We spent six days developing the dungeon until it reached five floors. It is a mana-hungry baby while in this development stage. I asked everyone with a high recovery rate to live inside the first floor safe zone, so the dungeon could leech their excess MP. I even brought Zahariel, Helen, and Marcy to the core room several times to directly power up it by pouring their MP and ST.

Then I left the dungeon alone to get some monster spawns and populate it, so people could grind some Exp and materials. My party and I will be the first ones to clear it on the maiden exploration.

The first floor has slimes, a brittle humanoid twig creature that can shoot needles and some spore-flinging mushroom monsters that are poisonous. No surprise here, as it was created using a wyvern's pemadra. The boss seems to be a mushroom brawler wearing a tree bark armor.

The second floor spawns pseudopod slimes, wolves, giant frogs, and some fire-spitting newts. Fire salamanders as Marcy called them. The boss is the red streak wolf.

The third floor has the jumper slime, a clear slime that can use stealth and ambush the unaware, and a straw man. The boss is the napalm slime.

The fourth floor starts to get rough. There is a vicious spiky gecko that is fast, tough and goes for the legs, a feral type of crossbreed between a badger and a monkey that has six-inch claws in its long arms and can jump on walls and the black slime. The boss is a tougher version of the badger-monkey that can regenerate HP.

The fifth and last floor, for now, has an ice slime that can paralyze on touch, a mutated frog that can use earth and water magic and stone elementals about four feet tall. The final boss is a huge wolf that can use fire and darkness magic.

But the dungeon can mix these monsters depending on the strength of the spawns. You might end up with a very strong third-floor monster appearing on the fifth. The boss is also not determined. It is always the strongest one from what is available. I can't control the spawns, only promote them.

I dumped most of the weapons from the knights and the demons in the core room so they can act as the treasure for the boss kills. Shields and other miscellaneous equipment. Since the Symians are training too, some humanoid armor as well.

And now with the dungeon exploration officially underway I can spare some time to check my spoils. First the ten wyvern pemadras. The one I got from Kareena was from a tier 4 wyvern. All of the wyverns the demon army deployed were evolved tier 5 wyverns and ones already leveled up. I'll not save any of them. If I need A-rank pemadras there is still the two from the rocs. Together with some others tributed to me, I'll convert all of them into points now.

227,657 points added. [812,714 / 1,000,000] Available: 235,869

If I crunch some numbers, I'll need to bring in thirteen null boxes over the daily draw limit of five to level up the skill.

Okay. I'll summon thirty-five B-rank boxes one after the other.

Soul Vessel corruption increased by 2%. Critical limit of 50% or less reached.

Degenerative damage will be periodically taken.

210,000 points spent. 465013 points over the daily draw limit refunded. Available points: 25,872 [1,277,727/ 5,000,000] Skill Loot Crate Maniac level 8.

Damn! I thought I was safe. I thought the rank B boxes were safe! Why did this happen? Was it because of the number of boxes, the leveling of the skill or just bad luck? I'll just take the skills and forget this thing exists. Never again I'm using this. But I think I stopped too late. I was hoping to hit the level 10 so I could burn this shitty skill on some other fusion or evolution, but from the pattern of getting five times more each level, the level 10 will be at twenty-five million points. Even using the exploit, it would require almost three hundred fifty tier five wyverns. Or over five hundred tier four.

The skills I earned were: Drain Life (S), Armorsmith King (S), Clone Others (A), Clairaudience (A), Move Speed Increase (A), Spell Resistance (A), Sculpture Lord (A), Axe Mastery (A), Dominate Arachnids [C], Magic Sight (B), Geomancy (B), Dual Job (A), Faerie Guide (S), Prince’s Vitality (B), Prince’s Spellpower (B), Transmutation Magic (B), Force Magic (B), Cooldown Reduction (B), Spirit Guard (B), Arrow Snatcher (B), Brewing Prince (B), Potion Prince (B), Scythe Mastery (B), Throwing Mastery (B).

As I thought there was only one that downgraded a rank. The way they are picked when over the draw limit prioritizes the top tiers and then turns the rest into the dull crystals. I am under the impression that a skill was indeed chosen but then eliminated because of this limit. But why allow the draw instead of just blocking it or setting a cooldown? And what is the matter with these rounding errors?

Freaking lord of pride. Masterpiece my ass.

I am feeling so bad about this development that I won't take a look at these skills right now. I'd like to just sleep for a couple dozen days and evolve already, but there are two matters I must address before that. I need to check on the status of Mirfield. Hrothgar will make his move soon. The guild too, they will act. Second, I need to deal with this princess prisoner. I can't just let her rot in prison. I'd like to use her as a bargaining chip to set a truce with the demons. If the demons attack again, they will send more and stronger troops this time.

I'll teleport outside and see what Marcy thinks of it. She is the most knowledgeable on these political matters. I've found her in the guild house. It seems there are too many parties registered for dungeon exploration, and she is drawing the order of entrance. We can't just let everyone go in at the same time. They will end up fighting over prey.

I approach Marcy and tap her shoulder, "Hey, what is this crowd?"

"We are doing random draws on the order of entrance."

"Random is fine but will take too much time. Just decide like this:" I raise my voice and turn to the crowd of monsters that want to go in, "Every party will have eight members. Mix and match between you. I don't want any posses forming. Every party leader must be over level thirty. The order of entry will be the sum of the levels and tiers of the party members. Lower leveled parties will go in first. I'll post a goblin in the safe zone of the fourth floor. Only the first three floors are open now. Any party that decides to ignore my minion and ventures forth on the fourth floor will receive a visit from me. Now, reassemble your parties. A party leader that allows any member to die will be barred from the dungeon for a whole season and the next, and will face a trial."

There was a rush to invite the low level, low tier weak monsters. But I don't care. "Shraaizar, I need to talk to Marcy about human matters, can you please organize the parties and the exploration order?"

"As you wish, Grendel."

I excuse myself from the bootleg guild headquarters with the guildmaster and relocate to Helen's house. The apiculturist druid is not home at the moment.

"Marcy, how soon do you think Heorot will act on Mirfield's case?"

"They will send some envoys or spies first. From Mirfield to Whiteridge it is a six-day trip and Whiteridge to Heorot another five. The round trip is twenty-two days. The sooner they could act then is thirty-four days after the first caravan leaves Mirfield if they can take decisions at the snap of a finger and they can. Too much veiled interests, too much bickering. More because they would need to rally troops. You cleaned up a force 200 knights strong at any rate. They won't come with at least double that and a throng of drafted soldiers. And it takes time. They don't have so many forces in reserve.

Furthermore, the situation in western towns is chaos. We met the resistance cell in Barnsley, they are trying to make noise here on the east to crush Heorot and force Hrothgar to concede."

"And the demons, what do you think?"

"About half of this time frame. But there is the case of the princess prisoner, what will you do?"

"I could enthrall her again, and just hope the spell doesn't break. It is a risk. I want to bargain her life for a truce, but Zahariel won't like it. Or the demons won't even parley. From what I experienced, unless we find some moderate faction, they will all dive head-first."

"I understand you wanted to make the dungeon operational before evolving again, but you should have prioritized fixing that first."

"I know, I know. We should host another evolution meeting then."

"Can't you just decide on your own?"

"I value your opinions. And I am a worrywart. Can't I borrow some of your wisdom?"

"The giant's shoulder stuff again? You know that everything here belongs to you, right? I'd gladly let you borrow my wisdom or anything else."

This is dangerous. We are alone here, and she means business. I'm not as Beowulf right now. "Maybe I should go call the other two then, right?"

"I know what you are afraid of. But I don't mind. I love you, you know? Even before that angel's meddling, I was happy but envious of Helen's luck. I don't mind what skin you are wearing. It is hopeless. I've become a monster bride."

I have no intention of not returning her affection. We got over that speedbump that was Zahariel's magic already. And I think we came out of it stronger.

A couple hours later I was able to gather everyone.

"And I want to announce my next evolution. I have already decided, and it is a bit troublesome one."

Helen looks at me and asks, "What do you mean by troublesome?"

"I will evolve into a Troll Colossus next. It is quite a big fella. thirty feet tall."

"I thought you wouldn't go for those giant races."

It pains me to lose any of my kin or people. From what I've seen these demons are to haughty to negotiate. I'm going to teach them the meaning of 'shock and awe'. The mourning ceremony is still vivid in my eyes. I drop my head and Helen grabs my hand.

"I know I said that. But these demons..."

"They already paid threefold the harm they did to us. Do not pursue it any further."

"Yes, if they would leave us alone, I wouldn't. But they won't, and I changed my mind now. No more negotiations. I trust Zahariel's advice and I will probably have to demolish a fortress and maybe a town or two. And the issue with Hrothgar and the guild is far from over. Bringing a giant monster to the negotiation might tilt the scales in our favor."

"I see..." She pauses to collect her thoughts. "From what we've seen the previous forms don't affect the shape of the next. So you'll be a giant only until you get your next evolution. I think we can solve it somehow."

"Given the rate of Exp intake we are experiencing, it won't be long before the next evolution. And the colossus has lots of innate skills that will be useful for attacking fortifications. If the size is a problem, I can always use possession or humanization to solve it or even just transform into an animal. Can we take a look at the other evolution choices? With Marcy's help, I already made a list."

Evolution Options [tier 4] Troll Berserker

Loses control and goes to hand-to-hand combat. Can't use magic while crazy. A big no-no.

[tier 4] Ice Troll

Has some nice ice-based skills and can create and shape ice. Extremely vulnerable to fire. I don't know how much but it is not attractive.

[tier 4] Jotun

It is a kind of giant. Too big and rumored to have a dumb demeanor and a bad temper. We are talking about forty feet tall here. Also might not be a proper troll and change the whole evolution path.

[tier 4] Gemstone Troll

Has some interesting crystal and sonic abilities and can create and shape crystals and gemstones. A literal gold mine but it is brittle and vulnerable to piercing attacks. It would be a nice choice if it was not for the added vulnerability.

[tier 4] Troll Colossus

It is also a kind of giant. Very big, but has a lot of prowess and might-based abilities. Almost unbeatable in hand-to-hand combat and can demolish buildings. But it might tower thirty feet tall.

[tier 4] Shadow Troll

Lots of evil and shadow powers. A sort of troll assassin. Has vulnerability to sunlight and light element damage, spare me from having another vulnerability.

[tier 4] Chaos Troll

Also prone to losing its temper and has a tendency to mess things up just for the kicks.

[tier 4] Cave Troll

Turns to stone if exposed to sunlight. Nuff said.

[tier 4] Night Troll

Vulnerable to light and sunlight. Very strong during the night though.

[tier 4] High Troll

An evolved and more civilized version of a troll. But doesn't bring much novelty to the table.

[tier 4] Troll Knight

An armored brute that can control a battlefield. Tough as an adamantite plate.

[tier 5] Troll Mage

Very offensive caster with lots of elemental magic to shoot. Kinda lame because the magical jobs already cover most of it.

[tier 5] Troll King

It is also a big one, around twenty feet tall. But has lots of leadership and monster controlling skills that only king-type races get. It means abandoning all the tier four behind.

[tier 5] Qliphoth Dimensional Troll

Same problems with the berserker and chaos troll but in a larger scale. The only upside is that it can slip between dimensions and get to unreachable places, but really? This thing thrives on negative emotions. Pass.

[tier 5] Half-Dragon Half-Troll

Has several skills and powers unique to dragons. It is a solid tier five choice, but maybe later.

[tier 6] Troll Demigod

Has lots of special divine powers but it is an evolutionary dead end. And I have no intention of going down this path straight away. Or ever, for the matter. Sounds like a lot of trouble. Sorry, wing-guy.

After showing them the list I continue.

"The struck out options are the ones I won't consider for the moment. The tier 3 options are no longer available, as you cannot go back a tier in your evolution path."

There is an awkward silence in the room. Zahariel is the one to break it, "So the big guy will become really big. Well, I'm looking forward to your evolution."

The girls have a sour look. "Are you that uncomfortable with me getting a lot taller? I won't be able to enter this house, that is true. But it won't be for too long."

Helen goes first, "No! It is just that we will be without you for another sixteen days!"

And then Marcy, "Could you postpone it to tomorrow? The first parties will go into the dungeon today, and there might be some problems only you can adjust. Like the flow of mana and the levels."

"And then we give our goodbyes tonight?"

"Yes!"

The rest of the day was dedicated to spending time with the two girls and monitoring the dungeon. I set some of the furniture of Julius' mansion in the core room. The parties were entering the dungeon with half-hour intervals. We gave them a stern warning not to kite monsters to the safe zone, make a mob train or kill steal and to ask for help if another party was having trouble with a fight. Basic dungeon etiquette. I doubt any of them will have any problems until the third floor. I positioned some evolved goblins in the fourth-floor landing to usher stragglers out. Helen was responsible for bringing them food. Since there are springs of fresh water near every staircase landing, the only concern is food.

A total of ten parties ventured in the dungeon today. Six of them went back after the second floor and four of them reached the goblins. They were requested to communicate to the other citizens that did not enter what goes on inside. Defeating a boss is not a requirement to go down a level. Just reach the stairs. The boss can be anywhere on the floor.

We spent the night together, talking and making the best of our time. Helen is very excited about the new larvae I brought her. I think her queen-bee bee will be already hatched by the time I wake up.

And finally, it is time to evolve again. Troll Colossus. I've used the core to dig a big enough room below the fifth floor and set this room as a safe zone.

Evolution from Troll Shaman to Troll Colossus began.

And again I black out against my will by the evolution process...

Evolution Successful. Grendel has evolved into a [4] Troll Colossus. Periodic soul vessel corruption incurred. Soul vessel corruption increased by 3%. Current status: 46% Skill Colossal Toughness [B] awakened. Skill Colossal Prowess [B] awakened. Skill Siege Monster [D] awakened. Skill Growth [C] awakened. Skill Colossal Might [C] awakened. Skill Terrifying Presence [C] awakened. Skill Colossal Endurance [B] awakened. Skill Intimidating Presence merged into Terrifying Presence [C] level 4.

Heh, a skill in the 'Might' series popped up.

Damn, I am big. Easily triple the size of good old Grendel MK I. And there is an active skill to become even bigger. I'll set up my skills first and then go show my new self around.