The dungeon had survived its first real battle.
Two Reaper Scouts were dead. Goru was wounded but healing. Fio stayed close to Riku's core, humming as she wiped dust from the floor with her ragged skirt.
Riku looked through his system interface.
> [Dungeon Level: 3]
[Mana: 35/150]
[Monster Limit: 6]
[Current Monsters: Fio (Goblin), Goru (Goblin), Blobby (Slime), Goblin Archer, Stone Bug, Firefly Wisp]
[Features: Basic Trap Room, Training Room, Living Quarters]
[Upgrade Points: 2]
---
"I need to prepare. Stronger enemies will come."
He used one upgrade point to expand the dungeon's size.
> [New chamber added: Resource Cavern]
[Mana Crystals will now grow naturally.]
In the new cavern, glowing blue stones sprouted from the walls like flowers. Mana crystals—perfect for recovery and crafting.
---
Fio wandered in with wide eyes.
"Pretty... Can I lick it?"
"Please don't."
She giggled.
Blobby bounced beside her, absorbing a pebble.
---
> [New Objective: Recruit Rare Monster]
[Hint: Nearby creature detected. Weak and alone.]
The system showed a faint signal. It came from a small, nearby cave outside Riku's boundary.
> [Use mana to form Summoning Gate? 15 Mana]
"Let's take the risk."
> [Gate formed.]
A swirling blue portal opened at the edge of the dungeon. Fio and Goru stood ready, weapons drawn.
Out stepped… a small, fox-like creature with silver fur and golden eyes. It was trembling.
> [Creature Identified: Spirit Fox Cub – Rare Beast Type]
[Bonding Available: Yes]
The fox looked at the core, then cautiously stepped forward. It licked the base of the crystal.
> [Bond formed.]
[Name the new companion.]
Riku thought for a moment.
"…Yuki."
> [Yuki has joined your dungeon.]
---
Fio gasped. "A real spirit beast?! She's so fluffy!"
Goru crossed his arms. "Hmph. Still small."
Blobby jumped on Yuki's head. Yuki sneezed.
---
Yuki suddenly barked—and the crystal flashed.
> [Warning: Dungeon intruder detected.]
[Threat Level: High – Class: Cursed Adventurer]
Another threat was coming. Stronger than before.
Riku focused his thoughts.
"Then let's test my new army."
> [Intruder Approaching – 70 Meters]
[Name: Kael the Hexed]
[Class: Cursed Adventurer – Rogue Type]
[Danger Level: High]
Kael moved like a shadow through the forest. His eyes glowed faint red, and cursed tattoos crawled across his arms like snakes.
---
Inside the dungeon, Riku summoned his allies.
Fio gripped her bone dagger.
Goru cracked his knuckles.
Blobby bounced silently.
Yuki crouched low, growling softly.
The Goblin Archer took position behind cover.
The Stone Bug curled into a ball, ready to roll.
The Firefly Wisp hovered near the ceiling to light the way.
Riku rearranged the dungeon's layout using his mana.
> [Mana Used: 30/150]
[New Layout: Maze Tunnel + Pitfall Trap + Fire Wisp Ambush]
---
Kael entered.
He stepped carefully. "Heh… nice little trap hole over there," he muttered, avoiding the obvious pit.
But the Firefly Wisp flickered behind him—and exploded.
> [Trap Triggered: Flash Burn]
"Agh!" Kael stumbled, his face scorched. Then a blur leapt from the darkness—Goru.
Kael blocked with a cursed blade. The two clashed in brutal close combat, fists and blades colliding in a frenzy.
---
Meanwhile, Fio and Blobby flanked from behind.
Blobby wrapped around Kael's leg—sticky and strong.
Fio lunged in, slicing at the cursed symbols on his arm.
Yuki howled.
A wave of frost burst from the Spirit Fox's mouth, slowing Kael's movements. Ice crawled up his boots.
Kael roared. Cursed energy erupted from his body, throwing everyone back.
> [Warning: Monster Goru – HP Critical]
[Warning: Dungeon Core – Mana Low]
"Not yet," Riku growled.
He used his last Upgrade Point.
> [Ability Unlocked: Core Burst – Once per day, release dungeon mana in one wave.]
The dungeon pulsed.
Blue light exploded from the walls.
Roots shot from the floor, grabbing Kael's arms.
Arrows rained from the Goblin Archer.
Fio leapt again—this time landing the fatal blow.
Her blade pierced Kael's heart.
---
The cursed adventurer fell.
> [Intruder Eliminated.]
[+100 Mana]
[New Item: Cursed Dagger (Bound)]
[Core Level Up: 4]
[New Feature Available: Monster Evolution]
Everyone gasped.
Fio fell back, panting and bloody—but smiling.
"...We won."
Riku looked at his team, then the dagger glowing with black smoke.
"We're just getting started."
Riku stared at the cursed dagger, still humming with dark energy.
> [Item: Cursed Dagger – Drains life with each strike. Bound to the dungeon. Can be absorbed or assigned.]
"Too risky to give to Fio right now," Riku thought. "But I can study it."
He stored the dagger deep within a sealed vault chamber. One he just created.
> [New Room: Artifact Vault]
[Cost: 20 Mana]
---
With Kael defeated, peace returned—for now.
The dungeon pulsed with power.
> [Core Level: 4]
[Feature Unlocked: Monster Evolution]
[Eligible Creatures: Fio, Goru, Blobby]
Riku opened the menu.
---
Monster Evolution Menu:
Fio – Goblin (Smart Type)
> Evolve to: Goblin Trickster
Gains stealth, illusion traps, dagger mastery.
Goru – Goblin (Brute Type)
> Evolve to: Hobgoblin Warrior
Stronger muscles, increased leadership, weapon control.
Blobby – Slime (Common Type)
> Evolve to: Acid Slime
Gains corrosion, larger body, mimicry ability.
---
Riku considered.
"Goru was almost killed. He needs strength."
"Fio's already clever. Her mind is sharp."
"Blobby... is still a wild card."
He decided.
> [Evolve: Goru → Hobgoblin Warrior]
[Mana Cost: 80]
[Confirm?]
[YES]
Goru screamed as blue light engulfed him. His small goblin body grew larger, bulkier. Muscles bulged. His tusks sharpened. When the light faded, he stood a full head taller than before—his eyes clearer, his breath calm.
"...I feel strong," he rumbled.
Fio clapped. "Goru! You're huge now!"
Blobby bounced against Goru's leg, then bounced away.
> [Monster Goru evolved successfully.]
[Title Gained: Firstborn Defender]
---
Later, Riku gathered everyone in the new Training Room.
"Monsters will keep coming," he said. "We grow stronger or die."
Even Yuki sat quietly, tail curled around her paws.
The dungeon grew deeper that night—more tunnels, stronger walls, hidden corridors.
> [New Goal: Reach Core Level 5 to unlock Humanoid Core Projection]
Riku smiled silently.
"Soon… I'll walk."
A soft rain fell outside the dungeon.
Fio sat near the entrance, sharpening her dagger while Yuki slept beside her. Goru trained with a boulder, practicing swings. Blobby chased a bug down the hall. Peaceful, for once.
But then—footsteps.
Slow. Careful.
Not an adventurer.
Not a monster.
---
> [Intruder Detected – No Hostility]
[Name: Elinor – Human, Age 17]
[Class: Mage Apprentice – Lost]
[Status: Injured, Low Mana, Starving]
Riku paused. This was different.
A teenage girl, soaked in rain, stumbled into the outer chamber. Her long brown hair clung to her cheeks. One arm hung limp and bloody.
Fio stood and raised her blade.
"Wait," Riku ordered.
Elinor collapsed near the Firefly Wisp's glow.
---
"Not a threat," Riku confirmed.
"But why come here?"
Fio crept closer and poked her.
"She smells like books."
Blobby bounced near her foot. Yuki sniffed her coat.
Goru frowned. "Weak. Kill?"
"No," Riku said.
> [Offer Shelter? Yes / No]
[Cost: 10 Mana Daily]
"Yes."
> [Sanctuary Room created.]
Warm air flowed from the dungeon's walls. A soft mat, clean water, and a small light formed around the girl.
Elinor blinked, barely conscious. "...Thank you... whoever you are…"
She passed out.
---
Fio tilted her head. "Is she food?"
"No, Fio."
"Pet?"
"No."
"Slave?"
"...Definitely not."
---
As Elinor slept, Riku watched her through the crystal's glow.
> [New Quest: Dungeon Reputation Begins]
[Your dungeon has offered mercy. Word will spread.]
The dungeon was no longer just a trap-filled cave.
It had become something more.
A home.
Riku looked at the evolution screen again.
> [Next Core Level (5): Humanoid Form Unlocked]
He focused.
"Soon… I'll walk among them."