Mark was sitting on the cold stone floor, staring at the small black sli peeking out from his robe.
He was still processing everything that had happened.
’I own a dungeon.’
The three won had spread out across the room, each doing their own thing.
Ely was inspecting the walls, running her fingers over the glowing runes.
Yuki was in a corner, ticulously cleaning her daggers.
And Aria... Aria was sitting on the floor, watching Mark with those bright eyes full of adoration.
’I’m still not used to this.’
Mark shook his head and turned his attention back to the sli.
"Hey," Mark said, addressing it. "I need you to explain sothing to ."
The sli blinked its large luminous eyes.
"Of course, Master. What would you like to know?"
"You said I’m now the owner of this dungeon. What does that actually an? What can I do? What can’t I do? What are the limitations?"
The sli tilted its head, as if organizing its thoughts.
"Well, Master, as the dungeon’s owner you have control over several aspects of it. You can create objects within the dungeon — furniture, decorations, tools, weapons. You can also create small adjacent rooms connected to existing ones."
"Small rooms?" Mark frowned. "Why small?"
"Because this dungeon has already reached its maximum expansion, Master. Although it is a high-level dungeon, it has grown as much as it can. It cannot expand beyond its current structure."
Mark nodded slowly, processing the information.
"Alright... so I can create things and make small modifications, but I can’t change the dungeon’s main structure."
"Exactly, Master. The dungeon has its limits. But within those limits, you have absolute control."
"What about the monsters? Can I control them?"
"Yes, Master. All the monsters within the dungeon recognize your authority. You can issue orders and they will obey... however, low-level monsters have limited intelligence, so your orders must be simple and direct."
"Understood."
Mark looked around the boss chamber, thoughtful.
"Let try sothing," Mark said, getting to his feet.
All three won stopped what they were doing and looked at him with curiosity.
"What are you going to do, Master?" Aria asked, tilting her head.
"Test my new dungeon lord powers," Mark replied with a smile.
Mark closed his eyes and concentrated.
’If I own this dungeon, I should be able to create things just by thinking about them, right? Alright then... I want a throne. A large, imposing throne made of black stone.’
And then Mark felt sothing.
A strange sensation, as if sothing were being drawn out of him.
A small amount of energy flowing outward.
It wasn’t painful, but it was strange.
Like using a muscle he had never used before.
And then he heard a sound.
Crack.
Crack crack crack.
Mark opened his eyes at the noise and turned toward the source.
Right behind him, where there had been nothing before, the stone floor began to move.
Or rather, began to reshape itself.
All three won watched in amazent as the black stone twisted and reford, rising and taking shape.
Within seconds, an enormous throne had appeared before them.
It was exactly as Mark had imagined. Made of polished black stone, with intricate carvings of skulls and glowing runes that pulsed with the sa blood-red light that covered the walls.
The backrest was tall and imposing, and the armrests ended in stone claws.
A little edgy? Obviously.
But Mark thought it was incredible.
"Wow," Mark blinked, stepping toward the throne. "Alright... I see how this works."
Mark ran his hand over the cold stone, feeling its texture beneath his fingers.
’This is... incredible. I can literally create things out of nothing.’
"Master, that was..." Aria stepped forward and touched the throne in amazent. "Incredible."
"Impressive," Yuki added, sheathing her daggers. "I didn’t know you could do that."
Ely also stepped closer, studying the throne with a smile.
"It suits you, Master. A throne worthy of a dungeon lord."
Mark smiled, but then another idea struck him.
He closed his eyes again, concentrating.
’I want... a table. A big table, large enough for all of us to sit at. And chairs. Four chairs.’
Once again he felt that sa sensation.
Energy flowing outward.
And the sound of stone moving.
When he opened his eyes, there was a long black stone table in front of the throne, with four chairs placed around it.
They weren’t as elaborate as the throne, but they were functional.
"Okay, this is incredible," Mark said, grinning.
"Master, this is fantastic!" Aria clapped excitedly. "We can make this place truly livable!"
"Exactly," Mark said. "But first I need to understand what I’m working with."
He turned to face the three won, his expression growing more serious.
"Alright, ladies," Mark said, calling their attention. "From now on, this will be our temporary base."
All three looked at him attentively.
"But," Mark continued firmly, "the dungeon must remain apparently unchanged to adventurers."
"Why, Master?" Aria asked, tilting her head.
"Because if anything changes — if the dungeon suddenly becos more dangerous — the guild will notice. And if the guild notices, they’ll send high-level adventurers to investigate. And if that happens, they’ll try to destroy this dungeon once and for all."
Ely nodded.
"That makes sense... we need to keep a low profile."
"Exactly," Mark said. "Which is why I need both of you to do sothing for ."
He looked at Yuki first.
"Yuki, I want you to go to the dungeon entrance and make sure everything still looks the sa — that nobody followed us and there are no adventurers hanging around."
Yuki nodded with a serious expression.
"Understood, Master. Should I eliminate anyone I find?"
"No," Mark shook his head. "Just observe. If there are adventurers, leave them alone. We want everything to look normal. But if you see anything suspicious, report back imdiately."
"Understood, Master," Yuki replied. "I’ll be careful."
"I trust you."
Then he looked at Ely.
"Ely, I want you to do a more thorough sweep of the dungeon. Explore the levels, check on the state of the monsters, and gather any that have at least so intelligence — like our little friend here — and bring them to this room."
Ely raised an eyebrow.
"You want to gather all the high-level intelligent monsters?"
"Yes," Mark nodded. "If I’m going to be the owner of this dungeon, I need to know who’s under my command."
Ely smiled, a glint of pride in her eyes.
"I like the sound of that... but..." she paused briefly. "Are you sure?"
"I am," Mark replied. "But if they’re going to be my subordinates, they need to recognize as their leader. And the best way to do that is to bring them together and make things clear from the start."
"Understood... I trust your judgnt."
"Thank you, Ely."
Yuki stepped toward Mark and gave a slight bow of her head.
"I’ll be back soon, Master."
"Be careful," Mark said.
Yuki gave him a small smile, then vanished into the shadows.
Ely walked toward the boss chamber door, but paused before leaving and turned back to Mark.
"I won’t be long, Master. And when I return, your subordinates will be ready to et you."
"Perfect," said Mark. "Take your ti. Just make sure you bring everyone you find."
Ely nodded.
Then she paused, glancing at Aria with a... strange expression.
"Master," Ely said through their ntal link. "Are you sure about staying alone with her?"
Mark blinked.
’Why wouldn’t I be?’
"Well... you know. She’s... intense."
Mark almost laughed.
’I’ll be fine, Ely. I just want to ask her a few questions,’ Mark replied, mildly amused.
"Alright. But if you need help, just call ."
’I will.’
Ely left the room, and the door closed behind her with a dull thud.
And then Mark was alone with Aria.
Silence filled the chamber.
Aria watched him with those bright eyes, full of devotion. But there was sothing different in her expression too.
"Master," Aria said slowly, tilting her head. "Why... why did you want Ely and Yuki to leave?"
Mark looked at her directly.
"Because you and I need to talk."
Aria blinked, the confusion on her face deepening.
"Talk? About what, Master?"
Mark crossed his arms, studying her.
"About what happened before I killed you."
Aria’s face tensed slightly.
But her smile didn’t disappear.
Though now it looked forced.
"Of course, Master... ask whatever you wish."
But there was sothing in her voice.
Nervousness.
Or maybe fear.
Not fear of Mark.
No — she adored him too much for that.
But fear of... disappointing him.
And Mark noticed it imdiately.
He stepped toward her, and Aria followed him with her eyes as her confusion grew.
"Master, I... did I do sothing wrong?"
"No," Mark said. "But I need answers. And you’re the only one who can give them to ."
Aria swallowed and nodded slowly.
"I understand, Master. I’ll do anything for you."
Mark stopped in front of her, looking down at her.
’I need to know exactly what kind of trouble I’ve gotten myself into.’
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