Chapter 120: Subordinate Enhancement

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Subordinate Enhancement

When the Crimson Fang first entered the dungeon, many adventurers had believed that the famous group would easily conquer its deeper areas. After all, their members were experienced, their equipment was excellent, and their leader, Rick, was a Level 33 swordsman. Compared to ordinary adventurers, they possessed a considerable advantage in both strength and combat experience.

Yet when they finally emerged from the dungeon, their expressions told a different story.

Their equipment was damaged, several members were injured, and two of their companions had lost their lives on the second floor.

Most shocking of all, they had been forced to retreat without completing their exploration.

The news spread through Hetin Town like wildfire. Before long, adventurers from neighboring settlements were discussing the incident, and some even traveled to the town specifically to learn more about the dungeon that had forced a renowned group like the Crimson Fang to withdraw.

"Did you hear? The Crimson Fang lost two members on the second floor!"

"Two? I thought a group like theirs could handle almost anything in a Tier 2 dungeon. What kind of monsters could possibly kill two of their members?"

"That’s what I want to know! Apparently, the monsters on the second floor are completely different from those on the first. Someone said they encountered undead creatures that could regenerate their bodies even after suffering serious injuries."

"Regeneration? That’s troublesome, but it can’t be that bad. Just burn them to ashes or destroy their heads."

"You think they haven’t tried that? The Mad Wolves already encountered those monsters. They said the creatures were difficult to deal with even after they discovered their weaknesses. And that’s not all. There’s apparently a powerful monster guarding part of the forest, something capable of shattering a defensive barrier maintained by several Guardians."

The adventurers gathered around the table exchanged uneasy looks.

----

Inside the dungeon’s throne room, Ragnar was experiencing the benefits of that growing popularity firsthand.

A system interface floated before his eyes, displaying his current status. Unlike the days when he had struggled to gather even a few Soul Points, his reserves had increased considerably over the past several days.

The steady stream of adventurers entering the dungeon had provided him with numerous opportunities to gain Soul Points.

As a result, Ragnar had accumulated fifty Soul Points.

His level had also increased to Level 40.

Ragnar studied the status screen with satisfaction, his massive frame resting against his throne.

His glowing eyes moved across the displayed information.

[Name: Ragnar Lindgren

Level: 40

Race: Demon

Soul points: 50

Skills: Basic Physical Enhancement, Minor Regeneration, Intermediate Physical Enhancement, Intermediate Strength Enhancement, Intermediate Magic Resistance, Tempest Slash, Intermediate Regeneration]

"Fifty Soul Points in just a few days," Ragnar muttered. "Not bad at all."

If he compared his current situation with the beginning, the difference was remarkable.

Of course, the increased number of adventurers also meant that his monsters were facing greater pressure. Stronger parties could defeat monsters that would overwhelm weaker groups, and Ragnar needed to ensure that his dungeon continued developing alongside the adventurers who challenged it.

Fortunately, the system had recently presented him with a new option.

A few hours earlier, while examining the available functions, Ragnar had discovered an additional section in the management interface.

[Subordinate Enhancement]

At first, Ragnar had been pleasantly surprised.

He had initially assumed that the only way to improve his subordinates was through their own growth and combat experience. The new function, however, offered a more direct method of increasing their levels.

Naturally, such a convenient feature was not cheap.

Ragnar opened the section again.

[Veyra

Current Level: 30

Level 30 → Level 35

30 Soul Points]

[Kaelira

Current Level: 35

Level 35 → Level 40

50 Soul Points]

Ragnar stared at the displayed costs for a moment.

"So, raising Veyra by five levels costs thirty Soul Points, while raising Kaelira by the same amount costs fifty."

The difference was understandable. Kaelira was already Level 35, and the system required more Soul Points to increase her strength further. The higher a subordinate’s current level, the more expensive it became to push them toward the next threshold.

Still, fifty Soul Points was no small expense.

Ragnar currently possessed exactly fifty Soul Points. If he used all of them to raise Kaelira to Level 40, he would be left with nothing to spend on new monsters or other dungeon upgrades. On the other hand, if he strengthened Veyra instead, he would retain twenty Soul Points.

He leaned back and considered the possibilities.

After considering his options for a while longer, Ragnar finally made his decision.

"Veyra’s upgrade will have to do for now."

He opened the subordinate enhancement interface and selected Veyra’s name.

A new window appeared before his eyes.

[Subordinate Enhancement]

[Name: Veyra]

[Current Level: 30]

[Target Level: 35]

[Required Soul Points: 30]

Ragnar didn’t hesitate any longer.

"Confirm."

The moment he gave the command, the system interface flashed. Thirty Soul Points disappeared from his reserves, leaving him with twenty. At the same time, a crimson glow emerged around Veyra’s body.

"Hm?"

Veyra, who had been standing nearby while discussing the dungeon’s recent developments with Kaelira, suddenly stopped speaking. She looked down at her hands as crimson light began gathering around her fingers, spreading across her arms before enveloping her entire body.

"What is this?" she asked, raising her head toward Ragnar. "Master, did you do something?"

"Your level is increasing," Ragnar replied calmly. "I decided to raise you from Level 30 to Level 35."

Veyra’s eyes widened.

"You can do that too?" Veyra exclaimed, staring at Ragnar in surprise.

She had known that Ragnar possessed various mysterious abilities through his dungeon system, but she hadn’t expected him to be capable of directly increasing her level.

Veyra could feel the difference.

The crimson light surrounding her body grew brighter, and a surge of energy flooded through her limbs. Her muscles tightened as her physical strength increased, while the magical energy circulating inside her body became denser and more powerful. It was as though an invisible barrier that had restricted her growth had suddenly been removed, allowing her to reach a higher level of existence.

She clenched her fist, feeling the power gathering within it.