Once I arrived inside, the first thing I did was ask to go to the bathroom. No one found that odd since I was a traveler, and they quickly pointed me to an outhouse in the backyard of their three-story tall home. I thanked Francis and his wife before walking outside. But instead, I just moved to a nearby tree and leaned against it.

"Sys, you need to give me a better heads up when you're going to drop something like that. What do you mean, we are near a dungeon? What even is a dungeon?"

I had a loose idea of the concept, but only in the gaming sense. And no clue how a dungeon could actually exist in the real world.

[System has explained to user that occasionally SP will gather in non-living organisms. If the concentration of system particles gets high enough, the environment surrounding that concentration will be subject to change. The change will reflect the changes happening on the inanimate matter. In user's current situation, said effect took the form of an unnaturally cold environment. System is able to identify that due to the presence of SP in the snow.]

Once again, the knowledge of whatever the System was talking about rushed into my head. "You're saying that there is an object or something that is turning the area cold, and that created a dungeon?"

[Correct. However, there is also the possibility that a living creature created a dungeon.]

I blinked slowly. "Run that by me again."

[If a creature of enough power, with a set of skills that would change the environment to better suit its needs, is nearby, then said creature might be responsible for the creation of the dungeon.]

"Okay. But what does that entail? What does it mean to be in a dungeon?"

[A dungeon has several effects. First, the areas around the dungeon will adapt to better suit the dungeon itself. This can take the form of a physical change around the location, the appearance of unnatural effects such as fire, lightning, and ice, or a change in weather. Also, the effects are only possible due to the high amount of SP present in the area. Second, the dungeon itself will have unique effects. In addition, objects and creatures inside it will be affected by the nearby particles and mutate to fit the dungeon. Third, dungeons will have a higher concentration of SP than normal areas, creating an environment that is better suited to leveling up.]

"So dungeons are like mini versions of the System, which can adapt and change the user, in this case, the dungeon, to make it better? And good places to level up?"

[Correct.]

"But why? What does the SP gain by creating a dungeon? I understand that monsters are improved versions of animals, maybe even versions that are trying to become sentient, or just random improvements that are being given because the particles don't have something guiding them. But what benefit does a dungeon bring?"

[As user stated, a dungeon can be considered a reduced version of the System. And just like the System, it is a tool for personal growth. The person in this case is referring to the dungeon itself. As a result, all the SP acquired by the dungeon will be attempting to improve the dungeon. This takes the form of controlling the environment to better suit its needs through skills.]

"So even dungeons have skills?"

[Correct.]

"Can I get those skills? If I eat the dungeon or something?"

[Due to the fact that a dungeon is created from a non-living subject, user is unable to acquire the skills that the dungeon possesses. The configuration of the SP inside a dungeon is too alien to be properly absorbed by user. However, by staying inside the sphere of influence of a dungeon, it is possible to acquire skills based on the effects of the dungeon.]

"Based on the effects? That doesn't mean I will have the same skills. Like here, just because it's making things colder, doesn't mean I'm going to get a skill that can make ice or something. I might just be able to get cold resistance."

[That is correct. However, there is a stark difference between the skills a dungeon would possess and the skills user can acquire. The difference in nature between user and the dungeon creates that difference.]

"Yeah. I got that. I don't understand why you're trying to repeat the point," I frowned.

[User's words appear to be considering that dungeons have skills similar to the ones user possesses. That is not the case. Being a non-living organism, dungeons do not require something as a cold resistance effect. In addition, a dungeon would only have reactive skills, not active ones, which is not something user is able to acquire.]

"Reactive? Like if you touch the ground, you get frozen or something?"

[That is a possibility, yes. The use of energy is also different for a dungeon. However, System is unable to give user any information about the topic. In the same vein, System is unable to give any specific information about dungeon skills unless user gets in contact with the dungeon core itself.]

I rubbed the back of my head, the cold wind blowing and trying to remove my coat. Still, I was able to hold on and changed the topic. It seemed like there wasn't much else the System was going to tell me about the inner workings of that thing. "Can a dungeon cause any harm by itself? Like, is it dangerous for people to live near it?"

[It is possible, even if unlikely. For instance, if a dungeon revolves around poison, then poison might be related to the effects that will be spread to the outside of the dungeon. However, similar to what happens with food, a dungeon is able to understand its need for sustenance. Said sustenance can take many forms, including the presence of living beings, to generate SP, that the dungeon will later absorb. A dungeon will not develop in a way that would remove all sources of sustenance from its radius of effect. This only considers the situation where a dungeon has a core. If a monster created a dungeon, results may vary.]

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"You mentioned that. Can a monster really create a dungeon by themselves?"

[Yes. Given the right skills, user is also able to create a dungeon. In that scenario, the dungeon will not follow the rule of preserving sustenance, as it will be following the will of its creator instead.]

I shook my head while rubbing my temples. "Holy shit."

"Are you okay?" Astrid's voice came from my left, making me jump.

"Fuck! Don't do that," I took a deep breath, "You know, for someone so big, I didn't expect you to be this sneaky."

Astrid smirked, "Thank you. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry I'm taking a while, right?"

"You are," Astrid glanced at the outhouse a few meters away, "Have you gone to the bathroom?"

"Oh, no. Not really. I just felt a bit overwhelmed and needed a moment to think."

Astrid gave me a slow nod, understanding flashing in her eyes, "Mind if I use it?" She pointed at the outhouse.

"All yours."

I tried asking the System a couple more questions, but the conversation was going in circles. It couldn't tell me any other specifics, and all the questions I asked made it give the same answers. The one thing I was able to figure out was that dungeons have names, but I can only find that name once I actually locate the dungeon. To be fair, there was one more piece of information: anyone with the System would be able to tell they were close to a dungeon, but without any skills, that's all they would be able to do unless they stumbled upon it. The System was also unable to tell me the size of the dungeon. It could be one house, a cave, or an entire forest.

That extra conversation lasted long enough for Astrid to walk out of the bathroom. She approached and pointed to the house. Without saying anything, I just nodded, and we went inside together.

Francis had a bit of a worried expression, but that changed once he saw me. He quickly introduced me to his wife, Maggie, and his three children, Liam, Sophie, and Oliver. They were all very excited and yelled over each other when trying to speak. In a way, it was nice seeing that more people struggled to keep their voices down. But every time they let out a louder scream, I would flinch and look toward the window. Being so used to staying quiet made me jumpy in a place with this much noise.

Eventually, Maggie finished preparing our meal and brought out carrot soup with mashed potatoes. I ended up overtaking the conversation, asking about the state of the village, the people who lived here, and how they were able to grow food in such harsh conditions. Francis and Maggie did their best to answer my questions, but there was a lot they weren't entirely sure about. For one, they just planted vegetables, and they grew. There was nothing special about that. Somehow, they had enough food, and everyone was kind. There were about 30 people living in the village, with 10 of them being dedicated hunters. But that was just a name. In fact, they were acting more like guards. The surrounding area didn't have any animals that could serve as prey. Or, more specifically, there were no animals left for them. It seemed like we were in polar bear territory, of all things.

I wasn't entirely sure if that was really the case. Polar bears shouldn't be this far south, not to mention I didn't believe 10 people without the System could fend one off without casualties. But eventually, my questions came to an end, which started their turn. Funny enough, the kids were the first ones to ask anything about me.

"Why are you traveling?" Sophie's face was covered in thick broth from the soup.

"It's a bit sad, but I don't have a home anymore. The place I was trying to stay was attacked, so I decided to leave." I still wasn't going to talk about Pops. Explaining the whole thing would be a bad idea for now.

"Was it attacked by bears?" Oliver asked.

"I wish. We were attacked by an Eater."

"An Eater? Wow," Liam's eyes sparkled at hearing that name.

"Do you... like Eaters?" I frowned.

"I do. They are big, scary monsters. They're awesome!" Liam replied.

"Now, now, Liam. You know Eaters are just fairy tales. Cassandra is just playing with you," Maggie's voice was stern but kind. The sheer conviction of her words scared me.

"No, they're not. Those monsters destroyed the world. They ate my entire village, my friends, my family. I watched how they devoured my parents in front of me. I'll never forget the sound of their screams, their bones breaking, and the blood everywhere," What the hell was this woman teaching her kids?

Liam, Oliver, and Sophie quickly became scared, not just due to my words, but because I was raising my voice.

"That's enough, Cassandra. Your joke was not funny, so you can stop it," Maggie pressed.

I stood up quickly, trying hard not to slam the table with my hands, after all, I'd likely break it, "I am not joking. Those creatures are out there a few days south. They even have a hive there! If they ever show up here, they will kill you all and leave nothing behind. There's nothing you can do to stop them! In what kind of fairy tale world do you live that you don't understand that? What do you think happened to the old world? People just gave up everything they had?"

The eyes of the three children started to water as they rushed to their mother's arms. This time, it was Francis who turned to face me, "I invite you into my house, and you act like this? You take a joke this seriously? I don't know where you come from, but this is not polite. The Eaters are not real, and you should know why people gave up their old ways. They did the right thing so they could be right. Now, you don't have to leave the city, but you're not staying with us tonight. I will not have someone so willing to scare my children for nothing more than a laugh sleeping under the same roof. I am politely asking you to leave, and I hope you still have some sense not to escalate the situation."

I paused, blinking slowly at the man, his adamant expression. His utter belief in his words caught me off guard. "I… fine. But you're crazy if you think the Eaters aren't real. I hope you never have to find out how wrong you are."

I stormed out of the house and walked toward the path I took to get here. My mind was still rushing. How could they think the Eaters were fake? How could anyone think that? What's happening here? Was that some sort of mind control caused by the dungeon? I was too distracted to notice someone approaching and tapping my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Astrid asked, her face clearly showing concern.

"I'm fine. I just can't believe them. How can they not know about the Eaters?"

"No one here does," Astrid replied.

"They don't? How?"

"None ever came here."

I blinked. "But you know about them?"

Astrid nodded. "I do."

At least someone wasn't crazy here.

"Yeah. They really need protection," I sighed and turned back to the road I came through.

"What are you going to do?" Astrid asked.

"I saw a few houses a while back. I'll try to reach one to sleep tonight," What else could I do? After that, I'd look for the dungeon. Maybe that would help me get some levels. And some exercise would help me clear my head.

"I have a free room. Do you want it?" the burly woman offered.

Glancing at the sky, I saw the last rays of sunlight. It was already getting dark, and it would only get worse. "Thank you. I promise I won't stay long."

Astrid just nodded and started walking. At least for tonight, I would have a warm place to rest. Maybe that would be enough to process everything.