Chapter 21

5 Days remaining…

Jack waited for Omnus and Aegisthal to come once Frizzy left to get them both. Thinking about what it meant that the system was warning him that an invading for was approaching. Was it the gods? Was it the system itself? Was there something else in play? Why was it warning him? Did it warn everyone of an invasion for? Or was this a special circumstance?

Jack didn’t have any answers nor did he have the luxury of time to tease out the answers. No, he couldn’t afford to waste a second. He needed to answers. He needed information and no one in his community, nor his sentinels, knew anything about scouting. There was too much at stake to just throw waves of mobs at the enemy and Jack didn’t even know if regular mobs could even leave his dungeon’s boarders. The sentinels absolutely could, the regular mobs though…

Another thing I’ll have to test… Jack groaned. At least that one will be easy. Right now, I have other priorities to focus on.

It didn’t take long for Frizzy to find Aegisthus and Omnus since she sprinted to fullfill Jack’s request. When the three came back, Jack regarded them.

Aegisthal, his first sentinel. The warrior, guard, bulwark and commander.

Omnus, his second sentinel. The researcher, librarian, teacher, and mage.

With the implications that the quest presented, he needed both at their best. Both would be integral to protecting the dungeon and the adventurer’s town. He needed them to be informed and prepared as best as possible.

“We are going to be invaded in five days.” Jack stated, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. “The system itself has told me and that can’t be good. There is no information on who the enemy is, what they want, nor their end goals. Only they are evil and if they win, our residents will be at risk. That is not acceptable.”

From his link, he felt that Aegisthal and Omnus felt the same way that he did. Frizzy looked worry and unsure what to do, at first. When she heard the residents would be at risk, all doubt left her with only angry determination remaining. Shol’theran for their part, had their antenna flicked back and their fingers curled like claws followed by angry clicks and chirps.

Good. We are all on the same page.

“Aegisthal,” Jack said making the towering golem snap to attention. “Get your golems ready to respond quickly to any major threats. I need one of them carrying a message to the adventurers later today so they can be warned.”

“It will be done, my General. All ten golems under my command are stationed around your town. How many should remain to ensure the protection of its residents?” Aegithal asked in that ever calm yet commanding tone of his.

“We will leave three behind to protect our residents. The rest will go to protect the adventurer’s town since they are more exposed.” Jack answered in kind.

“It will be done. However, I require additional troops. The golems you have created are formidable, but their numbers are insufficient to face an army.” Aegisthal said in turn.

“You will have them.” Was all Jack said, making the Golem solute with a fist over his chest.

“Omnus.” Jack said turning his attention to the Scholar who stood straighter with hands clasped behind his back. “I need you to look into any spells that are focused in combat. Anything with crowd control that will hamper or kill our enemy. Can you make it happen?”

"Yes, Primus Sage.” Omnus said, focused and ready to meet any challenge. “I have devised a few potential solutions. While the process may require time, I shall devote every effort to ensure we gain any advantage possible."

“Whatever you find, teach it to as many of our residents as possible.” Jack said pulling up his dungeon upgrade menu.

"Forgive my ignorance, Primus Sage, but is it your intention to have the dungeon residents confront this unknown force?" Omnus asked, his head tilted slightly.

“No, but if the enemy flanks us or somehow gets around our forces I want my people to be able to defend themselves.” Jack said as he made a mental list before closing the menu.

“Understood, Primus Sage. I shall ensure the dungeon residents are adequately prepared to defend themselves with spell craft should such a contingency arise.” Omnus said with a bow of their head.

“Good. Shol’theran,” Jack said getting the usually very polite and friendly Zur’keth to stop his angry h chittering. “I need you to go to the hive elders. Let them know I need them to made as deadly a poison as possible for ranged weapons.”

"By your will, Ancient One,” Growled respectfully to Jack. “This one shall go at once. The hive elders shall be informed of your command, and the deadliest of poisons shall be crafted to arm the swarm. We shall ensure our enemies taste despair before they fall."

“Thank you, but not yet.” Jack responded with a nod. “I still need your help here first.”

Shol’theran tilted their head in confusion at Jack. Turning their head to glance at the table with the latest project and research notes then back to Jack. Jack simply nodded his head and Shol’theran nodded their understanding.

“Frizzy,” Jack said and the small gremlin woman looked ready to strangle a lion. “I need you to get all your apprentices to start making crossbows and bolts with barbed heads.”

“Consider it done Teacher.” Frizzy confirmed. “Want me to stay and help with the project first like Shol’theran?”

“Yes, I’ll also need Omnus to say as well. Aegisthal, I need you go get work on your task now.” Jack said to all of them. “I will call you to come back when the time is right.”

Aegisthal gave another solute before spinning on his feet and marched out. Omnus, Frizzy, and Shol’theran all approached Jack and the table to get to work. Each working in conjunction to one another while Jack re-opened his upgrade menu to make some purchases.

Attention!

Dungeon upgrades purchased

You have purchased:

[Underground lair levels] for 100 dungeon upgrade points. dungeon territory will now extend adoringly. Due to currently level of the dungeon the max level of depth for the dungeon will be set at [12] miles.

Dungeon Upgrade Points remaining:

646

In an instant, Jack gained awareness of everything that was underground. The sewer system, the rocks and minerals, everything thing alive and many other things Jack never even thought. He didn’t have the time to properly extend his consciousness to explore the depths. but from what background information he was getting there was some things he re really want to explore.

Instead, he set to work clearing out the sewer systems, absorbing stone and dirt to make multi branching chambers of various sizes. All connected through a series of tunnels. Reinforcing the walls with compressed dirt until it was solid while making two tunnel entrances to the surface for both air ventilation as well as to enter and exit. Once it was all done, there was a total of seven large chambers and twenty smaller chambers. The entire structure was reminiscent of a maybe a large sideways pine tree.

With the final touches made, leaving sections with soft spot so the Zur’keth can expand and make more chambers, Jack got a notification showing the quest was done. Awarding him the promised Dungeon upgrade points while Shol’theran had a small patch on his back start to glow. Signifying that he was gaining the symbol of Jack’s dungeon and becoming a dungeon resident in truth.

Taking a second to look as the symbol finalized itself, Jack saw that it was the same as his tradesman’s mark. An anvil with a three overlapping gears on its side and scroll resting on top of it now made of silver etched itself on their back.

Jack refocused his efforts and looked to the group who were taken by surprise by the sudden light show. Then Shol’theran stared off into the air, likely reading their notification that they and all of the hive where now true residents of his dungeon.

“Sorry to cheat you of the moment.” Jack apologized while coming closer to the group. “But we’ll celebrate your hive becoming residents once the threat is over. Then we’ll have a proper party.”

“This one is stunned... humbled..." Shol’theran pause, struggling to process the moment "A party, yes, of course, but please forgive this one, Ancient One. It is difficult to grasp such an honor... given so quickly.”

“Think nothing of it.” Jack said with a wave of his hand to dismiss any potential praise. “Got other things to worry about. Let me check something really quick before we get started.”

Jack didn’t wait for confirmation before he became to move his consciousness from his body. Moving it back to one of the first sources of frustration since he woke up to this new age.

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The vault under his old workshop.

With his consciousness freely moving, Jack quickly found that he could move through the vault door freely to get inside. Before that though, to quickly satisfy his curiosity, he looked inside the mechanism to the door to see why it was so jammed up. It didn’t take long to find the bane of his existence since it was a snapped anchor gear with four bolts now out of alignment and locking the door in place. With his curiosity sated, Jack moved to inside the dungeon and what he found was a treasure trove.

Attention!

New items absorbed

You have absorbed the following

Tools:

Gemstone Polisher, Stabilizing Clamp, Crystal-Cutting Saw, Heat Dispelling Glove, Clockwork Gear Scribe

Materials:

Metals

Common Quality:

Lead, Nickel, Alumi, Magnesium, Chromium

Uncommon Quality:

Titanium, Cobalt, Quick Silver

Rare Quality:

Tungsten

Crafting Materials:

Common Quality:

Glass, Oak Wood, Mahogany Wood, Maple Wood, Pine Wood, Obsidian, Glow Dust

Uncommon Quality:

Firegem Dust, Sparkmetal Flakes, Lightstone Gem, Ironwood, Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Garnet, Onyx

Rare Quality:

Mithril Thread, Shadow Diamond, Tourmaline

Miscellaneous Items:

Uncommon Quality:

Enchanted Quill, Glowstone Pendant, Mystic Lens, Glimmerstone Orb, Everwarm Mug, Arcane Music Box,

Rare Quality:

Miniature Automaton Assistant, Hovering Eye, Spell-scribing Pen

Weapons:

Uncommon Quality:

Gale Harp Bow, Frostbite Blade, Thunderstrike Hammer, Brightsteel Rapier

Rare Quality:

Mirror Mace, Zephyr Blade,

Armor:

Uncommon Quality:

Woodsman’s Cloack, Mistweaver Robes, Ironbark Vestments

Rare Quality:

Stormcaller Plate

Oh… Fuck the hell Yesssssssss.

It was a gamble but not a major one.

Summoning the materials and components, Jack told Frizzy, Shol’theran, and Omnus what it was he wanted to try. Omnus had excitement radiating off of him, Shol’theran’s antenna twitched curiously, while Frizzy only nodded her head. Ready to do what needed to be done so that they can protect their home.

In short order, Frizzy was at fast at work, using the Mana Conduit ability of her prosthetic arm. Focusing the channeled energies to make a molding and fusion arcane circle around each finger tip of the body. Then repeated the process to the teeth of the body. Once she was done, Jack stepped into finish the arcane circles. Inscribing them to focus on the tungsten. Setting it to fuse the metal with the fingers and bone. Shol’theran for his part carefully diagramed the muscles and planed out how best to infuse the mithril wire into the muscle groups. Omnus wasn’t idle as this was all happening. While everyone was set about their tasks, he was busy setting about creating lay lines to better focus the ambient mana.

Shol’theran proceeded to shape and mold the tissues and sinew. Moving and braiding the muscle to be more tightly packed while adjusting circulation. All to improve the strength and endurance. Then he moved to the eyes, ears, and nose.

Jack, after refining the arcane circles, he used a scalp to make the next set of arcane glyphs and circles.

Each of them working in tandem for hours, each one handing the other tools or materials. Their efforts taking them well into the evening with the full moon shining through the windows and balcony. The cool night air rolling over and making the small flames in the surrounding lanterns and torches flicker. Once they were done, they all stood around the sheet draped body. Shol’theran stood to the side, holding a pair of organic based blades that resembled bone. The slightly curved single edged blade resembling a smaller version of a serrated falchion. But it would have been more accurate to call them small short swords since each blade was eighteen inches each. Frizzy held solid steel rods that had been fletched into arrows. Each arrow having a bared head to cause as much damage going it as they would being pulled out as possible. Aegisthal carried a large recurved war bow that stood taller than Jack and nearly as tall as Omnus. Its outer arms were made with a steel frame while the inner arms were made with alumni with a draw string made form mithril thread. Giving it a draw strength of maybe four hundred pounds with runes and an arcane circle at the grip to further enhance acceleration.

Jack for his part Jack stepped closer to the form ready to active the new mob type while somehow turning them into a sentinel.

Only nothing came up.

When he made Omnus and Aegisthal, he was given an alert to let him know they would become a sentinel. Once he accepted he got new mob variants along with them.

Yet nothing happened.

Four an hour, the body remained motionless. With each passing minute, Jack’s frustration grew. With each passing second Jack stared at the motionless body, he cursed and could only guess why It wasn’t working now. before he hadn’t even been trying! The first he just wanted to make an assistant and body guard. Someone who was steadfast and strong to watch his back when he was just a frail pile of bones. For Omnus he wanted to have someone to conduct research and understand the new rules of this world. Someone bright and curious who was excited to discover the mysteries of the world.

Jack pulled up a seat to the table, his frustration mounting while everyone else was pacing with the exception of Aegisthal who stood quiet and ready. No one was able to think of why it wasn’t working. Yet no matter what ideas were thrown, yet nothing made any difference. No matter what idea Jack teased at or considered end up in failure. No matter how he looked at it, there was only one true difference between the previous sentinels and the current one he was trying to make.

How he perceived it. All the others he saw as people, waiting to come into being.

Surely it couldn’t be that simple.

But… what if it was? jack questioned to himself. Really considering the possibility. A lot of people say that the simple solution is usually the best.

Jack looked over the dungeon sentinel to be and really considered the thought of what made this scenario different from the others by the end he found there was nothing.

Jack, having run out of patients, moved to stand at the head of the table and placed his hands on the tables. One hand resting at either side of the bod… of the woman’s head. Then he started to envision her.

Sharp and cunning. A huntress, an assassin, a spy. She would be his eyes and ears to the world that he once knew. Pragmatic, observant, devious and dangerous all wrapped up in one person. She would seek the secrets and threats of those who would threaten his people. Like a cat, she would pound and kill unsuspecting prey, like a ferret she would find her way into the dark corners in which his enemies thought they were safe. Tall and mighty, lean and deadly. Swift as the wind and as unsettling as the silent night.

I would name her Eorlas, The Wyrdhunter, my huntress, and none will escape from her.

With that thought complete, Jack felt something deep within click as a notification popped up in his vision.

Attention!

You have found a prime Dungeon Sentinel candidate!

Dungeon Sentinel

Dungeon Sentinels, unlike other dungeon mobs, are the wardens and keepers of dungeons. A Dungeon Sentinel is a more powerful version of a dungeon mob. Unlike a regular dungeon mob who will simply do as instructed by the Dungeon and or Dungeon Master in the most direct way possible. A Dungeon Sentinel will not only do as instruct but also think on its own to accomplish its task in the most efficient way possible. While still being a dungeon mob, these mobs are unique in that they can think for themselves and even have their own personalities.

Dungeon Sentinel Candidate option:

Vormghoul

Create a Dungeon Sentinel?

Yes/No

With a sense of satisfaction, Jack selected yes.

No sooner than when he chose yes, a swirling in the air took shape with mana hummed and crackled in the air. Soon surrounding the table with the body, creating a shell that dark black with a motley browns, greens and silver mixed in. the swirling twisting shell taking their time as the power built up. Twisting and turning faster while compressing smaller while his dungeon’s mana was dropping quickly.

As this happened, Frizzy watched with anticipation, Shol’theran’s antenna were twitching with nervous eagerness. Omnus was practically a beacon of radiating excitement to meet with a new dungeon sentinel. Then there was Aegisthal, still ever stalwart guardian, his outward appearance was impossible to read yet the link told Jack that his first sentinel was curious as to who would come out.

It was minutes before the swirling shell of magics further twisted until it was the size of a large apple. Then it froze. Hovering in the air before it steadily stretched and pulled out to form the figure of a person. Steadily taking shape until the form stood at seven feet tall with more details taking shape.

When the energies fully dissipated, the new sentinel was revealed in all her glory.

From her head was a thick mane of wild rust red brown hair that reached to her mid back. Her figure was made with taught muscle like cables under her tan skin that were well defined like that of a seasoned athlete. Her exposed arms and neck showed surgical scars that crisscrossed over her skin. Clothing was well worn leather vest that with tough pants, a set of durable boots, a belt with multiple pouches buckled to it, and on her hands were fingerless gloves. Showing that her fingers transitioned from flesh at the base of each finger to become metal capped claws at the tips of her fingers.

Then there was her face.

It was covered with full face mask that was styled like a high quality Volto mask of a woman’s face. the cheek bones were high, the eyes were dark holes where the actual eyes couldn’t be seen. Fillagree formed the details of the face while the lips were pulled into an unsettling grin. Showing pointed gleaming teeth that shined with terrible purpose.

"I am forged, Master. Speak your will, and it shall be done." The woman purred with a voice smooth as silk, kneeling before him and ready to hear his command.

“Stand, like those who came before you, I will not have you kneel. Only stand.” Jack ordered and the woman did so, looking to him as Jack felt those predatory eyes now resting on him.

"As you command, my Master. What task would you deem worthy of my hands? How might I best serve your grand design?" She asked, a hunger in her voice that said she would relish the chance to prove her worth.

“Your purpose is to be my eyes, my ears, to overwatch my territory and lands. To seek those that wish to pry into the affairs of our people and sabotage us.” Jack said as he felt her excitement build while the smile of the metal mask grew larger and more predatory. “I name you Eorlas, The Wyrdhunter. You are my huntress, my spy and assassin. Your trade will be the secrets of others, seeking them like the greatest of treasures then use with the skill of a master artist.”

Eorlas bowed her head, the link informing Jack she was ready to begin. Carefully taking her new weapons from each person present for her emergence into the world.

“Your will shall be done, my Master.” She said, securing the arrows to her back along with her bow before testing the edge of her new daggers along her tungsten claw. "I await your command with eager purpose, my Master. Speak your will, and I shall see it done."

“An army is coming to invade the adventurer’s town on the boarder of my dungeon.” Jack said, hands clasped behind his back while tilting his head to look up at the imposing woman. “That town is important for the growth of my dungeon and that army threatens to cause further damage beyond that. That army is supposed to be here in four days from today. Find that army, and gain as much information as possible on it.”

“Yes, my master.” She purred, the teeth of her mask gleaming in the tourch light the flickered around them. “When I find them, shall I hamper them?”

Jack considered the question. he was under no obligation to fight fair. He had no intention to either since the survival of his dungeon and his residents was his biggest concern as were the adventurers who made it grow. That army likely had no intention of sparing anyone so he needed the odds tipped as much as possible in his favor.

“Without being seen or caught, kill the officers, poison their supplies, cripple their mobility.” Jack said looking her where her eyes should be in the mask. “Search and destroy with extreme prejudice.”

Jack watched as beads of liquid formed between the teeth of her mask. One of which gripped down the chin before landing on the ground with a bubbling hiss. Her fingers flexing and grasping to claw the air at some unseen prey.

“It will be my absolute pleasure, my Master.” She growled with perverse hunger.

Without further invitation, she turned and sprinted with explosive speed. Bolting to the open balcony with light steps that barely touched the ground, hopping to the top of the balcony railing to launch herself into the night.

Happy hunting. Jack thought to himself, almost feeling sorry poor bastards.