Chapter 4

First, it's time to create the dungeon.

"Alright, let's get started with the <<Dungeon Creation>>!"

As I declared the activation of the skill, a semi-transparent screen and something like a computer keyboard appeared in front of my eyes. This must be for giving instructions for the dungeon's maintenance.

Incidentally, the screen currently displays an overhead view of the entire dungeon, and the layout of buildings and the positions of rivers match my memories from when I was human.

"First, let's check the screen and functions."

I operated the keyboard to call up various data needed for dungeon maintenance while asking Help-kun about anything I didn't understand.

After about an hour of investigation, I learned the following:

- With <<Dungeon Creation>>, you can change the structure and details of the dungeon and set traps.

- Using the functions of <<Dungeon Creation>> consumes HP, MP, and SP.

- The amount of HP, MP, and SP consumed varies according to the Demon King's status and skills.

- The consumed HP, MP, and SP recover over time, so there's no problem.

- If there are no humans in the dungeon, the work is completed immediately after the command is given.

- The dungeon must have at least one entrance and exit.

- The number of people who can enter the dungeon can be adjusted here.

- The level of the dungeon equals the level of the Demon King.

- As the level of the dungeon increases, you can add more floors, build more complex structures, and set more powerful traps.

- Each floor must have at least one resting place.

"Yep, it's very clear. Well, let's start with the basics."

I operated the keyboard to set the entrance and exit on the south side. Since there's a barrier, it should be more accurately called a potential entrance and exit.

This consumed 10 HP, MP, and SP each.

Continuing, I wanted to remove the roads and paving that were in the way of my dungeon design, but doing so would cost about 5000 HP and SP each, so I decided to just crush them into rocks and stones. This consumed 1000 HP and SP each.

Incidentally, the "remove" command completely erases something as if it never existed, which is why it costs more than crushing.

Anyway, continuing with the work, I changed all the ground in the dungeon to a swamp (about 10 cm deep). This consumed 500 SP and MP each.

Finally, I cast a thin fog (about 10 meters visibility) over the entire dungeon. This consumed about 1000 MP.

And so, the wonderful land that was once a university, a residential area built alongside it, and a peaceful rural landscape has been remodeled into a creepy dungeon with all the ground turned to mud, only the tops of buildings providing a proper footing, and always shrouded in fog.

I feel like playing a song by B**o and A**er, but since this level of dungeon maintenance is just the beginning, I won't play it yet. (Incidentally, there is an option in <<Dungeon Creation>> to play specific songs throughout the dungeon, so it's really possible. The consumption of HP, MP, and SP varies by song.)

For now, my remaining HP, MP, and SP are as follows, so I'll take a short break:

HP: 590/1600

MP: 340/1850

SP: 240/1750

Incidentally, the depth of the swamp and the density of the fog can be upgraded by consuming additional MP, so I plan to upgrade them after the initial setup.

"Still, a one-year preparation period is really a blessing. If the dungeon had been open from the start, I might have had to fight intruders without even finishing the maintenance, and that's a situation I really don't want to think about."

After muttering this to myself, I took a break while checking the structures that can be set up with <<Dungeon Creation>> and bookmarking the ones that fit my design for easy access.

After a thorough check, I started a nap to recover efficiently.

Incidentally, due to the effects of becoming a Demon King, the only thing I need to survive is the magic in the air, so I don't need to eat or sleep for daily life. For me now, they are merely luxuries or means to recover HP and the like more efficiently.

"Well, after the nap, I'll try to work on the <<Demon Creation>> side."

And I began to breathe quietly.

Thank you always for your evaluations, comments, and impressions.

04/08 I revised the text to start each paragraph with a space.