——— POV Shift ———
Grub'nut, a member of the Blue-Fang Goblins, was a resourceful little bugger. While other goblins would head out to hunt or raid merchant caravans, Grub'nut would forage or experiment with potion making.
He wasn't very good at either, but it did help improve his cooking. That's how he acquired the coveted position of chef. Why was it coveted? He alone got to taste and sample various food stuffs. He also had the key to the pantry, which meant sneaking food while others were out became child's play. Grub'nut also knew something important, everyone loves the guy who brings the food.
Just the other day, Chad'ruk, the treasurer, aka the guard, brought him some bleeding brown mushrooms that smelled like they would go well with long grass and mashed beetles. Sure enough, the dish was a smashing success.
For today's stew, he wanted more so he headed to the treasury where Chad'ruk said they were found. They would make a great broth for him to use as a base.
There were a few Of the mushrooms ready to be harvested along the passage, so Grub'nut picked them as he went. Bumping into Chad'ruk outside the treasury, he noticed Chad was already munching on some mushrooms, sticky red goop running down that greedy pig's chin.
Chad should know that all food is his responsibility. Sneaking snacks require proper bribes with the right goblins, in this case himself.
Giving Chad a quick greeting, Grub pretended to be friendly. Pointing to the door and mentioning his plans for the dinner menu he quickly gets the desired response.
Chad, being a good bro, understood immediately. Licking his lips he produced a wonky little key. He slipped it into the lock and gave it twist.
As the door swung open, the two goblins where almost blinded by the sudden light. The room was full of mushrooms! Red ones, blue ones, small ones, glowing ones.
"Cough! Hhhrrrak!" Chad'ruk, who was closest, breathed in some of the spores and started coughing. He tried to close the door but mushrooms had already grown in the gap and worked like a wedge. It wouldn't budge. Looking to Grub'nut for help, he was sorely disappointed.
Grub'nut had long since dropped the mushrooms he picked earlier and run for cover. He knew trouble when he saw it, and that was a definite nope! "Hold it off! I'll get help!" He yelled as he ran.
Boom! A flash of light illuminated the goblins's cave. Chad'ruk was sent sprawling by the blast. Spores poured out of the open door and down the passageways. As they hit the walls and floors, new mushrooms sprouted.
Chad'ruk tried to run, but kept tripping on all the shrooms. As he ran various mushroom caps grew out of his rags, freaking him out. Soon the mushrooms had passed him and were growing on the walls in front of him, soon he would be trapped! Screaming and yelling in panic, Chad hacked his way through using his rusty knife.
Grub'nut had by then rushed into the main hall and sounded the alarm. The 6 goblin warriors that assembled were the Blue-Fang Goblins' elite. Wearing studded leather on their chest and carrying an assortment of daggers and short bows, ethos team meant business. Their small protruding fangs as well as their arrowheads and dagger blades were all dyed a pale blue using special herbs. The leader of the squad yelled out some orders before leading his troops towards the problem.
Grub'nut had seen what was coming and figured this hideout was toast. Being a resourceful goblin, he quickly packed his things, along with a few belongings that were definitely not his. Grabbing a few younger goblins, he managed to 'rescue' the food supplies, several sacks of grains, a bag of meatshrooms, and 4 smoked bunnyrats. This should be enough to win the chief's favor and get promoted to head chef back at the main camp.
What greeted the goblin warriors when they arrived near the treasury was a wave of spores and mushrooms taking over the passageway. In the middle of it was what looked like the spawn of a mushroom demon.
The figure was covered with red toadstools, blue glowing mushrooms, and other mushrooms. With every step towards them sending out a puff of spores the figure slashed around with its blade. Bloody red liquid dropped off the blade as it staggered towards them.
"Take it down!" The chief yelled.
"Twang""twang" two arrows shot into the monstrous mycelium bringing it to its knees.
With a pained expression, Chad'ruk, tore off the mushrooms covering his face. "Guys... it's me!" He cried, as he clawed his way forward on all fours.
"It's contagious!" One of the warriors yelled and stepped back. "Chad is one of them now!"
The mushrooms advanced steadily alongside Chad'ruk.
"Twang" The chief shot an arrow, putting Chad to rest. "RIP Chad! You were a good bro!"
Waving his hands, the chief signaled the other to back off. "Evacuate the premises! Relocate to outpost 4! Round up the others and send them to the main camp! Grab whatever you can carry!"
Holding a torch, the leader of the Blue-Fang Goblins brought up the rear. He waved it around destroying any spores nearby. Defeating a mushroom demon and singlehandedly holding back the mushroom tide until his crew could escape, he gained a new level of respect amongst his followers.
This would look good on his record when he competed for the position of Goblin King. Now he just needed some more resources to win the backing of the council of elders.
Exiting the hideout, he saw Grub'nut and a few runts under a tree wave him over. Seeing the food, he smiled widely. "You've done well!" He said while patting Gruknut on the shoulder. "There's a promotion waiting for you back at the camp." His words elicited a cunning grin. This one would go far he thought.
——— POV - DM Blueberry ———
Well that went better than expected...
I think I counted at least 8 goblins. Possibly more further in.
The amount of mana that I gathered and compressed was way more than anything I'd managed before. Once the goblins opened the door I just shoved the mana into the treasury.
Boy did things get wild! Was like watching fireworks. I just kept pushing more mana in as it got used. Truly a beautiful performance.
That one goblin was so unlucky! Haha! Ditched by his buddy and left to the spores, then shot by his own chief.
Definitely more dangerous to have pig-teammates than tiger-opponents. Valuable wisdom from webnovels...
After the goblins evacuated, I sent in my critters to clean up the leftovers. It didn't take long for the entire hideout to be conquered.
That's a total of 4 new rooms as well as the connecting passageways added to the dungeon. Based on decor: a kitchen with a pantry and fire pit, a dormitory, a main hall/dining space, and the toilet. Considering it's slightly furnished, I task my critters to uproot and remove most of the mushrooms that now cover... well everything.
I only leave a few glowshrooms on the roof and the meatshrooms that are growing on the passageways' walls.
I bring in my dig team to install the plumbing. Then I plant blueberry bushes in the corner of a couple rooms.
Once it's all cleaned up and ready to go, it's time for the moment I've been looking forward to! Intelligent dungeon residents! I pull up the shop, quickly finding my target. It's more expensive than anything else by far! And it's greets out.
-Goblin: your basic little green dude. Sneaky, greedy, and resourceful. (Locked)
I can't afford it at all. The high ticket item is so far out of my price range I'd have to put a stop to any purchases for weeks. That's not to mention my dungeon being too low level to accommodate or create sapient life.
Guess I'll need to stick with the basics a little longer.
Anyway...
I, Lord Blueberry, have claimed this cave!