Chapter 121: Buying Monsters For The Ancient Ruins (part 1)

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Buying Monsters For The Ancient Ruins (part 1)

Ragnar watched Veyra carefully as the crimson light gradually faded. The enhancement did not merely increase her level on the system interface. It also strengthened her body, improved the density of her magical energy, and refined her control over the power she possessed.

"Oh, this is wonderful!" Veyra exclaimed, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "My strength has increased considerably. Even my control over my energy feels different. Master, thank you!"

Ragnar nodded in satisfaction. "Your strength has to serve a purpose in this dungeon, especially now that more powerful adventurers are beginning to arrive."

"I understand." Veyra placed a hand over her chest and bowed her head slightly. "I won’t disappoint you."

Ragnar regarded her for a moment before his expression became more serious. He had spent quite a lot of time considering how he should develop his dungeon, and one thing had become increasingly clear to him. His subordinates were not disposable decorations.

They were an important part of his dungeon’s strength, and leaving them behind while the adventurers continued growing stronger would eventually become a serious mistake.

"Remember this," Ragnar said, his deep voice echoing through the throne room. "I won’t let you guys, my subordinates, become irrelevant in my dungeon. The adventurers entering this place are growing stronger every day. Some of them have excellent equipment, powerful skills, and years of combat experience. If I only focus on improving the ordinary monsters, there will come a time when you can no longer keep up with the threats we face."

He rested one enormous hand against the armrest of his throne, his glowing eyes moving between the two women.

"You’re both important to this dungeon. I want you to continue growing stronger, and when the time comes, I intend to give you responsibilities that match your abilities.

Veyra’s expression softened. The playful smile she usually wore disappeared, replaced by a sincere look of appreciation.

"Thank you, my lord," she said quietly. "I’ll remember your words. I’ll become strong enough that you can entrust me with anything without having to worry about whether I can handle it."

Kaelira, who had remained silent throughout their conversation, stepped forward. Her eyes settled on Ragnar, and she lowered her head respectfully.

"Thank you as well, my lord. I also want to become stronger and contribute more to the dungeon. If you give me the opportunity, I will prove that your investment in us is worthwhile."

Ragnar turned toward her. "Your turn will come, Kaelira. Raising you from Level 35 to Level 40 costs fifty Soul Points, and I don’t have that kind of luxury at the moment."

"I understand. You don’t need to explain yourself, my lord. I’ll continue training until the time comes."

"Good. I expect both of you to keep improving, even when you’re not fighting adventurers. Levels are important, but they aren’t everything. A fighter who understands her abilities can sometimes defeat an opponent who possesses greater raw strength."

"Understood," Kaelira replied firmly.

----

The next several days passed without any major changes in the throne room. Ragnar occasionally checked the system interface to monitor activity inside the dungeon, but most of his time was spent reviewing monster information, studying the layout of the second floor, and considering how he should allocate his resources.

Kaelira continued her training, focusing on refining her combat techniques and controlling the power of her Blood Frenzy skill. Veyra also began testing the limits of her enhanced abilities. With her level increased to 35, she could now exert greater strength without exhausting herself as quickly, and the improvement in her magical control allowed her to use her abilities more efficiently.

Neither woman wasted the opportunity Ragnar had given them.

Meanwhile, adventurers continued entering the dungeon.

Some parties managed to clear the first floor and reach second floor, only to discover that the second floor was far more dangerous than the rumors had suggested. Others were forced to retreat before reaching the goblin village. The stronger groups made greater progress, but even they had to consider their injuries, dwindling mana, and the risk of losing members when deciding whether to continue.

The Gravehorn Reaper remained one of the greatest obstacles in the Dead Forest.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

Ragnar sat comfortably upon his enormous throne, his glowing eyes fixed on the system interface floating before him.

[Dungeon Master Status]

[Name: Ragnar Lindgren]

[Level: 45]

[Race: Demon]

[Soul Points: 76]

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

"Seventy-six Soul Points," Ragnar murmured, a satisfied smile appearing on his chiseled face. "Now we’re talking."

Yesterday, he had finally restored the Gravefang Beasts and Graveveil Wardens to their maximum populations of forty units each. This was the maximum number of monsters he could purchase for each species on the second floor.

With both monster populations to their limits, he could finally focus on the Ancient Ruins.

The area had been waiting for him to populate it ever since he began developing the second floor. While the Dead Forest and the graveyard were already filled with dangerous monsters, the Ancient Ruins remained an empty section of the dungeon. If the adventurers continued advancing at their current pace, it would only be a matter of time before one of the stronger parties reached it.

Ragnar had no intention of letting them find an empty area.

"Let’s see what the system has available."

He opened the monster shop and selected the second-floor category. After navigating through the different regions, he chose the Ancient Ruins and opened the undead monster section.

Immediately, rows of information appeared before his eyes.

Unlike the monsters available in the earlier areas, these undead creatures were considerably stronger. The system classified them as Level 40 monsters, placing them a full ten levels above the Graveveil Wardens and twenty levels above the Gravefang Beasts.

Their prices were also substantially higher.

Ragnar narrowed his eyes as he examined the recruitment cost displayed at the top of the interface.