A New Bug

“Suo, are you alright?” The orc asked cautiously.

“Suo!” The slime happily answered.

That was a good sign at least.

“Why are you black?” He asked

“Suo?” It replied.

That was not nearly as helpful as he would have liked.

“If I may, my lord,” the old goblin interjected from his resting spot. “Slimes evolve based on their main diet from their child states. A common slime would be a poison slime that consumed mostly poisonous plants and insects. Nearly as common would be water or earth elemental slimes that consumed... well water... or ores. I believe the blue slimes you described were water slimes. Your pet had grown very strong even before its evolution, much stronger than the average slime. I would hypothesize it was because my lord monitored what it ate, thus keeping it in balance. It evolved now because it absorbed so much of your own... essence... during its recovery. Though I must admit I have no knowledge of a black slime ever existing before.”

Baal did his best to follow the old man’s droning. He just needed a simple answer.

“So it’s healthy?” The orc asked.

“Very much so I would imagine.” The elder goblin replied. “If I were to hazard a guess, I would think it is healthier and stronger than its ever been before.”

“Suoosuo!” The slime heartily agreed.

Good enough. Now that the threat had passed, and the adrenaline was wearing off, the pain in his hands and arms was starting to grow. The orc examined his bloody and peeling appendages. It almost looked as if he had plunged his hands into a fire. Given what he had seen, that might as well have been the case. His HP bar was equally diminished, hovering at around twenty percent.

“Bunny!” He called out. “Fetch me a healing potion.”

The gobliness quickly scurried up the steps to the workshops. Good thing he had shown her how to craft them. He wouldn’t have enjoyed the tapping it would have taken to create even a single potion in his current condition.

He could use the elemental’s healing, but he thought it wise to give the little thing a break. It had worked hard enough already. Besides, it was otherwise occupied as the slime slid around and examined it.

He took a moment to size up the newly blackened slime. It was the same size and shape as before. It was rolling and bouncing in similar ways. It was even playing in much the same way, chasing the new water elemental around Baal as the elemental attempted to use him for cover from the energetic slime. It certainly seemed to be Suo. He would need to re-examine the slime, but as long as it was ok, that could wait.

The other goblins slowly found their courage and approached the orc and slime. As always the slime seemed to pay them little attention, but they were now very curious about it. They had followed their new lord for food, protection, and shelter. In turn he had gifted them new equipment and levels, power they could have never have dreamed of previously. But this was different. Their lord had not only brought their fellow minion back to life, he had recreated it in his own image. In the primitive minds of the goblins who had witnessed the miracle, the orc had unknowingly taken on a new role. He was now not only their lord and master, but had also begun to take on the appearance of a god.

“Potion!” Bunny announces as she skipped back down the stairs two at a time.

Baal might have admonished her to take more care, but he himself was simply too tired to care at this point. The gobliness presented him with the stoppered phial. Baal looked from the small red minor healing potion to his own useless hands. He was clearly going to require some assistance.

“Feed it to me,” he ordered the enchantress.

Bunny eagerly uncorked the narrow flask and upended it into her own mouth. Before Baal could complain, she flung her arms around the seated orc’s head and locked her lips to his. This was not what he had in mind, but he didn’t complain as the goblin’s tongue met his own and the sweet tingling sensation of the potion filled his mouth.

The orc’s health filled to nearly half and the damage on his hands retreated into a blistered and bruised burn. He cupped the enchantresses blue-green curls as he returned her eager kiss. More potion might help, but there was a limit to how much and how often one could use those items to heal. At least the worst of the pain was gone, he could wait for his own natural regeneration to do the rest. Worst case scenario he still had the elemental.

He finally forcefully broke the kiss. The gobliness might have been eager for more but he was already past his limits. He used the much smaller goblin for support and pushed himself to his feet.

“It’s time for my rest.” The orc announced on unsteady feet. “You lot go about your daily tasks.”

He limped his way up to the production level, pausing for a moment to catch his breath before climbing the winding staircase to the entry level.

Fuck! What asshole had designed all these fucking stairs?

With time, and no small amount of support from the female goblin, the orc eventually made it up the two story climb. Even the slime bobbed along behind, encouraging him, and prepared to catch him if he did fall.

The trickster was still collapsed and sleeping in the small alcove next to the gate. Only one more long flight of stairs separated him from his room and a well deserved rest. At this point however, the climb was nearly insurmountable.

“Uhm.... Boss.... thing!” A goblin on lookout duty shouted down to the orc.

“What?” Baal grumbled back.

“Outside! Thing!” The goblin answered cryptically.

He really needed to find more eloquent minions. More stairs or a thing, he really didn’t want to bother with either at the moment. The orc changed his path and moved under the gate as it opened. He slowly made his way across entry hallway and pushed open the thick wooden doors.

“This had better be good,” he grumbled to himself. “What was so gods damn important.... oh fuck!”

Baal immediately brought up his staff and charged a magic blast. The rugged natural rock entrance to the dungeon had been enclosed in a web. At the heart of the web sat a giant black and yellow spider, nearly the size of a goblin with its eight legs spread out. Baal didn’t have the health or manna for a fight. A little more warning would have been nice. The arachnid’s multiple compound eyes fixed on the larger orc. The web bounced as its legs twitched.

Cave Spider - ???

The caves on Mt Imporne were infested with these things. More than once he had been **** to fight off a spider attempting to claim his little nook for its own. And more than once he had lost to its snaring web and powerful acid. This fight was the last thing he needed.

A wild cave spider has asked to join you.
Accept cave spider into dungeon?

What?!

Baal’s eyes twitched from the spider to the pop up notification to the tip of his own staff, crackling with Dark Energy.

More bugs wanted to join him? At least the goblins were almost intelligent enough to be useful. He doubted the spider would listen to him any more than the beetle had, and who knows what the hell that thing was doing down in the pitch black labyrinth.

Now there was an idea... The orc’s mouth slowly spread into a cruel smirk.

Baal pressed accept. Who did know what the beetle was doing, and now it wouldn’t be his problem anymore. Let the bugs fight and settle it themselves.

Fame increased!
Fame: 65
New minion! +3 (Expanded)
Minor minion+1
Dungeon Ecosystem Recruitment +2

The spider climbed down from its web and skittered across the stone floor into the dungeon. The web it left behind condensed into a small wound ball and landed at his feet.

Cave Spider’s Silk - ???

Bonus. The orc tucked the silk into his inventory and followed the spider into the dungeon. Much like the beetle before; the spider ignored him, his goblin companion, and the slime, as it quickly marched to the dungeon depths. It climbed to the open gap between levels and used a long thread to lower itself to the bottom most floor, eliciting alarmed screams of “thing!” from several goblins before it too disappeared into the pitch black tunnels.

Baal made a mental note to carry a torch the next time he went into those tunnels. Surely if it was his minion it wouldn’t attack, but it still gave him the creeps. For now, however, whatever was happening in the lowest floors of his dungeon was a problem for another time. He made the long final climb up to the altar level and his personal room silently vowing to himself to avoid creating any more stairs in the future. No, just limiting new stairs wasn’t enough. Baal swore **** against all stairs as he staggered into his quarters.

He quickly realized someone had beaten him to it, however. A small tight green ass in rabbit fur bikini briefs greeted him as he stumbled into his room. The matching vest was splayed open, but her smallish breasts remained hidden, pressed against the fur blankets. Her feather braided hair rested on her back, rising and falling with her shallow breaths.

He had ordered Feathers to go to bed, and at the moment the only bed in the dungeon was his own.

Whatever.

Baal unequipped his clothing and rolled her out of the way as he lowered himself onto the welcoming furs. With his added weight, Feathers rolled over once more and snuggling her bare skin against his side. There was a soft thud as another body joined from the opposite side as Bunny refused to be left out and crawled next to him to also share his warmth. Lastly a cool sensation covered his legs as the slime settled on him as well.

Whatever.

Baal’s consciousnesses was fading too quickly to care. His dreams were pleasant at first, harems of exotic women serving his every need and desire. But by the end it devolved into nightmares of never ending staircases spiraling into the darkness as unseen bugs scratched and screeched all around him. What started as a run slowed to a walk and finally into crawling. He struggled to pull himself up the infinitely winding steps... and woke to find himself clawing at his headboard.

As exhausted as he had been, the restless sleep had done little to recharge him. He rolled into his back and examined the stone and wood ceiling. The minions were gone. Even if it felt like he had barely slept, he suspected that wasn’t the case.

The air elemental hovered in the periphery of his vision for a moment then buzzed out of the room.

He checked his hands. The burnt and blistered skin had already healed back to the normal mottled dull grey. His HP and MP bars were both full. And for once there were no flashing menu notifications begging for his attention. He could finally take a little time and relax. His stomach rumbled loudly, breaking the silence in the bedroom. So much for relaxing.

Baal started to sit up in bed, but just as he moved the air elemental returned leading a guest. If the messy blue-green hair and rabbit fur garments weren’t enough to identify Bunny, the hungry way the gobliness eyed the naked orc was certainly a distinguishing characteristic.

However the orc has other, more pressing, hungers he wished to feed rather than the enchantresses lust. Hungers that were being stoked by the savory smells of the bundle the female goblin was carefully carrying.

The spotted harpy egg was nearly as big as the goblin’s oversized head and had been soft boiled. The top most section of shell was removed to reveal the solid cooked whites and the gooey golden center. The steaming meal was sprinkled with an additional array of spices that added to the mouth watering aroma.

“Bring food for you!” Bunny happily announced.

Baal eagerly dug into the meal. He slurped down the hearty gelatinous yolk and tore apart the remaining shell to get to the thick chunks of cooked egg. He actually made quite the mess as he feasted, however Suo emerged from the wadded furs of blankets and helpfully cleaned the fallen scraps from both himself and the bed.

“Well done!” The orc exclaimed as he licked his fingers clean.

The gobliness basked in her master’s praise. She had actually done little other than bring the food to him, but she was more than happy to do anything to please him.

“Food place ready,” she reported. “Make cook good!”

Baal took a moment to translate the goblin speak into actual language. Food place... the mess hall construction was complete? It had been several days since his last inspection. He supposed it was time to get out of bed and catch up with his dungeon.

He swung his legs free of the furs, and clinging slime, and **** himself out of the comfortable bed. The female goblin eyed his naked cock and licked her lips but remained in place pending any orders from the lord. Baal let her stare as he stretched his aching limbs, but quickly equipped his pants once it looked like her lust was about to overcome her other senses.

“Come along,” he padded out barefoot and shirtless from the disappointed goblin.

The altar room looked much the same, though he noticed some furs and piles of trash on the steps where the goblins had been sleeping. He would need to correct the messy minions.

The entrance level was unchanged. Still just the wide circular room with the waterfall falling from the center, the gated portcullis blocking the entrance hallway, the small alcove next to the gate breaking the otherwise perfectly circular wall, and the windows for the lookouts above the entrance.

Ball continued his descent to the production level. There were still only three openings here. One in the back lead to the similarly large two story arena. The hallways on either side leading to the personal areas and workshops. For now he headed towards the long hallway leading to the pending barracks and mess hall beyond. Inside the hallway, the first door to his left was the tight spiraling staircase that lead up to the lookout position four stories above. The next door on the left was now open into a newly completed barracks room. Six sets of narrow bunk beds lined one wall, enough to fit a dozen minions, while the opposite wall was lined with equipment lockers. It was spartan but functional, and certainly better than sleeping on the cold stone steps of the altar room or the bare mud floors of a typical goblin hut for that matter.

The two doors on the opposite side of the hallway were still blank. Another staircase mirroring the first one, and the entrance to the crescent shaped armory still pending construction.

The two builder goblins were actually at work, pounding with crude metal hammers at the third door on the left. This room, and the blank door next to it, were more of the identical barracks he recalled. But the true gem of this hallway was now two arches on the right that opened into the large mess hall.

He could actually smell the room long before he could see it. The two story room was part cafeteria, part tavern. Long communal tables flanked by benches took up the middle of the room. On the near side, smaller tables and chairs hugged the wall around the doorways. The left most and farthest walls were sectioned off by a long smooth bar top. More seats were lined up against this bar. Behind it he saw the telltale fires of cook stoves as well as a number of cabinets and crates and barrels. The right wall was mostly comprised of a wooden staircase that connected to the open second floor. This floor held many more tables arranged around the railed off center. He didn’t try to count the number of seats, but it was obvious this room could feed much more than his current minions.

The elder goblin sat a table next to the entrance, holding the infant Ash. He stopped in the middle of whatever story he had been narrating the bundled half-goblin and greeted his master.

“My lord, your dungeon continues to impress. The new kitchen came fully stocked with food, drink, and a variety of exotic seasonings. I trust you’ve already enjoyed your first sampling.”

It was true that the egg had been much better than the usual raw bland things he had eaten in the past, and at the time he had considered those to be a rare treat. But another word had caught his attention, one that made him temporarily forget his wariness at having the feeble old man holding his own infant daughter.

“Drink?” Baal asked. “Do you mean...”

“****, my lord. An entire crate's worth!”

Fuck yes! That was the best news he had heard since he gained the claimant crystal. Better than gaining the goblin minions, having a daughter, saving the slime?.. Fuck don’t think about it... Booze!

“Bunny, tell the others. Tonight we feast!” The orc announced gleefully.

The orc turned to the wizened old goblin and asked, “You’re keeping them out?”

“Of course, my lord.” The elder verified.

“Good!” Baal nodded in agreement before heading out.

Goblins were opportunistic scavengers. There was no need to tempt their loyalty against their base nature with open access to food and ****. Especially before he himself could sample them.

He moved back out of the minion area and headed across the circular spire level to the workshop area. He confirmed the smith was still busily at work then moved to the storage room. The warehouse was filling up again with odds and ends but his main goal was to check the state of construction resources. As always there was a plethora of stone. He went ahead and pulled 99 units out to make space. Not that he wanted to carry it around all the time, but he could fill the barrels in the lookout room with them to use as ammunition or just dump them off the mountain. Normal wood and scrap ore were both getting low, they’d need to do more harvesting soon. He also saw that he had four unidentified gemstones so he took those as well.

With nothing better to do, and plenty of time, he headed to the magic workshop and the appraisal table therein. The gemstones were first. The flashy wheel was rather fun to watch, especially since it seemed to lack the chance of failure of the soul stone wheel. His reward for tapping this time was an Amethyst, an Emerald, and two Rubies. It hardly made up for the stolen gems, especially the lone piece of obsidian he had hoarded, but they would be put to good use. Next was identifying new items.

Spiders Silk - Common
A strong, sticky, silky thread for fetish construction.

Hhm that could come in handy. Especially if the bug was making more webs down in the caverns.

Realizing how much he had grown since his last failed attempt he pulled out a flask of the water from his own waterfall.

Water of Manna - Special
Waters that have been imbued with the essence of magic from a mystical source. Refills MP equivalent to a perfect manna potion but with no cool down period or satiation limit.

That was about what he had expected, but it was still nice to get confirmation there were no side effects from the magic water.

“Bee!” He bellowed, and within seconds the tiny air elemental zipped into the room. “Fetch the water elemental.”

As the bubble bee zoomed away to find its target, Baal considered his next move. It needed to be done but he was still apprehensive that he might find something wrong.

“Suo!” He shouted for his faithful minion.

“Suo!” The shadow under the table replied.

Fuck! That surprised him. The slime had been hard enough to keep track of when it was a translucent puddle, but now that it’s color had shifted it blended in perfectly with the dark recesses of the dungeon.

“Come up,” he ordered, hiding his momentary shock.

Suo, Level 6 Dark Slime
Monster, Slime, Explicit
Experience to level up - 514
Attributes:
Strength 8 (+7)
Dexterity 25 (+7)
Stamina 11 (+7)
Charisma 3 (+7)
Intelligence 6 (+7)
Wisdom 8 (+7)
Feats:
Physical Damage Reduction - Racial trait. A slime's fluid body negates 50% physical damage.
Absorption - restore $’\ HP ##4!by consum^¥2€~|}^%
$)9?
...
..
.
Liege Empowered (Combat) – Gain one time experience as if you had defeated your liege in combat. Gain a passive buff to your Attributes equal to half your Liege's Level (rounded down). Gain a Skill, Feat, or Spell based on your Liege’s abilities.
Spells:
Drain Touch- {Liegelord spell} - Magic attack that requires caster to physically contact the target. Base damage is calculated using intelligence not strength though dexterity still counts for chance to hit. A portion of damage is returned to the caster as HP and MP.

That was... troubling. Something was clearly off with the slime’s absorption feat. Given that all the little thing seemed to do was play or eat, he could only hope that it didn’t adversely affect it too much. The new spell was also interesting, though maybe a bit redundant. All in all the slime was well behind in levels now and its low attributes were a bit of problem, but at least it was getting a nice boost from his empowerment.

“Suo?” The slime questioned him.

“Healthy as a... slime,” Baal congratulated it and moved it off the table.

The elementals still hadn’t returned. The orc checked his inventory and saw the massive pile of slime cores he had collected waiting to be identified. He considered having Bunny or one of the other goblins go through them, but hesitated. Whether it was his luck stat or fate, something had granted him one of the precious soul stones against all logic. He doubted that blessing would be passed down to his minions.

He idly passed the timewaiting for the elementals with the nearly unwinnable mini game. Ten attempts in a row failed. The slime cores cracked and disintegrated. He wasn’t expecting much at this point and was nearly mindlessly tapping the wheel when the eleventh one struck true and produced a stone.

His still tapping finger brushed the new stone off the table, sending it clattering to the floor.

“Suo!” The slime exclaimed as it fetched the fallen soul stone.

Suo wrapped its dark body around the subtly glowing pebble and withdrew itself and the stone from under the table. However, as soon as an object was inside of it, the slime’s skill went to work dissolving and ingesting. The small rounded soul stone took no time to dissolve.

“Suuouoso!” The slime exclaimed.

Baal watched with a sense of hopeless dread. There was nothing he could do to stop it. There wasn’t time to even order the slime to spit it out as he so often had in the past. The valuable stone simply broke apart and was absorbed into the slime. If the loss of the precious stone wasn’t bad enough, the gods only knew what effect it would have on the already unstable minion.

Baal quickly picked up the black mass and sat it back in the table. How could he have been so careless? Would he even see if something was wrong?

Suo, Level 6 Dark Slime
Monster, Slime, Explicit
Experience to level up - 514
Attributes:
Strength 8 (+7)
Dexterity 25 (+7)
Stamina 11 (+7)
Charisma 3 (+7)
Intelligence 6 (+7)
Wisdom 8 (+7)
Feats:
Physical Damage Reduction - Racial trait. A slime's fluid body negates 50% physical damage.
Absorption - restore $’\ HP ##4!by consum^¥2€~|}^%
$)9?
...
..
.
Liege Empowered (Combat) – Gain one time experience as if you had defeated your liege in combat. Gain a passive buff to your Attributes equal to half your Liege's Level (rounded down). Gain a Skill, Feat, or Spell based on your Liege’s abilities.
Spells:
Drain Touch- {Liegelord spell} - Magic attack that requires caster to physically contact the target. Base damage is calculated using intelligence not strength though dexterity still counts for chance to hit. A portion of damage is returned to the caster as HP and MP.
??? - 1/1000

Oh...kay...

Everything looked... Well, not normal because of the still strangely corrupted absorption feat, but at least the same. All except for the unexplained new entry under the spell list.

“How do you feel?” He asked the slime.

“Suo!” The slime eagerly responded.

Baal helped the slime back to the stone floor once more. The corruption might be spreading, but whatever was happening to the little thing was beyond him. At least Suo didn’t seem to be suffering.

By now the two elementals had joined him. The hyperactive Bubble Bee hummed as it flew around the room. Meanwhile the lady like Lilypet stood nearby serenely watching. Baal scooped up the diminutive water elemental and placed it on the table.

Lilypet
A Lesser Water Elemental, the weakest form of an elemental. It is tied to the magical energy of the place it was born and cannot leave. It is minimally intelligent and timid unless disturbed.
Level N/A Lilypet
Elemental , Non Explicit
Experience to Level Up - N/A - An elemental’s level is tied to its form and strength of place of birth.
Attributes:
Strength 12
Dexterity 18
Stamina 6
Charisma 1
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 14
Skill:
Alchemy Rank F
Feats:
Still Waters Run Deep - Increases alchemy crafting speed for all allies. Increased chance of producing higher grade items via alchemy. All attacks are Water attribute and cannot learn other attributes.
Unending Endurance - Stamina refills faster during rest. Stamina decreases slower during exertion. As long as the connection remains to its source of power, stamina never decreases.
Spells:
Restoring Dew - A fine mist that acts like a minor healing spell.

He was already well aware of its healing ability but the boost to alchemy was a welcome surprise. This elemental also seemed more well rounded stat wise than the others.

He helped the petite figure down from the table and dismissed the elementals. He could stay and continue to play the soul stone mini game but he was already bored and didn't want any more accidents. Instead he moved out of the hallway and to the training arena.

Feathers was already well into her daily training routine along with several spear wielding goblins when he interrupted. For a split second when she saw the slime there was a shadow of confusion on her face, then recognition, relief, and even a glimmer of happiness that she quickly hid away. Instead she acknowledged the slime and orc with a grunt.

“Boss!” The other goblins greeted him more properly.

“I’m feeling a bit stiff,” he replied. “How about a warm up match?”

Feathers eagerly agreed with a toothy grin. However, the other two goblins seemed more ****.

“Suo you stay out of it,” he ordered the slime back and sweetened the pot. “I’ll even grant a favor if you win.”

That did the trick. Goblins may be cowardly but they were also greedy. Baal flexed his toes in the soft sand as the trio of goblins moved to surround him. He didn’t bother re-equipping any of his other items, but he did take the staff out of his inventory. It was true that he’d like a little warm up. But more importantly this was a chance to re-cement his power over the barbarian. She was always defiant. He needed to remind her of his status, and even better if he wasn’t going all out.

The first goblin did a quick thrust with his spear that was easily parried. The next tried to attack from his blind side but it was expected and just as quickly deflected. Feathers seized the opportunity as he was tangled up with the spear men to launch her own attack with her twin axes. She definitely had speed and power. She moved with a natural grace on the battlefield that she lacked in her daily routine. But her attack was also easily seen through and she was **** back by a quick blast of dark energy.

The goblins pulled back and regrouped, each eyed him a little more warily. The difference in level, stats, and ability was clear, but they weren’t yet giving up.

Baal upped the stakes.

He casually stretched out his shoulders as he activated his new armor of darkness spell. A thin cloak of pitch black slowly enveloped him, shrouding him in an other worldly fog. The goblin’s eyes bulged and one tried to run before Feathers caught him and threw him back at the obscured orc. Baal grabbed the flailing goblin, who weakly attempted an attack with his spear. He could have avoided or even stopped it, but Baal allowed himself to be hit. The tip of the spear disappeared into the fog, and Baal felt... nothing... There wasn’t even a dull sense that something was there. The armor masked it all. Sufficiently pleased with the test, Baal tossed the goblin out of the ring.

One down.

“Fight!” Feathers ordered the remaining goblin while pointed at the orc.

In a flash the tomahawk left her hand as she used the distraction and threw her weapon. The fiery weapon struck him in the head but fell away harmlessly. If not for the armor boost, that would have likely resulted in a serious injury. Possibly even cleaving his head in two. She wasn’t pulling her punches. With the damage limit exceeded, the armor spell fell away, revealing the orc once more.

The other goblin was already charging forward. Baal grabbed the spear shaft before it could reach his pot belly and picked it up, goblin and all, flinging it away with mere brute strength.

Two down.

Feathers’ grip flexed on her remaining ax. This time she made no effort to charge him, so he moved towards her instead.

Metal from the tomahawk collided with wood from his staff. Though her weapon might have been superior, it was the barbarian who was being pushed back. Her attacks couldn’t break through even though it looked like the orc was barely trying. Slowly but surely she was **** to retreat as he pressed forward. Just before she met the edge of the ring, he suddenly attacked low and swept her off her feet. Her weapon was easily knocked out of her hand and beyond her reach as he pinned the warrior to the dirt with one foot. Just to prove his point, he pointed his staff at the helpless goblin and charged a blast of dark energy right before her eyes. Only when the glowing staff reached its peak did he redirect it towards one of the stone training dummies and expel the magic. The stone exploded in a rain of debris as he towered over her.

Three down.

“My win,” he caught her eyes and refused to let her go as she struggled. “I suppose that means now it's you who owe me the favor!”

Feathers gulped nervously but there was still a hint of a smile on her lips as her eyes sparkled in anticipation. He took his foot off the gobliness and pulled her to her feet as remained bent over.

“But don’t worry my dear, I’m sure you’ll come to like it.” He grabbed her by her feathered braid and **** her into a kiss before he let her go.

He left the dazed barbarian and moved to one of the training dummies. Even as strong as he was now, there was no excuse to not grab every bit of XP he could. He reached out and used the summon skeleton spell.

As the other worldly portal opened on the sand floor, Baal was pleased to note that it now took only about a third of his mp bar. His recent growth really was paying dividends. As the rusted long sword broke through the plane of the portal, the orc also realized the cost wasn’t the only change. The skeleton had grown again, and not just taller and thicker, though it was that as well. There were even more of the leather rags and wrappings clinging to its bones. In addition to the sword the skeleton also now carried a rotten wooden shield, half falling out of the busted metal frame. Finally it also sported a dented and rusted metal helmet on its bald skull. There was no face mask, but merely a twisted broken nose guard that hung uselessly in the air. There was also now no doubt as to the dark flames flickering in the back of its dead eye sockets.

“Attack!” Baal ordered the skeleton as he pointed to wooden training dummy.

The undead summon still lurched rather slowly and with a complete lack of limb coordination, but it also now moved with a new power and purpose. The ancient gnarled sword hacked deep into the wood construct.

Baal was pleased to note the change in the summon. He was less pleased when he realized there was no new experience gain.

He waited and watched as the skeleton recovered and continued its attacks. However, no matter how many times it hit, the orc was no longer getting the reward. He hadn’t gotten anything from using the dark energy spell before either, had he? He couldn’t remember. He hadn’t been paying attention.

Fuck

Maybe he needed to do more damage now. There was something he had always wanted to try but had never had enough manna. The orc reached out and cast the summon skeleton spell a second time. His bar dropped another third and yet another skeleton emerged to join him.

Nice. At this rate he might one day be able to produce his own army. But until then, he set the summon to join its twin attacking the practice dummy.

Unfortunately no matter how long he waited, the free experience truly had stopped. Even when he used his own magic blasts there was no change. However, for whatever reason, the change seemed limited to only him. Feathers, Suo, and the other goblins were all able to train for both skills and experience.

The orc has already gained the combat skills he wanted. Maybe if he unlocked the next level it would grant more experience again? He didn’t have the answers or the fame to really try at the moment. Baal dismissed the summons and left the goblins behind in the arena.

He moved down to the last level. He briefly considered checking the tunnels as he walked down the winding steps, but he dismissed the idea just as quickly. He’d need to see what the bugs were up to eventually but not today. For the rest of the day he resolved there would be no crisis. No dramatic twists. Just some much needed rest and relaxation.

Baal stripped nude and walked into the pool. The warm manna rich waters rejuvenated him outside and in. The slime jumped in behind him as it joined him with a splash. The orc moved to the rock outcrop in the center of the pool and reclined against the smooth wet stone, allowing the falls to wash over him.

Suo bobbed happily around him as he luxuriated in the water, splashing and chasing the lily pad shaped top of the water elemental that floated on the surface of the pool giving away the elemental’s hiding spot.

He soaked in the pool and allowed the warm mellow currents to melt away the accumulated stress and fatigue. It was only when Bunny came and announced that the food was ready that he finally pulled himself from the waters.

Apart from the two goblins on guard duty and the uninterested elementals, the rest of his minions were gathered in the mess hall waiting for him. It was a strange group he was forming. Goblin workers, tricksters, the remaining scavenger, the elder, the toddler, his own half breed infant, Bunny the enchantress, Feathers the barbarian, and of course Suo the, newly dark, slime. The Bubble Bee air elemental was buzzing around the room, enjoying the already festive atmosphere, but the water Lilypet stayed in the pool and twin Dust Golems remained busily carving out the caverns. And of course there was the beetle and spider. Hopefully by now the beetle was dead in a web, and the spider was dead choked on a chunk of beetle carapace...

Baal cleared his thoughts and focused on the food laid out on the long tables. For the first time since he had originally met the goblins there was more of the tasty forest soup they made. A few more of the harpy eggs also stood balanced in their ends. There were several platters heaped with roasted meats and fruits. There was even bread which he doubted the goblins could have made, but maybe came along with the new kitchen. And, most importantly for him, were several bottles of booze waiting to be opened.

How long had it been since he had tasted his last drop? And even that long forgotten, mostly empty, bottle had been a unique luxury for him at the time. He rather doubted the dungeon would be kind enough to continue producing **** for him, he would hoard and treasure whatever bottles remained, but tonight was a party!

The ale was cheap and grainy but it was wonderful to the orc and goblins. They ate and drank their fill, which for the orc was many times more than the smaller goblins. At his orders, food was even taken to the two on guard, though the **** for them was set aside until they were relieved.

There was much cheering and joking, and horrifyingly bad drunken singing that filled the large room and spilled out into the dungeon. One by one the goblins slowly dropped out from too much food or drink. They had likely never been so full. Even Baal had never indulged to such an orcish extent. Finally only Baal remained, finishing off the last of the platters. Bunny curled up asleep in the bench next to him. Only the seemingly tireless Suo kept him company, rolling at his feet, grabbing crumbs and scraps that fell from the table. It even indulged in **** that drunken goblins had lost.

With his belly more full than he could ever recall, he finally pushed away from the now quiet table. It was only when he stood that he realized he wasn’t quite alone. Feathers stood quietly near the door trying to look as though she hadn’t been waiting for him. The excitement of the evening had almost caused him to forget about his promise. Clearly, however, she hadn't forgotten.

The goblin rubbed her thighs together in anticipation as she realized his eyes were now fixed on her.

Baal moved to the door and scooped Feathers up over his shoulder, wobbling momentarily from the drunken exertion.

“Stop!” Feathers screamed.

Smack

His thick meaty palm met her defenseless backside.

“You can’t just....!” She began to object.

Smack

A second hit interrupted her.

“...Put...”

Smack

“...Me...”

Smack

“Mmmh... Down...” Her tirade might have been more believable without the throaty moan.

Baal yanked down her rabbit armor bikini briefs, exposing her well toned ass and moistening slit to the cool dungeon air. He took turns spanking and fondling her green posterior and teasing both of her holes. The barbarian squirmed and protested but clearly wasn’t using her full strength to try and get out of her predicament.

By the time he had climbed the spire to his bedroom her backside was nearly glowing but her pussy was positively drooling down his shoulder. He unceremoniously dumped her on top of his bed as he began to disrobe.

“Beg me,” he ordered her.

“Wha...?” She dreamily responded as she unconsciously waived her shapely ass in front of the orc.

“Say please,” he clarified. “Please sir, fuck my slutty worthless little goblin cunt!”

He teased the entrance of her glistening tunnel with the head of his cock as he waited for her to reply.

“Fuck youuuuuuu!” Feathers squealed, his sudden thrust catching her off guard.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” She repeated it like a mantra in time with his hard thrusts.

Baal leaned forward, hovering over the smaller goblin. He ripped her vest open and wrapped his larger hands around her frame, gabbing her around the ribs with his thumb and forefinger while his other fingers cupped her pert little breasts and thick hard nipples.

“Oh don’t worry my dear,” he whispered into her pointed green ear as he nibbled it. “I intend to... Fuck...”He empathized the word with a particularly hard thrust “...but don’t forget, this is your punishment.”

He reared back, pulling Feathers along with him, until he had lifted her off the bed entirely and left her suspended in midair held only by his buried length and strong hands. He **** her further down onto his cock as he pounded her hard and deep.

She flailed wildly, screaming and cursing as her own orgasm overwhelmed her helpless body. Even after she went limp, Baal remained hard and unsatisfied. He allowed her to slide off his shaft and land on the bed with a thud. Her ass continued to shake as she rode out the post orgasmic bliss.

“Beg,” the orc repeated as he once again leaned over her.

A soft groan was all she responded.

“Have it your way then,” he smiled evilly he looked down at her shapely helpless ass.

Once again he traced his member up and down. However, this time, rather than her engorged pussy it was her tightly puckered back hole that had the attention of his well lubricated member.

“...no...” Feathers weakly protested.

The mushroom tip of a penis larger than her muscular arms slowly **** its way into her resisting passage.

“...please...” it came as a groaning moan.

“Please what?” He stopped his forward progress and teased her.

“Please... fuck... slutty... gob...pussy...” each word was a guttural almost animalistic growl.

“Good girl,” he praised her.

For a moment Feathers thought the worst was over even as the pressure on her asshole sent alarms throughout her body.

“But,” Baal continued. “Unfortunately you’ve already missed that chance!”

He pressed forward into the resisting passage. Each centimetre was a victory for his slickly lubricated cock head as well as his own strength stat.

“Not ass!” She screamed in protest. This time she did fight in earnest, but the big Orc already had her pinned.

She was so tight he doubted he would be able to get even half his length inside. It was almost like having his dick in a vice. But each shallow thrust was such exquisite pressure.

For Feathers it was a much different sensation. She was being ripped in half. Her asshole burned as as she screamed and cussed and tried to bite. Yet she was powerless to stop the violation. And as agonizing as it was, the pain was tinged with something much sweeter that she refused to accept.

Slowly but surely his deliberate pounding opened the channel. A combination of their natural fluids added to the existing lubricant, giving him even easier access. The bed shook under his fierce thrusting.

“Are you going to be a good girl now?” He asked the mess of a goblin.

“Fuuuugh.”

Mmh. It was difficult to understand exactly what she meant. He may have accidentally scrambled what little brains she’d had.

“Fuck?” He asked as he pounded away at her asshole, feeling the telltale tingling of his approaching climax.

“...please...” she whimpered into the bedding. “...fuck...”

Fuck. That was good enough. Baal redoubled his efforts and managed to bury another inch of his shaft as he bottomed out in her bottom. The pressure and pleasure finally overwhelming him as he released a torrent of orc cum into her bowels.

Feathers’ second orgasm was triggered by the sudden influx as well as the delicious pain from her well used hole.

The combined voices of the orc’s victory yell and the goblin’s conflicted screams echoed through the dungeon.