Rick had gone all flickery again, with little tongues of flame slashing wildly about, zipping erratically to different spots in the cave. Claire, however, was not about to let up since this was obviously important information to her being. So she pressed further.
We have been dancing around this elephant in the cave since you got back here. At Rick’s alarmed gaze, Claire clarified, I mean, there is something big we are not talking about. We are a team. I am a dungeon core and I am willing to accept that. You are my assistant. But we can only work functionally together if you are honest with me. I don’t like people keeping things from me. So please, Rick, tell me what you know about me. And yes, I know it is something upsetting to you, but I need to know. So please, please, just tell me the truth.
There was a sigh, and Rick stopped dashing about to considered her words. The flickering didn’t stop, however.
“I have never had a name before. I have been preparing for this work, quite literally all of my life. But since I got here nothing has been the way I thought it would be.”
Welcome to life, Claire thought wryly to herself. She remembered it well in her own life, the switch between college and actually walking into her first classroom. She remembered the uncertainty, and her own fears, and how she just had to trust that she had been adequately prepared. Of course that was completely wrong – there is no preparation for when you actually started teaching. Some situations were exactly like the classroom studies they had prepared in college, some were completely different and she had to find her own path, and on the surface some seemed like they were the same, but were something else entirely in actuality. The hardest thing though, after she realised this, was being able to tell the difference between these kinds of situations.
“I thought I would meet a standard core with no memories, ready to be a core. But I didn’t. I met a core who remembered herself and isn’t ready to be like just any other core. And that is the issue, Claire. We were taught about cores like you at the academy.” Rick fell silent, seemingly in thought.
So what is the problem? Claire prompted.
“The problem is that cores like you tend to leave a great footprint on history. The kind that is remembered for generations. Unless they go insane and crack first, which we have found to be an equally likely outcome.”
Claire chewed on that statement. It didn’t really seem like a problem at all to her. In fact, it sounded appealing. There were days when she had real doubts about how much change she was making in her students’ lives, exactly. On top of that she often struggled with feeling that her life wasn’t of any special importance. So knowing that she likely has a great future here, unless she went insane, was quite invigorating. The cracking part she simply ignored – none of the challenges in her previous life ever caused her to crack. Caused her immense distress and heartache at times yes, but she endured then and she felt sure that she can do so now.
I still don’t see the problem, she thought at Rick.
“Aside from the possible insanity, the problem is what kind of change. Some anomalous cores, have lead the societies around them to experience the greatest growth they will ever have. In times of immense threat, others have helped to develop legendary heroes whose names still live through the ages. And then, still others, became power hungry, egged on by their own might and successes, and destroyed whole civilisations. In one case, a core actually managed to implode it’s whole planet, destroying itself in the process. So you see, Claire, that is my problem.”
“Furthermore, with a normal core I would’ve provided some starting guidance and then popped in every now and again at specific stages of that core’s evolution. However, all our thinkers have come to the agreement that – whenever an anomalous core is detected – it is in the interest of both the core and the world that a much more involved relationship, or stronger bond, is developed. I will be bound to you, but what kind of core am I binding myself to?”
I could become powerful enough to destroy the whole world? Claire echoed, in awe.
Rick zipped about in agitation again, at Claire’s question.
“Yes, you could. It would take a long time, and be a very destructive journey from the start, but eventually, and if this world’s adventurers don’t destroy you first, you could obliterate the whole world.”
Well, I don’t think I want to do that.
<>
Claire fell silent to mull over Rick’s words for a couple of minutes. He didn’t appear to mind the silence. Eventually she asked, So what is the purpose of a dungeon core? What can I do that doesn’t involve destroying worlds?
Rick stilled for a moment. If he was human, it would have seemed like he was shaking his head. Claire realised that she was thinking of Rick as a he. She wasn’t sure how gender in elementals work, but he did feel like a male to her. This was probably how she came up with the name of Rick, and not some other gendered name.
Come to think of it, was she even still a female? Claire certainly still felt like her old female self, even though she obviously didn’t have the biology of a human female any more. She pondered on the significance of her core gem being pink. She loved the colour, but did it have anything to do with her gender? Probably not.
“Hey Claire,” Rick said, “are you listening to me?”
Oh, sorry Rick – my mind drifted for a second there. And don’t worry about anomalous stuff, it’s completely normal.
“For a human maybe, for a core not so much. Cores tend to be singularly focused. But I guess this is another one of your unique characteristics that survived the core formation process.”
I was just wondering about that – you say cores are formed?
“Yes, but we’re getting off topic. Suffice to say that core gems are formed through a soul condensation process and then shaped into physical form, after which they are placed in a suitable location.”
That explanation left Claire with even more questions, which she shelved for later.
“So back to the topic at hand,” Rick continued. “Usually I would answer your question regarding the purpose of a core quite differently. Come to think of it, most cores wouldn’t even ask this question as they have an innate sense of what they are supposed to be doing.”
Does that innate sense have anything to do with my current compulsion to eat life-force?
“Actually, yes. That’s where almost every core would start, unless there is a serious defect. Speaking of, how are you doing on that? You need to reach your functional capacity of 1,000 units in order to activate mana use.”
The last notification I got, said that I was at 753 units. I stopped because I didn’t want to be distracted while we were talking.
“Well, how about you continue that process while I explain. You’ll find that you can set the current notifications to appear in the background – the 1,000 LF notification will automatically be more prominent as it is a set milestone.”
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Sure, Claire responded and then restarted munching on the surrounding life-force. Backgrounding the notifications only took a thought, and it was done.
“So, getting back to the purpose of dungeons. Dungeons tend to form on worlds with a higher than normal ambient life-force and mana.”
Wait, what is mana? Claire interrupted.
“Mana itself is a very complex phenomena, but thinking of it in terms of unrealised magical potential is helpful. The more unrealised magical potential present in an area, in other words the more ambient mana it has, the higher the likelihood for magical or even miraculous occurrences.”
Claire mentally nodded along. It seemed like Rick perceived and understood her gesture, even though she had no body to perform it with.
“As these worlds possess a higher than normal ambient mana, it in turn increases the likelihood of magical occurrences. These occurrences can manifest in various ways, including magical abilities in the world’s lifeforms, as well as larger and more dangerous wildlife. In these cases, dungeons form an essential part of the planetary ecosystem, as a kind of balancing influence.”
What do you mean with “balancing influence”?
“This has to do with the survival of the planetary populations as a whole. Sentient races tend to be physically weaker, likely a measure to maintain balance, as their intelligence provides a great advantage. This weakness leaves them exposed to the attacks of dangerous, and magically enhanced, wildlife – or monsters – if you will. Through the challenges dungeons develop, sentient adventurers incrementally develop their own characteristics. These characteristics may include aspects such as strength, agility and fortitude. If they have the aptitude, they may even activate and develop their own latent magical abilities.”
I can see how this would help the sentient races, but what’s in it for the rest of the planetary ecosystem? Doesn’t this development simply mean that they can conquer all the beasts and then overpopulate as a consequence?
“That’s a good point, Claire. The short answer is that it is very improbable. In a mana-saturated environment the development of beasts and plant life is such that it is highly unlikely that adventurers will ever be able to fully outmatch or completely exterminate them. Even if they do, it simply means that it will leave room for the next developing predator to mature. For adventurers it is a constant struggle to grow and match these challenges. And match them they must – if they don’t it will be the end of the sentient races.”
“Therefore, dungeons are the training ground for adventurers. Adventuring is a very risky job, and beginning adventurers would have an extremely high mortality rate if they had nowhere to hone their skills and build experience. Well, adventuring as a whole still has a high mortality rate, but the training that well-developed dungeons can provide, is crucial.”
So, I basically transitioned from being a teacher to being a teacher? Claire mentally rolled her non-existent eyes.
“Wait, you used to be teacher? Why are you so dismissive of that? It’s literally the highest calling within society! You must’ve been a very influential person in your previous life.” Rick looked at her, somewhat in awe.
Could you please mention that to a few people next time you’re on Earth?
“You mean your society don’t revere teachers?” Rick shuddered slightly, then continued with, “Some worlds are so backward… Anyway, back to our situation. The fact that you were a teacher gives us an advantage, as dungeons are essentially learning environments. Whether you are challenging adventurers cognitively with puzzles or traps, or just simply physically to not pull on a nageski beast’s scales, it’s all about the learning.”
Pulling on a nageski beast’s scales?
“Yes, their scales incorporate slivers of gemstones and are quite easy to dislodge. What’s not so fun is the burst of pressurised acid that sprays from any wound resulting from a removed scale.”
Ah, I see. Sounds brutal.
At that point their conversation was interrupted by a notification popping up in Claire’s field of view.
Success! You have reached the functional capacity of 1,000 LF.
Mana absorption is now enabled.
Please proceed to select a general dungeon type.
With the notification Claire also felt an even more urgent desire to grow.
It was an odd feeling, considering she didn’t have a human body any more. She noticed that her illumination had brightened considerable, while also achieving a deeper hue of pink.
Rick looked knowingly at her, shivering again but this time in barely contained excitement.
“You reached the 1,000 LF threshold?”
Yes, I did. Claire squeezed the thought out.
I feel a need to grow, but I don’t know how. What do I do, Rick?
“That’s perfectly normal. It just means that it’s time to apply the life-force in dungeon creation. Try focusing on your urge to grow, like you are feeding it.”
Claire mentally frowned and focused on her hunger to grow. The feeling was so insistent already, that it really wasn’t hard. In fact, it almost felt human, like the way she would start thinking of food options to fill her hunger in her previous life. Instead of pizza and chicken chow mein, however, a whole different menu of options popped up.
Welcome dungeon core. It is time to decide what you will be.
Your choice will expand your core room features and offer you a choice of unique protections.
You have four different starter options to choose from:
1) Life core
As an adventure dungeon you will create monsters of every kind to challenge adventurers from all over Iska.
You will feed on the energy released by their kills and offer rewards to match the bravery displayed.
The adventurers will level their skills and key attributes by applying it in monster extermination.
2) Death core
You will feed on the life-force of the living, using their dead bodies to create undead creatures of every kind.
Every slain undead creature will become the core of the next, even more deadly, necrotic evolution.
Levelling in this dungeon increases the level of adventurers’ control over life and death.
3) Mind core
Your dungeon will mirror its core, creating mirages and hallucinations of every kind.
It will feed on the mental energy of the adventurers, using it to create even more challenging experiences.
This type of dungeon rewards adventurers with increased mental strength and acuity.
Along with treasure of all kinds, of course.
4) Soul core
Your dungeon will thrive on magical energy, utilising spells and magical beings.
To be successful in this environment adventurers will need to develop their own potent magical abilities to grow and reap the rewards.
Which do you choose?
“Well, what do you see?” Rick asked.
There are four options, Claire responded and briefly outlined them to which Rick nodded sagely.
“Yes, that sounds pretty standard.”
Claire hesitated. She knew that what she was about to say will upset Rick again, but aside from the menu choices she also had another, different choice to make. Will she walk the laid out path and keep Rick calm, or will she live her truth. Because none of those four choices felt quite right.
Uhm, Rick… I don’t think any of these options are right for me.
Rick squeezed his eyes shut and shivered.
“What do you mean they’re not right? They are the system creator’s given choices!”
I know, but I don’t think any of these options are right for me. Is there maybe something else I can do?
“What do you mean ‘something else you can do’? You are a dungeon core and those are your choices. And you have to make a choice – we are at our most vulnerable until you do. There are core hunters out there, who will literally kill to get their hands on some core energy. Until you make a choice and start erecting defences, we are at their mercy.”
Uncertainty filled Claire, crushing her with its familiarity, but still she pressed on.
No, she said. I spent my whole life making choices I didn’t want to. I will not be forced into another one.
“Oh no, no, no, no,” Rick started mumbling again as he curled into himself and rocked. Claire felt awful, but she just couldn’t do it. So she refocused on the prompt, answered None, and then waited for disaster to strike. Hopefully it wouldn’t impact Rick as well. Instead of disaster, however, another notification lit up.
You have opted out of the four standard choices.
Do you want elect a hybrid or a novel type?
<><><>
Character sheet summary at the end of Chapter 2
Claire
Type: Undecided
Level: 1
Integrity: 100%
Processing speed: 100%
Functional capacity: 100%