Job and the other dungeon residence never heard an alarm in the dungeon. He followed the Dungeon Lord's ideas and remodeled the dungeon for the last month. They had constructed three different paths, but it was the Lord Dungeon to decide the way they would take. The Imp clan could block off the other tunnels by concealed natural doors that are very difficult to spot. They never thought intruder would wander into the dungeon during the time the Dungeon Heart was recovering and girls giving birth.
Job hurried through the service tunnels that ran in parallel to the trap tunnels. On the way, Jack came out of another tunnel and met him on the way to his destination.
"Job, the kill tunnels are clean. That leaves the capture tunnel and the special tunnel our Lord had us make. My guess is someone fell into the live capture trap. Let's check the cage room and see if they are there."(Jack)
"Yeah, let's go."(Job)
They continue down the service tunnel in complete darkness. On of the abilities of Imps is infravision that lets them see heat like people see the light. So, in total darkness, it looks bright with all kinds of colors depict the various temperatures around them. Silently they ran through the dungeon until they came to a door. Job unlatched the block to view the room inside. On the ground, in a pile of straw was two bodies.
Job could tell they looked female and were incredibly young. One looks about 16 in human years, and the other maybe around 10. It's hard for Demi-humans to judge age because they traditionally live for long then their human counterparts. Still, Job was pretty sure they are close to the age suspected. Nevertheless, they don't look good at all. They are skinny like they haven't eaten in a while and covered in wounds. They look unconscious from the fall or the fear from the fall, but he can't take chances.
"Jack, go back to the supply room and bring some food and a bucket of water. They need something to eat, but we can be sure it's safe to open the door. I'll wait here, and if they wake up, I'll begin questioning them for answers. I hope this doesn't lead to an even bigger problem."(Job flag day)
Jack nods and takes off back through the dungeon. It was unexpected to get visitors during the time the Lord is resting. I guess there may be some divine guidance involved. I'm sure finding the entrance was not easy. I pick the spot carefully to conceal the opening. To not only see the entry but to choose the right tunnel not to die but get captured, which is the only way to land in our lap. Simply marvelous.
"Ahh..."(girls sound)
The girls stirred a bit before opening their eyes. The elder girl looked around before seeing the door through the darkness. She instinctively moved her sister behind her back. Her sister that also awoken, moved to hide behind her elder sister without saying a word. The two kept looking at the door for a few minutes before the elder sister spoke up. She wasn't sure if anyone was outside the door, but it didn't hurt to find out.
"Um... hello, is anyone there? I'm sorry my sister and I have entered your domain without permission. But, we didn't have much choice. Please, anyone, can you hear!!!??"(big sis going to cry)
"I can hear you just fine, thanks. Please remain calm and tell me your names first, Miss."(Job)
From the small opening in the door, she hears an older sounding man speak. His calming voice helped her regain some peace of mind. She sat up straight before responding to him.
"Please forgive our late introductions, my name Ericka and this my sister Rey. We are the last daughters of the clan chief of the Fox clan. Hunters ambushed our clan, my mother held off our pursuers long enough to escape the encirclement. We have been fleeing the human hunters for many days. But yesterday, our luck ran out, as a tracking party caught up to us. So, we ran none stop for almost an entire day. My sister couldn't keep pace, so I carried her until I was about to collapse. Just as I thought all hope was gone, I stumbled into some brush and found the entrance to the cave. I drug my sister into the cave before I passed out. When I woke, I noticed the cave was not naturally formed, and even if it may be problematic for you who live inside the cave, I had to try to get help. We feared the party of adventure that is chasing us would find us and kill us. I'm very hopeful they don't find the entrance, but realistically considering their tracking skills, it is only a matter of time. Great Elder, I implore you to take us in from our enemies. I beg you, elder!!!"(Ericka the beggar)
Ericka knelt on the stone floor and rubbed her head on the ground. She stayed in this position, hoping for a favorable response. Her sister Rey was extremely intelligent for her age, just a little taciturn. She moved next to her sister and placed her head on the ground as well.
"Please.."(Rey)
Job couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He can feel their story was very similar to his own. He was hoping to put off any integration of them until the dungeon lord returns. It just doesn't look like it will be possible. Not with a human kill squad approaching, he and Jack need to prepare for them. Helping them and dealing with the intruders was within his scope of instruction, just hoping it will go well.
Job retrieved a key from his clothes and unlocked the door. Pushing the door open, Job pulled out a crystal from his pouch and poured magic into it. The crystal lit up with bright white light illuminating the cell.
"Girls, please raise your heads. Anymore then, this and my wife will beat this uncle up for bullying you two. Let me introduce myself. My name is Job. I'm an Imp... no, I'm a former Imp, and I hold the position of clan head and high priest of the great Evil goddess. I'm also the assistant to the recently born dungeon heart in these very tunnels. I know it's a lot to take in, but there will be time to digest it later. If you follow me, I'll take you to another place to get you something to eat."(Job the temp boss)
Hearing food, the girl's stomach grumbled fiercely. They blushed from embarrassment, but they couldn't help it after all they haven't eaten in over half a week. The journey to this point was intense, and only now could their worn-out bodies voice its complaints. The girls took a good look at Job and were dumbstruck by his appearance. Maybe Rey wouldn't know, but Ericka knows how Imps look. As the clan chief's daughter, she was present in a lot of clan meetings with various other clans.
Thought the Imp clan was gentle and talented in mining and smithing, they were just as ugly as any green-skinned goblin. Her father likes to call them 'tunnel goblins' jokingly behind their back. Yet, this old Imp looks more like a small dark elf than a goblin. She can tell he has a weathered appearance from age, but other than that, he is quite handsome. This intrigued her more than anything.
The two girls followed the old man that was surprisingly as tall as her sister, about 3-4' tall. His body may be small, but it has the characteristics of a full-grown man. He carried the gem to light the way and led the girls to a room where they prepared food. When they entered the room, Job had a puzzled look on his face as he looked around.
"Where is Jack? I thought he would be here preparing food as I asked him before. No... could it be that Ani has..."(Job)
Job turned down another passageway with quicken steps. The closer he got to the room in question, the more screaming he could hear. The girls were terrified, what could make someone make such noise that sent shivers up their spines. Job stopped in front of a door and entered without knocking. What was presented to the girls was the true torture a woman must endure to gain the greatest joy.
"Job, I'm so glad you are here!! I would have retrieved you, but I couldn't leave Ani side!! Job, please help me. I don't know what to do!!"(Panicking Jack)
" I'll take over Jack!! Same as before, hot water, clean towel, and alcohol. Be quick!! Take Ericka with you. She can help carry stuff. The young sister can please sit in a chair by the wall. Get moving!!!"(Job mid-wife)
Everyone scattered to their respective areas to complete the tasks. Job went to check Ani's physical condition. Ani, of course, is screaming in pain and panicking. Job went about calming her down and having her focus on breathing to ease the pain. Not long afterward, the two came back with the request items. He set the area up and prepared to deliver babies. With the help of the two older people's assistance, Job skillfully delivered her children and children indeed!! She passed not one, not two, hell not even five... she gave birth to 6 children!! No wonder she was screaming bloody murder. Yet, can you believe she just gave birth to half a dozen eggs, that is simply amazing!!
"Please pardon my ignorance, but does your race give birth to eggs?"(Ericka)
"Um, no, actually. We give birth to infants like your clan, I'm sure. It will take time to explain in detail, so let's leave Ani to rest. While I prepare you two some food, I'll explain the reason for this situation."(Job the overworked boss)