The door to Ironwood Apartments creaked open, and I stepped inside, boots leaving dark, wet streaks across the cracked tiles.
The crystal pouch at my side was heavy.
> [Current Crystals: 27]
I dropped onto the dusty couch in the lobby, grinning at the glowing number in the menu. My goblin sat near the stairs, sharpening its dagger. My bat hung from the ceiling, grooming its wings.
They didn't say anything — not that they could — but I could feel their eyes on me. Like they were waiting to see what I'd do next.
I opened the system menu.
---
[Landlord System] → [Upgrades]
Repair Structure (Cost: 5 Crystals) — Yes
Monster Capacity +2 (Cost: 6 Crystals) — Yes
Reinforce Walls Lv.2 (Cost: 8 Crystals) — Yes
Unlock Workshop (Cost: 12 Crystals) — Yes
> [Warning: Insufficient Crystals for all selections. Choose priority.]
---
I sat back, thinking. My timid side whispered: Reinforce the walls. Stay safe.
But my war freak side… oh, she was screaming: More monsters. More weapons.
I grinned.
"Monster capacity. Workshop. We'll fight our safety into existence."
---
> [Monster Capacity Increased: 5]
[Workshop Unlocked — Basement Level Created]
A deep rumble shook the building. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and a glowing red doorway appeared where there had been nothing before — leading down into the basement.
I stepped inside.
The workshop smelled faintly of smoke and iron. Rusty tools hung on the walls, and a crude forge glowed in the corner. The system menu floated in front of me again.
---
[Workshop Options]
Goblin Blade Upgrade (Cost: 2 Crystals) — Sharper edge, +10% damage.
Bat Claw Enhancement (Cost: 2 Crystals) — Steel-tipped talons.
Monster Armor (Cost: 5 Crystals) — Crude but effective protection.
---
"Oh… this is going to be fun."
I spent 2 crystals upgrading the goblin's dagger — the moment I confirmed it, the blade shimmered, becoming jagged and deadly. My goblin's grin returned, wicked and sharp.
The bat's claws got the steel tip treatment, and it flapped experimentally, shredding a hanging cloth in one swipe.
---
As night fell, I stood in the lobby, looking at my little team.
"Tomorrow," I said quietly, "we hunt for reinforcements."
The goblin nodded. The bat hissed approvingly.
Ironwood Apartments wasn't just a broken building anymore.
It was my dungeon.
And it was only going to get deadlier.