I felt like letting out a massive sigh the moment everyone left my dungeon.

“There is one thing I want to do before we relax and get into everything that has happened.” I told my partners. Una bowed and Arizo nodded.

Starting with a metal rod, I enlarged the blueprint till it was the height of the entrance hall. My two observers watched as the massive piece of metal formed.

Blueprint Unlocked: Giant Metal Rod

Giant Metal rod: A giant metal cylindrical that can be worked into many other items.

Absorbing that I took several of the blueprints and wove them together before focusing to make them one thing.

Blueprint Unlocked: Giant Metal Grate

Giant Metal Grate: A framework of giant metal bars

Finally I absorbed that and placed one just before the first archways in my entrance hall.

Blueprint Unlocked: Portcullis

Portcullis: A heavy vertically-closing gate typically found in fortifications, consisting of a latticed grille made of wood, metal, or a combination of the two, which slides down grooves inset within each jamb of a gateway

“That should keep most things out until we are settled and ready to deal with the world again.” I reported.

“Can you show us?” Arizo asked. She wondered what the core made with that massive iron work.

I showed them both the blocked entrance. As the holes in the portcullis were large enough for Olive to squeeze through it was more to tell others to leave me alone than to keep everyone out. Though having a back door meant I could close up that entrance permanently. I didn’t want to do that, just wanted a break from invasions to take care of all the boxes that were still flashing in my vision and learn how long I had been out.

“That should stop or slow large challengers.” Una stated.

“Exactly. So much has happened in such a short time and we need to regroup.”

Arizo smiled and took a seat on my core. “I’m glad you’re back and that’s all that matters.” She patted my top beside her leg.

“I am so sorry I scared you. It wasn’t a fun experience for me. I will not be doing something like that anytime soon. And if I do go looking through my head again I will stay a much shorter time. And let you know what I’m doing.”

“Thank you.” She was a bit misty eyed and her voice was choked. Arizo shook her head and gave a watery smile. “Let’s see what you have.”

I opened the first notification. A cascade of boxes and information was thrown at me.

Know Thy Selves

Unlock Creature(s)

Blueprint Unlocked: Silver Carp

Blueprint Unlocked: Dungeon Crab

Blueprint Unlocked: Sea Urchin

Blueprint Unlocked: Panther

Blueprint Unlocked: Chicken of the Woods

Blueprint Unlocked: Shrieker

Blueprint Unlocked: Strangler

Blueprint Unlocked: Goat

Blueprint Unlocked: Red-Tailed Hawk

Blueprint Unlocked: Taipan

Blueprint Unlocked: Shambling Juniper

Blueprint Unlocked: Thrush

Blueprint Unlocked: Crow

Blueprint Unlocked: Anti-Toxin

Blueprint Unlocked: Cade Oil

Blueprint Unlocked: Chitin plate

Blueprint Unlocked: Claws

Blueprint Unlocked: Crab Meat

Blueprint Unlocked: Fangs

Blueprint Unlocked: Feather

Blueprint Unlocked: Goat Meat

Blueprint Unlocked: Horn

Blueprint Unlocked: Juniper Berries

Blueprint Unlocked: Kings Trumpet

Blueprint Unlocked: Leather

Blueprint Unlocked: Porcino

Blueprint Unlocked: Pork

Blueprint Unlocked: Red Tail Feather

Blueprint Unlocked: Sea Urchin Meat

Blueprint Unlocked: Spine

Blueprint Unlocked: Talon

Blueprint Unlocked: Tusk

Anti-Toxin: Removes poisoned Status. Strength and rarity vary.

Cade Oil: Made from the tar of juniper. Useful for itching and irritation. Also used in potion making and alchemy

Chitin plate: Shell made by many arthropods. Is thick enough to be used as armor

Claws: Sharp curved nails of many predators.

Crab Meat: Meat of a crab

Fangs: sharp teeth of a predator.

Feather: Used as quills or as stuffing.

Goat Meat: Has a bolder flavor than pork or beef. Can be, young lamb or old mutton.

Horn: Hardened bonny potrutions found on many ruminates and other mammals. Useful in crafting.

Juniper Berries: Tastes fresh and tangy with a strong aroma of pine and citrus. Used in cooking, alcohol making and potion making.

Kings Trumpet: A hard to find mushroom with a rich flavor. It is also sought after for its healing properties

Leather: Hide of many mammals. Many uses from armor to art.

Porcino: Can grow quite large but usually picked when small for their rich nutty flavor.

Pork: Meat of pigs

Red Tail Feather: Tail feather of the Red-Tail Hawk. mostly decorative.

Sea Urchin Meat: Meat of a sea urchin. Difficult to get, making it a delicacy

Spine: Sharp spike found on many animals. Can be barbed or poisoned depending on the species.

Talon: Hooked claws of a raptor

Tusk: elongated, continuously growing front teeth that protrude well beyond the mouth of certain mammal species. Used in many crafts including alchemy and weapon crafting

“Ow.” I whined. “My sore mind didn’t need all that at once.”

“What was that?” Arizo inquired. I had been showing her everything that popped up for me. It was easier than explaining things.

I looked over the massive list again. “The top one says ‘Know Thy Selves’. So Maybe it’s an achievement.”

“Pull that up and see.”

Open Sesame

Finish the first floor

Common plant

Double Trouble

Increase 2 levels at once

common beast

Triple Play

Increase 3 levels at once

Unique beast

Welcome

Open Achievements page

1% 5XP

Finders Keepers

Unlock 100 Blueprints

10% 20xp

Feast

Unlock 25 blueprints at once

upgrade one random blueprint 10%

Deeper We Go

Move the core one floor deeper

15% 100 XP

Know thy selves

confer with a past life

Creature(s)

2 Grow

Achieve Ascension Level 2

5% to all blueprints 500 XP

common creature blueprint

Off and Running

Increase ascension level in first century

2 skill points 100 XP

Galloping

Increase ascension level in 50 years

3 skill points 200 XP

Rushing

Increase ascension level in 25 years

5 skill points 500 XP

What?

Increase ascension level in first decade

5 skill points 500 XP

How?

Increase ascension level in first year

10 skill points 500 XP

“7 new achievements.” I said looking at the list in shock.

“I’m surprised that’s not an achievement.” Arizo responded. “Gaining 2,300 experience points in achievements you must have leveled at least once.”

I gave the perception of a nod. “That will be some of the other boxes in my face. Alright, let's see what’s next.” I said opening the next oldest pop-up

Blueprint Unlocked: Bugbear

Blueprint Unlocked: Goblin

Blueprint Unlocked: Hobgoblin

Blueprint Unlocked: Goblin Teeth

Blueprint Unlocked: Goblin Blood

Blueprint Unlocked: Hobgoblin Heart

Blueprint Unlocked: Wooden Club

Goblin blood: Corrosive blood of goblinoids. used in stat lowering potions.

Goblin Teeth: Used in summoning spells and alchemy. Some creatures keep these as symbols of status.

Hobgoblin Heart: All of the hobgoblins' magical energy is concentrated in the heart making it useful for alchemy and potion making. It can also be used in other magical arts.

Wooden Club: wood of any variety shaped into a club. Used to bludgeoning. Very effective but inelegant.

“How many goblins attacked?”

“6 Bugbears, 3 hobgoblins and a dozen goblins.” Arizo answered “But Grug and 1 of the goblins are still here.”

The bulk of my attention snapped to the 2 creatures. I examined them and found both were still slightly wounded. They weren’t healing as fast as my summons. Before I could ask, a prompt popped up over each of them.

Accept ‘Grug’ as a dungeon resident?

Yes?

No?

Accept ‘Arizo’s goblin grunt’ as a dungeon resident?

Yes?

No?

“Arizo?” I called her name and showed her the prompts.

She looked puzzled. “I… I don’t know. I’ve never heard of a dungeon resident.”

I chose yes.

Dungeon Residents:

Grug

Arizo’s goblin grunt

Open Arms

All dungeon residents gain the same benefits as dungeon spawn.

“I got an achievement accepting them. They should now heal like my dungeon creatures.” Focusing on them again I could now interact with them as if they were my creatures. I pushed healing mana to them and they were almost instantly healed.

Both looked around wondering what had happened. “Grug happy.” The big lug said. The little goblin seemed fearful and scurried under the nearest kobold bed.

“I can’t believe I didn’t even notice them. My mind must have been just too overwhelmed.” I would shake my head if I had one.

Arizo gave a soft smile and patted my core. “Don’t stress. They aren’t any danger to you.”

“You’re right. Let’s move on then I can properly rest.” That said I opened the next box.

Blueprint Unlocked: Dire Bear

Blueprint Unlocked: Bear hide

Blueprint Unlocked:Dire bear claws

Blueprint Unlocked:Dire bear liver

Blueprint Unlocked:Dire Bear teeth

Bear hide: Found on almost any kind of bear. Can be used to make leather or as a decorative piece such as a rug.

Dire bear claws: These claws are as hard as steel and wickedly sharp. They can be ground for use in potions or attached to weapons.

Dire bear liver: This organ is used in potions and alchemy to increase health and vitality.

Dire Bear teeth: Both sharp and serrated, the teeth of a dire bear can be used in weapon making or ground for use in potions and alchemy.

“You fought a Dire Bear? Is everyone ok?” My mind swept over the dungeon before she could answer to ensure no one was missing.

“It was a tough battle. We almost lost Una. But we won.” She showed me the battle and the confrontation between Una and Saw.

“Those 2 are very smart. And you’re right I do want them as contracts.” I turned my attention to my very first creature. “Una, you overreacted.” She lowered her head. “She spoke out of fear not contempt. As our home grows your leadership skill will grow. Until then, try not to act out of anger.”

“Yes Creator.” I could tell she was embarrassed and ashamed of her actions.

“Should I be expecting anything else?” I asked Arizo.

“Nope. That was the last thing to happen before the team arrived.”

“Great. Let’s see what the rest of these boxes are about.”

2 Grow

5% to all blueprints, 500 XP, common creature blueprint

The sound of the roulette wheel was heard again and another box popped up.

Blueprint Unlocked: Toad

Blueprint Unlocked: Frog legs

Frog legs: The meaty leg of a frog

“That was simple enough” with a bit more confidence I opened the next box.

You have Reached Level 6

Arizo and I shared a shrug and I moved on. The next 5 boxes were each of the other ascension achievements followed by:

You have Reached Level 7

“So that wasn’t as bad as I feared.”

Arizo shook her head. “Most cores would be overjoyed.” There was laughter in her voice.

“I would be… well I kind of am. It’s just so much has happened all at once and I’d like it to calm down so I have time to adjust. Is it too much to ask for a few months of just building my dungeon?” I was weary of the constant action.

She moved down and hugged my core. “No it’s not too much to ask. You are still a baby core. You should have all the time you want to build and shape this dungeon as you see fit. Not being besieged by hostile creatures. Invaded by curious humans and set upon by your own past lives.” She squeezed me as tight as her small form would allow. “I wish there was something I could do.”

“You do so much for me.” I instantly replied. “Just being at my side. Keeping me straight and sane is a blessing in itself. I don’t know what I would have done without you. Probably died from a build up of mana before ever reaching the surface.”

Arizo’s whole body glowed as she blushed.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “There are only a few boxes left.”

649 Experience Gained

Blueprint Unlocked: Healing Salve

Blueprint Unlocked: Bed Roll

Blueprint Unlocked: Wax

Blueprint Unlocked: Glass

Bed Roll: A leather or cloth pad that is used for sleeping outdoors. It can be rolled up for traveling ease.

Healing Salve: Heals 10-15 hit points

Glass: Crafted by heating and shaping sand. Most often used to make windows and potion vials

Wax: Produced by bees. Has numerous uses.

ERROR: Knowledge from ‘Rune Scroll’ has been added. Blueprint not formed.

“What is this?” I showed the error to Arizo.

“That will come up every time you absorb any non magical scrolls or books. You can read the scroll and learn what it has to offer but you can’t reproduce it. Just like you can’t make readable signs.” She explained.

“What about magical scrolls and books?”

Arizo was back in teacher mode. “You will get a blueprint from them and can remake them. But if you try to edit them there is a high chance of failure. When you get a magical scroll or book you’ll be able to see if any of your creatures can learn the spell.”

Fondness for the fairy filled me. She is so adorable. “We’ll have to experiment when we get one.” Her and Una could feel my mischievousness. “But I can make all the scrolls I want. On leather or….. Something. Anyway, I’m not going to try and force any blueprints right now. Imagine the faces of invaders when they think they found a great scroll and it’s just my dungeon gibberish.”

Arizo blinked a few times then dissolved into laughter. “To add to the humor you can make it say something funny.”

Una shook her head at our cackling. “A whole line of work about the goings on of my spiders.”

More laughter filled the core room.