Baby Steps

'Damn! None of them died and we didn't even get any loot from them! And what was that spell that the crazy twin used?!' I bark in frustration after watching Spooky fall to the ground and be looted by the party. I don't know why but it feels absolutely frustrating to not even cause a single fatality after working so hard on revamping the floors, and they didn't even go past the first boss!

"Kyle calm down its ok, this is to be expected and we didn't walk away from it with nothing. Some parties are going to be overpowered for our dungeon since we're new. Our mobs aren't the highest levels and the bosses aren't as experienced so it will take time to do better. I mean look at Spooky! He did so much better this time, he disabled the ranged fighter, almost caused the healer to perish, and went toe to toe with an adventurer with his same style of combat but with more experience! Plus even though he lost he still caused her to use a trump card so that's a massive benefit! So relax and look at the positives." Tilly explains to me gently as I sigh deeply before glowing in agreement.

'But how does this benefit us? I mean I thought I had to kill them to grow stronger and level up? They didn't die and I barely got any experience while they were in here.' I whine as Tilly huffs and smacks the top of my core gently.

"You get a good amount of experience by killing things, adventurers are usually worth more than monsters due to their equipment and loot. But you also get a small amount from injuries since you absorb the outcomes of those wounds whether its limbs or blood. And don't forget that the mobs will level up and get experience as well and some might even evolve so even if we lose we also win as long as your core is safe so stop whining." She says gently with a little bit of annoyance apparent in her voice at we both watch a new party enter with another five people with an almost identical set up but with different armors. Soon the screen splits into two as a second party enters after the first and I watch in amazement as both begin exploring the first floor and deal with the random monsters in different ways. A third party begins approaching from outside but as they reach the entrance they're gently pushed backwards by some type of magic.

"Looks like you have a max of two instances for now. That's not horrible considering your level but we need to start hoarding stuff like resources and blueprints for the future so we can become a grand dungeon! Tyr, Slax, and Banshee aren't in use right now so I say send them out with the kid to find new stuff!" Tilly says happily as I nod and call the four to the core room and explain what their next goal is.

"So let me get this straight, you expect a magically spliced warrior, a magic gecko, a cowardly ghost spider, and a child to go outside and bring back living creatures as well as explore dangerous area's in the hopes of finding anything interesting? Sounds like a hell of a party lets do it!" Tyr says excitedly as the rest of the group nod their heads. Quickly I spawn four bags of holding and several other pieces of vital equipment.

'Just remember that you three have a timer! When it's up you'll either die or be transported back here I'm not sure which. But the new ability should make it a non permanent death but if that happens Sarah will be by herself so try to get a guide just in case that way she can find her way back.' I explain as everyone nods and grabs the bags, Slax attaching the extra to Banshee's saddle as equipment with her saddle and reins. The group make their way towards the entrance and I notice that they aren't running into any of the adventurers currently running the dungeon and curiously ask why.

"Oh that ones easy both of those groups are in instances which means they are in some sort of separate dungeon magic dimension. Anything that happens there like loot drops or people dying is absorbed by your core but any deaths of bosses and such are mentally recorded by them so they can improve. Its weird dungeon magic so nobody understands it fully except the god of dungeons and nobody really remembers him....or was it a her....eh they haven't shown up in centuries so doesn't matter. Mainly your main dungeon is only available to those you allow to enter it and your mobs/minions so you don't have to ever worry about invaders in it unless another dungeon attacks. Now lets watch the new adventurers and the group outside to see what they can do." Tilly explains in a very confusing way that just leaves me with more questions.

As my pacted creatures and adopted human make their way to the entrance to explore, I smile as one of the two screens show a grat plunging a dagger into the spine of a distracted archer and I realize that it's the little victories that matter right now. My pacted creatures reach the entrance and leave the dungeon calmly but as they step outside several adventurers with weapons draw them and surround the group of boss creatures, several looks of hatred or anger are seen in the crowd that's filled with murmurs of weariness and slight fear as a single man steps forward.

"Creatures of the dungeon, state your business if able and return to where you belong. If you don't we will be forced to use extreme force to remove you from this area." Says the man seriously with a sadistic smile before his face turns pale before exploding into a cloud of gore and bone, a spearhead protruding where his nose and eyes used to be.

"Always hated that arrogant ass. Listen up people, you have a deal with the dungeon meaning if you break it, it WILL break you. One part of that was that its pacted creatures are allowed to come and go so the dungeon can grow. We are those pacted creatures, now we need one guide and protector for the little one and we will be leaving to find new things. Don't force us to feed you to the dungeon." Tyr says loud enough for everyone in the clearing to hear. Several murmurs are heard before a large framed woman shoves her way through the crowd with a smile and tears falling from her eyes.

"Big sis Tyr, your alive!!" Bawls the woman as she runs to Tyr and lifts her in a bear hug in front fo the large crowd of fights.