I watched the other group attempt the second floor and was surprised to them actually make it to the fourth room before being forced to turn around. Obviously having an archer of their own helped a lot. What really helped though was the numbers advantage. Even that didn't last though. I'm sure a few levels won't make much difference later on but for now every level counts. Having lost their numerical advantage in the fourth room they were exhausted and eventually forced to retreat by the level 6 and 7 wolves. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this party.
Between the two of them I certainly got a lot of mana. Now I think it's finally time to get back to construction. The next room I place will be almost identical to the previous room minus the water. I also take the time to throw in a few orange trees. As for the mobs I add four level 14 skeletons including a fighter, tank, fire mage, and healer. This being the most common party configuration I see. I still don't feel right being able to give my creatures fire magic when I don't have it myself.
The room after that I place to the east. This room consists of a few miracle berries with some apple trees here and there. as for monsters I place a level 15 skeletal party similar to the previous room but with a water mage instead of a fire mage. For a moment I'm tempted to throw in a rogue as well so that it resembles Clyde's party. I decide against it though because if something happened to one of them this room would be a cruel reminder of what was lost.
The next room is the last room before the boss. This one I also place to the east. As for mobs I place another level 15 Skeleton party but this time I swap out the mage for an archer. I also put in two level 15 dire wolves. I want to make sure that any party facing the boss has a chance of defeating it. It will be the first obsidian rank boss after all. Each increase in rank represents a dramatic increase in every measurable metric. Up till now the bosses have both been stone rank so delvers had no lower rank bosses to compare them to.
The boss room itself is placed to the south of this room. As for what the boss will actually be I decide on a level 20 tank. More than just being level 20 though I also give him magic resistance as well as a full set of high-quality obsidian rank gear. each piece having its own enchantment as well as being made of a higher quality and all-around purer metal than wood or even stone rank gear. Most of the enchantments include basic defense buffs.
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A few notable exceptions include the helmet which has an enchantment to let the wearer see through any illusion created by an obsidian rank or lower adventurer. The gauntlet which had a strength buff. The sabaton which had a speed buff. The sword, which was enchanted to be sharper than normal, and last but certainly not least the shield which was enchanted to subtly make opponents target the shield. On top of that I gave the boss the swift strike and shield bash skills.
All that may seem like overkill but it's precisely because of that the room before the boss is so tough. As a reward for defeating the boss I make it so that the boss will always drop a random piece of gear complete with the corresponding enchantment still attached. Unfortunately, all those enchantments, skills, and high-quality gear cost me what little world energy I had left. So, for now, it's back to waiting. Fortunately, all I've got left to do in order to officially finish the third floor is the side paths. Since I plan to mostly use the smaller 10x10x10 rooms for the side paths they will be much cheaper.
Meanwhile outside the dungeon.
Clyde POV
Walking around the outpost I can't help but think about how big this place has gotten. It seems like there are more houses going up every day. Of course, since it's technically my land they had to get permission to build. I just didn't realize until now how much each new house added to the size and complexity of the outpost. Some people have said that I should just go ahead and found a town. The thing is though, I just want to delve. I don't want to be in charge of a town. Never mind the fact that, as Lily keeps reminding me, I kind of already am even if it's not an official town.
As I approach the new academy that is currently under construction I can't help wondering if maybe they're right. Maybe I'm just being stubborn. Being an official town would surely attract more people. Most of those people I suspect would be delvers. This would increase the revenue from the entry fees. The fact that it's in the middle of a desert being offset by having a dungeon in the middle of town.
Being an official town will also allow me to hire guards to act as security and more importantly peacekeepers. It's not too bad at the moment but as this place grows so too will crime. That's just a fact of life. Made even worse by living in such an impoverished kingdom. Not that I think it's possible for any kingdom to be 100% crime free. Generally speaking though, the more wealth a kingdom has the better trained, more skilled, and better equipped the guards are.
The thing is, it would also mean a ton more paperwork every day. On top of that it would mean daily or near daily battles with the most ferocious, most relentless, and most feared monster in the entire world, bureaucracy. A monster that has defeated even the most seasoned adventurer. Still looking at the clinic going in right across from the academy I find myself reluctantly agreeing that maybe it is time after all.
Now what should I name it. Every town needs a name after all. I don't have any ideas at the moment but I'm certain I can do better than Dungeon Town. I'm also going to rule out any name with desert in it because I don't want my towns name to be so cliché. Unfortunately, as far as what to actually name it I'm drawing a blank. Perhaps It's time I ask the others for suggestions.