It was truly impressive what Gus could accomplish in a short time. Jimmy wondered why the prick had never run for office.

There wasn’t a single person outside moving without a purpose. Gus had cleared out the office buildings and hotels nearby for people to have at least a room for themselves. One would think that the area would be filthy, but Gus had set up dumpsters everywhere for his trucks to pick up and deliver to Rick.

Even with all of that, there were two big problems: Food and gas. Jimmy knew that people would soon start killing each other over the two resources. People could buy both of those things from the System Shop, but it was too expensive.

Jimmy didn’t know if things were different in other parts of the world, but here in Phoenix, Arizona, there was no industry to get more credits other than the initial sell-off that happened when the Shop opened. Jimmy knew Rick was already going to produce oil for Gus, but the Energy cost would be much too high for him to supply everyone with food as well.

Surprisingly, this is where the Cartel came in. Lazaro was very well-versed in farming indoors which was necessary in the confines of downtown Phoenix. Jimmy had used his hummingbirds to check on the farms outside of the city, but the news wasn’t good on that front. With the supply chain belly-up and people raiding them for food, they were effectively out of business.

By farming indoors, not only could the Cartel supply the people in the area with fresh produce, but they could sell any excess through the System Shop. This was one opportunity that Jimmy was happy to pawn off on someone else.

Jimmy’s hummingbirds had been his best investment yet. He kept tabs on Kara and Rick’s parents and helped discover news from the surrounding areas. Kara and Rick’s parents had nearly reached the snake dungeon.

But there was one thing he did with them that he wouldn’t tell anybody about quite yet. He searched for clues on who killed his parents. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a very good detective. So far, he had gathered that they were killed by human hands and that the killer was fast. Their bodies didn’t show any sign of being attacked by a weapon or gun.

Whoever it was, Jimmy would keep his eyes peeled for that type of fighting style in the dungeon. To do that, he’d need to be a good Dungeon Attendant and bring people in, which he had already begun to put into action. Across the street, there had been a Chinese Buffet joint with lots of floor space. Gus made that the official place for Challengers to form teams and go over strategies.

Jimmy had plans for them to move into the Auxiliary Room, but Rick would need to build it up further before then. In the meantime, it was nice to be able to point potential Challengers to a spot where others might need their services. He kept notes on all of them in the event one had been his parents’ killer.

A few familiar faces moved through the crowd toward his security booth with two young lads in tow, snapping Jimmy out of his thoughts. “What’s up, Alex? Looks like you found Danny and his brother, I presume?” Jimmy asked.

The leader of the Spell & Sword smiled and nodded, “Yep. And they’re very excited to meet a certain Golden Retriever inside.”

“I’m Dane, by the way,” the slightly older boy said with a shy wave. His face was pale except for the dark circles under his eyes. Danny held his older brother’s hand and held a gray bunny in the other.

Jimmy leaped off his stool and opened the door, “Go in, everyone. Penny and Rick will fix you right up. And as promised, tonight’s stay is on the house.”

“Thank you, Jimmy,” Alex said. “Wait, Grady is looking forward to what you were telling us earlier. Do you know if Rick started building it yet?” Alex asked. Grady was looking over his shoulder expectantly.

“I’m not sure. There’s a new face inside that should be able to help you. He’s a total prick and looks like a horse. Calls himself Atrono. Anyway, did you find a replacement for Grady?” Jimmy asked.

“Kind of. We were going to go with someone Gus hooked us up with, but after seeing that last broadcast we declined. I could tell Gus was pissed and I feel like he’s watching us all the time. I’m looking forward to getting back inside the Aux Room myself,” Alex admitted.

Jimmy scratched his chin, “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side right now. So who else do you have in mind?”

“Deandre. He seems great and has been on time whenever we hold a meeting, but he’s quite reclusive. Once our meetings are over, he runs off doing who knows what,” Alex shrugged.

“Ah, good choice,” Jimmy agreed. “If he comes by, should I let him in for you?”

Alex clapped Jimmy on the shoulder, “Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.”

“Will do, now get goin’ — you’re suffocating me here,” Jimmy said and shooed them through the door.

— — —

The first item Rick had seen, he bought right away and put it to use.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Kaiju Incubation Chamber Array: This Array will scan the Kaiju Egg and provide the correct environment for optimal growth. The Array also encloses the Egg in a forcefield impenetrable by any being under Level 200. The Egg Guardian may bypass the forcefield. Warning: Array will disable twenty hours prior to expected hatching.

The item was more of a ten-foot by ten-foot room. Rick quickly dug a hole to fit the dimensions perfectly and built a simple structure over it by stealing ideas from the Tavern. It had a respectable area in the front and three separate rooms in the back. This would be Penny’s Health Clinic. A small hatch in one of the rooms led to the Incubation Chamber.

Penny wagged her tail and panted happily. She knew that the Egg was safer now. Rick couldn’t help but make her a giant bargle steak to chew on.

The next item was for Penny as the Egg Guardian, but it was designed for a humanoid species.

Feather Fall Belt: Egg Guardians and Kaijus often stick together. This belt allows the Guardian to jump off the Kaiju and fall at a desired speed.

Rick imagined Penny riding a giant monster’s shoulder, wagging her tail, and chuckled.

Atrono wanted to inspect everything and Rick allowed him to put the belt on Penny. She didn’t seem to mind it being there. It wasn’t a typical belt that Rick would have worn to work, but it clasped more like a seatbelt and easily stretched enough to wrap around Penny. Rick suspected that Penny was currently in the upper echelon of anyone on Earth in terms of expensive gear.

The third item raised questions for Rick, but it was interesting nonetheless.

Arena Brand: When the Kaiju is born, this item brands itself on the Kaiju’s soul. If another Kaiju enters the dungeon, neither will die in battle. Their fight will end at the brink of death at which time the brand will activate and halt both kaiju’s movements. Warning: Kaiju may still perish if left unattended.

“Got it. Penny will be all over the healing aspect,” Rick said. “Atrono, will the Kaiju respawn in here if it dies”

The centaur shook his head, “No, Kaijus cannot be minions. A floor boss may one day evolve into one, but it is exceedingly rare.”

It was strange to think that he would have a combatant in his dungeon unable to respawn. If he had its DNA, couldn’t he just clone it like he planned to do with Gus? “Couldn’t I just clone it?” Rick asked Atrono.

The centaur gasped and it turned into a coughing fit, “No. Please tell me that you haven’t dabbled in such a thing.”

Rick was surprised by Atrono’s reaction so he lied, “No, but if something is in my registry, I should be able to recreate it.”

“No, you fool. Nothing with a Truesoul, anyway. Dungeons that have attempted such things are always driven to madness or punished by the System in some way. The only way to clone something is by providing the Dungeon Shop with whatever is in your registry. The System will then create a copy and you can either buy it back with whatever the System did to it, or sell it to another dungeon.”

“Huh. Interesting,” It made Rick a little nervous, but he felt that he could still experiment with Gus clones. He’d just have to be more discreet about it.

Atrono looked around with narrowed eyes, “Promise me that you won’t attempt something so foolish.”

“Yeah, yeah. I was just asking,” Rick said dismissively.

Atrono sighed, “What else did you get from the KBO?”

There were two more individual items and the last ten were all the same thing. The first of the two individual items was something Rick hadn’t thought that the beast might need.

Ancient Kaiju Health Pack: Health Potions do not work on Kaijus. A Kaiju needs either a powerful healer or the blood of another Kaiju. This Health Pack comes from the blood of the ancient Kaiju Paloken. It will bring most Kaijus from the brink of death to full health.

“That might be the most expensive item I’ve ever seen,” Atrono breathed. “Kaiju health packs are quite common. Many retired Kaiju fighters siphon their blood to sell for a hefty profit on the market. Paloken is one of the most famous Kaiju and has been dead for a very long time. The fact that some of its blood is still preserved is nothing short of a miracle.”

“Seems like overkill for a baby kaiju,” Rick said.

“I would have to agree. I would save that one until you need it. It may just be that the KBO is showing you that they are willing to go to great lengths to preserve your kaiju,” Atrono said.

“Well I’m sold on them,” Rick said. Not only did they immediately respond, but they sent him things that he wasn’t sure he’d ever been able to afford.

When Rick read the description of the next item, he realized that both he and Atrono were wrong about the blood being the most expensive item.

Kaiju Growth Accelerator: When the Kaiju hatches, using this item will grant it ten levels.

Atrono galloped in a circle excitedly, “I don’t think you realize how valuable this is. It takes a lot for a Kaiju to level. Much more than any other being and some of them stagnate for centuries unless they eat an entire civilization or something else absurd. Typically, they level by defeating other Kaijus.”

“Should I send these people a gift basket with a ‘Thank You’ note?” Rick asked. There had to be a catch.

“No, they know exactly how valuable all of this is and that you will never be able to repay them. This is their way of telling you that other Kaijus will come to Earth and test the one you have here. It also tells the rest of the multiverse that you already have their backing. It’s a sign that says, ‘Don’t Bother Rick’.”

Rick laughed, “I could get used to friends like that.”

Atrono couldn’t hold back a smile, “I as well. This is going to be a fruitful relationship, Rick. Now, what are the last items?”

The last ten items weren’t as exciting, and they were all the same, but they were certainly useful.

Kaiju Recovery Kit: Even if a Kaiju isn’t physically hurt after a battle, they often need a long time to recover. The recovery kit will greatly speed up this process.

“Damn. That was awesome,” was all Rick could manage to say after going through the gifts.

“Get used to it. Now that I’m here, I’ll see what else we can get from interested investors. I think I’ll retire to my home and send some messages,” the centaur said and galloped off to his odd house.

“By all means, have fun,” Rick said, struggling to contain his excitement. Thankfully, the door opened and Rick was happy to see the Spell & Sword with Danny and his brother.