The Dungeon Master System's explanation was abruptly cut off by Fable's interjection. "Because of me," he finished, his face darkening as he gritted his teeth. A vague memory resurfaced, taking him back to the moment he had awakened in this world—a massive crystalline core wrapped in chains, floating inside a cave, surrounded by a pool of mystical liquid and a towering black door. The room bore the signs of age, as if thousands of years had passed.

Fable clenched his fists once more, his anger palpable. A flash of lightning illuminated the Core Space, and for a brief moment, the surroundings turned pitch black. The chromatic clouds seemed to recoil from his fury, swirling faster as if to escape his wrath.

'I'm surprised he only subjugated a quarter of the Minor Reality to an eternal apocalypse rather than outright destroying it,' Fable thought bitterly, his mind momentarily wandering. 'I wonder if he is attending anger management classes?'

Shaking off the distracting thoughts, Fable refocused on the task at hand. He instructed the system to increase the goblin count to 21.

The system responded, [Affirmative, Host. This action will cost 200 Soul Points. Is this acceptable?]

Without hesitation, Fable agreed. As he prepared to continue, the system interrupted once more, [Host, please select your goblins' personality type. Different personality types have different effects on the goblins.]

Two options presented themselves: Curious, adventurous, timid, adaptive, and smart; or Curious, adaptive, timid, lustful, and cruel. Each choice would lead the goblins down a different path.

The first option would guide the goblins towards humanity, enabling them to build tribes, advance through the technology tree, and potentially become a modern power. It was well-known throughout the various realities that goblins who embodied these traits would develop powerful engineering skills.

The latter option, however, was what Fable desired.

Fable's eyes gleamed with excitement as he contemplated the potential of the Monster Goblins. Unlike their Civilized counterparts, these creatures would not only explode in numbers but also have the chance to evolve into different monsters, embarking on a path of chaos and destruction. The thought of these untamed beings roaming the vast lands of his dungeon's first floor filled Fable with a sense of anticipation.

"Let's go with the second choice. The Monster Goblins," Fable told the system, his voice filled with determination. He had no desire for the first floor to house a civilization-type creature, as he feared that any adventurers who wandered into his dungeon might simply decide to leave rather than explore the wild and untamed landscapes he had created.

After a moment of waiting, the system responded, [Host, the goblins have been placed in the desired location.]

Fable zoomed in on the 3D model, and indeed, he saw the group of goblins standing by the water, arguing and fighting with each other. Their appearance was striking, a testament to the system's attention to detail.

The goblins stood at an average height of three feet, their bodies lean and wiry, with skin that ranged from a sickly green to a mottled gray. Their faces were angular and sharp, with pointed ears, long noses, and wide, toothy grins that seemed to stretch unnaturally across their features. Their eyes, a vibrant yellow or red, gleamed with a mix of curiosity and malice, hinting at the chaotic nature that lurked within.

Clad in an assortment of tattered rags and makeshift armor, the goblins presented a ragtag appearance. Some wore scraps of leather, while others had fashioned crude breastplates from bits of rusted metal. Their weapons, too, were a mishmash of styles, ranging from simple clubs and daggers to the occasional rusty sword or bent spear.

As Fable watched the goblins interact, he noticed the blue boxes that hovered above their heads, displaying their names and levels. All of the goblins were currently at level 1, a detail that piqued Fable's curiosity. He was about to call out to the system for an explanation, but before he could ask, the system provided a response.

[All monsters, magical beasts, inhabitants, and intruders will have basic information appear above their heads while viewing via the 3D model; while the host is the only existence in the Minor Reality with an actual level, all beings will have levels displayed that match their current combat prowess.]

Fable nodded, his eyes scanning the ethereal screen before him. "I see," he murmured, his gaze settling on the remaining soul points. With only 100 left, he knew he had to be strategic in his choices.

"System," Fable called out, his voice echoing in the vast expanse of the Core Space, "I'd like to sacrifice 20 souls from my soul collection to gain an additional 100 soul points."

The system responded promptly, [Affirmative, Host. 20 souls have been deducted from your soul collection, and 100 soul points have been added to your total.]

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Fable took a deep breath, his eyes roaming over the 3D model of his dungeon's first floor once more.

The lush rainforest, the towering mountains, and the crystal-clear rivers all seemed to pulse with life, a testament to the care and emotion he had poured into their creation. The goblins, too, added a touch of chaos and unpredictability to the landscape, ensuring that any adventurers who dared to enter would be in for a challenge.

Satisfied with his work, Fable turned his attention back to the system. "I think I'm done here," he said, his voice filled with a mix of pride and anticipation. "I'd like to confirm my choices."

[Affirmative, Host,] the system replied, [Would you like to accelerate the time flow of the 1st Dungeon Floor? Please note that there will be a charge of 1 soul point per year.]

Fable nodded, his eyes sparkling with excitement at the prospect of seeing his creation evolve and grow. "Yes, I want to use 200 soul points on the acceleration," he declared, his voice filled with determination.

[Affirmative, Host,] the system responded, [You will spend 200 soul points for a 200-year acceleration of the 1st Floor.]

As the Dungeon Master System announced the completion of the first floor, Fable couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

[Congratulations to The Host for finishing the creation of the First Dungeon Floor.]

However, the system's next words caught Fable off guard.

[The Host has received an additional 300-year Acceleration from the starter pack.]

Fable watched as the system began to apply the bonus years, the progress bar slowly filling up.

[Applying...]

[Applying...]

[Application Successful. Would the Host like to use these additional years? Failure to use the awarded years will result in the loss of this reward.]

A frown crossed Fable's face, and he made an annoyed expression. "Is there any other items from the starter package that will appear later on?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation.

The system's response was swift and direct. [Negative, Host. As this is a 'Starter Package,' you will receive no more rewards, as The Host is no longer a beginner and will no longer receive any handouts. Host, please strive to better yourself and your dungeon.]

Fable's mouth twitched at the system's blunt reply. He paused for a moment, considering his options. The additional 300 years could prove invaluable in allowing the goblin population to grow and develop naturally. Unlike in anime or books, where a million goblins might appear after a mere 20 years, this was reality. Fable knew that he needed the extra time to ensure the goblins' numbers would increase at a realistic pace.

"I wasn't asking..." Fable began, his voice trailing off. He sighed, realizing that arguing with the system was pointless. "You know what? Fine. Yes, that works."

"Also, system, would it be possible to move the Dungeon Core into the Central Mountain?" Fabled wondered aloud. Fable had figured if he was able to hide the Core of his Dungeon somewhere unreachable, then he wouldn't have to worry about fearing death; however, they system hadn't let him indulge in his fantasy of invincibility for long.

[Host, please be advised that the dungeon core needs to be in an accessible location or else the dungeon will fall apart. Please think of the dungeon as a large circuit board and the dungeon core as the power source, if you block off the power source from the connectors then the circuit's will not work properly if at all.]

As the system's voice echoed through the Core Space, Fable found himself lost in thought. The idea of his dungeon crumbling due to an inaccessible core was a sobering realization. He pictured the intricate network of tunnels and caverns, teeming with life and magic, all dependent on the power emanating from the core. It was like a beating heart, pumping life into every corner of his creation.

Fable sighed in resignation, his shoulders slumping as he came to terms with the necessity of relocating the core. "I was hoping that wasn't the case," he admitted, his voice tinged with disappointment.

"Then just turn the area inside the mountain range into a giant labyrinth and place the Dungeon Core at the bottom ."

The system fell silent for a moment, processing Fable's request. The ethereal screen flickered, the chromatic clouds swirling faster as if in anticipation of the changes to come. After a few seconds, the system's voice rang out once more, [Affirmative, Host.]

Fable watched as the 3D model of his dungeon shifted and morphed before his eyes. The view of the 3D model changed displaying the inside of the mountains, their peaks crumbling and reshaping themselves into a vast, sprawling labyrinth. Winding paths and treacherous passages snaked through the rocky terrain, creating a dizzying array of twists and turns that would challenge even the most seasoned adventurer.

At the heart of the labyrinth, nestled deep within the mountain's core, the Dungeon Core pulsed with power. Its crystalline surface gleamed, casting an otherworldly glow that illuminated the surrounding cavern. Fable could almost feel the energy emanating from the core, a tangible reminder of the life and magic that flowed through his dungeon.

[Host, please be advised that the dungeon core has been relocated] the system announced, its voice echoing through the Core Space.

Fable nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. With the core safely ensconced within the labyrinth, his dungeon would remain stable and secure, even as it grew and evolved over time.

[Host's desire to use the 300 extra years in the Time-lapse has been confirmed.,] the system continued, its voice taking on a more urgent tone.

[Beginning Time-lapse.]

As the words left the system's non-existent lips, Fable felt a surge of excitement course through his veins. The prospect of watching his dungeon grow and change over the span of centuries was both thrilling and daunting. He knew that the passage of time would bring with it countless possibilities, each one more intriguing than the last.

[Host, please be aware that during the Time-lapse all animals have a small chance to evolve, becoming a new magical beast species or, in even less likely cases, a new demi-human race]

Fable's eyes widened at the revelation, his mind racing with the potential implications. The thought of new creatures and races emerging from the depths of his dungeon was both exhilarating and terrifying. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of beings might arise from the ever-changing landscape of his creation.

[Would the Host like to receive notifications on the time-lapse?]

A grin spread across Fable's face, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course," he replied, his voice filled with barely contained enthusiasm. "After all, simulating my Dungeons and Dragons campaign world was one of my favorite pastimes."