The air was thick, raw mana reverberated through it as the interface danced before Cale's eyes.
The tutorial felt relentless, the system bombarded him with instructions, schematics, and information.
---
[Tutorial: Construct Your First Room.]
[Objective: Create a Dungeon Entrance.]
[Reward: Basic Dungeon Core Functions Unlocked.]
---
A faint, glowing map of the cavern appeared in front of him, showing a grid-like layout of the space. He knew with a thought, he could manipulate it, shifting walls, carving tunnels, and placing traps.
The sheer control was intoxicating.
But Cale wasn't about to get ahead of himself.
"So… where do I even start?" he muttered, staring at the pulsating map.
"The entrance," the Dungeon Core replied, in a calm and firm voice. "Your domain begins with a gateway. Make it strong. Make it memorable. And most importantly, make it deadly."
"Right, no pressure then," Cale said dryly, scanning the grid. "Do I get a catalog or something? You know, maybe a 'Dummies Guide to Dungeon Building'?"
The Core ignored his sarcasm. "Focus. The system provides templates, but creativity is your weapon, Master. Shape your dungeon as you see fit. Your enemies will adapt over time. You must stay ahead of them."
He sighed and focused on the task. His fingers twitched as he mentally selected the entry point, the system responding immediately.
---
[Choose Entrance Type:]
Cavernous Maw: A natural-looking, jagged cave mouth that emanates danger.
Fortress Gates: Heavy iron doors, guarded and imposing.
Ethereal Rift: A swirling portal of otherworldly energy, disorienting to intruders.
---
Cale's eyes lingered on the third option. "Ethereal Rift? Sounds flashy, but will it scream, 'Welcome to your doom' loud enough?"
The Core's lips twitched in amusement. "Flashy, yes. But it may invite suspicion. Intruders will believe something powerful lurks here."
"That's the point," he said with a smirk. "Let them be afraid."
He selected the Ethereal Rift. The cavern walls trembled as mana surged through the air, converging at the entrance point. A swirling vortex of violet and black energy tore open in the stone, crackling with sparks of lightning.
The sight was… breathtaking. And, if he was being honest, a little terrifying.
---
[Ethereal Rift Constructed.]
[Dungeon Entrance Established.]
—
"Well, that's one thing down," Cale muttered, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "What's next?"
—
[Next Objective: Install Defensive Measures.]
[Reward: Trap Functions Unlocked.]
—
"Oh, now we're talking," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "Traps, huh? Let's see what kind of nightmares we can cook up."
The interface expanded, displaying an array of traps ranging from the mundane to the outright sadistic.
---
[Available Traps:]
Pitfall Trap: A classic. Send your enemies plummeting into a spiked pit.
Mana Turrets: Crystal constructs that fire concentrated beams of energy.
Illusory Walls: Perfect for confusion and ambushes.
Soul Drains: Slowly sap intruders' energy while amplifying your own mana reserves.
---
Cale selected the Pitfall Trap first. It looked basic but effective. With a thought, he placed it just beyond the Ethereal Rift, camouflaging it with an illusion of solid ground.
"Let's see them walk into that," he muttered, satisfied.
Next, he chose Mana Turrets, positioning two along the walls flanking the entrance. Their sleek, crystalline forms glowed as they hummed to life.
Finally, he added a Soul Drain deeper into the cavern, a glowing rune circle that shook with a dreadful red light.
The Core watched silently, her expression remained unreadable.
"You seem… pleased with yourself," she said after a moment.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Cale replied, wiping imaginary dust from his hands. "This place is already a death trap. And we're just getting started."
Her lips curled into a faint smile. "Confidence suits you, Master. But remember, these are only the beginning stages. True dungeons are far more complex. Layers within layers. Deception, unpredictability. You will learn."
"Yeah, yeah," he said, waving her off. "Baby steps, alright? Let me enjoy the small victories."
—
[Defensive Measures Installed.]
[Trap Functions Unlocked.]
—
The interface flickered again, but this time, a new prompt appeared.
—
[New Feature Unlocked: Monster Summoning.]
[Summon and Bind Monsters to Defend Your Dungeon.]
[Begin Monster Summoning Tutorial? Y/N]
—
Cale stared at the screen, his heart racing. Monsters. Real monsters. This was the part he'd been waiting for.
"Now we're getting somewhere," he muttered, a grin widening across his face.
The Core's voice was softer this time, almost approving.
"Summon wisely, Master. Your minions are your hands and eyes within the dungeon. Choose those who will serve you well."
Cale hit Y, and the cavern's atmosphere shifted again, the air growing heavier. The interface expanded, displaying a list of creatures available for summoning.
—
[Available Monsters:]
Gloomfang Spider: Agile and deadly, capable of spinning webs that slow and ensnare.
Shadow Imp: Mischievous and cunning, adept at laying traps and scouting intruders. Can also be employed for various tasks.
Stone Golem: A slow but powerful tank, perfect for holding choke points.
Wisp Warden: Ethereal guardians that disrupt magic and disorient invaders.
—
"Alright," Cale muttered, weighing his options. "I need something versatile. Something that'll give adventurers nightmares before they even see me."
The Gloomfang Spider stood out. Its description practically screamed trauma-inducing horror.
He selected it, and the ground before him began to shift. The shadows deepened, pooling into an inky void as the summoning ritual took shape.
The first spider emerged, its carapace gleaming like polished obsidian, its eight eyes glinting with malevolent intelligence. It clicked its mandibles, a sound that sent a shiver down Cale's spine despite himself.
"Lovely," he said dryly, suppressing the urge to step back. "You're going to make some poor adventurer cry, aren't you?"
The spider hissed in response, its body language almost… eager.
"You've chosen well," the Core said, her voice tinged with approval. "The Gloomfangs are ruthless hunters. They will serve you faithfully—so long as you remain strong."
"Oh, I plan to," Cale replied, summoning two more spiders to join the first.
The cavern now felt alive, buzzing with potential.
The traps, the Rift, the monsters—all of it was his.
—
[Tutorial Complete.]
[Core Features Unlocked.]
—
The system's voice chimed one last time before going silent, leaving Cale standing in the heart of his new domain.
For the first time since the betrayal, he felt… whole.
It wasn't just a fleeting sensation of relief. This was something deeper, a certainty in his chest, like the click of a puzzle piece finally sliding into place.
He had been betrayed, discarded, broken, but now he stood at the heart of something entirely his own.
And the system wasn't done yet.
—
[Congratulations, Dungeon Master.]
[Tutorial Completed.]
[New Features Unlocked:]
Dungeon Overview: Access detailed stats and manage your dungeon.
Master's Abilities: Skills and attributes unique to you as the Dungeon Master.
Intruder Detection: Track, analyze, and respond to enemies within your domain.
Expansion Mode: Unlock new dungeon floors and environmental biomes.
Dungeon Store: Exchange resources for advanced traps, monsters, and upgrades.
—
A new interface opened before Cale, a vast, almost overwhelming screen filled with options, numbers, and glowing icons. The central hub of his dungeon was now his to control.
—
[Dungeon Overview:]
Core Level: 1 (Gained through defeating high-level invaders or completing Dungeon Challenges.)
Core Energy: 63/100 (Regenerates over time, used for traps, monsters, and expansions.)
Defensive Rating: 15 (Moderate. Improved through strategic trap placement and stronger minions.)
Mana Reserves: 200/200 (Refills through Soul Drain and defeated intruders.)
Current Minions: 3/10 (Gloomfang Spiders x3)
Territory Size: 1 Floor (100m radius)
—
Cale couldn't help but stare, his mind racing as the details sank in. This wasn't just some petty revenge scheme. This dungeon was a living, evolving machine, and he was its heartbeat.
"Alright," he said, running a hand through his curly dark hair. "What else do we have?"
The system responded instantly, pulling up a new window labeled Master's Abilities.
—
[Abilities - Dungeon Master:]
Dungeon Insight: Analyze any room, trap, or intruder with a glance.
Aura of Command: Exert control over minions.
Mana Forge: Convert raw mana into physical objects like weapons, tools, or barriers.
Summoner's Reach: Summon or reposition minions across your dungeon.
Expansion Mode (Active): Increases dungeon floor size or unlocks new biomes. Requires Core Energy and materials.
Nexus Control: Directly manipulate the World Nexus, adjusting dungeon links.
---
"Well," Cale said, exhaling slowly, "this is a hell of an upgrade."
The Core's voice cut through his thoughts. "This is only the beginning, Master. As you grow, so too will your abilities. Mastery of your powers is essential. Your enemies will not wait for you to learn."
Her tone carried a faint edge, a challenge hidden in her words. Cale couldn't tell if it was genuine concern or if she just wanted to see what he'd do under pressure. Either way, she wasn't wrong.
He flicked through the options, curiosity burning inside him. One particular ability caught his eye: Mana Forge. The name alone was intriguing, and he selected it instinctively.
The air around him shifted, a faint light spreading across the cavern. A glowing orb of mana formed in front of him, pulsing gently.
"What can I even make with this?" he asked aloud.
"Almost anything," the Core answered. "Weapons, armor, keys, constructs. The Forge is limited only by your imagination and mana reserves."
With a thought, he molded the mana, shaping it like clay. Slowly, a crude dagger took form in his hands. It wasn't anything fancy, but its edge gleamed with faint energy, sharper than any steel he'd seen.
"Not bad," he muttered, testing its weight.
But as he admired his handiwork, another prompt appeared.
—
[Warning: Resource Depletion Imminent.]
[Core Energy Low, Current Operations Suspended.]
—
The glowing screens around him dimmed, and the dungeon's hum grew quieter. Cale's excitement faded as he frowned.
"You didn't mention this would drain the core so quickly," he said, glaring at the Core.
In fact, he couldn't help but feel suspicious. He had set up traps and summoned minions and there was still much energy left. How could making one simple dagger use so much?
"Did you think power came without cost?" the Core replied, her tone slightly amused.
"There's still plenty of core energy," she added. "I only wanted to teach you a small lesson. Manage your resources wisely, Master. Overuse will leave you vulnerable."
As she finished, the dim screens brightened, and the dungeon's hum returned.
Cale hesitated, unsettled. Who was really in charge here, him or her? The fact that she had the power to suspend operations made him… uneasy.
He took a deep breath. "Alright," he said. "What's next on the to-do list?"
—
[Dungeon Expansion Unlocked.]
[Objective: Build Additional Rooms.]
[Reward: Resource Recovery Boost + Minion Cap Increase.]
—
Expansion sounded good, but Cale needed to be smart about it. Every room, every corridor needed a purpose.
The interface displayed several options:
—
[Available Room Types:]
Trap Corridor: A narrow passage filled with hidden dangers.
Minion Lair: Housing for your creatures, increasing their efficiency.
Treasure Vault: A decoy room to lure intruders into a false sense of reward.
Mana Spring: A room designed to regenerate your mana faster.
—
He chose the Trap Corridor first, carving it out just past the Ethereal Rift. With the grid layout displayed, he placed hidden pressure plates, swinging blades, and another pitfall trap.
Next, he added a Minion Lair, giving the Gloomfang Spiders a proper place to nest. As he finished, the interface updated.
—
[Expansion Complete.]
[Minion Cap Increased: 10 → 15.]
—
The faint hum of mana returned, and the Core glowed brighter. The system chimed again, this time with a new notification.
—
[Warning: Intruder Detected.]
[Level 3 Adventurer Approaching Dungeon Entrance.]
—
"What? Already?" Cale snapped, turning toward the Rift. A faint light appeared in the distance, a figure stepping cautiously into view.
They were clad in leather armor, a sword strapped to their back. Probably a scout sent by some nearby village or guild.
"They dare trespass so soon?" the Core said. Evident in her voice, was a mix of disdain and anticipation.
"Looks like we're about to have our first test run," Cale replie
d, his grip tightening on the mana dagger.
His heart raced, not with fear, but with excitement. This was it, the moment where he'd see if this dungeon, this power, was truly his.
And if it wasn't?
Well, he wasn't planning to fail.
"Let's give them a warm welcome," he said, stepping toward the Rift as the spiders began to stir.
The hunt was on.