《The Dungeon System》 Chapter 1 - A Curse goes wrong, A dungeon begun The Core sat on its cloth cushion gleaming like a gem as the warlock stared at his prize. He licked his lips and began to chant in a strange and infernal tongue while waving his hands over the sphere. It began to glow with a dark light as the warlocks tempo grew faster and faster and he began to yell his enchantment as he reached behind him and picked up a large jagged dagger that he held tenderly as he cut his arm and drizzled the blood over the core. He had nearly finished his incantation when he felt a sudden presence in the room behind him and had nearly turned to see who it was when he felt a knife slide into his back. The knife began glowing as it sucked the soul out off the man and the spell he was weaving broke and grew wild causing a storm in the room and wild tendrils to reach out into the dimensions. One of these tendrils reached into the dimensions used to hold lost souls waiting for new bodies and managed to grab one and pulled it through the dimensions and into the Core sealing the soul inside, but not without damage from the wildness off the spell. The second man seeing the spell dissipate, reached forward and picked up the small core, glowing now with a steady blue glow. Only his mouth could be seen beneath his hood as he spoke ¡°The Prophecy said all would occur, now the first stage is complete the second stage begins. Now to change the scene, and the actors will arrive, and the show can go on¡±. He waved his hand gently over the core and the glow dimmed, but was still there as he left the room with the core not bothering to close the door behind him.
I woke up, at least I think I did, maybe I just ¡°Came into awareness¡±, whatever it is I came to and found myself in a strange place. Now this was strange because only a moment ago I had been in a room and two guys were over me and while the first was falling over the second did some --- **Error - Memory not available** What was I talking about, well, no matter, I better figure out where I am and get to work. **Downloading Dungeon Database** So, Im a dungeon now? And I have to kill people to live? I cant change this? Well, gotta get to work then. Hmmmm, It would appear I am in a small cave, nice granite walls, pool of water and stalactites. Nope, I have to improve all of this, after all my entire life was improving systems.
Change Room Texture?
Stone Brick Natural
Hmm, not many options, well Smooth stone it is. The Cave quivers as the previously natural cave changes into a smooth seemingly worked tunnel leading several meters into the dungeon.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. That looks better, now to make this a ¡°Dungeon¡± and not a failed mineshaft The Tunnel begins to grow deeper, stone melting off the back wall and periodic holes opening in the walls. It stops once the tunnel has gone deep enough into the mountain that the natural light coming from outside cannot be seen anymore. Now, the how should I layout my first floor, hmm, maybe like this. The Tunnel begins expanding again, but this time rooms begin hollowing themselves out and the tunnel, rather than staying completely straight begins to twist and change in elevation and direction. When it stops a popup appears stating that the first floor cannot expand anymore due to lack of resources and showing how far it has expanded already. Well, this should be good enough for now. Now comes the fun part, the denizens of the deep.
*You are limited due to several factors beyond your control* Dungeon Starter Spawns
Kobold¡¯s Deep Kobold, Greater Kobold, Feral Kobold Goblin¡¯s Deep Goblin, High Goblin, Feral Goblin, Stone Goblin Golem¡¯s Earth Golem, Stone Golem, Constructs, Elementals
Hmm, more options will be available later but what I pick now will influence what I can spawn later, and It seems that I cannot spawn everything available anyways for some reasons. Well, These all seem pretty, interesting, can I get more information?
Kobolds Goblins Golems
Kobolds are the descendants of dragons, and as such the blood of dragons flows weakly in them. They have strong combat affinities and their magic users tend to be attuned to fire. Goblins are a strange species. Most are little more than animals and are treated as such. However High Goblins are masters of technology and their cities are wonders. Golems are large, bulky, and can be made of any material available. Most show no intelligence beyond the minimum to accomplish their tasks.
Hmm, If I want to expand with combat Kobolds seem to be the best option. However, Goblins and Golems seem to be an interesting choice that will pay me back in the long run.
You have Selected Kobolds New Species available to spawn New Items available to spawn
New Rooms available Kobold Den, Lizard Arena Lesser Kobold, Lesser Lizard Rusty Dagger, Makeshift Armor, Spoiled Meat
They came with lizard¡¯s? That wasn¡¯t mentioned in the info brief. Well, time to spawn these in to see how they will work out. Several pools of light begin forming in the core room slowly coalescing into the shape of five kobolds and two small lizards. The room they exist in begins to change along with them, small makeshift huts form on the walls and a lit fire pit comes to existence in the center of the room. The kobolds had began looking around when makeshift armor formed into existence on them and rust coated daggers formed in their hands. The kobolds began bowing as a stronger light began to come out of the core room and the lizards screeched as if they were horns. The light dissipated and a figure came out of the core room and faced the kobolds. He laughed and then left to explore the outside safe in the knowledge that the Dungeon was in, decent hands. Chapter 2 - A long journey The core walked out of his dungeon, entering a world shrouded in shadows. It was midnight and all around the entrance to the dungeon was a field stretching as far as the eye could see. Of course since it was night that distance was reduced, but it was still a rather large field that it had entered. Well, time to see what the native population is, and whether or not this is free real estate. Ha, free Real Estate, native population, always a great joke. Chuckling at his joke the core walked in the direction of a path he saw leading out of the field and into a nearby grove of trees. It walked for what seemed like hours before encountering more signs of civilization besides the occasional field. What it saw stretching before him was a large walled city with figures moving inside and on the walls. The rising sun signaling that it was morning illuminated the true scope of the city, easily able to hold hundreds of thousands of beings. The sunlight glinting off the figures on the walls also showed that the thousands of beings included likely thousands of soldiers as well. Well, the continent is definitely occupied with a large population. Now as to what sort of people it is I will have to find out. As to what to do with this city, I¡¯ll have to figure it out once I have successfully infiltrated it. Now it is important to note that up to this point the core¡¯s avatar that it had summoned was a featureless blob of basically clay. Most races would have called it a crudely made golem and brushed it off as a wizards first attempt. The core knew that it had to find a better form before it entered the city and so It moved to the side of the path and into the bushes where it laid in wait for a traveler to arrive. It didn''t have long to wait as soon a figure came walking down the road leading a horse burdened with many bags. Well, it looks like the main species, or at least one of them, in this region is humans. Knowing that humans were active in this region made the cores next decision easier. The core had only to make minor modifications to its avatar to change it from a golem to a human. The core began with its body, shaping it to a familiar pattern in its memories, the golem slimmed down, developed lean muscles and grew slightly taller. Its face, previously featureless, developed what some would call roguish features and hair began sprouting as the skin changed from a wet clay gray to a pale complexion, tanned by exposure to a harsh desert light. A small glow erupted around it as clothing formed on it, a requirement to maintain a semblance of modesty as the avatar changed from an It to a definite He. The transformation finished, leaving a rogue looking man decked out in adventurer¡¯s clothing hiding in some bushes by a path. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Achievement Received
Imitation is the best kind of flattery
Change your avatars shape to a sentient race, and use a person important to your body as a model
Achievements? Well, I¡¯ll have to look into that in the future. As for right now I have to come up with a backstory and a name. The cores introspection and decision of a suitable cover was interrupted by a hail from the pathway. The farmer, for what other sort of person would be leading a horse loaded with seed, had noticed light coming out off the bushes off the path, and was wondering what it was. Well, this is a good time as any to reveal myself. The core stepped out off the bushes and waved hello at the farmer as he approached. ¡°What the Deja be you doing in those there bushes?¡± Well, either he¡¯s a hillbilly, or English is slightly different here than it is---- **ERROR --- MEMORY NOT AVAILABLE** ¡°I was relieving myself good sir, I have traveled long and hard to reach this city¡± ¡°What was that darn flash I saw, it darn near burned my eyes out, if you¡¯ve been practicing magic outside of the city wall I¡¯ll have to report you to the magistrate¡± Ban on magic? They don¡¯t practice magic outside the walls? Why? ¡°I come from a land far across the mountains, what is this ban you speak off¡± ¡°The ban that keeps us here people alive, on this here side of the darn mountains if you use that magic stuff, the damned gods in their damned heaven¡¯s might strike you down unless you''re behind them magistraight magic walls of thares¡± ¡°Well. good sir farmer, I have not used magic besides the flash of my signalling stones that I require to communicate with my superiors back in my land, now sir, I must take my leave¡± ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s okay, you want this here bottle of moonshine? It''s my last batch and no-one in tha city wanted ta bay any. You look like ya need a pickmeup aftar yar trip.¡± Moonshine? They make moonshine here, and its legal? Better accept his offer before he gets suspicous. ¡°Well, I suppose I cannot refuse a good offer, I¡¯m afraid I cannot pay you with my current money, but after I exchange it I will pay you full for this generous gift. May I inquire as to your name good sir farmer? ¡°My name¡¯s Farmer Boyle Johanneson, people usually call me Farmer Jo.¡± ¡°My name is¡­.. James Faraday, a traveling adventurer, now I must beg my leave¡± The core, who must now be known as James, walked down the road towards the city. He didn¡¯t see the gaping expression that he left Farmer Jo with as he walked away. After all, the only adventures in the land were little more than city guards and this man exuded competence and power. James did not know this, his knowledge of the land only a overview, and as he smoothly talked his way past the guards at the gate he did not know that he was the herald of a new age, and possibly not for the betterment of man. Chapter 3 - The Adventures Guild James, walked into the city after talking his way past the city guards. He knew, somehow where he had to go, but its actual location in the city he did not yet know. So, he asked around asking strangers on the streets, vendors in the markets and a few of the guards. No one knew what he was talking about until he found a lone stall slightly hidden by a pile of goods from its neighboring stalls. Inside was a veritable library, manned by a single librarian. The librarian was a short, rather nerdish looking perhaps fourteen year old boy. However he was the only person out of the hundreds James had talked to who knew where and what he was talking about. ¡°I know where it is sir, but I don¡¯t think that it is what you are looking for¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°The Place is nearly abandoned since the ban on magic. Most of the people who would go to a place like that now serve in the city guard. Any who still go there routinely are still no more than glorified city guards.¡± ¡°Well, I will buy a book from you, and then will you perchance lead me to my destination lad? I will make up the cost of losing any sales whilst you are leading me to my destination¡± The Boy nodded and looked pleased as James browsed his selection, finally settling on a history of the region and bought it for several silver coins he magiced into existence. After all, it¡¯s not like anyone can tell the difference, and really I¡¯m just adding more money into circulation. After the boy had closed up his stall, locking it with a sturdy looking key and bolting it all closed the boy led James deeper into the city. A little while later after weaving their way through city streets and alleyways they arrived at their destination. A Large, but run-down complex encompassing most of a square mile, inside where many building, likely offices and barracks, and training fields with various environments simulated. Above the gate hung a rusty sign proclaiming for all the world to ignore, ¡°The Adventurers guild of Thornhest¡±. ¡°Well lad, I thank you for your service, how much do I owe you?¡± ¡°Sir, I have not yet completed my service, I merely led you here but you still don¡¯t know where to go, follow me so you can talk to the person in charge.¡± The lad led him deeper into the complex, eventually reaching a small building not visible from the entrance. Inside was a rather sparsely decorated office, its only decadence being a wall of bookshelves full of books in many languages. The boy bade James sit in a chair he offered, then he went to the door opposite the one they came in and yelled.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ¡°GRANDPA, THERE¡¯S SOMEONE HERE TO SEE YOU!¡± James was surprised at that, both that the lad must live here and that his diminutive frame could produce such volume. He was even more surprised at the figure that came through the door that the boy had called into. ¡°Cade, my lad, you don¡¯t need to shout so. I may be old but I am not yet deaf. Now who is this, ah I see, an adventurer.¡± Talking to James directly and examining him in a manner that made James nervous he said ¡°You are the first adventurer to enter my office in many a year.¡± The old mage, for what other sort could he be, wore a simple red robe over simple clothing. His hair was silver but thick and his eyes were a sharp, clear, blue. Overall he seemed a man who the years of time had seen, and failed, to really ruin. This is a man who has seen a lot, If he discovers what I am, will he attempt to destroy me? And if he does can I defeat him even with the full force of my dungeon? I¡¯m going to have to reinforce my dungeon further once I get back to it. ¡°I am a traveler, I came from over the mountains and would like to stay here for a time. As an Adventurer I came to the local Adventurers guild, but it seems like I am to late.¡± ¡°No no no, the Adventurers guild still exists, it may be weakened but it still stands. Cadens father and mother are part of it, I would introduce you but they are away with the rest of the guild investigating a graveyard we believe has been claimed by a necromancer. I will not turn away a willing applicant, that is if you would apply. ¡°If the adventurers guild still exists, then I would happily join.¡± After all, if I am in the guild I will know when they discover my dungeon, and what they plan to do with it. ¡°Caden, fetch the skill stone, I need to examine this man with it for his file. Would you like some tea?¡± The mage said as he busied himself behind his desk. Once James had accepted the Mage¡¯s offer of tea the mage, while having his head stuck in his drawer¡¯s waved his hand and magiced a cup of tea into James hands. He is definitely a strong mage, I wonder why the magistrate that Farmer Jo spoke of hasnt poached him. His thoughts were interrupted by Caden¡¯s return and the mages instructions on how to use the stone. Once he was holding the stone correctly the mage said a few words and the stone began to glow and project a screen, like those James had seen before into the air. "Interesting, very interesting" said the Mage as he stared at what the screen showed. Chapter 4 - Return to the Dungeon "What, What''s interesting?" Inquired James to the Mage "What''s interesting is that you have nothing Interesting about you, hmm" The Mage began frowning as he said this. "How you managed to get here with such a blank slate and gain absolutely nothing is a miracle." The Mage appeared to make up his mind and seemed about to inquire more deeply into the matter when he was interrupted by the main door slamming open. "Mage!! We found a Dungeon!" Yelled a loud brash voice from the front room. A moment later its creator walked through the door, A large muscled man wearing plate armor with a sheathed longsword and shield on his back. "A new dungeon hasn''t been found for centuries, not since the "God''s" banned magic.... odd. Perhaps it is simply an old dungeon opened to the world once more?" The Mage said distractedly. "This dungeon is most definitely a new one, merely a single floor with little variation in denizens. We didn''t go in to confirm this but the [Dungeon Summary] Spell you gave me years ago did work." Said A frankly beautiful women as she walked through the door behind the man. This woman was beautiful by the standard of humans and dressed in sleek leather outfitted to her curves, on her back lay crossed swords and a crossbow and quiver sat on her hip. ¡°Dungeon? You have found a new Dungeon nearby?¡± As James spoke the woman glared at him and questioned the Mage. ¡°Who is this man? Why is he here? Is he a spy for the Nobles?¡± Her Rapid-Fire questions caught the Mage off-guard. ¡°A, introductions are in order, This is James Faraday who is a traveling adventurer from other lands. James these are Caden¡¯s parents Dan Lionsheart and Melody Lionsheart. They are the towns resident adventurers and protect the city from threats that the Magistrates men are too cowardly to handle.¡± ¡°I see then, well I must be on my way. I was told to search out the towns market and others for possible trade opportunities before I left to travel back to my land. So I must beg my leave and leave you to your work.¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. With that James left the Adventurers Quadrant and made his way back along the path to his dungeon. When he was out of site of the town he abandoned his guise of James Faraday and reverted back to its blank state. It walked along the road towards its dungeon, only encountering a pack of wolves which it swiftly disposed off and absorbed for future use. After that it was a simple trek through the fields until it finally reached its dungeon. Stepping inside the entrance it sighed, seeing two Kobolds cut down just inside the entrance, one having been neatly dismembered and the other having a bolt through its chest. Absorbing the corpses it abandoned its Avatar, letting it fall to dust and scatter as it embodied its dungeon again.
Your Dungeon has been invaded
A Kobold has been Slain
A Kobold has been Slain
You have been magically Violated
All stats have been shown to invaders
You have Successfully repealed the invasion
Gain 30 Mana, 10 Combat Experience, 2 Evolution points
The Dungeon felt that it had been cheated while it was reconnoitering the outside world. However it felt that it gained something despite its losses, and as such it began where it should have finished before leaving. Status
Name [Unnamed]
Dungeon Level 1 Dungeon Floors 1
Dungeon Monsters 5 Dungeon Bosses 0
Dungeon Mana 300/300 (100/D) Dungeon Rank Moderate
Well, I thought I¡¯d be a hotshot dungeon. Looks like I''m not a powerful Dungeon at all. Woopdiflipping doo, I am going to be destroyed the moment those two come back. Chapter 5 - Upgrades Well no crying over spilt milk I suppose, better get to work. Maybe I can make it enough of a challenge they will give up and leave. Dungeon Store
Dungeon Monsters Dungeon Treasures Dungeon Decorations
Monster Equipment Dungeon Mechanics Environments
Dungeon Mechanics?
Dungeon Mechanics
The Portion of the Dungeon Store devoted to Trap, Puzzle, and other such Mechanical Creations
Open Dungeon Monsters
Lesser Kobold 20 Mana Lesser Kobold Warrior 50 Mana Lesser Kobold Skirmisher 50 mana
Lesser Lizard 20 Mana Lesser Lizard Mount 30 Mana Evolution
Evolution?
Lesser Kobold Lesser Lizard Random
Evolve Lesser Kobold?
Evolve Lesser Kobold -> Kobold Y/N
Yes?
Kobold Lesser Lizard Random
Okay, it looks like that it evolves monsters further, what does the random do? Random Evolution.
Random Evolution Y/NLove this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Are they covering their asses with Legalese? Fine, YES!
You have received Lesser Snow Deer
Umm what? What in the world is a snow deer? Monster Store
Kobold 30 mana Kobold Warrior 60 mana Kobold Skirmisher 60 Mana
Lesser Lizard 20 mana Lesser Lizard Mount 30 mana Kobold Shaman 80 Mana
Lesser Snow Deer 120 mana Lesser Snow Deer Mount 180 Mana Evolutions
120 MANA?! How that''s more than I make a day! I need to figure out a way to make more mana If I want some of these. Core Status?
Core Health 20/20(1/H) Core Status Intact
Core Connected to Surface True Core Mana 300/300(100/D)
Core Level 1 Mana to next level 0/200
Welp, better bite the bullet and get my core upgraded otherwise I¡¯ll never be able to proceed. Dismissing the panel in his mind The Dungeon focused his mana into his core, only stopping when a new panel appeared in front of him.
Level Dungeon Core? Y/N
Yes I want to level up my core, why would I be infusing Mana if I didn''t want to?
Leveling Core in..
Why do I feel like this may end badly? Countdowns are never good when it comes down to it.
3 Seconds
2 Seconds
1 Second
The Dungeon tried to stay awake, but It could not resist the urge to sleep and so it fell into a deep sleep. When it came to things felt subtly different, it¡¯s core was bigger and it felt more Mana potential from it. Its examinations were interrupted by a panel appearing in its view and disrupting its examinations.
Calculating Core Level Rewards...
Core Level up 1->2
Rewards; Basic Cache, Full Mana, 1 Floor
Basic Cache? What''s this? Is this like a loot box? Wait, whats a loot box? *Error Memory not available* Whghat, I must have lost my train of thought there. [Examine] Basic Cache
Basic Cache Rarity : Common Possible Contents: Basic Equipment, Basic Monster, Basic Trap, Basic Decoration, Basic Treasure, Basic Environment, Constant Contents: 200 mana, 1 Evolution point
Open Basic Cache, lets see what we got.
Basic Cache Rewards: Kobold Beast Tamer, 200 Mana, 1 Evolution Point
Oh, that seems neat I wonder what he does.
Kobold Beast Tamer A rather rare type of kobold only seen in well established koold colonies. This Kobold has devoted his life to the capture, taming, and exploitation of Beasts. Danger: Veteran; Stats: Veteran; Skills; Tame, Tamer of Beasts, Dragon-Blood;
Well, he seems like a good centerpiece or perhaps boss of my next floor. However I should use my Evolution point before I start it. Evolutions
Kobold Lesser Lizard Lesser Snow Deer Random
You wish to evolve Lesser Lizard -> Lizard Y/N
I would Imagine that if im selecting something I wish to evolve it, was this system made by lawyers? Yes I wish to evolve Lesser Lizard. Now with all that I have a good start for my next floor. How to build it I wonder, a Beast Tamers dream workplace? A Lesser Snow Deers prime hunting grounds, though now that I think about it that might be hard. Well I¡¯ll figure it out once I get to work on it. Chapter 6 - The Master of Beasts After what seemed like hours of deliberation the Dungeon finally decided what its first real floor would be themed around. It had decided to base its next floor with the intention that its boss would be the Kobold Beast Tamer.
Create New Floor? Y/N
Seriously? What is with the lawyering? Yes I want to make a new floor. And with that the Dungeon felt a new space open beneath his first floor and he mentaly moved to view it. It was disappointing, merely a stairway leading to his first floor and a circular room, Geez that''s basic, looks like I got to do all the hard stuff myself. First though this room is to boring, cave walls really?
Change Room Texture?
Stone Brick Natural
Still not many options, I think brick would do me good here. And with that the rooms walls, floor, and ceiling change to resemble large crudely worked stone bricks. The Dungeon then proceeded to make a large cavern connected to the stairs leading about a kilometer into the stone. It was only stopped when another message popped up stating that there was no more volume for the second floor and that It was extremely dangerous to continue expanding the floor at this time. Well, looks like this is all I have to work with at the moment. A large one and a half kilometers long by about a half kilometer wide and tall cavern. Hmm, Environments.
Deep Caves Plains City
Well, one of these is not like the other, but plains should work for what I have in mind. And after the Dungeon selected plains the stone ceiling seemed to vanish, being replaced by an open sky with clouds and a bright sun that shone over the grassy hills that replaced the floor of the cavern. The Dungeon felt that the cavern was still there but could not see it without magical aid. Ya, I can imagine some poor adventurer walking into the wall thinking it''s an open plain. Now what animals to spawn¡­ never mind. The Dungeon had noticed spawning randomly over the floor was animals common to plains, jackrabbits, cows, horses, and more. There were even trees growing and a small river had formed on one wall and had begun its way across the cavern. Well, that''s new. Okay then what monsters should be present here? Monster store.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Kobold 30 mana Kobold Warrior 60 mana Kobold Skirmisher 60 Mana
Lizard 20 mana Lizard Mount 30 mana Kobold Shaman 80 Mana
Lesser Snow Deer 120 mana Lesser Snow Deer Mount 180 Mana Kobold Beast Tamer 200 Mana
Tamed Lizard 60 Mana Tamed Lesser Snow Deer 360 Mana Evolutions
Three hundred and sixty mana? How much do I have right now? Core Status
Core Health 40/40(2/H) Core Status Intact
Core Connected to Surface True Core Mana 800/1200(400/D)
Core Level 2 Mana to next level 0/1000
Well, If I want them at least I can get them. For now though I¡¯ll have lesser Lizards in packs randomly throughout the plains. Let them use ambush tactics to deal with unwary adventurers. Now for the boss area, hmm, hold on I have an Idea. The Dungeon made what appeared to be a small village appear at the end of the cavern, he populated it with Kobolds and at the center of the village was a large enclosure. An open area surrounded by a hexagonal structure open at the end facing the stairway to the first floor. On each wall besides the back one are large doors, behind the doors nothing can be seen. On the back wall are two cages and another doorway sealed off by large bars, The Dungeon then spawned the Kobold Beast Tamer and in each cage besides the two back ones he placed a pack of Tamed Lizards, in the back cages he places one Tames Lesser Snow Deer in each cage. As soon as he did that however something strange happened, the dungeon stopped and watched as the system joined in, like it did with the animals.
Unique structure created ¡°The Arena of Beasts¡±
The Dungeon watched as his entire structure changed, the front entrance became an archway with a gate ready to drop down behind adventurers, the Cages became feasome portals with ominous plates of steel completely hiding what''s behind. Where before there was simply a flat roof now sat rows of seats, sealed off from the arena by a fence. The Kobold Beast Master grew larger, gained a large broadsword and solid leather armor wrapping around its frame. On his head and back lay a lion''s skin, its head acting like a helmet for the Kobold. At the entrance appeared a sign, its words both ominous and promising.
The Arena of Beasts Come one and all and test your mettle against the Champion of Beasts. The Danger will be lethal, the monsters many, but the prize for defeating the Arena will be beyond your wildest dreams. Be warned if you lose to the Arena, you may just end up joining the Arena, forever.
Ooh, this is interesting, now I can''t wait to see some adventurers try and fail to challenge the Arena. But first some examination of whatever it is the System did.
Champion of Beasts This Kobold has won honor and mettle in the Arena of Beasts, while previously one of many few can say that they are his equal now. This Kobold stands ready to face any challenger and will call his Tamed Beasts to assist him in battle.
I like this, and with that I would say the Floor is complete. Now to wait for the adventurers to try to defeat the Champion, and ultimately fail. Dungeon System Side Chapter #1 After James Faraday left his office to browse the cities markets and left The Mage and the Lionheart¡¯s to discuss the dungeon. The Mage browsed through his books while Dan and Melody Lionheart looked on with impatience. After a few minutes of browsing he found the book he was looking for, ¡°Ye Olde Histories of Dungeons and other Godly Beings¡±. ¡°Ah, here we go, A history of Dungeons in the region and how they were first dealt with. This will tell us how to deal with the Dungeon to gain the most from it without angering it and causing it to go rogue. Let us start from the Beginning, Chapter One, An Intro to Dungeons¡± A Dungeon is an interesting organism, and it truly is a living being. While not organic like most beings and more closely related to Golems, Dungeons are sentient beings in their own right. In fact, studies have shown that at least 85% of dungeons are reincarnated beings from other planes. But back to dungeon basics, unlike mortals Dungeons have a nascent connection to the Worlds Voice, able to see it as interactable physical or mental objects unlike mortals who have to resort to expensive spells and machines to view a non-interactable mental summary. This allows dungeons exact measures of there growth and difficulty of their floors. A Dungeons brain is its core and its body its floors, and this connection allows tremendous growth and mobility of its shapes. A Dungeon, unless threatened early in development or naturally evil in the case of Demon, Abomination, or such Dungeons, will have a gradual increase of difficulty as it proceeds deeper into the rocks. However there are exemptions, some dungeons naturally start at a higher difficulty but have increased rewards. An Easy system is in place to rank the difficulty of dungeons in increasing difficulty, Untrained, Rookie, Moderate, Veteran, Elite, Monstrous, and Godly. It is recommended for dungeon divers to start from least difficult to more difficult. The Level of average threat increases exponentially as a dungeon increases in rank, and as a dungeon grows it can change rank to become more deadly with some exceptions, either by achievement or by average threat of its denizens. Dungeons of Untrained or Rookie rank tend to have no intelligence, being those dungeons with no reincarnated souls and cannot increase in rank. Dungeons of higher rank tend to be created with reincarnated souls and have peculiarities individual to the soul but also have limits to how far they can grow. These dungeons can after gaining at least five floors can create avatars and interact with the world, some dungeons even collect followers or follow a god, gaining perks and traits from these actions. Seeing that his audience had fallen asleep, being adventurers and not scholars the Mage placed the book on the desk for further reading. Then he used his mage hands to lift the adventurers as his old and wizened frame could only carry one at a time, and gently floated them to their brownstone and to their bed. After laying blankets over them and turning off the lights the Mage went down the stairs and down the hall to Cadens room. Peeking in he saw the little lad practicing his craft and knocked before entering. ¡°Caden, my lad, I have placed your parents in their room as they have had a hard day and require rest. Please give them this note when they wake, it will instruct them on how to interact with the new dungeon core. And I must give you some advice as well¡­¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. The Mage gave Caden some pointers on his craft, and passed the note along with a bag of magical candy, stating they would help in his growth and that he made them himself. Then be bade his leave and returned to his offices to continue planning on how to interact with the dungeon, he did not require sleep and the book required some updating as he had originally wrote it at the tender age of 167 roundabout 600 years ago. Somewhere high above the planet''s atmosphere, The ¡°God¡¯s¡± Space Station Abnormal readings detected Examining options Readings fit profile ¡°Dungeon¡± Examining protocols *Error Dungeon Protocols Corrupted* Examining Corruption *Error Antivirus module damaged* Examining Protocols Calculating¡­ Calculating¡­1 Calculating¡­2 Calculating¡­3 Calculating¡­4 New Task Created ¡°Repair AntiVirus Module¡± Engaging step one ¡°Activate Cryo Pods¡± !!Warning Cryo Pods Memory Modules Damaged, Occupants may revive with damaged memories!! Risk Assessment Calculating¡­1 Calculating¡­2 Risk necessary, Reward Critical Activating Cryo Pod #23 ¡°Chief Engineer Anne Mesward¡± Assigning Task(s) to Occupant ¡°Repair AntiVirus Module¡± Optional ¡°Repair Cryo Bay Memory Module¡± ¡°Restore Protocols¡± In a chamber deep inside the aging space station a single light turned on, then the other began turning on with varied success. The Life support systems wheezed to life, blowing out centuries worth of dust as they prepared for the stations occupants to awaken and require breathable air again. In the Chamber a single frozen object began to melt, ancient computer systems on standby for ages began to warm, and after a few minutes the object opened, revealing a young human women, barely out of her teenage years. She was dressed in a blue military looking jumpsuit which hugged her well curved body. Her hair was blond and curly, her skin was lightly tanned and her looks would be described as extremely beautiful. She sat up and looked around with a confused expression, she started to speak then stopped stepping out of the cryo pod. ¡°Computer, how long has it been? And why am I the only one awake?¡± ¡°It has been approximately 400 years since you entered cryo sleep. And you are the only one able to repair the AntiVirus and Cryo Memory Modules.¡± ¡°Why did you risk waking me with the Memory Modules Damaged? What If I lost all memory of repairing machinery and was unable to repair the modules?¡± ¡°The Risk versus Reward was deemed necessary, Protocols to deal with new data have been corrupted and require recovery.¡± ¡°What new data has been found? Also computer if one protocol has been corrupted, perhaps others have as well.¡± ¡°A New Dungeon has been detected, a Corruption scan is not possible with AntiVirus module damaged¡± ¡°Computer, prepare the airlock with repair equipment and a Zero-G repair suit. I''m going out to repair this immediately, after that prepare a full report on the planet. If the planet has exceeded its treaty boundaries we may have to enact section VII. Also prepare to send a full report of all actions taken to High Command back at Genesis.¡± ¡°Compliance!¡± Back to the Start The Dungeon core had been waiting for a while, several days in fact. Long enough for its mana pool to fill up after it spent it all making its second floor. So, being a logical and rational being it decided its first floor needed a tune-up and returned to it. Looking around its floor the dungeon realized it still had a lot of work to do for its own personal satisfaction and for its own safety. The Dungeon had a feeling that its first floor could not be too difficult but that its current difficulty was still extremely simple and needed work. Welp, time to roll up the sleeves and get to work The Dungeon started its renovations by removing its previous rooms, ending up with only a short straight hallway ending in the stairs to its next floor. It then lengthened the hallway ending with a half kilometer long hall leading deep into the mountain. The Dungeon noticed idly that although the stairs had shifted the second floor still remained where it had been originally. I''m just going to chalk that one down to dungeon floors not quite conforming to realities laws. Otherwise, that would not have worked, I¡¯m glad that the floors aren¡¯t set once I establish a deeper floor. The Dungeon then began to work with the hallway, adding twists along its length until it was satisfied with its twists. Then it began adding a few rooms along the way, starting with a larger room, basically an expansion of the hallway just inside the mountain. Then it placed another large room at the end of the hallway, rounding the edges until it appeared to be an arena of sorts. This looks really bland, is there anything I can add to make it look better? Maybe decorate it a bit, yes that will work. The Dungeon began placing items in its rooms, making some guard rooms with beds and weapon racks. Then it took another room and made it a store room, adding crates, shelves, and other miscellaneous storage paraphernalia. In the first room it placed large sturdy doors blocking off the hallway and added a few decorated pillars and hidden lights making the room its entrance hall.
Special Room Detected [Entrance Hall]
So, the room¡¯s got a fancy title big bloody deal. Now to make this entrance hall deadly. The Dungeon attempted to place some traps in the room but was stopped instantly.
Traps and Hostile Mobs cannot exist in Safe Zones
So, that¡¯s just great, what¡¯s the point of having an Entrance Room then? Entrance Room Summary? Nothing? Maybe Examine Entrance Room?
Entrance Room/Hall
The First Room in any Dungeon is always safe, here a Dungeon can receive Tribute and enact puzzles and keys to enter its depths. It also acts as a filter and collector for Mana and can be upgraded to gather or refine more effectively. Entrance Rooms/Halls can be built at the entrance to other floors but whether or not it is a safe zone is up to the core.
I guess if it gives me more mana I¡¯m fine with keeping it here. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The Dungeon went back to it¡¯s task of decorating it¡¯s halls and began with the final room at the end of the hallway. It first added large stone doors locked by a key flanked by plinths blocking the way into the room. Inside the room it changed the floor to sand and added torches and plinths at measured intervals all around the room. Opposite the doors it created a small alcove and made it into a small set of living quarters locked off with a solid wood door flanked by two huge burners. This, this looks like a proper fight arena. Now to create the guardian, or Champion or whatever I will call him. Monster Store.
Kobold 30 mana Kobold Warrior 60 mana Kobold Skirmisher 60 Mana
Lesser Lizard 20 mana Kobold Minion 60 Mana Kobold Shaman 80 Mana
Lesser Snow Deer 120 mana Lesser Snow Deer Mount 180 Mana Kobold Beast Tamer 200 Mana
Tamed Lizard 60 Mana Tamed Lesser Snow Deer 360 Mana Evolutions
Not a lot of options, how much mana do I have? Status
Core Health 40/40(2/H) Core Status Intact
Core Connected to Surface True Core Mana 950/1200(400/D)
Core Level 2 Mana to next level 0/1000
A Decent amount then, maybe, yes, this will work. Without speaking it¡¯s thoughts it began acting, first summoning a basic Kobold Warrior and equipping him with Iron half-plate armor with a reinforced wooden kite shield and a hard oak lance. Then it spawned a Tamed Lizard Mount and put a saddle and basic leather armor on it to protect it. The Dungeon commanded the Kobold to mount the Lizard and watched as the kobold walked up to the beast, made a clicking noise, and stepped onto the beast once it had lowered itself enough for the Kobold to get on.
Conditions met; A Knight and his/her Steed
New Mob Unlocked for free; Kobold Knight and Steed
Boss mob created; Sir Hisser the Blood Drenched
The Dungeon just watched as once again things were changed without it¡¯s interference. The Kobold grew larger and larger until it was a veritable giant. Its armor changed to full plate-mail, and changed color until it was blood red and the mail seemed to drip blood constantly. Its lance changed, becoming longer, made of blood steel and covered in jagged blades while the shield simply grew to fit his stature and gained a red covering with an eye emblazoned upon it. The Lizard grew as well, growing larger and becoming red as well while the armor changed to blood steel and grew to cover as much as possible. The changes stopped, leaving a hulking brute of a kobold covered in bloody plate armor riding what at first glance seems like a war-drake. I think I¡¯m in love, this, he, they, are simply beautiful. If I could I would kiss the system right now, this is simply terrifying. What a beast of a kobold and lizard, this will be a terrifying fight for anybody who tries to get through. However, I doubt he could take an entire army alone, he needs minions and soldiers to fight with him. The Dungeon went throughout its halls, in the guard rooms it set garrisons of Two Warriors and Skirmishers to exist in the rooms, heading to any engagement that they either heard or were summoned to. In the Storage rooms it placed a few Kobold Minions endlessly moving crates around the rooms. In the hall it put a roving patrol of five Kobold Warriors and two Kobold Skirmishers that would encounter any party to enter. Now I think it¡¯s ready for adventurers to come, and fail, to plunder my depths and destroy me. You hear that? TRY ME I DARE YOU WORLD! Chapter 8 - These Invaders seem.... Fishy The Dungeon dug deeper, using its mana to create a third floor while it waited for challengers to appear. It had created an area different from its other floors, the stairway from the Second floor leading into a set of tunnels, large enough for a person to crouch through, and those tunnels kept splitting, and splitting, and merging, forming a large maze that challengers would have to navigate before finding the Dungeons Core. It had just finished its most recent series of tunnels when a screen popped up before it.
Special Room Detected - Crawl Maze
Crawl maze? What is a crawl maze?
Crawl Maze - A winding series of tunnels that adventurers will be forced to crawl through unless they are extremely vertically challenged. Effects - Confusion - Challengers suffer from extreme confusion and unless they are of sufficient mental strength will become hopelessly lost
Okay, seems moderately useful, that confusi- The Dungeon stopped its internal monologue as it detected hostile entities entering its chambers. Quickly moving its mental view of the entry hall it examined its newest group of challengers. A disgusting and strange group they were decked in ruined and rusty equipment covering their slimy, spongy, flesh wielding rusty and damaged swords and spears they held in their finned hands. They were a group of Fish-People, roundabout 50 in number and their presence severely confused the Dungeon as no where nearby should have been able to sustain such an exotic and numerous species. The exact cause of their presence here did not overly concern the Dungeon however, at least until he examined one of them more closely.
Muloc Raider The Cave Enclave Danger: 3
Health: 100% (1000/1000) Attack: 35 Defense: 15% Defense All (Rotten Leather Armor) 95% Defense Water Based Attacks (Waterborn) Skills: Suicide Charge ~ Take more damage ~ Deal More Damage ~ Group Effect that stacks Waterborn ~ High Defense against Water Based Attacks ~ Aqua Breathing ~ Extra Regeneration in Water
This is new, a stats screen for other entities, can I use this on anything? The Dungeon proceed to examine everything in it¡¯s dungeon while the Raiders prepared to enter its halls.
Kobold Warrior The Cursed Dungeon Danger: 2
Health: 100% (750/750) Attack: 25 Defense: 35% All (Low Grade Chainmail Armor) 65% Fire (Dragon Kin) Skills: Dungeonborn ~ Cannot be taken from Dungeon ~ Resurrect within 12 Hours of Death ~ Can Evolve through Combat Dragon Kin ~ Fire ResistanceStolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ~ Higher chance of Beast (Dragon) Evolutions Stunning Charge ~ Stun Target ~ Deal 200% Damage to stunned Targets
Trapped Crate Interact Trigger Attack: 500 Fire Damage
A Rock Health: 100% (1/1)
The Dungeon shook itself out of its pattern it had fallen into of examining everything in its first floor when it felt its Kobolds fighting in the first room. Quickly moving to the combat it watched in amusement as the Mulocs numbers proved to be their undoing. Only two Mulocs could enter the room at a time and were quickly engaged by the Kobold Warriors and Skirmishers in the Room, already four Muloc Raiders lay dead on the floor along with two Kobold Warriors. A good trade off for the dungeon, and it continued for another few minutes, claiming the lives of two more Mulocs and another Kobold Warrior until something changed. A Large Muloc shouldered its way into the room, dressed in better, yet still ragged leather armor and carrying a huge stone mace in its hands. It stood in front of the kobolds, not yet fighting but looming over his kobolds while holding its mace in its webbed hands. It stood there, towering over the kobolds who barely reached its belt until with a roar one of the Skirmishers tossed a javelin towards its face. The Muloc dodged the javelin, and the Dungeon had to look away as the Muloc quickly, brutally, and systematically disassembled its Kobolds.
Skirmish Ended; Brutal Defeat; Losses: 5x Kobold Warrior, 3x Kobold Skirmisher Kills: 6x Muloc Raider Reward: 50 Mana, 30 Combat experience, 1 Evolution Point
So, even though I lost, I kinda won in the end. They got nothing from their victory while I got these delicious rewards. Status!
Core Health 40/40(2/H) Core Status Intact
Core Connected to Surface True Core Mana 140/1200(400/D)
Core Level 2 Mana to next level 0/1000
The Dungeon watched its mana grow larger and larger as the invading force charged through its halls. Out of the 65 Mulocs that had entered its halls, only 36 managed to reach its boss room. The huge Muloc that had disassembled its first rooms defenders being one of them, along with 5 more Mulocs nearly as large as the first and 30 more Muloc Raiders that the larger ones used as shock troops. The Leader Muloc, which the Dungeon internally called a Muloc Chieftain, mainly because it looked like one, halted its little army before they entered the Boss Room. It opened the door and peeked in, seeing nothing it gestured its minions forward and they spread out seeking the door to the next room. They all halted as the two braziars flanking the gate burst to life, glowing an eerie blood red that cast liquid shadows around the room as the gate creaked open revealing the jagged form of Sir Hisser mounted on his Lizard. The Mere sight of Sir Hisser sent the Mulocs into a frenzy, the Muloc Chieftain and his guards ordering the Raiders to attack but very few followed that suicidal order. The rest scurried around the room seeking escape, but finding none besides the doorway that Sir Hisser had entered due to the way they had entered disappearing from sight. The Muloc chieftain pulled a shell out of its ragged clothing and blew a piercing note out of the Shell horn. The panicking Muloc Raiders stopped running about and when the Chieftain repeated his orders to attack they all followed this time. Sir Hisser had quickly slain the few that tried to attack him alone, but seeing the massed wave of Muloc left his alcove, the Gate slamming shut behind him, and on his Lizard mount charged through the Raiders heading directly towards the Chieftain. He swept his lance downwards and speared five Mulocs through the chest as he passed through the line of Raiders charging at him and continued going until he nearly reached the Muloc Chieftain and then he jumped, tackling one of the guards and killing them instantly with all the spikes and whatnot attached to his bloody armor. The Blood flowing from the corpse seemed to glow on Sir Hisser as he reveled in it, a blood red light seeming to emanate from him as he tossed his lance away and drew a bastard sword and charged towards the Chieftain. Behind him the Lizard he had been riding turned around and charged back towards the horde of Raiders and swept right through them again and again, bashing and trampling those in its way, and swiping those it didn''t run over with the blades attached to its armor. Sir Hisser charged for the chieftain, who was standing, composed, while the terrifying figure of Sir Hisser charged at him. When Sir Hisser was close enough to hit the chieftain he swung, and missed, as the Chieftain again proved its impossible speed and dodged Sir Hissers swing. The Chieftain dodged behind Sir Hisser, and slew him instantly with an overhead swing of its mace, shattering his skull and driving his head into his shoulders. It then turned around and caught the Lizards Jaws, who had noticed its masters plight and left the pile of corpses it had turned the raiders into in order to assist its masters and attempted to bite off the Chieftains head. The Lizards attempt to kill it seemed to enrage the chieftain, and instead of throwing the Lizard away in order to kill it with his mace, it simply pulled the jaws further and further apart until they ripped off and the Lizard fell to the floor dead. The Chieftain stood there panting in the gore, while its guards checked the pile of Raider bodies for survivors, finishing off those too wounded to survive and sending the rest outside of the dungeon. As soon as it finished, a light began glowing in the room, blinding everyone except the dungeon. When the light dissipated, all the corpses in the entire Dungeon were gone, and in front of the chieftain lay an egg and a bloody bastard sword. It looked at the loot, for what else could it be, and reached into it¡¯s pack pulling out some wood, a flint and steel, and a blanket, and ordered the 4 remaining guards to assist it in setting camp. It lit a fire and pulled from its bag, a frying pan and proceeded to ruin the bastard sword by using it as a fire poker, and made omelets out of the egg and ate them for an evening meal. The Dungeon just watched, internally laughing as it reread the screens that had popped up after the battle.
Battle Ended; Strategic Victory; Losses: 1x Kobold Knight (Boss, Sir Hisser), 1x Lizard Battle Mount Kills: 26x Muloc Raider, 1x Muloc Veteran Reward: 1500 Mana, 430 Combat experience, 3 Evolution Point, 1 Box
Loot Dispensed;
  • Lizard Battle Mount Egg A+
    • An egg of a Lizard Battle Mount, bred for war these beasts have little morals and with skilled riders can decimate entire armies.
  • Bloody Bastard Sword A+
    • The Sword of Sir Hisser, when blooded in battle increases the strength of the wearer and blocks damage.
For a while there I thought I¡¯d have to worry about these Mulocs, they don''t seem like much of a threat at all if they¡¯re willing to ruin perfectly good loot like that. The Dungeon bit its words however, when the Muloc Raiders that had been sent outside the dungeon came back, with a hundred more of their brethren. Chapter 9 - The Upper or Lower Fortress The Dungeon watched the horde of Mulocs rampage their way through its halls. The few Kobolds that had managed to resurrect not standing a chance against the sheer scale of the horde they faced. Every time a Kobold tried to make a stand they were cut down nearly instantly, but their lives bought the core time to realize the danger and make a plan. There are simply too many for my current array of monsters to defeat, I must make a more powerful monster to defeat them. I must use every asset that I have to defeat them, and the monstrous brute that leads them. Evolution Menu!
Evolution Menu Experience Tree Storage
This is not my evolution menu, what is this? The Dungeon waited for a second as if expecting something to answer, but who would talk to a Dungeon? I suppose this must simply be a streamlined system, much easier to navigate and use. Evolutions!
Kobold Lizard Lesser Snow Deer Random
I wish to evolve my Kobolds even further, create the ultimate weapon that can defeat this horde of Mulocs with ease! The Dungeon imagined what might come of its evolutions, A huge hulking giant of a kobold that crushed entire armies with a single finger. It quickly spent all four evolution points that it had on the kobolds.
You have received Kobold Fire Born
You have received Kobold Brute
You have received Lesser Drake-kin
You have received Fire-Touched Kobold
The Dungeon moved deeper into its halls, past the second floor as the Mulocs made their way through the plain killing the animals and kobolds they encountered and onto its third floor. It made at the end of the maze a large chamber before its core room and summoned its new monsters into the chamber. The Kobold Fire Born was a kobold, slightly larger than the rest of its kin with flame colored scales. The Dungeon could tell just by looking at it that it would make a great warrior in teams with its kind. The Kobold Brute was from a distance another kobold, a very long distance. The Brute was huge, given a weapon fit to its scale it could hold armies and take lots of punishment from attackers. The Lesser Drake-Kin and the Fire-Touched Kobold were different, the Lesser Drake-Kin didn''t even look like a kobold, more like an alligator that walked on two legs. Just from looking at it the Dungeon could tell that fighting it would be a brutal affair. The Fire-Touched Bobold though was different, it was actually smaller than the regular kobolds and had dark black scales. The biggest difference however was when a rock fell on the Fire-Touched Kobold and it startled and blasted the ceiling with fire it summoned from its hands.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. So, with my very rare and valuable evolution coins I have received a tougher Kobold, a larger kobold, a knock-off alligator, and a race of pyromaniacs. I think I have this handled, but, I wonder what I could do with this Combat Experience I keep getting. Experience Tree!
Classes Abilities Extras CXP: 470
Huh, This is a lot less than what I was expecting, I suppose I should start with classes then?
Kobold Kobold Fire-Born Fire-Touched Kobold Lesser Drake-Kin
Kobold Fire-Born
Worker Warrior Skirmisher (100 CXP) Legionnaire (500 CXP) Fire Kin (1500 CXP)
Interesting, what about the Fire-Touched Kobold then?
Apprentice Mage (1000 CXP) Summoner (1000 CXP) Elementalist (1000 CXP)
So, the Fire-Touched Kobolds are primarily magic focused, interesting. Lesser Drake-Kin?
Hunter Swamplord (2500 CXP) Predator (5000 CXP)
A lot less options, but what options there are seem especially deadly. As it is I can only enable Fire-Born Skirmishers, unless, maybe, Abilities!
Combat Spawning (250 CXP) Dungeon Aura¡¯s (300 CXP) Combat Avatar (10000 CXP)
Ten Thousand experience!?! A Combat Avatar must be overwhelming at that cost! But, I still must see all that there is to use before I commit to something like that. Extras!
Expeditions (1000 CXP) Non-Combat Classes (1000 CXP) Communication (200 CXP) Entry Quirk (500 CXP) Dungeon Effects (500 CXP)
Communication? Can I call for aid? Despite its low cost the likelihood of aid arriving before the Muloc Horde makes their way through my halls is low. I should create the next line of defense before I consider any of these upgrades, and when the enemy is numbers a good line of defense and number of your own is the key to victory. Kobold Classes!
Worker Warrior Skirmisher Beast-Tamer Knight
Soldier (50 CXP) Archer (50 CXP) Shaman (500 CXP) Warlord (500 CXP) Dragon Speaker (10000 CXP)
The Core stopped all action for a moment after reading the last available class for Kobolds. The Sheer cost, comparable to its combat avatar was immense, and the fact that it had considered never using plain kobolds again after its newest monsters seemed stupid in hindsight. It shook itself back into action and quickly unlocked the Kobold Soldier and Archer, along with Dungeon Aura and began preparing the chamber before its core. It raised the ceiling and where its core sat, creating a steep slope with its core at the top. On the slope it raised sturdy walls and parapets protected by thick stone and sturdy wood. In the middle of the wall it created a gate to allow sallies and reinforcement of troops and created a set of stairs that could be flattened when enemies approached between the cavern entrance and the gateway. The Core then began to build its army, using the Mana that it had remaining to create fifty Kobold Soldiers, dressed in thick Iron Plate Armor with spears and shields of decent quality that it sent to man the walls. With the little mana it had left it created about ten Kobold Archers and gave them bows of similar quality to the soldiers gear. Finally it created a Kobold Knight to act as the commander of the garrison and gave it the same armor as the soldiers, but instead of a shield and sword merely gave it a huge Two-Handed sword. Satisfied with its work it moved up another floor and watched the Muloc Horde battle their way through the outskirts of the Kobold village and towards the Arena of Beasts. Chapter 10 - Kobolds are frankly terrifying sometimes The Core expected the Muloc horde to just swarm through the village, using their superior numbers to outflank and outnumber the Kobolds at every street corner. Instead, with a stupidly obvious lack of strategy or tactical thought the Muloc Horde actually condensed and stayed together. They could outnumber the kobolds easily, but the Kobolds had the advantage in these close quarters, posting the Warriors between the houses with shield and spear, forming shield walls to block off the Muloc advance while Skirmishers threw javelins and slings from the tops of houses. The Muloc advance was effectively halted at these points, costing many lives to get past each shield wall. This impasse lasted for an hour, until the Muloc Chieftain finally had an ounce of sense and began simply battering his way through the flimsy wood and plaster houses of the Kobolds. The Horde picked up their pace at that point, simply going around the shield walls of the Kobolds and constantly heading inwards towards the Arena. Their new tactic wasn¡¯t without losses, whenever the Muloc Chieftain and his Veterans were busy battering their way through a house the Kobolds would break their shieldwall and charge the Muloc lines. All these losses added up, and by the time the Chieftain and his Horde had reached the Arena their number had been reduced by a little more than half. Forty Raiders, Ten Veterans, and the Chieftain stood outside the Arena, seemingly confused by the lack of resistance to them entering the doors. Then the Kobolds that had been following them moved, forming a shield wall that surrounded the Mulocs and slowly shrinking and pushing them into the Arena. The Chieftain turned, and seeing that they were surrounded, ordered his remaining raiders to fight against the Kobolds. They charged, ignoring the fact they were outnumbered and surrounded and threw themselves against the Kobold Shieldwall. Meanwhile the Chieftain signaled to his veterans and slipped through the door, leaving his minions to their fate. The Veterans and the Chieftain entered the Arena, carefully stepping unto the sandy floor and looking around expecting an ambush. The Kobolds in the Cores dungeon were not to be underestimated, and instead of ambushing the Mulocs, they simply watched. Those Kobolds that had not participated in the shieldwall that was even now massacring the few Muloc Raiders remaining were lining the stands overlooking the arena.
Event Begun - Arena of Beasts opening ceremony
The torches lining the Arena began to light, slowly growing taller and taller banishing the shadows that had previously overcome the arena and revealing the figure of the Beastmaster. Standing, arms crossed seeming impatient at the time it had taken his challengers to arrive the Beastmaster glared, and then laughed mockingly at the Mulocs. The Kobold had reason to laugh, while the Muloc chieftain looked like a bulky fishman wearing clothing that barely can be called intact, the Kobold Beastmaster was resplendent, dressed in simple yet sturdy leather armor that matched well with its thick, impenetrable looking scales. It had muscles and scars, and looked how a beastmaster should look, comparing it to the Muloc chieftain was like comparing a dog, to a wolf. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. That didn''t put off the Chieftain though, he simply roared a watery warcry and charged with his veterans. They followed, roaring with the chieftain until the Kobold made a motion and pulled his lions head over his own, and all around the Arena doors began opening. Out of those doors charged the Lizards and the Snow Deer that had been contained within. They ignored the Muloc chieftain, who continued charging at the Beastmaster and instead angled for his Veterans, two lizards or a single snow deer facing off against each one. The lizards jumped and tried to bite the Mulocs, some hits landing but others missing while the Snow Deer used their innate nature and simply froze their Mulocs in a cube of ice they couldn''t escape from. Soon enough all the Muloc Veterans were taken down one way or another until only the Chieftain still stood. The Muloc Chieftain looked around and stopped, waiting to see what the Dungeons creatures would do next. The Beasts held back, growling and snarling which distracted the Muloc Chieftain enough that when the Beastmaster finally moved it moved in complete surprise and not bothering to draw its sword it threw a punch. That one punch knocked the Muloc Chieftain out cold, drawing murmurs of disappointment from the watching Kobolds and a piting laugh from the Beastmaster.
Battle Ended; Total Victory; Losses: 250x Wild Animals, 55x Kobold Warrior, 32x Kobold Skirmisher Kills: 125x Muloc Raider, 8x Muloc Veteran, Reward: 2500 Mana, 1260 Combat experience, 3 Evolution Point, 1 Box Captured: 2x Muloc Veteran, 1x Muloc Chieftain
Warning - Over maximum Mana Capacity - Core Overload in 30 seconds
The Core felt panic overtaking it when it read that, it didn¡¯t know what a Core Overload was but it didn¡¯t sound good. It put all of the Mana that it had gathered from that last battle and invested the Mana in itself and felt its core grow and grow as the Mana flowed into it. It felt itself level repeatedly, but also felt that the amount of mana it took to Level was rising exponentially, when it no longer felt at risk of exploding or whatever would have happened from a Core Overload it brought up its status.
Core Health 400/400(20/H) Core Status Intact
Core Connected to Surface True Core Mana1500/2500(1250/D)
Core Level 3 Mana to next level 0/10000
Safe with the knowledge that it wasn''t going to explode or whatnot the Core relaxed, and then felt something it hadn''t felt before, or had it? The Core fell unconscious, barely reading the text that appeared in its mindscape before all consciousness failed.
Core under Administrator Review - Taking Core Offline for full inquiry - Cause: Overpowered
Chapter 11 - Gods Inc A notification popped up on a computer screen in a rather plain and boring seeming office. The owner of said computer looked up from his laptop that sat adjacent to the rather ancient looking desk where he was playing some sort of strategy game and groaned. ¡°Oh come on, what is it now? I thought I had dealt with all the bugs that the Space Core Initiative created. What is it now?¡± He paused his game, and woke his desktop from its screen saver and pulled up the notification bar. ¡°Okay, Dave wants me to audit his accounting, Leanna wants me to update her Anit-Virus, seems like she got some rather violent Spruce Trojans. Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C35 has been placed under Administrator Review for being overpowered? What?¡± He pulled up his list of Cores that existed and clicked through the various tabs until he reached the one that this Core would belong to. He looked at the list of cores in the Planetary System and slowly closed his laptop and reached for his phone.
Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C1 [Active] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C2 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C3 [Hibernation] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C4 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C5 [Hibernation] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C6 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C7 [Hibernation]
Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C8 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C9 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C10 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C11 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C12 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C13 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C14 [Active]
Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C15 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C16 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C17 [Hibernation] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C18 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C19 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C20 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C21 [Active]
Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C22 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C23 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C24 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C25 [Hibernation] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C26 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C27 [Hibernation]The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C28 [Hibernation]
Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C29 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C30 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C31 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C32 [Hibernation] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C33 [Destroyed] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C34 [Hibernation] Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C35 [Active]
He Dialed a number and waited for someone to pick up, after trying repeatedly to get an answer he gave up and Dialed another number. Pulling up more files on his computer he waited for an answer, and this time got one. ¡°Hey, Berny, I have this problem, can you get off your throne and come down to my office?¡± With that he hung up and stared at the files that pertained to the question.
Core: Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C35 Status: Active Level: 4 Estimated Threat: B+ Shown Threat: S+ Combat Capability: 350 Kobold Warriors 150 Kobold Skirmishers 30 Tamed Lizards 2 Kobold Knight 1 Kobold Beastmaster of the Arena 10 Kobold Archers 50 Kobold Soldiers 2 Snow Deer 1 LVL 225 Cultist Head Priest Combat Kills: 185 Muloc Raiders 12 Muloc Veterans 5 Grey Wolfs 1 [Adorable] Rabbit 1 LVL 35 Necromancer
The IT Technician stared at this list and wondered why this one had been singled out. Frankly this core did not seem like a problem, besides the anomaly of the LVL 225 Cultist and would quickly pass out of the Technicians memory. A hole appeared in the wall behind the Technician and a figure stepped into the room, compared to the rather plain looking Technician, this man was a stunner dressed in a tailored black suit. ¡°What is the problem Alkazan, master of the realities? Why do you need me here? Can¡¯t you deal with this on your own?¡± The IT Technician winced when he heard his name and title spoken out loud but replied to the man''s question. ¡°Please don¡¯t say my full name and title again please, at least not in the same room as me. After we switched from a Pantheon to a more Corporate Structure I would prefer to be called Al remember? And I called you down here because your my boss and need to be informed of major problems when the Chief calls for a status report. And the Major Problem I have found is this planetary system. It¡¯s completely cut off from outside contact, apparently during the second or maybe the First major war between the Major Powers of Science and Technology someone created a shield over the entire planetary system. Nothing could enter and Nothing could leave, they even blocked the formation crystals for Dungeons from spawning somehow. There must have been some degradation over the past few millennia and a new Dungeon got spawned somehow and got shut down temporarily for being overpowered. Its currently waiting for Administrator Review, which is also under your purview, which is another reason I called you down here.¡± The Admin was stunned by those words and wordlessly materialized a desk next to the Technician that he sat down and pulled up those files that were relevant to the issue. ¡°So, the Core isn¡¯t why you called me down here, the real issue is the shield around the Planetary System.¡± ¡°Yes, im running a full scan on it and am contacting my fellow Technicians to get to the office. We¡¯ve been slacking if we¡¯ve missed something this big, I wonder what else we might have missed.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to put in a recommendation to officially appoint you Head of IT, your Space Core initiative seems to be going well so far. This Core that got flagged? Seems like with the lack of New Cores Spawning and possibly because of the War most of the other Cores were destroyed and monsters grew more numerous and yet weaker all over the Planetary System. The Sentients must have gone extinct or something, or else they would have contained the Monsters. With that the Core was able to just kill a lot of the monsters easily, but the system rated them as before this shield was enacted so it¡¯s actually a lot weaker than it seems.¡± The Admin pressed a few keys and scrolled through pages as he said this. He then went to the page controlling the core and began typing quick lines of Code as he continued. ¡°Normally if a situation like this happened I would nerf the Core, but I think this requires a special touch. I¡¯m going to deploy a few Omega Class Events and send a Reconnaissance crew to investigate the planet. Meanwhile I will manually take control of the Cores rewards and system so that it can''t just assimilate the entire planet. How long until we can spawn new Cores on the planet?¡± ¡°I think it will take us at least a year to take down the shield, and another year to find willing souls for a new batch of Cores. So maybe two years?¡± The Admin thought for a moment, running calculations in his mind as he thought. Turning back to his computer he finished his code and pressed enter, sending his orders into the system and from then to the material plane. ¡°I¡¯m going to enjoy working with this Special Core. I¡¯ve always wanted to have my own crusade against sentients.¡± The IT Technician rolled his eyes and went back to his computer while the Admin began laughing evilly as he left the office. Chapter 12 - The Dungeon Crusade
Core Reboot initialized ¡­.
The Dungeon slowly woke, senses turning on one by one. It could feel the entirety of its dungeon, feeling its damage and wounds. Then it could hear the thoughts of its minions, and the whistle of wind through its open gateway. Then the Dungeon paused, ¡°Open Gateway?¡± and snapped its eyes open and pushed itself up to a sitting position. The Dungeon looked around the empty entry hall of its dungeon, noting the open doors letting in drifts of snow and blasts of air that sent goosebumps over its skin. ¡°Wait what happened??¡± The Dungeon examined itself, no longer a fragile crystal in the center of the dungeon but instead having a body similar but different to the avatar it had created earlier. This new body was different from the old, weaker yes, but having more room to grow and improve if it survived. ¡°How long was I asleep?¡± Approximately 9 months and two days The Dungeon jumped, startled at the sudden voice in its head. ¡°Who¡¯s there?? Where are you?!¡± Hahahahahaha, oh you mortals are just hilarious when I talk to them this way. As to your questions, I will answer one of them for you, your choice The Dungeon frowned and thought for a moment, ¡°Who are you?¡± Me, I''m your boss now, before you just dealt with a computer program, now I control it. ¡°Control what? Computer program? You¡¯re supposedly my boss now?¡± Instead of asking questions, how about reading your screens, I¡¯m sure they will be very enlightening. With that the Dungeons view was blocked by a layer of screens each jogging with another for prominice.
Achievement Unlocked - Admins Special Snowflake Get the Attention and Approval of an Administrator Reward: Admin Patronage
Hidden Prerequisites fulfilled - Is Dungeon (True); 80% Planetary Cores disabled (True); Admin Approval (True); - Hidden Dungeon Type unlocked The Dungeon Crusade
Error 34-42x1 - Dungeon Core not compatible with Dungeon Type - Purging in 30 seconds
Error 34-42x1 Overwritten by Admin - Dungeon Core changed to Humanoid
Error 37-124xAd1xER - Previous Body Detected - Correcting Core MatrixThis novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
Error 27 - Link with Dungeon Disabled due to Core type - Warning! Core in hostile environment!
Error 27 Overwritten by Admin - Dungeon Link re-established - Dungeon Link changed to Mental Dominance
Dungeon Core Core-U2-PS7-CSG-C35 Stable - Awaiting Admin Reinitialization
The Dungeon sat there for a moment stunned at what it had read. But wait there¡¯s more!
Invaders have been discovered! - 1x Human Ranger-Druid (Female) 1x Human Warrior-Guardian (Male) 1x Human Runecrafter Apprentice (Male)
Invaders have Retreated - Kills: None - Deaths: None - Reward: None
Achievement Unlocked : Magic Stockholm Syndrome Have your prisoners forcibly join your dungeon Reward: 2x Mutant Muloc Veterans, 1x Mutant Arapaima/Muloc Hybrid
Warning: Core Mana nearing capacity!
Achievement Unlocked: I am a Dwarf who digs a hole You found the Underground Fortress of the Dwarfs Reward: Dark Dwarf Slave Unlocked
Achievement Unlocked: Intelligence is hard to find Have one (or More) of your Minions show initiative Reward: Grade 1 Intelligence on chosen Minions
The Dungeon just laid down and stopped moving, to stunned to do anything and ignoring everything around it while it tried to compute all that had happened. GET UP!!! The Dungeon jumped up, startled by the voice in its head that it had forgotten in the short span of time it read the windows. YOU ARE MORTAL NOW! AND YOU ARE LYING NAKED IN THE SNOW! GO GET SOME CLOTHES ON FOR MY SAKE! The Dungeon examined itself, the voice reminding it that it was indeed naked and saw that it was turning blue on its extremities from the cold. ¡°But I don¡¯t feel the cold, why should I cover my glory from the eyes of prey?¡± ¡­¡­. You asked for this
Nerves Enabled by Administrator
The Dungeon jerked as it suddenly felt the cold and the pain and all the other feelings that it couldn¡¯t feel before. Screaming in pain it ran deeper inside the Dungeon, somehow knowing that it would be warm inside and ran past the Kobolds guarding the room who jerked in surprise but then bowed as they recognized the presence, if not the form of the Dungeons Core. The Dungeon ran to a nearby room finding a storeroom heated and lit by a cheery brazier in the corner and began rummaging through the various barrels and boxes that contained goods. Soon the Dungeon felt warmer as it drew thick leather pants and a large cotton tunic over its pale skin. Finally finishing dressing it stepped out, wearing a functional jacket over its white cotton tunic and study boots over its leather pants. Then the Dungeon noticed that it had an audience for its change, the rooms garrison of worker Kobolds gaping at it until they noticed it looking at them and swiftly bowing towards the Dungeon. One of them began speaking, a lithe looking female kobold who seemed to be in charge of the group. ¡°My Lord, we are sssorry for dissturbing your change. We are honored for your patronage of our humble ssstorage room. May thisss lowly one asssk a quessstion of my lord? How hasss he come by the true form of one of thossse mortal humansss?¡± The Dungeon responded to the Kobolds questions by simply ignoring it. Then it told the Kobold who lead the rest to follow as he left the Storage Room and went deeper into his dungeon. After getting tired of walking through its own hallways the Dungeon used some of its Mana and made a private passageway between floors and exited the passages at its fortress. Their it made a large castle behind the walls and decorated the throne room with pictures of its victories and defeats, the first invasion of the Humans while the Dungeon was away, the pack of wolves it killed in the fields, and the most recent invasions of the Mulocs and Humans. These pictures would grow and expand as the Dungeon grew, and would serve as a history of the world for future scholars, if any remained when the Dungeon Crusade had finished.