Among the 36 adventurers who had taken the orc-hunting quest, went missing, and been corrupted by cursed weapons, only 24 had been rescued.
The remaining 12 were declared missing by the guild—or, more accurately, presumed dead, regardless of the grim truth.
Although their remains were never found—only their weapons and gear left behind in the dungeon—they were officially declared killed in action, presumed to have died and later absorbed by the Dungeon Core to sustain its mana.
The lack of corpses wasn't the main concern—it was who they had fought, and who had killed them.
Given the dungeon's nature—with no respawning monsters and only abandoned cursed weapons—there were only two likely possibilities:
It was either the orcs who had built their nest inside the dungeon—undead or otherwise—or the corrupted adventurers themselves, driven by cursed weapons to attack anyone not under their influence.
"You want a freaking title?... Then how about the title Dungeon Murderers?!"
Lynn's declaration forced the 24 surviving adventurers to confront the grim possibility that they may have killed their own comrades.
None of them clearly remembered what happened while under the cursed weapons' influence. But all vaguely recalled fighting someone, and a few faintly remembered defeating—or perhaps even killing—someone. Be it monster or adventurer, they weren't sure.
That recollection silenced the 24 adventurers—along with everyone else present at the guild hall.
Except for one person, of course.
Wearing a triumphant grin that clashed with the solemn mood she had created, Lynn spoke up.
"But it's not like I can't feel all your despair…"
With her earlier fury now replaced by what the quick-witted would recognize as mock reverence and fake tears, Lynn made an offer to the adventurers still unwilling to accept the guild's decision on the official Dungeon Conquerors.
"…So I'm willing to relinquish our title as Dungeon Conquerors—"
She raised her voice slightly for emphasis.
"—to anyone who can defeat Mr. Arezu."
At the center of the makeshift stage stood Lynn, flashing her usual mischievous smile as she pointed down toward the crowd.
There, among the gathered adventurers, stood Arezu, staring up at her in disbelief—annoyed and irritated by the conflict she was dragging him into.
A challenge for the right to bear the title of Dungeon Conqueror.
After the uproar at the guild, Lynn and Arezu were now heading out to prepare for the challenge.
Representing the Dungeon Conquerors, Lynn had made the offer, and the dissatisfied adventurers had accepted. Arezu was now forced to participate in a duel to defend the title—scheduled within the next few days.
It wasn't as if Arezu couldn't simply refuse. He didn't particularly care about the title. But as far as he understood, Gwen—being a heroine candidate—needed it to solidify her achievements.
And since Gwen had gone off somewhere, Lynn used that as leverage against him, implying that if Gwen lost her rightful title, it would be his fault.
Or at least, that's how Arezu interpreted Lynn's smug grin as she glanced back at him while they walked through the capital's shopping district.
"Lynn… You…"
"My, my… Did you miss me that much, Mr. Arezu?"
Arezu's frustration was met with Lynn's usual teasing.
With a heavy sigh, he tried to reason with her.
"I don't even have a weapon to fight with in this challenge..."
"That's why we're heading to Mr. Broody's shop."
Her reply reminded Arezu of the halberd-axe they had commissioned from the old dwarf blacksmith before their orc-hunting quest. The one paid for by pawning Alex's twin swords.
"It should be finished by now," Lynn said, before adding a concerning remark. "Though, I suppose we won't be needing what he made."
As they continued their morning walk, Lynn brought up another matter—something she had specifically asked Arezu for.
"So, where is it, Mr. Arezu?" she asked, turning to walk backward in front of him, hands held out expectantly.
"Fine... here, just take it."
Despite his grumbling, Arezu placed a paper bag in her hands.
"Then I gladly accept your offering," Lynn said sweetly, satisfied he had complied with her written request.
It's not that Arezu was worshipping her or anything. The "offering" in question was simply breakfast.
Arezu had understood her message: bring something to eat, since they were meeting early at the guild.
"To present such a thoughtful offering… I'm impressed," Lynn said, continuing her playful tone but genuinely surprised by his choice.
But what she assumed were expensive, exotic meat cutlets were actually cheap croquettes.
"It's nothing fancy. Just something the inn's selling right now…"
"Mhm! It tastes… different… but definitely good…"
"Oi, don't eat everything! Leave some for me."
By the time they had finished the steaming croquettes, they arrived at their destination.
"We're here to collect your debt, Mr. Broody!" Lynn announced theatrically at the entrance to Broc's weapon shop.
Arezu, meanwhile, was quietly admiring the displayed weapons.
"I don't owe you, or anyone, a damn thing, impudent girl!"
"But you certainly do!"
Ignoring Lynn, Broc turned to Arezu.
"What's she talking about, boy?"
"She means the halberd-axe we commissioned from you, Mr. Broc."
"At least you've got manners. Wait here."
Broc disappeared into the back room and returned moments later with the weapon—crafted based on his rough estimate of Arezu's fighting style.
It was no ordinary halberd-axe, but an enchanted one.
Broc explained and demonstrated: the steel shaft was reinforced for durability, the front axe blade forged in iron for weight and impact. While the front axe blade was ordinary, the rear scythe blade was enchanted.
Channeling mana into the weapon, Broc activated its enchantment—causing the scythe blade to extend sevenfold.
It's more of a scythe than a halberd, Arezu thought, eyeing it with growing unease.
"That's what 20 large gold coins gets you. Now let's see you try it."
Taking the halberd-axe with both hands, Arezu's anxiety deepened.
Lynn, meanwhile, grinned mischievously, silently urging him to test the weapon.
So she already knows, Arezu thought, noticing the glint in her eccentric eyes.
He hadn't meant to keep secrets from Lynn—especially not this one—but avoiding attention and trouble was always safer. Still, as a party member, she had the right to know.
With that resolve, Arezu channeled mana into the halberd-axe—or more precisely, extended the domain of mana within his body into the weapon.
—Crack!—
The weapon broke instantly.
The shaft and axe blade cracked, the scythe blade shattered into pieces.
Arezu sighed in regret, genuinely sorry to have ruined a finely crafted weapon.
Broc stared, dumbfounded and speechless, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Lynn, as always, seized the moment for flair.
"My, my… I guess we won't be needing your services anymore, Mr. Broody," she said with a triumphant grin, mocking the old dwarf blacksmith.
"What…?"
As Broc stood there, lost in confusion, Lynn cheerfully pushed Arezu toward the exit, tossing one last remark over her shoulder.
"Have your apprentice make a normal halberd-axe for Mr. Arezu. And as for the payment... just take it out of the 20 large gold coins you owe us."
"Wait... Get back here, you two! Explain what just happened!"