It was a party night again on Floor Four, but not just a party - it was also the biggest party the dungeon had thrown yet, even accounting for the holiday celebrations over the recent weeks. Since the last time the dungeon had hit a milestone date the dungeon staff had of course expanded to include Taly, Trush, and Deylia. But on top of that Trush's four Squires were also out and about, and BB was being far more chatty than he had been the last time around. Even more than that, this party had something special: guests. There was Beatrice, of course, but Sely was also present and hanging out with her sister, Paladin Sable and Priestess Lilly were chatting up some of the rabbit-folk, and a quartet of magma elementals were present, mostly in an attempt to show off their new forms to their water elemental kin.
All in all, Xenia found herself looking around at the crowd enjoying the drinks, food, games, drinks, company, and drinks, and was...happy. Despite the stresses of trying to get Deylia caught up on the basics of dungeon life, everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction for the dungeon these days. She had asked people to give Del her space and not overwhelm her, but somewhat to her surprise BB actually seemed to have latched on to her a bit, and appeared to be...charming her? Definitely something to look into later. Mostly, part of her was watching out for what would inevitably go wrong and ruin the evening, if not the whole new year, but the rest of her was doing its best to clamp down on that and make sure a smile stuck to her face.
Still, a nervous part of her can't help asking Guy a question, after she slips away from the commotion of getting the party kicked off. "So, Guy! You got a good feeling about what we'll be unlocking tonight?"
"I tremble with anticipation, ma'am. You've surely done many things no other dungeon has before, so it's only a question of whether or not the system will properly recognize it and reward your efforts!"
"Ha, here's hoping." She takes a swallow from her mug before moving on to her real point. "Just to check, these milestones don't ever have like...bad unlocks in them, right? Like, 'congratulations, your dungeon will now be swarmed by an ocean of spiders every other Tuesday' or something?"
The screen tilts in her direction. "...Bad unlocks, ma'am? I can't imagine why the gods would add such a thing - even if there were an ability like the sort you mention, it would surely be an optional power under your control."
"Cool, cool, just checking." Xenia scans the crowd, making sure the elementals aren't setting her forest on fire, or that BB hasn't started stabbing Trush's Squires, an event which did unfortunately occur several parties back. They did claim it was a consensual stabbing, but it still had a way of deflating the mood at a party. In the interest of the party's mood, however, Guy asks a question of their own.
"Are you alright, ma'am? No issues with Kahlia? Concerns about Deylia? Well, if so, it would be entirely understandable, but surely you can put them out of your mind and enjoy an evening for yourself, yes?"
The dungeon master gives a quiet chuckle. "Heh, I mean, yeah, I suppose there's all that. But it's just...I am literally cursed, you know. Maybe all that bad curse energy got sucked out of me into fueling those dungeon attributes, but I doubt it. So it's just, you know...usually it's moments like this where I gotta watch out, and make sure my bad luck isn't about to kick down the door and flip everything over."
"I see. I would claim that you are being paranoid, but I suppose it would be rude of me to discard your personal experience. I must ask, have you given any thought to having the curses removed? It may not be easy, but you do potentially have quite a bit of time on your hands."
Xenia shakes her head. "Have spent a few runs at least looking into it, but from the sounds of it, the curses are getting more ingrained into me on every run. Even Kahlia said it would be a major undertaking for her at this point, did I mention that? Maybe as we keep accumulating Challenger skills, something will come up...we did pick up Hexcraft a few weeks back, and that had some interesting stuff in it, though the Challenger we got it from was only an Expert. But I'm not holding my breath."
"Well, in the short term at least, even if I can't guarantee you a lifetime of happiness, I think at least I can proclaim that you deserve to enjoy this one party. So how about you go out there and enjoy yourself, eh?"
Reaching over to give the guide a pat on the back of the screen, Xenia nods. "Sounds like good party wisdom, Guy. Do have a lot of friends out there to mingle with - I've hardly even had time to try and bug your real name out of you, but I ain't forgotten! Still on the Worthy Dungeon to-do list!"
"Spend no extra energy on my account, ma'am. Please, just have some fun."
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By time Xenia's made her way over towards Del, the Floor One boss had already departed for another group, but the dungeon master decides to check in anyways and make sure the relatively newly-sapient rabbit man hadn't been being a creep. "Hey, Del. Saw you talking with BB, yeah? Sorry if he's a bit of an oddball, you might notice a bit of a difference between the bosses who are reincarnates and the ones who ain't."
The Maid flicks a rabbit ear in Xenia's direction, and then freezes for a moment as she realizes what she just did. Deciding to move on rather than bring attention to it, she simply answers the question asked of her. "BB? I suppose that does sound a bit friendlier than 'Bloody'. But nothing to apologize for! He's actually rather cute when I'm not locked in a life-or-death struggle with the man."
"Cute, huh? And yeah, guess your team did fight the dude that one time." She pauses before continuing. "...The attraction going both ways, there? The boy hitting on you?"
Del seems amused by the tone in Xenia's voice. "I believe he was, yes. Is that a problem? Not that I'm saying anything will come of it, but I've been led to believe that the guardians of this dungeon are rather...open."
Xenia snorts. "Yeah, that'd be one way of putting it. And it's not a problem, I just haven't been sure if BB's all talk or actually any action when it comes to romance stuff, to be honest. He's played a bit with the Squires, but I'm pretty sure the only other one he's done any flirting with is me. And...uh. He kind of feels a bit like a son to me, a little bit, for some reason? Which is probably an oddity on my end which I should stop doing or things are gonna get real creepy around here."
That line of thought manages to confuse the Priestess somewhat. "Why would it be creepy? I suppose you have, in a sense, raised the man, yes? One might even say the dungeon gave birth to him, in a metaphorical way perhaps."
"That's truuuueee...but then I also had to watch the boy having a threesome with Ashadi and Namasha a couple parties back. The uh, Squire girls, if you ain't been introduced. Who are also technically part of me."
Del goes silent at that revelation, not sure what the proper response ought to be. "...I see." After another moment, her eyes narrow in Xenia's direction. "...So you're saying if BB and I did engage in something, you'd..."
"Yeah, gonna have to live with it. Already seen you and that noble guy back on Floor Five the other day, and I gotta say, I was impressed that the dude put himself in the pillory and not you. Maybe he was worth taking a hit for after all, huh?"
"That - that was not why I did it!" Blushing, Del quickly works to find a change in subject. "So - tell me about Guy, hrmm? I've never heard anything about that particular member of the dungeon!"
Xenia nods as she accepts the topic shift. "Yeah, the guides are pretty low-key, I'm not even sure how much the Association knows about them. Not much, I'm guessing, they seem to be working on guesswork for most dungeon mechanics as far as I've noticed. Guy's a representative of something bigger than just the dungeons though, they're a member of the SGA."
"The - the what?"
"Spiritual Guides and Advisors. They're a cross-realm organization of...divine agents? Sort of like angels, I guess. They show up to guide people who are instruments of the gods or fate in some way - dungeons, Heroes, Chosen Ones, people who get stuck in prophecies, that sort of thing. I've worked with a few of them over the years, their rules and styles change a bit from realm to realm."
The rabbit-woman grows more confused as she tries to slot that into the knowledge she already knows of the world. "But, hold on a minute. Agents of what, now? Or who? Some group of gods, or something?"
Xenia drains her current drink before nodding. "That's a damn good question, ain't it? They're tight-lipped as hell about the SGA, though, usually you can't even get them to admit there is an SGA. Sometimes takes me a lifetime to get them to spill anything, and half the time all I learn is the stuff they let slip by accident. I can say I've spotted em in more realms than I have any particular god, though."
"That's...quite mystifying."
"Sure is! I don't try to pry too hard, though, sometimes a little mystery keeps things interesting." Tossing her empty mug into the ether and summoning up a new one, Xenia refocuses on the woman next to her. "But speaking of mysteries, how about the mystery of Deylia Niyen, eh? What's life like in the household of a noble, here? Did hear something about you having a younger brother?"
"Ah, yes, Dram! Trush mentioned you produced a shield for him, I hope it serves him well..."
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
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The two continued talking for a while before splitting up and mingling with other groups, enjoying everything the party had to offer. Games had been set up for showing off both physical and magical talents, and while Deylia may have lacked much in the way of combat skills, the woman proved remarkably adept with tests relating to reflexes and balance. Sely and Lilly both asked a fair few questions on behalf of their respective organizations, but the booze flowing like water kept the atmosphere from becoming too business-like. A few couples may have wandered off into more private groves of the forest for short periods, but as no one wanted to miss the big announcement, such wanderings were kept short.
Finally, as the clock neared midnight, everyone gathered up in the main clearing around Xenia and Guy. Just before the big moment arrived Xenia fired off her avatar spell, allowing all of her guests to see her, although Guy's actual announcements would need to be translated for them. After Sincere took charge of quieting down the hubbub, the clock ticked over.
Clearing their metaphorical throat, Guy starts off the announcements. "It seems we do indeed have some new achievements tonight! Would be rather embarrassing if we did not, now wouldn't it? Haha!"
Xenia rolls her eyes. "I didn't even wanna bring up the possibility and jinx it. Now come on, we've had enough suspense!"
"Of course, of course! Now, here we go!" With all of the words out of the way, new screens began to appear from the guide's 'face'.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: SURVIVOR 4
YOU HAVE SURVIVED TWO HUNDRED DAYS. A SECOND DUNGEON BIOME THEME MAY BE SELECTED BASED ON NEIGHBORING BIOMES. WHEN A NEW FLOOR IS ADDED, SCHEMA UPGRADES BASED ON THAT BIOME WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
CURRENT BIOME: CAVE. AVAILABLE BIOME OPTIONS: FOREST, TOWN.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: BLOODTHIRSTY 2
YOU HAVE SLAIN AT LEAST FIFTY MORTALS IN YOUR FIRST TWO HUNDRED DAYS. WHEN A MORTAL CORPSE IS ABSORBED BY THE DUNGEON, THEIR LIKENESS MAY BE STORED FOR USE AS AN UNDEAD TEMPLATE. UP TO FIVE LIKENESSES MAY CURRENTLY BE STORED.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: SURPRISING CHALLENGE 2
YOU HAVE SLAIN AT LEAST TEN MEDIUM-POWERED OR STRONGER MORTALS IN YOUR FIRST TWO HUNDRED DAYS. YOU HAVE EARNED FIVE FREE RANDOM UPGRADES FROM THE SOUL STORE.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: EXPANSIONIST 2
YOU HAVE EXPANDED TO AT LEAST SIX FLOORS WITHIN YOUR FIRST TWO HUNDRED DAYS. YOU MAY DESIGNATE ONE 'SAFE FLOOR'. THIS FLOOR WILL HAVE TRIPLE THE CAPACITY.
TO BE DESIGNATED A SAFE FLOOR, NO MORTAL CAN HAVE BEEN SLAIN THERE IN THE PREVIOUS TWENTY-FIVE DAYS. IF A MORTAL IS SLAIN ON A SAFE FLOOR, THE DESIGNATION WILL BE REMOVED AND ANY EXCESS CAPACITY COSTS WILL BE DRAINED FROM PRIMARY DUNGEON MANA STORAGE UNTIL EXCESS IS REDUCED.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: BREEDER 1
YOU HAVE CREATED AT LEAST TWENTY MONSTER CROSSBREEDS. CROSSBREEDING ANALYSIS WILL NOW PROCESS 10% MORE QUICKLY.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: EXCEPTIONAL BREEDER 1
YOU HAVE CREATED AT LEAST FIVE MONSTER CROSSBREEDS FOR THE FIRST TIME BY ANY DUNGEON. SPECIFIC MONSTER SUBTYPES MAY NOW BE SPECIFIED FOR CROSSBREEDING ANALYSIS AT B TIERS.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: EXCEPTIONAL BREEDER 2
YOU HAVE CREATED AT LEAST TEN MONSTER CROSSBREEDS FOR THE FIRST TIME BY ANY DUNGEON. SPECIFIC MONSTER SUBTYPES MAY NOW BE SPECIFIED FOR CROSSBREEDING ANALYSIS AT C TIERS. DESIRED MONSTER TRAITS MAY BE SPECIFIED AT A TIERS.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: I THINK THEREFORE I AM
YOU HAVE CREATED AT LEAST FIVE SAPIENT BOSSES. PERSONALITY TYPES MAY NOW BE SELECTED FOR SAPIENT, NON-ENSOULED MONSTERS.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: RAVAGER 1
YOUR DUNGEON MONSTERS HAVE PERFORMED SEXUAL ACTS UPON MORTALS AT LEAST ONE DOZEN TIMES. VIRGINS AND THOSE BEHOLDEN TO AN OATH OF CHASTITY WILL SENSE THE RISK TO THEIR VIRTUE UPON ENTERING YOUR DUNGEON.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: RAVAGER 2
YOUR DUNGEON MONSTERS HAVE PERFORMED SEXUAL ACTS UPON MORTALS AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE TIMES. MORTALS WHO LOSE THEIR VIRGINITY OR FAIL AN OATH OF CHASTITY WITHIN YOUR DUNGEON SHALL RECEIVE BONUS COMPENSATION UPON LEAVING THE DUNGEON, EQUIVALENT TO BOSS REWARDS FROM THE HIGHEST FLOOR THEY HAVE REACHED. OTHER MORTALS IMPACTED BY SEXUAL MONSTER ENCOUNTERS WILL RECIEVE 20% BETTER REWARDS ON THEIR NEXT BOSS DEFEAT.
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ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: TOUCHED BY THE DIVINE
YOU HAVE ACQUIRED AT LEAST ONE DIVINE SERVANT. YOU MAY CHOOSE TO GRANT ONE MINOR DAILY BOOST OF VARIOUS KINDS TO ANY MORTAL VISITORS WHO FOLLOW
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Xenia looks over the list and reads them aloud, nodding along and adding some additional commentary as she goes. "New upgrades, neat! Hrmm, creepy...nice freebies...ooh, this one should be perfect for Floor Five! ...We really need a better term for monster breeding, seriously." She pauses, her eyes going a little wider at the last three, which she neglects to read out loud to the party's guests. "It's been consensual! We run a consensual dungeon here! What the hell! ...Annnnd I gotta admit. I'm only surprised it took me this long to completely break something."