Chapter 17

To say Jack was a little upset was an understatement. Out in the north east of his area of influence, about fifteen miles from the center, he felt a disturbance that wasn’t there moments ago. When he moved his consciousness out of his avatar body inspect the disturbance, he quickly found the source.

The disturbance was past the second layer of his dungeon. the area was still woodsy and outside the actual area of where the town’s original boundary was. the ground was starting to dome as if something from underground was pushing its way up. It was by where one of the old farms were located with some still domestic plants clustered here and there. The house in the area had long since collapsed along with any other structure there might have been.

Jack growled as the ground steadily pushed up. Frustrated that he now had a new problem to deal with when he just wanted to work on the second layer dungeon boss. He thought about sending Aegisthal or maybe Omnus until he concluded that they had better things they could be doing. Not to mention neither of them as far as he knew were fast movers. So it was with reluctance that Jack made a purchase of the upgrade system. Then decided that if he was going to pay for something he might as well make another. it was not what he wanted to buy initially but he was not going to go unprepared.

First he purchased the Teleportation ability then he got the Lichfire Core. The teleportation once wasn’t so bad in cost, but the core upgrade made him ache.

Attention!

You have purchased 2 Avatar upgrades!

Avatar upgrades Lichfire Core and Teleportation have been purchased. The Dungeon Avatar will now undergo the changes needed for abilities to take effect.

Dungeon Upgrade Points remaining:

745

“Oh this, better we worth the cost.” Jack growled as he felt he changes take place.

It started simply with his bones taking a faint glow for a few seconds then fading to their normal color. Otherwise, there was no real visible change beyond that. Then came the more visible change.

Forming in the center of his rib cage came a small black dot. From the air around him the mana that suffused throughout his dungeon started to condense and collect to his chest. The normally dense mana around his towner and workshop became even denser as it compressed and built up. Becoming a thick dense gas that obscured jack like a pulsating cloud of power. Working its way further to pass his ribs to gather around the dot. It was then the gaseous mana compressed even further, becoming a condensed black oily liquid that twisted and churned. Steadily growing larger and more powerful by the moment. Necrotic and dark energies pulsated as it steadily grew from the size of a pea to a grape.

Jack quickly moved to the closest reflective surface to watch what was happening more clearly.

As he watched, he felt the power still growing in his chest. The center of that liquid core steadily turning into a solid at its center as it grew larger. The core growing larger as more liquid mana turned solid with only more being added with each second that passed. The surface becoming more crystalized until it was as big as a fist, resembling a black pearl with a silvery white sheen. Yet the core was not done with its transformation. Jagged white line appeared across its surface in random patterns while a ghostly black flame that was outlined with a pale white engulfed the core. Then the biggest surprise of all happened. The core that now saw in the middle of his rib cage pulsed before another quickly followed. The pulses taking on a regular pattern that became all too familiar.

*thump thump* *thump thump*

Jack stared at his reflection, for but a moment, transfixed at the realization. It was pitch black and burned with a haunting flame yet there as not mistaking it. The Lichfire Core had become his new heart.

Jack was stunned, speechless, his mind struggling to comprehend while wanting to be cheer and weep with a joy. To savor the sensation of a beating hear that he had no idea he had missed so much.

Looking up from his rib cage, Jack saw that his eye sockets now also held that same flame that engulfed his new heart also existed small nodes. Turning his head from side to side while staring at himself to see that nodes moved in his eye sockets to remain focused on him.

Jack nearly lost himself to the fascination of what he saw until he reigned in his focus. Remembering the reason why he had purchased the upgrades in the first place when he felt the disturbance become more noticeable.

Wasting no further time, Jack imagined himself moving from where he currently was to the place he felt the disturbance. Within moments he felt the energies start to build before it felt like there was a burst of energy and he found himself now standing next to the steadily rising mound of earth. Far closer to it then he had actually intended to be.

That was when he saw a chitinous hand emerge from the ground.

Seeing there was no helpd for it now, Jack moved back a good distance away to that he wasn’t in immediate reach of whatever the hell was digging its way up. He was fairly certain that he could handle whatever might climb its way out. he had magic spells, his boy was partially made of metal and not he had a heart radiating power. Despite these advantages, Jack wasn’t going to just ignore any potential advantages he might have incase whatever it was is an actual threat.

Confident he was now out of reach, he prepared his new spell Rotting Chains. Since it was a spell that restrained and gradually weakened its target, it would be the best to get a good if the situation got out of hand.

As he waited, Jack got a good look to see what it was that was digging its way out of the ground. What emerged was what he best describe as an insect person. They stood around the same height as Jack with a body covered with chitin armor with segments of interlocking parts at the joints. They had an oval head going length wise with two large eyes. They had two long antenna emerging from above their eyes with segmented mouths. Their legs were clawed feet that walked on the ball of their foot and the heel off the ground. Their hands had three fingers and a thumb with each ending with a short-curved claw. The creature was of a dark green over most of their body with dusty brown at the joints.

When they emerged from the ground, they poked their head and shoulders out before climbing all the way out. once free of their early prison they looked around only to freeze as they saw Jack.

Who was just as stunned to see the insectoid person as the insectoid person was to see him.

Their impromptu staring contest could have lasted for quite some time since neither seemed to have eyelids as far as the other can tell. The contest though was thankfully cut short as the insectoid steadily raised a hand and gave an uncertain wave with one of their two arms. Jack for his part also raised and a hand to give a hesitant wave in response.

What the actual fuck am I looking at? Jack thought to himself before the insect person turned more to fully face him.

Once they were fully facing each other the insect person clutched one hand in front of the other while giving a small bow at the waist. Yet still making sure its head and face were ever looking at Jack with what felt like and air of uncertainty.

"Greetings. Uncertainty lingers if understanding flows between us.” They said as their voice and words were soft yet clipped with clicks and chirps from their mandibles working to make the words. “Yet, we extend peaceful intent. No harm is wished. This one seeks sustenance for the hive alone."

Jack found himself struggling to believe what he was seeing and hearing. This insect person was speaking formally to him with as much respect and politeness as while staying to the point. Meanwhile they look like they should be… Well Jack wasn’t exactly sure what they should be doing. The entire thing just felt so alien to him that he just simply didn’t know what to make of it. that was until Jack remembered the look Frizzy was giving him when they first met. She probably felt just as confused and unsure of what to do as he did right now. And that was before all the physical changes he went through.

As the silence continued to the point where it felt awkward, Jack forced himself to speak and focus himself. He can try to make sense of it later. For now, he needed information and the only way he was going to get that was to speak with this strange creature.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Since it was speaking formally to him, he felt it was only right to try and extend the same curtesy.

With a bow of his head to the insect person while maintaining eye contact.

“I greet you as well. I do not want conflict either. I would like to understand what and what you are if you are willing to speak with me.” Jack said hoping he hadn’t already fucked up.

The insect person started to stand a little straighter at this point making Jack raise his head as well. They made no move to get any closer, though it visibly relaxed to a degree. Seeming much more curious now with its head tilted while making a series of clicks. Its hand clutched at its chest while it examined him like he was some kind of riddle.

“This one believes words may bridge understanding. Yet, we too question—you are unlike any essence seen before. We have witnessed lifeless forms, but never those who walk or speak beyond their stillness.” They said with some chirps and clicks, making it hard to get a sense of their feelings on the matter.

Jack felt he mostly understood what this insect person was saying based on context clues. The parts that he didn’t understand though were rather confusing. What could it mean by essence? It felt like they were talking about as a person but not quite the whole of the meaning.

“Since you are a guest in my territory, you should probably ask your question first.” Jack offered, trying to get the being to talk first since the best way to get someone to open up was to get them comfortable or feel special.

“This one seeks understanding. What essence do you carry? Are you of the elves? A small orc, perhaps? Your bones glint with metal, yet traces of life linger within. Was this state your own choosing, or were you drawn back to movement by the will of another?” they asked, not moving from where they were.

The way they kept moving their head, turning ever so slightly this way and that, it was clear they wanted to know more but were cautious enough to know better than to just approach.

"Within your core, this one perceives the intertwined currents of life and death as one. Such a union should not exist—it defies the natural flow. These forces should have torn your essence apart, yet you remain, unbroken. More so, it appears you draw strength from this harmony. Will you share this knowledge? Curiosity stirs within, for we have only shaped life and flesh, yet your method feels akin to our own craft, though it is unlike anything we have known."

Now that got Jack’s attention in a big way.

Did this insect person just say they were used to shaping life energy and flesh? Did that mean they could shape the energies that support life? Did they also shape flesh the way he would shape metal? Or was it more like how a potter shaped clay? While both were a means to make something useful, the method in how they go about it are vastly different. The implications for either or were astounding. Then there was how they said how they sense both life and death energies coming from him. That also had a lot of implications if what they said was true.

“Yeah, you probably sense my new heart.” Jack said as he watched the insect person with his own growling curiosity. “I just grew it just in case I might needed to defend my land from an invader. I think you sense death because I’m technically undead. To your question of if I’m willing to share in exchange that you share information as well. Unfortunately, I can’t really answer how I became like this since I’m not really sure.”

The insect person really perked up at this. Their antenna seemed to twitch quickly while they looked at Jack. With the lack of facial features Jack was working with what he could see by leaning HEAVILY on reading body language.

Fuck this is hard.

"You seek knowledge of our essence? This brings us joy, yet also confusion. Many who gaze upon us are... unsettled by what we are. Tell us, why do you remain at ease in our presence, where others falter?" They asked with far more clicks and chirps in rapid succession. When they got to the part asking how he didn’t seem bothered by their appearance they finally had a more curious tone when before it was more monotone.

Ok, got to listen for the emotion as well. Good to know.

Jack for his part only held his hands out to his side with his palms facing outwards. A gesture that asked the silent question, ‘you can see that I’m a metal skeleton, right?’

"…A valid point is made. This one sees how such a question is ill-formed when viewed through your sight." They said with a nod of acknowledgement and some embarrassment.

“Since we are going to be speaking for a while, we might as well introduce ourselves.” Jack said as he took a few steps forwards and held out his hand. “My name is Jack Smithson. Former human, but I guess you’d probably call me an ancient. What’s your name?”

The insect person froze up for a moment at seeing Jack start to approach before stopping. Appearing to be uncertain as to what he was doing but watched on with caution and interest alike. Examining Jacks out stretched hand rampant curiosity once it was presented to it. At hearing Jack say that he was, what everyone he met so far, called an ancient the insect man stood up straight while their antenna pointed up. A second later the insect person closed the distance in short order. Their face stopping inches away from Jack’s own. their body visibly shaking and trembling as those multi lensed eyes were inches from Jack’s hollow eye sockets while he stumbled back.

"An Ancient! You are an Ancient! This is beyond belief—astounding news! The hive has long thought your kind lost, extinguished in the flow of time. To stand before you is an honor unmatched. This one is overcome with awe!" They chattered with barely restrained excitement and joy. The click and chips were now accompanied by whistles.

“Holy fuck!” Jack exclaimed, regaining his balance from the initial surprise. “Too close and too close way to fast. You just scared me half to death.”

"Such a thing is not possible. Your essence has already passed beyond the veil. We offer apologies for causing fear, though." They said while lowering their antenna

“It’s fine.” Jack mumble. “Just try not to do it again. Anyway, I would like to learn of how you mold and shape flesh if you are willing to share. Especially since you said it was one of my kind who taught you this.” He said once he got his composure back.

"It would bring this one the highest honor. Yet, before such words are spoken, we must commune with the others of the hive. This discourse is too sacred to be carried without the wisdom of the High Council. If you are willing to await, this one shall return shortly, bringing the collective will of the hive." The insect person said with a respectful bow of their head.

Jack nodded in understanding.

“Sure, that makes sense.” he said while using his Form and Function spell to create a clay chair for him to sit on. “I’ll be right here.”

***

Frizzy, inside her teacher’s tower in the work shop, was currently dealing with both an anxious Omnus and a pacing Aegisthal. Neither of them knew where Jack had gone and both were growing more unsettled by the second. Frizzy for her part was rather annoyed with her beloved teacher. But moreover, she was worried.

Her teacher was many things. Eccentric, unpredictable, kind, wise, intelligent, powerful, foul mouthed and a fountain of information. But irresponsible and would just vanish without saying a word?

No.

Sure, he would wander around and explore to see how her clan was developing and to talk with them from time to time. Even with a sack full of toys to give out the kids some times. But to utterly vanish? She knew her teacher was powerful but didn’t have any power like that.

Something must have happened. Something must have happened to have either delayed Jack or distract him on his latest wandering session. It had to be that. there could be no other reason why he was missing for two whole days. The very idea that something could actually happen to him was not even worth humoring. No, he had to be lost, had to be doing something stupid, had to be experimenting with something, maybe even exploring something that needed further investigation.

So far Frizzy had done the best she could to keep her clan from knowing that Jack was gone. There was time before they started to wonder where he was. But that time was not long. If they found out he was missing they would most likely start searching everywhere to find him. The last thing she needed was members of her clan to start going out and search for him only to get lost or injured themselves. That would only make matters worse once Jack was back from where ever he was.

“If you keep pacing the way you are, you’ll start to wear a hole in the floor.” Frizzy said, trying to keep the edge from her voice.

The Golem stopped his pacing to turn and fact her. despite the lack of a face, the tension in his body was unshakeable.

“The floor is stable. It is insignificant compared to our current concerns. What matters is that we do not know the General’s location. All we know is that he lives and is deep in thought. I have attempted to communicate, but there is no response. Nothing. He has never behaved this way. This is not normal.”

“I know Aegisthal.” Frizzy lamented as she rubbed her temples. “I can’t sense him like you two can but knowing my teacher, he’s just fine and is up to one of his schemes.” She hoped. “Omnus have you had any luck? You are more knowledgeable about magic and the arcane in general. What do you think?”

“Yes, we can sense our Primus Sage, though it’s... peculiar.” Omnus said from the table he sat at as rested his masked face on the table. Clearly having a headache from the mystery, they have been trying to solve. “There’s no clear direction or distance. It’s all so abstract, like trying to grasp the edges of a dream. We catch fleeting glimpses of his brilliant, erudite mind, but never the whole picture unless he deliberately sends us his thoughts. We know he’s receiving our impressions, but... for now, it seems he’s simply choosing not to respond.”

Frizzy growled at this answer as she rub her temples to stave off the building headache and to fend off her worry.

What as that ass thinking? What was he actually doing? In that moment, Frizzy made a promise to herself that she was going to either glue his feet to the floor or use the metal staining process he taught her to stain the frilliest pattern on his bones. It was the least she owed him for making her worry like this and causing this many problems.

“What is that bastard thinking? Why the hells does he do this to us?” Frizzy asked aloud to no one in particular, mostly to vent her frustration to the air.

Omnus thought thought she was asking him since she spoke out loud.

“My apologies, First Student, but we simply cannot say why he hasn’t answered. It’s... beyond us. To fully grasp the thoughts or plans of another is a challenge in itself. But to comprehend the mind of our Primus Sage? That may well be an impossibility.”

“Thank you Omnus.” Frizzy said to Omnus as a soft sigh. Finding it easier just to accept the offered explanation. “You are not wrong there.”

While they tried to think of ways to figure out what happened to Jack and what they were going to do to find him, Frizzy heard a disturbance from outside the tower.

Curious and frustrated from the interruption, Frizzy went to the balcony to see what the fuss was about. When she saw it, all Frizzy could do was stare. She wasn’t even surprised at this point. Of course he was coming back home with an entire entourage of Zur’keth following behind him. The bug people, the flesh molders. There was easily a hundred or so of the bug people following and two rather large versions walking behind Jack to help lead group and another two guarding the rear. Many carried goods and possessions with them as they chattered to each other. Filling the air with those clicks, chirps and whistles.

“Everyone! I’m home!” Jack shouted to get everyone’s attention. “And great news! More people want become residents! Our community is growing!”

Frizzy just watched the entire thing with a flat expression. Aegisthal and Omnus seemed relieved as they saw their creator was back. Many of the gremlins that were present seemed hesitant and maybe even worried to hear there were more people moving in.

“If he wasn’t dead already… I’d kill him.” Frizzy growled in frustration and nearly collapsed with relief to know he was ok.