Ethan's mind raced as the countdown continued. His newly constructed dungeon was now a mix of cunning traps and powerful defenses, but he wasn't prepared for what was coming. The player detection had triggered a warning, and the system had already started to prepare a countermeasure. He felt his fingers trembling, not from fear, but from the weight of his responsibilities.
In that moment, a strange notification appeared in his vision.
Congratulations, Dungeon Core Level 1 achieved. You have earned 3 Gacha Spins. Use them wisely.
"Gacha spins? What the hell is this?" Ethan muttered, trying to process the words on the screen. He was still figuring out how this world worked, but if there was one thing he knew from his time as a player, it was that a "spin" usually meant some kind of reward.
The Gacha system was part of every dungeon—every core had one. As you leveled up, you earned the chance to spin the wheel, receiving random rewards that could shape the course of your dungeon's destiny. It could be anything—a trap, a monster, an NPC room, or even an adventure mission. The potential was limitless, and the rewards could turn the tide of battle.
"Alright," Ethan muttered, "let's see what I can get."
A spinning wheel appeared before him, glowing with vibrant colors. At its core, several categories swirled, each one offering different rewards: traps, creatures, rooms, buffs, and more. He could feel the power of the spins already coursing through him, the anticipation building.
"Here goes nothing." He tapped the first spin.
The wheel whirred, and as it slowed, a glowing light settled on one of the categories. Traps.
"Not bad," Ethan said, already feeling more confident. He had a feeling that traps were what he needed most. The wheel stopped, and the reward appeared: Explosive Dart Trap. A high-damage trap designed for narrow hallways and sudden ambushes. Perfect for slowing down an intruder.
Explosive Dart Trap added to your inventory.
"Alright, one down. Let's see what else I can get," he muttered, tapping the wheel again.
The second spin began. The wheel spun faster this time, and Ethan felt his heartbeat quicken. The tension of the unknown was exhilarating. Finally, it slowed, and he saw the category settle on Monsters.
"Monsters? That's even better," Ethan said with a grin. Monsters could defend his dungeon, hunt intruders, and act as a deterrent for adventurers. The wheel stopped, and a creature appeared: Shade Warden, Level 10.
A shadowy figure, capable of moving unseen and striking with deadly precision. A perfect ally to guard the deeper rooms of his dungeon. It wasn't a high-level monster, but it was a start.
Shade Warden added to your inventory.
Ethan's grin widened. "This is good. I could use some extra muscle."
The final spin came next, and Ethan was feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity. What would it give him? A new room type? An NPC to assist? A special mission to gain more energy?
The wheel spun, and he watched closely as it slowed down.
It landed on NPC Room.
A new room for his dungeon? Ethan raised an eyebrow. The system was being generous today. The wheel stopped, and the result appeared: Mysterious Merchant Room.
"Alright," Ethan said, rubbing his hands together. "I didn't expect that."
A merchant NPC could sell items, offer special quests, or trade in rare materials. It was an incredibly useful addition, especially for when he needed extra resources or help.
Mysterious Merchant Room added to your inventory.
Ethan took a deep breath, surveying his growing dungeon. With these new rewards, he had the means to fight back against the incoming adventurer. The Mysterious Merchant could provide potions, scrolls, or even information about the adventurer's strengths and weaknesses. The Shade Warden would assist in hunting down any intruders. And the Explosive Dart Trap could add a lethal surprise.
But that wasn't all. As he leveled up, the system also leveled up.
The world around him shifted slightly, a subtle change. The blueprint for his dungeon expanded, the boundaries stretching outward. A new section of the void appeared, and with it, a glowing notification:
Dungeon Core Level 2 achieved. Maximum Room Capacity Increased. You may now build up to 5 additional rooms. You have unlocked Level 2 monsters and traps.
Ethan felt a surge of power as the system grew stronger, its potential becoming limitless. The more he leveled up, the more space he had to build, the more traps and monsters he could control. He had unlocked the ability to create even stronger enemies and traps, and the layout of his dungeon could expand even further.
"This is just the beginning," Ethan said with a grin. "I'll make this dungeon impossible to break through. Let's see how that Level 50 adventurer likes it now."
As he looked at the newly expanded map of his dungeon, a new sense of purpose surged within him. This wasn't just about survival anymore. This was about control. He wasn't just a player anymore. He was the creator. And he would make sure that no adventurer could ever take him down.
"Time to prepare," he muttered, as the countdown on the incoming adventurer ticked down. The game had changed. And he was ready.