“I get the feeling you don’t do anything by half,” Cixilo said.

My invisible consciousness floated next to him on the viewing platform of my tower, looking over my dungeon with pride. It had been a few days since the incident. I’d started working on the new expansion to my dungeon, laying out a gigantic floorplan before I built the actual structure. The dungeon would dwarf the temple when completed, and the area I’d laid out so far only covered up to level eight. The exterior was designed to resemble a fortified mansion, though perhaps if it had been designed by a child - with far more angles, turrets and extravagant (and deadly) gargoyles than strictly necessary. But I kind of liked the ostentatiousness of the facade. It certainly made an impression.

Cixilo’s information on adventurers had been invaluable. He reckoned a lot of parties would have a mix of levels, and it was fine to have zones, instead of twenty areas for all twenty levels. With that in mind, my level one zone remained the same, but it now led into an area for level two to three, with the boss arena for level three taking the shape of an enormous greenhouse jutting out of the side of the mansion. In theory, a party of level twos could handle the dungeon rooms but it would require a party of mostly level threes to tackle the boss without deaths.

The godcore was your idea, I said, realising I hadn’t replied to Cixilo.

“Fair.” He laughed deeply. “It was. What do you have planned for level four to five?”

A maze. I had some great ideas for that, but I couldn’t lay it out yet. Not until I leveled up. I’d laid out the foundations for future expansion though. A long rectangle that ran parallel to the two to three zone, and would end at a semi-circular boss arena. It would complete the final central ‘square’ of the mansion, before I’d have to start sticking on wings.

Cixilo nodded with a smile. “Every dungeon needs a labyrinth.”

I’m probably getting ahead of myself. I’d even planned a tentative floorplan for levels six to eight, and then placed my new core chamber at the end of the future construction. I’d been extremely sick of my boring stone square, so I’d gone all out on the new chamber. There was a grand antechamber, theoretically to receive visitors without needing to bring them into my actual core chamber. The actual core chamber was even bigger, with vaulted ceilings and a mosaic of the dueling serpents on the floor. Mostly just to entertain myself.

Do you like your new room?

Off the side of the core chamber, I’d laid out three rooms - a private quarters for Endizar, and two for potential future champions. The antechamber meanwhile had a room for Cixilo, since he seemed intent on staying, and space for another guest chamber in future. The whole construction was contained within the dimensional space provided by my new Liminal Core boon, which made it impenetrable unless adventurers defeated my dungeon first. It definitely made me happier to have that protection.

“I appreciate it. Shey likes her new stables too.”

Shey? Then I remembered that was what Cixilo called his griffin. I’m glad. At least it kept the giant creature from wandering around unsupervised. I reckon we’ll have adventurers soon.

“I think you might be right about that.”

I suppose I should pick my skills. I’d been putting off making a selection, but before I filled out the minions in my newly constructed zone, I needed to make up my mind.

“Show me what you’ve got.”

I brought up the System menu and pushed the image of it to Cixilo through the telepathic connection.

Level 2

Pick two (skills not picked now will be available later).

Insight: Gain knowledge of a creature or hero by looking at it, including information such as class, skills and boons.

Cultivation: Gain access to the Nursery, a room used to create variants of existing minion types through hybridisation, grafting, and selective breeding.

Fertilize: Fertilize seeds to increase their growth speed by [4 * core level].

Arcadian Aura: You may designate safe zones within your area of influence. Violence is forbidden and hero cores will regenerate HP passively while resting here.

Greencoaties: You may summon magical Fae assistants to help you maintain your dungeon. Peaceful but very industrious creatures.

Mycology: You may utilise fungal organisms. Skill and boons that apply to plants will also apply to fungi.

Level 3

Pick two (skills not picked now will be available later)

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Botanic Arts: Designate garden zones which will automatically adjust to a chosen climate type and maintain the perfect conditions for growing plants native to that climate. Zones must be protected from the natural elements.

Faerie Ring: You may create permanent portals to allow adventurers to traverse disconnected parts of your dungeon, or allow them to skip low level zones if they have a token.

It’s Bigger on the Inside: Your dungeon’s internal space may occupy a much larger area than appearances or physics would suggest possible.

Luna Affinity: Daily mana growth is increased by 100% during the night. Gain access to powerful Luna versions of minions. May not be chosen alongside Solar Affinity.

Solar Affinity: Daily mana growth is increased by 100% during the day. Gain access to powerful Solar versions of minions. May not be chosen alongside Luna Affinity.

Waters of Avalon: You may create healing waters, which restore 10hp per minute and cure all curses of a level equal or lesser than your core level.

Novice Enchanter: Craft magical items, equal in power to [core level - 1] (capped at level 10).

Dynamic Architecture: Whole zones, or specific rooms, may be designated to change their layout automatically after each successive adventuring party.

Cixilo leaned on the bronze railing and stroked his beard. “Interesting choices.”

I’d been thinking about my options, obsessing about what would and wouldn’t work. I’d struggled to prioritize between making my dungeon better and defending myself from the Dread Lords. Cultivation seems like an automatic pick. It could allow me to make better and stronger minions instead of relying on discovering them. I already have an ability similar to Fertilize. It isn’t as powerful, but I don’t see much need for two.

“Yes, Cultivation does seem sensible to me. Of course, no telling how quickly you can evolve things, but if it works as described, it could be useful.” Cixilo nodded. “Arcadian Aura is just a nature themed variant on a common dungeon ability. A safezone can be useful sometimes, as it might encourage adventurers to be more foolish and take bigger risks if they know a safezone is ahead, but I don’t know that it is worth it when you only have four picks.”

Mycology might give me more options but I haven’t seen many mushrooms and the ones on the island seem harmless. I’d have to evolve something stronger.

“Daeha has some dangerous wild fungi that might be useful, but you have no way of acquiring samples yet. If you need it, you can pick it up later. I’d take Greencoaties instead. Most dungeons take the skill that gives them assistants. Each type is different, but generally they’re useful. There is only one of you, and dungeons take a lot of work to maintain.”

Couldn’t I just make more Champions?

Cixilo wrinkled his brow, an expression I’d come to realise meant he thought I was being absurd. “You can only make a limited number of champions, and you shouldn’t waste them. Anyway, dungeon assistants aren’t sophontic, they’re more like more advanced minions. Your champions are independent people and if you annoy them, they’re completely free to leave you. Do you want to ask Endizar to spend his immortal life crafting loot?

Okay, okay. I get the point. I felt a pang at the idea of Endizar leaving me. I didn’t want to be alone again. So I take Greencoaties and Cultivation for level two?

“I’d also recommend Botanic Arts for level three. You’ll eventually unlock minions that won’t grow in the natural climate here, and without Botanic Arts, you’ll be unable to use them.”

I already have one. I unlocked a minion that needs the polar climate when I leveled up.

“Perfect. I’m less sure about the next choice however.”

Dynamic Architecture would make my labyrinth much more interesting but I won’t need it for another level, so it seems kind of wasteful to pick it up now. The Luna and Solar affinities are out on principle.

Cixilo raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Stars don’t get on with the so-called Greater Celestials.

“I see.” He said it in a voice that suggested he didn’t see at all.

I was more interested in my skills than the finer points of celestial grudges, so I moved on. Waters of Avalon is just a fancy version of Arcadian Aura, and the size one… I’m not going to run out of room any time soon. Novice Enchanter seems useful, but I have a question. Can champions and minions use magical items?

Cixilo tapped his chin. “That is a good point. Champions can, but normally minions can’t. However, combined with your thaumaturgy boon, I suspect they will be able to. You can also distribute the items in loot tables, which will be good for incentivising adventurers to keep delving.”

Perfect. If I could equip minions with some sort of ranged magical staff, then I could create an anti-air defense system. Plus, I could use spellcasting minions in the dungeon, and equip Endizar. I couldn’t see a downside. So to recap, I’ll take Greencoaties, Cultivation, Botanic Arts and Novice Enchanter.

“I look forward to seeing what you do with them.”

I locked in the four choices. It was kind of anticlimactic after thinking about it for so long. There was no string of messages like when I’d leveled up. The skills just appeared on my System menu and it was done.

I was debating which thing I needed to do first when there was a pop sound as Endizar appeared on the viewing platform. He’d started making prodigious use of his ability to teleport around my dungeon, with a tendency to turn up unexpectedly. I’d tried to keep track of him at first, and then decided he deserved his privacy.

Cixilo didn’t notice Endizar at first, and I waited quietly to see when he’d notice him. He wasn't subtle - he towered over Cixilo - but the old man was distracted, squinting at the horizon.

“Mizar, I think we have company,” Endizar said.

Cixilo jumped, but stifled his yelp at the last moment. When he’d recovered his composure, he shot a glare at Endizar. “Can you give me some warning? You inherited your sire’s talent for scaring me.”

“My apologies,” Endizar said, his voice completely placid. “However, we have company. There is a flying creature incoming.”

Cixilo squinted harder “I wondered if I was imagining something moving on the horizon. My eyes aren’t as good as they used to be.”

Adventurers are here? Finally! I could finally show off my dungeon I’d worked so hard on.

“Careful, it might not be adventurers,” Cixilo warned.

I didn’t let it get my spirits down. People had found us. Surely adventurers would follow.