Dungeon of Niflheim

As the days progressed more and more adventurers visited the Niflheim base camp, all keen to delve into the wonders that was the dungeon of Niflheim, an apt name as far as they were concerned.

Though more than a few reckless and even careful individuals still lost their lives within the dungeon's confines the interest never let up. For many it was far more profitable and beneficial to base themselves within the camp and regularly delve into the dungeon than to accept the occasional quest from the guild.

This preferred interest alerted the local adventurers guild in Furano as well as their sister branches within the glacial mountains. Frost caught a significant amount of scouts surveying the area, some friendly, some neutral and some that had more unsavoury agendas.

One night when the level of adventurers present in the camp was low and the sun had long set, bringing near total darkness a large group of ruffians armed to the teeth with weapons and the odd piece of siege equipment surrounded the camp's mighty walls.

Their scouts inspected the camp over the previous two days, identifying the weak points of their defences, the number of guards on patrol as well as the gear assigned to them, all in preparation for tonight's attack.

"Is everyone in position?" The leader of the group, a tall human with a large scar over his right eye asked as he gripped the handle of his trusted great axe.

"Everyone's ready boss, we're good to go."

"Good, let's get to work then." The leader smiled wildly as a fire erupted in his eyes. He and his group were hired by a certain privateer to take down this newly constructed camp and execute the current owner so said privateer could take over the flourishing gold mine. The place had only been in business for a couple weeks yet already the local predators could smell the potential.

The longer they waited the harder it'd be to take down.

"I have to admit that their rate of construction and development is quite astounding but that only paints a larger target on their back." The group came prepared, amply ready to face off against the defences of the camp and the ronso guards stationed there….well at least they thought they were.

Frost had long noticed their intentions and prepared certain traps. He purposely made sections of the wall appear weak, reduced the number of ronsos on patrol and even replaced some of their weapons all to give off the illusion of a weak prey.

"Finally an excuse to put my new prison to good use hahahaha." Frost laughed evilly as he viewed the arrangement of red dots on the dungeon map. 200 enemies willingly handing over their lives, oh how generous.

"Milord?" Khuno asked through telepathy.

"Do it, take the stronger ones alive if you can…kill the rest."

"Understood."

The moment the 'powerful' force of bandits were about to launch their invasion dozens of monsters suddenly appeared from behind and by their flanks.

"AMBUSH!!!!"

"AAAHHHHHH!!!!!"

"Squealch!!!"

The large force of 200 was quickly dealt with under the cover of night. Only 20 were taken prisoner and stuffed within the cages on the tenth floor, the rest were executed, granting Frost a substantial amount of DP as well as money. For bandits this group was quite well off, the high ranking individuals alone carried close to 4 gold coins.

"Hahahahaha gotta love bandits." Frost was ecstatic, culling invaders was such an easy way to make money. Unlike adventurers he didn't have to worry about killing too much or thinking about how to prolong their stay, he was free to kill each and every last one of them, doing so would even earn him praise.

Bandits were despised throughout Nova and usually held bounties in which any individual could redeem for reward. A decent chunk of adventurers actually make bandit hunting their prime occupation.

"What are you going to do with those you captured?" Daki who watched the affair by his side asked after letting out a relieved breath. She was stunned when she heard about the scouts and the army surrounding their home. To ease her worries and reassure her Frost insisted that she watch the battle -or rather slaughter- by his side.

"Information extraction as well as payment. I'd like to know who's behind this group so we can prepare for any more serious threats." He was confident that this group wouldn't be the only ones foolish enough to try their hands at taking over the Dungeon of Niflheim.

Word spread through dark channels that the entire 200 bandit force was annihilated, instantly elevating the threat level of the newly established camp to one that was already complete and fully defended. If one wished to replace the current ruler they'd need a far stronger force and or go the more shadowy route i.e. assassination.

Frost didn't quite welcome such methods given his past trauma as well as the greatly reduced income possibilities, but beggars can't be choosers. A couple of female ronsos were placed in charge of intelligence gathering within the camp, they'd willingly engage with the visitors in order to gleam as much information as possible.

He also advised Nanna, Loki and Daki to be on alert whenever they were within the camp just in case anyone targeted them instead of himself. He wasn't prepared to take any chances.

Thankfully after the first attempt there wasn't another in following weeks instead a different approach was taken by some.

"Get out!!"

"Lord Frost don't be so hasty; you'll never hear an offer as good as this one."

"I said GET OUT!!!!" Frost summoned his glaive and placed the razor sharp edge under the offender's chin.

"Ahhhhh!!!! You crazy barbarian! You'll regret this!!" An obese cat beastwoman screeched as she dragged herself from his office.

"Do these people really think I'm such a pushover or an idiot." He slammed his fist against his desk to relieve his anger. "That's the seventh person claiming that It'd be in my best interest to transfer control over to them or their bosses, while only offering pittance in reparation. Damn leeches that think they can swoon in on my hard work and take what's mine! Enough!!!"

"Findlay!"

"Yes milord."

"The next person that says they're offering to buy me out, kick them out of the camp and if they still kick up a fuss execute them!" He was really pissed, he'd had enough. His nice guy routine had its limits.

"Happily milord." Findlay responded with an eager tone, he too was not pleased with how these businessmen and women were treating his master.

"Unless there's anything else for me to deal with I'll be heading to the training room to let off a little steam."

"Nothing's on the schedule, so you should be free."

"I could do with a proper secretary, using you feels like a waste of your talents."

"I'm happy to help you in any way I can master."

"Haaaaaa" Frost sighed before teleporting from his office to the training space. Lately he'd be trying to improve his magic capabilities to the point that he could be considered a B-rank magician. Maya offered a lot of pointers and frequently sparred with him, but his progress was rather slow compared to his recent exploits.

Without any sense of danger there was no sudden explosion of improvement, he was thus learning or at least trying to learn the virtue of patience.

"Rough day?" Daki who currently in the training room to brush up on her skills and keep her body in its current sexy form asked when she saw the scowl on her boyfriend's face.

"Rough is an understatement." He snarled back, his fury rising whenever he remembered the condescension and contempt in the words and gazes of his recent visitors. He preferred when they sent people to kill him instead of trying to broker a deal face to face. It took a great deal of restraint not to murder each and every one of them.

"More people suggesting that you transfer ownership or else."

"Yep and as far as I'm concerned the last one. I've already instructed Findlay to take care of them. I'm done!" He summoned up a few practise dummies in the distance before conjuring up a flaming ball of ice fire and launching it at the targets.

Daki who had built up a little sweat wrapped herself around him, pressing her ample chest against his back as her hands rubbed his shoulders and tense arms.

"I'm surprised you lasted this long. I thought for sure you would have made an example of the first or second buyer thus killing the chicken to scare the monkeys." From what she knew of his personality he wasn't above such methods.

"Believe me I wanted to do." He leaned back and took in a whiff of his girlfriend's natural scent.

"So why didn't you?"

"Because I want to draw people to my territory not drive them away. If I killed those I disagreed with or who insulted me at the drop of a hat then it doesn't really put me in a good light as a ruler right?"

"…..Actually I think it would."

"Eh?"

"Think about it, in this world power is very important. Showing force guarantees the capability to protect your subjects from powerful foes plus your territory is different. Unlike most you're basing your land around a dungeon, and starting off with a camp, strength is even more important and in this line of work force is sometimes all that matters.

Has you rejecting all these busybodies with shit offers stopped them coming."

"...No"

"And they won't not until you make them realise who their dealing with, you need to show that you're not someone unprepared to do what's necessary to protect what's yours. You need to display power and authority; only then will they see you as an equal. Whether or not this ups their aggression at least you won't have to deal with their annoying badgering right."

"...." Frost was completely stunned, floored by Daki's insight. He'd expect such words from Maya but not necessarily her.

'Have I really been too easy-going.' If Daki was right then he wouldn't have to walk on eggshells and cater to the whims of others, instead he could truly run the place his way, regardless of what his neighbours thought.

An evil smile grew on his face as plans ran through his mind, it was time for a change.

He turned to his girlfriend with clear lust in his eyes. "You're amazing."

"Oh I know…you're quite gifted yourself." Her eyes drifted down towards his groin as she licked her lips, keen to embark on another kind of exercise which Frost was more than happy to oblige.

"Findlay change of plan I'm going to be busy for quite a while. If anyone like the woman from earlier comes, rough them up before booting them out, I want them to know that we don't give two shits about their so called offers."

"Yes milord." Once Findlay received his new orders Frost pounced on his green enchantress and gave her body a real workout.