Hiroshi hated it.
Why?
Why did his new life still involve shit?
Why?
It wasn't fair.
Anything else.
Anything else would have been enough to stop him from snapping. To stop him from going crazy. Instead, he lost his mind and the urge for power was talked into him when he recieved his own schizophrenic companion. A broken subsystem for the broken man.
It was new to him; living in a world with levels and magic, yet at the same time it wasn't. Hiroshi still had Aldor's memories of being raised in an elven community by loving parents. The problem was that he despised them. Why were they at the bottom of society? He refused to be a shit shovoler any longer.
Fortunately, Hiroshi found his salvation in dungeons and had an on board A.I to direct him to his him goals. Apparently, power was all that was need to keep hit out of the manure business and the elf latched on to it like a leech.
Under the cover of night and without saying a word to the second set of parents that raised him, Hiroshi murdered his neighbours and left the elven village. Though he was struggling to contain his hate for the world, he still couldn't hurt the elves who raised him.
Guided to his first dungeon, the levels he obtained from killing his kin propelled him through and Hiroshi claimed his first Core. Boosting his strentgh by 100 points and granting him a skill, the urge for power only grew stronger.
As he travelled, Hiroshi learned that humans treat dungeons differently than the elves did. Greedy by nature, his former race keep dungeons active and charge adventurers to kill monsters. Elves on the other hand, hated dungeons with a passion and saw it as their mission in life to destroy them whenever they spawned. All in the service of their creator.
Picking up two slaves in different ways across the continent, he found he didn't need love to satisfy his needs. Just like his old world, all it took was a little bit of money and he could buy what he wanted. Only these purchases was permanent. Three dungeons, and several devious acts later, Hiroshi and his slaves cross into Ishda territory.
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Coming across a small stream, Hiroshi tells Kya to remove the camp from storage and Aura is ordered to make dinner. The prior takes time to endulge her master's commands under the meal is ready.
The redhead cooking moves away as the other elves return and waits for her portion. The pecking order having already been firmly establish. Instead of spending coin on her, Hiroshi had killed Aura's last owner when they chanced upon each other in the forest. Kya was already with him by the point and it was clear the other elf was infatuated with him.
Not that he indulged her as much as Aura would have liked. He still like to make her take her turn. This was nothing new for a slave and if he was different, Aura wouldn't have minded. The problem was that he was a fucking lunatic.
He talked to himself constantly. Which also wouldn't have been too bad, had he not believed everything he said. Those words only ever relating to levelling and acquiring more power. He already had a ton of gold, so why hadnt he stopped? Why was he so obsessed.
Kya wasn't interested in stopping at all. She was thoroughly behind Hiroshi destroying every dungeon on the continent for the Allmother. She revered the goddess even more than Hiroshi and would do anything if only to be graced by her presence. Hence, total dungeon destruction.
Able to use beginner level space magic, Kya has been a boon to Hiroshi. She's capable of storing everything he has and she still has space for more. That's why she isn't subject to the same harsh treatment that Aura is. That and she hasn't once tried to escape unlike the redhead.
She learned her lesson eventually. Other than being his ass-kissing bag, Kya was also able to cast healing magic. That made it perfect for Hiroshi to hand out a few well-deserved beatings. Screaming all along about how it was for her own benefit.
Since then, Aura has been much more compliant. Even if she does have suicidal thoughts.
Hiroshi's tent is actually a two person cabin. How it fits inside is beyond the comprehension level of a primitive mind. Instead, Kya just says, "It does." As explanations go, it certainly didn't hit the spot and Aura paid the price for it that night.
As morning arrives, the redhead is a husk of her former self. It had been a while since she slept indoors, but the experience had been anything but pleasant. Storing the cabin, the elves set off and leave three sets of tracks. A stern determination, an infatuated succubus and a miserable wreck.
Aura hated life.
She hated Kya.
And she certainly hated Hiroshi.
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Sleeping.
Eating.
Indulgence.
These are what Hiroshi's days consist of as they move onwards towards his next source of power. With the stat increases from his dungeon exterminations, Hiroshi could already be considered to be around level 50. Even though his actual level is only 18, he isn't scared of anything he might encounter whilst walking through the forest.
In the distance the target he's aiming for is visible and for the first time in a while, Hiroshi feels something different. He shakes it off as nothing when his schizophrenic aid starts mouthing off about something. Shouting himself, they argue for a while as the group presses on.
Killing a message carrier, Hiroshi finds out that the mountain has been rowing recently. Not slightly either, but at a substantial rate. One that fast, that anyone who's seen it has spread the news already. The letter carrier was on his way to Ishda. Bound with a letter for the regional Lord.
The mountain growing is cornering, but the monster population thinning isn't. In fact, it's a boon as far as the people from Orad are concerned. Life is always easier when there are less things trying to kill you. The mountain though still raises concern. Unexplainable events are the worst type of events after all because they're unexplainable.
There's also mention of a missing Catergoriser inside, but Hiroshi doesn't know what that is and his companion is playing coy.
Even though Hiroshi and his slaves are still a long way off, the mountain in the distance is easily discernable. It clearly sits above the forest and is covered in a varierty of colours. Red, pink black, grey white, brown. Mismatched patterns crisscross and make the whole thing look surreal.
"What the hell is that?" The words were out of his mouth before he even processed them. He knew what it was. His aid had already informed him prior to their arrival. He still couldn't help himself from asking the obvious.
Never had he seen something so strange in either of his lives and his freed kicked in with a vengeance. The supernatural sight of the mountain all but screamed how strong the core had become. Hiroshi couldn't wait.
This one was going to push him to heights he could only dream of. No longer would he feel like an anomaly in an autonomous world. The marvel of levels and stats pleased him greatly and he was consumed by wanting more.
Hiroshi would destroy as many dungeons as possible until he was the strongest person in the world. Then he would no longer be the shit-shoveling cleanup man he used to be.
Hiroshi Hiro, Reincarnator.
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"There's no need to Worry, Kat. I own this land now and it's part of the dungeon. If anyone enters unannounced, we'll know. You don't have to be afraid anymore," her eyes don't leave the ground even as I try to console her. I've never been the best with words though and situations like this are even trickier.
"Hey, did you know the mountain has pink trees growing on it? Right? It's mental. There are other coloured trees too, but the pink ones are absolutely gorgeous. Why don't you come look at them with me?" Another attempt leads to failure. Trying to lure her out with the promise of beauty didn't work and she keeps her eyes firmly glued to the floor.
Hmm. What can I say to convince her to come out, Me?
It might be better for you to not force her. When she is ready, I'm sure she will let you know.
And there I was thinking you were going to say something silly.
Silly? Like what?
It doesn't matter.
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That was actually some really good advice you gave, so we'll roll with that. Thanks, Me.
What did you think I would say?
Ignoring my partner, I tell Kat she can watch me from the entrance and then float out as far as I can.
I bounced around before due to excitement, but now I need to properly test the boundaries of my purchase. The plot of land turns out to roughly be the same size as the System-granted room on my first floor. For its price, I thought I would have gotten more.
With just that one purchase, everything has change and I couldn't be happier. Right now, I'm outside. I'm actually under the rays of a real sun and surrounded by nature. I still can't believe my dungeon is beneath a jaw-dropping mountain, that almost took the thrill of being outside away.
It's so beautiful.
You do have a tendency to be distracted by anything you deem to be beautiful.
That... Is true.
I'm trying to be better though.
You sat in your Core room for five hours staring at a Teddy that an old man used to pay his Syndicate contract with.
I... Well... In my defence, that teddy is adorable, Me. It's got those little stubby ears and a cute button nose.
Quite. Now how about continuing with your purchases.
Ok. I assume that the same rules apply out here as inside, right?
We shall find out.
What?
That doesn't inspire much confidence, Me.
You are going to build the feature regardless of what I say. I did tell you that no dungeon has ever acquired land outside of themselves before. This process itself is brand new meaning there aren't any records on what you can or cannot do.
Listening to Me's lack of knowledge, I drop Manifestation and switch to my overview. It's easier to calculate the cost of features this way, since I'm able to view more at once. It's also a great way to test designs and town set ups.
My overview is actually a lot better than I used to give it credit for. Not that I want to stay there. If I wasn't able to move and interact with others, I'd definitely find myself going insane being trapped inside.
OK, I know what I'm doing.
Starting small, just incase, I move the only feature inside that isn't actually a feature. After choosing a location, the park I created myself magically appears in the designated spot. The recreational area left no trace of itself inside the dungeon and looks as though it's always been outside.
Not finished with my experiments, I attempt to swap it back since it costs nothing to do. I'm also a little worried something might go wrong hence why I chose to do this with the park and nothing some substantial. I can't imagine what Talia would say if something happened to The Retreat.
Areas that are left behind by a feature that's been moved magically fill themselves in and revert back to normal. It's almost like what happens with the walls in my dungeon. Speaking of, I better make sure my Rockstar hasn't gotten himself blocked off soon.
After experimenting, I've found out that we can move features outside with no problems at all and the same rules still apply. It's just another part of my dungeon.
That was a good idea, Abi.
Hehe. I do have them sometimes, Me.
Placing the pond back inside, I manifest at the entrance where Kat is waiting patiently inside.
"What were you doing with the park?" she looks generally curious as to why I would bring a feature outside just to put it back in. Poor Kat, theres going or be a lot more of those questions now you're living here.
"We were confirming whether the same rules that apply to the dungeon work outside." Because she doesn't know all the rules, Kat still looks confused. "I just wanted to make sure I could features after I've placed them, that's all. It's alright placing things where I want, but at some point down the line a major reshuffle will probably be needed. I'd be a little screwed if I couldn't do that, hence the test."
Even with my awesome explanation, Kat still looks a little dubious.
"OK. So the amount of time I spent swapping things around before you came was just shameful. Not that I'm to blame. It certainly wasn't poor planning... I just... Kept unlocking features that seemed to be a better fit. If it's anyone's fault, it's Hers." Trying to avoid taking the blame for something that definitely wasn't my fault, the System finds herself being used as my scapegoat.
Unlucky, Sis.
Knowing that it's better to learn from mistakes, opposed to acting like they never happened, I promise myself to do better without letting anyone else know.
"That's an amazing idea, Abi and don't worry. You had only just become a dungeon when you had one floor, right? I'm sure anyone would make a lot of mistakes in that situation." How nice is Kat? She's just the best, right? I mean, where's Me's understanding nature? All I ever from him is how it's time to spend.
Kat's consoling words soothe my Core and I'm remind me how happy I am that she decided to stay.
"That's true," but thinking about how often I changed Trixie's location, "I should have listened to Me more. I was irrational and upset about losing my body back then. Over this last week, I feel like I'm coping much better though."
Hysterical would have been a better choice of words. Or in Denial.
"OK, Mr Smartypants. Anyway, you can just watch from here if you want, Kat. I'm going to go do my thing." With that said, I float back outside to finally begin my work.
Hehe, outside.
Let's start with a feature I unlocked ages ago, but have yet to place. We'll make our way down the list from there. OK, partner?
Sounds perfect.
Reverting back to my overview, the list of features I've yet to purchase is now that long that I have to scroll through it to get to what I want. I should have just asked Me. Seeing the prices of most features sitting below the 100DP mark makes me feel incredibly flush, even after using Land Acquisition. Knowing how fast it can be spent though, I decide to allocate half of my remaining points out here and the rest I'll use inside.
Missing the front door, windows, half a wall and more, my first purchase is The Forgotten Farm. Poorly constructed in the corner outside, as all first-tier features are, at least a homeless person might be able to find shelter in this one. Even for 80DP, The System given building doesn't look like it's worth its money.
Fully equipt with the world's smallest and darkest field, the bugs and vermin that make their home there guarantee crops will not be able to grow. It even comes with its own picket fence which is the only thing that actually looks good.
All in all, I got half a house and a poisonous field for an 80DP feature. If only I could shake my head. No wonder it was forgotten, I want to forget already.
Good thing I'm not leaving it at that.
After a quick upgrade, I'm left with the Forlorn Farm and the crappy home looks slightly more habitable. A disjointed porch has been attached by the missing front door and a wonky shed has been added to the side of the house. A few tools and rusty farming equipment are all thats inside. The square patch of poisonous-looking soil features hardly any crop eating insects and has grown to twice its original size.
Not looking as bad as it could, one more upgrade is definitely on order. I can only afford to bring one of the new fearures out here to level 3, so why not this one?
Field of Fertility:
Long lost cultivation methods can be found in this flourishing field so long as a farmer is present to discover and utilise them
Requires a farmer to use this feature
Reward:
32 XP
The field has doubled in size again and the soil itself no longer looks poisonous. In fact, the field looks magnificent to say it's only soil. I'm not quite sure how it's giving off that effect, but it feels really comforting to just stare at.
The farm house, or stone cottage it now is, has morphed into a completely different building. It now looks homely and inviting after an almost-full repair. Increasimg in size, the shed outside no longer looks as rusty and has a plethora of tools available to use. A large iron lock has appeared to keep tools protected from sticky fingers and everything needed to make the house a home has been added for when I can staff it with a farmer.
I could try and staff it with a regular Rogue, but I suspect Noir and Carrie will be back soon with good news on that front. Plus, I'm trying not to do stupid things at the minute so I'll make a start on a few other townly freatures instead.
Opposite the Field of Fertility at the far end of my land, I place the next feature. The Forgotten Forge. Let's hope I don't forget about these features myself. Let's be honest, The System couldn't have been anymore generic with the last two if she tried.
Also, I know I can create weapons myself. That isn't lost on me. I even have a fairly decent variety going on now. If I continue to grow, however, I don't want to creating weapons for hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Screw that!
Still, I'm a little screwed if I have to supply the materials. If I don't, then I can absorb whatever they create and improve my own wares. Plus that of Tara and Lara. Or should I call them Cloak and Dagger now?
Either way, my Rogues will be able to make weapons for themselves soon enough.
Where will you acquire materials to make weapons?
Well Me, it just so happens that I will be leaving the handling of that situation to future me.
She can deal with it tomorrow, or the day after. Either way, it's out of my hands now. Knowing her, she'll try and beg the system to let the forge offer contracts. Good luck, Abi.
The Forge, if it can even be called that, looks like the pond used to when it was still a crappy well. A small stone cylinder has risen from the ground and a small hole on the front provides access to the pot of molten liquid inside. A small, unhelpful-looking fan is attached to it by the ground and a rusty old anvil is sits in front. It looks by the far, the worst Forge I have ever seen.
It's a good thing that you can upgrade your features.
Ha! I was just thinking the same thing.
In one of the furthest corners I place the Cramped Coop. Again, I know I can just create my own livestock but I don't want my people to rely on me for everything. If I can set this place up to be self-sufficient, that means I'll spend less DP in the long run. The Coop is nothing special either and it didn't even come with chickens. What sort of shit is that? I paid 80DP for a wooden shack smaller than the Shed of Salvation used to be and I didn't even get a single chicken.
In the last corner, I place two matching features. The Stark Stable and The Hay Bale. These tier one features never fail to let me down as they both look exactly as they sound. A solitary bale of hay is sat beside two walls and a roof with not a horse or post in sight.
"Are you joking?" I shout at 160DP's worth of shit. "This better damn well change into something amazing, System!"
I don't know why you're still try to communicate with her. She cannot answer back no matter how hard you want her too.
From behind, I can hear Kat laughing away and I can't help but be grateful I'm not a human. I'd be red as a tomato right now. As I turn around she is pointing and laughing whilst Ali's eyes dart from side to side, trying to look anywhere except for the last two features.
"What's that supposed to be," Kat calls out before bursting into another bout of laughter.
"You may laugh now, but one day that'll be the best hay anyone has ever seen. I swear to the gods," declaring my future prize-winning feature, I float into my home in a huff.
Stupid hay bale.