Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 700- First Grade Countries

Like a web of energy, these mana lines pulsed with power, facilitating the rapid transfer of mystical energy from the crystals to Simon's being.

The efficiency of the process was remarkable. As Simon maintained his concentration and directed his mana flow, the energy from multiple crystals merged and surged into him simultaneously.

The pale blue haze around Simon's body intensified, reflecting the immense influx of power. Level 540… level 541… One by one, the crystals transformed into empty husks, their energy fully absorbed by Simon.

The speed at which he absorbed them was a testament to his skill and proficiency in mana manipulation. What would have taken hours or even days using conventional methods was now accomplished in a fraction of the time.

Feeling the effects of the absorption coursing through him, Simon couldn't help but smile. He could sense a profound transformation occurring within him. The level he had gained from the mana crystals resonated throughout his being.

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Time flew by and soon as the last of the remnant energy dissipated from the empty husks, the absorption process was complete. Simon stood in his place while silently reflecting on the changes and the increased capabilities of his body from the level ups he had gone through.

This method of training was quite efficient, by combining the skills of [Mana Flow] and [Mana Lines], he had unlocked a faster and more effective way of assimilating the energy from the mana crystals.

Simon reckoned that the entire process had only taken him a little over ten hours. This was no doubt a breakthrough that would undoubtedly save him precious time and allow him to allocate his efforts to other important tasks in the future.

Satisfied with the results, Simon collected the remaining mana crystals and stored them away for future use. He knew that these precious resources were the lifeblood of his dungeon, powering its systems and enabling its growth.

Now that the pale blue haze surrounding him had faded, Simon got up from his place with a renewed sense of vigour and strength.

A dungeon master has many tasks, as such he couldn't spend all of his time in his personal training. He also had to look after the dungeon that was his home.

Fortunately for Simon, he got many capable subordinates who carried some of his burdens for him.

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"The current dungeon exploration progress has reached the 71st floor. The guild leading the exploration is called 'Blades of Ascension,' hailing from the kingdom of Eldoria".

Inside one of the majestic halls of the White Palace, designated as the workplace, Simon sat on his seat listening to the reports from Jarred.

Now that Coleus was assigned as the head of the Research and Development division tasked with mutation and breeding of the monsters of dungeon Laplace, Jarred became the proxy leader of the [Helpers].

The fifteen year old boy had grown quite a bit in these past few years and had broken out of his immature shell to become a dependable young man.

Of course, there were other candidates for the proxy leader of the [Helpers] like Birch. However, they all pushed for Jarred to take on that role believing in him. Since that was the case, Simon also had no qualms.

He had already seen the work ethic of the boy and knew how diligent he was. Simon nodded his head, taking in the information.

 "How are they faring so far?".

"Their progress has been steady, but not without challenges," Jarred replied. "The numerous arrays you told us to lay across the lower floors of the dungeon, is proving to be quite effective. It has marginally slowed down the adventurer's progress".

"Additionally, thanks to Fey's and her team's ideas to create various kinds of tricky areas and danger zones, it made clearing the floors even more treacherous. Leader Coleus' mutated monsters are also impeding their advance".

With the Dungeon Laplace rapidly becoming famous for the riches and allure it held in the surrounding region, it attracted over many strong guilds from the distant countries. They have set up their base in the tower town and are exploring the dungeon frequently.

 These guilds who came from the faraway land couldn't be underestimated as they have many strong and determined adventurers in their rank.

From a report he got from Jarred, it showed that the average level of the adventurers diving inside the dungeon has increased to around level 500in the past few months. Of course, one cannot just look at the report, the average level mentioned in no way displayed the true levels of the adventurers that are leading the exploration on the lower floors.

Starting from the 60th floor, one can expect to encounter adventurers and guilds with levels nearing 600 or beyond. And so to defend against the increasing strength and number of the adventurers and the future threats, the dungeon itself also had to grow stronger.

"I'm glad to hear that the Arrays and Danger Zones are proving effective," Simon replied, nodding in approval "These things will slow down their progress and ensure that the adventurers face true trials of the dungeon if they as the continue to descend downwards".

The mention of Fey and her progress towards creating numerous traps like the Hidden Chambers and Danger Zones, Coleus with his research on the mutated monsters made Simon very delighted.

Based on the reports given by Jarred, he could tell that their progress in their respective field was going quite well. Both of them were working on towards creating a more solid and fortified As a result of their actions, the dungeon became more complex and challenging. The numerous traps of the dungeon, including the mutated monsters, provided a real test for the adventurers.

It ensured that only the most skilled and determined individuals could progress deeper into the dungeon.

"I see... good job on your work. By the way, how goes the task I gave to Maya" Simon asked leaning back in his seat.

Maya was given the task to monitor the adventurers on the upper floors and gather information on the tower town.

"The last I spoke to her was yesterday. She had gathered up a lot of information and is making a report. I believe she will report it to you soon".

Simon sighed. The allure of Dungeon Laplace had indeed attracted all sorts of adventurers and opportunists, turning the once quaint town into a lawless and crude place.

 Without a governing body to maintain order, and with the Adventurer's Association branch unable to control the numerous guilds and individuals flocking to the town, it had become a breeding ground for underhanded activities and shady trades.

"It seems that the tower town is becoming more chaotic by the day," Simon remarked, tapping his finger on the desk.

He had planned to leave the situation to solve on his own. However, after what he heard at the Hexennacht, he had to change his mind. Something needed to be done to address this situation.

Three High ranking dungeons had fallen in the past few decades and all of them were ruled by powerful Demon Dukes who had lived for more than 2000 years. Needless to say, this piece of news shook Simon to his very core when he heard it in the Hexennacht.

Although the reason for the destruction of the other two dungeons was unknown, Simon remembered the reason for the fall of the last one, the Shadowed Abyss governed by Duke Beleth.

As mentioned by Belial, it was because the adventurers had created a base and built several large scale teleport gates around that dungeon that connected with the central kingdoms. Until one day, all communication coming from that dungeon was cut off and it was already too late.

There were only a few clues that led to the fall of the dungeon and the perpetrators who had a hand in it.

The revelation of this news had a great impact on Simon and what had changed his current thinking.

At first, he was unconcerned to the creation and expansion of the tower town by the adventurers. Since it reeled in great income for him, he let it be believing that the humans can just govern themselves without him needing to interfere.

The only thing he needed to concern himself with was what happened within his dungeon. However, after what happened to the last High Ranking dungeon, he realised that such thinking was flawed.

Even if it was just a town right now filled with adventurers, traders, slaves and people from all walks of life, it couldn't be denied that the humans have established a base near his dungeon.

If even a high ranking dungeon can fall unexpectedly, who is to say that this simple town right now might eventually become into something that would be the downfall of Laplace?

The vision of a dungeon in ruin that he repeatedly had, flashed in Simon's mind once again.

town was directly and indirectly related to the growth of his dungeon.

No, he cannot just let the human be, he needed to do something about the tower town sooner rather than later.

There was the option of destroying it by using the help of external factors. Just like the time when the tower town was nearly destroyed by the invasion of the orcs. Should he use those Black Ogres who were eyeing his dungeon?

Simon was sure that if it was the Seven kings of the forest, they would be able to destroy the tower town. However, doing so would be stupid of him especially since the flourishment of the tower town was directly and indirectly related to the growth of his dungeon.

 Destroying it would be like shooting oneself in the foot. There was no guarantee that the dungeon would be able to recover from this loss.