Dungeon of Niflheim

Chapter 653 Niflheim gnomes

Frost quickly found himself back in his office where Yuna awaited him.

"Let's start the show."

"Yes master."

The two then teleported to the Dungeon's extension, a set of forest-like rooms that were connected to a secondary entrance within the Glacial mountains themselves.

This place was built upon the idea of not missing out on the glorious levels of DP brought in by wild monsters that the establishment of the Camp had put a stop to.

After several months of trickled activity dozens of monsters had managed to find their way through the hidden entrance. Following their instincts, their hunger for mana and power these monsters were drawn to the Dungeon and were faced with trees as far as the eyes could see and plentiful, weak beasts to feast on, a veritable paradise.

After settling in for sometime these monsters would then be faced with a life changing choice. Frost or one of his officers would appear before those deemed useful, offering them the opportunity to join the Dungeon, to come under Frost's rule and relish in the high levels of mana that proliferated through its many floors.

Unfortunately few were willing to submit even when faced with Frost himself, choosing to either fight to the death or more frequently flee for their lives. And with the forces behind Frost not a single monster that chose to run ever made it out of the Dungeon, forever becoming nutrients for its grand development.

Those that were wise and farsighted in their choice quickly became like the rest of the resident monsters within the Dungeon. After a brief ceremony with Frost a soul contract would link them to him and alter their being into his servants and allow them to enjoy the glorious benefits of such a bargain albeit at the cost of their freedom, bound to the Dungeon forever more.

However right now this extension was where Frost planned to summon his Niflheim gnomes. From here they'd back out of the Dungeon's secondary entrance and walk with him to the Camp as though they had journeyed through the Glacial mountains to get here.

A clever ploy that required little work but one that would help add to Frost's mystery as well as prevent people from linking the gnomes to the Dungeon.

"Are we clear?" Frost asked Yuna after they arrived in a rather open glade.

"Yes sir I had the coeurl corps scour the area for any wild monsters that found their way inside, you won't be interrupted." The coeurl corps were a regiment of coeurl pups and coeurls that were placed under Kiba's command several months ago during the monster stampede.

However recently more and more coeurls pups had evolved into their C-rank couerl form with some even becoming variants, stronger than the standard version. This of course was glorious news to Frost and the Dungeon as a whole but to Kiba it was a literal nightmare.

Monsters especially beastlike monsters like coeurls and winged tigers had very strict hierarchy, whoever was strongest was top dog or in this case cat.

With the coeurls being C-rank monsters and with some of the variants even reaching mid C-rank, Kiba who was a C-rank himself not even being at the peak had seen no small amount of challenges from his former loyal subordinates.

It had gotten so bad in fact that the young tiger was forced to actually start training himself alongside his master rather than act like the domestic housecat he had recently gotten used to being.

It was no longer a strange sight to see Kiba covered in wounds and emitting a rather baleful aura whenever he was not within the private space or out on patrol with Frost in the Camp. He was gradually honouring his heritage, growing step by step closer to the B-rank.

"Alright time to get a look at these fellas that are filled with my blood, sweat and tears." Happy with Yuna's arrangements Frost opened up the Dungeon menu's monster section and scrolled through it until he reached the new addition that had been created, the Niflheim gnomes.

Niflheim gnomes: a unique variant of the gnome species created by Dungeon core Frost. Their stature and appearance differ only slightly from their regular kin albeit leaning more to a blueish skin colour. These proud and talented gnomes hold very little battle strength but in absence of that their talents in regards to craftmanship surpasses all others at the same rank.

With their mastery of cold flames these monsters can easily mould both ice and metal to their whims, allowing them to put most aspiring blacksmiths and artificers to shame. Although primarily specialising in forging and artificing these talented individuals can easily pick up nearly all tradecrafts that require skilled hands.

Lesser Niflheim gnome, D-rank; 625DP

Niflheim gnome, C-rank; 1800DP

Their base prices for their grades were roughly average a fair bit lower than the ronsos but such a price poorly reflected their overall capabilities.

"Hehehehe." Frost laughed without reservation, a sparkle flashing in his eyes as he added over twenty lesser Niflheim gnomes and 3 Niflheim gnomes for purchase.

Just like the dwarf caste these individuals were capable of evolving into different specialties further down the line however all, but a single path was related to crafting, thus truly eclipsing this race from fighting on the frontlines.

Wasting no time at all Frost clicked the confirm purchase button and felt a wave of creation energy pulse through him before 23 magic crests appeared before him and Yuna.

A short moment later the Niflheim gnomes were revealed in all their 'grandeur?'

For Yuna, a B-rank monster that respected strength it was difficult for her to respect the tiny individuals that now stood before her. Though her master had expounded repeatedly about their usefulness and though she understood the concept on a logical level her instincts seemed to still take precedent. There was a natural sense of scorn forming in her eyes that was difficult for her to hide.

Frost failed to initially pick up on her reactions due to being over the moon from seeing his creation in the flesh. The three C-rank Niflheim gnomes however immediately picked up on it and without the slightest bit of fear glared at the B-rank maiden of ice.

A female Niflheim gnome even had the courage to mock her. "Useless bimbo that has muscles for brains, unable to understand how pathetic she really is in the grand scheme hmph." These sharp words and the intense mocking tone behind them of course set Yuna off.

"What was that toothpick!" Despite being by her master's side Yuna was truly incensed by the gnome's words. Veins protruded and throbbed across her body as she visibly tensed up, mana naturally coalescing around as she readied herself to attack the cocky gnome before her.

"Huh you deaf bimbo or just stupid, getting angry just proves my point." Riled up by Yuna sudden show of force the female Niflheim gnome instead of retreating doubled down on her opinion, even going to the extent of taunting Yuna, daring her to hit her and see what happens.

Yuna being as prideful as she was felt something snap in her mind and the area around them suddenly sharply lowered in temperature.

"YUNA! Stand down!" By this point it was impossible for Frost to remain ignorant of the situation. Without any restraint he released his royal aspected aura immediately deflating Yuna's outburst.

"But master?" Yuna felt the urge to cry, feeling betrayed by her beloved master.

'Why isn't he taking my side, I'm a B-rank monster with a name.'

"You to, your words went too far."

"S...sorry master." The female gnome visibly trembled while under Frost's pressure, instantly apologising for her actions and taking a step back thus allowing the tension to ease.

"Yuna you looked upon my creation with scorn the moment they arrived thus she was justified in her attacks against you however Yuna is my capable secretary, questioning her capabilities especially in front of myself is insulting me." Frost kept his aura released as he spoke pressing down on both Yuna and the female gnome.

""We are sorry master."" The two bowed their heads and apologised for their outburst.

Frost was truly quite angry, a glorious moment that he was filled with expectation for was pretty much ruined. Alas he didn't hold it too much against Yuna and the gnome, a clash in personalities and their respective species was something natural.

Hidden behind his expressed anger however was a smirk. 'Hehehe feisty and courageous despite their lack in strength just how I designed them.'

This rebellious spirit that saw the female gnome boldly stand head to head with Yuna was a rather rare trait among gnome kind at least when they weren't in a vastly superior position of power.

However Frost believed that despite lacking strength the fact that these monsters stood head and shoulders above their peers in regards to craftmanship they should have ample arrogance thus resulting in the current standoff.

"You Niflheim gnomes will become my Dungeon's greatest support, I have high expectations for all of you."

"You will not be disappointed master." The three C-rank Niflheim gnomes saluted with conviction as did the 20 odd lesser gnomes.

"Good because I have your very first assignment."