Dungeon Core Academy: Books 1-7 (A LitRPG Series) by Alex Oakchest (book suggestions txt) 📕

“Now. Hit the smug prat with it.” 

“Oh, wait a second. There are a few things the laws allow the governer to change. Firstly, all heroes’ loot will be inspected and itemized at the town gates. Kathryn, you will make sure your guards are aware of this.”

“An absolute pleasure, sir.”

“Secondly, the heroes’ guild most likely will not meet the new definition of a domicile that Marlheinz and I will agree on, so I suppose that will mean increased levies.”

“But Sir Dullbright, you can’t-”

“Thirdly, the town will revoke any monetary resources we provide to the guild. I have seen in our accounts that the town gives the heroes’ guild grants for taking on apprentices who don’t seem to exist, for forging weapons of which there are no records at all, and for raiding troublesome dungeons that, in actual fact, have been closed down for decades. These grants are not being fulfilled, and thus will stop.”

“Sir,” stammered Pvat. “The guild provides a service for the town. It…uh…we…uh…”

“Stand up in a pompous way as you can manage, and leave the room,” I told the mimic.

“Thank you so much for your time, ladies and gentlemen. A most productive use of our day. Here’s to changes in Hogsfeate.”

“One second…I forgot about the last thing. The trader.”

“Yes, Dark Lord,” said the mimic.

“Oh, there was one last thing,” said Mimic Dullbright. “Kathryn, there is a cotton merchant named Claus who has been witness breaking the ‘Treatment of Livestock and Beasts of Burden act.’ Please see that he is dealt with.”

“Dealt with?”

“Not like that! Have him spend a month working in the stables under intense supervision. Perhaps he’ll come to appreciate the importance of caring for his animals.”

“A pleasure, Sir Dullbright.”

CHAPTER 17

Razensen’s Unit:

Kobolds [x6] have leveled up to 6! [Arena boost active]

Bone guys [x4] have leveled up to 5! [Arena boost active]

Shrub Bandits [x4] have leveled up to 9! [Arena boost active]

- Maginhart [Kobold] has progressed in studies! 

Tinkering – Apprentice - [Progress to level 1: 23%]

Alchemy – Apprentice - [Progress to level 1: 14%]

Artificery – Apprentice - [Progress to level 1: 12%]

The following three days passed in a blur of activity. With things in Hogsfeate going along nicely and the situation in Yondersun more settled, it meant I could devote more time to what I truly enjoyed; adding to the horror of my dungeon.

With my essence once again replenished, I used it to add to my stable of creatures, but I did so with one final task in mind; killing Cael Pickering.

As such, I had to choose creatures bred for slaughter. I didn’t need kobolds who could dig tunnels, I didn’t require any dungeon birds who could swoop around and scout the wasteland for me. I needed horrible creatures who could do horrible things.

After putting thought into it, I settled on a few new creatures.

Monsters created:

Stone dwarf troll x5

Bogbadug x3

Essence remaining: 5/1505

With that simple act of creation, my essence was gone and it would be days before it replenished. I suspected that Cael would not be sitting on his arse much longer, and the longer I left it, the more chance that I would lose my chance at going through the portal and surprising him.

Standing before me were five little trolls made of granite and three giant frogs that hopped around the chamber, bouncing off walls and leaping over the trolls’ heads, earning grunts in return.

The trolls had little dexterity and even less brainpower, yet they could take a battering and soak up plenty of heroic attacks before they felt the damage.

The bogbadugs, meanwhile, offered speed and agility, and they could jump high enough that they would be able to attack any flank without much maneuvering.

“Welcome to the dungeon,” I told them. “I would normally arrange for an induction, but you join us at a busy time. Please make your way to the arena for training.”

“What…is…ahreeenar?” grunted a troll.

“A big chamber full of straw dummies and targets where even lumps like you can become warriors. Just leave by the tunnel and you’ll see my mining crew. They’ll give you directions.”

The trolls lumbered away and the bogbadugs sprang around them, leaving me alone with Gulliver.

“Any sign of Shadow yet?” he said.

“Nothing. Three days, and not a sign. She should have been back by now.”

“Do you suppose she…”

“She’ll be back. She’s loyal to the dungeon.”

“Perhaps her absence isn’t her choice. Anything can happen in the wasteland.”

“Reginal and Galatee have kindly agreed to send a few scouts out to the desert. I told them that I had asked Shadow to go buy supplies from Hogsfeate.”

“Let’s hope that she is okay. Looks as though you’re almost ready for Cael, huh?”

“I could always use more time to make more monsters, but there’s such a thing as overpreparing. Even so…”

“You don’t sound too optimistic, Beno.”

“There’s something about Cael that makes my nonexistent pores drip with nonexistent sweat.”

“No, this won’t do. This doesn’t sound like you at all. Look at it this way, you dreary diamond. You have made friends with the chiefs! You practically own a whole bloody town! You should be proud of yourself. I’m proud of you, Beno.”

“Thanks, Gull. I mean that. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”

“Scribes aren't supposed to get involved, you know. The Scribes’ Guild Law of Scribalistic Neutrality. We’re supposed to remain in the middle, neither one side nor the other. But, since I got myself kicked out of the scribe’s guild by helping you destroy that Collector guy a while ago, there’s no point me worrying about silly things like guild laws.”

“You’ve still helped more than I would have expected.”

“It’s funny, Beno. I’ve served as scribe for all sorts of dukes, lords, nobles, as you know. Not a single one of