[Warrior, Miner, and Builder have returned]
"HOW MANY ENEMIES?" Warrior yelled.
"AI, explain the situation to them," I order as I continue monitoring the screen.
[Three human intruders have entered the first level of the dungeon. However, they don't seem interested in exploring further. Two of them are deep in discussion, while the third has marked over a quarter of the animals in the grasslands for some reason]
"I think they came for the animals and not me. So we are safe as long as they don't notice our presence," I point out.
"That's a relief," Builder said as he pulled the Mana rope attached to the Hover Chest. He had brought it back from the Stone deposit on the Second Level and parked it next to the 3D Map of the Dungeon.
"I WILL STILL GUARD THE ENTRANCE!" Warrior yelled as he readied himself with his sword and shield. He ran back to the door of the inner sanctum and posed in front of it like a statue.
Miner went over to the hover chest and pulled out a Mana Crystal.
"My Lord! I mined 3 Mana Crystal, 1500 pieces of stone, and gained 300 EXP in the last four hours." Miner reported.
"Regarding EXP gained, I have 500 EXP since I was summoned. So far, we have two Mana Crystals from the Vault and three mined from the stone deposit. We need five more to summon another Golem," the Builder explained.
"We don't have a soul for it. Anyway, I doubt a fourth Golem would make a difference right now. Oh? You both have something floating above your heads," I noticed two blue '+' signs hovering over Miner and Builder.
"I don't see anything!" Builder said after looking up.
"My Lord, are you sure?" Miner said after he did the same.
[The symbol appears when your Summons have Leveled Up]
"Right! They needed 500 EXP to reach Lv 2. But I don't see any difference in their appearance," I pointed out.
[That will only happen when they Rank up. But you will notice the changes to their stats]
"Interface! Open Details for Miner and Builder Golems!" I ordered.
[Name: Builder
Race: Golem (Monster)
Title: None
Class: Builder (Non-Combat-Class)
Rank: Clay
EXP Bar: Lv 1 500/500 => Lv 2 0/500
Race Level up Bonus: Golem Species = +100 HP & +100 DEF
Skills: Architect (+10 MP), Cartographer (+10 MP), Labourer (+10 ATK & +10 DEX), Transporter (+10 ATK & +10 DEX), Repairman (+10 MP)]
Level Up Stats
HP: 100/100 => 200/200
MP: 10/10 => 40/40
ATK: 50 => 80
DEF: 100 => 200
DEX: 5 => 25]
[Name: Miner
Race: Golem (Monster)
Title: None
Class: Minner (Non-Combat-Class)
Rank: Clay
EXP Bar: Lv 1 500/500 => Lv 2 0/500
Race Level up Bonus: Golem = +100 HP & +100 DEF
Skills: Quarry Scout (+10 MP), Crystal Eye (+10 MP), Miner (+10 ATK & +10 DEX)]
Level Up Stats
HP: 100/100 => 200/200
MP: 10/10 => 30/30
ATK: 50 => 70
DEF: 100 => 200
DEX: 5 => 15]
"Race Level-up Bonus?" I asked the AI.
[The Golem race is known for its exceptional HP and DEF stats. Upon leveling up, they receive 100 points for both stats and upon Rank Up, they receive an additional 100 points for both stats]
"Damn! Let me get this straight. Clay +100, Stone +200, Iron +300, Steel +400, Bronze +500 and so on?" I ask the AI.
[Affirmative!]
I'm so glad I got Golems for my Dungeon Minions!
"AI, can you explain how the other stats help Miner and Builder?" I request.
[The DEX stat increases their work speed.
ATK is their natural offensive ability.
MP fuels the Rune Armor, which protects them from Elemental attacks.
The Rune Armor won't activate if there is no MP left.
MP can also be used by other skills that require it]
"But there is no change to their abilities?" I ask the AI.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
[Skills might change according to the Rank Up of the Class or Evolution they go through]
"My Lord! The intruders are fighting!" Miner pointed at the screen.
"Against the animals?" I ask before I focus on the screen.
Dale Falar's body has undergone a strange and horrifying metamorphosis. What was once a human form has transformed into a humanoid crow covered in black flame feathers. He launches several black fireballs at Phil Sin, which transform into flaming crows.
Phil Sin extends his arm, and an ethereal forcefield forms, emanating a bright and dazzling light. The barrier surface resembles a diamond, refracting the sunlight in a rainbow of colors. The black flaming crows collide with the forcefield, and several loud explosion echoes through the air, sending debris flying in all directions. When the dust clears, the forcefield remains undamaged, its radiant surface untouched.
As a sudden burst of anger consumes Dale, he rises into the air, leaving behind a trail of dust and debris. In a rage, he summons another flock of black fiery crows that descend upon Phil Sin in waves. But to Dale's surprise, none of them seem to break through the barrier. On the other hand, Phil Sin is laughing uncontrollably, as if he has completely lost his mind. Despite the chaos around him, he manages to say something to Dale that only serves to enrage him further.
Dale heads towards the animals marked by Brock's arrows, easily spotted due to the gold dust falling off their bodies.
Dale launches the same attack he used on Phil Sin and succeeds in killing dozens of Bison who are roasted alive. He descends to their cooked bodies and begins devouring them with the beak his flames have created for his face. It takes a few minutes for Dale to consume the body of one Bison before moving on to the next and more after that.
"What the hell? Dale has reached Stone Rank after killing and eating animals!" I observed.
[This should not be possible unless... his curse has something to do with it. But I will need to scan literature related to the curse to be certain]
Dale goes on a killing spree and eats every roasted victim. Dale goes from Stone Rank to Iron Rank after slaughtering half the marked animals and consuming them.
"That is...overpowered!" I grumbled at the screen.
"Is he trying to get stronger to kill that Priest?" Builder asked, and he received an answer immediately.
Wrapped entirely in Black Flames, Dale's body grew until it reached 12 feet. His wing span is similar to that of a small propellor aircraft. He screamed so loud that every animal still alive within 3 kilometers was paralyzed by fear. Dale then flies back up and activates a new skill he gained from the rank-up.
This time, Dale creates a Double-Decker bus-sized fireball that contracts until it resembles a black spear. He grabs it and then hurls it at Phil Sin. The man finally stops laughing and increases the layers of his defense. Upon contact, the explosion creates a mini shock wave and vaporizes a 30-meter radius. There is no smoke as the flames absorb it, and Phil Sin's figure is still standing there unharmed but on his knees.
As Dale's anger began to subside, he swooped down from the sky, his wings flapping hard before he landed in front of the Priest. Phil was calm and collected but stood firm, ready for whatever would come next. As the two men stood face to face, Phil spoke, his voice carrying a calm authority that seemed to unlock a door inside Dale, and the barrier between them disappeared. Suddenly, Dale's wings began to lash out at Phil as if they had a life of their own, but Phil didn't flinch. He stood there, his expression unchanged, as if he expected this.
Dale's wings took turns to smack Phil's body, burning him, and their impacts reverberated through the air. At that moment, Dale was venting all his pent-up frustration.
Phil was constantly assaulted, and the attacks showed no signs of abating. But then, he conjured up magic that instantly restored him to his previous state before the attack. Dale had lost all hope and strength. He was powerless to harm Phil. His expression softened, and he let out a mournful cry that revealed his deep frustration and helplessness.
Brock stood at a safe distance, observing the unfolding scene with curiosity and apprehension. Dale was now staring at him with an unsettling intensity. Brock's heart sank as he realized that Dale was coming straight for him, his steps slow and measured, like a predator closing in on its prey. Desperate to avoid a confrontation, Brock turned to Phil and implored him to intervene and end Dale's advance.
Phil smiled with his eyes closed as Dale used his black flames to burn Brock.
I watched Dale eat Brock's remains to reach Steel Rank. He then flew into the air and hunted the rest of the animals in the grasslands marked by his victim. This time, Dale didn't use his flames. Instead, he struck their necks with his wings to end their lives.
Phil Sin followed Dale's path and touched the corpses. Their bodies were absorbed into the rings studded with precious stones on his fingers. The two continued their work until all the marked animals were dead and collected.
When Dale reverted to his human form, I noticed a significant transformation in his physical appearance. The extra weight he had been carrying had melted away, and his eyes had taken on a striking resemblance to those of a hawk. The clothes he wore earlier had been burnt to ashes during the transformation. Phil then pulled out a set of black robes from his rings and offered them to Dale, who inspected the garments before wearing them.
The pair moved toward the exit with a melancholy air, their footsteps echoing through the empty Dungeon hallway. Not a single word was spoken between them, and the silence made me uneasy. However, my tension dissipated as they finally passed through the gate, and I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Well, that was interesting." Builder.
"I'm glad that Black Flame freak didn't come down here to eat us," Miner said.
"Damn it! What kind of Humans exist in this world? I can't even consider attacking a kingdom with that kind of firepower, defensive barriers and healing power," I complained.
"Perhaps they were unique?" suggested the Builder.
"The only way to find out was through Brocks's memories... but Dale killed him!" I complained.
[It doesn't matter who killed Brock. What matters is that he died inside the dungeon. His soul is now trapped within its borders and can be absorbed by the Dungeon core]
"Really? Well, that's great! How do I absorb his soul?" I ask the AI.
[Use the voice command 'Interface! Detect Souls in Level 1']
I followed the instructions, and a screen appeared.
[Souls Detected: Rogue Soul x1]
"No! I thought he would become a Breeder soul!" I complained.
[Now use voice command, 'Absorb Souls' to capture it]
"Fine! I must be satisfied with its memories and language skills," I reconcile.
[Captured Souls: One rogue soul was captured. Potential for evolution into an Incubus Soul, Gambler Soul, or Breeder Soul was detected.]
"Incubus? Well, Brock's details sounded like a Male sex Demon," I point out.
[You must pick one evolution path, or it will remain as a Rogue Soul]
"I don't have any interest in an Incubus Golem. Nor do I need a Gambler Golem, so I pick the Breeder Soul!" I instructed.
[Rogue soul => Breeder Soul]
[Souls will appear as miniature statues inside your Personal Storage space]
[New Language Skill: Falaran]
[Soul Memories have been saved into the Memory Bank.
Access the Memory Bank with the voice command 'View Memory Bank']
I followed the instructions and opened a yellow folder named after Brock with a voice command. Inside were files from the last seven days of his life.
"Do they play out his memories like a movie?" I ask the AI.
[You will enter a full immersion mode to experience those memories as your own. Each file will require an hour of real-world time. So I caution you on how you use it and get the Golems tasks in order while you are busy]
"Thank you for the warning! Miner and Builder, please return to the Stone Deposit with the Hover Chest. Take Warrior with you and instruct him to use his sword to cut down the trees in the Dense Forest. We need 10000 Wood for the Breeding Farm, so let's start gathering it since we have the Breeder Soul. In case of any further intrusions, the AI will turn off the lights again. Do you understand?" I instruct.
"Aye, my Lord!" Miner.
"Roger." Builder.