Chapter 7: The Conqueror's Wisdom
The flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows across the walls of Valerius's hut, illuminating the weathered lines etched on his face. He sat at his workbench, the unfinished carving forgotten in his hand, his mind preoccupied with the encounter at the Whispering Rocks.
He had been certain. The signs were all there: the deliberately weakened entrance, the almost comical simplicity of the traps, the lone Slime patrolling the initial chambers. It was a textbook example of an amateur's attempt at deception. And yet...
Valerius replayed the scene in his mind, the moment his sword had swung towards the Core. He had expected a reaction, a surge of defensive energy, perhaps a sudden appearance of the dungeon's master. But there had been nothing. Just the cold, pulsating silence of an abandoned Core.
He had felt a flicker of doubt then, a nagging suspicion that something wasn't quite right. But he had dismissed it. After all, who would be foolish enough to remain hidden, mere inches from their Core, while a seasoned conqueror like himself approached with a drawn sword? It was unthinkable.
And yet, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. There was something about the dungeon, a subtle dissonance, a feeling of orchestrated neglect that didn't quite ring true. He had explored countless dungeons in his time, faced down monstrous creatures and cunning traps, and he had developed a keen sense for the subtle nuances of dungeon design. This one... it felt different.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he had been manipulated, that he had played right into someone's hands. But who? And why?
Valerius sighed, setting the carving aside. He needed more information. He needed to understand what he was dealing with.
He called for one of the younger villagers, a quick-witted lad named Liam. "Liam," he said, "I need you to take a message to the Adventurer's Guild in Riverfall."
Liam, eager to be of service to the revered conqueror, stood at attention. "Yes, Conqueror Valerius! What message shall I deliver?"
Valerius retrieved a piece of parchment and a quill, his old hands moving with surprising agility. He quickly penned a message, detailing the discovery of the dungeon near the Whispering Rocks, its unusual characteristics, and his suspicions. He sealed the message with his personal signet ring and handed it to Liam.
"Take this to Guildmaster Elara in Riverfall," he instructed. "Tell her it's from Valerius of Oakhaven. And be quick about it."
Liam nodded, his eyes wide with excitement. "Yes, Conqueror! I'll deliver it with haste!"
He bowed respectfully and hurried out of the hut, the parchment clutched tightly in his hand.
Valerius watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had decided to involve the Adventurer's Guild. It was the logical course of action. The Guild had the resources and the expertise to investigate the dungeon thoroughly, to determine its true nature and the potential threat it posed.
He turned to the other villagers who had gathered outside his hut, their faces etched with concern. "There's no need to worry," he reassured them. "I've sent word to the Adventurer's Guild in Riverfall. They'll send some of their best adventurers to investigate the dungeon."
The villagers murmured amongst themselves, their anxiety palpable. They had heard the tales of the Whispering Rocks, the legends of adventurers who had ventured into those hills and never returned. The discovery of a dungeon so close to their village was unsettling, a reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond their peaceful fields.
Valerius raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. "I know you're afraid," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "But there's no need to panic. The Adventurer's Guild will handle this. They're trained to deal with these situations."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the villagers. "And besides," he added with a wry smile, "it wouldn't be the first time I've faced a dungeon."
The villagers looked at him with a mixture of awe and gratitude. Valerius, the retired conqueror, was a legend in their village. He had spent his youth exploring dungeons, slaying monsters, and amassing a fortune in treasures. He had returned to Oakhaven in his later years, seeking peace and tranquility, but his reputation as a fearless adventurer had preceded him.
Valerius leaned back against his workbench, his mind drifting back to his younger days. He remembered the thrill of exploring uncharted territories, the adrenaline rush of facing down powerful creatures, the satisfaction of uncovering hidden treasures. He had seen it all, done it all. He had faced down dragons, navigated treacherous traps, and outwitted cunning dungeon masters. He had even, on one memorable occasion, single-handedly defeated a minotaur in its own labyrinth.
But those days were long gone. He was older now, his body weary from years of battles and adventures. He had chosen to retire to Oakhaven, to live out his remaining days in peace. But the discovery of the dungeon near the Whispering Rocks had reawakened something within him, a spark of adventure, a yearning for the challenges he had once embraced.
He knew he couldn't ignore it. He couldn't simply sit back and let the younger generation face the dangers alone. He had a responsibility to his village, to his people. He was Valerius, the retired conqueror, and he would do whatever it took to protect them.
He looked out at the villagers, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and hope. "Don't worry," he said, his voice strong and reassuring. "I'll be there with the adventurers. I'll make sure you're all safe."
The villagers cheered, their spirits lifted by his words. Valerius smiled. He was ready. He was ready to face the challenges that awaited them. He was Valerius, the retired conqueror, and he would not be defeated.
Chapter 8
Azrael watched through the Dungeon Eye as Valerius and the hunter retreated from his dungeon. A wave of relief washed over him. His deception had held, at least for now. He couldn't afford to trigger his Talent, Retaliation, not yet. It wasn't an offensive ability, not a tool for aggressive strikes. It was a defensive mechanism, a safeguard against those who sought to destroy his Core. Prematurely activating it would reveal his hand, expose his presence, and that was a risk he couldn't afford to take. Especially because the Core wasn't just a power source; it was his very heart. If it was destroyed, his Talent would cease to function, leaving him vulnerable. Protecting the Core was paramount. Retaliation wouldn't directly defend the Core; it would only provide a hundredfold return on any losses suffered, but the destruction of the Core meant his own demise, the ultimate loss from which there was no return. The Talent was useless if he ceased to exist.
He checked his status screen.
Status: Azrael, Demon Lord of the Crimson Core
* Level: 1
* Dungeon Core: Level 1 (Capacity: 100 Mana)
* Mana: 75/100
* Territory: 20 meters radius
* Creatures: 0/5 (Slimes: 5/5)
* Traps: 0/3
* 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.
* Skills: Stealth (Level 1), Appraisal (Level 1)
The destruction of the Slime and the triggering of the rudimentary traps near the entrance, though seemingly insignificant, had yielded a surprising return. Because of his Talent, Retaliation, he received 100 times the value of the destroyed Slime and traps, translating into a significant boost to his mana reserves and some basic resources. It wasn't the grand windfall he had hoped for, but it was a start. A small victory, but a victory nonetheless. It wasn't about raw power for attack. It was about bolstering his defenses, replenishing resources, and preparing for future incursions. The Talent was a double-edged sword; powerful, yes, but only useful after an attack, not during it. And the ultimate attack, the destruction of the Core, was a loss from which there was no return.
He had used the influx of mana and resources to upgrade his Stealth skill to level 2, costing him 25 mana and some basic materials. He understood that his deception was his greatest weapon, and enhancing his stealth capabilities was crucial for maintaining his facade. He also invested in learning the Appraisal skill, costing him 50 mana and some rare minerals. Valerius's unexpected visit had highlighted a critical weakness in his strategy: a lack of information. He knew nothing about the retired conqueror, his abilities, his motivations. Without information, he was fighting blind. The Appraisal skill would allow him to analyze individuals, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and gain a better understanding of the threats they posed.
He realized now that his initial plan, while clever, was incomplete. He had focused on creating the illusion of an abandoned dungeon, but he hadn't accounted for the possibility of experienced adventurers like Valerius. He needed to adapt, to refine his strategy. He could have taken the simpler route, the path most Demon Lords chose: quietly mining resources, expanding his territory, and building his power base. But that would attract attention, and attention was precisely what he wanted to avoid. His gamble, the risky strategy of appearing abandoned, was a calculated move. It was a high-risk, high-reward approach. The risk was amplified by the vulnerability of the Core. His very existence hinged on its preservation.
He spent the next few days observing Oakhaven through the Dungeon Eye. He watched as the villagers went about their daily lives, their conversations occasionally drifting to the newly discovered dungeon. He learned more about Valerius, his history, his reputation, his influence within the village. He also observed the younger villagers discussing plans to venture into the dungeon, hoping to find valuable resources.
Azrael knew he couldn't remain passive. He needed to be proactive, to anticipate the actions of others. He needed to gather more information, to understand the dynamics of the village, to identify potential threats and opportunities.
He also noticed something else. Valerius, the retired conqueror, was building a small hut near the entrance to his dungeon. Azrael's senses sharpened. Why would he do that? Was he planning to keep a closer watch on the dungeon? Was he suspicious? Or was it something else entirely?
He activated the Appraisal skill on Valerius.
Appraisal: Valerius, Retired Conqueror
* Level: (Cannot Determine)
* Strength: (Cannot Determine)
* Agility: (Cannot Determine)
* Intelligence: (Cannot Determine)
* Magic: (Cannot Determine)
* Skills: (Cannot Determine)
* Potential Threat Level: High
Azrael was frustrated. The Appraisal skill was limited, unable to penetrate Valerius's defenses. He suspected that Valerius's years as a conqueror had granted him a natural resistance to magical scrutiny. It was a setback, but not a defeat. He would need to find another way to gather information about Valerius.
He watched as Valerius finished building the hut. It was a simple structure, but sturdy and well-built. It was clear that Valerius intended to stay there for a while.
Azrael pondered the situation. Valerius's presence near the dungeon entrance was a significant complication. It meant that he would be the first to know if anything unusual happened within the dungeon. It also meant that he would be a constant threat, a potential obstacle to Azrael's plans.
He needed to understand Valerius's motivations. Why was he building a hut near the dungeon? Was he planning to explore it further? Was he waiting for the adventurers from the Guild? Or was it something else entirely?
Azrael knew he couldn't afford to underestimate Valerius. He was a seasoned conqueror, a legend in these parts. He was experienced, perceptive, and he clearly suspected something was amiss. He was a wildcard, a dangerous element in Azrael's carefully crafted plan.
Azrael knew he needed to be patient. He needed to observe, to gather information, to understand Valerius's intentions. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes. He was playing a dangerous game, and the stakes were high. His survival, his growth, his very existence depended on his ability to deceive and outmaneuver his opponents. And Valerius, the retired conqueror, was a formidable opponent indeed. The Core's vulnerability made this deception all the more crucial, all the more perilous.