** ** ** Dungeon Core ** ** **

As Bastill looked around at the balanced ecosystem that he created within the confines of his dungeon he felt pleased with himself. He had just finished his week-long Sculpting project in the entrance room to the dungeon. He had ended up expanding his influence on a small room below the last room on the second floor, which created the third floor. This allowed him to level up by meeting the requirements. He met the next requirements to level up two more times leveling up to level twelve.

The largest changes in the levels he noticed was that level change from eleven to twelve added another thousand to his mana capacity. He also didn’t gain any abilities at level eleven, however he did gain one at level twelve. He believed that he must gain a skill every two levels now.

His ability gained at level ten was Elite Creature Assign, while the ability gained at level twelve was Ecosystem Menu. Elite Creature Assign allowed him to select creatures a give them an elite status. This would allow them to be revived after a twenty-four-hour count down. He knew Kitsune and Wenet were both developing their own elites. He decided to inform Kitsune, “Wenet, Kitsune, I know you have been talking about making elites. I recently gained an ability to make elites. It allows them to be revived after twenty-four hours.”

Kitsune was the first to respond as always, “I see you finally put down your rocks. That is just the ability we need Bastill. I will let you know when I am ready for you.”

Wenet took a pause before answering, “Likewise, I will need some time.”

Wenet was never one to initiate conversations or to drag them out any longer then absolutely necessary. She was quite stoic that way. Bastill wanted to look at the Ecosystem Menu, but he wanted to reflect upon his newly made statues first. He had managed to recreate the Blood-Teared Goddess of The Dungeon after some difficulty. He realized that it must have absorbed the residual blood from the platform last time and managed to bound the material with same Ceremonial Blood catalyst it had absorbed last time. Another change in the creation process was this time he did not make it out of Granite, but instead out of Onyx-Marble. He had discovered several things in the newest third floor room.

The first was the Onyx-Marble, which was whiter then even the Marble. It had a lusty glow even before he began sculpting it. The second discovery in his 62nd room was the Mammoth Skeleton, which by itself I quite useless. However, thanks to a bit of broken off tusk he managed to learn the material Ivory, which he had plans for in the future. He gazed at the brilliant Goddess of The Dungeon inside of the dungeon once more. It was once again on a pedestal within the center of the room.

Despite making in half the time as the original it was even more heaven defying. The material was also vastly superior, which could be seen in the increase in percentage boost and the added effect.

Sculpture Completed

Blood-Teared Goddess of The Dungeon

Effects- If gifts are given that catches the dungeons favor then there is a 1% to 50% Buff to all Characteristics depending on the dungeon’s analysis for the next twenty-four hours. Accepted Items are dissolved, while rejected items burst into flame. Those who pray to the Blood-Teared Goddess of The Dungeon daily and showed continued patronage can become Apostles of the Goddess.

He added in the plaque but changed it slightly from the original. It now read, “Here I stand, the Goddess of The Dungeon, I weep for those Adventurers who fall, gift to me and I will it in kind, I will watch over you. For I am the Goddess of The Dungeon. Pledge allegiance to my shrine and pray to me always. Those who are devout will gain my power.”

It was a huge improvement compared to the old one. He wasn’t entirely sure of the ramifications of becoming an Apostle, but he was definitely intrigued about the prospect. He kept the term vague in the plaque. No sense putting the effect down word from word. It was better to keep an enigmatic atmosphere around his statues. He didn’t want adventures to ever truly understand what was happening. After all, keeping the mystical appeal was quite entertaining to him.

The Goddess of The Dungeon Statue was not the only addition he added to the main entrance. Another feature was the cave ceiling which he had first layered with Marble before carving into. He had managed to craft a beautiful ceiling piece in the first room that showed the night sky. Despite being made of Marble, which was known to be white, it had turned outpitch black with bright lit glowing white stars.

He also made the ceiling concave which further emphasized the illusion of the bending night sky lit with stars. This addition pulled greater attention to the angel-white Crying Goddess even more startling. He planned to eventually extent the night sky to the walls of the room, since he hadn’t it labeled it as only half finished. The walls were pith black but lacked the stars that he would eventually sculpt into it. He looked at its notification.

Sculpted Scene Half-Complete

Night Sky of the Goddess

Current Effect- At night every creature under your control gains +25% increase to all characteristics.

Unfinished- Unknown

It’s interesting how the effect it has on the creatures. I can’t imagine what it will end up doing when it is completed.

It was a beautiful sight and contrasted the Goddess of The Dungeon to an astounding degree. He couldn’t wait to complete it all, but sadly it would half to wait. For some reason he felt he wasn’t ready to complete it yet. It was a core feeling he had. He was missing something. He needed to gather a greater understanding before he proceeded on it, but for now he was content. There were four additional statues in the room. The first was made by him and the remaining three he had used the Copy Statue ability to make.

The statues in question were all on the same platform as the Goddess of The Dungeon. Each occupied a corner of the pedestal which had been extruded down words. It gave each of them their own platform attached to the main platform yet lower by a foot. Each was around five foot and seven inches. They were all created in the form of a lithe human.

Each face was angelically carved out of ivory and shaped just like an adventurer he had come across. The eyes were colored by sapphire that had been created into the Ivory before he started sculpting. They were then sculpted and reveled only in the iris. It would be impossible to for any human sculptor to be able to achieve this let alone find material to work with like this.

Only with Bastill’s ability was he able to pull off this master piece. This Statue he decided would be Alice’s bonus reward he had promised. What could be better than a tribute to her in the form of the sculptures that she loved to see. Plus, she would be pleased to see all the heads attached.

Each statue had an elegantly sculpted ivory spear in their hands. The spear had scenes of war crafted onto their cavasses. The spear was in fact crafted separately then the human female sculptures. They could even be removed. However, he highly doubted any would try. Each was posed in a different dexterous striking form, their blue eye’s glinted intelligence and life. With the idea from the Goddess of The Dungeon he had also imbued the Angel Feather Catalyst into this creation. He also used the Ceremonial Blood on the spear. On top utilizing the Angel Feather he used his Statue Animation skill.

They were no longer just Ivory Statues. They were living and moving statues. If the situation occurred where he needed to mete out order in the entrance room, these statues would jump off their pedestals and into action. They really were the guardians of the Goddess of The Dungeon. The only difference between Alice and the statues were the more ornate and provocative carving of the armor and the wings on their back. He glanced at the notifications for the spear and statues.

Sculpture Completed

Blood-Ivory War Spear

Effect- Spear gains additional levels to Spear Mastery with each kill. The wielder gains these additional skill levels. Spear Mastery: 1

Sculpture Completed

Ivory Spear Angel

Effect- Golem Creature; Level: 35; Strength:35; Constitution:30; Dexterity:30; Intelligence:30; Wisdom:30; Charisma:14, Spear Mastery Skill:40.

I can’t believe this ended up becoming a golem. They are so incredibly rare and guarded creation. I guess I probably didn’t create one in the average way. I wonder how civilization created these without the powers I have. The Important thing though is that these creatures are quite strong. I think I am starting to gain more help about my hopes about my survival.

He never got over his amazement after seeing these dazzling beings. He doubted he could use their wings effectively or at all since they were solid ivory. The spears also were quite fascinating. His only worry was that people would discover that they were in fact a real weapon with such a frightening ability. He had only ever heard of legendary weapons with such abilities. Of course, it wasn’t very strong now, but it had the ability for infinite growth. That was a dangerous thing to hold.

It’s dangerous to keep, but it might also end up giving me the edge to face that dark sorceress. I just need to make sure known of the adventures discover the spears. I will need to reflect more on this later, but for now I really want to check out my latest skill Ecosystem Menu

He opened up the latest menu and watched the new data flow over in his mind. It had never even occurred to him all the information that flashed across the screen. He imagined a lot of this data was what Kitsune often mentioned to him about. It brought up the different creatures and their status in the dungeon. With this he would have noticed the need to upgrade the creatures sooner. It simply covered topics he hadn’t realized before. Happiness of the creatures, their average death rate and reproduction. It was fascinating and incredibly useful.

Ecosystem Menu

House of the Fox Alliances: House of the Long-Ear Mood: 10/10

Kitsune(Vixen Slayer)- Level:36 Role: Leader Birth RateUninterested in Bitches) Death rate: N/A Prey: Anything that bothers Him Habits: Watches His Kits, Kicking Vixen in the Face Loyalty: Bastill, Wenet, His Kits

The Kits Role: Candidates for Elite Death rate/Birth Rate: N/A Prey: Racoonoids, Stone-Hedge Hog, Troll Squirrel, Serrated-Billed Platypus Loyalty: Bastill, Wenet, Other Kits

Ruby- Level:26 Habits: Every Asset, Leadership, Planner, Clever

Topaz- Level:25 Habits: Fast Precise Claws

Opal- Level:26 Habits: Tricky, Clever, Planning, Wise

Diamond- Leve:l25 Habits: Constitution, Brawling

Amethyst- Level:25 Habits: Biting Death grip, Goes for the Throat

Emerald- Level:25 Habits: Works with Jade, Feinting, In Sync

Jade- Level:25 Habits: Works with Emerald, Attack, In Sync

Sapphire- Level:25 Habits: Assisting Others, Lunging, Protective

Blood Fox - Average Level:18 Role: Apex Predators Birth Rate:30/week Death rate:15/week Prey: Racoonoids, Stone-Hedge Hog, Troll Squirrel, Serrated-Billed Platypus

Habits: Hunting, Ambushes, Clever Population:158 Loylty: House of the Fox, Bastill

House of the Long-Ear Alliances: House of the Fox Mood: 8/10

Wenet(The Swift One)- Level:41 Role: Leader Birth Rate: 50/week Prey: N/A Habits: Birthing, Talking to Kitsune Loyalty: Bastill, Wenet, His Kits, Dracula Hare’s

Dracula Hare- Average Level:15 Role: Apex Predators Birth Rate: Infertile Death rate: 40/week Prey: Racoonoids, Stone-Hedge Hog, Troll Squirrel, Serrated-Billed Platypus

Habits: Hunting, Blood Sucking, Pack Mentality Population:352 Loyalty-House of the Long-Ear, Bastill

House of the Feeder- Role: Food Source

Racoonoids- Average Level:12 Birth Rate: 100/week Death rate: 90/week Food: Mandrake Roots, Elder Berry

Habits: Human Emulation Population:500 Loyalty- N/A Mood: 1/10

Stone-Hedge Hog- Average Level:14 Birth Rate: 80/week Death rate: 70/week Food: Mandrake Roots, Elder Berry Habits: Spike Ball Lunge Population:350 Loyalty-N/A Mood: 1/10

Troll Squirrel- Average Level:16 Birth Rate: 70/week Death rate: 60/week Food: Acorn Habits: Acorn, Stupidity Population:100 Loyalty-Acorn Mood: 11/10

Serrated-Billed Platypus- Average Level:15 Birth Rate: 50/week Death rate: 40/week Food: Mandrake Roots, Elder Berry Habits: Dams, Swimming Population:300 Loyalty- N/A Mood: 1/10

House of the Flora

…

He skipped over the details for the ‘House of the Flora’ at the moment. He had a lot of things to consider in the mean time and he could always explore that section in more detail later on. It was nice to be able to see what his creatures were going through. He found it very interesting that they were divided into four houses.

The Foxes and the Hares were both in separate hoses which made sense. He had heard Kitsune mention the House of the Fox in some passing conversations before, but it was different to actually see it and see the different loyalty and habits of the creatures. It seemed that the Floor bosses generally had loyalty towards him, each other, their own species and the kits. This brought him to another interesting point, the kits.

He had heard Kitsune mention his kits before however he had never seen any information on them before. They appeared to be rather strong. At least far superior to the rest of the Blood Foxes. He enjoyed reading their habits as well. It appeared to be their fighting habits. Each one was unique in their own way.

The other creatures also had habits, however not many were that eye popping. The only ones that really reached out to him was the one about Kitsune kicking female foxes in the face. He wasn’t entirely sure what that was about and when he asked kitsune the only answer he received was that he had been busy, and they kept bothering him.

The last two habits that he found intriguing or at least peculiar was the Racoonoids and the Troll Squirrel. The Racoonoids had an intriguing habit of imitating humans which he found intriguing. He might be able to do something with that. The Troll Squirrels had a peculiar acorn habit, which he couldn’t make heads or tails of. He had another habit named stupidity, which honestly didn’t surprise him. The dumb animals only loyalty was acorns.

Why on earth would they have a loyalty to acorns? They are hopeless…

The mod stat helped him understand how his creatures were doing in his dungeon most of them were doing quite good. The freaking Troll Squirrel was even off the charts content. There was definitely something wrong with squirrels. However the Stone-Hedge Hog, Serrated-Billed Platypus, and Racoonoids were doing very poor. He wasn’t sure what on earth could be wrong with them, but figured the Kitsune’s counsel would be enlightening, “Hey Kitsune I am using a new ability to see the conditions of the ecosystem in the dungeon and some of the creatures aren’t doing so well. Do you have any idea why that might be?”

Prompt as always Kitsune responded, “Aww you must be referring the ‘messed up beavers’, ‘prickly shit bags’, and the ‘masked ones’.”

It took Bastill a few seconds to translate the names over. Kitsune always had a very elaborate way of describing different things. He thought it had to be related to still being an animal. What surprised him was that Kitsune was spot on with his guesses. Realizing that Kitsune must know something he didn’t he pressed on with the Kitsune, “Yes those three are the issue. I’m impressed you could figure it out. Could you clue me in on what is wrong? I haven’t figured it out yet.”

He could hear the confusion in Kitsune’s voice as he answered, “Well you are torturing the poor bastards after all so I am not really that surprised.”

Bastille was shocked, “What?! Torturing? I haven’t done anything to them. Why would I torture them and how am I?”

He could have sworn he could hear a smile in the next mentally projected response from Kitsune, “Yes you are dishing out a quite elaborate punishment. I just assumed you had been doing it because they were inferior, or you had a grudge against them. After all you did make the squirrels commit mass suicide for a while.”

Bastill couldn’t help himself as he interrupted,” I told you that was a total accident! Now what exactly am I doing wrong?”

Kitsune provided him with the missing link,” Well to put it simply all the other creatures are content with their food or prey. While we don’t need to eat per se it still quite enjoyable. The creatures in question are probably more on the meat side of omnivore. I’m sure the ‘messed up beavers’ were originally ‘plant munchers’ but with the new evolution I believe they are probably expecting to hunt underwater creatures. So, in short they want to feed properly.”

It just hadn’t occurred to him that they didn’t eat anything other than plants, “Well that explains it. Thanks, Kitsune I will try to straighten that out. I think I will need to create some creatures they can hunt.”

He had come to the conclusion that the Breeder animals couldn’t really hunt each other. The battles would be too difficult and they would end up being picked off by the predators. He also needed something else aquatic. He really did need to create some new creatures that could be eaten by the Breeder animal. He mentally went over his learned creatures that he hadn’t exploited yet. He had some insects and animals. He rea There was Leaf Imitator, Stick Bug, Praying Mantis, Centipede, Deer, wolf, Bear, goat.

He was rather hesitant to use insects. After the spider incident. He would just need to make sure not to make them too big. If he did make them large then he would make them mostly harmless. That would be a subtle compromise. The animals were also too big and two of them were ferocious predators, which he didn’t think the breeder animals could handle.

With a clear goal in mind he picked the Leaf Imitator, Stick Bug, and the Goat. He felt these would be the best three to adapt into the dungeon. He now needed to come up with a plan for their evolutions. As he tried to get inspiration on what to make He realize he would need to make three more additional rooms for these creatures along with using statue copy to increase their rate of birth. He internally sighed in his mind.

Every time I solve a problem I seem to just make more work or problems. I still have those spears that I may need to hide from sight.

His mind shifted focus as he began meditating on the decision to hide the spears or not. As he continued to ponder it he realized that he was getting distracted. He had a task to get done. One task at a time. Multitasking would lead to a path to nowhere. If you don’t start and finish the task, then more will get stacked up and unfinished. It was a viscous cycle, which he was slightly afraid he might already have fallen into.

Just as he was about to focus on the task on hand he noticed a Marble Chest of Diamond wondering into the entrance room. It didn’t exactly have legs. Instead it utilized the wait and momentum of the lid to help it hop throughout his dungeon. After it entered the room it apparently changed its mind and began leaping back into the other room.

After the incident of the fanged chest he had made a new chest to replace it in the room. He had twelve stationary chests with one wandering chest as he called it. He also gave it a greater reward inside. It would be a pleasant surprise for adventures. Just imagine finding a wandering chest with a huge reward!

Well unless it bites off one of their hands. That could put a definite hamper on their mood. Well the reward must be equal to the risk. It’s a healthy balance.

He glanced at his Loot options just to refresh his mind over what he had given the wandering chest. He would often check different Stats just for fresh mental thoughts. He liked the constant input helped boost creativity. He might also get a new idea and decide to adjust different features.

Loot

Chests-Healing Potion:1, Diamond: x (1st chest 1, 2nd chest 2….12th chest 12)

Wandering Chest- Healing Potion:1, amethyst:100

Kitsune-amethyst:2, ruby:2, emerald:2, sapphire:2, jade:2

Wenet- opal:2, diamond:2, moonstone:2, topaz:2

Blood Fox- Ruby: 2

Dracula Hare- moonstone:2

Racoonoids, Stone-Hedge Hog, Troll Squirrel, Serrated-Billed Platypus-N/A

He realized that he didn’t have any loot for the Breeder room animals. He had long since ran out of any creative options. In retrospect they were easier to kill so no reward isn’t that shocking. He was slightly disappointed with the wandering chests gifts. He hastily tried to throw together something unique. If you were going to lose a hand you better get something unique out of it.

He started off with a cubic foot of ivory. As he began his work he noticed some Racoonoids gathering about to watch the process. He sculpted piece by piece until he was left with an elegantly crafted knife. Deciding to honor it with a name he had engraved the word “Ichory,” after the word Ichor, which people believed the gods bled.

Sculpture Completed

Ichory the Ebony Dagger

Effect- Grants user 25% increased Intelligence, and the Skill Leadership.

He was quite impressed with its result. He considered it was worthy to lose an arm to gain the blade. Upon finishing the Blade, he put it in the chest, which the Racoonoids began to swarm about and attack. There attacks were quite useless and failed. Nevertheless, they continued their assault of the movable chest. The Chest didn’t care as it continued moving about in its hoping fashion.

After ten minutes of watching the Racoonoids attempts, Bastill berated himself for getting distracted again. It was just so easy to lose focus somedays. He was normally quite focused, but this day seemed to throw new things at him which he wasn’t prepared for. Taking a deep mental breath he prepared his mind to take on the task of making the new creatures.

I’ve got this. All I need to do is evolve some creatures. It’s easy as that. I just need to decide what I want them to be like and get to work. Okay, I’m ready. On the count of three. One. Two. Thr…

Kitsune accidentally picked this time to interrupt him, “Hey Bastill, you didn’t forget about the ‘hole of death’ did you? I mean it could lead somewhere important, or maybe hold something unique at the bottom. We should probably investigate it. It’s been there for an awfully long time.”

Bastill lost his calm mind for a spilt second as he lost focus on the task at hand, “For the love of everything good and decent. Why on earth will the Goddess’s not let me focus today. Sorry Kitsune… Listen I’m trying to create some creatures so that I am not torturing half the creatures living in here, but I am having a really hard time. I guess the Abyss is important to investigate, but I just don’t know what I should do?”

Kitsune releasing the dungeon was on its last edges of sanity for the day he tried encouraging the idea a little more. He had meant to do it gently, but he wasn’t very effective, “It might be worth giving it an investigation. There might be new ‘walking meat’ or ‘jumping meat’. I mean the possibilities are endless. Plus, the freaking ‘beefed-up nut munchers’ have their acorn tree in that room. I don’t trust them around the ‘hole of death’. Do you think you can check it out?”

Bastill was done, “Just push one of the beefed-up nut munchers down the hole and see if it crawls out. I’m busy.”

This appeared to be the answer Kitsune was looking for. Not even a second latter he could sense the granite crumbling, along with a low wail of one of the Troll Squirrels as it toppled into the hole. Bastill sighed as he continued with his distracted state.

Maybe I need a small break? I’m only human.

Stat Menu

Level:12, Race: Dungeon Core, Name: Bastill

Characteristics

Mana Capacity: 250/2500, Mana Absorption: 4800/day, Creatures:1770, Rooms:62, Floors:3

Abilities

Statue Copy- Capable of copying existing statues for a mana cost.

Statue Animation- Used to give souls to sculptures.

Loot Distribution- Used to spawn treasure in chests and drops from killing beasts.

Expand Consciousness- You can now use mana to expand your body around you, which in turn gives you a greater area of control. Current mana cost: 1 mana per every 4 cubic foot.

Passive Mana Absorption- You no longer need to pull mana to you. It is now naturally drawn towards your core. Current rate 4800/Day. To increase grow stronger or larger.

Stone Touch- Due to your talent and diligence your ability working with stone has increased. You have a great understanding of the stone you work and are able to make stone you work on glow with radiance.

Dungeon Aura- Awoken with the power of Ceremonial Blood from your past. Dungeon Aura in its current state has increased effects growing and developing your creatures. As well as a 15% bonus to the dungeon creatures combat ability, and a 10% bonus in dungeon creature’s characteristics.

Observe- Ability to see the level and vocation of other creatures, while seeing the whole stat menu of dungeon creatures.

Forced Evolution- Ability to see inject mana into a creature body part or characteristic, which will evolve the creature and raise its level and abilities.

Dissolve- Lets you dissolve matter and recreate learned matter with mana.

Mind Speak- More complex form of basic communication with lesser creatures.

Elite Creature Assign- Able to give a creature an elite status. Allows them to revive after 24 hours.

Learned

Materials -1 cubic foot

Quartz:5, Granite: .2, Marble:10, Ivory: 25, Onyx-Marble:55

Creatures

Insects- Leaf Imitator: .2, Stick Bug: .2, Praying Mantis: .3, Centipede: .3,

Animals- Grey Squirrel:10, Red Fox: 35, Hedge Hog: 12, Racon: 25, Deer: 40, wolf: 45, Bear: 60, goat: 35, Hare: 12, Beaver: 20,

Created Beasts- Bloody Fox: 90, Dracula Hare:80, Vampiric Rabbit Queen:120, Racoonoids:80, Stone-Hedge Hog:70, Troll Squirrel:90, Serrated-Billed Platypus:75

Objects

Toad Stool: .1, Moon Shade: .5, Mandrake root: 1, acorn:.1, fern: .1, elder berry bush: .1, whistling leaf: .1, and elves ear: .5, opal:5, diamond:5, amethyst:5, ruby:5, emerald:5, sapphire:5, jade: 5, moonstone: 5, topaz: 5, Mammoth Skeleton:500.

Fluid- Per Bottle

Medium Health Potion: 20, Mineral Water: .01