Reverse Dungeon

“Hmm. They said they’d give me a good spot in the plaza if I stayed by their side. But, you know, I can’t be tied down like that. I’m a free elf.”

“That’s not called temptation. It’s called recruitment.”

“Really? I thought it was a proposal. Humans are so difficult to understand. Fascinating.”

The elf merchant rambled on.

Keith felt another flicker of irritation.

‘You go around telling people to “stay by your side” with that pretty face of yours. No wonder they misunderstand.’

...Or had they actually meant it that way?

The wizard had mentioned that Ian liked attractive people. Keith did not particularly care to judge people by appearance, but even he had to admit the elf was undeniably good-looking.

Keith decided he needed to have a serious talk with Ian.

Was it truly appropriate for someone as sacred as him to treat premarital relations so casually? Keith, who was prepared to atone with his life or take lifelong responsibility for Ian, fell into troubled thought.

‘No. No. What Ian and I did was a holy duty.’

Keith gathered himself.

There was no need for him to take responsibility for Ian. Ian had not embraced him out of personal affection. Ian, in his generosity, had cared for him. Keith must not disgrace that mercy by interpreting it in some vulgar, sexual way.

Ian asked the elf merchant, “Where are you headed on this ship? Don’t tell me you’re actually planning to sell goods properly in some resort town on the island.”

Missing the implication in Ian’s tone, the elf merchant waved a hand.

“No way. Places like that have too many competitors. I’m going underwater.”

“......?”

Ian was taken aback.

Was this character supposed to be connected to the underwater city plot?

“The underwater city?”

The elf looked surprised.

“Yeah. You know about the underwater city?”

“We’re headed there too.”

“Wow, amazing. There really must be some kind of fate between us.”

The elf merchant looked delighted.

Ian began wondering what kind of character this elf was. Could he be from the underwater city?

‘Those idiot developers. Do they think elves are so popular they needed to add two elf characters? Why not make a fairy character for variety? Do they not understand diversity?’

Still, despite his grumbling thoughts, Ian’s eyes gleamed. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

If the elf had a connection to the underwater city, Ian’s next strategy would become much easier.

“Were you born in the underwater city?”

“Nope.”

“......”

Things were not going to be that simple after all.

But Ian did not give up.

“You must have some connection to the underwater city if you decided to do business there, right?”

The elf merchant puffed up with pride.

“My first regular doesn’t know much about the underwater city, huh? No elf has ties to that place. Not many people do, actually. It’s a very closed-off area. That’s exactly why it’s worth selling goods there.”

‘I probably know more about it than you do...’

Ian could practically picture the elf descending into the city, getting kicked around by the locals’ territorial behavior, then coming back teary-eyed.

Oh well. It didn’t matter.

Even if the elf was not from the underwater city, he could still be useful. Ian had expected to need someone of another race for the events waiting there.

Originally, Ian had planned to pick up some random dwarf from the ship. But considering the issue of trust with dwarves, the elf, who seemed fundamentally incapable of deceit, was clearly the better option.

Ian did not abandon his plan to bring the elf into his fold.

He approached the merchant and spoke in a friendly tone.

“You might get scammed again— I mean, it would be reassuring to have you around. Let’s head to the underwater city together. The timing and direction are perfect, aren’t they?”

‘Let’s stick together for now and figure out his personality so I can win him over gradually.’

But the elf merchant looked troubled.

“I also think we have some kind of fate, but I’ve already promised to travel with other people.”

“Who? ...Those dwarves?”

Ian was dumbfounded.

“Yeah. You saw them? Oh no, I need to go. They must be worried, thinking I got caught by a demon.”

The elf hurriedly rose to leave, but Ian made him sit back down.

“Listen. They’re not waiting for you. You were being scammed.”

Ian tried to patiently explain the situation the elf had been in.

To his surprise, the elf replied casually, “Oh, really? I kind of thought so.”

“You knew you were being scammed?”

“Yeah? But we met here by chance, and I don’t know the way very well. I figured I could at least get directions from them.”

What an unbelievably positive outlook.

Ian understood the elf’s personality type.

‘Chaotic good? Definitely not lawful good.’

A character who believed in going with the flow and valued connections.

That made him easy to approach.

Ian smiled brightly.

“Well, that’s perfect. We can guide you. We were looking for an elf companion anyway. It really must be fate.”

“Hmm? Is that so?”

“It is.”

Ian extended his hand.

Without thinking much of it, the elf took it.

Ding!

[Do you want to register as ‘Companion’?]

【 Yes / No 】

‘Yes.’

Ding!

[The character <‘Wandering Merchant’ Dorian (?)> has been registered as a Companion.]

“Looking forward to working with you.”

Ian finalized the arrangement. The elf nodded.

Keith then asked politely, “Are you done now?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let me help with the escort.”

“You don’t need to, but...”

Keith ignored Ian’s protest and opened the door.

The elf suddenly exclaimed, “Ah, I see!” as if enlightened, and hurried outside.

“......?”

Puzzled, Ian watched Keith close the door.

“We had unfinished business, didn’t we? It did not seem properly resolved.”

Keith took Ian’s hand and leaned in for a kiss.

There was no malice in the act. It was a necessary step to protect Ian from evil and cleanse the corruption within himself.

“......!”

Ian could sense Keith’s solemn intent.

And he had already learned that worked during a kiss.

So technically, this was fine... right?

‘Is it really fine?’

Ian was bewildered.

Keith whispered, “Thank you for purifying me every day.”

“......”

“You are truly my savior. To forgive a wretched soul like me and pray with me each day... ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ You cannot turn away from anyone in need. Truly, you are full of grace.”

Keith kissed Ian again.

Ian flinched.

Having someone else’s tongue trace the roof of his mouth... was it supposed to feel this strange?

Twitch.

But Ian was the one who had proposed daily purifications. It would be a bigger problem if Keith did not receive them.

Feeling as though he might cry, Ian used again and again.

‘, , ...’

Ding!

[Curse Progression: 17%]

Ding!

[Curse Progression: 16%]

Ding!

[Curse Progression: 15%]

.

.

.

‘When is this going to end?’

Red-faced, Ian pushed Keith away.

“Ian?”

Keith looked as composed as ever, without the slightest trace of exhaustion.

“The curse level dropped. Let’s stop here for today.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

Keith bowed politely.

Ian pulled the blanket over his head, unsure how he was supposed to feel.

Then he realized something.

‘I’m still only wearing a cloak.’

But he did not want to shuffle around in front of Keith to get dressed.

For some reason, that felt unbearable.

Through the blanket, Ian heard Keith return to his own bed. The mattress creaked, the sheets rustled, and then calm breathing followed.

“Ha!”

Ian yanked the blanket off his head, put on his demon mask, and stepped out of the cabin.

Not long after, Keith opened his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face.

Sleep was not coming easily.

But because he knew it had to, he lay back down and closed his eyes, searching for elusive rest.

“Keith.”

Keith woke to the sound of someone calling his name.

He knew at once that it was a dream.

Ian was smiling softly, perched on top of him.

Keith stared blankly up at him.

“Keith.”

Ian removed his shirt and draped Keith’s large cloak over his shoulders. It was so oversized on him that it looked as though it might slip off at any moment.

“Tie it for me.”

Ian pouted as he pleaded.

Still expressionless, Keith reached out and tied the cloak into a ribbon.

Ian looked exactly as Keith knew him.

And yet now he smiled at Keith with an unfamiliar expression.

“Keith. Kiss me.”

Keith half sat up.

Ian was so light atop him he felt almost weightless.

His face drew closer, carrying both the innocence and strength Keith knew all too well.

Keith knew exactly what kind of dream this was.

He had counseled colleagues and subordinates about it before.

A wet dream.