Chapter 37: A New Entrance
Completing the second floor of the dungeon took several more days of intense effort. Brent poured his energy into making the course as unique and challenging as possible, determined to make it a memorable experience for any adventurer who dared to enter. His dungeon minions worked tirelessly by his side whenever they had a spare moment, ensuring that the existing floor continued to operate with peak efficiency while supporting the second floor's creation.
With the final touches finally in place, Brent gathered all of his minions to go over new options for the floor. He wanted their firsthand experience and insights before opening it to adventurers. Reviewing his roster of minions, Brent took a moment to reflect on the new options he had unlocked. Each addition represented potential strategies, fresh obstacles, and new ways to make the dungeon even more dynamic and formidable.
Minions
Cogspinners - Small, clockwork spider-like constructs that can rapidly spin gears, change track directions, and sabotage mechanisms to disorient adventurers. They skitter along tracks and machinery, causing unexpected shifts and obstacles.
Blaze Drifters - Hovering elemental spirits of flame that leave trails of fire along the paths. They can ignite combustible traps or briefly engulf areas in searing heat, adding danger and complexity to high-speed chases.
Sprocket Gnashers - Compact mechanical creatures with rotating mouths filled with sharp, metal teeth. They attach themselves to minecarts, gnawing at them to slow their movement and cause havoc until removed.
Mirror Shards - Ethereal entities that reflect light and illusions, creating disorienting mirror images of adventurers or obscuring parts of the track. They thrive in illusion-based rooms, enhancing disorientation and confusion.
Voltwhips - Agile, serpentine constructs that emit powerful electrical shocks. They lash out with whip-like appendages charged with electricity, stunning adventurers and causing temporary paralysis or malfunctions in their equipment.
Gloomwraiths - Shadowy figures that emerge from dark corners, appearing as fleeting apparitions to distract and terrify. They excel at manipulating light and shadow to create illusions, leading adventurers into dangerous areas.
Gravemaws - Massive, mechanical jaw traps disguised as stone flooring. When triggered, they snap shut, briefly trapping anything on top of them. They can be used to impede progress or isolate individual adventurers.
"These new options are impressive," Brent remarked, scrolling through the available minions and traps.
"They do tend to improve as you level up," Emil agreed. "And adding a new floor really amplifies your options. This place is going to make a huge impact once the new level opens."
"Absolutely. But before that, we need to close temporarily to set up the staging area," Brent pointed out, his excitement tinged with practicality.
"Agreed. While we're on that topic, I had an idea to discuss," Emil said, a hint of anticipation in his tone.
Brent's core pulsed with interest. "I'm all ears, Emil!"
"Some dungeons establish an internal economy," Emil began. "Not only does it attract more adventurers, but it can also bring in rare items and even currency. While you can't exactly spend that currency in town, you could use it to give out as prizes. If you create a storefront run by a minion, adventurers could exchange items for better gear or unique rewards. That way, you'd gain new blueprints without relying solely on killing adventurers."
"That's brilliant!" Brent exclaimed, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "And it gives me an idea too. Back on Earth, there were arcades where you could trade tickets won from games for prizes at a counter. We could do something similar. Adventurers who complete the dungeon could choose between a token or a treasure chest reward. Those tokens could then be saved and exchanged for better prizes at a special counter."
Emil's eyes lit up with approval. "That's an excellent addition, Brent! Combining the token system with the storefront will set us apart. Adventurers love options, and this will create even more engagement."
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"Exactly! We'll set it up during the next shutdown. This is going to make our dungeon truly unique," Brent said, his excitement building.
"You're right. This kind of creativity will really give us an edge," Emil agreed, feeling equally energized by their plans.
The excitement in the dungeon was palpable as Brent and his minions gathered to transform a vast, unused chamber into a grand waiting area. This would be unlike anything the adventurers had ever seen—a mix of entertainment, anticipation, and creative twists that would make Golem’s Gambit unforgettable.
“Alright, everyone,” Brent announced, his core glowing brightly as he hovered above the gathered minions. “This will be the heart of our waiting area—a place where adventurers can prepare, unwind, and have some fun before tackling the dungeon. Let’s make it something special.”
Ferron stepped forward, ever ready to lead by example. He held a massive slab of stone in his metallic hands. “I’ll start on the Pool table. Polished stone and enchanted spheres should do the trick.”
Brent nodded with enthusiasm. “Make sure the spheres glow softly when struck. It’ll add that magical touch we’re looking for.”
Without hesitation, Ferron and Caldron began chiseling and polishing the thick slab of black stone until it gleamed under the enchanted lights. Mechard, ever the engineer, joined in by etching glowing lines across the table’s surface. The lines pulsed with energy and subtly adjusted each shot, giving the game a unique and unpredictable twist. “This will keep the players on their toes,” Mechard said, a rare smile crossing his mechanical face.
Kagejin, on the opposite end of the chamber, was assembling a foosball table. His metal figurines were tiny constructs, each designed with surprising detail and armed with miniature weapons. As he spun one of the rods, two constructs clashed with a metallic clang.
“I call it the ‘Clash of Constructs,’” Kagejin announced, clearly proud of his creation. The figures moved with precise elegance, their small gears whirring as they struck at each other in a battle for the enchanted sphere.
“Love it!” Brent said, grinning wide. “That’ll keep even the most seasoned adventurers entertained.”
After the pool table, Caldron focused intently on the shuffleboard game. His creation had a twist—enchanted currents of air danced across the board, creating invisible obstacles that players would have to account for. As Caldron hammered a rune into place, a soft gust of wind blew a test puck slightly off course.
“This will keep the game interesting,” Caldron said, a hint of pride in his voice. “Players will have to think and react quickly.”
“Perfect for keeping them engaged,” Brent praised, feeling his core swell with pride. “This is exactly the kind of creative flair we need.”
Ignarok, unable to contribute with delicate tasks due to his massive size, took on the dartboard. He carved it from a chunk of magically resistant wood, layering it with rings of enchanted iron that glowed faintly. “If they strike the bullseye, it’ll release a harmless burst of flame,” he explained, his deep voice rumbling. “And if they miss too many times, it’ll spit out a spark as a playful taunt.”
“Fiery and flashy—just how we like it,” Brent said, his approval evident.
The bowling alley presented another challenge, but Vulcanis rose to the occasion with zeal. He forged each pin from hardened wood reinforced with metallic cores. “No matter how hard they’re hit, these pins won’t break,” he said confidently, wiping soot from his hands. A dedicated golem was programmed to reset the pins, its movements methodical and precise.
As the games came together, Brent turned his attention to the centerpiece of the waiting area—the exchange counter. “This will be ‘Golem’s Gambit Rewards,’” he declared, his voice brimming with excitement. Using a mix of stone and metal, he crafted an imposing counter, behind which enchanted displays showcased potential prizes: enchanted daggers, rare potions, intricately carved trinkets, and more. Mechard installed a complex tracking system to handle token exchanges and ensure fairness.
To round out the area, Brent directed the creation of two staging rooms. “Each room will have a heavy stone door that seals shut once adventurers enter,” he explained. “The first room will lead to the original dungeon floor, while the second will house a portal device for instant access to the second floor.”
Mechard stepped forward, presenting the portal device—a swirling blue vortex encased in runic stonework. “I’ve calibrated it for precise travel,” he said. “It’ll bring adventurers directly to the second level.”
“Great work, Mechard,” Brent said, feeling genuinely impressed.
“Don’t forget the scoreboard,” Emil reminded him.
With Emil’s help, they enchanted a towering board that would display the top completion times. The board glowed with an ethereal light. Rows on the board showed where the rankings would go, which would be magically carved into the stone automatically.
“This is incredible,” Brent said, taking in the completed area. “When adventurers step in here, they’ll know they’re in for something special.”
Ferron nodded. “This is more than just a waiting room—it’s a spectacle.”
As they admired their work, Ferron’s gaze lingered on the foosball table. “Want to test it out?” he asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Brent chuckled. “I don’t have hands, remember?”
“Details,” Ferron said with a dismissive wave. “I’ll play for you.”
With playful banter and laughter, Ferron and Kagejin spun the rods, the tiny constructs clashing with a metallic clink. Even Ignarok joined in, providing booming commentary and occasionally “helping” by blowing gusts of air to knock the ball off course. For a moment, it was easy to forget they were in a deadly dungeon.
The mood turned serious again as Brent addressed his minions. “The grand reopening is tomorrow. Are we ready?”
Excitement mixed with apprehension filled the room. “Ready as we’ll ever be,” Ferron said confidently.
“Once those doors open, adventurers will flood in,” Emil said. “But remember—this is more than just another run. This is the next phase of Golem’s Gambit. Let’s show them what we’re made of.”
Brent’s core glowed brighter. “Tomorrow, they’ll see what we’ve built. And they’ll know we’re just getting started.”
The dungeon walls seemed to vibrate with anticipation as if the stone itself sensed the magnitude of what was to come. As the minions dispersed to prepare, Brent felt the thrill of a new challenge—and the promise of greatness.
The air buzzed with anticipation. The grand opening loomed, promising adventure, danger, and rewards unlike any before. The night stretched long and full of possibility, and the excitement was almost too much to bear. When the doors finally opened again, nothing would be the same.