[Then I will do my best as your system to help you achieve that goal.]

Eve smiled, "Thank you, I guess I'll sleep for now. We have another long day ahead of us tomorrow." Laying down it didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

.

Waking up as usual with a long stretch she was ready to start her day.

"Yawn~ System, have the goblins arrived back yet?"

[Yes they have arrived, 2 of the 5 in the hunting group died, and there were no casualties in the scavenger group.]

Eve nodded her head, "How do I get the souls they collected?"

[The moment they came back to the dungeon the souls went into you. As long as they make it back the souls don't need a physical transfer. The dungeon draws them to you itself.]

"Alright let's see how many souls they got back shall we." Walking over to the core and placing her hand on it the soul integration started.

[Counting souls now...6 goblin souls collected.]

Eve was a little surprised by the low number, but considering they didn't even have any weapons or strengthening yet, it was not bad. "You said souls can make them stronger, correct? how does that work?"

[As the dungeon uses the monsters soul to put them in the Dungeon physically, adding more souls is like refining it, the more souls the stronger its body becomes. they can even grow intellect at a certain stage of refinement.]

"Hm, use 2 of the souls to replace the goblins that passed, then use the remaining 4 on the strongest of the group, he'll become the leader of the hunting unit."

[Confirmed, would you like to name the head goblin so it's easier to remember?]

"Hm, lets name him, Duzz." She said, "How did the scavenger group do? Any materials we can use to make simple weapons?" This was the next step of the plan, if their combat increased with the bringing of weapons, it'd be much easier for them to hunt and would hopefully increase the amount of goblin workers.

[Yes they were able to acquire basic materials for weapons. I'll have them bring it at once...] After a few moments a goblin came in with a sack on its back, pouring the materials on the floor before bowing and walking out.

"How respectful, but let's see what we have here...this should do, does the system have a crafting option?"

[The system does indeed have a crafting feature, basic weapons like these shouldn't be a problem, but the level isn't high enough for much else]

"Good since this is all we'll need at the moment, craft as many spears are you can with what we have, We should arm the scavengers just in case."

[Understood, starting crafting with provided materials...completed 7 stone spears, would you like them to be equipped automatically to the hunt group and two randoms in the scavenger group?"

"7 huh, too bad we didn't have enough for all 10 of them, but please equip them now, we'll have to run a field test tonight to see if the performance will be better. But for now I'll go hunting myself, I have lots still to learn and I need to get stronger to defend this place.

Go to the entrance." Eve looked around outside taking a deep breath of fresh air, she lived there but it wasn't very home-like, it was quite stuffy in fact. "Are there any other monsters that I can find in the forest? I have only been able to find goblins these past few days."

[The main population of this forest is goblins, but if you head deeper in, different and stronger monsters will start appearing. You should be fine heading a bit deeper in at your skill level though, but if you go too far it'd be trouble even for you to handle.]

Eve nodded. "It's time to grow our numbers." Heading into the forest was another day of hunting goblins...

.

"It's already almost nightfall and we haven't found anything besides goblins, are you sure there are other monsters in this forest?" Eve said, breathing heavily as she sat down.

[It is indeed strange, even if there were only a few the chances of not running into anything else is very low. It's like they all just disappeared.]

There was a strange feeling in the air, it had grown heavy, the light from the sun was slowly drifting away. Something was wrong and Eve knew it. She had a very bad feeling about this. "Basic Sword." The sword appeared in hand as she tightened her grip. Searching through the trees with her now limited vision. All of her senses were on high alert. It had grown eerily quiet. "System, do you have any idea what's going on right now?"

[I do not, but it seems as if the cause of this problem decided to come to us before we had the chance to look for it.]

"I think so too." Eve said with a worried look on her face. Whatever it was had started encircling her, like it was watching its prey. This thing knew how to hunt well.

A deep growl could be heard from in front of her, and slowly it stepped out. It looked like a lion, but the fear that Eve felt couldn't be caused by any normal lion. It towered over her, it was far larger than any monster she had seen so far.

[Skill Cool Headed has taken effect. You will no longer be affected by your fear.]

Eve took a deep breath, she could still feel its dominating presence over her, but she was no longer stuck in place by fear. Her heart slowly steadied. And the lion stayed still as if it was waiting for something.

"Okay, If I do nothing I die, and if I run I die. Then I guess the only option is to fight. If I lose at least I tried, and if i win, A hell of a strong monster for my home." Eve said, smiling. Her heartbeat speeding up again, but this time out of excitement instead of panic.

"Heavenly Demons Sword Style!" Charging forward her sword moved on its own, the skill had completely taken control of her movement. The Lion baring its teeth didn't stand by any longer. Quickly moving out of the way of her attacks, and using any time she had an opening to try and land an attack. "You're pretty smart, I already knew it wouldn't be easy but come on, this is on a whole new level."

Taking a few steps back Eve started to look at the lion's body up and down, trying to find any opening or weakness she could take advantage of as she dodge attacks. But it was almost like staring at a wall, until she found it. Charging in as the lion swept it's giant claw instead of dodging she slid under, taking a slash to her shoulder in the process.

"What an annoying bastard you are." Before the lion could make a move to run or dodge Eve tightened her grip and thrusted her sword into the belly of the lion with all her might. Just barely managing to push it through. Using the chance she created to run and slice the stomach of the beast in an instant.

"Huff Huff, that was way too close." Eve said while dropping to the ground. "Gah, this slash, if I was just a little off with my slide it would've been my neck instead."

"Ding"

[Congratulations on hunting the lesser king of the forest. You have shown bravery and skill in order to do so, hidden reward will be given with great considerations taken.]

"At least there was an upside to this. The soul of the lesser king of the forest and whatever rewards will be given, I'd say this was pretty successful." Eve said with a slightly weak smile.

[Health has gone under 50%]

Eve seeing this ripped a piece of her shirt off wrapping it around the slash. "Hopefully this will make it until I can get back to the dungeon..."

As she walked she grew sluggish. She had gone too far into the forest looking for monsters. Making it to just the edge of the forest she could see the dungeon door. But she couldn't go further. "System, call the goblins...I won't be able to make it on my own..."

[Order confirmed. Goblins are on their way.] Only taking a few minute's for them to arrive and help Eve walk inside the dungeon.

"Thank you...Go to core..." Walking through the portal she fell onto the floor in the core room. "I'm gonna sleep...for now..." Her vision darkened as she passed out in a matter of seconds.