DAY 01
[Welcome to your new home, Dungeon Lord!]
A robotic voice greeted me as I woke up, but I couldn't see who it belonged to because everything around me was dark. I could sense that my soul now resided in a metal sphere. Webbed cracks spread across my spherical vessel like veins glowing blue light illuminating my surroundings. I realized I had a 360-degree view of my surroundings. I was floating three feet above the ground and covered in small stalagmites. Above me is a ceiling wholly covered in stalactites. It soon became clear to me that I was inside a cavern.
"Is this the Dungeon?" I asked the voice that greeted me. I had no mouth or vocal cords, but somehow, the spherical vessel created a sound to recreate my old voice. Blue light shone through the cracks in the metal sphere, intensifying its glow. The cavern echoed my words as though it were a loudspeaker.
[Affirmative! This floor is your Dungeon's inner sanctum]
The robotic voice replies, but I can't find its source. It doesn't create an external sound. It comes from within me, like a voice in my head.
"Where are you? Who are you?" I ask.
[I am the intelligence within the Dungeon Core that serves the Dungeon Lord! The Demon King has fused us]
"I see, but why do you sound like an AI?" I ask.
[The Demon King desired the Dungeon Cores to imitate servants that their Dungeon Lords were accustomed to]
My Mech's AI the closest thing I had to a servant?
"So, should I call you AI since that is what you are mimicking?" I ask.
[If you are comfortable with that name, I will go by AI]
"Could you tell me how to move around in this thing?" I ask the AI.
[The Dungeon Core cannot be relocated from its current position]
Well, that sucks! I'd like to know what I can do in this form. Oh right! I should see my Character Screen.
"The Demon King mentioned something about an Interface to see character details. How can I use it?" I ask the AI.
[The Interface can be accessed through voice commands. One is 'Interface! Open my status']
"Interface! Open my status!" I say out loud, and a translucent blue screen appears 12 inches from me.
[Name: Rai Dharani
Race: Otherworld Spirit (Unknown Creature Category)
Title: The Golem Dungeon Core Lord
Dungeon Core Durability: 1/1 (AI Note: Warning! A touch can drop it to zero)
Class: Golem Recipe Summoner (AI Note: A subclass of Summoner)
Rank: Clay (AI Note: Only Golem Recipes of the Clay Rank can be used)
Skills: Summoner's Affinity - Golem Species (Clay), Golem Avatar Control (Clay)
Language Skills: Earth English]
"Oh? You can add notes to my status?" I point out.
[Yes, I will do the same for all screens to help you understand what they mean]
"Appreciate it!" I tell the AI.
I tried to click on the skills to see their detail, but I no longer had my hands and remembered that I had to use voice commands for everything.
"Interface! Expand Skill Details!" I say after concentrating on the screen. I hoped it would work, and it did.
[Summoner's Affinity: Golem Species (Clay)
Summoned Golems from recipes will match your current Class Rank.
Golem Avatar Control (Clay)
Choose one Golem to be your Avatar. The number of avatars you can control simultaneously is the same as your Level]
"Is Clay Rank the lowest?" I ask the AI.
[If you wish to compare it to levels in a game, then this might help]
[Level 1 - 10 Clay Rank
Level 11 - 20 Stone Rank
Level 21 - 30 Iron Rank
Level 31 - 40 Steel Rank
Level 41 - 50 Bronze Rank
Level 51 - 60 Silver Rank
Level 61 - 70 Gold Rank
Level 71 - 80 Diamond Rank
Level 81 - 90 Platinum Rank
Level 91 - 100 Mithril Rank]
"How much EXP is needed to level up?" I ask.
[Use the voice command to find out]
"Interface! EXP per level requirement," I order.
A different screen has replaced the one displaying my status.
[EXP needed for each Level Up
Level 1 - 10 - 500 EXP
Level 11 - 20 - 1,000 EXP
Level 21 - 30 - 5,000 EXP
Level 31 - 40 - 10,000 EXP
Level 41 - 50 - 50,000 EXP
Level 51 - 60 - 100,000 EXP
Level 61 - 70 - 500,000 EXP
Level 71 - 80 - 1,000,000EXP
Level 81 - 90 - 5,000,000 EXP
Level 91 - 100 - 10,000,000 EXP
(AI Note:- In total, your Golems need 166,665,000 EXP to reach Lv 100 Mythril Rank)]
"Wait, my Golems? Don't I need the same amount to Rank Up?" I ask the AI.
[Dungeon Core Lords can't get EXP. The Demon King will hand out quests to earn Rank Up Scrolls]
"Oh? Do you have any idea when he will give me a Quest?" I ask the AI.
[The countdown for the Demon King's 1st Quest is 167 hours, 30 minutes, and 25 seconds away]
"I will be stuck in Clay Rank for a week?" I grumbled.
[Your Golem Summons can still Rank Up even if you can't]
"That's a relief! So, should I just order my Summons to kill everything they see, like in the Pokémon games?" I asked for clarification.
[Creatures who possess a Combat Class will earn EXP based on the Rank and category of the creature they slay. Use the voice command 'View EXP Distribution system for Combat Class']
"Interface! View EXP Distribution system for Combat Class", three new screens replaced the previous one.
[EXP gained according to the Rank of the slain target
Clay Rank - 100 EXP
Stone Rank - 200 EXP
Iron Rank - 300 EXP
Steel Rank - 400 EXP
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Bronze Rank - 500 EXP
Silver Rank - 600 EXP
Gold Rank - 700 EXP
Diamond Rank - 800 EXP
Platinum Rank - 900 EXP
Mithril Rank - 1000 EXP]
[EXP gained according to the Creature Category of the slain target
Animals: 0 EXP (AI Note: Examples are Chickens, Horses, Deer, Rats)
Humans: 50 EXP
Non-Humans: 100 EXP(AI Note: Humanoid creatures that resemble Humans but have features of Animals or Monsters)
Elemental Beasts: 500 EXP (AI Note: Animals mutated by Elemental Cores within their bodies)
Monsters: 1000 EXP (AI Note: Mythological and Prehistoric Creatures of Earth)]
[Combat Kill EXP formula = Rank + Creature Category
(AI Note: For example, if your Golem Summon kills a Human of Clay Rank. EXP = 50 + 100 = 150 EXP]
"Is there a big difference between a creature that is level 10 and a level 11? What distinguishes the different ranks?" I inquire.
[When a Clay Rank reaches level 10, they have two options to advance to Stone Rank level 11. They can either acquire new skills and become a more specialized class or evolve into new forms using the evolution tree system as long as they fulfill specific requirements. As the Dungeon Lord, you will decide the growth of your Golems, which can't be reversed]
"I see... so the Non-Combat-Class has a different system for Leveling up?"
[Creatures with a Non-Combat Class will possess production skills related to their class and level up based on the time spent using those skills]
"So they can't kill creatures to gain EXP?" I ask with an anxious tone.
[It's possible for a Non-Combat Class creature to fight and kill. Or a Combat Class Golem to cut down a tree, but neither will gain EXP or unlock skills unrelated to their class]
That sucks! Or maybe it's a good thing to have Golems that don't need to kill to grow.
"Well, show me how Non-Combat Golems gain EXP." Before being reminded, I request that you use the appropriate voice command.
[EXP gained according to the time spent working with a Non-Combat skill
Clay Rank - 100 EXP Per Hour
Stone Rank - 200 EXP Per Hour
Iron Rank - 300 EXP Per Hour
Steel Rank - 400 EXP Per Hour
Bronze Rank - 500 EXP Per Hour
Silver Rank - 600 EXP Per Hour
Gold Rank - 700 EXP Per Hour
Diamond Rank - 800 EXP Per Hour
Platinum Rank - 900 EXP Per Hour
Mithril Rank - 1000 EXP Per Hour]
"Why is the EXP such a small amount?" I ask.
[Non-combat classes generally require more development time, but their skill rank will increase with each Rank Up. For instance, a Gold-Rank Golem Healer automatically upgrades the skills from Silver to Gold Rank. Another benefit is that a Gold-Rank Lumber Golem will have a faster work or production speed than a Clay-Rank Lumber Golem]
"I get it now! A blacksmith with ten years of experience is far more valuable than an amateur. All that separates them is how much time they spend on their skills. Anyway, it's time I Summon the Golems the Demon King promised as a Starter Pack." I point out.
[Use the voice command 'Open inventory' to access your Starter pack] The AI instructed.
"Interface! Open inventory!" I order.
An inventory box with ten slots appears.
[Inventory Space:
Slot 1: Golem Recipe Starter Pack x 1
Slot 2: Empty
Slot 3: Empty
...
Slot 10: Empty]
The starter pack comes in a beautifully crafted gift box, resembling the festive spirit of Christmas.
"It can only hold ten items?" I ask.
[Currently, it has only ten slots at Clay rank, but ten additional slots will appear each time you Rank Up]
At least it is upgradable.
"Are there any restrictions on size or quantity? Can I store a million pieces of stone?" I ask.
[There is a restriction to the quantity. Up to 9999 of the same in one slot, regardless of the size, weight, and dimension. Kindly note that living beings cannot be stored inside the inventory space]
At least it is following game logic.
"Interface! Open the starter pack," I order.
[Inventory Space:
Slot 1: Recipe - Warrior Golem
Slot 2: Recipe - Miner Golem
Slot 3: Recipe - Builder Golem
Slot 4: Stone x 1500
Slot 5: Mana Crystal x 30
Slot 6: Warrior Soul x 1
Slot 7: Miner Soul x 1
Slot 8: Builder Soul x 1
Slot 9: Empty
Slot 10: Empty]
That gift box had quite a bit in it.
"Are these Golem Recipes a one-time-use item?" I ask.
[There is no limit as long as you place the necessary materials on top of the scrolls]
"How can I get more Golem Recipes?" I ask the AI.
[You will unlock new Golem Recipes as you Rank Up or collect from loot drops]
"Loot drops? Let's say my Golems kill a Human with the Class of a Tailor. Are you saying there is a chance the victim will drop a Recipe to create a Golem Tailor?" I asked for clarity.
[As long as they are killed within your Domain]
"My Domain? Do you mean this Dungeon?" I ask for clarification.
[Affirmative]
"I see. Let's look at the recipes first. Interface! Expand Recipe details!" I order.
Three notification screens appear with the details.
[Recipe - Warrior Golem:
Material Cost:
Basic Stone x 500
Mana Crystal x 10
Warrior Soul x 1]
[Recipe - Miner Golem:
Material Cost:
Basic Stone x 500
Mana Crystal x 10
Miner Soul x 1]
[Recipe - Builder Golem:
Material Cost:
Basic Stone x 500
Mana Crystal x 10
Builder Soul x 1]
"Alright! Use the resources in the inventory to summon them," ordered the AI.
[Understood!]
Three recipe scrolls materialize on the floor, and the required materials pile up on top of them. The Mana Crystals look like high-grade Quartz and emit a faint white glow. The souls take the form of mini clay statues. The recipe scrolls absorb all the materials, and three Golems, each two feet tall, emerge from the scrolls. They look like boulders with hands and feet but without arms and legs. Their heads are small boulders without necks, holding a piece of stone-made equipment. Their eyes are polished stones, and rune-like designs are carved into their bodies. All three have a glowing blue orb at the center of their waists.
The small Warrior Golem lifted its sword and shield and declared, "REPORTING FOR DUTY!"
I was surprised to hear the Golem speaking in English. I reasoned his soul must be from Earth to know it. The Miner Golem, wielding a sturdy pickaxe, was the next one to speak.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, my lord," The Miner Golem exclaimed in English.
The last to speak is the Builder Golem, with a chisel and hammer in each hand. He surveyed the room and said, "Boss, this place needs some remodeling!"
"Umm... I was expecting you three to be bigger," I reply.
[They will grow in size as they Rank Up]
"Good to know," Builder replied.
"You can hear the AI?" I ask.
"I think all three of us can see her replies and your thoughts. It's floating above your Dungeon Core." The Builder Golem replied.
I looked up and saw nothing there.
[Minions are connected to the Dungeon Core, so if they are within line of sight, they can see and read our thoughts]
"I see. Do you three have names?" I ask the Golems.
"Can't remember it." The Builder Golem replied.
"It escapes me, my Lord," The Miner Golem replied.
"NO!" Warrior yelled.
"Do you remember anything before you were summoned here?" I ask them.
"NOTHING!" Warrior yelled, and the other two confirmed they couldn't remember it either.
"Then how are you three speaking to me in English?" I ask.
"We acquired our language skills from you, my Lord," The Miner Golem pointed out.
[All summons will know the language their Summoner learned]
"Since that is the case, I will call you Warrior, Miner, and Builder," I declare.
"BESTOW A PROPER NAME!" Warrior.
"Be a bit more creative, my lord!" Miner.
"Sounds good," Builder said.
Warrior and Miner stare at Builder in disgust.
I will need to give your names more thought when you Rank Up. Now, let me study your details." I instruct and then voice the commands.
[Name: Miner
Race: Golem (Monster)
Title: None
Class: Miner (Non-Combat-Class)
Rank: Clay
EXP Bar: Lv 1 0/500
Skills: Quarry & Deposit Scout (Clay), Mana Crystal & Gemstone Detection (Clay), Minning (Clay)]
[HP: 100/100
MP: 10/10
ATK: 50
DEF: 100
DEX: 5]
[Name: Warrior
Race: Golem (Monster)
Title: None
Class: Sword and Shield Warrior (Combat-Class)
Rank: Clay
EXP Bar: Lv 1 0/500
Skills: Slash (Clay), Thrust (Clay), Parry (Clay), Block (Clay)]
[HP: 100/100
MP: 10/10
ATK: 50
DEF: 100
DEX: 5]
[Name: Builder
Race: Golem (Monster)
Title: None
Class: Builder (Non-Combat-Class)
Rank: Clay
EXP Bar: Lv 1 0/500
Skills: Architect (Clay), Cartographer (Clay), Labourer (Clay), Transporter (Clay), Repairman (Clay)]
[HP: 100/100
MP: 10/10
ATK: 50
DEF: 100
DEX: 5]
"All their stats are identical, but they start with different skills. Is that normal?" I ask.
[It will change over time as they Rank Up]
"To Rank Up, they need to use their skills, right?"
[Affirmative]
"Builder! Your task is to map out the Dungeon and see if you can find anything useful. Miner! Search and mine stone deposits or ones that contain Mana crystals. Warrior, please stay behind to guard the Dungeon Core. I also need to try using the Golem Avatar control skill on you." I instruct.
The three Golems nodded, but Builder raised his hammer to ask a question.
"Do you want us to fight and kill anything we come across?" Builder asked.
"If you encounter any creature in the Dungeon, please return immediately. I will use the Warrior's body to check them out, and if they are dangerous to us, I will slay them to gain EXP for the Warrior. Do you understand?" I order.
"Aye, my Lord!" Miner.
"Roger!" Builder.
"Go!" I order.
The two Golems set off to carry out their assigned tasks. I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation as I watched them go.