The Strongest in the Game by Dominating Monster - Chapter 60

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Monster Domination: Game’s Strongest Episode 60

 

Following the spirit’s guidance, they arrived at a place not far from the fortress’s boundary.

 

At the entrance of a small mountain, there was a valley with quite a wide embrace.

 

This seemed to be the source of the stream that flowed around the fortress, as the rushing water crashed against rocks and echoed refreshingly.

 

“Right here, Master! This is the perfect land for cultivating Yukgwa!”

 

The Tree Spirit seemed utterly delighted with the new territory, tumbling through the air unable to contain its joy.

 

Woof! (The refreshing scent of water is really nice!)

 

Rookie felt the same way.

 

The creature wagged its tail furiously, then without giving anyone time to stop it, splashed into the cold valley water.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Kairen nodded with a satisfied smile and raised his gaze toward Garuda circling overhead.

 

“Garuda. What about the monsters in the area?”

 

[There are quite a few. However, most are low-level creatures like Orcs and Goblins.]

 

That wouldn’t be a problem.

 

No, according to his plan, he could easily handle even greater threats than that.

 

A meaningful smile crossed Kairen’s lips.

 

‘This might actually work out well.’

 

As he nodded while recalling Ello’s peculiar tendencies, an unexpected message arrived.

 

[From Lucia: Kairen. Are you busy right now?]

 

It was a welcome name. However, since this was the first time she had contacted him first, he quickly sent a reply with slight surprise.

 

[To Lucia: No, it’s fine. Is something wrong?]

 

[From Lucia: Oh, it’s not that. Could I… see you for a moment right now?]

 

[To Lucia: Of course. If it’s alright with you, could you come to the Ancient Empire Fortress? I happen to be in that area.]

 

[From Lucia: Ah! I know where that is! Yes! I’ll be right there!]

 

Even though it was just a whisper, he could almost hear her bright voice, and a smile naturally bloomed on Kairen’s lips.

 

* * *

 

“Wow…!”

 

A low exclamation burst from Lucia’s mouth as she entered the desolate fortress.

 

It was her first time here, but it didn’t feel unfamiliar.

 

This was the very place where she had watched Kairen battle the massive Minotaur through her screen.

 

The intensity that had made her palms sweat seemed to come alive again, and her palms unconsciously became damp.

 

“You’re here.”

 

Just then, Kairen, who had been surveying the surroundings from the castle wall, approached her.

 

“Yes. But what brings you here, Kairen…?”

 

Seeing her tilt her head in confusion, Kairen scratched his head.

 

Come to think of it, she didn’t know about the Quest he had received from Ello.

 

It was a Quest he had received after sending her away.

 

He was cautious about mentioning it since it might seem like he had sent her away for this Quest.

 

“Actually, after you logged out, I received a new Quest from Ello. But it’s not like I was trying to monopolize the Quest…”

 

“Oh my! Really? Wow! Congratulations!”

 

Making his guilt seem pointless, Lucia’s eyes widened as she rejoiced as if it were her own achievement.

 

A gentle smile spread across Kairen’s face at her pure reaction.

 

The more he got to know her, the more she seemed like a truly good person.

 

“It was a request to find new land for cultivating Yukgwa. And I was considering this place as a candidate site.”

 

“H-here? But this place is…”

 

Lucia looked around worriedly.

 

Though no one lived here, this was Arken’s Territory.

 

It was land owned by none other than a Lord.

 

No matter how close they had become with Arken, she was concerned about whether they could freely use his territory.

 

Reading her concerns, Kairen laughed triumphantly.

 

“This is my land. Arken gave it to me.”

 

“…What?!”

 

Lucia gasped in shock and unconsciously covered her mouth.

 

“D-don’t tell me, back then…?”

 

She stammered as she recalled the meeting with Lady Arken.

 

Come to think of it, the atmosphere between Arken and Kairen had been unusual then.

 

Since she wasn’t directly involved, she couldn’t see the reward messages, but she had instinctively known something significant was happening.

 

However, she thought it had ended with the item that enabled Knight Order Support.

 

But it hadn’t ended there – he had even been granted territory!

 

Lucia’s eyes sparkled at the much larger reward than expected.

 

“Yes, that’s right. I received it as compensation for saving the Lady.”

 

“Wow! Amazing! Congratulations, really!”

 

Once again, she cheered sincerely without a trace of envy.

 

At her genuine reaction, Kairen smiled pleasantly and asked in return.

 

“But what brings you here so suddenly, Lucia?”

 

At his question, Lucia gulped nervously and carefully began to speak.

 

“Um… well… I… please don’t get angry!”

 

Don’t get angry? Though puzzled, he responded playfully.

 

“I’ll decide after hearing what it is.”

 

“What? Oh, that won’t do…”

 

At his joking answer, Lucia looked tearful, then soon sent him a video file.

 

“I… um, when we went to hunt the Troll. I was so nervous that I must have accidentally pressed the recording button. I was going to delete it but… the video was so cool that… I unconsciously edited it… If it bothers you, I’ll delete it right away!”

 

She had edited the video? At the unexpected words, Kairen’s eyes widened and he immediately played the video.

 

“…!”

 

It wasn’t just a simple battle record, but a short film.

 

It boasted a level of completion that was comparable to that video with over a million views – no, from his amateur perspective, it was even better.

 

Lucia’s tense melody bursting forth as the giant Troll’s club struck the ground.

 

The overwhelming scene of the Minotaur summoned through Dimensional Transport appearing with a roar.

 

The process of working together with the Minotaur, Garuda, and Rookie to face the Troll.

 

Every scene was perfectly executed without any excess.

 

“…Did you edit this yourself, Lucia?”

 

“Yes… for now. If you don’t like it…”

 

Lucia fidgeted with her fingers while reading his expression, and Kairen smiled and waved his hand vigorously.

 

“No. How could I not like it?”

 

Where in the world would there be someone who wouldn’t love this video?

 

It was such an excellent video that he dared to think so.

 

And upon discovering her brilliant talent, his heart pounded fiercely.

 

A possibility flashed through his mind.

 

‘NetTube. Maybe it’s not entirely impossible?’

 

They said finding a good editor also required heavenly luck.

 

And he needed heavenly luck plus heavenly luck.

 

Now that he was shackled as a Monster Lord, a relationship beyond just NetTuber and editor was essential.

 

And if that relationship was with her?

 

Wouldn’t that unlock about half of his shackles?

 

He wanted to propose collaboration right away, but he barely held onto his rationality.

 

It wasn’t something to bring up rashly.

 

Though they had grown closer, there was still some distance between them.

 

At minimum, they needed to meet and talk in real life at least once.

 

And he also needed to learn a bit more about her.

 

Instead of his boiling business plans, Kairen made a different proposal.

 

“Lucia. If you have time, would you like to come with me to meet Ello?”

 

* * *

 

On the way to the Kamatra Mountain Range, Kairen casually asked a question while pretending to pet Rookie’s fur.

 

“What kind of work do you do, Lucia? From your videos, your editing skills seem quite exceptional.”

 

“Ah… I just did some freelance video editing work… a little. I’m taking a break now.”

 

“I see, as I thought.”

 

The corners of Kairen’s mouth curved into an arc.

 

Experienced but currently unemployed. Perfect conditions.

 

Acting nonchalant, he naturally asked again.

 

“You must originally like that kind of planning and editing.”

 

“I, I did like it.”

 

“Are you thinking of continuing work in that field when your break is over?”

 

“I, I’m not sure about that.”

 

She said she didn’t know, but she didn’t say she wouldn’t do it.

 

Kairen smiled sinisterly like a professor who had discovered a talented graduate student.

 

In the atmosphere that felt like an interview, Kairen smiled, but Lucia was different.

 

Her expression darkened like an interviewee who had undergone a harsh pressure interview.

 

With her head hung low as she walked, cold anxiety began to consume her mind.

 

‘…Could it be?’

 

The sensation of her heart freezing.

 

‘Did he… recognize me?’

 

No way. I customized my appearance completely different from my real face.

 

That terrible incident was already several years ago. It’s okay, that can’t be it.

 

She desperately tried to comfort herself, but her heartbeat became uncontrollably fast.

 

Past nightmares she had experienced online vividly surfaced. Her fingertips grew cold and her breathing became rapid.

 

It was the moment when her vision spun and she felt dizzy.

 

“Lucia. Are you alright?”

 

Kairen, who reflexively caught her as she staggered, asked with a worried face.

 

His face came close to hers.

 

Strangely, the violently surging anxiety melted away smoothly at those worried eyes that held concern for her.

 

“I’m sorry. I suddenly lost my balance…”

 

“Not at all. I must have been rushing too much. But…”

 

Kairen turned his gaze forward with a quiet voice.

 

“We’ve arrived.”

 

At the end of his gaze, Ello’s cabin could be seen along with a giant tree.

 

* * *

 

“Already?”

 

At Kairen’s words that he had found the optimal land for cultivating Meat Fruit, Ello’s eyebrows twitched.

 

Even when he had entrusted the request to him, he had inwardly expected it would take considerable time.

 

No matter how much of a Monster Lord he was, Kairen was still just a weak adventurer.

 

For such a person to find land that met all the demanding conditions he had set was no easy task.

 

Even if he was lucky enough to find it, obtaining ownership of that place was a problem of a different dimension.

 

Such prime land usually already had owners.

 

“You’re not lying, are you?”

 

At the suspicious look of disbelief, Kairen confidently shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Why don’t you see for yourself.”

 

Provoked by that arrogant attitude, Ello shot up from his seat.

 

“Fine. No need for long words. Guide me right now. I need to see it with my own two eyes!”

 

The three people immediately retraced their steps.

 

When they arrived again at the valley north of the Ancient Empire Fortress, Ello’s eyes became quite serious.

 

He grabbed a handful of soil to savor its scent, dipped his hand in the flowing water to gauge its temperature, and checked the purity of mana flowing in the air.

 

Eventually, a low exclamation flowed from his mouth. This place was beyond sufficient—it was close to perfect.

 

His tail swayed slightly with small joy, but there was still one last problem remaining.

 

“Good. I acknowledge that this place is optimal land. However, how do you plan to guarantee the safety of the spirits and Meat Fruit?”

 

The scent of Meat Fruit was deadly. Even if there were no strong monsters right now, it would surely attract all sorts of creatures before long.

 

“You don’t need to worry about that problem. I’m planning to permanently station forces to protect this place at the fortress you saw earlier.”

 

[From Rain: Baek Jin! Where are you now? Do you have time? I’m trying to repay the favor I received during the war.]

 

As he spoke confidently, a whisper came from her and Kairen couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

She’s no gentleman either.

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