The standoff in the clearing was tense.
On one side: Director Vane and four terrified guards holding crossbows that were visibly shaking.
On the other side: A rocket-powered Magma Golem, a feral Lamia General, a manic Goblin with a flamethrower-saw, a Banshee, a Slime, and a Harpy.
And in the middle: Reed.
He sat in the dirt, leaning back on his hands, breathing in the sweet, mana-rich air of his territory.
[MANA: 75 / 150]
[Regen: STABLE.]
[Connection: SOLID.]
It felt like coming home. The headache from the Void Withdrawal vanished, replaced by the familiar hum of the Dungeon Core singing in the back of his mind. Thump-thrum. Thump-thrum.
"This," Director Vane said, his voice tight as he stared at the spinning saw blade in Grika's hands, "is highly irregular."
"It's a performance review," Reed corrected, standing up.
