The forest thinned, revealing a clearing where sharp stone spires jutted out of the earth like the broken teeth of some long-dead beast.

Stonefang Ruins.

Even from here, the architecture radiated power. Ancient glyphs shone faintly on the stones, their light flickering like dying embers, wards that had once been formidable but were now eroded by time.

Cale wasn’t alone.

He noticed them as soon as he stepped into the clearing. Groups of people lingered near the spires, their gazes flickering toward him the moment he arrived.

The scrutiny was brief, no more than a few seconds, before they returned to their own business.

Cale’s eyes swept over the scene, taking everything in. Most sat in the shade cast by the towering spires, their postures tense, their eyes constantly darting. A few paced in restless circles, weapons within easy reach.

They weren’t Ironfang, not the group he’d encountered earlier. But they carried a similar air—rough, pragmatic, and ready to kill if necessary.

“So this is an Adventurer’s Fest, huh?” Cale muttered in a low voice. “That old man made it sound like this place was crawling with danger. Judging by how many people are here, maybe he was being a little too cautious.”

“Or perhaps he wasn’t,” the Core’s voice chimed in, her tone smooth yet sharp.

“No matter the risk, humans are always drawn to power. Struggle is the law of nature, Master. Do not use their presence as a measure of safety.”

“I know, I know.” Cale waved her off, his tone light.

He wasn’t stupid enough to dismiss her entirely. Surviving the Demon King’s army had taught him better than to underestimate anything. If he’d ever let his guard down, even for a second, he wouldn’t have lived long enough to regret it.

Still, he could feel the tension in the air, the kind of oppressive weight that only came with the promise of danger.

The adventurers here weren’t lounging around for fun. Their solemn expressions, the way their hands hovered near their weapons, the cautious glances they exchanged—it all spoke volumes.

These people were scared.

Cale circled the area slowly, finally settling under the curve of one of the spires. It formed a jagged canopy overhead, shading him from the sun.

To anyone watching, he probably looked like just another adventurer resting before venturing into the unknown.

But his eyes never stopped moving.

He scanned the clearing, memorizing every detail. He didn’t know enough about this world yet, and asking questions outright would only draw attention to his ignorance.

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The last thing he needed was to make himself a target.

From his observations, a pattern emerged.

Groups of adventurers stood up at intervals, walking toward the far end of the clearing where a series of massive, gate-like tunnels waited. The entrances yawned open like the mouths of beasts, dark and foreboding.

Most entered in groups, clearly established parties with a sense of camaraderie. A few went in alone, their steps more hesitant.

And some? Some stayed.

They lingered in the clearing, watching the gates from a safe distance, their motives unclear. Were they gathering information? Waiting for the right moment? Or just too afraid to step inside?

Cale leaned back against the stone, arms crossed. “So, those gates lead into the real Stonefang Ruins,” he murmured to himself.

The Core’s voice hummed in his mind. “Indeed. What you see here is merely the outskirts. Beyond those gates lies the true danger, and the true opportunity.”

Cale said nothing, his gaze fixed on the ruins. He didn’t need her to tell him to be careful. He could feel it in his gut.

After a while, he stood and brushed the dust off his cloak.

“No point in sitting around,” he muttered.

But he didn’t head toward the gates. Not yet. Instead, he moved in the opposite direction, weaving through the spires with measured steps.

Cale's path led him back into the dense underbrush, where thick bushes and towering trees swallowed him whole. The murmurs of the adventurers lingering near the ruins faded behind him, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of forest creatures.

The deeper he went, the more isolated he became.

As his footsteps slowed, his body began to dim, his figure gradually dissolving into faint motes of light.

It was a seamless effect, as if he had been plucked from the fabric of reality itself. From a distance, it would appear as though he had simply vanished, scattered like dust on the wind.

"Recall Core."

The command echoed softly, and in the next moment, Cale reappeared in a dimly lit chamber. The familiar stone walls of the dungeon greeted him, though they were not quite as he remembered.

He stood in the central area of the dungeon, the place that had once been barren and lifeless. Now, it was transformed.

The space was partitioned into sections, and intricate carvings adorned the once-plain walls.

Mana-infused torches burned steadily at regular intervals, their light casting soft shadows over smooth stone steps that led upward. The air carried an almost regal atmosphere.

At the center of it all was a throne.

Elevated on a small dais, it was carved from materials that gleamed faintly under the torchlight. The throne's design was intricate, its surface adorned with faint patterns that glimmered with magical energy.

“Welcome back, Master!”

A soothing voice drew his attention to the side. Standing gracefully near the steps of the throne was the Core, her form as elegant as ever.

“Hmm…” Cale muttered, momentarily taken aback by the transformation. His gaze swept over the changes, his thoughts racing.

“You did all this?” he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

“Yes, Master,” the Core replied with a solemn nod, her expression placid. “While you were away, I thought it would be prudent to enhance the dungeon. I aimed to make it more... accommodating for you.”

She gestured toward the redesigned space with a slight flourish.

Cale's brows furrowed slightly as he processed her words.

The Core seemed to notice the shift in his expression. “Perhaps… it isn’t to your liking?” she asked, her tone measured.

“No, it’s not that.” Cale shook his head and began ascending the steps toward the throne.

As he climbed, his fingers brushed against the smooth surface of the stone, tracing the fine craftsmanship. He recognized some of the materials—they had been scavenged from the belongings of Kain, the scout he had dealt with earlier.

Reaching the throne, he studied it briefly before sitting down.

“You did well. That was thoughtful of you,” he said, his voice steady.

“It is my pleasure, Master,” the Core responded flatly, her tone devoid of emotion.

It was as though her sole existence revolved around fulfilling his needs, leaving little room for personal satisfaction.

Cale leaned back in the throne, but his gaze remained sharp as it settled on her.

“But it makes me wonder,” he began, “what exactly separates me, the master of this dungeon, from you, the Core? You seem to have the authority to make sweeping changes here, maybe even more than I do.”

He paused, his voice hardening slightly. “You’ve already shown you can override me when you think it’s necessary. So what’s the point of having me as the dungeon master at all?”

The Core remained calm, her expression unchanging.

“You are mistaken, Master,” she said. “My duty as the Core is to guide and assist you. Our fates are intertwined, and it is only natural that I act in ways that I believe will benefit you and ensure the dungeon’s success.”

Her tone softened slightly. “You still retain supreme authority over the dungeon, and over me. If my actions displease you, you may establish boundaries for me to follow in the future.”

Cale’s tense expression eased. Her explanation made sense, and he found himself a bit reassured.

What she had done wasn’t really overstepping; it was an act of forethought and care. He couldn’t be mad at that.

“You did well,” he said again, this time with a faint smile. The tension in the air dissipated.

Adjusting himself on the throne, he allowed his body to relax against the carved stone.

“Alright,” he said, his tone lightening. “Let’s see what progress we’ve made.”

He summoned the system window with a flick of his fingers. A

glowing array of panels materialized in front of him, curving slightly so that he could see them all at once.