Tironia holds two large continents on its surface and both have been there since long before records began.
One of them is called the Cair continent and everything there is named after its landmass. The inhabitants of Cair are the wealthier of the two nations and boast a great deal of luxurious items. This is thanks to a few of the dungeons that appeared on there.
The second of Tironia's continents, Tira, was named after the world itself. In this nation, strong dungeons can be found almost anywhere and the country's armed forces are leagues above Cair. This is also the reasoning behind their strict classification system.
If a war between the two nations were ever to arise, there's no doubt Tira would claim victory with their might. If one were seeking fortune and riches, they would head for Cair but if one is seeking strength and glory, then Tira is the way forward.
The Ocean Yore separates both continents but trade deals still happen frequently. Even with large distances and monsters on the sea, there are always demands for certain goods and there are also merchants willing to risk their lives selling them.
A short article on the two great continents. The year 1919
Pali Patiti, Adventurer, Scholar, Self-Titled Documentarian.
----------------------------------------
My third room has been completed and it was followed by my first level up.
What a glorious half an hour in Abi's dungeon.
Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 2
DP has been increased by 20.
New features have been unlocked:
Weak Wall Torch: 1DP
Weak Wooden Door: 1DP
Wooden Treasure Chest: 1DP
A new Skill has been Acquired:
Examine
All damage the Core accumulated has been repaired
Sweet!
My Core is now in pristine condition once again. I was trying not to think about the fracture, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't beginning to scare me. I definitely don't need to add any more of Barry's tunnels to my list. When I'm stronger, maybe I can acquire them without sustaining any damage.
Anyway, my DP can now reach 52/40.
I'm honestly shocked at how much I can hold as it's more than double what I started with. Well, it's not full yet because I've just spent some, but I still have good old Barry. After all, it's through his efforts that this was possible in the first place.
I love you, Barry. Without you, I wouldn't have Stockpile. To be honest, I would probably still be on 20 DP and meditating like every other Dungeon Core. So what I really meant to say was, I really, really love you, Barry!
I wonder how other dungeons manage it? Being slow that is. I'm also curious as to how they're created in the first place. Not that it's a big issue, but I doubt even Me knows the answer to that one.
A Dungeon Core does not notice the passing of time. It just is to them. They exist in part due to the creator trying to restore balance to the world and failing. He did not get around to removing them before disappearing and after a while, the algorithm left running The System began to fail. Now it creates new Cores and miniature systems alike before merging them into one. Therefore creating us.
What?
No.
No. No. No. No. No. No. NO!
You can't just sum up existence like that, Me.
I don't want to hear how this happened because some stupid God forgot to turn some stupid system off! I don't even know how to start processing that! It makes it even harder hearing you phrase it so easily. I... I just... I don't wanna hear it!
That just totally killed my mood. I was actually happy a minute ago.
My apologies. It was not my intention to do that, Abi.
I know. It's not your fault. Still, how do you even know that stuff? I was never the brightest person before I became a Dungeon Core, so how did you become so smart if you're made from me?
I am not made from you. Weren't you paying attention? I was created by The System that oversees Dungeon creation. I was created for you and then merged into you, through The System's knowledge.
You know what, Me? I don't wanna hear it.
What?
Yep, don't care. Not even a little bit. I don't mean to be rude, but gods and systems? Honestly, I couldn't care less right now. I know I asked the question, but I wasn't actually expecting you to answer. I was still human three hours ago, remember?
This is a little too much.
Quite. Not much time has passed since you became a Dungeon Core. There are still 20 hours and 58 minutes until your door opens.
Trying to forget the outrageous information that I just had to ask for, instead, I focus on my dungeon. It's hard when you only have the basics though and don't know which ways you should advance. Crisis averted, I patiently wait for Barry to fill me up while complaining about the unfairness of only having two Gacha rolls.
Oh Yeah. That feels nice.
I didn't get far with my thoughts, but I feel great again being back at full DP. This moment feels special, knowing I can build more than one room at a time makes me feel giddy. 56 points is a lot to play with, where do I start?
I place a tunnel, followed by a room still heading straight. After that, I try placing another tunnel in the same direction but find myself stopped by a new notification.
Error:
Unable to place tunnel in the specified location.
Why can't I place a tunnel here, Me?
There are a few possible reasons for not being able to place a feature. In this case, it could be that your tunnel might connect to the outside world. For that to work, you need to place a special exit. This is unavailable to you at the moment due to your current level and time restriction.
Ah. The outside world. Wait. We're still on Tironia, right? I haven't changed planets as well as species, have I? Wait. Species? Is that the right word for my change in genealogy? Nevermind. It's still the same planet, right?
Yes, it's the same planet. However, the space in which you inhabit could also be classed as another dimension completely. Now, why are you so insistent on building in a straight line?
The space in which you inhabit? Why do you have to make my space sound so dirty?
I'm clean.
Also, I think that a super-long Dungeon might put people off wanting to explore it.
Did it not occur to you that no matter which direction the tunnels run, it's still going to be the same distance in length?
........
This time I will take your silence to mean you did not consider that information. If your Dungeon does not travel in a straight line, the chances of adventurers getting lost and preferably dying will be significantly increased.
........
Thank you, Me.
I have nothing else to say. If I had a hand, or a head for that matter, I most certainly would be facing some palm right now. At least I learned some wise advice from my foolish mistake.
Ok, so, right turn.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Placing my next tunnel to the right of the last, my overview shows it at a perfect 90° angle. At the end, I place the fifth room and another tunnel for when I can continue.
After I'm done, I move my adorable-drooling Mimic, Colin, and my beautiful jade Core, all the way to the last room. Shockingly, my Core moves by getting soaked up through the floor and then released into whichever room I desire.
Damn, I'm cool.
Colin had to walk the whole way and it was hilarious. I was laughing my head off at his tiny feet, tapping away. Me couldn't understand what was so funny.
I add a Weak Wall Torch to my Core Room, as I've taken to calling it, and one in the room the Rogues are in. They're still in the first room I created with Barry because at least they have something to watch, but we don't want him crushing one of them by accident and claiming it was because he couldn't see them.
Although workplace injuries happen all the time in poorly lit areas, that won't be the case in my dungeon.
After that spending spree, I'm excited to see when I'll level up again.
Give me a hand, Me.
Dungeon Core Abi Level 2:
5/10 XP Until Next Level.
6 Rooms
6 Tunnels
4 Monsters
0 Traps
1/40 DP Available
How come I still have a point left?
It's the amount you have regenerated naturally. Every 2 hours you earn 1 DP through your skill Regeneration.
Oh. That seems insignificant thanks to Barry's efforts, but I'll spend it regardless.
Only 5 XP to go!
That's only three rooms.
First, I'll use that single point on another torch and I'll place it in the entrance. That only leaves three rooms and 6 tunnels left to light. Those tunnels need more than one torch as well because of how long I made them. For now, I'll just use any leftover points on that whilst aiming for the next level.
Another 52 minutes roll by and I repeat the same steps as before. Another empty room followed by a long-ass tunnel, followed by another room. I would have kept going but my path forward was blocked again by the same error as before.
Shrugging it off since there's nothing I can do to fight against The System, I once again turn right with my last tunnel.
I wonder how far it will let me go this time? Maybe to where my entrance is?
My remaining points go into more torches to light the rooms.
With 20 minutes to wait before I can build the room that will take me to the next level, I spend the whole time gleefully anticipating how cool Stockpile will make my point total look. As soon as I hit the mark, I purchase the room faster than a noblewoman in a jeweller's.
My intention is to level up as much as possible before I open. More points mean more paths. I know that no other Dungeon has had a start like mine, so my future is already looking a little promising. Hopefully, there won't be a stray battalion of knights passing by randomly when my door opens.
........
Why did I even think of that!?
If that happens the blame is on you, Me.
What? Are you talking to me, or you?
Exactly!
What?
After a little joking around with Me, ta-da.
Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 3:
DP increased by 20
New features have been unlocked:
Water: 1DP (per cubic foot)
Mushroom: 1DP
New loot unlocked:
Rusty Iron Dagger: 2DP
Yeah. That's right. You know it! Girls are moving up in the world.
There aren't as many features this time and no skills either, but I'm still overjoyed looking at my capacity increasing. When full, I can hold a whooping 78/60 DP.
Isn't that kind of cheating?
I can't help but imagine I'm smiling somewhere.
I'm not complaining though so don't answer that one, Me. That was rhetorical and for my own benefit. All I'm saying is, who's a big girl?
After a few failed attempts at making Me laugh and taking my regular DP injections off Barry, I managed to get the hang of meditation.
Sort of.
I'm in my own zen-like world.
Which is trippy because it totally wasn't what I was expecting at all.
Here, I'm able to see my human-self dressed in my adventuring gear. I'm lying on top of a sleeping roll on the Dungeon floor. Even though my hood is over my face, I'd recognise my hair anywhere. The same bright green as my Core, a good portion of it has spilt free and is draped across my face.
With my hands clasped in front of me, I look like I'm already dead. Thankfully, the steady rising of my chest lets me know that I'm only asleep. We appear to be on the 7th floor of the Goblin Dungeon. The last place I remember before my humanity was swapped for what-ever-it-is-you-call being a Dungeon Core.
I watch as my own eyes spring open and it scares the shit out of me. All of a sudden I'm me again. Not looking at myself, but I am myself. I want to let out a celebratory whoop to let Me know he was wrong, but my body won't move. Well, it will, but it's not me in the driver's seat. My head turns on its own, even as I try to stop it, and I start to panic.
Wait.
Stop!
What's happening, Me?
...
Me?
To my right is my friend Anya. The cleric who always heals our ass when we need it. She lay only a few feet away and spread out across her own sleeping roll, her head facing my direction. Her long, silver hair is matted with blood and dirt, her clothing ripped and torn, her eyes lifeless and hollow. Her body, an empty husk.
We have always been close, Anya and I. Ever since we met at the Adventurers Guild. We joined at almost the same time and it bonded us in a way that I hadn't experienced before. She didn't just become my friend, she became my comrade and we formed a party together.
At this moment though, I can no longer see the beauty in my friend as my vision blurs. Crying miserably, inside and out, my mind sears the atrocity being committed to memory.
The only person I can see now is Kal. Worse than a Goblin, his sword pins my friend's body to the floor as he commits the unthinkable. The unimaginable. Wearing a twisted expression, the panting of his breath is the sound audible throughout the Dungeon.
I try to turn away, but hatred won't move my body. Anger swells inside of me, but confusion won't let go. I can't move. After what feels like an eternity struggling internally, his interest in my best friend dies and his interest turns in my direction. His grin turns more sadistic as he licks his lips. No one should be able to smile with such malice. I try to look at my body and realise this must be how I died.
What the fuck.
Refusing to watch anymore, I close my eyes and cry to myself. The sadness in my heart echoes out like a beacon. I do realise that this isn't actually happening right now and that it's a memory, or a vision, or a dream... Or whatever you wanna call it, but I don't care. I'm not down for watching myself get... Dead?
Yeah. Dead. It's as good a word as any.
That's what happened. I got deaded! By some dickhead I thought was my friend. Our friend!
Are you ok?
Me's words light up my life and I realise that I'm no longer stuck in that horrible dream space. Instead, I'm in my Core room and all my monsters are gathered around me. My Rogues, Light and Ali, both seem furious and I swear I can see sand coming out of Barry's eyes.
How did Barry get all the way here?
Colin is salivating, as he does. He doesn't even have any eyes. Just funny feet, a massive tongue and a lot of drool.
How did you get here, Barry?
Yes, I know. Barry can't speak. I asked out of shock more than anything.
What happened, Me?
I don't know if I want to tell you after you asked Barry before me.
Hehe.
Don't talk about yourself in the third person. It makes you seem strange.
I wasn't... It's you that named... It does not matter. I do not know what you were doing! The monsters responded to your feelings and came to the Dungeon Core.
Awww, you guys.
You're all awesome, thank you.
I really wish they could hear me.
They know you are pleased with them. You should feel it through your will.
I think I can, but it's not the same thing. I want to say thank you and show them my appreciation. They're loyal just like you said they would be.
Oh? Does that mean...
Yes. I might think about considering whether or not to decide if I should potentially try and risk creating a scary Wolf.
It's just a daunting idea, Me.
I understand, but they will be loyal to you. Once you have created 10 of them, you will unlock the access to the next tier of evolution.
Wait, what!?
The next...
Why didn't you tell me that earlier? I bet I could have done that with the Rogues as well, couldn't I? To hell with the Bandit Hideout analogy. After what I've just seen, I don't care anymore!
What do you mean? What did you see?
It's... Not important now. It could be if we ever see that bastard Kal again though.
Kal?
Doesn't matter. For now, just keep a lookout for any large knights that may enter the area, got it? In fact, can you access the dungeon the same way that I can?
Yes. I can monitor and use anything you give me authority over.
Cool, but for now, just watch out for the knight, OK?
OK. I will inform you of anyone that matches your amazing description once your timer has expired. By the way, you have just over six hours remaining until your door opens.
What!?
There's only six hours left? I thought I had around twenty or something like that. What happened to all my time?
You were meditating and would not snap out of it.
Meditating? Meditating?
Meditation my arse!
It sure as hell didn't feel like Meditation.
No way, Me. What's the point of Meditation if it makes me miss out on level ups and expanding the dungeon? Also, it wasn't really Meditation! It was more like a gods-damn nightmare!
It could be due to the fact that you were a human before you became a Core. The same could be said about your Rogue monsters. No other dungeon that I'm aware of are able to create them.
The Rogues aren't monsters, they're people.
What people do you know of that appear out of thin air in the middle of a dungeon?
Well... None, but you never know.
And if they're monsters, then why do they look like people?
Granted, they take on human appearance extremely well, but do not be fooled. They are monsters and they will do your bidding. If you asked them to die right now, they would do so gladly for the dungeon. They would do it for you. They are your monsters.
I'm not going to ask them to die.
Jeez, Me. Lighten up. I get it they're monsters, they just look human. Still doesn't mean you have to be so mean to them.
I was making sure the point was drilled in and it appears I was successful.
Fine, well done. Mission accomplished.
Also, Stockpile has reached Level 7
What?