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Chapter 1. I Died

Once upon a time in the mystical land of Eldareth, a realm teeming with magical creatures, enchanted forests, and ancient relics, there lived a legendary general. This battle-hardened warrior, known as General Argon Blackwood, was admired and feared by both his allies and enemies alike. Under his command, the mighty Kingdom of Valdor had emerged victorious in countless battles, forging its place as the most powerful nation in the land.

However, General Argon's time was destined to come to an end. His final campaign brought him face-to-face with the relentless forces of darkness, led by the ruthless Warlord Zarkon. Despite the general's keen tactical mind and unwavering resolve, the battle was lost. General Argon, surrounded by the bodies of his fallen soldiers, succumbed to his wounds, his breaths growing weaker and weaker. As the cold embrace of death descended upon him, his vision began to fade.

"General Argon...," a mysterious, ethereal voice whispered in the darkness, "I have been watching you, a warrior of great skill and courage. Your time in this world need not end. I can offer you another chance... a chance to be reborn and continue your legacy."

General Argon, barely clinging to life, mustered the strength to speak, his voice ragged and weak, "Who are you? What do you want from me?"

"I am a being from beyond this plane, one who has the power to grant you a new life. In exchange, you must help me fulfill a purpose. You will be given power and dominion over a realm like no other, but you must use your strategic genius to create a stronghold unlike any the world has ever seen," the mysterious voice replied, its tone soothing and full of promise.

"What kind of stronghold? And why me?" Argon questioned, his curiosity piqued despite his impending demise.

"I speak of a dungeon, a fortress of your own design, and I chose you because of your unparalleled abilities in strategy and warfare. You will be reborn as the master of this dungeon, and it will be your task to expand it, defend it, and use it to achieve greatness. What say you, General Argon Blackwood? Will you accept this offer and be reborn?"

With the last ounce of his strength, the general whispered, "Yes... I accept your offer."

As his life force slipped away, Argon's consciousness was suddenly ripped from his mortal form and hurled into an abyss of darkness. He felt his mind stretching, reforming, and adapting to a new, unfamiliar existence. As his new form solidified, he realized he had become a crystalline core, the heart of a dungeon. A surge of power coursed through him, the likes of which he had never felt before.

Awakening in his newfound form, Argon found himself in the depths of a vast underground cavern, illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow. The mysterious voice spoke to him once more, now as a guiding presence in his new life, "Welcome, Dungeon Master Argon Blackwood. It is time for you to begin your journey. You must choose where your dungeon will be located, and select the first creatures that will serve you."

Argon, now acclimating to his powers, surveyed the cavern around him. He decided that the underground location would be perfect for his dungeon, a place where he could use his strategic expertise to create an impregnable fortress. As he contemplated the first creatures to inhabit his domain, his mind drifted to the cunning and stealthy nature of spiders. They were small and unassuming, yet their intricate webs and venomous bites could ensnare even the mightiest of foes.

The Webspinners, though small and seemingly insignificant, possessed an innate talent for weaving intricate webs, which they used to capture prey and gather resources. Argon quickly realized the value of these tiny minions and began to strategize ways to make the most of their abilities.

As the Webspinners busily spun their webs and scoured the depths of the dungeon for resources, Argon spent his time planning the layout of his subterranean fortress. His mind buzzed with ideas for traps, defenses, and strategic corridors to keep any would-be intruders at bay.

Despite the constant threat of danger from the outside world, Argon was cautious about inviting other creatures or races into his domain. He understood that his dungeon was essentially a treasure trove of valuable resources and magical artifacts, and exposing himself to external influences could potentially bring harm to his fledgling empire.

Instead, Argon focused on strengthening the community within his dungeon, building a sense of loyalty and unity among the Webspinners and any other inhabitants he deemed trustworthy. Together, they worked tirelessly to expand the dungeon's defenses, resource production, and overall power.

It had been months nobody had noticed the dungeon that propped up. He gave his spiders a simple order, Dig, find resources it used some of his mana but they followed it down to the letter, expanding the dungeon albeit in a small way with small caverns the size of your hand and like that days turned into months.

One day, as the Webspinners were mining deep within the earth, they discovered a hidden chamber filled with mana crystals. As they approached these crystals, the latent magic within them began to seep into the Webspinners' bodies, causing them to mutate and evolve.

Their once-small forms grew in size and strength, transforming into giant spiders with legs as hard as steel. Their webs, now imbued with magical properties, could ensnare even the most powerful foes. In awe of their newfound abilities, Argon decided to give these evolved spiders a new name: Steelweavers.

As the Steelweavers continued to mine the mana crystals and expand the dungeon, Argon remained vigilant and wary of the outside world. He knew that maintaining a balance between growth, security, and the welfare of his minions would be the key to his dungeon's long-term success and survival in the dangerous world of Eldareth.

Realizing the need for more direct communication with the Steelweavers, Argon decided to invest some of his mana to establish a telepathic link with their consciousness. This would allow him to issue commands and receive feedback from them more efficiently, ensuring the smooth operation of his dungeon.

Argon murmured to himself, "I will need a better way to communicate with my Steelweavers. A telepathic bond should do the trick."

He spent 500 units of mana to create this telepathic bond, which connected him to the Steelweavers' collective consciousness. The Steelweavers, fiercely loyal to their master, welcomed this new connection with open minds and hearts.

The moment the connection was established, Argon addressed his minions, "My loyal Steelweavers, can you hear me?"

A chorus of voices echoed in his mind, "Yes, Master Argon, we hear and obey."

Argon continued, "You've done well, digging three levels down. Now, I need you to move my dungeon core to the bottom level. Make sure it is secure and protected."

The Steelweavers replied in unison, "Understood, Master. We shall begin immediately."

Once the core was safely relocated, Argon gave his next command, "Now, focus on trapping the second level with your enchanted webs. These magical barriers will serve as potent defenses against any intruders."

"But Master," one Steelweaver hesitated, "what of the first floor?"

Argon explained, "Leave the first floor untouched. This will ensure that any visitors or potential allies will not be immediately met with hostility. We must maintain a balance between diplomacy and security."

The Steelweavers acknowledged the wisdom of his words, "As you command, Master Argon."

With their new orders in mind, the Steelweavers quickly set to work. They moved the dungeon core with great care and efficiency, ensuring its safe arrival in the deepest reaches of the dungeon. Then, they began the meticulous process of weaving their enchanted webs throughout the second level, creating a deadly labyrinth of traps and defenses.

As the Steelweavers worked tirelessly to fulfill their master's commands, Argon continued to oversee the growth and development of his dungeon. He was cautious yet confident, knowing that his strategic mind and loyal minions would be the key to success.

Over the past few weeks, Argon's Steelweavers have been diligently mining the mana crystals discovered deep within the dungeon. As a result, Argon has managed to accumulate 10,000 units of mana. This significant increase in mana reserves allows him to consider investing in further improvements and expansions to his dungeon, as well as potentially acquiring new minions or upgrading the abilities of his current ones.

Argon contemplated the various possibilities for using his newfound mana reserves. He decided that expanding the dungeon further would be a wise investment. Communicating with the Steelweavers telepathically, he gave them their next set of instructions.

"My loyal Steelweavers, I command you to dig five more levels downward. We must expand our territory and secure our position within the depths of the earth," Argon ordered.

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"As you wish, Master Argon," the Steelweavers responded in unison, eager to serve their master's will.

As the Steelweavers ventured deeper into the earth, they made several fascinating discoveries. They found veins of precious metals and gemstones, a hidden underground river, and even a cavern filled with luminescent fungi that emitted a soft, magical glow.

Meanwhile, Argon browsed through a list of potential upgrades he could implement within his dungeon. Among the various options available to him, he noted the following ten possibilities:

1. Mana Crystal Farm: Harness the power of the mana crystals by cultivating a farm, accelerating the generation of mana.

2. Advanced Traps: Upgrade the existing traps with more deadly and sophisticated mechanisms.

3. Training Grounds: Establish a dedicated area for the training and honing of minions' combat skills.

4. Enchanted Armory: Create an armory infused with magic to provide weapons and armor for the dungeon's inhabitants.

5. Alchemy Lab: Build a laboratory for the goblins to research and develop powerful potions and magical concoctions.

6. Teleportation Circle: Install a teleportation circle to enable fast travel between different levels of the dungeon.

7. Barracks: Construct barracks to house and train additional minions, increasing the dungeon's overall defense capabilities.

8. Reinforced Walls: Strengthen the walls of the dungeon with magic-infused materials, making them more resistant to attacks.

9. Magical Library: Create a library filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, allowing the study of advanced spells and magical knowledge.

10. Shrine: Build a shrine to attract divine blessings and increase the spiritual power of the dungeon's inhabitants.

With these various upgrades in mind, Argon carefully considered which improvements would best benefit his dungeon and its inhabitants. He knew that striking the right balance between defense, resource production, and minion welfare would be crucial in ensuring the continued success of his subterranean empire.

As Argon pondered the potential of his Steelweavers, he began to wonder if they could wield weapons in their current form. The idea intrigued him, and he decided to assess their physical capabilities in order to determine whether they could be trained to use weapons effectively.

He reached out telepathically to a group of Steelweavers, asking them, "My loyal Steelweavers, I have been contemplating your potential for further growth. Can you tell me if you are capable of using weapons in your current form?"

A Steelweaver responded, "Master Argon, we possess eight strong legs, each with a sharp, steel-like tip. We can manipulate objects to some extent with our front legs, but our limbs are not designed for grasping and wielding weapons like humanoid creatures. However, we are capable of using our natural abilities, such as our webs and venomous fangs, to great effect in combat."

Argon considered this information, realizing that while the Steelweavers might not be able to wield traditional weapons, they still had potent natural abilities that could be honed and improved upon. He thanked the Steelweaver for the insight, replying, "Thank you for the information. It seems we should focus on enhancing your natural abilities and perhaps explore alternative methods of augmenting your combat prowess."

With this new understanding of the Steelweavers' capabilities, Argon shifted his attention towards finding ways to further develop their inherent skills and maximize their potential in battle, ensuring they remained formidable defenders of his dungeon.

As Argon continued to explore options for expanding and improving his dungeon, he came across ten additional upgrades that could enhance various aspects of his subterranean domain:

1. Elemental Forges: Build specialized forges that harness the power of elemental magic, allowing for the creation of enchanted weapons and armor.

2. Beast Pens: Construct pens for housing and training various magical beasts, which can then be used for both defense and resource gathering.

3. Crystal Refinery: Establish a facility for refining raw mana crystals, increasing their potency and overall mana yield.

4. Defensive Turrets: Install magical turrets at key locations throughout the dungeon, bolstering its defenses against intruders.

5. Greenhouse: Create a greenhouse for cultivating magical plants and herbs, providing essential ingredients for alchemy and potion-making.

6. Expanded Treasury: Increase the dungeon's storage capacity for gold, precious metals, and other valuable resources.

7. Healing Chambers: Construct dedicated chambers for healing and rejuvenation, allowing injured minions to recover more quickly from wounds sustained in battle.

8. Scout Network: Establish a network of spies and scouts throughout the surrounding area to gather information on potential threats and opportunities.

9. Advanced Communication System: Implement a magical communication system within the dungeon, allowing for seamless communication between Argon and all of his minions, as well as among the minions themselves.

10. Grand Dining Hall: Build a grand dining hall to nourish and boost the morale of the dungeon's inhabitants, increasing their overall productivity and effectiveness in battle.

With these additional upgrades in mind, Argon had an even greater array of options for strengthening his dungeon and ensuring its continued growth and prosperity.

Argon made up his mind about the next steps for the dungeon. He decided to focus on maximizing the mana generation and resource processing capabilities of his domain. Communicating with the Steelweavers telepathically, he issued new orders.

"Steelweavers, on the sixth floor, I want you to construct a Mana Crystal Farm and a Crystal Refinery. These facilities will help us generate and refine mana more efficiently," Argon instructed.

"As you command, Master Argon," the Steelweavers replied, ready to carry out his orders.

"And on the seventh floor," Argon continued, "build Elemental Forges for smelting the various ores you uncover, as well as an Enchanted Armory to store and enhance our weapons and armor."

The Steelweavers acknowledged the new instructions, "Understood, Master. We shall begin construction on the Elemental Forges and Enchanted Armory immediately."

As the Steelweavers set to work on the new facilities, Argon eagerly anticipated the increased mana production and improved resource processing capabilities that the Mana Crystal Farm, Crystal Refinery, Elemental Forges, and Enchanted Armory would bring to his dungeon.

Argon observed the recent changes in his Steelweavers with great interest. The refined mana crystals, glowing with a vibrant green hue, seemed to have an unexpected effect on them. Over the course of two weeks, the Steelweavers began to mutate, eventually transforming into powerful Driders.

Argon reached out to one of the newly evolved Driders telepathically, curious to learn more about their new form.

"You have undergone quite a transformation," Argon noted. "How do you feel, now that you have become Driders?"

The Drider responded, "Master Argon, the refined mana crystals have indeed changed us. We feel stronger, more agile, and even more connected to you. Our new form grants us enhanced combat abilities, and we are eager to put them to use in defense of the dungeon."

Argon was pleased with this development. "Your evolution into Driders will certainly make our dungeon even more formidable. Continue refining the mana crystals and adapting to your new form. Together, we will ensure that any intruders will come to regret their decision to venture into our domain."

As the Driders continued to consume the refined mana crystals and grow stronger, Argon's confidence in his dungeon's defenses grew. Unbeknownst to him, however, the outside world was beginning to take notice. The day would soon come when adventurers would dare to challenge the depths of Argon's dungeon, and the newly evolved Driders would be put to the test.

The Driders, born from the mutation of Steelweavers after consuming refined mana crystals, were an awe-inspiring sight to behold. Their massive bodies were a striking fusion of spider and humanoid forms.

From the waist down, their arachnid bodies were covered in a sleek, dark exoskeleton that shimmered with hints of green from the mana crystals. This lower half boasted eight powerful, steel-like legs, each tipped with a sharp, hardened point. The legs were agile and dexterous, allowing the Driders to move swiftly and silently across all types of terrain, climb vertical surfaces, and traverse the dungeon's numerous webs with ease.

From the waist up, their humanoid torsos were a testament to their magical evolution. Their skin was a dark, ashen gray, complementing their spider-like lower halves. Their arms were long and muscular, ending in hands with slender fingers tipped with razor-sharp claws. Their faces bore a mix of human and arachnid features: large, expressive eyes with an otherworldly glow, a set of menacing mandibles flanking a humanoid mouth, and elongated, pointed ears.

Covering the Driders' bodies were intricate patterns of glowing green lines that pulsed with magical energy, a testament to the powerful mana coursing through their veins. These lines formed an almost runic design that seemed to amplify their innate magical abilities.

The Driders' newfound form had not only granted them increased physical prowess but also heightened their magical affinity. They were now capable of casting spells and wielding magic, making them formidable opponents for any would-be adventurers daring enough to venture into Argon's dungeon.

Argon, eager to test the capabilities of his Driders and possibly lure in some unsuspecting adventurers, issued a new command to the Driders telepathically.

"Driders, I want you to begin using the Elemental Forges to craft weapons, armor, and even chests filled with trinkets. Place at least ten gold's worth of trinkets on the first level of the dungeon. Let's see if someone greedy enough will take the bait," Argon instructed.

The Drider nodded in understanding, "As you wish, Master Argon. We will craft these items and prepare the bait on the first level. May the greedy souls who venture here be ensnared by their own desires."

With that, the Driders set to work, using their newfound dexterity to operate the Elemental Forges and craft a variety of weapons, armor, and trinkets. They carefully filled chests with the enticing treasures and placed them strategically throughout the first level of the dungeon.

As the bait was laid, Argon patiently waited to see if any unsuspecting adventurers would be drawn in by the promise of riches, only to find themselves ensnared by the deadly traps and formidable guardians of his subterranean lair.

Argon decided that the first level of his dungeon needed to be more visually impressive, to further entice curious adventurers into its depths. He reached out to the Driders telepathically once more with new instructions.

"Driders, I want you to modify the first level of the dungeon. Make it more grand and impressive. Construct pillars of silver and etch intricate designs of spider patterns into the walls and floors," Argon commanded.

The Drider acknowledged the request, "As you wish, Master Argon. We shall make the first level a true testament to your power and grandeur."

Argon continued, "Furthermore, enhance the entrance to the dungeon. Make it more enticing and visible from the outside, so that adventurers will be drawn to explore its depths."

"Understood, Master," the Drider replied. "We will make the entrance as inviting and mysterious as possible, ensuring that curious souls will be unable to resist the allure of our dungeon."

The Driders set to work, using their dexterity and craftsmanship to transform the first level into a breathtaking display of artistry and opulence. Silver pillars rose majestically from the floor, while intricate spider patterns adorned the walls and floors, showcasing the Driders' allegiance to their master. Outside, the entrance to the dungeon was enhanced to be more visible and appealing to passersby, its enigmatic aura beckoning to those who dared to seek the treasures within.

With these changes, Argon was confident that his dungeon would not only captivate the imagination of adventurers but also serve as a deadly trap for those foolish enough to venture too far into its depths.

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