Chapter 8: Core Values

Date and Time Unknown

Dungeon Ciara

Oh, crap! It was bad enough dealing with Nino. I nearly murdered the poor girl, and I know her! This messed-up brain of mine needs to chill.

I sought a different subject to ponder—anything, so long as it wouldn’t aggravate my infernal hunger.

My traitorous thoughts defaulted immediately to the intense, erotic experience from just before my evolution.

Of course, that memory aroused me, and my female curiosity deepened regarding the anatomy of these impending visitors.

The volatile pairing of ravenous hunger and lustful urges fed off and intensified one another within my core, culminating in a rapidly-escalating war against my values.

If I feed on these men, I will become a murderer. A murderer! You need to think this through, Dungeon-half!

But they look so delicious… My other thoughts hissed seductively, as one, with different meanings.

Ahh! I need a solid meal before they arrive! And the coldest shower in history!

I had no way to gather food without help from my sleeping Turd, and even if I shaped a channel to pour chilly seawater onto my core, I seriously doubted that a shower would do anything to curb the appetites of a Dungeon.

It feels like I’m gonna be fucked either way…

It made me nervous as hell.

Granted, being fucked is obviously preferable when the alternative is murder. But I no longer have a serviceable orifice for that.

To my disgust, even my logical mind started wondering how those two healthy, sturdy men might taste.

In both ways.

For science.

Ugh. Dungeon Cores are disgusting.

I knew it was wrong, but in the back of my mind, I knew I could easily widen my entrance.

I could enlarge my spike trap to handle sizable prey and fashion a sultry bit of “female” art to lure in these strong, tasty—

“Ciara!”

My focused awareness wrenched downward in surprise, my logical mind reasserting its sovereignty as Sven appeared next to my core.

[Ack! You could at least give a girl some warning before you just pop into existence!]

“Close off your entrance before those humans find it!” Sven barked.

[Huh? Why? They’re just people, Sven. I know they have guns, but bullets won’t do much against hardened stone walls, and anyway, they can’t fit through my entrance as-is. What are you so afraid of?]

He raised a scaly eyebrow and growled. “You should be afraid, Dungeon. Do you want to avoid enslavement? If you value your freedom, then do as I say, and fast! I’ll explain afterward.”

[What? Slavery? What are you talking about?]

Though I felt argumentative, I quickly shaped the stone of my entrance into a plug and smoothed out the surface to make it seem like nothing had been there. Afterward, I scattered sand across the top.

The changes felt wrong somehow, but I listened to my Spirit Guide.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, they strolled over to consider my breakwater and climbed up to where they would have witnessed my shapely entrance if I hadn’t concealed it.

I couldn’t hear anything they said, but those men seemed like they were excited over the existence of my protective levy.

The older of the two appeared especially agitated about it until they locked eyes, shook their heads, and ambled back the way they had come.

[Okay, Sven. Why did I need to close off my tunnel, you little Demon? And I want to know I became this… thing? I was a human myself, and I used to live here!]

“Demon? Hmph. Clearly, you’ve never seen one. Spare me your inane, infantile insults, Little Rock. Anyway, fine. If it will help that loquacious and illogical mind of yours to calm down, I’ll explain.” Sven shook his head.

“You know of the terrible war that rages on your world, yes?”

[Of course. We’ve already spoken of it.]

“Indeed. Dungeons can break down and nullify toxic substances, and they strengthen the creatures that live inside them. That is why you were made; to help this world recover from what has happened.”

I had no idea what to say to that.

“To my earlier point about why you need to hide for now; humans and other sapient beings block out your ability to shape and manipulate stone and soil within an area around themselves. It’s a combination of their spirit and mana and the pressure both of those create. The stronger the sapient creature, the greater their Spiritual Energy and the larger the area that can affect. Humans can use tools to dig through stone.”

[Yes, I know about that. I had thought I could simply collapse my ceiling onto invaders if things got bad enough, but I guess that’s not going to happen.]

“Not unless your ceiling is high enough to avoid their influence.”

[Right. So, how am I supposed to stop them if they get inside?]

“Minions and traps. However, and you’re going to like this part; killing is not the only way to gain mana from Sapient creatures. Each time a resource is harvested inside your walls, it feeds you a portion of its mana. Until you grow much stronger, the best way you can deal with humans is to focus their greed away from your core.”

[Resources?]

“Metals, stone, fruits, body parts and loot from your minions and denizens, fungi… anything they may find useful.”

[Wait… it’s okay for them to kill my minions? I may not have created any yet, but I don’t like the sound of that at all!]

“Minion deaths are the least-preferable way to harvest mana while you are young because it weakens your overall defense when any minion dies. But they will respawn. Your primary concern must be guarding your core—something that will become more difficult as humans advance through the Ranks. You will need to be crafty about minion physiology and placement.”

[Ranks?]

Sven pointed a deep black claw upward, “Focus your attention more closely at the departing humans. Try to sense their mana.”

I followed his instructions. The slightest shimmer of blue radiated from the larger of the two men. Then my vision changed. Their clothing no longer hid the shape of their bodies, and my gaze lingered in places where it shouldn’t.

Excitement mixed with embarrassment as I stared. It became too much and I nearly withdrew my attention. The big man stopped glowing. My view returned to normal, and a pair of messages spoke into my mind.

<Human male -F->

<Human male -F->

“All mortals begin at what the Dragons who rule over all of Creation call F-Rank. An F-Rank’s mana capacity is near zero, and they are incapable of using magic. F-Rank bodies are quite fragile, and their physical and mental attributes are abysmal.”

Physical… The memory of their chiseled bodies and considerable endowments hung in my thoughts.

[Ahem. Right. If they’re so weak, then how are humans a threat?]

“E-Rank is where things become slightly interesting. Creatures can learn basic spells and gain special qualities that make them tougher or stronger. Each successive Rank represents a much greater threat than the previous.”

With the hunger still gnawing at me, I quickly thought up a reason to argue.

[But since they’re F-Rank, these humans would be easy for me to deal with, right? That means I should be able to focus their attention where I want it and make them feed me.]

“If it were that simple, would I have traveled from another world to warn you to close off your entrance?” Sven raised his eyebrows at me.

[Okay, point taken. Another world, huh? Wait! There’s life on another planet?]

“Of course, child. Life exists on countless worlds in our Universe, and every other Universe as well! But there is time for all of that later. Right now, it’s only important that you adhere to your purpose.”

Sven spread his tiny wings outward and locked his gaze on me while I pouted internally like a three-year-old who’d been denied her favorite dessert.

“You must grow your Dungeon and expand your influence. Your presence will eventually imbue the land, sea and air with Spiritual Energy, increasing the strength and resilience of this world and all of its inhabitants. To do this in a timely manner, you must endeavor to become an effective training ground for all life in this place, including humans. That is your first task, and if you desire to see your world thrive, then it must become your primary focus!”

[I have to be the one to help the entire world thrive? What are you saying? Earth’s biosphere is damaged, sure! On a human timescale, you’re probably right. But if we consider Geologic Time, the planet will heal itself almost immediately. Even radioactive isotopes with 50,000-year half-lives will be gone in the blink of an eye, from the planet’s perspective! Not that I’m saying I will slack off. I want to see humans thrive again, and quickly! But I was a scientist and a lecturer, so… why are you grinning?]

“I am pleased that you already have some concept of timescales beyond those usually perceived by mortals. As I was saying, you must help the humans of your world to thrive and grow stronger—”

[Wait. I thought higher-ranked humans were dangerous? Why should I help them to grow stronger when they’re already a threat? Won’t their ability to block out my control increase along with their Rank? Shouldn’t I just help them become healthy while denying them access to anything that would help them become a threat?]

Sven sighed. “Indeed, they will advance. But so will you! Your Dungeon will increase in size exponentially over time, to the point where each human invader affects only a small area. Mature Dungeons are truly enormous, with some filling the interiors of entire planets! Even the strongest sapient beings tend to delve those places in groups, for safety.”

[That’s… wow. But I doubt most people will come here if they think I’m dangerous. Besides, I’ve never killed anyone and I’m not about to start! Hunger be damned! I’m going to focus on the harvesting part of things.]

Sven’s mouth tightened, then he nodded and continued, “Well, if you find yourself in a situation where you must kill; the higher a creature’s Rank is, the more mana you’ll receive for devouring it. Thus, it’s for the best if you allow humans to delve once you are strong enough to handle it. The more effective your training grounds become for the sapient beings of this world, the faster they will improve and, by extension, the more quickly you will advance!”

My hunger stirred.

[That sounds tasty! Are higher-ranked animals tasty? I hope so…]

“Indeed, successful Dungeons find the process both delicious and invigorating! But there are some things you must know.” Sven looked pointedly at my core.

“First and foremost, you must guard your core both jealously and savagely. You do not want to experience the horrors that befall a Dungeon whose core is subverted, especially since you have somehow retained your… humanity.” Sven cringed.

I pondered whether to let him have it over that, but for now, I chose to treat him as my boss. Mostly.

[Right. I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.]

“Good. Next, you should know that E-Rank is generally four times as strong as F-Rank, D-Rank is four times as strong as E-Rank and so on. Ranks continue up through C, B, A, and S.”

That’s… wow.

“Indeed. Be sure to cultivate or you may be overwhelmed. The process comes naturally to Dungeons, so long as you heed your instincts.”

[Yeah, no worries there, Salamander-Snout! Mama is hungry…]

“Lord, preserve me…” Sven stared at the wall for a moment, then shut his eyes and sighed before continuing. “Now, there may be individual humans whom you feel an affinity for and whom you may even seek to protect. These will inevitably be sapients whose interests align with your own.”

[Why would human interests align with mine? Considering the hunger I have right now, I may end up eating some of them if I’m not otherwise well-fed.]

“Sapient beings are most effective when serving as harvesters within your Dungeon. They provide far more mana with such activities than the one-time dose you’ll get from eating them. However, if any of them try to take over your core, that’s a different story. Always kill invaders who seek to harm or enslave you. If you allow hostile sapients to live, they may become powerful enough to threaten you, and you will regret it.”

[Ah, I don’t really like that, Sven. I mean, my Dungeon half does, but there must be another way to deal with them. That said, I know you’re making logical sense from a self-preservation perspective, so… I’ll do my best.]

Sven rolled his eyes a bit. “Now, back to my point regarding any humans you come to favor. Be sure to convert those persons into residents when possible. Such allies can prove invaluable in helping you to deal with others of their species. But be cautious; residents can access your core much more easily than outsiders. Choose them carefully and always protect your core with minions instead of residents, no matter how much you trust them.”

[Why?]

“Simply put, residents can choose to disobey. They may decide, one day, to steal your core and enslave you, possibly forever. On the other claw, minions cannot.”

Eternal enslavement? Fuck that!

[Noted.]

“Regarding resources, F through D-Ranks power their skills and spells with mana, while C and B use spiritual energy.”

[What about A and S-Ranks?]

“Dungeons do not often grow strong enough to wield divine power until several thousand years of age, so there’s little point discussing that right now. Should you survive long enough to ascend to C-Rank, I will teach you more.”

Right… So, what Rank am I?

“F.”

[What? Not even E-Rank? How am I supposed to fend off attacking humans if I’m no stronger than them?]

“Dungeons cultivate differently from mortals, and size matters. A lot.”

[It certainly does!]

Sven raised an eyebrow. “You are strange. My point is, like I mentioned, Dungeons can become truly massive and command vast armies of loyal minions, while most sapient creatures only reach a certain size for their species and must enlist the help of other individuals.

“An F-Ranked Dungeon like you can be quite deadly, able to kill and consume sapient beings up to D-Rank if you manage to catch them off-guard or overwhelm them with swarms of weaker minions. Learn to leverage your strengths while protecting the weakness that is your core. You hold promise, but right now, your Dungeon is tiny and vulnerable.”

[How do I reach E-Rank?]

“You must successfully create two Floor Bosses, as I’ve instructed. So long as you behave like a Dungeon and continue to grow, you will continue to ascend through the Ranks. Follow your instincts. They will never lead you astray from that path.”

Well, that’s troubling as hell… The hunger rumbled inside me.

[I see.]

“Ah, one more thing. It is wise to minimize danger for your residents since, unlike minions, they retain the full memory from each and every death they suffer—along with any associated pain. The effects of recurring trauma are cumulative and can quickly become debilitating.”

[You were watching when Turd was taken?]

Sven grimaced and sighed upon hearing my resident’s name. “For now, collect additional creatures by offering them residency as you have with… the mouse.” Sven looked down at Turd’s hiding place with a smirk.

[I will. He’s been useful so far.]

Sven’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Hah! Indeed. Care for your residents, and they will likely do the same for you in return. Until we meet again! Remember to prioritize your own safety above all else!”

[You’re talking like you aren’t gonna stick around…]

The tiny Infernal Drake began to fade from view as his deep voice grew softer. “My work here is finished for now. I will visit soon to check up on you, but for now, duty calls me back home. Farewell, young Ciara! Learn, grow, and prosper in the name of Lord Auronox! Finally, work on your childish attitude, that you may be a problem child… no longer…”

[Bah! Shove that snotty attitude up your scaly ass to marinade with the rest of the lizard-lozenges you hoard inside that reptilian rectum! Caustic chameleon!]

After a long moment with no reply from Sven, I sighed.

He can be such a bastard… But at least he’s a helpful bastard.

I observed the humans while they continued North on Seabright Beach after crossing the Harbor bridge.

The men turned with a final, highly-curious look toward the rocky barrier surrounding my sealed entrance. The hard, calculating intensity of their gaze chilled me to the core. Then they turned and disappeared behind a low rise in the terrain.

They’ll be back. I need to be ready.

First and foremost, I need to eat! If I’m well-fed, then maybe I won’t turn into a ravenous beast the next time I see a human being!

[Turd!]

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Minions: 0/100

Residents: 1/10

Denizens: 62

Traps: 1/5