“3 … 2 … 1 …,” Claire counted, still alone in her expanded dungeon. And then, finally, the percentage she was waiting for rolled over to a full 100. “Hip, hip, hooray, what a beautiful, lovely day!” she sang out in the empty cavern, feeling a little silly at her corniness, even through her joy. But what did it matter? She was at 100% again!
Claire
Type: Life-Mind
Level: 1
Integrity: 100%
Processing speed: 100%
Functional capacity: 100%
“Gee Brain, what are we gonna do tonight?” she squeaked, doing a crazy laugh as she rasped the answer, “The same thing we do every night, try to take over the world!” It was fun. It was fun to be having fun. I really should teach this skit to Rick, she thought.
Rick still wasn’t back from his dimension. She hoped he was okay and that his master wasn’t giving him too much grief. Maybe he could even get in some fun with his friends while he was there. Meanwhile, she would just have to make do by herself in this dimension.
Claire looked around her cavern. Then she looked at her new territory map. Then she whooshed her perspective down and through each old corridor in milliseconds, observing every detail with 100% processing speed.
I’m bored, Claire realised in wonderment. For the first time since she arrived here on the Isle of Ithica in her new form, she didn’t need to deal with all the newness of her new being. More importantly, she wasn’t fighting for her existence. At least not currently. She wondered what Layne was up to. Then realised where her mind had wandered.
“Goals. I need goals,” she distracted herself. But what were the goals of being a dungeon core again? She dug back into her crystal clear, 100% functional, memory to the first day when she woke up in her cave and Rick appeared.
On that day Rick said cores have an innate sense of what they are supposed to be doing. Claire took a deep metaphorical breath and focused on centring her innermost core being. What am I supposed to do next? She felt nothing. Well, nothing except that continuous insistent feeling, the urge to grow and expand. It reminded her of her goal for having a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies, as well as reaching the right adventurers with her dungeon. The second goal suddenly seemed a whole lot more within reach, given the immense area she now had access to. An area that was already made, that she didn’t need to spend any resources on to create the basic structure. She smiled, for some reason thinking of that vast presence she felt on the day she passed over. Somehow, she felt that connection again. She felt cared for and fully supported. There was peace in her core.
Yes, I am ready, she thought and opened her eyes – err, her perception – as she set in motion the creation of glasswing butterflies and air-flute scouts.
Step 1: Build surveillance network
Step 2: Get new dungeon challenge up and running
Step 3: Get the adventurers here.
I am ready.
<>
Tamrin tapped her foot impatiently at the high society brunch, held in celebration of Cathy’s recent betrothal to Jeremy of the Balliocia. Of course, this betrothal was no surprise. Just like her and Layne, Cathy and Jeremy had been promised to each other years ago already. Their union would align the interests of the main merchant house with those of the supposedly secretive Balliocia. Ha. Everyone knew that although the Balliocia used to represent a famous order of alchemists, these days it was more posturing than anything else. Still, the name was useful for a merchant house that made its coin from potions and lotions.
Realising what she was doing, she stilled her foot. It wouldn’t do to alert Layne to her nervousness. No. When he arrived at the brunch, all he would see was her perfection. The dress she had prepared for this gathering was originally a lot more modest, but after the past few days Tamrin wanted to make more of an impression. Show more of herself, let her inner warrior shine through. In an acceptable manner for this event, of course.
So, last night she had the seamstress make a few alterations. Nothing that couldn’t be completed by morning. She kept the neckline stylishly high but had the back dropped down to the lowest curve of her waist. Perfect to show that she wore no corset, needed no corset, unlike many of the other females present. Her body was strong, vital and didn’t need support. One look at her, and he would know what he was missing every time he passed up an opportunity to be in her company.
When he saw her, he would have eyes for no other. Tamrin smiled imperiously at another young gentleman eyeing her in admiration, his female companion noticing and quickly pulling him to her side, distracting him with a conspiratorial whisper in his ear.
She couldn’t wait for Layne to arrive.
<>
Lily rubbed Widow Hari’s back in gentle motions as the widow kept pouring out words. How long has she kept all of this bottled up? Lily wondered to herself. And how does no-one else in the village know… no, wait, she corrected herself. Agnetha. Agnetha knew. Just as Agnetha knew about Widow Hari’s interesting talents.
“… you know?” the widow finished another sentence. “I try my best. I do. But he’s a growing boy, and he’s supposed to be playing with the other boys. But he doesn’t. And people think it’s my fault!” The widow’s tone turned vehement as she nodded her head, affirming her words, “It is not (nod) my (nod) doing (nod).”
Lily had not realised the depth of feeling the widow had for her son, and the guilt she felt at raising him on her own. Was my own mother like this? she wondered. Lily had never known her mother. She had passed away with the Baron’s wife and many others during the scarlet plague so many years ago.
“I’m sorry Widow Hari,” Lily tried to soothe. “I’m sure no-one thinks that of you.” At that the widow gave her a withering look.
“Oh, don’t play with me. I am not a fool,” the she hissed, the accusation belying the hurt in her expression. “I know what people think of me,” she continued. “I see the look in your eye when you’re here taking care of Harry. You think there is a better place for him. There is not!” the hurt turned into defiance. “I am his mother. I bore him, birthed him, and I take good care of him!”
The widow took a breath and then continued, “Lily, let me give you some advice right now. We are women. Well, you maybe not just yet, but you will become a woman soon enough. Know this: women are strong. Women are resilient. If we’re to work together, we need to know that we can trust each other. And we also need to know that we can trust each other to be strong enough to know and face painful truths. So, do not insult my womanhood with coddling lies, and in return, know that you’ll always hear the truth, as I see it, from me.”
Mollified, Lily nodded. The widow took a deep breath, wiped her face, squared her shoulders, and composed herself.
“Enough of that now,” she declared. “And I’m sorry, Lily, it was inappropriate of me to burden you with this.”
“No,” Lily declared. “I am here for you, Widow Hari, and we are going to work together. So, we must be truthful with each other – as you just said.”
A rare smile lit up the widow’s face. “In that case, let’s get you to work. You do still owe me another day of help, after all.”
<>
Jezebel floated by on the arm of Larid, giving Tamrin a much too knowing look with a much too ill-concealed grin. Underneath the table where Tamrin was now seated in preparation for the main event her hands clenched on the heavy fabric of the wide dress she wore. She smiled sweetly at Jezebel in return, while pretending not to notice the empty chair beside her where Layne was supposed to be seated. It felt like that chair by her side was pulsing with some macabre energy, drawing the gaze of every single person at the party. But Tamrin kept her pose, her head held high, her back straight and a pleasant expression on her face. She reached over for the drinks pitcher and gracefully poured herself another glass of the pomegranate cocktail.
Where was Layne? He was supposed to have been there over half an hour ago – in time for the idle chit-chat and little appetisers before the main event. In time for him to admire her luscious ensemble and for them to be seen together by the other people at the party.
Fabric rustled off to her side as Amolagné sat down in Layne’s empty chair. Amolagné was a raven-haired beauty, much admired by numerous men. For all that she still had no promised union. There were whispers that her parents weren’t even trying to have her matched. Tamrin had never believed that. Strange though the family may be, she couldn’t imagine responsible parents leaving such an important social step to chance.
Nonetheless, Amolagné was here by herself, although her brother would probably come to join them at the table in a little while. Tamrin forced herself to keep her regal bearing. Inwardly, she was cringing though. Now she was seated at the table of social misfits. What else could possibly go wrong?
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Is Layne running a little late today?” Amolagné asked gently, a sympathetic look in her eye which only served to stiffen Tamrin’s back further.
“Oh, he’ll probably be here shortly. Unless something happened down at the plantation. You know, the life of a sugarcane baron and all that,” Tamrin laughed lightly, turning to her unwanted new companion.
“Good. I promise to relinquish this chair as soon as he does.”
If any other female at the gathering had said those words, Tamrin would’ve scratched their eyes out. Amolagné, on the other hand, sounded completely genuine. Tamrin exhaled and surrendered herself to the situation.
<>
Hours later Tamrin stomped back into her home, stopping behind the front door, and screamed her sonic scream. In the stunned silence thereafter, the foyer chandelier gently tinkled, while silver crashed to the floor deeper inside. After a while she saw two servant girls fleeing the mansion, through the side windows, once they became unstunned. And then she heard Hariette’s footsteps treading down the upper hallway.
Knowing Hariette would hear her, Tamrin didn’t wait for her to reach the foyer.
“Mother, I am ready,” she said.
<>
Claire cocked her core to the side. Was that the echo of a sonic scream? She had only heard the sound once – on the beach when Tamrin had gained the ability. Surely Tamrin wasn’t the only one with that talent, though. There were probably dozens of other adventurers who could sonic scream around the island. Claire gently shook off the last vestiges of the sound and refocused on her own efforts.
She was just in time to see the last of the new batch of air-flute scouts forming – ten in all, and ten more glasswing butterflies fluttering right above them. They were ready.
“Okay cadets, let’s go – march!” she called out grandly, and off they respectively scooted and fluttered. By the start of the next hour, Claire would fully know her immediate surroundings.
And I hope Rick comes back soon, she thought to herself. If I’m alone by myself for too long, who knows what I’ll end up doing next. And then she grinned. Because she was pretty sure it would be AWESOME!
Hmmm, I might still be on a bit of a recovery high, she thought to herself.
<>
Lily sat in the children’s clearing, keeping an eye on Little Harry. Widow Hari was also around there somewhere, but she didn’t want Lily to come with her. Even though she was out looking for herbs, and Lily had the herbalist class.
“One thing at a time, one thing at a time,” Widow Hari had said when Lily asked why she wanted to go find those herbs alone. “And besides, Little Harry could do with a little more watching after, especially from a blessed one.”
Lily inwardly scoffed at that. All the Gods’ favour had gotten her so far, was a quest to help Little Harry. Wait, did I finish that already? She pulled up her main status to check on it.
Lily Hunter
Primary class: Rogue Level 1
Secondary class: Herbalist Level 1
Active quests
Help Little Harry!
Progress to Rogue Milestone 1
1/250 EXP
Progress to Herbalist Milestone 1
0/250 EXP
No. It was still there. Even though she had found him yesterday and consoled Widow Hari this morning.
Sighing, she turned back to keep an eye on Little Harry. Not that there was much to mind with him. He just stood primly under a tree and observed the other children. While she watched him. At least this was the last day of her official debt to Widow Hari.
Suddenly, a distant scream pierced the air, sending all the birds screeching up to the sky. Lily staggered back a little, the world unfocusing slightly in her view.
Sonic Scream
Status effect: Mildly stunned for …
3
2
1
Status effect lifted
What was that? she wondered as the image of the forest resolidified in her sight. She blinked hard a couple of times to help reorient herself, and then looked over to where Little Harry was previously standing, wanting to make sure that he too was uninjured.
He was fine, still standing there. Instead of watching the children, though, he had now turned to the rock where the cave entrance was hidden.
Lily walked over to him, and he turned as she approached.
“Did you hear that scream, Little Harry?” she asked.
“Yes, Blessed Lily,” he replied.
“I wonder what that was?” Lily pressed, ignoring the addition of “Blessed” to her name. She wasn’t going to win that fight. She knew it.
Little Harry simply gave an uncommitted shrug. She was not going to find answers with him.
<>
Back at the plantation Layne looked up quizzically in their home library as what he identified as a distant sonic scream pierced the air.
Was that Tamrin? The scream did sound more like anger than fear. He pitied whoever was on the receiving end of that frustration.
He looked back down at the old journal he was paging through. His father was right to have taken them to Cornelia’s – there really was pitifully little about anomalous cores in the plantation’s library. Mostly cautionary tales of the havoc they wrought.
Was that Tamrin? he wondered, refocusing on the scream. Well, he’d find out all about it tomorrow when he attended Cathy and Jeremy’s betrothal brunch with her. He really was happy for the two of them. They were two of the rare few who were truly infatuated with each other. Had been since childhood.
Why can’t Tamrin and I be the same? he wondered.
<>
As the afternoon wore on, the children’s games in the clearing gradually died down and they drifted away back to the village. Widow Hari wasn’t back yet, but Little Harry did not seem bothered, so Lily resolved not to worry either.
By now, they were both sitting and looking at the hidden entrance, Lily having joined Little Harry in his pursuit. Just when she was about to get up and take him home, he spoke up.
“Little Dee got a skill in jumping today,” Little Harry remarked.
“Oh, okay,” Lily replied.
“And Lenny learned how to make a breeze.”
“You mean he waved a palm leaf?” Lily was surprised. At Lenny’s age she would’ve expected him to know that already.
“No,” Little Harry replied. “He thought about it, and it happened. But it was a very small breeze.”
It wasn’t uncommon for children to gain skills – Lily had gained a few of her own when she was young. Sneaking was her first, on one of her father’s hunts. Skills of the mind were unusual though. And Lenny was younger than normal for such a skill.
“His parents will be very proud,” Lily replied. “And speaking of parents, we’d better go find your mother. It’s getting late.”
“Oh, she went home already.”
“What? When?”
“She walked past us over there earlier, while you were watching the children.”
“I thought you were watching the children too,” Lily said, surprised.
“Yes, but I also saw her passing by,” Little Harry remarked, and then turned back to the cave entrance.
<>
“Okay, enough of this. Why are we watching the cave entrance?” Lily finally asked. The sun was drifting steadily down now, and she really would have to take Little Harry home soon.
Little Harry shrugged before answering, “We serve the Gods in all things, and all things are of the Gods.”
“You really are your mother’s child,” Lily sighed, then froze as the cave entrance behind the rock erupted with clear-winged butterflies and delicate black elongated creatures. The two of them watched wordlessly as the creatures whirled off into the air.
Suddenly, the clearing felt different. It felt like subdued power, it felt like an ominous hush, it felt like the silence in a forest when a predator emerges.
And it felt like… the beach, when the dungeon surfaced.
Lily gasped. She had to go get Agnetha. Now.
<><><>
Character sheet summary at the end of Chapter 21
Claire
Type: Life-Mind
Level: 1
Integrity: 100%
Processing speed: 100%
Functional capacity: 100%
Excess LF carried over to performance provision.
LF for applications will be drawn first from performance provision, before depleting functional capacity.
Territory Tycoon 2
+25 LF per territory km per day for up to 49 km’s
Progress to next level
-300/250 LF Performance provision
928/500 Dungeon Investment, consisting of:
748/≥125 LF
180/≥125 ME
33/250 Skill Share Value
Core defence enabled
Cutting thorn barrier
5 LF to initiate
Continuous drain of 10 LF per day
Resources available
Biomass: 118
Mental energy: 9
Raw material: 334
<>
Lily Hunter
Primary class: Rogue Level 1
Secondary class: Herbalist Level 1
Active quests
Help Little Harry!
Progress to Rogue Milestone 1
1/250 EXP
Progress to Herbalist Milestone 1
0/250 EXP
First-tier skills
Deception 2/20
*Herbalism, basic 9/20
*Identify 5/20
Lock picking 5/20
*Nursing, basic 2/20
*Observation 14/20
Petty theft 1/20
Pick-pocketing 4/20
*Poisons, basic 5/20
*Poison resistance 1/20
Quick thinking 2/20
Sneaking 8/20
Sleight of hand 2/20
Second-tier skills
Spying 0/50
*Skills contributing to secondary class.
<>
Lily’s tab (Yes, Agnetha is counting.)
x1 donkey
x1 glowstone
10% of Lily’s profit
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