Chapter 4: Beginner’s Help Activated

Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Beginner’s Help Activated

For several long seconds, Ragnar didn’t move.

His chest rose and fell heavily as he stared at the lifeless beast.

"...It’s dead."

The words left his mouth almost absentmindedly.

Although he had just fought for his life, Ragnar felt surprisingly calm. There was no excitement from killing another living creature, nor was there any overwhelming guilt. Instead, what filled his heart was relief.

He had survived, that alone was enough.

Just as Ragnar lowered the greatsword and wiped the blood from its blade with a piece of cloth hanging from his waist, a familiar sound suddenly echoed inside his mind.

Ding!

A translucent blue notification window materialized before his eyes.

[You have obtained 1 Soul.]

Ragnar blinked.

"...A Soul?"

Before he could examine the notification further, another window appeared, pushing the first one aside.

[Soul Information

Soul is the fundamental currency of the Dungeon System.

Souls can be used for nearly every function within the system.

They may be spent to summon monsters, construct buildings, create traps, enhance existing units, expand the dungeon, and unlock new features.

[Method of Acquisition:

Kill any living being within your dungeon’s territory.

The stronger the creature, the greater the number of Souls obtained.]

Ragnar carefully read every line twice before slowly nodding.

"So that’s how it works."

His eyes shifted toward the dead wolf lying nearby.

"So killing monsters inside my dungeon earns me Souls..."

Back in Dungeon Maker, there had been several different resources. Gold, Mana Crystals, Building Materials, Evolution Stones, and many others were required depending on what players wanted to do.

Managing them had always been one of the most troublesome aspects of the game.

But now, everything had been simplified.

"So as long as creatures die inside my dungeon, I’ll keep getting stronger."

A smile slowly formed on Ragnar’s face.

"I can work with that."

Just then, another notification suddenly appeared before him.

Unlike the previous windows, this one was surrounded by a brilliant golden frame.

Large letters slowly materialized across the screen.

Beginner’s Help Activated

As a newly awakened Dungeon Boss, you may select one complimentary starter structure.

Please choose carefully.

Immediately afterward, three floating images appeared before Ragnar.

Each displayed a different structure.

The first image showed a crude wooden camp surrounded by sharpened stakes. Smoke rose from a small bonfire in the center while five green-skinned goblins armed with rusty spears wandered around the camp.

[Goblin Camp

Produces 5 Goblins.]

A balanced early-game combat unit.

The second image displayed a gloomy broken tombstones stood crookedly beneath a dark sky while eerie green flames floated above the graves.

The earth suddenly cracked open.

Five skeletons slowly climbed out of the ground, carrying chipped swords and battered shields.

[Skeleton Spawner

Continuously summons 5 Skeleton Warriors.]

The final image depicted a strange, pulsating blue pool.

Moments later, blobs of colorful slime began bouncing out of it one after another until twenty of them covered the ground.

Although individually weak, their sheer numbers made them surprisingly intimidating.

[Slime Nest

Summons 20 Slimes across the first floor.]

Ragnar quietly observed the three options.

Each had its own advantages.

"Goblins..."

"They’re intelligent."

His gaze shifted toward the Skeleton Graveyard.

"Skeletons don’t need anything, don’t feel pain, and are easier to maintain."

Finally, he looked at the Slime Nest.

"Twenty slimes would definitely make the dungeon feel alive again."

He folded his arms and began recalling his experience from years of playing Dungeon Maker.

If he were simply playing the game, choosing skeletons would probably have been the safest option. Undead units were reliable and inexpensive to maintain.

Slimes were excellent at delaying enemies but lacked offensive power.

Goblins, they were weak individually.

However, unlike skeletons and slimes, goblins possessed intelligence.

They could gather resources, set up ambushes. Repair damaged structures.

Even learn to use better equipment if properly trained.

Without any further hesitation, he reached toward the first option.

"I choose..."

"The Goblin Camp."

The instant his finger touched the floating image, the other two options shattered into countless particles of light before disappearing completely.

[Ding!

Selection Confirmed.

Goblin Camp acquired.]

Please choose a location within the dungeon for construction.

The dungeon map instantly unfolded before Ragnar.

A glowing outline of the Goblin Camp floated above it, waiting for him to decide where his very first group of subordinates would call home.

Ragnar looked at the empty map and couldn’t help but smile.

"This dungeon..."

"...is finally going to have life again."

Ragnar carefully examined the floating map before him.

The glowing blueprint of the Goblin Camp followed his finger wherever he moved it across the dungeon layout. He didn’t place it randomly.

Years of designing dungeons had taught him that the placement of every structure could determine whether a dungeon survived or fell during an invasion.

After a moment of consideration, Ragnar smiled.

"This should be a good spot."

He pointed toward an empty area closed to the entrance of the dungeon.

The dungeon itself did not begin immediately after crossing the invisible barrier. Instead, visitors first entered a spacious stone hall supported by towering pillars.

It served as a transition area between the outside world and the dungeon proper. At the far end of that hall was the true entrance to the dungeon, a large door. Beyond that lay the winding corridors and chambers that Ragnar had personally designed.

It was close enough for the goblins to intercept anything entering the dungeon, yet far enough that they wouldn’t immediately clash with enemies the moment they stepped into the dungeon.

"I’ll build it here."

The instant Ragnar confirmed his choice, the blueprint dissolved into countless particles of golden light.

The entire dungeon trembled slightly.

Low rumbling noises echoed throughout the cave as though the mountain itself had begun moving.

Rumble, stone suddenly shifted, and the ground rose.

Countless pieces of wood seemed to emerge from nowhere, assembling themselves before Ragnar’s eyes. Thick logs planted themselves firmly into the earth while sharpened wooden stakes formed a crude defensive wall around the structure.