 30% of the minimum conditions?”
“I know. I know. It doesn’t matter, does it? I can still fight, and there are five more without any injuries. I’ll cut ‘em all down, whether it’s kobolds or goblins...”
“What if an intermediate-rank monster shows up? Do you think you can handle it by yourself, Sir?”
“Fucking hell! I can take care of it!” Maverick shouted while throwing his helmet on the ground.
“Make sure you take responsibility for your words. Partec, Breen, get it started.”
“Yes! Sir Eugene!”
With Partec and Breen in the center, the mercenaries began gathering the monster corpses along with the porters into piles with familiar movements. About twenty bodies of kobolds were dismantled at a rapid pace, and a small mound of mana stones and by-products was soon formed.
In the meantime, the mercenaries following Maverick sat down awkwardly and rested. Nine of them entered. But one was already dead, and two of them had sustained heavy injuries. The other six weren’t unscathed either. They jumped in surprise from time to time, looking around with faces filled with anxiety.
It was clear from their reaction that they were filled with fear, rather than moderate tension. Eugene wouldn’t have known why they were acting as such in the past during the first subjugation, but now he could make an educated guess.
‘They’ve only ever dealt with roamers. I guess they assumed monsters inside a dungeon would be the same.’
Unlike the outside world, evil energy flowed inside of evil lands like these dungeons. As such, the monsters inside dungeons matured much faster than roamers. In addition, they were stronger and much more ferocious. Since Maverick’s mercenaries only ever experienced dealing with roamers, it was only natural for them to suffer a setback after entering a dungeon for the first time.
From their current reactions, it appeared that Maverick’s mercenaries had never dealt with monsters inside of an evil land. At the same time, they seemed unaware of a dungeon’s unique environment.
‘It would have been much better if Galfredik was here.’
Decent mercenaries in nearby areas could only be found in cities such as Maren. Galfredik’s predictions had been spot on. He was correct when he said that only inadequate nobodies would flock to the Tywin territory.
Moreover, Galfredik had led the mercenaries with strong leadership skills even though perhaps half of them were powerless nobodies. Eugene realized once again that Galfredik was an outstanding knight.
He focused his senses on the deeper parts of the dungeon.
‘A group of goblins about 300 meters ahead. They are screaming while almost running. Based on the strong smell of blood ... There is an intermediate-rank monster ahead.’
Eugene examined the map created during the first subjugation, then looked over the terrain and the passage that existed between the humans and the goblins. Then, he spoke to the resting mercenaries. “Until they are done with the dismantling process, we scout ahead. You, you, and you. Follow me.”
Eugene pointed towards three of Maverick’s mercenaries. Compared to the rest of the group, they were in relatively good condition.
“Ah! I can also...”
Breen started volunteering himself as well, but Partec blocked him and shook his head.
‘Sir Eugene has a reason for everything he does. Just stay down.’
Breen grasped Partec’s thoughts from his expression, and slowly lowered his hand. The three selected mercenaries slowly stood up. It was obvious from their expressions that they were reluctant to go, but they dared not raise any objections, especially when they recalled Eugene’s outstanding performance from the previous battle.
Maverick snuck up in the meantime. “I will go with you as well. Who knows, perhaps an intermediate-rank or a high-rank monster will make an appearance.”
“...”
How could he not know that at least one knight must remain with the main army? This was just ... too much. Maverick was truly pathetic.
“As you please.” However, Eugene nodded.
‘Dog-shit bastard. You dare insult me?’
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