Chapter 20
When I awoke, Nike was still snuggled against my chest. It would have been adorable if not for the small trail of drool slipping from the corner of his mouth. Gods, I needed some proper covers—sleeping without them was beyond uncomfortable.
Careful not to disturb his rest, I shifted my consciousness from my body and into my core, eager to check on the dungeon's status. As soon as I connected, a glowing panel appeared before me.
For once, it seemed the gods had actually listened to my complaints—Nike's usual booming system voice had softened to a much more tolerable volume.
"Level Up!
Dungeon Level: 6 – Copper Tier
New Spell Unlocked:
Needle and Doll – When activated, a target must be selected. Once chosen, a doll will manifest in your hands along with a needle in the other. Any pokes, stabs, or prods inflicted on the doll will be felt by the target as real pain and pressure—without causing actual harm.
New Mob Unlocked:
Crystal Golems – These sturdy constructs come in two distinct forms:
Male Golems – Larger and built for brute strength, they use their heavy arms to smash through defenses.
Female Golems – Smaller and more agile, about the size of a mortal. They specialize in crystal and earth-based magic to attack enemies from a distance.
New Evolution Paths Unlocked for Crystal Snakes:
Crystal Cobra (Combat Evolution) – Unlike ordinary cobras that spit venom, these enhanced creatures can launch elemental crystal shards—provided they have been imbued with an element.
Crystal Naga (Resident Evolution) – A more advanced form of the crystal snake, allowing them to function as proper dungeon residents.
Intelligence & Self-Sufficiency – Capable of eating, breeding, and sleeping like any other intelligent creature.
Diet: Meat and minerals sustain them.
Reproduction: Their demonic cores have altered their biology, allowing them to reproduce in a humanoid manner. Any naga can impregnate or be impregnated.
Sleep Patterns: Nagas naturally enter hibernation for extended periods underground. However, with a stable heat source, they will require significantly less rest.
New Dungeon-Based Abilities Unlocked:
Traps Expansion – With your growing understanding of trap-making, a variety of new designs have been added to your database.
World Mobs (Limited Deployment) – Up to one-third of your spawned mobs can now be sent outside the dungeon with assigned tasks. However, without a proper leader to guide them, they will act purely on instinct—either fighting, hiding, or fleeing as needed.
Forge – Now that you have discovered three different ores, you have unlocked the ability to process them for dungeon improvements. Whether crafting weapons, armor, or tools, you will need a skilled smith to make full use of this feature.
I leaned back within my core space, taking in the sheer amount of new options available to me. This was huge. Not only was my dungeon expanding in strength, but I was also gaining proper residents rather than just mindless constructs.
Now the real question was—where to begin?
After a few moments of thought, I decided to show my progress to Nike before moving forward. But first, there was one more thing I needed to do—I had to check on Rikka.
Shifting my focus to where I had last left her, I found her still sprawled out on the crystal table, completely passed out. I guess I left her more exhausted than I thought.
"Rikka, wake up. We need to talk."
She stirred slightly before turning onto her side, groaning as her eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning, Rikka. How was your sleep?" I asked, giving her a moment to fully wake up and gather herself.
Her groggy eyes slowly adjusted to the dim glow of the dungeon. Then, as if realizing something, she glanced down at herself—mostly naked. She blinked a few times, then quickly sat up and started looking around for her clothes.
"I slept fine… though I think I'll come to regret last night," she muttered, shaking her head as she gathered her scattered garments.
I chuckled, internally agreeing. "It was fun, but I have a feeling I might get in trouble for what I've done."
Rikka gave me a puzzled look but ultimately let it slide. Instead, she sighed and asked, "When do I leave the dungeon? I appreciate that you saved my life, but there isn't any food here, and I need to get back—I still have debts to repay."
"In just a moment," I replied. "I'll have an escort take you home. They're not the best fighters, but they should make the trip a little safer."
With that, I reached out to my dungeon and summoned all of my crystal mice. Eight of them scurried over, gathering near the dungeon core. They looked a little larger than before—about the size of rats or squirrels now. Had they grown from all the energy flowing through the dungeon? I made a note to check on that later.
Once they were all settled, I gave them a simple command: Follow the woman until she claims she is home, then return to the dungeon.
Turning back to Rikka, I added, "Alright, they'll follow you, but they won't stop until you tell them you're home. Please try not to let them die if you can help it."Rikka finished dressing, tugging her clothes into place while giving me an unreadable look. For a moment, she seemed like she wanted to say something, but instead, she let out a breath and shook her head.
"You're really sending me home with a bunch of mice?" she asked, eyeing the crystal creatures as they twitched their gemstone tails.
I smirked. "Don't underestimate them. They might be small, but they're fast and can scout ahead. If anything dangerous is lurking nearby, you'll know before it finds you."
Rikka snorted. "I suppose that's better than nothing."
She stretched her arms above her head, wincing slightly as if her body was still sore. Not surprising. Still, she squared her shoulders and gave me a firm nod.
"Thanks again for saving me. And… for last night," she added, voice quieter.
I chuckled. "Try not to get caught in another ambush so soon."
She rolled her eyes but smirked before turning toward the dungeon exit. The mice immediately fell in line around her, their crystal bodies shimmering in the dim light.
As I watched her leave, I felt an odd sense of satisfaction. Rikka was the first outsider to leave my dungeon alive. A small step, but significant. If I played my cards right, this could be the start of something bigger—connections, alliances, maybe even a reputation beyond just being a hidden den of monsters.
But before I got too lost in thought, I had work to do.
I turned my focus back to my dungeon. With my recent level-up, new possibilities had opened up—stronger mobs, better defenses, and even expansion beyond these walls.
First things first, I needed to check on the traps we used in the last battle. If another invasion happened, I wouldn't be caught unprepared.
And then… maybe it was time to see just how far my crystal creatures could evolve.
I moved my mind back into my body, slowly stirring as I slipped out of Nike's arms. After dressing in my basic incubus attire from the day before, I set out for the third room. Along the way, I sent out a mental call to all the snakes under my control, ordering them to meet me there.
By the time I arrived, they had begun to slither in, coiling up and settling in a relaxed posture, waiting for my command.
"Good morning, cuties," I greeted with a smirk. "I'm going to make some of you stronger, while the weakest among you will be given a different role. Half of you will undergo an evolution." I paused, scanning the group. "Can I get the two strongest snakes to step forward?"
To my surprise, Hydra was the first to move forward, followed closely by another snake I hadn't named yet.
"Hydra, I'm proud to see you've been doing well," I said, then turned to the unnamed one. "As for you, I think it's about time I gave you a name." I went over several in my head before settling on something simple. "From now on, you'll be called Dream."
The newly named snake tilted its head before nodding in acknowledgment.
"Now, I will evolve you both. Good luck—I look forward to seeing how you turn out."
Leaving my body momentarily, I navigated the dungeon's interface, locating the evolution section. With a mental confirmation, I selected the option to evolve both Hydra and Dream.
Their forms were immediately engulfed in radiant light, shifting and twisting as their bodies changed. When the glow faded, I took in their new appearances. Both now had silver-scaled hoods, but the most striking change was in their mouths—Hydra's fangs glowed with a tinge of green and red, while Dream's shimmered yellow.
"Well, that's interesting," I murmured, stepping closer to inspect them. "I think you two will bring some luck. This change is even better than I expected."
I gave them both a warm smile before shifting my focus to the remaining snakes.
"Now, for the weakest among you—please don't take this as an insult. I have something important planned for you."I watched as Naga hesitantly slithered forward, looking disheartened. At least he wasn't alone—another snake moved beside him, rubbing against his side in silent support.
I nodded. "The rest of you, listen to Hydra and Dream from now on. As for you two, follow me."
Turning, I led them back to my core room, wanting some privacy for what was to come.
"Now, I don't know if this will hurt," I admitted. "Please try to stay strong."
Once again, I pulled my mind away and accessed the interface, selecting the residential evolution for both of them.
As soon as I confirmed the change, their bodies began to glow intensely—too brightly for me to focus on them directly. I shielded my eyes and waited until the transformation was complete.
When the light faded, I found myself staring at two very different figures.
This confused me. I had only selected one option for their evolution, so why did they look so different?
Naga's transformation was the most striking—while he retained his lower snake body, he had gained a humanoid torso packed with muscle, like an anaconda given a humanoid form. Thick, powerful curves shaped his body, and his hooded head still bore distinct snake-like features. His coloration had changed as well, his scales now a glossy black with electric-blue highlights, giving him a stormy, almost dangerous appearance.
But then I noticed something that nearly made me choke.
A massive, glowing blue cock.
The damn thing was the size of my arm—bigger than mine, even.
What the hell happened? I didn't want them to become part of a harem! Why do they look like this?!
I forced myself to take a deep breath, pushing past the initial shock to focus on the second transformed snake.
Unlike Naga, she had taken on a more humanoid appearance, possessing fully-formed legs while still retaining a long, thick tail—probably for balance. Her figure was softer, yet still impossibly curvy. she had also grown a massive cock as well, but it wasnt glowing it was the only part of her body that didnt look like it belong simple because of the bright orange color. Her scales had become a pearlescent white, adorned with scattered purple spots. Most peculiar of all, her hood now bore strange, spiked protrusions—horns, perhaps?
She was noticeably shy, arms wrapped around herself in a poor attempt to cover her body. Not that it helped much.
I turned back to Naga, who was watching me expectantly.
"Since you've fully become a naga, I think you deserve a new name," I said. "Would you like me to choose one for you, or do you have something in mind?"
He bobbed his head in a strange motion, but I took it as a nod.
"I don't have a name in mind, but I want something dangerous-sounding," he declared.
I smirked. "I think I can manage that."
Then, I shifted my gaze to the other snake-woman.
"And what about you?" I asked gently. "Do you have a name you'd like, or would you like me to choose for you?"
She hesitated, glancing away before finally speaking, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Something elegant would be lovely."
I nodded, taking a moment to think.
An eccentric powerhouse and a timid but refined beauty—an odd duo, but one that I could see growing into something great.
"Alright," I said with a smile. "Give me just a moment, and I'll find the perfect names for both of you.""Naga, I will give you the name Ebony. And for you," I turned to the other, offering a warm smile, "I give the name Isabella."
With their new names bestowed, I nodded in approval. "I expect great things from both of you."
I paused, giving them a moment to process their new identities before continuing. "Before I assign your tasks, is there anything either of you would like?"Ebony tilted her head, considering my question. "I wish for a weapon," she said, her voice carrying confidence. "Something fitting for my new strength."
That gave me an idea. If she was so focused on weapons, then maybe her strength could be put to better use elsewhere.
I crossed my arms. "How do you feel about making weapons instead of just wielding them?"
Ebony blinked, her hood flaring slightly in surprise. "You want me to be a smith?"
I nodded. "You've got the strength for it, and my dungeon just unlocked a forge, once it's been built and If you're willing to learn, you could be the one to arm and armor my forces."
Ebony was silent for a moment, then a slow, toothy grin spread across her face. "That… sounds interesting. I like the idea of making something powerful with my own hands."
"Then it's settled," I said. "I'll set you up with the forge soon, and we'll see what you can do."
Isabella, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. "I would… like something to wear."
That made me pause. Looking at both of them, it was clear their evolved forms were still completely bare. While Ebony didn't seem to care, Isabella's discomfort was obvious.
"Fair request," I said with a chuckle. "I'll get something sorted for you soon."
With that settled, I straightened up. "Now for your tasks. Ebony, your first job is to get familiar with the forge once it's built and see what you can create. I'll gather materials when I can."
Ebony's grin widened. "Sounds like a plan."
I turned to Isabella. "As for you, I have a different role in mind. You're going to help manage things inside the dungeon. Organizing resources, watching over the weaker monsters, and eventually assisting with construction projects once we get proper tools. Think of yourself as a caretaker."
Isabella perked up at that, looking pleased. "I… I think I can do that."
"Good." I nodded. "For now, take the rest of the day to adjust to your new forms. Tomorrow, your real work begins."
With their tasks assigned, I dismissed them, watching as they left the core room—Ebony already eager to start, Isabella moving more cautiously but with newfound purpose.