Salome didn't entirely know what happened to a Dungeon Master's subjects when they died, as she hadn't experienced such a thing before. But, from what the voice had drilled into her head, they would simply perish, their cores destroyed by loss of connection to their mortal tether.

Well…

Salome didn't exactly get that explanation.

However, she'd felt the disappearance of the forces around her, which confirmed the claim's authenticity.

All of the regular chameleons sank into the ground and disappeared as if they were never there, along with the Champions, as well as most of the Chameleon Warriors…

But that was the problem.

'Most…'

For some reason, some warriors had stuck around after their king's death and were now fleeing. Of course, Salome couldn't see them in the darkness, only sense their Aether.

Salome quickly activated her Dawn's Eye, but it was too late.

Whatever remained had successfully retreated.

With nothing she could do about it, Salome just returned her look toward Toy and where the king had fallen. Salome's gazed landed upon the empty throne to see that the king's body had disappeared; all that was left of it were his spear and crown.

Finally, she walked around to the other side of the throne and spotted the Dungeon Core… a colorless one that had lost all radiance.

"Toy, come carry this. Vale said he needed this thing intact… so don't drop it."

***

Vale had waited for bad news to come as it seemed to so easily recently, but was pleasantly disappointed when by the time Salome returned, not a single challenger had invaded the dungeon in the meantime.

Vale gleefully greeted them upon their return and grew especially ecstatic upon seeing the dormant Dungeon Core nestled in Toy's hands.

He'd already known of their victory due to the system. But it seemed they managed the task with relative ease.

'To think Toy dealt the killing blow…'

Everyone, including Ximena and the tied-up Awilix, took shelter in the core room while all of the remaining warriors and workers stood guard in the single passage.

When they got there, Vale took the core from Toy's hands and did as Wrath had instructed the first time they met, and simply tossed it inside his. The moment the pearl-like ball collided with his glowing pink one, it exploded in an array of sparks, and a glorious message rang in his ear.

[Your dungeon has consumed Nascent Aberrant Dungeon Core]

[+100 Aether]

[Hidden condition for ascension: (1/4)]

'I get 100 Aether too?!'

'Hell yeah!'

Vale sat down on the throne with a delighted smile on his face.

"No."

As for the hidden conditions…

One was a core of the same rank. Another was satiating his core to its maximum capacity. The third was challenging a certain Level. As for the fourth…

Wrath had told him it was a unique case for each, and he had to figure it out on his own.

Vale took a peek at his status page before he started the discussion of what to do with the spoils of war.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Name: [Valentin Laurent]

Title: [Fifth Advent of Lust]

♡♡♡

Dungeon Class: [Vice]

Dungeon Core Rank: [Nascent]

♡♡♡

Aspect: [Lust]

Class: [Vice]

Core Rank: [Nascent] - (28/700)

♡♡♡

Aether: [766]

Satisfaction: [29]

Traits: [Rudimentary Shapeshifter] [Charm] [Ember of Lust]

♥︎♥︎♥︎

While not necessarily in the best mood, everyone seemed relieved it was over. Well… almost everyone.

Vale didn't exactly know what happened, but the cat was in pretty bad shape.

Awilix gagged and restrained, a crystal splint on her ankle, squirmed around on the floor with tears in her eyes, pleading for freedom. But the damage she could cause to her own body was enough justification to keep her restrained for now — at least until Salome healed her further or she was supplied Aether.

Besides… the kitty, no matter how injured, was bound to rush for her reward the moment she got freed.

'I hope she doesn't mind semantics…'

Vale scanned from left to right before giving his terse preamble.

"Good job, everyone..."

Salome was the first to respond with a delighted look plastered on he face, as if she'd already forgotten the atrocities that brought this victory.

"Yes, we all performed splendidly. Even you, Little Owl."

Or more so, Salome didn't even seem to see her own actions as an atrocity — instead, just a tactic. In any case, it wasn't healthy for Vale to dwell on such a topic in his mind. So, he shelved the trauma to face it at a later date…

Perhaps some 'coitus' would ease his Inner tumult.

Ximena, battered and bruised, just rolled her eyes and kept her distance to spare them from her unrestricted cold.

In fact, speaking of their states… All of them were dripping in blood except Toy!

…But nothing they could do about that at the moment.

'When everything settles down, a good wash in the river would feel nice.'

Too bad it was probably cold and too dangerous an endeavor for the cave dweller.

Vale smiled and looked over at the 766 Aether he had to spend…

"I believe some rewards are in order…"

At the word reward, Awilix's pointy ears stiffened, and she began squirming, trying to worm her way toward Vale, but all Salome had to do was place one foot on the fabric and press down slightly to quiet her.

"First… Ximena. You did exceptionally well, and if I counted correctly, you had the highest kill count. As for what you'll get… in lieu of making sure your power doesn't hurt our allies until we are equipped to deal with it, I will bestow you only 100 Aether. I will do it later, of course, so you can keep the fabric around Awilix."

Awilix thrashed some more.

Ximena had a stoic expression topped with an icy glare, but it was clear the glare lacked hostility. In fact, the owl looked pleased with such an outcome.

Ximena closed her ruby eyes and performed a curtsy.

"Thank you, Master Vale."

To relieve her of her depleted state just a little, Vale allotted 2 Aether to her, and immediately the temperature of the Core Room dropped a degree. Ximena reopened her eyes and stood straight once again.

As for why he said 'only' 100… Well, her efforts amounted to much more than that. They'd all be dead if it weren't for her.

"Next… Salome. I assume you understand why, but you are being allotted 50 Aether."

Since she was out so often and had already consumed a bunch on her own, she didn't need much.

Salome flapped her wings lightly.

"Thank you, Vale."

Ximena's gaze drifted to the demoness, her icy glare piercing to her soul for showing disrespect to their venerable master.

"Toy… while you didn't see any fighting in the defense, you did well to hold your post. Then, you also killed the enemy Dungeon Master. Sadly, I am unable to award you Aether… but we did gain quite the quality weapon that may be to your liking."

Vale pulled out the halbard from the Nexus of Beginnings he'd found on the floor. Then, he got up off the throne and gestured it toward Toy.

[You have equipped SR-rank item: Iron Plea]

The tiny green goblin's emerald eyes lit up, literally, as she gazed upon the polearm taller than herself.

"Thank you so much, sir!"

[You have unequipped…]

Toy set down her sword and took the halbard in her hand with surprising ease.

"Finally… Awilix. For your efforts and the risky nature of your position, you will be awarded 200 Aether for your contributions along with your… reward."

The golden light in Awilix's eyes gleamed, and her tears of sorrow twisted and morphed into tears of elation.

Vale transferred the 200 Aether, and a moment later, Awilix's eyes went wide, and she began making progress toward freedom.

In fear that her fabric would be torn to shreds by the unruly cat, Ximena recalled the strip, except for a little piece she had let rip off to hold the crystal splint in place.

Awilix spat out Salome's stocking that was in her mouth and screamed in joy.

"Finally! Now, come here!"

Salome just chucked then stretched out her hand and latched onto Awilix's forearm.

"One second, kitten, we're not done."

Awilix spun and confidently sent a swipe toward Salome's face, but despite the new strength, Salome was still much stronger, especially so without Eclipse involved.

"Vale, there are two pressing matters… One is that the resources gathered by the chameleons remained in their dungeon, so we should take efforts in transporting all that precious material."

Then, Salome's eyes narrowed, and her fangs gleamed.

"Second… some bastards remained even after their king had faded… I assume you know the implication?"

Vale's eyes went wide…

"I did face a peculiar enemy who'd rather commit suicide than let me kill it…"

Ximena spoke up next:

"Oh? There were a few like that on my end as well."

Vale sat back down on the throne:

"No. Not much we can do at the moment except begin investigating and bolster our forces… but we can decide a proper course of action after we relax. I think we could all use… a change of pace."

Awilix was the first to scream as she fought Salome's grip:

"Does that mean I can get my reward now?!"

Vale gave Awilix a half-amused, half-guilty smile.

"Of course, you can have allll you want, just like I promised."

"Yay!"

Vale stifled his laugh.

"Salome, give her all she wants."

"At your behest, Vale."

The cat froze and lethally turned to face the horned demoness, who had a devilish smile plastered from ear to ear.

"What?"

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