(Ahahaha~)

This… other dungeon’s laughter seemed to echo around me, feeling as though it came from everywhere and yet nowhere at the same time.

(You, didn’t you know that only dungeons can connect to this network?)

-Ah… I… network? No, no! I was trying to test something else when I suddenly heard your voice!

(Is this your first time talking to another dungeon then?)

-Yes. What is going on? I am very confused.

(Hmmm, it seems as though you merely contacted the nearest dungeon then.)

For some reason the voice sounded especially bothered here. Is this method of communication no good…?

-What do you mean?

(That is what happens if you seek out another without a particular target in mind. However…. Where are you right now?)

-...I don’t actually know. I seem to be buried somewhere?

(You don’t know? I see. This is troubling.)

-Trouble? Is there a problem?

(I am supposed to be near you, and yet you feel incredibly distant, so far that I can’t even be sure of where exactly you are. The only thing to the west of me was... No. No, that couldn’t be true.)

-West? Ummm, I don’t really understand that word, but… Should I not be here?

(Errr, forget about it. You cannot choose your birthplace. More importantly, it seems you are newly born?)

-Newly born? Well, it’s true that I haven’t been awake long.

(I thought so. It seems like I am the one providing nearly all the mana to maintain this conversation. Your mana input is pitifully low, even for a new dungeon. How many creatures have you claimed?)

-I haven’t seen any creatures, what are they like?

(None?! That’s bad, you need to hurry up and find some.)

-So how do I do that?

(Creatures should be attracted to your mana. If they are there…. If they are there then they will appear. Surround them with your mana immediately should you discover them.)

-I just need to find them then?

(Yes. Your current situation is… dire. Without a sufficient amount of creatures, you will simply run out of mana and cease to be.)

-Cease to be?! Wha-!

(You said you were buried? Dig towards the surface quickly. Once you have a path completed, your mana flow will improve and your mana upkeep will decrease. But do not forget to locate creatures while you do so, for they lurk everywhere, including within the dirt.)

-I see. Then that was the importance of the outside? No wonder….

(My only regret is that I cannot give you any better advice. Still you’re way too weak……. It’s risky, but I wish to send you some mana. Will you receive it?)

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

-Yes? Yes. Please do so, if my situation is really so “dire” as you put it…

(Alright. Then, call out my name. Call upon the name of The Great Dunes, and then guide my mana into the center of your crystal, to the center of your very being.)

-I’ll try.

(Then, I’ll send it now.)

The Great Dunes? Is that his name? Hmm, a name was it…? Do I…? No. No, I must not get distracted here. I focus my attention on my mana, and soon I find it. There’s a strong flow of mana that vanishes off into the distance that presumably connects me to him. The Great Dunes.

Instantly, the line flashes before mana comes pouring in like a flood. At first I panic, but Great Dunes is sending me something as precious as mana, so I must not forget his instructions. I carefully reach out and grab hold of the mana. Unlike the soothing warmth of my own mana, this mana is hot. Red hot. It feels as though it is literally burning as I pull it in.

It burns.

It burns.

But soon- it reaches my center. I feel a little dizzy, or perhaps lightheaded as the mana starts to integrate and stabilize. However, right when I thought it was over, a great burst resounds. All I can sense is a ringing….

(....ey. Hey, can you hear me?)

-I… I think so?

(Sorry about that. It seems that you are not of the fire element, so it was a bit rough. However, I felt it succeed in the end, so all is well.)

-Yes. In fact… My energy feels stronger and more vibrant now. Better than ever before.

(Hahaha, I’m glad. Not only should you have more mana to expand with, but I also directly used my mana to forcibly open up a certain channel for you in the Dungeon Network. It is the Mana Monitoring channel.)

-Network...? But I should be able to keep track of my mana better then?

(Correct. I could only give access to the most basic, but this should allow you to better understand your mana flow. Call out Mana Monitoring and the information should enter your mind.)

-Is that so? Then…

Mana Monitoring

I watched as a small amount of mana surged outwards, similar to when I first called out to The Great Dunes. It seemed to connect, before rushing back to me. It swirled around for a second and then it did indeed materialize into my mind.

[Mana Total: 10,062

Intake: 0

Expected Upkeep: 10 per hour]

Huh… How much did Great Dunes give me just now? The number at least looks good for the time being, even if the intake is 0.

(Now do you understand? Let me give you a warning though: this channel is indeed the result of hundreds of years of research conducted by dungeons. However, it is simply an arbitrary value in the end. Mana is very much influenced by thoughts, emotions, vitality, and even the environment. Though through our efforts it has become fairly reliable, do not always expect the expected cost and the actual cost to match. Make sure you always give yourself a little leeway.)

-Okay. That makes sense.

(Excellent. Then, this is all I can do for now… Ah! Make sure you do not carelessly call out to me or any other dungeon again! At least not until you have a good and steady reserve that you can afford to spend! Even then, only if it’s an emergency!! Okay?! Promise me!!!)

-...Y,yes. I’m sorry. I did something really dangerous, didn’t I… I’ll be more careful.

(Good. Then I’ll hold you to your word. This is goodbye for now.)

I felt the line connecting me to Great Dunes suddenly vanish as if it was cut. Now, I’m all alone once more. But, I have a goal to strive for.

Mana intake.

I can’t let Great Dunes’ efforts go to waste.

*******

The Lord of The Great Dunes groaned.

A new dungeon. The first in over a hundred years. But its location was…

No, now is not the time for distractions.

He had just sent over a massive amount of mana. Even if only 1/10th of it was converted, they definitely noticed. Those bastards. He had to interfere and make it so they couldn’t track it. No one was expecting a new dungeon and no one especially would expect it from over there. There’s no way they’d be able to track it in so little time, so it should be safe.

He was still anxious.

Even with the traces cleared away, they would be alerted. If that dungeon did something big on the Network again…

No, he had warned it not to call other dungeons. The odds of it doing something else big on the Network were just too small. With this, it should be safe for a few years.

...Assuming it could survive. It was newly born, and yet it felt like it was only a few hours away from being extinguished. Was it being born at all a fluke? It must surely be so.

The Lord groaned once more.

He really hoped that there was still some sort of life in those forsaken lands for it to claim….