《Walking Fortress》 Prologue: The Void ¡®Nothing. That¡¯s all I see. Who exactly am I? I know I was human but beyond that I don¡¯t remember by life, not my age, my race, not even my gender. Where am I? All I see is a black void, deprived of any feature, even I have no body to be seen but then how can I see? It makes no sense, but I am here so I must be dead the last thing about my human life was a sharp pain and a lot of people screaming.¡¯ Just as they finished this thought, a light appeared in the distance, made so much brighter by the void that¡¯s surrounded it. ¡®A light? A direction to follow? Seeing as there isn¡¯t anything else here I should probably head towards it, see where it takes me.¡¯ Following this they moved towards the light although how such locomotion was possible is unknown, but getting closer and closer they made it to the light becoming engulfed in its eternal warmth and radiance. ¡®This is the greatest feeling ever! Not that I remember any other feelings, but regardless I hope this never ends!¡¯ Upon the completion of that thought the Wheel of Fortune decided to throw them through its unforgiving roulette of destiny and they saw nothing once again, but this lasted only a few seconds, though it seemed an eternity. Upon that eternity finally coming to an end they saw more than they knew they should be able to. ¡®Everything around me is visible. 360 degrees an impossibility for humans without mirrors or cameras. Am I within a new body? If so what is my body?¡¯ They asked within their head if they had one as their attempt to speak aloud was futile, showing only that they lacked either the capacity to talk or had no oral cavity which to emit sounds at all. Gather their thoughts they looked around, though that was never optional within their current body, instead simply taking in what their surroundings were. ¡®I seem to be in some sort of cavern as it is an empty space with a rock a dirt making up the walls, out from one prison and stuck in another, luck truly isn¡¯t my friend, is it?¡¯ As they started to brood over their situation they then noticed a small puddle with which they could potentially see their reflection and in an attempt to at least see what their body looks like they, without any hope of not doing so, peered into the puddle. What greeted them was not a face, nor even an eye, what was reflected was instead a crystalline-sphere of some kind with a bluish glow emanating from it. ¡®Is that me? How is that possible? How can I see with no eyes, think with no head? Truly what am I?¡¯ They started to contemplate and, although denying the possibility at first, slowly accepted that this was their body, one that they now realized was more familiar than the body they had when they were human. ¡®I¡¯m a crystal sphere of some kind, think what could I be? I also shouldn¡¯t rule out the possibility of the mythological and fantasy creatures as being a crystal that can think already suggests that I no longer live on Earth.¡¯You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. With this idea they began to think of any known entity with mythology or fantasy that fit the description of what their body is. ¡®Only on thing comes to mind, a dungeon core, an entity that humanity had somehow agreed on the features throughout different cultures, a crystalline-sphere, roughly the size of a man¡¯s head give or take, with a glow of some kind, able to see everywhere its being surrounds and given the ability to morph the area surrounding it and spawning monsters through some manner.¡¯ Taking these features and abilities into account all of them fit them to a tee, with the exception of the last two, although they didn¡¯t doubt that they could somehow do that too, although that ability eluded them for the time being, and they turned their attention inward to their new found identity. ¡®A dungeon core, that isn¡¯t good, I will either be used as a farm for materials by some dumb adventurers, destroyed, or taken by a mage who will conduct some kind of experiment or maybe multiple ones! How do I get out of this situation? I can¡¯t move my core can I? I¡¯ve never heard of a dungeon core doing such a thing, although this is now reality so the possibilities aren¡¯t limited by some amateur author¡¯s whimsical ideas on fantasy! I can do what ever I want, of course within the limits of my current body.¡¯ With this they tried to think of a way out of this by using the typical dungeon core abilities as a baseline for their ideas of escape. ¡®How could I get my self out of this cheap amateurish plot hole-like situation? Think if I was a shit author what would I do?¡¯ They thought profusely (and in the process hurt the authors feelings a few more times) until finally it hit them. ¡®Wait dungeon cores are typically only found in games right? So maybe there is some kind of game menu like thing that I can open to see my stats and abilities and such! How would I open it though? Menu? Screen? Status?¡¯ Thinking all of these proved to be fruitless as nothing opened up anywhere that they could see, the results thus giving them doubt that any menu or status screen was available to them or perhaps they were just using the wrong word to activate it. ¡®Dammit! Why won¡¯t anything appear! How am I supposed to know what I can do if I can¡¯t see my abilities nor have any idea as to how to activate them!¡¯ They shouted in rage inside their crystalline head and attempted to calm themselves down so as to think of a solution. ¡®Alright deep, impossible without lungs, breath, I won¡¯t be able to think of what to do if I can¡¯t think straight. Now what other ways could I bring up the menu? How about... Display?¡¯ With those words thought they were happy about that word, as upon finishing the word a screen appeared in front of them displaying their stats. Chapter 1: Let Me See... Status! "Dungeon Cores are a dangerous entity, as through the use of traps and monsters, are able to gain experience and become even more powerful, thus beginning a feedback cycle allowing them to create more deadly traps and powerful monsters." -An excerpt from The Guide for Dungeoneering, Chapter 3: The Heart of a Dungeon.
''My stats, these can''t be correct, right?'' They said after viewing their status which seemed, to them, to be less than impressive.
Race:Dungeon Core (Lesser) Stats Name Stats Value Titles Skills
Level:1 Strength NA Newly-Formed Decay Level:1 Dimensional Pocket Level:1
EXP:0/20 Durability 5 Form:Creature Level:1
HP:5/5 Dexterity 0 Form:Material Level:1
MP:50/50 Agility 0 Analyze
SP:NA Speed 5 Lookout (Passive)
Weaknesses Intelligence 15 Danger Sense (Passive) Level:1
Resistances Wisdom 15 Appraisal Level:1
Luck 0 Immunity (passive)
Upon seeing their status, they were speechless at what their stats were. ''These stats are garbage! why are they so low?'' They thought flabbergasted after processing their stats and skills. ''Wait, Appraisal? If it is as good as I think, this should be a huge boon to me!'' After this revelation they started to appraise their stats and skills. ''Alright, Appraise Stats!''
Strength The stat that determines power. Affects physical attack damage and the amount of weight one can push, pull, or lift.
Durability The stat that determines toughness. Affects damage reduction of physical attacks and resisting status effects.
Dexterity The stat that determines precision. Affects aim and power of ranged attacks and the sensitivity and accuarcy of the senses.
Agility The stat that determines reaction. Affects reaction time and dynamic movement.
Speed The stat that determines swiftness. Affects acceleration and Stamina.
Intelligence The stat that determines knowledge. Affects Magic power and memory.
Wisdom The stat that determines engenuity . Affects Magic pool and strategy.
Luck The stat that determines fortune. Affects critical chances and favourable odds.
''Okay, so that helps explain lots of things now i guess i should check my title and skills next, Appraise Title!''
Newly-Formed Those with this title have only recently come into being. All stats that would be under 5 without this title are set to 0. This title remains for 23 hours.
''Well at least that explains why some of my stats are 0, I can''t wait to get rid of that title, now, Appraise Skills!''The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Decay Allows the user to destroy inanimate matter. Each level increases speed of Decay and the complexity of material it can decay. Level:1-Max complexity:Rock
Form:Creature Allows the user to spawn animate creatures. Level:1-Animals:only small sized to medium sized animals (ferret size to wolf size)
Form:Material Allows the user to spawn inanimate materials. Level:1-Max complexity:Rock
Analyze Allows the user to gain details on inanimate and animate entities.
Lookout You have no blind spots. As long as nothing obsures your view you can see all around you.
Danger Sense You can sense incoming attacks that are within a distance from you. Level:1-sense incoming danger from 3 meters or less away.
Appraisal Allows the user to gain information on entities in the world, all possible info on the user is always available with certain exceptions. Level:1-limited to entities name
Immunity You are immune to all physical status effects (burn, poison, bleeding, etc).
Dimensional Pocket Allows the user to store a certain amount of inanimate mass in another dimension only they can access, amount of material held is determined solely by weight and different forms of matter can be held at once, but all contribute to filling a maximum storage capacity. Level:1-Max mass:90.7 kilograms
After looking over all of their stats, skills and titles, they then tried to think of a course of action. ''Now what would be the best course of action? Should I try to find my way out of this cavern, or should I build up defenses incase someone comes along and tries to shatter me?'' After thinking for a while they came to a final conclusion. ''I could just comprimise! set up defenses first and when that is settled, I will try to find a way out of here!'' Although after this revelation a problem arose, two infact. ''Okay now how do I make defenses exactly? and now that I think of it, how did I peer into that puddle earlier and get a view of myself unless...'' Realizing the implications, they found that the ground was infact roughly 1 meter above the ground. ''Whoa, that looks kinda far, would I get hurt if I fall?'' After thinking this they noticed two more sections that seemed of great importance. ''How could I miss those two? Weaknesses and Resistances, both of those would be essential for my continued survival. Without further ado, Appraise Weaknesses!''
Fragile Doubles damage from fall and impact damage.
Hollowed Doubles damage from crush and pierce damage.
''And now Appraise Resistances!''
Crystalline Immune to acid, fire, heat, and cold.
Inorganic Immune to poison, gas, thirst, and starvation.
Magical Halves damage from magic attacks and effects.
Smooth Halves damage from slash and projectile damge.
''Well knowing all of these things it should improve my chances of survival, although I still don''t know how to activate my skills, perhaps... Form:Wolf?'' Upon thinking this command, a single wolf appeared, apparently from thin air, looking exactly like a Gray Wolf, with the exception that the wolf had glowing eyes, the colour being exactly the same as their core. ''Whoa, that''s extremely cool! I wonder if I can control it? Go to the puddle.'' Immediately after thinking this thought the wolf immediately complied, strolling over to the puddle infront of the stand. ''Awesome! If I can conrol these animals, I wonder if I can earn EXP from their kills? If they are an extenction of me then I don''t see why they wouldn''t.'' After thinking this a medium sized rat roamed in the cavern from an adjoining tunnel. ''Oh perfect time to experiment. Attack rat!'' After that, the wolf growled at the rat and then proceeded to pounce on it ripping it to shreds.
Big Rat took 15 damage. Big Rat was slain.
You gained 5 EXP.
''Ah ha! Just as I thought! and now I''m already a 4th of the way to Level 2! Now lets renovate this cavern, Decay!'' After a few hours of using Decay and Form:Material, they had changed the cavern their were found in and then took a rest to check out the smooth walls of their new found home, taking time to set their plans in motion. Chapter 2: Lets Get Ready to Rumble! "Dungeon Cores come in a few different varieties, easily determined by their colour, blue marks a Lesser Dungeon Core, yellow a regular Dungeon Core, red a Greater Dungeon Core, black a Demon Dungeon Core, and the rarest variety, gold known as a Omnescient Dungeon Core." -An excerpt from A Guide to Dungeoneering, Chapter 3: The Heart of the Dungeon.
''I am absolutely epic!'' They proclaimed to themselves after the last few hours of killing Big Rats, which resulted in them gaining 4 levels. ''Yes! I can''t wait to get to level 10! Who knows what might happen, I bet I evolve like in video games and fantasy novels!'' Just after finishing this thought a new enemy appeared from the tunnel, it appeared to have the body of a monitor lizard, with a red flame pattern surrounded by black on its scaly hide, and whenever it would flick its tongue out a small wisp of fire sprouted out and then quickly dissipated into thin air. ''Well hello, my nasty reptilian friend! you ready to be torn up? Attack lizard!'' After thinking this command the wolf lunged at the giant lizard getting ready to tear its throat out. To their surprise the lizard quickly whipped around at the wolf. With the giant lizard having whipped around it then clamped its jaw on the left foreleg of the wolf and then proceeded to shake its head aggressively, throwing the wolf''s body around like a ragdoll. The wolf''s foreleg was ripped from its body leaving the wolf seriously injured. ''Goddamnit! That is one mean lizard! Gotta make back-up, Form:Wolf, Form:Wolf!'' Upon this command two more wolves spawned from thin air flanking the pillar they were situated atop of. ''Alright boys, sic ''em! Attack lizard!'' The two then ran at the lizard''s exposed back while it was preoccupied with eating the first wolf''s stomache out. Right before the wolves bit on the lizard whipped back around, but they were prepared for this tactic. ''Quickly dodge and flank!'' The wolves proceeded to do just that leaving the lizard the chomp down on empty air, leaving its flank exposed for the two larger and faster predators which eagerly ripped into its open sides, quickly killing it.
Baby Salamander slain. You gain 30 EXP.
You leveled up! Form:Creature has leveled up. Size range has expanded to tiny-large (Mantis-puma).
Appraisal has leveled up. You have gained the skill Catalyst.
You have gained the skill Aura(passive).
''New skills? Well let me check what they do, Appraise Catalyst and Aura.''
Catalyst Allows you to see through the eyes of one of your minions.
Aura(passive) Gives you an invisible sphere with you as the center which allows you to use your abilities anywhere with the Aura. Range:9 meters.
''Hmm, interesting, with Catalyst, I can now properly explore the tunnels beyond my cavern, perhaps find a way out, and gain more EXP which will allow me to level up again and make me even stronger! But before I do that, Form:Tarantula.'' After this command, a tarantula roughly the size of a child''s head appeared on the side of the pillar they rested upon.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ''Now with this I can give a bird''s eye view to my wolves, giving them the ability to ambush any enemies they encounter, now Catalyst:Tarantula.'' With those words their sight changed from a 360 degree view, to a six-eyed view with a sideways perspective of their cavern home. ''This is slightly disorienting, but it isn''t too different from my usual sight so it shouldn''t be too hard to adapt, now wolves follow me!'' With their arachnid body they scampered up the walls and onto the ceiling, moving forward into the tunnel, with the wolves following them on the ground. While marching on the ceiling they spotted another creature moving in their direction, though due to how far it was and the spider body''s terrible eyesite, they couldn''t make out what it looked liked, but knew it was neither a Baby Salamander nor a Big Rat. ''Can''t make out what that is, best set an ambush, move to the crevices.'' The wolves complied, moving to the medium-sized cracks in the tunnel wall, waiting for the mysterious creature to pass by so they could ambush it. Once the creature came closer they managed to somewhat identify what it was. The creature had the posture of a monkey, small nubs for horns, an elongated nose, bat-like ears, a hairless body, with grey skin, arms significantly larger than the legs, four fingers on each hand ending with claws, giant hollow eyes, and a large mouth with sharp teeth with its tongue hanging out and drool dripping from it constantly. ''This doesn''t look like anything I''ve ever seen in my past life, the hell is it?'' They pondered to themselves looking at the creature with a mentally perplexed expression as it waddled towards the hidden wolves, with a face that gave the impression of mindlessness. As the creature waddled by the wolves they gave the command. ''Attack it.'' But as the wolves shifted their position to strike the creature''s ears perked up and it immediately swung around threw its right arm out towards the nearest wolf, in an attempt to hit it. While it was turning it let out a scream, sounding like a mix between a monkey screech and a siren. With the fist making contact with the wolf it flew back a few meters with cracking noise sounding out, seemingly from the wolf''s ribs breaking. When the other wolf landed on the ground, the second wolf lunged at the creature, going for its throat but instead biting onto the side of the head. The creature then proceeded to try and shake the wolf loose by violently shaking its head around, and it succeeded, except with the wolf went roughly a third of the creatures face, leaving bone and muscle exposed and blood poring out from the face. Upon part of the face being ripped off, the creature then proceeded to panic and scream out in pain, trying desperately to stop the blood from gush out of its face, but it was all for naught as within half a minute, the creature layed there, apparently dead of blood loss.
Myzinchal Thrall slain. You gained 75 EXP.
You leveled up twice!
''A Myzinchal Thrall? What is that? Can I Appraise it? Might as well try it though, Appraise Myzinchal Thrall.'' After using Appraisal, a box with very little data in regards to the identity of the mysterious Myzinchal Thrall.
Myzinchal Thrall A slave class unit of the Myzinchal Empire.
''Wait there is an empire of these things down here? That doesn''t seem good for my health, I''d rather not find out about where they live, otherwise they mght decide to destroy my crystalline body!'' With this they decided upon their next course of action. ''I''m going to have the wolves return to my body and continue to search for a possible exit to this cave, and thus escape from this rocky prison.'' With their mind made up, they sent the wolves back to their core to guard it and keep it from being destroyed, while their aracnid body continued to search for an exit which they might be able to escape from, leaving the cave behind and allowing them to see the world outside their place of creation.