Chapter 616: A Dungeon Manager’s Pride
Ah, yes.
But only if he could keep his companion’s eyes open long enough for a greeting.
Ollie had been truly forced into the simulation chamber with everyone, including Luca, who wanted to observe how the others were doing after some time of training.
The very first run turned into a marvelous spectacle. To their collective shock, the famous mop actually endured ten whole minutes more inside. Ten! Considering how long it had been since his last attempt, everyone was floored.
But what surprised them wasn’t just the number—it was the condition of the blonde and the absurdity of their strategy.
For one, this was the first time any of them had seen someone talk the entire way through the suppression simulation.
Yes.
One chipmunk and one mop were gossiping like washerwomen while the others sweated blood.
They whispered privately about how Luca even came up with this idea, and how Ollie, of all people, had ended up as a Dungeon Manager.
"Brother, what even is a Dungeon Manager?" the blonde gasped out between gritted teeth, his entire body trembling as if trying to resist an earthquake. He was struggling, yes, but his curiosity flared so wildly that he felt he might actually die if the answer wasn’t given.
Luca blinked, calm as ever despite the intensity of the chamber. "Well, brother, I’m not entirely sure either. But according to D-29, it’s basically a position that has access to the system of the dungeon."
The onlookers blinked at the two, whom they couldn’t hear, but whose gestures were impossible to miss.
This was the suppression simulation. The chamber that wrung people dry and left even hardened soldiers feeling like rag dolls.
And these two were having a casual Q&A session in the middle of it.
"..."
Meanwhile Luca’s mind drifted back to the long nights he had spent testing external piloting methods. Three different approaches, three different disappointments.
Not failures, exactly.
Because they worked.
But they drained far too much spiritual energy for his liking, and the lag was noticeable. Generally, it would’ve been fine, but considering who was going to use it and the strain it would put on both Ollie and Kyle, the golden-eyed experimenter felt he couldn’t settle for just that.
That was when D-29 had interrupted him, voice chiming proudly inside his head.
"Host, why not just use D-64 for the mecha while maintaining remote access?"
Luca had blinked. "Wait... that’s possible?"
"Of course, Host!" D-29 sounded smug, as though this was the most obvious thing in the world.
But Luca frowned, conflicted. "But I was really hoping to make this for Ollie... If D-64 is used this way, then how could he work with Ollie when normally the little one only communicates with us?"
There was a pause. And then, with the kind of triumph only a system could muster, D-29 declared:
"Then Host, why not just promote Lord Ollie as a Dungeon Manager!"
"...A Dungeon Manager?" Luca echoed in shock.
"Yes, Host!" D-29 answered with glee. "Although really it is more of a supervisorial position, since D-64 is still incapable of using most managerial functions."
Luca tilted his head. "Supervisorial position...?"
"Yes! Something similar to Steward Han, Host! You remain the Owner, I remain the Manager of Managers, and then Steward Han and Lord Ollie can act as supervisors!"
"Wow, although why is it called a Dungeon Manager when it’s really a supervisor?" Luca murmured, his golden eyes widening. "But more than that, is that really possible, even though we still can’t access D-64’s dungeon?"
D-29 wanted to protest that, of course, it’s just a title because the systems are the true managers! Right?
Right?
However, the little system opted to answer the other question, as it was also unsure why the creators would use that term when it was clearly false.
"Well, yes, Host. But the only real benefit for now is access to D-64’s inventory, which is separate from your main dungeon’s inventory. Of course, since you own it, you can access it too!"
"...Ah, I see." Luca tapped his chin.
"But then again, Host, it only opens a communication channel," D-29 added importantly. "It doesn’t actually teach D-64 how to fight."
Luca’s brows knitted. "Hmm... if that’s the case..." He thought hard, until suddenly his eyes brightened. "Then maybe it’s better to start teaching D-64 about this directly."
Somewhere in the training hall, Sid—faithful guardian mecha—froze. He shivered as though something dreadful was slithering his way. True terror, however, was still waiting for him, because Luca had just remembered something.
"If D-29 and D-64 like learning through dramas," Luca mused out loud, "then why not show D-64 superhero shows?"
D-29 was wondering what that was, but the host seemed excited; therefore, it should be a good idea!
Sure enough, what a brilliant idea—for everyone but Kyle Nox.
Because Kyle was clearly going to be the unlucky one who had to live with the consequences of a hyperactive, superhero-inspired D-64.
Meanwhile, Ollie was listening intently to his brother’s story, his big eyes watery. Luca remembered him. Luca had given him something important. Him!
His chest swelled with pride. He had not just been given a task. He had been given a title.
Of course, D-29 still had to remind him about seniority. "Lord Ollie must remember, you are the lowest-ranked manager in the family tree."
Still, the blonde didn’t care.
"Brother," Ollie sniffled, his voice cracking, "did you really give me something this important just so I could communicate with D-64?"
Luca smiled softly. "Yes, brother. But you’ll still have to practice with D-64. It only opens a line for communication. Your thoughts can come through, just like mine do with D-29, but that doesn’t really mean it would translate into action."
"I will! I will!" Ollie shouted, chest puffing up proudly. His ears twitched like antennae, glowing with determination.
Dungeon Manager. Even if he was technically the lowest-ranked, he was still a manager.
Actually, about that, Luca had once asked if it was possible to have more than one manager.
D-29 answered promptly, "Yes, Host, it is possible."
But D-64, the smaller system, buzzed nervously.
So D-29 had to explain that "Host, multiple managers might confuse D-64, and too many thoughts at once might be mistaken for prompts!"
However, more than this, the little system was concerned about something more alarming!
D-29 couldn’t help but puff up in protest. "Host, more managers?! What about me?! Are you planning to replace me, Host?!"
Luca blinked in alarm. "Replace you? No! Of course not, D-29. You’re a good manager."
The little system went quiet for a beat, then hummed smugly, clearly satisfied with the praise.
But Luca, who never stopped thinking, asked anyway, "Still... could I maybe add Xavier or my parents?"
That suggestion nearly short-circuited the system. D-29 thought long and hard before finally replying, "The Duke and Duchess could technically be added. But the Benefactor? No."
"What? Why not?" Luca asked, genuinely surprised.
"Because your seas of consciousness are already tied together," D-29 explained hastily. "Formally binding would be like... double-binding to the same core. It seems like it’s not allowed, Host!"
Luca’s golden eyes widened. "Oh! So that’s why Xavier could technically access more functionalities. But even then, he can’t be formally recognized as a manager because he’s already recognized?"
"Exactly, Host! You understand perfectly!"
Then D-29 lowered its voice ominously. "As for your parents. They are also bound, so one parent would work...but Host, if you promote one parent... won’t it cause a problem with the other?"
"!!!"
Luca froze. His face drained of color. He had not considered that.
That’s right. It wouldn’t be fair. If he promoted his mother but not his father—or his father but not his mother—he might start an intergalactic domestic dispute.
The thought alone made him shiver.
"No, no. Let’s not risk that," Luca muttered quickly. "Maybe it’s fine for now. I’ll focus on giving them worthy mechas instead."
For one, he knew his mother’s mecha was definitely going to be customized once she allowed him. That was certain.
But it still left him with a very big problem.
One that he felt was best to consult with his brother.
Luca straightened and turned toward Ollie with shining eyes. "By the way, brother, I was hoping to consult with you on something!"
Obviously, even if Ollie was struggling in the simulation, a good big brother would always be able to answer questions. So he puffed up his chest, smacked a hand over his heart, and declared, "Sure, brother! What is it? Let me help you!"
It was then that Luca carefully explained his concern.
He had been wracking his brain for days about one major issue: he could not find suitable beast cores. Not just any cores, either. He needed S-grade cores or higher for the S-ranked soldiers, as well as his family and friends.
In reality, this was a problem for everyone in the Empire. Not that anyone would concern themselves with this, since to everyone else, it was practically an impossibility. But the impossible was currently the problem of one Luca Kyros. Where in the Empire could someone find such things aside from the front lines?
Oliver Mylor listened, his mop of blond hair bouncing as he clenched his jaw like a man being told the greatest tragedy of their time. His fists shook. His teeth gritted. His eyes glimmered with intensity.
And then... he spoke.
"Well, brother... why don’t you just buy them?"
"...Huh???" Luca blinked.
"Yes, brother." Ollie leaned in with all the wisdom of his twenty-something years. "Couldn’t you just buy them from the Trove?"
There was a pause.
Then—
Oh.
OH.
OH YES HE COULD.
"!!!"
The realization hit Luca so hard he nearly fell over in the middle of the chamber. His mouth dropped open, his golden eyes widened until they shone like twin suns, and he stared at his sworn brother as if Ollie had just descended from the heavens with the solution to all problems.
Meanwhile, Ollie only crossed his arms, smugly nodding as if he had solved the Empire’s greatest crisis with one brain cell.