“There are many names for it, manacore, manaheart, manahall, managland, and more, but they all define the same thing, the place where mana is stored and gathered. Some feel it in their head, others in their heart or abdomen. Yet, no physical form has been recorded, and even with the missing body part like a phantom pain the feeling remains functioning normally. After much research, we have confirmed the manacore to be situated in the soul, spreading mana like the heart through our bodies. The question is, we can feel it, we can draw it, we can use it, yet how come we cannot feel our soul when the soul and manacore are interconnected?”
-A piece from “Mysteries of Mana” by ????
----------------------------------------
Aiden
All around, there were arrows, daggers, and burn marks on the found. Scattered vegetables and some mana stones dropped by the slain monsters. They were all out of breath in the middle with shaky arms. They were all low on mana as they picked up the vegetables with Bianca creating water with her last bit of mana to wash them off as they began to eat them at the spot.
Most delvers tend to eat whenever they delve here. After all a bag of holding is expensive, not everyone is like Andrea having multiple and capable of handing it out willy-nilly. Since they cannot loot it all they eat what they cannot carry back.
Honestly, I was impressed. With my mobs evolving one more time essentially becoming a Tier 2 floor, and with my floor bosses being more intelligent than normal, becoming a Tier 3 fight my dungeon was not for first-time delvers.
Tier 3 might not seem high, but considering their ages and classes, they are quite talented. Their teamwork and coordination were steadily growing, especially at the last moment, when Randy created a path brute forcing his way with all the strength he had, Bianca throwing her heated dagger just at the right moment. Lastly, Travis controlled it with his metal affinity as it accelerated and plunged into Samina, using his affinity to make it explode into metal pieces inside her dealing the final blow to her.
With her gone, as with her buffs, they made quick work with the monsters left. I knew Bianca had a new dagger, and sensing Travis’s soul mana throughout it, I knew what they could do. I could’ve told Samina, but that wasn’t fair to them and disrespectful to her.
As their mana began to fill and their breath steadied, they each took and ate a rainbow-glistening berry the size of a palm that had been dropped from Samina.
Samina’s Favorite Berry
A berry dropped from the Floor Boss named Samina, imbued with the Dungeon of Desire’s mana, transmuting it into an elixir. Has an extremely rare chance of dropping once defeating the floor boss, Samina. Has properties of enhancing the body and immune system. Extremely delicious.
-Gain a Minuscule boost to disease resistance permanently (One-time for each individual)
As the description says, my mana is automatically used when these things drop. It was at first a fling, an experiment with imbuing my mana into different objects. Then, when I imbued a certain amount of mana into my bosses loot drops it began to change.
The effect wasn’t outstanding. It would boost a regular person by a maximum of 1%, and for high-level people, it would be like a drop in an ocean.
However, after hearing Hector’s explanation and the rarity of elixirs, I immediately added it to the loot drops, having an appalling 0.01% drop rate. Nonetheless, I was able to cheese it by making it the one-time quest reward. They just needed to know that it could drop.
It only took 2 mana to make each one for the floor bosses, while the delvers provided an average of 100 mana for each delve, so it was like an investment. The first time someone delved, they gave an average of an outstanding 1000 mana each—after all, my floor was impressive. Of course that dropped steadily with each delve finalizing at 100 mana.
Soon, a mole made out of watermelon dug up, appearing before the party.
Name
Lila Sylva Seraphim
Race
Fruit Fairy
Titles
Gardener, Child of Harmony, Descendent of Seraphim, Child of Healing
Affinity
Arcane, Life, Nature, Water, Heal, Hunger
Skill
Planting, Herbology, Nutrition Supplement, Plant Nurturing, Healing Touch, Healing Grounds, Healing Water, Rain, Healing Rain, Fertile Grounds, Mend, Restore, Growth Manipulation, Pruning, Harvest
Trait
Dungeon Born, Elite Monster, Lazy
She used Growth Manipulation and Healing Rain as plants grew rapidly on the decimated grounds. I learned that with their help, resource nodes spawn faster and, with their care improve their overall quality.
As the Healing Rain healed their bruises, they followed her out to the safe zone. It was something I tasked them with, to help parties who were too tired or injured to fight and guide them back to the safe zone. There was no need to make it difficult for them once we were done playing. I was always hoping that such gestures of kindness could let them understand that I mean no harm, and wish they had a fun time.
Soon sensing a strong mana I saw Varkana with some trainees entering. It was always a joy for her to come in, with her high level, she was giving me ample mana each time. At first, when the settlement just began, there were high-level professionals coming and going. Even if they didn’t do much, they still provided me with enough mana to level up a few.
Unfortunately, that dwindled down to only Varkana coming in, with trainees and occasionally Lorien coming to investigate. I saw them go through the cave entrance and move ahead without getting lost since the cave had been mapped out a long time ago.
The cave had various edible mushrooms for resources, but the popular resources were something I hadn’t planned.
Mana Shroom
Imbued with life and nature mana, big and full of vitality, grown in a place dense with pure mana, has gained some properties relating to mana. Delicious
Mana Moss
Imbued with life and nature mana, big and full of vitality, grown in a place dense with pure mana, has gained some properties relating to mana. Delicious
I planted some glowing mosses and mushrooms for lighting since adding torches or glowing rocks just didn’t feel right. I didn’t plan for them to become resources and monsters.
Mana moss and mana shroom are common ingredients found throughout Aetheria since they grow anywhere with a rich amount of mana. They were the main ingredient for mana potions and were frequently used in any potion-making as an enhancer.
What made them so popular was because of their quality and caused less strain on the body when taking mana potions made from them, meaning they could take more without getting mana strain. This was due to my Pure Mana Crystal Origin trait, which made my mana purer than any dungeon’s.
As the trainees slaughter through the monsters attacking them, of course struggling a few times here and there but much better than when they first challenged Ayla’s Mushroom Cave.
Species
Mana Sipper Moss
Description
A plant-type monster based on the mana moss. Evolved to quickly drain mana, it will spread onto its prey once directly contacting it.
Affinity
Arcane, Nature, Life, Hunger
Skill
Regeneration, Growth, Spread, Roll, Charge, Absorb Damage, Store Water, Mana Sense, Mana Drain
Trait
Dungeon Born, Mob
Species
Mana Bloomer Mushrooms
Description
A fungi-type monster based on the mana mushroom. Has evolved to quickly drain mana. It will discharge spores able to grow when contacting anything containing a sizable amount of mana.
Affinity
Arcane, Nature, Life, Hunger
Skill
Growth, Regeneration, Produce Spore, Spore Burst, Eject Spore, Sticky Spore, Rapid Growth, Mana Sense, Mana Drain
Trait
Dungeon Born, Mob
These were the two types of enemies, one a round ball of moss charging at delvers, moss growing on their skin after being contacted. The moss will drain the delver’s mana, using it to grow and spread further, draining more mana. The moss monster, once it has done spreading, will roll around, escaping and dodging the attacks as it waits for the prey to pass out from too much mana loss.
The mushroom monster moved slower than the moss, using its mycelium to move as spore sacks were generated and thrown. Once it landed on anything containing mana except for anything belonging to my dungeon, from equipment, to the delvers themselves, mushrooms will begin to grow draining their mana.
Many of the trainee's equipment got ruined the first time they came here. Now, they doused themselves and their equipment with special oil preventing the spores and moss from latching on. Whereas Varkana made a continuous thin mana shield coating her body, destroying any spores near her and killing any moss coming towards her.
As they ventured forth, they stumbled upon the boss of this place.
Name
Ayla Bloom Seraphim
Race
Mossy Horror
Titles
The Cave Lord, Mana Thrister, Mana Conasuier, Spreading Horror
Affinity
Arcane, Life, Nature, Water, Hunger
Skill
Rapid Growth, Spread, Produce Spore, Spore Explosion, Drain, Mana Drain, Rapid Drain, Mana Sense, Create Water, Water Manipulation, Store Water, Disrupt Mana, Mana Sense…
Trait
Dungeon Born, Floor Monster, Mana Sensitive
She was a big ball of moss. She would roll through the cave passages, barely fitting her. She was a more potent and stronger version of the moss monster with elements of the mushroom monster.
She would wash away any oil on them with her water affinity and the trainees know that too. Soon, mages and priests made barriers protecting the rear-end fighters, and some made barriers on the frontline fighters covering their whole bodies.
Stolen story; please report.
Creating and holding such a large barrier drained them quickly of their mana, especially when the moss began to grow on them, gnawing away at their mana. They drank mana potions and stuffed themselves with food and some of the resources harvested and dropped from the monsters they defeated while traveling through the cave.
Unfortunately, since the curse/blessing sun is blocked, the effect is weakened with less severe feelings of hunger and mana conversion. But, better than nothing.
They quickly killed Ayla even though she put up a good fight. The trainees were prepared, skilled and simply too many.
They arrived at their locations as half went to Cove’s Flavorful Waterfall and the other to Dante’s Carnivore Canopy. Varkana went to the waterfall with the trainees as they split up once again with their party members. Some began to fish, and some began to dive into the lake.
On the lake, there were some lotus leaves and lotus flowers, but mostly, it was covered with edible duckweed. Of course, not all of it was an item. Only a few different colored spots of duckweed were imbued with enough mana to have special effects selected as resource nodes.
The bottom of the lake was filled with aquatic plants for the fish to eat and tons of various fish swimming around with the two types of monster fish mixed in.
Species
Dragger Catfish
Description
A unique plant-type monster with catfish components. Evolved to be proficient with nature affinity, it will control the plants to drag nearby prey into the water. As it immobilizes its prey, plant tendrils pierce under its prey, draining its blood and energy.
Affinity
Arcane, Nature, Life, Water, Hunger
Skill
Swim, Plant Manipulation, Enhance Plant, Growth, Rapid Growth, Enhance Plant Strength, Strangle, Tangle, Heavy Water, Pierce, Absorb Blood, Drain
Trait
Dungeon Born, Mob
This type is specialized in nature affinity, usually dragging unsuspecting delvers who are fishing to the water. The catfish's whiskers were turned into plant tendrils as they absorbed blood like a needle and absorbed energy like the others. The blood would circulate inside the fish muscles as they became energy and mana. For other fishes without whiskers, they would come out of their gills. They didn’t need gills because their plant outer shell did the breathing.
Species
Swarmer Bass
Description
A unique plant-type monster with bass components. Evolved to specialize in water affinity, it will trap its prey with water magic. As it immobilizes its prey, plant tendrils pierce under its prey, draining its blood and energy.
Affinity
Arcane, Nature, Life, Water, Hunger
Skill
Swim, Water Manipulation, Heavy Water, Sticky Water, Dense Water, Water Chains, Water Prison, Pierce, Absorb Blood, Drain
Trait
Dungeon Born, Mob
The other type specializes in water affinity usually using water magic on any delvers diving in the lake.
As I observed the delvers fight the monsters, I honestly wasn’t sure the system would identify them as plant-type monsters. The heart was made out of plant as plant veins starting from it would vitalize the fish meat inside. So I guess it's more like a plant parasitizing a dead fish's body, but I wonder what the criteries are.
The fish was a big hit. The delicious boneless meat had a unique, pleasant, plant-like freshness at the end. Also, since it was bloodless, there was no fishy smell, making it a hit with even those who didn’t like fish.
Then I saw a five-person party, diving in the lake and fighting the floor boss, Cove.
Name
Cove Aqua Seraphim
Race
Lake Monster
Titles
The Lake Lord, Water Magician, Water Weaver, One With Water
Affinity
Arcane, Life, Nature, Water, Hunger
Skill
Water Construct, Water Giant, Water Hand, Create Water, Water Manipulation, Store Water, Water Barrier, Water Gun, Water Chains…
Trait
Dungeon Born, Floor Monster, Water Tuned
He was a beautiful 10-meter carp fish with shimmering plant leaves on the outside looking like unique fish scales. He was a mage type, focused on water magic.
Normally, he would stay inside his alcove and wouldn’t attack unless he felt the delvers' intent to attack first. Soon, he controlled the water around them, the fishes following the movements as only him and the party were left in a 50-meter radius.
They began to attack him, some using ice magic, some with spears in hand, and others with a harpoon. Cove blocked the attacks as the water converged and compressed, forming a shield. He also manipulated the water around the party members to inhibit their movements.
Cove has a special way of attacking. He spends most of his time inside his alcove at the bottom and middle of the lake, swimming around nearby. He frequently imbues his mana into the water, allowing him to control it more freely. However, the most notable part is that he was able to combine his hunger affinity with his water affinity. As the party is pressured by the water, their energy and mana are actually being drained, dispersing into the water.
I expected very few visitors for him, given his position at the bottom of the lake, his advantage on home turf, and the many delvers who aren’t used to underwater environments. It just wasn’t worth it, except for the reward for the quest.
But, it seems I have underestimated them. They were water dungeons with even more hazardous environments where adventures still delved for the loot, and it seems Cove’s basic loot of his meat was enough for them to use water-related items.
The party broke free quickly, moving faster than on land, their armor and clothing making that possible with the harpoons and spears working by dragging the water mana nearby to increase its power. Expensive and useless on land but invaluable in underwater fights.
Varkana was viewing the lake below right at them, even though she was on land. As she viewed the surroundings, she began to head to Dante’s place.
She did give advice and notified some mistakes the trainees made, but they were doing well enough now. Moreover, her main job wasn’t actually to train them but to protect and guard them in case anything might happen. Excessive for a normal dungeon, but since they could never assume anything about me, such precautions were taken.
I do want to tell them that it will be fine, but I doubt that would change anything.
Anyway, she quickly arrived with her superhuman strength and speed. It was a jungle-like environment with the resources and loot all relating to meat.
Fragrant Hickory Tree
Imbued with life and nature mana, when used in smoking meat, it enhances the flavor, smell, and color of the meat and adds a fragrant hickory scent harmonious with the meat.
Species
Alluring Sundew
Description
A plant-type monster based on the plant sundew. Disguises itself as a harmless plant with pooled water on the leaves. The water is a sticky substance made by it with a subtle alluring scent attracting its prey. Once its prey has touched the water, it will tangle its prey immediately, soaking it with the water and making the prey immobile with muscle relaxant effects as they drain its energy.
Affinity
Arcane, Nature, Life, Hunger
Skill
Camouflage, Swift Hug, Tangle, Alluring Scent, Enhance Scent, Sticky Dew, Relaxing Dew, Drain
Trait
Dungeon Born, Mob
There were trees suitable for smoking you could chop down, ranging from oak, cherry, apple, pecan, and more, though they didn’t bear fruits. There are also two other types of carnivorous plant monsters. One is a venus flytrap that became humongous as it lay flat on the ground, disguising itself as a puddle it would trap its mouth once someone touches the puddle.
The other was a pitcher plant growing underground. Its lids were camouflaged to look like the ground, acting as a trap door that made anything fall once they stepped on it. They all dropped this for loot.
Flavorful Plant Acid
Filled with life and nature mana, used for marinating or spreading on meat to tenderize and enhance the flavor.
The plant-animals were mostly specialized in nature affinity, manipulating nearby plants, or just using brute force. The strangest ones were these two.
Species
Fire Chicken Bomber
Description
A unique plant-type monster with chicken components. Evolved to produce and fight with weaponized eggs. It will throw its eggs as it lays them, at its enemy with various effects
Affinity
Arcane, Nature, Life, Fire, Hunger
Skill
Glide, Short Flight, Produce Egg, Shoot Egg, Rapid Laying, Sticky Egg, Rotten Egg, Exploding Egg, Burning Egg, Heavy Egg, Claw, Drain
Trait
Dungeon Born, Mob
Species
Truffle Pig
Description
A unique plant-type monster with components of pig and truffle. Evolved to grow truffles on their back, will seek protection from the strongest monster from enemies. In exchange, they will offer their truffles as a protection fee. Has a unique calming aura and produces delectable truffles.
Affinity
Arcane, Nature, Life, Hunger
Skill
Calming Aura, Lower Presence, Produce Truffle, Enhance Truffle, Communication, Growth, Sense Threat, Sense Danger, Quick Escape, Drain
Trait
Dungeon Born, Mob
Even the roosters have evolved to lay eggs somehow, and its actually the first I have seen a monster with zero attack skills. Of course, there are other kinds of evolved chickens and pigs. It’s just they stood out the most and they had appealing loot drops. Fire eggs that warm you up, truffles, and truffle-scented pork.
The truffle pigs are always protected by the floor boss if present, and that means killing the floor boss means truffle pigs, too. Though I must say, I don’t enjoy seeing the delvers killing the fleeing pigs.
Thinking about them, I realize Varkana was currently looking at a party fighting the floor boss.
Name
Dante Leo Seraphim
Race
Plant Abomination
Titles
The Jungle Lord, Survivor, Strategist, Shapeshifter
Affinity
Arcane, Life, Nature, Hunger
Skill
Copy, Transform, Mutate, Combine, Examine, Mana Sense, Blood Sense, Enhance Senses, Weak Point, Change, Dodge, Beast Sense…
Trait
Dungeon Born, Floor Monster, Decisive, Smart, Adaptive
Dante was smart, he had the mind of an elementary school student like the others, yet he was exceptional among them. As he was designated as the floor boss he evolved in a way of enhancing the mimic component I have given him. At first, his form was of a cow. However, after his third evolution, he became a forlegged plant mass thing.
He could shapeshift into any mob within the jungle he had encountered. Making his moves unpredictable and troubling. But what makes him a threat is the way he learns. My other floor bosses know and use the patterns of people as a whole, while he goes further, learning the patterns of individuals and using them to his advantage.
It was a four-person party fighting him. Two warriors, one with a shield and sword and one with a two-handed greatsword. One archer and the other a mage. Dante charges forward as his legs turn into a buffalos, the shield bearer trying to block him with his shield in front and the other warrior ready to attack.
His head transforms into an alligator’s as he holds the shield with his mouth, transforming the inside of his mouth he uses Heavy Egg as an egg is shot from the alligator's mouth causing the shield bearer to loosen his hold on the shield as Dante throws the shield away.
The warrior attacked with his greatsword. However, Dante had already changed where it would hit into buffalo hide with fluffy fur, kicking him in the process. Fluffy Buffalo, high resistance to physical damage weak against fire.
His back transformed creating wings as he leapt and flew in the air. Magic and arrows fly toward him, his head shifting to a turkey’s using Arcane Shield to block the attacks. Magical Turkey, evolved to be specialized in arcane affinity.
Then, another head emerges from his back and shouts a piercing scream. Shouting goat, its screams are able to disorient those who hear them. As the party is stunned, his stomach transforms as it spews the sticky liquid from the sundew from above, landing behind the party.
Soon, the goat head turned into a deer head, with deer horns shining brightly. The head shifted its place to the front, facing the party, as the horns grew bright with a strange glow. Mesmerizing Deer specialize in light affinity, are able to stun with bright lights, and will cause a semi-conscious state if looked at too long.
As the party entered a semi-conscious state, Dante transformed his whole body into a cow as the ground underneath the party cracked open, falling below, and the ground moved, making them stuck in place. Tremor Cow specializes in earth affinity.
Soon, Dante drained them all of their energies as the elites on standby when it came to Dante’s fights in case of serious injuries carried them to the safe zone, taking a few pieces of equipment in the process.
“Look, I may have allowed more varieties of evolutions and monsters, adding one or two here and there, making this place quite chaotic and a mess. But, gosh damn, will I not fulfill my son's request!”
Plus, shifting takes a lot of mana. That party was underprepared, so he definitely isn’t overpowered, and I’m not to blame.
“Umm, Aiden, who are you talking to?”
Hector, concerned by my sudden outburst, asks worriedly.
“Oh, no one in particular. You know how I always talk to myself and say them out loud.”
“Uh-huh.”
Just as I was about to argue about his skeptical look and Varkana was about to move along after seeing the fight finish, they both stopped as something happened.
“AHHH! Hector! She did it! Bianca did it! She finished my main quest. Yes! I won this bet!”
Hector gave me a puzzled look, tilting his head.
“What bet?”
“The one I just made right now and am winning.”
Hector rolls his eyes at my nonsense yet still follows along.
“Then I nullify this bet.”
“What, no!! You can’t, no!”
“If you can suddenly make a bet, then I can definitely annul it.”
“What!? NOO!!”
As he stares blankly at me for a while, he interrupts my whining.
“...Are you don’t yet or do you feel like you need to continue?”
“Yep, that was fun. Now, let’s visit our grand winner!”
This notification is sent to all those who have unlocked the Main Quest: Floor 1-3 (3) and are present in the dungeon.
Someone has completed the main quest for the first time, revealing the mission goals and rewards.
Main Quest: Floor 1-3 (3)
You have met the ruler of this place, and with her invitation, it is time to explore. Reap, and harvest, devour, and digest, for this garden was built to fill your hunger. Or you may just wander and tour, observe, and learn. After all, it is a wonderful garden.
Mission Goals (0/3)
-Express gratitude for the killed monster for its food
-Take only as much as you can eat in a day
-Stay in the dungeon for an hour and leave empty-handed
-Willingly share anything you have harvested on this floor
-Share food not from this dungeon with the ruler, wanting nothing in return
-Feel and show gratitude for this floor
Accomplish any three from above to complete the quest
Reward for Completion: Next Main Quest, Fruit of Passage, Accessory of Desire
Penalty for Failure: None