Authors Note | Sorry, I’ve been sick for a week or more, and the effects stopped me thinking properly so I couldn’t write >.<.
I do hope to keep releasing a chapter once every 1-3 days when I can, a week at the most. At the moment, most chapters will be around the same length as Chapter 2 for the reason that there hasn’t been enough interaction to warrant long chapters.
As you’ve seen, an entire chapter to just him talking to himself, it can get pretty repetitive. So now it’s time to introduce some new characters! Sort of.
For those of you who expect daily or bi-daily updates, sorry for not meeting your expectations =P
I am lazy, unproductive, instinctive and procrastinator by nature =P
For the most part, I know what I want to write, I just can’t imagine the details in between here and there.
And just a bit of info, when I have a solid know-how on what I’m going to do, it usually only takes 3-4 hours to write a chapter.
This story, I’ve been writing it as I think of things rather than my usual way of writing out the entire plot, planning all the points in between, getting down my end goals, and constructing the backstory for everything and everyone ahead of time. I simply wanted to do a story where I could write my ideas and use them, and write the story, when EYE want. Not when OTHERS want. So please, even if you like the story, please don’t rush me. Pressure makes my head go fuzzy and I have trouble writing over the pressure >.<
tl;dr – Enjoy the chapter~!
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Chapter 03 - Connections
”I, the Dungeon named Eclarsyte, invite you to the Dungeon Master’s Conference.”
Eh? What? Another Dungeon? Moreover, a conference of Dungeons?
With many questions in my mind, the top one at this moment was how to respond. After all, it was a Lamia that was talking to his Wolf, directed at him personally. But how was he supposed to respond?
“Given the puzzled reaction of your minion, I take it you don’t understand. While focusing on your minion, direct your body towards it.” (Eclarsyte)
Oh, that’s how. So… like this?
As per the instructions, I focused on the wolf with the Lamia, and directed my incorporeal body towards it. As if gravitating towards it, I felt my mind entering it. Within moments, I was seeing through the wolf’s eyes instead of the dungeon projection.
That said, I still had full awareness of my own dungeon, it was just more like it was on autopilot without me, while I could receive information in the abyss with the status windows around me.
Still, I have a body now! Sort of. Now to try communicating.
“A-… Aah-… Ahem. Test. Check. Hello. Voice, check. Umm… Hi.” (Dran)
“Seems you have gotten the hang of it. Now, do you accept the invitation? And before you ask, questions can be answered at the conference.” (Eclarsyte)
Pondering for a moment, my wolf body’s head looked downwards as a paw came to my snout as if in a thinking pose. Oh, this body has some good balance considering I’m only on three legs.
At the moment, there was no reason not to attend. I’m not really secretive and I’m not arrogant and prideful, so I may as well accept. Nodding his head, he looked back to the Lamia.
“I accept. I’ll hold off on my main questions until the conference, though my curiosity may get the better of my along the way.” (Dran)
With a bit of a grin, he could imagine his sharp tooth sparkling as he did so. Though hopefully it wasn’t interpreted as being hungry. With a nod, the Lamia spoke up as she continued walking.
“Fair enough. It should take about a month to travel to the meeting place, so feel free to rest your mind for that time if you wish.” (Eclarsyte)
With a nod to each other, they both started their travel.
*****
After managing the dungeon for a week to make sure things were in order and proceeding smoothly, as well as keeping those pesky adventurers from killing any more, I returned to the wolf’s mind.
I’ve found out that while using the wolf as a medium, I can share all of its senses while at the same time observing from inside its mind, allowing it to continue by itself.
With a few strong wishes, the wolf would obey. Similar to willing your numb fingers to move, you could see it happening but not feel it. It was the same sort of thing.
As we were travelling during the night and avoiding travelling in the day to avoid any explorers or adventurers, it was a bit of a slow pace. That was probably why it was set for a month ahead of time.
With three weeks left until the conference, I couldn’t help but get bored. Even though there were plenty of questions I wanted to ask, I didn’t want to speak until I knew the full situation.
From what I’ve been informed of thus far, the Dungeon Masters Conference was a gathering of {S Rank} dungeons. The DM’s attending were limited to the ones discovered by the Adventurers Guild for the simple reason that it was difficult to gather information otherwise.
As sending out scouts from a dungeon was limited to a certain area of operation due to adventurers and army patrols, they had to listen in on conversations of adventurers who entered their Dungeons.
They only ones that could attend the Conference were {S Rank} due to the fact that only they had a ‘will’ as you would call it. An overseer that was capable of independent action not limited to the thoughts of the monsters dwelling within.
Since I had been around for 100 years, give or take, it took half that for me to be discovered. The rest of the time was spent actually listening for information and dealing with their own problems.
I wasn’t the only one being hurt as they spoke. Because the others were better known, the other {S Rank} dungeons were constantly being wracked with pain since people had analysed them and tested them.
Thanks to the greenhorn me being, well, greenhorn, adventurers were still testing the waters in my upper floors.
While I have the time, I may as well describe some things. Currently, my main unit is the Black Wolf, with a thick fur but still silky and not the least bit rough, black sclera’s (which is the whites of the eyes, if you didn’t know!) and red irises. Their size is comparable to a grey wolf if its weight was increased by double, packed into its small body.
As for the Lamia I am following, she has beautifully straight, brown hair with a white cloth around the neck and chest, all held together by a metal ring between the breasts. Speaking of which, she is well endowed, making me wonder how that thin cloth is holding her breasts, or covering them for that matter. Ahem… Anyways, she has a light tan skin color, slim body befitting a beauty, and a nearly radiating yellow eye color with normal scleras.
Reminding me of that ‘absolute territory’ thing regarding a girl’s skirt and thigh-highs, this Lamia has sleeves from her palm to halfway up her bicep, white in color to match the cloth holding her… Anyways. Her lower half becomes reptilian from the hips downward, starting in a ‘v’ shape so she has slight contours of legs, but no legs. Still, she has her nether regions intact. The female ones, that is.
I was definitely staring at first, but do you know what put me off? The Lamia, or rather the overseer behind the Lamia who originally imagined such a creature, announced themselves as previously being Male.
In other words, it’s a dude underneath that Lamia. The person in question didn’t mind, having been around for a long time, but seriously! I’m still young and fresh! My dungeon hormones are raging! Such a Trap…
Still, the guy must have been a pervert in his original life. Imagining such beautiful monsters that will rip you to shreds, even going so far as to have the female anatomy perfectly preserved and exposed. I truly feel sorry for the male adventurers entering the Eclarsyte Dungeon…
Oh, a couple of details I forgot. Her hair flows down to her mid back, and her scales are varying shades of brown. It seems depending on the angle, the scales are different colors.
…
……
………
*****
………
…….
…
Oh, I dozed off again. Checking back on my wolf’s travel, it seems we’ve arrived.
It appears we’re in a clearing inside of a dense forest. I can barely see through the treeline. The clearing itself is probably the size of a classroom, I’m guessing. I’ve never been really good with describing sizes. Heck, even the floors themselves just had their own sizes described for me.
The trees aren’t tropical, they just seem to be that tightly packed together, and they aren’t dead so the forest must still be thriving. The clearing is filled with flowers, making it look more like a garden, and there is a circle in the center that seems suitable for a gathering. In fact, that is exactly what it’s being used for.
With my wolf and the Lamia next to me approaching, we take our respective places in the circle of monsters, creating a pentagon shape. There were five of us including myself. Really? Only this many S Rank? I guess we may be rarer than I thought.
Well, I still don’t know much at all, so that’s to be expected.
With the Lamia to my left, the monster to my right is…
Arachne of Siliyna: Level 38
Mainstay unit of the {S Rank Dungeon} {Siliyna}. Well known for the disturbing appearance of the majority of its denizens, the Siliyna dungeon is famed for its stealth monsters.
Below the stomach, the Arachne has the body of a spider with metallic looking appendages, layered many times over to appear like a heavily armored creature. The upper half is that of a beautiful woman with pale white skin, ash blonde straight hair reaching the lower back and a sizeable chest which isn’t big but isn’t small. Somewhere in the middle.
She has a normal face, unlike an Arachne, so if not for the lower body then one could easily be charmed. Also, I should mention that despite my mention of the BOOBS--- I mean, breasts, I may be knowledgeable but I haven’t actually felt my way around them.
The Arachne is also lacking any sort of clothing. Must be a humid or warm environment inside the {Siliyna Dungeon}.
To the right of the Arachne is a… uhm… I think that’s… right?
Ghast of Alurose: Level 63
Mainstay unit of the {S Rank Dungeon} {Alurose}. Famous among adventurers for its ghastly and necromancy like feel, the appearance of most monsters within {Alurose} induce fear into even the most veteran of Adventurers.
Its appearance is… honestly, rather ghastly. Pun not intended. Seriously.
It has a human appearance, but with pale, sickly green skin color, and the skin is nearly shrunken down to the bone on the limbs. It was like someone shrink-wrapped it. Its chest is exposed as only the ribcage of visible, with the rest of its body being covered in a deathly grey cloak or cloth. But that isn’t the worst of it. Its face is… truly fear inducing.
With sunken eyeholes, no eyes, wrinkles across the bony face and a couple of teeth missing, its chest length grey hair, which is quite thinned out, perfectly complements the mouth with its jaw reaching down to its ribcage, showing only a black abyss inside its mouth.
The only saving grace is that this particular ghast has a cloak covering its body and face from us. It looks like it could release a banshee’s howl if it wanted.
To the left of the Lamia, and the last monster in this circle, is… Well, honestly, this person doesn’t fit at all.
Demoness of Zelquiose: Monster Guardian
Level 75
Guardian to the entrance of the {S Rank Dungeon} {Zelquiose}. Commands the monsters that surround the Dungeon. Classified as a Boss Monster. Highest Loyalty. Highest Wisdom. Unrestricted Access to any Dungeon Floor.
{Zelquiose} is famous among adventurers for the rabid monsters which are led by powerful elite and boss monsters, making it one of the strongest dungeons known to the Adventurers Guild.
The Demoness has the appearance of a blonde beauty with hair flowing down to her buttocks, with two pigtails among the straight locks all around. With a healthy white skin color with silky softness to boot, her breasts are of similar perfect proportions given the body type, being not large and not small.
She wears a dark red bikini and sash type of attire with golden trim lace on both. With blood red eyes, the bewitching smile of hers matches the black demon wings on her back which have a red tint to them. They are about the size of her arm wing span, but still powerful enough to lift herself, if only to hover.
To top it off, her head is adorned with two demonic horns of similar color scheme. They are smooth without ridges but with some unknown patterns carved into them. Truly, a remarkable beauty. My Succubi have nothing on her… Oh… I want one… but I shouldn’t.
Dragging my eyes away from the beauty, I point my wolf head down. I truly am a pitiful existence.
Wolf of ???: Level 36
Mainstay unit of the {S Rank Dungeon} {???}. Feared by all adventurers, they have repelled any intruders for decades without once relenting or being outwitted. The secrets of their dungeon remain safe thanks to them. The {???} Dungeon is famous for being the hardest dungeon to explore with the highest fatality rate thus far.
I mean seriously? I’m still unknown? And my level is nothing compared to the rest. I’ve got my work cut out for me. I can tell at a glance that any one of the other dungeon representatives can kill me without trouble. And I have the lowest level.
Sighing inwardly, I looked at the rest that were sitting down on the grass patch in this clearing within a flower garden within a clearing of a dense forest. Sound confusing? Because that’s what I wanted it to sound like.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
As the other dungeons took a good look at me, I felt rather intimidated. These are my seniors, after all. When they were all satisfied, they turned to the Demoness. Zelquiose, was it? I’m gonna have a hard time memorizing these Dungeon Names. Heh, they’ll probably have the hardest time memorizing mine. Since I don’t have one! Hehe.
“Without further delay, we will start the Dungeon Master’s Conference.” (Zelquiose)
“Agreed.” (Eclarsyte & Siliyna & Alurose)
“Huh? Oh, uh, a- agreed.” (Dran)
So, the Demoness is the conference leader? There’s a lot of questions I need answers to. Hopefully, they can all be answered now. Or at least the ones I can think of.
“For starters, let’s welcome the newest addition. From your name, you… are quite the mystery.” (Zelquiose)
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry, I’ve been isolated for the last century. Still kind of lost. Um, please call me uh… Just call me Kuuhaku.” (Kuuhaku)
Deciding to call myself Blank, like I’ve heard in an Anime I watched, I figured it should be alright. ??? is the same as having a blank name, I guess. Hopefully everyone else agrees.
Seeing the nodding heads of the rest, I take note of the fact only two of us look like men.
“Okay, time for self-introductions. I’ll start so that everyone knows the format.
I am Zelquiose. I was originally a human female from an alternate world, and have been around since the Dungeons were first made by the Creators. That makes me around 150 dungeon years old. I am also the one that decided to create this conference after meeting other intelligent dungeons. We’ve only been around for about 20 years, give or take five.” (Zelquiose)
“I’m next.
I’m Alurose. The second to join this conference. Before becoming a dungeon, I was a male Dark Elf demi-human who died in the First Aetheria War. I was created probably ten years after Zelquiose, though there is no way to know. There’s not much else to say, but I’ll add in that there are around 300 dungeons in the world currently, with no more being made to my knowledge. Ghasts have their ways of getting around.” (Alurose)
“Heya. I’m Eclarsyte. Was a human male from another world and loved my women. Which is why my monsters look like this. I lost track of time, but I know I was the third to join the DMC. While I was originally male, I’ve been inside female monsters for a long time so I consider myself neither male nor female. Or maybe I’m closer to being a female.” (Eclarsyte)
“Siliyna. Just like I am now, I was an Arachne in my previous life. I was the fourth to join this conference, having been found several years ago. There’s not much else to say. My dungeon is the closest to everyone else.” (Siliyna)
“That leaves me.” (Kuuhaku)
I clear my wolf throat. Though, it seems we talk through a sort of telepathic link rather than audibly. Oh well, habits and all that.
“I am the Dungeon Without A Name. Therefore, please just call me Kuuhaku. I was a male human from an alternate world, and I spent a lot of time reading, playing games, watching random things, and doing everything a lazy and curious human being would do. I suppose I’m the youngest, being around for about 100 years, give or take a few. Because of my fear of pain, I’ve been rather protective and self-absorbed in my own dungeon to bother exploring much. Sorry.” (Kuuhaku)
*****
To skip boring details, I asked a bunch of details and figured out roughly the personality of each one.
{Lamia of Eclarsyte}
He/She/They are happy-go-lucky and keep a positive outlook on everything that happens, though does have trouble dealing with awkward situations or when questioned about their previous life. I’m guessing he had a tough life and committed suicide, or something similar.
{Arachne of Siliyna}
A self-reserved woman who has experienced a lot during her life, along with her own hardships. She strikes me as the type to worry about her friends but not make a display of her emotions. Kind of analytical if I must say so.
{Ghast of Alurose}
A man who, to me, has trouble bringing himself out of the darkness he was consumed in. He is his own worst nightmare and keeps his distance while trying to keep connected with others. As such, he prefers to be the silent type to listen to conversations and only add input when asked.
{Demoness of Zelquiose}
Your typical beautiful girl and protagonist. Or would she be the antagonist seeing as we’re all dungeons? In any case, she has that protagonist quality as she has leadership skills and is great and inter-personal relationships. I was quickly welcomed and accepted into the conference thanks to her.
As for the information I’ve gained, I’ll summarize as best as I can.
For starters, there were many more dungeons who were approached to join this conference. First were the lower ranks, but they had little to not semblance of a ‘will’, and so had no one to represent their dungeon. There were several other {S Rank} dungeons around, but majority of them were too arrogant and prideful to pass Zelquiose’s eyes as an equal. As such, out of the fifteen that were around, only five in total can attend the conference.
The world is separated into three large continents with a third more smaller continent in the ocean between them.
{Killiad}
The northern continent which has a good fertility, creating large forests and plains with mountains here and there. Majority of the population is the humans, demi-humans and beastmen. This is where I and the other dungeons are from. We don’t have a means of traversing the sea to discover more friendly dungeons. Monsters here are among the easiest to slay with some elite ones out there.
{Pangeius}
The south-eastern continent with barren and mountainous areas with high populations of demi-humans, humans and spirits. Would probably be best equated to Africa back on Earth. The monsters here are apparently medium in power and serve as a proving ground for adventurers. They provide the baseline for dungeons in order to be safe. I wouldn’t mind visiting it, but I doubt a Dungeon can travel.
{Dé Arta Cael}
The south-western continent which is barren lands of forests, mountains and plains with low fertility, making it a treacherous place to live. Being the battlegrounds for the First Aetheria War, it was left scarred and high in magic and demonic power, bringing forth monsters of high ranks. One of the most dangerous places to live as a baseline, there are few that can survive unprepared, and a high mortality rate for travellers. Demons, monsters, spirits and some sub-species of demi-humans thrive here, and it goes on a village system with a survival of the fittest. Adventurers who survive this continent are said to be of {A Rank} as an average.
{Draegun}
Land of the Dragons. The central continent, smallest of them all, houses the Dragons as well as a few settlements of each race who have adapted and live peacefully. They are also a minority as monsters crawl about everywhere having soaked up the dragon power that leaks from their bodies which are too small to hold all that energy. Claimed as a neutral territory by the Dragon King, Draegun is even harsher to live in than Arta Cael, even though it is fertile and bountiful.
{Ranks}
As an agreement between Dungeons, we don’t reveal our own {True Rank} which is told to us upon being turned into a dungeon. However, we are all classified as {S Rank} by the Adventurers Guild. As such, I asked what these ranks were and information pertaining to it.
{F Rank}
Lowest rank, and what is considered to be an infant, or your average human child that has yet to go through puberty. Adventurers start at this rank as they have to prove their worth. Dungeons of this level are what you would find in a Beginner’s Town in MMO’s. Sort of like the tutorial dungeons. Dungeon levels between 1-5.
{E Rank}
Those that have proven themselves, or gained enough power to be a threat in numbers. Dungeons of this rank are good practice for those that aren’t looking for danger but still need to get a feel for being a dungeon explorer. Dungeon levels between 5-15.
{D Rank}
Beings which are strong enough to protect their small village, or have power suitable to those that grow up in manual labor without training. Also indicates someone who has gotten past their “newbie” stages and started adventuring away from the local area. Dungeons of this rank have risk involved, but nothing a trained or experienced person can’t handle. Dungeon levels between 10-40.
{C Rank}
Minimum rank required to enlist into any military force, or form a team in the Adventurer’s Guild. People of this rank are typically fully-fledged adventurers who can handle themselves and take on more important or dangerous tasks. Dungeons of this rank are capable of killing the complacent or arrogant people who wander in. Dungeon Levels between 20-50.
{B Rank}
Veterans are typically of this rank and are finally overcoming their arrogance or wishful thinking and starting to face the reality of things. There are still many who take their strength for granted and parade around acting like they own the place. They flaunt their power. Dungeons of this rank are not to be taken lightly as they can easily take down a party of adventurers who let down their guard, and are smarter than your typical dungeon monsters. Dungeon levels between 30-60.
{A Rank}
Seasoned and elite adventurers, as well as soldiers of this rank would be your typical leader types, or members of a party/platoon to a higher ranked person. Powerful in a fight one on one, and definitely not to be underestimated when in a team. Those of this rank show their full potential in a party and are not to be underestimated. Dungeons of this rank are unique in their monsters that, despite their level, are vastly superior to anything else below it. Dungeon levels between 50-125.
{S Rank}
People of this rank are considered to be the epitome of their race, achieving one of the greatest levels of power since the first Aetheria War, and people usually find themselves stagnating at this level. Summoned beings can reach this rank with less effort than natives. A single S Rank is equivalent to an entire squad, if not an entire platoon alone. Dungeons of this rank are the highest that have been recorded, and can easily cause mortalities among S Rank adventurers who dare go it alone. Dungeon levels between 75-300.
As a side note, despite the monsters at this conference being under 75, it is because it goes off the first floor monsters. I, myself, was upgraded to S Rank after some years when they realized the mortality rate among A Rank adventurers despite the low level of first floor, exceeding a single modifier. Thus, they went from {A Rank} to {S Rank} with me.
{SS Rank}
Said to be a rank achieved by summoned beings during the second Aetheria War. No dungeons have been classified as this so far. From records, beings of this rank are said to be able to combat an entire army by themselves. Dragon adolescents are of this rank on average. Dungeon levels unknown.
{SSS Rank}
A Rank created specifically for the Dragons, as the Dragon King was said to be above an {SS Rank} individual, capable of destroying fortresses with ease. Few dragon adults will be of this rank.
{EX Rank}
As the creators are above even the Dragons, they are considered immeasurable. As such, they are given the EX Rank.
{+ Rank}
A modifier given to dungeons only when they break away from the normal. For example, having low level monsters outside to fool adventurers into entering a high level dungeon, or having large jumps in monster levels between floors. Helps to indicate unknown or unique and dangerous elements that a Dungeon may have in addition. Level range increases by 50-100, though it’s very vague and hard to calculate due to lack of information.
{- Rank}
Unlike the + modifier, a negative means a dungeon is weaker despite its levels or rank, but still not to be taken lightly. Simply means that it deviates from the standard and is weaker than usual.
Alongside this, I also had to ask about Adventurers. Because seriously, a B Rank Adventurer defeated level 35 wolves, but died to level 50 wolves.
{Adventurers}
Adventurers come from every race and are the least likely to discriminate or flaunt their fame or power as they attain higher ranks. That said, there are still many who will do it for the exact reason. Because they can achieve visible ranks compared to common folk, they often abuse it and can even gain infamy through rumors. When such things happen, the military of the territory they are in will act. Across the world, military would take up roughly 20% of all population, and that being any trade of military be it armor smith or soldier. 15% would be Adventurers aligned with the Adventurers Guild, but they hold allegiance to no country or territory, and calls to arms are voluntary. As such, they are also under the watch of the military. Other combat ready forces average around 20%, with the rest being civilians or children.
As a side note, Adventurer ranks indicate the minimum level requirement of a dungeon, but the safety margin is said to be another 15 or so on top of it for the lowest floors.
I remember when I died, I was said to be an {S++ Rank Dungeon}, but that is in Dungeon terms and not Aetheria terms. I could guess they are close, but I may have to consider myself an SS Rank possibly on the Adventurers scale.
Without realizing it, the conference has lasted a week.
*****
As the conference concluded, we left our representatives at the conference area and returned our ‘wills’ back to our dungeons. Once a year, there was to be a conference, mandatory, so that we could actually call to each other. For such a long distance away, it takes time to hear the calls of others. Similar to lighting fire signals across mountaintops as shown in a certain movie.
Stretching my back, I look back to the first floors of my dungeon. What mayhem is being caused now that is numbing my senses? For that matter, when will my ‘body’ adjust to this pain, or will it always be there and I have to deal with it?
…
Who knows. I’ll have to make due.
Oh? I see a party entering. Hey, one of the girls is pretty cute. As much as I hate adventurers now, some of them are cute. If she makes it to the first safe zone of floor 5, I may even give her a second chance on leaving. Though her party leader is a jerk. Oh well. Let’s see how this plays out…
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