Making Preparations

The rest of his day was spent in the workshops. There were precious few metal and wood pieces left but he crafted the best he could including two new elm bows

Walnut Short Bow of Fire
+6(12)Attack (Fire Element Attack)
20% Chance to cause status effect burn

Metal Studded Jerkin of Earth
+3 Defense
Bonus Feat - Rock like Endurance

Experimenting with the now identified water from the manna pool also allowed him to craft slightly better potions.

Enhanced Minor Healing Potion
Restores 30% HP

Enhanced Minor Paralysis Potion
30% Chance to inflict Minor Stun on target if thrown
100% Chance if taken internally

Both were only a slight upgrade over the previous potions, but any upgrade was still good. The new paralysis potions quickly became three new traps to add to the entrance.

Once he had gone through the available resources, and waiting for the goblin collectors to return, he busied himself refining slime cores. Dozens of failed attempts resulted in three new soul stones which he kept in his own inventory. Certainly he would find a way to put those to good use.

By the time Feathers and the patrol returned, the dust golems were barely half finished with the arena upgrade. It was unfortunate since he wanted to drill his minions, but at least they had managed to return with a decent haul. The better tools not only increased their harvest rate, but also the acquisition rate of the more rare materials. They had also brought back more food, which replenished the always dwindling stocks. Though unfortunately they had not secured any more of the rare lizard skins.

He also sent a few goblins into the caves to see if they could find any more pieces of bronze beetles. Though they returned empty handed. He couldn't be sure if it was due to their own uselessness or the lack of the item. They were also too slow, and if the cave spider minion would eat a beetle he wasn’t sure what would happen if a goblin stumbled into a web. However if speed was the issue, he next sent the Bubble Bee foraging into the caves. He wasn’t sure if the elemental even had an inventory or the ability to collect items, but it seemed eager enough to follow his orders so why not give it a try. Soon enough it too returned, and when he asked it to show him what it had found produced an alarmingly large pile of stones but otherwise nothing useful. He’d need to refine his orders in the future but at least there was a new usefulness for the little thing. Exactly how useful he didn’t know

What he did know was that the dungeon was only barely safe. Adventurers knew its location, and they would return. The gate had kept them out but it sounded like they had a plan to sneak past it or bypass it somehow.

He went over their defensive countermeasures; making his own plans with Bunny, Feathers, and the elder adding their thoughts. However he knew it wasn’t enough. Certainly the dungeon was amazing. He was strong. His minions were growing. But even still, a single high level adventurer could put an end to all of it. Baal was... not afraid. Never afraid... but certainly he had a healthy concern at that prospect.

That evening after the goblins had retired to the repaired barracks, with only the pounding of the golems once again echoing through the deserted dungeon rooms, he found himself once again in the crafting workroom.

The goblins had sufficiently restocked his resources. However he was at something of a loss on how to proceed. The minions were as well equipped as he could get them. Without the arena there would temporarily be no more training for skills or levels and it would take more than a single afternoon of drilling them to make the group of goblins into a unified fighting ****. How then could he get stronger faster? The answer would seem to be improve the dungeon itself, however, as he scrolled through the list of rooms available nothing jumped out as particularly useful. So once again he found himself staring at the crafting list.

His own equipment was ok, he could probably improve it eventually, but there was nothing better he could craft at the moment. So what then? Craft items for the dungeon? He could always fill the entire entrance with spikes and traps. Though given how easily the paralysis dart trap had been disarmed by the adventurers, it probably wouldn’t make much more of a difference than the ones he had already put down.

No. He needed something different. Something more. Would it be too much to ask for a dragon to suddenly show up at his doorstep asking to follow him? Not that one of those proud beasts would ever lower themselves to take orders from an orc. Still the wishful thought did give him something of an idea. Given the tools at hand, if a powerful minion wouldn’t join him, and equipment was an issue, he had a rather intriguing idea. If it could even work.

The forge flamed to life as he hammered out a new set of armor. Too bad he only had the scrap ore and no more of the bronze, but at least he now had plenty of it. Enough to forge a full set of new armor.

Tarnished Plate Armor
+2 (10) Defense
-20% (-100%) Stealth
Set Bonus 5/5
+2 Strength
+5 Defense

It was an ugly, rusted, uneven set of armor with a crusty patina that would cover someone from head to toe. Even the face was protected by a slotted visor. There was no filigree, no plumes, no decoration of any kind. This was a purely functional piece. It wasn’t pretty but it would get the job done. Each piece offered some protection but it seemed the sum of the set was greater than the whole. Next was forging a matching long sword, the largest weapon he had crafted yet next to his own staff, as well as a thick shield.

He could wear the armor, though how well he could handle the sword and shield was doubtful. But there was no way any of his goblin minions could lift, let alone use the heavy over sized equipment. Not that it was his goal.

Next was refining the single gemstone the goblin party had returned with. He somewhat hoped for a Ruby. The fire attribute would be a good addition, but he accepted the emerald that was awarded. Adding the gem onto the armor he received

Tarnished Plate Armor of Earth
+3 (11) Defense
-20% (-100%) Stealth
Bonus Feat - Rock Like Endurance
Set Bonus 5/5
+2 Strength
+5 Defense

The gem bonus only applied to the chest plate, but the result was more than acceptable. Even if it did now add a sickly green sheen to the pitted and rusted armor.

Now, however, would come the true test. He pulled the second stone out of his inventory. He had never attempted two modifications before. As far as he knew it wasn’t strictly possible. At least under normal circumstances. But what he had in mind wasn’t exactly a modification, and it certainly wasn't normal. Was this even considered magic? Crafting? It didn’t really matter as long as it worked.

Baal moved from room to room and station to station, crafting and manipulating the items. It was probably his best creation yet. He was tempted to keep it for himself, or at least try it on. However, so far none of his endeavors had triggered a system error alert, and he wasn't going to tempt fate. Besides, now that he had done this once, he had worked out some of the kinks and could probably make something even better for himself! In the end this trial piece would hopefully never be needed.

He took the winding stairs up to the entrance level and faced the shut gate. Nothing for it now but to set everything in place. Baal moved to the small empty alcove next to the gate he had made for himself to shelter in only a few days before. The first item out of his inventory was a heavy stone base plate a few inches tall. A wooden construction stood from the back like a neatly trimmed tree in the rough shape of a man, with many small pegs sticking out from it. With the armor stand in place, next was placing the armor. The ugly green armor stood facing out towards the spire room, its arms holding air. Finally he draped the sword and shield on the ornamental piece. The overall effect was that of an eternal guard standing in the alcove next to the portcullis, even though the armor was empty. Standing by in case it was ever needed. There was also plenty of room in the spacious round spire to hold more such alcoves. Assuming the future was kind.

"At least it looks menacing," Baal spoke to the empty room. "Keep out the riffraff."

The altar room had been cleaned. His own quarters were deserted. He was tired but his mind was too active to allow him sleep. He slumped into one of the padded chairs facing the fire. He watched the flames as his mind wandered. The slime pooled in the shadow beneath him.

Power

Knowledge

He had more now than ever before but it only served to show him how much he truly lacked of both. The dungeon was now a target. Whether his improvements would prove beneficial or a waste of time and resources remained to be seen. The worst case scenario of a dungeon invasion, he could still run and hide. It had served the goblin’s well enough the first time. It wouldn’t be very dungeon lordly however.

He waged shadow battles in his head, shifting strategies, spells, and formations until he finally succumbed to sleep sometime in the early morning.

He dreamed of darkness.

Not the free floating abyss, but rather an oppressively suffocating blackness. It was watching him. Examining him from every angle. Inside and out. It wasn’t necessarily hostile towards him, but it didn’t need to be. Its sheer presence was overwhelming. The naked orc struggled uselessly. His magic, his strength, even his impressive stamina failed him. In the end he could only manage a weak angry scowl at the presence that enveloped him. The air vibrated with the **** of words he couldn’t hear.

He woke up the to usual blinking menu

Fame increased!
Fame: 96
Survive an Enemy Vendetta for 1 week! +10
A Quest Against You has been Updated! (Expanded)
Quest Advanced (x1) +5
Quest Failed (x3) +5
Quest Failed (x1) +5
Quest Accepted! +1
Quest Accepted! +1
Got a minion! +14 (Expanded)
Domain Sired lesser minion (x11) +1
Domain Sired minor minion (x1) +3

That had better fucking not mean more spiders! Though he doubted he was that fortunate.

Wisdom of the Ages has activated!

His intelligence buff had gone up again. It was now passively adding an additional six points to his status. Thinking back it had been a couple of weeks now since his last respawn. He'd never lived long enough for the bonus to stack multiple times. At this rate he was actually starting to feel like a real mage!

Every muscle in his body felt stiff and sore from sleeping sitting in the chair. He dismissed the window as he stretched himself out with a long groan. The dungeon was quiet. Suo wasn’t under him any longer either. Hopefully that meant the golems were finished with construction and not that everyone had been murdered while he slept. Though given his most recent nightmare...

Baal dismissed the thought as he stood. Whatever fears... ahem... concerns his mind had been trying to work out in his sleep were best left to the night behind him.

Baal walked out to the altar room and descended the spire. The entrance level looked normal as well. The armor stand next to the metal gate reflected dully in the dungeon light. Below he could still hear the rapid hammering of the twin dust golems as they worked on the arena upgrade.

Baal was hungry. Even with the new kitchen his meals were still too infrequent. He needed more minions. As things stood currently they were only just able to hunt and scavenge enough to keep the dungeon going. But he needed to keep growing. Though more minions to work in the kitchen conversely also meant more mouths to feed.

At least the barracks appeared more orderly, he noted as he moved past a group of still sleeping goblins.

Baal walked into the mess hall and moved behind the counter. He lacked the cooking skill needed to use most of the equipment here, but fire was still fire. He threw one of his last chunks of pork belly onto the metal grill and let the flames do their work as he dug through the containers. There were other minor ingredients and plenty of spices he had no idea how to properly utilize, though he did recognize salt and poured out a liberal amount into the food, but he was really looking for the remaining ****.

“Try the crate in the middle,” the voice of the goblin elder helpfully spoke up from behind him.

Baal followed the directions and retrieved a small warm bottle of nameless ale. He took a long swig as he turned to face the elder.

“I thought it best to keep somewhere easy to observe,” the goblin explained from his position across the bar.

The orc grunted an agreement was he took another drink and returned to watching his food dripping grease into the flames below.

“My lord, I don’t mean to interrupt your breakfast but there is a matter that requires your attention.”

“What is it?” The Orc asked withholding a heavy sigh.

The old goblin motioned towards the door for someone to approach. Baal had otherwise ignored the other goblins so far this morning, but as this goblin approached he began to see what the old man meant. This one was huge... for a goblin. While the goblins he had gathered were all roughly three foot tall, more wiry than muscular, and covered in shades of green spots; this one was different. Though not as tall or thick as the orc, this goblin still towered over his fellows at over four feet tall. His naked torso was barrel chested and heavily muscled. He had the same green coloring and a short dark green hairstyle similar to his forest goblin kin, but many of his spots had elongated to look more like stripes. It truly stood out among goblins.

Baal did not recall ever seeing this goblin before. Did that mean another minion had come to his dungeon wanting to join him? Why then did the nameplate above the goblin’s head already show blue?

“Now that he is an adult, this one requires a purpose,” the old goblin explained.

Now that he was an adult? Did that mean...

“This is the child?” Baal asked incredulously.

The elder simply nodded while the large goblin kneeled in front of him.

“Boss!” The new goblin greeted in a deep rumbling voice.

Fuck having a cook, with a build like that this one had to be a front line fighter.

“As soon as the arena is restored, you’ll begin training as a warrior. Until then have the smith make you some weapons and armor!” Baal gave his orders.

The goblin nodded happily before hastily leaving for the crafting rooms. It certainly seemed eager enough to take up its duties as a minion.

“How did it get so big?” Baal asked idly.

“I’m unsure myself,” the elder answered. “I assumed it was you.”

“Me?!”

“Pardon my lord, but you do seem rather fond of... experimentation.”

Baal stared down at the frail goblin, allowing himself the small fantasy of flinging him across the room, walking stick and all.

“Perhaps not intentionally,” the old goblin hastily added. “I’m not sure whether you’ve noticed, but you do have a rather strange effect on others. Things start to change once you’re involved, my lord. Even I myself have noticed new thoughts and ideas. I apologize I don’t know how to better explain...”

This time Baal did sigh as he thought to himself. Things change around him? You could say that again, his little crack in the side of the mountain had become a dungeon, the goblins were evolving, Suo was... whatever the hell the slime was... and gods only knew what was happening outside! He sliced the thick slab of meat with the short sword from his inventory, laying out the medallions to cook faster as the salt piled on top slid off into the flames.

“Da!” a high pitches voice called from behind.

What was that crazy old man doing now?

“Wait!” Bunny called out urgently.

Baal half turned to see what was happening when a small vibrant green blur launched from Bunny’s arms, across the bar top, and latched onto his front. The orc looked down at large green freckles and huge golden eyes half hidden behind long black bangs.

“Dada!” The little thing called up at him.

“No jump!” Bunny wailed as she also jumped across the bar top.

Baal grabbed the tiny thing and lifted it up to examine it as it squealed happily. Ashteroth had also grown. The swaddled infant was now a gangly infant. The half goblin still had her mother’s green skin while taking after his own eyes and hair. Her features where also now slightly more defined. A nose not quite as long as the typical goblin with a slight upturn similar to his own more pig like nose. Her ears were not quite as long and pointed either from what he could tell from her thick dark hair. The proportions of her arms and legs also seemed longer than his squat heavy frame.

The orc passed the cheering toddler over to her waiting mother and fell back in a daze nearly catching himself on the searing appliance. He took another long pull from his nearly forgotten bottle as he watched Bunny gently admonish their acrobatic offspring. Somehow fatherhood suddenly seemed even more real. Ash was no longer some doll-like, screaming, eating machine. She was now a walking, talking, screaming, eating machine.

His life flashed before his eyes. A long string of often pointless and painful deaths. He resolved himself not to allow his daughter to suffer the same fate. But it just brought him back to the same problem. The dungeon was a target and he lacked power. He needed more time to gather and build. He needed more resources, items, magic. More of everything.

Of course he did have the workshops. If gathering raw materials was too dangerous, too time consuming, and only gave meager returns; he could always try something else. Not that there weren’t risks involved with that idea either.

He started eating as he thought, but the ridiculous seasoning caused him to finish his drink and find another. Cooking was certainly better left to his minions.