CHAPTER 25: LAST TASK BEFORE TWILIGHT

Salome and Vale continued their talk for a little while, but drifted toward planning their next objective.

Both would love to learn more about the others’ origins, but while they still had yet to be called on or warned of anything by Toy, Vale knew he and his dungeon were definitely at their most vulnerable state at the moment.

Dawdling like this for too long may be a death sentence.

When Wrath was explaining the workings of the world to Vale, he was warned about keeping a low profile until he was strong enough to deal with a significant threat. That’s because once his dungeon was discovered, if the natives, whatever or whoever they may be, learned it was a Dungeon of Vice, they would put countless resources and powers to kill him before he could grow stronger.

But then again, there was still the issue of Vale needing resources himself. So, hiding idly in the dungeon wasn’t an option either...

From Salome, he learned how beings like her functioned. Her biology.

While similar in appearance to humans, Salome, Toy, all the Workers and apparently even his new body were constructs of Aether. They didn’t necessarily need food or water for nutrients as a typical human would, but consuming those things would help replenish Aether, which naturally dwindles over time.

It was only after he breached that topic with Salome that he recollected something Wrath had told him.

Wrath had said Vale didn’t need sustenance; however, Vale now slightly expected that it was just a misconception.

Wrath had also warned him about his inability to recover Aether while outside of the dungeon, unlike others, so he shouldn’t leave for extended periods of time.

Yet, when he combined those two pieces of information, he reached a conjecture.

What if it’s not that he doesn’t need sustenance, but that the core itself is regulating and sustaining his Aether?

Because, if what Salome said was true about most nonhumans being Aether constructs, would it not explain what happened to the Goblins of Lust? Their bodies were broken down for his sustenance by the dungeon...

After all, he did collect a shard of their Aether; why couldn’t he absorb the rest? The byproduct?

’But this is all just a theory.’

Not that it entirely mattered at the moment, yet it was something he should keep in mind. The only thing relevant in his rumination was that it would be best for him to stay within the dungeon, at least while his Aether reserves were low.

With all of this in mind, Salome’s and Vale’s brief deliberation ended with their next course of action — sending Toy and a Worker on a scouting expedition.

While Salome would be the best fit for the job, she was kind of the only line of defense for the dungeon.

Vale and Toy were, admittedly, pretty weak. Salome said she’d train them, but it’s not as if their proficiency and skill would improve overnight. Plus, they were in a slight race against the clock.

While the power nap he and Toy took seemed to replenish their vitality well, the daylight that had begun seeping inside wasn’t growing dim yet, but it was a matter of time before night fell, which would make finding whatever they needed much harder. Not to mention the potential dangers lurking in the dark.

It would be best if they could locate a food or water source to send for at daybreak. If not, then Toy and the Workers would all starve to death from Aether depletion.

’As for Salome...’

Her Vitality Drain Trait was quite versatile. She could sustain herself off of Vale if needed be.

In any case, Sizzy and Toy were sent out and told to explore the immediate area. Sizzy, the Worker, wasn’t really meant to help Toy in her quest. But the imp was to follow her from a distance and retreat if something happened to her to warn Vale and Salome.

Not to mention Toy seemed to be deathly afraid of all of the imps, Sizzy included. If they were right next to each other, then the mission would be impeded.

Toy, when she heard the order she’d been saddled with, didn’t seem thrilled about such a risky endeavor... well, she wasn’t thrilled until she learned of a promised reward

waiting for her.

Upon dangling that carrot, Toy had begun eyeing Vale’s carrot.

It seemed that ever since she’d witnessed the expression it painted on Salome’s face, she’d wanted that experience for herself.

Not that Vale minded.

It’s not like excessive fornication was tough on his body. His mysterious, periphrastic Aspect enhanced his body, giving him ample stamina and desire — enough to keep up with even rabbits... ’probably.’

Not to mention, he was making steady progress toward summoning his next Champion, so it would be in his best interest not to hold back.

He had 5 Satisfaction saved up. And, once he got 20, he could summon another helper.

Toy set out for her mission a couple of moments ago, but it wasn’t like Salome and Vale would be still because of that. They could make progress in their own way.

While Vale was apologizing to Salome, the Workers who’d been mining had never stopped. Now, they had enough stone piled up to complete the initial wall. So, seven imps were assigned tasks to build the wall in front of the entrance up to the ceiling, while Salome was to oversee them and watch for intruders or threats.

As for Vale, it was time for him to explore all the apparent features of the dungeon he hadn’t explored yet.

There was a peculiar item that had been bestowed upon him, yet he had no idea where it was at first. He looked around the place with no luck, but eventually he decided to check the one place he hadn’t, the Nexus of Beginnings.

Vale expected failure, but was intensely surprised when he discovered that it was where the enigmatic Throne of Lust was...

He tried to bring it out, but for some reason, it wasn’t able to be released into the core, so Vale was forced to summon it in the actual dungeon.

When he did, a replica, or more likely the original of the chair that was in the weird black place, appeared in the core room.

The pink throne sat in the middle of the hollowed room with a baroque golden trim outlining the soft pink fabric.

Apparently, sitting on it would give him access to an essential aspect of the system — the progression part of it. It was also a break from sitting or lying on the hard rock.

Oh, there was also Larry.

While all of the other imps were walking back and forth constructing the wall, Larry was sitting in the corner of the core room, smashing its teeth against rocks...