With Sengetsu and Shinzan replanting the vegetation, saving on DP, and helping rearrange the layout, Issa used the extra DP to set up more gathering points and tweak the flora. Alongside Oboro, they worked on refining the aesthetics of the scattered safe zones, such as villages and towns dotting the field.
At the same time, warp points—essential for any open-world setting—were being placed at appropriate intervals. They double-checked the spacing and made necessary adjustments.
While Issa and the others were busy with these tasks, Yuzuru, Umi, and Sora spent time studying customer service, browsing through instructional videos on WeTube, and learning how to handle visitors.
---
"There we go. I've placed the appraisal machines in the adventurer's guild... Looks good," Issa said, satisfied.
"Are you sure we have enough machines?" Sengetsu asked.
"They're definitely going to be swamped. We don't have enough DP for more, right?" Shinzan added.
Issa nodded and showed them the remaining DP balance, shaking her head. There simply wasn't enough for more.
---
"Well, it's something we'll add more of later... It's bound to get busy, though. Or, maybe more people will want to exchange their loot for real-world money rather than dungeon currency? Will they even sell materials inside the dungeon? Probably not for now, right? That's fine, I guess... But the infirmary uses dungeon money, and so does the cat café... And there aren't any inns in the villages yet, so adventurers will be camping out... I've made sure the campsites are ready for use, but only cat lovers will show up at the café, right? Still, a lot of people will use the appraisal machines... Or will they crowd the reception area for dungeon information instead? Should I put up signs? Maybe I should implement a ticket system too, just in case? Gah, so many possibilities..."
"Slow down."
"Ow!"
Oboro chopped Issa on the head, snapping her out of her muttering.
---
"Maybe a ticket system would help," Sengetsu suggested thoughtfully. "Umi and I can do our best, but we'll likely be overwhelmed."
"We'll try, but more staff would be nice," Umi added in agreement.
"Okay. I'll install a ticket machine at the entrance."
"The release date is still undecided, right? How about saving up DP and using it to prepare further?" Sengetsu suggested.
"Yeah... Let's do that."
Issa opened the dungeon creation page and did some quick calculations. Seeing that it was manageable, she agreed with Sengetsu's proposal.
---
"It'll take a few days to build up enough DP, so in the meantime... I'm going to focus on composing the music. Once I get in the zone, I won't hear anything, so don't worry if I seem unresponsive."
"Got it. While you're working, I'll oversee everything," Oboro offered.
"I'll roam around the dungeon like a picky mother-in-law, nitpicking everything. I'll also make some adjustments to the plants—don't worry, my changes won't cost any DP," Sengetsu added with a sly smile.
"I'll check on the aesthetics of the villages, towns, and the water city. If I see any areas that could use a touch-up with plants, I'll make changes," Shinzan chimed in.
"I'll work with Sora to fine-tune the guild's reception area," Umi said cheerfully.
"And I'll draft a manual with Umi for new staff," Sora added.
"I'll review the monster patrol routes with the bird monsters and slimes!" Yuzuru declared.
"Meow!"
"Nyah!"
---
As Issa listened to everyone declare their plans, she couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. Having everyone pitch in without being asked was a huge relief.
---
"Alright then, don't overwork yourselves..."
"Looks like you're the one most likely to overdo it. As usual, we'll have Hisui keep an eye on you," Oboro said, patting Hisui, who meowed in response.
"Inaho, you're with me," Oboro added, and the little cat monster meowed happily.
---
Though Hisui and Inaho had been among the first monsters Issa acquired, the rare UR-ranked Oboro had quickly assumed the role of leader among the monsters. Each species had its own leader, but Oboro's status as the highest-ranked monster under Issa meant that he oversaw them all, directly beneath the dungeon master.
Despite his somewhat haughty demeanor, Oboro was surprisingly good at taking care of others, which left the other monsters without any reason to object to his authority.
Neither of the SSR-ranked monsters, Sengetsu and Shinzan, had the personality for leadership. Sengetsu preferred working alone, finding it difficult to give instructions to others. Shinzan could manage a small team but wasn't suited for large-scale leadership.
As for Hisui, while she had no trouble communicating with others, her gentle nature and R-rank status made her avoid leadership roles. She had reluctantly become the leader of the Nukkonyans but mostly preferred staying close to Issa, often viewed as Issa's personal companion rather than a monster in the dungeon hierarchy.
Inaho, while often seen with Oboro, was also in a "special" category due to her close relationship with him.
---
"Alright, I'm counting on you all."
Issa gave a final nod of encouragement before retreating to her workroom, with Hisui following behind.
As strange as it seemed, every time her monsters grew or the number of monsters increased, her workroom and the living space—the original white, empty room, which they now called the "lounge"—seemed to expand in size as well, always providing ample room for everyone.
---
Sitting down at her work desk, Issa booted up her computer and opened the folder containing her previous musical compositions.
She had quite a few tracks saved up from working on them between her other tasks, but they couldn't all be used as-is. They didn't match the dungeon's atmosphere and would need to be reworked. Only a few could be reused directly.
She started picking out some tracks to rearrange. The main theme, however, was something she wanted to create from scratch, putting in extra time and care to get it just right.
---
**Themes to be composed:**
- Outdoor safe zones
- Various towns and villages scattered across the field
- Roads, plains, mountains, rivers, forests, underwater areas
- Battle themes for normal monsters and field bosses
- Water city
- Guild interior
- Cat café
- Infirmary
- The main theme
---
Issa figured that creating tracks for these areas would cover most of the dungeon's needs. Fortunately, she already had a solid idea of what she wanted. Now, all that was left was to compose them.
This time, the client was herself. She was both the creator and the composer. In other words, she had full creative freedom.
It was thrilling—*so* thrilling that a grin spread across her face. She was probably making a mischievous face right now. Not that she was doing anything wrong, but when her excitement peaked, her face tended to look a bit devilish.
Her friends always understood, knowing that it just meant she was really enjoying herself. But strangers often thought she was plotting something when they saw her like that.
In her head, the music began to flow. She envisioned the dungeon they had crafted, and slowly, she began turning that vision into sound.
---
Issa became so engrossed in composing that she neglected her meals and sleep, continuing to work at her computer until Hisui blocked her progress and Oboro intervened, forcing her to take a break.