Book of the Dungeon Maker

by Nathan Valerio

  She pulled out a small sheet of parchment and hands it to me.

  “They said to hand it to you,” she said while pointing at the girls.

  I looked confused and took the small piece of paper and looked at it. The next moment I froze for a very long time as I looked at the paper before I put it down and glared at the girls that were no longer playing and looked any other way but at me.

  “75 silver in food and drinks!” I shouted.

  “You're the man so man up!” Misaki shamelessly said proud of herself.

  “You're going to get so fat in the future,” I said bluntly to her face.

  “Hmpf, my daily training leaves me really hungry, also if I do gain weight, it will naturally only increase my charm since it will only fill where it needs,” Misaki said with a smile.

  “Shinigumi-san!” Charlotte exclaimed blushing.

  “You were planning on me paying?” I asked anger very present in my venomous tone.

  “Of course,” she said proudly.

  “Miss, you can take this girl as a dishwasher or something,” I said.

  “Eh?” the waitress exclaimed.

  “Hey! You have lots of crops and stuff! It wouldn’t kill you to sell that stuff! Just pay them in crops!” Misaki said flustered.

  “Oh? So, now you're worried about it. I wonder what it would be like if I didn’t have such a convenient class,” I said.

  She frowned and lowered her gaze as she realized I had actually been paying a huge amount of money for them to be comfortable.

  The next moment she looked up at me with teary eyes but I just simply brushed it off.

  “If you can’t be responsible for your own screw ups then things may get complicated miss maid samurai,” I said.

  The moment I said that her gaze grew fierce.

  “Alright, alright. Let's end this, miss, would you take the bill in fresh crops?” I asked.

  “Eh? Um… only if they are quality goods or else Father wouldn’t accept it,” she said.

  I opened my book flipping through the pages examining everything going through the crops which were quite numerous already.

  I pulled a single one out of each crop and presented it to her.

  Her eyes widened at the variety, and she looked it over and asked to see the innkeeper.

  I was already preparing a good amount to sell them when the man came running out.

  “Sir, are you the one that raised these amazing crops?” the innkeeper and chief said.

  “It is, my class allows me to keep them fresh in a secure space,” I said.

  “My daughter says that these young ladies built a debt of 75 silver coins. If I can have 50 of each of the root crops, not only will it pay for the debt I will pay you two gold coins extra!” he said excitedly.

  “Three gold and I will accept it.”

  “Two and a half.”

  “Done!” I said and he shook my hand.

  “Quick, go grab some containers to hold them all,” the innkeeper said.

  “Don’t you want vegetables as well?” I asked.

  “We are a farming village, so we produce plenty of those but root crops are rather rare and hard to raise here due to the wildlife and having small farms,” the innkeeper said.

  “If I remember correctly the farmers just plant the crops randomly on the field right?” Misaki suddenly said.

  “Yes, is there a different method?” the man asked confused.

  Misaki and I looked at each other with wry smiles and then at the man and nodded.

  “We will look into spreading it soon enough, but I doubt the nobles will agree to it if we suddenly spread it randomly so we will need the support of nobles before we can do anything,” I said.

  “Ah yes, of course, if you are interested search for Lord Holenser. He comes from a humble background and is a man of vision and experiment with farming villages but he doesn’t get much success in many ideas,” the innkeeper said.

  “Thank you,” I said and when the girl returned with a few boxes. I deposited the carrots and garlic first then the potatoes and onions.

  The man’s eyes were shining at all the root crops. Food truly is the greatest exchange token in small villages. A world that has been in war for over 1000 years, to get out of this we first needed to upgrade the nation's infrastructure before trying to tackle the actual war.

  Once that was done I went to the alchemist.

  “You want alchemy equipment? Why is that, boy?” the alchemist asked.

  “I recently learned some about it and want to make my own potions without the need to worry about purchasing things,” I said.

  “Sorry, but I don’t have equipment besides what I use here, and what I have made or purchased for my disciple,” the alchemist said rather annoyed before his eyes suddenly shined as he got an idea. “Here is something, boy. Take this brat as part of your group’s alchemist. Though he can’t compare to me in experience, his talent is far beyond this old man and knows almost everything this old man knows already.”

  “What!” the boy shouted.

  “What do you mean ‘What?’ Don’t you see a golden opportunity to join a hero?” the old man said.

  “Wait how did…” I said, but he grinned.

  “Boy, you think I'm so dumb. I have heard tales of what a dungeon maker is, that is what you are right? It’s written on that magic book of yours. A class that is rare even within the hero summoning,” the old man said.

  “REALLY? A HERO!” the apprentice said.

  “Okay, okay. Shut up, both of you. I was told not to rely on that title so I need to push my own weight so come on, I need the equipment,” I said.

  “Sorry boy, I was telling the truth, this brat’s got the only other set of cauldron, beakers, and alchemy set we have, even the extremely rare Elven magic formation which I have no way of using I handed over and the brat found out how to put it to some use. Want the tools, take the brat, don’t want him, cough up the coin and herbs,” he said shamelessly.

  I sighed really deeply.

  “I feel like I am surrounded by shameless people,” I said.

  “Oi! Shameless is another word for honest! Don’t confuse the two boy!” the alchemist said.

  “Fine, if the kid wants to come along then I will take what I can get. Just know that it will get dangerous fast but I have some ideas that may work for you to make. I just need to go over the information I obtained to make sure alchemy in this world and the one I know are compatible,” I said.

  “Awesome! I'm going to be part of a hero's party!” he said excited.

  “Before anything kid. Name?” I said.

  “Hermes Tris Flamel at your service Sir Hero,” he said smiling.

  “Holy shit, is this guy the resulting combo of Hermes Trismegistus and Nicolas Flamel! Doesn’t that mean his talent is enough to make something like the fucking philosopher's stone?!” I thought.

  Yes NEET Wikipedia searcher has also researched alchemists due to interest gained by fiction, besides that…

  “Ace Cross, just call me Ace. I'm not like that pompous moron with the hero class,” I said.

  “I can’t, you are part of the summoned heroes group. Then how’s Sir Ace?” he asked.

  I rubbed my temple and then began imagining when he discovered the identity of the two girls in the party. I could understand he won’t be so shocked by Misaki but the crowned princess… yeah.

  “Just Ace, I need to hide the fact I'm a hero anyway so just Ace,” I said.

  “Okay, but when you are recognized or in the capital is it fine to say sir?” he asked.

  “I guess as a formality but only if necessary, I hate formalities,” I complained.

  “Sure thing, now to gather all my things,” he said.

  I began to think of something as to how to transport that workshop’s worth of things.

  “Is there an empty room here or one with some open space?” I asked.

  “Yeah there is the bedroom,” the old alchemist said.


  “Good,” I said and walk inside.

  Then I opened my book and moved a single unused room into an empty dungeon spot but remembered that the dungeon’s magic holes were all used.

  “Damn it. Old man mind if we pick the stuff up later?” I asked.

  “Didn’t I bloody tell you not to call me old man, as for the other thing, sure, since you’re not leaving there is no need to pack everything,” he said.

  “Good, now trade me,” I said and began trading for lots of goods while giving him the now even higher quality herbs he was drooling over.

  I got 10 gold off him from selling well over 100 herbs not to mention the large supply of mana drop flowers which were growing splendidly in my dungeon with the fertilizer.

  After a while, I filled my bag with mana and hp potions, and Hermes and me left the hut to meet the girls in the inn where we introduced ourselves and I explained how this happened making Charlotte giggle. Misaki just looked at him rather curiously after hearing his name.

  From there, we left town after distributing the potions, and making sure to tell Hermes where we were going. He chose to come as well.

  At the entrance, I had already summoned the guardian—fascinating the boy—and the halberd puppet, the lead acolyte, and the canine beast. The more canine blood he was bathed in the stronger he would get at least that was what I understood.

  “Okay, be ready for the wolves. Hermes, don’t even think of running and don’t fear traps, this is my dungeon so I command the traps,” I said.

  “Alright,” he replied nodding his head.

  As we walked into the circle and appeared in the first room, a strong wind blew from the deep making the strange white flames burn brighter. All around us an ancient female voice appeared.

  “You have come… dungeon maker… ignore my kin and come to me,” it said sending a shiver down our backs.

  “This is the ancient alpha silver spirit queen wolf. A legendary spirit, no wonder, it can speak human tongue. Damn I wonder if we can kill it!” Hermes said since he was already filled in on the situation.

  “Who knows but since we should ignore them it makes it easier for us,” I said.

  “Mn, let’s go,” Misaki said and we walked forward with the guardian at the back guarding our rear, Hermes, the Acolyte, and me in the middle, Charlotte and Misaki on the sides with the beast and halberd warrior in the front. Like that we moved in to fight the alpha wolf.

  Chapter 19

  I stood smiling at the solid ball of light in front of me. It was strange because one side was black and the other was white.

  Obviously, this was the result of me discovering the 'Moon' rune from the white flames. In truth, these flames were 'Moonlight Flames' they grew stronger or weaker depending on the phase of the moon. During the new moon, the flames would become common yellow flames as the 'Moon' rune loses effect and the flames become 'Light Flames' which possess a purification effect against undead.

  In truth, this is a really dastardly trap for undead and beings weak to light because 'Light Flames' are excessively bright. Towards beings of light it even had a healing effect and may even create holy magic and light magic more powerful.

  I had 79 new runes decorating my book which I would need to take time to examine.

  “Come on Ace, you can play with the runes later. Let’s get to the boss room quickly,” Misaki said.

  “Sure,” I said and canceled the spell making the moon ball fade into nothing.

  “This is quite an interesting rune. I will need to do heavy training to learn the real secrets. In every story I read stuff that is ancient always has some profound meaning behind it,” I said.

  “Wouldn't that eat up a lot of time instead of us just leveling up?” Charlotte asked.

  “Charlotte-sama, it is that method of thinking that leads to great knowledge being lost with the ages. The demon lord is over 1000 years old, who is to say he doesn't know every known rune and their true meaning and can use them in exquisite manners. There is plenty of time, the war has gone for 1000 years, several dozen more won't matter and I for one don't plan on just coming for this stupid job,” Misaki said.

  “Eh?! Stupid! How is being a hero stupid?” she asked.

  “You may not know this but in our world there are countless story tale fictions that show the hero and demon lord fighting to the last breath and the hero wins but the natives of this world appear and kill him saying he sacrificed himself to injure the demon lord so that the knights of this world could be to 'true' heroes that killed the demon lord,” I said as we made a turn in the dungeon.

  “My mother would never do something so despicable!” Charlotte shouted.

  “I don't doubt your mother and the twins, but your father, and second sister I wouldn't even get within 10 meters of her if she was in trouble out of fear of her pushing the danger to me and running off leaving me to my fate,” I said bluntly.

  The young princess could only frown and look down in silence.

  “Still all we need is to gain power beyond what the knights of the world could threaten. All the while, we slowly cause reforms in the infrastructure of all the nations to slowly strengthen them. It may even cause trouble from nobles, but in our world an agricultural reform always followed with conflict unless someone with substantial power showed them otherwise. If the humans won't accept the reform the elves and dwarves may,” Misaki said.

  We took a final turn and reached a small room with a set of stairs in the back. The room was packed full of gray wolves completely blocking the view of the floor.

  AWOO!

  A powerful howl came from the stairway and a large line of wolves descended creating a pathway two meters wide. The wolves sat down looking at us without any feeling of killing intent from them.

  “T-t-there are l-lots of the...” Hermes said trembling.

  “Don't mind it, the big puppet behind you can massacre them if need be,” I said.

  I still grabbed the handle of my sword as did the girls and puppets.

  We slowly walked forward but nothing advanced until the voice called again.

  “Do not fear... I only wish to speak, Dungeon Maker,” she said.

  Hearing the voice I looked around. We soon reached the stairs and climbed down.

  The second floor was less windy. I had placed four field rooms without crops for the wolves; larger dens as an attraction. They lacked the moonstones, but they did have torches which were most likely moonlight flames as well.

  As we neared the boss room, the wolves kept a 10 meter distance at all times both in front and back.

  The door was open and bright moonlight was exiting. Once we entered, I examined the room I had not been able to before attaching.

  The ground was soft and good for planting but was packed by the paws of the wolves. The forest was high around the edges and behind was pitch black hiding the walls under the veil of darkness. In the cleared center were twelve larger old wolves with much whiter fur than the common gray wolf. At the very back was a large stone platform where a wolf the size of a horse lay. In front of it were three still to bloom blue flowers that expelled a thick amount of mana while absorbing the moonlight from the moonstones.

  Looking up, I was surprised and figured out why I still needed to wait a while before the room was fully built after the moonstones were added. Half embedded at the very center of the ceiling—pure black like the night sky—was a perfectly spherical moonstone the size of a basketball. It hung there like a makeshift moon lighting up the room in a dull white moonlight.

  I looked back down at the huge silver wolf that shone in the moonlight.

  It stood up and circled around the flowers in a lofty arrogant manner and walked over. None of the other wolves stood. As it got half way the body began glowing and the moonlight began to gather.

  We stood on guard but were amazed as the moonlight turned into particles of light and gathered first to form a long white gown then a human body. A beautiful face with pure silver eyes and long shin
ing silver hair. On her head appeared wolf ears and on her back, passing through her hair, a long silver tail stretched down. Long slender arms with a light tan skin formed followed by the legs. It was the most beautiful image that looked like a heavenly being you could imagine.

  Behind her, the imposing image of the silver wolf burst into moonlight particles and entered the woman.

  “Welcome young dungeon maker. I thank you for not attacking my kin and agreeing to meet me,” the woman said as the glowing moonlight faded and her feet touched the ground.

  “What... is going on?” I asked and looked at Charlotte who shrugged.

  “I am a spirit beast child, the form you saw was a form I commonly use. I take this one when faced with those I wish to speak with. I am one of the few free ancient alpha silver spirit queen wolf, my name is Veria and I have a request for you,” she said.

  “What?” I asked her wryly.

  “I am sure you have studied to hunt us for the mission to kill my kin. My entire being revolves around the moonlight azure blossom and must plant it once a month. The problem is that if I plant it too early or late, hunters of the demon lord come and so I have never been able to benefit fully, so I am weaker than what I could be after living for over 12,000 moons. I am one of the oldest spirit wolves still free from the rule of the demon lord, but I fear my time is coming as the power of the captured has always been growing,” she said.

  “What exactly do you need?” I asked.

  “Within your dungeon, the presence of the moonlight azure blossom is blocked and the demon hunters cannot locate this place. I can finally benefit fully and extend my life longer while I strengthen my forces in safety and completely stabilize my body even outside of the moon's light, but there is another reason.

  “Once a century we silver spirit queen wolves will birth a new child. The moonlight essence we gather from the blossom is completely removed to make my child. This moon is the one when I shall birth my 11th child, and I do not wish to have another of my children to be at the mercy of the demons,” she said and looked at the three flowers.

  “Not only that, you have created two more moonlight azure blossoms. When my child is born, my own blossom shall release a seed for her own blossom, and she will bind with it, but because there are two more, she will bind them. She shall become the strongest child I have birthed, yet I am uncertain I can survive through this. My life also carries the lives of millions of my spirit wolf kin as they are bound to me in the spirit realm. Should I die, they shall follow and that is what I worry about,” she said looking at me with pleading eyes.