The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 36: The Enemy Beneath (2)

The monster wave occurred annually, but this time it was on an entirely different scale.

The city of Raize.

The city of Engram.

The city of Hyasis.

The city of Varehein.

Monster waves were simultaneously occurring in these four dungeon cities, all proudly part of the Altaria Empire.

To make matters worse, the empire was already in disarray after the emperor’s collapse.

Amid this chaos, an unprecedented event was unfolding.

In fact, it was this very monster wave that would push the empire into a full-fledged era of turmoil.

But not everyone suffered losses.

“It worked out well for me,” I thought with a bitter smile.

Back when I had been reduced to a commoner and was living in seclusion at the Igreet family estate, a monster wave had occurred.

The monsters, crawling up from the depths without end, caused immense civilian casualties.

The heads of the branch families, not wanting the city of Varehein, which they aimed to claim, to be completely ruined, threw all their forces into the battle.

It paid off.

After two years, they managed to bring the situation under control.

Then, another grand council was convened to determine who would become the head of the Adalbert family.

However, their plans were thwarted.

Because I, Martin, had successfully awakened my unique ability and returned to the forefront of history.

Thus, it was clear that this event had greatly benefited me.

It had bought me time to make my move and weakened the power of the branch families.

But this time, things were different.

I had to personally resolve this crisis swiftly and with minimal damage.

It was no easy task, but it had to be done.

“This is my chance to become more than just a family head. It’s an opportunity to become a hero.”

By defeating Valdemar von Rustal, I had already made a strong impression on knights and nobles, those in the ruling class.

And if I could stop this monster wave? If, unlike the other lands caught in chaos, I could stop it perfectly?

All the subjects of the Adalbert family’s lands would passionately rally behind me, and my presence would be etched across the entire Altaria Empire.

“Chief Beyren,” I called out.

“Yes?”

“I want you to send a notice to the adventurer’s guild.”

“A notice, you say?”

“I want to gather as many adventurers ranked D and above as possible. Can you do that?”

“Hmm. Gathering them isn’t difficult, but do you really need to? Even without your request, they’d gather here on their own.”

Beyren’s doubt was reasonable.

An increase in monsters meant more spoils to be gained.

There were always people looking for a big score, and once word got out that a monster wave had begun, adventurers would flock here from all over.

“It’s not enough, which is why I’m telling you to send out the notice. Specifically, until this monster wave crisis is resolved, the Adalbert family will not take its usual share of the fees. That should draw a large crowd, right?”

“…A-Are you serious?”

“Do you think I’d joke about something like this?”

Beyren’s mouth hung open in shock.

Adventurers couldn’t just take the spoils they obtained from dungeons.

They had to pay 30% to the family controlling the dungeon entrance, 10% to the royal family of the country, and another 10% to the adventurer’s guild.

In short, nearly half of their earnings went to fees.

Even this 30% share that went to the Adalbert family made up 20% of the family’s annual budget. And yet, Martin was saying he’d give it up without a second thought.

“I’m not part of the Adalbert family, so I don’t need to worry about the finances.”

“That’s true.”

“But still, I have to ask. Why go to such lengths to gather adventurers? Honestly, with the current forces of the Adalbert family and the adventurers already at the branch, we could handle the monster wave just fine.”

“If the Adalbert family’s forces were intact, we could easily deal with it. But do you think that’s really possible?”

“No matter how strained your relations are with the elders and the branch family heads, surely they would cooperate in a time of crisis for the family…”

Beyren trailed off, shaking his head.

Even he wasn’t sure of what he was saying.

He knew all too well how cold-hearted people became in the face of power.

People who shared the same blood could kill each other, so how could there be smooth cooperation between those who already saw each other as enemies?

“What’s the point of saying something you don’t even believe in yourself, Chief Beyren?”

“Sigh. It seems like we won’t be fighting a real battle.”

“Exactly. Those people won’t be focused on fighting but on finding reasons to criticize me. They might even stab me in the back. I’d rather rely on people who are honest about their greed than deal with them. Don’t you agree?”

“I fully understand your intentions now, my lord. I’ll send out the notice as soon as I return to the branch.”

“Thank you. And one last favor. While you’re sending out the notice, could you also summon an adventurer I’ve designated?”

“Who should I call?”

“Christian Havertz.”

“The…the Fire Dragon Sword?!”

Beyren’s eyes widened, trembling.

The adventurer Martin had just mentioned was regarded as one of the most outstanding in recent times.

He was so powerful that he was considered the strongest among nobles without a territory, and many nobles were desperate to recruit him as their retainer.

And now Martin had entered the competition for him.

“Are you planning to grant him Rustal’s territory?”

“Who knows? I’ll have to meet him first. No matter how skilled the Fire Dragon Sword may be, it wouldn’t be right to just hand him land based on his reputation alone, would it?”

“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, Beyren exited the office.

Left alone, Martin stood up.

He gazed out the window, his eyes falling on the dungeon entrance in the distance.

Crisis and opportunity always went hand in hand.

“I’ll raise my reputation and gain some valuable talents.”

Everything was progressing as planned.

If he finished things right, he’d have everything he wanted in his grasp.

—

A week later.

Martin, along with Sien, headed toward the dungeon entrance.

Their goal was to inspect the dungeon before the monster wave officially began.

“Not feeling any regrets, Martin?”

“About what?”

“Today was supposed to be the grand council, right? It would’ve been officially decided that you’d become the head of the family.”

“It would be a lie to say I don’t feel a little disappointed. But that’s about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who could possibly replace me as the head? It’s practically impossible for anyone to openly oppose my ascension.”

“True, they could end up branded a traitor like Valdemar von Rustal if they make the wrong move.”

“Exactly. Even if my title is still technically ‘young master,’ it’s no different from being the head in reality, isn’t it?”

After dealing with Valdemar von Rustal, a significant number of the main house’s key vassals had sworn loyalty to Martin.

The high-ranking officials and capitalists of Varehein City had done the same.

As a result, Martin had effectively taken complete control over both the Adalbert family and the real power in Varehein City, solidifying his dominance.

“Still, don’t let your guard down too much. In times of great chaos, who knows what those people might try to pull.”

“You don’t need to worry. That’s why I’ve gathered so many adventurers. You saw them too, right, Sien? Their eyes lit up the moment I said they wouldn’t have to pay any fees.”

“I also saw the clerks and financial officers faint the moment they heard the news. They were practically crying tears of blood, worrying about next year’s budget.”

“Well, there’s plenty for us to gain from dealing with the monsters directly, aside from the fees. The important thing is that I’ve got a lot of people who will follow my orders now.”

“They’re just people who’ll leave as soon as this incident is over, though.”

“True, but they’re enough to keep those with pointless ambitions in check. And if anyone tries to stir up trouble, you’ll just have to crush their skulls.”

“Of course.”

Sien raised her right fist with a confident grin.

Feeling reassured, Martin chuckled.

The two continued their conversation as they ascended toward the dungeon’s entrance.

But as soon as they reached the guild branch, they noticed something unusual.

“Healer! Where’s the healer?!”

“Get me a potion, fast! As quickly as possible!”

“Can’t you see people are dying here?! Stop dragging your feet!”

Adventurers constantly danced on the edge of life and death.

But even with that in mind, the scene before them was hard to comprehend.

Adventurers all around were screaming in pain.

Guild staff, covered in sweat and blood, were rushing around to treat them.

“What…is this?”

Sien scanned her surroundings with a grim expression.

The monster wave happened every year, but this was the first time such chaos had erupted even before it properly started.

In contrast, Martin remained calm.

‘Has it begun?’

The fact that monster waves were breaking out across the entire empire was terrifying enough.

But there was another issue.

Monsters always became more ferocious during these events, but this time, they were beyond anything seen before.

The scene before them was proof of that.

Step, step.

Martin walked directly toward Chief Beyren.

He, too, was in disarray, looking far more disheveled than usual, probably from rushing around.

“Chief Beyren.”

“Y-Young Master! I was just about to contact you!”

“What happened here?”

“I haven’t been able to grasp the situation fully, but the adventurers are all shouting that the monsters have gone mad.”

“What do you mean, ‘gone mad’? The monsters?”

Sien frowned, asking the question.

But Chief Beyren only shook his head.

“I’m sorry! I don’t fully understand what they mean either. I was about to send someone to investigate—”

“No need. I’ll check for myself. I’ll also bring back the remaining adventurers while I’m at it.”

“It’s too dangerous, Young Master!”

“Dangerous? Nonsense.”

Beyren’s eyes widened in surprise as he tried to stop Martin.

But Martin only scoffed lightly.

Monsters from the lower floors, beyond the 50th floor, might be worth considering, but those in the upper levels weren’t a concern.

Even if this monster wave had caused them to become abnormally violent, it didn’t change the fact that they were still insignificant.

“Contact the main house and the city hall immediately. Tell them to send all the healers and potions they have. And don’t forget to mention that it’s a direct order from Martin Adalbert.”

“I-I will carry out your orders. Thank you so much, Young Master!”

Beyren bowed his head and hurried off in a rush.

“Looks like this is going to be a bit of a hassle. You’ll help me out, right, Sien?”

“Are you even asking? Let’s hurry and head down before there are more casualties.”

“Exactly.”

With that brief exchange, the two swiftly moved.

When they reached the first floor of the dungeon, they were met with a shocking sight.

“Kieeeek!”

“Krrrk, krrk!”

Goblins and kobolds.

The monsters inhabiting the first floor were devouring each other, regardless of their species.

Their eyes glowed a furious red.

But that wasn’t all.

Crunch, crunch.

They were even chewing through the mana stones within their victims’ bodies.

“Those things…they’re getting stronger.”

Sien muttered in disbelief.

Just as she said, the goblins and kobolds that had consumed the mana stones had changed significantly from their original forms.

Their bodies had grown larger, their teeth and claws had become long and sharp, and their aura intensified as they absorbed more mana into their bodies.

Over the years, they had been involved in stopping several monster waves.

But this was the first time they’d seen monsters growing stronger by devouring each other.

“…What in the world is happening?”

“One thing’s for sure. If those things make it to the surface, it’ll be hell.”

Unlike Sien, who was clearly disturbed, Martin maintained his composure.

However, he clenched his fists tightly without even realizing it.

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