Reincarnated as a Dungeon Master, I Became Unstoppable by Doting on My Monsters—My Gorgeous Monsters Have Started to Conquer the World on Their Own! - Chapter 11: Alliances, Contracts, and Toasts

“I am Jacqueline Spoonbender, a chimera of human and monster.”

After my initial shock had passed, she informed me of this. Confused, I handed her the seat she had fallen from.

“Thank you.”

Ms. Spoonbender said brusquely. Maybe she’s now embarrassed about having taken off her skirt. But then, why did she remove it in the first place?

“Well, think of me as such a monster. This youthful and cute upper body is from an undead monster, while this aged lower half is human.”

So, monsters don’t age, which is why there’s an age difference between her upper and lower body?

“How old are you now?”

“How rude! But, in the world of monsters, I am relatively young. It’s about a little over 200 years old. Naturally, my human part has long died and doesn’t move, but it’s better than falling apart. I have preservation magic, so there’s no decay or odor, but it’s only a matter of time.”

I didn’t know what kind of face to make in response to her matter-of-fact tone.

“…And what do you mean by ‘turning into a monster’?”

She used to converse animatedly, but ever since this topic came up, her face held a fixed smile, and her tone became monotone.

“Do you know about contract magic?”

I didn’t say, “Yes, I can use it.”

“Yes.”

When I replied, she looked down and said, “I see.”

“Turning into a monster is simple. First, I’d like you, Yuuto-sama, to defeat the master of my dungeon. Then, either through intimidation or some other means, make my master acquire the contract magic and then use that magic to cancel my contract.”

I didn’t expect to be asked to defeat my dungeon master by a monster.

“Why would you want such a thing?”

Upon hearing my query, she gazed back with a determination that seemed impossible considering her prior demeanor.

“To live. That’s why. I’m a failed creation made by the dungeon master in his attempt to create a human. Though, he just used the skills of the undead monster Grimwierd to attach a human corpse. But the real issue is that I might die of old age because I’m partially human, even though I’m a monster.”

You’ve lived for 200 years; that should be enough, I thought but didn’t say aloud. I, too, as a dungeon master, don’t have a lifespan, so I’ve been able to enjoy my everyday life with monsters for years. The longer one lives, the scarier the prospect of death becomes.

“Why not ask your master?”

She chuckled softly again. 

“It’s impossible. Creating humans is his very purpose.”

In Spoonbender’s expression, there was a confident trust that her dungeon master would never give up on that goal. Still, sacrificing others for such a purpose, what’s that about? No offense, but she’s admittedly a failed experiment, so there seems no point in letting her die.

“So, after canceling the contract?”

“Use the same contract magic to make me a monster of your dungeon. As you might guess, once I’m a dungeon monster, various modifications are possible with DP, so please transform my lower half into a monster. Thus, I can bid farewell to these unsightly legs. Of course, I’ll need some adjustments to the contract terms, but you can include safety measures for your side.”

I see. It’s indeed a well-thought-out plan. Plus, she grasped the most critical point in our negotiation.

“I understand your wish, Ms. Spoonbender. Your determination to sacrifice everything for your wish is admirable. Even if you hadn’t had my life in your hands, I might have wanted to help.”

I strongly empathized with her human desire to exchange even her origin and self for youth.

If our goals weren’t aligned, there’d be the possibility of betrayal. But if this is everything to her, we could get along well.

“Yes, yes, of course. That’s why I came here alone. But I’m glad I first came to this dungeon as an explorer. I thought it was a good dungeon.”

Her casual words were so calming that I almost forgot her power over life and death.

“I’m pleased you think it’s a good dungeon.”

I haven’t seen any other dungeons, so I don’t know what constitutes a good one.

“We’re allies. You can call me Jacqueline.”

She paused for a moment, then said bashfully.

“It’s not just because of your strength that you decided to ally with me, right? From what I’ve heard, you don’t seem to have a distaste for monsters. Even if I became a complete monster, you’d still talk to me, right?”

She tilted her head cutely, extending a hand for a handshake. That gesture from someone stronger than me was enough to stir protective feelings and a tinge of vanity. But her comment couldn’t be ignored.

“…Where do you see monsters in my children!?”

They’re so adorable! But Jacqueline stood her ground, raising her voice in protest.

“They look like monsters! The unique monsters here are honestly scarier in appearance than the monsters from other dungeons!”

We were so loud that the monsters from my dungeon started gathering. Biondetta and Anima, particularly proud of their appearances, approached Jacqueline. Understandably, some things shouldn’t be said, especially to teenage girls.

“Look, both Biondetta and Anima are especially proud of their looks. Respect them, even if we’re allies!”

“But Biondetta looks exactly like a bee! And isn’t she a parasitic wasp? Please don’t get too close to me! My upper body is undead; she could lay eggs in me… And Anima, despite being of the Majin race, why does she have just one eye? When she was G-rank, wasn’t she humanoid? How does ranking up change her form and reduce the number of eyes and limbs?”

Anima, a Fahang monster, has only one of each body part. She has one arm growing from her chest, a single eye on her forehead, and only one leg. But that’s her aesthetic choice.

The parasitic wasp monster, Biondetta, has an exoskeleton of silver and amber. I think she looks pretty cool. However, Jacqueline seems displeased. For the record, Biondetta doesn’t lay eggs in people.

“Anima, Biondetta, beauty is subjective. You shouldn’t feel bothered by it… But if you’re that concerned, I can create some beauty products for you.”

When I offered this, both of them hugged me. Jacqueline watched the scene with a look of disbelief.

“If I make a contract, you’ll stop wasting DP on unnecessary things… You throw everything out of whack. …Alright, let’s make the contract before I change my mind. It’s been tough to find a master who meets the conditions,” Jacqueline said, taking out a contract. I quickly read through it, ensuring it matched our previous discussions before stamping my approval.

“Thank you. Now then… ‘What separates man from beast, call it bread and beer,’ ‘To the goddess Denibazi, with utmost gratitude and a feast spanning three generations.'”

Hearing this chant, I assumed she was invoking some contract magic. However, something unexpected happened. She was holding a beer mug, filled to the brim… Is that beer!?

“This is for you, Yuuto-sama.”

She handed me a beer mug. Wait, why? As I looked at her, puzzled, another beer mug appeared out of thin air, filled to the brim with beer. Noticing my astonishment, Jacqueline explained.

“Just as monsters can rank up by killing enemies, humans have their ways of becoming stronger. While humans don’t grow stronger by killing foes, they can offer tributes and form contracts with gods to gain new abilities. Being half-human, I can contract with a deity.”

I was taken aback. I had assumed that humans ranked up via experience points or some similar method. But why was she telling me this now?

“It’s said that a human can only contract with one, maybe two gods at most. The gods wouldn’t allow more, and economically, it’s also challenging. Hence, I chose to form a pact with the goddess of beer, Denibazi. Thanks to her blessings, I can summon a mug and beer anytime.”

She poured the beer until it was almost overflowing.

“Why, though? With the goddess of beer?”

Seeing my shocked expression and question, she simply pushed the beer mug towards me in a silent toast. Raising my face, our glasses clinked.

She smiled contentedly, leaning against her broken wheelchair and taking a big sip of her beer, finishing it with evident relish.

“Phew! After all, isn’t beer the most delicious thing in the world?”

Seeing her joyous face, I thought quitting being a recluse might not be such a bad idea if she was the reason to leave.