After slaughtering all the imaginary enemies that had come charging in moments ago, I fell deep into thought.
And the conclusion I reached was...
I'm the boss! The boss of this entire dungeon!
Why hadn't I considered that heroes might come rushing in just like before and gang up on me?!
The battle just now ended in phase one because those imaginary foes were too weak, but if real heroes raided me, things would be different.
'Die, hero!!'
'No way! Everyone, fire the Great Balak-Sealing Chains Arrows!'
'Ugh!! Damn it!!'
'Balak, you're so strong that you grew overconfident in your power. That's why we'll defeat you with the power of our dreams and friendship!!'
'You cowards!!!'
Damn it!! Heroes ganging up on me? That's straight-up lame as hell!
The battles I wanted weren't dirty like that.
I wanted to fight the strongest hero party—or have a one-on-one deathmatch with their hero!
But this is reality!
It's a scenario that could absolutely happen.
So, I, Warrior Balak, won't stubbornly cling to my ideals for the sake of my dreams.
"As expected, Dungeon. You're the best."
No matter how I look at it, this dungeon is too damn accommodating.
It's pointing out every single thing I overlooked!!
So, I need to take measures to keep from getting raided.
"Lord Balak, the items you ordered have arrived."
"Ooh!! Perfect timing!"
"Gaaah!! I told you to grab me gently! Gently!!"
Whoops, got too excited and nearly smashed the skeleton merchant again.
"Ugh... Here, take this first."
"Oho! So this is the scroll infused with magic to keep enemies from appearing in this dungeon!"
As I said before, it's exactly three days, no more, no less. But you've spent almost all your coins on it—are you sure you're okay with that?
"Of course!"
Nothing annoys me more than interruptions while remodeling a room, and it really gets in the way!
So, with the dungeon entrance sealed, I'll pour every bit of my experience and imagination into completely overhauling this place!
And those imaginary enemies dared to raid me?!
This humiliation.
I'll pay it back to anyone who enters my dungeon later!!!
***************
Skeleton Mage Karian was dying to know what the hell that mad monster was up to.
The dungeon sealing scroll he'd just used was something the bosses from floors 100 to 50 had all gathered to create over several days—one precious scroll.
It was a safety measure meant only for true emergencies on floor 1.
And yet, that lunatic was using this invaluable scroll just to remodel the dungeon...
What the hell was he thinking?
And why the hell was he shoveling around like this?!
He was digging at an insane speed, too!
"Telekinesis necklace used like that..."
Was that why he'd custom-ordered a giant shovel and a telekinesis necklace?!
The walls were getting smashed to bits by giant weapons flying everywhere, transforming the dungeon at breakneck speed.
"Whew, Skeleton Merchant! Can you clear away all this dirt and stone?"
"That's simple enough. But spending coins just to clear this stuff away..."
"It's crucial work for me! And when are the small golems arriving?"
"They'll be here soon. Oh, the traps just arrived now."
"Ooooh! Let me see—perfect!"
Traps that fired arrows when stepped on.
Traps that moved walls when triggered.
Knockback traps that purely shoved enemies away, and more.
Watching that monster buy all sorts of traps filled Karian with a chilling fear, like facing an incomprehensible abyss.
"Wouldn't it be easier if Lord Balak just waited at the dungeon entrance and slaughtered anyone who came in?"
"No! That's not the warrior's way!"
Laying traps on the path to the boss room was warrior-like?
Anyway, the monster had also custom-ordered an earth magic staff that created walls, and he was patching things up here and there.
The foundation of an entire room was nearly complete, not long after construction began.
Once he placed all the traps and necessary items, the result was...
"Whew~ Perfect! Now just need to decorate. Skeleton Merchant? Your turn!"
"Uh... um... uh..."
What the hell kind of room is this?!
***************
So, how do I keep those lame-ass heroes from raiding me?
In the battle just now, even among the imaginary enemies, some tough ones survived to the end.
But there were also really weak ones that vanished after a single casual swing.
Those weaklings were the true key to boss raids!
They lacked the adaptability and flexibility of the strong in varied situations.
But because they silently did their jobs despite their weakness, boss raids could succeed!
So, my job was obvious: create those weaklings!
Make the path to the boss room a total nightmare!
"Heh heh heh... That's exactly it!"
My dungeon design had the path to the boss room as a straight line, but one that forced passage through multiple rooms.
I demolished all the original labyrinth walls of this dungeon's theme, then used a space magic scroll to expand its size.
Then, with this earth staff, I created walls to form each room!
My ultimate goal: not the disappointing, bland little maze from before, but ten themed rooms to conquer before reaching me!
After overcoming every trial in each theme.
The final boss at the dungeon's end—me, Warrior Balak!
Ahh... now that's romance.
Finally feeling like the ultimate boss of this dungeon!
But with almost no coins left, and planning to craft each one meticulously, I decided to make just three rooms for now, excluding my current boss room.
The first room I made would be the worst, since it's where invading hero parties arrive first!
A winding path just wide enough for two people side by side. Everywhere else: a 1km+ drop!
Arrow traps linked to knockback traps that activate on missteps would give them headaches.
But that's not enough!
As a total pro, I know exactly what happens when sticky malice designs a dungeon!
Know what one Japanese game director placed on a narrow path with fall risks like this?
Showing beats telling!
I moved to test the traps, and something triggered—some creature dropped from the ceiling in front of me.
Plop.
"Pipik!!"
Exactly—cute little mobs like this, forcing fights that lead to fatal slips!
Ahh... Director, you're just a JOAT.
I hate you.
Clang clang clang!!
"Uh... Lord Balak. You're getting attacked by a golem—are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It has no attack power except its push. More importantly, Skeleton Merchant, can't you make this thing heavier and more aggressive?"
"Even heavier here?!"
Honestly, these cute little mobs are the room's signature edge.
Ever died unfairly to super-weak but hyper-aggressive enemies?
Whew... almost said something rude.
Anyway, this golem has no real attacks—just headbutts to shove foes off the path—so it's dirt cheap.
Mass-producible, perfect for plummeting weak invaders to their deaths!
"Looking forward to working with you, little guy!"
"Pipipik!!"
Next, as an honorable warrior, I showed great consideration to enemies stepping into my domain.
What if someone fell but didn't die instantly? They might suffer endless hunger, thirst, and agony at the empty cliff bottom.
Pricey, but I installed magic traps that auto-target and blast falling victims' heads with powerful laser beams for instant kills.
So thank me always, invaders!
Finally, to liven up this bland cave, the skeleton merchant beside me stepped up!
He cast a spell, and the plain walls transformed into grand, stylish ones.
"How's this?"
"Calling in pros is the best! I'm satisfied!"
Now, was everything ready?
No.
One final touch remained!
"Uh... why put a weapon chest here..."
"Skeleton Merchant, can you put up an illusionary wall here?"
"An illusionary wall?"
Anyone inspecting every nook gets a reward, right?
As a warrior who knows romance.
That explorer deserves this weapon, so I placed the first one I got.
This room is now perfect.
Time for the next one!
***************
While Balak and Karian toiled away shoveling the dungeon floor.
The bosses upstairs watched his dungeon layout and antics with a shiver.
"G-Good lord... what is that."
"That Balak guy—isn't he supposed to be a warrior? Looks like an artist to me."
"Balak is filled with the world's rage..."
"...We absolutely can't meet him later."
After checking the first room, sticky with all the world's malice, and the other fantastical ones.
The bosses were relieved it was heroes who'd have to break through, not them.
They firmly believed in the champion protecting them.
"Phew, pushing for that warrior Balak was the best decision of my life."
"Yeah, he's stubborn but that makes him reliable. Way better than getting anxious over nothing."
"Where'd he get that imagination? It's the worst."
"Hmm... yeah. Those rooms have totally unique concepts, no overlaps."
Thus, the near-divine supreme beings showered praise.
And Balak shoveled on diligently today.