The Woodlands of Gael.

The elven tribe of Gael detest anyone who isn't like them. Dwarves and humans are thrown together with the likes of dungeons and monsters in their eyes. They are known to skin their enemies alive, followed by roasting if the victim survives the flaying. Knowing this fact, no one ventures into the elven woods on the south of Tira anymore and to see one outside of their home is unheard of. They are now as rare to come by as Mimics are these days. Truly one of the most dangerous places to find yourself in is the Gael Woods, if you're not an elf that is.

The Mines of Cair Dun.

The Dun Mountains reside in the heart of the Cair continent and boast the largest collective range of dangerous mountains across the whole of Tironia. If one is not native to the area, or ventures too far into the mines located in almost all the surrounding small peaks without a guide, it is very likely they will become lost and even easier to stumble into a dungeon mistaking it for a cave.

The chances of stumbling back out alive are slim to none as the undead litter the dungeons in Dun. If safety and precautions are not on your mind whilst travelling here, it will be the last place you ever see.

The Seas of Tironia.

The high seas of Tironia boast some of the strongest monsters to date. Giant aquatic beasts lurk in the large body of water that merchants use for travel. Strong adventurers take jobs involving protection details on the sea. Most voyages will never make a full journey without at least having a few encounters along the way. If you come across any beasts from the real deep on your voyage though, then the odds of you reaching land again are slim-to-none as some of those monstrosities are capable of swallowing a ship whole.

The Floating Island of Zabul.

Not much is known about the large floating-mass of land named Zabul. It is said there is a golden city that occupies resides on top of it but no one has ever been able to reach it to confirm this rumour. Another rumour is that the inhabitants of Zabul all possess wings so that they can travel down to the surface of Tironia and back again. No one has ever claimed to meet such a being however so the island is presumed to be empty of life. Except for a dungeon, but again, that's just another unsubstantiated rumour.

Excerpt from the Worldpedia. Chapter 7. Dangerous and Mysterious Locations.

Ali has not brought back a single monster from the entire time she was outside my dungeon.

After the sad end of the beautifully slimy babe that I'm unlikely to see again, I was hoping Ali would have something cute that I can summon hidden away in her bag.

Unfortunately though, it was not meant to be. Inside the sack, which she crafted from an actual monster she killed and bisected, were a dozen different varieties of vegetables and a large amount of meat from the monster itself.

I earned 12 DP from the overly-large vegetables, 1 XP from the Boar meat and a large amount of sadness to go with them.

New features available:

Vegetables: 1DP

Boar Meat: 2DP

All rooms can now be customised with the farm effect for no extra cost

Farm effect?

Trying to lose the cloud hanging over me, I wonder where farming fits in with being a dungeon?

"M-Master?" Nervously rubbing the hem of her clothing, Ali calls out to me.

What's up? Is what I hope my will relays to her.

"P-Please may I have some meat and vegetables to cook dinner for the others?"

What?

Ali's request for food completely kicks the cloud of sadness away.

Is she hungry? She must be, right? She wouldn't ask otherwise. I thought you said they didn't need to eat or drink, Me?

I said they might not need to, regular monsters need neither food or water to sustain them. A steady connection to the mana you produce is enough to keep them content and is provided through your will.

That's all well and good for my regular monsters but are the Rogues going to run my DP into the ground needing large amounts of food on a daily basis?

I summon the 2DP's worth of Boar meat for Ali, and so I can see what portion size we're working with. To my surprise, it's actually more generous than what I absorbed in the first place.

How does that work? When I summon the Vegetables, it creates multiple different types for the small cost of 1DP. With all that food for the insanely-cheap price of 3DP, I can't really complain. My Rogues will have no problem staying fed now and I don't need to worry about the price.

Three meals a day won't break the bank.

Ali's eye's light up as the food appears before her. It's more plentiful than the last time she saw it too and she begins chopping vegetables immediately... On the floor of the dungeon.

The sight pains me to my Core, The woman in front of me, chopping vegetables in less-than-satisfactory conditions, strikes a chord with my heart.

It reminds me that I didn't have much growing up and life was always a constant struggle. Losing both of my parents at a young age, I did whatever I could to earn money. It would be nice to say I grew up in a large mansion, with both parents there to love me forever and enough money to buy whatever I wanted, but that's just a dream. After I eventually stealing, conning and bribing enough money to buy a guild licence, I met Anya. She changed my world. After registering and forming a party, we took a few contracts were even close to ranking up. In those short few years, my life had changed drammatically and I was doing well. Then... Deadded.

I got deadded.

Leaving my past alone, where it should, let's see what I can do about Ali's problem.

Hmm...

After browsing through my lists, and choosing an appropriate object for my task, I begin the creation of a weak wooden wall. It was one of the new features I unlocked when I created my second floor.

I shape the wall and squash it down as much as I can. There are no problems as I do this and the wood even becomes stronger through the process of condensing it into itself. It doesn't take long until it's reached a perfect rectangular size. Focusing a little more, I carve grooves on one side and leave the other plain.

This is the first item that I've used my points to alter since Me mentioned it. It wasn't actually that hard either. I feel really proud of what I've just accomplished and because of its size, it only cost 1DP instead of the five it was supposed to.

As the object materialises in front of Ali, I convey its use through my will and she looks stunned at my gift. I also receive a new notification.

New loot has been created:

Cutting Board: 1DP

That was unexpected.

Ali beams in delight at her new piece of equipment and her prep looks a lot easier now that she has a flat surface to work on.

Thinking about what Ali will need next, Talia's Tavern springs to mind. It would definitely be more sanitary for her to work there, rather than continuing her food preparations in my entrance. Not that I'm a dirty dungeon. I don't have any viruses or contaminants that I'm aware of at least.

I send Ali to Talia's with my will and off she goes, disappearing faster than a Dole Hound.

She's been alive almost as long as I have. Seeing as how I'm no longer a human... Sniff... I don't have the urge to eat anymore and I feel really bad for my Rogues. They must all be starving.

Since upgrading the rundown Rogues' Bar, to the now not-so-shabby Rogues' Tavern, it actually looks quite welcoming inside. A good amount of seating is now spread across the floor of the establishment and if it had actual customers, there's no doubt it would be making some good money. As long as I can keep supplying it with alcohol which won't be a problem considering how cheap it is. The best part about it is the fact that I'm the grower, the brewer and the supplier, all rolled into one.

Maybe I could provide adventurers with alcohol in exchange for not being sold out to the local Lord?

Or maybe Rogues' Corner could be a safe zone where no monsters attack but you could still be robbed blind?

I don't know.

I'm only a one-day old dungeon and I have a few ideas how to progress now that I'm not as emotional as I was earlier. I'm still a little disappointed over the fact that I'll likely never be a human again. You have to move on and stop wailing at some point in your new dungeon life, right?

Viewing the back room of the building, I discover it has a fully functioning kitchen with a magical oven built in. All manners of cutlery, pots and pans, must have appeared when it upgraded into the Tavern.

I wonder what the next upgrade will bring.

Rogues' Tavern:

A place for weary Rogues to fill their belly with a hearty meal whilst enjoying a good Ale

Backroom deals can be made at a cost of 10% of the deal itself going to the proprietor

All Rogue type monsters have their attributes boosted by 20% whilst on the same floor as the Tavern

Makes all seating extremely comfortable regardless of type or material

Upgrade Rogues' Tavern to ????: 160DP

Rewards:

Weak Spirits: 8DP

????: 40DP

8XP

Wow. These Rogues will be living comfier than the humans are soon. Except for when they'll be fighting off invaders for me.

I hate these question marks so much. Why doesn't System just choose a name for them now, rather than later? Then I would at least have a brief understanding of what I'm getting.

????: 40DP? How am I suppose to put a name to that when I have no idea what it is?

Ignoring the frustrating problems, I shift my attention back to Ali who has once again started her prep. This time on a more suitable worktop. I don't get to watch her for long as two female Rogues have just returned and are really struggling to carry a jelly-like substance within their hands. One has red jelly, the other green and each is cradled between the arms of a Rogue like a baby.

I don't want to get my hopes up but once I've absorbed them through my floor the cuteness outlook of the future has risen slightly as I have just acquired 2 new monsters and also breach my threshold.

First-time monster absorption bonus:

10DP 10XP

New monsters have been unlocked:

Red Slime: 10DP

Green Slime: 10DP

Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 7

DP has been increased by 20

New features have been unlocked:

Darkness Cluster: 3DP

Earthern Cluster: 3DP

Camping Ground: 40DP

Yes!

They're not pink, but they will do.

Who's the Dungeon Core!

The two Slimes are a really welcome addition and so much better than any of the Goblin drops I've had so far. However, this is only in sight value as they're not worth nearly as much XP as some of gobs. They feel so much better to absorb though.

Using my will, I send the Rogues to the Tavern to rest. The thought of dinner created by Ali and a reward at a later date hits home and they both disappear. As they go, a new thought enters my mind. If they need to eat, then they're definitely going to need sleep as well and the Tavern doesn't have a second floor yet. Luckily for me, a cheaper and more reasonably-priced alternative just made itself known.

Even though I really want a pink Slime, I'm sure it will take me a long time to obtain one.

So for now, I'll keep on Dungeon'in.

Camping Ground: 40DP

A choice selection of tents will be made available and fire pits are included for cooking

That's it?

I'm not sure why, but I was expecting a little more. From the description, at least I know what I'm paying for. It's not the Tavern's second floor, which l will get around to as soon as I can, but it will do for now.

I place the Camping Ground just before Rogues' Corner in the fourth room. There's enough tents that there would still be a few left if all of my Rogues decided to sleep at the same time. Not that they would. I should at least have one or two stand guard now that I think about it. Where would they do that though?

My entrance?

Can I place a feature for that type of role?

Thinking about what I've unlocked recently, one such feature springs to mind. I obtained it after upgrading the Rundown Rogues' Bar and it sounds perfect for the position I'm wanting to fill.

Watch House: 40DP

A suspicious building that houses Rogues

They keep track of the underhanded affairs and shady dealings that occur

If anyone or anything enters the dungeon the Rogues will know instantly

Rewards:

4 XP

What the hell?

Rogues in a Watch House?

Seriously? Can't the System come up with something better than that?

Examine is a good skill, but the descriptions that they come up are severely lacking sometimes.

Me said I could choose feature names myself, if I put some thought into them, however it would appear that I have the same problem as the System.

I can't think of a decent name to save my life.

Ignoring my naming problems, until I can manage to gather inspiration from somewhere, I splurge 40DP and purchase the Watch House.

It goes between the Trap room and the Camping Grounds. Another badly-damaged building, like the Rundown Rogues' Bar was at the start, forms into creation. Once finished, it's left looking old and decrepit. Large segments of the wall are missing and moss covers the entire building.

Even though it's partly demolished, The Watch House takes up an imposing amount of space even pressed right up against the North Wall. It isn't ideal placing, but I'm still getting used to this.

I didn't actually expect it to be as big as it was to be honest. Plus, I'm sure that Me said I can move features wherever I want to for no extra cost.

Even if I need to completely change the layout of my dungeon, I should be OK.

After my spending is over, I'm left with 19 dungeon points to my name. Willing my status up, it shows that I'm quite a distance from my next level too.

I knew my growth would start to slow down eventually. It did when I was a human so why wouldn't it now. The higher level you becomes, the more XP you will need. Fact.

Dungeon Core Abi Level 7:

9/50 XP until next level

2 Floors

14 Rooms

12 Tunnels

22 Monsters

34 Traps

DP: 19/140

Tweedledum, Tweedledee and a flustered looking female Rogue return as I'm looking at my stats.

Dee is trying his best to carry a slippery Red Slime whilst Dum and the unnamed female are both trying their best with a green one. Each one of the strangely-squatted trio look comical as hell trying to carry the dead-wobbly monster.

I'm so much happier now that my Rogues have stopped dropping off smelly-green monsters.

The Slimes brings no XP as neither of them are new, but I still earn 15 DP from them. Another female Rogue returns squat walking before she releases fish cradled in her arms.

No wonder these guys took so long, they can barely carry what they've got without dropping it.

I earn no XP and only 3DP from the fish. I send the tired and weary Rogues into the dungeon, informing them of Ali's food and telling them to rest or drink.

With just Light and Dropper to return, all of my other Rogues are safely back in my dungeon waiting for dinner.

Whilst they wait, I purchase the first new tunnels for my second floor. Making it 100 foot in length and 10 foot wide, I point it east of the stairs to the first floor. Using my overview, I place a second tunnel heading south at the end of the first.

Using my will, I inform Barry that the intersection of these two tunnels, will be his his new digging location.

I was going to leave him drillin' away in my trap room, but it doesn't feel right having him so close to the entrance. Not because I'm worried he'll be seen or die. Instead, I feel more scared that someone will steal my prize-winning, DP-making machine.

After Barry settles in to his new spot, I go check on Colin, the creature of cuteness. But for some reason, he's not in my core room where I left him.

Where would he go?

I check his other last-known location, the previous core room just after the Wolves' Den, and find him sat in the corner just chest'in.

I feel a bit silly as I realise that I didn't tell him to move when I moved my Core. I was rushing to get back to Ali after sorting out Veris and the Boss Room.

Which still needs a door.

Don't worry though, Colin. I'll get you something first cutie.

I let my adorable Mimic know my plans and he heads to the actual Core Room. There, I place ten wooden chests in a row, leaving a spot open in the middle for Colin to sit in. He moves into place with eager satisfaction and once he settles down and blends in with the other chests, the only notable difference is the drool puddle on the floor.

I also receive a new notification.

A new feature has been unlocked:

Bronze Treasure: 2DP

Upgrades are always appreciated but I made those chests for Colin. It's not like I have anything else that I can give him at the moment and after making purchases for the Rogues it only seems fair. As soon as I have the points, I'll purchase the large forest-room upgrade for the Wolves. I think I might move them closer to the boss room as well. They're quite a strong force and I feel as though it will be a better location for Trixie and her Wolves.

The wolves don't need to eat do they, Me?

Abi, you have a tendency for asking the same question multiple times. Regular dungeon monsters do not require food. Mana within the dungeon is what they feed off and before you ask, I do not know why your Rogues are incapable of this.

OK, thank you anyway. I only ask so many times though just so I can be certain.

There's a lot to remember you know?

I was on 21 DP whilst talking to Me, when I felt a surge of power rush through every fibre of my core.

Changing views to my entrance, it would appear that Light and Dropper have finally returned and have just deposited their spoils. It would also seem that one of the ideas I've been trying to ignore has finally happened, only it's sooner than I had anticipated. I didn't know how I was going to cope with it once the time came, but all I can feel at the moment is shock. I'm amazed at the large-blue box floating before me. I'm also a little curious as to how good my Rogues are in actual combat.

First Time Absorption Bonus:

173DP 173 XP

New loot unlocked:

Refined Steel Sword: 40DP

Refined Steel Shield: 40DP

Exquisite Decorative Steel Armour: 160DP

Refined Steel Boots: 40DP

Steel Ring: 16DP

Garnet Jewel: 50DP

Human Absorbption Bonus:

106DP 106 XP

Tallon The Defiler:

Level 19 Warrior 10600XP

Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 8:

DP has been increased by 20

New features have been unlocked:

Large Light Cluster: 6DP

Large Fire Cluster: 6DP

Pit: 40DP

Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 9:

DP has been increased by 20

New features have been unlocked:

Large Wind Cluster: 6DP

Large Water Cluster: 6DP

Box of Worship: 20DP

Dungeon Core Abi has reached Level 10:

DP has been increased by 20

New monsters have been unlocked:

Weak Spider: 3DP

Cave Bat: 5DP

Black Slime: 20DP

New features have been unlocked:

All rooms and tunnels can now be customised with the Cave effect for no extra cost

All rooms and tunnels can now be customised with the Cobweb effect for no extra cost

All rooms and tunnels can now be customised with the Stone Brick effect for no extra cost

Passive Skill Stockpile has reached Level 8:

1272 more DP required for level 9

Passive Skill Regeneration has reached Level 3:

DP has increased to a rate of 1.5 per hour

A new Skill has been acquired:

Manifestation

Holy Shit!