Chrysalis Chapter 1708 - Reevaluate

“What kind of madness is happening out there?” Frederick barked. “If any of you are plotting some idiotic, half-baked raid, you had better confess right now so I can kick you in the teeth!”

Standing before him were the leaders of every team remaining in this Dungeon sector, but they met his gaze with nothing but guilty expressions and shifty looks. The only exception was Shamus, who calmly lifted his hand.

A wave of hopelessness washed over Frederick. Was even Shamus planning something reckless?

“What is it?” Frederick groaned, rubbing his temples.

“I merely thought I should mention, Manager, that nobody is going to tell you the truth if the consequence is a boot to the face.”

“Quiet! Do you think because you’re now as wealthy as the cursed Child Emperor that you can just mouth off to me?”

Several delvers cast envious, or even predatory glances toward the veteran team leader, and Frederick instantly regretted his outburst. Shamus had struck gold, and the massive fortune coming his way had effectively painted a giant bullseye on his back.

After all, one could certainly possess too much coin.

“Focus, you idiots,” the Union Manager growled, attempting to regain control. He leveled an accusing finger at the assembly. “How many more groups must we lose to people running off to grab a prize they can’t possibly win? Dozens of capable men and women have already perished trying to achieve the impossible. I understand it’s a fortune, alright? But damn it, are you pigs in a trough or are you professional delvers? Throwing your lives away against monsters you can't defeat is for fools and corpses!”

Too much wealth… that was the root of the problem. A mere shard of its shell was enough for a delver to retire in luxury for a lifetime. Even Frederick had been momentarily blinded by avarice, trying to devise a strategy to slay the creature. It took fifty good people vanishing into thin air to snap him back to reality.

The situation was infuriating for everyone involved. The greatest bounty in the history of delving was right there, so close they could almost taste the reward. It was a demonic entity, certainly, and it had set its trap with perfection.

Had Shamus and Elsi returned with nothing but stories, many would have been tempted, but few would have actually attempted a hunt. However, they had brought back that massive chunk of diamond and become obscenely wealthy. Now, the atmosphere was thick with jealousy, blending with greed to create a toxic mixture capable of driving men to insanity.

“Why don’t we just launch a collective assault?” a voice suggested.

Frederick spun around to find Rubia, her hands on her hips and a look of stubborn defiance on her face.

“It’s the haul of a lifetime. Small squads will never succeed. If we don’t all go together, we don’t stand a chance.”

The Union Manager felt a migraine beginning to throb.

“Rubia, by the holy Path and my own mother’s soul, what are you blathering about? That is a tier eight mythic! Do you understand?”

He scanned the room, glaring at the others and daring anyone to contradict him.

“Tier. Eight. Mythic. No delver has successfully hunted a prize like that since the Cataclysm! Unless you’re concealing an Abyssal Legion under your tunics, none of you are powerful enough to finish the job!”

“The Legion isn't here, but the Church of the Path could provide suppressors, or Green Mountain might mobilize the military,” Rubia argued, refusing to back down. “With their support, we might actually win.”

“I don’t see any of them here, do you?!” Frederick bellowed, his temper finally snapping as he threw his hands up. “I am trying to keep you morons from getting slaughtered! Can’t you grasp that?!”

Shamus simply shook his head. As Frederick glared at the rest of the group, they avoided his eyes, shuffling their feet or staring at the ceiling. Only Rubia maintained eye contact with a thick-headed, obstinate stare of her own.

“Enough! All of you, get out. In a few days, this expedition concludes and we are all returning to the mountain. If any of you think you’re leaving this camp, forget it! I won’t be granting any permissions.”

A few delvers began to protest, but his fury was peaked and he shut them down instantly.

“I don’t want to hear another word! When you’re prepared to act like professional delvers instead of wannabe heroes, then you can come talk to me.”

As the crowd filed out, grumbling under their breath, only Shamus remained. He brushed off his clothes and stepped forward to speak with the manager.

“How bad is the situation, in your opinion?” Frederick whispered.

Shamus let out a grunt.

“Two-thirds of them will be gone within the hour.”

“By the Mother’s milk. I’m starting to despise that ant, Shamus.”

“Why? It isn't the monster’s fault.”