My first fairy was perfect. So perfect I quickly summoned five more, just so I could have more perfect guardians. Sadly, my joy was replaced with despair as my new fairies lacked the perfection I wanted. None of them shared the name of my first fairy, Buttercup. The most perfect name I could imagine. I cursed the system and would surely have continued to do so unless Lilly hadn’t interrupted me by complimenting my one perfect fairy and the five other failures.

“Well aren’t you just the cutest little children. You’re all very special. Did you know you are the first guardians summoned by this dungeon?”

The young fairies looked surprised at each other. Before one of them, the one I decided to call ‘Failure number two’, spoke up.

“We are? But Master is so big. The first floor has even been completed. How did Master survive so long without anyone to guard him?”

“Thanks to me of course dear children. Your aunt Lilly guarded this core at great risk to her life while your dungeon just grew and grew.”

The faces of the fairy children looked horrified before ‘Failure number five’ spoke up.

“How awful. You must have been so scared being all alone. I can’t imagine trying to defend our Master without my siblings to aid me.”

That’s it! I need to set them straight before my own monsters decide I’m a monster myself.

“Don’t listen to Lilly children. It was she that wouldn’t let me summon you until now. You shouldn’t listen to Lilly children or at least not trust everything she says. Lilly, I summoned these fairies to guard me. How will they do that?”

Buttercup reaches her arm up and waves it around. “I know, I know. Don't ask aunt Lilly. Ask me. Please ask me.”

I like Buttercup even more. Yes, I shouldn’t let Lilly talk more than necessary. Although why did you have to call her aunt? I know that an aunt is a member of a family, something Lilly must have told me while I was ignoring her or I wouldn’t have known. Sweet Buttercup, don’t call the help family, at least not Lilly.

“Ok Buttercup, how can you protect me?”

“We will kill anything that enters you! We will cut, strangle, mutilate, rend and massacre your enemies so that you are safe and their essence can fuel your growth. None shall be allowed to see Master. Buttercup promises.”

For someone just summoned Buttercup seems a bit bloodthirsty but at least she’s enthusiastic so I’ll overlook that for now. Her hearth is in the right place.

“Very good, but what can you do combat-wise? The system said fairies had nature magic.”

“We do, we do, we do! It’s super powerful too!”

“Well can you show me an example? I would love to see it. Just attack a wall in here or something.”

All six fairies scatter and soon I see a green light radiating from their small hand until six tiny green balls rushes out and hits the wall. It doesn’t leave a mark behind so it couldn’t have been that powerful. All six of my fairies look towards me with big eyes. Am I supposed to say something? Congratulate them on not even leaving a scratch on my wall? Thankfully Lilly’s tendency to talk works in my favor for once.

“Lovely children. You did very well. Once our lazy Core over there makes you some gear, I’m sure you’ll never let anyone near this room.”

That seems to have helped as they all smiled. I’ll admit that Lilly might be better at handling my own monsters for now. It’s all new to me. Well I’m sure to get better at encouraging my sweet little fairy and the others too, I guess. Before I can think of anything to say Lilly surprises me with what she says next.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Well children you aren’t helping your home much by just standing around. Why don’t you leave and collect things to bring into the dungeon? Remember to don’t go too far though and make sure to always protect each other if you encounter any animals. If they’re too big just retreat into the dungeon.”

All six fairies turn around and leave quickly before I have a chance to react. Somehow, I know that creatures I summon shouldn’t take orders from anyone aside from myself so why did they leave when Lilly told them to? More importantly, can creatures I summon leave my dungeon?

“Lilly. What did you just do? How come they did what you told them to and left?”

“I’m still linked with your mind little pebble. These fairies are still young, with the link active they still assume every order I give them must’ve been given by you. Don’t worry. This only happens with newly summoned creatures. Once I leave, they won’t listen to me anymore and you’ll be the only one to order them around.”

“But can they leave my dungeon? Somehow that feels wrong.”

“Creatures you summon that isn’t too powerful can leave you for a while staying nearby. How else will new dungeons gather materials to unlock things to decorate their dungeons? They weaken outside of course but it won’t hurt them. Besides I have to head home for a few days before my village worries about where I’ve run off to.”

“You’re leaving? Really?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I? I’m just here to help out.”

“No, don’t misunderstand. It’s not like I want you to stay but didn’t you say we had lots to do before?”

“Ah, you’re worried about that. Don’t you worry little pebble. Your aunt Lilly will come back in a few days. While I’m gone all you really need to do is summon even more young fairies and decorate your dungeon a bit. Maybe a few traps and doors as well. You’ll do fine by yourself I’m sure. You built a very nice floor all on your own after all. Just have your fairies collect everything they can spot nearby and bring them into the dungeon so you unlock more things to use.”

“I can do whatever I want? That doesn’t sound like you.”

“Just don’t pick any upgrades while I’m gone. Save them for now. You’re far enough away from any other settlements aside from my village that no one should bother you. If you grow stronger while I’m gone, you’ll just end up attracting more danger. You’re lucky little pebble. You’re far enough away from civilization that no one will discover you. You don’t even have to worry about hunters. I can tell you many stories of dungeons that just happened to be near villages when born that was killed by ignorant peasants thinking the dungeon was an evil spirit. Try to have about 80 or so fairies for now. That should take you a while to summon and then just spend the rest of the time placing a few traps, not too many though. Traps are meant to be used as a surprise and if you place them everywhere none of them will be useful. Then doors and just decorations are left. Doors to keep out the wildlife out and decorations to set the mood. Bye little pebble, I’ll even leave you a small gift as a token for our future cooperation.”

I didn’t have enough time to ask what she meant before she had already left my Core room and frankly, I didn’t care enough to ask what the gift was. All I knew at that moment was that I was finally free! Free to do as I wished!

Even the system seemed to sense my good mood as I was rewarded with blue boxes.

Your creatures have returned to your dungeon with previously unknown items that have been absorbed.

Small Pine sapling, Small Spruce sapling, Dirt, Sand and Grass added to 'Environmental' section of the 'Constuction' menu.

You've unlocked the ability to build rooms and hallways out of Dirt and Wood. Dirt is signifigantly cheaper than Stone while Wood is slightly cheaper.

I notice Lilly leaving some items before leaving the dungeon. As she leaves the entrance, I get more blue boxes to read.

Mind link with Dungeon-helper terminated. May all your question have been answered.

Small Iron Dagger and Small Leather Armour absorbed. Items found suitable for your Fairies to equip. You can now summon Small Iron daggers and Leather Armors

Weapons! Maybe then they’ll be more useful in defending me. It seems I now have more things to summon. I decide that Lilly might have been right to let my guards leave and collect stuff for me. Who knows what else is out there for them to discover? She did say it should be safe enough.

I’m sure it will be fine.