Liam sat in the corner despondently while repeatedly pressing the same button.
< An additional 99,969 stored mana is required to complete your transaction. >
< An additional 99,969 stored mana is required to complete your transaction. >
< An additional 99,969 stored mana is required to complete your transaction. >
Liam: … T_T
System: I think my host is broken.
After the incident with that person, he had spent several hours swearing out loud to relieve his anger.
Afterwards,
System: < Host… You should check your status. >
After delivering that message, the system became silent.
At that time, Liam had a bad premonition. “Status,” he had said.
Dungeon Core
Lvl 4
Population
4
Type
Holy
Familiars
0
Alignment
Chaotic Neutral
Stored Mana
31/400
Fame
Unknown
Mana Generation
8 / Day
Liam: Why is my luck so bad T^T
Basically, on top of failing to persuade that adventurer, he had accidentally changed his dungeon’s type…
< An additional 99,969 stored mana is required to complete your transaction. >
Liam: Suddenly I regret not killing that guy…
Liam: Come back here if you dare!!!
System: < He already left though… >
System: < And I don’t think he’ll be coming back. >
System: Wait… Did the host’s partner just leave without taking any responsibility? °o°
System: Is that why the host is so angry??
The system who was suddenly enlightened quietly lit a candle for its host.
The system turned to Liam and saw the other leaning against the wall deep in thought, forehead creased. After the dungeon’s type was switched, the system noticed that its host seemed a bit different.
A pale, white aura appeared around its host, barely noticeable at first, but now the system couldn’t help but wonder about it.
System: Requesting information - Topic: Effects of switching to a Holy-type Dungeon.
A reply quickly came back from the database.
< Query Response, Common Dungeon Symptoms of Holy-type Conversion >
* Increased affinity with Holy-type magic and monsters
* Decreased affinity with Dark-type magic and monsters
* Decreased costs for Holy-type modules
* Increased costs for Dark-type modules
* Certain Holy-type modules unlocked
* Certain Dark-type modules locked
* …
* …
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Despite the massive amount of information that the system had received, there was no mention of anything that matched the aura of its host. Even though the system was still puzzled, it went on to share the data with its host.
System: < Aren’t I such a considerate system? (´･ω･`) >
After poring through the list, although Liam still felt unsatisfied, he had resigned himself to his fate.
System: How do you think I felt when my host turned out to be so strange?
Liam: Shut up.
System: Just saying.
System: < Because the dungeon type has been chosen, a milestone has been passed. A number of modules have been unlocked, Host, would you like to take a look? >
Liam gave the system a glare and humphed. “I was going to anyways.”
System: What did I do wrong?
“Spawner Catalog”
Liam scrolled through the lists of spawners looking for anything that was new. Some previous spawners, particularly the undead ones, had all doubled in cost. In comparison, all the monsters that were of the holy-type were decreased in half. Quite a few more holy-type monster spawners had also appeared.
I suppose I should start using holy monsters huh?
However, just like before, Liam really was broke…
System: _(:3」∠)_
System: < The prices for upgrading current spawners should have also changed. >
Liam: …
Liam: I don’t think I’ll be able to afford anything though…
After opening up the management tab and clicking on a slime spawner, a small notification appeared.
Due to your affinity towards holy-type monsters, all applicable monsters can be converted into the monster’s elemental equivalent. Please note that changing the dungeon’s type will reset these modifications.
When the box faded away, a new option was attached to the slime spawner’s settings.
Lvl 2 Slime Spawner x1 → Lvl 2 Glowing Slime Spawner x1 0 Mana
Liam was instantly suspicious of the 0 mana cost, “How come it doesn’t cost anything? Are glowing slimes weaker than ordinary ones?”
System: … How did you reach that conclusion?
System: < Host, glowing slimes are slightly different than ordinary ones. It becomes a different color as well as slightly luminescent. >
System: < On top of that, glowing slimes have a slightly stronger affinity to the holy element. For example, this means that they are more resistant to holy, but are conversely more vulnerable to dark magic. >
Liam: “That’s it? There aren’t any side effects?”
System: < Not that I know of. >
System: My host it too paranoid…
A second later Liam muttered, “It cost 75 mana to upgrade that spawner. If something happens I’m demanding a refund.”
System: … My host seems a bit stingy
Contrary to Liam’s expectations, nothing happened after he upgraded the spawner.
“I’ve been scammed… ”
System: < This spawner will produce glowing slimes in the future, but the current slimes that it has produced will remain unaffected. >
“Oh.”
After a few more commands, the rest of the slime spawners were also converted. The goblin spawner, on the other hand, was unable to be upgraded.
Next, Liam took a look at the other modules, “Structure Catalog.”
There were an additional three items added to the shop menu. Liam looked at the details of the first one.
Lvl 1 Room - Sanctuary
250 Mana
Increases defense and regeneration of monsters inside the dungeon. Effects are doubled inside the room and on holy-type monsters. No effect on dark-type monsters. Prerequisite for certain spawner upgrades.
While Liam was reading the information displayed, the system gave him a tip: < This effect applies twice for holy-type monsters that are in the room. However, rooms that provide dungeon-wide buffs are not an immediate priority for newly awakened dungeons. Instead, mana generation structures are far more important. >
Liam brought his attention towards the second item.
Lvl 1 Room - Sacred Pool
200 Mana
Increases daily mana generation by 10. Heals monsters inside the pool. Effects are doubled on holy-type monsters. Dark-type monsters receive damage instead.
The system once again spoke up: < Structures like these will make purchasing other modules much faster. At the moment, there are two main methods to obtain mana that dungeon cores use. The first is passive generation from structures like this, and in some cases, monsters as well. >
System: < The other method involves defeating invaders and outside monsters and absorbing the mana from their bodies. Higher-level creatures contain more mana, and defeating those monsters can sometimes unlock modules related to them. >
System: < Actually, most dungeons use a combination of both methods. Dungeons that rely on only one method do exist, but are quite rare. On top of tha- >
“What does this structure do?” Liam interrupted the system’s lecture.
System: I’m trying to help you okay?! Could you be a little more grateful?
After looking over to Liam though, the system also became perplexed.
Lvl 0 Statue - Divine Sculpture
0 Mana
Increases daily mana generation by 1. Daily mana generation is proportional to the dungeon’s fame. Does not take up an active module slot. Only one Divine Sculpture can be constructed. Changing the dungeon’s type will render this module inactive.
Liam peered closer at the preview that was displayed in a window to the side of the menu. A small transparent ball spun in the air, radiating a soft light. Underneath it was a polished stone pedestal with a small symbol carved atop.
The system also didn’t know what it was: < It looks like another mana generation module, though I haven’t seen one like this before. Will you install it? >
Liam thought it over before agreeing, “Better to construct it now instead of later. Either way, it doesn’t take up a module slot.”
And just like that, a statue was installed in the center of the cave. As the sculpture materialized, the sphere slowly rose and started glowing. Although it was still dark, the air in the room instantly felt less stale.
After admiring it for a bit, Liam rolled up his imaginary sleeves and ordered a goblin to go out and lure some monsters back.
Liam: Back to the grind!
***
“Here’s your payment for the mission, 82 gold coins as stated.” A lady said as she placed a leather sack and a steel card on the counter.
“The materials you sold to us are still being appraised so you can come in tomorrow to pick up your payment.”
“If possible, I would also like to put in a mission request.” The brown-haired adventurer spoke as he took the card and sack.
“But of course.” The woman pulled out a paper and quill and placed it on the desk while smiling. “Just fill out this form and the mission will be posted on the board after it’s been reviewed.”
The person started to fill out the form.
Type:
Monster Subjugation
Threat Level:
D-Rank
Location:
3km North of Orm Village
Compensation:
None
Guild Contact:
Theo Greyalt
Details:
Subjugate monsters harassing the cave of a holy spirit. Return with a token of confirmation from the holy spirit to complete the quest.
After he finished the paper, he paused for a second before erasing the word ‘none’ and replacing it with ‘5 Gold Coins.’
He handed it over to the receptionist along with a stack of coins.
“Thank you very much,” she recited. “You will be notified upon the mission’s completion. If wish, you may cancel the request at any time although the compensation fee will not be returned.”
Theo nodded his head before walking over to the mission board to search for suitable quests. As a B-Rank adventurer, minor missions like helping the spirit wouldn’t grant any experience, nor was the compensation very high. It would be far more appropriate for a lower-ranked adventurer to accept it instead.
It was the mindset of a person who had put in their life’s efforts into becoming stronger.