Chapter 5: The Slime and the Hunter
The week of meticulous planning and research had come to an end. Azrael felt a surge of anticipation, a thrill of excitement mixed with a touch of nervous energy. He was ready to unveil his deception, to open his dungeon to the world.
He checked his status one last time.
Status: Azrael, Demon Lord of the Crimson Core
* Level: 1
* Dungeon Core: Level 1 (Capacity: 100 Mana)
* Mana: 70/100
* Territory: 20 meters radius
* Creatures: None
* Traps: None
* Talent: Retaliation (Passive) - For every instance where the Dungeon Core is defended against invasion or destruction, the rewards gained and losses prevented are multiplied by 100.
His mana reserves had dipped slightly as he finalized his preparations, but it was still a comfortable level. He had enough to activate his basic traps and summon a few low-level creatures.
Speaking of creatures, Azrael had decided on his first dungeon inhabitant: the Slime. It was a classic, almost cliché choice for a low-level dungeon, but it was also practical. Slimes were cheap to summon, easy to control, and surprisingly versatile. They could be used to patrol corridors, trigger traps, and even act as a first line of defense. They were also relatively harmless, posing little threat to experienced adventurers, which further reinforced the illusion of an abandoned dungeon.
He focused his will, visualizing the Slime. It was a translucent, gelatinous blob, quivering with a faint inner light. He directed the Core to create it, feeling a small drain on his mana reserves. The Slime materialized before him, wobbling slightly on the stone floor.
He summoned five Slimes in total, assigning them basic patrol routes within the first few chambers of his dungeon. They were his initial welcoming committee, their presence designed to be both expected and underwhelming.
The time had come. He couldn't keep the dungeon hidden any longer. He had learned from the Core's information that the "hidden" function, which allowed a Demon Lord to keep their dungeon concealed, only worked for the first month after its creation. After that, the dungeon's presence would automatically become known to the world, regardless of the Demon Lord's wishes. This was a failsafe mechanism, designed to prevent Demon Lords from becoming too powerful in secret.
He also had another reason for releasing his dungeon early. He had discovered that the early release allowed him to select a basic skill from a list of available options. This was a one-time opportunity, a chance to gain a significant advantage in the early stages of his development.
After reviewing the list, Azrael had chosen "Stealth." It was a passive skill that enhanced his ability to blend into his surroundings, making him harder to detect. It wasn't flashy or powerful, but it was subtle and versatile, perfectly suited to his deceptive strategy.
He took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. He was about to open his dungeon to the world, to invite adventurers into his carefully crafted trap. He focused his will, visualizing the entrance to his dungeon. He directed the Core to subtly alter the appearance of the entrance, making it look slightly more worn and aged. He also triggered a minor cave-in near the entrance, creating a small pile of rubble that partially obscured the doorway. It was a subtle touch, but it added to the illusion of abandonment.
As he was making these final adjustments, the Dungeon Eye, which he had kept active and positioned outside the dungeon entrance, relayed a crucial piece of information. A lone figure was approaching. A human, clad in leather armor, carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows. A hunter.
Azrael's senses sharpened. He recognized the signs. This was a seasoned hunter, experienced in the ways of the wilderness. He moved with a quiet confidence, his eyes scanning the surroundings, alert for any sign of prey.
The hunter paused near the entrance to Azrael's dungeon, his gaze falling upon the partially obscured doorway. He frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing. He circled the entrance, examining the rubble, the worn stone, the general air of neglect.
Azrael held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. His first potential customer. He watched through the Dungeon Eye as the hunter reached out and cautiously pushed aside a few pieces of rubble, revealing the dark opening to his dungeon.
The hunter hesitated for a moment, his eyes scanning the darkness within. He seemed to be weighing his options, assessing the potential danger. Azrael could almost feel the hunter's curiosity, the lure of the unknown.
Finally, the hunter took a deep breath and stepped into the darkness.
Azrael smiled. The game had begun. He was ready. He was the Silent Watcher, the hidden master of the "Whispering Rocks," and he was about to put his deception to the test. He had his Slimes, his traps, his Stealth skill, and most importantly, his Talent: Retaliation. He was prepared for whatever came his way. He was Azrael, and this world would soon learn the meaning of his name.
Chapter 6: The Retired Conqueror
The hunter's entrance into the dungeon was a moment of tense anticipation for Azrael. Through the Dungeon Eye, he watched as the hunter cautiously navigated the initial chamber, his eyes scanning the walls, his hand resting on the hilt of his hunting knife. The hunter's movements were precise, economical, betraying a seasoned adventurer's experience. He wasn't rushing in blindly; he was assessing the situation, searching for any sign of danger.
The hunter's gaze fell upon one of the Slimes patrolling near the entrance. He paused, his eyes narrowing. He drew his hunting knife, the blade glinting in the dim light. With a swift, practiced movement, he lunged forward, the knife flashing through the air. The Slime had no chance to react. The blade sliced through its gelatinous form, the Slime dissolving into a puddle of goo.
Azrael wasn't concerned. The Slime was a sacrificial lamb, a deliberate offering to reinforce the illusion of a weak, easily conquered dungeon. He had expected the hunter to dispatch it with ease. What mattered was the hunter's reaction.
The hunter examined the remains of the Slime, his expression thoughtful. He then looked around the chamber, his eyes searching for more threats. Finding none, he shrugged and continued deeper into the dungeon.
Azrael watched through the Dungeon Eye as the hunter explored the first few chambers, bypassing the simple, intentionally flawed traps he had laid near the entrance. The hunter moved with a mixture of caution and confidence, clearly experienced in dungeon delving. He reached a point where he could go deeper but decided against it, exiting the dungeon.
Azrael was surprised. He had expected the hunter to venture further, to explore more of the dungeon before retreating. The hunter's quick exit was unexpected.
He watched through the Dungeon Eye as the hunter returned to Oakhaven. He went directly to the largest hut in the village, the dwelling of the village chief. Azrael recognized the chief from the Core's information. His name was Valerius, and he was a retired conqueror, a legend in these parts.
The hunter entered Valerius's hut, and Azrael focused the Dungeon Eye on their conversation.
"Conqueror Valerius," the hunter began, "I've found something. An old dungeon, near the Whispering Rocks."
Valerius, a grizzled man with a weathered face and a keen gaze, looked up from his work, a half-finished wooden carving resting in his hands. "A dungeon, you say? Near the Whispering Rocks? Those old tales again?"
"It's real, Conqueror. I went inside. Just slimes at the entrance. Easy to deal with."
Valerius's eyes narrowed. "Just slimes? That's… unusual. Most dungeons near the Whispering Rocks are either empty or crawling with goblins. Slimes… it's almost too easy."
"That's what I thought," the hunter replied. "It felt… staged. Like someone wanted it to look abandoned."
Valerius stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. A staged dungeon. That's a new one. Could be a trap. Or it could be nothing. But I've learned one thing in my years as a conqueror, boy: never underestimate a dungeon, and never trust what you see on the surface."
Azrael's senses sharpened. Valerius was a retired conqueror. He would have experience with dungeons, an understanding of their intricacies. He was a potential threat, a wildcard in Azrael's carefully crafted plan.
"I'll go with you," Valerius said, rising to his feet. "Let's take a look at this 'abandoned' dungeon."
Azrael's heart pounded in his chest. This was not good. He had hoped to attract inexperienced adventurers, easy prey for his traps and his Talent. Valerius, a retired conqueror, was a different story.
He watched through the Dungeon Eye as Valerius and the hunter made their way back to the dungeon. Valerius moved with a quiet confidence, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, his senses alert. He exuded an aura of experience, of someone who had faced countless dangers and emerged victorious.
They reached the dungeon entrance, and Valerius examined the rubble, his gaze lingering on the partially obscured doorway. He nodded slowly, as if confirming something in his mind.
"It's just as he described," Valerius muttered to the hunter. "Too easy. Too obvious."
Valerius stepped into the dungeon, the hunter following close behind. Azrael watched through the Dungeon Eye, his anxiety growing with each step they took. Valerius bypassed the traps with ease, his movements precise and deliberate. He moved through the initial chambers as if he had been here before, his senses clearly picking up the subtle clues that Azrael had tried to conceal.
Valerius reached the central chamber, the location of the Crimson Core. Azrael, using his Stealth skill, was positioned mere inches from the Core, waiting. He watched as Valerius approached the core, his expression cautious. He moved slowly, deliberately, his hand resting on the hilt of a sword that Azrael hadn't noticed before.
Valerius stopped just a few feet from the Core. He looked around the chamber, his gaze sweeping over the walls, the ceiling, the floor. He seemed to be searching for something, analyzing the environment. He then looked directly at the Core, his eyes narrowing.
Azrael's muscles tensed. He was ready to act. If Valerius touched the Core, he would unleash his traps, his Slimes, everything he had at his disposal.
Suddenly, Valerius raised his sword. He swung it in a swift arc, aimed directly at the Core. It wasn't a full-powered blow, but it was a clear attempt to test the Core, to see if it reacted, to see if there was a presence within the dungeon.
Azrael's heart pounded in his chest. He was about to retaliate, to unleash the fury of his Talent, when he remembered his strategy. He held back, his Stealth skill masking his presence. He was right next to the core, waiting for the moment the blade touched down.
Valerius's sword passed through the air, narrowly missing the Core. There was no reaction, no surge of energy, no sign of a guardian.
Valerius lowered his sword, his expression thoughtful. He looked around the chamber once more, his gaze lingering on the Core. He then turned and walked back towards the entrance.
Azrael was stunned. Valerius had deliberately tried to provoke a reaction from the dungeon, to expose its master. But Azrael's Stealth, combined with his proximity to the Core, had fooled him. Valerius now believed that the dungeon was truly abandoned.
He watched through the Dungeon Eye as Valerius emerged from the dungeon, the hunter waiting outside.
"It's not what I thought," Valerius said to the hunter, his voice thoughtful. "It's not a trap. It's… abandoned."
He didn't elaborate. He simply turned and walked back towards Oakhaven, the hunter following behind.
Azrael was relieved, but also wary. He had fooled Valerius for now, but he knew that the retired conqueror would remain a threat. He had to be careful. He had to be patient. The game had just become a lot more complicated, but Azrael was confident. His deception was working, and the whispers of power within the Core were growing stronger.