Chapter 4.4 - A Crowd Awaits

A crowd of people were waiting for Serin and his party to return out. When they did so there were cheers all around. It was when the cart came through and a few examples of the enemies they had fought were seen by the public, this is when the questions started.

"So they were more powerful?"

Serin nodded, "Much more."

"And they came en masse?"

Serin nodded again, "Yes. The only creature to attack us alone was the Monster Boss, who came to fight us after we had killed enough creatures on the floor. He was not what I expected. Although it only took one shot to kill, it moved so fast I could not hit him. It took Jericho's expertise to dispatch him."

Serin answered question after question about the inside of the Dungeon. The humans were worried. The Demis were apprehensive. The changelings though, they were excited.

"Olma! Did you gain strength from the horned rabbits from inside?"

Olma smiled, "I did! I also got it from the stabbing running birds as well as from the coward wolves."

Serin chucked at her descriptions. Honest and accurate, they were endearing. She was explaining how they moved and fought. "The most dangerous was the trap plants. They just sat there waiting for you, and if you fell in and weren't covered head to toe with magic, you would slowly die."

Serin then mentioned "We will have to make a level requirement for entering level 1 of the dungeon. We also will need to ensure that even those approved to go to level one do not venture farther without approval."

This caused a bit of issue. Serin then was honest with them. "If I was alone, I would have been hard pressed to kill everything there. It is not that they are difficult, but the creatures present were completely opposite my combat ability."

Serin knew he wanted to continue. He wanted to go deeper into the dungeon. Although he didn't receive enough for a level up, Serin had received a significant amount of experience for taking on the creatures of level 1. Serin let them know. "I know it will be tempting, but please do not proceed to floor 2 until we can send at least one team to investigate it."

Additionally, they did in fact drop goods. All of the creatures slain had Magical cores of various sizes. Serin also found a chunk of copper near the boss monster's lair. It was only about 20kg of copper, but he did not have any copper in their supplies, and traders didn't barter in raw copper, so while it was only a common metal, it was precious to him. There were also the large amount of natural materials, such as the bird eggs, herbs, and the fish.

Looking over the materials and corpses they had brought through the gate, Serin called for Julia the human apothecary and Rupert the fish farmer. Serin handed off the herbs he had recovered for Julia to identify and catalog, and if recommended, propagate. Serin then called for Rupert and showed him the fish in the jar. Rupert, using his skill to analyze what Serin found Rupert looked as if he was about to leapt for joy. "Serin, I need your help. You may have just found a new source of food!"

As Rupert described, this fish was of a magical variety that was able to reproduce without a breeding partner. Serin loaned out Lord Koni, who had been building several varieties of houses, as well as the numerous different building projects the counsel needed. Lord Koni then built out a gated lake per Rupert's specifications. Rupert had explained that this creature would easily triple his fish supply, and on top of that because it was magical in nature, it often carried minute magic stones. The downside was that this creature fed off starlight, and had no defensive capability. Rupert had requested that silver mirrors be placed under the water allowing for what starlight that appeared to be reflected towards the sky, in an effort to capture starlight for the fish. Additionally Rupert requested the entire artificial lake be enclosed in a building with a glass dome. Besides keeping the fish safe from predators, this would ensure that there wasn't accidental propagation of the species outside the valley. Serin also made sure to hand off the eggs to the tamers. Serin would work out the details with the different groups as he had done before.

The second issue was that Serin had received another request for refugees.

***

Serin called a meeting with the town council. Just like the night before, Serin had requested that they meet at Jericho's tavern. The original bunkhouse had had an annex added for town halls and meetings with dignitaries, but Serin knew that most of the town still enjoyed meeting at Jericho. Mostly for the ease of access to honey mead, which was a staple during heated discussions among the townsfolk.

Serin waited until they had all gathered, sat down, and ordered a glass. When everyone seemed settled in, Serin approached the stage Jericho had built and spoke to the council.

"I know we just had a meeting last night, but it seems some of you were a little too excited about the dungeon opening."

There was a bit of laughter, Serin motioned for them to calm. "Yes, I know. I have heard personally from Rufala and Liza that the requests for them to join your teams is innumerable. As a note, five is the minimum, but you are welcome to bring more. There were about 10 of each creature we fought except the boss of course. And even the smallest creatures still gave experience, even to a higher level person."

Serin continued, "But the reason I have called you all here is we have received another call for assistance." Serin showed the message that was blinking on his kingdom management screen. "There is a group that requires our aid."

Hushed tones fell over the crowd. "I know I don't have to ask, but can I ask for your support once again to help a new group of refugees in these trying times?"

Ephraim stood up, "The Demis were helped when we were in need. It is the standing oath of all of our people to help those who pass through the gate as we once did."

Bilol then stood, "We have a duty to protect, just as the last of our kind were saved from calamity, so we shall save others from this fate."

Sute and Uriel stood up. This time Sute bowed and relinquished the floor to Uriel. Uriel then spoke, "The Planetouched were once a people who knew only violence toward those who we thought were different. We have since learned compassion, and feel it's our duty to show that compassion to others who may be persecuted for their difference."

Serin smiled, "I am proud to be the leader of this city. And I am proud that you are its citizens. It is this understanding that will lead our people to a brighter future." Serin looked at Ephraim and Bilol "I need you two to lead the arrival committee. I will need Liza and Rufala present to take care of the wounded, so I will be shutting down the dungeon tomorrow."

There were a few cries of discontent. Serin swiftly shut them down with. "Lord Koni will be making food for tomorrow morning's arrivals from today's dungeon raid."

***