CHAPTER 31: POINT FARMING

While the sun had eventually set outside, Vale’s vision remained unimpeded.

This, being able to see in the dark in full color (inside the dungeon), would have usually been a boon, but it made falling asleep quite difficult. Especially so when trying to sleep without a blanket, pillow and on hard stone.

’Larry and Sizzy better lock the fuck in. I don’t know how many more nights I can sleep like that...’

Add to the fact of how easily sound traveled in the cave alongside 12 inhabitants, and it was like Vale was living in a construction zone.

Even though he’d ordered the imps to stop working, to both quiet and rest them, all it took was a minor clamor that would start a domino effect and wake everyone up.

There was also another issue that came with being inside of a dungeon/cave in general — they had no concept of time. Well, there was the timer ticking down above the black door, but while falling asleep was hard in the cave, it was nearly impossible to sleep in the core’s absolute white expanse, which gave one’s eyes no chance of rest.

In any case, the way they measured, or more so gauged when daybreak would happen, was stationing Toy or Salome to stand at the maw of the cave, where it met the ravine, and watch. This wasn’t too annoying because they needed a lookout either way. But, it was also inefficient since the walls of the ravine would block them from experiencing a true sunrise.

Toy and Salome had gotten a little less sleep, having alternated throughout the night, and as a result, Toy looked a little worse for wear, but Salome, on the other hand, was just fine, as if she was used to such a terrible sleep schedule.

Thankfully, they’d made it through the night without incident.

"S-sir, are you certain s-sending master is the r-right idea?"

Vale leaned against the back of the throne, fully dressed minus a shirt, and craned his neck to look at the goblin cowering against the wall behind him with the two strips of cloth tightly wrapped around her body at its vital points.

Since it would be a little improper for Toy to call him by his name like Salome, she’d taken to calling Vale, sir.

"Salome will be fine."

Vale wasn’t sure of his own words, but it’s not like his feelings mattered. It was obvious that if Salome fell, he would too.

"I-I know that... b-but, if something attacks—"

It was a little jarring to see the lustful goblin from before return to being timid and docile, but Vale decided not to scrutinize this fact.

Vale took in all the curves of Toy’s body as he responded.

"Salome hasn’t gone far. She’ll notice if something tries to enter and intercept it before it gets to us."

At the moment, Salome had been tasked with taking a handful, five, of Workers outside and transporting potentially useful material back into the dungeon. This material — twine, leaves, bark, sticks, and whatnot — would be given to the Workers so they could train in creating a wider variety of tools and gadgets.

They would have tried to collect some alluvium, too, but the river was a little too far to risk sending Salome at the moment.

As for why Salome was the one outside and not Toy... that was because One, Salome’s Quillstorm allowed her to hunt potential game. Two... Toy was still scared shitless by the little imps.

"C-can you get them out of here!"

Vale drew his gaze over to Larry and Sizz,y who sat surrounded by a multitude of splintered rocks.

Vale stifled a laugh and retained the appearance of indifference on the outside as he responded.

"You don’t have to be in here..."

"T-there’s nowhere safe!"

As Toy screamed, Larry proudly held up... ’that’ and screamed, causing Toy to scamper and hide behind the throne.

"Badduuuh!"

Currently, he was overseeing the two artisan Workers, Sizzy and Larry, as they continued ’mastering’ their trade. Progress had been slow, but Larry made some sort of mental breakthrough and actually managed to make something resembling a bowl.

’Maybe it gained a few brain cells overnight.’

While typical caves were made of permeable limestone, whatever material the walls of the dungeon were made of was incredibly dense. So, in theory, the bowl Larry made should be able to hold water.

The current problem was their height.

Vale had wanted to take a glimpse outside, but had been forbidden because of the potential dangers. But from what was described to him, it wasn’t easy to get down to the riverbank — especially carrying a heavy ass stone bowl that could only hold a couple of ounces.

As for why ’nowhere is safe...’

The remaining three workers were all stationed in the different rooms. One, Marvel, was in the main room, continuing development of the initial maze. While the remaining two were respectively in the sleeping quarters or the sleeping quarters, mining to make the rooms larger while also supplying stone for Marvel.

"Badddduuuuuh!"

Larry had produced another successful creation...

The only room technically free of an imp right now was the hub room that connected everything. But, Marvel was constantly fluttering through and into the entrance of the core room for material (where the core was sitting for convenience).

From behind the Throne of Lust, Vale heard the squeal of the frightened goblin:

"S-sir..."

Slowly, the goblin walked around and hid behind the right arm of the throne, but revealed she’d been stripped of her cloth.

The shy goblin fidgeted and covered her nipples with one hand and her vagina with the other. The moment Vale even gave an interested look, she took a half step back. But despite the reserved expression she wore, the voracious glow of lust in her eyes was ever-prevalent.

Vale was certain Toy’s carnal nature would once again be put on full display the moment the imps left, and she felt comfortable.

’She’d stoop to such tactics?!’

Vale fought himself in his mind for a couple of min—seconds, but...

"Larry... Sizzy, please continue your work in the hub..."

The two imps did as told and sauntered out of the room, Larry giving their master quite the distasteful glare.

The moment he did, the goblin’s hands fell to her side, and she climbed upon Vale’s throne.

***

[Satisfaction +1]

’I’m winning again...’

’But am I?’

’She played me!’

’I’m not able to oversee their progress. Those idiots are helpless without my guidance!’

Well... at least he was closer to the next Champion.

Currently, it was one of his top priorities. While they were still safe, no enemies having appeared, who knew how long such peaceful times would last. The path to strength wasn’t one he was allowed to tread slowly.

In other words, he should challenge Level 1 as soon as possible. But, he also wanted to be at his strongest when the occasion arrived. Without Salome to train him, there was only one way he could make meaningful progress...

’Farming...’

[Satisfaction +1]

Toy fell forward into Vale on the throne, her body convulsing.

Yet, Vale gave her no mercy and continued his quest for more Satisfaction.