Reverse Dungeon

was a game built around branching routes shaped by the player’s choices. In other words, it had an enormous amount of content.

One such mechanic was the affection system — something you had to manage carefully if you wanted to recruit someone as an ally or subordinate.

The biggest factors affecting affection are titles and reputation.

Naturally, the title [Tyrant] that Ian possessed wasn’t exactly the kind that inspired goodwill across most factions.

It grants bonus charm toward subjugated types and intimidation bonuses against lower-ranking individuals.

During this journey, Ian had never intended to raise anyone’s affection, so he hadn’t bothered managing his reputation either. The three regions where the Life Vessel was collapsing all offered rewards as long as you picked the correct quest routes. A positive reputation wasn’t strictly necessary.

I should’ve raised my reputation at least a little.

The regret came far too late.

Still, there was no point dwelling on it now. He would simply have to work with what he had.

By now, Ian had already grasped a few things about the Elf’s personality. He was the sort of character who valued relationships within the Chaotic alignment. And after everything they’d been through together, hadn’t they formed a fairly solid bond already?

For the moment, Ian decided to play along.

“Did you sleep well? It’s nice seeing the face of a comrade I fought beside first thing in the morning.”

“Oh? So that’s how you see me?” The Elf’s eyes sparkled. “I was convinced my regular customers only thought of me as some useless Elf who gets in the way during battles.”

This guy really does have a talent for noticing completely unnecessary details.

Wouldn’t those instincts be more useful in business? His stat allocation was clearly a disaster.

“How could that be? We survived that crisis thanks to you.”

“Really?” the Elf asked sharply.

Since Ian himself had no idea what crisis they had supposedly survived because of the Elf, he simply pretended not to notice the question.

“Anyway, we’ve fought side by side and risked our lives together, but I realized we barely know anything about each other. Why did you become a merchant in the first place?”

“Hm? Didn’t I tell you already? I’m searching for people who can fulfill my wishes. Business is all about relationships, after all. Traveling around like this lets me meet incredible people — strong people — like my regulars.”

And what exactly is your wish? Scam some easy marks and retire rich?

Ian suddenly felt uneasy. After all, he had already experienced firsthand how the greedy dwarves swindled him while selling Kyarakus memorabilia.

“Ah, so your wish is to become a wealthy merchant?” Ian asked, simplifying it.

“A wish? More precisely, that’s my 128th wish.”

“Why is it ranked so low?”

Did he already know it was impossible?

“Well, most people usually ask about my first wish.” The Elf looked genuinely surprised.

Ian was fairly certain the number one wish wouldn’t be anything special either, but out of politeness, he asked anyway.

“What is it?”

“I’ve lived a very long life,” the Elf replied innocently. “So I want to welcome death.”

...What?

What kind of character setting was this?

Ian didn’t know whether this game even had an ethics committee, but surely a character openly wishing for death wouldn’t make it through ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) review. How was someone like this supposed to inspire children with hope and dreams?

Though, to be fair, this game had never exactly been made for children.

“So you want to die sooner rather than later? You think it’ll be easier that way?”

“Oh! I think you misunderstand.” The Elf smiled brightly. “I come from a noble Elven bloodline. We don’t simply age and die naturally.”

“If you want to die that badly, then just do it.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Ian regretted them.

Wasn’t encouraging him exactly the wrong move?

At that moment, Keith — whom Ian had assumed was still asleep — suddenly spoke.

“That is forbidden. God does not permit such acts.”

“Exactly,” the Elf added. “Don’t you know? People who do that can’t enter God’s kingdom.”

Ian absolutely did not know that.

Honestly, he wished the developers had spent less time writing pointless lore like this and more time fixing bugs and releasing updates.

Keith’s drowsy voice brushed against Ian’s ears, making him squint slightly.

“Lord Ian, though you are God’s chosen one, I have often thought you somewhat lacking in doctrinal study. However, your noble nature and unwavering desire to follow the One Above leave no room for concern. Because of that, even someone as insignificant as myself can still be of use to you. This too must be God’s will. As long as you continue walking your current path, I shall continue to serve you.”

Ding!

[‘Agent of God’ Keith considers you his Savior!]

Why did it increase again?

“Ah... thanks.”

It was gratitude, technically, though not especially useful.

“So basically, you’re wandering around looking for a place to die?”

“More or less!” the Elf replied cheerfully. “I spent my whole life struggling to survive, but now I’ve lived so long that I’m simply exhausted. I want a glorious death. Doesn’t everyone want to end their life in spectacular fashion?”

At last, Ian understood why the Elf merchant insisted on being a merchant despite having stats completely unsuited for it.

A character like this practically screamed main quest NPC. Most likely, he originally belonged to some doomed faction defense scenario. Probably the type who volunteered to guard a hopeless dungeon thinking, If I stay here long enough, I’m bound to die eventually, only to rediscover his will to live through a series of events.

This game really is predictable.

Unfortunately for the Elf, Ian had no intention of waiting around for him to find a proper death.

“In that case,” Ian said with a broad grin, “I know the perfect place for you.”

“Oh? Really?”

“If you join me, you can fight on the front lines where death is practically guaranteed at any moment. What do you think?”

“Oh wow...” The Elf merchant’s eyes sparkled again. “You really are a good person.”

A status window appeared.

Ding!

[‘Wandering Merchant’ Dorian’s affection has increased.]

[Dorian’s affection: 40%]

Why is it still this low?

Ian felt uneasy.

He had rescued Dorian from Kyarakus and even helped clean up that scamming dwarf’s mess, yet the affection level was only this much?

Keith, too, looked at Ian with a conflicted expression.

...Is this really the right way to recruit people?

The method was unbelievably crude.

Of course, Keith personally didn’t care whether the Elf lived or died, so he had no intention of interfering.

Right then, the door burst open.

Bang! Bang!

“Human warriors. The princess summons you.”

It was the mermaid knight.

Finally.

Ian pulled himself away from Keith’s embrace before stretching his arms — the stretch he hadn’t managed earlier.

It seemed the mermaid princess had finally finished deliberating.

In the game, this probably skipped ahead with a ‘Several days later’ screen.

She had reached her decision far sooner than expected.

Not that Ian minded. He had absolutely nothing to do while trapped in this room.

Now it was time to collect the reward.

The group headed toward the throne room.

Compared to yesterday, far more heavily armed guards surrounded the mermaid princess.

She sat high upon her throne, elevated above Ian’s position, making her expression easy to see. Her eyes were swollen and red, as though she had cried for hours, and her complexion looked pale.

Ian paid little attention. She was the sort of character who cried over practically everything.

Still, something about her reaction felt strange.

The moment Keith entered last, the mermaid princess visibly flinched. For an instant, her face looked as though she wanted to flee on the spot.

...?

The princess glanced around anxiously, searching for reassurance. Then she tugged at the sleeve of the nearby mermaid attendant and whispered quietly,

“What if they attack me?”

“That won’t happen,” the attendant whispered back soothingly. “This place is filled with our soldiers. Even the strongest Holy Knight couldn’t possibly harm the princess here.”

Ian briefly considered informing them that he could hear every word.

More importantly, had she just referred to Keith as the strongest Holy Knight?

“But... what if they scold me again?”

“Princess, even if they do, it’s hardly a serious matter.”

“Hm... huh?”

As the princess sat there in a daze, the mermaid knight awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Uh... Princess?”

Her shoulders jerked.

“Huh? Ah, right.” 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

“As you requested, I’ve brought the humans.”

“Thank you...”

The mermaid princess carefully avoided meeting Ian’s gaze as she spoke.

“Human warriors... and Elf warrior. Please forgive my mistake yesterday. Even though I knew you saved our kingdom, I blamed you for matters beyond your control. I deeply regret my actions.”

Ian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Her way of speaking changed.

Her overall demeanor had changed too. Normally, after calming down, this should’ve led directly into the next event with the princess confronting Ian more confidently.

“As an apology... no, as a token of gratitude... I would like to offer you this gift.”

The mermaid princess removed the earrings she wore and handed them to the attendant. The attendant hurried down the steps and respectfully presented the item with both hands.

Ding!

[Mermaid’s Tear (A)]

Summons rain within the surrounding area.

(Casting time varies according to the user’s “Good Deeds” stat.)

Cooldown: 24 hours

The quest reward itself was unchanged.

But the atmosphere felt wrong.

Both the princess and the surrounding mermaids seemed strangely uneasy.

“So... you’re leaving now?” the mermaid princess asked softly.

There was genuine desperation in her voice.

This wasn’t mere politeness.

Ian glanced sideways at Keith.

What exactly did you do?