The next day after the inauguration of the city core I went to every town I had an anchor at spreading the rumors of the marvel. And also of the dungeon that was recently 'discovered' near it. I got lucky and was able to acquire a smithy some furnaces and some kilns that were unused in Barnsley.

Somehow the news that the guild was robbed blind scared some craftsmen to move to the more secure towns of Strawford or Colchester. I paid 20 gold coins on those facilities and placed the land rights for sale for 5. Gold to be delivered to Bertramus at the Mirfield commercial association. I also hired a caravan to take some grain and vegetables there 7 gold for two carts of the stuff. They are using ice magic to preserve the plants.

I took Noornor to the dungeon to powerlevel him a bit. He unlocked the craftsman job and I taught him the basics of smithing. He is a dwarf, for crying out loud. I told him to not spend SP and just hone his craft. It was an instant hit with the goblin craftsmen. They really want to learn how to work with metal.

And now I am ready to jumpstart the dungeon, but I have no dungeon master to rule over it. I think I can pull off the same stunt twice. I should teleport to Colchester once again. I brought Petal with me.

On the street where Azelinus' house once stood, I used my summoning skill after covering the street with an illusion.

"Summon Spirit!"

The mists formed into a human shape, but this time a woman in her thirties. "Hello, guild master. It has been some time. How are you?"

"Beowulf. Why it had to be that way? Why we couldn't be friends? Deep inside, I even liked you. But you were a monster. I had to kill you."

"And now dozens of adventurers you helped nurture died because of your folly."

She giggles, "Yes, who would've thunk that you wouldn't die even when cleanly beheaded? My folly, indeed."

"I have a proposal for you. Help me create a dungeon to nurture new adventurers."

"No. You are the enemy. I won't help you."

"Hold your hand out." I grab the semi-corporeal hand and try to make a magic puppet.

Skill failed. Target is not a creature.

"I told I won't work for you. You are an enemy of the guild!"

Unwavering in her loyalty even in death. I have to respect that. "Then you are dismissed. Forever."

The psychic energies disperse, and never again I'd be able to summon her. I have probably lost a huge opportunity to gather information in the future. But what is done is done.

"That was, like, silly of her."

"She held a deep grudge and even deeper loyalty to the lies they spoon fed her. Let it be, Petal. We are going to cleanse the guild eventually. Let's go visit the fortress. {Invisibility}!"

We go to the fortress to check on the progress. Most bug hives two miles around the fortress were already cleared, and more lumber was being brought into the fortress. A road connecting it to Colchester was also being made. Inside there were cramped bunk beds for around six or seven hundred men. Almost double what I designed. Well, not my problem.

"Wow, that smelled like old socks. Really bad."

"Soldiers are not known for their hygiene." And the avatar of that should be Spitting Carl the dirty knight that even dirty knights loathe. Enough of the dead, let's visit the living.

We went to check the demons at Fort Gehenna and Abaddon. I've found a fresh trail of demons going into the valley from the ruins of the fort. Time to stalk and hunt.

I flew over the woods and searched a wide area with presence detection. It took me two hours to find my quarry. A band of demons, about fifty were going to the hill. "Kochurearc, sound the alarm. All hunters and outside parties are to retreat behind the walls now!"

"Is it demons, my Lord?"

"Yes. But I'll take care of them before they reach the Hill."

They had several types of monsters with them and all looked young. Some were riding six-legged lizard longer than a horse. The most remarkable among those were big cats with spiked tails and short snouts, birds of prey with long naked necks and talons on the wings, iguanas with long blue horns. And ahead of the pack a big lumbering vaguely humanoid figure covered in brown fur with large horns atop his head. A twenty-something feet tall minotaur.

They are tamers by the looks of it. And although not all of them have monsters, all have the same type of outfits and equipment.

"Petal, we are going to defeat the tamers without hurting the monsters. I'll summon Atlas and some elementals to stall the monsters, we are going to hunt the demons with holy bolts."

"Okay! Bring it on! Time to power level! Grind, baby, grind baby!"

I call forth Atlas X and several large earth elementals made of hardened stone. Air elementals to deal with the birds. "Go forth and stall the monsters. Petal, come with me and stay close. Shove some holy magic up those attackers."

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We dive in and the demon tamers, instead of being scared they looked excited. They commanded their tame monsters to go forward to combat and began to cast. Probably they have side jobs of magic user. It is a good combination, as Helen proves.

"Go! Tancred that big troll is your target. Hold him so I can tame that!" The one that seems the leader shouts to the big minotaur.

Wait.

Hold a second.

"Petal, did that demon just say 'Tancred'?"

"Yup. Didn't you wash your ears, silly?"

He did say he was going east to find a settlement he heard about but I didn't think he would come here to be tamed. A feral look in his face, a big metal great axe in his hand.

The other tamers begin to use their monster taming skill and the tendrils of light go forth and threaten to wrap around my summoned creatures. The demons finish casting while I am busy musing about the minotaur's fate and the forest begins to creep and wrap around my summons.

"Entangle!"

This is a capture raid. They are going to the hill to farm some monsters to tame.

"Petal, change of plans. Stay back and remain invisible. And keep looking at the sky."

I will nuke these guys. Most of their monsters took the front lines. If I aim carefully...

"Energy Substitution! Energy Substitution! Lava Bomb!" once again I swap fire and earth for holy and light. And shoot! I turn my back and close my eyes. The glare still blinds me, but for just a few seconds. Screeches and inhuman cries can be heard. I can swear I didn't include the monsters in the area of effect.

And on the ground, twelve demons are alive. Battered and weakened, but alive. The one that tamed Tancred is one of them. Most of the weaker monsters died and Tancred is severely wounded.

"For the love of the First, what was that? Holy magic? Is the seraph back?"

"Look up, there is a human with dragon wings!"

"A hybrid! I'm glad that we trained 'Transfer Link'. Or we would be toast. Come, let's tame those elementals before it is too late.

Enraged, I dive and grapple the idiot that tamed Tancred. "Dimension Anchor! Teleport!" We reach the dungeon core room. "You are a disgrace to the monster tamer job!" I punch him in the face.

"I am no mere monster tamer, you filthy human! I am a monster wrangler!"

"An advanced job! How nice! {Bewitch}! Hello mister monster wrangler. Can you please tell me what is the requirements for your job?"

"Sure! Monster tamer level forty, Monster taming skill level eight, dominate five different kinds of monsters ranked D or higher over the career."

"Is that all?"

"No. You must sacrifice all your tame monsters to acquire the job, then begin anew. Or have them killed."

Fucking useless demon job. What was I expecting? "Thank you. Could you please turn around and cover your ears? I'll whistle a song for you."

"Sure! But how will I listen if my ears a....aargh!"

Horn spear, whistling double, assassinate. I bet this guy is beyond the range of his 'sacrifice link' or whatever. Back to Petal. "Teleport!"

I arrive and check my surroundings. Nothing much has changed, Tancred is still fighting a defensive Atlas. I measure the distances carefully and begin to cast again. "Petal, heal the minotaur!"

"Okay, but isn't he an enemy?"

"No, he is a friend. At least the last time I saw him!"

"The human is back! Quickly kill him!"

"I am almost taming the elemental, I can feel it! Kill him yourself!"

They stop their taming attempts and begin to cast magic at me. I just shrug and keep my careful casting. "Holy Light Bomb!"

The light engulfed the remaining demons and me.

I could hear the two giants clashing behind me but I paid no mind. Blinded by the light, I just focused on presence detection. Some of the cats with spiked tails were running away into the south woods, the bond that dominated their minds gone. Not a single demon survived the second bomb. I wait until my vision returns and go to the skies once again.

"Atlas, punch him in the chest with colossal might and call him bro. Then assume a neutral stance and everyone back off."

The magic puppet did as ordered. Smack! "Bro!"

The minotaur roars with pain but stops in his tracks. Shaking his head, he looks at the big troll. C'mon recognize at least the horns!"

"Bro, is that you?" He finally speaks.

Petal sits on my shoulder and I land on the shoulder of Atlas. "Yes, Tancred, it is I. I see you've changed a lot."

He is big, but my clone is bigger. If I were to compare relative sizes, I am a six feet tall person and Tancred is a five feet tall one. But he is bulkier. I think his shoulders are as broad as mine. My upright horns skew these relative proportions a bit.

"Wait, did this human tame you too, Grendel?"

"Oh, no. Nothing like that. This is Atlas, it is a clone of me I made. And I am Grendel, I just learned how to shift into human form. The fairy is Petal by the way. She was the one healing you through the fight."

"Oh, that is a hard pill to swallow. I mean, you looked a cut above the dumb trolls I've met but this is just too much."

"Would this help you believe me?" I get my horn spear and show him.

"You had a companion with you when we met, who was it?" He is testing me.

"Shraaizar the crested naga. Boy, she will be so happy to see you she might bite you."

Tancred sits down and raises a dust cloud. "And the tamer that enslaved me?"

"If you look closely you will see his ichor-like blood in the nooks of my horn atop my spear. I took him away and murdered him."

"Twice, bro! Twice! You have saved me from servitude twice!"

"Oh, don't sweat the small stuff. We are here now, and we are together. I have my own monster town now. You can have a place to call home if you come with me. And I cleared your request. I killed the Orc King, the red-haired prince and most of the orc tribe. Things were hectic."

"Sure! I'm sorry but I'll be imposing on your hospitality."

"You are most welcome, bro."

Beowulf has gained 2 + 7 + 9 levels (4-Racial: 68 > 70 ( ☆ ) , 2-Apprentice Acolyte 45 > 52, 3-Acolyte 39 > 48). +100 SP Congratulations! You have reached your racial level cap.

Light Resistance level 1 Holy Resistance level 1 Shielded Senses level 1 Holy Magic level 6

Title SP Curmudgeon awarded!

Those that mindlessly hoard over 1,200 SP.

Grants an SP rebate on the bulk purchase of skill levels equal to # of levels bought -1.

I'll put each of the new skills at level 6. 16 SP each with the rebate included.

I fly to Tancred's shoulder and dismiss my summons.

"We are teleporting home!"