'I wonder what that was all about.' I was pondering over the recent system message but was immediately brought out of my thoughts as I felt a stir in my newly formed bond.

All my attention was focused on my newly born companion as I felt an awakening of a conscious flow through my bond. Slowly, the entity was sent into motion as its body twitched with life, and its eyes slowly fluttered open.

There it was, staring right at my core, white short hair, white eyes, an androgynous white face, and body, no nails, belly button, genitals, and even blood or veins as if carved out of marble. 'It felt so artificial, and (sorry) had an uncanny valley feel to it.'

But to hell with that, I say, this is the first being except for The System I have met in my new world, 'Oh, how self-centered I am, believing another different world with magic nonetheless will conform to my earth-titled views. Damn, you brain being so specialized in recognizing faces. Wait, I don't have a brain to blame, do I? Oh gosh, darn nit!'

Not to mention, it might take months, depending on how deep I'm underground and how long it will take for me to reach the surface, till I have a chance to meet anything conscious enough for communication. Ooh, unless there are mole people or something resembling an underground civilization.

'Oh my gosh, focus, Aiden, focus. You have to make a good first impression. Not just stare and think about nonsense. Okay, where to start, umm...'

"Umm... Hi, nice to meet you, and welcome to this world. So, how is it being just born?"

'AHHHHH! What was that? Are you stupid? What do you mean by being just born? What should I say next? What would they say next? How should I respond to that? Why am I such a fuck-up? Damn you, my social anxiety.'

I can't mess this up; what if they leave me? What if they hate me? What if they are disappointed in me? I don't wanna be alone in this place with nobody but me for who knows how long? I'm scared. I'm scared, I'm scared; I can't screw this up; if it does, then...

Then I felt a touch directly at my core; the companion gently rubbed my core with an expressionless face, yet I could feel the concern and confusion from our bond.

Next, I heard a voice in my head: an androgynous voice with no emotion discernible.

"I will never leave you, I will never hate you, I will never leave you alone. It's nice to meet you, Aiden, and to answer your question. It's strange. It is strange to be nothing before yet somehow exist and know the next."

Watching and listening, I can see an almost invisible smile forming on their face. Feeling the truth in those words through our bond, the storm in my head calms down. Then it hit me: their mouth wasn't moving the whole time. Actually, I wasn't making any sounds at all, too, and I don't recall ever telling my name.

"Through our bond, we can perceive each other's thoughts and emotions. Of course, you can decide what to convey; however, you have unintentionally conveyed everything due to inexperience and instability. As the bonding happened, a minuscule amount of your soul was split. As The System formed my soul, it merged with it, carrying some memories of your time on Earth. It was through this I became aware of your name. Aiden, we are bonded so closely that if one were to perish, the other would, too. But do not be concerned; as my soul is protected by The System, becoming impervious to all but The System itself, if my body were to be destroyed, it can be reconstructed by your mana."

'Oh, so that's how it is. Also, that means they heard my panicking rant, and even worse, they know my past.' You know it's great to have someone to talk to, but it's not so great when they hear your inner rant of anxiety and have memories of your past, ruining the opportunity for a good first impression.

"I hope the memories were nothing too bad and devasted your impression of me."

"Aiden, I do not possess all but a fraction of your memories, not enough to define you, and the ones I do did not make me think any less of you but helped me understand you more. I'm glad I was able to hear your thoughts so that I can help you through with it instead of not knowing, so please do not feel embarrassed about it."

"So you heard that too, ugh. First, thanks for, you know, everything you said, but I really need to learn to keep control of what I want conveyed. I still want some privacy."

"Of course, my purpose is to teach you what you do not know. First is a guide and message for the 'problem.'"

At that, I feel something coming through our bond from them to me.

In one of the many dimensions governed by The System, there was a disturbance in some of the recently acquired dimensions being invaded by The Abyss.

The Abyss' sole intent and goal is to corrupt and twist, standing at opposite ends to The System symbolizing Order and Impartiality.

The Abyss was grown enough to the point of sentience and was annihilated immediately.

As eons passed, The System helped new planes form as the dimensions settled from the aftermath.

One of those planes, which has come to be called Aetheria, lay dormant, The Abyss, a microscopic piece that survived the annihilation using all its ability to twist the perception of The System to go unnoticed.

Once Aetheria was formed and stable, it leeched off the core of Aetheria to grow.

The System discovered the anomaly when there was a lapse in the Abyss's ability to twist The System's perception.

Unfortunately, by then, it had grown too much. The System lent power to the aborigines as much as possible, yet after a kingdom in ruins, they only managed to seal The Abyss.

The only way to get rid of it was to annihilate it once more; however, this time, countless planes and lives existed.

Choosing to do so would destroy and demolish these planes and lives in the process, going against The System's principles,

The System waited for a better solution, setting annihilation as a last resort.

Then, after an eon or so, The System encountered a solution, you: a wandering soul Blessed By Dimensions.

It would allow a way to intervene without destroying Aetheria and the surrounding planes.

Integrating into a dungeon core while amplifying the power to purify The Abyss that is sealed beneath you.

It is unknown how long the seal will last, but until then, Grow, Build Your Army, Expand Your Influence, Construct Impedes, and when the time comes, Purify All of The Abyss and Bring Order Back to Aetheria

Good Luck

"Oh wow, that's a lot." And I don't mean just the message. When I accepted The System, I did it because I didn't wanna die, and I thought what The System proposed was doable. But now, this message was like a hammer to the head. 'I really was tasked with something grand, wasn't I?'

"Yes, you were, and should you fail, annihilation is the most likely conclusion for this dimension. Excluding that if you were to be defeated by the Abyss, the consequence would be terrible. The Abyss does not kill; it corrupts and twists, and it will make you into something wrong."

"Well, that sure is an incentive to do something, isn't it? Just wondering, what is so special about me to be chosen."

At that, I could feel doubt coming through my bond.

"Did you not check your status? According to my imparted knowledge, it should explain most things, and it takes time before the tutorial parameters are met."

"Hmm, no, I did check but only looked at the explanation for my titles, and then I had a panic attack. When that settled down, the tutorial popped up, so I forgot to do so."

"I see; then, would you please check them now, as it would make explaining much easier."

"Sure thing."

At that, I brought my Status Screen up, and while I was at it, I decided to check the others.

Born of Arcane Mana

A dungeon core born in a place of ambient arcane mana

-Unlocks Arcane Affinity

-Gives a generous boost to increasing arcane affinity and a moderate boost to increasing other affinities

-Your dungeon monsters gain a moderate arcane affinity and a minor boost to other affinities

-Delvers get a minor boost to increasing arcane affinity and a minuscule boost to increasing other affinities.

Pure Mana Crystal Origin

Your core is miraculously constructed of the purest mana directly coming from the core of the world, acquiring abilities similar to the world's core

-Self-mana generation is increased 10 times

-Mana Capacity is increased 10 times

-Gives an immense boost to mana density for monsters when using Summon Monster

-Gives a large boost to the growth rate of Self-mana generation, Mana Capacity, and Extrior Mana Conversion at each level

-Gives a colossal boost to Mana Purification

-Increase any mana-related abilities proficiency by two tiers

Blessed by Dimension

Dimensions and planes all have barriers that protect them by selecting and resisting what comes in and out. Yet, you are a miraculous soul blessed, letting you pass their indestructible and impenetrable walls unscathed and without hindrance. These blessed souls travel freely from dimension to dimension. Many have tried to study and use these properties yet failed as blessed souls are elusive and unreadable, protected by the dimensions.

-Has minimal consequences for passing dimension and plane barriers

-Almost impossible to identify unless by a twist of fate

-Gives a monumental boost to time, space, and gravity affinities

As I read, I was still confused. The whole thing about dimensions, planes, and worlds is way above what I was used to in my previous small world, which is currently an even smaller world. Then, I felt surprise pass through the bond; looking at my companion worried, I asked.

"You okay? Is something wrong?"

"Yes, forgive me. I was just surprised by your trait."

"Huh, which one? And wait, can you see my status screen."

"Yes, as your guide, it is a function for Companions to see the status screen of dungeon cores. As for my reason of surprise, the Pure Mana Crystal Origin is not in my database for dungeon cores that the System has granted me. It may very well be the first for this trait to exist. Pure mana made from the world core is well pure. It, in its natural form, cannot become something as it is simply complete in itself. The closest to it is arcane mana, a cluster of unattributed pure mana changed to taken form, being able to change to anything."

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Listening to the explanations, I tried to make sense of them by substituting them with things I knew. So I guess you can think like this pure mana is like neutrons, just with those, you get numerous neutrons, but add in protons and electrons, and it becomes atoms or arcane mana, for this case, capable of becoming any matter. Then, I think it's safe to check this trait as one of the gifts from The System. Thinking of gifts, I wonder why not just tell me instead of guessing like this. Well, if you don't know, ask.

"Yeah, probably The System at work there; by the way, can you explain why I was chosen and perhaps the reason for not telling me the help The System provided?"

"Of course, to put it so you may better picture it, think of the dimension as an egg, the world, the yolk. Now, one-yolk called Aetheria was infected right in the center of the yolk. Leave it be; it will kill the egg, and the infection will spread to the surrounding eggs. To solve it, you only have your bare hands to crush it and medicine without an opening to put into it without breaking the egg. Then, your unique trait made you capable of passing the shell and yolk sack without destroying it. Using you as the carrier of medicine to solve the infection. However, as your trait only allows the process to be done with minimal damage, there was a capacity limit, and knowledge had the same weight as medicine."

"Oh, okay, yeah, I understand now, but just one thing, what about you? Clearly, The System intervened with you, right?"

"Certainly, all dungeon companions are beings made by the system, inheriting knowledge to guide dungeons so they may properly acclimate and work. A minuscule amount of the dungeon core soul is used during the creation process to strengthen the bond and to prevent the dungeon core from harming the companion; as your soul merged with my newly created one, I inherited some of your soul's unique properties, making an opening. Wich The System used to increase the limit of the original Companion preset. Companions are more like AI in your world without emotion, programmed to say what words for different situations. They don't even look anything like me; as a dungeon companions appearance is made by the subconscious mind of the core. Most of the time, they are elementals, relating to the affinity of the dungeon core. As a newly born dungeon core, they have the consciousness of a baby knowing only what they have seen."

"Ohh, that explains why you're a fairy; it's a trope in Earth where dungeon cores have dungeon fairies as guides. Don't know who started it, though"

"Interesting. Aiden, though I know you have many more questions, I would suggest we finish the tutorial; though The Abyss has been sealed, it is unknown when it will emerge, so the quicker we start, the better. We will have plenty of time to answer your questions once the dungeon starts truly operating."

"Hmm, yeah, actually having something will help me sleep with the danger below me. I totally forgot about the tutorial, as it was kind of hectic."

"Then let's begin."

Task -Summon a Companion

Tutorial Step 3

Ask the Companion to move on to the next step

Task

-Companion initiates the next step

Tutorial Step 4

Ask the Companion to unlock the ability Summon Monster

Task

-Summon Monster unlocked

"Ignoring the procedure to get dungeon cores familiar and dependent on their companion, let's see what monster we start with."

Select Starting Monster Race (2 Selections Available)

Type Description

Animal A selection of a small variety of weak animals (Recommended for all biomes) Plant A selection of a small variety of common monster plants (Recommended for biomes with ample sunlight) Fungi A selection of a small variety of common fungi plants (Recommended for dark humid biomes) Skeleton Animated skeletons equipped with basic weapons (Recommended for places with darkness and abundant corpses) Zombie Reanimated corpses with poisonous blood and bites (Recommended for places with darkness and abundant corpses) Kobold Small, reptilian humanoids known for their cunning and traps (Recommended for underground and caves) Goblin Small, green-skinned creatures, adept at using simple weapons and traps to ambush intruders. (Recommended for forests and caves) Imp Mischievous, small demons that delight in causing trouble. They can cast minor spells (Recommended for areas near lava, deserts, and underground) Slime Blobs of gelatinous corrosive liquid (Recommended for caves and swamps) Spirit A weak creature born of mana and remnants of souls (Recommended for all biomes) Mimic A creature that can mimic the appearance of objects, often a treasure chest and doors (Recommended for complicated underground regions) Construct Constructed beings animated by magic or technology. (Recommended for mines and mountains)

"This is different. Usually, one would be assigned the appropriate monster based on the environment. It's one of the many safe locks to prevent unsuitable choices like slimes in deserts or goblins underwater. It's most likely one of the gifts from The System. Aiden, I advise you to choose from the recommended ones that fit our environment. Personally, I think Constructs and Mimics are for the best. Ores and gemstones in this region are suitable for building lethal constructs, and mimics will unlock lucrative rewards that will attract more people we can kill. However, I'm only the guide the"

"Wait!!!"

I shout at my companion, stopping them as I feel their surprise and worry through our bond. I knew it the moment I saw it, but I kept ignoring it, thinking it would be different here from what I knew. But they said it so casually.

"Aiden, is something wrong?"

The worry I feel hits me hard; perhaps this is how it is in this world; after all, dungeons are a natural part of this world. Even so, I cannot accept it as if it's no big deal, as they do.

"Why does a dungeon need to kill?"

Confused at my abrupt question yet still answering.

"To grow, when a being dies in the dungeon, the dungeon absorbs it, gaining an immense amount of mana."

"Is it the only way for a dungeon to grow?"

"No, there are various ways a dungeon absorbs mana; killing and absorbing the body is simply the fastest and most efficient way."

"Then I'm not gonna kill."

It takes a moment before they answer.

"Oh, of course, you won't. that is why we have monsters and traps."

"No, me and my dungeon will not kill anybody."

I feel the confusion flowing from them to me.

"Surely you jest, a dungeon's purpose is to kill and grow. Are you not intending to build your dungeon?"

"No, I will, but no killing."

"Why?"

"I just can't."

"Please tell me, is it something I did? Did I say something wrong?"

Confusion, doubt, and fear becomes a wave rushing from them through our bond, crashing on me fiercely.

"NO, no, none of that! This has nothing to do with you. it's me, I...I just cannot tolerate the fact of me killing people."

"What's wrong with that? They are well aware of the risks of dungeon delving, yet they still delve. Nobody is forcing anybody; they know of the risks and will bear the consequences of their action. What part of this is intolerable."

"I cannot in good conscience kill living, feeling, sapient people for the sake of power."

"Why can't you? The Earth I saw was just as much of a natural selection as Aetheria; the living survived off killing the others; lives were killed for you to feast and devour. Lives were killed for the betterment of your life; weak lives were ruined, yet you did nothing."

Memories of my own came through our bond, of when I ate meat and fish, where I used animal-tested products, and of when I ignored the beggars and the homeless. I won't deny it Earth sucked, and so was I living in it. But even so...

"No, I don't need to kill, right? You mentioned there were other ways, right? I'm not giving up; I simply want to do something different. Please, this way, be the usual in Aetheria, but not for me; I don't want to give up my values just because this is a different world; I won't give up without trying."

As I finished my words, I felt the confusion and doubt turning into a brewing storm. Lighting made of anger strikes me hard. But I stand firm; I can't give up the values I hold precious, I can't just let this world change me without fighting back, and I can't give up on myself.

"NO NEED! WE HAVE PLENTY OF REASONS TO KILL! Are you unaware of The Abyss, which will DESTROY us if we are unprepared?! Our failure would mean the annihilation of not just Aetheria but countless planes where life thrives. WE have every right to kill them for our growth because THEY'LL be dead otherwise. KILL THEM, Aiden; the other methods are inefficient; killing is the most efficient and natural way a dungeon grows. It has been for millennia, and it will continue to be AFTERWORD! This is BIGGER than your values. Countless lives depend on YOUR success!"

"I'm sorry, but no, not without trying."

Then I can see it: the face that has always managed to appear emotionless becomes weak and confused. I can feel it, how it comes through our bond, the sadness, the fear, the guilt, the last ones I could bear, but this, this HURTS.

"Aiden, please, just kill. Please, let's be a normal dungeon. Aiden, please, I'm supposed to help and guide you. But I don't know how. Please, Aiden, tell me what to do. Tell me what I have to say. Immeasurable knowledge was imparted to me, but I don't know how to deal with you. I was never made for this never was, and still not even after The System changed me. Please, Aiden, follow the protocol so I can use this knowledge to guide you. If you don't, then what use am I? Please, Aiden, allow me to help you."

"You are, though; you are helping immensely just being here, being you. Please, you don't have to know what to do, what to say, or know all the knowledge in the world. Stay by my side, listen and laugh to my stupid nonsense, calm me when I get too anxious, say how you really feel about things, tell me your honest opinions, be someone I can depend on, and I'll try making you depend on me."

I feel nothing coming through our bond, which makes me extremely anxious, but I give time and wait. As I also organize my thoughts and feelings.

A few minutes of silence broken when my Companion spoke.

"Do what you want. I am, but your guide, the choice will always be up to you."

I sense turmoil through our bond, but it is not enough to overwhelm them. 'I hope we can work this out once we are both calm.'

"Thank you"

Slime has been selected as your starting monster race Fungi has been selected as your starting monster race Ability Summon Monster has been unlocked

This is for those wanting to know the scale shown in the descriptions of traits.

Minuscule - Minor - Moderate - Medium - Generous - Large - Major - Immense - Colossal - Monumental