Chapter 73 - Monke Be Like Family Man

"Is this everybody?"

"Yes, Boss. Five gorilla squads." Gong replied with a salute. Not the typical salute soldiers do, but more like beating his arm against his chest.

"Good." I looked at each and every primate standing at attention in front of me. 10 gorillas, Gong included, and 15 chimps. Each one of them was geared up in the standard set I had gifted them. Spears for the chimps, with a bow and arrows for some of them, with a short-sword as a sub-weapon. They wore iron-chest plates light enough to cover their vitals. The gorillas, however, brought tower shields, large enough to hide their bodies behind them, heavy armor that made them into walking tanks, and either brought an axe or mace to the battlefield.

These armors I made with materials bought from the store. I couldn't wait for the orcs, goblins, and some primates to learn the process of how to make said materials, so I had to settle for a more expensive shortcut.

"Now, your tasks are simple. Go out there and either invite monsters to my Dungeon, or if not possible, capture them."

The primates all looked at me without any visible twitch in their posture or faces, signifying that they were expecting this.

"If capture is not an option. Run, or kill them. Your lives matter more than those who refuse to accept my generosity." I commanded them with a huff. I will not test a live primate on whether or not they respawn if they die outside my Dungeon. The primates, however, looked at me with gratitude, worship, and tears in their eyes. There was no doubt, they would gladly lay their own life for me, but I was not that kind of person… Monkey…

Truth of the matter is, I do not like to sacrifice my own kin. I will accept that there will be losses on the way to victory, but that does not mean I will not grieve for every primate lost. During my few weeks here, the monkeys were the only ones who gave me calm in this never-ending state of confusion, fighting, strategizing, and paranoia.

Count Domino in that too, please.

So, it could be said that I developed some kind of soft spot for these primates.

The goblins and orcs, as well as other monsters that are weaker than me and my primates, though? They can go fuck themselves. They're expendable, as far as I'm concerned. The same could not be said for humans and demi-humans. What the monsters lack, the humans and demi-humans have, so they are a very valuable asset.

That, and they're a good source of DP and EXP. Yum…

"Boss… Best Boss! Best Big Boss!" Gong shouted, prompting every other primate to yell, hoot, and stomp the ground in glee. I cracked a smile at their display, garnering a look of confusion from the monsters passing by the gate.

I let them celebrate for a few moments longer, before the excitement died down and we went back to business.

"Alright, as I was saying, for those who accepted the invitation, use these." I handed each group a brown pouch with a single stone inside. They cost a lot of DP, so they better make it worth it. The leaders of each group accepted the bags with a nod, hanging them on their waists where a sash coiled around. "Use them when you've gathered enough monsters, or if you need to escape."

"Now, for those who refuse, and are captured." I retrieved more pouches, this time red in color, and handed them to each of the leaders once more. "Use these when they give you trouble and you really want them out of your hair. They'll be quickly sent to the Cagehouse."

The leaders nodded, getting the gist of what I was trying to relay. Basically, use the stone in the brown pouch if you want to go home, along with all those you have captured and invited, or use the stone in the red bag if you still want to search for more and the prisoners are giving you a hard time.

Rather simple instructions. It is up to them whether or not to bring a large number of monsters, or come home without any.

"Remember, even if you don't bring any monsters here, it's okay. We'll just do it again some other time." I reassured them that there would be no punishments in case of failure. I am not a tyrant, nor will I ever want to be.

The primates all nodded, and I gave them a caring smile. "Be safe out there, and make me proud."

The primates all hooted and marched towards the outside of my Dungeon. Fortunately, I had some chimps scout the outside of my Dungeon for any human activity, and there was none.

Good, I don't need another problem on my doorstep anytime soon, what with this 'Dungeon Games' coming up in the next few days.

DP: 12,950 -> 7,950

That was about 5,000 worth of DP spent, but if they bring back a large number of monsters, then I can earn that back in just a day. Making my way back to the Dungeon Core Room, I was greeted by a smiling Nicholas, with Alexa accompanying him to see the state of the monster city.

"You have some very loyal subordinates." Nicholas grinned while I chuckled back at him good-naturedly.

"Call them family, instead." Nicholas grin turned into a warm smile as he looked at me with an understanding gaze.

"You know, you aren't all that bad. Are all sentient monsters like this?" Nicholas teased as he brought his arm around his daughter, who flinched at the sudden contact, embarrassed by the public display of affection.

"As far as I know, all monsters are sentient, but most have below average intelligence." I retorted back with a grin.

Over the last couple of days, me and Nicholas have somewhat bonded. Sure, our trust in each other isn't all that tight, but our conversations sometimes lead to teasing and very interesting arguments.

Long story short, Nicholas is a goddamned troll, and I'm loving every second of banter with him. Too bad his daughter is such a strict person.

"Anyway, I still have some things to do, so I'll see you later." I said towards Nicholas, who gave me a curt nod and waved, along with Alexa, who was still uncomfortable with monsters as a conversation partner. "By the way, how's the gift I gave you?"

"That gift is sitting nice and pretty on my waist." Nicholas patted the long-sword neatly strapped to his waist. It was a cheap sword I bought from the Dungeon Store, but it was above average in terms of craftsmanship.

Seeing that Nicholas had no weapon when he was teleported here along with his daughter, I assumed that he had left his weapons back in the town of Kazanpan.

"Then I'll see you." I left him to his devices a short while later. I also noticed Alexa taking curious, but uncomfortable glances towards me whenever I visit, or we pass each other by.

Today wasn't any different, but hey, peaceful days are the best days.