I was exhilarated, more than ever before in my time as a Dungeon Master. Not even the windfall of acquiring 1229 G.P in a single stroke from defeating Christian and avenging my spawns compared to this thrill. The sheer unpredictability of this lone invader, Tusko Vagar, and the unfolding battle I so vividly witnessed ignited a newfound excitement within me.
It was as if I had stepped into uncharted territory, the thrill of the unknown permeating every fiber of my being. The visual representation of the battle, the control I now wielded over my Guardian's abilities, and the invader's no-longer-so-unexpected twists had created a sense of anticipation that far surpassed any routine encounters within my dungeon.
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[ Real-time Feedback ]
HighBreed, Paladin, Level 33, used ability: Holy Smite
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As the lone invader, now a Paladin, faced off against the Dungeon Guardian, I eagerly awaited the next move, ready to adapt and strategize in this dynamic clash. Or so I told myself. In truth, the Guardian displayed an impressive level of autonomy and intelligence, acting with a keen awareness that exceeded my expectations. It was a stark contrast to the more predictable perhaps "robotic" behavior of my regular spawns. Or maybe that wasn’t even the case. Maybe my spawns were just as intelligent, but since I only saw them as “blue dots” on a map, I failed to recognize that quality in them. Either way, I couldn’t help but admire my Guardian’s capabilities.
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Name: Tusko Vagar
Level: 33
Race: HighBreed
Class: Paladin
Health: 22%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
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"Sorry for doubting you, Guardian of mine. You're great," I mused, offering a silent acknowledgment to the entity that had now become the linchpin of my defense.
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Name: Tusko Vagar
Level: 33
Race: HighBreed
Class: Paladin
Health: 11%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
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As I watched the Paladin-class invader, Tusko Vagar, draw nearer and nearer to defeat at the hands of my Dungeon Guardian, a surge of excitement and anticipation welled up within me. Despite the Paladin's formidable undead-fighting capabilities and the regeneration ability that I was initially unnecessarily wary of, it seemed that facing an unmovable force like my necrotic Overlord of a Dungeon Guardian rendered those advantages moot.
In the midst of this thrilling clash, a desire stirred within me. I yearned to be the one to bring an end to this lone invader with my own hands, well, figuratively speaking. Though I, as a dungeon core, couldn't directly engage in combat, I had the power to command my Dungeon Guardian. And in that moment, it felt like the opportune time to unleash the final blow.
With a firm and unhesitant command, I urged my Dungeon Guardian to employ that potent ability once more. "For all my fallen spawns, die!"
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[ Real-time Feedback ]
Guardian, Level 38, used ability: Necrotic Wave
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The Paladin, Tusko Vagar, desperately tried to protect himself against the impending assault. Clutching his sword with all the strength he could muster, he bravely faced the attack. However, it was evident that the lone invader's defenses were insufficient against the overwhelming power of my beloved Guardian.
In the interface, I could see the Paladin's Health Points dwindling rapidly, and despite his valiant efforts to fend off the inevitable, it seemed that the decisive moment was at hand.
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Name: Tusko Vagar
Level: 33
Race: HighBreed
Class: Barbarian
Health: 0%
Status: Defeated
『Expand』
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“Hahaha, there it is.”
As content as I was to have achieved justice for my spawns against the Paladin, I knew this wasn't the end. He is definitely coming back.
I didn't have to wait long, not even given the time to relish in the victory, as the lone invader, Tusko Vagar, once again underwent a class shift. Yet this time, something felt different about his class shift. Something that yet again brought a smile to my face.
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Name: Tusko Vagar
Level: 35
Race: HighBreed
Class: Knight
Title: Champion / Monster Slayer
[Status]
- H.P: 3050 / 3050
- M.P: 350 / 350
- S.P: 3400 / 3400
- Fatigue: 63%
- Defense: 3811
- Offense: 3225
[Skills]
- Aura of Protection: Level 6
- Counter-Attack: Level 8
- Defender's Stance: Level 6
- Divine Strike: Level 5
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
- Heavy Armor Proficiency: Level 8
- Holy Enhancement: Level 7
- Sacred Oath: Level 5
- Shieldmanship: Level 9
- Summon Shield: Level 5
- Summon Spear: Level 5
- Summon Sword: Level 3
- Swordplay: Level 9
- Swordsmanship: Level 7
- Tactical Awareness: Level 7
- Longevity: Level 3
[Abilities]
- Crusader's Zeal: Unlocked
- Divine Aura: Unlocked
- Indomitable Will: Unlocked
- Shield Wall: Unlocked
- Divine Intervention: Unlocked
- Holy Smite: Unlocked
- Resilient Endurance: Unlocked
[Authorities]
- Authority Gathering
- Ethereal Echo
『Expand』
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The first transformation had been, to say the least, confusing. But by the second, I had more or less grasped what was happening. Tusko Vagar was likely wielding multiple classes and could shift between them at will. This intricate ability, presumably granted by one of his authorities, most likely Ethereal Echo, allowed him to transition seamlessly, each shift altering his HP, MP, SP, skills, and abilities. The only constant was the accumulation of fatigue, stacking with each successive shift, making it seem as though a different individual stood before me each time, despite being the same person.
Still, my observations suggested that one class served as his primary, the foundation to which the yet-unrevealed authorities were tied. That class, without a doubt, was his Knight class—this class.
“Hahaha.” I let out a small laugh, unable to suppress the grin creeping onto my face.
At this moment, he was no different from Christian, the first lone invader, the first authority wielder I had encountered. That made me suspect, or at the very least, hope, that defeating him in this class, the one bearing his authority, would allow me to claim it just as I had acquired Otherworldly Synergy back then.
So? There was only one thing left to do.
"First, I doubt you. Now, I’m about to overwork you. I must really come across as a terrible Dungeon Master," I muttered, addressing my Guardian. "But as annoying as this is, it's something we have to go through. As I was about to say, “So, let’s get it do—” a sight caught my words in my throat.
Oh, hell no.
Tusko Vagar, fresh from his transformation, wasn’t preparing for another attack. No. Instead, the bastard was initiating a retreat. Dashing straight toward the entrance, fully intent on walking right out of my Guardian’s sanctum like this was some casual stroll.
The worst part was unarguably that he could. As things stood, nothing would stop him from leaving.
Imagine this. You throw everything you have at someone, your Guardian fights tooth and nail to take them down, only for them to walk away the moment they decide the fight is no longer convenient. That couldn’t be fair, right? Well, it seemed the system agreed, for it created the interface that flickered, before me, presenting me a choice:
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[ Dungeon Core Interface ]
Choose Guardian Protocol
Earlier, I had debated whether I was an idiot for not immediately choosing Reclamation Protocol. It would have guaranteed my Guardian a massive power boost since, despite this bastard wiping out most of my spawns, I could still reclaim their bonuses. In a way, he had made things easier for me.
But looking back? Maybe I was more of a genius than I thought.
If I had gone with Reclamation and failed to end him in one decisive blow, he wouldn’t just walk out of my Guardian’s sanctum, he would escape my entire domain. Meaning every sacrifice I made to hold him here would have been for nothing.
That was unacceptable.
Which was why Equilibrium Protocol was my best bet. The chamber lock alone made it the superior option. The problem? The risk.
I liked the idea of locking him in, but what did it mean for my Guardian’s stats to “adjust”? Weaken was the word I feared. I couldn’t afford that, not when the interface itself had spelled out the stakes, one shall remain, and the other shall fall. Stat-wise, my Guardian had the advantage. Activating this protocol would tip the balance against my favor.
And yet, as I watched Tusko sprint toward the exit, something else outweighed my hesitation.
Greed.
Greed for the GP he carried. Greed for the authorities he possessed.
I didn’t hesitate anymore.
I activated the protocol.
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[ ???'s Interface ]
Equilibrium Protocol adjustment in progress...
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At that moment, I expected something dramatic, a barrier manifesting with a thunderous burst, an invisible force slamming into existence right in front of him. But no. Nothing so flashy.
It just happened.
Mid-stride toward the entrance, the moment his boot struck the ground, his momentum vanished. As if the very laws of motion had betrayed him, he halted instantly. Tusko staggered back a step, his body twisting, not by choice, but by force, until he was once again facing my Guardian.
A smile flickered onto my theoretical face. But it didn’t last, for I was forced to confront the interface lingering in the corner of my vision.
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[ ???'s Interface ]
[ Regent of Putrescence ]'s stats adjusted.
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"One day, my greed will kill me. Again."A sigh escaped my lips. "Alright. Let’s see how low these stats have been adjusted…Hmm…Erm, what the hell?"
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[ Regent of Putrescence ]
Level: 39
Type: Monster
Class: Necrotic Overlord (Regent of Putrescence)
Title: Plaguebearer Supreme / Dungeon Guardian
[Status]
- H.P: 32,554 / 40,525 (+12,524.8)
- M.P: 27,542 / 36,219 (+11,179.26)
- S.P: 16,455 / 17,502 (+5,401.86)
- Defense: 25,604 (+7,903.82)
- Offense: 39,355 (+12,154.72)
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If I had eyes, I would have rubbed them raw, that’s how much I struggled to believe what I was seeing.
My stats… went up.
They went up instead of dropping like the protocol's description had stated.
What the hell was happening? Was this a bug? I wasn’t one to complain about things working in my favor, but I couldn’t ignore how wrong this was. By the system’s own description, Equilibrium Protocol was supposed to level the playing field. My Guardian vastly outclassed Tusko Vagar, so to make it a fair fight, his stats should have been violently reduced. That was the whole reason I hesitated to use this protocol in the first place, it didn’t favor my Guardian.
And yet, here we were.
Instead of being taxed, my Guardian was rewarded with bonus stats. It was as if the system considered it the underdog—wait.
Could that be it?
Could the system be factoring in all of Tusko’s other classes, adjusting the balance based on his full potential rather than just his current state? That would explain the boost… or not.
Because here’s the thing, the arrogant bastard had already cycled through several classes. If I accounted for all of them and combined his total HP, MP, SP, offense, and defense, my Guardian was still stronger. By a whole 50%, at least.
So why the hell was I getting a boost?
I wracked my brain for an answer, running through every possibility, until finally, finally realization hit me.
I wanted to slap myself for not figuring it out sooner.
The answer was GP.
For someone obsessed with this strange currency, how did I not see it sooner? Everything in this world revolved around GP. And so did this.
The protocol wasn’t balancing using "stats," it was balancing using "GP" as metric.
And when it came to GP? My Guardian was inferior to Tusko Vagar by just over 50%.
I quickly did the math.
It checked out.
There had already been a smile on my “face” at the sight of my Guardian’s boosted stats. But now, understanding why they had been boosted? That smile stretched ear to ear.
“Hahaha! This is great! No, this is perfect!”
I turned my full attention back to my dear second lone invader.
“Let’s do this, Tusko Vagar. Let’s fucking do this!”
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[ Real-time Feedback ]
Guardian, Level 38, used ability: Summon Plague Minions
Plague Minion, Level 5, joined the battle
Plague Minion, Level 5, joined the battle
Plague Minion, Level 5, joined the battle
Plague Minion, Level 5, joined the battle
Plague Minion, Level 5, joined the battle
Plague Minion, Level 5, joined the battle
Plague Minion, Level 5, joined the battle
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