The forest had grown quiet again.
Marcus looked back toward the bone archway one last time.
The dungeon they had just cleared now stood silent, its runes dim and inactive after the reset timer began ticking down.
But Marcus barely cared about it anymore.
Because in his inventory…
He had four dungeon cores.
And thanks to Liliana, he now understood exactly how ridiculous that was.
Behind him, the goblin lord turned toward her soldiers.
She spoke in sharp, quick commands.
The goblins immediately sprang into motion.
Some began packing supplies from their nearby outpost.
Others grabbed crates of stone tools.
Weapons.
Food sacks.
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"...What are they doing?"
Liliana answered calmly.
"Preparing to relocate."
Marcus blinked.
"Already?"
She nodded.
"If we are now partners, it is inefficient for us to remain separated."
Marcus rubbed the back of his neck.
"Fair point."
The goblin tribe moved with impressive discipline.
Within minutes they had gathered everything.
Nearly seventy goblins began marching behind Liliana.
Marcus looked at Lyrielle.
"Well."
"Guess we're bringing guests home."
Lyrielle smiled slightly.
"It will be interesting."
The entire group began the journey back toward Marcus's territory.
Wolves.
Arachne.
Skeleton priests.
Goblin soldiers.
And their two leaders walking at the front.
The mist rolled through the forest around them.
But this time Marcus noticed something different.
His army had grown so large that even the mist seemed to hesitate around them.
Power had a presence.
And Marcus's territory was becoming powerful.
Entering the Territory
The wooden walls of Marcus's settlement came into view.
The rabbit girls were already waiting near the gate.
The moment they saw him returning, they ran forward.
"Marcus!"
"You're back!"
"Did you win?!"
Then they noticed the army behind him.
Their ears shot straight up.
"...Why are there goblins?"
Marcus chuckled.
"Relax."
"They're friends now."
The rabbit girls looked suspicious.
But before anyone could argue—
A system notification appeared in front of Marcus.
Territory Notification
An allied faction is requesting permission to enter your territory.
Faction: Goblin Tribe – Liliana
Allow Entry?
YES / NO
Marcus tapped YES without hesitation.
The barrier shimmered briefly.
Then the goblins walked through.
The air inside the territory was noticeably cleaner than the mist outside.
Several goblins looked surprised.
Liliana nodded approvingly.
"A well-developed core."
Marcus shrugged.
"Still working on it."
The goblins quickly began spreading out.
Some examined the wooden walls.
Others looked at the buildings curiously.
But Marcus had something more important to do.
He opened the Territory Core Interface.
Territory Level: 2
Upgrade Available
Requirements:
Wood: 3,000
Stone: 3,000
Spirit Shards: 2,500
Marcus looked at his resources.
After four dungeon runs…
He had more than enough.
He grinned.
"Upgrade."
The territory core pulsed with golden light again.
Energy surged through the settlement.
Buildings trembled.
The wooden walls thickened.
Stone reinforcements formed along the base.
The watchtowers grew taller.
New land pushed outward as the safe zone expanded even further.
A few seconds later—
The light faded.
Territory Successfully Upgraded
Territory Level: 3
Max Player Level: 30
Max Unit Level: 30
Safe Zone Radius Expanded
Marcus exhaled slowly.
"Nice."
Lyrielle walked beside him.
"My lord, our strength cap has increased again."
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah."
"But leveling can wait."
Because now…
He pulled the four glowing crystals from his inventory.
The Dungeon Cores floated above his hand.
Dark purple energy swirled between them.
Liliana immediately noticed.
She walked closer.
"You truly obtained four."
Marcus grinned.
"Boss farming."
Liliana shook her head slightly.
"Ridiculous."
Marcus looked around the territory.
He thought for a moment.
Then pointed.
"Over there."
Beside the barracks was an empty stretch of land.
Perfect space.
Marcus walked toward it.
Everyone followed.
Even the goblins gathered nearby curiously.
Marcus opened the dungeon core interface.
Dungeon Core Placement
Select Location
He selected the spot.
Then the next interface appeared.
Dungeon Core Fusion Available
Cores Detected: 4
Options:
• Create separate dungeons
• Fuse dungeon cores
Marcus smirked.
"Oh we're fusing."
He selected FUSE ALL.
The four cores rose into the air.
Dark energy spiraled around them.
The crystals melted together like liquid light.
The ground beneath Marcus began to shake.
Stone cracked.
Then—
A massive black stone archway erupted from the earth.
Bone pillars twisted upward.
Green fire ignited along the sides.
The structure looked eerily similar to the dungeon they had just cleared.
But larger.
Stronger.
More permanent.
A system window appeared.
Territory Dungeon Created
Dungeon Type: Undead Monastery
Total Floors: 12
Difficulty Modes Available:
• Easy Mode
Dungeon Owner: Marcus Hale
Marcus blinked.
"...Twelve floors?"
Liliana looked impressed.
"Using four identical cores increased the dungeon depth."
Marcus grinned.
"Oh I like that."
Lyrielle studied the interface.
"My lord, there is only one difficulty."
Marcus shrugged.
"Easy mode is fine."
Then he looked at the archway.
Inside, faint blue light flickered.
Skeleton silhouettes already moved within the darkness.
Marcus laughed.
"Doesn't really matter."
He turned toward his growing army.
Wolves.
Arachne.
Rabbit girls.
Skeleton priests.
Goblin soldiers.
And Liliana standing beside him.
Marcus folded his arms.
"Congratulations everyone."
He pointed toward the dungeon entrance.
"We now own a dungeon."
The rabbit girls bounced excitedly.
The wolves howled.
Even the goblins murmured in surprise.
Liliana smiled slightly.
"You are growing quickly."
Marcus grinned.
"Oh."
"This is just the beginning."
Because now…
Inside Marcus's territory…
A twelve-floor dungeon had just been born.