The Crafter's Dominion: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 5) by Jonathan Brooks (best english books to read TXT) 📗

It could be useful as both a means of ranged damage and to freeze a target in place, the latter of which was highly useful.  She had a lot of offense when it came to her constructs and Advancement unlocked creations, but very few of them had a real defensive aspect to them.

When that was selected, she found it on her list of available creation options, under a whole new heading.

Bonded Creation Options

Name:

Mana Cost: (60% Reduction)

Hobgoblin Mage

240

Originally 600 Mana to create, the new Goblin Mage only required 240 because of her Advancement unlocks.  Sandra suddenly understood how the other Cores could create so many powerful Monsters so quickly, especially if they possessed some Core-specific Skills that reduced the price of a specific type of Monster.  When you added in the enhancements from the local Core destruction, they were able to accumulate an army in seemingly no time.

When she closed out of everything, she was presented with some very confused and curious people.

“Sandra?  Sandra?  Are you okay?  What is going on?”

She wasn’t sure how long Echo had been calling for her, but the Dungeon Core answered as soon as she was aware of her name being called.

* Sorry about that, I was distracted for a moment.  I want to thank you for all of your help – because it was a success!  As much of a success as possible, I guess I should amend. *

“What exactly does that mean?” King Mynag asked impatiently.  He – as well as everyone else – looked exhausted, but there was a glint in his eye that hinted that he had enjoyed himself.

* Well, I have managed to curb many of the rage-filled, murderous impulses coming from the other Core, but there is a limit to what can be done.  I’m still trying to wrap my head around exactly what this means, but I believe it will be highly beneficial in the future.

 

* For one, this Core is going to maintain all of its Dungeon Monsters within its dungeon instead of immediately sending them out into the world to kill and expand its Area of Influence – up to a point.  At some stage when the dungeon is full of Monsters, it will be…obligated…to start sending them out; while they will still try to kill everyone they come across, I believe any large-scale assaults on surrounding habitations will be eliminated.  Attacks by singular Monsters will still be likely, though.

 

*To prevent them from even getting to that stage, periodic culling of the dungeon itself will need to be performed, just as what has been done for centuries outside of the dungeons. If we can manage to do this Bonding with all of the dungeons, everyone will be that much safer. *

 

They all looked at each other, and Sandra could see that they were considering all that she said.  “I can see the benefits of this to our people, but delving through a dungeon is dangerous,” King Mynag went on.  “How can we possibly do that without risking our lives to the monsters and traps located throughout them?  We, for one, don’t have any ability to nullify traps like the Elves do, which can mean the difference between success and failure – even with these Energy Orbs you’re providing.”

“I agree with the King.” Princess Celeste gestured to the Dwarven Royal personage, still in her Deep Diver suit.  “While we can produce some powerful enchantments, and potentially even learn how to make these Deep Divers again even without our Master Enchanters, we don’t really have the ability to handle problems from long range, especially not with anything portable enough to be accessible.”

“That goes for us as well,” Palzerk grunted hesitatingly.  “While we’re not ones for pointing out our flaws, there were many times in that last dungeon where we would’ve died if it hadn’t been for the Dwarves – and the Princess, of course – keeping the Goblins from overwhelming us.  That, and trying to reach the back line of long-range fighters is difficult without some backup of our own.  If it wasn’t obvious, we prefer to be a little more up close and personal.”

“We would have to add our agreement,” the Elven Queen commented.  It was only when she spoke that Sandra realized that she – and Echo – had both been healed by a Repair Drone while they were waiting for the Dungeon Core’s undivided attention.  “While our spellcasting is powerful, there are things out there that even we cannot defeat.  We have a few dedicated Elite delving teams that we utilize to eliminate problematic dungeons, but there is no way that we can manage to maintain the monster levels in the dungeons throughout Symenora.  It’s just not possible, and would likely end up with many more casualties than we can afford.”

She could certainly see their point, but they were missing what was right there in front of them.

* I see.  And what is to prevent you from convening dungeon delving groups, assembled from members of each of your people, thereby making an effective team that can handle this culling? *

“Because it’s just not done, Sandra,” First-shield Parten insisted.

* Of that, you’re quite wrong.  Take a look around, are you not part of such a group right now? *

The epiphany finally seemed to arise among all of them as they realized what they had just done.  They had worked together with representatives of 3 other races, and they had succeeded in accomplishing their goal; Sandra had doubts that any equal-sized party of people from a singular race would’ve done as well, perhaps even ending in failure.

“I see your point,” Parten continued reluctantly.  “The fact remains, though, that we really aren’t prepared to do that right now.  Our strongholds are under siege, and until we get back and assess the situation, we cannot promise our help.  And no—”