It took about seven days for the goblins and slimes to achieve their ridiculous growth. During that time, small beasts, large beasts, and several goblins resembling their own kind invaded the dungeon—and were successfully annihilated.
The result of those seven days: 332 DP.I used this to fix structural flaws in the dungeon to make movement easier, added extra traps where needed, and summoned new Goblins and Slimes to bolster our ranks for the next encounter.
I used this to fix structural flaws in the dungeon to make movement easier, added extra traps where needed, and summoned new Goblins and Slimes to bolster our ranks for the next encounter.
Then, two days later—
At last, humans were detected by the scouting slimes.
Currently, I have gathered the main units in the tactical briefing room on the third floor for an explanation.
"Five enemies have been confirmed within our detection range. I’ll provide specifics once they actually step inside, but here is the preliminary intel: two frontliners, likely a swordsman and a spearman. Two backline types who seem to be support mages, and one thief-type acting as their scout."
The Goblins and Slimes listened to the information without reacting... You guys are way too reliable.
"As for the gender breakdown, the two frontliners and one backliner are male. The remaining two are female. My assessment: a balanced, stable party. The frontliners draw aggro and pin the enemy, while the mages provide long-range fire, and the thief uses speed for scouting and general support."
It’s a textbook RPG party composition, which means they’re solid. In other words...
"Assume they are seasoned veterans. G-Squad will use Type-3 equipment; three units will move to intercept. Two units will be stationed as my personal guard. S-Squad will use Type-2 equipment; two units will approach from the rear to support G-Squad. The remaining three units will wait in reserve along the enemy’s path—if the interception force can't hold them, you will move in for a pincer-ambush to finish the job."
G-Squad stands for Goblins. S-Squad, as you might guess, stands for Slimes.
"The interception point is the rear of the first floor. Now, the objectives: Primary Objective: Annihilation. Secondary Objective: Capture. I will give specific orders for the secondary objective as needed. Keep it in mind, but you are free to prioritize the primary objective. Expected arrival is 14:30. Be in position by 14:00."
The secondary objective—capturing prisoners—is for gathering intelligence on the outside world. It’s vital for the long-term management of this dungeon. However, looking at the current situation, I judged that capturing everyone would be difficult.
Regardless, I couldn't make a final call until they entered the dungeon, within range of my Appraisal.
All units finished deployment and entered standby.
At 14:20, the targets entered the dungeon—faster than expected.
Definitely a veteran party.
I began appraising them.
Name: Mobu
Race: Human
Status: Commoner
Gender: Male
Occupation: Swordsman
Age: 32
Rewards/Punishments: Hero of a Ruined Town; Looting, Murder, Rape, etc.
Lv. 44
HP: 2530
MP: 210
STR: 740 + 260 (Silver Longsword)
DEF: 340 + 380 (Iron Full Plate Mail)
INT: 110
AGI: 240 - 70 (Armor Weight)
LUK: 55
Skills:
Unique: Hero of a Ruined Town Lv.3 (Stats increase based on hatred; "Hero" title is granted by being called such by multiple others)
Standard: Swordsmanship Lv.3, Armor Proficiency Lv.2, Shield Lv.2, Hidden Strength Lv.2, Vigor Lv.1, Intuition Lv.1, Horsemanship Lv.2
Name: Raiya
Race: Human
Status: Commoner
Gender: Male
Occupation: Spearman
Age: 34
Rewards/Punishments: Hero of a Ruined Town; Looting, Murder, Rape, etc.
Lv. 42
HP: 1930
MP: 320
STR: 540 + 430 (Raiya's Spear)
DEF: 210 + 120 (Dark Tiger Leather Armor)
INT: 160
AGI: 350
LUK: 70
Skills:
Unique: Hero of a Ruined Town Lv.2
Standard: Spear Technique Lv.3, Armor Proficiency Lv.2, Hidden Strength Lv.2, Vigor Lv.2, Intuition Lv.1, Horsemanship Lv.2, Concentration Lv.2, Evasion Lv.1
Name: Kurse Ranzel
Race: Human
Status: Former Noble
Gender: Male
Occupation: Mage
Age: 28
Rewards/Punishments: Former Excellent Ruler; Looting, Murder, Rape, etc.
Lv. 32
HP: 720
MP: 2293
STR: 230 + 110 (Keepsake Staff)
DEF: 130 + 50 (Keepsake Robe)
INT: 720
AGI: 110
LUK: 35
Skills:
Unique: Ruler's Qualities Lv.2, Magical Talent
Standard: Staff Arts Lv.3, Shield Lv.1, Hidden Strength Lv.2, Vigor Lv.1, Horsemanship Lv.3, Fire Magic Lv.2, Wind Magic Lv.2, Healing Magic Lv.1, Incantation Skip Lv.2
I checked the men's stats first. Naturally, the data was already transmitted to G-Squad and S-Squad.
They’re averaging Level 40. They're certainly strong, but considering the stat growth per level, aren't my monsters actually superior? Or is their growth going to slow down later, and they only spiked because their race changed? Hard to tell right now.
As for those titles like "Hero of a Ruined Town" and "Former Excellent Ruler"... it looks like they have some epic backstories. Well, let's check the women before making a decision.
Name: Elju Lau Roshuru
Race: Human
Status: Slave (Former 3rd Princess of the Kingdom of Roshuru)
Gender: Female
Occupation: Exalted Holy Maiden of Healing
Age: 18
Rewards/Punishments: Former Saintess; 2nd in Line to the Throne of Roshuru
Condition: Persistent Minor Injuries; Physical Malaise due to inadequate treatment; Mild Illness
Lv. 6
HP: 19/90
MP: 4020
STR: 12
DEF: 21
INT: 210
AGI: 64
LUK: 82
Skills:
Unique: Ruler's Qualities Lv.4, Exalted Magical Talent, Holy Maiden of Healing
Standard: Roshuru-style Swordsmanship Lv.2, Roshuru-style Staff Arts Lv.2, Shield Lv.1, Arithmetic Lv.2, Regal Presence Lv.2, Horsemanship Lv.3, Fire Magic Lv.1, Healing Magic Lv.3, Support Magic Lv.2, No-Chant
"Whoa—!? That’s trouble right off the bat!!"
No matter how you look at it, she’s royalty from some kingdom... yeah, this is definitely a flag...
And the last one?
Name: Oriel
Race: Rabbit-Kin
Status: Slave (Former Maid/Aide to the 3rd Princess of Roshuru)
Gender: Female
Occupation: Guardian
Age: 21
Condition: Persistent Minor Injuries; Physical Malaise; Mild Illness; 3 Fractures; Semi-conscious
Lv. 54
HP: 32/1205
MP: 780
STR: 610 - 570 (Fracture penalty)
DEF: 520 - 480
INT: 130
AGI: 420 - 410
LUK: 62
Skills:
Unique: Shield of Protection Lv.2, Devoted Loyalty (Stats increase when near a specific person)
Standard: Roshuru-style Swordsmanship Lv.3, Roshuru-style Shield Technique Lv.3, Arithmetic Lv.2, Service Lv.2, Horsemanship Lv.2, Wind Magic Lv.1, Healing Magic Lv.1, Incantation Skip Lv.1
...So she's a maid, huh.
No recorded crimes on the women’s side. I don’t know their full story, but it’s obvious the two slaves are being treated horribly.
That means... we might actually be able to go for the secondary objective.
"New orders. Based on the intel, the three men are the primary threat. The two women are effectively incapacitated. Therefore, designate the two women as Secondary Objective targets—one platoon from G Squad will secure them."
"The remaining units will treat the three men as the Primary Objective. No need to hold back—crush them with full force. Only if they survive by chance should you shift to capture."
"No changes to the plan. Point Alpha: first interception. Point Beta: second. Point Theta: final interception line on the first floor."
As I relayed this, the G-Unit and S-Unit markers on the map began moving to the first interception point.
The enemy markers were slowly progressing through the dungeon. Monitoring showed the two women's conditions were not good.
Heroine flags and trouble flags waving together... but given our complete lack of outside information, this princess and her guardian are a godsend. We have a valid reason to "protect" them. Even if it means accepting troublesome flags, they're probably worth bringing to our side.
The enemies were about to reach Point Alpha.
"Commence the operation. We are proud warriors. I expect great things from all of you."
Now then...
Let's see how well they can fight against higher-level opponents.
