“Now, gather everyone.”
Celia’s voice echoed through the dungeon.
After confirming the changed appearance of the dungeon, she commanded the Skeleton Knight.
Rumors about the dungeon were still spreading throughout the kingdom.
Soon, adventurers who heard the rumors would come to the dungeon.
Celia gathered the monsters in preparation for that time.
“Ah, tell Riche-ssi she doesn’t need to come and to continue planting plants.”
She needed everyone except for one Vampire who shouldn’t have come.
*Clap!*
The Skeleton Knight saluted with his left hand and rushed out.
A moment later, everyone except for some monsters defending the dungeon had gathered in Sector 1, Layer 2.
“Hmm. I will speak separately with Necros-ssi and Death Knight-ssi as soon as they arrive.”
Necros had become independent as the owner of the Satellite Dungeon.
Death Knight had been dispatched to construct such a satellite dungeon, so neither of them was currently in the dungeon.
Even so, it was an important discussion, so they were summoned.
There were limits to discussing matters through Shadows.
Celia confirmed that everyone had gathered and started the meeting.
“The reason I called you all here is none other than this. Adventurers are expected to flock here soon, so I summoned you to prepare for it.”
In short, humans were invading the dungeon.
The monsters remained unfazed by Celia’s words.
Not a single one was disturbed or afraid.
After all, their given mission was to protect the dungeon.
It was most honorable to defend the domain of the Great One, so they did not fear even death.
Rather, they burned with the will to punish the foolish humans who dared to invade the dungeon.
However, everyone was perplexed by Celia’s next words.
“However, you should not stop all the adventurers.”
“?”
What did that mean?
The monsters looked clearly confused by the sudden order. Humans intruding into a sacred space and being told to just let them be was an incomprehensible situation.
Except for the Undead, who showed no change in expression, everyone wore an expression of not understanding the meaning.
“Kuhk, what do you mean by that? Shouldn’t we stop intruders?”
The Goblin Lord leading the Goblins also couldn’t understand.
Celia briefly explained the current situation for those who couldn’t understand.
She continued, saying that the offerings to the Master had decreased as adventurer visits to the dungeon had recently stopped.
She explained briefly that absent intruders meant no offerings, which could anger the Master.
“So, I leaked the dungeon’s location to the humans. What we need to do is make sure humans keep coming to the dungeon.”
Only then did the monsters nod as if they understood.
The act of offering to the Master was a display of both sanctity and loyalty.
But not offering sacrifices?
A sense of crisis that they might be misunderstood spread among the monsters.
“Kuhk! That absolutely cannot happen!”
The Goblin Lord also recognized the gravity of the situation.
As everyone recognized the seriousness, Celia continued speaking with a more relaxed expression.
“So, please try your best to stop the adventurers. However, imprint upon them how dangerous and attractive this dungeon is.”
Even though rumors were spreading among humans, it was still too early to be at ease.
Rumors were like fire.
They would spread quickly at first, but if there was no fuel, the fire would gradually cool down.
Therefore, she would continue to add fuel to this rumor.
However, moderation was important in all things.
What would happen if the number of adventurers sent back alive was too high?
Then the rumors would spread even faster.
But humans would underestimate the dungeon’s strength.
Then even trivial insects would be attracted.
No matter how much offerings were needed for the Master, allowing such unworthy insects to set foot here?
Celia could not tolerate such a sight.
“That said, you shouldn’t block them too strongly either.”
If they responded too strongly, the adventurers’ will would hit rock bottom.
This was akin to removing fuel from the rumors.
Before long, adventurers’ interest would rapidly decline.
Moreover, there was a risk of attracting high-level adventurers or the attention of other countries.
Celia desired a moderate level.
She was prepared to stop any enemy that came.
However, her ultimate goal was to offer the entire continent to the Master.
She aimed for a process of moving slowly but steadily.
There was no need to create variables by attracting attention too early.
She wanted a situation where adventurers continued to challenge, but were not subjugated, like other dungeons, and rumors spread with the hope that they could eventually conquer the dungeon.
“Now, I hope you all think and think about how you will stop the adventurers.”
Originally, it would have been better to explain in more detail. However, Celia left the matter of how to deal with adventurers to each of them to consider.
From now on, the monsters had to learn to think and respond on their own.
At least, that was what Celia thought.
‘I don’t think I need to worry about Necros-ssi and Death Knight-ssi.’
After all, Death Knight was the sub-boss of Sector 1, and Necros was the owner managing a dungeon, so she didn’t have many worries.
Most importantly, Celia intended to select monsters that stood out from now on.
‘There must be a reason why the Master created a new dungeon.’
The creation of a new dungeon.
Was this the only time she created a dungeon?
Absolutely not.
For the future, Celia planned to thoroughly manage the monsters from now on and nurture those who stood out.
When a new dungeon was created later, another monster like Necros would become its owner.
If their forces were depleted each time, it would mean she was not fulfilling her duties as Chief Administrator.
‘This is also a test.’
Celia nodded slightly with a firm expression.
Wasn’t it her mission to always understand the words and will of the Great One?
Therefore, Celia decided to slightly change the dungeon’s system this time.
“Next, we will select candidates for the Layer 1 Guardian.”
Of course, Celia did not have the authority to select the guardian of a layer.
She could only make recommendations to the Master, but with Necros now the owner of a new dungeon, the position of Layer 1 Guardian was vacant.
This was the conclusion she reached, as the vacancy should not continue in the future.
She planned to first select candidates for the guardian of the layer and then make a recommendation to the Master.
“Goblin Lord-ssi. I appoint you as a candidate for the Layer 1 Guardian.”
Celia’s choice was naturally the Goblin Lord.
When the Chief Administrator, she had managed the dungeon in her stead.
Furthermore, the scouts who scouted the forest around the dungeon were made up of Goblins, and the fire brigade established to prepare for fire situations was also made up of Goblins.
Since Goblins were effectively responsible for most of Layer 1, it was appropriate for the Goblin Lord to be the Layer Guardian.
However, if that happened, Sector 2 of Layer 1 would become vacant of its sub-boss.
“Goblin Lord-ssi, please think about a successor starting today.”
The most likely successors would be the Half-Goblins.
The only 4-star among the Goblins.
Moreover, as a Goblin born from a human, the amount of mana they possessed was exceptional.
The only regrettable thing was that the Half-Goblins were still young.
Perhaps because they were born from humans.
Their growth rate was significantly slower than that of regular Goblins.
However, if they grew, they would be a great asset to the dungeon.
“Understood!”
The Goblin Lord said with a solemn expression.
“Next, Sector 3…”
Sector 3 was still vacant of a sub-boss.
Normally, Baalcherit would have become the sub-boss, but Celia did not allow it.
It wasn’t out of jealousy or any other emotion.
Even the great Master had not placed Baalcherit in the sub-boss position.
If he had needed it, he would have done so long ago.
There must have been a reason, so Baalcherit was excluded from the sub-boss of Sector 3.
Celia pondered for a moment, then called Aren.
“Aren.”
“Yes!”
Aren responded to Celia’s question with a bright voice.
“Aren, you will be the one managing Sector 3 starting today. In return, I will let you eat as many Blood-sucking Butterflies as you want.”
In fact, this was impossible as Aren was not affiliated with the dungeon.
However, hadn’t she been contributing to the dungeon for a long time?
Also, the reproductive ability of Blood-sucking Butterflies was constant, so she could give such benefits.
Celia appointed Aren as the honorary sub-boss of Sector 3.
“Yay! Butterfly friends are yummy friends!”
Aren said with a pleased expression and took out her squirrel friend from her pocket.
Upon seeing that, the Elf Nariel scowled.
“No, Aren-yang. Squirrels are not food…!”
Before Nariel’s words finished, the squirrel friend went into Aren’s mouth.
Now that Aren had become the honorary sub-boss of Sector 3, all sectors had their own established systems.
Celia continued her speech.
“Next, we plan to establish a new unit.”
The currently actively operating unit is the scout team.
However, the primary duty of the scout team was to patrol the forest and detect threats in advance.
It was a unit with a defensive nature.
But with adventurers expected to come continuously from now on, one scout team would not be enough.
Therefore, Celia agonized over creating a new unit.
A unit with a different nature from the scout team.
“I will name this unit the Assault Team.”
An assault team that focused solely on offense, not defense.
“Berter-ssi will be the head of the Assault Team.”
Berter was a 4-star monster who had become a Dullahan by being killed by Death Knight.
He was a being who pursued only strength, making him suitable as the head of the Assault Team.
“De…monic Sword…, De…monic Sword…”
Berter’s head, held in his hand, muttered something.
His condition did not seem good, but he was a being with a clear goal of pursuing strength.
“Sigh, Berter-ssi, feel free to take the equipment of the adventurers you defeated. Well, if you’re lucky, maybe there will be a Demonic Sword among them?”
Along with Aren, Celia gave Berter a benefit.
Of course, ordinary adventurers wouldn’t have a Demonic Sword, but Berter was different.
“De…monic Sword! Mine…!”
As soon as Celia finished speaking, Berter’s head gleamed with a grotesque smile.
Then, he went out of the dungeon.
“De…monic Sword! Mine!”
With that appearance, even bordering on madness, the Assault Team seemed to have no worries.
“I will need to replenish the Assault Team’s forces soon.”
The Assault Team’s forces were planned to consist of Skeletons and Zombies.
Undead monsters that rushed into enemy lines without hesitation were the best soldiers for the Assault Team.
*Clap*
Celia lightly clapped her hands after finishing the delivery.
The major points had all been conveyed.
It was time to return to their respective posts.
“Now, this meeting will end here. Please do not forget what I have said and reflect on how to deal with the adventurers.”
As Celia smiled, everyone began to return to their respective sectors.
