The dungeon core then thought about a store with a wide variety of items, ranging from mundane supplies to powerful artifacts, all purchasable with Merit Points. This would allow adventurers agency over their rewards, letting them choose what best suited their needs and Class, and was something he was familiar with. A lot of sects in his former homeland has a location for sect members to exchange their points for cultivation resources, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t create one for the adventurers.

  “How about a shop,” Xu Han openly mused, “with a dungeon shopkeeper, offering items to the adventurers.”

  Xu Han explained his idea, and Jemma immediately objected. “No good. The adventurers would just save up their points for the most powerful items on offer.”

  Xu Han had to admit that was true. He would need to balance the store's offerings to prevent any single item from overshadowing the others. It would be a difficult challenge, if he didn’t have examples from the Crimson Lands for reference.

  “The items would be blocked behind a tiered system. Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, each unlocking progressively rarer and more powerful items. To access the tier, adventurers do not only need merit points, but they must also reach a specific floor of the dungeon. Like they can’t exchange items in the Gold tier if they have not reached the Floor 30. The adventurers are also not allowed to transfer their points to other adventurers.” Xu Han added the last after some thought.

  The cave was silent as all three members of the dungeon thought about the suggestion. Then, a grin spread across Jemma’s face. “That is a good idea. That way, the allure of the higher tiers would incentivize adventurers to take risk and go deeper into the dungeon. You can also control the items to offer and tweak the rarity and power of items to keep the adventurers from getting too powerful.”

  “You can also do something more on the dungeon shopkeeper. Make it a Boss so that it could be more than a vendor. It could be a vital part of the dungeon. A friendly face in the dangerous dungeon that adventurers look forward to meeting. Maybe the adventurers can also check their points total with the shopkeeper.” The Guardian quipped.

  “Sounds like a lot of work though.” Jemma warned.

  Once again, Xu Han had to admit that his dungeon fairy was correct. He would need to create the shopkeeper, create the shop, maybe multiple of them, and then create the list of items to offer. He would also need a robust way to ensure fairness and prevent exploitation from the adventurers. They will try to find loopholes to get more powerful items, and Xu Han need a way to stop that. The sheer scale of the undertaking was daunting to say the least, but Xu Han was determined. The image of the adventurers' selfless collaboration was still in his mind, and it burns.

  If I had support like this in the past, maybe…

  Xu Han shook the thought away. The past was the past; he could only affect the here-and-now. Fueled by the burgeoning divine energy he now possessed, Xu Han went to work. He was going to create the shopkeeper first before- he saw Jemma moved to stop him.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Sensing the movement of power within the core, Jemma had raised her arm in objection. “Wait! What are you offering? Before you start, we should decide what items should be in each tier.”

  “And how the points should be rewarded.” The Guardian added. “Better to plan everything out first before we start.”

  Xu Han agreed with his minions and outlined his plan. “I was thinking of something simple. Non-magical items in the Bronze tier, magical items in the Silver, and exceptional items are Gold tier.”

  “What do you mean by ‘exceptional items’?” The Guardian asked.

  “My Dungeon Techniques for one,” Xu Han said. “I -”

  “Wait a moment! You are offering the Techniques for sale? No! No, you can’t.” Jemma immediately objected. “The techniques are like the main draw of your dungeon. Offering them for sale in a store will just cheapen them.”

  “I’d already given the method of making the Dungeon Techniques to the other dungeon cores, and they will be offering their own techniques soon. The techniques will not be rare forever.” Xu Han countered, before adding something to placate the dungeon fairy.

  “Besides, it will cost them. I am thinking of pricing items in the Bronze tier at 10 Merit Points. Silver tier items will cost 20, and Gold tier items will cost 50!”

  “How could adventurers earn these Merit Points?” The Guardian asked.

  “When an adventurer cleared a floor, he’ll earn a point. And since I want adventurers to solve my puzzles, he earned two if you clear the floor by solving a puzzle. Extra points will be awarded if he did something special, like being the first to clear a floor, or gained a painting from the Invil..the Painter! Let’s call him that from now on.”

  “As good a name as any,” Jemma sighed.

  “I was thinking that the adventurer can exchange a painting from the Painter for…say 10 Merit Point at the shop. That should make adventurers look forward to meeting the Painter.”

  Both Jemma and the Guardian nodded, clearly approving of the idea.

  “I see a problem though. It will take the adventurers forever to get enough points to exchange a Gold tier item.” The Guardian pointed out.

  “Those items aren’t meant to be easy to get. By the way, what do you think about putting the Vial of Change in the Gold tier?” Xu Han asked.

  The Guardian’s brow raised at the suggestion, and he tapped a clawed finger thoughtfully against his chin. Xu Han waited as he could tell the Guardian was seriously considering the idea. Since his creation, the Guardian had only given out a few vials to spread the name of his god. That fulfilled the letter of what Carda wanted, but it was slow-going and to their knowledge, no other Catkin had been created. Selling the vial at the shop could be a good way to create more Catkin, and spread the Cult of Carda.

  “I like the idea, but I do see another problem.” The Guardian said.

  “Oh, what?”

  “You intend to sell your Dungeon Techniques in the store, but what would the other dungeon cores think about that? They will be offering their own Dungeon Techniques, right? How would they feel about you selling your techniques like this?”

  Xu Han froze slightly. He hadn't considered any potential backlash from the other dungeon cores, but maybe he should. Xu Han may be the one who created the Dungeon Techniques, and while the cores enjoyed his invention, the techniques ultimately increased the power of the adventurers.

  Xu Han thought about the reaction of the other cores when they discovered he was selling his techniques, openly improving the power of the adventurers. Some, especially the weaker cores, will not be happy. It might be a bridge too far for them.

  “Perhaps,” he offered tentatively, “I should run this idea by the other dungeon cores first before we implement anything?”