Taking a closer look, Yami counted.
The swarm of monsters was nearly a hundred strong.
That was more than five times the number of adventurers that had entered.
And worse—there were many first- and second-tier undead that he hadn't even created.
A thought clicked in his head.
"…Ella. Were you the one who summoned these undead?"
The black-clad girl lowered her head respectfully and nodded.
"Yes, Master."
Yami's eyes widened slightly.
So that's it…
Summoned monsters weren't included in the dungeon's natural spawn limits.
Which meant—this was essentially a loophole.
"…Fascinating."
He folded his arms, a thin smile tugging at his lips.
"Ella, what's the maximum number you can summon?"
She paused to think.
"If they are all weak undead… I can summon thousands. If they are stronger, the numbers decrease accordingly."
"The number is determined by the monster's strength…"
"Exactly."
Yami nodded. That was only natural. Still, the potential was enormous.
He then shifted his focus back to the dungeon system. Death notifications were popping up one after another.
[Ding! Acquired dungeon summon opportunity!]
[Ding! Acquired interworld summon opportunity!]
[Ding! The world resolution of Highschool of the Dead has reached 5%. World Gate unlocked!]
But Yami ignored those prompts for now. His eyes narrowed on the afterlife space.
Everyone had already revived—except one.
Only Busujima Saeko remained, her soul motionless in the void.
"…Second death?"
Yami frowned. She had already used her one free resurrection upon her first death. But for a second revival, she would need to pay the price: one hundred magic stones.
And she had none.
[Busujima Saeko has died. Permanently removed from the dungeon.]
The void closed around her.
Saeko stood silently in the endless darkness.
This was… it.
There was no true "death" inside a dungeon, not in the way mortals knew it. But without the stones to pay the toll, she was trapped here. A soul without exit. A death without return.
Her lips trembled faintly, and her thoughts betrayed her.
…Rei.
Miyamoto Rei. She had fallen as well, and yet—despite having no stones either—Rei had revived.
Why?
What made her different?
"You seem… confused."
The voice did not echo in her mind like the system's cold chime.
No... this voice came from behind her. Smooth, calm, and human.
Busujima Saeko turned slowly.
Out of the abyssal dark, Yami Tsukishiro emerged, faint light curling around him like mist.
Her lips moved before she could stop them.
"…Master of the Dungeon."
Yami walked closer, each step echoing softly in the void. A faint smile traced his face. He raised her chin gently with one hand, forcing her to look up.
"'Dungeon Master' isn't a very flattering title. Just call me… Master."
"…Master."
The word slipped out before she could resist. Saeko's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't meant to say it—her body had moved on its own, her voice carrying her obedience against her will.
Heat bloomed in her lower abdomen as Yami's hand traced slowly downward. From her chin, along her neck, brushing over her chest, sliding across her stomach—until it stopped at the hem of her uniform. He lifted it lightly.
On her smooth skin, a silver heart-shaped crest shimmered faintly with pink light.
"From now on," Yami murmured, "you'll live in this dungeon… as my slave."
"..."
Saeko's body trembled—not with fear, but with undeniable submission. She could feel it in the way her blood reacted, in how her skin seemed to obey him before her mind did.
But her personality would not allow her to show weakness. Instead, her voice remained steady, almost unnervingly calm.
"…Rei was resurrected because she became your slave, wasn't she?"
Yami's brows lifted, faintly impressed.
"To think you'd deduce that so quickly. Interesting."
He tilted his head, studying her.
"I dragged you here at the moment of your death to confront me directly. Aren't you afraid?"
"Fear is useless."
Saeko crossed her arms beneath her chest, her eyes unwavering.
"I've already come this far. Instead of panicking, it's better to learn what I can… and use it."
"…Hah." Yami's smile deepened.
"Good answer."
He held up three fingers.
"Since you're my slave now, I'll allow you three questions. That's more generous than most Masters would be."
He lowered one finger.
"Your first answer: yes. Rei Miyamoto was the first. You're the second."
"…As I thought." Saeko's eyes narrowed. Her suspicions had been confirmed.
She thought carefully before speaking again.
"Then… my second question. Can we return to our original world?"
Yami's gaze turned unreadable.
"…Not yet."
The blunt reply made her frown faintly. His tone was honest, but the lack of certainty gnawed at her. Still, she did not press further.
Finally, she asked her third question.
"…Master. Are you a god, a monster… or something else entirely?"
"…Human."
The answer came without hesitation.
Saeko blinked. Of all the possibilities—demon, devil, god in disguise—human was the last she expected.
"…Human."
Her lips tightened slightly, but she didn't argue.
Yami lowered his hand.
"Your three questions have been answered. Go. Return, and continue your path."
And just like that, his figure dissolved back into the darkness.
Saeko stood in silence for a long moment. Then, wordlessly, she began the resurrection ritual.
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