You promised to wreak havoc on the dungeon, but instead you've got Dragon Slime!

Instead, they were protecting their master.

"...We've gone in the wrong direction."

This was the first time Card had ever spoken so much.

"This is not an ordinary copy."

"This is a living copy."

"It's responding to an offense."

"It is there, protecting its designer."

Marseille remained silent for a few seconds.

Then, for the first time, they put away their censorship attitude.

"you win."

"But the Source of Consensus is hidden in your instance... The Emperor will not let you go."

Ron sighed.

"I knew that already."

"Then I'll go even further."

……

[Ding—Dungeon Guardian Mechanism Completed]

[Combat Rating: S]

[Bubble rewards you with a sticker]

[Reward Distribution: +1 Loyal Monster from the Dungeon (Bone Dragon - Bone Number One)]

[Rewards Distribution: Hidden Dungeon Mechanics Unlocked - Dungeon Expedition Plan]

Ron looked at the last line of text and smiled.

"Bubble, we're about to begin."

"Don't just take the beating; learn to fight back."

The atmosphere was subtle on the high platform of the Black Language Grotto.

The judges were just "politely seen off" by Bubble.

When Marseille left, his back was so hunched over.

When Su Weili left, the instance AI even gave him a sticker that said "You don't understand instances".

When Kade left... he glanced at Bubble one more time, then turned and went into the portal.

Before leaving, Bubble made one last announcement over the loudspeaker:

[Bubble wishes the three gentlemen a safe journey to their cremation—or rather, a safe journey.]

Claudia almost laughed herself to death.

"Did your son inherit his mouth from you?"

Ron shrugged.

"I taught you."

Claudia: ...

The system was quiet for only a few minutes before a new notification appeared.

[Ding—The dungeon's guardian mechanism has ended]

[You have met the special conditions: ≥3 successful defenses + ≥60% autonomous will of the dungeon AI]

[Dungeon level upgrade check complete]

[Enable hidden mechanics: Dungeon Expeditions]

Ron's eyes lit up.

"finally come."

He clicked "Confirm".

[Ding—Dungeon Expedition Mode is now activated]

You can designate "Instance Expedition Units" to launch challenging conquests of Outland.

[Currently available units in this instance: Slime Squad A, Bone Serpent Assault Team B, Bone Dragon No. 1, Bubble Proxy Consciousness Clone x1]

[Selectable areas for the first expedition: ①Deadwind Valley ②Broken Tide Mountain ③Red Rock Mining Area]

Ron directly selected the Red Rock Mining Area.

No other reason.

When Bakus suppressed the Black Whisper Caves, the first ones to jump out and arbitrarily collect tolls for the dungeon were those bastards from Red Rock Territory.

It's time to return it.

He casually wrote six words in the target's notes column.

[Dungeon Tour Site Visit]

……

At the same time, the bubble automatically pops up the plan.

[Bubble Expedition Mission Sheet]

Starting point: Black Language Grottoes - Eastern boundary of Sand Dune

Route: Underground raid → Crack penetration → Target mining center

Action logic: Don't attack people, attack the mines → seize control; don't seize land → build instance anchor points, occupy the regional ecosystem.

Claudia was completely tense after reading the entire action plan.

"You mean... you want the instance to take over human cities?"

"No, I'm just letting the instance borrow some mining resources."

"How do you explain the fact that 'the Bone Dragon led a team that emerged from underground to surround Crimson Rock Territory'?"

"...Bubble said it was a rehearsal for the parade."

Claudia was speechless.

"You're really crazy."

Ron ignored her.

He simultaneously deployed the copy AI remotely and activated the external projection.

[Ding—The dungeon expedition quest has officially started]

[Bubble's comment: Welcome everyone to sign up for the Black Language Grottoes Hiking Tour. Today's route: Deep exploration of the Red Rock Mine]

……

The Lord's Mansion of Chiyan Territory.

Golan Chiyan is making tea.

I just heated the water and was about to check the market situation for the game.

As a result, a system alarm sounded.

[Warning! Anomalies detected in the underground dimension!]

Location: Center of Chiyan Mining Area

[Source of the anomaly: Implanted copy ecosystem]

"What?"

Before he could react, three bright spots popped up on the map.

—Bone Dragon One has arrived.

—The Slime Force has completed the mine sealing.

—Bubble AI Projector has entered the mining management center and is using the replica anchor point function to synchronize terrain data.

Golan's hand trembled slightly.

The teacup fell.

"This is... a reverse takeover of the instance!?"

……

Black Language Cave Control Console.

Claudia looked at Ron with a look of utter despair.

"You're not just a dungeon designer now, you're a colonization maniac."

"I'm exploring the boundaries of copy behavior."

"What you're doing is called copycat imperialism."

"Don't worry, I won't take over human cities."

"Is there any difference between acquiring mining areas and seizing cities?"

"If the mine doesn't speak up, people will sue me."

Claudia remained silent.

What you said makes some sense.

……

[Ding—Control of the Red Rock Mining Area has been implanted at the instance anchor point]

Current Status: Partial Takeover