*Susan*

  Core had changed the dungeon greatly, the first floor now consisted of six total rooms. The entrance, four halls, and the core room itself. In between those was a maze of corridors full of dead ends and traps. However, most of the dungeon was empty of monsters. Core had said that he would fill it as time went on, and he was making plans for a boss room. After which he had promised to make a place for me on the second floor.

  Honestly, I was more surprised that Core expressly told me that he was a ‘he.’ It does make talking to and about him easier though.

  “So this area does not belong to any kingdom?”

  I was used to talking to Core through his minions now, Core essentially was the dungeon after all and his minions rarely left their posts, so the minion who served as his voice box would change as I moved through the place. This did have some awkward implications though, but I would think about that later.

  “No Lord Core,” I didn’t know all that much about politics, but my parents had taught me a great deal about geography. A holdover from their years as adventurers and mercenaries. “This area is in between several great powers, but none of them can actually take and hold the area.”

  “My Lord says that is interesting indeed,” I did know this minion was called Specy and that he guarded the entrance. I have to say, the idea that the powerful dungeon core wielding such magnificent dark power created a powerful skeleton warrior with incredible powers- and named it Specy. “My Lord requests information about those countries.”

  “Well to the south are the elves,” I thought back to when my parents took me to visit the Elvish Empire. Cities made of gigantic trees molded with magic into castles and beautiful works of art, it was amazing. “and to the east is the Amero Republic, a human country. North, through the mountains is the Mortal Empire, a human theocracy and also the Dwarvish Deepkingdom under the mountains themselves.”

  “And west of here?”

  “The Legera Alliance,” where I was born. “It is a kingdom with many species all living together.”

  I do have some questions of my own too, “So if you are not an ancestor of mine Lord Core, who were you?”

  “My Lord responded with…” Specy stopped, I was surprised. I have never seen these undead at a loss for words.

  “My Lord I could not say- But… If my Lord insists…”

  Specy was having a conversation with the Core, apparently that answer would be more interesting than I thought.

  “My Lord says he was essentially no one, simply a normal human for the world and the region of that world he was in.”

  There is a lot to unpack in that statement, and I don’t really think I have the capacity to have that kind of discussion after all the recent shocks I have had… I guess I will leave it for now, there is always later.

  “Well, leaving that aside… Is there anything I can do to help?” I owe the dungeon my life after all.

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  “My Lord would appreciate your help, but he wonders if you will be ok with helping him.”

  “I don’t think Lord Core will ask me to do anything I would have a problem with…” I hope.

  A few hours later I was outside the dungeon accompanied by several spirits. Lord Core had asked me to lead his minions in their hunts, because after experimentation he was able to order them to obey me and they would do so outside of the dungeon. According to the Core, he could not control them directly outside the dungeon- so he would hand it over to me.

  I had eight spirits behind me, and keeping them in line was a pain in the ass. They listened to me, but they had a short attention span and seemed to forget the things I say not that long after I say them!

  “Ugh, if he wants me to do this again he had better give me some smarter minions!”

  “Susan?” A voice called out from the side and I am not proud that I screamed out in surprise.

  *Hailey*

  Poor Susan! Sometimes I forget that as a Ranger I have passive stealth in the wilderness, but I had heard that she was dead- I am so relieved to see my friend that I can’t believe it… But what are those things behind her?

  “No, don’t attack,” Susan was saying to the things, some kind of spirit by the looks of it, “she is a friend of mine.”

  “Since when did you become a necromancer?” My friend was a bard after all!

  “I am not- what are you doing here Hailey?”

  That hurt… Wasn’t she glad to see me? Then again, I don’t know what had happened to her mother, father, and sister. The deaths of those three had sent shockwaves through the border community, and Susan herself was presumed dead.

  “The guild master put out a request for a dungeon subjugation,” I reply honestly, my friend was going through some tough times after all. “And I heard that you had fled out this way, so I had hoped I would run into you as well.”

  And I had, my Luck stat always came through in a pinch!

  “A dungeon subjugation…” Susa frowned, “Hailey you guys need to turn back, the dungeon isn’t dangerous if you leave it alone.”

  I am missing a lot of context here I think, but I can piece some things together.

  “Susan- those spirits are from the dungeon, aren’t they?”

  She doesn’t reply, which is as good as a yes. There are not a whole lot of reasons that dungeon monsters would listen to a person. Unless Susan had the extremely rare Dungeon Master class the only other two options were that the dungeon had agreed or that the dungeon had subjugated Susan herself! But this was supposed to be a young dungeon… It shouldn’t be so smart yet, and if it is… Undead dungeons are not known for their kindness towards other people, even their descendants.

  The spirits don’t look very strong, but if Susan is possessed she will fight with them against me and I don’t have very many good options against incorporeal creatures. So I guess I will fall back to the team and inform them that this was no a rescue mission.

  “Hailey, I can see what you are thinking,” Susan spoke out suddenly. “I am not possessed, I agreed to help the dungeon in payment for it saving my life and giving me a place to stay.”

  I can’t take that at face value, she could have agreed under duress to be a puppet after all. It changes nothing.

  “I will see you soon, friend.” I whisper and slip away by activating the “forest stalker” skill. I have to report to back, and I will rescue my friend!

  *Susan*

  Shit, she ran away. I had forgotten about the guild’s request, and they would think I was possessed to. I am fairly sure that I am not, though I do sometimes worry that I am and just don’t know it. I guess there is nothing to do but return- maybe I can talk to them before they attempt to attack the dungeon. Undoubtedly, Core already knows this… He was probably watching through his minion’s eyes.

  “Follow me,” I order the spirits and they fall in line behind me. I am rather annoyed that I was not able to fulfill the Core’s mission though. I wished that I had been able to help, I was actually looking forward to having a place of my own- and I certainly don’t want the dungeon to die!

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  “Mystic Ink” Releases: Thursday and Sunday

  A grimdark fantasy adventure following Cass, a homeless orphan abducted off the streets of Tyine and subjected to magical experiments. Join her in a journey through blood and magic in a treacherous world that strives to warp her very mind! In my opinion, this is my most well written story, and it is certainly my highest rated!

  “A Broken World” Releases: Thursday and Sunday

  A summoned hero tale where a biologist is called into a world of demons and magic! He must use his knowledge to save humanity from extinction and hopefully find a way back home, all the while avoiding political and literal deathtraps! My most popular story here on RoyalRoad!

  “R.A.D.E.” Releases: Sunday

  Set in the future where governments have collapsed and corporations have claimed the lands for themselves, the remnants of nations fight back against the encroachment of these giant companies in a special operations shadow war. Reduced to its original thirteen colonies, the United States employs the Elite R.A.D.E. squad to take on missions no one else can. Recon, Assault, Demolition, and Espionage, all fall under the purview of this elite squad!

  “Pathos” Releases: Saturday

  Set in a province of Imperial Rome, Pathos is our world and yet not. Emotions leak out from people to affect the very air itself creating an Emotional Atmosphere. This atmosphere can range from prosperous to destructive, and some powerful individuals can use the strength within it to produce magical abilities and miracles. Marius, the son of the Governor of Germania Inferior, is taking over for his father while he is away in Rome. However, internal strife, trouble across the border, and hurricanes of emotions will make his easy life far harder than he ever imagined!

  “The 212 Crisis” Releases: Friday

  Thomas Savery invented the steam engine, and in this alternate history world, he did not stop there! A steampunk slice-of-life story set in the London of the late 1700’s where steampunk automations are a common sight and have even begun to push people out of jobs! Follow Mary and Alan as they live life in this constantly changing world and try to make their own way through!

  “The Illuminating Heroes” Releases: Monday

  Set in the near future, Kevin Sterling, a billionaire owner of a giant tech company can no longer stand to watch the governments of the world destroy it. Environmental disasters, violence both domestically and internationally, economic struggles… All caused by bumbling fools at the top who care nothing but for keeping their fat asses in their seats. Sterling has had enough, and so have his friends and colleagues. The movers and shakers of the world, business leaders from every industry and sector, artists and scientists, all gather together to form The Illuminati! And they will work to save the world from the destruction corrupt and inept governments have brought down on it. They may not be the heroes we want, but they are the only ones we are going to get! A slice-of-life, overpowered protagonist (overpowered pocketbook that is), comedy focusing on Sterling’s work to start a New World Order!

  “A Dungeon Core”

  Releases: Tuesday

  The main character dies and is resurrected as a dungeon core. So far, so normal. But he has no intention of staying as a crystal for eternity. Join this Core on his path to regain his body and his life while building up his defenses against people who would plunder and kill him!

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