DP (Dungeon Points) accumulate as monsters continue to live in the dungeon, and it seems I have a good amount now.
Itโs about time to figure out how to use it. Itโd be a waste to let it just sit there.
First, Iโm thinking of increasing the monster population limit to improve farm work efficiencyโฆ 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.
โLord Evilham! The humans are here again!โ
โHumans? You mean those guys with Geat ?โ
โYes, they look just like peasants.โ
Good. The hero party isnโt here yet. Iโd 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.
โHey, Littleham. You said โthose guys,โ right?โ
โYes, I did.โ
โSoโฆ thereโs more than one human this time?โ
โYes.โ
Are you kidding me? I thought it was just Geat . But maybe itโs a good thing if I can handle them all at once.
I appeared in front of Geat and his companions.
โWelcome, Geat .โ
โEvilham, pleaseโฆ let us work here.โ
Geat bowed, but the other farmers didnโt seem too thrilled with the idea, glaring at me with undisguised hostility.
โGeat , can we really trust this guy?โ
โHey, donโt say that in front of Evilham.โ
Geat tried to calm the young man behind him, though I could understand the farmersโ feelings. I donโt mind what they say.
Naturally, they wouldnโt 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, โHell hath no fury like a grudge over food.โ In a village where food is scarce, their grudge would only run deeper.
โIโm only here because I was worried about Geat . I havenโt completely put my trust in you.โ
โYeah, donโt think giving us some nice bread makes up for what youโve done!โ
Iโm clearly disliked here. But thatโs fine. Even though it wasnโt by my direct actions, the fault still lies on my side.
โI really am sorry about that. I know apologies donโt make up for what I did. However, Iโve turned over a new leaf. Would you grant me a chance to make amends?โ
I bowed to the humans, and Littleham started panicking.
โL-Lord Evilham! Please, donโt bow to a human. Youโre the ruler of this dungeon!โ
โItโs fine, Littleham. Weโve done something that merits this bow.โ
When I lowered my head, the humans who had been jeering suddenly fell silent. They hadnโt 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.
โEvilham, where should we work?โ
โWell, letโs start with the wheat field. Weโre short-staffed there.โ
Weโve been focusing resources on growing blueberries and sugarcane, so the wheat team has been understaffed.
While we have wheat in reserve, weโll need more to make bread for the humans as well.
โGot it. Everyone, letโs go. Weโll work for the village!โ
โWell, if Geat says soโฆโ
The farmers followed Geat to the wheat field.
โHey, look, humans! What are you here for?โ
The monsters eyed Geat and his companions with curiosity. I should probably smooth things over here.
โThese humans will be working in the fields with us from today. Treat them kindly, and donโt pick any fights.โ
โHumans, huh? Guess weโll be working together then. Nice to meet you.โ
The monsters took to the humans surprisingly well, and Geat โs group, despite their initial wariness, began working on the farm.
โAll right, letโs go, everyone!โ
โYes!โ
Geat and his companions set to work, their efficiency putting us monsters to shame.
โW-wowโฆ theyโre fast!โ
The monsters were stunned by the speed and precision of Geat โs groupโs work.
None of the monsters here specialize in farming, but Geat โs group has done this their whole lives, and their experience far surpasses that of the monsters.
โWow, theyโre amazingโฆโ
โDo we even need anyone else?โ
Geat โs group was so impressive that the monsters were starting to wonder if they should handle all the work.
โLooks like itโs time to adjust the plan.โ
Thanks to Geat โs 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 โs group, I can make a better choice.
โExpanding the dungeon and setting it as farmlandโฆโ
[Dungeon expansion initiated.]
A rumbling sound came from afar.
โWhatโs going on?โ
The monsters were surprised by the dungeonโs expansion.
โAll right, farmlandโs set up. Now, what should we plant here?โ
Wheat, blueberries, sugarcaneโฆ potatoes might be good next. Theyโre a great crop to stave off hunger.
โAll right! Monsters previously assigned to the wheat field, gather over here!โ
โYes, sir!โ
The monsters gathered around me, looking excited as they awaited instructions.
โI just expanded the dungeon. Weโve got new farmland, so Iโd like you to work there.โ
โUnderstood!โ
This will make gathering food even more efficient.
While monitoring the farmโs progress and thinking about future dungeon expansions, Geat โs group came over.
โEvilham, weโve finished todayโs work. Weโll be heading back now.โ
โOf course. You have your village life too. Stay safe.โ
โThanks.โ
Geat and his group left the dungeon. They really are efficient workers.
โYou guys can rest now too.โ
โYes, sir!โ
Monsters have their limits too. Overworking them could lead to exhaustion, and itโs 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 ordersโitโs all quite tiring.
Even if Iโm not physically crafting materials, thereโs still plenty to do.
The life of a dungeon manager is hard work. If I donโt 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.
โโฆAh, maybe I should make a hot spring.โ
At that moment, my next goal became clear.