Page 19

I sighed. I know Ancient beings don't get along with each other easily, however, why are Hestia and Valentyn fighting? I mean, based on their language alone, it seemed like they knew each other. 

"Why are you here, you weakling vampire baby?!" Hestia shouted at Valentyn. 

"I could say the same thing to you, you old hag of a dragon!" Valentyn shouted back. 

They were playfighting with each other, and while I say "playfighting", it's more like two toddlers fighting each other. They were pinching each other's cheeks and causing a big mess. It happened because after finishing the snacks Mr. Greg had provided, he was recalled and then the two of us descended to my dungeon. 

Hestia made her floating island move to be right above my dungeon for easy access to her resources. After she was done, I guided her through the first floor and the second floor taking in feedback from an experienced dungeon master at the same time. And it was only then when we reached the third floor's entrance that the two of them met. 

They first did a little staring contest and then got into a playfight. I mean, I think it's just their way of showing love or appreciation for each other. I could see Hestia actively trying not to punch or jab at Valentyn's wounds and vitals and Valentyn did the same. 

I initially watched them fight for the sake of entertainment, although the slave girl quickly acquired my attention. 

She timidly walked up to where I was standing, "W-welcome back, master," she said before handing me a report. The report was a sheet of paper made from the wood of a tree on the second floor and there was some writing on the paper. "Here is a report I compiled when you were gone..." 

I smiled at her thoughtfulness, "Thanks." I said. The slave girl nodded her head and bowed before leaving. Wait, did her clothes change? I certainly do not remember her wearing a white dress similar to mine. I dismissed the thought as reading the report would be more important. 

This is when I learnt about the recent attacks on my dungeon. The slave girl drew up small profile sketches of the three heroes who led the attack on my dungeon along with their names, some abilities and weapons. 

The most powerful hero who attacked my dungeon was called Akane Katsuko. She's a short yet powerful hero with black hair and red coloured bangs who wields a giant greatsword. Her main abilities include "Armor Shattering", "Internal Shockwave" and "Thousand Strength". I guess she's a person of pure destruction since she chose those skills from Iona. 

This was pretty important information—no, vital information to have. As for the other two heroes, they were most likely merely followers of Akane Katsuko. They aren't as strong as Akane but still have great potential. The tall and long black-haired girl with a white flower crown on her head is Saki Tanaka, and the other; a little shorter and more chubby girl is Nanako Kato. 

I probably won't remember these guys so let's just call them Mob 1 and Mob 2 for remembrance's sake. Now Mob 1 seems to be a support or healer located in the rearguard and Mob 2 is a vanguard like Akane, but her main job is to block attacks and create large enough openings so Akane could finish the job. It's a pretty well-balanced party of three, so it's no wonder they're this powerful. 

Although they might be quite useful in promoting my dungeon to the other heroes located in Orth, they are challenging it a bit too often. I'm pretty sure they're the heroes that faced Valentyn initially when I went to request Miriel's help on fixing the third floor, and again when I left to recruit Hestia. 

I have to finish up the dungeon by the end of this week to generate numbers to present to Lord Raphael. I'm aiming for at least roughly a hundred challengers per week by the end of this month and since there are only twenty-nine days left, I gotta start focusing on my work. No more distractions, I swear! 

I should also keep track of the days I have remaining by putting the dates up here and there.

Maybe I should go to recruit some monsters for the first floor. If Akane, Mob 1 and 2 attack again, they should buy Valentyn some time. After all, for the next month, I would be mostly out of my dungeon to recruit guardians or normal floor monsters and I can't depend on Miriel either. 

Alright! Let's get Hestia settled into my dungeon and then I'll leave once again to recruit some monsters. I should ask her about the habitats of monsters. Basing this off a stereotype, I should check large and dense forests or go to a human city to learn more about monsters from warriors who hunt them. 

They're normally called "adventurers", although the name might shift from universe to universe or from world to world. Oh yeah! I could visit Jiro for information about the heroes. It's been a while since I last heard from him. That would make perfect sense. He already knows that I'm an angel, and then he hunts monsters so he should know where their habitats are and since he's close to the King of Orth, I could also gather some intel on the important decisions Orth would make. 

"Ahem!" I called out to the playfighting duo. "Stop fighting, you two. There's nothing positive that comes from this. Can't your greetings be a little more normal?" 

I sighed. It's a bit frustrating to waste my limited time dealing with these guys.

"Excuse me for the unsightly greeting," Hestia replied. "It's been thousands of years since I've last seen Valentyn, so I just had to test him a little." 

"Didn't I say not to do that in the past? Or is it that your memory has been affected by your age?" Valentyn complained. 

A small vein poked out of Hestia's forehead. I pray to you, Valentyn. Insulting a woman about their age would mean death for sure. As for me? I'm not too offended when someone tells me that I'm old. I know that. But! Nevertheless, I will give a small punch to the stomach to the person who says that to me. 

"You want to repeat that, Valentyn? I'm sure you will be quite glad talking to my fist." 

He shuddered. "Uh, no thanks. Just... forget what I said." 

"That's a good answer. So? What do you want to know about, little junior?" 

"Oh. Uh... nothing much. I was just about to tell you that I'm about to head out to recruit some monsters for my dungeon." I pointed up, towards the path that leads up towards the second floor. 

Hestia unexpectedly giggled—no, laughed. 

"I see you still have a large amount of content to learn. Watch this first." Hestia extended her arm and spread her fingers as far apart from each other as she could. She then closed her eyes to focus, before a dim light appeared under the palm of her hand. 

Valentyn nudged my shoulder with his,

"I believe that's a summoning circle. Summoning circles call forth beings that the user had subdued previously." he whispered in my ear. 

"Come forth." Hestia called out. 

A strong gust blasted out from the summoning circle and a small being appeared in place of the summoning circle. I wasn't blinded by the strong wind, so I was able to clearly see what the small being was. It was a goblin.

The goblin was around three-fourths of my height and had pale green skin that perfectly blended in with the grass it was summoned on. It carried a black and white dagger, with many, many chips on the blade. 

A blacksmith would certainly faint on the spot if they saw the condition of the goblin's sword. Along with the chips on the blade, the leather grip was almost peeling off and the leather also had many battle scars on it. 

In an unexpected turn of events, the goblin bowed and lowered its head, displaying respect for its master—Hestia.

"This is the first monster that I summoned when I was a dungeon master. Meet Mr. Go!" she proudly said to the two of us. 

Yeah, Mr. Go... is it? Hestia has some poor taste in names as well. I should never let her name anything in my dungeon.