It had been some time since Lucas’s transmigration into this strange and perilous world. What had begun as a survival struggle had transformed into something far more complex—an empire, a power that he was steadily building within the depths of his dungeon.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Each passing day brought new challenges, but also new opportunities. The goblins, initially suspicious of Lucas and his automatons, had slowly come to understand the benefits of his protection. They were learning the value of tribute, and Lucas had used their offerings wisely, expanding and fortifying his domain. His automatons, too, were growing—not just in number but in strength, skill, and purpose.

From an initial batch of 28 automatons, Lucas now commanded 105. The rapid growth of his force was a testament to the success of his plans and the resources he had at his disposal. It wasn't just the automatons that were flourishing, however. His dungeon, once a modest hideaway, had now transformed into a sprawling and formidable structure—an underground fortress that could rival some of the greatest strongholds in the world.

The goblins, whose once chaotic and fragmented tribes had been united under Lucas’s banner, now offered their weekly tributes with unwavering loyalty. In exchange, Lucas had promised them protection and a future—a life that, though under his command, was still better than the harsh existence they had once known. And with each tribute, Lucas’s power grew.

The dungeon itself was now a labyrinthine network of chambers, each more secure and strategic than the last. It was divided into five main chambers, each designed with both function and defense in mind.

The First Chamber: The Hall of Tribute

The first chamber was a large, open space at the dungeon’s entrance. It was where the goblins came to offer their weekly tribute—goods, ores, and other materials that they scavenged or produced. Here, they could also speak with Lucas, should the need arise. The chamber was heavily guarded, with 20 automatons stationed at key points along the walls. The presence of so many automatons in one space was intentional. It was a show of strength, a message that Lucas was not someone to be trifled with. Any would-be challengers would think twice before attempting to disrupt the peace.

"Twenty automatons at the entrance, Lucas," said one of his trusted commanders, an automaton who had grown particularly skilled in organizing the defenses. "We have the strength to hold any force that dares approach."

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Lucas nodded, his eyes scanning the chamber from his vantage point above. "Good. Keep the perimeter secure. We can't afford any surprises."

The first chamber also served as a place where Lucas could observe the goblins as they approached, assessing their loyalty and any subtle signs of dissent. He needed to remain vigilant—while many had pledged their loyalty, Lucas knew how easily allegiances could shift in such a volatile world.

The Second, Third, and Fourth Chambers: Training Grounds and Crafting Halls

Beyond the first chamber lay the second, third, and fourth chambers. These were more specialized in function. The second chamber was used primarily for training the automatons, helping them grow stronger and more capable of handling different tasks and challenges. Lucas had long realized that brute strength alone wouldn’t be enough to maintain control over his dungeon. He needed to create an army that could think, adapt, and respond to threats on its own. Each automaton was trained in combat tactics, group coordination, and even basic survival instincts—skills that would be crucial if his plans were to succeed.

"Lucas, the training is progressing faster than expected," said another automaton, who served as the head of training. "The soldiers are learning to fight together in formations. Soon, they'll be able to face larger groups without faltering."

"That's good to hear," Lucas replied, though his mind was already drifting toward the future. "But we must push harder. We need them to be ready for anything."

The third chamber had become the heart of Lucas’s weapon production. While the goblins had their own crude methods of crafting, Lucas was attempting to replicate their processes, albeit with greater efficiency and quality. His observations of the goblins had given him a unique understanding of their crafting techniques, which he was now using to create better tools, armor, and weapons for his growing army of automatons. This chamber was filled with anvils, forges, and benches, and the sounds of metal being shaped and sharpened echoed throughout the area. It was a place of industry and productivity, one that would play a crucial role in the future of Lucas’s dungeon.

"Lucas, I've started to perfect the design of a new type of weapon," a particularly clever automaton said as it approached Lucas, carrying a newly forged sword. "It’s stronger and lighter than the old models. It should give your soldiers a significant advantage."

Lucas examined the weapon with interest. "Good work. We’ll need as many of these as we can get."

The fourth chamber was used for more specialized purposes. Here, Lucas worked on refining the layout of the dungeon, adding traps and defense mechanisms to ensure that any intruders would have no chance of breaching the deeper chambers. He had already begun experimenting with ways to harness magic or other resources to reinforce the dungeon’s defenses. Though it was still in its early stages, the chamber held great potential—once fully developed, it would make his dungeon nearly impenetrable.