Dear Esteemed Viscount,
I write this letter to you today on behalf of the communities of Millstone and Brasswood, who are being actively affected by the intrusion of your decorated ‘officials’ into the Hilled Dungeon.
The local guilds have barred our adventuring populace from entering its depths, and the only excuses we’ve been given is that your forces are hosting ‘training exercises’ within its halls. I may not be vary learned in the way of soldiery, but even I know such exercises are not supposed to last 5 weeks. After so long in limbo it's getting harder to convince the adventurers that their livelihoods aren't at risk.
You know that I would never be so prudent as to make baseless accusations, but everything that has happened so far is pointing to an illegal attempt at monopolization and state-funded grinding of the lower floors. Need I remind you that such actions are in direct opposition of the Commonwealth Mercantile Dungeon Act instituted by His Majesty's Court. Your blatant disregard for the law has causes a mountain of trouble for the both of us.
I have overlooked such actions from you and your ilk for far too long and I have reached a breaking point. Your title only holds so much weight in regards to the economic stability of the kingdom, and I will not be silenced any longer with meager threats. Along with this letter I have sent a correspondence to The King, informing him of your actions. If the guilds do not grant my people access to the main gates within a week, I will have no choice but to travel to the capitol and hold a meeting with His Majesty personally.
Best Wishes,
Viscount Eremond II
-A letter from Viscount Eremond of Brasswood to Viscount Shrue of Bearcotte, 3 months before Bearcotte would be sanctioned for illegal control over dungeon resources.
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-[ Attention ]-
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[Passive Skill Mana Sense has leveled up]
[Mana Sense lv.1 is now Mana Sense lv. 2]
While Trying to get a better look at the glimmering fleck, a notification *pings* in Alex’s mind. Before they could read it, a blinding flash enveloped their vision. Suddenly, the world around them was aglow with various fragments and small specs of mana. The best way to describe the scene would be akin to a very light snowfall, but instead the snow is falling in every direction.
Additionally, the increased density of visible mana allowed them to see one other thing; the vague shape of the room around them. Well, room is a bit of an exaggeration. They appear to be in a small pocket of earth about the size of a basketball. This also lets them know that they are likely just laying on the ground, which tells them which way up and down is.
“Well, being able to see is definitely a welcome upgrade. Not only do I now know what’s around me, but I also know that I'm FUCKING TINY! No, like seriously tiny! If my sense of scale is to be believed I can’t be much larger than an inch in size.
I didn’t really know what to expect, but don’t most dungeon stories start the MC out as at least the size of a fist or something? I don't even have a fancy pedestal or anything!”
After taking a few mental breaths, Alex quickly gets over their miniature stature as there are more important things to focus on.
“With everything that I know about my situation, what should I do first? Well, normally the protagonist is either instructed by the system or has the insatiable urge to dig to the surface, but the system is quiet and I feel no instinctual urges of any kind. Now that I think about it, I don't need to sleep, eat, drink, or even go to the bathroom. If I wasn't immobile, I'd say this were a fair trade."
"I think the first thing I should do is find out how magic works. The fact that there is a system and dungeons in this world, it's fair to assume there are people and monsters as well; both of which I will have to protect myself against. While I could leave my protection up to summoned creatures, I doubt that there's even enough room in this small pocket for anything useful. And I don't plan on staying in this hole forever, and most of the literature has it that dungeon monsters can't live outside of the dungeon for long."
Alex finishes murmuring to themselves and returns their attention to the panel flashing in their vision.
"Skill-up already? I guess that makes sense, the difference between lv.1 and lv. 2 probably isn't much, but I can certainly see a difference."
Where there were only larger mana fragments before the space around them is now full of mana globules of varying sizes. Whereas the mana fragments were probably the size of a large grain of sand, the smallest is now about the size of a snowflake or fleck of glitter, lightly glinting in the air.
"Identify."
-[ Mana Particle ]-
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Similar to their larger counterparts, mana particles are conglomerations of mana. Unlike Mana Fragments, Mana Particles are heavily influenced by regional mana currents.
"That's about what I thought, although the existence of mana currents is intriguing. I wonder if I'll start effecting them once I grow more powerful like in other stories? Either way, this mana isn't very useful if it's just floating around doing nothing. I should be able to utilize it somehow."
Alex begins trying to reach out with their mind toward the largest Mana Fragment they could see. Almost like the subtle effects of static on dust, the fragment begins floating ever-closer to them. Alex flexes their mental muscles to make the particle softly sway in the air before bringing it even closer to them. Once the fragment makes contact with whatever body they have, it flashes in a bright light before more notifications appear in their vision.
-[ Attention ]-
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
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[You have absorbed your first Mana Fragment]
Any Mana Fragments absorbed when your Mana Pool is full goes towards increasing core size and mana capacity.
[Mana Pool Increased by +1]
-[ Attention ]-
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[New Active Skill Discovered: Mana Manipulation lv.1]
[New Passive Skill Discovered: Mana Absorption lv.1]
Almost immediately after the notification, the small particles of mana begin slowly moving towards Alex on their own. However, the larger Mana Fragments appear to not mind whatever new attractive force has captivated their fellows.
"Oh hell yeah! Mana Manipulation, this is exactly what I was hoping for. Magic, here I come. Although, it is probably a stupid idea to mess around with anything too crazy. seeing as I have no idea how magic even works."
"Either way, Mana Absorption appears to be passively attracting all of the smaller mana particles towards me. It also said somthing about increasing core size, but I can't really see myself at the moment, so I'm not sure if anything's different."
"Status."
-[ Status ]-
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[Name: Alex]
[Level: 1]
[Race: Dungeon Core]
[Titles: Universal Scholar, The One Who Learns, Dungeon Core, Anomalous Existence]
[Durability: 100%]
[Mana: 102/102^]
[Abilities: Inventory, Command]
[Active Skills: Identify lv.1, Summon lv.1, Mana Manipulation lv.1**]
[Passive Skills: Mana Sense lv.2^, Mana Absorption lv.1** ]
"My mana has definitely increased, but I had to have absorbed at least a dozen of those mana particles. By that math I would estimate around 10 Mana Particles form a Mana Fragment, which in turn is roughly 1 point of mana. Although not ideal for rapid growth, it's surely better than nothing. Although I think I'm starting to see an issue with my current situation."
As all the particles around them are absorbed into their body, it becomes abundantly clear that the total number of mana particles has decreased substantially from before. After a few moments of waiting, a single particle pops out of the stone wall and joins the others in their journey to the core.
"It seems that the accumulation of mana in this little pocket is rather slow. I wonder if it's because I'm underground? I guess if I want to have more accessible mana I'll need to dig to the surface sooner than later. But how do I dig? Do I do it myself, or do I have to summon a mole or something?"
Thinking back on their knowledge from similar stories, Alex recalls that sometimes dungeon cores are able to store earth directly into their inventories.
"I might as well give it a try, I should use this as a chance to check out my inventory ability anyway."
"Inventory."
Alex becomes aware of a space deep within them, almost as if an entire warehouse was sequestered inside their being.
-[ Inventory ]-
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[ Empty ]
"Well, that's not surprising, but I was hoping for at least a starter kit or something. However, here was another thing I haven't tried yet that might be useful here."
"Help
-[ Help: Inventory ]-
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The inventory ability allows the user to store a vast amount of items within an extra-dimensional space. Any item within the users sphere of influence can be stored at the cost of mana. Items being held, or are otherwise touching the user can be stored for less mana expenditure.
Dungeon Specific Ability
When utilized by a dungeon core, the inventory ability allows for materials to be transformed, shaped, crafted, or otherwise transmuted into other objects, tools, or resources.
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Transmutation is the process of turning one substance into another. This process costs mana inversely proportional to the cores understanding of the materials being altered.
"I knew it! It's just as I had hoped. But, how large is my sphere of influence?" Alex ponders the room around them thoughtfully. "Judging by the perfectly spherical, basketball-sized cavity around me, I can only assume that this is probably the extent of my reach for now. However, I happen to be laying on the ground, so..."
Alex begins to focus on the earth beneath them and tries to imagine the dirt and rocks vanishing into the large warehouse within. No more than a second later the dirt begins to visibly flake away into nothing. Although slow at first, in a matter of minutes Alex was a full foot deeper in the ground. After a mental grunt of exertion after the strain, they begin admiring their work.
"It definitely works, although I'm heading in the wrong direction... is there any way to extend my radius of influence? I thought dungeon cores were supposed to have vast perception abilities that spread all throughout their domain? How am I supposed to dig up if I'm stuck at the bottom of a dumb, rocky tomb?"
Then, a though occurred to Alex that should have came sooner.
"God Damnit, I'm an idiot! I haven't been doing the one thing dungeons do; spread! It's the same mechanic in almost every story. The dungeon isn't just the core, it's the walls and the floors. Hell, it could even be the chests. I just need to somehow claim these stone walls as my own.
"Although I definitely don't plan to be stuck underground forever, if expanding is what gives me more mana then so be it."
Alex pays close attention to the ground directly beneath them and tries channeling mana into it, directly through the point of contact. A soothing flow is felt as a thin strand of white light streams slowly into the earth. After a few seconds a notification appears and Alex is met with a nauseating change in perspective.
-[ Attention ]-
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[You have created Dungeon Stone]
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[You have expanded your domain for the first time]
Expanding your domain grants a dungeon core access to more area to absorb and manipulate mana. This also grants the core more abilities which will help in the defense and regulation of the dungeon.
[New Ability Awarded: Dungeon Sense]
[New Active Skill Discovered: Terrain Manipulation lv.1]
An immediate, jarring sensation rocks Alex's mind as their senses are overloaded with new information. Light and Color explodes into view as the once vague outline of the cavity turns into a detailed image.
"Ough, I feel like I'm gonna barf. Even though I doubt I could. But more important than that, I can see! Like, actually see; color and all! I never thought I would be so happy to see dirt and rocks again in my life, but here I am!"
After taking in their new perspective, Alex reads over the notification in their vision.
"This must be the new Dungeon Sense ability. I was hoping I would get something like this, but this other new skill is making me even more excited!"
"Help
-[ Terrain Manipulation ]-
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Allows the user to alter the shape and texture of the surrounding terrain at the cost of mana.
Immediately, Alex was struck with inspiration. Slowly the earth below their crystalline body begins to rise; a thin and rough pedestal starts to form in the small hollow. A blue, quarter sized crystal is firmly held by the spindly stone.
"Now THIS is the true dungeon core experience!"