Chapter 1: Picking A Starting Monster Race

I then scrutinise my eyebrows, unable to make heads or tail over whatever he is saying. I am quite confused.

[Mysterious Voice: Well, to be exact. I am technically a part of you, not you 'you' to be exact. ]

"What do you mean?" I asked the miniature holographic version of me a question, with a very confused look plastered on my face.

[Mysterious Voice: I am technically your subconsciousness, and when you were transported to this world, a piece of you was ripped out from yourself and you then successfully became a Dungeon Lord. ]

"This..." I was visibly at a loss for words, unable to find any suitable words to sort of describe the situation that I'm in right now.

However, I am filled with so many emotions right now, far too complex to simply put into words.

[Mysterious Voice: The tore out subconsciousness of the original host will then fused with the dungeon core itself, thereby then developing its own artificial intelligence, and becoming a Dungeon Core A.I. ]

[Mysterious Voice: The Dungeon Core A.I is pre-installed with all the necessary information, help info, and details in order to aide their original self in completing and accomplishing their mission. ]

[Mysterious Voice: The Dungeon Core A.I itself is designed after the original host. So it definitely contained all of the original host's personal memories and personality. ]

"This... This is a lot to take in right now." I said, as my hands and arms are visibly shaken.

'This feeling that I am feeling right now. This emotion. It's excitement.' I thought, unable to contain my excitement. 'It is not fear, but rather joy. A sense of excitement to explore the uncertainty of the unknown, like a true explorer.'

I was certainly amazed over what I've just heard, and couldn’t hold back the excitement.

[Dungeon A.I: Well, take your time Original Me, as I personally have plenty of time to wait in here until you are already to proceed further in taking your step to becoming a Dungeon Master. ]

The Dungeon Artificial intelligence version of me nonchalantly spoke to me, whilst waving his hand, clearly indicating his boredom.

"Wait a minute!" I exclaimed and then said, "Since you are technically a part of me, and calling you Dungeon A.I all the time can be annoying, and just don't feel right."

The Dungeon Artificial Intelligence version of me grew interested, as he then gazed intently at me.

[Dungeon A.I: Oh, so what would suggest to call me then, Original Me? ]

I then said, "Since you are an exact copy of me, whilst containing all my memories, experience, and personality, but with no actual physical body. So how about we go with this..."

Suggesting the idea, "I get to keep the first name 'Alexandre' and you get the last name 'Lee', thereby when we combined it. It would give us our full name 'Alexandre Lee', so how about it."

[Lee: Well, that is a lot better than what I could think of, but still it would take some time to get used to. ]

[Lee: So if it was me, I would properly just come up with a random name, out of the middle of nowhere. Since it won't have as much sentimental value as the name you've given me has. ]

The newly named Dungeon Artificial Intelligence spoke to me, with a sense of enthusiasm, and some strong attachment towards his new name.

"Well then, that's good. So what now?" I asked Lee.

Lee then immediately answered, with a straight face, the mellowness previously has vanished, replaced with a serious tone and atmosphere.

[Lee: Let's get down to business! With the informal introduction, over and done with. We should start by improving our dungeon space, as you can see. This could hardly be enough to pass and be classified as a Dungeon. ]

Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence indeed spoke with utmost certain facts, which certainly got me interested.

"And why is that?" I asked Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence, thereby seeking his wisdom.

[Lee: A Dungeon typically has a well more advance or complex layout, much like a labyrinth or maze, but most importantly it must have monsters and set traps, which is in order to kill outside invaders. ]

Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence explained carefully to me. So that I was able to get a clear picture.

"So what do we do now then?" I asked Lee for any ideas on how to start things off.

[Lee: The first thing that you should do is check your Status Window first, as there are two parts; your Personal Status Window and the Dungeon's Status Window. ]

[Lee: To access your Status Window, you can just recite the keyword 'Status' inside your head or say it out loud, on voice command. Another alternative choice is that you can open your Status Window through the Dungeon Interface menu. ]

Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence gave me a detailed explanation, and some simple instructions to follow on how to open my Status Window.

I then followed the precise instructions given out by Lee, as I then recited the keyword 'Status' inside of my head.

'Status!' I recited the keyword inside of my head.

And then a large blue screen then pops up, appearing in front of me, which certainly displays all of my personal information and the so-called Dungeon's information.

Personal Status Screen Name: Alexandre Lee Age: 27 Gender: Male Race: Human {Dungeon Lord} Ethnicity/Subrace: Vietnamese {Asian} Hair Colour: Black Eye Colour: Brown Skin Colour: Pale Yellow Birthplace: England Origin: Earthling Height: 163 cm Weight: 63 kg Title: Otherworlder (new) Advanced Information Class/Occupation: Dungeon Master Individual Level: 001 (0%) Individual Realm: Elementary Realm Master/Disciple N/A Kingdom Affiliations: N/A Guild/Factions: N/A Basic Stats Health Points: 110/110 Magical Power: 123/123 Health regen per sec: 0.01/s Mana regen per sec: 0.019/s Stamina Points: 25/25 Hunger/Satiety Points: 125/125 (100%) Stamina Regen Per Sec 0.003/s Health Condition: Healthy {Stable} Fatigue Points: 1 Mental/Spiritual Power: 0 Stats Attributes Strength: 3 Intelligence: 9 Agility: 5 Wisdom: 7 Defense: 1 Willpower: 4 Endurance: 2 Concentration: 8 Dexterity: 6 Spirit: 3 Vitality: 4 Charm/Charisma: 2 Stamina: 3 Luck: 1 Constitution: 1 Fame: 0 Unallocated Stats Points: 0 Elemental Affinity Fire Element: 0% Life/Nature Element: 0% Earth Element: 0% Death Element: 0% Wind Element: 0% Dark Element: 0% Water Element: 0% Holy/Light Element: 0% Lightning Element: 0% Arcane Element: 0% Ice Element: 0% Void/Chaos Element: 0%

Skill List [Adaptability {Passive} Lv.1][Mana Sensitivity {Passive} Lv.1][Basic Mana Control {Passive} Lv.1][Basic Mana Manipulation {Passive} Lv.1][Magical Power Converted To Nutrients {Active} Lv.1][Appraisal {Active} Lv.1][Dungeon Walk {Active} Lv.MAX][Dungeon Gate {Active} Lv.MAX][Dungeon Observation {Active} Lv.1][Dungeon Portal {Active} Lv.1]

Dungeon Status Window Dungeon Name: Alexandre's Dungeon Classification: Cave Type Dungeon Age: 1 Days Old Dungeon Rank: Z- (Requirement Not Met) Dungeon Titles: Dungeon Stats Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Biological Creatures: 1 Number of Floors: 1 Number of Non-Biological Creatures: 0 Number of Drops: 0 Number of Contractees: 0 Number of Traps: 0 Individual Kill Count: 0 DP (Dungeon Points) Remaining: 100 (223) DP

Dungeon Map [x] - 3 width x 3 length x 3.5 height

"Woah! What the..." I then accidentally let out a few words of awe, surprised at what I saw that is laid out before me.

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I thought, 'The status windows are so detailed, they even contained all of my personal information and details.'

'How awesome is that! ' I so to myself.

Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence then proceeded to explain all of the basic dungeon knowledge and the information that he acquired from the dungeon system to me.

[Lee: All types of dungeons basically start at the same rank at some points in time as dungeon rank Z-, but as you grow, increasing the number of monsters and the number of inhabitants living withinside of your dungeon. Your dungeon rank will naturally increase and possibly upgrade to the next rank. ]

[Lee: Dungeon ranks are determined by how capable you are at defending your dungeon, the number of floors and levels you have in your dungeon. ]

[Lee: Stronger monsters or creatures with higher intelligence or sentience would thereby contribute more to the dungeon's evaluation. Do you understand? ]

"Okay, I've got that!" I gave out a vague response, implying that I've got the message.

[Lee: At the same time, all starting dungeons will be given 100 DP. DP refers to Dungeon Points, as they are the currency that only Dungeon Masters used. ]

[Lee: Dungeon Points are what Dungeon Masters used to upgrade, excavate, or modified their dungeons. At the same time, modifying and evolving Dungeon Monsters, whilst accessing the Dungeon Market. ]

[Lee: So do you get what I'm saying? ]

Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence version of me then asks me a question.

I then answered, "Yeah, sort of."

"This is kind of like a tower defence game, am I right Lee?" I continued, then asking Lee a question.

[Lee: Yeah. ]

He responded with a simple nod, agreeing with my point of view and statement.

I then suddenly remembered something. "Come to think of it, didn't this sort of reminding you of the Dungeon Core LitRPG genre that used to be quite popular a couple of years back?" I asked Lee.

[Lee: Oh, yeah! I remember those days... ]

I then continued on the conversation, "You know what. What kick-started off my interest in the dungeon core novel genre was the 'Mystery of the Dungeon' written by VrDraco and 'The Rise of the Dungeon'."

I suggested a novel that was written by one of the more popular famous authors that I like on Royalroad.

[Lee: Well, that is too bad. The author of the novel 'Mystery of the Dungeon' gave up on it long ago. His only reasoning, at the time, for dropping it was that he was running out of creativity and ideas. Writing himself into a roadblock that which he no longer wants to continue. ]

Since both Lee and I shared the same identical memories, we naturally both came to the same conclusion and decision. So it is hard to debate with each other, what's right and what's wrong.

"Yeah, I know," I said so dejectedly.

"At the very least, I could just wish that he would not drop the story until after the tournament arc, as it was just beginning to start getting interesting." I voiced my opinion on the matter.

"Maybe he was starting to become bored with writing the story, you know. People tend to lose motivation in things that they have done so for a long time, they want something new, and more challenging. Blindly, exploring the unknown and so on..." I said so towards Lee.

[Lee: I guess, you're somewhat right. ]

Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence version of me gave a short response, somewhat agreeing with my point of view.

"Now then, let us begin the process of renovation our dungeon, shall we?" I said.

I decided to shout out Lee's name. "Lee!"

[Lee: Roger that. ]

He responded by opening up the dungeon interface, and immediately giving me a list of options to choose as my starting monster.

Please choose your desired starting monster race! Goblins Wild Beast Slimes Insects Elementals Faeries Undeads Imps

(!) System Notice

Warning: You will be given only one chance to pick your starting monster race!

The starting monster race that you've picked will be permanently added to your summonable list!

The other monster will be locked until the host has either captured a live specimen of that particular race or unlocked the monster through an evolutionary line!

"So what options do you think I should go with, Lee?" I asked Lee, my dungeon artificial intelligence A.I.

[Lee: Well, definitely not the Undead race, as it is easily unlockable by converting dead corpses or bones into zombies and undead skeletons. And their four stenches will certainly, without doubt, begin to stink up the place. ]

[Lee: The Goblin race are not so good of an idea, as they take too long to properly nurture and train, because they are quite dumb and pretty stupid. Tree-branch-wielding-green-gremlins! ]

Lee, the Dungeon Artificial Intelligence version of me immediately rejected two out of the eight starting race options.

He even insulted the goblin race entirely as a whole.

I then responded, "Was there really a need to insult the goblin race that much?"

[Lee: Well, have you ever read the 'Goblin Slayer' manga or have watched the anime. ]

I was certainly at a loss for words, so I answered back with, "Touche!"

"Then what about the goblins from 'That Time I Got reincarnated As A Slimes! and 'Re: Monster'. I suggested.

[Lee: The goblins from Rimuru's world are simply not realistic, but I can see that they have some potential to become someone like Rou. However, the possibility is quite low. ]

After thinking so hard towards myself, I then decided to pick the Elementals race.

'Elemental.' I thought, as I then select the Elemental monster race options.

(!) System Notice You have chosen the Elemental race as your starting monster race of choice! The other monster race is thereby locked until you unlock them!

(!) System Notice The monster: Fire Elemental, Earth Elemental, Wind Elemental, Water Elemental, Lightning Elemental, Nature Elemental has been added to the list of summonable monsters!

I then said to Lee, speaking on why I've chosen the Elemental race as my starting monster race, "Since we are in a cave, I thought that the Earth Elemental will be more helpful since it will greatly aid me in excavating the dungeon's stone walls more effectively."

[Lee: Well, how brilliantly thoughtful of yourself to think about a couple of steps ahead, Original Me. ]

I then opened up my list of summoning, "I wondered how much it costs to summon an earth elemental?'

List of Summons Monster

Earth Elemental {Rock Variant} - (125) 225 DP Earth Elemental {Sand Variant} - (125) 225 DP Fire Elemental {Fire Variant} - (125) 225 DP Fire Elemental {Lava Variant} - (125) 225 DP Wind Elemental - (125) 225 DP Water Elemental - (125) 225 DP Lightning Elemental - (125) 225 DP Ice Elemental - (125) 225 DP Nature Elemental - (125) 225 DP Mealworm - 3 DP Silkworm - 3 DP Ground Worm - 3 DP

Fauna

Dungeon Moss - 5 DP Per 1 Meter Patch Tall Grass/Short Grass - 1 DP Per 1 Meter patch Brown/White/Red Mushroom - 1 DP Per Mushroom

Dungeon Points Remaining: 100 (223) DP

[Lee: Dungeon Moss is a type of moss that simply grows in abundance in dungeons, and is quite often used as the early main producer to start off the monster food chain. ]

[Lee: And the dungeon moss has a high susceptible stabilisation rate, and is quite often used in alchemy as an alchemical catalyst, or brewing some potions. ]

"Wait a minute! Why do the Elementals cost so much, I have barely enough dungeon points to even summon 1 Elemental." I exclaimed out in shock at the Elementals' astronomically large summoning cost.

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This chapter was written and edited on a Mobile Phone!