Thinking that he would be in such a vulnerable state for twelve hours...

Lucien’s inner soul collapsed.

Isn’t the penalty too severe??

He only used the skill for several seconds!!

Lucien’s inner soul slumped down, depressed, not caring about the mini dungeon boss slapping his face with the tail.

He’s done for!!

Outwardly, Lucien broke into a cold sweat, his face turning pale, legs trembling.

But the hunters only saw Lucien’s face turning cold and they hiccupped even louder.

"H-hic! Y-yes, it’s done!" The captain shed tears in his heart as he nodded like a chicken.

The other hunters hurriedly nodded along, their legs shaking.

They wished they could bolt out right away, but...

Lucien didn’t move.

His eyes darting around the void, sweat dripped down his face.

Where’s the dungeon core?

Does he need to dig it out, or??

The more Lucien stood still without speaking, the more the hunters freaked.

What does he want, ah??

The dungeon boss is dead!

Let them leave!

The hunters fidgeted until one of them slapped their forehead.

"Right, the dungeon core!"

They hadn’t destroyed it!

Lucien, who heard the hunter’s mumble, also slapped his thigh— in his mind.

Yeah! That’s it!

Does anyone here know how to take out the dungeon core??

Lucien’s ears perked as he listened to the hunters’ soft voices.

"Ah, the dungeon core. We have to wait a little."

"Right, right."

Lucien silently sighed in relief.

So it’s just waiting? He could do that!

Lucien crossed his arms and tapped his fingers, his heart burning anxiously.

Dungeon core, come out, don’t be shy. Let daddy bring you home!

True to the hunters’ words, a few minutes later—

The void cracked and a familiar energy poured out.

Shaaa...

An orange crystal slowly came out of the void, floating in the air.

The hunters immediately straightened their backs, their faces solemn.

It’s time.

They had to destroy this crystal to completely end this dungeon!

Just when the hunters were about to approach the crystal—

Lucien, who was standing still, walked towards the crystal and bypassed it.

"Huh...?" The hunter subconsciously gasped and Lucien suddenly paused.

He made a u-turn casually and stepped closer to the small crystal before stopping, sweat slid down his palm.

Fck.

Fck.

Fck.

He couldn’t see the crystal!!

Thank God that hunter reacted...

if not...

Lucien’s inner soul wiped his forehead and outside, Lucien lifted his head, looking at...

The empty air.

The hunters only saw Lucien admiring the empty air— ah, no, the crystal with appreciative gaze, as if looking at an artwork.

They didn’t see that Lucien’s eyes wandered and his inner self was rolling around anxiously.

Ahhhh! How to take this crystal intact??

He usually used his skill to merge it!

But...Land Acquisition acquired the whole dungeon, not just the crystal...

So...how??

Lucien’s eyes darted around and he caught sight of black spots.

The expedition team.

Lucien’s eyes instantly lit up.

Right. These guys!

Lucien suddenly snapped his fingers at the hunters.

Snap!

"A-ah? Yes??" The captain scrambled forward, his hand busy wiping his sweat. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"I-is there something wrong?"

Lucien pointed at the crystal without speaking.

"Ah! I see!" The captain immediately nodded.

"Y-you want us to destroy it?"

...?

Lucien’s inner soul screamed while stomping the ground.

No, no, bastard!! Don’t you dare!

Outwardly, Lucien shook his head and sighed.

The captain broke into a cold sweat, his fingers turning cold.

N-not destroying the core? Then what else??

Lucien once again pointed at the crystal, his face turning impatient.

The captain quickly looked back at his team and mouthed,

What does he want??

The other hunters also racked their brains and a smart hunter finally spoke,

"U-uh maybe he wants to take the crystal away?"

After all, there were only two ways to handle a dungeon core—

Destroy it, or take it away.

Lucien’s inner soul slapped his thigh and smiled slyly.

Yes! Bravo! 10 points for Gryffindor!

The captain understood. He immediately nodded and bowed.

"Y-yes, please take it away! It’s our honour!"

Lucien smiled. He waited and waited...

But the captain didn’t take out the container.

Lucien’s face fell and the captain felt wronged.

What’s wrong with this monster again?

They already gave away the crystal too!

Lucien looked at the captain menacingly and the smart hunter immediately shouted, his voice trembling.

"C-captain! He wants us to pack it for him!"

Lucien’s eyes turned towards the source of the voice.

Although he could only see a blur, he secretly gave the person a thumb up.

Come, expedition team.

Help me pack this thing!

You can do that, right? Right??

When the captain understood what Lucien actually wanted, he clutched his chest, his hands searching for non-existent heart pills.

Ugh! His box!

The expedition team naturally had a special container designed to carry dungeon cores.

But giving such an expensive box that was worth several houses at the city center to a humanoid monster...

Looking at the man’s reluctant face, Lucien frowned.

The temperature dropped by several degrees.

Shudder.

The other hunters collectively looked at the captain, eyes pleading.

Captain! Just give it!!

"H-hic!" The captain hiccupped as he punched his chest, but he could only accept his fate.

Under his colleague’s pressuring gaze, he nodded.

"Y-yes, we will pack it for you..."

A hunter came with a crystal box and the captain captured the glowing orange crystal with it.

The void inside the crystal box didn’t shatter and the crystal floated at the center, moving gently.

Lucien took the box lightly and without another word, he turned around, his back radiated impatience.

Behind, the hunters hurriedly ran after Lucien.

"A-ah! Wait! Wait!"

Don’t leave them alone!!

As the group returned to the entrance, the ground shook.

Thump. Thump.

Even though the dungeon boss was dead, the other worms were still alive.

But when Lucien passed by, the diggers and thumpers quickly retreated, their backs trembling.

They could smell the scent of their boss’ death on this guy!

Run!

Lucien...Lucien stared at those blurry worms with longing eyes.

A thought came to mind.

Ah.

If he couldn’t get the whole dungeon...

He at least had to get some living monsters and their corpses...

Right?