Homunculi are created to faithfully execute their assigned missions. I, too, was naturally made to assist my master and protect the dungeon. However, unlike others of my kind, I seem to be somewhat special. Having been crafted specifically for combat, I naturally came to despise Adventurers. I feel nothing when they die.

After all, they were the ones who had reduced Radik to this state; it was only natural to hate them. Yet, on the flip side, I had never once considered the perspective of the Adventurers falling victim to us.

"Aaaah!"

"It’s the dungeon soldiers! They’re invading!"

"Please, my daughter! Please just spare my daughter!"

Countless humans were being ruthlessly slaughtered. Radik’s soldiers massacred everyone in their path, regardless of whether they were Adventurers or civilians.

"Hmm. Is it a bit lacking? I guess a small city doesn’t quite cut it."

"...Master, may I ask the intention behind this plan?"

"I need more Adventurers. Not just small parties like last time, but full Raid Parties. It’s only worth the effort if they swarm us."

Hadn’t he explicitly mentioned the restrictions himself? And yet, he was intentionally trying to attract more enemies. Suppressing the heavy feeling rising in my chest, I spoke up again.

"Even with the Gems and soldiers we’ve acquired, attacking a city will draw much stronger Adventurers. The sheer numbers alone will be unmanageable. How on earth do you plan to stop them?"

"You’re saying that if we just keep defending, we’ll eventually hit our limit, right?"

"Exactly. The abilities you’ve shown are certainly amazing, but even they have limits. Ultimately, we’ll have to face them with Radik’s forces, and I believe that’s completely impossible right now."

I poured out all the words I had been holding back. I felt a little relieved, thinking he would surely understand by now. But that was simply my delusion.

"Arin, there’s one thing you don’t know. The fastest way to grow a dungeon... is actually to face enemies back-to-back. Otherwise, there’s absolutely no way for Radik to survive."

"But—!"

"And besides, I have no intention of using this ability to stop raids in the first place. I’m going to handle them purely with my own skills. So..."

I grew increasingly afraid to listen. I wanted to cover my ears, but I couldn’t.

"You don’t need to worry about it."

Something snapped in my mind. Overcome by an uncontrollable emotion welling up inside me, I bowed my head deeply and bit my lip.

"...Excuse me."

I didn’t remember anything after that. It was as if my mind had gone completely blank. Before I knew it, I had left the room and was walking down the hallway.

---

’Awoo!’

It seemed the city raid was a success. The soldiers returning to Radik appeared to be in much higher spirits. I only watched from afar, of course, but even I could tell that much. And as expected, Adventurers began swarming into Radik at all hours.

’What if the Adventurers are too strong? What if a mistake leads to a dangerous situation?’ I worried every day, but I deliberately avoided seeking him out.

’I’d be useless anyway.’ Didn’t he have reliable subordinates around him? Going out of my way to see him would only be unnecessary meddling.

I simply stuck to my basic duties, cleaning up the piling corpses of Adventurers. I spent my days steadily sweeping away the aftermath as usual. Gradually, I could see Radik transforming right before my eyes. By then, even I could tell that the Dungeon Grade had increased. A new grade that the Previous Master had always wished for.

Only then did I realize that Taehyun hadn’t simply been arrogant. However, because of my past outburst, I couldn’t bring myself to face him. And the fact remained that I wouldn’t be of any help even if I were there.

’...It’s cold.’

The seasons were slowly changing. My hands grew numb from the wind blowing outside. Then, I was suddenly startled by the realization that I was actually feeling the chill. Since when did I, a Homunculus, start being affected by the weather?

Amidst these unresolved questions, Paru, a member of the Lapis Merchant Guild, visited again one day. I guided him to the door as usual, and by chance, overheard that all the dungeon’s debts had been paid off. The amount was a staggering 100,000 Zen; when had he managed to gather it all? It seemed Taehyun was a much more incredible person than I had realized.

---

Day 17.

"Picked this up on the way. Try it on."

I had been spending another boring stretch of time in my room as usual when Taehyun walked in holding some clothes. I just blinked, staring blankly at him. I never imagined I would see him again like this. It seemed he didn’t care at all about what had happened between us.

"...What is this?"

"Winter clothes. I didn’t know your size, so I just eyeballed it. Let me know if they don’t fit."

I could clearly see some garments that were twice my size. He handed the clothes to me as if it were a hassle. I felt a distinctively soft texture. Looking closely, there seemed to be a garment woven from thick yarn mixed in.

"Well, see anything you like?"

"I am a Homunculus."

"What does that matter?"

"But I don’t have the right to wear clothes like this..."

"I’m just frustrated looking at you. How can you wear the exact same clothes all the time? Hurry up, pick one and try it on."

He stood by the door and waited quietly. The atmosphere demanded that I put something on quickly. ’It’s an order, after all.’ Was it because these were the first new clothes I had ever received? For some reason, my heart fluttered.

I started unbuttoning my outer garment. Then, I suddenly became conscious of his presence.

We both fell silent. Normally, I would have ignored anyone watching. But without realizing it, my cheeks were flushing red.

"Ah, right. Forgot. I’ll step outside, so call me when you’re done."

He tapped the side of his head and stepped out, closing the door behind him. His movements seemed somewhat awkward, but it must have been my imagination.

Only then did I comfortably change. Some were garments I had never seen before in my life, so I didn’t know how to wear them, but others were familiar.

"...I’m finished."

Was my voice a bit too quiet? There was no response from outside the door. I was about to raise my voice a little louder to call him when the door clicked open.

"Oh. It looks good on you."

"Does it... look okay?"

"Now that’s much better. I guess you liked the Sweater?"

A pink top woven from thick yarn. ’A Sweater.’ I unknowingly grabbed a handful of the wool. It was truly warm. No.

"It’s pretty."

Anything was fine.

---

Day 19.

Mornings in Radik begin early. First, I gather ingredients and head to the kitchen. My eyelids feel unusually heavy, but I push through and prepare the meal. Once the soup starts boiling properly, I go to his room and wake Taehyun.

"Phew. Another damn morning begins."

After seating him at the dining table, the soldiers are next. Feeding the monsters with the high-quality carcasses bought in advance marks the end of my primary duties. The rest involves cleaning the inside of the dungeon and organizing items and equipment. Once that’s all done, I immediately return to his room.

Adventurers are heading towards Radik, visible on the monitor screen.

"Aw, man. I was expecting something since they’re a B-rank Raid Party, but they’re just freelance mercenaries without a single Special Ability?"

He seemed disappointed. He casually dispatched the soldiers and prepared his Exclusive Items. And then, he annihilated the Adventurers in a mere three hours. A few more Raid Parties appeared after that, but they couldn’t even reach the entrance, let alone make it inside the dungeon.

’Amazing.’ I had already seen him thwart raids several times, but I am in awe every single time. No one could easily replicate how he toys with Adventurers like this. ’Ah, this isn’t the time for this.’ Shaking off my daze, I pull out a piece of paper.

It’s time to tally the Gems and gold earned today. Next is sorting the piled-up items. Occasionally, if I spotted a shiny piece of equipment, I immediately reported it to him.

"Oh. It’s Rare grade. Good job."

"Thank you." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The praise, of course, is a nice bonus.

After helping him for a few hours like that, the sun slowly begins to rise. It’s time to fetch water from the nearby river. Given the season, it’s cold even during the day, but I endure it and step outside. ’It’s bearable.’ Throwing on the clothes I recently received makes it tolerable.

For the record, the warmest piece is the Sweater. With the soldiers accompanying me, the chore isn’t too difficult. After that is lunch preparation.

’Rawr! Grrr!’

Sometimes the gnolls complain about the food. But thanks to the advice Taehyun gave me for these situations, it’s not a problem.

’Yelp!’

I just have to beat them up. It automatically makes the other soldiers shut their mouths, so the effect is perfect.

By the time I return to the room and finish attending to Taehyun, half the day has already passed.

"You must be tired too, go in and rest. I’m fine on my own now."

"I’m fine."

"Really? Then could you make me a cup of tea?"

Sometimes my fists tremble, but I endure it. I’ve gotten used to this sort of thing, too. With familiar movements, I brewed black tea and handed it to him. Seeing him leisurely enjoy the aroma, it seemed he liked it.

"Phew. Good. Shall we start again?"

It meant he was going to play with the Adventurers to his heart’s content.

"What, that pulled aggro?"

That was what he said when he mistakenly placed a Familiar Summon.

"Hah. Should I chase that low HP guy or not?"

It meant he was definitely going to catch the fleeing Adventurer.

"That bastard. He’s secretly OP."

That was what he said when he didn’t like a particular Adventurer. Like this, Taehyun always repeated the same phrases in the same patterns. I didn’t understand most of the terminology, but I understood the intent.

As the day begins to set, the time comes for both the Adventurers and Taehyun to rest.

He yawned. "Good work today."

"You worked hard too."

"What’s for dinner?"

Every time he got hungry, he would ask about the menu like this. How did he manage his meals when he was alone? I opened my mouth, recalling the newly bought ingredients.

"Today is..."

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, the ground began to shake. I looked at the screen, wondering if it was the Adventurers’ doing, but it didn’t seem to be. Taehyun must have sensed something, as he scanned the surroundings with a stiff face. Just then, the soldiers visible on the screen began to collapse one by one.

"What the. Why is there suddenly a Black Plague?!"

The situation was serious. It seemed a system message visible only to the Dungeon Master had popped up. Taehyun hurriedly swiped his hands through the air.

"Crazy. Why did a perfectly fine B-grade dungeon drop to C-grade?!"

"Even the room structures got reset?"

"What the, why are the finances like this?"

How long did he shout like that? Perhaps getting tired, he began to pant. Unable to just watch, I asked him.

"What’s wrong?"

"Damn it. It’s a Curse. Seven Curses hit us back-to-back. For now... what?!"

His eyes became bloodshot. He stared into the air with a look of disbelief. And then, he announced the worst possible situation.

"...Why is an A-rank Hero coming to a C-grade dungeon?"