HELLS GRACE


    Part 7


    A lackey for the Elders or not, he’s strong. He can see me when no other person could, not unless possessed by my monsters. He might also have other tricks up his sleeve for who I assumed was an inter-dimensional, possessing creature. I wondered how far he came from.


    and of dungeons everywhere.”


    Elvis. Yes, that’s right. Elvis.”


    you.”


    popular ingredient in the universe for a dungeon’s creation. But the subsequent events leading to a core’s birth are carefully crafted months before. An orchestra in perfect symphony. No note out of tune. One off-key, and the entire piece crumbles. The System has to be careful, you see. A damaged juvenile dungeon is a dangerous dungeon. Once its broken shell gives way from the strain, it can take out a continent, even a planet, and the energy released is insurmountable. Not to mention how it affects the Weaves of Fate that all mortals adhere to.”


    What the fuck? “You eat dungeons?”


    this.”


    The Rule of Three, I call it. Everything is ruled by three. Three Acts of a play. Three life cycles. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The pyramids. Atoms. Quarks. The essence of the universe. Even human memory remembers in sets of three—such a powerful number. I offered you three delvers, too, remember? So did the cultists to access a fraction of the System’s power.”


    unique. I was given specific instructions not to intervene.”


    function the same. The Cult of Astaroth performed a rather dangerous ritual that was guaranteed by my superiors to fail until they selected the main soul for it.”


    Me. “What kind of core are they trying to create?”


    Death Core—the rarest of the thirteen. Have you ever wondered why your rewards for delvers seemed…limitless? Why do your archetype lists contain endless possibilities for monster traits? Other dungeons do not enjoy such things. You can bestow considerable power to delvers who survive you. So you can tell why my superiors are highly invested in the potential success of your creation.”


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Different dungeons? Functions?


    Believe me. We want you to survive!” He flailed his arms up. “We have not seen the birth of a Death Core for quite a long time, and this is a perfect opportunity to watch you grow. The System often tried to replicate the process, only to end in failure or create a different core function. We suspect that your soul is susceptible to becoming what you are now. Your blood is the catalyst needed for a true Death Core’s formation. Whoever selected you went to great lengths to find you.”


    Visit? You call this a visit? It was very tempting to command my monsters to tear him apart. “Then say it,” I said gruffly.


    ever, break it, for there are grave consequences.”


    scenario opens and runs in the System, which means a game gets triggered for you to oversee. You’ve done quite a remarkable job at that . Once they make it by dawn from whatever scenario you are running, you must reward them.”


    very, bad idea.”


    feed the core. The Dungeon Lord must always fulfill their core’s desire. As a Death Core, feed it violence, despair, and suffering. The more trauma you inflict, the better! A fulfilled dungeon is a happy dungeon. A fed System is a reliable system.”


    Liar.” My voice boomed across the cabin. “If there’s one thing I hate are liars. Maybe I should command my demon to pry your tongue out?”


    demand it. And your core is a novel fascination by my people. They are watching you right now while we speak.”


    1 ability slot. You may use it at your own convenience. ]


    1 environmental slot. You may use it at your own convenience. ]


    1 archetype upgrade. You may use it at your own convenience. ]


    An Administrator? I looked up, shocked, but I tried to stifle it. Too late. Elvis already saw it and merely smirked. “You’re welcome,” he said.


    sponsorship. More toys for you to play with. Some of my more powerful superiors give those away to dungeons who excel in their performance, and you have certainly caught the eye of some of the powerful, and they have chosen to invest in your future. Don’t take those upgrades for granted. It took quite a considerable piece of themselves to hand it to you.”


    deserved to be. You are unique for Earth; there aren’t a lot of dungeons on this planet. Unless you want to cross over to Bermuda? The Ural Mountains? Kurseong? The Shimoneki Strait? But they haven’t performed that well anymore for quite a long time. Earth is a bit bland for delving, but you made it fascinating and a hoot to watch. That is something to celebrate.”


    all cultists. You do know what I meant by that, right?”


    Astaroth. Where have I heard that name before? “You want me to destroy an entire organization? I have no idea who they are!”


    BANG!


    1 essence: Alvin Jones ]


    150 crystals]