NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8 - Episode 8: Birth of the Monster Guild
Episode 8: Birth of the Monster Guild
The growth of my subordinates has been rapid. It goes without saying that Arjena, as their teacher, has had a significant influence. While there are individual differences, the average level of everyone has risen significantly. She seemed satisfied with the growth of her subordinates.
“At this rate, we might be able to defeat the formidable enemies you mentioned in five years,” she said.
I haven’t told her that I’ll be fighting the Hero. Well, she should imagine it since it’s the opponent of the Demon Duke. I’m already taking actions different from the in-game scenario. I’m still anxious about the outcome in five years. Better safe than sorry…
“How can we become stronger to our limits?”
“Well… Practicing, I suppose. Normal adventurers fight monsters to level up.”
Certainly…
“But it’s strange for monsters to fight other monsters. It’s like turning on each other.”
Hmmm… If my subordinates were to fight, they would fight the monsters under the Demon King. They’re monsters outside the Demon Duke’s territory. But would their level go up easier if they fought such monsters? Come to think of it, there was a development dungeon where monsters spawned infinitely. It was simply named the ‘Infinite Dungeon’. Levels were set, and monsters would endlessly appear according to those levels. There were 108 items inside the dungeon. I remember completing them all based on the strategy guide. There were some strong weapons too. Good times.
Wait a minute. How about sending my subordinates into that dungeon? It could serve both for item collection and leveling up, leading to further growth. Moreover, by collecting items, the main character won’t be able to obtain them. In other words, it weakens them. Strengthening my subordinates while weakening the main character. Hehehe. They call this ‘killing two birds with one stone’, a proverb I love.
I spread out a map in front of my subordinates.
“Here. Here’s the level 1 Infinite Dungeon!”
It was a place we relied on quite a bit in the early stages. I remember it vividly. I’ll have my monster subordinates explore this dungeon for training.
“I want everyone to get all 108 items in this dungeon.”
Meel raised her eyebrows.
“Then, we’ll need management to know who obtained which item. Also, it seems we’ll need to keep track of how many monsters went in for exploration and when.”
Indeed.
It might be good to have a place like the Adventurer’s Guild.
“We also manage the residents of Zaus Town. If we manage monsters in the same way, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“No. Let’s boldly create a new department within the castle. There are many monsters, and I think management will be quite difficult.”
“Understood. So, what will be the details of this department?”
“The Demon Duke Guild.”
Everyone’s eyes widened. Arjena raised her eyebrows.
“Creating a guild within the castle is unheard of.”
“Make it registration-based and let them explore voluntarily. It’s okay to set rewards for item collection and leveling up.”
“A-Are you not going to command them?”
“That would make it less interesting. It’s more fun when there’s a sense of accomplishment in becoming stronger on one’s own.”
“W-What an amazing idea.”
If we’re going to create a guild, we’ll need receptionists.
“Shall we recruit applicants from Zaus Town?”
And so, we decided to create an Adventurer’s Guild within the Demon Duke’s castle.
“Zaus-sama, it’s urgent. After posting job openings in Zaus Town, we’ve been flooded with applicants for receptionists.”
“Why?”
“Presumably, they’re here for Zaus-sama…”
“I?”
Apparently, there are several people in Zaus Town who want to work under me.
“I won’t hire everyone, so I conducted screenings and made careful selections.”
As expected of Meel. She works fast.
“I’ve hired about 30 receptionists, all young, capable, and beautiful.”
“Beautiful, you say?”
“It’s to create a place everyone admires. That’s what the Demon Duke Guild is.”
Hmm… It seems like it’s going to be an amazing guild.
“By the way, upon confirmation, all of them expressed their desire to be nighttime companions.”
She said, showing me the notebook.
“The entries are all in order.”
“Give me a break.”
“You can choose any of them to be your nighttime companion at any time.”
Sheesh. This isn’t the time to be thinking about such things. My fate is at stake in five years.
Meel solemnly informed Arjena.
“You have more rivals now.”
“Huh? W-What are you talking about?! I-I’m not, not, not a rival! I-I haven’t signed up yet!!”
Come on. Spare me. Did she even suggest the nighttime companion system to Arjena?
“By the way, Zaus-sama, what about rewards?”
“Well, just straightforward money, I guess. We’ll give rewards based on item acquisition and growth rate.”
“…While that’s a good idea, if you value the monsters’ autonomy, perhaps something they’d appreciate more?”
“Something they’d appreciate more than money? What’s that?”
“Being praised by you, Zaus-sama.”
“What’s that?”
“Your subordinates are itching for your approval. If you praise their achievements, they’ll be willing to challenge dungeons at the risk of their lives.”
I don’t quite understand, but it seems they want my praise. In that case, maybe I should give them trophies or certificates. It might be interesting to make it a point-based ranking competition, like in games. Thus, the concept of ‘Zaus Points’ was born. Those who acquire more items in the dungeon and raise their levels will receive these points. Points will be tallied monthly, and the top-ranking members will receive certificates and trophies from me. Is this okay? Despite my worries, the guild was buzzing with excitement, and everyone in the venue joined the guild on the day it was launched.
“Woohoo! I want to be number one, Gobu!”
“I just want to get into third place, Liza!”
“I’ll settle for third place, Buu!”
“I’ll do my best! Watch me, Gobu!”
“I want to be praised by Zaus-sama, so I’ll aim for third place!”
“I’ll get Zaus Points! My goal is third place!”
Sheesh. By the way, first place gets a trophy and a certificate, second place gets just a certificate, and third place gets a head pat. What’s with that? Head patting? I’m not a child. Meel came up with this, but her taste is hard to understand.
“Zaus-sama, the guild is buzzing with excitement. Due to the high competition rate, many monsters are aiming for third place.”
Meel is amazing. But where exactly is the appeal in third place?
“Zaus-sama, there’s a debate going on about why first and second place don’t get head pats! Some monsters are even claiming that third place is the real first place.”
“Ah… Give them head pats! Let’s give head pats to first and second place as well.”
And so, the operation of the Demon Duke Guild began.