The Runesmith

“I think we need to adjust the reaction time, maybe put in an algorithm that will predict it more accurately.”

“What be this 'ere algorithm?"

“Ah… It’s a process or set of instructions … Let’s just say it’s a set of rules the magical automaton has to follow…”

Roland gazed at the dwarven woman, her expression a mix of confusion and unfamiliarity with the modern words he was employing. They both stood within a chamber entirely constructed from metal. Adjacent to one of the walls, a substantial console encased a rectangular crystal. Inside this crystal resided what appeared to be a two-dimensional map, with numerous dots in constant motion upon it. Pulsating runes lit up the for-now dark chamber that a few people had gathered in.

This chamber sat in close proximity to the dungeon entrance, mirroring the gate Roland had conjured between the two dungeons by being seamlessly integrated into the walls. From the exterior, it appeared as nothing more than a solid, imposing door. It boasted the standard runic safety scanners, a precautionary measure to deter curious adventurers. A solitary sentinel remained stationed outside, ready to dissuade any would-be peekers.

Within the chamber, a total of five individuals were present, with Roland being one of them, while the remaining four hailed from the Dwarven Union. This chamber acted as a vital nexus for gathering and disseminating information regarding the dungeon's activities. The primary console featured a graphical interface akin to the one housed within Roland's runic helmet, offering a comprehensive view of all floors equipped with runic mapping sensors. However, this functionality constituted only a fraction of its capabilities, as its true utility extended far beyond this initial glimpse.

“Look at this party of four here. The golems only reacted after this one had been knocked out and took a substantial amount of damage.”

“Oh aye, ye might be onto somethin' there! Predictin' them difficult situations an' lendin' a hand quicker could verra well lead to more coin in our pockets!”

“That’s the gist of it, this golem might have killed one of them if they arrived a second later… But perhaps we should just give the adventurers some input as well.”

“Input?”

Brylvia inquired as she wasn’t sure where he was going with it.

“I think we can do it like this. Either we create an intricate system that helps the golems predict all incidents before they happen, or we just leave it up to the adventurers themselves. It would lessen the burden on us if we go with the second option.”

The Master Runesmith nodded in agreement. She understood the complexity of programming golems to respond to various situations. It was relatively straightforward to make the golems react when an adventurer's health dropped below fifty percent. However, predicting whether a monster still posed a threat based on a wider range of inputs was far more challenging.

What proved even simpler was relying on the adventurers themselves. If they ever felt overwhelmed, they could activate the armlets they had been provided with—a sort of panic button that would summon assistance. Naturally, having the golems arrive would incur a fee that they would need to settle later on.

Roland's money-making scheme was surprisingly straightforward. He aimed to capitalize on the hundreds, and eventually thousands, of adventurers who frequented the dungeon. The production cost of the armlets was minimal, allowing them to be distributed free of charge. However, when the golems intervened to rescue adventurers from formidable opponents, a substantial fee would be required. Additionally, Roland planned to introduce a subscription model that would reduce the size of the one-time payment.

He anticipated that these automatons would eventually police the entire dungeon, greatly enhancing its safety while simultaneously boosting revenue for the entire city. The more adventurers that survived their expeditions, the more money would flow into the city's coffers. By extending the lifespan of these revenue generators, the city could thrive even further. Roland's scheme was multi-faceted, ensuring the satisfaction of all parties involved.

‘I guess the only downside will be on the adventurer part. They might grow accustomed to the golems and their own combat skills will take a nose dive. Though, that’s not really my problem…’

The dungeon operated like a natural Darwinian system, where only those who accumulated sufficient experience and put in the effort could reach higher levels of power. The presence of golems in the dungeon meant that more individuals who might have otherwise perished during this process would now survive. These survivors might not be as seasoned as the veteran adventurers of old, but this didn't concern him.

The greater their reliance on the golems and his products, the more profit they would accumulate. He was still a craftsman and a businessman at his core. As Roland explained his plan to Brylvia and the other dwarves, they began to see the potential benefits.

"Ye've got yerself a clever plan there, Master Wayland. It'll be much easier if we jist concentrate on improvin' the golems instead o' that 'algorithm' that ye speak o'."

“I think that would be best for now, we are already stretching ourselves thin.”

Roland and Brylvia exchanged knowing nods, well aware that there were moments when cutting corners became a necessity. If only they had a Rune Mage to assist in refining the golems' operating systems, everything would have been much smoother. However, the dwarven craftsmen excelled in crafting the hardware, leaving Roland occupied with his other ongoing projects and pressing concerns. It was somewhat peculiar how little interest they showed in delving beneath the surface of the golems' mechanics. Their strong preference was to adhere faithfully to tradition, seldom entertaining deviations from the tried-and-true designs.

“I guess if you agree, then we’ll go with that method. Let us instead focus on bringing enough golem units to cover the whole dungeon.”

“I agree.”

The two master craftsmen exchanged nods, their silent understanding palpable, while the hushed group of tier 2 runesmiths remained discreet. Roland was still acclimating to the responsibilities that came with his respected tier 3 classification. Though unsure of the craftsmen's personal feelings toward him, he did perceive a level of respect for his skill as a competent runesmith. The trio of runesmiths found themselves utterly baffled by the workings of the mapping device, and Roland had no intention of sharing its inner workings without proper compensation.

“Now then, how is the storage facility working?”

“Ah’m glad that ye asked, come this way and see fer yersel”

The metallic chamber wasn't the sole feature in this area; it served as an entrance to an entirely separate facility. As they approached a sliding door, it smoothly opened after recognizing their mana patterns. Stepping inside, they were greeted by the resounding sounds of chisels and the occasional grunt. More dwarves were hard at work, diligently expanding the golem storage area where all the constructs were kept.

This vast storage space had the capacity to house nearly a hundred golems, but there was a clear need for expansion. The new extension was being built deeper underground, away from the dungeon's vicinity, to avoid replicating the fully metallic chamber they had just passed through.

“Your men work fast…”

“Aye, When it comes to buildin' underground, there's naethin' better than a dwarves' pickaxe. It's what me mum used to say.”

Roland nodded in genuine astonishment at the remarkable speed with which these skilled craftsmen were producing results. Had he not reached a resolution with the union and needed to hire a different construction firm, he would have expected the work to progress at least twice as slowly. These dwarves displayed an innate talent for transforming solid walls into functional facilities. If this pace continued, perhaps in just a month or two, the entire dungeon would be intricately tunneled through.

Merely storing the golems in a large open space was insufficient; they needed to be readily accessible to the adventurers when required. Numerous smaller spaces like the one they were in would be created on each level, interconnected through smaller tunnels to allow the golems efficient mobility. Additionally, some of the secret tunnels Roland was aware of would be utilized to expedite the process. These golemic creations would possess the ability to open hidden runic walls, a feature the dungeon had in abundance, making navigation considerably more convenient.

“I see, everything is progressing smoothly. What about the other affair that we talked bout?”

“Ye mean that geothermal contraption?”

“Geothermal, yes.”

“Ah had me boys look o'er the plans, shouldnae be a problem.”

Realizing the immense potential of collaboration with the dwarven union, Roland decided to move forward with his alternative power generator concept. They were stationed above a dungeon that was an active volcano which he wanted to use. While there might not be natural reservoirs of water that could be heated up, that was hardly an issue when magic was at their disposal.

His newfound companions were already acquainted with his runic batteries and the wind generators that allowed them to charge up. Roland didn't particularly concern himself with the prospect of others discovering his runic battery or generator designs. Even if someone obtained the exact blueprints, it would still take years for the technology to be fully implemented. Moreover, he couldn't envision many other runic craftsmen eagerly adopting untested and unfamiliar technology on a larger scale.

Roland's foremost priority continued to be his advancement within the city and the simple pleasures of a peaceful life. What others did beyond the city's boundaries or how they utilized his creations held little sway over his interests. While a more hands-on approach might have potentially generated greater wealth and fame, those pursuits were not the driving force in his life. He cherished the moments spent with the people and things that held a special place in his heart, content in the pursuit of a life filled with those he held dear.

“Good, then keep me informed and I’ll get back to my side of the deal, expect a new shipment of runic batteries soon.”

Roland's primary responsibility was overseeing the operation of the mapping device and supplying the essential batteries for all the golems. Thanks to his proficiency in rune copying, this task was relatively straightforward. With a single well-placed strike on each component, he could quickly complete the structure, while the dwarves handled most of the physical assembly. The small group of tier 2 runesmiths bore the brunt of the labor, a role they appeared to relish. The more they worked, the sharper their skills became, and the quicker they advanced in their levels. Everything was progressing smoothly, affording Roland some much-needed free time to ponder other matters, such as the ones awaiting him back home.

“AWWOoooo!”

“Hey, what did I tell you? Stop bothering Agni.”

Upon his return home, Roland was met with an entirely different scene. Instead of the burly dwarven men and the clang of work, he was welcomed by the joyful laughter of children. They frolicked outside the main compound, their energy unrestrained as Agni and Elodia diligently supervised the little rascals. The large wolf, while a gentle giant, still posed a potential danger to the small children due to his formidable form as the Alpha Ruby Wolf, with sharp crystals that could cut and even harm if not handled carefully.

“Owie…”

“What did I just tell you…”

One of the children recoiled, their finger oozing blood after poking Agni's tail. As the child teetered on the verge of tears, Elodia shook her head in disapproval. Just then, another girl made a dramatic entrance. The compound walls were notably high, and an electrified fence guarded them, but these obstacles posed no challenge for the young lady. She seemingly materialized in the air, executing a graceful somersault over the defenses and landing soundlessly right next to the child on the brink of tears.

"Adventurers don't cry over such trivial things,"

She rebuked the child, her voice gentle yet encouraging.

"Didn't you want to become a famous adventurer?"

She called out to the young boy who was on the verge of tears. His age was around eight years which meant that he still lacked his first class. The young lad nodded and managed to hold back his tears as he gazed at the young woman with the long ears. She smiled warmly at the child, ready to offer further words of encouragement, but before she could continue, Elodia swiftly intervened with a smack to the back of her head.

"Stop setting a bad example for the kids and use the door like any normal person would," scolded Elodia.

“But big sis…”

“Don’t big sis me, you know what you did.”

“Yes…”

The young woman was none other than Lobelia, the half-elven archer who had attempted to rob him during his initial foray into the black market. Not too long ago, both she and her brother Armand had achieved their tier 3 class progression, solidifying their status as skilled and elite adventurers. While they still needed to attain their platinum adventurer rank, Roland couldn't foresee them encountering any significant obstacles on that journey.

Lobelia's class, a somewhat rarer version of the Master Marksman class, lived up to its name, excelling at precise long-range attacks, which wasn't limited to just bows. Her expertise extended to throwing knives and crossbows, enabling her to utilize a variety of class skills. This realization sparked an idea in Roland about how to craft her new runic equipment. With her having reached this level of prowess, he understood the need to take her more seriously. Both she and her inquisitive brother stood among the few individuals he genuinely trusted not to betray him in times of uncertainty.

“Oh, isn’t it big brother Wayland!”

Roland's presence was eventually detected, prompting Lobelia to swiftly move in his direction, perhaps to spare herself from Elodia's impending scolding. As he had anticipated during their previous encounter, it became clear that the younger sister was responsible for spreading the news of the marriage. She had displayed the magical runic ring to numerous women in the city, igniting conversations and curiosity. Surprisingly, several men had later visited his shop in search of similar magical jewelry pieces.

This unanticipated development proved to be a lucrative opportunity for Roland, as it enabled him to create enchantments for engagement rings and other types of jewelry pieces. The enchantment he had used on Elodia's ring produced a holographic image of them sharing a loving embrace, accompanied by a tune she cherished. Roland had future plans to expand the holographic image library with pictures from the upcoming wedding, which was swiftly approaching.

“Hey come back here, I wasn’t finished talking!”

Lobelia swooped in and swung her hands around his neck. She peeked out from behind his shoulder while sticking out her tongue at her older sister. Roland didn’t really want to get involved in fights between these two so he instantly started trying to calm both of them down.

“W-why don’t we all calm down? How about we go inside and eat something instead?”

"That's a good idea, but let's wait for that big oaf to get here; he should be arriving soon,"

"Hey, don't make decisions on your own,"

Elodia scolded her, still angry about the situation. Lobelia, eager to ease the tension, quickly changed the topic of conversation. Instead of pursuing her younger sister, Elodia finally decided to assist the injured child by administering a drop of healing potion that would swiftly mend the small injury on his finger. In no time flat, the boy's teary eyes were gone and he quickly sprinted off towards the same wolf that he poked.

“Hey!”

“I guess boys will be boys…”

Roland patted Elodia on the shoulder as he got closer. A group of orphans was crowding around the biggest attraction which was the large red wolf. Agni’s usual residence was in front of the store as he acted as a secondary bodyguard. His imposing form caused even the platinum adventurers to act civil and respectful.

“I guess…”

Both Roland and Elodia gazed at the children, each lost in their own contemplations. Roland had proposed the idea of relocating the children to this place, believing it to be safer than the orphanage. While the city was relatively secure, the orphanage was vulnerable even to a tier 2 thief. Outfitting it with too many unmonitored runic devices posed its own set of risks. Moving the children to a new residence closer to his estate seemed like the more secure option. However, the final decision rested with Elodia, as he could only offer a solution to the problem…