On the morning of the sixth day of the Dungeon Lord was recovering. Job's wife Cam gave birth to her children. To the joy of both, they welcomed an unbelievable amount of eight eggs. The clan that was on the brink of extinction welcome a total of fifteen children. Their group went from five members to twenty in one week. The potential of the dungeon lord's abilities is earthshakingly powerful. Job was concerned 'He' might have attracted more powerful sources of danger.
Job can sense that Divinities were working actively recently. The seemingly random "visitors" dropping into the dungeon was probably moved by hidden Powers. He can't tell who are the responsible parties, but he knows events are moving more quickly than usual. The birth of the dungeon heart inside these halls was likely the acting catalyst of the various divines sudden movements. He was like the gunshot at the start of a race, for example.
It doesn't concern him about the movements of other divinities, because Job was proud of his title of 'High Priest of the Evil goddess'. Not only was his faith tested in recent times, but his conviction returned beyond measure. Job's clan before the exodus only had thirty members. We had no children in his clan and, at best, some young adults like Mika. Yet, the Dungeon Lord in a week quadrupled his Clan present population, could it be any clearer. At this rate, If the Dungeon Lord wishes to continue to help females with children, they will fill the dungeon-like cooking popcorn. It would devolve into a logistical problem more than a population issue. Questions like where do we place the inhabitants? What do we do for the increasing burden on substance. Cloth them? Sanitation needs? On and on...
Still, Job only though those predicaments were slightly problematic. Compared to the end of his clan, he thought it was a moot point. In Job's mind, he believes that with his Lord's direction and their hard work, these small worries will be resolved.
So, having finished the task to assist his wife's delivery, Job went to the next task. He had five captives inside two cells, one cell with a single occupant and the other with four. For Job, it was a natural choice to make and moved to the same cell the Fox Clan young girls were caught. As Job stood in front of the door, he cleared his mind of unnecessary thoughts and concerns. He unlatched the peep door like before and carefully looked inside. With his infravision, Job could see an awake human female sitting on the ground.
She was in the room for a day. After she woke up, she dressed her head wounds and waited patiently for her captors. At this time, she sensed another presence just outside the small chamber. By the feeling of his magic power, Emma could tell he was pretty powerful.
"Human, you have entered into the domain of our Lord, The Dungeon Lord Sirus. Not only have you tread upon his hallowed grounds, you greedy humans desecrated the peaceful Fox Clan and drove the remnants into his Lords Sanctuary. Nevertheless, you lot unknowingly were guided by our Evil goddess and landed in our lap. It was for this reason you are still living. So, human, what should I, Job the High Priest of the Evil goddess, know you by?" (Job self-important)
High Priest??!! This dungeon has such a person? Not many Demi-humans make that claim lightly. In the religion of the Light god, there is only one High priestess. Even if the barbaric Demi-humans have more then one, they would be one of the top positions respected by any clan, let alone their own. His arrogance, in her opinion, was fully justified. She was slightly convinced that he might be right.
This dungeon is too mysterious and too powerful to be an unknown dungeon. Either it was so new that news had not spread to the critical people of Eliana kingdom or no one ever returned to spread rumors. The last one is believable, considering the complexity of the traps. The traps are innovative and sly using the human psyche against the unlucky trespassers.
The traps alone would put the dungeon rating at the Guild at A rank minimum, S+ rating in Emma's opinion. The other reason she would label it S+ rating was she only came in contact with one trap. Generally speaking, traps in dungeons progressively get harder and more complex. Yet, she encountered an unimaginably difficult trap first, then what about later pitfalls? They wouldn't even know what happened to them, like what happened to her. Thankfully, she was still alive to review her previously lousy encounter.
As for the other reason, she couldn't help but pray that was not the case. Just imagining a dungeon, she would slap an S+ rating on being new gave her chills. A new dungeon with this level of power and capabilities would send the whole nation into a frenzy. To stop the dungeon, they would need to send an army to conquer it, and the attrition rate would be staggering. Their loss would be too unbelievable to see the task through. Still, her intuition was telling her that this dungeon was new.
"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Emma. I am just your average rogue adventure from the guild. I don't have any prominent family lineage, nor any special connections. I beg your forgiveness for trespassing in your clan domain and can only request a fair ransom for my release from your captivity. I sincerely hope we can reach a favorable negotiation on the subject."(Emma)
*Psst* "buuuaaahhhahahahahah..."(Job lmao)
Job laughing fills the small room the rogue Emma was quarantined in. Her face became hot with indignation at the apparent ridicule that filled her ears. After many minutes, Job ceased his boisterous laughter. Turning completely serious, the air around him and in the small room quivered by the release of his magic power.
"Miss Emma, your people invaded our homes, kill our people, and enslave the remaining. This practiced brutality only happens in this kingdom. The kingdom of Eliana has closed its borders to nonhumans, and the practices of slaughtering and enslaving the Demi-humans have gone mostly unknown to the other countries. For example, what would the kingdom of Victoria do if the Eliana kingdom practices on the populations of Demi-humans was know? After all, the nation of Victoria is comprised of mostly Demi-humans. It could... no mostly lead to war using justice as the banner. I heard the queen of their kingdom was looking for an excuse to start.
Next, let me say something on a personal note. My clan was just like the Fox Clan. We were peaceful and cooperative with the human demands. We worked practically like slaves. Only we didn't have the collars. Even then, my clan was ambushed by humans and slaughtered like animals. Of the medium size clan of mine, only five remained. I trusted the Evil goddess even when my clan suffered such shame and resentment; I wanted to kill myself to be freed of the guilt. My faith in the goddess and my responsibility to my wife and clan stayed my hands. Thanks to an oracle one night, my clan set off on a journey here. It was the greatest reward for the things we suffered.
So, you and your fellow teammates are very fortunate because what will happens to you is not up to me, but my Lord. Tomorrow your fate will be decided. Having been with my Lord for some time, he may be lenient. Yet, If the punishment were up to me, your gruesome bodies would paint a picture of the darkest places in hell as a warning for your fellow 'adventures'. I assume you understand what I mean by that, so refrain from doing anything stupid that will allow my Lord to hand you over to my verdict."(Job vendettas)
The suffocating magic power was retracted, and Emma finally breathed. Her shallow breaths labored to fill her lungs with the oxygen need to sedate her rapidly beating heart. Never had she felt this much bloodlust. He was like a tiger with one paw on her back. The cold sweat drenched her body and clothes. Any power that makes this demon surrender his will to become a servant was terrible news. It was at that moment, Emma made up her mind to cooperate for her own sake.
"Mr. Job, I understand we have great enmity between our races because of my people's actions. I lost to the greatness of this dungeon. I understand losers don't have the right to argue with the winners. I can only pray for favor in lieu of obedience. I will cooperate with you fully if it can help the settlement of my offenses. With this said, how can I be of service to you, Mr. Job?"(Emma broken will)
The Imp scoffed at the rogue's desire to be 'helpful'. Job then did something the rogue wouldn't expect. He opened the door to her cell. Pulling out the same crystal form before, Job illuminated the room. When Emma gazed upon the 'Imp', she was stunned. Just like the Fox girl, Emma had seen many Imps before. They were ugly as ugly can get. Only their personalities made the better than goblins. The creature in front of her was a miniature dark elf. His handsome face with some weathering from his years only made him look better. How can one dungeon break so many established truths.
She lowered her head, look at his face in this situation was disrespectful at best. She did not want to damage the already strained relationship.
"You will remove all your gear, weapons, and items. I will be back in an hour with food for you. I will receive your gear then. Fear not, I'm not like humans that kill and steal others belongings out of greed. Your items have very little value here. I will store it away safely, and after my Lord has passed his judgment on you and your friends, you may get them back. For now, you and your comrades are prisoners. I hope you willing to cooperate. Tomorrow, you will receive an audience with our Lord. Until then, please rest here."(Job dungeon CEO)
"I will comply with your demands, Mr. Job. Can I make a small request?"(Emma)
"It depends. What is it?"(Job)
"Would you let my fellow party members know I'm okay for me? Also, could you pass a message to the one names Tatiana? Please tell her, 'If you ever trusted my judgment, please surrender to the authority of the one named Mr. Job.' She can be stubborn and inflexible, but she has a good heart. I don't want unnecessary conflict between her and you, which could upset the delicate situation."(Emma)
"Very well, I will convey the message, as I'm headed to there next. Rest yourself, and I'll be back in an hour."(Job)
Emma nodded before Job left the room and locked the door. She was apprehensive about the future, but thankfully the inhabitants were civil and reasonable. She sighed for the two dozes time before stripping off her gear and piled it by the door.