News of Sir Aldric's trial spread far more quickly than Ethan had foreseen. Rumors about the dungeon core who managed to fashion an adventurer haven-and who had single-handedly humbled the 'infamous' Order of the Ember Blade-spread like wildfire through the region. Adventurers, traders, even scholars-they all flocked to his dungeon now, seeking out the sight for themselves.
Ethan watched the inundation from his core chamber, equally curious and wary.
Mira leaned against the wall, chewing on a piece of dried fruit she'd taken from the Marketplace. "You've made quite the name for yourself. People are calling this place the 'Core City.'"
"Core City, huh?" Ethan mused. "Catchy. But fame isn't always a good thing."
"No, it's not," Mira agreed. "Especially when it attracts the wrong kind of attention."
The Gathering Storm
That night, Ethan sat in the Tavern, cloaked in his human disguise. The air was electric with murmurs of conversation as adventurers shared rumors and speculation over mugs of ale. Ethan's eyes settled on one table in particular-a group of grizzled mercenaries deep in discussion.
"You hear about the bounty?" one said in a low tone.
"Yeah, ten thousand gold pieces for the dungeon core, dead or alive," another responded.
Ethan's heart sank.
"Who put it up?" a third mercenary asked.
"Some big shot from the eastern kingdoms. Guess they don't like the idea of a dungeon getting this powerful."
Ethan pushed his drink away, his mind racing. A bounty meant that more than just adventurers would be coming—mercenaries, assassins, and maybe even other dungeon cores sent proxies.
Mira slid into the seat beside him, her expression grim. "You heard?"
Ethan nodded. "This changes everything. If they're putting a bounty on me, they're not just interested in the dungeon. They see me as a threat."
Preparing for Defense
Back in the core chamber, Ethan called out to the system interface.
"System, evaluate current capacity and defenses of the dungeon."
The system's voice answered without delay.
"Current Level: 24
Core Strength: 720
Defensive Rating: High
Adventurer Activity: 87 individuals present in outer structures.
Ethan frowned. "We need more. If they're sending serious threats, we'll need to bolster everything."
He turned to Mira. "I'm spinning for reinforcements."
The Gacha Spins
With determination, Ethan accessed the gacha wheel. His recent level gains had netted him a fresh set of spins, and he intended to use every one of them.
Spin 1: Arcane Sentinel, a magical automaton armed with devastating long-range attacks.
Spin 2: Fortress Room, which was a strongly built chamber, ideal for defense from the core.
Spin 3: Soulforge Chamber, an enigmatic room able to bless weapons and items with mighty enchantments.
Spin 4: War Beast Kennels, which spawned highly trained and ferocious monsters.
Spin 5: Sky Watch Tower, equipped with magic sentry, could notice threats far away.
Immediately after, Ethan placed all the rewards that appeared within his room in important strategic places.
The Fortress Room was added as a last line of defense before the core chamber, while the Soulforge Chamber was installed near the Marketplace, providing adventurers with access to powerful upgrades. The War Beast Kennels unleashed new monsters throughout the dungeon, including huge shadow hounds and drake-like creatures.
The Sky Watch Tower, positioned outside, became an early warning system for detecting approaching enemies.
A Meeting of Minds
The next morning, Mira entered the core chamber with a guest in tow-a lean, wiry man with piercing green eyes and a sly grin.
"This is Lysander," Mira said. "A mercenary I trust. He knows things."
Lysander bowed low. "A pleasure to meet you, Dungeon Core. Or should I call you 'Master of Core City'? Quite the reputation you've built."
"Get to the point," Ethan said unimpressed.
Lysander's grin widened. "Word is getting around on that bounty. It is not just mercenaries heading this way, but the eastern kingdoms eye this place, too. Armies, alliances, and maybe even dungeon raiders. They seek your power for themselves, or they'll aim to destroy you."
Ethan folded his arms across his chest. "And why would you tell me that?
Because I like to be on the winning side," Lysander replied. "And I think you have what it takes to win. With the right support, of course."
Mira glanced at Ethan. "He's useful. Knows how to gather intel, sabotage enemies. Might be worth keeping around."
Ethan studied Lysander, then nodded. "Fine. But betray me, and you'll regret it."
Lysander laughed. "Understood. Now, let's talk strategy."
Building a Legacy
Over the next few days, Ethan transformed the dungeon and its surroundings into a fortress.
Movements of large forces heading toward the dungeon were reported by the Sky Watch Tower in time, and Lysander's network of informants confirmed three mercenary guilds plus a small contingent were en route from the eastern kingdoms.
Ethan had used the Soulforge Chamber to enhance his traps and monsters, making them deadlier than ever. He added to that several rooms from past spins, creating a labyrinth of perilous surprises.
Outside, the Tavern and Traveler's Lodge served as gathering points for adventurers who were willing to defend the dungeon. Mira took charge in organizing them, her sharp tongue and fierce demeanor commanding respect.
"We're turning this into a stronghold," Mira said as she joined Ethan in the core chamber one evening.
"We have to," Ethan replied. "If they want war, we'll give it to them."
The Calm Before the Storm
As the first of the enemy forces approached, Ethan stood atop the Sky Watch Tower in his human form, Mira beside him.
Below, the adventurers who had chosen to stay and fight gathered in the courtyard, armed and ready. Monsters patrolled the outer defenses, their feral growls filling the air.
Mira glanced at Ethan. "You're not just a dungeon core anymore. You're a leader."
Ethan smirked. "Then let's lead."
The horizon darkened with the approach of enemy banners.
"Here they come," Mira said.
Ethan's eyes glowed faintly as he activated the dungeon's defenses. "Let them try."