Would you like to research gargoyles using [Base Resources] stone and iron to create gargoyle evolution [Winged Monstrosity] for 250 DP?
Yes
No
Name:
Evolution Cost:
Info:
Winged Monstrosity Gargoyle
40 DP & 30 MP
Requires a gargoyle to evolve. Unlike normal gargoyles, this variation has wings and sharp claws made of iron that allow it to deal a greater amount of damage. However, due to its weight, it cannot sustain flight for long. Due to being composed of stone, its defenses are still lacking. Only comes in one size, incapable of evolving.
Veronica frowned as she took in the description of the new variation of gargoyle she had just researched. She had chosen not to try adding any elemental abilities in order to decrease the chances of the dungeon system penalizing her. However, she hadn't been expecting physics to nerf its abilities on top of everything else. It was a fantasy world full of magic that seemed to contradict much of what she had known about the laws of her old world, but it seemed that wasn't enough to completely overhaul the way physics worked.
It was almost laughable that her new boss [Monster] was the equivalent of a flying squirrel. Despite having wings, it was more like the creature was gliding in the air rather than truly sustaining flight. The iron used to reinforce the creature had been used to lighten the wings while reinforcing them while the only other area that seemed to utilize iron were the claws, which were like miniature knives. Her boss [Monster] would have to claw people to death, which was going to take far longer than she wanted to admit.
She had been hoping for something that would put up enough of a fight to keep Bo away from her. He may be giving her a reprieve, for now, but it was likely only a matter of time before he'd be showing once more. Since her training with Seraphina was likely to come to an end soon, she needed another way to keep the asshole away from her. However, it seemed the system very much so liked its balance and she'd have to take the loss for what it was. There was no use wasting more of her precious dungeon points than she already had.
Of course, it wouldn't be a proper boss room if she just left the huge 38-Units by 35-Units room empty, save for the winged monstrosity. So, Veronica decided to invest in some proper decorations to make it feel like more of a proper arena for a boss fight.
Would you like to spend 20 DP to research stone brick pathways using the [Item] stone brick?
Yes
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No
Would you like to spend 100 DP to research stone temple ruins using the [Items] stone bricks and clay?
Yes
No
Would you like to spend 16 DP to research standing torches using the [Base Resources] wood, steel, wax, and grass?
Yes
No
It had been disappointing to find out that she couldn't afford a newer temple, but she had just barely managed to get away with ruins. The temple was quite large and she placed it in the center of the room, setting up standing torches along the outside to ensure there was enough light. The stone brick pathway was hardly necessary as she didn't have to do the adventurers any favors, but it felt fitting so she went ahead and made one anyway.
With all of that taken care of, she only had to spend another 300 DP to set the room as a boss room, which both locked the door and reinforced the environment. Normally, she would have to spend 150 DP to set the room's theme and then would only be able to lock the door for another 150 DP if it was a challenge room. However, it seemed that boss rooms had their own rules, but were limited to one per floor. There would be no mini-bosses, at least, not in any official rooms. Veronica supposed any [Monster] could be considered a mini-boss if it was difficult enough to defeat, it just wouldn't be recognized as such by the system.
This room was the only path that led from the entrance of the dungeon to the hallway that connected directly to her dungeon core room. She still wasn't sure if the dungeon core room's location would remain the same when she unlocked her next floor. That would soon become clearer since she planned to unlock the next floor tomorrow morning after informing Seraphina and the Elf siblings. While she didn't care if everyone else died, it was part of her contract that she not purposely harm Elora and Eldrin. Besides, they had been growing on her and she wasn't so twisted that she'd take joy from the suffering of others. She just didn't like the threat that strangers posed to her own life as a result of her bond with the dungeon core.
Later that day, Veronica tried to ask Seraphina about what to expect regarding unlocking her next floor. However, she was only met with vague answers and dismissal.
"I'm not supposed to talk about that until after you unlock your second floor. The elders have concerns about whether talking about how other dungeons handle it will affect the results you see. While many of the system elements are similar enough between dungeons, every dungeon also has its own unique characteristics. Even if there are some things that tend to be seen in nearly every dungeon, there are always exceptions to the rule. You'll have to wait and see for yourself."
Feeling frustrated, she snapped
"Can you at least look after Elora and Eldrin until things settle back down? If my gargoyles get rambunctious every time my emotions fluctuate a little bit, I can only imagine things will be worse with the dungeon changing."
Seraphina shrugged as she boredly replied
"I doubt it will be a big deal since they only ever go to the dungeon when you're with them as it is. Worst case scenario, your will-o'-wisp might chase them out, but they can't directly harm anyone anyway."
Despite her assistance on not giving her any hints on what to expect, it would seem she couldn't even hold to her own plans. It was now clear to Veronica that the dungeon was likely to initiate a [Monster] stampede to chase everyone out. All the more reason to wait until most of her inn guests left tomorrow morning. The cleaning schedule would be interrupted, but it was better than doing so now when there were already individuals who had paid for a room for the night.