Monster Company Tycoon - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Monster Company Tycoon
Chapter 17
“So Ragnar defeated the Demon King?”
“You’re saying he’s an old friend, yet you don’t even know that?”
“Oh, well… I suppose we just don’t talk about such things much.”
My chest tightened at the thought of being suspected of a false identity, but to my surprise, Luadis simply let it pass.
“I see. You must be one of those types, then?”
“One of those types?”
“People like us who’ve adventured for so long often find themselves thinking in unusual ways.”
Adventuring? So Luadis was an Adventurer herself.
That would explain why she was an instructor now.
“Sometimes we set aside our Adventurer’s identity and long for the life of an ordinary person instead.”
I was startled by this unexpected confession.
“As part of that, we might separate our relationships—the bonds we form as Adventurers and those we form as ordinary people. To the latter, we deliberately avoid bringing up anything related to our adventures.”
It seemed clear that Luadis had misunderstood my situation. But I found no reason to correct her.
Since I knew nothing whatsoever about Ragnar, having no knowledge was the perfect excuse to mumble my way through uncertainty.
Apart from the open grounds, the Training Ground was fairly modest, and I finished the tour quickly.
About a dozen young Adventurers around Teon’s age and newly fledged novices were pouring sweat into their drills.
“I’m sick of this. How much longer do we have to hit this Wooden Dummy?”
“I want to kill real Monsters already.”
They certainly had plenty of complaints.
The moment Luadis fixed them with a look, they clamped their mouths shut and returned to their drills, though their enthusiasm seemed to wane.
This Village had become famous in the surrounding regions as the starting point for novice Adventurers, thanks to the Training Ground, and Luadis herself boasted a long career as an instructor.
In game terms, this was essentially a beginner’s town or tutorial village.
After the tour, Luadis led me to a wooden stump table tucked in the corner of the grounds.
“Now then, tell me. I doubt you came just to show me around the Training Ground.”
At last, we were getting to the real matter.
There had to be a reason Ragnar specifically told me that Luadis was someone I could trust.
Perhaps it meant I should be honest about our circumstances to some degree.
A place where potential customers for our Dungeon gathered.
In other words, this was a client I absolutely had to cultivate.
‘I’ve never done sales before, so I’m a bit nervous.’
I felt Brownie tugging at my hair as if to cheer me on. There had to be a gentler way to offer encouragement.
“The reason I’ve come here is…”
How could I win Luadis’s cooperation?
In games, tutorial quests often connect to beginner-exclusive Dungeons.
These feature low-level Monsters with simple attack patterns, helping players develop their Practical Combat Sense.
So then… couldn’t our current Dungeon serve that role as well?
“I believe we might be able to provide a place where your novice Adventurers can develop their Practical Combat Sense.”
“Practical Combat Sense?”
I’d need to reveal my secret to persuade Luadis.
Just then, my eyes met Ragnar’s as he was instructing the children. Seeing him nod silently, I found my courage.
“First, I should say that I’m not a heretic or anything like that.”
“Tell me. I’ll listen without prejudice, whatever it is.”
Even after I’d mentioned heresy, Luadis spoke without hesitation.
I realized I was already being trusted, simply because Ragnar had introduced me.
“There is a Dungeon near this Village. I have entered into a contract with the Demon King and am managing that Dungeon.”
Luadis opened her mouth as if to speak, then caught herself and gestured for me to continue.
It seemed she was actually willing to hear me out!
“First, I should give you a detailed explanation of our enterprise—or rather, our Dungeon.”
I stood up from my seat and switched into presentation mode. It would have been perfect if only I had a whiteboard behind me.
The foundation of any deal is trust. I’ll tell you everything, without omission or exaggeration!
Strength—our advantages.
“Our Dungeon is directly controlled by me, a human. The Monsters are very docile and cooperative, with weak combat power. The probability of serious accidents is virtually zero! We offer constant monitoring and even lost-and-found services.”
“…Quite unusual.”
Weakness—our shortcomings.
“However, since the Dungeon only recently opened, our facilities are limited.”
Speaking only of good things might make it sound hollow.
“Unlike other Dungeons, our Respawn Room sits empty, and even after successfully clearing the Dungeon, I cannot offer particularly generous rewards. However, our usage fees are proportionally cheaper, and we plan to gradually improve our facilities!”
The best value Dungeon in town—all for just 100 Won per entry!
Opportunity, 기회.
“How many Novice Adventurers enroll at once?”
“They can enter anytime, so there’s no fixed schedule. Last month we had five.”
“Does the number increase every year? The Training Ground must be cramped if you’re trying to accommodate them all.”
“Adventuring is a popular profession, so it tends to happen.”
“Then this is an opportunity!”
“Hmm?”
“The number of Novice Adventurers is growing, and demand for practical combat training will rise accordingly!”
“…….”
“A stationary Wooden Dummy has limits for training, doesn’t it? Now they could gain genuine combat experience facing living, weak monsters! If you’d like, we could redesign a specialized Novice Adventurer course to match your training manual!”
“How does that even connect?”
Threat, 위협.
“But you don’t necessarily need the Dungeon — there are weak monsters roaming the fields….”
“Of course, you might think it’s more efficient to hunt weak monsters in the field without using the Dungeon. But aren’t you worried that hot-headed Novice Adventurers like Teon might cause trouble again?”
Luadis wore an expression of exasperation. It seemed these spirited youngsters had caused accidents more than once.
“Now we can safely confine them in the Dungeon to temper that youthful fire! Think of it as after-school care!”
“…….”
Was it not quite enough?
“We also offer a pre-visit scouting service. If you’d visit the Dungeon directly and point out improvements, we’ll consider them as a priority!”
“Hmm….”
“That concludes my presentation on behalf of the Hermit’s Dungeon. Thank you for your time.”
“…….”
“Oh, and we have a cute mascot — Brownie.”
“I’m the ancient fairy Brownie! Lowly creature, bow before me!”
After hearing the full pitch, Luadis fell silent, chin resting in both hands as she sank into thought.
“What did I just… hear?”
“Should I explain again—”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
From somewhere nearby, Brownie chattered endlessly about how splendid it had all been.
“I do have a question, though.”
“Yes, please speak freely.”
“Why do you want my students?”
“I’m sorry?”
“The Dungeon wouldn’t welcome Adventurers, would it? Isn’t there something guarding that place?”
That’s how the world understands Dungeons. The reality was quite different.
The Dungeon very much welcomed visits from Adventurers with adequate skill. After all, it needed to stay operational.
“Well… the monsters also need to earn money to survive.”
Luadis’s expression crumpled as though she’d heard something absurd.
“But monsters can’t get jobs in human society, can they? So in a sense, the Dungeon is their workplace.”
Monsters submit resumes and sit for interviews, apparently.
“That’s a perspective I’ve never heard before.”
When you meet and fight, you’re too busy to consider the other side’s circumstances.
But… could monsters and humans even communicate with each other?
It would make sense if they’d once sat down together and shared their true feelings. Wouldn’t that change how Dungeons were perceived entirely?
“So what’s the benefit to your side from having my students?”
“That would be… money.”
There was no need to mention extracting fear.
“Money?”
“Yes, before Adventurers challenge the Dungeon, they place money in the Donation Box, don’t they? That….”
Luadis’s expression shifted to shock once again.
“I’ve always wondered where that money goes — I never thought the Dungeon was keeping it instead of the Temple retrieving it….”
Oh no!
“W-well, actually the Temple does retrieve most of it! We just receive a little incentive, you see. For Donation Box maintenance costs and such….”
“The Temple gives money to the Dungeon?”
“Not directly… we just… quietly let some slip through, and then we pick a bit up for living expenses, that sort of thing…. Yes, well…. If the Dungeon were to deliberately smash the Donation Box, the Temple wouldn’t have much recourse, would they?”
It would be awkward to admit outright that visitors pay an entrance fee every time they enter.
“True enough. Hmm… hearing it this way, the Dungeon doesn’t seem so mysterious anymore.”
“Trade secrets.”
What kind of Dungeon manager would hustle this shamelessly?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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