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I Became the Mastermind in a Dark Fantasy Chapter 11

Sugar Cubes

1.

 

The moment I heard the word <Yellow Dragon>.

 

[Condition met.]

 

[Accessing part of <Black Wolf>’s memories!]

 

With the bright blue system window, memories of <Black Wolf> surfaced vividly as if they were my own.

 

I found myself in the center of a forest turned into chaos, sitting alongside someone.

 

– So, what’s your plan now? Or rather, what’s your command, Captain?

 

I gazed calmly at the shattered, decrepit hut and opened my mouth to respond.

 

– You said your mercenary name was <■■>, right?

– Yes, that’s correct.

 

After a moment of thought, I gave my reply to the white-haired man with his sturdy build.

 

– Then, I’ll go by <Yellow Dragon>.

– Pfft! Aren’t you just copying me?

– <Yellow Dragon> should protect the sun, and <Black Wolf> should protect the moon.

– Wow, you really do only say what you want, don’t you?

 

From that day on, I began mercenary work with <■■>, whom I had accepted as the fifth member.

 

Starting as an F-rank mercenary, we solved increasingly major incidents and climbed to S-rank status in just a month.

 

– Co… Congratulations.

 

Receiving the congratulations of the dumbfounded branch manager of the Mercenary Alliance, I claimed my mercenary badge.

 

And that very same day.

 

– You’re the lowest-ranked among the Ten, right?

– Damn, can you go easy on me?

– I’ll try my best.

 

I dueled ■■, the tenth member of the Great Ten, and emerged victorious, entering the ranks of the Ten with pride.

 

– I thought you’d go easy! You broke my bones!

– Where’s my next opponent?

– Man, you really only say what you want.

 

One by one, I challenged, provoked, and defeated the other members of the Great Ten, even dragging out those who were reclusive.

 

As a result, within another month, I took the top spot among the Ten, setting an unprecedented record.

 

That night.

 

– I’ve heard plenty about you. I have a rather challenging request to make.

– The Yellow Dragon shall fulfill the will of the sun.

 

And thus, as <Black Wolf> and <Yellow Dragon>, I took the first step in protecting the sun.

 

“…This bastard really lived a colorful life, huh?”
“H-Huh? Captain?”

 

Ignoring Ruby’s flustered expression, I swallowed down the rising anger that had surged within me for the first time in a while.

 

I wanted nothing more than to grab something and punch it.

However.

 

– Han!? Did you get into another fight?

– No.

– You promised not to lie.

– Sorry. Actually, I did. But that bastard started it by mocking me for being an orphan, so I beat his shins with an aluminum bat.

– Aha! So that’s why you didn’t have enough money for my hospital fees this month?

– …Sorry.

– It’s okay! I’ll just die a little earlier!

– Ah, no, I’ll figure something out…!!!

 

Times like those never ended well, so I barely managed to calm myself.

 

Then, I noticed the faintly glowing blue system window before my eyes:

 

The next Bad Ending <6.???> is set to trigger. A <7> day grace period has been granted.

 

Stay calm.

There’s still enough time.

 

“One step at a time.”

 

Regaining my composure, I turned my gaze to Ruby, who was still frozen in shock.

 

“Ruby.”
“Yes, Captain!”

 

I needed to assess the strength I currently possessed, as well as the contents of <Babylonia Full Content> and <Encyclopedia>.

 

On top of that, I had to plan for upcoming events, strategize as <Black Wolf> and <Yellow Dragon>, and determine how to best utilize <Black Wolf>.

 

With so much piling up, what I needed most right now was.

 

“I’m going out for a walk.”
“Oh! I’ll join—!!”
“No. Alone.”

 

I needed some time to myself.

 

In our code, <Walk> was synonymous with operating as <Yellow Dragon>. Understanding this, Ruby frowned and questioned me again.

 

“By yourself?! For how long?”
“About a week should suffice.”
“A week?!”

 

Ruby grabbed my hand the moment I finished speaking.

 

“A <Black Wolf> without its Captain?! Do you know how dangerous it’ll be with the rabid dogs running loose?!”
“It’ll be fine. It’s only a week.”
“Do you remember the last time you left for just two days as <Yellow Dragon>? Vice-Captain took three members and obliterated an entire kingdom!”

 

Ah. Of course, I don’t remember that.

 

“When you were gone for half a day, Luna hypnotized an entire city! Oh, and there was that time Peter started a cult! Do you have any idea how hard I worked cleaning up after all that?!”

 

Yikes. She really had it rough.

 

‘But more importantly… how did she clean that up?’

 

Ruby.

Maybe she’ll be more useful than I thought?

 

‘Well, anyway.’

 

Thanks to Ruby’s complaints, one thing became clear.

 

‘If I leave, I need to assign some tasks.’

 

Initially, I had planned to train in seclusion while traveling, gathering power and information and devising future strategies. But now…

 

“We had to sell the mansion and move into this shabby place because of all the aftermath!”

 

An uncontrolled <Black Wolf> was truly a pack of rabid dogs.

 

So, the question was.

 

‘What should I have them do?’

 

Would they obey an order to simply stay put?

 

“Then I command you all to do nothing.”
“Do you remember what happened the last time you gave that command? Ruby sent her subordinates to raid the Mercenary Alliance headquarters while just ‘staying put’!”

“…Ruby, that’s you.”
“Heheh. Correct.”

 

Ruby, please.

 

‘What the hell am I supposed to do now?’

 

Should I just hole up in the <Black Wolf> base, investigate, make plans, and wait?

 

No, that’s too risky.

 

If suspicions arise, or worse, if my identity is revealed, they’d come at me with bloodshot eyes like Ruby here.

 

Not only do I have to act as <Black Wolf>, but I also have to work as <Yellow Dragon>.

 

I massaged my throbbing temples, staring blankly at the faint light of dawn breaking through the cracked walls of the hideout.

 

Ruby, with her long crimson hair swaying, leaned closer with a sly smile.

 

“Anyway, Captain.”

 

Thud.

 

Her pale, slender fingers pressed against my chest, gently pushing me toward the stairs.

 

“You know, don’t you? Without you, we <Black Wolf> members would all be dead.”

 

Thump.

 

My fatigued body sank onto the staircase, and a wave of weariness washed over me.

 

In the still-dark hideout, the wind whistled through cracked walls, carrying the faint scent of roses.

 

Instinctively following the fragrance, I raised my head to find the crimson-haired woman standing there, leaning in with a soft smile as she whispered:

 

“So please, don’t leave us.”

 

Even if it’s—

 

“Even for a single moment.”

“…”
“…”

 

A profound affection.

 

And an equally profound madness.

 

It was like staring into the deep center of a blood-red rose.

 

“Alrighty then!”

 

Ruby suddenly broke away, standing firmly as if shaking off the madness, and laughed.

 

“Think it over carefully. It’s just a week, right? Do you really think we can’t manage without causing trouble? Wherever you go, you always come back to embrace us, don’t you?”

 

…Isn’t that right, Captain?

 

 

Was it just me, or did that question carry a faint hint of unease?

 

I nodded and stood up.

 

‘Right now, the priority is understanding my current strength, organizing information, and completing the task assigned to <Yellow Dragon>.’

 

Understanding my strength and organizing information wouldn’t take more than half a day. The real issue was the mission given to <Yellow Dragon>.

 

But even that—

 

‘If I carry it out with the fifth member of <Black Wolf>, <■■>, it won’t take more than a day.’

 

Accounting for a day of rest, I informed Ruby.

 

“I’ve shortened my leave to three days.”
“It’s shorter, sure, but still… three whole days?”
“That’s enough. I won’t entertain further objections.”
“…Yes, Captain.”

 

Accepting that this was my final decision, Ruby lowered her head, visibly resigned.

 

“And don’t worry about the members. I’ll assign tasks to keep them occupied for the three days.”
“…!”

 

Ruby’s dimming eyes sparkled red once more.

 

Meeting her gaze, I spoke the order I had carefully decided upon.

 

“Cleaning and repairs.”

 

I just want to live in a clean place for once.

 

Ruby surveyed the hideout before nodding seriously, her expression grave.

 

“You’re right; it’s about time we cleaned up. I’m sorry, Captain. I should’ve taken care of this sooner. Oh, was it you who handled the last batch?”

 

Recycling?

I nodded without hesitation.

 

“Yes. I issued the order after holding back for a while, but it’s still a mess.”
“You’re absolutely right. Cleaning and maintenance should be done regularly. This is on the members.”

 

Damn it, Ruby…

 

I was almost moved to tears at having a member finally realize the importance of cleanliness.

 

“I’ll let the others know. Don’t worry and have a safe walk.”
“I will. I trust you. I’ll be back.”
“…!!”

 

I cancelled what I said about her being crazy.

Just as I was about to leave the hideout—

 

“Oh.”

 

I remembered the sugar cubes I’d stashed for a quick energy boost before bed.

 

In my previous world, snacks were everywhere, but here, even a small sugar cube was a luxury.

 

Moved by Ruby’s newfound appreciation for cleanliness, I handed her a cube.

 

“…What’s this?”

 

Ruby clutched the small square like a squirrel, her eyes sparkling as she questioned me.

 

I chuckled and replied.

 

“Take your time. Savor it slowly.”
“…Seriously? …Understood. Absolutely understood.”
“…?”

 

What’s so hard to understand about taking your time to eat it?

 

‘Well, at least she seems satisfied…’

 

Skill List – Yellow Dragon

– Passive: Sun’s Blessing (Ex).

– Skill 1: Solar Annihilation (Ex). (New!)

– Skill 2: (Access Restricted).

– Ultimate: (Access Restricted).

 

Now, time to test my newfound strength.

 

2.

 

A few hours after Nahan left the hideout of <Black Wolf>.

 

“Ugh… Is it time to eat yet…?”
“Sister, I really can’t move…”
“Don’t whine, Luna. I’ve already been lenient.”

 

As always, the <Black Wolf> members gathered for breakfast.

 

However, what awaited them was not the usual warm morning, but a bloody woman.

 

“You’re all late.”

“Where’s the Captain?”

“First, please take a seat.”

 

Suppressing her rising madness, Ruby gestured toward the seats, but Lactea ignored her entirely and repeated her question.

 

“Where is the Captain?”
“Haah… So, let me explain—”

 

Shing.

 

Before Ruby could finish her sentence, a blade was unsheathed, grazing her cheek.

 

“—!”
“…Hic. Guess she really held back.”

 

Han-Ryang and Luna opened their eyes wide.

 

Lactea posed the question again.

 

“Where is the Captain?”

 

Gulp.

 

A thin line of blood trickled down Ruby’s cheek from the shallow cut.

 

Ruby’s eyes slowly shook and deepened as she licked it with her tongue,

 

– I trust you. I’ll be back.

 

As the Captain’s voice echoed in her mind, the rising anger subsided, and a smile returned to her lips.

 

“He went out.”

“For how long?”
“Three days.”

 

That was all Lactea needed to know.

Rising from her seat, she made her decision.

 

‘I’ll go find him.’

 

This time, she would not lose track of him halfway. She would follow him to the end, staying by his side through every moment.

 

“He said he’d go alone.”

 

Her voice grated on Lactea’s ears, but she endured it.

 

– Protect <Black Wolf>.

 

It was a promise she had made.

 

Click.

 

Just as she was about to don the mask the Captain had given her as a gift and leave the dilapidated hideout—

 

“He ordered cleaning and repairs.”

 

That irritating voice again.

 

“He said he’d endured it for a while, but even so, it’s still filthy and needs proper attention.”

 

The content was not something she could ignore.

 

“…Han-Ryang. Luna. Didn’t I tell you last time?”

 

Lactea’s icy golden eyes shifted toward the two.

 

“If the Captain is ever disappointed in us again, I’ll kill you all and then kill myself.”

 

It wasn’t a joke.

 

The chilling aura of death flooded the room.

 

“W-wait, calm dow—eep!”
“No way! I’m not dying!”
“Hahaha… Didn’t I tell you, Captain? Three days is too long.”

 

Ruby quipped with a bitter smile.

 

All the members, except Lactea, instinctively stood and backed away.

 

Gulp.

 

Ruby swallowed nervously as she thought to herself.

 

‘Oh, that look. She wants to stir things up more, but if she does, we might really die.’

 

Rustle.

 

From her pocket, Ruby retrieved something and slowly placed it on the table.

 

“Seems the Captain was frustrated enough to leave us a hint before departing.”

 

It was a sugar cube.

 

Its edges were slightly rounded from being touched, its surface smooth, with faint traces of melted sweetness.

 

The scattered gazes of the members sharpened, locking onto the object. Ruby picked it up again, a sly grin on her lips as she added.

 

“He said, ‘Take your time. Savor it slowly.’”

 

The bewilderment on Han-Ryang’s face.

The pale fear on Luna’s.

Even Lactea’s ever-stoic expression all began to shift.

 

““‘Take your time. Savor it slowly.’””

 

Sinister smiles began to spread across their faces.

 

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I Became the Mastermind in a Dark Fantasy

I Became the Mastermind in a Dark Fantasy

다크 판타지의 흑막 수장이 되었다
Score 8
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2025 Native Language: Korean
I didn’t know. “We killed all the trash just as the Captain wanted!” “He told us to take care of it, so we cleaned it all out.” “Order. Carried out─with utmost resolve.” I just thought they were a bit ... dim-witted. “Kyahaha, Captain, can I kill more!?” Not that they were S-rank monsters.

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