The morning after his very first "business meeting" with adventurers, Tobi Adeyemi woke up to the sound of Nyx complaining directly into his brain.
"Your snoring is vibrating my crystal lattice. How is a dead person still snoring?"
Tobi stretched on the cold stone floor, grinning even before he opened his eyes. "Madam, that wasn't snoring. That was strategic power charging. Naija boys don't sleep — we reload."
He sat up and checked the System window that automatically appeared.
Dungeon Status
Name: Nyx's Mystical Cave (still sounds weak, needs rebranding)
Rank: F
Floors: 1
Mana Reserves: 214/500
Creatures: 0 (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday died honorably)
Reputation: "Weird but Generous" → "Possibly a Scam" (mixed reviews)
Apostle Level: 3 (You gain experience from battles and successful copying)
New Passive: Hustler's Insight – You can now sense how much money (or mana) someone is willing to spend.
Tobi whistled. "214 mana? Not bad for one night. Those three guys left decent crystals."
Nyx's lavender orb floated down, looking even sleepier than yesterday. "That's because they died a little inside when you started singing 'Ojuelegba' after copying the mage's spell. They ran."
"Exactly. Free marketing. People love crazy stories."
He stood up and clapped his hands. "Alright, time to upgrade this place before more visitors come. We need better security, better loot, and most importantly — atmosphere."
For the next three hours, Tobi went full interior decorator mode.
Using his Apostle's Authority, he reshaped the single cave into something more respectable. He widened the main chamber, created uneven rocky floors that looked "ancient and mysterious," and added glowing runes on the walls that actually spelled out motivational Yoruba proverbs (translated magically into Common Script).
He also created a small pond in one corner that produced weak healing water.
Mana spent: 95
Remaining: 119/500
Nyx watched everything with growing horror. "You're turning my quiet home into a tourist trap."
"Correct. Welcome to Nyx Dungeon Resort & Spa. First month subscription — only 50 silver coins."
"We don't even have silver coins yet."
"Details."
He recreated three new golems — stronger this time. He named them No Retreat, No Surrender, and Eko Ile (Lagos is Home — because they looked like they could take beatings).
Just as he finished, his Hustler's Insight pinged.
"Visitors. Four of them. Three bronze, one silver-rank. They look… serious."
The new group arrived cautiously.
Leading them was a tall, serious swordsman in better armor. Behind him walked two warriors and — Tobi's eyebrows rose — the archer girl from yesterday. Lila.
She had changed into lighter leather armor that actually fit her properly today. Her messy brown hair was tied back, revealing sharp green eyes and a few freckles. When she saw Tobi standing at the entrance with his arms folded like a shop owner, she immediately raised her bow.
"You again!"
Tobi smiled brightly. "Lila! My favorite customer. How are the crystals I gave you yesterday? Good quality, abi?"
The silver-rank leader — a man in his late twenties with a scar across his cheek — narrowed his eyes. "So you're the Apostle everyone in the village is talking about. They say you're either a genius or completely mad."
"Both are correct," Tobi replied smoothly. "Welcome to the upgraded Nyx Dungeon. Today we're running a special promotion: Survive three waves, get rare loot. Die — well, at least you tried."
The leader laughed. "Cocky for an F-rank dungeon."
He drew his sword.
Tobi's eyes lit up as the man activated a skill.
Skill Witnessed: Heavy Cleave (C-rank)
Copy available.
He copied it instantly.
Skill Upgraded: Heavy Cleave → Naija Heavy Cleave (A-rank)
When you shout "No be today!" your strike carries explosive force and temporary stun effect on arrogant opponents.
The fight began.
No Retreat and No Surrender charged forward like proper Lagos traffic wardens. Eko Ile stayed back as support. The adventurers were clearly stronger than yesterday's group, but Tobi was learning faster than they could adapt.
Every new spell, every sword technique, every arrow trick — he copied and upgraded on the spot.
When Lila fired a spinning arrow that split into three mid-air, Tobi's grin became dangerous.
Skill Witnessed: Tri-Shot Arrow (C-rank)
Upgraded: Tri-Shot Arrow → Pepper Spray Barrage (A-rank)
Your arrows now split into five and release a disorienting "pepper" effect that causes enemies to tear up and lose accuracy for 10 seconds.
He didn't even need a bow. He just channeled the knowledge and created temporary mana arrows from the dungeon walls.
Lila's eyes widened as her own technique was thrown back at her group with twice the power.
"You copied me?!"
"Madam, I'm a fast learner," Tobi called out while dodging a sword swing. "And you have very nice form, by the way."
Lila's face turned bright red — half anger, half something else.
The silver-rank leader finally got serious and activated a powerful skill.
Skill Witnessed: Lion's Roar Slash (B-rank)
Tobi copied it immediately.
Upgraded: Lion's Roar Slash → Naija War Cry (S-rank)
Releases a powerful sonic wave. When combined with Yoruba proverbs, the effect is multiplied. Enemies within range become demoralized and slower.
Tobi planted his feet, took a deep breath, and shouted:
"Oya! Make una come! This na my father's land!"
The war cry exploded outward. The two warriors stumbled. The leader's attack lost momentum. Even the dungeon walls seemed to vibrate with energy.
Nyx's voice was stunned. "That… actually worked. You're scaring me."
The battle lasted twenty-five intense minutes.
By the end, the adventurers were exhausted, two of them heavily injured, but they had survived Tobi's "three waves" (which were mostly him testing new copied skills).
Tobi, breathing hard but still smiling, created better mana crystals and even a small chest containing a D-rank dagger as promised reward.
The silver-rank leader wiped blood from his lip and stared at Tobi with new respect.
"You're dangerous. This dungeon is going to grow fast if you keep this up. I'll spread the word — but carefully. Too many strong adventurers will come and crush you."
Tobi nodded. "Appreciate it. Bring stronger people next time. I need better skills to copy."
As the group turned to leave, Lila lingered behind for a second.
She looked at Tobi, bow still in hand. "You're really not normal. Most Apostles are… weird old men or spirits. You talk like you're from another world."
Tobi chuckled. "Something like that. Hey Lila, next time you come alone, I'll give you private training. No charge."
Lila's ears turned red again. "Idiot." But there was the tiniest smile before she hurried after her party.
Nyx's orb spun slowly beside Tobi. "She likes you. This is going to be trouble."
"Trouble is my middle name," Tobi replied, still watching Lila's back as she disappeared into the forest. "Well… actually my middle name is Oluwatobi, but you get the point."
With the new mana gained from the battle (almost 340 total now), Tobi went on another upgrading spree.
He expanded the dungeon further — creating a second small chamber that would serve as Floor 2. He added basic spike traps, illusionary walls, and even a simple puzzle door that required answering a ridiculous riddle:
"What is black, white, and red all over?"
Answer: "A blushing Naija guy who just saw a fine girl."
Nyx was mortified. "This is not how proper dungeons work!"
"Relax. People will love it. Memes sell."
He also used some mana to give himself better clothes — a dark hooded coat with subtle glowing runes and comfortable boots. He looked less like a confused university student and more like a mysterious Apostle now.
Mana remaining: 87/900 (Dungeon capacity also increased)
Just as he was admiring his work, Hustler's Insight pinged again — much stronger this time.
"Big one coming. Solo adventurer. Strong."
She arrived thirty minutes later.
A tall, silver-haired elf woman with sharp golden eyes and a massive greatsword strapped to her back. She wore dark adventurer gear that screamed "experienced and expensive." Her presence alone made the forest animals go quiet.
Name: Elara Voss
Rank: Gold (estimated)
Threat Level: High
She stopped at the entrance, reading the new sign Tobi had placed:
"Nyx Dungeon – Come for crystals, stay because the Apostle is funny. No refunds."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."
Tobi stepped out confidently, though his heart was racing. This woman was on another level.
"Welcome, respected customer! First time? We have beginner discounts—"
Elara drew her greatsword in one smooth motion. The blade glowed with powerful runes.
"I don't do discounts. I came because I heard an Apostle is openly recruiting test subjects. Show me what you can do, boy."
The fight that followed was on a completely different scale.
Elara moved like lightning. Every swing of her greatsword created wind pressure that cracked the dungeon walls. Tobi was forced to use every copied skill he had, upgrading them on the fly while dodging for his life.
He copied her sword techniques, her movement skills, even a powerful aura burst.
Skill Upgraded: Multiple times → Several new A and S-rank skills
But he was still losing ground. Nyx was panicking loudly in his head.
"She's too strong! We're going to get absorbed!"
Tobi, covered in sweat and a few cuts, started laughing mid-fight.
"You're very strong, madam. But you fight like someone who's never been frustrated by Lagos traffic!"
He activated his strongest upgraded skill yet — the combination of Lion's Roar and War Cry.
"THIS NA MY DUNGEON!"
The shout carried genuine frustration and hustle energy. The dungeon itself responded. The walls glowed, mana surged, and a temporary buff spread through the entire structure.
Elara's eyes widened slightly as Tobi's next slash actually pushed her back a few steps.
For the first time, she smiled.
"Not bad. Very not bad."
She sheathed her sword suddenly.
"I won't conquer you today. You're still too weak… but you have potential. I'll come back in two weeks. If you improve enough, I might join your cause."
She tossed a small pouch at Tobi's feet. It contained 10 high-quality mana crystals and a single beautiful silver ring.
"Consider it investment capital. Don't waste it."
As she turned to leave, Tobi called after her.
"Wait! At least tell me your name properly!"
She glanced back, golden eyes gleaming. "Elara Voss. Remember it, Apostle."
Then she vanished into the forest.
Tobi collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.
Nyx floated down, her orb spinning rapidly — the dungeon equivalent of being excited.
"She… gave us resources instead of destroying us. That never happens with Gold ranks. Tobi… what did you do?"
Tobi sat up, grinning despite being exhausted.
"I hustled. That's what I did."
He opened the pouch. The mana crystals would push their reserves over 1000 easily. The silver ring had a small enchantment.
Ring of Minor Mana Storage – Stores up to 300 extra mana.
"Jackpot."
He looked toward the forest where both Lila and Elara had disappeared in different directions.
Two strong, interesting women already showing interest.
Nyx's voice turned dry. "Your small harem is starting already. I can feel it."
Tobi laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the growing dungeon.
"Chapter one of the empire is complete. Now we scale up properly."
He stood up, eyes burning with ambition.
"Next goal — create Floor 3 before the weekend. And maybe learn how to cook proper jollof in this world. A man needs good food when building an empire."
Dungeon Major Update
Floors: 2
Mana: 1,247/2,000
Reputation: "Promising & Entertaining" (Spreading in nearby villages)
New Title: Entertaining Apostle
New Quest Unlocked: Prepare for the First Major Raid (in 12 days)