Ranus had a city map spread across the table in his main meeting room. Vulus had just left after spending several hours reviewing the new construction and the phase planned for the sewer system installation. As for fresh water for the city, several aqueducts were planned and started to be built to bring water from the mountains down into the valley.

  Ranus was happy with the progress being made. The injection of financial help from the dungeon had proven to be timely. Around the city, workers were busy constructing and building. Before this new Publix works, the rate of construction was starting to drop off, and many builders were becoming concerned that their skills were no longer in need, but these new projects would keep them employed well into the following year.

  Sitting back in his chair, Ranus wished it was all good news. His whispers have kept track of his family's dealings within the city, and so far, they were doing everything above board. Around his lands, the local powers vied for dominance in dealing with his small domain. And now they're receiving more reports or sightings of twisted monsters roaming the lands. Their migration patterns were evident to anyone who knew what to look for; they were all heading here. His biggest concern, however, was Folly's End. He was receiving far more detailed reports about what was happening there. If the numbers were to be believed, it would be a disaster for all if they crossed the river. Alas, he knew it was not a case of if but when, as the dungeon was very clear on that.

  Ranus had been reviewing his plans for such an occurrence. Even with the new financial support he had, his options were limited. The road going South was being patrolled more aggressively now. He had even made several parts of the route with dangerous terrain a bit safer through small construction projects.

  The number of bandits had decreased dramatically, and so had the monsters. His plans for using the adventurers to patrol the road were producing good results. But when it came to the city itself, he was becoming increasingly concerned. He had few Watchmen to protect the city's few walls, let alone patrol the city during the siege or crisis. He and Danrum agreed they needed more bodies within the watch; unfortunately, he could not afford this financially.

  The city could rely on the paladins and militant orders of the church, and many adventurers were present. But against the horde of twisted monsters, that would not be enough.

  They had theorised that the city's defenders could handle two or three silver-graded monsters at best. The reports coming from the end were that they were now gold-rank gathering at the river's edge. One of them would be sufficient to overwhelm the city.

  Doltum's return was a boon. With his presence, they were more confident in handling higher-grade twisted monsters. Ranus was grateful that the High Magus had decided to make the city his home for the foreseeable future. He knew they would rely on his powers to carry them through when the battle was joined. However, even one as powerful as the High Magus would not be able to withstand such a horde that threatened to cross the river.

  Ranus was loathed to admit, but for all of his preparation and planning, it would ultimately be the dungeon that would decide the battle.

  Over the last few weeks, he had supplied the promised materials to the dungeon. So far, it had not asked for anything more, and communication had been sporadic at best. Ranus got the impression from the few times they had spoken that the dungeon was involved in some form of project or construction of its own. What that was or to what ends, he did not know.

  Ranus stood up from the desk and walked over to the open window. He looked out across the city. His home/administration building was built on one of the rises in the valley. This allowed him to look out across most of the city and the valley. He could see all the building and construction work happening. Down below, all the streets were filled with people going about their business. On the surface, everything looked calm and peaceful, as much as a bustling city could.

  "How long until all this changes?" He asked himself.

  He thought about pulling the communication crystal from his belt pouch and trying to speak to the dungeon again. He refrained from doing this as he had promised both the church leaders and the Guild leaders that he would not try without them present. He chafed slightly under such conditions but understood they were both concerned and afraid. So much was happening that threatened them all.

  Ostrul upheld their part of the deal to allow the Shi'Tan access to the city. From all of his reports, they had made very little inroads as the memories of the great incursions, even nearly a millennia later, still resonate with the population.

  He sighed and returned to his desk, for much work was still to be done.

  ## ## ## ## ##

  Averance had spent the last few weeks exploring the city and the surrounding area. She had worked as a silver-level adventurer under a false identity. This allowed her to work freely and without much interaction with the Guild. Albrot, what's on the way that she was here? She suspected Doltum was aware she was present. He knew enough to keep quiet and let her do what she was planning.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Today, she had finally gotten her slot to enter the dungeon. Few solo adventurers were going in, but as a silver grade, she was given permission. She claimed that she was not going past the third floor. In truth, she would see what the dungeon had an offer on its bottom floor and find the core. It was the core she was truly here for, as it intrigued her. As an Adamantium-grade adventurer, she was not concerned by the dungeon or its monsters. There was nothing here that could even threaten her. But she was no fool and had read up everything that had been reported on the dungeon.

  The group before her finally left battered from their trip to the 4th floor but seemed happy that none of them were dead and they had got a decent payday. She nodded to them as they passed. Walking into the surface building brought a strange sense of longing for the old empire. She was distantly related to the old imperial line on her father's side. She was established enough when the empire fell to bid for the throne if she so desired it. At the time, she had refused for the simple fact that the empire was in such a state of decay and internal collapse that even her abilities could not come close to saving it.

  The first room was like every other watchtower she had ever encountered. The only difference was the sharron in the rafters watching her. She used her passive skills to get a better feel for the creature. It was definitely a dungeon monster with a much stronger aura of shadow magic, just as the reports said. As long as she left it alone, it would not engage her. Like many, she wondered its purpose, but she had lived long enough to know that dungeons had their quirks.

  The door to the base of the tower was open, and you could feel the draught coming from it. This was another oddity. Watchtowers had a wooden hatch door on the floor above that was supposed to stop any draughts, but it was wide open in this one. Being around her caused the essence to move constantly, causing all those with lower-grade senses or spells to miss what was hidden in plain sight.

  "Clever." She said to herself. She had to admit that it was actually a very elegant way to hide its core at such a low level. She walked to the stairs and looked down them. She could just make out the glow of the blue Moss that illuminated most of the dungeon by covering the walls and ceiling.

  She placed a hand on her sword hilt and started downstairs.

  She was not interested in any of the floors, so she ignored them and continued down the spiralling staircase. She knew that Doltum would be making another run at this dungeon, and he would go through each floor again. He was especially fascinated by dungeons and liked to review the floors he had been through before to see any changes or alterations.

  On the other hand, she was far more practical and was here for a purpose.

  It did not take her long to reach the 7th floor. She looked at the large doors, knowing an ogre was on the other side. Looking around the room, she realised that the ogre would be summoned to defend it the minute she moved to the core. She decided to deal with it now because she did not want to fight it in such a small, confined space.

  Opening the door, she strode into the hall. Dead adventurers littered the floor, their bodies now covered by the local Moss growing as a green carpet across the space. Ogre was standing ready to face her, and she drew her sword as she advanced.

  With a bellow, it charged, looking to strike her down with its heavy mace.

  She definitely sidestepped the blow as the mace swung past her and impacted the ground where she had been standing. With several quick thrusts, she slid her blade into the weak points in the armour she had identified. The ogre grunted in pain but kept on attacking. To her, the fight seemed to be almost in slow motion as she weaved and dodged. Every so often, it struck back, cutting deep into the creature's hide. It was almost too easy for her, and she didn't even bother to use any of her skills or magic.

  The ogre toppled forward, dead. It hadn't taken long, but she had worn down the beast through precision strikes. The reward flashed into existence, and she wiped her blade on the carcass of her defeated foe. From the report, she knew that there was a moonlight rose on the other side of the throne at the far side of the room. She ignores it and the money for killing the creature.

  She turned and returned to the stairwell. Walking around it, she tracked the essence of the flow that the core was trying to hide. At the back of the pillar, several stone blocks would make up future steps stacked against it.

  She pushed him to the side with no issue, and with the hilt of her sword, she smashed the fake stone covering the alcove where the core was hiding. This may be one of the few to ever truly see the core of The Tower in the Shadows Dungeon.

  What she saw was a square box with the core in the middle. As the report stated, it was black…. No, it was somehow deeper than black and absorbed the light around it. Ironically, within the depths, there were several sparks of light. It gave the appearance of a view of a star field. Around the core were arranged a large number of mana stones, all glowing with the same colour.

  "Don't worry, little core. I am not here to cause you any issue." She spoke to it, knowing it could understand her but not reply. "I'm from the Adventurers Guild, and I was just curious to see what all the fuss was about."

  She did not reach into or touch the core, as that would be a gross violation of its sanctity. Also, she did not know what would happen if she touched it, as this call was like no other she had ever seen.

  "Your ogre was a decent opponent. I have not bothered with the rest of your dungeon, as nothing here could even come close to threatening me. I know of your deals with the local Lord and what you have gained. Due to your unique circumstances, I've been forced to relocate here, so be warned that I am watching you. As long as you continue as you are, I am content, but if you stray…."

  She left the threat unsaid but knew that the core would understand. She then turned and left, walking back up the stairs. She thought about visiting the floor she was meant to just to acquire some resources as a cover. As she walked up, she thought about it some more but decided against it as it was time to reveal herself.

  Doltum had been right; this call was very different from any that they had seen before. The pantheon's presence and many of the strange things happening around it were clear indications of this. The revelation of the twisted and how the core interacts with them was another, as you suspected this might be its true purpose.

  She went up the steps three at a time. The number of steps along the path had greatly enhanced her physical abilities, and this was even equivalent to a light jog to her.

  She soon left the dungeon and stood outside in the sunlight once more. She nodded to the attendant who oversaw entry that day and informed them that she would list her gains at the Guild itself as she needed to speak with the Guild leader. The attendant nodded, frowning slightly, as this was not unknown but unusual.

  Avernace walked to the Guild. She smiled slightly as she arrived at the building, knowing this would be fun.