Kieran was still feeling blue.
Not because of his grounding, that was something he could get over. It had been ongoing from birth through no fault of his own other than being born with a rare magical talent and he had grown used to it now. What had him down was the fact he couldn't talk to the woman named Abi.
On more than one occasion he had tried. Knowing where she ate was all the information he needed to be in the right place at the right time to catch a glimpse of her before he would have to flee. She was noticing him faster and faster each time and Kieran was worried that she might stop him before he could stop time
Even though every thought he had screamed, "Stalker!" he couldn't bring himself not to go. Every time he did, the danger of being discovered absent by his parents was a constant worry. One that hadn't happened yet. Kieran knew it wouldn't be long before it did though and had been preparing an excuse.
Flimsy as it was, he was going to tell his parents how he happened to see a woman being kidnapped in the alleyway directly outside their house and - knowing he was the only one who could do something about it, Kieran just had to stop time to trip the kidnapper, subsequently leaving his room to do so, yes, but saving the damsel in the process. Surely, they would understand.
That said, Kieran wasn't out tripping any women-kidnapping men and instead, his mother would be sorry to see him peeking through the window of Ali's. It's lunchtime and Abi's inside with the trio of Dragons as her stalker gazes longingly through the window.
Kieran thought it strange that she travels everywhere with the triplets, almost like they're her children, but he always gets a peaceful vibe every time he sees them too so he never pays more mind than that.
Today though, as Kieran's peering through the glass, Abi disappears before even looking in his direction. Yet, before he can do anything, her hand is holding his wrist in a vice-like grip.
"Why do you keep watching us?" She demanded an answer. Her tone was not nice and Kieran realised he doesn't look like the doting watcher he is. Instead, the voice in his head prattling on about serial killer material wasn't far from the mark.
Shit! Is all he can think as his mouth makes no attempt to fight his corner. He can't muster up any words of defence, too enamoured by her beauty. It's the first time he's actually stuck around after being noticed by her, even if it isn't his choice to do so.
Seeing the teenager stutter air instead of words, Abi released his wrist.
"I'm not going to hurt you. It's just... Don't you think staring at us through the window day after day is a bit creepy?" Kieran's heart dropped. He really did come across as a crazy stalker. "Instead of that, why don't you just open your mouth and say 'Hi, I'm...' and then introduce yourself? We don't bite, except for Amber and that's only when she's hungry." Her smile was heavenly and she shone like a goddess.
Kieran opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His face flushed red and his eyes glazed over. He wanted to say hi. He wanted to introduce himself. Instead, he stopped time and ran home. His power lasted the entire run as his feelings carried the magic further than before.
Through the door, up the stairs and into his room. He heard his mother say something but he was too upset to care. He dived onto his bed and sobbed quietly into the pillow. Humiliated, embarrassed, frustrated and worst of all, infatuated. He still couldn't get Abi out of his mind. Her voice, her hair, her eyes, the little dress she wore. The way she would disappear into thin air or appear from nowhere, everything that made her the person she was.
Then a crazy thought shot into his mind, one he hadn't considered before.
'What if she's like me? What if she died and reincarnated here? What if she's from Earth? I need to ask her!' He got off his bed before stopping immediately.
'How can I ask her anything when I can't even say hello?' He grilled himself. 'Screw it. I'll do it. I'll ask her.'
Psyching himself up, Kieran was ready to try again when his mother burst through the door. "I said, where the hell did you come from and why were you outside?"
Maybe he would wait until shopping day to try again.
That is if his mother didn't tie him up before she left.
Kieran Ely, Time Mage
Dungeon Stories Volume 4
----------------------------------------
Since Barry became the world's most human Golem, capable of eating, sleeping and even passing gas, things have settled down and returned to normal. Or as normal as a Golem passing gas can be, which I suppose is pretty normal in my city.
The triplets resume their training and the days pass by in an uneventful, but pleasant manner as I continue to train my skills, going so far as to ask Me for advice a couple of times. Since I was happy with how things played out, I even visited Sis and built her a massive tower using nothing but my Creation skills. The skill I use rarely, but should have incorporated into my daily life the moment I had enough DP.
With how strong I am now, I can create anything in the catalogue for a fraction of the price it would originally cost. Not only that, but I can customise them any way I want as they're being made. I wish I'd realised that before summoning the Vagabonds since they all turned into stereotypical Veris'. The only thing they lack is her white hair.
Creation even lets me customise my summons. Seven Nobles Vampires with different-coloured eyes that make up a rainbow when standing next to each other are proof of that. The Vampire with pink eyes looks a little weird but still has the beauty +50 factor that everyone is summoned with and can pull it off.
I don't know what I was thinking when I did that. Still, eight Noble Vampires aren't a bad number for their initiation into noble society.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
While I was visiting the Dragon Daycare, Rebecca was still banging away on the drums that she'd found on day one. It looked like she wanted my attention too - her eyes practically begging, so I gave it to her happily, anything to improve our relationship.
The Rebellion Dragon's drumming skills have improved considerably and I even enjoyed the beat. For some reason, however, even though neither of us spoke to the other, Rebecca still found reason to work herself into a mood. Kicking over the drums, she stormed out of the daycare and that's how that day went.
I don't get that Dragon.
I wish I did, but I just don't. She's almost as awkward as the kid who keeps following me. Every time I try and talk to him, he disappears. Worse yet, no one else seems to see him. I really hope he isn't another type of spirit like Anya was.
That's the last thing I need.
Either way, Sis was thrilled with her tower. The Goliath feature clearly signifies its location on my mountain and the home of the Dragons. I would be scared of adventurers knowing where they are if I didn't know that adventurers are actually weak-ass shitsters who still have a long way to go.
It's the demons we have to watch out for. They're a much trickier problem to deal with.
Theoretically, although we don't know for certain since portals to another plane are not what's hot right now, a regular Tironian could potentially open one if they had the right skills. That said, it doesn't mean we need to be wary of everyone. Plus, anyone even slightly off Soul Guide's radar is shipped straight to the Towers of Torture for reformation.
The last thing I need, or want, is someone malicious opening a portal in the middle of my city whilst we were unprepared, or slacking off.
Not that I can call my family members slack. If anything, it's me who takes that title and I need to redouble my efforts on that front or risk losing everything we've built here. It's a tricky one though, like I said. How do I plan for what's to come, when I don't even know what's coming? For now, get stronger, level up and practice shit.
They're not only my goals, but everyone's.
Anyway, there's one area where I certainly haven't been slacking off. My daily walkabouts with the triplets have finally borne fruit and we have arrived at the capital city of Ishda. It's taken us a while and a shitload of DP, but the days have been enjoyably pleasant.
The city guards look slightly nervous that myself the triplets have just arrived on foot and are all alone. I'm a little worried they might overreact and attack on sight if we get closer, but that's probably just the Dungeon Core in me and we push on. Then again, we helped the Lord of Ishda with his problems a while ago, there better be a warm welcome here.
What worries me the most is that the triplets have small horns that stick out of their forehead. A telltale sign that they are indeed not human and a monster of some description. Not that they would be able to guess what type and even if they did, I doubt they would pick a fight with three Oblivion Dragons. Well, they better not. Mama Core doesn't need a repeat episode.
The scenarios bouncing around my head don't play out and the guards relax the closer we get, letting us enter the city unhindered. A major city that I just purchased a significant sum of. Not that it matters as everyone looks much happier after they've seen us.
I then remember the description Sis gave the Dragons. Even Rebecca, rebellious as she is, exudes the same calming vibe that all Dragons do. That one still baffles me.
If I had still been human in that situation, it would have been a lot harder to enter the city. I would have to explain where we came from, what we'd been doing and the purpose of our visit. As it stands, I didn't have to say a damn thing and we just strolled straight in. I felt like royalty and my ego can't help but swim in satisfaction.
No one questions her Royal Questionableness.
Feeling vain, I slap myself back to reality and purchase what land I can as we make our way through the city. Ishda is the size of Orad and Tune combined so it will likely take me a day or two to acquire it all.
That said, I need to make my way to the Lord's Manor first and then the noble district. My Vampires need somewhere to live while they're here after all and, since I know Noir destroyed a large amount of property whilst on a murder spree during his brief stay, it's the perfect place for them to be. Noble Vampires in the Noble district seem quite fitting. The perfect place for them to help guide the city.
It's probably the most corrupt location in the city as well. Although, one would think the slums would take that title, just on appearance and seediness alone. Just because Nobles are pretty and have lots of cash, doesn't mean most aren't rotten to the core, black on the inside and from nothing more than being born in a position of power.
Sure, there are a few good nobles out there, but like the book I read the other day, they're diamonds in the rough, few and far between and not enough to make a significant difference. It's sad in a way as all I can imagine is their soul descending the ladder due to the filth and corruption surrounding them.
Fortunately for them, the Queen of Questions is in town. She still wishes she was the Queen of Answers, but no longer gives a shit since there's nothing she can do about it. Not unless the God of Answers turns up and Light shows him a thing or two, passing over his title in the process.
How nice would that be?
Sis would certainly be getting an ear full, that's for sure. Speaking of the dream invader, at some point we're going to have to have a proper chat about what it is she's actually meant to do, that and why things turn out the way they do. From the beginning, nothing has been normal.
Not a single thing.
The problem I'm having broaching this topic is the long conversation it will entail. I know it is not going to be a short one. I can already imagine hundreds of different tasks she must be performing subconsciously, or that her Subsystems are taking care of, but that's probably not even the cherry.
Me alone is a big ball of ongoing babble, or he was until he got that body. Even now, I've got to be careful what I think. Otherwise, a lecture is thrust upon me about etiquette, manners, dignity or whatever BS it is that I did at the time. I don't even know where he gets it from. Since the beginning, Me's complained about my crass manner of speaking and, even when he lets it slip himself, he's still quick to thrust the blame my way.
Thanks, buddy.
So yeah. That's a long-ass conversation I'm putting off. Since I own her and all, I really should do it at some point. Future Abi needs to pick her game up and start sorting shit out. Until then, life's left in my capable hands.
Hence, Noble Vampires.
A reformation group all on their own. Able to deceive, trick, coerce and, if all those options fail, mind control their charges. Those charges being the nobility of Ishda. Other than those sat on the we-don't-get-to-live-anymore-end of the shit stick, all those below red have the chance to become a Vampire's best friend.
All for the cheap price of their blood.
I'm kidding. Like the rest of the monstrous elements in my family, Vampires should be able to survive on my mana alone. Their connection to the dungeon is their source of power and nutrition.
I hope.
If not... What's a little blood in exchange for help on the road to somewhere? There better not be any complaining about it. There wasn't anyone as generous as me to help out when I was still alive so... Yeah. Plus, there's still a dungeon to build here. If they're not happy now, they won't be when a door to death appears outside their walls.
That's why my family will help Lord Aldor convert his citizens to a new way of thinking regarding dungeons. Just like we're doing in Orad and Varona. Orad was the perfect place to trial run a new dungeon after opening my own went so well.
The people who live there lead good, honest, hard-working lives and -when allowed to level up in a safer environment they're used to, one where they get to keep anything and everything they find, it didn't take them long to warm up to the idea. Baldur practically jumped on the idea when I offered to provide guides, aids, guards and anything else needed to keep people safe.
Simon doesn't have any problems in his position there. Well, none that Light informs me about and Orad's citizens seem to be levelling up at a fairly steady pace. Their city already grants 5% more DP than it did before the dungeon was created.
A Goblin-only dungeon with nothing but a single Goblinator on each floor and a solo Hobgoblin as the boss. We called it The Beginners Dungeon and hopefully, it will become the backbone for new adventurers here. A great course of learning for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in adventuring. Anyone other than myself, that is.
A Goblin dungeon?
I would definitely have skipped this training course or found some way around it.
That's for sure.