Inside the well-filled Retreat, the sound of merry drinkers fills the air as a mage wrestles with her feelings. Anya has a mug of ale in hand and she's drinking merrily much like the rest of the customers. The idea of being able to drink such a delicious liquid after being dead for a significant period of time is not lost on her and she's appreciating every sip of the heavenly brew. The fact that she was dead, however, with said event happening by the hands of a person she trusted no less, is still troubling her.

"Hey. You're Master's friend, right?" One of the young women calls over from the table closest to her, distracting her from gloomy thoughts.

"Yes. That's correct. We were adventurers," she answers the women with a smile.

"That's awesome. I'm Tara and this is Lara. We run Cloak and Dagger, the general store on the high street. It's a pleasure to meet you." The Rogue shopkeeper smiles back at Anya from across the table as she enjoys her own drink.

"Thank you. My name is Anya. It's a pleasure to meet both of you. I've got to say, everyone here is so nice. It's really... Refreshing." The Rainbow Mage takes another drink from her mug after her introduction to steady her nerves.

She is still trying to get her head around her current state of being. She had died, but was no longer dead. She had also been a cleric, but now finds herself as an overpowered, Rainbow Mage. 'I've never even heard of this class before.'

"Did you and Master go on lots of adventures together?" A man in creased clothing from the table beside theirs asks, interrupting the ladies and joining the conversation. His long golden locks catch Anya attention.

"You're supposed to introduce yourself first, stupid! That's Jack, The Swindler, he's in charge of the gambling establishments in the city. The guy next to him is Koniva, his number two." Tara points to the two men next to them in turn. "Watch your purse strings around those two," Lara adds sarcastically.

"I knew a guy named Jack once. He was as shifty as they come." Anya smiles at the grinning man. She doesn't have a purse, or any coins to put in one if she did for that matter and even if she did, she wouldn't have to be wary of anyone related to Abi. Not that she has a pressing concern or need for money either. Tilly had told Anya that all dungeon residents are allowed to open a tab with Taskmaster Talia. Completion of any of her contracts goes towards the accued debt that has been built up.

"That's what Master said," Jack bursts out laughing. "So did you go on many adventures together?" Coral repeats Jack's question, joining the conversation from the bar. For the next few hours, Anya describes her adventures with Abi the Rogue to anyone that cares to listen. Which is quite a lot in this case.

She leaves any parts related to Kal, or replaces him in the story if needed. She explains how they went to quite a few different places and got into far too many unneeded altercations due to Abi's mouth, much to the delight of her listeners. Not only are three women and two con-men listening intently, but every other dungeon resident present in the above-ground establishment has moved closer and listens on with enthusiasm.

Even though her tales are not the best, or the most decorated, they hang on with baited breath everytime she mentions Abi fighting. 'They truly seem to love her,' she thinks, ending the story and finishing her fourth mug. 'Damn that's good ale.'

"So... What happened next?" Coral asks, wide-eyed and wanting more.

"Nothing. We got paid, rested up for a while and then took on another job. Coincidentally, that one took us near a certain dungeon." She winks at the conglomeration that's now gathered around her.

"Oh, oh. I know which one," Dum raises his hand. Only to be slapped around the back of his head by Talia. There are still human patrons in the establishment after all. Talking about adventuring is fine but revealing dungeon secrets is not.

"Ow, Talia. What gives?" He asks, rubbing the back of his head. "Shush. Be quiet and listen." She links her arm in his and Dum turns red instantly. He also doesn't say another word.

After a few more stories, some embellished for dramatic effect, everyone disperses as most have work in the morning. Anya sleeps like a baby in the house she now owns inside the beautiful city. With her dream wish fulfilled, what more could she possibly need.

The Assassins and specialised Rogues, also sleep well. Their dreams mainly involve their master in various swashbuckling situations. If Abi was able to peek into their dreams, surely she would be at a loss for words. But then again, when isn't she?

Dungeon Stories Volume 2

Another day passes and another DePosit is cleared. This almost washes away the sour taste left behind after trying to upgrade the Hay Bale. I don't even know why I bother. It's just... One day it will surely turn into something else, right?

That's a problem I have to ignore. Otherwise, I'll keep washing DP down the drain. Today is a dungeon day, so hopefully there won't be any problems like that. Well, maybe one. How do I deal with the people-turned-prisoners that I've decided to reform, instead of sending through the cycle of reincarnation.

After some serious consideration, I decide to house the yellow souls in the Towers of Torment. I then create a few special cells that are designed to keep in stronger-than-average individuals for the orange souls and place them on separate floors inside my dungeon.

Four of them are placed on the second floor for Violet and her bats to watch over. Eight are placed inside the third floor's forest with Trixie and her pack. Finally, twelve more are placed on the fourth floor for Samantula to scare the living hell out of. It's not like I have anyone to fill these cells yet, but in time I'm sure they prove useful. If not, then I haven't wasted much DP here so my losses aren't too bad. Not unlike a useless piece of Hay I know.

Shaking it off, I move on to my next task. Home improvements. Not for the citizens of Varona, as that would be far more than I can afford, but for my family instead. Starting from the bottom up, I altered the Temptress' boss room so that it resembles a cliff overlooking an ocean. I also double the size of the room to give her more room to fly around in.

I didn't really know what to do for the stone golems and their Iron leader, so I installed a magma bath for Brian the Iron Golem and left it at that.

I skipped the fifth floor so I didn't get stuck there and moved onto the fourth. Samantula, the terrifying arachne, wanted a house surprisingly. So that's what she got. I upgraded the Hospitable Home and placed the new version in a new room adjacent to the bosses.

Hospitable Home has been upgraded to Unburglable Bungalow:

The spacious bungalow features all the necessary amenities to live in style

Home safety is important so make sure you set your mana imprint to keep your valuables safe

These small fortresses won't open for anyone but you

Reward:

16 XP

Even though the name makes it sound small, the quaint building is four-times the size of its predecessor. It only has one floor, but it is not lacking for rooms and Samantula is extremely happy. I also summoned nine more Reaping Spiders but left it at that after confirming them as mini bosses.

Trixie and her pack didn't need anything, but after going through the other bosses I couldn't just leave the gorgeous white wolf out. I gritted my teeth and summoned nine Alphas and ninety wolves. Ten per Alpha. The forest of the third floor is extremely large and has more than enough space for 110 wolves. Their third-tier upgrade didn't sound as bad as I thought it would either and I summoned one to add to ranks of the forest.

Moon Wolf: 20DP

Under the Moon's blessing these wolves inflict 50% more damage with every attack

Sometimes referred to as mirage wolves they are master's of illusion and trickery luring their opponents in with a false sense of security before finishing them off

The Moon Wolf looked almost ghost-like. Identical to Trixie, but with a constitution like mine, she disappeared the moment she was summoned. I didn't worry though, I could feel her presence. A strong will, wanting to protect the dungeon at all cost. I named her Luna from afar and moved on to the next floor.

Violet wanted a tree for some strange reason. Not a normal tree either. A disfigured and dying one with no leaves. Amazingly, I actually found the feature in my list and agreed to her request. I was just happy that I had what she wanted.

Tree of Decay:

This tree is full of life but will forever rot due to its inherent nature

Who would want one of these?

After Veris ended up with the paddle and the self-named Pleasure Palace, nothing they ask for can shock me anymore.

The nymphomaniac Assassin also got a visit from me. I upgraded her furniture, and summoned a few more Assassins and Mages at her request. I even went as far as to upgrade her paddle. It now has golden rims and a velvet handle of all things. I left shortly after Veris had finished praising me as the pleasure/punishment room was too much for me to handle.

I still don't know how to deal with her. She's like the eccentric aunt who always insists on kissing you on the lips. Even though you present your cheek she'll turn your head forcefully with her hands.

I purposely left the fifth floor for last. Every time I come in here I find it harder and harder to leave. The entire floor is similar to the system-created room on my first floor except open plains run as far as the eye can see. On it, dozens of different coloured and sized slimes mull around without a care in the world.

This place is heaven.

Peaches is also here. She has been spending more and more time down here recently and she greets me as I arrive. "Hello, Master. Have you come to visit... Everyone too?"

"Yeah. I'm making some improvements and making my rounds. No Sweets today?" Peaches is normally accompanied by at least two of the four Sweet sisters. "They have almost reached Level... 80 and are working hard to... Become Assassins," she replies.

Everyone's almost there now, huh? Even the dungeon priests go out on missions with the scouting teams to try and level up. No one else has reached the fourth tier yet, apart from the Assassins, but everyone's working hard.

That said, I summon the third evolution in the Black Slime class. The aforementioned creature unlocked the Large Black Slime and as usual ten of those unlocked the next tier. I decided to upgrade black first because they cost more than any of the other colours I've summoned so far.

Black Death:

Forged in the pits of hell the secretion spewed from this slime will destroy any matter it comes into contact with

The Black Death looks exactly the same as every other Black Slime I've summoned so far. It's even regressed in size a little to become slightly smaller than the first-tier creatures.

Peaches crouches down and prods the small gelatinous mass. I half expected her finger to fall off but remember that my monsters spells and quirks don't affect each other thankfully. I make the Black Death the new boss of the floor, replacing the Large Black Slime that previously held that rank, and as I do, the glittering slime stretches out and transforms itself into a perfect copy of Peaches. Only black.

Without the spider appendages and grizzly hair, she almost resembles Samantula. Life sure is strange. "Oh. You're... Beautiful. Like me!" Jumping up and down, Peaches claps happily. The Black Death mimics its pink counterpart and before I know it, the two women are jumping up and down on the spot clapping like little children and hugging. I can't help but smile as I watch what I would have considered monsters in my previous life, enjoy their own to fullest.

I name the Black Death, Ditto and leave her with Peaches to have fun with the others. I teleport to my tower, needing a second to myself before continuing. Sitting on my futon I pass my hand over the top of my dire wolf as though I'm stroking it and wish deeply that one day I will be able to.