Prologue

That day, four adventurers were travelling by foot through the forest of Atur. They had just finished completing a quest that required them to travel to the territories of the Elves which is on the other side of the forest from their city. On the way home, they fell victim to an attack from demonic wolves called wargs three nights ago. Usually they would not suffer from an attack like that, but they were already surrounded when they noticed the approach of the monsters.

They came out of the danger unharmed as expected from a group of ranked A adventurers. But unfortunately, their horses died during the attack. Hence, they decided to cut through the forest instead of going around it which would have added at least a week to their journey home.

“Mitchel, there is something up ahead. It’s a cave that is not included in any of the maps we have of this forest. I think the opening was made recently.” said Homer, the beastman scout of the party, a thief class equipped with an iron short sword and an obsidian dagger. He was scouting ahead when he spotted the cave.

“A new dungeon perhaps? Hmmm… What does everyone thinks? Should we survey this dungeon?” asked Mitchel. He was the leader of this group of adventurers. His class if that of a warrior, serving as the protector of the group using his mythril gilded shield and ornate bronze longsword.

“We can receive a reward from the adventurer’s guild for information regarding a new dungeon, so why not?” answered Di, the mage of the group. She acted as the treasurer of the group. After losing four horses, she is eager for any opportunity to increase their earnings.

“If this is really a dungeon, some people could get hurt or worse if they enter it unknowingly. So, we should gauge the danger and let the information be known. This is also our responsibility as adventurers.” added Myra, a cleric from the Haan sect. She was the healer of the group.

“Hmmm. What about you Homer?” Mitchel always remember to include Homer in their decision making. He is worried that the beastman might feel left out being the only non-human in the group. Besides, as the scout, the risk was bigger for him when entering unknown places.

“I agree with both of them. It will increase out standing in the guild.”

“Alright then, get ready. We will go with the usual formation.”

They carefully made their way into the cave. Homer was on point. Coming from the Dog Clan Beastmen, his heightened senses was ideal for these situations. After peaking inside, they immediately confirmed that it was a dungeon after all. From the mouth of the cave, there were some steps lead them down. The ground was paved with rectangular stone blocks, something that would not occur in a naturally formed cave.

20 steps ahead, they saw that the path was blocked by an earthen wall with a great door on the center. When the scout stepped closer to the door, a pair of torches lit up on each side of it, seemingly by magic. Everyone was alarmed by the occurrence. After the area was brightened, they saw a sign was hanging on the wall. It read, ‘Welcome’.

“Welcome? That is a very eerie sign to have at a dungeon entrance.” said Myra.

“I don’t have a good feeling about this. It’s like something is waiting for us on the other side.” said Di. She was hiding herself behind Mitchel.

“I smell a monster behind this door. But something’s unusual about it.” observed Homer.

“Everyone, weapons at the ready. Myra, Di, stand behind me. Homer, on my signal, you open the door, but I’ll enter first.” commanded Mitchel. After receiving a nod from everyone, he gave the signal to move.

Homer pushed the door then immediately stepped to the side. After seeing that no trap was triggered, Mitchel walked in with his shield upfront and sword ready to attack. But he was taken aback by what he saw. All he was able to do was let out a “What-“.

Seeing their leader frozen, they asked him what was wrong with a worried voice. Homer was first to follow. He too was speechless from what he saw. Then the girls couldn’t stay behind anymore. They wanted to see what could make their comrades so speechless. They too was confused from what was waiting from them.

It was Di who break up the silence. “What the hell is this?” They all looked to each other for an answer. No one said anything.

A goblin was standing on behind a counter. “Eek eek eek.” said the goblin as it bowed to them. It was standing on a pedestal so it could be at a person’s level. Not only was the goblin seemingly welcoming them, it was wearing a style of clothing they haven’t seen before, however, the quality of the fabric was comparable to those worn only by the rich.

Aside from the goblin, they didn’t know what to think about the rectangular room they were in. The ceiling and walls were made of earthen materials that was perfectly straightened. The floor was laid with earthen blocks that were more polished than those outside the entry door. Illumination of the room was coming from luminescent orbs encased in glass. The furniture was made of wood, but, they have never seen such fight wood working before, especially for mere furniture. There were minimal decorations and the whole room exudes a simple yet welcoming environment. If not for the goblin, they would have thought they were inside a manor from a foreign country.

Myra had etiquette lessons from the church, so, she was not able to stop herself from returning a bow of greeting to the goblin. Everyone else looked at her strangely. They thought, “Was she really being courteous to a goblin?”

“Eek eek eek.” The goblin presented them with a board with something written on them.

“Welcome to our humble establishment. The Healing Springs Resort Dungeon.”

“Healing Spring Resort Dungeon? What is that?” asked Di. She was curious to be conversing with a goblin.

Selecting from a collection of pre-written boards. The goblin presented them another board as to reply to her question. It said, “We provide accommodations to people who are looking to relax. Our guests can enjoy our hot spring that rejuvenates your body.”

“Oooh. That’s interesting. Can we all use this rejuvenating hot spring?” It was Myra who asked. As a healer, she was interested in anything medicinal or therapeutic in nature.

The goblin replied again. “One room costs 5 silver coins. Meals and drinks are paid separately.”

“We have to pay 5 silvers? That’s even more expensive than an inn!” Di responded. It seemed that the men are used to having the women do the talking in these kind of situation. Everyone has somehow moved on from the surprise that they were conversing to a goblin. Now, they were surprise that they have to pay the monster to enter the dungeon.

The goblin didn’t seem to have a reply for that.

“Aren’t you curious? Let’s see what’s it about.” Pleaded Myra.

“She’s right. Let’s give it a go. We’ll be careful.” Added Mitchel. He knew that Di was always reluctant to spending unnecessarily.

“Fine, we’ll take two rooms.” She handed 10 silver coins to the goblin.

“Thank you very much. This way please.” Responded by the goblin.

***

Some time ago.

“Huh? Where am I?” ‘He’ woke up and found himself in darkness. Not that the man was sleeping, but, he became conscious of the darkness. He heard a voice spoke to him.

“You’ve finally awaken.”

“Who are you? Where is this?”

“I am called Haan, a goddess. Currently you are deep underground. But, that’s not very important. The more pressing question is who are ‘you’?”

“Who am I? I am-    My name-   I can’t seem to remember my name.”

“So that’s how it is after all. The truth is you died and was reincarnated here. However, unlike a usual reincarnation you manage to retain the knowledge you’ve accumulated from your past life, however, it seems some of your memories about who you were or the people you’ve known were lost. Your learned soul travelled from world to world until it found a compatible receptacle in that orb which is now your body.”

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“I am an orb?”

“Not just any orb, you’ve become a dungeon core.”

“What’s a dungeon core?”

“A dungeon core is the self of any sentient dungeons. Very few of them exists”

“But what is a dungeon?”

“The dungeon is your domain. You can shape your dungeon as you like. The main purpose of a dungeon is to increase your absorption of magical energy or mana. Creatures that dies in your domain gives you as much mana that they have in their body, hence, sentient beings offers the greatest amount of mana.”

“What? So I have to kill to absorb more mana? Why? Do I need mana to live?”

“You need mana to retain your consciousness, however, it’s not like you’ll die from hunger of mana. Also, you naturally absorbs a portion of mana that permeates through your domain. Dungeon core design their dungeon to kill trespassers so that they can accelerate their growth. They more mana you absorbs the bigger you can make your domain.”

“If dungeons are so dangerous, why do people enter them?”

“Well that is because they offer rewards to those who can surpass their challenge. The greater the reward the more people that tries to conquer the dungeon. And thus, the more potential deaths inside.”

“But what if I don’t want to kill?”

“Well, like I said, you won’t be lacking of mana for sustenance. However, you’ll also won’t grow.”

“That’s okay. I’m not very comfortable in killing. I think in my past life, I was not a killer nor a fighter.”

“Well that is up to you. Even if I’m a goddess, I can’t tell you how to live. I’m only here to explain certain things regarding your new self to you. Your circumstances in unique, that’s why we gods decided that I will guide you in the beginning.”

“Thanks. Let’s get started. I’m quite curious. I have a feeling this life is very different from my previous one.”

“Indeed. First let’s talk about your dungeon. Your dungeon is a limited space that you control. Like I said before, it is through your domain that you can absorb magical energy. The magical energy you have accumulated can be used to expand your domain or to alter any way you want as long as you have the necessary mana to spend in return. Pretty simple right?”

“I guess I understand up to that point.”

“Good. Then, on to the fun stuff. Each dungeon is unique. Their design and size depends on the personality of their dungeon core. Using mana, you can create traps, summon monsters, anything you want.”

“Like I said, I don’t want to kill in my dungeon.”

“Well then, what do you want to do?”

“Hmmm. How can I make an entrance to my dungeon?”

“Your domain extends to the surface on one part. There you can make your entrance. Think about the extent of your domain, you should understand it more clearly.”

“Oh, I can kinda see it. The shape of my domain and its size. It’s pretty spacious.”

“Well, every dungeon core starts with as much. But why would you want an entrance if you’re not planning on killing trespassers?”

“Well you see, in my previous life, I think I’m a resort manager. I don’t really remember it clearly. But, I’d like to make a resort.”

“What’s a resort?”

“A resort is a place for recreation and relaxation, you see. Guest can enjoy their stay there.”

“Hmm. That’s interesting. But why would you do that?”

“I guess, um, for money?”

“Money? Coins? You don’t really have a need for coins anymore.”

“Well, we have to ask for payment. A resort is a business.”

“Well, I guess that could be interesting in a way. But it’s not as fun as a dangerous dungeon filled with ferocious monsters.”

“Um what kind of goddess are you exactly?”

“Well, I’m Haan, the goddess of love and mercy.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure! What are you saying exactly?”

“Nothing. So can we continue with the lesson?”

“Okay, now try creating a room. Imagine the space around you. Then designate the extent of the room you want to create.”

He saw in his mind the three dimensional space that represent the extent of his domain. He was also able to locate the dungeon core inside it and from that he defined the space of what would be the room around it. Then he just willed it to change into empty space.

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

“Well done. Now that you can create a room. Let’s make a small room where you can keep your core safe. Remember that the core houses your consciousness. If it breaks, you die. So, you need to keep it protected. For now, let’s put it out of reach.”

He imagine a room farther in his domain. It was a smaller room than the last. Only enough to store his core.

“How’s that.”

“That should be enough. Now, transfer your core there. Just will it like how you created the room.”

“Like this?”

Once again, the 3 dimensional image of his domain appeared in his mind. Expect for the two rooms, all was dark. He focused on the core and specified in his mind the targeted location. As he willed it, the orb was teleported in the small room.

“Good. You catch on quick. Remember that even though your core is in that far away room, you can switch your perspective anyway you want within your domain. Basically, you can see and hear anything that goes on your domain.”

“That’s convenient.”

“Okay, now let’s focus on the first room you made. Create a wall as you want. Unlike, emptying a space, creating something will require you to specify the construct of your creation. Usually a god or a goddess has to impart some knowledge regarding dungeon creation to a core before this step, but since you retain some memories of your past life, you should have an idea on what to make.”

“Yes, I guess I do.”

He visualized the first room, then he specified the dimension of the wall he wanted to create, where does it start, where it ended, and how tall it is. Then he imagined it was make of solid rock. After accepting the construct in his mind, it was executed immediately. A wall appear out of thin air and stood there.

“I did it.”

“Good. Now on to the next one.”

“Wait, goddess, I think I’m sleepy. I can’t maintain my conscious mind.”

“Oh I forgot, when you expend all your mana, you will fall asleep. Let’s continue this after you wake.”