CHAPTER 10 - I SAW A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
The next day Laureline returned to his territory to continue her tour. Roeg-Hiam went with her to install a small Dungeon Core gem into the black Airship. This small Core had a copy of Korra so installing it allowed her to control the Airship like a mobile Dungeon.
Roeg-Hiam then installed Korra’s main Core into his Realm below his mountain castle. He had already set up a formation to draw power and maintain his Realm but until now all changes had to be made by himself. With Korra the Realm could be adjusted without him needing to be involved. Korra was delighted with everything, Roeg-Hiam’s Realm was bigger than her old Dungeon and she was finally able to metaphorically stretch herself out, and the energy gathering formation kept her hunger sated.
The Korra on the black Airship was amazed at being mobile. As a Dungeon Core she never even dreamed of being able to travel, having a body that was an Airship was everything she never knew she wanted.
Roeg-Hiam did not want to contend with many different Korras so he networked the Cores, making her a mind with multiple bodies. This would come in handy when he knocked one of her Cores unconscious with orgasms, the rest would still function until that one came back online.
Only a few days had passed so Roeg-Hiam decided to return to Korra’s old Dungeon, the Silver Wing Guild should be near the treasure room by now but he saw no reason they should get those spoils. He made his intentions known to his ladies when Korra made a request.
“Roe, could you install a copy of me in my old Dungeon?”
Roeg-Hiam looked at Korra carefully.
“You still have the urge to kill?” The caution in Roeg-Hiam’s eyes shook her very being. If she was still blood thirsty he couldn’t trust her to watch his home or protect his family.
“No!” She shouted, rushing to him. “Take me apart and study my code if you have to but I swear it’s not that.” Korra looked desperately into his eyes. Roeg-Hiam used Dragon Rule 24: Absolute Truth, this rule allowed him to know when someone was lying or force an honest confession, this Rule is why he was confident the Laueline’s father had lied to him.
Korra was telling the truth, Roeg-Hiam’s body visibly relaxed.
“So explain, why do you wish to manage a Dungeon again?”
Korra answered without hesitation.
“I miss designing the traps and puzzles, you’ve allowed me to see so much and I’m bursting with inspiration but I have no outlet. I can make all my traps, my entire Dungeon non lethal if you like.” Roeg-Hiam thought about it before agreeing, he didn’t want any of his lovers to be bored and waiting for his attention. A business or a hobby was a necessity.
“Fine, but let’s go with it being very lethal but with a save point system.”
"I'm not sure what that is." Korra admitted.
"I'll explain later, first let me craft another Core." Good to his word Roeg-Hiam made a new Core gem and returned to the secret cavern. He reconnected this Core to the circuit of the Dungeon above and added it to his Core network.
Roeg-Hiam had Korra move all the coins and jewels into the hidden cavern, leaving the other treasures behind. Roeg-Hiam never saw the appeal of sleeping on loose gold over a fluffy bed but seeing the cavern nearly filled with gold coins awakened to urge to dive through them like Scrooge McDuck and in doing so he found a pleasure he didn’t even know he was missing. It seemed hard Dragon bodies and loose treasure were made for each other. The coins got between his scales in wonderful, mind numbing ways. The closest thing he could describe to it was a vibrating armchair he had in his old life. He was totally going to start relaxing in the treasure room in his Realm.
As he relaxed he had Korra display the progress of the Silver Wing Guild as they advanced through the Dungeon. It was prime time reality TV. The Drama, the Danger, the Triumphs!
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Five had stayed behind with the horses and 45 had entered the Dungeon, 33 of which were still alive.
Roeg-Hiam took the time to overlook the layout of Korra's Dungeon. As he thought it was a killing ground. Roeg-Hiam explained to Korra that save points were areas where people would be teleported back to if they were on the brink of losing their lives. He suggested she create only one save point, the entrance, ejecting anyone about to die, whether or not they got healing wasn’t her problem. Roeg-Hiam also suggested rest areas be built at what Korra determined was a day’s travel, these rooms would have an option for each individual to return to the entrance. This way those who have lost the will to continue would be tempted by the easy way out. They discussed many things like this, mini boss rooms, a reward system where healing potions were given before a big battle and some treasure after if they win, mimic treasure boxes, a variety of traps and a whole bestiary of monsters.
Korra began implementing changes immediately. Her first step was to close all other entrances to her Dungeon, her second was to make the entrance a grand looking edifice like an ancient tomb.
The adventurers outside saw the change but dared not enter. The new entry chamber was wide and circular, around it stood eight guardian statues and opposite the entrance was the tunnel to the Dungeon proper. In the center was an altar with silver rings in it.
‘Wear one to preserve your life.’ Was written on a placard on the altar in many different languages. After discussions with Roeg-Hiam, Korra decided that the best way to implement the save point system was to monitor each adventurer’s vitals and surroundings. A magic ring would be ideal for that and they were made to vanish after a single use or if the person left the Dungeon. As for the adventures already inside, their luck was forfeit.
Korra worked her designs down level by level making the Dungeon seem much less like a naturally occurring cave system and more of a planned obstacle. There were now 9 floors each with a different boss, keys needed to be found to open boss doors and proceed forward, Korra placed 9 chests on each level but made sure only the last one to be opened had the boss key. There was a spiral staircase after every boss room which led down to the next level. At the bottom of each staircase was a safe room. In this safe room was one of the eight statues seen at the entrance as well as another altar.
‘Touch this altar for 5 seconds if you wish to leave this Dungeon.’ Was written on this one.
Halford and his companions found themselves in quite a situation, while the majority of them slept, the Dungeon had changed around them.
The people standing watch reported the change happened in a flash and there was no time to react. Although they didn’t know it the Silver Wing Guild were in the final safe room. One more day of hard battle and they would reach the final boss and have a chance at great treasure but the issue was the altar. A promise of safety, for people who had lost a few dear friends along the way, this was quite the temptation.
Because the Silver Wing had not travelled Korra’s new Dungeon they were not able to reap the rewards from the many chests she had littered through the upper levels. Not wanting to return empty handed was the main argument for going forward. Also because the Silver Wing had not gotten the save point rings a few of them had died. Wanting to live was obviously the argument for trying the return feature offered by the altar.
With no information on how much further they had to go and the uncertainty caused by the sudden Dungeon change Halford relented and ordered their return. One of them volunteered to test the return altar. Using the communication earring they had bought from Roeg-Hiam he let the rest know it was safe from the otherside.
The battered Silver Wing Guild left the Dungeon.
Roeg-Hiam applauded their decision. His work there was done so he gathered the coins into the Horde within his Realm and teleported outside. Resuming his Magister Roe persona he boarded his Airship and flew to the entrance of Korra’s Dungeon.
The Silver Wing Guild was delighted to see Magister Roe flying over head and vigorously waved him to land. He obliged, floating down to them with what looked to be two small barrels one under each arm.
“Greetings Silver Wing Guild, Well met Halford.” He called out. Roe landed with a jolly smile before looking around and locking eyes on the new elaborate Dungeon entrance where there was a simple cave in the mountain there now stood a magnificent stone arch with broad columns leading inside.
“Halford, was that like that when I was last here?” Roe falsely asked. Halford turned to look at the entry with frustration.
“Your eyes do not lie to you Magister Roe, the Dungeon has evolved. It happened when we were still inside, we’ve lost out on any treasure but we can still sell this information and recoup our losses. Speaking of which we exhausted our potions and would like to do more business with you.”
“Ah, well let me get set up. Make room!” Roe said. He proceeded to a clear area to the right of the Dungeon entrance and placed the first small barrel down. Now that Halford got a better look at it he noticed it was set up like a model building. It had a few doors, many windows and a little red roof with a chimney. Roe planted the little barrel building on the floor before he took the second barrel and divided it lengthwise into halves. He put the cut side of each half down on either side of the little barrel building and commanded them.
‘Grow.’
They expanded in a flash, the barrel building was now 3 stories tall, the half barrel to the right was now a stable and the one to the left a store.
Halford and his Guild mates looked on in astonishment.
“When I met you here and heard there was a Dungeon, I saw a business opportunity.” Roe informed them as he reached into his cloak and pulled out 18 dolls with identical faces but different clothing according to their jobs. Clerks, cooks, waitresses, maids, stable hands and a bartender. He set them down and whispered more magic to them. They grew to human proportions and sprang to life. They were all beautiful slender women with chestnut brown hair. Roe had made from Porcelain so being proudly unoriginal he kept that as their name.
“Welcome to Magister Roe’s roadside Inn. We are Porcelain.” They bowed and greeted in chorus.
3 of the Clerks raised their hands.
“Those needing to purchase items or potions please follow us.” They then lead the way to the store. Half of the Silver Wing Guild followed them.
The 3 stable hands made a similar offer. While the 4 waitresses, 4 maids, 2 cooks, bartender and final clerk entered the hotel.
Roe approached Halford and slapped him on the back.
“Come Halford, I’ll buy you a drink while you regale me with your adventure.” They entered the common room and spent the evening in food and drink.