Netherborne [An OP Monster Isekai]

Victor wondered how he could gain access to the Grand Dungeon over the last few days. Yet he had gained three different ways in the last half hour, first with the enormous undead worm. That name is far too long. How about Wiggles? The name sounds endearing enough to help distract me from how monstrous it is. Anyway, Wiggles should be able to create a tunnel into the Grand Dungeon. Otherwise, how did it get out in the first place? Unless it was mutated outside of the dungeon by ambient mana.

The second option was raising the dragon corpses and flying his way in, although this plan had significant flaws. First, if the dragons could detect or smell an undead creature, then his puppet dragons wouldn’t be able to breeze through the entrance and enter the lower floors. Second, if what Genus said was true, then the central area around the Grand Dungeon’s entrance was controlled by powerful noble families. Third, neither the green- nor red-scaled dragon gave off noble vibes like the chrome dragon, so it’s unlikely that Victor could sneak into the dungeon on their backs.

Victor looked at the chrome dragon from Stealth with delight. This oversize lizard would be his living puppet that would exchange everything they knew for some near-unattainable, aloof goal. Throne? Conditions? None of that mattered. All Victor needed was a passage into the Grand Dungeon, and everything else should fall into place…hopefully. What he had was destructive power, something the chrome dragon lacked. Meanwhile, Victor lacked knowledge, especially about dragon society, which this golden dragon had a lot of and was willing to share.

“My conditions are simple.” Genus straightened up and listened to his fate. “First, I require access to the Grand Dungeon. Then, once we reach the lowest floor, I will help make you king. Second, we rescue that slave girl or you find me a replacement. Finally, once you are on that throne…” Victor paused as his ancient voice echoed through the land. “You will be my puppet and obey my every command.”

Genus Arcgold lowered his head. The conditions were rather steep and risky. Although the prison cells were inside the Grand Dungeon’s first level, they were heavily guarded. Genus was also banished to the lowlands by the Arcwing family and told never to return, so getting into the Grand Dungeon would be difficult. The chrome dragon gulped as he tried to formulate a plan. The conditions seemed reasonable on the surface, but each of them was near impossible for him to accept. Even the last one hurt his pride. Becoming a puppet king would be more miserable than death…

Luckily, Genus Arcgold saw the massive, undead worm retreating into the depths below and had an idea. The chrome dragon raised his head and looked at the empty area where the shadow had last been. “These terms are acceptable, although I can only guide you toward the Grand Dungeon and tell you where the prison cells are. Unfortunately, I have been banished to the lowlands, so showing my face around the entrance is far too risky.” There was an awkward silence, so Genus took the risk and suggested his idea. “Although the dungeon walls are enchanted with dense mana, a creature of that magnitude may be able to tunnel through a weaker section.” He pointed a claw at the enormous hole left by Wiggles as it returned underground. “We could get close, create a tunnel into one of the upper levels, rescue the human, and then make our way down. But…”

“But what?” The ancient voice tickled the dragon’s ear, causing Genus to twitch in annoyance before answering.

“We will be fugitives when we step inside, especially once we break into the prison. A few Senior dragons sleep near the prison gates, and the only way we could rescue that human is by…killing them. Unfortunately, the death of a few Senior dragons would cause a few Elders to make a move, and they may chase us down the dungeon… Once we reach the bottom, we will have nowhere to run.”

Victor knew this would be the case. “Will the dragons chase us even if we don’t rescue the human?”

“Yes.” Genus nodded. “They will notice a new gap in the dungeon and investigate. Of course, we will be chased down regardless, but they will be slower to respond if we avoid any killings. Unless you have a way to rescue the human without killing the Senior guards?”

That was a good question. Victor did specialize in infiltration with his Stealth and Spirit Movement, allowing him to sneak around and phase through walls. Victor was confident he could sneak into the prison without an issue, but could he get Alice out as well?

“Possibly,” was his eventual answer. “Will have to see how the situation develops when we arrive. So do we have a deal, hatchling?” Victor planned to work this gullible dragon to the bone. He knew the dragon had no option but to accept. If Genus denied the deal, he was dead, and even if Victor let him go, Genus was condemned to a life of wandering the lowlands away from the mana-rich lands, meaning he was doomed to stay as a weak dragon forever.

Genus lowered his forehead and shouted into the ground. “I, Genus Arcgold, hereby pledge my loyalty till my death and honor the agreed-upon terms. May I know my master’s name?”

Victor pondered. Should he be known as Victor to this mortal world? Or perhaps he should have a new name? I plan to remain lowkey and avoid revealing my race for now. At least until I gain some more trust and information. Since all they know is my voice…perhaps Voice would be a good name? He decided that would work for now. “You may refer to me as Voice for now. May our partnership be fruitful and long.”

Victor decided to recreate the shadow avatar but with more detail this time. The face remained hazy except for a permanent smirk and two glowing blue eyes. The avatar’s outfit also changed to one with a top hat, medieval-style suit, and cane. It lacked intricate details as it was all black, but the overall outline was there. This gave Genus something to direct his questions to, as shouting out into the empty forest was a bad practice if Victor wished to build some trust between him and the dragon. The avatar approached the golden chrome dragon with light steps. Genus Arcgold followed the avatar’s movements with its rainbow-colored gem eyes and lowered its head. Victor floated next to Genus and could reach the top of his head, but his avatar had to float up and hover beside the dragon’s car-size head.

“Shall we go?” Victor was impatient. Genus nodded and walked toward the massive tunnel in the ground left behind by Wiggles. Victor had ordered the earthworm to head toward the most significant source of mana underground and then find a weak point.

As the chrome dragon nervously stepped down into the dark tunnel, Victor cast Consume on the two dragon corpses. Wasting stats on raising them from the dead felt pointless for now, especially since he planned to kill those Senior dragons at the prison anyway. How could I let such bundles of sleeping stat points escape?

With an evil chuckle that made Genus’s blood run cold, Victor followed into the dark tunnel and headed toward the Grand Dungeon.

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