"What I'd like to know firsthand is, how long has this dungeon been around since its creation? Do you have any records?"
Rastre placed his bony hand on his chin, adopting a contemplative expression.
"We don't have exact records, but I've lived for eleven years, my father lived about ten years and died when I was born, and my grandfather the same, passing away when my father was born. Since my grandfather was one of the first goblins created by the dungeon core, it's reasonable to say the dungeon is about thirty-one years old."
'That must be it. I never created a dungeon in this specific location, but there should be one about twenty kilometers away. Could it be that dungeons started generating randomly?'
Valipher recalled how he had left that feature pending for future development plans, but set the memory aside to focus on his next question.
"During these thirty-one years, has the monster distribution ever changed in the slightest?"
"No, not at all. The first hint that something like that could happen was what you witnessed a few hours ago. No one had ever considered doing it before... or if they did, they never followed through."
"I see. So, it's a problem that has been gradually spreading throughout the dungeon."
Sigh...
"Changing the subject, how many goblins are currently in the burrow?"
"There are about seventeen adults, including yourself, Valipher-sama, and eight children."
A drop of sweat ran down the elder goblin's cheek as he remembered that they had lost five good men today.
"I see. I also need to know, do you have any idea how many monsters there are in total in the dungeon?"
"I-I'm sorry, my lord, b-but I really don't know that information!" The elder knelt on his chair, bowing his head in apology.
"TH-THERE'S NO NEED TO HUMILIATE YOURSELF LIKE THAT, RASTRE! It's okay not to know; there's no serious consequence for it."
"T-Thank you very much, my lord."
Valipher simply shook his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Forget about that. In any case, come closer. I want to try a spell, and I need your help with it."
The elder quickly approached his lord. Valipher touched his shoulder with his left hand, while with his right, he summoned the console.
Rastre, visibly confused, watched attentively, but the most intriguing thing was that neither his body nor his eyes reflected the purple light emitted by the console.
'Can he not see the console?'
"Rastre, do you see anything strange in front of your eyes?"
"N-No, my lord. Am I supposed to see something?"
Valipher couldn't help but let out an amused laugh.
"Actually, if you don't see it, I think it's much better!"
[log.Rastre_Tsar_Ven_Machia[lctr]
Name: Rastre Tsar Ven Machia
ID: 30514
Race: Goblin [4]
Permission_Level: Monster]
'I see, so he was level four. No wonder he could be the leader. Though, given his current state, his prime has clearly passed. He was probably still the leader simply because there was no one better in every aspect.'
Valephir mentally took note of Rastre's ID and remained thoughtful for a few seconds, calculating his next move.
Grrr!
"Ugh!" Valipher's face turned red with embarrassment.
"Hahaha~! My lord's hunger is as powerful as his magic!"
Valipher chuckled shyly at his subordinate's words but remained silent.
"Let me prepare something for you to eat. I'll give you the greatest feast a goblin can enjoy!" Rastre quickly jumped up from the table, completely forgetting that he needed a cane, and ran off to find the magic stove he had hidden somewhere in the house.
'Wow, he's really lively.'
Valipher leaned back in his chair while reflecting.
'The first thing I need to do is focus on leveling up my character. I'm lucky I'm not bound to the dungeon core. My growth isn't limited by it.'
In the game, each dungeon had a core that contained a certain amount of mana. The more mana the core accumulated, the harder the dungeon became, as the monsters born from it gained stronger bodies and larger mana reserves. In some cases, when the core was extremely powerful, monsters were born already evolved into their more advanced versions.
Of course, the opposite effect also existed. In dungeons with low-level cores, monsters were limited in their growth. For example, in this very dungeon, goblins could only grow up to level five.
This dungeon also had other limitations: it was considerably smaller than average, and due to its low power level, it was the perfect place for novice adventurers to train.
But Valipher had plans to change all of that in his favor.
His main advantage was that, since he wasn't actually a goblin created by the dungeon, he wasn't subject to the core's restrictions. His immediate goal was to reach level 10 to evolve into a hobgoblin, then level 20 to become an ogre, and finally level 30 to evolve into an orc. That's when his plans for the dungeon would start to take shape.
'Normally, the evolution limit for goblins is an Orc with level cap at 40, but there are ways to break through that barrier.'
Valipher's red eyes gleamed mischievously.
The core of a high-level dungeon could be used as a catalyst to gather holy or demonic energy. This pure energy, with no specific alignment, would be tainted depending on the essence of the one absorbing it.
In his case, due to his monster nature, a creature typically considered destructive and evil, it was most likely that the energy would transform him into a low-tier Demon Orc. However, with enough time and power, he could eventually ascend to divinity.
'Turbulent times are coming for this world! Ah...'
Thump!
Before he could continue musing, the aroma and sound of a wooden bowl placed in front of him pulled him out of his reverie.
'IS THIS A GOBLIN FEAST?!'
. . .
"Are you telling me you sensed high-level magical power in the Machia Forest?" asked a man as he scratched his head in concern.
He was a robust man with long, pointed ears, whose imposing figure radiated authority. His spiky white hair and well-groomed beard gave him a firm and respectable presence. A horizontal scar ran across his nose, and his sharp, piercing gray eyes seemed to read the soul of anyone who dared meet his gaze.
He wore black armor adorned with golden details that highlighted his appearance as a veteran warrior. A red cape made of gijarroz, worn with age but still majestic, draped over his shoulders.
The four adventurers nodded quickly in unison.
It was Merena, Millium, Alsir, and Teoran!
"That's right, boss! Even I, without any magical aptitude, could feel the magical aura," exclaimed Alsir, visibly shaken, pleading to be believed.
Suddenly, a small hand pushed Alsir's face aside.
Cough!
"I could sense magical power comparable to that of a mid-level dungeon boss, Guild Leader," Millium declared eloquently, expressing her concern.
The guild leader placed his hand on his chin and closed his eyes, deep in thought.
"This is a serious problem... I'll have to shut down exploration of the Machia Forest for all low-rank adventurers.," he said reluctantly.
"What?!" the four adventurers exclaimed in unison.
"Why not add a reconnaissance and hunting mission for C or B-rank adventurers?" asked Merena, visibly worried.
They were newly promoted C-rank adventurers themselves. Technically, they were capable of fighting a beast of that level, but thanks to Millium and Merena's caution, they had decided to inform the guild to avoid potential issues.
The guild leader remained silent for a moment but finally opened his eyes, ready to speak.
"You've been on a long-term mission, so you haven't returned to the city in three weeks. It's natural that you don't know, but..."
The four adventurers were enveloped in curiosity.
"About seven days ago, there was a dungeon overflow."
"A-A dungeon overflow?" Teoran was the most shaken by the news.
"That's right. So far, there have been no casualties in the city. Everything seems to be under control, but as you've noticed, there aren't many people in the guild."
Millium recalled something: 'That's true, when we entered, the place was almost empty, except for a group of E-rank adventurers…'
"All of my C-rank and higher members are fighting on the frontlines, holding back the monsters that are emerging from the dungeon to keep them from reaching the city."
"So you don't have the manpower to hunt the beast in the Machia Forest..." Millium murmured under her breath.
CRIIICK!
The sound of a chair moving quickly echoed.
"Sir, I'll join the frontlines immediately!" Teoran exclaimed, full of energy.
"T-Teoran! Calm down, we need to rest first. We'll all join the frontlines." Alsir intervened, trying to soothe his friend's fervor.
The two elven women nodded, showing their willingness to join the fight against the monsters.
"I'm very grateful to all of you. For the sake of the city of Altean, I ask for your help!" The robust elf bowed his head in gratitude.
"G-Guild Leader, there's no need to do that!" Merena said, visibly nervous.
"No. I'm preparing myself with my old group of adventurers as well. We're going to delve into the dungeon. Our goal is to wrest power from the core and destabilize it, forcing it into a hibernation period... It's a high-risk mission, so there might soon be a new guild leader in the city."
His words had a clear subtext: 'Let me be humble, at least this once.'
'Everyone is giving their all for this battle; I can't stay behind.' Millium thought with determination as she clenched her fists.
"Let's go rest immediately. We have a lot to do," she commanded with authority, leading the four adventurers out, leaving the guild leader alone.
Thump!
The soft sound of the door closing made the guild leader lower his head slightly.
Woosh!
With a bluish-white glow, a small object materialized in his hand.
It appeared to be a photograph. In it, a young elven girl with dark hair and gray eyes, just like her father's, was hugging him.
'I hope this isn't the last time I see her.'
He clenched his fist, and his expression turned severe.
'For her sake, and for everyone in the city!!'
He stood up abruptly, kicking up a cloud of dust with the force of his movement.