Jimbo realized two important things: First, the king and his close circle are currently inaccessible to him; Second, without a constant ether source he won't get far with any plan.
To summon needs ether. To move or modify rooms needs ether. To level up needs ether. Jimbo questions the system about reactive ways to get the precious energy.
Note: Living beings generate ether automatically. To increase this production is necessary stimulation, one of the most used stimuli being danger, struggle, or tension moments.
Means that doing what Dungeon Core is supposed to do, i.e. building places where the invaders' lives and abilities are put to test, would be the natural process. But Jimbo finds himself not in a natural situation, but one where if the king and his people detect the slightest sign of treachery, they will tear him to shreds.
«Dowmy, you've been living here for a long time - can you think a way to gain the trust of the castle people?»
"Earn trust?" Dowmy is sitting on the floor, too distracted picking her nose. The girl removes the finger from her nostril and then places that same hand under her chin, "Giving free food?"
Jimbo arches his eyebrow, undecided whether Dowmy's idea is idiotic or a genius recommendation. Asked inwardly if he is capable of creating food, the system responds showing one of the Atmosphere options. The kind you can only have one every 20 levels.
-Atmosphere: Green space.
Requirement: Wet area, or water source.
Cost: 5 ether per hour.
Description: Incentivizes the creation of special fast-growing plants and fungi, capable of existing without sunlight, fed instead by core ether. The variety of plants and fungi generated, is usually linked to the knowledge of the core.
When Jimbo asks the system about how to create wet sources, the system presents a list of options, from a dripping roof, to hot springs, some variations are more expensive or cheaper than others, but in general all consume energy that Jim at the moment can't afford to expend without grinding his ethereal teeth in frustration.
«Even if I could conjure up the best pizza in the world, the king is unlikely to agree to eat it. Geez, maybe even those two idiots at the door would hesitate to try»
And in case they do accept, perhaps the expense won't carry a reward.
«Is there a way to put the soldiers on edge, without them thinking I'm declaring war on them?»
After a minute or two of meditation, an idea pops into his head. One thing became clear after his short stay in this magical world, and that is that battle is a familiar and constant face. Training is part of the soldiers' lives.
Wouldn't it be irresistible to offer unique, controlled, and varied training?
Like exploring a dungeon, but without the annoying risk of dying.
It would be a rounded business. Practically a born monopoly. What other Dungeon is there like it? None! Humanity would have in its hands an invaluable ally.
In Jimbo's mind the image becomes more defined and accentuated, as does his smile. But then he flinches at the thought, what if they don't accept the idea just as they are unlikely to accept the food? He imagines Hilda screaming, complaining, and convincing the rest that Jim is setting a trap or studying them to discover their combat secrets.
«I wish that guy was here... He seems to be the only one who likes me» Think about the weirdo who behaved like he was standing in front of an altar.
But Jimbo understands that he won't get anywhere by lamenting, and instead asks the system if any other ways to increase ether production are available.
Note: Producing happiness and pleasure.
Jimbo opens his eyes wide.
Happiness depends on the individual, but pleasure is universal, and it's a much easier sell than experimental combat training.
«It's not like I can cause much pleasure as I am now, though. I'm a crystal, I don't have hands or genitals. The more I think, more depressed I get»
And even if he could be a heartthrob, Hilda, currently the only recurring human woman in his life, hates him. If only he had more to choose from.
"Are you looking me, master? I feel you looking me"
Jimbo snorts in frustration. He wish Dowmy was one of those scandal-bodied succubus in fantasy novels, at least to feel more motivation. But instead she is... Dowmy. Jim decides to stop thinking about that, and instead goes back to browsing the options offered by the system. The hot springs get his attention. Jimbo questions whether the pleasure generated by relaxation also works.
Note: Yes.
«Finally some good news!»
Jimbo move the throne room to leave about 30 meters of solid stone between him and the lab, more than enough room to maneuver without causing accidents. He opens a new chamber, removing the dirt and rock. The new place is as dark as a wolf's mouth. Even promising infinite treasures, only a madman would enter.
Need light.
Within the blue crystal space, and opening the Construction list, compact rotating models of the objects it is capable of creating appear. From fur beds to two-meter bonfires. The catalog is limited by Jimbo's Age, being all elements linked to the most primitive periods of humanity. The skull torches do not inspire confidence, but Jimbo understands that are preferable to absolute darkness, and places four in the chamber, pushing aside and twisting the shadows.
Looks like the entrance to an ominous cavern.
He joins the throne room with the initial chamber. Dowmy enters the chamber looking everywhere, wary as if she fears something will jump from the darker shadows. Jimbo asks her opinion.
"Reminds me home..."
«I thought your home was the cage»
"I'm talking about where I was born," Dowmy says, still scanning the stage, jumping, flapping, and touching the cavernous ceiling with her fingertips. When she lands, turns her attention to where she catches Jimbo's presence. "Only smaller and quieter, and also without the blood sea where our eggs rest"
«Blood sea?»
Dowmy nods and is distracted by looking at the skull torches.
As Jim thinks about how unpleasant a blood sea would be, a system prompt pops up alerting him that that option is available, and that he can even decide the type of blood that makes it up.
«Uh, no, thanks. I'm trying to seduce these people, not give them reason to destroy me»
But even if Jimbo went mad and wanted to drown them all under a sea of horse blood, he couldn't. Sighs as he discovers his ether bar brushing zero. While waiting for it to recharge, Jimbo distracts by studying the system options and talking to Dowmy. Also to avoid trouble, as soon he gets some ether, hides the chamber and puts the throne room back in the original place.
The doors are opened and a guard peeks inside. Catching nothing out of the ordinary, he nods and closes.