Chereads / Core of the Maddening Abyss / Chapter 22 - Chapter 22

Chapter 22 - Chapter 22

The operations on the first floor continue smoothly, but regarding the second floor, I realize there is much to be accomplished. Although I successfully created the Lizard-Kin, I hadn't considered their weaponry. Time to address that.

I aim to equip all of the Lizard-Kin with shields and either a sword or spear. However, the only swords I can create are made of wood, rendering them useless in real battles. On the other hand, I possess sharp stone-tipped spears, making them a more viable option. I ponder about creating stone swords, but they prove to be less durable, as they crack upon impact.

Scrapping the idea of swords for now, I decide to equip most of the Lizard-Kin with spears and shields, reserving bows and arrows for the rest. This combination appears to be the most efficient weapon set for the moment.

However, my focus now shifts to improving the capabilities of the crafter and builder. I realize the need for beings that are more intelligent and adaptable. To accommodate this, I start constructing a secret room on the second floor. The room will feature a concealed entrance along one of the paths, leading to a long corridor designed to contain any sound. I implement a locking mechanism akin to a medieval gate, using wood to secure the entrances effectively. This addition ensures the utmost secrecy for the new intelligent beings I plan to create.

I contemplate using intelligent Gobwolves for these roles, but concerns about potential fire hazards due to their hair make them unsuitable. So, I decide to put that idea on hold for now.

Exploring other possibilities, I entertain the thought of studying the biology of my creatures more closely. However, the idea of examining individual cells seems quite arduous, evoking memories of school when I found similar studies less enjoyable, particularly in more advanced classes.

An alternative idea emerges: creating individual cells as specialized bacteria with specific purposes, such as stopping hair growth. Yet, I fear unintended consequences, leading to the spread and harm of my minions. So, I dismiss this notion.

With limited choices left, I conclude that Gobwolves are the best fit for these roles. While Lizard-Kin possess speed, they lack the necessary strength. Gobwolves, on the other hand, exhibit greater strength overall, making them a perfect compared to the lizard-Kin. Although I initially sought to create a new species, I now focus on making intelligent Gobwolves like Vexa to replace the current crafter and builder.

To carry out this task, I designate a hidden room larger than any other in my Dungeon, measuring about 30 feet wide and 40 feet long. I ensure that the room matches the appearance of the rest of the second floor, featuring stone tiles. I begin crafting the first Gobwolf, who will serve as the builder, supplying them with a brain and completing the creation. Then, I proceed to create the second Gobwolf, designated as the crafter, and finish the process.

However, I realize a crucial oversight—how will they obtain materials? I address this concern by assigning the previous builder and crafter as gatherers, alongside a few others to assist with material collection. With this arrangement, the new intelligent Gobwolf builder and crafter can easily access the materials they need whenever they are available.

With all preparations completed, I feel satisfied with my work on the second floor. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I decide to examine the stats of the new Gobwolves. As expected, they resemble Vexa's stats when I first created her. When prompted to grant them free will, I respond affirmatively for both. Although their stats are similar, they differ in their designated classes.

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Classes

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Stone-Smith: [Stone Carving] [Primitive Weapon Crafting]

Woodworker: [Wood Shaping] [Simple Tool Construction]

Builder: [Architectural Planning] [Structural Engineering]

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Well, I've come to realize that the system seems to anticipate my intentions when creating these beings. Since there are three manufacturing classes available, I decide to assign one of them the [Builder] class. As for the other two, I see an opportunity to utilize my existing Gobwolves. So, I create one more Gobwolf and assign them the classes [Stone-Smith] and [Woodworker]. Though these classes currently don't involve working with higher materials like iron, it's likely because we don't have access to such materials yet. When we do, I can create another Gobwolf specifically for that purpose.

Interestingly, all three beings have the "evolution" trait, which still remains a mystery to me. I find it amusing to think that once it reaches 100%, they might transform into dwarves or something similar. HaHaHa, just a playful thought. Cough, cough, but for now, it's only at less than 1%, so I should leave it be and focus on other matters.

I check on Vexa's progress, and as expected, she has been making impressive strides in her understanding and utilization of mana. She has learned various techniques, including spreading mana through the ground to control and manipulate the rock, enabling it to emerge at her will. This newfound skill, however, comes with a cost, as it requires mana for both the initial control and the ongoing upkeep of her earth manipulation. I speculate that this additional mana consumption could be attributed to the interaction between her mana and mine as the Dungeon Core, or perhaps it's a consequence of her being a different entity from me. These are the best explanations I can come up with at this point.

Next, I need to check on Vexa's evolution percentage to gauge her progress. The evolution percentage can be an essential indicator of her growth and development. By monitoring its changes, I may gain insights into what actions or accomplishments are necessary to increase the percentage from 0%.

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Name: Vexa

Gender: female

Race: Gobwolf

Alignment: Evil

Creator: Drasker Limnosqun

Evolution: 0%

Loyalty: Absolute

Class: Mage (1)

Health: 10 / 10 I Health Regen: 0.1/min

Mana: 20 / 20 I Mana Regen: 0.7/sec

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Intellect: 14 I Wisdom: 13 I Vitality: 6 I Willpower: 20

Strength: 3

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Mana Manipulation (2)

Mana Blast (1)

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I examine Vexa's evolution progress, and it appears that her evolution percentage has not increased since the last time I checked. This leads me to believe that her evolution might not happen naturally or if it does, it occurs at an incredibly slow pace. Despite this, her [Mana Manipulation] skill has advanced to level 2. This development aligns with my earlier suspicions, likely stemming from her experimentation with controlling the rocks and mana control.