Demonic Po*nstar System Chapter 776: Ascending

The surrounding girls turned their gazes towards her.

"We face two significant issues, yet they can both be resolved by a single solution. If the Claimant possesses any means to shatter abyssal rock or siphon magma, then our current defensive walls and traps will prove insufficient. Moreover, if their swarm possesses superior individual combat prowess compared to our defenders—which is highly probable, considering these creatures are enhanced versions of already formidable monsters—we will require a higher echelon of units to deploy."

Her fingertips lightly grazed the holographic projection. "Ascending to the mid-tier will elevate the level cap for our creatures. It unlocks the Lava Turrets, which are currently unavailable for purchase. Crucially, it restores access to Creation Mode, granting Master the ability to edit terrain that has already been established." She indicated the Verdant Expanse, a three-kilometer stretch of lush greenery situated between the main corridor and the central cathedral. "That open field can then be reshaped according to our needs. Currently, it is beyond our control. Post-ascension, we can mold it into whatever the defense requires."

Aria swiftly concurred. "Indeed, an upgrade is imperative! We must leverage every available resource. Kai, remember, we are not facing this challenge alone."

Her thumb moved to trace the pulse point on his wrist, where her hand had been resting for some time.

"Mother is stationed at the perimeter."

"Mother?" Luna grumbled, a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "First she was 'future mother-in-law,' then just 'mother-in-law,' and now she's simply 'mother'?"

The Storm Valkyrie's remark was disregarded as Aria continued, "The Eclipse veterans are accompanying her. The Association is holding the outer perimeter. If the system allows them entry into the dungeon during the duel, if they can fight alongside us, the entire dynamic shifts. Having Mother on the cathedral steps is a more significant advantage than any monster or turret we could purchase. We don't have to rely solely on DMP to overcome this."

Kaiden remained silent throughout his girls' extensive discussion, absorbing every opinion shared.

His thumb traced the edge of the armrest, his eyes shifting from the magma-filled section to the corridor, then to the open meadow, and back again. He perceived a common underlying structure to every problem they had raised.

His dungeon was initially designed to eliminate human intruders, specifically jealous thieves coveting this very dungeon.

However, the Claimant was not human, necessitating an entirely different strategic approach.

Alice was a comforting weight in his lap, her hands still clutching his shirt, her cheek resting against his sternum as she listened as quietly as he had.

"Alright," he finally stated.

His gaze lifted towards the system interface.

"Let's initiate the ascension."

He navigated to the Creatures menu.

[Creatures — Common Tab]

[Direwolf — Lvl 12, 1 DMP each]

[Goblin Raider — Lvl 9, 1 DMP each]

[Bone Serpent — Lvl 18, 2 DMP each]

[Venomfly — Lvl 6, 3 for 1 DMP]

[Slime — Lvl 1, 10 for 1 DMP]

...

These were the same low-tier, unremarkable creatures he had overlooked during the initial dungeon inheritance. He swiped to the Abyssal tab.

[Creatures — Abyssal Tab]

[Abyssal Salamawyrm — Lvl 1-99, 1-500 DMP]

[Abyssal Nightclaw — Lvl 1-99, 1-200 DMP]

[Abyssal Maulfiend — Lvl 1-99, 1-400 DMP]

His scrolling motion ceased at the third listing. He tapped it.

A three-dimensional model materialized above the menu. It was a bipedal figure, broad-shouldered, encased in fused obsidian plating that formed heavy slabs across its chest and arms. Two horns curved backward from a sloped skull. In its right hand, it wielded a maul crafted from welded basalt and bone, its head nearly as wide as Kaiden's torso.

The system provided a concise description: a heavy ground combatant, possessing exceptional durability, slow movement, and devastating impact force.

Kaiden mused that these would serve as excellent catalysts for achieving ascension.

The criteria for advancing to a higher tier were, at best, ambiguous; the dungeon itself needed to attain sufficient strength to evolve.

He believed that deploying a contingent of shock troops like these would be a strong initial move.

Kaiden adjusted the slider to 99, and the cost per unit updated to 400 DMP. He specified a quantity of one and confirmed the purchase.

[Purchase confirmed. 1 Abyssal Maulfiend, Lvl 99. -400 DMP.]

A new presence registered at the periphery of Kaiden's awareness. He manipulated the 3D map, and a fresh red dot appeared in one of the wider ambush chambers within the corridor.

Kaiden tapped the purchase button again.

[Purchase confirmed. 1 Abyssal Maulfiend, Lvl 99. -400 DMP.]

A second dot materialized two chambers further down.

He continued tapping. By the time the fifth Maulfiend was purchased, a soft chime echoed through the cathedral.

[Ascension Achieved.]

[Dungeon #A23-6679 — Low Tier. Rank 1 ➝ Rank 2.]

Calypso let out a low whistle. "That was remarkably quick, Darling."

"It appears the dungeon was already nearing its rank-up threshold."

He first opened the Creatures menu. The sliders for all Abyssal entries remained capped at level 99. Common Creatures continued to display their fixed levels. No Lava Turrets had become available under the Defenses tab.

A notification window pulsed at the bottom of his interface, one he hadn't previously noticed.

He tapped it.

[New Option Unlocked: Champions.]

[Champions are sworn heroes of the Dungeon Master, elevated above ordinary subjects. Champions hold formal authority in dungeon management and are recognized as the Master's chosen combatants in Dungeon Master Duels.]

[Champion Slots: 0 / 5.]

[The cap on slots can potentially increase with rank advancements.]

Kaiden reviewed the description two times, then lifted his gaze.

Within his reach from the dais, six girls were positioned.

Yet, there were only five slots available.

The moment Alice finished reading the line, a pout formed instantly on her face, her eyes already brimming with the impending complaint. She didn't need to verbalize the calculations; her grip on his shirt intensified in silent protest before the actual words could emerge.

"Kai."

Nyx's voice sliced through the atmosphere, preempting any of the others from speaking.

"I will wait for the subsequent rank up. You should select the others first."

Alice's pout froze mid-formation, the tantrum she was about to unleash—about him prioritizing women over his own sister, a grave betrayal of the highest magnitude—dissipated before it could truly begin.

Kaiden met his breathtaking space companion's gaze for a significant duration.

"Thank you."

A gentle smile touched her lips. "Of course, Kai."

He redirected his attention back to the interface and proceeded through the appointment procedure with a series of taps.

[Champion appointed: Aria — Manifestation of Moon.]

[Champion appointed: Bastet — Manifestation of Dominion.]

[Champion appointed: Luna — Manifestation of Storm.]

[Champion appointed: Calypso — Manifestation of Carnage.]

[Champion appointed: Alice Ashborn — The Light That Destroys.]

[Champion Slots: 5 / 5. All current slots assigned.]

A subtle luminescence coursed through each of the designated girls. While imperceptible to the naked eye, Kaiden sensed it emanating from the throne, akin to a tether binding each of them to the dungeon with a newfound depth.

The process was then complete.

Kaiden navigated back to the main menus.

He strategically deployed fifteen additional Maulfiends throughout the corridor and the Verdant boundary via bulk purchases, expending six thousand DMP in a rapid succession of taps. He layered another dozen Nightclaws into the airspace of the corridor, positioning them as aerial support across the ambush chambers. This cost an additional twenty-four hundred. Three more Salamawyrms were integrated into Melty’s existing network at Level 99, and somewhere deep within the magma, his most ancient pet was likely already welcoming her newly arrived sisters with enthusiastic wriggles.

Having spent nearly ten thousand, the cathedral suddenly chimed once more.

[Ascension Achieved.]

[Dungeon #A23-6679 — Low Tier. Rank 2 ➝ Rank 3.]

Kaiden raised his hand, intending to bring up the newly unlocked menus.

However, the communication artifact pulsed into his awareness first.

He retrieved it. Vespera's distinctive signature pulsed across the ancient rune.

"Mother."

"Kaiden." Her voice, clear and unhurried, resonated through the mystical link. "There is someone I wish to introduce you to. Kindly make your way to the front if your schedule permits."

The connection terminated.

Kaiden refocused his attention on the dungeon interface. Among the newly revealed icons that had materialized with Rank 3, one bore the simple outline of a circular lens. This represented a scrying view, offering the dungeon's Master a vantage point of his own domain's entrance directly from the comfort of his throne.

He activated it.

Beyond the main gate, the perimeter Vespera had meticulously organized buzzed with significant activity.

Vespera herself stood poised at the gate, exuding her usual composure.

Beside her stood another woman.

Tall and slender, possessing the physique of a dedicated athlete. A striking red suit jacket hugged her form closely, impeccably tailored from the collar to the cuffs and hem, its color reminiscent of arterial blood. Beneath the open jacket, a black turtleneck rose to meet her neck, forming a sleek, unbroken line. Black tactical trousers completed the ensemble, paired with boots polished to a mirror shine. The absence of any visible weaponry was, in itself, a powerful statement.

Her hair, a long and deep shade of red, was swept back and secured in a low knot at the nape of her neck. Her complexion was so fair that the contrast made her hair appear to smolder, and her eyes were the color of molten orange, mirroring the fiery heart of a furnace, emitting a faint glow even in the daylight.

She stood next to Vespera with effortless grace, one hip slightly jutting forward, her hands resting casually within her jacket pockets, projecting an air of complete relaxation despite her current location.

Nyx emitted a sharp, startled cry. The sound was so uncharacteristic of Nyx that every other head in the cathedral swiveled towards her instantaneously.

Her hands had instinctively flown to cover her mouth.

"Oh my god!" Her voice emerged at a pitch noticeably higher than anyone present had ever heard.

"That's Scarlet!" she gasped out. "The Flame Monarch! What is she doing here?"