Tune is the largest city on the Ishda coastline and supplies most of the region's fish. There are two other exporters, but both combined distribute less seafood than Tune does. That's probably the main reason the town is rampant with corruption. It's ripe with seedy business negotiations and backroom deals. I wouldn't even be surprised if the mayor was in on most of them. His soul is a steady orange after all.

There are so many problems in Tune, that I'm still working on them. Reaching Ishda's capital still seems like a dream as I walk down the dirty streets of my third city. Getting more annoyed with each step.

Screw this.

Absorbing anything not living, even a few corpses if my notifications are anything to go on, which they are, the streets become free from clutter, dirt, blood, and grime as I breathe a sigh of relief. My absorption doesn't fix broken buildings obviously, but that's a task for tomorrow.

Today is clean-up day.

Councilman Raff is in the center of town and I make my way there while absorbing as much as I can. I'm meant to oversee the candidates he's going to choose for reformation. Which might be tricky for him.

The problem with delegating this specific task is that nobody else can see souls and I'm the only one able to use Soul Guide. I have full confidence in Sacha though. The Deputy Mayor always knows what's best and she recommended him for the job. We'll just have to see if he's up to the task.

Among the different walks of life in Tune, there are no ideal choices. Each person comes with their own problems and there are too many to count.

By the time I arrive at his location and he greets me, Raff's selectively chosen individuals are already lined up. He's got a good variety going on too. Children, men, women, some elders, guards, officials, laborers, fishermen, and even a few adventurers have been included in his selection.

"A little bit of everything," he chuckles nervously. I nod in response but don't comment. I have an opinion, of course, I do. I just think voicing it wouldn't be that great, so I keep my mouth shut for once. Also, I've already decided to palm this job onto Raff and if I had wanted to do it myself, I would have.

All great leaders utilize their subordinates. It doesn't mean I'm lazy.

Using Soul Guide, I look over those lined up in a trance-like state. Shadows cover their eyes which creeps me out a little, but other than that, Raff's choices are spot on. Most are yellow but there are a couple of oranges in there also. I don't know how he worked out who was what, but he did a good job and I'm feeling quite comfortable leaving him in charge.

Soul Guide is useful in many different ways as I've recently learned. Obtaining an understanding of my own skills is something I've been lacking due to a chain of continuous events. Even the fleeting moments of downtime that find their way into my life manage to get taken up by problems.

Maybe I should visit the Coliseum myself? If I had any offensive skills other than destruction through DP, I might consider it. Fact is, I have no means of offense other than that. I recently learned that my Dungeon Mist only boosts family members and not myself so...

Where's the master's power, huh?

After leaving Raff, I find myself traveling to my next destination alone. I know, right? Where are the triplets? They're still in the Coliseum, and, I have a sneaking suspicion that Bear will be ready to evolve when I get home. That and the girls will still be level 1.

Maybe I should order them to transform? For the greater good? I don't want to be mean, but is it okay to be cruel to be kind? I doubt it so let's ignore that for now. The main point is that they're trying and you never know, they could get lucky.

That said, I'm about to hold a meeting with the Tune's Mayor and could probably use some luck myself. If not, I have another trick up my sleeve that's guaranteed to work today. One that has changed many a mind over the last few centuries.

I don't bother myself with the two guards stationed at the door. Nor do I concern myself with the four inside, pretending to look busy. Instead, I port straight into the Mayor's office just as he's counting a large pile of gold. Almost like a certain Catergoriser, I know.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The Mayor is not the most composed of men, as evidenced by his fall backward off his seat at my sudden intrusion. A quick smile is all he gets before I port him back to his chair as though the awkward event never happened. The only difference is that the Mayor is now trying to catch flies in his mouth.

"Yeah, I know. How did I do that? Amazing, right? Here's the deal," I pause for a second to let his mind catch up and catch on to the fact that I'm offering him a proposition. "I have a shit load of gold that I'm willing to give you. What do you think about that?"

The Mayor can't hide his disbelief and scoffs as the words leave my mouth. The overweight man has definitely been doing well for himself as he's covered in gold. Rings, bracelets, necklaces, and even the stitching in his clothes is made of the stuff.

"Normally, I wouldn't give someone like you the time of the day. Nobody gives away gold for free. There's obviously some sort of catch so get to it. I'm very busy as you can see." He goes back to counting his coins as though I haven't just offered him a load more gold.

Seeing how he's covered in the stuff, I thought he'd have jumped at my offer. It almost threw me off a little, but what I wanted wasn't anything he couldn't deliver.

"Well there is one thing I want you to do," I sigh. Acting as though the mayor's a clever guy, I make out that he's seen through me like glass.

"There always is. I should know. Continue." I hate this guy already, I don't know why we haven't thrown him in a cell yet. Maybe I put too much trust in Raff? Although it's probably not a good idea to kidnap the mayor when I'm coming out as a dungeon though.

Probably. Either way, I don't like him. He's nothing like Baldur.

"I'm going to give you an abundance of food. So much that you'll be able to feed every single resident of this city twelve times a day if you wanted to. Also, that's exactly what I want you to do. Feed them."

The heavily-portioned man seems confused by my offer. It shouldn't be that hard to understand though. I'm basically paying him to do the job he's supposed to be doing now. Only I'm offering a ridiculous amount of food and the same in gold on top.

"Well, not twelve times a day of course and obviously not you personally, but I need you to be the guy who sets it up. Look like the Mayor for once," hell it might even drop you a colour.

If it goes well, he might not need any time in rehab. He probably will, though, and I wouldn't count my chickens just yet.

"Okay?" Now he's wondering why I'm offering all these goodies out for no apparent reason. Time to lay it out there.

"Oh. I'm a Dungeon Core by the way." That was enough to get his attention. He even knocked his coins over as he flinched away.

"Yep. Dungeon Core. Not a Space Mage even though I can teleport freely. Short story is that I own this city now. Purchased legally and everything. Due to that, I'm now able to see anything that happens anywhere in Tune. It doesn't matter wether it's the guard downstairs picking his nose or the fact that beneath your desk your leg is hammering away furiously. I see it all. If you don't start feeding everyone -and I mean everyone- I'll know about it and our next meeting will not be as pleasant."

The Mayor turns so pale that it looks like he's just made a deal with the devil. Instead, it's just me, your friendly-neighbourhood core.

"Before I leave for the day, I'll be setting up food production sites right outside of the city. They should be ready to harvest as early as tomorrow, but I'll spare you the details for now. I'm sure you have people who know their stuff."

The Mayor's mouth is moving, but no words are coming out so I take the opportunity to continue. It's nice having the room. "They take about three hours to replenish since I upgraded them. Your guys need to know that information so make sure you tell them. Other than that, I suppose you can keep doing what you have been doing for now. Well, maybe change your behavior before you become a bigger problem on my list. I don't wanna have to throw you in my dungeon," I frown.

"Anyway, I'll be back in about a week. Make sure you feed your citizens or you'll be seeing me a lot sooner and remember, it won't be for a friendly chat like this one." Someone's need for food catches my attention and I turn around to find no one. Amber isn't with me and it was in fact my own stomach that interrupted my monologue. Turning red, I face the Mayor and bid him a prompt goodbye before disappearing.

Hopefully, he won't mess it up. I don't really have high expectations, but what will be will be. Right now I'm too embarrassed with myself to care and port to the Coliseum. If I'm hungry, Amber must be starving.

On arrival, I find the girls being lectured by Randy rather than fighting Golems and it's no surprise to see their level unchanged whereas Bear is ready for that evolution. The Ringmaster shakes his head when he sees me and the triplets look disappointed.

Is it that bad? Can they just not fight or something?

"Don't worry, girls," I offer them words of encouragement, "I'm sure we can find something else for you to fight." What that is, I have no idea, but I'll think of something.

"Until then, let's go get some dinner." Amber is the first to her feet and is full of excitement. Motivating her sisters to do the same, we move out of the Coliseum and head straight to Ali's.

While we're there, I debate whether or not to purchase some land. After we've finished I feel too tired to do anything else tonight and tomorrow is a new day.

I don't have any city visits planned now for another week and nothing else needs my immediate attention, neither do I have to go anywhere. There are still a few people left to reward for their service and efforts in the war, but that's nothing major like cleaning up Tune.

It would be nice if the domino effect kicked in, at least that's what I'm hoping for. Once the majority of souls have reverted back to neutral, hopefully, the rest will follow.

Hopefully.

I mean, being good can be infectious in its own way after all.