Chapter 5

Today is a new day, and to my surprise is already noticeably better than yesterday. Of course, I also regenerated 5 mana, bringing me back up to 6 mana. "Hey Steve guess what happened!?" I ask.

"The Tutorial System recommends building a boss room." Steve says to me with a measurable annoyance in his voice, avoiding the question.

"I discovered something today thanks to Sluggo! MANUAL LABOR!!! We don't have to build everything with mana, because the goblins can make rooms and tunnels for us!" I can barely contain my excitement. "Sluggo said I should save mana for important things! Why didn't you tell me about this Steve?"

"It is not recommended to allow non-summoned monsters to live in your dungeon. They could destroy your core at any moment. Please destroy your intruders and construct a boss room." Steve advises.

Steve really is quite the little liar. If my goblin friends were intruders I wouldn't be able to use mana to build things in the first place until they left. Clearly it's okay for friends to be here. I really should stop talking to Steve. I float away from my core and head to the main chamber to check on the progress of the goblins. Sluggo said they have been so excited at the prospect of building a home that they’ve yet to sleep! I'm glad he's getting along with the other goblins. I float over to the totem in the center of the chamber. The goblins constructed some sort of altar here yesterday and two armed goblin guards stand at the sides of a goblin, draped in a black robe. He currently is giving some sort of speech to passing goblins. Of course they are too busy with work at the moment, but some occasionally slow down to listen in before returning to their duties. As I decide to talk to the goblin in the black robe I notice something strange. Was there always a three eyed goblin? I feel as if I’d remember seeing something like that clearly. As I'm thinking to myself his third eye glances over to me and stares. "Hi there!" I say to the robed goblin. His guards suddenly become alert, looking around for the location of the voice. The robed goblin raises his hand and they return to their original positions.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, O’ Shiny one." he says as he gives a deep bow in my direction. I guess he's able to see me like Sluggo? That's great! I need to learn more about this fascinating new development.

"You are oddly well spoken compared to the other goblins I have met! What's your name?"

"It is all thanks to your power that I have grown stronger O’ Shiny One. This one has abandoned its previous name. If you would be so merciful as to grant this one a new name, it shall serve you with even greater fervor." He proclaims, wistfully. Well if I learned anything yesterday, its that names are great. So what can I call this little guy? Goblin names are usually pretty short…

"How about—" as I'm about to give him the infinitely inspiring name of Bob, an otherworldly pain pierces my mind and another name slips out instead. "Glaaki, Glaaki will be your name

“Thank you Shiny God, I shall serve you with all my being." He descends into another deep bow as he speaks. I feel some mana leave me and as it soaks into the goblin a window pops up.

A monster has been named and successfully contracted. Unique Monster Glaaki: Goblin Cultist has been added to the dungeon.

That was close, I lost 5 mana from that, leaving me at 1 again. I almost returned to the void. On the bright side, it looks like Glaaki is now a permanent resident of the dungeon similarly to Sluggo. And I can contract monsters now as well? This is perfect! Once I have enough mana, I can just contract all of the goblins and Steve wont be able to complain at me anymore. "O’ Shiny God we shall prepare an offering immediately." Says Glaaki. One of the guards quickly moves over to a crate and unseals it. He reaches into the wooden container, pulling out a monster I have never seen before. It's surprisingly about the size of the goblins, which causes him to struggle with it. It has one giant claw and a hard shell with ten pointed legs flailing beneath it. It squirms in his hands as he holds it down, pressing it onto the altar. Glaaki reveals a crude stone knife and begins chanting in a language I have no comprehension of. He begins cutting into the creature and it lets out a fantastic screech. He takes his time slicing into different areas, every motion causing the screeching to change in pitch. The creature finally dies as Glaaki finishes his ritual. I assume the offering is for me, so I move my mana over and begin to absorb the creature.

1x Hellcrab Corpse Absorbed.

10x Mana Restored.

"We will add to the flock and prepare more offerings, Shiny One." Says Glaaki before returning to his sermon. Before I move on, I check his status window.

Monster Information

Name

Glaaki

Goblin Cultist's are an evolution of the standard goblin. They possess a superior level of intelligence and charisma that they often use to lure others into their cult. These cultists often commit brutal rituals in the name of gods or spirits that they serve. This species specializes in causing fear and terror and is immune to their effects.

Species

Goblin Cultist

Age

8 months old

Sex

Male

Health

Unknown

Skills and Traits

Mana

Unknown

All Seeing Eye, fear immunity, terror immunity, basic curse magic, basic leadership,

Most of these skills seem self explanatory but what does All Seeing Eye do? I focus on the skill and a new window pops up.

All Seeing Eye

This creature has seen past the veil of reality and is now able to see that which cannot be seen by ordinary denizens of the realm.

Well that explains why he can see me when I’m out of my core.

I decide to check in on the other areas of our budding goblin village. I move my mind over to the first building the goblins built. Never have I seen them work so hard, so quickly! Sluggo informed me that this building is called a ‘Tavern’ and apparently it's where goblins go to eat, drink, and fight each other. I move my mind inside the tavern for the first time and take a look around. The first floor consists of a bar, and an assortment of tables with stools. The second floor has some small bedrooms for goblins to pass out in. The basement has a fighting ring where the goblins enjoy punching each other unconscious! Sluggo told me that the goblin running the tavern is practically the most important goblin here. Once goblins are denied food and grog they become outright destructive. Goblins are wild enough as it is. The taverns is mostly empty right now as most of the goblins are out working. A guard stands posted at the door and another goblin is cleaning mugs at a bar. Sluggo said this goblin’s name is Cook, and she is an essential goblin.

"What kind of name is Cook? Isn't that a job?" I ask suddenly. The goblin is startled but calms down fairly quickly.

"Oh. Hi Shiny God. Cook is name and job. Cook very important name to goblins." Answers the goblin, still a little unsure. “Cooks prepare food for many goblins. Sometimes make food from goblin too. Must know how to fight hungry goblins off and know where to cut food and when to kill food to make most tasty." She says while lifting a rusty butcher's knife and making a chopping motion.

"Okay but let's try not to eat each other in the dungeon we are all friends here." I suggest tactly.

She nods and says, "Boss explained. Only Shiny God allowed to eat goblins in dungeon. Shiny God hungry?" She asks, motioning to a cauldron filled with various bits of meat and mushrooms."

“I'd hate to waste the food you made unless it can give me mana." I reply.

"Mana? Old Hag use mana. Maybe ask her?" She replies. I'll have to make note to talk to the old hag later. "Me give you offering. Weak monster... but tasty!” She runs to the back of her kitchen and pulls out a long creature from a basket. Its scales appear to be changing continuously as the light hits it from different directions. Sometimes it becomes transparent, other times it reflects the things around it. "Hag say this called mirror snake. It tasty and shiny, so goblins love it." She smirks as she puts the corpse on the bar. I move my mana over and absorb it.

1x Mirror Snake Corpse Absorbed

5x Mana Restored.

"Thank you for that Cook, it was delicious." I lied. I can’t actually taste anything, but I couldn’t bear the thought of hurting her feelings. She turns around so her back is facing my current direction, gives a hearty thumbs up and presumably a smile. These goblins continue to be quite compelling companions! "Is there anything you need from me? Maybe some upgrades to the tavern?” I ask. She gives a short and awkward repy.

“We good here.” I'll have to think of something to do for her. I say my goodbyes and head over to the entrance. Over near the front gate is Gork, instructing another goblin on how to be a good guard.

"It's good to see he hasn't fallen asleep for once." I say to myself in amusement. Outside of the gate a pair of goblins are currently digging some pitfalls. Sluggo told me they will serve as a basic defense until we can construct more complex traps. I learned the design once he explained it to me, but he told me not to concern myself with such basic machinations. So I decided to save my mana for more important things. I continue my surveying of the village, my gaze resting on the barracks.

Dak is now in the barracks, sorting through documents that have been printed on a creature's dried skin. I'm not so sure what the skin belonged to, but I can’t imagine that being important. Sluggo told me earlier Dak has been put in charge of the goblin militia. Under Dak’s leadership the goblins have been doing a good enough job with their patrols and guard posts. Only the occasional nap break has been reported so far. Sluggo wished for me to talk to Dak about evolution today. He stressed the importance that we make the members of the goblin leadership a formal part of the dungeon. I find myself a little lost on the importance of such things but Sluggo has yet to fail me.

I wait patiently for Dak to finish his current task. He finally puts down his paperwork and leans back in the chair before giving a sigh. “Hi there Dak.!” I say excitedly. He is not startled this time and simply looks in my direction.

“Shiny God here?”

“Yup! Sluggo sent me over. He says you want to evolve and I wanted to form a contract with you! I figured we would make a trade!”

“Shiny God make Dak Stronger? Make Dak dungeon boss?” Dak’s eyes appear to bulge out of their sockets at the prospect of such an agreement. “Sound good. Dak agree.” He attempts to act stoic, yet his happiness is plain to see in his toothy grin. I move my mana over onto Dak, trying to recreate the feeling I had when I contracted Glaaki and a familiar window pops up.

A monster has been successfully contracted. Goblin Dak has been added to the dungeon.

Just another adorable goblin added to the roster. Now for the evolution I promised. “Dak, my monster system requires me to use you as a base and fuse you with something else. I know you want to be a dungeon boss but what else are you looking for in an evolution? This is important.” I attempt to stress the finality of such a commitment, hopefully he caught on.

“Dak want be strong. Want be swordman.” He says with a smirk. He wants to be a swordman? Well I can work with that. The goblins did bring me a greatsword! I assign a research point to create a goblin swordman dungeon boss. Just like the previous time it completes instantly. I open my monster summoning menu.

Monsters

Mana Cost

Monster Type

5 Mana

Mindeater, limit 1 per dungeon until a second floor is created.

6 Mana

Palmtail Skitter pack. Creates 3 Palmtail Skitters.

10 Mana

Goblin Swordman. Creates a Goblin Swordman Dungeon Boss. Limit 0/1

Requires a Goblin monster to evolve from.

I select the new option, using Dak as the base. My mana leaves me and passes into Dak. He begins changing immediately while screaming in pain. Pieces of sharp copper pierce out through the skin on his arms and torso, forming a set of spiked armor. His bones shift and change, their composition now consists of copper metal and the remaining few pieces of bone. Two copper blades burt from the remaining flesh on his forearms, extending outward until they each reach a foot in length. The green skin of his head starts to shine, becoming copper as well, until it forms a series of riveted copper plates across its length. His mouth now looks closer in appearance to a bear trap than anything a living creature should have for a maw. He screams in agony as he claws at his face. A large blade begins growing out the front of his forehead until it reaches five feet in length. The sheer size of this copper greatsword horn is nearly twice that of the goblin’s actual body. His neck muscles bulge out to an unfathomable size in support of the added weight. His legs grow denser to support his increased body weight but remain mostly unchanged. His breathing starts to slow down, and his grunts of pain start to shift into a mad laughter.

“So much power!” he yells as he swings his head in a circular motion, tearing through walls around him and destroying the table in the display of his new strength. He starts chuckling to himself and begins to talk again.”We will have the boys rebuild barracks. My new size will mean I require new house!” He seems entirely satisfied with how this turned out.

“I'm glad you are enjoying your new evolution. Sorry about all the pain.” My apology appears to be unneeded however.

“Do not worry about me Shiny God. If pain makes stronger, I gladly bear all amounts. No creature shall ever make it to core again!” He says in response with a noticeably less clumsy salute. “Now I need to get boys to work before they slacking off. I’m sure they will be greatly shocked at new me.“ He says while trying greatly to hide his laughter. As he leaves the barracks, he attempts to squeeze out the door, ultimately failing and taking the door frame with him, laughing all the way. We are definitely going to need to make all the buildings larger. I check his status window as he's leaving.

Monster Information

Name

Dak

An abomination created by the Shiny God. The creatures body is more copper than goblin at this point. It possesses strength far beyond a normal goblins. Its hardened body is naturally durable against attacks and blades will never pierce it's skin. Goblins under its command will never rout as they are more afraid of it than any enemy. As a living abomination it is the natural enemy of the church.

Species

Goblin Swordman

Abomination

Age

3 Years Old

Sex

Male

Health

Unknown

Skills and Traits

Mana

Unknown

Slashing Immunity, Lesser strength, Natural Armor, Self Repair, Basic Leadership, Basic Swordsmanship

I will have to learn an analysis skill soon. I decide to return to my core room for today.

A tall, lean figure exits the dense forest. They are wearing a hooded, green cloak that conceals most of their features. They bring their hands up to their hood, slowly removing it from their head. Long, pointed ears flop out from the hood, and the figure’s appearance could be best described as androgynous, with golden blone hair, braided eccentrically, dorning their angular face. They have a heavy bow slung around their back, a quiver attached at the hip, and a pair of hand axes held to their belt by an iron clip. He is an elven ranger and his name is Ralvon. He approaches a clearing where the remains of a goblin raiding camp lie. He approaches a small fire with three others sitting around it. A tall, handsome man, pale of skin, looks over to Ralvon with a smile. He is plucking a tune on a lute by the fireside. He is the leader of this group, his name is William and he is a bard. “Did you find the trail?” he asks Ralvon.

“Yes. Believe it or not, they seem to have relocated to a new dungeon.” The large bearded man in the group gives a glance over in surprise but remains silent. His name is Rokar and he carries a large greatsword on his back. His class is barbarian. A woman, stocky in figure clothed in white robes speaks up.

“A new dungeon? Shouldn't we report this back to the guild?“ Her grip on her golden staff tightens as she asks the question. Her name is Isella and she is a priestess of the Holy God. William interrupts, trying to ease the tension.

“Don't be foolish, how often does a new dungeon appear? At the very least we can map it out and sell it to the guild when we return.“

“Agreed, we should not back down from a spectacular challenge like this.” Says Rokar. William’s soothing voice enters the conversation again.

“Besides its a young dungeon, and its monster type is goblins? Plus we were tasked with stopping the raids on the caravans in this area.”

“I suppose you are right” says Isella.

“So we leave in the morning then?” Asks Ralvon.

“Agreed. Lets all get some rest. I will take first watch” says William. The other three return to their tents in an attempt to get some sleep in preparation for tomorrow's dungeon crawl. “If we are really lucky I can take this dungeon core’s power for myself.“ William says in a whisper to himself.

Spoiler :

Dungeon Information

Name

Shiny God

A mine that is being used as space for a goblin village. The goblins here worship the dungeon as a god. Little else is known so far.

Dungeon Name

Nameless Dungeon

Titles

House Of Horrors

Age

3 days

Sex

N/a

Mana

6/50

Current Skills

Theme

Small Mine

Goblin Language. Basic Goblin Construction, New!!! Basic Leadership

1 Floor

Goblin Village

0 Dungeon Points unspent

2 Research Points unspent