Oscar's core pulsed with hunger.
The first adventurer had perished, her life force converted into raw mana, fueling his growth. But he knew one kill wasn't enough. Survival demanded expansion.
With the remaining 5 mana, Oscar surveyed his dungeon.
A single entrance (now blocked).
One goblin (loyal but weak).
Three slimes (multiplying but slow in combat).
A hidden mana crystal (his lifeline).
A single hallway (too simple, too vulnerable).
This was not enough to defend against a real attack.
Oscar needed to evolve.
---
[Dungeon Upgrade Menu Available:]
Expand Dungeon (5 Mana) – Carve out a new section of the dungeon.
Strengthen Creatures (5 Mana) – Improve the goblin's abilities.
Summon New Creature (5 Mana) – Add another monster to his ranks.
Reinforce Dungeon Walls (5 Mana) – Make walls more resistant to damage.
---
Oscar considered his options. He could only afford one upgrade.
Then he remembered: the adventurers had collapsed the entrance.
That meant his dungeon was now sealed.
No more intruders—for now.
But that wouldn't last long. Eventually, the humans would return with reinforcements, and they would find another way in.
Oscar needed a backup route.
Expand Dungeon (5 Mana) – Confirmed.
---
[New Dungeon Section Created!]
A second entrance has formed deeper underground.
The dungeon now has multiple branching paths.
Future intruders may struggle to find the core.
---
A new tunnel snaked downward, forming a natural-looking cave entrance deeper in the forest. Unlike the first one, this wasn't an obvious, open passage.
It was narrow, winding, and filled with hidden dangers.
Perfect.
Now, if adventurers tried to invade, they would be forced through a more dangerous route.
Satisfied, Oscar turned his focus to the next priority—strengthening his forces.
---
A New Ally
Oscar couldn't afford another monster just yet. But his goblin—it had proven its worth.
It had killed Mira.
It had survived the battle.
And if Oscar wanted his dungeon to thrive, he needed stronger minions.
Time to evolve it.
---
[Goblin Evolution Path Unlocked!]
Goblin Fighter – Increases strength and combat ability. (+1 weapon proficiency)
Goblin Shaman – Gains minor magical abilities. (+1 spell)
Goblin Stalker – Becomes stealthier and deadlier. (+1 ambush skill)
---
Oscar considered his options.
The Goblin Fighter would become a stronger frontline warrior.
The Goblin Shaman could use weak magic, offering utility.
The Goblin Stalker would excel at assassinations and ambushes.
After watching the goblin ambush and kill Mira, Oscar saw potential. A Stalker would be far deadlier than a brute warrior.
Goblin Evolution: Stalker – Confirmed.
---
[Goblin Evolution Complete!]
Goblin Stalker Unlocked!
Gains Shadow Step (Can move unseen for short periods).
Gains Poison Dagger (Attacks now cause lingering damage).
Gains Silent Kill (Bonus damage on unaware enemies).
---
The goblin shuddered, its body growing leaner, its movements smoother, sharper, deadlier.
When it grinned, its teeth looked sharper than before.
Good.
Now, he had a true assassin.
Oscar's dungeon wasn't just a random cave anymore.
It was becoming a trap. A death zone. A place where only the strong survived.
And soon…
More adventurers would come.
---
The Adventurers' Return
Two days passed.
Oscar's dungeon had remained untouched since the last battle.
But he knew the humans wouldn't stay away for long.
Then, on the third day…
They returned.
---
[Warning! New Adventurers Detected.]
Party Detected:
Ethan – Swordsman (Level 3) – Survived previous battle, now stronger.
Derrik – Scout (Level 3) – Survived, more cautious this time.
Lara – Mage (Level 4) – New member. Elemental fire magic.
Gregor – Shield Knight (Level 4) – New member. Heavy armor, defensive skills.
---
Oscar observed them from his Dungeon Sense.
Two survivors. Two newcomers.
And worse…
The mage.
Mages were dangerous. Magic ignored walls, burned traps, destroyed creatures from a distance.
And the knight? A walking fortress.
Oscar's core pulsed. They came prepared.
But so was he.
Let the second hunt begin.
---
The First Real Battle
Oscar watched as the adventurers stepped into his dungeon.
The moment Ethan crossed the threshold, his Dungeon Sense pulsed with awareness.
He felt their heartbeat. Their breath. Their cautious steps.
This time, they weren't overconfident.
Ethan led the group carefully, his sword drawn. Gregor, the Shield Knight, marched beside him, his heavy armor clanking with each step. Behind them, Lara, the mage, muttered a quiet incantation, keeping a defensive spell ready.
Derrik, the scout, moved in the shadows, scanning for traps.
They had learned.
They knew Oscar's dungeon wasn't just a random cave anymore.
But they still didn't know how much it had changed.
---
[Current Defenses:]
Hidden Spike Pit – Placed in the hallway's center.
Goblin Stalker – Lurking in the shadows.
Two Slimes – Waiting to strike.
New Secondary Tunnel – Confusing the layout.
---
Oscar pulsed a command.
The goblin stalker moved.
It clung to the ceiling, silent, invisible in the dim light.
Derrik, the scout, crouched low, carefully scanning the ground for traps—but he wasn't looking up.
The goblin dropped.
Its dagger plunged into Derrik's shoulder.
"ARGH!"
The adventurer staggered, rolling away—but the poison took effect immediately.
His breath quickened, his movements became sluggish.
"Derrik!" Ethan shouted, spinning toward the attack.
The slimes struck next.
One latched onto Gregor's shield, wrapping around it, corroding the metal.
The second slime hurled itself at Lara, the mage.
She raised her staff—but the slime was too close.
It slammed into her, its acidic body burning her robes, her skin.
Oscar felt her pain.
It wasn't enough to kill her instantly, but she wouldn't be casting spells so easily now.
The battle had begun.
---
The Dungeon Strikes Back
Gregor grunted, trying to tear the slime off his shield.
His powerful gauntlet smashed into its body, sending it flying into the wall—but part of his shield was already ruined.
"Lara, burn it!" Ethan shouted.
Lara, gritting her teeth, raised a trembling hand.
A fireball formed in her palm.
Oscar felt a flicker of danger. Fire was his weakness.
He pulsed a desperate command.
The goblin stalker vanished into the shadows.
The slime on Lara hesitated—too slow.
The fireball exploded.
The slime shrieked as its gelatinous body burned away, leaving only a charred stain.
But Oscar wasn't finished.
Derrik, still poisoned, stumbled toward the exit.
Ethan tried to cover him.
Gregor stepped forward, blocking the goblin.
Lara prepared another spell.
They thought they were winning.
They were wrong.
---
[Trap Activated!]
The Hidden Spike Pit collapsed beneath Gregor's feet.
His heavy armor was too slow.
He plummeted into the pit, his scream cut off as iron spikes pierced his leg and shoulder.
"GREGOR!" Ethan shouted.
Lara froze.
Derrik, barely conscious, tried to reach his fallen comrade—but the poison was still weakening him.
Oscar pulsed with dark satisfaction.
Gregor was trapped.
Lara was injured.
Derrik was dying.
And Ethan?
Oscar would save him for last.
---