Cale watched from the his position near the Ethereal Rift, his dagger clutched at his side.
The intruder crept closer, their leather armor blending into the dim, flickering light of the cavern.
The Gloomfang Spiders skittered across the walls, their fangs clicking in unison as they prepared to strike. Through his Aura of Command, Cale felt their eagerness, it was a subtle connection binding his will to theirs.
"The fact that we're getting attacked already" Cale muttered, he couldnt stop his thoughts from lingering on it. "Did you forget to mention how popular this place would be, Core?"
The Dungeon Core's voice resonated calmly. "Did you expect your sanctuary to remain unnoticed? All dungeons attract attention, Master. It is the nature of our existence."
"Great," Cale grumbled. "What's next? A full raid party?"
The intruder paused at the edge of the Rift, their cautious movements betraying experience. A gloved hand hovered over the hilt of their short sword as their sharp gaze scanned the room.
---
[Intruder Analysis Activated.]
Name: Kain Marrow
Rank: Bronze (D)
Class: Scout
Level: 3
Health: 80/80
Mana: 20/20
Stamina: 55/70
Strength: 14
Agility: 22
Endurance: 13
Abilities:
Stealth Mastery: Enhanced movement and reduced noise.
Quick Draw: Increased attack speed with small weapons.
Keen Sense: Improved detection of traps and hidden entities.
---
"A scout," Cale muttered under his breath. "Not ideal for a first test run. He might actually find his way through."
"Then ensure he does not," the Core replied, her tone taking on a cold, commanding edge. "This is your domain, Master. Every intruder is a threat to your power—and a potential source of it."
Cale's grip tightened around the mana dagger as he issued a mental command to his spiders. With a sharp hiss, the first Gloomfang dropped from the ceiling, its dark carapace glinting in the dim light.
Kain reacted instantly, his blade flashing as he sidestepped the attack, slicing through one of the spider's legs with precision.
"Fast," Cale murmured, grudgingly impressed.
The second spider struck from behind, its venomous fangs grazing Kain's armor. He rolled forward, narrowly avoiding the dripping toxin.
"You're not making this easy for him," the Core observed, a hint of amusement coloring her voice.
"Wasn't planning to," Cale replied, stepping out of the shadows.
Kain froze, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Cale. "Who are you?" he demanded, his blade raised defensively.
"Just the guy who runs this place," Cale said, spinning the mana dagger in his hand. "You've got about ten seconds to explain why you're here before I feed you to the spiders."
Kain's eyes flicked to the glowing runes etched into Cale's skin, then to the Dungeon Core behind him. "You're the boss of this dungeon?," he muttered, awe and suspicion battling in his tone.
"But… this shouldn't be possible. Not here."
Cale raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean? You seem awfully surprised to find someone running this place."
Kain hesitated, his expression conflicted. "A dungeon having a boss isn't unusual… but for it to be a human is. Also, the reading from the portal gave a low level dungeon…"
The Core's voice cut through, smooth and deliberate. "He is correct to notice. But his understanding is limited." She turned to Kain. "Intruder, you stand before more than you comprehend."
Cale frowned, confused. "What's different about this dungeon?"
The Core's tone grew measured, directed at Cale. "Master, this dungeon is tethered to two doors. The front door, currently open, connects to a mortal world. But it is not the world you once knew."
"What?" Cale's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying this dungeon connects to a different mortal world? Not mine?"
"Precisely," the Core confirmed. "Your old world is beyond reach, for now. This dungeon's front door is linked to another realm entirely."
Cale's stomach sank as the implications set in. "And the other door?"
"Sealed," the Core replied.
"It leads to the Abyss—the plane where all dungeons originate. Until that door is unlocked, you are shielded from its dangers. For the moment, this place is insulated from the true nature of the Abyss."
Kain, who had been silently listening, looked visibly perplexed. "Wait—another world? Back door? I don't follow."
The Core ignored him, her attention solely on Cale. "Master, this is both an opportunity and a warning. Should the back door to the Abyss open, you will gain access to its boundless power but also its relentless trials. The Abyss is both a cradle and a grave for dungeons."
Cale's fists clenched. "So this dungeon isn't just part of another world—it's part of something much bigger."
"Indeed," the Core replied in a steady tone. "Grow stronger, and you may come to command both doors. But tread carefully. The Abyss waits for no one."
Kain glanced between them, his unease evident.
"Look, I don't know what kind of mess I've walked into, but I wasn't hired to fight a dungeon boss," he said, lowering his blade. "I was hired to scout the entrance. Nothing more."
"And who hired you?" Cale demanded.
"A noble," Kain replied with a shrug. "Some rich idiot who heard rumors about a new dungeon appearing near his lands. Probably thinks there's treasure inside."
Cale frowned. "So the entrance is in your world. Where exactly is it located?"
Kain nodded cautiously. "Near Black Hollow village. This place is a dangerous region called Shadowmere. It's a border territory located in the Veldrath empire. But if you're smart, you'll close your dungeon. Permanently. Once word gets out, adventurers will swarm this place."
Cale considered his words, his mind racing. The idea of severing the connection to the mortal world was tempting—it would buy him time to grow stronger, to fortify the dungeon. But cutting the link might also deprive him of valuable resources and potential power.
Before he could respond, the system chimed.
---
[Intruder Pacified.]
[Options Available:]
1. Release: Allow the intruder to leave.
2. Imprison: Bind the intruder within the dungeon.
3. Drain Soul: Convert the intruder's essence into mana and core energy.
---
Cale stared at the glowing options, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. Kain met his gaze, his expression tight but defiant.
"Choose wisely, Master," the Core purred, her melodic voice threading through Cale's mind. "Every choice shapes your dungeon—and your destiny."
The faint glow of the options cast long shadows on the walls, emphasizing the gravity of the moment.
Cale hesitated, his thoughts churning. Releasing Kain might win goodwill—or paint him as weak. Imprisoning him would not only mean dealing with a liability, it could draw further attention due to Kain's disappearance.
And the third option… brutal, final, and undeniably powerful.
His gaze shifted to Kain. The scout stood tense, his hand twitching near his blade, though he clearly knew better than to make a move.
"You don't have to do this," Kain said carefully, his voice steady but edged with the faintest tremor. "I'm no threat to you. I didn't even know you existed until today."
"A soft heart invites ruin," the Core warned, her tone sharper now. "Hesitation marks the weak."
"Noted," Cale muttered, his eyes fixed on Kain.
The temptation to drain the scout's soul was intoxicating. Raw power, coursing through his veins—he could almost taste it. But something stopped him.
Kain had answers. About the mortal world. About who else might know of this place. And more than that, something in the scout's desperate resolve reminded Cale of himself, when he first arrived in that world.
"Imprison him," Cale said finally, his voice cutting through the tension.
The system responded at once.
—
[Command Confirmed: Imprison Intruder.]
---
A circle of glowing runes appeared at Kain's feet. The scout lunged forward, his blade aimed in a desperate attempt to break free, but the magic snapped upward like a cage of light, solidifying and locking him in place.
"Dammit!" Kain cursed, slamming his fists against the shimmering barrier. "You think this is the better option? You'll regret this!"
"I regret a lot of things," Cale replied dryly. "But you're alive, so consider that your consolation prize."
The Core hummed approvingly. "A wise choice. He may yet prove useful."
"we'd better hope so," Cale muttered.
With a wave of his hand, the cage sank into the floor, transporting Kain to a chamber deep within the dungeon. The oppressive tension eased, leaving Cale alone with the Core's pulsing light.
—
[Intruder Neutralized.]
[Dungeon Energy +20.]
---
"You didn't have to pressure me so much," Cale said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Every decision defines you, Master," the Core replied, unbothered. "The Abyss is not kind to the indecisive. You'll learn that soon enough."
Cale sighed, already feeling the weight of his new reality settling in.
"So, what now? Is there truely not a manual, or are you just going to keep throwing me into the deep end?"
The Core's lips curved, her face brightening. "You already have what you need. Access the interface you unlocked earlier."
Cale mentally opened the interface, recalling the flood of features he had skimmed over earlier.