Chapter Fourteen: Ascending the Ranks

“Master, the secret passage to the dungeon has been connected from here.”
Pixis, dressed in her maid attire, stood beside Jen, excitedly holding up a map with both hands, much like a schoolchild offering their homework to a teacher as a ceremonial tribute.
“Everything was done precisely as you instructed. I can guarantee its safety is absolutely reliable.”
“Alright, I understand. You’ve done well.”
Jen took the map from Pixis, glanced at it, and nodded in satisfaction. Ever since the arrival of this gnome, the construction speed of the dungeon had advanced at a remarkable pace. Though Pixis was not yet a hundred years old, every underground-dwelling race inevitably possessed some degree of excavation experience, much like fishermen living by the sea rarely lack swimming skills. While she wasn’t as professional as the duergar, Pixis knew well enough how to prevent cave-ins, ensure air circulation, and keep dust at bay.
Hearing Jen’s praise, Pixis was clearly delighted, smiling shyly before obediently standing aside in silence. Unbeknownst to her, the demon mark was slowly altering her thoughts and perspectives. In the past, simply being this close to a demon would have scared her into fainting outright.
But now, standing beside Jen, her instinctual fear and awe were not gone, merely redirected by the mark’s influence. Overwhelmed by terror, Pixis sought every way to please her new master. The clever gnome understood that as long as she remained useful, she would not meet the fate of the unfortunate children devoured by demon lords in the tales her parents told.
It was a survival instinct shared by all living things, but the demon mark twisted this self-preservation. Pixis, striving desperately for Jen’s approval to safeguard her life, found that recognition from the demon lord brought her an unprecedented sense of happiness and fulfillment. Among the gnome cities, Pixis was merely one among thousands, unnoticed and even disliked for her adventurous spirit. But here, to be valued by a legendary demon was a dreamlike experience for her.
Pixis even secretly rejoiced that her fate of being abducted to the dungeon had turned out to be a wonderful stroke of luck, otherwise she might never have discovered her own worth.
Jen observed Pixis’s transformation with a knowing eye; it was not surprising. He was certain that soon Pixis would wholeheartedly become his retainer. Gnomes, after all, were not a steadfast race. Intelligent but timid, they were easily controlled even without a mark.
Unlike dark elves...
Jen shrugged, casting a glance at his silent “former subordinate” Vilna, who was herding lizards into the passage nearby. Dark elves possessed exceptionally strong wills, seldom succumbing to marks, even when unconscious. Yet, to Jen, this made her an excellent subject for study.
With that thought, Jen shifted his gaze around. At that moment, goblins were hard at work nearby—wielding pickaxes, stomping the ground, muttering to themselves. Soon, with a low hum, a square stone slab engraved with crimson patterns materialized beneath their feet, covering the uneven earth.
In mere moments, the rough ground was neatly paved with spotless stone slabs, now smooth and clean. For Jen, this was an essential part of expanding the dungeon. Only land covered by these crimson-etched stones was considered the dungeon’s “true” territory.
If the dungeon system had a flaw, it was that it offered very little assistance in improving Jen’s personal strength. As the lord, Jen’s fate was intertwined with his city; only when the dungeon leveled up could his power grow. If the dungeon remained stagnant, no amount of monster slaying would earn him experience.
The dungeon could only be upgraded in two ways: completing its missions or exterminating enemies within its territory. Only then could Jen’s dungeon gain enough experience to level up.
Of course, this had its advantages. Even if Jen spent all his time sleeping, as long as reckless monsters entered his domain, they would be slain and their experience automatically converted for his advancement.
But conversely, if the dungeon couldn’t level up, Jen’s efforts were futile. Meanwhile, any monsters belonging to the dungeon could gain experience and level up by defeating enemies anywhere. For example, most of the experience from defeating the mind eater recently was claimed by Enoya and the banshee guard, leaving Jen with nothing.
Therefore, for Jen, the best approach was to expand the dungeon’s territory. The wider its domain, the more experience it could absorb, and the faster it could upgrade.
The underground residents paid little attention to these tiles, since ruins were ubiquitous below ground. To them, the stones simply indicated nearby construction. Yet for Jen, they were crucial; once someone entered the dungeon’s domain, Jen could use the system to know their numbers and professions. As the dungeon leveled up, even their backgrounds and current status could be scrutinized in detail.
Moreover, within his territory, Jen’s recovery speed and spell potency multiplied. Even a powerful mage would not be a match for Jen under the dungeon’s protection—
Though he only knew two spells.
The goblins worked quickly. These creatures, spawned from the dungeon system, were impeccable at their tasks. In just a few minutes, the surrounding land was leveled and paved, even the area adjacent to the Brandon Stone City walls was entirely secured.
This was precisely why Jen had chosen this spot. Though to Kardec it seemed worthless, he failed to realize that, by doing so, he had practically delivered Brandon Stone City into the maw of a behemoth. With Jen’s territory expanded here, the city’s downfall was only a matter of time.
“Ding...!”
As the last patch of earth was covered by stone, the familiar system alert chimed in Jen’s ears, and the system panel popped up before him.
[Mission “Exterminate the Shadow Demon” completed. Experience gained: 460. Additional population capacity +1. Additional spell slot +1.]
[Dungeon level raised to 2.]
[Progress: 120/2400]
[Resources: Ore (500), Mercury (300), Gemstones (300), Crystals (570), Gold (39520)]
[Subordinates: 19]
[Magic Research (LV1): No current research target]
[Building Blueprint (LV1): Research in progress (Pixis), 15% complete]
[New building blueprint acquired]
[Blueprint: Blackstone Watchtower (Whether on the surface or underground, the truth remains—height grants vision. When you wish to secretly spy on beautiful maidens bathing or widows... remember, sharp eyes and a nimble right hand are your most loyal companions) — Scout range +15]
[Blueprint: Grand Library (Between shadowed shelves echo the whispers of magic and the chant of knowledge. Yet as you wander the sea of books, don’t forget how important physical fitness is for a spellcaster. If you wish to avoid mishaps from asthma or anemia, go for a run now) — Magic research speed +15, spell power +5]
[Blueprint: Training Grounds (A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Every hero started by clumsily wielding a sword; every playboy was once a blushing youth. Invite your succubus companion for a drink after practice—unexpected rewards await) — Experience gain x1.5, max level 6]
“Finally, level 2…”
Jen murmured to himself, gazing at the panel before him. This meager 1200 experience had taken him nearly three months. If not for the ample experience from the recent adventure’s daily quest, he might have had to wait even longer to level up. Now, with the dungeon at level 2, Jen’s next steps were clear.
It seemed that once the dungeon stabilized, venturing out and taking daily quests was a good way to upgrade the dungeon.
Turning this thought over in his mind, Jen reached out and tapped the system panel. A series of prompts appeared again.
[Dungeon territory detected. Build structure?]
“Build Blackstone Watchtower.”
[Construct Blackstone Watchtower (LV1): Costs—Ore (150), Mercury (50), Gemstones (10), Crystals (200), Gold (3500). Please confirm.]
“Confirm.”
Jen nodded gently at the prompt.
In the next moment, the world shifted.
The earth began to tremble, the dull patterns on the floor radiating bright crimson light. They intertwined and spiraled upward, magical symbols unfurling in rings as space quaked. Then, a tall, jet-black stone tower emerged from within.
The light faded, magical sigils melting into the tower’s dark structure like snow, leaving only faint gleams of power flickering here and there. The tower’s sharp, towering form reached the ceiling, surveying all it could see.
The slumbering monster had finally bared its fangs.