Chapter 45

Even in dungeons, cleaners exist.

Not as a metaphorical expression, but real cleaners.

Their role is to prevent the dungeon from being overrun with monsters by disposing of the corpses inside and maintaining a certain level of cleanliness.

Most of them work legally and are called “White Cleaners.”

If they slightly step into the illegal zone, they might delete records found in the dungeon to allow the first discoverer to monopolize them completely. This is still barely legal.

But wherever you go, there are always people who cross the line entirely.

Some remove evidence of crimes committed in the dungeon, while others go even further and sabotage dungeon raids.

While the former is debatable, the latter makes you question whether they should even be called cleaners. Regardless, such individuals are collectively referred to as “Black Cleaners.”

Before making contact with a mysterious group suspected to be cleaners, Amon spoke to his party members.

“From what I see, those people seem to be Black Cleaners. What do you all think?”

[I agree. That’s not equipment cleaners use.]

Using the Water Buffalo Tanker’s telepathy, the Mute Sniper speculated.

The other party members felt the same.

Only Cash, who had faced less bullying in the party, was the sole one to bet against the odds.

“If I win, you all owe me 5 dollars each.”

With such trivial talk, the party approached the cleaners.

Amon, holding a sword in one hand, waved the other and greeted the cleaners.

“Hello. By any chance— Yikes!”

Before he could finish, an arrow flew toward Amon’s head.

Amon dodged the arrow and glared at the cleaners.

One of the cleaners was aiming a crossbow at him.

“Seems like they’re Black Cleaners.”

And they’re really shady.

As if affirming Amon’s words, the cleaners charged at the party.

*

A warrior with a hand axe targeted the Mute Sniper.

But the sniper didn’t even glance at the warrior.

“Moo!!”

Thud!!

The Water Buffalo Tanker, armed with a shield, punched the axe-wielding warrior in the temple.

The warrior’s body spun through the air and flew far away.

The shockwave from the flying person ruffled the Mute Sniper’s bangs.

Unfazed by the wind pressure, she pulled the trigger.

Bang!

A cleaner aiming for Cash’s back crumpled forward as if his spine had snapped.

After successfully sniping, the Mute Sniper activated Invisibility and relocated.

While moving, she didn’t forget to thank the Water Buffalo Tanker.

[Thanks.]

“Don’t mention it!”

The Tanker gave a thumbs-up and proceeded to dismantle the cleaners’ formation.

Meanwhile, in another area, the Ogre Heavy Weapons Soldier was busy crafting bombs.

Once he made them, the Bisexual Mage used Psychokinesis to hurl the bombs.

Boom!

The unreasonable bombardment sent cleaners flying.

“Ooh… Artistic! Explosions might be the true art…!”

The Bisexual Mage muttered dangerously, while the Ogre chuckled in agreement.

The once numerous group of cleaners had now been halved.

One cleaner shouted,

“Why are these guys active on this floor?!”

Despite appearances, the cleaners were skilled enough to operate between the middle and lower levels of this dungeon.

They were confident they could eliminate any party they encountered on this floor without leaving evidence.

Their decision to attack Amon’s party without hesitation was based on their assessment.

But they were mistaken.

The hunters were Amon’s party.

Though the cleaners felt a bit wronged.

‘When we scanned them, they weren’t this strong!’

The basic rule of survival in this world is to pick your battles wisely.

That’s why those who engage in shady business usually equip themselves with scanning devices or magic eyes.

From their perspective, Amon’s party’s combat power was unremarkable.

Their enhancements were at the level of a mid-tier party, and their equipment was what mercenaries active on this floor would use.

The Mute Sniper had received many enhancements, but she wasn’t a significant threat.

Moreover, Amon, who had no enhancements, was effectively excluded from their calculations.

They thought the odds were in their favor.

Until Amon decapitated two warriors in one go.

“Get him!”

“How can’t we take down just one guy?!”

Amon weaved through the cleaners, harvesting their heads.

The odds were definitely in their favor.

But Amon was a variable strong enough to flip those odds.

The cleaner party, bewildered by Amon’s unfamiliar movements, was swept away without a proper response.

“He’s not enhanced, right? Then what’s that?!”

“I’ve never heard of that kind of Essence before!!”

They knew about the Essence, <Sky Step>, which allowed double jumps in mid-air.

It was unexpected to find someone with that Essence here, but it was still within the realm of possibility.

But steps that almost resembled teleportation or sudden zigzag movements? That was unheard of.

Without even imagining it could be an application of Sky Step, they feared an unknown Essence.

One cleaner, unable to stand it, shouted,

“Bring the flamethrower!”

“He dodges bullets! What good will that do?!”

“I have a plan, so just bring it!”

The cleaner opened the flamethrower’s fuel tank and spilled it on the floor.

The fuel soaked the corridor.

Without considering his comrades, the cleaner threw a lighter into the fuel.

Whoosh!

The sound of air igniting filled the corridor with flames.

Not only Amon and his party but also cleaners who didn’t get the signal were caught in the blaze.

Aaaah!

Cleaners writhed in pain, rolling on the ground.

Even with fireproof suits, they weren’t immune to fire.

“Behind me!”

The Water Buffalo Tanker led the party to a corner, using his shield as a firewall to protect them.

The cleaner who caused this situation looked at the flames with satisfaction and said,

“Now’s our chance. Let’s run.”

They had already shown their faces to Amon’s party, but survival was more important.

Without hesitation, he turned and prepared to flee with the remaining comrades.

“That much fire should melt their shoes. They won’t be able to chase us.”

He assumed Amon’s Essence was related to his shoes.

Just as they were about to escape,

A dagger pierced through the flames.

Before the cleaner could react, the dagger pierced his forehead.

He died with wide eyes.

The cleaners’ gazes turned to where the dagger came from.

Amon leaped through the flames.

Their eyes naturally fell to Amon’s shoes.

His shoes were clearly burnt.

The soles of his feet, red and blistered, were visible.

But Amon had just performed a Double Jump.

They couldn’t understand the situation, but one thing was clear.

They couldn’t defeat Amon.

As the cleaners panicked and collapsed, Amon’s grumbling reached their ears.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch. It’s so hard to balance looks and performance. This equipment is all limited edition. How am I supposed to replace it…?”

Brushing off his blood and soot-stained clothes, Amon approached.

Before the cleaners could say anything, a flash of light passed through their necks.

***

After the flames subsided, Amon reunited with his party.

Limping with his freshly roasted soles.

The party members worried about Amon’s condition.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Cash looked at him with concern.

Amon shook his head.

“I’m not okay. It hurts like hell.”

After his side, now his soles.

The pain was just as intense, sending a sharp ache to his brain.

Since it was a nerve-dense area, it was maddening.

Hearing this, the Ogre Heavy Weapons Soldier comforted Amon.

“I’m an elite Ogre. I know about burns. Pain means second-degree burns, which means your nerves are alive! Congratulations! It’s a recoverable wound!”

“Thanks for the comfort.”

“But if it gets infected, it’ll be a headache. Someone will have to carry you to the exit.”

The Ogre looked around the party.

His gaze landed on the two vanguards.

The Water Buffalo Tanker shook his head.

“Sorry. My shield arm’s a bit melted from blocking the flames. My fingers and arm nerves are acting up. It’ll be hard to carry anyone.”

Naturally, their eyes turned to the remaining person.

“Me?”

It was Cash, the spear wielder.

She pointed at herself and said,

“I’m a girl, you know?”

Of course, it was a joke.

As she said this, she handed her spear and equipment to other party members to prepare to carry Amon.

Amon hesitantly climbed onto Cash’s back.

Though it looked awkward, Cash had no trouble carrying him.

From Cash’s back, Amon joked,

“Usually, I’d be the one carrying you for the picture-perfect scene.”

“That’s a stereotype. Why can’t a girl carry a guy?”

“You just said you’re a girl.”

“Because I’m a girl, I can do it.”

“Sure, sure. You’re amazing, Miss Heroine.”

With such trivial banter, Amon clung to Cash’s back.

While carrying Amon, Cash adjusted his position a few times—

“Hey, hold on properly. You’re not clinging to me, so it’s not working right.”

At her words, Amon reluctantly clung to Cash’s back.

Amon’s chest pressed against Cash’s back, and naturally, his head rested beside hers.

Amidst the smell of gunpowder and blood, the scent of Amon’s sweat reached her nose.

“Ugh.”

“What, do I smell?”

“It’s bearable.”

“Sorry. Do you have any perfume or cosmetics?”

“Would I bring that to a dungeon?”

“True.”

As the scent of Amon’s sweat reached her brain, her body began to heat up reflexively.

It wasn’t a reaction of love but more like the effect of consuming alcohol.

But outwardly, Cash showed no change.

Apart from a slight stumble in her step, she was the same as always.

Before setting off, Amon paused the party.

“Ah, right. Before we leave, shouldn’t we investigate what the cleaners were trying to destroy?”

“I’ve already taken care of that, so you should just focus on getting to the surface.”

The Bisexual Mage waved his hand, and the party headed for the exit.

Afterward, Amon’s party reached the exit without further issues.

On the way to the hospital, with Amon in the car, the Ogre at the wheel spoke up.

“Before we leave the dungeon. There’s something I’ve been meaning to say. Can I say it now?”

“Go ahead.”

The Bisexual Mage in the passenger seat encouraged him.

“We’ve successfully completed our mission. Our party doesn’t have to disband now.”

“Are you saying that to set us up for failure?”

“…Huh? Is it because of me? Sorry.”

Hahaha!

The Ogre’s honest apology made everyone in the car burst into laughter.

Amidst the lively laughter, the car headed to the hospital.

The party members, who had feared failure, truly opened their hearts to each other.

Unfortunately, the distance to the hospital was too short for deep conversations.

Setting aside heartfelt talks for later, the party dropped off their leader at the “hospital.”

Before leaving Amon, the Water Buffalo Tanker asked worriedly,

“By the way, do you have insurance?”

“I do, so don’t worry.”

This was part of the deal with the 3 Dollar Group.

In exchange for a monthly royalty of only $10,000, they covered Amon and Sonia’s insurance and medical expenses.

Given that Amon expected to get injured often as a mercenary, this was a benefit he secured by significantly reducing his royalty.

Once treated at the hospital, money would come through the Vatican, so there was no need to worry.

Though the details were unclear, the Mute Sniper caught the nuance that Amon wasn’t worried about money.

[With your equipment and Essence… are you the Chairman’s illegitimate child?]

“Of course not.”

[Phew, that’s a relief.]

At Amon’s answer, the party members collectively sighed in relief.

And so, Amon clung to Cash’s back as they headed to the hospital.

And just like last time, as he lay in the hospital bed…

“Amooon!!!”

Sonia, drenched in tears and snot, burst into the hospital room.

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