CONQUEST: The Dungeon Core Gambit Book One
Page 4
Okay. I'll try it now. Markos created a mental image of himself as a large diamond. He imagined a small portion of it split from the main body. He decided to give 1,000 mana and health to the second core. "Second core created: 1,000 Health, 1,000 Mana. +2,000 XP."
"Nicely done, master! Now, please hold onto the core while I create the last dungeon floor."
Jessica created a trap door on the platform. A long ladder, made entirely of stone, connected with the final floor of the dungeon. Again, she turned the floor into a maze just like the first floor. But this time, the maze was two miles long. As she used up the raw materials to build her maze, she started converting more rocks into raw materials.
"This would be a really good place to put wandering monsters," the dungeon helper noted. Two-thirds of the maze led to dead ends. The correct path led to the final boss guarding a room with the fake dungeon core.
The faery filled the boss room with air vents and collapsing ceilings and collapsible, spiked floors. At the center of the room, Jessica spent 2,000 mana and health to create an earth elemental. The reason she did not ask Markos to create the minion this time was because she needed him to unlock the ability by using it once to create the fire elemental. After that, she was able to use his unlocked abilities freely.
"Minion created: Earth Elemental. 2,000 Health, 2,000 Mana. +4,000 XP."
Markos was intrigued by the appearance of the elemental. It took the form of a man. In fact, if the minion was provided with clothes and seen from a distance, the dungeon keeper could easily mistake it for a human. How powerful is it?
"It will put up a good fight," Jessica assured him. "Unlike a traditional earth elemental, this one is agile. Its skin is hard and resistant to slash and thrust attacks. An adventurer will need to use a blunt weapon to hurt it normally; slash and thrust attacks will inflict only half the normal damage. The only problem now is figuring out how to bring your secondary core to this room."
Markos chuckled. I got that covered. The dungeon keeper created a small tunnel connecting the boss room to his inner chamber. He then tapped into the heat vent. A burst of superheated air escaped and propelled the second dungeon core through the tunnel until it exited into the boss room.
"Nicely done, master!" Jessica clapped her hands and laughed. She commanded the earth elemental to take the second core and place it on the pedestal at the far end of the room. "And we're finished!" The faery started dancing.
Markos refilled the tunnel with rocks and sealed the hole to his chamber. He called up his UI to review his current status:
Name: Markos Turloch
Class: Dungeon Core, Level 18
Experience: 156,980/171,000
Helper: Jessica, Dungeon Faery
Health: 12,800/16,300
Mana: 12,800/16,300
Domain: 28,432 square feet, 16,859 units available
Minions: 2/9
Allies: 2 (Giant Nematode, Level 6),
(Giant Queen Ant, Level 10)
Keeper Abilities: Convert raw materials,
Create walls, Befriend creatures,
Create traps, Create minions,
Analyze, Heal others,
Earth affinity (Primary),
Fire affinity (Secondary),
Hivemind (3/9), Split core (1),
Transfer stats, Reset dungeon,
Create minor objects, Replicate,
Create major objects,
Minor summon,
Water affinity (Secondary)
Not bad for a day's work.
Chapter 8
Level Cap
When Jessica saw, through her master's mind, his current level, the faery immediately returned to the inner chamber. It took her a few minutes to arrive and she was huffing and puffing from doing so.
What's the matter?
Jessica fluttered in front of the dungeon core. "Master, I need to discuss something critical regarding your level. You have reached Level 18 in just two weeks! Your progression has been phenomenal!" She didn't know whether to laugh or cry about that. Her master's progression rate was way too fast!
It's because we were able to tap into the geothermal vent as an alternative source of energy to power my Dungeon Keeper abilities. And we kept building walls to generate experience, too.
"True. But you gave the order to dig straight down. If it was up to me, I would have continued digging horizontally and your level advancement would have been much slower. You discovered the vent. Thus, the credit for reaching Level 18 so quickly is entirely yours. But putting that aside, I must inform you that you will be reaching the Level 20 cap very shortly."
WHAT! Markos was surprised and then upset by this news. Why is there a cap on my dungeon advancement?
Jessica held up her palms to placate the dungeon core. "It's the will of the Gods to prevent dungeon cores from becoming too powerful. There IS a way around the cap, though."
Tell me!
"You will need to evolve. At Level 20, you will unlock the final dungeon ability called 'Assimilate.' This ability builds on the Split core ability and allows you to merge a part of your core with another living creature. It's a double-edged sword because you will fight with the other creature to gain control over one body. If you choose a weak living creature, then you will be easily killed in your merged form. If you choose a strong partner for the merger, your will may be dominated by the other. Regardless, the merger will turn you into an 'Evolved Core.' And you will be able to continue your advancement," the faery explained.
How many Evolved Cores are there in this world?
Jessica shook her head. "I don't know, master. Very few dungeon cores survive long enough to reach Level 20."
Because dungeon cores are highly sought after by the inhabitants of this world.
The helper nodded.
What ability will I unlock at Level 19?
"Air affinity."
Markos was taken aback by this answer. I thought I wouldn't be able to get access to the air element because I have a primary affinity in fire.
"For most dungeons, that holds true. But for a true Master Dungeon, the dungeon keeper must have access to all four elements. Thus, you will unlock the last basic element at Level 19. However, your access to the air element will be 'Minor,' meaning that major Air Works will be denied to you," she warned.
That's still better than being shut out of air affinity entirely. I may as well grind up to Level 20 now. How much experience will I need to reach Level 20?
"You'll need a total of 190,000 XP. You have 156,000 now. You're short by 34,000 XP."
The dungeon core tapped into the heat vent to convert 10,000 units into raw materials. He then spent 2,000 units to create new walls around the Giant Ant Colony and another 3,000 units to thicken the floor separating the three-level dungeon and his chamber. He pulled up the UI to confirm that he reached the level cap of 20:
Name: Markos Turloch
Class: Dungeon Core, Level 20
Experience: 190,000/190,000 (Max)
Helper: Jessica, Dungeon Faery
Health: 16,500/16,500
Mana: 16,500/16,5000
Domain: 30,134 square feet, 21,859 units available
Minions: 2/10
Allies: 2 (Giant Nematode, Level 6),
(Giant Queen Ant, Level 10)
Keeper Abilities: Convert raw materials,
Create walls, Befriend creatures,
Create traps, Create minions,
Analyze, Heal others,
Earth affinity (Primary),
Fire affinity (Secondary),
Hivemind (3/10), Split core (1),
Transfer stats, Reset dungeon,
Create minor objects, Replicate,
Create major objects,
Minor summon,
Water affinity (Secondary),
Air affinity (Minor), Assimilate
Jessica clapped her hands. "Congratulations on maxing out your level, master!"
I couldn't have done it without you.
"Waaah!" The fa
ery started crying tears of joy.
What's wrong?
"I was so worried that someone powerful will find your core and take it."
That's never gonna happen!
Jessica wiped her tears. "It will be difficult for adventurers to beat you and steal your core now," she agreed.
What can you tell me about the abilities I have unlocked? You explained Split core to me. But I know nothing of the abilities on my screen before Water affinity.
The helper nodded. "The transfer stats ability builds on your Split core ability. It allows the transfer of mana and health between your primary and second cores. So if you want to, you could make your dummy core weaker or stronger. But in order to make the transfer, you will have to bring back the second core and have your two cores physically touch each other."
Wow, that would be an annoying thing to do.
"Indeed. Reset dungeon permits the dungeon keeper to reset the dungeon once the adventurers have departed the dungeon. The traps will be reset. The creatures who were killed while protecting your dungeon will be healed or resurrected."
That's a very useful ability.
"Yes, it is. Normally, it would require a lot of mana to do the reset: 1,000 mana for the first floor, 2,000 for the second floor, 3,000 for the third floor, and so forth. The more dungeon floors you need to reset, the higher the total mana cost. But with your access to the heat vent, that's not a concern."
"Create minor objects is a very useful ability because you could create normal items and distribute them as prizes to adventurers who conquer your dungeon. There is a restriction of item value, though, to 100 gold per item per dungeon floor. Create major objects lift this restriction to 1,000 gold per item per floor. So a fifth-floor dungeon could, theoretically, offer a piece of treasure with a value of 5,000 gold. The cost to create these objects is 1 mana per gold in value."
"Replicate allows you to duplicate any non-magical item found in your dungeon at the same mana cost but there is no restriction on value. Thus, if a dead adventurer leaves behind a valuable gemstone, you could duplicate it."
Wow! That means I can give out as much loot as I want!
Jessica smiled. "Again, it costs mana to create loot. But your unlimited access to heat energy allows you to be as generous as you choose. Also, you can create veins of gold, iron, copper. That's an innate ability even a Level 1 dungeon can use."
But ores require mana to create.
"You're catching on!" the faery smiled.
How do the surface dwellers react to the discovery of a dungeon?
Jessica's smile disappeared. "It depends on where the dungeon is located. If no kingdom claims the land above the dungeon, then a fierce war may break out over competing claims of ownership of the dungeon. If the dungeon appears inside the borders of a strong kingdom, the King may seek to treat the dungeon as if it is livestock and severely restrict access. If the dungeon appears inside a weak kingdom, however, the kingdom may be invaded and absorbed into a neighboring but stronger kingdom. Or, the kingdom may grant access to all comers. It's very hard to say what the situation is for you until we investigate the surface above your domain."
I think I'm ready to do just that.
"If that is your wish, master." The faery curtsied.
Chapter 9
The Surface World
After Markos had all his questions answered, his spirit was renewed. Mindful of the need to enlarge his domain, the dungeon core focused on expanding his dungeon upward and outward. Two days later, this expansion finally reached the surface.
Jessica flew out of the tiny opening to investigate the surroundings.
In the meantime, Markos created another Earth Elemental identical to the Final Boss of his dungeon. However, he delayed its creation until he could decide how powerful to make it. Should he offer a smaller or a larger portion of his 16,500 health and mana? Well, since Markos was supposed to be a baby dungeon, it made sense to make this minion relatively weak. Thus, he gave 1,000 health and mana to his newest minion. "Minion created: Minor Earth Elemental. 1,000 Health, 1000 Mana."
Looking at the message, Markos noticed that he no longer gained any experience. This was likely due to the fact that he had hit the level cap of 20. He sighed mentally. The dungeon keeper positioned the newest minion right next to the exit inside his cavern.
Markos had toyed with the idea of putting a second core inside the elemental but ultimately decided not to. Yes, the core would turn the minion into a puppet and allow him to move the creature beyond the structure of his subterranean dungeon. But he was also cognizant of the fact that an elemental was always vulnerable to the opposite element, or air in the case of this creature.
That being said, Markos could still take action through his minion as long as it remained within the cave, which was part of his territory. Additionally, the nearby rocks could be reshaped, through his Earth Work, into spears, boulders, or other projectiles as needed to support the faery if she was in any danger.
Markos tried to see through Jessica's eyes while keeping an eye on his elemental. It was like viewing two screens at once. The Hivemind ability allowed him to retain control over both but provided no help in processing the information within his mind simultaneously. All he could do was concentrate and hope for the best.
The dungeon core discovered that the land above was a forest just as the Queen Ant had said. Markos extended his life sense outward from Jessica's mind. He was delighted to learn that the forest was teeming with life! Birds, rabbits, deer, monkeys, boars, bears, and wolves were just some of the animals living in the forest above his dungeon.
But there was also something else. Or more accurately, someone else--a human! Jessica, I need you to head northwest immediately! Markos sent the location to her.
As his helper obeyed his command, the dungeon core extended his subterranean domain wherever she flew.
A few minutes later, Jessica arrived at the location. She saw a female ogre straddling a young human by his waist. The man's left arm had been torn off and he was bleeding to death!
The ogress had ripped off her top and her massive breasts were bouncing up and down. The monster's eyes were closed and she was in ecstasy.
The faery looked down and saw that the man's penis was erect and deep inside his attacker; the ogress was fucking the human!
Markos saw everything through her eyes. His horror quickly turned to anger. The old memories of his violent death at the hands of Bobbi Nox flashed through his mind. Untameable rage surged through the diamond-like core! He will save this young man no matter what!
With but a thought, Markos used Earth Work to create earth spikes, which rose from the ground and pierced the ogress from all directions, killing her instantly. Markos then forced the spikes to rise, pulling the dead body off the young man.
Next, the dungeon core took control of the minor earth elemental still positioned at the mouth of the cave. He stretched the elemental's left arm and fed a continuous dose of mana as the arm extended along the ground toward the dying human. Once the elemental had a firm grip on the body, Markos pulled back the minion's arm like a fishing rod.
The human body flew through the air and was about to slam against the hard outer opening of the cave when Markos turned the surface into fine sand. The body slid down the surface and again, Markos used the elemental to pull the human inside the cave. Then the dungeon core created a one-way chute directly to his inner chamber.
Once the human arrived in his chamber, the dungeon keeper sealed up the chute. Sensing that precious life was fleeing the body, Markos split his core and transferred 10,000 mana and health into the second core. He created stone hands on the ground to take the precious core. He directed the stone hands to cut a hole under the man's left armpit and inserted the dungeon core into the hole.
Finally, Markos activated the Assimilate ability. The reincarnated dungeon core found himself in his former human body; he was walking through a gray mist. Images flashed by depicting the short life o
f the young man. He was an apprentice herbalist named Sibalt under the tutelage of an old witch named Yozka. Sibalt was an orphan because his parents had died in a raid on his old village.
Yozka found him in the forest one day and she was taken by his handsome face and youth. She offered to accept him as her apprentice in exchange for satisfying her nighttime needs. Despite the fact that she appeared to be old enough to be his grandmother, he agreed and the bargain was sealed in blood via a cut to the thumb.
This morning, Yozka asked her apprentice to look for certain herbs and mushrooms when he lost his way in the forest and encountered the ogress.
Markos continued walking until he hit a wall of fog. He understood that this wall represented the will of Sibalt. And to dominate this young man completely, the dungeon core had to break down this wall. Tapping into the geothermal heat vent again for additional energy and mixing it with his own, Markos smashed against this wall with everything he had--and smashed it into pieces! The fog immediately lifted, revealing a clear blue sky. I am Markos Turloch, reincarnated in this world as a dungeon core. I will assimilate you. You belong to me!
Markos expanded his will until he controlled every part of the brilliant sky. The dungeon core began to experience sensations that were his but not his. He staunched the flow of blood out of the open stub where Sibalt's arm used to be. He activated the Heal other ability.
The human body was immediately awash in boiling heat! Any shred of clothing remaining on his body simply burned off.
Markos watched as the missing limb began to regrow. He was fascinated by the process as it grew bone and flesh in real-time. When the limb was fully formed, Markos forced Sibalt's body to rise to his feet.
Jessica fluttered in front of his face. Then she flew around him, checking his naked body from every possible angle. "Don't you look handsome," she smiled shyly.
Markos saw himself through her eyes and he had to admit that she was correct. Now that Sibalt was completely healed, Markos understood how the young man had stolen Yozka's heart. His hair was golden, his light green eyes were precious emeralds, and his gentle smile will melt any woman's heart! His body was lean and supple. He was Adonis personified!