Keeper

I can't say that I necessarily approve of Graves making changes to my monsters. He just got back after dropping Leonaidas off at Pluto's dungeon again.

[Dungeon Keeper: So you just decided to evolve some of my monsters? Why?]

[Ouroboros: Lithilas told me once that if I get the chance I should try creating a actual soul]

[Ouroboros: Now you have the same opportunity]

[Dungeon Keeper: I did the same thing with Leonaidas]

[Ouroboros: And you missed a opportunity there, this time you need to examine the process from start to finish]

[Dungeon Keeper: Why should I?]

[Ouroboros: Study!]

He seemed to be weirdly insistent on this.

[Ouroboros: An actual soul is the deciding factor between whether or not our monsters are able to leave the dungeon, if you can grasp it's creation process imagine what you'd be capable of doing, especially if we're up against that psychopath Leviathan]

[Dungeon Keeper: And our magics mixing together makes this possible?]

[Ouroboros: Experimentation and observation makes it possible, no two souls are exactly the same and neither is the process of making one, we experiment, we observe and we practice, and right now you are doing none of the above]

Huu...

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Leonaidas

[You have entered the Dragon's Den]

I sensed a disturbance in my network of artefact spirits. One of the wheels was evolving, I think. I'll look into it later, for now I had to finish with this dungeon, it's already finished me off once. Luckily I had a plethora of artefact spirits on hand to work with. The Mirror Master took from the Whore House, Levi's coral Spike Shield, Solarus's staff and the Baton borne of the Master's own essence, together with the other lightning wheel that the master had managed to raise. There were Leviathan's loot items to sort through later, like the staff taken from the Mimic Mansion some could make good material to upgrade the other monsters, there's also the influence of the Traitor God to be concerned about as well, I do not wish to taken in a contaminant. They would do as my advanced scouts as we walked through the halls of the dungeon.

I looked down at the ground and picked up a gold coin with a small jewel chip in the centre that had been left lying on the ground. Genuine too, the banks use coins minted with a specific magic that absorbs dungeon mana, dungeon manufactured coins and other related items have a tendency of flushing into the genuine thing thus ensuring that currency manufactured outside of their influence wouldn't get very far. Just holding the coin was costing me feeling in the fingers of my gauntlet so I threw it aside. Last time I was here these damned coins

"Everyone on your guard." We continued to walk forward through the dungeon, no monsters encountered yet only piles of gold and jewels were here, complete with genuine dungeon mana absorbing properties. It would certainly be inconvenient if a monster from one of the surrounding dungeons was to step on one of those or pick them up but certainly not to the point of justifying the complete lack of defence. The door leading into the Boss room wasn't even locked. I shoved open the doors leading into the dungeon room and was greeted by a sea of treasures, rare materials, high quality armours and weapons, jewels and coins hid the bottom of the floor but I couldn't find any sign of the boss. Did it have to do with all this coinage here?

"Lightning Wheel, go and investigate." Quickly I sent the wheel of lightning forward sparks flying all the way over. When the wheel was about half way over the piles of treasure I saw it shift, so the boss was the pile of gold itself? Or was it just hiding underneath. Regardless I should be able to handle-

The Coins exploded as a massive wing with rainbow scales sprouted from below. From the far side of the room a massive draconic head covered in white diamond like scales mounted on a long neck that turned snot green half way down emerged from the pile snorting white mist from it's nostrils. Then with a second burst a ruby red head appeared, then obsidian black, Emerald Green, Amythyst purple, sapphire blue, Topaz yellow all emerged from around the room each head was massive enough to be a room all on it's own, and the gold was still shifting as more and more of the creature's body emerged, a massive bejewelled rainbow of scales.

[A Rank Monster Gem Hydragon-A specialised Hybrid of a Hydra and seven unique species of Gem Dragon, each scale has been specially blessed by the God of Greed Hades for massive mana retention, each head spews a different element and can be mixed together for devastating effect, the creature has been claimed as kin to the Draconic goddess of Chaos Tiamat together with it's sheer size it possesses the potential to burn down entire continents]

The Lightning Wheel abruptly stopped moving and played dead. The seven heads immediately started bickering over the new shiny object that had appeared in front of them while I had slowly closed the door leading into the boss room before promptly turning around and going in the opposite direction.

"Well stealing the core is out." I stated bluntly as he let out a sigh.

Then he turned to another direction, not the one he came in but the one that led down another pathway. There should be weaker bosses in that direction, and if the name 'Dragon's Den' wasn't enough of an indication to start with then the other bosses were also likely dragons too, and would probably drop weapons if defeated, weapons that might have the 'Dragon Slayer' trait attached to them, or they could not too, after all I don't see the master specifically going out of his way to manufacture something specifically to be a more effective weapon against one of his bosses. So what should I-GUHAHAHA!

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Keeper

I watched as the monster that me and Graves had been watching finished evolving, an armour shaped like an ant with wisps of ghostly spirit inside and the topaz from the Wheel inside its chest.

[Dungeon Keeper: Is that it? It doesn't feel like I learned very much though]

[Ouroboros: I have, I'm going to go and try and see if I can manufacture a soul right now]

[Dungeon Keeper: Remember to send me the Schema when you figure it out]

[Ouroboros: I can't]

[Dungeon Keeper: Why not?] [Ouroboros: Use your head, if souls was something as easy as getting a Schema for them then every dungeon would be mass producing monsters to exit them and collect points that way]

Of course, if it was that easy why would we even bother with contracts? I grumbled to myself as I crossed my arms and looked at the ant... exo-skeleton. I had gained a understanding, that we aren't allowed to produce humans for some reason, and that my various undead unless mentioning a specific creature were parts of humans or the whole thing, but this one was different, a Muryan or I guess a ant person more specifically. I let my mana flow into the ant, kick starting the usual process of reanimation that would normally build muscle tissue inside of my target.

[Ouroboros: What are you doing?]

[Dungeon Keeper: He's one of Leonidas's Legionaires, if he dies he'll just re-spawn]

A loud 'Clack, Clack, Clack!' echoed out as the ant vibrated, holding the sides of its head using its scythe like forearms as it fell to its knees. My mana continued to build up until it snapped into place, muscle tissue formed under the exoskeleton and the empty eye sockets were filled in with large fleshy glass like orbs.

[C Rank Monster Death Eater Crazy Muryan-A Muryan who has developed lightning affinity resulting in fast attacks that jump from one target to the next, this one has had it's soul bonded to a disembodied soul allowing for the power of astral projection and parallel attacks, as one fight's physically the other attacks with the spirit and with magic]

A lower ranking? Is it because it was combined with a different monster? Or has it simply lost the lightning wheel's AOE type attacks?

"Master, thank you for this new form and power!" The Ant gracefully knelled to me, above the appearance of the wheel from before made itself known as well. The Wheel excitedly rolled around for a bit too. Weird. This didn't happen with Luna?

[Ouroboros: The Hell did you do!?]

[Dungeon Keeper: I have the power to reanimate remains from dead monsters into full flesh and blood creatures]

[Dungeon Keeper: On top of that I've also shoved material into a slime before until it mutated so I figured I could do the same thing here]

[Ouroboros: That's with a slime! It's what they do!]

"Master." The Newly evolved Death Eater waved a claw around to get my attention. "Leonaidas has reported a complication. The Boss protecting the core is A Rank." I blinked stupidly as I found the thread that connects me to Leonidas.

This place has already managed to take one of my strongest bosses out of the picture once already, now he was having some trouble.

I looked around the floor at the situation that had unfolded. Leo are you okay?

"I don't know what you did with my Legionaire but I would appreciate it if you didn't do it again." I felt my artefact spirit drag his armour over to the door and opened it a crack, revealing seven dragon heads that were still fighting over the other lightning wheel which was desperately trying to bury itself and stay out of sight.

[A Rank Monster-]

Say no more. I really don't wanna fight another A Rank, especially since we can't telefrag this one. And yet we're still going to go after Leviathan in the future. I'm not even going to talk about the stupid amount of mana that thing can hold onto. Leo retreat for now, I'll have Graves over to pick you up soon.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Understood master." I let out a sigh as my consciousness returned to my dungeon.

[Dungeon Keeper: Hey Graves, you talk to your gods, how do you do that?]

[Ouroboros: Pray, why do you ask?]

[Dungeon Keeper: I gotta talk to someone about moving their dragon]

I concentrated and took a deep breath as I prayed, and prayed some more, and some more. Alright if this isn't going to- I was suddenly yanked out of my dungeon as I appeared before a familiar face, still as maimed as I remembered it.

"Did you call me just to make snide comments on my appearance or is there something you actually want?" Pluto snapped still clearly preoccupied with his ever constant pile of paper work than talking to me. I require help, the dungeon of yours that Hel wants me to move has a unusually strong dungeon boss that's guarding it.

"You've yet to finish the Quest I've given you and you're asking me for favours?" Pluto snorted in derision. Hey your guys haven't shown up yet! "Then shouldn't you be going out to look for them?" Pluto countered as if his logic was infallible. "Or better yet take the conveniently provided short cut to go to them?" Pluto snapped his fingers and a familiar looking metal golf ball appeared in his hand, which he then tapped on and released back to where he got it from. "There. I even made it easy for you. So go and complete your job before you come and ask me for a favour again."

And then Pluto threw me back into my dungeon again. Well... that was unpleasant. That's what I get for asking the embodiment of Greed for help. My consciousness floated over to my core room, to the little floating sphere that circled my bigger floating sphere and the light that glowed on it which I found myself concentrating on. It was hard to judge what side of the realm it was on though.

[Would you like to Raid the Dungeon Marrowind? Yes/No]

Raid? No that's not what I'm aiming for. But if I weave in the chat function a little bit...

[Dungeon Keeper: Hello?]

[Marrowind: What business do you want from me?]

I've heard of worse diplomatic talks.

[Dungeon Keeper: I think Pluto should've told you to send over a group of people to me a little while ago]

[Marrowind: What about it?]

[Dungeon Keeper: Do you know where they are?]

[Marrowind: Along their normal trade routes, or did you think that you were particularly special?]

[Dungeon Keeper: Counting my breach into Helheim I have three floor dedicated to the gods of Death]

[Marrowind: Wow! 2 and a half whole floors? That is impressive]

[Dungeon Keeper: I can do without the sarcasm]

[Marrowind: My city is one of the wealthiest in the world, home to crafters whose magic items fill every nook and cranny doing everything from heat regulation to self propelled carts and automatic doors, legions of skeletal servants out number the people five to one, we have the highest standard of education in the entire world and you expect my people to so much as grace you with their presence?]

Okay the sarcasm might be warranted.

[Dungeon Keeper: If not moving then think of it as a... outpost] [Marrowind: An outpost? Why would we set up an outpost halfway across the world from us?]

Hook line and Sinker!

[Dungoen Keeper: Because I can massively reduce the length of your trade routes]

[Marrowind: ?]

[Dungeon Keeper: Let's bring Hel into this little chat, you are on her side right?]

For the second time today I felt myself being yanked out of my dungeon, and into the void that gods use to talk to the likes of us. Hel was there, similar to Saphee but that was only a given. I didn't recognise the other figure across from me though, a mummy with clean fine bandages woven with various fine jewellery, so that meant that this was...

"Not even a fully formed avatar? Is this a joke? Are you mocking me?" I twitched my eye and concentrated on trying to bring forth the Fire Frost Fiend but I couldn't.

"Both of you cool your heels. Keeper what madness are you trying to propose this time?" Hel snapped as she turned her attention to me. Can we control where one of the dungeons under me are going to re-emerge? My eye twitched, so I can't make myself visible and my voice can't be heard either only my intentions relayed? I don't even have an actual eye to twitch to show how annoyed I am.

"Would you like to explain why you dragged me in here to talk to this... hatchling now?" The Mummy person that by now I was assuming to be Marrowind asked more annoyed than anything else.

"This 'hatchling' has managed to subjugate fifty cores in Helheim and has managed to wipe out several of Lucifer's dungeons for me. Which is more than what can be said for you as of late." Thank you Hel. Currently I am working to return the Dungeons under my employ to the mortal plane, the last time that this happened I had no say in the matter, but I wonder if that still holds true. Hel?

"The majority of the Dungeons in my care have been eaten by others. Having them spat back out in the same locations that they started in would be kind of pointless." Hel explained while she shrugged her shoulders.

Excellent, then we pick out one of the Dungeons and spit them out near this schmuck...

"Schmuck!?"

And I start to use that to build up my network.

"And my benefit in this arrangement?"

You aren't a popular goddess are you? Your realm is desolate. Whatever you're getting from people worshipping you: it's not enough. It's one of the reasons why you have so many dungeons and not enough mana to go around for them isn't it? No You're the last chance of people who have been broken with the sting of betrayal. You want things to improve, you have to set up the legwork. You have to create a reason that people actually want to spend time in your realm and in the dungeon floors that you have claimed as your own, and for that matter, that they would want things from you.

"And what would that be?"

A trade network, a short cut through your realm via the junction of dungeons located inside of my dungeon, and that's just the main benefit. Let's talk blessings. Rest? Fantastic, huge benefits for lots of different dungeons and the people that go into them, focus on what other kind of blessings that you can bring to the fold and give some more thought into them while we start laying the legwork. You got help from Odin for Rest right? What about Loki or your brothers?

"I... will consider it." Hel stated as she let out a sigh. Good, now than as for you prick.

"Certainly you're not talking to me?" The Mummified asshole made a show out of how offended he was.

You are not going to eat the dungeon I drop near you, I have access to a variety of WMD class stuff that I am more than happy to drop on your butt if you do not behave yourself.

"Are you threatening me?"

You have been shit talking me since the moment this meeting began, threatening you to get some respect is the bare minimum. Oi can we see what my monsters are doing in here?

Hel nodded her head.

Let's have a look at Levi.

I felt my consciousness stretch, like my points of awareness in my dungeon were being separated and spread out. Oh gods this made me nauseous, is this how normal Dungeons do it?

"Quiet." Hel snapped as the fog around us disappeared. I had taken Levi's point of view, I couldn't tell what kind of creature she had manifested as this time but I felt heavier, like she was carrying extra mass this time around. I also didn't have the time or luxury of asking her on account of the fact that she was under attack.

I don't think I'm to blame this time around, I certainly never used a bomb against Leviathan before so the sea mines that Levi has to swim through isn't my fault right? Explosives besides the point, Leviathan's ship was running away from Levi so it was safe to say that she was winning, or it was trying to trap her it was hard to say. Either way, Levi would you mind not playing with your food and finishing the bastard off? He's giving you lots of explosive weapons: use them. Levi opened her mouth, vicious slimy liquid spat out from her mouth like a giant external stomach and wrapped around all the explosives, before water promptly squirted out taking all the mines with it and throwing them all at the Leviathan ship above. A series of explosions echoed out and the ship was sunk, the fog returned as Levi was left to pick up the pieces of the pirate bastard.

"Impressive. Leviathan is learning more effective means of wreaking havoc. I suggest you have your monster gather up the pieces and bring them back to your dungeon to eat them."

I felt my eyes twitching again, he was calling Leviathan impressive just now wasn't he?

"In any case, you have a bunch of dungeons under your control that you want to use to set up trade routes? Fine I'll help. I'll send over my people to take over later."

Not so fast.

"What now?" Marrowind glared folding his arms and glaring at me.

You have been treating me with nothing but disrespect this entire conversation. How do I know that you aren't going to try and take over my operation as soon as you or your people get here?

"Because you are still in my domain." Hel chose that moment to pipe up. "Both of the two of you and the dungeons under your command are within my power and I will tolerate no treachery."

Thank you Hel. And I think you just figured out the most ideal blessing for the Trade route.

"If you are done being a pain now?" Marrowind asked sounding suspicious. "I have to make my own arrangements now." And Thus I returned to my dungeon space.

Alright all that I have to do is find Frost Fang and make him integral to the downfall of one of Lucy's dungeons. Alright I went back to my hit list, Alright Took out Fenrir's, Loki's, Asmodeus's and Satan's, that leaves Pluto (Hell No), He who makes everyone forget, hypnos governing sloth, envious Phthonus and the guy covering Violence.

Who was that again?

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1.

Frost and Fang were part of the team who went into the Gladiator Arena, and was the last one currently standing, which also meant we were the last one standing. Our turtle snake held the best of both offence and defence, and on top of that he was learning more about his affinities. Usually he just freezes things however that was underlining his true potential, in reality his main affinity is with water not just ice which has as much to do with temperature than anything else. I thought about extending that into fire but I felt Genmu's anger in the back of my mind. Instead I focused on the other aspect of the god of Winter, time manipulation. Which was giving less than stellar results.

The champion for the arena was coming in right now, the latest of the many undead monsters this time was a vampire, not like the vampiric shark that kept dying in the tower, now this one was a bare chested warrior, mind you that chest was devoid of colour and bulging with muscle, I assumed that had something to do with the literal rivers of blood that surrounded the area, this vampire was basically surrounded by a all you can eat buffet all the time. The by now familiar ding of a bell sounded out, the vampire waved his arm and the river blood was pulled out and formed a giant serpent with which to strike at Frost and Fang. At once Frost and Fang's limited training with time magic kicked in and time paused for but a few minutes, sadly even with time magic the two were still too slow to be able to move anywhere out of the way of the attack that was being dropped on them.

Instead, Fang sprayed his concentrated venom into the blood while Frost sucked all the heat out of the blood snake turning it into ice. When time resumed the mass of Frozen blood was stopped dead in its tracks. My two headed monster retreated into their shell as the ice broke apart and was thrown at them, smashing against the shell and knocking the two of them backwards skipping across the arena floor. The Blood quickly began thawing out in the mean time, and the vampire lost control of it as Fang's Venom attacked the cells and turned the blood into indiscriminate organic goo. In the mean time Frost and Fang were still sliding across the arena floor, ending in a spin-out in which Fang sprayed all of his venom all over the blood moat that surrounded the arena causing it all to rapidly dissolve into more of the toxic goo.

"Cute. I'm whelmed." The Vampire sounded more sarcastic than anything else. At once the Vampire held out a hand to the pool of goo next to him and something was pulled out, a sword, it was kinda curved I think, almost like a hook but not quite? Maybe I should ask Troll when he gets back what it is.

"Bring it you pasty bastard!" Fang barked as he coiled to strike.

"We can keep this up all day!" Frost shouted afterwards already the two of them were making their next move.

The 'pasty Bastard' in question zipped forward, blade ready to slash them as the duo stopped time again, Fang coiled beneath his and Frost's combined mass before lifting the majority of their bulk up into the air and slamming down on top of the vampire.

"GAH!" Both of the Vampire's legs were broken and his head had a considerable welt in it to the point that he had to drop his sword, which Fang then quickly acquired and used to lop off the Vampire's head. From the wound a frosty poison spread out and froze the vampire's body solid, even as various fluids were sucked out and absorbed into the blade leaving behind a freeze dried corpse in the process.

"Impressive. Maybe we should try to identify stuff more often." Frost commented looking at the aftermath of their carnage.

"What would we even do with a sword?" Fang demanded after coiling around so that the two of them were face to face.

"Give it to the Keeper for a bribe?" Frost asked shrugging his equivalent of shoulders. Fang reluctantly went to retrieve the sword.

"We have come for your core Arena! Are you going to surrender now or is there another monster to face!?" This could be like Leviathan all over again, a door locked by a hundred keys that needed to be found to open the door, but that was not the case here, it seems that whatever led this dungeon to form a arena gave it a sense of fair play. That would make things easier for them. "We're going to take you away from this floor and bring you back to the mortal plane, then you can sever your contract with Lucifer."

The core didn't respond, but we weren't asking for permission to begin with. The Base resembled the arena outside, Fang Slashed through it and then dragged it over and rested it on top of Frost's shell before the two of them walked away deeper into the dungeon.