Tironia holds two large continents on its surface and both have been there since long before records began.

One of them is called the Cair continent and everything there is named after its landmass. The inhabitants of Cair are the wealthier of the two nations and boast a great deal of luxurious items. This is thanks to a few of the dungeons that appeared on there.

The second of Tironia's continents, Tira, was named after the world itself. In this nation, strong dungeons can be found almost anywhere and the countries armed forces are leagues above Cair. This is also the reasoning behind their strict classification system.

If a war between the two nations were ever to arise, there's no doubt Tira would claim victory with their might. If one were seeking fortune and riches, they would head for Cair but if one is seeking strength and glory, then Tira is the way forward.

The ocean Yore separates both continent but trade deals still happen frequently. Even with large distances and monsters on the sea, there are always demands for certain goods and there are also merchants willing to risk their lives selling them.

A short article on the two great continents. The year 1919

Pali Patiti, Adventurer, Scholar, Self-Titled Documentarian.

My third room has been successfully completed and it was followed shortly by my first level up.

What a glorious half an hour in Abi's dungeon.

Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 2

DP has been increased by 20.

New features have been unlocked:

Weak Wall Torch: 1DP

Weak Wooden Door: 1DP

Wooden Treasure Chest: 1DP

A new Skill has been Acquired:

Examine

All damage the Core had accumulated has been repaired

Sweet!

My Core is now in pristine condition once again. I was trying not to think about the fracture but it was beginning to scare me. I definitely don't need to add any more of Barry's tunnels to my list. When I'm stronger maybe I can acquire them without sustaining any damage.

Anyway, my DP can now reach 52/40.

I'm honestly shocked at how much I can hold as it's more than double what I started with. Well, it's not full yet but I still have good old Barry. After all, it's through his efforts that this was possible in the first place.

I love you, Barry. Without you, I wouldn't have Stockpile. To be honest I would probably still be at 20 DP and meditating like ever other Dungeon Core. So what I really meant to say was, I really, really love you Barry!

I wonder how other dungeons manage it? Being slow that is. I'm also curious to how they're created in the first place? Not that it's a big issue, but I doubt even you knows the answer to that one.

A Dungeon Core does not notice the passing of time, it just 'is' to them and they exist due to the creator trying to restore balance to the world and failing. He never got around to removing them and after sulking for a while over his algorithm's failure, he left the system in charge running. It creates new Cores and systems alike and merges them into one, therefore creating us.

What?

No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. NO!

You can't just sum-up existence like that, Me.

I don't want to hear how I'm like this because some stupid God forgot to turn some stupid system off! I don't even know how to start processing that! It makes it even harder hearing you put it so easily. I... I just... I don't wanna hear it!

That just totally killed my mood. I was really happy a minute ago.

My apologies. It was not my intention to do that, Abi.

I know, it's not your fault. Still, how do you even know that stuff? I was never the brightest person before I became a Dungeon Core, so how did you become so smart if you're made from me?

I am not made from you. Weren't you paying attention? I was created by the system that oversees the dungeons. I was created for you and then merged into you, through the system's knowledge.

You know what, Me? I don't want to hear it.

What?

Yep, don't care. Not even a little bit. I don't mean to be rude, but gods and systems? Honestly, I couldn't care less right now. I know I asked the question but I wasn't actually expecting an answer. I was still a human three hours ago.

This is a little too much.

True. Not much time has passed since you became a Dungeon Core. Also, there is still 20 hours and 58 minutes until you open.

I try forgetting the stupid piece of information that I just heard and instead I focus on my dungeon. It's hard when you only have the basics though and don't know which ways you can advance.

With my latest crisis averted, I patiently wait for Barry to fill me up again whilst I contemplate the unfairness of only having two gachas.

Oh Yeah. That feels nice.

I didn't get far with my thoughts but I feel great being full on DP. This moment feels special, knowing I can build more than one room at a time makes me feel giddy. 56 Dungeon Points is a lot to play with, where do I start?

I add another 50 foot tunnel followed by the fourth room. After that, I try to continue in the same direction but I'm stopped by a new notification.

Error:

Unable to place a tunnel in the specified location.

Why I can't place a tunnel here, Me?

There are a few possible reasons for being unable to place a feature. It could be that you are trying to connect to the outside world. In which case you would need a special dungeon exit. This is unavailable to you at the moment due to your current level. It could also be a lack of space for the designated feature.

The outside world? You mean Tironia, right?

Yes, the planet. Not this space which you inhabit. Why are you so insistent on going in a straight line anyway?

Why do you have to make my space sound so disgusting?

I'm clean.

I also thought that a super long-tunnelled dungeon might put people off travelling through it.

Did it not occur to you that no matter which way the tunnels turn, it's still going to be the same distance in length?

........

I assume your silence means you didn't take into consideration. If your dungeon does not travel in a straight line, then the chances of adventurers getting lost and preferably dying will be significantly higher.

........

Thank you, Me.

I have nothing else to say. If I had a hand, or a head for that matter, I most certainly would be facing some palm right now. At least I earned some wise advice from my foolish mistake.

Ok, so, right turn.

I place the next tunnel on the right-hand wall of the fourth room. My dungeon vision shows it as a perfect 90° angle. At the end, I place a fifth room and another tunnel for when I can continue.

After I'm done, I bring my adorable-drooling Mimic, Colin, and my beautiful jade Core, all the way to the fifth room. Apparently my Core moves by getting soaked up through the floor and then released into whichever room I desire.

Damn, I'm cool.

Colin had to walk the whole way and it was hilarious. I was laughing my head off at his tiny feet, tapping away. Me couldn't understand what I found so funny.

I add a weak wall torch to my new Core room, as I've taken to calling it, and I add one to the room that my Rogues are in. They're still in the first room I created, where Barry deposits his boulders. We don't want him crushing one of them by accident and claiming he couldn't see them. Workplace injuries happen all the time in poorly lit areas.

After that spending spree I'm quite excited to see when I'll level up again.

Give me a hand, please, Me.

Dungeon Core Abi Level 2:

5/10 XP Until Next Level.

6 Rooms

6 Tunnels

4 Monsters

0 Traps

1/40 DP Available

How come I still have a point left?

It's the amount you have regenerated naturally. Every 2 hours you earn 1 DP through your skill Regeneration.

Oh. That almost seems insignificant thanks to Barry's efforts but I'll spend it regardless.

Only 5 XP to go!

That's only three rooms. First, I'll use the single point I have on another torch and I'll place it in the entrance room. That only leaves three rooms and 6 tunnels left to light. They will all need more than one though. For now, I'll use any remaining points on them whilst aiming for my next level up.

Another 52 minutes roll by and I repeat the same steps as before. I create my 7th room and then a tunnel, followed by the 8th room once again blocked from my straight forward path with the same error as before.

Shrugging it off as me not being high enough level to create a proper exit yet, I once again turn right with my tunnel.

I wonder how far it will let me go this time?

My remaining points go into 2 more torches to light rooms that are without them.

Even though I have to wait 20 minutes before I can build the room that will help me break through the next level, I spend the whole time gleefully anticipating a higher Dungeon Point total.

As soon as I hit the 20 mark, I purchase the room without waiting for the rest of my points to fill. My intention right now is to speed build and level up as much as possible before I open. I know that no other dungeons have a start like mine, so my future is already looking a little more promising. Hopefully, there won't be a stray battalion of knights passing by randomly when my door open.

........

Why did I think of that!?

If that happens the blame is on you, Me.

What? Are you talking to me, or you?

Exactly!

What?

After a little joking around with Me, ta-da.

Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 3:

DP increased by 20

New features have been unlocked:

Water: 1DP (per cubic foot)

Mushroom: 1DP

New loot unlocked:

Rusty Iron Dagger: 2DP

Yeah, that's right, you know it! Girls are moving up in the world.

There aren't as many new features as last time, and there's no new skills either, but I'm still overjoyed with my Dungeon Points capacity increasing. Once full, it should now hold 78/60.

Isn't this kind of cheating?

I'm not complaining though so don't answer me, Me. That was rhetorical and for my own benefit.

After a few attempts, whilst waiting for more DP injections from Barry, I've managed to get the hang of meditation.

Sort of.

I'm in my own zen-like world.

I see my human-self dressed in my Rogue gear, which is slightly-higher quality than Ali and Light's. I'm laid on my back on top of a sleeping roll on the floor of the dungeon. I can tell its me because of the green hair. A good portion of it has fallen out of the hood I'm wearing and is draped across the lower-half of my face. My hands are clasped in front of me and I look as though I'm already dead. Fortunately, I can tell otherwise and the steady rising depressions from my chest tell me that I'm only asleep.

I'm ready for combat as you never remove your armour in the dungeon. No one knows when monsters might suddenly ambush you. This also appears to be the 7th floor, the last place I remember being at before my humanity was taken from me.

Wait.

What the hell is this?

What's going on, Me?

...

Me?

To my side is my friend Anya. The cleric who always heals our asses when we need it, she's laid only a few feet away from me. Spread out on her own sleeping roll, her head faces the direction of my body. Her long, silver hair is parted and her eyes are wide open as she stares at me.

We have always been close, Anya and I. Ever since we met 3 years ago at the Adventurers Guild. We joined up at almost the same time, which bonded us in a way that I hadn't experienced before. She didn't just become my friend, she became my comrade and we formed a team together.

At this moment though, I can no longer see my friend Anya for the beautiful being she is and I begin to cry. This time the tears aren't for me. They're for the atrocity taking place before me, searing itself in my mind.

The only person I can see now is Kal. His sword has been thrust through Anya's throat and into the dungeon floor below. He has no armour on and a twisted expression is painted across his face. His body is arched over Anya doing the unimaginable, the unthinkable.

After a brief moment though, his interest in her ends and he looks over at my body. His grin turns even more vile, even though no one should be able to smile with such malice. I look back at my body and realise that this must be how I die.

Refusing to watch anymore, I close my eyes and sob to myself. The sadness in my heart echoes out like a beacon.

I do realise that this isn't actually happening right now and that it is a memory or a vision... Or whatever you wanna call it, but I don't care. I'm not down for watching myself get... Dead?

Yeah. Dead. Its as good a word as any.

That's what happened. I got deaded! By some dick that I thought was my friend. Our friend!

Are you ok?

Me's words light up before my eyes and I realise that I'm no longer stuck in the horrible dream space. Instead, I'm in my Core room and all my monsters are gathered around me. My Rogues, Light and Ali, are both have solem-looking faces and I swear I can see sand coming out of Barry's eyes.

How did Barry get all the way here?

Colin is salivating, as he does, he doesn't have any eyes. Just funny feet, a weird dance and a lot of drool.

How did you get here, Barry?

Barry can't actually speak. I asked out of shock more than anything.

What happened, Me?

I don't know if I want to tell you after you asked Barry before me?

Hehe.

Don't talk about yourself in the third person, Me. It makes you seem strange.

I wasn't... It's you that... It does not matter. I do not know what you were doing! The monsters responded to your sadness and came to the Core.

Awww, you guys.

You're all awesome, thank you.

I really wish they could hear me.

They know you are pleased with them. You should be able to feel that through your will.

I think I can but it's not the same thing. I want to say thank you and show them my appreciation. They are loyal just like you said they would be.

Oh? Does that mean...

Yes. I might think about considering whether or not to decide if I should potentially try and risk creating a scary Wolf.

It's just a daunting idea, Me.

I understand but it will be loyal to you and once you have created 10 of them, you will unlock the next rank of Wolves.

Wait, what!?

Why didn't you tell me that earlier. I could have done it with the Rogues too couldn't I? To hell with the Bandit Hideout analogy. After what I've just seen, I don't care anymore!

What do you mean? What did you see?

It's... not important now. It could be if we ever see that bastard Kal again though.

Kal?

Doesn't matter. For now, just keep a lookout for any large knights that may enter the area, got it? In fact, can you see the dungeon the same way that I can?

Yes. I am able to monitor or use anything you give me authority over.

Cool, but for now just watch out for the knight, Ok?

Ok. I will inform you of anyone that matches that description once your timer has expired. By the way, you have just over six hours remaining until your door opens.

What!?

There's only six hours left? I thought I had around twenty or somewhere near that mark. What happened to all my time?

You were meditating and would not snap out of it.

Meditating? Meditating?

Meditation my arse!

It sure as hell didn't feel like meditation.

No way, Me. What's the point of it if it makes me miss out on level ups and expanding my dungeon? Also, it wasn't really meditation! It was more like a gods-damn nightmare!

It could be due to the fact that you were a human before you were turned into a Core. The same could be said about your Rogue monsters. No other dungeons I'm aware of are able to create them.

They're not monsters, they're people!

What people do you know of that appear out of thin air in the middle of a dungeon?

Well, none, but you never know.

And if they're monsters, then why do they look like people?

Granted, they take on human appearance but do not be fooled. They are monsters and they will do your bidding. If you asked them to die right now, they would do so gladly for the dungeon. They would do it for you. They are your monsters.

I'm not going to ask them to die.

Jeez, Me. Lighten up. I get it they're monsters, they just look human. Still doesn't mean you have to be so mean to them.

I was making sure the point got across and it appears I was successful.

Fine, well done. Mission accomplished.

Also, Stockpile has reached Level 7

What?