Chapter 1

A void surrounds me. It’s pretty cool just floating around in nothing. No responsibilities or anyone to care what you do or don't do. Well— no anyone, when you really think about it. Just endless nothingness and it is all I know for what seems like an eternity. Wait if this is still nothingness, how am I thinking about all these things? Now that I think about it, I really don't know who or what I am. Suddenly, a voice echoes from the void.

"Processing... Please wait." I don't know why this voice has appeared, but it’s way more interesting than all that nothingness I was experiencing before. "Thank you for waiting. You have been approved for use. System will start in one moment. Please have a great day!"

Instantaneously, a world of color crashes over me. My vision blurs and I begin to feel nauseous, however the feeling quickly subsides. I’m not too sure how I could even feel nauseous, I don't even seem to have a mouth or stomach. But hey, it’s also weird that I can see without having eyes. Existing is already so much more fascinating than not existing.

My vision starts to clear up, and I can finally make out the room I appear to be in. From what I can tell the floor is made up of cracked stone, with the breaks filled thoroughly with dirt. The walls are a mixture of packed dirt and wooden beams used as a support, forming arches that bear the weight of the ceiling above me. Laid upon the floor are some heavily damaged rails, presumably for a mining cart, leading up to the center of the room where a very strange orb is floating in the air. This object looks both foreign and familiar to me. The rails seems to lead into a hallway that stretches away from the orb and leads to what might be an exit. I cannot sense what is beyond its opening. All I can feel at that distance is a wall of light, severing all connections. Suddenly that weird voice chimes in again.

"Congratulations on becoming a dungeon core. You are now active, please defend yourself immediately." I try to speak back to the voice but no noise escapes me. Probably from me lacking a mouth. From the entrance to the tunnel I hear some rustling. Well at least I can hear something other than the voice, that is refreshing.

"Warning! Enemies detected, please defend yourself." the voice repeats itself with a lot more agitation this time. I can feel the intruders the voice spoke of now entering the tunnel.It kind of feels like the hairs sticking up on the back of my neck. Do I have a neck? I ponder it for a moment but I have come to the conclusion that I most likely don’t. I wish I could see what these enemies look like at least. Suddenly my viewpoint shifts down towards the entrance and I see the intruders.

The creatures are small, with skin blotted to a sickly green and ears sharpened to knife-like points. Their only clothing consists of sullied loincloths and I'd rather not know what they cover up. The two creatures in front seem to be carrying sticks as weapons and— woah, do they smell terrible. Wait I can smell things? This would be awesome if it didn't make me want to puke. The shorter one in the back seems to be barking orders in a language I cannot understand. He is more well armed than the others, carrying a small knife and appears to have a satchel flung over his shoulder. Well this is new. I wonder what the hell these things are? Suddenly the voice chimes in again.

"Understood, please focus on the target to see its status." I try to focus my mind on the creature in the back, and a window quickly opens into my vision.

Monster Information

Name

Unknown

Goblins are a cave dwelling species prone to hoarding anything shiny and fits of violence. They tend to live in large groups in order to let other goblins act as meat shields while they loot and kill. They are fast for their size but fairly weak. Outside of a few rare evolutions, the species could be considered stupid. They are easily terrified unless a superior creature is leading them.

Species

Inferior Goblin

Age

2 Years old

Sex

Male

Health

Unknown

Mana

Unknown

Equipment

Weapons

Weak Rusted Knife

A rusted dagger that looks as if it will break at any moment. Useless in battle.

Armor

Tattered Loincloth

A tattered loincloth that is heavily stained.

Other Items

Ripped Satchel (Items inside are currently hidden)

A ripped satchel with a single strap.

Please research analysis skills to see more information.

If I had to guess why these goblins are here, it would probably be to find a nice new cozy cave to live in. I can sense that they are a danger to me. I cannot let them any further inside. But I have no body, how can I even stop them?

"Understood, minion summoning protocol activated, please create a job and an appropriate minion shall be created." the voice says. Since I am unable to speak I focus my mind and direct my thoughts towards the voice.

"Why do I need to defend myself? Can we not use diplomacy? Wouldn't it be easier if I just made the goblins my allies instead? They are probably just looking for a kickass cave to hang out in right?"

"System is processing the request, please wait" the voice says in a rather annoyed tone. Well this isn't good. The goblins have finished walking down the tunnel and every fiber of my being screams that I must not let them reach the orb in the middle of the room. At this point I realize what a dungeon core is. It’s definitely a suspicious and shiny floating orb, and that orb is me. Just the kind of thing a goblin would love to get his grubby hands on. The goblin with the knife noticing a sparkly orb begins walking towards it with his hand reaching out. The two goblins with clubs fan out looking for any danger.

"Please don't touch me before you wash your hands." The goblin tilts its head as the sounds ring out from me.

"Gabba?" the knife-wielding goblin says as it tilts its head in confusion.

"Apparently I can talk without a mouth after all. But of course we cannot speak the same language that would be too easy!" I sigh and suddenly the voice rings out again.

"Sorry for the delay, your request has been approved. New minion species Mindeater will be summoned." I feel a surge of power inside myself as a black mist begins pouring out of me onto the floor and pools into single spot. The goblins now terrified scream while dropping their weapons. They turn and run but the knife goblin trips on his own legs and falls to the ground. the mist becomes more dense and turns into flesh. The creature seems to be mass of black flesh resembling a slug only it's about the size of a goblins head. It has four tentacles that begin to dart quickly around the air.

"Well he is kind of cute in the 'gives you nightmares kind of way'." My new creation seems to have no eyes, yet seems to be doing something I only can call staring at the goblin on the floor. The goblin, staring back begins to scream as the mindeater launches itself at his head using its tentacles. Blood, chunks of flesh, and an eyeball fly as its tentacles dig into any orifice they can find. The goblin, while screaming, tries to tear the mindeater from its face using the knife. It sadly snaps in half as soon as it enters my minions flesh. The goblin does the next best thing and begins ripping at its face with its own claws. The two creatures struggle for what feels like hours before the goblin's body suddenly goes limp and falls to the floor. The mindeater's tentacles are still firmly rooted into the goblins skull. The hilt of the dagger still poking out of the mindeater slowly pushes out of its flesh and falls to the floor with he wound closing immediately after.

"Are you okay? Did we win?" I say directing my voice towards my new minion hoping it can hear me. The creature doesn't respond. The little guy doesn't have a mouth, eyes or ears— but neither do I so that's no excuse. Suddenly the goblins body stiffens and its limbs spasm before it begins to rise with my new minion still stuck to its head. "How the hell is that thing still alive!?" The goblin turns its head to look at me and the mindeater's flesh pulses. The goblin coughs up some blood and begins to speak.

"Orrr derrrs?" it says with a distorted voice.