Thirty-seven leads the charge out of the dungeon and into the hallways while Block follows next to her, Slash is in the middle, and Archer and I bring up the back of the group. Nothing can be seen down the hallway, so Thirty-Seven checks the first door. Opening the door the room has completely changed.

What used to be my bedroom is now a large room with crates and shelves, four young kobolds inside draw their weapons as they spot us. Two of the kobolds rush us and Thirty-seven takes a step back while Archer fires an arrow taking one of the two down.

Thirty-seven hesitates for a moment appearing to be waiting on something. After only a second or two however she then leaps into action moving forward cutting the little kobold in two. I missed my opportunity I think she was waiting on me. I need to learn to read the battle better.

Block blocks an arrow that one of the kobolds shoot at my face and Archer fires another arrow, but misses when the kobold ducks behind a crate. I cast [Fire] the next time the kobold pokes his head out but I too miss hitting the crate setting it on fire.

Thirty-seven rushes forward catching the third kobold that is hiding by a box off guard cutting him down. Archer's arrow finally finds its mark taking down the fourth and last kobold. Thirty-seven takes a large cloth draped over a few crates and smothers the crate I set on fire then quickly scans the room before moving back into the hallway.

“What about their equipment?”

Thirty-seven: “Well we can't use our dungeon storage outside of the dungeon so, unless it is something we need we will have to leave it behind.”

I nod then we move on to the next room, Thirty-seven opens the door again finding a storage room filled with crates this time there are only three kobolds. Archer quickly dispatches the one charging forward while the two towards the back of the room both ready bows.

One arrow heading for me is stopped thanks to Block, but Archer is grazed by the second one. I instead try casting [Freeze] at one of them but only hit the kobold’s bow. The kobold quickly drops it as it ices over then tries to get behind the other kobold, but Archer is two quick loosing another arrow, and taking him down.

After Block deflects another arrow Thirty-seven dives in swinging her sword down at its head. The kobold holds its bow up to block the blade but it simply snaps as it takes the blade to the face.

I let out a sigh. “I guess I should have practiced before we tried actual battle.”

Thirty-seven: “If we begin to run into any resistance tougher then these young kobolds we will head back so you can train, but at the moment we can handle it without you.”

“That doesn't really make me feel any better you know.”

Thirty-seven: “Making your feel better was not my intent.” -She scans the room again this time she opens one of the lids on a crate but returns to the hall.

Moving on to the next room Thirty-seven opens the room and a kobold quickly rushes out surprising both Block and Thirty-seven as it rushes between them. It dives at me with a dagger in hand.

The small blade hits me in the gut I feel a pinch, and a small amount of pain, but Slash knocks the kobold off of me killing it. Thirty-seven quickly orders Block to hold the door closed as she rushes to me grabbing my chainmail lifting it to look at the wound. She wipes a small amount of blood then holds her hand against it. With fear in her eyes she asks me. “Are you ok?”

“Yea, yea, it is barely a scratch I can't even feel it. Come on we got kobolds to kill.”

Reluctantly Thirty-seven returns to the door. Block is holding the door tight, but you can tell he is meeting resistance. Thirty-seven steps to one side of the door and Slash steps to the other. Archer readies his bow, and I ready the rod.

With a nod from Thirty-seven, Block let’s go of the door and jumps back but jumps right in front of me. I only manage to see Slash, and Thirty-seven swing there weapons and Archer releases an arrow before Block steps to the side showing three more kobold dead on the floor.

I quickly spot a kobold in the far corner of the room and cast another [Freeze]. The spell hits it causing it to squeal as it freezes solid. Archer fires another arrow at something not within my line of sight.

Block steps in front of Archer as his shield begins to freeze, he steps back out of the way as Archer lets loose another arrow. Block then let’s go of his shield. Thirty-seven quickly rushes in the room, but stops a few feet in scanning the room.

She kicks over three different crates then opens the lid off of a fourth she reaches inside pulling out three small vials. She then makes her way back to the hallway handing me the three vials.

Thirty-seven: “If you get injured drink one of these.” -She slides them into slots on my belt.-

“Wait, you are up front you should at least take one.”

Thirty-seven: “No, they are for you. I will be ok.”

“I insist.” -I pull one out and shove it at her.-

She nods and slides it into a slot on the sleeve of her worn leather armor. We take a small break while I thaw out Block's shield with the [Heat] spell, and then move on to the next room.

Block stands in front of the door with his shield as Thirty-seven turns the brass knob, kicks open the door, then steps back. Block enters the room, followed by Thirty-seven and Slash, next is Archer and I’m following beside him.

Thirty-seven's old room has been converted to a massive storage room. Shelves of crates line the walls and floors creating a labyrinth. The sounds of scurrying kobold can be heard. The first kobold to appear jumps from behind a shelf, and throws a spear.

Block knocks the spear from the air with his shield, and before I can begin casting a spell Archer takes the kobold out with an arrow. As we move deeper Thirty-seven and Block take point, while slash moves to the back guarding the rear.

When we round a corner two kobolds charge, Thirty-seven jumps to the side as one charges past her, but instead of losing his momentum he just changes his target to me. Thirty-seven however doesn’t give it a chance as she brings her sword across its back causing it to fall at my feet. The other charges straight at Block but he simply bashes in its skull with his shield.

While moving forward two more try to sneak up the back of the group but Archer quickly takes notice. Readying his bow he then takes out the first before they even manage to get close. Slash then quickly dispatches the second with a single wide arch of his massive sword.

We then continue to move forward, and after rounding another corner we approach an intersection with paths leading either left or right.

“What direction do you think we should take?”

Thirty-seven looks down both. “I believe the path to the right will lead us deeper, however there seems to be quite a few kobolds to the left. We might want to take them out so they cannot sneak in behind us.”

“Sounds reasonable, let’s head left first then.”

Heading down the left path leads to another corner then the path opens up to a larger area with several crates stashed around on the floor. Block stops an arrow from a kobold as he jumps up from behind a crate, and Thirty-seven steps in front of me taking an arrow in the shoulder from another.

Five kobolds jump over crates charging our group while Archer takes down one of the kobolds that fired the arrow. I cast [Freeze] at one of the charging kobolds causing him to stumble sliding across the floor as he freezes over. Block stops a sword slash with his shield from one, while swinging his sword at another.

Slash steps past Archer and me taking out the one attacking Block. Thirty-seven jumps to the side as one rushes past her giving Archer the chance to shoot it almost point blank in the face with an arrow, and then Thirty-seven swings her sword down on the last charging kobold.

I cast a [Fireball] at the last kobold hiding behind the crate, but it hits the crate causing it to burst into flames. The kobold jumps back away from the flames leaving Archer a clean shot taking it down. I cast [Freeze] at the crate that is on fire causing the flames to go out. I move over to Thirty-seven as she rips the arrow in her shoulder out.

“Are you okay? That look liked it hurt.”

Thirty-seven: “It's fine.”

“Let me at least look at it. Slash, Block you guys guard the path make sure nothing sneaks up on us.”

Block and Slash move over blocking the path, and I pull Thirty-seven over making her sit on a down on a crate. With her armor on I have trouble getting to the wound so I instruct her to remove it. It takes her a few minutes but she manages to remove it setting it on the crate next to her.

I instruct Archer to lend me one of his daggers and use it to cut open a hole in Thirty-seven’s shirt around the sleeve to get to the wound on her shoulder. She then reaches over with her other arm and just rips the off the entire sleeve. I use the [Clean] spell to clean the wound, I then take the sleeve she tore off and using the dagger cut it into strips. I cast [Clean] on them, take a patch of the sleeve and cover the wound, and then take two of the strips wrapping it around her shoulder to hold it in place.

“There is that a little better?”

Thirty-seven stands putting her hand over the makeshift bandage moving her arm around. She lightly grimaces when she stretches but nods. She then picks up the worn leather armor and after a few more minutes has it reequipped.

She then moves around the large area searching through a few crates but returns empty handed. We then leave the area returning to the intersection taking the other path. We follow the path through a few twists and turns before Thirty-seven stops us as we reach the next corner.

She quickly peeks around the corner then pulls her head back quickly. She does it a few more times before turning to the group and whispers.

Thirty-seven: “There are quite a few kobolds in the next area. We are going to have to go at it with a plan. There are two large crates to the right as soon as you enter the room. If we leave Block to guard you and Archer until you guys can take cover behind the crates.”

“I am not made of glass you know.”

After I speak I quickly regret it as Thirty-seven glares as me then continues.

Thirty-seven: “Once you are safe behind the crates Slash, and I will join Block, and move in on the kobold in front of the crates. Meanwhile you and Archer start taking out the enemies on far end of the room and will all work our way to the center.”

“Ok, let’s do this.”

Thirty-seven: “If it comes to taken damage just take cover and use one of the potions. Then just let us take care of the rest. Remember if something happens to you, as your dungeon monsters it is over for all of us, so just play it safe.”

Thirty-seven then counts down from three with her fingers then Block rushes forward. Archer and I follow quickly behind him and when I peer around him I see a large open area with a line of small crates in front of us and two large ones to the right.

On the other side of the crates stand at least a dozen of the tiny kobolds, and most are carrying swords and shields. Archer and I dive behind the large crates as Block stops an arrow flying across the room.

Block then takes cover behind some of the small crates and Slash and Thirty-seven rush forward and joins him. Archer opens fire on a mage that is across the room as Slash, Block, and Thirty-seven jumps over the small crates and each smashing into some kobolds.

Block hits one with his shield knocking it off balance then slashes its chest, Slash just brings his sword up in a wide arc almost cleaving a kobold in two, Thirty-seven spins in a circle as she swings her sword horizontally slashing the gut of a kobold spilling his insides onto the floor.

Archer’s arrow finds the mage dropping it to the ground and I cast [Freeze] stopping another in its tracks. More arrows fly in from the far side of the room as they target the trio on the other side of the crates.

Thirty-seven dodges out of the way, But Slash takes an arrow in the leg. Block takes an arrow in the side so he can block an incoming [Freeze] spell instead. Five more kobold rush in on the group, while Archer takes out the final mage.

I cast another [Freeze] spell but it misses its mark. Block tosses his shield at one of the incoming kobolds as the shield freezes over tripping it up. He then grabs one of the iron swords on the ground into his empty hand and dives in swinging both the steel sword and iron sword. He drops one with a slash of the steel sword and gravely injures another with the iron sword.

Slash brings his massive sword around killing the badly injured kobold and the one that was tripped up by Blocks shield. The two remaining tiny kobolds both go after Thirty-seven. She parries ones sword and turns the tables on him cutting him down but it leaves her open to the other as it cuts a wide slash across one of her thighs.

I cast a [Fireball] at one of the two remaining tiny kobolds across the room. My [Fireball] hits it square in the chest as it bursts into flames, and one of Archer’s arrows then hits it sending it to the floor.

The last remaining archer fires another arrow at Thirty-seven, but Block jumps over next to her blocking the arrow with his arm. As the arrow rips into Block's scaly arm, the last tiny kobold in melee with Thirty-seven slashes her again this time across the stomach.

Thirty-seven’s armor blocks most of the damage but a thin layer of blood still is visible. She then spins around with a downward arc crushes the kobold with her sword. Archer readies another arrow but I cast a [Freeze] spell at the last kobold first and it finds it mark freezing it solid.

After battle I rush over to Thirty-seven I quickly tie two of the remaining pieces of her sleeve together and drop to my knees wrapping it around her thigh. After tying it in a tight knot I cast [Clean] on the wound on her thigh.

The wound itself is pretty bad so I tare open her pant leg and borrow Archer's dagger again I cut a long strip from my own shirt. I take the piece of my shirt and tie it around the wound tightly. I slide her armor over lifting her shirt checking the wound on her stomach.

After casting [Clean] I can see that wound is pretty superficial so I let it be. After I am done with Thirty-seven I check the Block, and Slash but both have already pulled the arrows out of their wounds and don't appear to be bleeding anymore.

Kobold wounds must not bleed much. Thirty-seven makes her way through the room checking several of the crates here and there while I defrost Block's shield again. Eventually she finds one that has something in it, but it turns out to be three more healing potions. When she hands all three of them to me I ask her.

“With the wound in your shoulder, and the bad cut on your leg shouldn't you drink at least one of these? We do have six now after all.”

Thirty-seven firmly shakes her head. “Magic potions are very expensive one time use items, and you should never use them unless it is an emergency.”

“Leaving your wounds untreated like that might leave a bad scar though.”

Thirty-seven looks badly offended at my comment but her face returns to normal after a few seconds.

Thirty-seven: “I don't know where you got that idea, Dungeon cores and dungeon monsters do not scar. Given enough time a limb will even grow back though the natural healing the dungeon crystal provides. There are even cases where an outside monster has joined a dungeon and its old scars eventually faded.”

“Oh, I had no idea.”

Thirty-seven: “Think nothing of it. I believe this room has now been cleared. Let us move on.”

I nod then we gather back together and head back though the room. After checking a few dead ends that we passed earlier we return to the hallway.

“Shall we continue some more, or stop?”

Thirty-seven: “There are only two rooms left on this floor, I say we at least check them first. If they are not to large I say we at least clear this floor today.”

“Are you sure, with your wounds I don't want to push anyone to hard.”

Thirty-seven: “As a dungeon core's boss monster these wounds are nothing.”

“Well let’s start with the next room and just go from there.”

We move on to the next room assume positions and Thirty-seven turns the brass knob and kicks the door open then steps back. Three surprised kobolds are inside, two turn and rush towards us but Block takes one out and Archer downs another.

I fire a [Fireball] at a kobold with a bow in the back corner of the room and manage to down it with the first hit. Thirty-seven moves in on the room checks a few of the crates then returns empty handed.

We move on to the final room and again positon ourselves. However this time when Thirty-seven tries to twist the brass knob it doesn't budge. Block and Slash both take turns crashing into the door but it still doesn't give.

Thirty-seven: “It looks like this door has been reinforced and we have no way getting past it. None of us know how to pick a lock or have a spell that can do it so we will have to leave this door to a later date.”

“Ok so shall we return to our dungeon for today then?”

Thirty-seven: “Given the situation I do believe that would be the best course of action.”

We head back to the dungeon and once we enter the doors.

Dungeon Monsters have returned from battle

Battle results:

Monster Thirty-seven (boss) has gained a level

Monster Archer has gained a level

Acquired: 5 Watered down healing potions

Losses: Slash sustained minor damage, Block sustained minimal damage, Dungeon Core 212 ------ sustained minor damage. Thirty-seven (boss) sustained moderate damage.

75 Xp gained from external source. 7 xp bonus for Dungeon Core 212 ------- battle participation, 7xp bonus for Thirty-seven (boss) participation, 7 xp bonus for no dungeon monster deaths, 15 xp bonus for Training core training within parent dungeon, 35 xp bonus First time area bonus.

146 XP total rewarded

“Oh, we received bonuses to the xp total.”

Thirty-seven: “Yes you can get bonuses depending on how the battle outside the dungeon went. As a training dungeon core you will receive far more bonuses, but once you start your own dungeon it is possible to receive penalties as well.”

“We are still about 350xp in the hole for today though. Let’s go get your wounds treated properly.”

I send Archer, Slash, and Block to the middle room and enter the dungeon core room with Thirty-seven. Once in the dungeon core room Thirty-seven rushes to the table beside her bed picking up the towel, and clutching it to her cheek. I shake my head as I open [Menu] and I find standard bandages for 5xp and buy 5 for now. I unequipped my armor and set the bandages on the desk.

“Ok, unequip your things and sit on your bed, and I will bandage your shoulder and leg properly.”

I see Thirty-seven sit down on her bed and begin accessing her [Menu] I turn to pick up two of the bandages when the message appears.

Monster Thirty-seven (boss) has sent Steel sword to storage

Monster Thirty-seven (boss) has sent Worn Leather Armor to storage

Monster Thirty-seven (boss) has sent Cheap Damaged Clothes to storage.

I instantly freeze after reading the third message. Quickly I opening up Thirty-seven's chat screen keeping a close eye on it making sure no messages are sent. With a death grip on the two bandages I turn around with my eyes closed.

I slowly open one eye and thank the gods, her towel she is clutching is keeping her covered, but only barely. With a small sigh of relief I move over to the edge of her bed and remove the makeshift bandage on her shoulder.

It is hard to concentrate on anything except Thirty-seven’s body as I try to stay focused on wrapping the bandage on her shoulder while keeping an eye of the chat message screen. After what was probably twice the time it should have taken I finally secure the new bandage in place.

I quickly take a few steps back turning around to take a few deep breaths. Her shoulder wasn’t really much of a problem but her other wound is on her thigh… After a few more deep breaths I turn back around.

As I approach the bed again and start to treat the wound on her leg she slides forward on the bed to give me better access, but I quickly panic grabbing the edge of the towel managing to keep her covered. I don’t know how long it takes to change the bandage on her leg but it seems like it takes forever.

After I finally finish I quickly step away, I try to think of something else while taking a few deep breaths, but before I am able to relax I hear Thirty-seven say.

Thirty-seven: “Why don't you take your stuff off and let me fix you up.”

I die a little inside as I desperately try to stop a highly exaggerated YES! PLEASE! Message in the [Communication] screen but it’s too late.

Thirty-seven looks a little confused but say. “Ok, sit down on your bed and I will take care of you.”

I move over to my bed, pull my shirt off, drop it on the bed, and sit down. Thirty-seven stands, picks up a bandage off the desk, and starts walking to me across the room she gets almost to me when she looks down at the towel. She then turns around bending over placing the towel on the chair in the middle of the room.

I quickly shut my eyes and practically scream. “Wait! Wait! Wait.” I slowly take some deep breaths with my eyes closed. “Your clothes where pretty damaged, so you should pick out some new ones real quick.”

Thirty-seven: “But your wound.”

“It will be fine for one more minute.”

Thirty-seven: “Alright.”

I sit in silence with my eyes tightly shut until I hear a ding sound. I slowly open one eye.

Monster Thirty-seven (boss) has requested to summon Simple Clothing for 1xp do you approve.

“YES.”

I feel Thirty-seven’s hands on me as she begins to put the bandage on, and I slowly begin to open my eyes again. Luckily she is wearing the new simple clothing and I let a sigh relief pass me.

After she is done with the bandage I plop back onto the bed. That was by far more dangerous then fighting monsters. After a while I eventually calm down and decide to talk to Thirty-seven about the hunt.

“Well I am glad we got some xp back from the hunt, but I would have liked to get a Block, and Slash to level up as well. I am not all too confident on tomorrows attack. With the way Madam Erin has been increasing the strength of the waves I would not be surprised to see the next wave to be identical to what we got in the second room. If that is the case it will be one on one and our side will already have taken damage from the previous wave.”

Thirty-seven: “I agree, I believe we have a 50/50 chance to make it through tomorrows attack. Even if we do make it through the battle if we lose most of the crimson kobolds in the second room it will seriously sets us back for the remainder of the month.”

“We do have the equipment from today’s attack, with it we could make another Archer, Slash, and Block. I think if we are going to continue to use them I think we ought to try to keep them alive. I think for now to be safe I will move them back to the crystal room and replace them with some more.”

I move Block, Archer, and Slash to the Crystal room and summon another three Crimson Kobolds giving them all the basic chainmail, giving on 2 steel daggers and a large stout bow, another I give the steel great sword that is left, and the last I give the steel sword Thirty-seven was using and the last Large Steel Shield. That cost me 450xp

“I believe that will at least get us through tomorrow. I don’t want to summon too much back-up just in case we get the option to summon better monsters later.”

With that I spend the remainder of the day trying to take my mind off of the sight of thirty-seven’s nude body by looking at some of the other Dungeon Cores in the Dungeon Core Information book. After a few hours I manage to calm down enough to talk to Thirty-seven again and we decide to have me practice my magic.

Going to the dungeon we use [Menu] to set up some objects for me to throw my magic at. Thirty-seven stands by without saying anything until I tire myself throwing spells back and forth. I don’t know in comparison of normal mages, but I feel like I have gotten pretty accurate with them.

“Well I think I made quite a bit of progress.”

Thirty-seven: “It will suffice. You will have to just keep practicing.”

“…”

I thought I did pretty good… I keep it up for a while before I get tired enough that my aim is getting steadily worse, so I decide to call it for the day and we head back to the core room and go to sleep.