Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Dungeon Creation (2)
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Creating a dungeon is surprisingly simple. You just have to infuse mana into the dungeon core.
Once the mana flows in, the core awakens, and a dungeon generates around that spot.
I don't really know the exact principles behind how it works.
In the first place, I had no idea that a 'dungeon core' was actually a 'dungeon guardian spirit' until I saw it with the eyes of Master of All Life.
The protagonist of the previous game was a human adventurer.
He wasn't particularly interested in dungeon secrets, and naturally didn't know much about them. Since I played from the protagonist's perspective, I was inevitably influenced by that.
The info on dungeon generation methods only came up briefly as foreshadowing in the previous game, from some papers by dungeon researchers. That's all I know.
It's not a ton of info, but I do know the basics.
For example, there are two types of dungeons.
'One is where the dungeon core and dungeon boss are fused into one.'
That's called an 'integrated dungeon.'
It's known that the core directly supplies power to the dungeon boss. The monster that becomes the boss ends up much stronger and more ferocious than before.
But there's one major drawback to this method.
The boss can't leave the dungeon.
True to the name 'integrated,' the boss fuses with the core into one body, essentially becoming the dungeon itself, trapped inside for life.
The other type has the core and boss separated.
That's called a 'separated dungeon.'
In this case, since the boss doesn't receive power from the core, its combat strength barely changes.
There might be no increase or decrease in power, but the advantage is that the boss can freely enter and leave the dungeon.
Most dungeons in this world are the former type—integrated dungeons where the core and boss are fused.
Out of a hundred dungeons, ninety-seven or ninety-eight are like that.
Separated dungeons, where the core and boss are apart, are rare exceptions. They're research subjects due to their scarcity, but almost nothing is known about them.
One thing is clear: if there's a separated dungeon, its boss is almost always extremely powerful. Comparing average strength between integrated and separated dungeon bosses shows a difference like heaven and earth.
'Well, I don't know why.'
Anyway, the point is simple.
I have to choose between an integrated or separated dungeon. I pondered it for a bit, but realized the answer was already clear.
'Obviously separated.'
Going integrated would boost my immediate power, but I'd have to bear the huge penalty of never leaving the dungeon.
Me, who has to ravish all the beauties in this world, stuck in a dungeon for life?
Impossible.
The power from the dungeon core is tempting, but restrictions on movement would be more annoying.
Besides, I can just level up by ravishing women for power. Getting stronger is only a matter of time anyway. No need to regret it.
"Lord Tentacle, is this the cave?"
Piona's words snapped me out of my thoughts.
It had been six hours since our 7P romp. We'd just arrived at the cave discovered by Special Tentacle Slime No. 9.
In response to Piona's question, I wriggled my tentacles.
- Yeah. Pretty big, right?
"If the entrance is this huge, the inside must be massive."
I chatted with her while buried in her cleavage.
My women, led by Piona, gaped at the enormous cave entrance.
The entrance was gigantic, shaped like a monster's maw. Ominous and foreboding. The inside was so dark, we couldn't see the end.
It looked uninviting, but that appealed to me.
'Mana density's high too.'
Atmospheric mana density varies by location. Forests usually have higher concentrations than cities, but this cave was far denser than any forest.
It would definitely benefit the dungeon I planned to create.
"Lord Tentacle, should I cast a light spell?"
- That'd be good.
Amy immediately began chanting her light spell after my reply.
I extended a Detection Tentacle to scan inside. My detection range was now ridiculously vast.
The cave was as huge and deep as its entrance suggested—even my superhuman senses couldn't grasp the full extent at once. But I could at least tell what was inside.
"Something wrong?"
Saintess Eve Seraphia must have noticed my tentacle squirming, sensing I'd detected something, and asked me.
- There are monsters deeper inside.
The women didn't seem surprised. They'd already faced countless monsters while roaming this ravine.
"What kind?"
Rosa asked.
What kind, huh.
Black wings on their backs.
Bodies nearly human-sized.
Blood-red eyes.
Hanging upside down from the ceiling.
This is...
- Vampiros.
"Ah, vampiros... Pesky bastards."
Rosa's expression hardened.
Vampiros are bat-like monsters that inhabit large caves.
Think giant bats. They're highly intelligent with solid combat prowess.
Each one is at least as strong as an E-Class adventurer. Some even rival weak D-Class.
They live in packs of dozens or hundreds, making them extremely dangerous.
But no need to worry.
Even Yuri alone could massacre a whole pack single-handedly.
For Piona, Amy, and Rosa, a huge swarm attacking at once might be risky, but if they systematically marked and fought two or three each, they'd shine.
If they start losing ground, I'll cover them.
But Elrine and Eve have no way to fight.
- Eve, Elrine. You two, get inside me.
Even one attaching could be fatal, so securing their safety was priority.
I pulled out of Piona's cleavage, expanding my body to about room-sized. Then I wrapped Elrine and Eve with Basic Tentacles and tucked them inside.
"Hehe, it's warm."
"Hee hee. Thank you, Lord Tentacle."
I shaped part of my body into chairs for their comfort, then slithered deeper into the cave.
The other women followed me in.
'No. 9. You take point. Kill anything that comes at us.'
Squelch-!
Tentacle Slime No. 9, waiting by my side, shot forward at my command.
- I've ordered the subordinate into battle. Fight appropriately if they attack.
"""Yes!"""
My women and I slowly followed behind Tentacle Slime No. 9.
I'd already told them about my ability to create subordinates, and we'd fought alongside them plenty, so this was familiar territory.
With Amy's light spell active, the women advanced by its glow.
No. 9 had Detection Tentacles like me, so no light needed. Perfect for blazing the trail.
We walked for about five minutes.
Then we spotted the vampiros hanging from the ceiling.
"Lord Tentacle! Vampiros!"
- Everyone, be careful.
"Yes!"
- Kirik?
- Humans, humans.
- There's a monster too.
- What's going on? Kirik?
The vampiros chittered among themselves.
Only I could understand them.
Humans and monsters can't comprehend each other's languages. Even among monsters, different species can't communicate easily unless same kind.
But I could, thanks to the goddess's auto-translation and acquisition for all languages.
It worked on monsters too.
- Humans. What do?
- Kirik. Why hesitate? Just kill them.
- The monster? Kirik?
- Monster same.
- Right. Kirik. Invading territory makes anyone an enemy.
From their chatter, they were definitely high-intelligence monsters.
They didn't attack on sight but consulted first—impressive.
Unlike the Giant Ants in Nevis Forest, whose chatter was just 'Kill! Hungry! Beat!'
Whoosh-
Kyaaah-!
The vampiros finished talking, then all turned to us at once.
Human-sized bats with red eyes flapping in unison and screeching—it was straight out of a horror flick.
As their talk suggested, they'd decided to exterminate us.
However.
- Girls. Kill 'em all.
"Got it!"
"Yes~."
"I'm going in!"
"Hup!"
Pick your fights based on the opponent.
No need for me to step in—the vampiros were no match for my women.
Yuri sliced throats in a blur like the wind. Piona and Rosa guarded mana-gathering Amy while methodically dropping vampiros one by one.
Tentacle Slime No. 9 mixed Thorn and Blunt Tentacles to dispatch them efficiently.
"Silence of the frozen depths beyond!"
Once Amy finished gathering mana and started chanting, it was over.
"Follow that icy breath, infiltrate without form! Without sensation, without sound! Cryo Shade!"
Keeeng-!
Frost formed inside the cave, spreading to the vampiros.
The rime rapidly covered their bodies, blooming into ice flowers. Dozens slowed dramatically, and Yuri and Piona exploited the gap, culling them even faster.
Crack crack crack-
In under three minutes, dozens of vampiros littered the floor as corpses.
The women caught their breath with sighs, and I ordered No. 9.
'Devour all the bodies.'
Squelch-!
It immediately extended a massive Predatory Tentacle, messily gobbling the corpses.
Munch- munch- munch-
I advanced with the women. I told No. 9 to finish eating and catch up.
The cave was vast and deep, endless packs of dozens of vampiros appearing.
Usually one pack per cave, but here they numbered in the hundreds at least.
"Ugh, no end in sight... How many are there?"
Even Amy sounded fed up. Her mana was nearly depleted.
- It's fine. That was the last pack.
"Really?"
- Yeah. The cave's end is in sight now.
Not just to reassure her.
After taking down about 500, we finally reached the end.
Instead of a pack, one unusual vampiro twice the size of the others stood there.
- How could such a horrific thing...
It stared at us in disbelief, shocked its kin were massacred.
I chuckled and asked. Seemed like the leader, so a few words wouldn't hurt.
- You the head of this pack?
- Y-you speak our language...?
Its red eyes widened massively.
- After hearing it a few times, I got the hang of it. Inferior species tongues are easy.
- Grr...
It ground its teeth in rage, then asked me.
- What's your goal? Why invade our territory... What does a monster like you lack?
From another monster's view, we were a calamity.
Monsters fight each other, but random territory raids like this are rare.
- No grand reason.
I replied casually, like out for a stroll.
- This place looked perfect for a dungeon. No choice.
- Urk, dungeon...
It glared, then went slack with despair.
- Of all times, Her Majesty steps out... My fate ends here...
Her Majesty?
So this wasn't the boss.
Its stats were high. Physical average mid-30s, magic early 20s.
Piona, Rosa, and Amy together might not beat it.
Yuri would end it instantly, but for a single vampiro to have such stats was rare. Surprising it wasn't the leader.
- Heh, just you wait, monster. You strut now, but when our queen returns... You'll die for sure. She'll avenge us...
Gurgle-
It spat blood and collapsed after those words.
Chose suicide.
'Hm. Figured it had no chance.'
Unexpected. Thought it'd thrash more.
With just Yuri, it was hopeless—add me, and no wonder.
Vampiros are smart. This one especially, so choosing death over pain made sense.
But that queen it mentioned nagged at me. If it trusted her that much, she must be strong.
'Gotta look into it.'
Traces inside might reveal her strength or traits.
'Anyway, this cave's mine now.'
Wilderness is survival of the fittest. The strong take all.
Munch- munch-
I extended a Predatory Tentacle and chomped the suicided monster. Cave's cleaned.