The party lasted essentially the rest of the day, despite the pursuers coming after us. The torrential storm outside the dungeon had made further pursuit slow to a crawl as the planes had literally turned into a nigh impassable muddy bog. Even if they were still coming after us they would be utterly exhausted by the time they arrived. I doubted they could send in anything remotely threatening at us for now. Of course, it would not keep them out forever, sooner or later the storm would abate, and they would send fresh parties, however I didn’t mind.

I would need their help to continue to expand further. Rael and his party had been a great gain, so further incursions from others would be likely to help a lot. Especially now that they couldn’t use sheer numbers to just overrun my forces.

Keeping that in mind I remembered I still had those two cores that I had taken before I got captured, I had not used those yet.

I took them out and studied them, causing curious glances from my recovering and rather jovial guests *Say, why were you buying those cores anyway?* Indella’s curiosity was like a small flame in the back of my mind as I responded, “Why don’t I demonstrate?” I took one of the cores and tossed it into my mouth, then swallowed.

. I somehow doubted that Yndali had parted willingly with this one if it was from a rare Variant. Well, too late now.

Dungeon Name: Labyrinthia

Dungeon Biomes: Magical Maze, The Depths, Deep Labyrinth

Dungeon Level: 4, DEXP: 22/150

Depth: 3/3, Rooms: 47

Resources: Essence: 927/2400, EP: 62, TP: 21, M: 14, E/D: 40

Avatar Attributes

Avatar Race: Umbral Sage Sphinx (Tier 2 Legendary Unique Variant)

Avatar Gender: Female

Avatar Level: 2, EXP: 240/450

HP: 160/160, MP: 200/200

Attack: 160, Defense: 160

Magic Attack: 200 Magic Defense: 200

Strength: 16 (ATK), Dexterity: 16 (Def), Endurance: 16(HP)

Intelligence: 20, (MATK) Wisdom: 20, (MP), Charisma: 20 (MDEF)

Penumbra 79% > 21% Inlas, Divinity: 3%

Synchronization: 60%, Core Type: Advanced Cores Eaten: 4

Titles: “Evolved one” “Vengeance Seeker”

Skills: Penumbral Psionics(Racial), Cleaving Swipe LvMAX(Racial), Roar LvMAX(Racial), Penumbral Archives(Umbral Unique), Dungeon Siege Mistress(Master Compound), Blessing of Penumbra(Mythical Umbral Blessing) Umbral Knowledge Lv1(Umbral), Damage Resistance Lv2, Mud Golem Status Immunities(Core), Fire Resistance Lv2(Core), Deception Lv4(Core), Ancient Legacy(Evolution), “Receive Linked Senses”(Gift), Innate Caster(Core), Illusionist(Core), Divination(Core), Sphinx Curse(Unique Core), Challenge(Core)(Riddles)

Hmm, 10 each of EP, TP and M, and… Oh, Divination Magic, would have to ask the Duergar priests to teach me how to do that. Not to mention I had to remind Mordred to teach me how to do illusion magic. The Sphinx Curse looked interesting, and I could guess what the Challenge meant.

.

That seemed a tad too powerful. It had a drawback, right? . Figures, I would need to acquire a support skill to implement a penalty on refusal or make it impossible to refuse somehow. . I needed to get my hands on one of those, and- my inner celebration was interrupted by Indella.

*Did you just… gain power from eating that core?* Indella and the rest looked at me with a great deal of understandable surprise. I nodded, “Yes, I did, it’s what I use the cores for. Consuming them grants me power I can use to expand the dungeon as well as skills. In this case I picked up some rather powerful ones.” Pavol opened his book and started to rifle through it like a madman until he finally reached the end of it. “No record of such a thing has ever been recorded.” He mumbled as he took out an inkwell and quill and started to write into his book about it.

Indella looked at me again. *That’s how you have poison immunity, it's from a core you consumed.* I smiled and nodded once more. “Indeed, one of the cores gave me “Mud Golem Immunities” which grants the skill holder immunity to Poison, Stun and Exhaustion. I guess that last one actually came quite handy earlier, had completely forgotten about that part of the skill. It doesn’t help against Essence Deficiency or the need to sleep, but it’s still handy.” I shrugged, to me, it was a nice way to get stronger without grinding. To them, it seemed like their entire world had come down.

Mordred, who seemed a lot better now, just shook his head. “This is completely unheard of. Even the few times when a core has gotten access to the dead core of a fellow Dungeon they have never consumed it. So, how can you do so?” Was this really that unusual? I mean sure Dungeons typically didn’t have access to one another so that would not likely be a common occurrence. But was this something that was unique to me or could other dungeons do so as well?

. Huh, that makes sense.

I told Rael and the party what the Archives had informed me and Indella about, and they seemed to relax. Though Rael paused for a moment, thinking about something before he looked at me. “There is this one thing that has been on my mind for a while now. Back at the guild you said that you had mental baggage from “Prior to burying myself in Dungeon Building” what did you mean by that?”

Oh, right, I did say that didn’t I. Was I really comfortable telling them that tidbit? I mean, I had spilled the beans about practically everything except the “other world” part. Was it even safe to tell them? I looked at the group who had risked everything and given up practically everything for me. The answer to that was a simple one.

“I meant exactly what I said, I have not always been a dungeon.” That earned me some pretty incredulous looks as well as glances at a rather baffled Indella who could do nothing but confirm I was indeed telling the truth.

“I mentioned Mother made me to combat Inlas dungeon predation as a last ditch effort to survive, didn’t I?” They confirmed that I did. “Well what I didn’t tell you was that I was human, and I come from another world entirely before I was made into a dungeon. I guess you could say Mother sort of kidnapped me, though I can’t really say I blame her for such a desperate move, not entirely.” There was silence now not only from the party but from the Kobolds as well.

“I…” I hesitated, before taking a deep breath. “I was a shut-in type of person back home, had been for nearly a decade by the point Mother absconded with my soul. Before I shut myself away from the world, however, I had been a rising star in the NVR gaming circuit. I know you have no idea what that means. So, basically think of it like being a young up-and-coming adventurer that everyone has heard about despite them being very new and inexperienced. The prodigy of the next generation, that sort of thing.” The party nodded, good the analogy worked.

“I was not alone in my climb, however I... had a teammate.” The pain in my voice was obvious now. “She was my best friend, we were inseparable. Or so I thought, anyway. We shared practically everything with one another, as close as you could be without being more than just friends.” Indella gave my left leg a comforting hug as she felt the painful emotions welling up in me.

Rael looked at me with a serious expression, “She betrayed you, didn’t she?” I nodded, “It was just after the finals of one of the biggest tournaments of the year. We had won an amazing upset victory, then as we entered the back room I was suddenly arrested, suspected of using a hacked rig.” That earned me some strange looks. “Think of it as reporting an adventuring quest as succeeded, without actually doing it, or reporting it failed when you succeeded. In order to keep the items gained for yourself to sell later for a higher price.” Rael turned slightly green at the thought, clearly that thing was quite serious indeed. As I had guessed when I gave that as a viable comparison.

“This accusation cost me everything I had worked towards, this tourney was supposed to be our big break. Mine and hers, recruiters from all the big teams had been watching us and had lined up to get us signed up with them. With the accusations of hacking against me, however. I was summarily disqualified from the tournament and ignored by the recruiters, while my “Best Friend” got slotted for one of the best teams in the region. The charges were dropped eventually since there was no evidence. Hard to find evidence of a crime that was never committed, after all. But by that point it was too late, I had essentially become Pariah by that point, a joke.” Everyone looked somewhat uncomfortable with my words. I guess they could imagine how someone with such serious charges against them would be treated by their former fans.

“I sank into depression, from “Teenage Phenomenon” to “Pariah” in less than a week. I even contemplated taking my own life a few times, that’s how low I was. Instead, I sank myself into another game that I had been pondering trying out prior to the tournament. It was called “Dungeon Masters” and it essentially lets you play a game that is very similar to how life works here. There are a few differences, but the similarities are… uncanny in many cases. Dungeon Masters became an obsession of mine to forget the world as much as possible. And before I knew it, I had created the biggest, most massive dungeon ever within the game. It’s also where I created Minos.” That last part got a start out of the party, with Mordred looking wide-eyed at me. “You CREATED him?”.

“Yeah, Minos is my masterpiece in that game. I spent more resources to create him alone than the rest of my entire massive dungeon with all its traps, creatures, items and resources combined. Funny really, Penumbra took me from my world, but not because of me personally. She was actually after my massive dungeon. But Rubolg told her “balance had to be maintained and all parts of the dungeon, including the core, had to be brought over.” I am actually not angry and Penumbra for kidnapping me, not anymore, I had no friends or family left back there anyway and even after all those years. I was still basically an outcast in the gaming circuit, that and having to see her face all over the place due to her fame was driving me insane.”

Indella hugged me closer, I could sense warmth from her that was comforting, safe. *She became successful didn’t she, despite what she did* I nodded. “When I was arrested, she didn’t even try to support me, she just smiled smugly as I was dragged out of the room by the police. The equivalent of this world’s town guards. Then went to see if anyone would draft her. Never met her in person again, though she became world famous a few years later. I view getting dragged over here as a blessing these days, sure it’s been adversity here as well, but I have also met friends, genuine friends.”

Erem looked at me thoughtfully. “Hang on, if Penumbra was trying to get this massive dungeon of yours into this world. Why was your dungeon only two floors?” he asked, though from his voice I could hear that he had a suspicion.

“Inlas interfered with the transfer process. Because of that, even if I wanted to go back home, I can’t. Inlas’ interference caused my body back home to die, and the only things that Mother could transfer over in her weakened state was my soul. She reincarnated into my avatar from the game. She also salvaged Minos, which she gave to me as a Gift Monster. I can’t summon him, mind you because of the absolutely insane upkeep having what equates to a demigod running around would incur on my dungeon. At least not until I can get the right support items unlocked. That, however, is still quite a way off. Mothers original intention was to transfer my dungeon with everything in it. With Minos as the Core and me as a human who had Tamed Minos.” Surprisingly, none of Rael’s party seemed overly surprised to learn that Minos was borderline a demigod. Though they seemed surprised when I mentioned Mother’s original intent.

Rorik just shook his head. “I don’t get it, isn’t Penumbra supposed to hate humans?” Indella looked at him with a shocked and angry expression, causing him to blush deeply. *Lady Penumbra does not hate humanity, she dislikes that they harm her children. The dungeons and the Monsters, but she doesn’t hate them. If she did, she would not allow worship from humans or create Druids. I have told you this dozens of times Rorik, when will you listen?* Indella was mad and I could empathize, given that was her boyfriend she was talking too.

I nodded in agreement with Indella. “From my limited interactions with my Mother, I can plainly say she holds no dislike for humans or humanity at all. In fact, she seems more concerned with protecting her children more than anything.” There was a communal gasp of shock from around the room, with Indella seeming the most shocked at all. *You have… spoken to Lady Penumbra?* I nodded. “After I summoned Minos, it triggered a skill he had that purged the curse Inlas had put on me. While I was unconscious after that Mother spoke to me for the first time.” Hang on, what was I suddenly thinking of Mother as Mother?

. Ah, so because of that I was now viewing her as my Mother. .

The entire gathering was quiet as I finished my tale. Ssatassha and the rest of the tribe had by this point joined Indella in hugging me. So, I now had a small blanket of Kobolds on my back and my sides. Meanwhile, the party looked thoughtful even as Rael mumbled to himself. “That explains so much.” Now it was my turn to be curious. “Explains what?”

Rael looked me in the eye as he spoke. “Your unusual competence, you were supposed to be younger than a week old. Yet you were giving us a gauntlet fit for the most veteran cores out there. If you had more time and resources to prepare, then we would not have stood a chance. You would have bled us dry before reaching your Core Room.” I chuckled, “Given the circumstances, I am glad that I didn’t have enough. I might still be cursed by Inlas if I had repelled you sooner.” Rael couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

It was at this point the Duergar Blacksmith I had sent for arrived. Interrupting our talk as he examined my bracer. It took a few minutes before he puzzled out how to open the damnable thing. The sense of relief as it was taken off was… immeasurable. It was as if a heavy load I had not even realized I was carrying had been removed from my shoulders. The throbbing pain had ceased too. “This ere is a nasty piece of work Melady, are ye sure ya want me ta study it for later use?” I nodded to the Blacksmith. “It allows me to walk freely as I see fit even outside of my domain. If the thoughts I picked up from the ones delivering it are to be believed. And with no range limitation at all, meaning if push comes to pull, I could move the entire dungeon to another area completely.

The blacksmith now eyed the bracer with renewed interest. “And if I can puzzle out ‘ow it works, I might be able ta make em for the other creatures too, I see yer point Melady. I will study it the best I can, ye ave me word!” With that the Blacksmith walked off with the bracer on his back. How the lone Duergar could lift it was a mystery to me, but then I had not noticed any weight from it at all either.

I considered taking the second core as well, but I remembered far too well the result of overindulging in them and considering how much the headache had bothered me. I didn’t feel like exposing Indella to it by pushing my luck. The meal slowly resumed after this and it didn’t take long before the party was back on in full swing. During one round of toasts, however, Pavol came up to me, wishing to ask something. “I was wondering a little thing about our err… last visit to the dungeon” he trailed off, clearly nervous, so I encouraged him to continue.

“Go on?” he flinched for a moment “Well apparently during the encounter some small Insectoids the… Swarmlings seemed to hold a particular hatred for my book is that… normal?” Huh? Hatred for his… oh… OH! “That might have actually been partially my fault. Your book had answers to so many of my ideas that I decided to come up with a way to get revenge on you later. I guess my indignation must have been felt by Hive Queen Talka. So, I guess she tasked the Swarmlings with removing it from existence when she and her Hive was strengthened by Minos’ powers.” Pavol nodded slowly as I talked.

He then looked up at me. “So I don’t have to worry about a repeat?” I chuckled “I will ask Talka to not harm your book” Pavol visibly relaxed. “Speaking of books, I do have a Library if you are interested. Though there is a rule for using it” Pavol looked up at me with a clearly interested expression. “What rule?” he looked almost too eager to listen. “Do not harm the books in any way, nor remove them from the Library itself. They are all heavily warded, you see. So attempting either would be an… extremely bad idea if you have any plans to go on living.”

Pavol seemed to have gotten the point. So, I asked one of the Kobolds to lead him to the Library through some hidden passages. I had them built to allow my monsters access to it without having to cross the balance bridge leading to my old Core Room. It was also how the Duergar got here and would be getting back without risking life and limb. It was a risk having that passage, yes, but the chance of anyone finding it was almost 0.

The entrance was not far from the Kobold Village and continued all the way to the old core room. Invaders would have had to find the forest, know about the existence of a hidden passage, then search for the hidden passage. All of which was easier said than done, seeing as the forest was out of the way. The entrance to it was well hidden, and the continued stream of Striders from Talka’s Boss Room would all but force intruders to head in that direction instead.

As I was contemplating this Mordred staggered over, still exhausted, but in much better spirits with his stomach full of Lienru’s cooking. “These little ones are certainly skilled cooks, I take it you taught them?” Ah, another lover of good food, are you Mordred? I can relate. “I taught the tribe the basics, the rest they used the library to learn, they actually outstripped my abilities within a few hours.” Mordred looked genuinely shocked. “I knew Kobolds could learn and adapt quickly, but that’s ridiculous.” I shrugged, I was not too surprised about anything the little ones did anymore.

“They are quick to learn new things, that’s for sure. It was also the Tribe here that kept resetting the traps behind you and opening up the plugged tunnels.” Mordred looked at a group of Kobolds that was dancing around one bonfire, drunk on Mushroom Wine. “I can see the little guys managing such a feat with ease. That being said, I didn’t know Kobolds were native to this biome.” I looked over at Mordred. “They aren’t, these were wandering monsters after their dungeon got destroyed. I basically made a Pact with them and let them stay here.” I told Mordred and the party the story of how I had met Ssatassha and adopted her Tribe into my dungeon.

Tarad was grumbling once I finished. “Sounds like Jaxel and his gang ta me, they never even try ta tame a dungeon. Just kill it, da murderous assholes.” Dally looked over at him. “Funny, had ya said that just a few days ago I would have asked if ye had lost yer marbles, seein as we were of da same view.” Tarad shrugged. “Ye learn something new every day, today we learned dungeons ain’t just mindless beasts.” The party and several of the Kobolds toasted to that. I told them about the wine, didn’t I? Well, here’s hoping there won’t be any funerals by sundown. The entire party was still around by sundown, luckily, and had made fast friends with the Kobolds. With Mint, and a trio of Kobold hunters having made plans to go out and hunt Shroomcow and Sporabbit the following morning. Meanwhile, Mordred and Lienru were discussing the applications of spices in cooking. Who would have thought Mordred was such an enthusiast about the culinary arts?

I had also discussed the topic of lodgings with the others. Everyone, even the Kobolds, agreed that they should make a camp here for now. The Kobolds would help them to make something more permanent to live in later on. The forest was the only place in the dungeon that would allow them to defend themselves against numbers with any confidence. Mostly due to the small ramp leading up to the tunnel and because it was out of the way. They could sally out in and fall on intruders from behind in case of attacks on the 2nd floor.

It was partway through this discussion that Sisslkin arrived with a tray containing 17 small vials. He quickly started to divide them among the party and also gave one to Indella. “Gift of friendship to our new allies.” The Kobold said, smiling widely. Curious as to what it was I probed Sisslkin’s mind and was quite surprised to learn the contents of the vials. The party would definitely enjoy it, that was for sure. Pavol had taken a whiff out of the content of his potion. Then he leafed through his book again and gasped when he found the answer to what he was holding. “Potion of Eternal Owl’s Sight. It gives permanent Darkvision to the ones who drink it. Or improves it if you already possess it from other sources.” It would seem my Kobolds had not been idle in the days I had been away, that was for sure.

There was no hesitation from the party at all. Darkvision would be far better than having to rely on torches that would give you away and limit your vision outside of its cone of light. As they drank it, there was some wincing from the party as the potion took effect, though suddenly my own eyes started to tingle too. Right, I shared passive effects with Indella, so both of us were affected by the potion and my Darkvision. Not sure how much it would affect the two of us, but Rael and his party would enjoy a pretty decent sight range with it. Long enough to go far beyond what a torch would have done for them, at any rate.

. Ah, they had finally caught up, no time for festivities for me, I had to get my first floor repopulated and the maze reshuffled. With that in mind, I triggered Magical Labyrinth and told the others I would be back later. I had some defenses to prepare for, some unwelcome guests above. Time to get ready for Inlas’ assault.