Chapter 6: A World of Masks
[March 25, 2100 | 03:50 PM | Eastern Standard Time]
Sue’s thoughts swirled as she stared at her HUD, her fingers hovering over the guide’s interface. Earth had always believed that the System was the true master of the dungeons, its vast network of challenges and monsters a reflection of its omnipotence. Boss monsters were thought to be nothing more than powerful guardians placed on the last floor to test Hunters.
This misconception likely persisted because the System had always presented dungeons as its creations, their structure and hierarchy shrouded in mystery. By design, the System concealed the true role of Dungeon Masters, ensuring that even Hunters who reached the final floor saw only a powerful foe to defeat—not the orchestrator behind it all. But now, even in her human form, Sue knew the truth: the so-called boss monsters were the Dungeon Masters. They were the ones shaping and defending these labyrinths, not the System itself.
The revelation gnawed at her. If every dungeon had a Dungeon Master at its core, then she was part of a hidden hierarchy that the world had never fully understood. The idea of reaching out to others like her lingered in her mind. If she wasn’t alone in this strange new role, perhaps she could find allies—or at least answers. Steeling herself, she voiced the question. "System, how do I connect with other Dungeon Masters?"
Her HUD flickered, and the System’s response scrolled across her vision:
[Dungeon Masters may interact through the Ethereal Court. The Ethereal is a virtual hub accessible via the Dungeon Owner’s interface, allowing for communication, trade, and alliances.]
Curiosity sparked, Sue decided to explore her Dungeon Owner’s interface for the first time. Unlike her personal interface, this one had a darker, more intricate design, with glowing edges that pulsed faintly like a living entity. The ominous tones and pulsating light seemed to mirror the complex and weighty responsibilities of her role as Dungeon Master, a stark reminder that her power came with consequences. When she activated it, her surroundings seemed to dim, replaced by a three-dimensional representation of her dungeon.
The display showcased two distinct floors: the first was vast and empty, little more than a skeletal framework of rooms and corridors waiting to be shaped. To Sue, it felt like untapped potential—a blank canvas for her to mold into a formidable challenge for any Hunter who dared to enter. Yet, there was also a weight to its emptiness, a reminder of the immense work and responsibility that lay ahead.
Was this a place she could transform into her domain, or would it become a burden she wasn’t ready to bear? Icons blinked faintly, marking potential expansion points and trap placement zones. The second floor, however, was fully formed—it was the throne room where she now stood, marked as the Core Room on the interface. The glowing orb of the dungeon’s core pulsed gently at the center, a stark reminder of the power and responsibility tied to her role.
The interface displayed several tabs, each offering detailed tools and information for managing her dungeon:
* [Dungeon Stats]: A comprehensive breakdown of the dungeon’s current level, rank, health, energy reserves, and influence. This tab also provided metrics on recent Hunter activity and their success or failure rates.
* [Ethereal Court]: A virtual hub for connecting with other Dungeon Masters. Through this tab, Sue could access chat logs, trade resources, and form alliances or rivalries.
* [Dungeon Overview]: A detailed map of the dungeon’s current layout, showing each room, corridor, and trap. Icons marked the locations of potential weak spots and areas with high Hunter activity potential.
* [Dungeon Core Status]: A glowing orb pulsed in the center of the screen, labeled as the heart of the dungeon. It displayed vital statistics such as the dungeon’s health, energy levels, and rank progress.
* [Resource Management]: Track and allocate dungeon resources, including energy, materials, and special items. This tab allowed Sue to prioritize upgrades, minion creation, or trap enhancements based on available reserves.
* [Minion Management]: A roster of summoned creatures and their statuses, including their health, roles, and upgrades. Blank slots hinted at untapped potential for expansion.
* [Trap Customization]: A menu filled with options for traps—spike pits, collapsing ceilings, poison vents, and more. Each trap had customization options, from damage output to trigger conditions.
Sue decided to click on the first tab to see her dungeon stats. The display shifted, revealing a sleek interface filled with detailed metrics:
[Dungeon Stats]
* Dungeon Name: [Unnamed Dungeon]
* Dungeon Master: Sue
* Level: 1 (0/100 Exp)
* Rank: F- (Reach Level 10 to advance to F Rank)
* Core Health: 100/100
* Energy Reserves: 50/50
* Essence: 500
* Dungeon Floors: 2 (1. Unmade, 2. Throne Chamber A.K.A Core Room)
* Monsters Spawned: 0
* Monsters Pool: Empty
* Hunter Defeat Rate: 0%
* Influence: 0%
Below the primary stats were additional categories, each brimming with information:
* Recent Activity: None (No Hunters detected yet).
* Core Upgrades: Locked (Available at Level 5).
* Expansion Options: No new floor slot available.
Sue’s gaze lingered on the "Hunter Defeat Rate" metric, her stomach tightening at the implication. "This looks like a game," she murmured. "But it’s not. The System just made it feel like one—stats, interfaces, tabs—all to make it easier for us to understand." Her voice wavered as the weight of the truth pressed against her. "But there’s no restart button if we fail."
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
She scrolled further, finding more insights:
* Essence: The life force of the dungeon, functioning as its currency. Essence is used to create monsters, place traps, upgrade the dungeon, and expand its domain. Current reserves were marked at 500, with gains dependent on defeated Hunters and dungeon activity.
* Monsters Spawned: None. The tab displayed a placeholder message: "No creatures currently defending the dungeon. Summon monsters to increase defense and influence."
* Monster Pool: Empty. The System’s note explained that creatures summoned would remain in this pool, available for reassignment or upgrades as needed.
* Influence: A measure of how much impact the dungeon has on the surrounding areas, increasing as Hunters enter and fail. Currently, it sat at zero.
The interface felt both daunting and exhilarating, its intricate details reflecting the depth of her new role as Dungeon Master. Every stat tied seamlessly into her responsibilities, offering her a clear path for growth—and a forewarning of the conflicts to come. "This dungeon isn’t just a challenge for others," she murmured, her voice tinged with determination. "It’s my battlefield, my strategy, my legacy." The realization sent a shiver through her as the enormity of her power—and its consequences—settled firmly in her mind.
Her gaze drifted to the tab labeled [Ethereal Court]. Curiosity bubbled within her. "If this is how Dungeon Masters connect, I need to see it," she said, selecting the tab. The System responded immediately, its text blinking into view:
[Warning: To access the Ethereal Court, you must first assume your Dungeon Monster form. Remaining in human form risks exposure.]
Sue hesitated, her hand hovering over the prompt to transform. "Of course," she muttered. "Can’t have the others figuring me out."
She activated the transformation skill, and a familiar wave of energy surged through her. Her skin darkened to an obsidian hue, her silver hair cascading like liquid light, and her crimson eyes burned with intensity. As her Dungeon Monster form solidified, another notification appeared:
[Mask of Anonymity Acquired: Some Dungeon Masters prefer to conceal their identities. Equip mask? Y/N]
Sue selected Y, and a sleek, elegant mask materialized in her hands. Its design was both alluring and mysterious—crafted with smooth, dark metal that contoured to her face, accented by delicate patterns of glowing crimson runes. The mask covered her eyes and the upper half of her face, leaving her full lips visible, adding a sensual yet commanding edge to her appearance.
She hesitated for a moment before slipping it on, then glanced at her reflection in the HUD. For the first time, she truly looked at her Dungeon Monster form. Her obsidian skin shimmered like polished stone, her silver hair flowing like liquid light, and her crimson eyes gleamed through the mask’s slits. The mask added a sensual yet commanding aura, perfectly complementing her transformed features.
Her gaze drifted downward, noticing her attire for the first time. She wore sleek, form-fitting armor that seemed to fuse naturally with her obsidian skin, a perfect representation of her dual identity. The armor’s glowing crimson lines pulsed faintly, mirroring the energy coursing through her, as if it were alive. It struck her how seamlessly the design blended monstrous strength with regal elegance, embodying both the terrifying and commanding facets of her new role. The material was segmented with glowing crimson lines, pulsing faintly as if alive. Her legs ended in sharp, polished heels that clicked faintly when she shifted, enhancing her height and giving her an air of unassailable authority.
"This is me now," she murmured, her voice steady but tinged with unease. "A monster, a master... and something entirely new."
Before entering, the System displayed one final prompt:
[Enter Name for Ethereal Court Use:]
Her fingers hovered over the input field. This name would represent her in the Court—a name that could define her reputation among other Dungeon Masters. After a moment’s thought, she typed a single phrase and confirmed:
[Name Confirmed: Nelye Ardyn]
A swirling portal opened before her, shimmering with radiant light that pulsed with each heartbeat. As Sue stepped through, the world shifted, and she emerged into a grand medieval castle—the Ethereal Court. The space was a breathtaking fusion of ancient architecture and otherworldly energy. Towering stone walls were inlaid with glowing veins of iridescent crystal, while a vaulted ceiling stretched high above, adorned with constellations that seemed to move of their own accord.
The grand hall was alive with activity. Other masked figures moved with purpose, some walking with regal grace, others hovering as if gravity held no sway over them. Massive pillars carved with intricate runes lined the space, each emanating a soft hum of power. The floor beneath her feet gleamed like polished obsidian, reflecting the ethereal glow of the room.
Each figure carried an aura of authority, their masks and forms as varied as the dungeons they commanded. Some bore elaborate robes, shimmering with energy, while others exuded raw menace, their monstrous forms barely concealed by their disguises.
"So, this is the Ethereal Court," Sue murmured, her voice steady despite the tension rising in her chest. She straightened her shoulders, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Sue took a cautious step forward, her heels clicking against the obsidian floor. The hum of energy surrounding her was almost deafening, a constant reminder of the power that saturated this place. Her HUD flickered as the System guided her through the space:
[Welcome to the Ethereal Court, Nelye Ardyn. Current Active Dungeon Masters: 1,334,582.]
A small map appeared in the corner of her vision, highlighting several key areas within the Ethereal Court. Inside the castle were the Council Hall and Private Chambers, both radiating an air of importance and secrecy. Meanwhile, the Marketplace and Arena were located outside the castle’s grand walls, sprawling across expansive courtyards shielded by shimmering magical barriers.
The Marketplace was a bustling hub of activity, with stalls brimming with glowing artifacts, rare materials, and exotic creatures available for trade. The Arena, on the other hand, dominated the open grounds with its towering, rune-inscribed walls, where Dungeon Masters could test their creatures or settle disputes in sanctioned battles.
Sue’s gaze swept over the figures moving through the Court. Each Dungeon Master seemed absorbed in their own affairs—some engaged in quiet conversations by the pillars, while others exchanged items or negotiated deals in hushed tones. From a nearby window, she caught a glimpse of the bustling Marketplace outside. The sprawling open courtyard was filled with glowing stalls and shimmering artifacts, Dungeon Masters haggling over rare items and creatures. In the distance, she could see the towering rune-inscribed walls of the Arena, its faint hum of energy resonating even from afar. The Council Hall, marked by towering double doors etched with glowing runes, seemed to radiate importance, its energy palpable even from across the room.
Her HUD blinked with a new notification:
[Message Received: System Auto-Message from Sovereign of Abyss (SS Rank)]
[“Welcome, newcomer. You’ve taken your first step into the real hierarchy of Dungeon Masters. This is no game, but a reality where alliances and rivalries shape survival. Trust cautiously, tread carefully, and remember—every decision here ripples through the world.”]
Sue’s lips curved downward slightly as she closed the message, her thoughts flickering between apprehension and curiosity. The Ethereal Court wasn’t just a meeting place—it was a battleground of influence, where every alliance or rivalry could tip the scales of power. Despite the caution in the warning, a spark of determination ignited within her.