One stormy night, Ren was abruptly awoken by a disturbance at the edge of his awareness. Damn, not another wolf or possibly a bear, he thought. Using the rat’s senses, he directed them to investigate the source of the noise. As they cautiously approached, Ren realized this was no wild beast. It was a human, a hunter and he was severely wounded.
The hunter, drenched from the rain, stumbled into the cave and collapsed near the entrance. Blood soaked his clothes, and his breaths were shallow and labored. “I guess I won't... see my wife and child again… damn those pack of wolves they did a number on me.” he muttered, his voice filled with regret. With a final, agonized breath, he slumped to the side, his life extinguished like a candle light being blown out in the wind. Ren focused, feeling the familiar surge of experience points flow into him.
Ren watched in silence as the rats cautiously approached and began to pick his bones clean. So this is what death looks like up close. I wonder if I looked this meek when I died, Ren mused. I guess it's a necessary part of the cycle, gross as it may. Once the rats had finished, Using some experience points, he focused on pulling a soul down into the mangled bloody corpse reanimating the hunter's remains.
The once hunter rose, now an undead servant. He was a mere shell of his former self, stripped of any knowledge, memories and even the skin of his past life. The transformation was complete, and Ren now had a new tool to aid in the development of his dungeon.
"Level 1 skeleton acquired"
Among the hunter's belongings was a bow, which the skeleton seemed to inherently know how to use.
With the undead skeleton's strength and dexterity, Ren set him to work. The skeleton began carving out proper tunnels and setting up more elaborate traps under Ren's guidance. Every stone moved brought the dungeon closer to becoming a formidable stronghold. Ren marveled at the skeleton's efficiency, its movements precise and unyielding unlike the crude work of the rats. Perhaps this existence isn't so bad, he mused.
Days passed, and Ren continued to expand and fortify his domain. The skeleton tirelessly worked, cutting deeper into the rock and creating passages. Ren experimented with new traps, directing the skeleton to set up pitfalls, with concealed spikes. He even instructed the rats to assist, using their small size to navigate tight spaces. The cave was evolving, becoming a true dungeon.
One day, Ren felt another disturbance that was now expanding to just outside of his entrance, it was storming. Using the rats to investigate, he directed the skeleton to hide in a hidden side tunnel near the entrance. The rats soon revealed the cause, a group of slavers dragging a bound male captive into the cave to seek shelter from the storm. Ren overheard their conversation, learning that the captive couldn’t pay his part of the village's taxes and had been sold to the slavers. They planned to resell him in town at the slave auction.
As the slavers settled near the entrance, Ren sent whispers to the rats to bring the crystal. One of the slavers noticed the shiny object that a rat had dropped at the end of the tunnel. It was the crystal Ren had stored.
“Hey, what's that? Go get it,” the leader ordered, pointing toward the shiny object. As the slavers approached the crystal, they triggered a pit trap and fell into it, their screams echoing through the cave.
Seizing the opportunity, Ren directed the skeleton to use the bow. The skeleton emerged from the shadows and loosed an arrow at the main slaver, who was still standing at the edge of the pit. The arrows struck him in the eye, and he fell backward like a sack of potatoes.
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The skeleton then aimed at the men in the pit, releasing arrows with deadly accuracy. It was like shooting fish in a barrel Ren thought as he felt a surge of satisfaction and power from absorbing the experience points of the defeated slavers.
Ren heard a voice
“You’ve leveled up, level 2 dungeon”
“Skeleton has leveled up level 5 skeleton, class acquired skeleton ranger”
What’s this some system or voice of the world or of god Ren thought.
The rats retrieved the crystal and the slaver’s equipment, which included some basic tools and weapons. Ren knew that these resources would be valuable for further enhancing his dungeon.
Now, Ren faced a new challenge: the remaining slave. The man, still bound, looked around in terror, expecting the worst. He flinched as the skeleton approached but was surprised when it didn't attack. Instead, under Ren's direction, it cut through the ropes binding him with a small dagger, setting him free. The man hesitated, unsure of what to do next.
The man took a few tentative steps toward the cave exit but then stopped. He looked back at the skeleton and the rats, his eyes wide with fear and confusion.
“Who... who are you?” he whispered, his voice trembling.
The skeleton stood silently. The man, realizing he had nowhere else to go since he couldn't remove his slave collar, no immediate threats and there was still a bad storm outside, decided to stay at least for the time being. He picked up one of the discarded swords from the slavers.
“I don't know what you are, but I'll be staying for now. I'll help you in any way I can,” he said, his voice steadying.
Ren felt a sense of accomplishment. Not only had he defended his domain, but he had also gained a potential ally. As he continued to develop his dungeon. This is just the beginning, Ren thought, his resolve strengthening. I will make this dungeon a force to be reckoned with.
Ren spent the following days integrating the new resources into his dungeon. The tools and weapons from the slavers were put to use, improving the efficiency of the traps and defenses. The man, who introduced himself as Kaito, proved to be a quick learner and a valuable asset. Under Ren's silent guidance, Kaito followed the skeleton's lead, helping reinforce the dungeon's entrances.
Kaito often spoke to himself as he worked, and Ren listened intently, learning more about the outside world. He learned about the village's struggles, the harsh taxes imposed by the local lord, and the dangers that lurked beyond the forest. Ren's understanding of the world grew if just a little, fueling his determination to strengthen his dungeon. The village’s harsh realities made Ren more resolved to create a place of safety, no matter how unconventional.
As days turned into weeks, the dungeon evolved. New rooms were carved out. The skeleton and Kaito worked tirelessly, their efforts transforming the cave into a labyrinthine fortress. Ren's influence over the dungeon grew, his powers expanding with each passing day. Kaito worked diligently, enhancing the traps and finding new ways to fortify the cave’s defenses.
While Ren focused on the internal development of the dungeon, Kaito took an interest in the world outside. He began exploring the surrounding forest, gathering supplies, and even hunting for food. On one of his excursions, Kaito found a small clearing near the dungeon entrance. It was the perfect spot for a garden.
Kaito started planting simple crops like herbs and vegetables, using his knowledge of farming. Each day, he would tend to the garden, ensuring the plants received enough water and sunlight. The garden quickly became a small oasis of life amidst the dense forest, providing fresh produce for Kaito’s meals and a sense of normalcy in his otherwise chaotic life.
One evening, as Kaito rested near the entrance, he spoke to the silent skeleton.
“I don't know what brought me here, or why you've spared me, but I feel like I have a purpose now. Maybe this dungeon is meant to be my new home,” he said, his voice steady and resolute.
Ren processed Kaito’s words as data, noting the human’s growing attachment to the place. Though Ren couldn't communicate directly, he recognized Kaito's presence as beneficial. Together, they continued to build and fortify the dungeon, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead. Kaito’s efforts outside the dungeon complemented Ren’s internal work, creating a balanced and thriving environment.
Ren had the hidden path lead to a small living area and Kaito's hunting trips became more frequent. He fashioned crude traps for small game and honed his skills.