The new rock is an exceptional material. I had been toying with it for a small time while my mana generated. It is hard and durable, almost twice as much as the layer of stone before it. It also seems to have a high level of mana insulation, something I discovered as I experimented with it. With stone, both mana infused and not, the effect is minor. 95% of mana sent through basic stone will be able to pass through a layer of one meter. Making the stone infused with mana lowers it to 90%. Doing a basic experiment on the newer stone which I have dubbed "Flux Stone" deemed that it should only have a mana leak rating of 50%. There's no guarantee, of course, as I experiment with only small plates. I ended up creating two plates: one of basic stone and one of flux stone. I then compared the leakage levels of both and multiplied the leak rate to the standard of a meter thick stone wall. Unfortunately, due to resource limits in acquiring the flux stone I could not attempt a more accurate test. Seeing as my only method of acquiring the flux stone was directly absorbing it's likely that I won't be able to test it for a while.

At least unless I wanted to waste valuable mana stores on a test that doesn't directly help me as of this moment. And since I didn't want to, I would postpone the tests to a later period. Still, I had a small plate of flux stone left after experimentation. After much deliberation, I decided to reform it into a small chunk that I could carve. After reforming it, I attempted to sculpt one of the rabbits around the dungeon. After creating a hilarious rendition of a half rat half rabbit hybrid I scrapped it and decided to work on another project. It seems my adept biological sculpting did not translate over to stone...

So, I moved over to sculpting things that required less finesse. Traps. I had several designs planned out in my head already. Most were very rudimentary and simple. Holes, spikes, and thin floors. Actual mechanisms would require some level of experimentation. So, I kept my traps simple, integrating all three of the basic ideas I came up with. First, I dug a two by two by two-meter hole right in Floppy's cavern. The room was already quite massive, due to Floppy's odd habit of expanding it without my orders. While I thought that it was good to see him do something productive in his free time, I am a bit worried about him digging into something he shouldn't. Still, thanks to his hard work I there was a large room to work with. I ended up placing the hole right before the entrance to the gauntlet. At the bottom of the hole, I set up a row of stone stakes to land on. Afterward, I covered it with a thin layer of stone. There was just barely enough stone to hold itself up. I also made sure to have some room on the sides for my creatures to avoid the trap. I then added several smaller versions of this trap. I dug small holes, adding a single spike and having just enough stone to cover the hole. They weren't meant to be lethal. Instead, they would ideally wound something's leg and ruin its mobility.

Afterward, I attempted some more advanced traps. I had very little success, however. I had no clue how to make any advanced traps. There was also a pressing issue of resources. Grass and stone do not make material for advanced traps. I considered directly making rabbit leather straps for internal mechanisms, however, with no way of curing I doubt they would have the strength to not snap. I was, however, successful at making a primitive activation mechanism. I created a small plate that partially stuck out of the floor. When stepped upon, it would push down on a primitive lever. Said lever, was a see-saw-like object and would raise its other side in response. Unfortunately, I had no mechanism to connect it to and was left with vague ideas onto possible mechanisms to attach it to. By the time I was finished experimenting, Floppy had dug out my new pond room. So, I delayed my trap project to another time.

Instead, I moved my consciousness over to the new room. It's strange that I never found my way of perception strange. I could see everything in my dungeon, and just a little bit out of it. It is the same with hearing. I could hear Floppy smolder and shuffle about the new five-by-five room, despite my core being separated by a layer of stone in-between the sound. If I were to guess, I could see and hear through my own mana, as if it was a part of me.

But, it's been enough time wasted on theorizing. Not when there was actual work to do.

Floppy left me with a five-by-five room that was mostly square, with some indents. The roof which stood about two meters high also was highly square. My first actions all centered around fixing this. I rounded the roof, curving the walls and roof into a vaguely dome-shaped object. I also rounded the lower walls and added several large stalactites. I then removed dug down a large portion of the floor, going as deep as three meters. That's when an idea hit me. At this level, I could connect my core pond to this outer one, expanding into an underwater cavern system. Seeing as it would create future room for aquatic species, I decided to go for it. I decided first, however, to set up some method of water generation for the new room. Seeing as these water stones were likely valuable, I can't just place them somewhere they can be chipped and chiseled away and stolen. So, I opted to place them in small crevices and cracks in the roof. They were small, but, they dripped slowly into the soon-to-be-filled pond. Afterward, I began to work on the caves themselves. First, I created a winding tunnel to the core room. Immediately, a torrent of water flowed into the new space I had made. I also activated the larger water stones until the whole system was properly filled. I then proceeded to add some random dead-end tunnels linking off the new tunnel.

Once I was done, I noted my mana cap had increased to 180. In addition, my regeneration of mana was up to .3 points per minute. My mana was also mostly full, and I still had my stock of extra mana stones left laying about. In total, I likely have 350 mana or so at my disposal. Two hundred of that was in mana stones and the rest was stored within myself.

And, money not spent is money wasted. Well, "mana" wasted. So, I set out to attempt more creature modification...

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Grendigory stroked the small hairs on his chin. In front of him was a hole, about half a meter wide. Tall, rich grass peaked from the hole and looking into it more sprouted in the darkness.

He hummed to himself, thinking. Pensively, he kneeled down and observed the grass. It was low-grade mana grass. His greed had been overtaken by curiosity as he oggled the specimen. There was a twitch in his mind, hinting to him that something about the situation was strange. That was instinct speaking. He hardly could have survived as an explorer for years if he hadn't trusted intuition in situations just like this.

Drawing the iron dagger from his boot, he stared down the hole. He was hoping to view some sort of silhouette or something. Unfortunately, it was too dark.

That's when a thought started to creep into his head.

"No," he said aloud. "It couldn't be," he added.

A dungeon. That would be impossible though. Dungeon's usually formed in regions where there was an extreme spike of natural mana. Seeing as the area had been mapped and there had been no recorded spikes in this region for a long time it would be impossible.

Yes, there was no way. The hole was likely the last-ditch effort of some sort of high-ranked tunneling creature. Perhaps a Brood Rabbit, or a Scythe Beetle. They were the only high-class monsters that could see value in this region. And, both had the natural inclination to underground housing.

But... the grass...

The native animals wouldn't leave such high-grade plant material unmolested.

And the hole too! It was way too small to fit a Scythe Beetle.

Was it possible? A dungeon?

There is no way...

It had to be some sort of wandering, tunneling creature. For a dungeon to form here-

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

It would be almost impossible. Even though unnatural methods. Artificial dungeons have been created before by powerful mage covens, yet they were neither abandoned nor built-in undefendable and open areas.

I have to know. But, if it is a dungeon...

It would have to be in a primal state. From my knowledge of dungeon formation, there exists a state when they begin to form their rudimentary consciousness. In this state, the core is extremely dangerous. Various phenomena could occur. The more dangerous, however, would be the great mana storms and the all too common "mutual annihilation's" that were known to happen in early development.

Shit. In and out. Either I find a nice hunk of cash rotting on the floor or I discover a metaphorical gold mine.

In and out. Either I get rich, or I get richer...

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A hobbit-like creature just wandered into my hole. I'm not sure why, but that thought made me mentally giggle just a small amount. My enjoyment was quickly dashed, however, as I realized the severity of the situation.

A sentient, greedy-looking humanoid just walked right into my dwelling. With a dagger in his right hand and a makeshift torch in his left, he shuffled down the small hole that was my entrance and began to look about. A beetle, noticing his presence, zealously charged at his feet.

He was promptly squished. Oddly, the beetle dying to the invader prompted little of the sadness I expected. Instead, I felt a small amount of pride.

Weird.

Another odd thing was the hobbit's reaction. He looked a bit panicked by the creature. His once loose guard was honed to that of a veteran, aware and sharp. After scraping the mess off his massive shoe, he slowly proceeded down into the opening room. I had already called Floppy over to the tunnels above the rooms. None of my creatures aside from Floppy would likely stand a chance. This entire situation would likely be decided by one fight

That's when an odd feeling settled within me. My entire fate was likely to be determined by this one fight. If Floppy lost, my life was vulnerable. I should be feeling terrified. Instead, my thoughts are clear and sharp. I need to win this fight.

First, I decided to call almost all of my combat useful forces. All of the grotworms and greater beetles were roused under common purpose of survival. Their common instincts to fight and hunt were superseded by their loyalty to me. Soon the horned rabbit Smidt arrived too. I decided to leave Veteran submerged to help defend me in the case a last-ditch effort proved necessary.

The plan would be simple. Once the man entered the second room, he would be besieged by wave after wave of insects. Floppy would then strike from above once he was distracted. Smidt would use his superior speed to bite and dash away. If all went well, I could neutralize, and ideally, capture the invader.

I have no true interest in killing sentient beings. Perhaps it is a sentiment of my old life, but, sentient life has a value greater than any mana. If he would have to die, however, he would die. My survival the most important thing I can conceive. Until I know the intentions of invaders my only philosophy will be just that. Kill, or be killed.

I think it might just be time to experience death.

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Grendigory firmly gripped the dagger, pointing it at every errant shadow. This was most certainly a dungeon. Unfortunately, if he were to make any claim on its existence he needed evidence. He would either get a sample of a unique or rare species to the area. That, or he could take a sample of the natural mana. To get both, however, he needed to dive deeper. The mana at the entrance was far too sparse to take an efficient sample and it had hardly anything of note aside from an oddly carved pillar. He could have sworn it was decorated, but, he was too focused on his nerves. For a primal dungeon, it seemed to develop enough control to be able to maintain some life. The beetle was a wake-up call for him and brought about his old adventuring instincts.

Watch your feet. Keep focus.

He repeated such mantra's in his head.

Don't grip too hard. Observe than act.

All the lessons he learned were racing about in his head. Every oddly shaped shadow was a dagger in the dark as he pathed around the central stone pillar of the room. There were two ways he could go. One room on his left had the sound of flowing water. The other was quiet, and his torchlight hardly reached a couple of meters in. He opted first to check his left. Entering the room, he noted the layout. There wasn't much standing space, as most of the room was controlled by a deep pool of water. In addition, trickles of water dipped down stalactites hanging from the roof. As far as he could tell with what little light he had, this was a dead end. Questions about the origins of the water dotted about his head, but he focused more on his senses.

It was quiet. Way too quiet. It is unlikely that there was only one creature living in this pit considering the size of the rooms he had found. More questions surfaced in his mind and were quickly quelled as he pathed his way into the entry to the room on the right. Stretching out his arm, he brought his torch as far as possible into the silent room, hoping to glimmer... something.

But, he saw nothing in the dark. Slowly, he traced his feet into the room, noting it's size. From what he could see, it was almost ten meters wide. Pillars of stone dotted the room, accompanied by various stone formations and small holes in the walls.

Yes, there were undoubtedly more creatures here, hiding. His searching was almost stopped when he saw what looked to be a pair of eyes in the darkness. Swiftly, he waved his torch in the direction, seeing nothing.

"Fuck," he said aloud. "This is getting spooky," he added. The fear was starting to get to him, and he subconsciously began to gather mana in his hands. Noting the flow of his mana, he quickly fired off a flare spell into the darkness.

And then it was chaos.

As he watched the room be illuminated by his spell, it revealed a vast horde of insects. Realizing they had been caught, they charged at him in a veritable tide of chitin and pincers.

"Fuck," he said aloud, firing more bolts of fire into the horde.

"What the fuck!" he added, crushing a proto-worm with his iron-tipped boots.

He had solidly fucked up. This is some sort of high-class primal dungeon to be able to control a force like this.

No...

Perhaps it isn't even a primal dungeon! These hordes, to resist striking so long.

They...

They were organized. Shit!

Striking three beetles with his dagger, he dashed backwards. Feeling his back against a wall, he turned a moment, only to be blindsided by some sort of evolved rabbit that tore into his right thigh. Reacting quickly, he sent a wave of fire mana through his feet, blasting a nova around his feet. The blast caught several insects, roasting them. Unfortunately, he missed the more dangerous target. Eyeing the room, he scanned for that creature. If he could just grab it, then, he could escape.

Then, he could dash out. Or, if needed, use his lifeline. His port-crystal. Whatever he earned of the finders fee and possible land speculation would easily make enough to pay for a new one...

Flinging a worm off his leg, his eyes darted about the room. The rabbit was fast, yet smart. It was keeping itself in the darkness, just out of range of his torch. Grendigory was no rookie, however. Blasting a firebolt into the darkness, he revealed the creature as it tried to circle out of his line of sight.

"Fireball!" he shouted aloud, a large, globular mass of heat launching from his hand. The rabbit, surprised at its discovery, had no chance to dodge. He was swiftly cooked by the mass of fire. Gren then proceeded to kick his way through the distracting insects. Unlike the rabbit, they were basically harmless, unable to pierce his leather boots. As he bashed and cut he slowly made his way to the corpse.

That's when he experienced his second batch of chaos that day as the roof collapsed above him. In an instant, his instincts took over and he dashed out of the way. Unfortunately, he was unable to dodge all of the debris crashing from the roof as a large rock crashed into his left shoulder.

"Fuck!" he said aloud in pain as he dropped his torch on the ground. As he was reactively supporting his shoulder in its pain, he noted the massive beast in front of him. A smolder worm, a D- grade beast. Shit. Abandoning his arm, he pointed his dagger at the creature. It seems most of the debris killed the fodder, so it would be a one on one fight. As he was eyeing the creature, a thought popped into his head. His crystal was in his left pocket. If he went for it he would be unable to defend the creature's onslaught. As of now, the creature seemed to be watching him too. Then, it started to... hork?

Wait a minute, it's getting ready to spit fire! Shit! I have to dodge...

Briefly looking about, he noted he had already dodged his way into a literal corner. Fuck! He would charge then.

Readying his muscles, he prepared for a swift attack. His mana twitched and pulsed as it gathered in his legs. Then, he began to dash. In an instant, a surge of pain shot through his right thigh but he was far too fueled by adrenaline to notice. He charged. The creature, now done readying itself launched a flaming mass of tar-like stomach acid. Unable to dodge, Grendigory raised his already useless left arm to take the brunt as he began to jump at the worm. With a globbing smack, the fiery death hit his arm, burning into his arm and armor. He would repay the blow swiftly, however, as he slashed off a pincer. The worm, now angry, jumped at him. Grasping onto Gren's leg, it began to chew away as his leg. Screaming in pain, Gren brought his dagger again and again into the flesh of his opponent. Stabbing and slashing away at its flesh, he kept stabbing even as he felt its grip loosen on his leg.

Noting his opportunity, he kicked at the creature with his spare foot and reached into his pouch with his good hand, pulling the crystal and crushing it against the nearby wall.

And then, in a storm of phantasmagorical blue, he vanished, with half of the worm's body joining the ride.