"Lord Kai, before you head out on your journey, can i request one thing?"
Carlotta was bowed right in front of Kai. Her head faced the ground with one of her arms resting on her knee, showing deep submission.
Lyra, standing right behind her Master, had a rather judgmental look on her face, wondering what a new summon would suddenly want to ask.
Kai looked at her for a while, contemplating whether he should fall for the bait since he had already experienced something similar with Lyra.
"You may. Go on."
That was his response.
A smile showed on Carlotta's face upon hearing his response.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
Then she looked up at him, her eyes etched with expectations.
"Can i build the dungeon in your stead?" she asked.
'Dammit!!! I knew I should not have answered it. Why are they so obsessed with wanting to build this dungeon anyway? Wait, then again, the bigger the dungeon, the more monsters, EXP, and even the faster the mobs level up as well.'
It didn't sound bad at all.
But then again, his EXP would most likely be the exchange for such a gain.
"How do you intend to build this place?" he asked.
He studied the expression on her face, noticing how it didn't once waver, almost like she knew he was going to ask that.
With her hand firmly on her chest, she looked up at him, a smug look following.
"I would like to decorate some parts of the dungeon to look more like a home and less like a war ground. As married couples, there should be designated areas just for us. I promise to do a good job, so please trust me."
"Except you're forgetting something."
Lyra suddenly chimed in. The look on her face was one of frustration, like she was going to crack any second from then.
"My lord is not married to you; know your place."
Carlotta didn't hesitate to throw a disgusted look back at Lyra.
"While I respect that you are the first to arrive here, I would like it if you'd mind your business while I am speaking to Lord Kai."
"And if i refuse?"
Just that statement from Lyra caused the entire room to shake for a while.
The mana density spiked as both women continued to stare each other down, sparks flying between them.
Then, from nowhere, their long, hard stare was directed away when they noticed Kai chose not to get involved in their banter.
He simply turned and walked away.
Their eyes followed him with every step he took, but they didn't utter a single word.
It was quite obvious to them that he got bored of their arguments and decided to leave, something that immediately made them feel bad on the spot.
"Carlotta," Kai called out to her while walking, not looking back.
"Y-yes, Lord Kai?"
She didn't waste a single second before she answered, her voice trembling slightly.
"You have my permission to do what you want. Consider this a test. I trust that you will be able to handle yourself."
Her smile formed back on her face. Lord Kai was still willing to give her a chance.
"Yes, Lord Kai, you won't be disappointed."
"Lyra, what are you waiting for? Let's go."
Lyra, calm yet relieved, strolled forward to get close to her Master, casting one last triumphant glance back at the witch.
Meanwhile...
'Something about watching two women fight really makes me uncomfortable. Might as well never see that again. Eh... did she say couple?'
...
After passing through the portal, Kai and Lyra found themselves standing outside the dungeon.
They were met with an expanse of dry land and jagged rocks. The air was arid and hot, a stark contrast to the cool dampness of the crypt.
'Wow! This is the world outside the dungeon? First time I am feeling it up close.'
He didn't waste any time. He turned around to check if he could see the walls of his dungeon, and to his surprise, he actually could.
It looked far different from what it was initially.
Rather than there only being a portal in between two stones, the stone pillars acted as an entrance to a much more visible, huge door.
It was less like a traditional cave entrance and more like a massive, swirling tower of obsidian and dark granite.
The dungeon wasn't built into the ground, but rather spiraled upwards, beginning about fifteen feet above the surrounding dry land.
The base of the structure was anchored by the two enormous stone pillars that originally held the portal, but now they seemed to act as the foundation for the rising helix.
The tower itself was not uniform; its walls were carved with intricate, almost geometric patterns that seemed to shift slightly in the ambient light.
It wound tightly, giving the impression of a colossal, black drill piercing the sky, yet possessing a silent, ancient majesty.
A single, grand archway was visible where the door Carlotta was building was located.
This door, currently obscured by shimmering wards, was set into the spiraling wall at the 15-foot elevation, accessible only by a temporary, glowing ramp of concentrated mana that only Kai could summon.
The structure projected an overwhelming sense of exclusivity and power, as if defying gravity and the barren landscape—a beacon for any true challenger, or indeed, anyone worthy enough to be an actual dwelling.
The very air around the tower felt heavier, a palpable barrier of magical energy that promised both untold riches and insurmountable danger within its spiraling depths.
Staring up at the dungeon, Kai could not help but be impressed. In fact, he completely understood why the girls were so adamant about building the dungeon as much as they were.
'That's sick. I can't even complain. Then again, that's all my exps worth.'
[Dungoen name: The Shadow of Victim's domain.]
[Rank: C rank.]
[Click for more infor….]
'Hmm. I guess the dungeon has not fully registered the appearance of Carlotta, seeing as it is still at C rank and has not moved up at all. Tsk, i can worry about that later.'
He fully turned around, his back now facing the dungeon.
'To the nearest town!!!'
Before he took even a single step forward, he turned and looked at Lyra.
He noticed how distinctive and flashy her dress was. It was a beautiful gothic gown, but it screamed "Dungeon Boss" or "High-Level Monster."
"You might want to change out of that," he uttered calmly.
Lyra looked down, wondering what could be wrong with her dress.
...
[Author's note.]
100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter.
200 powerstones = 2 extra chapters.