Dungeon Master of Gods

Chapter 3: Farming

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Adrenaline pumped through my veins, keeping me alert as my mind raced. At just 19 years old, I was now fighting for my life, for the survival of this dungeon, because the entity had made it clear: if the intruders managed to complete it, I would die.

My hands shook as I manipulated the floating tiles, each one containing crucial information about the dungeon. The entity hadn't explained much to me, but I could sense it. The ruined temple, with its cracked statue, wasn't just a relic of the past. It had once been an active dungeon, one that had been razed… and now it was mine.

A latent danger.

"I can't let them complete it," I muttered, my voice choked with tension.

With one quick movement, I touched three different tiles. The first deployed a magical surveillance camera, allowing me to watch the invaders as they descended into the newly created second floor. The second, a menu of environmental modifications, though my low level limited the alterations I could make. I tried blocking paths, creating labyrinthine routes, but my skills wouldn't allow it.

The third, however, was the most useful.

—Creature Summoning…

The system showed me the monsters native to this dungeon. I didn't have access to high-level beasts, or lethal guardians, but something caught my eye: dark specters.

Ghostly creatures, shrouded in vibrant shadows, with inhuman skulls floating within. They were fast, silent, and deadly in close combat. I couldn't afford to underestimate the intruders, but if I kept them trapped on this floor long enough, I could weaken them before they reached deeper levels.

—Attack.

The creatures dissolved into the air, gliding through the halls. Through the chamber, I watched their advance. The invaders were three in number. A swordsman, an archer, and a support mage. They didn't look like beginners, but they weren't at the peak of their power either.

The swordsman led the way, his movements calculated and his stance defensive. The archer scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes, and the mage conjured small spheres of light around her, preparing to detect any ambushes.

It wasn't going to be easy.

One of the specters emerged from a wall, launching itself at the archer. She reacted quickly, firing an arrow charged with magical energy that pierced the specter, dissipating it in a burst of dark smoke.

"They're weaker than I thought..."

But they weren't the only ones.

The other specters surrounded them. They moved like liquid shadows, attacking from unexpected angles. The swordsman spun his blade in a flash of silver, cutting one in half. However, another specter descended from the ceiling, piercing through his body with a bone-chilling spectral scream.

The wizard conjured a circle of light that repelled the specters momentarily.

"They're holding out longer than expected…"

My jaw tightened. I knew these monsters wouldn't last long. I needed more. More traps, more obstacles, more time to think. If I died, it would be the end before I even began my story as a Dungeon Master.

My hands moved quickly, navigating the tiles of light. I might not be able to modify the dungeon too much yet, but there was something I could do.

I activated the "Flowing Darkness" skill.

The shadows in the dungeon came to life, spreading out as if they were liquid. It wasn't a direct offensive, but it limited the invaders' visibility, making their movement difficult. The wraiths would become more dangerous in the dim light.

"Survive this… if you can."

The invaders regrouped, understanding that they were on somewhat more difficult ground.

My vision through the translucent tiles showed the fight in real time. The archer, with her lethal precision, fired arrows imbued with magic, dispelling the wraiths with each impact. The swordsman, agile and experienced, moved like a whirlwind, cutting down any enemy that came too close. The mage, though more cautious, used his light to counter the Flowing Darkness he had just summoned.

"It's not enough… I need something else," I thought, through gritted teeth.

I checked the options on the floating tiles seeing new changes. My level was still low, and most of the advanced skills were locked. However, I found something useful: "Environment Reconfiguration (Active)."

I was now able to slightly alter the structure of the dungeon. Not enough to seal them, but enough to disorient them.

"Fine. Let's try this."

I activated the skill. Immediately, the stone walls shifted, the corridors stretched and changed direction. The once clear path became a constantly moving maze. The archer stopped first, her gaze scanning the surroundings with increasing despair.

The swordsman frowned, feeling around the nearby wall, while the mage muttered detection spells.

"This isn't normal," the swordsman said.

"They're surrounding us," the archer growled, her hand twitching on the bow. She glared at the swordsman in fury. "Did you say this dungeon looked low-level!? We're being crushed here!"

"It's a newly discovered Dungeon…" the mage whispered, his tone warning.

My stomach churned.

I couldn't let them escape. I couldn't let them warn other adventurers. If they did, my dungeon would become an immediate target for all Dungeon hunters.

I gulped and looked for the next option: additional summons.

My energy was limited, but I could still bring in one last enemy.

"Come at me…"

The ground shook. A low roar echoed from the depths of the dungeon. From the darkness emerged a new threat: a Shadow Golem. It was not a high-level boss, but its massive body and ability to regenerate made it a formidable force against already exhausted enemies.

The swordsman was the first to react, launching into the attack with impeccable precision. His sword collided with the golem's torso, but instead of cutting it, the blade simply cut through it like thick smoke. The swordsman stepped back just in time to avoid a devastating counterattack.

"It's incorporeal!" the mage shouted. "Use light magic!"

The archer was already on the move, firing an arrow charged with holy energy. The arrow stuck in the golem's torso, causing the creature to shudder and growl in fury.

The rumble of the impact echoed through the dungeon. The archer's holy arrow had sent the golem reeling, but the stone creature didn't crumble. It could still fight. Its eye flashed with a reddish light before it charged again.

My heart was pounding. Was it enough? Could I keep them at bay?

I knew I couldn't rely on monsters and traps alone. I had to learn. I had to become more than just a novice Dungeon Master.

I watched everything from the center of the core, the room where my consciousness manifested. Translucent tiles floated around me, displaying critical information about the dungeon and my resources. The pressure in my chest was overwhelming, but I couldn't afford to panic.

"If I want to survive, I need to play better."

The goddess's voice echoed in my mind with that cruel sweetness that so characterized her.

"The dungeon adapts to its master. You are a human. You have no natural instincts to rule it, but you have no evolutionary limitations either. Organize your mind, use the system to your advantage by shaping it as you please."

His words were valid, but they didn't come with instructions. I had to figure out how to optimize my dungeon myself. I had to learn quickly.

First, I had to understand my most valuable resource: Dungeon Energy (DE).

I tapped the image depicting a battery on the interface and a new window popped up. It showed my current DE, my regeneration rate, and possible ways to improve it.

- Current DE: 47/100 - Base regeneration: 1% every 10 minutes - Intruder bonus: +0.2% for each living being inside

I narrowed my eyes.

"So, as long as there are adventurers inside the dungeon, regeneration increases."

It was crucial information. The dungeon thrived on the intruders, on their fear, on their permanence within the domain. I didn't have enough energy to summon a creature strong enough to take them out right now, but I could prolong the fight. If I kept them trapped inside, my ED would grow and I could get more powerful monsters.

"Fine, let's try this."

I opened the dungeon control menu and disabled the exit. The hallway leading to the entrance was sealed with a solid stone wall. There was no way to escape.

"They are my source of ED now."

The goddess laughed softly. "Cruel, but efficient. I expected nothing less."

Meanwhile, in the combat room, the adventurers continued to fight.

"It doesn't stop!" the swordsman shouted, narrowly dodging the golem's punch.

The archer readied another arrow imbued with magical energy, but her expression showed frustration. "We can't keep going like this. We're wearing ourselves out."

The mage, who had so far been keeping to the rear, slammed his staff on the ground. "I'm going to cast a mana blast. Prepare to run."

But when they looked towards the exit, despair flashed across their faces.

"... No."

The swordsman lunged at the wall that used to be the hallway. He struck with the hilt of his sword, trying to break it. It was no use.

"We've been caught!"

The archer gritted her teeth. "It's impossible! Dungeons can't change their structure that fast... unless the Dungeon does it on purpose!"

Bingo.

From my perspective, I watched as their desperation fueled the dungeon.My ED began to rise little by little. It wasn't an immediate change, but it was a steady one.

- ED: 50/100 - ED: 53/100 - ED: 57/100

If the adventurers spent their energy on resisting without finding a way out, my dungeon would continue to grow stronger.

Eventually, I would have enough to summon a lethal monster.

Was this what it meant to be a Dungeon Master?

To lock others in a trap they would never get out of?

The mage closed his eyes, concentrating. "We can teleport out. I need time."

I couldn't allow that.

I concentrated my ED and opened the summoning menu. I didn't have enough for anything big, but I could create distractions.

- SUMMONING: SHADOW GOBLINS (x3) - COST: 30 ED

My ED bar dropped suddenly, but it was worth it.

From the shadows of the room, three figures emerged. Small, hunched, with eyes glowing like embers in the darkness. Shadow goblins were fast creatures, weak in direct combat, but perfect for disruption.

"If the mage loses concentration, the teleportation spell will break."

The adventurers reacted immediately. The archer spun her bow, firing rapidly at one of the goblins. The swordsman stepped back, protecting the mage, as the monsters attacked with tiny daggers and erratic movements.

The mage tried to resist, but one of the creatures jumped on him, scratching his face.

"ARGH!"

His spell dissipated.

The dungeon's ED continued to rise.

- ED: 63/100 - ED: 70/100

I gritted my teeth.

"This is a race against time. They seek to survive, I seek to grow stronger. If they hold out long enough, they might defeat me. But if I keep building up ED... I might summon something that will finish them off."

The farming had begun.

And in this game... I had the advantage.