After realizing that the spawning option only provided a static and uneventful display of a rice-sized dot on the map, I soon grew bored. I decided to change the spawn behavior, switching it from "Guard" to "Patrol." The moment I made the switch, the dot representing my Spectral Reaver started moving back and forth within the dungeon. It might have been a small thing, but it filled me with an unusual sense of pride and accomplishment.
Oddly enough, as I observed the dot gently traversing the map, it felt like a delicate caress passing through me. In that moment, I not only perceived its subtle motion but also sensed a specific weight, a sensation I associated with my Mana Available (M.A.), steadily increasing.
This curious experience, coupled with the sight of the dot symbolizing a living creature, solidified a singular belief within me. It became undeniably clear that I had transitioned from being an individual entity into a dungeon capable of harboring entities similar to the very creature I had just spawned.
"This may not be much, but it's not bad at all," I thought to myself.
At that moment, I wished I could have a visual representation of what the dungeon and the Spectral Reaver looked like. While I could somewhat imagine it based on my knowledge and the Spectral Reaver's appearance, it wasn't the same as having a real visual perspective. "But there's nothing I can do about it," I muttered to myself, resigning to the limitations of my current form.
***
Maybe it was my hoarding nature that got the better of me, or perhaps it was simply my tendency to organize things the way I thought they should be, but seeing that single dot alone on the map, like a lone chess piece on a vast chessboard, I couldn't help myself. I ended up acquiring more Spectral Reavers.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
Spawnable Entities
Spawns
Spectral Reaver Level 1 [En Guarde: Change Behavior]
Spectral Reaver Level 1 [En Guarde: Change Behavior]
Spectral Reaver Level 1 [Patrolling: Change Behavior]
Spectral Reaver Level 1 [Patrolling: Change Behavior]
Spectral Reaver Level 02 [Ready to Spawn: Change Behavior]
_____________________________
Four of them to be exact.
With the acquisition of these four additional spectral reavers, I decided to distribute them across the dungeon in various key locations, each serving a specific purpose. Two would remain close to what I could only assume to be the entrance, acting as guardians to deter intruders; I didn't have one thus far, but from the look of all this, I'm clearly expected, as a dungeon core, to prepare a "warm" welcome to anyone entering these grounds. That much, I didn't even need to be shown or told.
Anyway, another spectral reaver would patrol simultaneously, along with another, the corridor passage of the dungeon that I was in, keeping a tight and simultaneous watch. The third would also be on guarde hide, conserving its energy and resources until summoned as a surprise for potential threats, serving as a sort of ambush unit. And the fourth would take up a position near the core, ready to defend the dungeon if needed.
With now five spawns under my shallow control, the map suddenly became more lively. The rice-sized dots multiplied, and now they moved in an intricate dance across the dungeon. It was a satisfying sight, watching them patrol and guard different areas.
As I observed their movements, a thought crossed my mind: "What if I could customize them further?"
“Cool, cool. But how exactly do I do that?”
Sure, the system and its interface, in their entirety, gave me a sense of authority, as if I were the boss. However, at this moment, my control over my creations is rather limited, merely involving their assignment to a specific pattern of actions and observing the aforementioned patterned actions. While this does align with the typical responsibilities of a boss, I believe there should be more depth and engagement available, or at the very least I would want it to. The current experience feels akin to playing a game of chess, albeit a solitary one. While it is intriguing to watch my creations act autonomously, there is a sense of something missing in the overall experience.
***
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
Name: ???
Entity: Dungeon Core
Designation: Dungeon Master
Status: Idle
[ Ressource ]
- Raw Manacyte (R.M): 2▲ / 2▲
- Mana Available (M.A): 923▲ / 988.1▲
- Godhood Potential (G.P) Earned: 86.9 GP
_____________________________
The passage of time in this new existence of mine was strange—very strange, to say the least. I couldn't put a finger on how much had gone by, and my sense of it felt warped. It seemed that time flows differently in this strange dungeon master role. In the midst of all this, all that I could use to pinpoint time, as inaccurate as it at the time felt since there were times where it would so suddenly go up without even me noticing, I noticed that my Mana Available (M.A.) continued to grow. It had gone from 323.7 to 647.4, then to 900+ without even me noticing anything, and it was still climbing. It felt so strange to behold; when I stare at it, it feels like it almost doesn't move at all, but the moment I look away, it's as if time had gone by without me feeling it. So, so strange, but it is what it is. Anyway, It seemed that the dungeon that I had become was a source of inexhaustible mana, and for now there was no sign of it slowing down, except when I stared intently at it.
In addition to the surging M.A., my raw manacyte (R.M.) had increased from 1 to 2. It appeared that R.M. was some form of clustered crystal resource, and it seemed to be a key component in replenishing my M.A. With that one addition of R.M., I now had two icons, which I could assume were representing my R.M. deposits on the map. I moved two of my guardian spawns to guard each of these two because, for some reason, I felt like it was something worth guarding.
My Raw Manacyte and Mana Available were clearly on the rise, but the one aspect that had piqued my curiosity from the start was my Godhood Potential (G.P). It was a vital resource I felt a connection to, and I had yet to witness it grow. I couldn't help but wonder if I was missing something or if there were actions I needed to take to increase it.
I had already invested a considerable portion of my Godhood Potential into the creation and customization of my spectral reavers, which, in hindsight, might not have been the wisest decision. However, it was done, and I couldn't change the past.
Lamenting the choices I'd made wouldn't get me anywhere. Instead, I needed to focus on learning more about my new role and the capabilities at my disposal. My Godhood Potential was clearly an essential factor, and I was determined to figure out how to make it grow.
My understanding of these resources and their connection to my dungeon was still somewhat hazy, and I still felt like I was advancing blindly, but I felt like I was advancing in the right direction.
***
Left without explanation for the poor accuracy of my ability to tell time, I struggled to measure its passage, which, in my opinion and my sole timely anchor, flowed unpredictably. Moments slipped away unnoticed, and every time I turned my attention elsewhere, I was surprised to see how much my Mana Available (M.A.) and Raw Manacyte (R.M.) had increased. These fleeting moments felt like mere minutes, but clearly, they weren't.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
- Raw Manacyte (R.M): 3▲ / 3▲
- Mana Available (M.A): 1002▲ / 1067.1▲
- Godhood Potential (G.P) Earned: 86.9
_____________________________
They had increased yet again, with my M.A. surpassing the 1000+ threshold. They would have continued to increase even further had it not been for a notification that interrupted my scrolling through the seemingly endless monster catalog.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
Name: ???
Entity: Dungeon Core
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Designation: Dungeon Master
Status: Invaded
[ Ressource ]
- Raw Manacyte (R.M): 3▲ / 3▲
- Mana Available (M.A): 1003▲ / 1067.7▲
- Godhood Potential (G.P) Earned: 86.9
_____________________________
“Huh? Invaded?”
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
System Notification:
[ ??? Dungeon Domain invaded by Verdenkind, Barbarian, Level 1 ]
Name: Frank
Level: 1
Race: Verdenkind
Class: Barbarian
Title:
Experience: 78 / 100
[Status]
- H.P: 10 / 12
- M.P: 7/7
- S.P: 16 / 20
- Fatigue: 21%
- Defense: 15
- Offense: 30
[Skills]
- Two-Handed Weaponry: Level 1
- Berserker Rage: Level 1
『Expand』
[Abilities]
Bloodlust
[ ??? Dungeon Domain invaded by Verdenkind, Knight, Level 1 ]
Name: Armand
Level: 1
Race: Verdenkind
Class: Knight
Title:
Experience: 67 / 100
[Status]
- H.P: 13 / 15
- M.P: 5/5
- S.P: 19 / 30
- Fatigue: 37%
- Defense: 10
- Offense: 25
[Skills]
- Swordsmanship: Level 1
- Shield Mastery: Level 1
[Abilities]
Valiant Charge
『Expand』
_____________________________
The sudden notifications grabbed my full attention. My first thought was, "Verdenkind, that's the equivalent of human in this world, right?"
In fact, from the descriptions and the system's influence on this world, it was clear that Verdenkind were more like superhumans than regular humans.
"Two Verdenkind are invading me..." I mumbled, falling into a sort of daze.
It was strange. I wasn't particularly surprised, as if I had been subconsciously expecting it. All the interfaces about spawns and their functions had given me the sense that something like this was bound to happen. The moment I saw the notification, it not only grabbed my full attention but also stirred a strange and primal urge within me – one that I had never felt, not even in my bloodiest days as Hassan the Butcher. It was a sense of urgency and feral excitement that surged within me, something I could barely repress.
Holding onto these feelings and the idea of acting upon this intrusion, I questioned, "Is this what Mighty K.R.U.L talked about? Is this what I'm expected to act upon?"
I knew I had to take action, but the question was, what should I do now that intruders had entered my Dungeon Domain? If yes, am I really expected to do “that”?
I was just asking myself those questions when once again a notification appeared in front of me.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
System Notification
Intrusion Report:
Two entities have invaded your dungeon domain. G.P safety compromised.
Suggestion:
Secure G.P, put an end to the invasion.
Intercept and Slay the invaders
Estimated Reward:
1.3 G.P
_____________________________
“Slay the invaders… you clearly couldn’t be clearer than that.”
The instant I read about my G.P's safety being in jeopardy, I felt, just like in those days, a strong sense of purpose. It was clear to me that I had to act, and when I saw what was expected of me, with the promise of even an additional reward, every trace of doubt vanished from my mind.
Ready to dirty my hands as I used to, I set out to intercept and confront my invaders but in the midst of the thought and newly acquired unscrupulous resolution I realized something, I couldn't do anything.
I scrolled through the system many interface only to met with the same notification,
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
This interface is unavailable during invasions.
_____________________________
Just like that, no interface was available to me except a few, one of which was [Dungeon Visualization], which gave me no option but to just observe the invasion unfolding, with the two dots venturing deeper and deeper into the dungeon.
“I literally can’t do anything; how am I supposed to do anything?” I had just finished complaining about that when I saw the answer to my question unfolding inside the screen.
As the two red dots, representing the invaders, advanced deeper into my dungeon, they soon reached the corner of the dungeon where they encountered two blue dots, representing my patrolling Spectral Reavers.
To my relief, the spectral reavers immediately sprang into action, moving with purpose seemingly to intercept the intruders. I watched with anticipation as the blue and red dots converged on the screen, suggesting an impending confrontation.
The blue and red dots drew closer to each other, and the tension in the room was palpable. I could almost hear the shouts, the screams, the clash of weapons and the exchange of blows. The interface provided no visual representation of the battle, leaving me to imagine the fierce engagement happening through the not-so-interactive map.
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 1
Health: 49%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
_____________________________
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 1
Health: 52%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
_____________________________
"Heh, isn't this looking bad?" I muttered to myself, anxiety creeping in. Comparing the descent of H.P. from my spawns and the invaders, it became abundantly clear that at the rate the battle was going, my two spectral reavers were going to be defeated.
Foreseeing this grim outcome, I immediately began skimming through the interface, wanting to call forth the other spawns I had acquired but had assigned to guarding and spawning behaviors and thus would not leave their assigned position, unlike the two spectral reavers that were assigned patrolling behavior and thus came to intercept the invaders the moment they noticed them.
I tried to correct it, but my attempt was met with the same message:
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
This interface is unavailable during invasions.
_____________________________
It seemed I couldn't make any changes to the dungeon while it was under invasion.
"Crap, I can't do anything. I messed up," I mumbled, frustration building. "I should've assigned more spawns to patrolling behavior instead of just two. I was stupid."
As I continued to fiddle with the menu, I stumbled upon something unexpected when I mentally clicked on the blue dot representing one of my Spectral Reavers.
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 1
Health: 42%
Status: In Combat
Change Agro target
Exit
『Expand』
Unspawn (Locked)
_____________________________
With a click on the option to change the Spectral Reaver agro target, I was shown the respect stats of both invaders, along with the choice to designate one of them as the Spectral Reaver primary target.
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
Change Agro target
Name: Armand
Level: 1
Race: Verdenkind
Class: Knight
Health: 53%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
Name: Frank
Level: 1
Race: Verdenkind
Class: Barbarian
Health: 39%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
Mark as target
Exit
Mark as target
_____________________________
At the rate at which the battle was going, it was clear that my spectral reavers were going to meet defeat, with the one facing the knight being the one to most likely fall first, only to be most likely soon followed by the one facing the barbarian. In that moment, I was confronted with a choice: the one of simply telling myself that there is nothing I could do and do nothing, or the one where I do what I knew very well was the only thing I could do: that being to have both spawns focus their attack on one single invader, in a desperate attempt to make sure that at least one of the invaders fell.
So what would be my choice? The answer was self-evident.
Even if "I" changed, I was still "me."
The choice I made was obviously the latter. With a click, I designated the Verdenkind Barbarian as the primary target for my two spectral reavers. From what I could tell from the map interface, they instantly refocused their efforts on the Barbarian, prompting the battle to take a different turn.
My spawn's health was still tremendously plummeting toward ground zero, especially the one who was initially focused on the knight, but the barbarian's health was also plummeting at the same speed, if not at a higher speed.
I watched my Specter Reaver’s H.P deplete further and further alongside that of the barbarian. It was a race to the finish, and the outcome remained uncertain. At least until it no longer was. A dot disappeared from my interface, promptly followed by a system notification.