Vale's mind was shrouded in shame as the sun fell and rose again.

'Mastery of self…'

He had a new goal more pressing than any other.

However, it was in pursuit of this goal that he'd begin to realize the true nature of his origin and abilities.

As well as why he was chosen as the Master of Lust.

Or maybe it's better to say…

Why—

***

Vale had lived in the throes of agony for nearly a whole day before Salome relieved him of his suffering. However, the constant pain during that time served as a good reminder of his failure.

Although…

Awilix had it a little worse than him…

As an Aether construct, she didn't particularly need her lower bits for anything other than reproduction. So, it wasn't too detrimental to her health if such a thing was sealed away…

Salome had done the dastardly deed of having Larry make a stone chastity belt and put it on the poor cat, with the only way to remove it being to destroy it. While Awilix was capable of such destruction herself, Salome promised much worse if she broke free. Not to mention breaking that stone would hurt; not that the cat seemed to care about pain.

Yet the ideal scenario to remove it was for one of the Workers to slide their claws against it, which would destroy it with ease.

Then there was her second punishment.

Awilix was made to follow Salome around, forbidden from approaching Vale. If Awilix left Salome's side for even a moment, Salome would use her ability to drain all of her energy and drag her around by the ankle.

Ever since this weird dynamic settled in and the cat resigned herself to this fate, the two have been patrolling the area outside and warding off any chameleon spies. Awilix was excellent at spotting the hidden beasts, so it turned out somewhat well in the end. Though the stone outfit did restrict and slow her down a bit.

In any case, now free from pain, Vale could make rational decisions on what to do with his new Aether.

Sitting on his throne while Workers around him continued to hollow out the room, Vale stared at his status screen, taking in his 85 Aether and 27 Satisfaction, and then opened the store.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Recruitment:

Champion: [40 Satisfaction]

Worker: [1 Aether]

Warrior: [10 Aether]

Archer: [15 Aether]

Mage: [100 Aether]

Random: [25 Aether]

Items:

N-Mystery box: [5 Aether]

C-Myster box: [10 Aether]

R-Mystery box: [20 Aether]

???: [1000 Aether]

♥︎♥︎♥︎

He was a little disappointed with the Warriors' performance, but their importance was becoming clear as the cost of a Champion kept doubling…

At some point, it would be more efficient to put resources into Warriors than trying to get another Champion. Moreover, as the dungeon grew larger, more Warriors meant more could be constantly defended than if he had only a few Champions.

Besides, the warriors were all at their lowest level; they had definitely had potential. Stacy was able to keep up with him after all.

As for Champions themselves…

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Name: [Salome]

Title: [Sucubi Queen]

Aspect: [Succubus]

Class: [Demonic]

Core Rank: [Nascent] - (160/600)

Loyalty: [100/100]

Traits: [Charm] [Quillstorm] [Slight Masochist] [Rudimentary Shapeshifter] [Vitality Drain]

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Salome had absorbed nearly all of her fallen enemies' Aether core, so she definitely didn't need anything allocated to her.

Toy, currently being huddled by Vale's side, trying to hide from all the imps scurrying around the room, was Salome's responsibility to nurture and train. Plus, it wasn't worth feeding her Aether…

This left him with the decision to empower himself or Ximena. Or, recruiting new help…

It didn't take long for Vale to make his decision.

It was undeniable that, second to Salome, the most valuable thing to the dungeon was… the imps.

Dickless peered into the hall as if it sensed Vale's internal praise.

"Baaaduuuuh!"

Then, it retreated back into the smithing room.

As for empowering Ximena… she didn't really need it at the moment. In fact, her ability was already dreadful and harrowing, even at her low level of Aether.

If she got any stronger, she'd endanger the others just by existing. So, he made the decision…

[Would you like to purchase ten workers for 10 Aether? Y/N?]

"Yes…"

In no time, Vale came to regret his decision…

Behind him, he watched as ten new imps bounded out of the core. They were…

'Pink?'

Not all of them, but eight of the new ones were closer to pink than red.

Toy scurried onto Vale's lap, then jumped over him, pushing his back so she could slide behind him. The poor goblin began shaking violently with tears welling in her eyes.

"Why are there more!"

Vale ignored Toy's desperate scream as he watched the scene unfold.

As the original imps and these new ones spotted each other, they all stopped working and screamed crazily:

"Baddduuuuuh!"

"Ba-ba-duuuh!"

"Baduh."

"Baaduh!"

Even Sizzy, Larry, and the others came to check on the commotion and greet their new comrades. All but Crow were present.

Vale watched the cute scene between the disgusting creatures before taking his attention back to the store…

[Would you like to purchase 2 Archers for 30 Aether? Y/N?]

"Yes."

[Would you like to purchase 4 Warriors for 40 Aether? Y/N?]

"Yes."

While he was quite disappointed with their performance, it was for that very reason that this became his next focus…

If the Warriors were weak when summoned, then he should summon them sooner and start cultivating them. While Vale had no proof, he surmised his Warriors lost so handily to the enemy because the enemy had been trained and existed for much longer. Well, and their camouflage ability.

The six new members of the Dungeon of Lust appeared from the core, two of them having a crude bow and quiver strapped around their shoulders, but only three arrows.

As the six rounded the throne, they knelt and looked at the ground. The first one to kneel, one of the archers, spoke.

"What are our orders, master?"

Vale thought for a moment. Then he replied:

"There is a Warrior named Stacy down that path; you are to do as she dictates."

All six replied in unison:

"Understood."

Then, they stood up and marched out of the core room and down the 30-meter-long hallway.

Vale didn't necessarily know if Stacy was the right fit to be the commander of his forces, but she definitely didn't seem to be the worst choice. There was always Larry.

"Baduh?"

Or any of the imps for that matter. They'd definitely be worse.

With his remaining 15 Aether, Vale greedily absorbed it, bringing his total reserves to 28.

While he'd love to be conservative and hold onto a stockpile, he didn't have the leisure to do such a thing at the moment. Especially not when at war…

Well, it may be a stretch of the definition. No formal word of malice was given. No declaration. However, Vale wasn't going to forgive this transgression, and it seemed like the Chameleon King bastard was set in its ways of taking down Vale and his dungeon. That fact was evident in the constant influx of spies in the area.

No matter how many Awilix and Salome slaughtered or chased off, more and more kept popping up.

Then there were two key events in the future he'd need to prepare for…

One was the meeting in the black space.

Technically, he didn't need Aether reserves at all, but he'd feel safer with each new shard acquired. Though he wasn't too hopeful he'd be able to hold onto his life if Wrath decided to live up to his namesake.

As for the other reason…

Laertes had told them of the village's rite of passage for teens becoming adults…

They had to descend into the canyon and retrieve a flower that only bloomed once a year at the base of the grandiose waterfall.

Meaning there was a high chance that, in three or so weeks, when they bloomed, they'd be discovered. Or at least at the threat of being discovered.

After all, the moment Vale walked outside, it became apparent just how easy it was to spot the dungeon…

'It's gray!'

The rock that made up the Terracotta Scar was… well, red. For a native of this world, all they had to do was peer in the entrance and see that it was gray to make out that it wasn't a natural cave.

Laertes, before being mercy-killed, had mentioned how to spot a dungeon in response to one of Salome's many questions: the primary method was the make-up material and color compared to the world around it.

Vale listened to the incessant clamor of the imps as they bounded around…

"That kid…"

'I wonder if I'll get to meet Ophelia…'

Vale stood up from the throne and made his way toward Stacy and the other six defenders. Toy swiftly bounded after him, holding on to his arm as the imps began fighting.

It was time to test his newly gained power. It was time for some group training.

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