After two weeks of meticulous preparation, my dungeon was finally ready to receive its first visitor. Within its depths, a formidable force awaited intruders. I now boasted one commander-type hero, 70 wraiths, 70 ghosts, 3 Skeleton Guards, 6 Skeleton Archers, a handful of wild animals controlled by Valthorian to guard the first floor, and 15 dedicated soulbinders assisting in dungeon maintenance and resource gathering.
During the preparations, the Healing Well was constructed on the fourth day, and I wasted no time in capitalizing on its unique properties. By selling 20 vials of its healing potions each day for 500 gold per vial, my coffers swelled, amassing a total of 100,000 units of gold, all intended for purchasing a building in the Nexus.
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**Skeleton Archer**
Skills:
**Marksmanship:**
Description: The Skeleton Archer is a master of the bow, possessing exceptional marksmanship skills. It rarely misses its target, making it a formidable ranged attacker.
**Soul Arrow:**
Description: The Skeleton Archer infuses its arrows with dark energy, empowering them to pierce through the defenses of its enemies. This skill allows it to deal extra damage and bypass armor.
**True Shot:**
Description: With True Shot, the Skeleton Archer takes a moment to aim with perfect precision, guaranteeing a critical hit on its next attack. This ability ensures devastating damage against foes.
**Final Shot:**
Description: As a last resort, the Skeleton Archer unleashes its most potent attack - the Final Shot. This attack focuses all of its remaining energy into a single arrow, resulting in a piercing strike that bypasses even the most fortified defenses. Resulting in the Skeleton Archer to disappear.
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Shortly after, a wraithling left by Valthorian alerted me of approaching intruders. I instructed the wraithling to follow the group from a safe distance, relaying their senses to me.
As I listened in on their conversation, it became apparent that they were adventurers on the hunt for dungeons. Their discussion touched on the nature of dungeons and the varying opinions surrounding heroes.
"Is it true there's a dungeon in these woods?" asked a person clad in heavy armor.
"Yeah, is it true or are we sent on a wild goose chase by those snobbish heroes?" scoffed another, dressed in thief's attire.
"The rumors are true. They say the Hero can sense a dungeon presence, like they are given an oracle," added an old man in mage robes.
"They act all high and mighty just because they were chosen by the world to be heroes," grumbled the thief.
The knight, more pragmatic, advised caution. "Let's not say that out loud. Some of these heroes have a lot of influence in the city. The common narrative is that heroes protect the people from evil dungeon masters, but I think some are using this opportunity to become kings of small countries. What's your take on it, old man?"
The mage considered the question thoughtfully. "It's not surprising. The event they call the rupture provides ambitious individuals a chance to elevate themselves to the status of lords in the middle ages. However, I have heard rumors of heroes from other cities genuinely striving to protect their people. We can't generalize and label them all as evil. But a word of caution, my friends. Be careful when entering the dungeon. I don't believe the owner will welcome us happily."
The adventurers acknowledged the mage's warning, and with that, they proceeded towards my dungeon entrance, unaware of the lurking danger behind them.
Deciding to lower the hero guards, I prepared to bait the hero into the dungeon. My plans for the hero's fate were still undecided, subject to change depending on their actions.
It was evident that even though the world referred to the current event as the rupture, the people in power were attempting to control its outcomes.
In preparation for their arrival, I ordered Valthorian to send in mutated snakes and poisonous insects to guard the entrance. These creatures had grown more substantial and deadlier after entering the dungeon's mana-rich environment.
Realizing the need for more reinforcements, I ordered Valthorian to capture more wildlife to bolster our forces. Every resource counted, and our defense had to be formidable.
While strategizing, the adventurers arrived at the dungeon entrance, unknowingly stepping into the peril that awaited them.
***
**Adventurer Pov**
"So this is the dungeon? It looks like an abandoned small village," observed the thief.
"No, the dungeon is a little further out in the back of this abandoned village," corrected the old mage.
"But where did this village come from? Does the city have any records of it?" asked the knight.
"Didn't you read the report? The land size of each country at least doubles or even triples due to the rupture," replied the knight.
They continued to talk as they approached the dungeon entrance, oblivious to the danger surrounding them. Unbeknownst to them, a group of 10-meter-long cobras and hundreds of 1-meter-sized poisonous spiders lurked nearby.
"Be careful, I heard a rustling from behind us," the knight warned, positioning himself between the others. "Jack, guard the old man while he chants."
The mage began to chant a spell, while the thief used his detection skill to assess the attributes of the snakes and spiders.
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**Mutated Spiders**
Attributes:
Strength: 6
Stamina: 7
Dexterity: 12
Wisdom: 4
A spider that mutated after having lived in a high-density mana spot, even though it's not very powerful in attributes, the poison can incapacitate a medium-sized beast.
**Mutated Viper**
Attributes:
Strength: 6
Stamina: 9
Dexterity: 20
Wisdom: 8
A viper that mutated after having lived in a high-density mana spot, even though it's not very powerful in attributes, the poison can kill a medium-sized beast.
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"Jack, old man, be careful of their bites; they have powerful poison," warned the knight. "Old man, hurry and finish the chant. I already scattered the petrol, so burn them with fire."
"Sam, move out of the way now, the spell is ready." With the mage's signal, a huge fireball appeared
in his hand. The searing heat quickly engulfed the surroundings as the mage threw the magic and ignited the monsters nearby.
The adventurers' first trial had begun, and as they ventured deeper into the dungeon, greater challenges awaited them. Unaware of my presence and intentions, they were about to experience the true essence of my domain.