diff --git a/scripts/autoload/burden_manager.gd b/scripts/autoload/burden_manager.gd
index 5bb7137..1316c34 100644
--- a/scripts/autoload/burden_manager.gd
+++ b/scripts/autoload/burden_manager.gd
@@ -201,13 +201,8 @@ func reset() -> void:
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
-## Safe helper to access ConfigLoader via AutoloadHelper.
-func _config_int(key: String, fallback: int) -> int:
-	return AutoloadHelper.config_int(key, fallback)
-
-
 func update_moral_weight(moral_flag: int) -> void:
-	var threshold: int = _config_int("MWT", GameConstants.MWT)
+	var threshold: int = AutoloadHelper.config_int("entity", "MWT", GameConstants.MWT)
 
 	var old_level := current_mwt_level
 	## Map moral_flag to MWT level (0-3) as a ratio of threshold.
diff --git a/scripts/autoload/config_loader.gd b/scripts/autoload/config_loader.gd
index 132ab94..3b65935 100644
--- a/scripts/autoload/config_loader.gd
+++ b/scripts/autoload/config_loader.gd
@@ -177,27 +177,58 @@ func getValue(sectionOrKey: String, key: String = "", fallback: Variant = null)
 
 
 ## Convenience typed getters for hot-path values.
-func getInt(key: String, fallback: int = 0) -> int:
-	var v: Variant = getValue(key, "", fallback)
-	if v is float:
-		return int(v)
-	if v is int:
-		return v
-	return fallback
+## Supports both (key, fallback) and (section, key, fallback) signatures.
+func getInt(sectionOrKey: String, arg2: Variant = null, arg3: Variant = null) -> int:
+	if arg2 is String:
+		# (section, key, fallback)
+		var f: int = int(arg3) if arg3 != null else 0
+		var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, arg2, f)
+		return int(v) if (v is float or v is int) else f
+	else:
+		# (key, fallback)
+		var f: int = int(arg2) if arg2 != null else 0
+		var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, "", f)
+		return int(v) if (v is float or v is int) else f
 
 
-func getFloat(key: String, fallback: float = 0.0) -> float:
-	var v: Variant = getValue(key, "", fallback)
-	if v is float or v is int:
-		return float(v)
-	return fallback
+func getFloat(sectionOrKey: String, arg2: Variant = null, arg3: Variant = null) -> float:
+	if arg2 is String:
+		# (section, key, fallback)
+		var f: float = float(arg3) if arg3 != null else 0.0
+		var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, arg2, f)
+		return float(v) if (v is float or v is int) else f
+	else:
+		# (key, fallback)
+		var f: float = float(arg2) if arg2 != null else 0.0
+		var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, "", f)
+		return float(v) if (v is float or v is int) else f
 
 
-func getString(key: String, fallback: String = "") -> String:
-	var v: Variant = getValue(key, "", fallback)
-	if v is String:
-		return v
-	return fallback
+func getString(sectionOrKey: String, arg2: Variant = null, arg3: Variant = null) -> String:
+	if arg3 != null:
+		# 3-arg mode: (section, key, fallback)
+		var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, str(arg2), str(arg3))
+		return str(v) if v != null else str(arg3)
+
+	if arg2 is String:
+		# Ambiguous 2-arg mode: (section, key) or (key, fallback)
+		# Heuristic: If config is not yet loaded, OR if sectionOrKey is a known section,
+		# treat as (section, key) with empty fallback.
+		# Otherwise, treat as (key, fallback).
+		if (
+			_configData.is_empty()
+			or (_configData.has(sectionOrKey) and _configData[sectionOrKey] is Dictionary)
+		):
+			var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, arg2, "")
+			return str(v) if v != null else ""
+		else:
+			var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, "", arg2)
+			return str(v) if v != null else str(arg2)
+
+	# 1-arg or (key, null fallback)
+	var f: String = str(arg2) if arg2 != null else ""
+	var v: Variant = getValue(sectionOrKey, "", f)
+	return str(v) if v != null else f
 
 
 func isLoaded() -> bool:
diff --git a/scripts/core/autoload_helper.gd b/scripts/core/autoload_helper.gd
index 0ed09bb..b903425 100644
--- a/scripts/core/autoload_helper.gd
+++ b/scripts/core/autoload_helper.gd
@@ -111,28 +111,37 @@ static func secret_room_trigger() -> _SecretRoomTrigger:
 # ── Derived Helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 
-## Reads an int config value via ConfigLoader.get_int(), returning fallback
+## Reads an int config value via ConfigLoader.getInt(), returning fallback
 ## if ConfigLoader is unavailable or the key is not set.
-static func config_int(key: String, fallback: int) -> int:
+## Supports both (key, fallback) and (section, key, fallback) signatures.
+static func config_int(arg1: String, arg2: Variant = null, arg3: Variant = null) -> int:
 	var n: Node = config_loader()
 	if n != null and n.has_method("getInt"):
-		return n.getInt(key, fallback)
-	return fallback
+		return n.getInt(arg1, arg2, arg3)
+	if arg2 is String:
+		return int(arg3) if arg3 != null else 0
+	return int(arg2) if arg2 != null else 0
 
 
-## Reads a float config value via ConfigLoader.get_float(), returning fallback
+## Reads a float config value via ConfigLoader.getFloat(), returning fallback
 ## if ConfigLoader is unavailable or the key is not set.
-static func config_float(key: String, fallback: float) -> float:
+## Supports both (key, fallback) and (section, key, fallback) signatures.
+static func config_float(arg1: String, arg2: Variant = null, arg3: Variant = null) -> float:
 	var n: Node = config_loader()
 	if n != null and n.has_method("getFloat"):
-		return n.getFloat(key, fallback)
-	return fallback
+		return n.getFloat(arg1, arg2, arg3)
+	if arg2 is String:
+		return float(arg3) if arg3 != null else 0.0
+	return float(arg2) if arg2 != null else 0.0
 
 
-## Reads a String config value via ConfigLoader.get_string(), returning fallback
+## Reads a String config value via ConfigLoader.getString(), returning fallback
 ## if ConfigLoader is unavailable or the key is not set.
-static func config_string(key: String, fallback: String) -> String:
+## Supports both (key, fallback) and (section, key, fallback) signatures.
+static func config_string(arg1: String, arg2: Variant = null, arg3: Variant = null) -> String:
 	var n: Node = config_loader()
 	if n != null and n.has_method("getString"):
-		return n.getString(key, fallback)
-	return fallback
+		return n.getString(arg1, arg2, arg3)
+	if arg2 is String:
+		return str(arg3) if arg3 != null else ""
+	return str(arg2) if arg2 != null else ""
diff --git a/scripts/core/combat_formula.gd b/scripts/core/combat_formula.gd
index 700eba3..55ba181 100644
--- a/scripts/core/combat_formula.gd
+++ b/scripts/core/combat_formula.gd
@@ -173,9 +173,13 @@ static func action_cost(action_type: String) -> int:
 		"attack_ranged_3":
 			return 4
 		"ability_min":
-			return AutoloadHelper.config_int("ability_min", GameConstants.ABILITY_MIN_COST)
+			return AutoloadHelper.config_int(
+				"ap_economy", "ability_min", GameConstants.ABILITY_MIN_COST
+			)
 		"ability_max":
-			return AutoloadHelper.config_int("ability_max", GameConstants.ABILITY_MAX_COST)
+			return AutoloadHelper.config_int(
+				"ap_economy", "ability_max", GameConstants.ABILITY_MAX_COST
+			)
 		"interact":
 			return 1
 		"end_turn":
diff --git a/scripts/core/elemental_resolver.gd b/scripts/core/elemental_resolver.gd
index 42efebe..168348e 100644
--- a/scripts/core/elemental_resolver.gd
+++ b/scripts/core/elemental_resolver.gd
@@ -16,15 +16,6 @@ class_name ElementalInteractionResolver
 ## Reference: DON-101 B3
 
 
-# ── Config Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-static func _config_float(key: String, fallback: float) -> float:
-	return AutoloadHelper.config_float(key, fallback)
-
-
-static func _config_int(key: String, fallback: int) -> int:
-	return AutoloadHelper.config_int(key, fallback)
-
-
 # ── Typed Element Queries ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 static func _has_element(
 	effects: Array[ElementalTypes.TileEffect], elem: ElementalTypes.ElementType
@@ -81,15 +72,15 @@ static func compute_tile_damage_multiplier(
 
 	# Priority 1: Water extinguishes Fire → 0.5× (extinguish overrides amplification)
 	if has_water and has_fire:
-		return _config_float("WATER_FIRE_MODIFIER", 0.5)
+		return AutoloadHelper.config_float("elemental", "WATER_FIRE_MODIFIER", 0.5)
 
 	# Priority 2: Wind fans Fire → 1.5×
 	if has_wind and has_fire:
-		return _config_float("WIND_FIRE_MODIFIER", 1.5)
+		return AutoloadHelper.config_float("elemental", "WIND_FIRE_MODIFIER", 1.5)
 
 	# Priority 3: Fire burns Oil → 2.0×
 	if has_fire and has_oil:
-		return _config_float("FIRE_OIL_MODIFIER", 2.0)
+		return AutoloadHelper.config_float("elemental", "FIRE_OIL_MODIFIER", 2.0)
 
 	# Fallback: no recognised combo
 	return 1.0
@@ -103,7 +94,7 @@ static func calculate_movement_speed_multiplier(
 ) -> float:
 	var active: Array[ElementalTypes.TileEffect] = _filter_active(effects, current_turn)
 	if _has_element(active, ElementalTypes.ElementType.OIL):
-		return _config_float("OIL_SLIP_SPEED_MULT", 0.8)
+		return AutoloadHelper.config_float("elemental", "OIL_SLIP_SPEED_MULT", 0.8)
 	return 1.0
 
 
@@ -197,7 +188,9 @@ static func process_turn_tick(
 				var fire_idx := _find_leftmost_element(working, ElementalTypes.ElementType.FIRE)
 				if fire_idx != -1 and fire_idx != i:
 					# Refresh fire duration
-					working[fire_idx].duration = _config_int("FIRE_DURATION_TURNS", 1)
+					working[fire_idx].duration = AutoloadHelper.config_int(
+						"elemental", "FIRE_DURATION_TURNS", 1
+					)
 					working[fire_idx].applied_turn = current_turn
 					# Remove wind
 					working.remove_at(i)
@@ -221,7 +214,9 @@ static func process_turn_tick(
 					if oil_idx < i:
 						i -= 1
 					# Refresh fire duration after consuming oil
-					working[i].duration = _config_int("FIRE_OIL_DURATION_TURNS", 1)
+					working[i].duration = AutoloadHelper.config_int(
+						"elemental", "FIRE_OIL_DURATION_TURNS", 1
+					)
 					working[i].applied_turn = current_turn
 
 		i += 1
diff --git a/scripts/entities/entity_lifecycle.gd b/scripts/entities/entity_lifecycle.gd
index d164a82..f4bede1 100644
--- a/scripts/entities/entity_lifecycle.gd
+++ b/scripts/entities/entity_lifecycle.gd
@@ -64,10 +64,6 @@ var player_entity: Entity = null:
 # Delegated to AutoloadHelper — single source of truth for safe autoload access.
 
 
-func _config_int(key: String, fallback: int) -> int:
-	return AutoloadHelper.config_int(key, fallback)
-
-
 func _update_burden_weight(flag: int) -> void:
 	var n: Node = AutoloadHelper.burden_manager()
 	if n != null and n.has_method("update_moral_weight"):
@@ -97,7 +93,9 @@ func apply_damage(attacker: Entity, defender: Entity, damage: int) -> void:
 		and defender.state != Entity.State.GHOST
 	):
 		_change_state(defender, Entity.State.DYING)
-		var dying_duration: int = _config_int("DYING_DURATION_TURNS", 1)
+		var dying_duration: int = AutoloadHelper.config_int(
+			"run_manager", "DYING_DURATION_TURNS", 1
+		)
 		_dying_turns[defender.get_instance_id()] = dying_duration
 
 
@@ -144,7 +142,9 @@ func process_kill(
 		apply_damage(attacker, defender, defender.hp)
 
 	var delta: int = (
-		_config_int("MORAL_DELTA_KILL", 1) if sentient else _config_int("MORAL_DELTA_ENV", 0)
+		AutoloadHelper.config_int("entity", "MORAL_DELTA_KILL", 1)
+		if sentient
+		else AutoloadHelper.config_int("entity", "MORAL_DELTA_ENV", 0)
 	)
 	var record: MoralDeltaRecord = MoralDeltaRecord.new(
 		delta, enemy_id, enemy_name, sentient, "kill"
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ func spare_entity(player: Entity, target: Entity) -> bool:
 
 	player.ap = DeterministicMath.clampi(player.ap - 1, 0, player.ap)
 
-	var delta: int = _config_int("MORAL_DELTA_SPARE", -1)
+	var delta: int = AutoloadHelper.config_int("entity", "MORAL_DELTA_SPARE", -1)
 	var record: MoralDeltaRecord = MoralDeltaRecord.new(
 		delta, target.entity_name, target.entity_name, true, "spare"
 	)
diff --git a/scripts/state_machine/run_manager.gd b/scripts/state_machine/run_manager.gd
index ed05af7..cffda38 100644
--- a/scripts/state_machine/run_manager.gd
+++ b/scripts/state_machine/run_manager.gd
@@ -86,10 +86,10 @@ func setup_state_machine() -> void:
 func _load_config_values() -> void:
 	if Engine.is_editor_hint():
 		return
-	biome_count = AutoloadHelper.config_int("BIOME_COUNT", 3)
-	rooms_per_biome_min = AutoloadHelper.config_int("ROOMS_PER_BIOME_MIN", 8)
-	rooms_per_biome_max = AutoloadHelper.config_int("ROOMS_PER_BIOME_MAX", 12)
-	_dying_duration = float(AutoloadHelper.config_int("DYING_DURATION_TURNS", 1))
+	biome_count = AutoloadHelper.config_int("run_manager", "BIOME_COUNT", 3)
+	rooms_per_biome_min = AutoloadHelper.config_int("run_manager", "ROOMS_PER_BIOME_MIN", 8)
+	rooms_per_biome_max = AutoloadHelper.config_int("run_manager", "ROOMS_PER_BIOME_MAX", 12)
+	_dying_duration = float(AutoloadHelper.config_int("run_manager", "DYING_DURATION_TURNS", 1))
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/tests/test_new_enemies_spawn.gd.uid b/tests/test_new_enemies_spawn.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..028694d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_new_enemies_spawn.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://b116pcdtasrlt