Several changes occurred after I defeated the boss of the Kataroff Dungeon, the Lumoahaze.
First, I received the clear reward.
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Acquired clear reward: <Sword of Raging Flames>.
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The weapon I held was a sword with a blade dyed a deep, vivid red.
It looked powerful enough, but since I already had Puppeteer, I doubted I would ever have an occasion to use it myself. Still, there was no reason to refuse a reward, so I took it.
The second change was the appearance of a teleportation circle on the floor—a way to escape to the surface now that the boss was dead.
"If I step on this, I can finally go outside, right?"
『That’s right, Master.』
At its confirmation, I stepped into the center of the circle.
Immediately, the array began to emit a blinding, incandescent light.
『Someone is here.』
Puppeteer suddenly muttered.
"What?"
I tried to scan my surroundings, but the light from the teleportation circle was so intense that I couldn't even see a few inches in front of my face.
However, there was no doubt about it—someone was there.
My <Appraisal> skill had reacted.
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<??????>
Unappraisable.
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The result told me nothing; since it was listed as "Unappraisable," their true identity remained a mystery.
Then, in the next heartbeat, the scenery shifted.
The teleportation had been a success.
Kataroff Village.
It was the place where I had been born and raised.
A small settlement with a population of less than three thousand, its primary industry was the dungeon. Since the Kataroff Dungeon sat right at the center of town, the village thrived on the business brought in by adventurers who came to conquer it.
Because of that influx of outsiders, the streets were lined with weapon shops and taverns.
I had lived my life here as a simple farmer.
But because of my silver hair, I had been subjected to constant, systemic persecution.
Silver hair was a mark of shame and a target for hatred. Long ago, the Alcusians—the race that had betrayed humanity to side with the Demon Race—possessed hair of that exact color.
I would never forget the humiliations I endured for years in this village.
The villagers threw stones at me so often that I was never without a fresh injury.
The fields I spent my days desperately tilling were constantly trampled and ruined by someone.
My taxes were set higher than anyone else's, stripped away by greedy hands.
I was always impoverished, never knowing the comfort of a full stomach.
It was because of that poverty and malnutrition that my mother collapsed and died.
And then, there was my childhood friend, Namia. I could never forget her.
Namia was the only person who ever took my side.
She shielded me when stones were thrown, and she would secretly bring me food when I was starving.
That same Namia was eventually forced into an engagement with Dalga, the village chief's son.
I remember that day vividly.
Namia told me she loved me and begged me to run away with her.
I agreed. That night, I went to her house to elope.
I don't even want to recall what happened next.
I witnessed the most hideous, soul-crushing sight imaginable.
Afterward, I was framed for the crime of raping and murdering Namia. The villagers conspired together to pin Dalga’s crime on me, using the teleportation circle to exile me to the Dungeon Depths.
And now, at long last, I was back.
"Hey, look! A Dungeon Returnee appeared!"
"Someone actually cleared the dungeon!"
Voices drifted toward me from the surroundings.
I remembered then that the village had a pedestal designed specifically to receive those who conquered the dungeon. Emerging onto that platform in a pillar of light had signaled to everyone—even those who didn't know me—that a conqueror had arrived.
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Skill points have been consumed.
Conditions required for Level Up have been met.
The skill <Master of Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer> has leveled up.
Master of Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer Lv2 ▶ Master of Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer Lv3
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Silently, I allocated my skill points and raised the level of my primary skill.
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Acquired derivative skill <Brutal Predator>.
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"Wait... isn't that Kiska?"
"Don't be ridiculous. There's no way that piece of trash could conquer a dungeon."
"No, look at him! That silver hair... it's definitely Kiska!"
The crowd began to buzz with agitation.
It seemed they were finally realizing that the man standing before them was the same Kiska they had exiled to the depths of hell.
"Hey, Puppeteer."
『Yeah? What is it, Master?』
"Do you remember what I told you about how these villagers treated me?"
I had previously shared the details of my past with my sword.
『Of course. They're a truly revolting bunch.』
"I conquered this dungeon with everything I had, using my hatred as my only fuel."
『I know. You did great.』
"But I was actually a little worried. I was afraid that when I finally got my chance for revenge—when the villagers were right in front of me and I had the power to tear them to pieces—I might hesitate. I was scared that I wouldn't have the courage to hurt them, that I’d just freeze up and do nothing."
I thought back to the time I tried to feed Ageha to Puppeteer. I had been so overwhelmed by guilt that I could only retch on the spot.
I had been terrified that the same thing would happen when I faced the villagers.
『Well, your chance is here. How do you feel right now?』 Puppeteer asked, its voice laced with dark amusement.
I spoke my truth without a hint of doubt.
"I feel like killing every last one of them."
『Kyahaha! That’s what I wanted to hear!』
Puppeteer’s laughter rang out.
"<Brutal Predator>."
As I spoke the name, Puppeteer shifted its form.
The blade transformed, warping into a massive, grotesque monstrosity specialized for a single purpose: consumption.
"You can eat them all."
"Time to feast!"
My long-awaited revenge had finally begun.