Raid Dungeon Battle (10)

To counter Core Number 10's simultaneous Dungeon Battle using fifteen cores, we enlisted Soto's help… but honestly, we were completely steamrolling them to the point that I started to feel bad for Core Number 10.

"Papa, this really feels like we're bullying someone ridiculously weak, you know?"

"Don't say that, Soto. Technically, they're first-generation cores, so they're supposed to be stronger."

Still, every single monster they sent got thrown into Soto's [Storage] Dungeon and frozen in time. A regular [Storage] would hit its limit quickly—it's basically the size of a closet. But… the [Storage] Dungeon is, well, a dungeon. With just 10,000 DP, you can expand the rooms as much as you want.

Monsters were still being sent into the [Storage] Dungeon even now, but there was plenty of space left. And if it ever ran out, we could just expand it more. It's a business expense we can bill to Haku-san later, so no need to hold back.

I'd asked FatherDark God to set up fifteen gates in the arena area. (Even I wasn't granted permission to reroute a battle from the [Cave of Desires] to the [White Beach].)

Each of those gates had been overlaid with the [Storage] Dungeon. Though now that I think about it, maybe I should've lured at least one of them into our dungeon to deal with it directly. Then again, we can't underestimate the enemy.

"By the way, what kind of monsters are frozen in there?"

"Hmm, all sorts, Papa. Wolves, monkeys, golems… but they're all kind of rotten or falling apart, or look poisoned or something."

Soto opened a monitor from her Menu. At first it showed nothing but darkness, but after a few taps, the enemy monsters appeared. They weren't moving at all—time was stopped.

Just like Soto said: there were beast-type monsters like wolves and lizards, demi-humans like goblins and orcs, plant-types like man-eating plants, inorganic types like golems and living armor—fifteen dungeons' worth, all different. But every single one looked tattered, like a corpse.

They didn't move a muscle, making the zombie-like vibe even stronger.

"… So, does that mean the monsters are undead?"

"Ahh, that's the feeling I'm getting too, Papa. That kind of gross, squishy undead feel!"

"According to my Ane-sama, the Cores are actually dead… maybe monsters created by dead Cores end up like corpses too?"

The fruits we got in the Holy Kingdom didn't seem rotten, though. So it might just be Core Number 10's personal taste…Some people say fruit tastes best when it's a little overripe, so maybe it worked out.

… Wait, those weren't poisoned, right? I've already eaten a few…

Watching the [Storage] Dungeon completely halt the enemy's advance, Rokuko murmured—

"… Still, Kehma, this is ridiculously one-sided. Even if she's our daughter, Soto is something else."

"True. But she does have one weakness."

"A weakness? Even though she's sealed the enemy so perfectly?"

"Yeah. We won't lose at this rate, but to win a Dungeon Battle, you have to attack."

Unless there's some pre-set time limit or alternate win condition, the battle essentially becomes a deathmatch. And there's a chance that even if Core Number 10 is defeated, its dungeons might keep running.

If that happens, those fifteen gates will remain permanently connected to the arena. The arena's usually deserted, but that's still no reason to leave battle gates open forever. We'll have to invade and secure victory.

… Wait, if Core Number 10 ends up completely silent and abandoned, maybe we could keep it around as a gimmick? … Nah, we wouldn't be able to renovate our own dungeon if it's still active. Forget it.

"So, I'm going to personally go in and bust them up."

"Bust them up…? Wait, you're going to?"

"Well, technically, I'm going to use [Possession] on Narikin."

If it's a named dungeon monster, it can be revived even if it dies. That'd cost DP of course, but Haku-san is fully backing us this time, so that's not a problem. Not that I plan to let Narikin die, anyway.

With the invincible defense of the [Divine Blanket] with how it's been blessed with the divine power, nobody will be able to lay a hand on him. Plus, since Narikin is a Living Armor, even sleep-inducing skills—his only weakness—won't affect him.

And if I possess Narikin's body, I can use [Elemental Shot], too. With the Divine Bedding's common trait of restoring stamina and mana, we'll have infinite ammo.

In other words, Narikin and I together become the ultimate mobile turret!!

On top of that, even if we destroy the enemy Core and get caught in the dungeon collapse, Soto can retrieve us through her [Storage] Dungeon.

An invincible turret with infinite continues.

"So Soto, go ahead and secretly summon Narikin from the Holy Kingdom."

"Got it, Papa. I'll be super sneaky so Toy-chan doesn't notice!"

That's my girl. Knows what to do without me even saying it.

"Then should we send Rokufa too?"

"Nah, we need Rokufa here to manage the [Storage] Dungeon for our return trip… and I want you, Rokuko, to support me while I'm inside the enemy dungeon."

"Hmm, I see. Fine, leave it to me, Kehma."

Rokuko chuckled proudly, clearly in a great mood.

Now, I should prep the gear for Narikin. Not just the [Divine Blanket], but also some dungeon-breaking tools…

… Wait, I could just give him DP and have him exchange it for items through the Menu on-site. Plus, we can send gear via the [Storage] Dungeon. I guess he can go in light.

Soto really is the ultimate anti-dungeon weapon… If her abilities ever get exposed, every dungeon out there might come gunning for her.

I'll need to make it clear to Haku-san—her greatest protector—that we're not enemies. And to do that, we've got to destroy the enemy dungeon completely. Kukuku.