◈ REAPER SCANS ◈
Translator: Regressed Translator
Editor: leef
Discord: https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
◈ Return of the Disaster-Class Young Lord ◈
Chapter 25 | Advancement (1)
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What lay before it was a forest.
Dense undergrowth, thick trunks, damp earth, and crawling insects—everything was there.
But this place was not truly a forest.
There were no insect noises. The scattered shards of mana stones glowed faintly, and most of all, the sticky mana permeating its lungs and skin made one thing clear:
This was a labyrinth, a place unfit for intelligent races to live.
Run.
Its instincts screamed the command over and over. Yet the beast did not move. It crouched low in the vegetation, watching the far side of the "forest" without so much as twitching a whisker. Then—
Its ears perked.
Rustle.
Four mice emerged from the greenery. Each was the size of a large dog, and bizarre mushrooms sprouted from their heads. They were Mushroom Rats, 1-star monsters.
The beast held its breath, silently waiting.
Twitch.
Then its muscles suddenly tensed.
Thwack!
“Squeak?!”
The beast darted out from the brush in a flash, driving a dagger straight into one Mushroom Rat’s skull. The remaining three reacted swiftly despite the ambush, lunging for its legs, wrists, and neck. For an ordinary person—or even a 1-star awakened—at least one bite wound would have been inevitable.
But…
Glint!
“Sque—?!”
The beast’s pupils shrank, and a chilling light flashed in its eyes. Instantly, the rats froze mid-lunge, like mice before a snake.
The beast wasted no time.
Stab. Slash. Shred.
Necks severed, skulls cleaved, hearts pierced. The Mushroom Rats collapsed. The beast smiled in satisfaction and sheathed its dagger. It seized a carcass, preparing to leave...
“Squeeeak!”
when suddenly, a rat whose heart had already been pierced sprang back up. Its jagged teeth lunged for the beast’s throat, leaving the beast’s eyes widening in surprise—
Thud!
A streak of light shot in, blowing away the mushroom on top of the rat’s head. The creature went limp.
“Let your guard down in a labyrinth, and you’ll pay for it.”
A nonchalant voice came from above.
As if dropping in from the sky, a single boy appeared, wearing a half-mask that covered his eyes. It gave him a strangely blurry impression—hard to recall precisely.
At the sight of him, the “beast” wagged its tail, apparently relieved, but only for a moment. Then its ears drooped in shame, as if embarrassed to have needed his help.
“No need to be so down,” the boy said. “You’ve done well on your own. Look at all you’ve hunted!”
The beast’s ears perked at the praise.
“Really, you have.”
At his words, the Lupin girl brightened immediately, her tail swishing again. This was Orr Kai, a former slave bought from Kettlik.
Dion gently ruffled her hair, then took the dead Mushroom Rats she handed him.
“Oh, these are pretty good catches.”
Slice, slice.
With practiced skill, Dion carved them open, extracted mana stones, and cut off the caps—the valuable “mushrooms” that could be sold. He noticed Orr Kai gazing hungrily at the leftover rodent meat.
“You want to eat the meat?”
She nodded vigorously.
“Not now. Monster flesh is dangerous if we don’t purge its mana using purified water.”
Her ears drooped.
“Hmm.”
Dion paused, recalling how she’d spent most of her life as a cheap slave, rarely getting proper meals. Seeing her so disheartened at missing out on meat, he chuckled.
“Alright, we’ll bring back some meat this time.”
Delighted, Orr Kai bounded forward and hugged Dion, her tail wagging. He handed her a chunk of bloody Mushroom Rat meat, impaled on a stick.
Unfortunately, that meant they were broadcasting the scent of fresh blood.
The labyrinth would hardly tolerate such a reckless act.
“Squeak, squeak.”
Shuffle, shuffle.
Sure enough, within minutes, dozens more swarmed from every direction. Among them was a Mushroom Rat King—a 2-star with the size of a bull.
If a monster like that, capable of rudimentary abilities, attacked in a pack, a typical 1-star awakened party would be wiped out. Even a 2-star party could suffer heavy losses.
Such was the labyrinth—where even a single slip could cost an awakened their life.
“AlD Aid, aDRa.”
Boom!!!
“...Squeak?”
…But that rule only applied to ordinary awakened individuals.
A brief chant resounded, followed by dark arrows piercing the air.
The Rat King’s head was abruptly blown off with a dull thud.
Robbed of their leader in an instant, the rest of the Mushroom Rats blinked in confusion.
Dion, smiling broadly, remarked, “Looks like we’ll be bringing back plenty of meat today.”
◈ REAPER SCANS ◈
Translator: Regressed Translator
Editor: leef
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“Lord Dion has returned!”
“Open the gates!”
Creeeak.
The gates of Sleeping Dragon Manor swung open. The manor formed a square-shaped layout, with an inner gate connected to Fallen Wolf City and an outer gate leading to the outside. As the gate opened, it wasn’t just guards who greeted Dion and Orr Kai.
Dark elves were scattered throughout the courtyard—cultivating the garden, carrying crates, hanging laundry, or preparing hides. Over a hundred of them, along with a handful of slaves, all knelt in unison to welcome him. At the center of the gathering, the only one not on her knees but bowing deeply, stood a dignified dark elf woman.
“Welcome back.”
“I came in a bit early today.”
“Everyone, return to your duties.”
Dion nodded, and Arsha calmly relayed his instructions. The group dispersed and resumed their work. Arsha then turned her attention to the rope from which the carcasses of freshly hunted monsters hung.
“So you brought back meat as well, I see.”
“Yup. You can never have too much food, right?”
“Indeed. Shall I have it processed right away?”
“Yes. And please cook some for our lucky pup tonight.”
“Understood.”
At Arsha’s direction, a few ratmen and dark elves in aprons came to collect the monster carcasses. Overjoyed, Orr Kai dashed to the kitchen with her precious meat bundle. Watching her go, Dion surveyed the surroundings and narrowed his eyes.
“Huh…”
“Is something wrong?” Arsha asked.
“It’s just that everyone has become so comfortable with this manor in ten days. It’s surprising.”
“It’s all thanks to you, my lord.”
“I haven’t really done much. If anything, it’s because you’ve managed the place so smoothly.”
Arsha had overseen supplies, allocated purified water, monitored the labyrinth, organized defenses against monsters, and assigned roles to the newly arrived dark elves, including the injured and newly freed slaves. Dion had nothing but praise for her.
Even so, Arsha couldn’t hide her self-consciousness.
“Are you truly sure I’m fit to serve as this manor’s overseer...?”
“We’ve been over this how many times? Yes.”
“I lack both the ability and the credentials for such a position.”
“Doesn’t look that way to me.”
Dion smiled. He wasn’t basing it merely on her recent performance. He knew Arsha had led a small, fragile tribe for more than a century—that alone spoke to her gift for governance. Besides, she possessed classes like Lord, Civil Official, and Village Chief—all geared toward administering a domain.
She herself had never realized this, lacking the funds to visit the Sanctuary of the Goddess and confirm her potential. But in Dion’s eyes, it was difficult to find a better candidate in all the Hundred Great Houses.
Hence, he added playfully, “Besides, as for your ‘credentials,’ don’t you already have them?”
Arsha looked at him curiously.
“You’re my concubine, aren’t you?”
She froze at the words.
“And you’re such a treasure that even if I take a formal wife someday, you’ll still be the one I dote on the most.”
“B-but I’m older, and a dark elf, and—”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind age or race, especially for someone as smart and beautiful as you.”
Arsha remained frozen in place.
“So I’m counting on you, Arsha.”
She was so flustered that she couldn’t speak for a moment. Amused, Dion stepped closer and slipped his arm around her slender waist, rising onto his toes.
“I’ll cherish and love you a lot, too.”
Smooch.
“E-Eeek?!”
He placed a quick kiss on her ear. Arsha, normally poised, turned bright red.
The dark elves and even some of the slaves either bowed their heads or suddenly found the courtyard very interesting. They all understood how sensitive dark elves’ ears were—and what it meant for someone to kiss them there.
No one criticized Dion’s brazen act. In fact, they reacted quite differently.
To think our dignified clan leader could be made to blush like that…!
No, it’s more that our chieftain has so captivated our lord…!
May their union remain as harmonious as it is now…
Most of the dark elves ardently supported the pair, knowing it was in their best interests as a clan.
Arsha, feeling everyone’s eyes on her, was too embarrassed even to push Dion away. That was when a cold voice sliced through the atmosphere.
“Aren’t you the least bit ashamed of this indecent display?”
“Come on, it’s just a quick greeting between spouses,” Dion replied smoothly.
“Among us dark elves, kissing someone’s ear is indeed quite indecent.”
At last Arsha noticed that disapproving gaze, and froze. The dark elf maid, typically so stoic, was even more flushed than usual.
"So, Ms. Clan Leader," Parsha said coolly, "perhaps you should exercise some restraint next time, even if you’re happy to have married such a young husband."
“P-Parsha, it’s not—I didn’t—”
Arsha, who always had a firm retort prepared, was suddenly at a loss, flustered by her daughter’s icy stare and unable to pry Dion off her. Meanwhile, Dion met Parsha’s gaze with calm amusement.
“Hmm, you’re back earlier than usual. Did something happen?”
"I was on a ‘suicide mission,’ of course, since my so-called Master left me in danger while he toyed with a single mother."
“That’s harsh. I gave you an important task, not a suicide mission.”
With a playful grin, still holding Arsha in his arms, Dion faced his longtime caretaker’s glare. She spoke bluntly.
“How long do you plan on this lunacy?”
“Lunacy? What do you mean?”
“Monster hunting. Even if you’re awakened, the labyrinth can kill you at any time.”
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“You already know the reason, Parsha.”
Parsha frowned but stayed silent. She couldn’t deny the truth he hinted at. Dion snapped his fingers, murmuring a short incantation. A jet-black raven materialized at his side. He grinned.
“Because I’m a high-level awakened now.”
『Achievement: 10 Straight Days of Labyrinth Expeditions』
『Achievement: Another 100 Kills Today』
『Bloodslayer’s special effect is activating.』
『【Dark Mage】☆☆☆ Lv1 → Lv2』
『【Murder Fiend】☆☆ Lv7』
『【Thug】☆☆ Lv6』
『【Monster Hunter】☆☆ Lv3 → Lv4』
『【Petty Thief】☆☆ Lv3 → Lv4』
『You have achieved Lv10 with the classes Leacher, Soldier, Woodcutter, Executioner, Arsonist, Detective, Laborer. Their imprints are now engraved on your soul.』
『You have stolen the traits Vital Point Shift (Un), Crawling (N), Hard Shell (N), Camouflage (N), Low-rank Poison Resistance (N), Low-rank Poison Secretion (Un), Rapid Recovery (Un)…』
………
……
…
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