The battle with the Stormhammer Guild had left Victor’s dungeon battered but victorious. The brass walls were scorched and dented, the treads groaned with every movement, and the Steam Sentinels bore the scars of combat, their once-pristine brass plating now scratched and scorched. But Victor’s core pulsed with a newfound energy—a sense of accomplishment and growth.

  As the guild’s shouts faded into the distance, the hologram flickered to life:

  Battle Complete.

  Mana Absorbed: 200.

  Dungeon Level Up!

  Victor’s core flared with light as the System processed his growth. The dungeon shuddered, its walls groaning as new sections materialized. The workshop expanded, its anvils and tool racks replaced with sleek, steam-powered machinery. The Boiler grew larger, its pipes thicker and more efficient.

  New Upgrades Unlocked:

  -Steam Sentry Turrets: Rotating flamethrowers mounted on the dungeon’s exterior.

  -Clockwork Falcons Mk. II: Upgraded scouts with reinforced blade wings.

  -Kinetic Shockwave Tower Mk. II: Increased range and power.

  Victor’s core pulsed with satisfaction as he surveyed the changes. The dungeon was stronger now, more resilient. But he knew the Stormhammer Guild wouldn’t give up so easily. They would be back, and he needed to be ready.

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  Aelin, Borin, and Pip gathered in the core chamber, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and relief.

  “We did it,” Pip said, her voice filled with awe. “We actually held them off.”

  “Don’t get cocky,” Borin replied, his tone gruff but not unkind. “They’ll be back, and next time, they’ll be ready.”

  “He’s right,” Aelin said, her voice sharp and precise. “We need to be prepared.”

  Victor’s core pulsed with agreement. “I’ve unlocked new upgrades,” he said, his voice echoing through the chamber. “But we’ll need more materials to make the most of them.”

  Pip’s eyes lit up. “I can help with that. There’s an old scrapyard not far from here. We might find what we need there.”

  Aelin nodded. “We’ll leave at first light. In the meantime, let’s get some rest.”

  The scrapyard was a graveyard of rusted metal and broken machinery, its twisted remains stretching as far as the eye could see. Victor’s dungeon rolled to a halt at the edge of the yard, its brass walls gleaming in the sunlight.

  Pip led the way, her hands moving frantically as she sorted through the debris. “This place is a goldmine,” she said, her voice filled with excitement. “Look at all this!”

  Victor’s Steam Sentinels moved through the scrapyard, their fists crushing obstacles and clearing paths. Their glowing Aether Cores pulsed with energy as they hauled salvaged gears, pipes, and sheets of metal back to the dungeon. One Sentinel, S-01, paused to dismantle a rusted crane, its massive arms ripping apart the structure with ease.

  “Careful with that!” Pip called out, though her tone was more amused than annoyed. “We don’t want to crush anything useful.”

  The Sentinels worked tirelessly, their movements deliberate and efficient. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the dungeon’s storage rooms were filled with salvaged materials.