It’s been about two days since the dungeon dive, and in that time I added a bulletin board at the dungeon entrance, a list of ‘Dungeon Rules’ which are basically jokes rather than they are rules, I was giggling throughout the entire creation process. There’s currently three rules;
Rule 1. No posting memes in #general.
Rule 2. No takesy backsies
Rule 3. No slap fighting in the dungeon. Thank you :)
If I come up with any more ‘rules’ I’ll add more. Look I wasted thirty mana just on these three ‘rules’, maybe it’s a good thing that my mana is capped at such a low amount, but in my defense it’s funny and this is also my dungeon. Besides nobody is even gonna understand what they mean, especially rule 1, and honestly speaking rule 3 is gonna do a lot of heavy lifting!
I added a medium sized river with a bridge that split floor two in half, the Black Watch Immediately built guard stations on both ends of the bridge. I littered the floor with wildlife such as various types of birds, a couple species of river fish, and yes even a jaguar, which I’m surprised they’re on the list, since they mainly live in rainforests, but I guess the forest theme encompasses all forests. I’m not complaining, at least it’ll let me pet it, instead of mauling me to death! And last but certainly not least, I added a medium sized log cabin located to the right side of the floor and a dirt path that connected the cabin to the main road.
So far the cabin currently has no use, but I’ll think of something later. The girls so far have enjoyed the log cabin, and it even became an unofficial spot for the leaders of the units plus Annabelle to meet.
Another thing to note was, a second military encampment appeared right by the Core Room entrance, much like the first floor. Annabelle had personally taken it upon herself to guard the entrance.
Everyone that died on floor one has already been revived. Which is great, at least I know that I don’t have to spend mana resumoning them. Then I’d be in real trouble!
I went around the first floor, fortunately everyone was at the encampment and I stopped by just to check in with everyone. However, as I exit the encampment. I noticed that Ellen was sitting on a bench, all by her lonesome, her saber unsheathed embedded into the ground, her head also looking down. While everyone else was at the encampment. So I went to go see what's up.
“Why so down Ellen?” I asked.
Ellen glanced up at me, a sense of sadness in her eyes. "It's just that... I failed. I failed to stop them, I failed my unit... I failed you," she somberly admitted, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
I look back to the encampment and see merry faces of both the Prussian and French troops, heck even Emile is chugging down a bottle of wine. How did she get that wine? I have no idea. “It sure doesn’t sound like it, even Emile is jovial, and her unit didn’t even get any action.” I remarked.
“I know but-“ Ellen started, but I cut her off.
“Listen Ellen, you didn’t fail. And you certainly didn’t fail me” I said, “On the contrary, your unit killed two on the first volley, and a third one on the charge.”
I continued, by reassuring her, "And you didn't fail me. You did your best, stalling them for as long as you could. I don't think anyone in the dungeon expects both your Landwehr and Emile's National Guard to hold the line. But don't ever think that you failed anyone, okay? If something is on your mind, please talk to someone. There's Emile, Helen, Jane, Bertin, and Cecelia, plus the girls on floor 2. Hell, I'll even lend an ear. The most important thing to me is your mental, and frankly everyone's well-being."
She leaps towards me, embracing me in a tight hug, or in other words air, she’s hugging air. I won’t spoil the moment though.
We separated after a couple of minutes, and she beamed a huge smile. “Thank you, I will not forget what you said. I think I’ll go join the rest of them back at camp.” The officer said, sheathing her saber back into its proper place, offered me a bow and went to join the rest.
Ahh, this reminds me of an encounter with a crying student during my lunch break. I'm not an expert at comforting people, but I sincerely offer a listening ear. To cut the story short, I heard crying in Music Hall, found her with her head down on her lap, and learned she was bullied. I promptly contacted administrators to address the issue, though our conversation was brief as I was running late for class. The next day, she approached me with a bright smile, sharing that she had switched her major to history. Huh, who would’ve thought that I'd start feeling nostalgic? I guess having this much free time as a Dungeon Core really makes one have too much time to think.
I’ll go check on the girls from floor 2, as I’d already checked on the farmers.
The moment I entered floor 2, I could hear loud yelling in the direction of the cabin.
Materializing inside the cabin, I found the source of the yelling, "Girls, girls!" I'm now desperately trying to stop an escalating argument between Isabella and Annabelle. The argument began when Isabella insulted Annabelle's Nockgun, and things spiraled from there. Marley just sat in a chair, observing the scene with an amused expression. I shot her a pleading look that screamed 'Help me!'
Marley had finally intervened, standing up and getting in between the two, “Alright, alright, cut it you two.”
“Stay out of this Marley!”
“She insulted my dear Betty! I gotta get at her!”
Both Isabella and Annabelle yelled simultaneously.
Oh jeez this is getting out of hand! Fortunately Marley was there. “Listen Lassies, while both of you were busy tearing each other apart, our gracious dungeon was desperately trying to end this.”
Yes thank you Marley! It was time for me to speak up. I addressed Annabelle first "Listen, I understand that what Isabella said about your Betty was hurtful. However, that doesn't excuse lashing out," I stated firmly. Annabelle lowered her head in shame. Turning to address Isabella, I continued, "I don't know what you said, but it clearly upset Annabelle enough for her to react this way, but you can’t just go around insulting other people. How would you feel if you're the one being insulted?" Now, it was Isabella's turn to lower her head.
“Look, I’m not asking both of you to apologize or to get along.” I said, “But please don’t argue, at least when I’m within earshot”
Isabella and Annabelle both nodded together.
“If there’s anything else, I’ll be around improving floor 2.” With that said, I left the cabin. Now what should I do? I should’ve recovered some mana by now.
Status.
> Name: Amelia Yokakko
>
> Dungeon Name: Yokakko Dungeon (Temporary)
>
> Exp Req: 10/450
>
> Level 3
>
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>
> Mana: 42/50
>
> Mana Regen: 10 per hour
>
> Floors: 2/8
>
> Traps: 1
>
> Puzzles: 2
>
> Titles: None
Ok I can work with forty-two mana. Hmm let’s see what I can add. Oh I know, I’ll create hidden stashes around for adventurers to find, except there’s a fifty percent chance they’ll be trapped, in a way I kind of am making a trap. Let's create two for now.
Hidden supply stash x2 created, mana cost 24.
Yikes, that's pretty pricey. Ok now to make them spawn randomly each time someone enters the room, and have one of them be a trap.
Features add to ‘Hidden supply stash x2’ mana cost 18.
Man, why is everything so expensive? Has my dungeon been hit with inflation? If I’m correct then I should have no more mana left.
Status.
> Name: Amelia Yokakko
>
> Dungeon Name: Yokakko Dungeon (Temporary)
>
> Exp Req: 10/450
>
> Level 3
>
> Mana: 0/50
>
> Mana Regen: 10 per hour
>
> Floors: 2/8
>
> Traps: 2
>
> Puzzles: 2
>
> Titles: None
Yep I was right, and it seemed like the system is counting it as a trap, welp time wait. I'm gonna go visit Molly, she’s the bagpiper.
———————————————————————————————————————————————
With the girls at the cabin
After witnessing Amelia exit the cabin, an awkward silence settled in the air.
“As much fun as it was to watch both of you blabber on, I really hope this won’t become a problem, especially since we’re going to need to cooperate in the defense of this dungeon, our home.” Marley stated as a matter-of-fact, emphasizing the last two words.
Annabelle grabbed ‘Betty’ her Nockgun. “Well of course.” She stops at the entrance, turning to Isabella, “This doesn’t mean that it’s over.” Before leaving the cabin in its entirety.
“If there’s nothing else Marley then I’ll be off, and yes this won’t get in the way of dungeon defense, but as she said quote ‘doesn’t mean that it’s over’.” Isabella said as she left.
“Those two…” Marley uttered, before sitting back down on the chair she was previously sitting at.
A Black Watch soldier entered, “Hey what's the commotion in here?”
“Heh, you just missed it Caitlin, they were here a couple seconds ago, even got a stern talking from Amelia herself. About time too since they’re always at each other’s throats here...” Marley said, taking a bottle of gin that was previously hidden underneath the table. “Want some?”
“Ah, no thanks.” Caitlin said, declining the offer, “But speaking of Amelia, do you know where she is?”
“Suit yourself, as for Amelia, she was just here as well, she did say that she’d be here improving this floor.” Marley informed her, then asked, “Why do you want to talk to her?”
A blush grew on Caitlin’s face, “Ah, ma’am I’m sorry but it’s personal, but thanks for telling me!” Caitlin said, before exiting.
Marley shrugged her shoulders and went on to drink her gin.
———————————————————————————————————————————————
I was busy contemplating life and all its various. Ok, I’m very bored right now waiting for my mana to trickle up, but it’s not bad right now, especially since I'm listening to Molly play. We even gathered an audience, a mix of guerrillas and Black Watch, it seems everybody was here to listen to Molly play, I'll summon more musicians when I get the chance. It was then that a soldier approached me, hands behind her back, looking very nervous.
“Hello, Caitlin right?” I asked hoping I got her name right.
“Yes, it's Caitlin. Um, can I talk to you privately about something?” Caitlin asked.
I signaled to Molly telling her that I’ll be back. As Caitlin led me deep into the forest, now in any normal situation following someone into a forest is a red flag, but this is my dungeon and she’s classified as a dungeon creature. She wont turn on me and kill me right?
Summoned dungeon creatures cannot harm Avatar and Core
Alright, well good to know system! That definitely alleviated some concerns, anyways after walking, I say walk but really I’m just floating.
Caitlin turns to me, looking very shy, twiddling her pointer fingers together. Cute!
“Uh, umm, well, j-jeez this is so e-embarrassing.” Caitlin stuttered out. She’s actually going to kill me with cuteness overload, ack! My Black Watch can’t be this cute!
Summoned dungeon creatures cannot harm Avatar and Core
Yes I already know that! Don’t need to tell me twice!
Caitlin managed to compose herself, and spoke “Well I’m just wondering if you can give me a stuffed animal? It’s just ever since I found a book inside the cabin that mentioned them in it. I want one for myself, but on one hand I understand if you have better things to spend your mana on...”
Status.
> Name: Amelia Yokakko
>
> Dungeon Name: Yokakko Dungeon (Temporary)
>
> Exp Req: 10/450
>
> Level 3
>
> Mana: 10/50
>
> Mana Regen: 10 per hour
>
> Floors: 2/8
>
> Traps: 2
>
> Puzzles: 2
>
> Titles: None
I guess I’ll cough up the mana, I’m prioritizing the happiness of my creatures you know? Especially considering the puppy dog-eyes Caitlin's is giving me. A stuffed bear materialized in her hands, and she squealed in joy.
Object 'Teddy Bear' created, Mana cost 10.
"Thank you so much!" Caitlin exclaimed, tightly hugging the stuffed bear before attaching it to the left side of her backpack. She then ran back in the direction where we came from.
I can wait five more hours. Maybe I should give that undead mode a try for my next floor…
———————————————————————————————————————————————
Vonesmy Adventurers Guild Hall
The party of five were at the tavern portion of the guild, lazily sitting on one of the corner tables.
“I admit we severely underestimated that dungeon and now we're out of commission for the next five days.” Najira stated, breaking the silence.
Greorjy takes a drink from his mug, “Has anyone seen Casmur? I haven’t seen her since this morning.”
“Her pains are worse, since she was shot in the head.” Najira replied. “Yeah, girl was having a hard time sleeping, me personally, I could feel like this metal ball that's been embedded into my chest, but it's not there, but it was manageable.”
“Heh, that's the true danger of exploring dungeons.” Markus remarked, while he was polishing his throwing axe.
An adventurer dressed in leather armor, with iron greaves and braces approached the five. “Say I hear that there’s a new dungeon not far from here, may I know where it is?” He asked.
Greorjy finishing his mug was the first to speak, “Yeah sure, do you have a map?”
The man responded by retrieving his map.
“Ok so the dungeon is located…”
After a five-minute explanation about the whereabouts of Yokakko Dungeon (Temporary), the adventurer expressed gratitude to Greorjy for the information before heading outside. The adventurer walked for a couple of more blocks till he reached the outskirts of the city near a clearance hidden from the main road.
Waiting for him was a band of twelve humans all armed to the teeth, hanging by some carriages. A man wearing splint-mail armour, with a coppergate helm approached.
“So, find anything?” he asked.
The adventurers gave a gleeful smile. “The stars above, a new dungeon has appeared in Kurz!” This got the attention of everyone present, the "adventurer" went on, saying, "Yes, and the best part is that it's brand new. That means it's going to be easy to shatter the Core, fulfilling our contract to hunt down dungeons inside Kurz and weaken this country. We'll be rich!"
Cheers erupted from the assembled group, and they all boarded the carriages, setting out towards Yokakko Dungeon(Temporary).