DP (Dungeon Points) accumulate as monsters continue to live in the dungeon, and it seems I have a good amount now.
It’s about time to figure out how to use it. It’d be a waste to let it just sit there.
First, I’m thinking of increasing the monster population limit to improve farm work efficiency… and from there, I could consider expanding the dungeon.
Just as I was about to activate the crystal in the dungeon, Littleham came rushing toward me.
“Lord Evilham! The humans are here again!”
“Humans? You mean those guys with Geat ?”
“Yes, they look just like peasants.”
Good. The hero party isn’t here yet. I’d have no chance of winning if they were.
I sighed in relief and was about to head over to where Geat and the others were when something gave me pause.
“Hey, Littleham. You said ‘those guys,’ right?”
“Yes, I did.”
“So… there’s more than one human this time?”
“Yes.”
Are you kidding me? I thought it was just Geat . But maybe it’s a good thing if I can handle them all at once.
I appeared in front of Geat and his companions.
“Welcome, Geat .”
“Evilham, please… let us work here.”
Geat bowed, but the other farmers didn’t seem too thrilled with the idea, glaring at me with undisguised hostility.
“Geat , can we really trust this guy?”
“Hey, don’t say that in front of Evilham.”
Geat tried to calm the young man behind him, though I could understand the farmers’ feelings. I don’t mind what they say.
Naturally, they wouldn’t forgive anyone who took away their precious food supplies.
Even in modern-day Japan, where we live in an era of abundance, the saying goes, “Hell hath no fury like a grudge over food.” In a village where food is scarce, their grudge would only run deeper.
“I’m only here because I was worried about Geat . I haven’t completely put my trust in you.”
“Yeah, don’t think giving us some nice bread makes up for what you’ve done!”
I’m clearly disliked here. But that’s fine. Even though it wasn’t by my direct actions, the fault still lies on my side.
“I really am sorry about that. I know apologies don’t make up for what I did. However, I’ve turned over a new leaf. Would you grant me a chance to make amends?”
I bowed to the humans, and Littleham started panicking.
“L-Lord Evilham! Please, don’t bow to a human. You’re the ruler of this dungeon!”
“It’s fine, Littleham. We’ve done something that merits this bow.”
When I lowered my head, the humans who had been jeering suddenly fell silent. They hadn’t expected me to bow.
I could crush an average person with ease if I wanted to. Seeing someone as strong as me bow probably left them unsure of how to react.
“Evilham, where should we work?”
“Well, let’s start with the wheat field. We’re short-staffed there.”
We’ve been focusing resources on growing blueberries and sugarcane, so the wheat team has been understaffed.
While we have wheat in reserve, we’ll need more to make bread for the humans as well.
“Got it. Everyone, let’s go. We’ll work for the village!”
“Well, if Geat says so…”
The farmers followed Geat to the wheat field.
“Hey, look, humans! What are you here for?”
The monsters eyed Geat and his companions with curiosity. I should probably smooth things over here.
“These humans will be working in the fields with us from today. Treat them kindly, and don’t pick any fights.”
“Humans, huh? Guess we’ll be working together then. Nice to meet you.”
The monsters took to the humans surprisingly well, and Geat ’s group, despite their initial wariness, began working on the farm.
“All right, let’s go, everyone!”
“Yes!”
Geat and his companions set to work, their efficiency putting us monsters to shame.
“W-wow… they’re fast!”
The monsters were stunned by the speed and precision of Geat ’s group’s work.
None of the monsters here specialize in farming, but Geat ’s group has done this their whole lives, and their experience far surpasses that of the monsters.
“Wow, they’re amazing…”
“Do we even need anyone else?”
Geat ’s group was so impressive that the monsters were starting to wonder if they should handle all the work.
“Looks like it’s time to adjust the plan.”
Thanks to Geat ’s team, farm work is going much more smoothly. We might be able to leave the wheat field entirely to them. That would free up the monsters previously assigned to wheat farming.
Rather than raising the monster population limit, it might be better to expand the dungeon and create new farmland.
Thanks to Geat ’s group, I can make a better choice.
“Expanding the dungeon and setting it as farmland…”
[Dungeon expansion initiated.]
A rumbling sound came from afar.
“What’s going on?”
The monsters were surprised by the dungeon’s expansion.
“All right, farmland’s set up. Now, what should we plant here?”
Wheat, blueberries, sugarcane… potatoes might be good next. They’re a great crop to stave off hunger.
“All right! Monsters previously assigned to the wheat field, gather over here!”
“Yes, sir!”
The monsters gathered around me, looking excited as they awaited instructions.
“I just expanded the dungeon. We’ve got new farmland, so I’d like you to work there.”
“Understood!”
This will make gathering food even more efficient.
While monitoring the farm’s progress and thinking about future dungeon expansions, Geat ’s group came over.
“Evilham, we’ve finished today’s work. We’ll be heading back now.”
“Of course. You have your village life too. Stay safe.”
“Thanks.”
Geat and his group left the dungeon. They really are efficient workers.
“You guys can rest now too.”
“Yes, sir!”
Monsters have their limits too. Overworking them could lead to exhaustion, and it’s important to give them adequate rest to prevent deaths from overwork.
While monsters would eventually respawn until reaching the population cap, if they work themselves to death, DP generation slows down.
Creating a good environment for monsters is the key to building a better dungeon.
Now, I should get some rest too. Planning, managing the dungeon, monitoring everyone, giving orders—it’s all quite tiring.
Even if I’m not physically crafting materials, there’s still plenty to do.
The life of a dungeon manager is hard work. If I don’t rest when I can, I might end up dying from overwork myself.
I returned to my quarters to sleep, but I still felt mentally exhausted.
I need something to help me recover my energy and spirit so I can rest peacefully.
“…Ah, maybe I should make a hot spring.”
At that moment, my next goal became clear.
