It was a calm day when suddenly a concentrated wave of mana surged through the forest. Every creature for miles felt it, something was drawing them towards the mountain and that pure concentration of mana. Even though the draw was there, it was only the weakest monsters in the forest that stopped what they were doing, and slowly began to make their way to the source of the magical energy. They instinctively knew that if they could find that source of mana, their strength would increase, faster than anywhere else in the forest.

The stronger beast in the area felt the draw but knew that it would give them little benefits to seek it out, so they kept to their territories and decided to wait for the source to grow stronger.

Some hunters were in the forest when the surge happened. They had hunted in that forest for decades and could immediately feel the unrest that fell on the forest. Monsters were moving in the same direction, like bees for honey they seemed to have nothing else on their mind then to reach their destination.

Not wanting to risk anything, they decided to return to their village and send out a contract for the adventurers guild to investigate it. For they knew that all kinds of powerful beasts resided deep within that forest, and they knew that they were nowhere near strong enough to compete with some of the monsters further in. They were lucky that those monsters mostly kept to themselves and didn’t rampage around, without first being provoked. But now something was stirring the balance of the forest, beast was moving away from their hunting grounds. This could be very bad.

In Edria’s capital city, Edmund the 100-year-old court mage was running at a great speed, one you normally wouldn’t find in a man his age. He ran with dedication towards the king’s chambers. When he reached the king's chambers, he just walked in without knocking.

“Your majesty I bring incredibly news” he yelled out

“What is it Edmund?” the king asked startled at how his court mage just barged right into his private quarters

“I just sensed, a wave of mana. I think it might be a new dungeon” he answered with an excited voice.

“That’s is indeed great news Edmund. Finally, a new dungeon I Edria.” The king said with an excited voice. Edria only had 4 dungeons, and sadly all of them were of the “Common” tier. To make matters worse compared to other dungeons of the same tier, all of them had low-rank monsters and low amounts of monetary gain. Dungeon were always moneymakers so a new one is always welcome.

“We need to build a dungeon city around it immediately, where has it breached?” The king asked Edmund with an excited grin.

“I detected that the mana surge came from the area around Wyverns ascend,” Edmund answered. You could see how the king's smile slowly disappear.

“Edmund my old friend, that is very bad news. The area around Wyverns ascend, is very nearly uninhabitable. Many high-level monsters live in that area, it wouldn’t be worth clearing the area out, and colonizing it for some low-level “common” tier dungeon.” The king responded

“Your majesty that’s the thing. I checked it twice just to be sure, but the quality of the mana from the dungeon. It indicates that the dungeon must be off, at least the “Epic” tier.” Edmond retorted with an excited voice. Because a dungeon of that tier hasn’t emerged for generations. The few of them that do exist, they are all held by the mega empires.

After hearing that the king went silent. His face tightening thoughtfully. This could be an incredible resource, for him and his people. One capable of bringing untold prosperity for generations to come. But he knew that the neighboring kingdom of Spara wouldn’t allow Edria to keep such a resource. Their greedy king would do anything to get his hands on it. If he succeeded in getting his hands on this dungeon it could spell doom for everyone.

“If you are correct, then we need to claim this dungeon as fast as we can. Contact the adventures guild and tell them about the possibility of the dungeon, and that we want to make a deal for it. We also need to select someone to rule the dungeon city that will be created either around it or close to it. I’ll have my minister find a loyal noble to give the task.” The king ordered.

With that they both split, Edmund to go talk to his old friend the Guildmaster of the capital city’s adventures guild, and the King to go talk with his ministers about a new dungeon that has appeared in his kingdom.

In another castle in the country right next to Edria, a similar conversation was currently underway. This conversation was also between a king and his court mage. But where the conversation between Edmund and his king was one of mutual respect and two people who considered each other equals. This conversation was between a greedy tyrannical leader and his equally greedy court mage. Both were using the other for their own personal gain and both would stab the other in the back the second he was no longer of any use to them. They both knew this was the case, but they didn’t care for they both preferred a known enemy instead of an unknown one. The tension was high for where Edmund meet his king in his private chambers, this one was in the throne room. The court mage stood confidently in front of his king after having delivered his message.

“So, you're saying that Edria’s got a new dungeon and that it might be of the “Epic” tier?” The King asked his court mage.

“That is correct your majesty, there is no doubt about it” he responded with confidence, his eyes glittering with greed.

“This cannot stand, Edria do not deserve such a resource, it should belong to my glorious kingdom of Spara” the king loudly declared slamming his hand down on his throne.

“General, ready the army to march. We are going to war!” The king loudly ordered.

“Wait, your majesty, I have a better idea,” the court mage said

“What is it court mage?” the king asked.

“The area around Wyverns ascend, are filled with monsters and would cost a fortune to clear out. I suggest we wait and let them waste resources clearing out and building a city around the dungeon. It will make it much easier, for us to hold when defenses have already been built for us” the court mage suggested. The king smiled at this. If there was one thing, he loved more than gold and treasure, it was making others waste theirs on things he would soon own for a slither of the price.

“Then let us send out spies disguised as adventures. Order them to infiltrate the soon to build dungeon city. They will sabotage the dungeon city’s defenses when the time comes for us to invade.” The king ordered his minister. He was smiling while he watched his minister go and fulfill his orders. He was thinking about all the wealth he would be able to blunder from that dungeon.

Within the day, a group of spies were sent out to find out more about the dungeon that has formed at the base of Wyverns ascend.