Faran’s Dungeon, Faran’s POV

It had been half a month since I let the hunter escape. My attempts at solidifying mana were stuck, as I missed something. I could solidify my mana to a ball, yet it took most of my concentration, with a half of my mana, to do it. Not to mention the constant leaking that happened with it, forcing me to keep feeding more mana to keep it in the solid state. Only good thing I learned from doing this, has been that I learned how to draw most of my solid mana back to my core, wasting less of it. This has also surprisingly helped me to slightly condense the raw mana before it enters the veins in my core, speeding up the process slightly. Currently I have filled a third of my core with a new center, massively increasing my reserves to five hundred times of my original reserves. Alas, I don’t know how well off I am in comparison against monsters, as humanoids with divine protection work differently with mana, lacking the core of their own.

Might as well ask that from Trendal next time I see him. I thought with a shrug before turning my attention to my latest source of interest.

As I have kept following the progress of my creatures, I noticed how a few of them are saturated with mana, almost ready to form a core. One of them is surprisingly one of the original strengthened vipers I created, having survived until now. Unlike others of its kind, she has proven for being a prudent one, attacking only from ambush against other creatures moving alone or small enough groups. She even changes the caves after each successful attack, avoiding the groups that learned of its presence. Few days ago the viper had moved down to the second floor, drawn by the mana density.

Second is a bunny that delivered killing blow to that ugly and greedy hunter. Apparently foreign creatures and humanoids grant more suitable mana for advancements to my creatures, being different in the type. The bunny has now grown larger than others of his species, while being more aggressive than normally.

Lastly, is the alpha wolf in the largest cave at the second floor. After a series of gruesome fights against the other pack, he managed to get most of the kills, while subduing the other pack. He sports an impressive scars, formed from a three jagged vertical lines, over his now blinded eye. He has also grown larger than normal wolves, while being more ferocious in battle.

Other creatures are still in the process of gathering more mana through living longer, or killing more of others. Out of the three, I assume the snake and the wolf are closest for advancing, as the state of mana within them has grown increasingly chaotic as they keep killing. I have yet to see any patterns with how mana is behaving, yet I spend most of my time within light meditation while keeping a constant focus upon those three. Elan has also informed me, that it would take some time for the news to reach the guild, as we seem to be somewhat far from civilization.

I assume I see some results for the upcoming advancements within next tendays.

***

Meanwhile, Village of Lorra, Traveling Merchant Deithus

“And I tell you, we must get rid of that den of devils! Poor Rilus was savaged by those demon spawns! I can still hear his screams in my sleep! Deithus, you gotta report this to the guard in the town! We ain’t safe fer long if those vile spawns get here!”, kept the haggard looking hunter yelling at me, as I was preparing to head back to the city of Josmar from here. This small, rustic village of Lorra was a last stop in my peddling route. I sighed to myself as I couldn’t even sell the bow he ordered for himself. Luckily a village guard took a liking to it and I didn’t have to eat a loss for it. Now as I was going to return, he suddenly appeared raving about a nest of devils and whatnot.

I turned towards the frantic hunter blocking my way while sighing again, “Now look here Erwin. The guard or lord of the town aren’t going to do anything without proof. Your words are going to be taken as a ramblings of a madman, with nothing else coming from it. Either provide proof, or I have to ask guards to remove you from preventing my departure.”

“I made a map fer you! Isn’t that enough?! I should’ve never listened to Ritus about his mumblin’ about a dungeon, that ain’t nuthin’ else than a den of devils I say! Even the doorway was a glistening, black and full of snake carvings! I tell you, they looked like they’d jump straight at ya!”, as Erwin kept blabbering, I suddenly noticed words about a dungeon and the entrance.

I quickly interrupted his ravings. “You never mentioned anything about dungeons or weird entrances to a caves. What was that about? What exactly killed Rilus?”, I asked with now growing excitement, as information about unclaimed dungeons was worth a large sum of money to the right bidder. I didn’t have large enough status to try to sell information to the nobles or mages, yet adventurers guild was generous enough with such rewards.

“That’s what Rilus said fer me! Entrance was a giant head of a snake, and the air within the caves was hot and moist, and all kinds of forest plants grew there! On the ceiling were weird, glowing vines, and as me and Rilus went deeper, we saw ‘em! The devil spawns were eating something further within, and Rilus wanted to shoot at ‘em with our bows!”, Erwin grew even more frantic as I seemed to listen him now. One of the guards looked like he was going to come and get rid of my crazy company, and my future bag of gold. I quickly waved that everything was okay, and the guard left after throwing a sceptic glance to the crazy hunter.

“Saw what? Can you give me more details about what killed Rilus?”, I coaxed the lunatic.

“Those devils looked like normal animals! As our arrows hits ‘em, one died instantly while other started screeching fer a moment. Then they turned around, with a maw full of blood and sharp teeth, bounded towards Rilus as he was closer, and started slashing him to shreds! There was so much blood, and he kept yellin’! I couldn’t save him man, I couldn’t do it! So I ran. As I took a last look, the devil spawn looking like a rabbit ripped the throat of Rilus and I can still hear his last gurgling scream, as he choked on his own blood! I can’t even sleep at nights as I keep hearing the screeching of those devils, and how Rilus kept screaming!”, Erwin broke down sobbing, falling to his knees on the muddy road while grabbing my legs. Other villagers were avoiding us, and throwing disgusted stares at him. Even my horses tethered to my wagon were getting nervous because of him. Catching a sniff of him, instantly grimacing from the thick smell of unwashed body, I tried to pry him off.

“That sounds terrible place indeed. Erwin, get a hold of yourself and focus! Now, can you give me the map to that den of devil with… killer rabbits? Along with anything else you collected from there as an additional proof, so I can give it to the guards so they can come and destroy that den of devil… rabbits?”, I tried to soothe the man while prying him off from my legs.

Still sobbing, the now broken husk of a man took a pouch from his belt, shoving it in my hands. “It’s all here! Herbs Rilus took from within and the map I made! Thank you Deithus, thank you! Hurry and report that vile place! I haven’t slept properly from knowing that the evil place still stands!”.

Eager to get rid of the man, I quickly checked the contents, seeing herbs used for basic potions, and a leather map, showing the location of the dungeon nearby. Satisfied, I spoke with a smile full of assurance, “Of course! I will go and report this place to a proper authorities in Josmar, so they can handle it! You can trust me on that! Now I must hurry with this, and be on my way.”. I quickly jumped on the seat of my wagon as the relieved smile spread upon the still crying, lanky hunter, kneeling on the muddy road next to my wagon. With a wave to him, I hurriedly left so he wouldn’t get the idea of coming with me.

Luckily other villagers seemed to think the man had become crazy, as otherwise he wouldn’t still have the herbs from a dungeon to give as a proof. Normal villagers at the frontier don’t seem to realize the importance of a dungeon. Yet I still must hurry and be on my way.

Wouldn’t want someone else to claim those gold coins from reporting a dungeon. I should get enough for opening my own shop, maybe even come and set one near the dungeon! I thought as I drove the wagon towards the gates.

As I kept imagining the future profits of managing a store near the new dungeon, I started involuntarily grinning to myself. Maybe I can include building me a store near the dungeon as a part of the rewards. Nobody would imagine that I, Deithus, would own a store near a dungeon while still 27 years old! Normally I would had to keep trading for a few more years to save enough money for a store of my own. After reporting this, I could buy one with only the reward money!

Excited from the future I painted, I went through the village gates and headed towards the large frontier city of Josmar, a home for a hundred thousand souls, and closest office for adventurers guild. It would take me a tenday with my wagon, heavily loaded with goods I traded from the villages, as the roads were muddy from the heavy rains of last days.

Deithus’ General Store? Deithus’ Dungeon Store? Or maybe just Deithus’ Supplies? I kept thinking with a goofy grin on my face as my horse dragged the wagon through the muddied road.

***

Few days later, in Faran’s Dungeon, Faran’s POV

Seemingly chaotic mana started to get drawn within the small vortex within the brain of the alpha wolf. Vortex was located right in middle of the brain, slowly forming a sphere of condensed mana at the bottom of the spirals of mana. As the now agitated mana started chaotically move within it, some of it headed to the spiral, while the rest wantonly roamed the body. Occasionally destroying parts of it, while following mana instantly healed the damage, recreating stronger than before parts. The wolf was in obvious pain, shaking and growling, while old blood poured out of the pores as the new blood was being produced. The previously blinded eye was being repaired, as did some smaller scars upon his hide, yet the three vertical scars upon the previously blind left eye were left untouched.

The change had started upon wolf dealing a killing blow upon a constrictor snake it had hunted with the pack. Rest of the wolves had packed off from the alpha from the pressure of mana it emitted upon changing, watching nervously from the side. I had immediately felt the change in the air as the alpha had started sucking in the surrounding mana, resulting in the chaotic flow within.

I noticed how the monster core formed in where the two halves of the brain join at, slowly replacing the cluster of nerves with the now forming core. Like with my core, the monster core has a center, yet the veins connect with nerves in their brains. I eagerly study the process of evolution, as the rampart mana seems to be drawn to the muscles and weapons the wolf used most when fighting. Maybe the memories drive the change to boost what are the best weapons for it? Quickly dismissing my idle thoughts, I keep my focus upon the wolf as it evolves.

Eventually the wolf is left heaving from the change it went through, matted with discharged blood, still shaky from the ordeal. After the change, the wolf was double the size of others, And I could feel a slight elemental properties from the mana it now had within the core, a centimeter wide sphere. The alpha seemed to have affinity towards fire, maybe because what is sought was best for battles, or because its innate nature fit it the best. Normally the alpha fought ferociously, using strength instead of grace, not bothering with the wounds it suffered. Worthy subject to observe with other creatures.

Does the elemental affinity dictate the natural disposition of the creature, or other way around? Worthy of experimenting upon with other creatures before upgrading the wolves. I didn’t even have time to entertain the idea before Elan, having come here after I notified him of the evolution, instantly retorted as I leaked my feelings.

“Faran, please save experimenting upon the creatures later and wait for a few days for the rest to evolve. Surely you need more examples of various creatures before starting experiments? You might even miss the evolutions if you start anything now.”

“Fine! I know that, but it has been so boring lately. Tell me more about the monsters and contracting with them.”, I said as I gave up on going straight to experimenting, and thought to myself. Damn Elan has learned how to start pushing some of my buttons.

Maybe I should considers how to create a small, fluffy fox eating fruits for survival as a secret weapon against Elan? He wouldn’t want anything that eats his critters, and that should distract him for a while.

Sensing something, Elan glared at me suspiciously for a moment, before proceeding to explain. “Seeing as how the wolf successfully evolved, you should give it some time for getting to know the new abilities of its body. I assume you can’t yet contract it properly, as it has just only now gained rudimentary intelligence for it. As it started from a normal, albeit stronger, wolf, the new evolutions will be harder to achieve. Even with killing the adventurers as a named monster you can resurrect. Also, as a dungeon, the stronger the monster is, the less you can directly control it. But you don’t have to worry about the ones you created ever rebelling, as you can shatter the imprint within their souls, killing them instantly. Foreign monsters must pledge their loyalty to you, allowing you to imprint their souls, before the same is possible.”

As the alpha had rested for awhile, it now stood up, towering above the rest of the pack, before joyously howling towards the ceiling. Rest of the back joined to the howl, as the alpha headed back to the den with explosive leaps, being obviously stronger than before.

“The mana I can sense from the core of alpha is only small portion of mine, maybe one part out of hundred. Is it because of just evolving or are my mana reserves so vast compared to the normal monsters?”, I questioned Elan as we watched the rest of the pack savaging the corpse of a large snake.

“Yes. As a dungeon core your mana reserves are truly enormous, and habitually control amounts straining to the most of the mages, not to mention the pure complexity of creating something from mana. Nothing else besides the divines can do it, after all. From what I gather, only those existences bordering at the top, being nearly deities themselves, could ever hope to start fathoming what dungeon cores do from their birth. Even so, as soon as a dungeon core dies, it goes inert, losing the ability to store more mana than a mana stone of the same size. Otherwise, all mages would manically try to gain one for themselves.”, Elan answered with a dry tone.

Considering this for a moment, I had to agree with Elan. Ever since I became a dungeon core, I have constantly been doing what was previously impossible to me as a human mage. I also have to admit, that had been a great source of research for me as well. As a human, my capacity to the mana also held me back, always making me to seek larger mana stones for their storing ability to boost my spells or replenishing my spend reserves. Mentally shrugging, I threw these thoughts away as they are little of use for me.

“Enough of that for now. When are we seeing more of the adventurers? It has already been over a tenday since I let that hunter escape.”, I asked from Elan as I can’t observe what’s outside my dungeon. At least for now.

Sighing to himself, Elan slumped his head for a moment before answering. “As you asked yesterday, it might take a month or two for adventurers to arrive. Depends on how eager they are to lay claim upon your dungeon, and how far their nearest guild hall is.”.

“I just noticed that I’ve never asked one thing, why call themselves as an Adventurers Guild? From what I understand, most of them are mercenaries, working under the name of a guild. Surely the reason isn’t such a simple thing as “being an adventurer sounds better than being a mercenary?””, I asked with sudden insight as I kept questioning Elan.

Snorting disdainfully, Elan answered, “That is indeed so. Originally the Guild was only working within the old Empyrean Empire, and separated from the normal mercenary groups through a new identity. Some of the strongest people back then didn’t want to join more wars, decided to create a faction neutral to all countries and armed forces, focusing upon killing monsters and such. Even today, the guild itself stays neutral, but the members can be contracted for different activities, as long as they don’t involve themselves in armed conflicts through contracts. Such things are left for mercenaries.”

Sighing, he continued, “Currently the Empyrean Empire is no more, yet the guild has spanned the continent, becoming a truly neutral faction accepting all humanoid sentients under divine protection within their ranks. Each large enough city has a branch office for the guild with a strong, trustworthy and retired adventurer leading it. Same goes for any dungeon they manage to lay their claim on, as those are their main source of revenue, and controlled training environment for all ranks. Depending on the dungeon, they might set up a large presence over the immediate area, buying the rights to the land from the owner, while paying percentage of the income as taxes.”.

“As an organization spanning across the continent, the adventurer plates work as an identification as well, being bound to the owner with their mana, copy being held in the guild hall. Upon death, the mana signature within the plates dissipates. Plates are being made so that they can only be bound once, making the creation of forgeries far more difficult than getting your own plate. At least if you’re not trying to pose as a higher rank than you really are.”, Elan ended with a huff, obviously not pleased upon the choice of the subject, having been enslaved for the guild for a two centuries.

“Alright, I keep watching the bunny and a snake for evolution. Afterwards I can start my own experiments to get the process down with other creatures, before upgrading the ones in the second floor.”, looking surprised as I acquiesced to his suggestion of waiting, Elan cocked his eyebrow.

Sounding genuinely worried, he asked me, “Faran, are you okay? No mana constipation? Weird palpitations in your core? No split personalities?”

Snarling mentally, I answered with annoyance, “You being worried about me sounds incredibly sarcastic! Of course I can change how I do things, you gave me perfectly logical suggestion!”

Looking the shocked expression upon Elan’s face, like last time he saw Trendal in a compromising pose, I couldn’t help but verbally jab at him. “But I will still experiment upon the bunnies and squirrels!”

Seeing his now grimacing face, I mentally laughed at him as I withdrew my focus back to my core, leaving Elan fuming on the second floor.