Amara jerked back in surprise at having a small female fairies face being so close to her.

“Hehe. Sorry about that, I just could not resist that.” The fairy said as she laughed at Amara’s reaction. The fairy was sitting right across from her, just casually watching her.

After she entered this room, it had taken a couple of moments to regain her senses. When her senses were established, she was able to see the being sitting across from her more clearly. The fairy was a woman with bright red hair, kind of like fire. She was small, just like you would imagine a fairy or pixie would be like. Her face had features like one would see on an aristocrat, sharp cheekbones, delicate nose and lips. The fairies’ skin was not something that you would find in the outside world. It was opalescence. Her skin had a type of sheen on it that Amara had only seen in gemstones and opals.

When Amara finished categorizing the being in front of her, she looked herself over. She realized that her consciousness was condensed into an orb held on a pedestal. For some reason, she could, when she concentrated, see herself in a third-person view. While it was jarring, it did allow her to look at herself. A glowing ball, shaped perfectly with no imperfections, with what looked like smoke being held within it.

While it took Amara some time to get used to being a ball with no extremities, she could not wait until she got to actually playing the game.

“Who are you?” Amara knew that the pixie was probably an AI that is meant to help her manage and set up her dungeon. AI’s were certainly advanced enough that a few would be used to support the players who are playing dungeon core. Nowadays, many NPCs in games tend to be indistinguishable from human players.

The fairy turned her attention to her and leaned forward. “My name is Nyx. I am your dungeon fairy.” She smiled brightly at Amara. “What should I call you, new dungeon core?”

“Te-” She started but stopped herself. She remembered that she used a different name this time. “Anaphiel. My name is Anaphiel.”

Nyx nodded her head, and with a snap of her hand, a countdown timer appeared. It showed that there were 40 hours until the game was officially launched. “Well, dungeon core, Anaphiel, you have 40 hours to prepare your dungeon for the incoming players.”

Amara took a bit of time to respond to that. She did not fully know what would be her actual role as a dungeon core in this game. In old novels that she used to read on an old website called royal road, dungeon cores were responsible for summoning mobs, setting out floor layouts, and being a host/dangerous environment to adventurers.

“So Nyx, what do I have to do? And what is your job?” She asked as she was very excited to actually start.

“Ah, I’m glad you asked.” Nyx smiled and, again, leaned towards Amara. “Let me answer the question of what I do. My job is to essentially guide you and answer questions, as well keep the general upkeep of the dungeon both when you are in-game and out of the game.” What Nyx said made sense to Amara. The literature that she has read involving a dungeon helper, the fairy, pixie, wisp, etc., would usually offer up suggestions and advice on forming the dungeon core’s dungeon. It felt good to her that the developers and creators added this into CMS.

“Now, do you understand your role as a dungeon core, Anaphiel?” Nyx asked.

“It is my responsibility to manage, set up, and grow the dungeon for the other players in CMS?” That was as much as she knew from what she understood from the NDA, as well as what Amara generally understood how dungeons operated.

“That’s a very simplified way of putting it. This is not going to be a simulation game with your dungeon being a small portion of it.” Nyx’s eyes twinkled at Amara as she said that. This confused Amara, as she did not know how that would work. Because of all the games that have been produced using virtual reality, dungeons were only a small part of the game.

“Alright, what does it involve then?” Amara tried to imagine what Nyx was going to say about her role in this. This situation and what this means are going to change how she was going to play the game.

Nyx smiled at her and gave what felt like the most straightforward explanation in the world. “In essence, you are going to be the game.”

“Wait, what?”

“Core Microsystem centres on the fact that it is player-driven. And a major part of that is how dungeons influence the areas and interact with the players. Your decisions, growth, everything you do will shape the experience of the players. If you make your dungeon too strong early on, the players won’t be able to experience what your dungeon is about. Too easy, and the players will get bored. Your goal is to grow with the players. To make it continually engaging, as well as challenging. To keep the players who start in your area, stay in your area. As well as potentially attract international players. You will have the ability to affect the player’s game experience through rewards and the economy of certain areas. Be ready, as a successful dungeon core can change the game and the worlds based around them.”

When Nyx explained it like that, Amara realized that this was going to be a big undertaking. She was only in grade 11. This type of power should never be in the hands of someone as young as her. But apparently, her parents believed in her enough to gift her this.

Amara suddenly realized something, the countdown timer was ticking away. Her time to set up and create her dungeon successfully and the right way was shortening. She could feel her non-existent heart start to pound. She had a lot to do, with only 38 hours to do it, she had to start now.

“Nyx, what do we do first?”