Chapter 123: Cryptblade Sentinel

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Cryptblade Sentinel

[Gravebound Counter

After successfully blocking or evading an enemy’s attack, the Commander channels death energy into its weapon and launches a powerful counterstrike. The attack becomes more effective when the opponent commits heavily to an offensive move, rewarding the Commander for reading its enemy’s fighting style.]

The more he read, the more satisfied he became with the system’s selection.

"There are so many useful monsters here that choosing just one is becoming a problem." Ragnar muttered, leaning back against his throne.

After browsing for a while longer, Ragnar returned to the Cryptblade Sentinel’s information window.

"Let’s see. The Hollowgrave Arcanists can provide ranged support, the Veilstalker Wraiths can ambush enemies, and the Sepulcher Knights can strengthen other undead. They’re all good choices, but I think I’ll start with the Cryptblade Sentinels."

He enlarged their description and carefully reviewed their skills again.

After some thought, he returned to the Cryptblade Sentinel’s information window.

"Let’s start with these guys. The Ancient Ruins need a proper frontline before I start adding spellcasters and assassins."

Ragnar’s smile widened.

"All right."

He opened the recruitment interface.

[Monster Recruitment]

[Monster: Cryptblade Sentinel]

[Level: 40]

[Race: Undead]

[Classification: Normal Monster]

[Recruitment Package: 5 Units]

[Required Soul Points: 20]

[Confirm Recruitment?]

Ragnar glanced at his Soul Point balance.

[Current Soul Points: 76]

He selected the recruitment package three times.

[Cryptblade Sentinel Recruitment]

[Package Quantity: 3]

[Total Monsters: 15]

[Required Soul Points: 60]

[Confirm Recruitment?]

Ragnar didn’t hesitate.

"Confirm."

The system interface flashed brightly, and sixty Soul Points vanished from his reserves.

[Recruitment Successful]

[Cryptblade Sentinels Added: 15 Units]

[Current Population: 15]

[Remaining Soul Points: 16]

Ragnar examined the updated information with satisfaction.

Ragnar examined the updated information with satisfaction.

"Fifteen. That’s a good start."

He had spent most of his accumulated resources, but the purchase was worthwhile. The Ancient Ruins would no longer be an empty region waiting for adventurers to walk through it. Fifteen Level 40 undead warriors now belonged to its defenses, and their skills would make them far more troublesome than ordinary monsters of the same level.

He opened the second-floor map and selected the Ancient Ruins.

The layout of the area appeared before him, displaying its branching corridors, ruined chambers, collapsed pillars, and broad halls. Since the ruins had already been constructed as part of the dungeon, Ragnar only needed to determine where his newly recruited monsters would be stationed.

He began assigning their positions.

Five Cryptblade Sentinels would guard the main passage leading into the ruins. Their purpose was straightforward: stop adventurers from advancing too quickly and force them to engage the defenders before reaching the deeper chambers.

Another five would occupy a large hall farther inside. The room was wide enough to accommodate a full party, but several broken pillars and partially collapsed walls divided the available space. Those obstacles would prevent adventurers from freely surrounding the Sentinels and allow the undead warriors to take advantage of the terrain.

The remaining five would be stationed near an intersection connecting several corridors.

That location was particularly important. Adventurers who managed to break through the first defensive line might assume the worst was over, only to encounter another group guarding the routes ahead. Meanwhile, parties attempting to bypass the main hall could find themselves facing the final group of Sentinels.

Ragnar studied the arrangement for a while before nodding.

"That should do for now. They can defend three separate positions, and I won’t have to worry about all fifteen of them being defeated in a single encounter."

Ragnar closed the map and returned to the main interface.

[Dungeon Management]

[Second Floor]

Dead Forest

Graveyard

Ancient Ruins

[Ancient Ruins]

[Cryptblade Sentinel: 15/40]

He stared at the final line for a moment.

"Sixteen Soul Points left. I could save them for now, or start preparing for the next purchase once I’ve accumulated enough."

He had several options. He could eventually recruit Hollowgrave Arcanists to provide magical support, or purchase Veilstalker Wraiths to ambush adventurers who tried to bypass the Sentinels. The Sepulcher Knights were another possibility, although their supportive abilities would overlap somewhat with the defensive coordination already provided by Phantom Formation.

For the moment, however, he decided not to make another purchase.

The dungeon still needed resources to recover from battles, and he had learned the hard way that spending every Soul Point as soon as it became available was not a wise strategy.

He would keep the remaining points as a reserve.

"Fifteen Level 40 undead warriors should be enough to give the Ancient Ruins a proper beginning," Ragnar said. "Once the adventurers start reaching this area, I’ll see how they perform and decide what kind of support they need."

Ragnar leaned back against his throne, looking at the dungeon management interface with a satisfied expression.

However, after admiring his work for a while, Ragnar suddenly found himself at a loss for what to do next.

He closed the interface and glanced around the throne room.

Kaelira and Veyra were standing nearby, discussing their training plans. The two women had been spending more time refining their abilities lately, especially after Ragnar upgraded Veyra to Level 35.

Meanwhile, the monsters were stationed in their respective areas, the adventurers were busy exploring the dungeon, and the system continued recording everything that happened inside its walls.

In other words, there was nothing that particularly required his attention at the moment.

Ragnar rested his chin against one hand.

"...Being a Dungeon Master is pretty boring."

Once the monsters had been deployed and the dungeon was running smoothly, there was surprisingly little for him to do. He can’t even get out of the dungeon.

He couldn’t constantly watch the adventurers fight, nor could he spend every waking moment browsing the monster shop. There were only so many times he could examine the same status screens before the process became tedious.

Even the dungeon’s growth depended largely on the adventurers entering in.

Ragnar let out a sigh.

"If I keep sitting here every day, I’m going to turn into a statue before this dungeon reaches its full potential."

He glanced at Kaelira and Veyra, then looked toward the enormous doors of the throne room.

Suddenly, another thought entered his mind.