Allies: 3 (Giant Nematode, Level 6),
(Giant Queen Ant, Level 10)
(Deet, Level 8)
Keeper Abilities: Convert raw materials,
Create walls, Befriend creatures,
Create traps, Create minions,
Analyze, Heal others,
Earth affinity (Primary),
Fire affinity (Secondary),
Hivemind (5/20), Split core (2),
Transfer stats, Reset dungeon,
Create minor objects, Replicate,
Create major objects,
Minor Summoning,
Water affinity (Secondary),
Air affinity (Minor), Assimilate
Markos was surprised to see that his Experience points had disappeared completely from his UI. Yet, it made sense on a certain level because he had already maxed out his experience as a normal Dungeon Core. Apparently, the assimilation of a human had allowed him to evolve to Stage 1. He wondered what it would take to evolve to Stage 2. "Jessica, how do I evolve to the next stage?" he asked quietly.
The faery approached the primary core in his underground chamber. "I don't know, master. There are certain conditions that need to be met for each stage of evolution. But I'm not privy to this information."
Markos sighed. He wished his reincarnation to this new world came with an instruction manual. But real life didn't work that way. Yes, there were rules, both overt and hidden, of society but there were also rule breakers. In the end, it didn't matter in his previous life on Earth because he died even after following the rules and living a respectable life. In any event, he will either evolve to the next stage or he won't. But Markos will try his hardest to ensure he will live this current life with no regrets.
Markos looked at his Health and Mana; he had 15,500 points in each. After his assimilation of Sibalt and transferring 10,000 points to his secondary core, he was down to 5,500 points. In other words, the evolution resulted in a flat 10,000 points increase in Health and Mana. That was a tremendous gain! He wondered if Stage 2 would increase his Health and Mana by a similar amount.
That aside, the dungeon keeper wondered if he had made a mistake in transferring so much Health and Mana to Sibalt. Apparently, 10,000 was far too high compared to normal humans and it made him stand out like a supernova to those who could sense it, like Yozka. Thus, he resolved not transfer that much Health and Mana to Yozka via the core split. Instead, he will transfer only 2,000 Health and Mana.
The primary core was in agreement with the decision reached by the Hivemind and immediately created a second core with 2,000 Health and Mana. The primary core then used Earth Work to create a pressure valve and send the precious, newly created core to the current location of the third minion, the Earth Elemental positioned close to the surface.
The minion absorbed the core within its chest for safekeeping and began the journey on the surface above the dungeon keeper's domain. Although the Earth Elemental's movement attracted the attention of wolves and goblins, none of them dared to attack the elemental because they had sense tremendous powerful from within it. The minion moved slowly but finally reached the home of the Yellow Sky Clan by nightfall.
When the Earth Elemental arrived, the ogresses became alarmed and quickly stood at the gate to bar its entry.
"The elemental is my minion," Markos announced.
The clan was relieved and quickly stepped aside to permit the creature to enter.
The master reached into the elemental's chest and pulled out a small diamond.
The ogresses were mesmerized by the beautiful rock.
Markos turned to address the clan. "After dinner, I will participate in a sacred ritual. I cannot be interrupted at all. My elemental will kill anyone who touches me during the ritual. You may observe the ritual if you wish. If anyone intrudes, please stop them."
"Yes, master," the ogresses bowed in unison.
The group ate dinner in silence and then the ogresses spread out in a wide circle around Markos.
"Please take off your clothes and lie on the ground," the dungeon core said to Yozka.
The witch obeyed his command.
The master used his short sword to make a deep cut under her left armpit. Then, he inserted the secondary core into her flesh. He sat down cross-legged in front of her body, closed his eyes, and activated the Assimilate ability.
Like before with Sibalt, Markos found a representation of his original human form in her mind; he wandered past the images of Yozka's life. He paused for a moment to stare at her in her youth; she was truly beautiful! She had shiny, light gray hair, smooth skin, and a petite chest. She walked with a catlike grace. Her pale blue-gray eyes danced with mischief. Markos resolved, at that moment, to return her to that physical state once the assimilation was completed.
When the dungeon core finally reached the wall representing Yozka's will, it suddenly shattered! She had completely and willfully turned her mind and body over to him! The sky turned greenish-gray as Markos slowly spread his mental dominance over her.
When the ritual was completed, the former Yozka slowly opened her eyes. She saw the former Sibalt sitting with his eyes closed. She reached out with her hands and pulled him on top of her.
Suddenly, Sibalt opened his eyes and stared straight into hers. Their minds linked. They were together but distinct simultaneously. Each felt longing for the other and their mutual desire arose from their hearts.
Markos felt the strong, intense feelings in their minds. He quietly turned control of their bodies back to Sibalt and Yozka.
Now completely unleashed, Sibalt quickly cast aside his clothes and pressed his lips against hers.
The rejuvenated Yiozka opened her mouth wide to accept his tongue and they intertwined together. She folded her arms around his slender neck and pressed his lithe body against her. She felt his member harden and press against her lower abdomen.
She immediately opened her legs wide for him.
Sibalt reached down to her sex and lightly traced the contours of her lower lips with his fingers.
Yozka broke off the kiss and stared deep into his eyes. "Please," she begged with uncontrollable hunger in her voice.
Sibalt's hesitation melted in the face of her expressed desire and he endeavored to please his mother figure as much as she wished. He aimed his lower head at her opening and then plunged himself deep inside her.
Although he had fucked Yozka many times in the past, it was more of a chore for him back then because he was not attracted to her old, damaged body. This newly rejuvenated version of her, on the other hand, was extremely attractive. She now appeared to be in her early-twenties and he had a difficult time reconciling the difference between the old and the new versions of Yozka. He wanted to be her first lover in her new body. Sibalt desperately wanted to taste her rejuvenated cunt with his throbbing cock!
Yozka gasped at the sudden, hard movement of his penis deep inside her and her body jerked in surprise. Her vagina began to loosen to accept all of him. She wrapped her strong, smooth legs around him and trapped his ass in place. Then she started moving her hips--slowly at first but then increased her pace as her love juice poured into her tunnel.
The two made a constant sound of slapping as Sibalt's thighs smacked against her inner thighs while he continuously thrust into her.
Under the envious eyes of the ogresses, the two spent the rest of the night engaged in ardent and intense lovemaking.
Chapter 15
Stage 2
While the two assimilated humans and the four ogresses slept soundly during the night, the primary core checked his UI:
Name: Markos Turloch
Class: Dungeon Core (Evolved), Stage 2
Helper: Jessica, Dungeon Faery
Health: 23,500/23,500
Mana: 23,500/23,500
Domain: 8 square miles, 3.8 units available
Minions: 3/40
Assimilated: Sibalt (Human Herbalist, Level 3,
10,000 Health, 10,000 Mana),
2,000 Health, 2,000 Mana),
Allies: 3 (Giant Nematode, Level 6),
(Giant Queen Ant, Level 10)
(Deet, Level 8)
Keeper Abilities: Convert raw materials,
Create walls, Befriend creatures,
Create traps, Create minions,
Analyze, Heal others,
Earth affinity (Supreme),
Fire affinity (Primary),
Hivemind (6/40), Split core (3),
Transfer stats, Reset dungeon,
Create minor objects, Replicate,
Create major objects,
Minor Summoning,
Water affinity (Primary),
Air affinity (Secondary), Assimilate
Jessica, how come I evolved to Stage 2?
The faery appeared before the primary core, still buried deep underground. "I believe it's because you have successfully assimilated both a man and a woman."
Markos accepted the explanation. It was certainly reasonable. He took a big risk in assimilating Yozka because her lifetime of experience had fortified her mind tremendously. If she had not surrendered to him outright and made him pit his will against hers, it was quite possible that Yozka could have won the battle of wills and dominated him instead. A part of him suspected that she was content to be in the same position as her beloved apprentice rather than Sibalt's master.
He took note of the increase in Health and Mana again. He had gained another 10,000 points in each. Additionally, he noticed that his Hivemind could now link to 40 distinct minds. At Stage 1, this number was 20 and at the maxed level of the Dungeon Core, this number was 10.
"Master!" Jessica sought his attention.
Yes, I'm aware that a wolf pack is approaching the Yellow Sky Clan's territory.
"Shouldn't you awaken your assimilated humans?" she asked with concern.
Not necessary. This is a perfect opportunity for me to play a game of Tower Defense.
"Tower Defense? What's that, master?"
It's a game where the goal is to defend your home from invaders.
"Ah! How do you plan to defend the clan home with just one Earth Elemental?"
Tsk-tsk. You forgot something important, my dear. I control the battlefield. Okay, please let me concentrate.
"I'll keep quiet, master!" she promised.
Using Earth Work, Markos created a wall of stone to surround the huts and the campfire. Then he used Earth and Water Work to coax plant vines to grow and create snares under the paws of the approaching wolves. Half of them were ensnared.
The remaining part of the pack, including the alpha female, attacked the elemental. The five wolves leaped in unison and knocked the humanoid to the ground. They snapped their jaws on its limbs and pinned it down. The leader of the pack jumped on the elemental's torso and bit its neck.
However, the bites did zero damage to the Earth Elemental. Instead, Markos, using the minion as a medium for its Earth Work, entombed the wolf pack under rocks and sand. Markos activated the Befriend creature ability on the alpha female. You and your pack are now part of my pack. Refuse and die.
The alpha female sent a defiant reply. You are male. Our pack will not submit to a lowly male.
Then die! In anger, Markos sent several earth spikes through his minion and impaled the leader of the pack. He then used the Befriend creature ability on each wolf and received the same answer. When all the wolves were impaled and killed, Markos pushed aside the rocks and stones covering his elemental. He commanded the minion to return to its feet and drag the dead wolves by their tails toward the portion of the wolf pack still alive.
When the ensnared wolves saw that their leader had been defeated, they started howling. It was a sad and mournful howl.
Markos activated the Befriend creature ability on the ensnared wolves. They refused to join my pack and paid with their lives. Will you make the same foolish decision?
One of the wolves barked. It had a light-gray coating of fur and snow white paws. You are strong for a male. I will join your pack.
"Befriended: Giant Wolf, Level 7." You are wise. You will be the new alpha wolf under me. What is your name?
Fast Runner.
Markos created a platinum collar around her neck and added "MK." This is a Band of Markos. You are now mine.
Yes, master.
Markos released the wolves from the snares.
The freed wolves all rolled on the ground and showed their bellies to signify their submission to him.
Please leave this village. I will call you again soon.
Fast runner barked. The five remaining wolves ran out of Yellow Sky Clan's territory.
"Nicely done, master!" Jessica beamed with delight while fluttering in front of the primary core.
Thank you.
Since it was still late in the evening, there was little for the dungeon core to supervise. Markos took this moment to savor the sweet victory and assess what he had accomplished topside so far. His primary goal was to explore the surface above his dungeon. He was able to do that and also assimilated two humans. In doing so, he inadvertently met the condition to evolve to Stage 2. He was also gaining pawns for his army.
Yet, Markos saw problems looming on the horizon. From the life readings of his domain on the surface, the living creatures were scattered about as if blown by the wind. Even if he took over the dozens of small villages dotting the Kingdom of Vessar, there weren't enough residents in those villages to raise an army and challenge the rule of Queen Levioda militarily.
If he can't go to them, then he needed to make them come to him and then figure out a way to gain their allegiance. There was only one way to do that: to publicize his dungeon and get adventurers to visit. Jessica, I want your advice.
"Yes, master!" she saluted.
I think it's time to invite adventurers over to my dungeon. Obviously, I will improve it a bit more before the first visitors arrive. But I want people to come here. I want a thriving human town created just for the adventurers. How do I go about doing so?
Jessica nodded. "Your two human avatars will have to spread the word. They will have to leave your domain in order to do so and visit the capital of Vessar. Heck, Sibalt and Yozka could 'pretend' to discover the entrance to your dungeon and seek adventurers to join and explore your dungeon."
That's a great idea!
"Of course!" the faery beamed proudly. "Also, since they are the discoverers of the dungeon, they could petition for a charter from the Queen to start a new town nearby. Her Clerk will grant the petition because it will mean the dungeon will belong to the Kingdom of Vessar and they can tax any treasures found within. And the townspeople will pay taxes as well."
What about my ogresses and wolves? I can't have them be near the human town or else the adventurers will kill them.
Jessica sighed. "They will have to move. I think the mountains will be a better place for them to live than their current location. With your Earth Work, you could create a hidden fortress on the mountaintop," she suggested. "And there should be enough wild games in the mountains to feed them."
Will my avatars be safe if they venture beyond my reach?
The helper laughed. "Master, Sibalt has received 10,000 Health and Mana from you. If he were a monster, he would be considered an Epic Monster. He is very hard to kill. Even if he doesn't have access to the geothermal vent, he has enough Mana to use Earth Work to protect himself and Yozka. The only problem is that because he's so attractive as a male, women WILL try to capture him. So I think you should have the Earth Elemental accompany him as a bodyguard. Just to discourage women from attacking him."
I could also use him as bait to build my army.
"Um . . . If that is your wish, master," she replied hesitantly.
What's the problem?
"Well, I think you're relying too much on just one man. You're going to use Sibalt to publicize your new dungeon and form parties with adventurers. You also want to use him to esta
blish a new town. Then you want him, a commoner and a man, to create an army. From my understanding, most women will not be inclined to take orders from him. I think you would be better served if you assimilate more women," Jessica suggested.
Markos sighed aloud. Maybe I need to assimilate more men.
"And you can simply pick them up like fruits hanging on a tree," she retorted with sarcasm.
The dungeon core persisted. You never know.
"I certainly wouldn't mind having more men in the stable," she winked to mutual laughter.
In the meantime, I have a task for you: to develop my dungeon even further. How does a six-level dungeon sound?
Jessica rubbed her hands together. "Considering that you can have more minions now, it's time to fill up your dungeon with monsters! Muahahaha!" she cackled like an evil mastermind.
I already got my popcorn. Proceed.
"Aye-aye, master!" the dungeon helper saluted and flew off.
Chapter 16
Dungeon Upgrade
The first thing Jessica did was to pull the fake dungeon core from its pedestal on Level 3. Using Earth Work, she resettled it on Level 6. She dug further underground until she reached a magma chamber, located over a hundred miles beneath the surface, and carefully coaxed the flow of molten rock upward until it settled on Level 6. She then sealed the breach and started making little islands of land above the burning magma.
She slowly increased the distance between the islands. The only way to reach the next island was to jump. Of course, this meant that the shorter races, such as dwarves, halflings, and gnomes, would be at a physical disadvantage since they were height-challenged. Even if they couldn't jump the distance, enterprising adventurers could still fashion their ropes into lassos to hang onto rock formations and climb across.
Under the gap before the last island, she added a geothermal vent under the molten lava; hot air would burst from the vent periodically, causing the molten rock to fly into the air above the gap. The rock would serve as an additional obstacle to adventurers seeking to reach the end of the floor. If they mis-time the jump, then they would hit the rock and drop straight into the lava.
The centerpiece of Level 6 was a large island at the very end of the floor; against the wall was an alcove with a pedestal where the fake dungeon core was laid. Then she tapped into the magma for energy and summoned two Fire Elementals to guard the core. After a moment of thought, the dungeon designer added a set of torches to the alcove and hid the fire elementals inside.
CONQUEST: The Dungeon Core Gambit Book One Page 7