《Dreaded Duke》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1
I¡¯m floating In the blackness of nothing I am floating. Neither a sound nor a feeling, this place has nothing whatsoever. My mind is an expanse of empty space, void of any semblance of idea or personality ¨CA blank canvas, ready to be shaped into anything imaginable. Suddenly, the sound of a desperate unearthly gasp for air rang thorough the darkness, violently crashing into my being. It screams through my mind, bringing with it a myriad of information. Knowledge is injected into me at an alarming and confusing rate ¨Cthe vast majority of which is exceedingly general ¨Cand I inexplicitly possess an understanding of atomic theory, as well as the basics of relativity, mathematics, biology and countless other fields. Over in a second and I am left in a state of tense hyper alertness ¨Ccompletely still in the abyss with my non-existent eyes clenched tight. Then, the memories come ¨Cand with them one final piece of information is imparted unto me and I know where I am. I have died ¨Cand this is Limbo. Though given no inkling of how or when, I know that I had ceased to live at some point ¨Cof that I am certain. I do remember not my name nor my circumstance, and even the manner of how I lived my life is a mystery ¨Cmy very species in question. However, one thing is forever burnt into my memory ¨Cmy very being ¨Cand that is the White. I remembercoursing through that accursed stream of white fluid ¨Cthe ethereal substance brushing past me as I fell through endlessly. I was only half aware when ¨Cafter I had flowed across its endless Elysian gases for untold ages ¨Cthe barely present liquid thickened into tangibility and I slowed. Almost coming to a stop,Ipass through what can only be described as a corporeal lens flare ¨Cseeping through the outer membrane of the universe. Compared to the aforementioned sensations, this was as if passing through stone. Through the White had been arduous, the result has been worthwhile. For I have passed on to another world. I have reincarnated. As this information begins to sink in, my senses return to me in a flash of light ¨Cdirecting contrasting the endless black of Limbo ¨C and I knew a fleeting moment of peace. It was not to last however, as I found my circumstance to be of a more pressing concern. I had comeinto being in a square room of smooth stone with no perceivable entrance. My sluggish thoughts are slowly gaining traction, and I realize with a start that I possess three hundred and sixty degree vision of seemingly inscrutable clarity ¨Cin spite of the complete lack of any light source. This revelation passing unnaturally quickly, I almost unconsciously give my place of birth a proper once over. ¡®Where is this¡­?¡¯ I ask inwardly, eerily calm ¨Cnormal not even to myself. I hear the light ring of a bell, and look to the centre of my vision on impulse. A floating screen of what appears to be polished silver with an unparalleled sheen has appeared ¨Cstrangely two dimensional like a flying computer monitor. I stare intently as words begin to show, like lines rising from molten metal.
[Tutorial - Tutorial Start!] [Welcome to the realm of Eoxraven traveller! You have been plucked from your world at the moment of your death by the omnipotent and ubiquitous void. Be blessed! You are one of the many mortals to experience the wonder that is reincarnation. As an organism that processes full cognitive ability at the moment of its birth, the memories of your previous experiences have been converted into Stats and EXP accordingly.]
Suddenly, the floating panel of silver vanishes in a dull flash of light, quickly replaced by another.
[-EXP Gained! X 128,443.000-] [-Lvl Up X 233!-] [-1,165 Attribute Points Received!-] [-46 Skill Points received!-] [-EXP to next Lvl: 153,564,970-] [-¡­ ¡­-] [Calculating Starting Stats¡­] [-Done!-] [-Strength + 13! ¨C Constitution + 11! ¨C Defence + 2!-] [-Intelligence + 31! ¨C Wisdom + 24! ¨C Willpower + 26!-] [-Dexterity + 5! ¨C Charisma + 6! ¨C Perception + 14!-] [-Luck + 12!-] [-¡­ ¡­-]
¡®This seems¡­ familiar?¡¯ My mind ran to connect the dots to no avail, leaving me only with a peculiar sense of familiarity. ¡®Hmmm¡­¡¯
[-Race: Dungeon Assigned-]
[-You have outstanding Attribute Points, Assign? (Yes/No)-]
¡®Uhh¡­ what¡¯s-¡¯ I¡¯m cut off mid thought, the now somewhat accustomed to feeling of information injection enveloping me. Dungeons, Living underground labyrinths of devious traps and impious monsters, home to many a treasure for those brave or stupid enough to delve into their depths ¨Cwhile at the same time playing an important role in the redistribution of mana. The fungi of the world¡¯s mana, returning large swaths of borrowed power to the earth through their murderous ways, while taking some for themselves to bolster their faculty. I quickly accepted the new information with a robotic efficiency ¨Cmy blank impressionable mind showing its usefulness ¨Cand I attempt to timidly answer in the affirmative. I immediately find that I possess no form of communication ¨Cin fact I have no physical form at all. The sensation of simply existing, abstruse though it is, is strikingly akin to my experience in Limbo. I am suddenlystruck with a curious longing ¨CWhat is like to have a body? At this thought, another smaller panel appears, the previous gone without a trace.
[-(Create/Edit) Core?-] [-WARNING, creation of a Core will concentrate current body (Mana Mist) into selected option, and as such will greatly increase the mana density and corresponding potency of mana, but will also change current perception of surroundings into the appropriate option. This is known to possibly cause mental breakdown if unexplained and subsequently unprepared for. Are you sure you wish to continue? Be aware: refraining from this transformation will cause body to eventually disperse-]
¡®Uhh¡­¡¯ I hesitated ¡®I don¡¯t think I have a choice but, thanks for the heads up?¡¯ I thought, proceeding to send a mental ¡®yes¡¯ without thinking of how.
Mana Mist (Current) An extremely thin mist formed of adjacent mana at moment of birth.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Pros: Intangible- Unable to be physically touched or interacted with. Medium Mana Conductivity- Flow and subsequent control of mana is of moderate quality. Due to the fickle nature of this form improvement is impossible. Cons: Intangible- Unable to physically touch or interact with any substance. Low Mana Conductivity- Form causes flow and subsequent control of mana to be slightly impeded. Very Low Mana Potency- Miniscule density causes extremely low mana potency. Due to the fickle nature of this form this is permanent. Non-Replenishing- Form slowly degrades into nothingness with time. Due to the fickle nature of this form reversal is impossible.
Mana Cloud Denser Mana Mist, mana is concentrated into a thick cloud. Pros: Semi-Intangible- Extremely difficult to be physically interacted with. High Lightning Affinity- Cloud form allows for high collection rate and concentration of Lightning Mana energy. Lightning Nebula- Passive collection of static electricity, allowing powerful Lighting Mana based attacks and utility abilities. Medium-High Mana Conductivity- Flow and subsequent control of mana is of above average quality. Able to be temporarily improved through stored Lightning energy. Cons: Semi-Intangible- Extremely difficult to physically interact with any substance. Low Mana Potency- Very low density causes low mana potency. Potency may be temporarily increased alongside Lightning energy concentration.
Mana Water Denser Mana Cloud, mana is further concentrated into a thin liquid. Water in its purest form. Pros: Perfect Mana Conductivity- Nature of form allows for unparalleled flow and subsequent control of mana. Perfect Water Mana Affinity- With the nature of form as the pure base of water, concentration and rate of collection of Water Mana particles is insurmountable. Cons: Low-Medium Mana Potency- Low density causes slightly lower than average mana potency. Shapeless ¨Cshape is wholly determined by subsequent container. No container causes extreme Mana Potency demerits. High Value- Due to popular belief, heralding as Holy Water is very common. Will be fanatically pursued by believers upon discovery.
Mana Gel Denser Mana Water, mana is even further concentrated and diluted into a thick gel. Pros: Formless- Shape is completely dictated by container, however will retain and remember any shape it encounters and be able to change at will. Medium Mana Conductivity- Form allows for average flow and control of mana. Medium Water Mana Affinity- Form as a heavily diluted Mana Water causes moderate concentration and rate of collection of Water Mana particles. Low-Medium Air Mana Affinity- As Mana Water diluted with Air Mana, this form has a slightly higher concentration and rate of collection of Air Mana particles. Cons: Low-Medium Mana Potency- Form causes slightly below average mana potency. High Fire Mana Aversion- Heat bubbles and deforms this form, causing concentration and rate of collection of Fire Mana particles to be very low. Medium-High Value- Due to use as a potent alchemy catalyst and skin product, retrieval and creation of this form is a large industry.
Mana Crystal Denser Mana Gel, mana concentrates further and forms fractals around a single point. Pros: Adaptable- Form can slowly change and improve through crystal layering with manually crystalized mana. High Light Affinity- Crystalline construction allows for high concentration and rate of collection of Light energy particles. Medium Mana Potency- Decent density allows for substantial starting mana potency. Due to the nature of this form continual potency improvement is possible through continued crystal layering. Very High Mana Conductivity- Nature of form allows for very high flow and subsequent control of mana. Crystal layering allows for extremely slow improvement. Cons: Low Darkness Mana Aversion- Form causes Darkness Mana particles to have no attraction to you. Active collection required. Due to pressure exerted, potential concentration is actually slightly higher. Medium-High Value ¨CDue to use as a potent mana battery, Mana Crystals are pursued for monetary gain. Fragile- form causes cracking to become much easier, causing lower health and risk of breaking on layering.
Mana Stone Denser Mana Crystal, mana is concentrated further, fractals collapse and an incredible level of density is reached. Earth in its purest form. Pros: Perfect Mana Potency- Dense form allows for insurmountable mana potency. Perfect Earth Mana Affinity- Due to nature as the pure base of earth, concentration and rate of collection of Earth Mana particles is paramount. Very High Mind Mana Affinity- Mana of the mind has an extreme attraction to this form, forcefully pulled in and towards it. Causes semi-permanent mind blank and subsequent amalgamation of surrounding non-resistant life forms. Very Solid- Dense nature causes higher health and virtually no risk to crack. Cons: Null Mana Conductivity- Due to nature of form the flow and subsequent control of mana is non-existent. Perfect Elemental Aversion- Excluding Earth Mana, all Mana types are repelled from this form. Very High Value- Due to being heralded as the fabled Philosophers Stone, pursuit is fanatical upon formation as all minded beings feel its pull.
The ''ding'' of thisnew panel rings throughout the silence -eerily bouncing from wall to wall. I watch intently as I consider¨Cmy still recovering mind continuing to piece itselftogether ¡®Well, Mist and Stone are out of question, I do not want to die again''I rule out two immediately.''And who would give up the control of mana?¡¯ I think, pertaining to the stone. ¡®Better not choose Water either, don¡¯t want some extremist defiling me¡¯ I add again with a shiver. Both Gel and Crystal have their boons, but as Crystal has good control and ¡®Potency¡¯ ¨Cwhich I assumeis power related ¨Cas well as continued improvement, I end up choosing Crystal Form, though worried about possibly shattering. I send another mental command, this time of ¡®Crystal¡¯.
[-Creating Body ¡­ Please wait-]
Nothing happens for a while and ¨Cjust as I began to seriously doubt ¨Cit begins.
[-Condensing¡­ 0%-]
It is strange. My perception of my surroundings feels as if it is shrinking ¨Cunfocused and blurry. The strangest headache like pressure is pressing down on me, harder with every passing moment yet never painful ¨Clike a really tight hug around my entire being. ¡®This is¡­ comfortable.¡¯ I think.
[-Condensing¡­ 50%-]
However now, as the process reaches the halfway point, my vision begins to unsettle me. Like a violently spinning vortex of molten glass, it is magnifying and collapsing in on its self again and again ¨Clike a kaleidoscope devoid of any colour save silver and white. The patterns that are forming and their complexity are causingmy rediscovery of the lost sensation of nausea. As my concern builds, the spinning quickens ¨Cfaster and faster parallel to my increasing anxiety. Just before true panic sets in, it stills with an uncanny quickness. Like a puzzle clicking into place, the spinning stopped¨Cthe surface solidifiying into a smooth silver. Although now like staring through crystal mirror, my vision is as it was before¨Cthough with two glaring differences. Firstly, there it now a strange blue and diaphanous mist-like gas slowly swirling around me ¨Clike an extremely thin wispy fog. ''I think this is mana.'' I assume with the information gleaned from my choices of form. The other change is somehow stranger still. I focus particularly hard on an object ¨Ccorporal or otherwise ¨CAnd a set of information appears on one of thefloating screens. However, as the the only thing that surrounds me now is stone, all I can look at now says simply:
[Stone]
This is definitely some kind of ability to identify. For some reason unkown to me, I am urged to call it a skill.
[-Skill = Appraisal identified¡­Adding information to Status-]
¡®Huh?¡¯ I am momentarily dumbfounded. ¡®What¡¯s¡­ status?¡¯ I wonder. Some part of me remembers this, if barely, and I think¡­ On a feeling, I sent a mental command akin to ¡®Open Status¡¯. Instantly, another screen appears. [-Status-]
Name: Lesser Newborn Dungeon Fledgling (N/A) Titles: Lesser Newborn Fledgling
Age: 0 Level: 233, 34%
Race: Dungeon Sub-Race: Lesser Dungeon Form : Crystal Fame: 0 Reputation Lvl: 0
Health: 555/555 Life-force: 555/5,000 Stamina: ¡Þ/¡Þ Internal Mana: 2,155/2,155 External Mana: 5,000/5,000 Mana Potency: 50
Strength: 0 (13 ¨C 100%) Constitution: 11 (11 + 0) Endurance: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Defence: 2 (2 + 0) Dexterity: 5 (5 + 0) Agility: 5 (5 ¨C 100%) Intelligence: 31 (31 + 0) Wisdom: 24 (24 + 0) Willpower: 26 (26 + 0) Perception: 14 (14 + 0) Charisma: 6 (6 + 0) Life-Span: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Skills: {Mana Vision} ¨C Lvl: 1 {Appraise} ¨C Lvl: 1
Intimidated, I pause. I am just beginning to question the difference of Stamina and Endurance, when without warning, the earth shakes. As a distant thundering roar sounds, the room incurs a deep pulse ¨Cthe earth lurching in a low wave. The once gently breezing wisps of mana begin to vibrate violently as an invisible wave of force shoots past them. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 As the room rings with the following silence, I freeze in fear ¨Ca gut feeling of instinctual dread welling up inside of me. A few agonizing minutes of terrifying tension pass. Soon after, the mana settles, and with it I began to calm. I emit a shaking internalsigh ¨Cglancing anxiously the around the room from my crystal. There is the startling high pitched ring of a bell. I jump at the sound, and glare furiously at the recently appeared screen.
[Unknown Arcane Magic residue detected ¨CMost likely cause based on Wisdom Lvl: Level 3 Arcane AoE attack spell. Insufficient knowledge to determine further information.]
¡®Was it a fight?¡¯ I consider briefly. After a moment, I summarize my thoughts, ¡®I feel as if a conflict between my betters would reduce me to shards on the ground at this point¡¯ I muse sourly. A few momentsof silence come to pass as I consider my possibly minuscule existence. Almost immediately, a powerful instinct throws me out from my melancholy with new found drive. ¡®I must grow¡¯ I realise. ¡®I becomestronger¡¯
[Notice: Residual Mana intake increased 100-Fold.]
[WARNING- Mana intake exceeding current limit. Excess Mana to fuel evolution]
Taken by surprise I freeze; before my thoughts race once more¡®Umm¡­¡¯ I tense.¡®That doesn¡¯t sound good.¡¯ I brace ¨Cready for anything. But ¨Ccontrary to my expectations ¨Cthe only happening is a sensation similar to my condensing ¨Cbut in the other direction. The contradictory feeling of becoming denser while simultaneously expanding in all its endless perplexity assaults my senses ¨Cbriefly stifling my panic. My Crystal form lightly vibrates, its colour shifting from bright white to a light purple as it grew. After about five minutes and a little above half a centimetres progress, the growth stops and a previously absent spark lights in my crystals centre ¨Celiciting a slightly pulsating glow of purple light thoughout the room. The very air now hums with energy as another panel appears.
[Evolution successful]
It states simply. My hithherto fearful mental state is now but a distant memory; and I excitedly check my Status ¨Cbrimming with enthusiasm. [-Status-]
Name: Enriched Newborn Dungeon Fledgling (N/A) Titles: Newborn Fledgling, Mana Enriched
Age: 0 Level: 233, 46%
Race: Dungeon Sub-Race: Mana Enriched Dungeon Form : Crystal Fame: 0 Reputation Lvl: 0
Health: 555/555 Life-force: 555/5,000 Stamina: ¡Þ/¡Þ Internal Mana: 2,155/2,370.5 External Mana: 5,000/5,250 Mana Potency: 75
Strength: 0 (13 ¨C 100%) Constitution: 15 (11 + 4) Endurance: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Defence: 6 (2 + 4) Dexterity: 5 (5 + 0) Agility: 0 (5 ¨C 100%) Intelligence: 35 (31 + 4) Wisdom: 27 (24 + 3) Willpower: 30 (26 + 4) Perception: 14 (14 + 0) Charisma: 8 (6 + 2) Life-Span: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Skills: {Mana Vision} ¨C Lvl: 1 {Mana Enriched} ¨C Passive Lvl: 1
I quickly scan the screen ¨Cperceiving the differences with inhuman speed. ¡®I am now¡­ Mana Enriched¡¯ I note. Slightly disappointed, I focus on the title ¡®Mana Enriched.¡¯
[-Mana Enriched ¨CTitle given to creatures that have come into contact with a large quantity of Mana in their youth, usually birth. Mana is assimilated into and bonds with the creature. Mana to size of being ratio requirement 5000:1. Grants an increase in general Mana Affinity and Potency. Density increases. Boosts related Stats. ¨C25% increase in Mana Potency ¨C5% increase of External Mana ¨C10% increase in Internal Mana +4 Constitution, Defence, Intelligence and Willpower. +3 Wisdom. +2 Charisma-]
¡®Oh¡­¡¯ I pause.¡®That¡¯s better than expected,¡¯ I think¨Cmood heightened once again. Suddenly ¨Cfrom the wall directly to my right ¨Ca low rumbling comes, quickly becoming louder Fear grips me once more, and my attention is completely focused on the wall. In my focus I feel the face of the very wall,and ¨Clike an extension of my skin ¨Cit shakes; likefingers scratching a blackboard. Hollow scratching of sandstone soon rings through the room ¨Crelentlessly accompanied by desperate panicked screeching. The scratching becomes more and more agitated as time goes on, and eventually, the high pitched splitting of stone sounds loudly. Out of a crack as if from plaster, a cockroach of ungodly proportions bursts through ¨Cits harrowing screams piecing to the ear. It rapidly crawls out and a metre up the wall before freezing ¨Cits compound eyes darting around warily. Confirming that the room is indeed empty, is continues sprinting up the wall, and reaches the nearest corner. It squeezes itself as far into that corner as it can manage ¨Cits jittering wings and antennae quickly calming down.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. My panic gone ¨Cquickly replaced by curiosity ¨CI focus on the monster of a bug and inspect the ensuingscreen.
Name: Mana Enriched Giant Cockroach (N/A) Titles: Cadaverous, Contagious, Hardy, Mana Enriched
Age: 3 Weeks Level: 3, 83%
Race: Giant Cockroach Sub-Race: Mana Enriched Cockroach Fame: 0 Reputation Lvl: 0
Health: 3/10 Stamina: 0/25 Internal Mana: 1/3.75 External Mana: 0/0.625 Mana Potency: 6.25
Strength: 3 (3 + 0) Constitution: 7 (3 + 4) Endurance: 4 (4 + 0) Defence: 9 (5 + 4) Dexterity: 4 (4 + 0) Agility: 10 (10 + 0) Intelligence: 6 (2 + 4) Wisdom: 3.5 (.5 + 3) Willpower: 4 (0 + 4) Perception: 25 (25 + 0) Charisma: -1 (-3 + 2) Life-Span: 5.3 ( .3+ 5) Skills: {Mana Enriched} ¨C Passive Lvl: 1 {Antennae} ¨C Passive Lvl: 4 {Hardy} ¨C Passive Lvl: 6 {Contagion} ¨C Lvl: 1 {Minor Poison} ¨C Lvl: 2
¡®Quite the specimen¡¯ I think.¡®Looks like I wasn¡¯t the only one effected by the blast''Imuse. As I look away from the status and actually look at the insect ¨Cnow in a state of torpor ¨Ca strange feeling surfaces in my mind. ¡®I need this creature¡¯ I think, somewhat entranced. Going on instinct, I begin to pump mana into the cockroach ¨Cbending surrounding mana to my will. The roach is not immediately alerted, but begins to twitch. I begin to become excited ¨Cand in that excitement, I increased the rate of mana. I then increase it again, and just I felt its mind become mine, I increase once more. With a screech, the cockroach leaps of the wall and lands hard on the floor. With one its six legs mangled, it sprints in circles ¨Ceach rotation its wails becoming louder and more distressed. A second behind, I go to stop the mana flow ¨Cmy excitement turning sour. However, the cockroach has already stopped moving. It is dead. Extremely surly, I pour all the mana I can muster into the body. ¡®Maybe I¡¯ll make you explode then¡¯ I growl ¡®Insufferable wretch.¡¯ The carcass starts to dimly glow ¨Cthough a far cry from my crystal ¨Cand suddenly my mana flies into it much faster ¨Cmy control forfeited. Startled, I attempt to forcefully revoke my mana to no effect. The feeling of severe nausea and lethargy envelopes me, and I lose consciousness.
Feeling utterly drained ¨Cof mind and body ¨CI awake with a start. Ignoring everything, I immediately open my status to check my condition.
Name: Enriched Newborn Dungeon Fledgling (N/A) Titles: Newborn Fledgling, Mana Enriched, Necromantic
Age: 0 Level: 233, 72%
Race: Dungeon Sub-Race: Mana Enriched Dungeon Form : Crystal Fame: 0 Reputation Lvl: 0
Health: 555/555 Life-force: 555/5,000 Stamina: ¡Þ/¡Þ Internal Mana: 1,146/2,370.5 External Mana: 12/5,250 Mana Potency: 75
Strength: 0 (13 ¨C 100%) Constitution: 16 (11 + 5) Endurance: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Defence: 7 (2 + 5) Dexterity: 5 (5 + 0) Agility: 0 (5 ¨C 100%) Intelligence: 36 (31 + 5) Wisdom: 28 (24 + 4) Willpower: 31 (26 + 5) Perception: 14 (14 + 0) Charisma: 7 (6 + 3 ¨C 2) Life-Span: ¡Þ (¡Þ ¨C 1) Skills: {Mana Vision} ¨C Lvl: 1, 2% {Raise Dead} ¨C Lvl: 1, 6% {Mana Enriched} ¨C Passive Lvl: 2, 12% {External Mana Endurance} ¨C Passive Lvl: 1, 34%
[-Necromantic ¨CTitle given to those who discover and utilize the dark art of Necromancy with no prior knowledge. Bearers are of closer proximity to death. Improves Necromancies and level of control over summoned dead. Necromancy is 10% more powerful Learn Necromancies 5% faster +10 Willpower +5 Intelligence ¨C 2 Charisma ¨C 1 Lifespan-]
{-Raise Dead ¨CRaise creatures below your level back into life-} {-External Mana Endurance ¨CExternal Mana is consumed at a reduced rate: 2% decreased mana consummation-}
I quickly examine my condition, sighing in relief and taking note of the differences. ¡®Necromantic? Raise dead?¡¯ I ask.¡®Wher¨C¡¯ I freeze, my thoughts clicking into place. ¡®The cockroach¡­!¡¯ I exclaim, dropping the panels and scanning the room. On the floor in the corner of the room, the cockroach is there ¨Cfidgeting as if pained. Its once warm brown shell now a dull grey, the insect turns to face my crystal ¨Cits eyes reflecting a glamorous purple. The connection I felt just prior to my collapseis still present,and I still can tell that if I wished it, it would complete whatever task ¡®twas given to the best of its ability. I command it closer to me, and re-appraise it once it is in front of the flat bottomed pendeloque that is my crystal ¨Ccurrently on the floor in the centre of the room.
Name: Mana Enriched Giant Undead Cockroach (N/A) Titles: Cadaverous, Contagious, Hardy, Mana Enriched, Undead,
Age: 3 Weeks Level: 2, 83%
Race: Giant Cockroach Sub-Race: Mana Enriched Cockroach Fame: 0 Reputation Lvl: 0
Health: 15/15 Stamina: ¡Þ/¡Þ Internal Mana: 1/3.75 External Mana: 0/0.625 Mana Potency: 6.25
Strength: 6 (3 + 3) Constitution: 10 (3 + 7) Endurance: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Defence: 17 (5 + 15 ¨C 3) Dexterity: 1 (4 + 0 ¨C 3) Agility: 7 (10 ¨C 3) Intelligence: 3 (2 + 4 ¨C 3) Wisdom: .5 (.5 + 3 ¨C 3) Willpower: 31 ( = Master¡¯s Willpower) Perception: 25 (25 + 0) Charisma: -11 (-3 + 2 ¨C 10) Life-Span: ¡Þ( .3 + ¡Þ) Skills: {Mana Enriched} ¨C Passive Lvl: 1 {Antennae} ¨C Passive Lvl: 4 {Hardy} ¨C Passive Lvl: 11 (+5 Lvl: Undead) {Contagion} ¨C Lvl: 6 (+5 Lvl: Undead) {Minor Poison} ¨C Lvl: 2 {Undead} ¨C Passive Lvl: 1
¡®Interesting¡­¡¯ I remark, checking the titles and abilities, both new and old.
[Cadaver ¨CTitle given to those who are one with death, even before their demise. Evolved form of Cadaverous. Gain Major Death Mana Affinity.]
[Contagious ¨CTitle given to those that spread pestilence. Gain Active Skill ¨C {Contagion}]
[Hardy ¨CTitle given to those who stubbornly refuse to die. Gain Passive Skill ¨C {Hardy ¨CGain 1 Defence for every level of this skill}]
[Undead ¨CTitle given the risen dead. Gain Major Death Mana Affinity. Gain ¡Þ Endurance & Stamina. Gain Strength & Constitution based on power of original body. ¨C 3 Defence, Dexterity, Agility, Intelligence, & Wisdom ¨C 10 Charisma. Like all artificial Undead, Willpower is equal to summoners Willpower.]
¡®This little cockroach will help me grow¡¯ I think, staring at the insect; entranced once more. ¡®Now¡­ how can I get more of you?¡¯ I continue.¡®I don¡¯t have enough mana to do the same thing again, even if I had another cockroach¡¯ I realise. The soft imprint of a forgotten memory disturbs the surface of my mind, and I remember seemingly crucial information. ¡®Open Menu¡¯ I command.
- Allocate Attribute Points - Allocate Skill Points - View Monsters - Dungeon Trespass Message
I view the following menu for a moment, before quickly selecting the ¡®View Monsters¡¯ option ¨Cdeciding to check the others later. [Monster List]
Monster Type Price
Giant Undead Cockroach Insectoid (Undead) Summon: 300 Internal Mana
The list is hopelessly small but, with time, I amsure of its growth. More importantly, this providesme with a means of population. ¡®Let¡¯s begin¡­¡¯ I muse, a maniacal laugh building within the confines of my mind. Chapter 3 Recently, Serf Clerenbald¡¯s son has taken an interest in academics, and as such Serf wishes to gift him with a Sorcerers Textbook for his upcoming name day. As Serf is responsible with his job as a lumberer ¨Cspending his spare days hunting local game for their meats pelts to fuel the communities¡¯ economy ¨Cpaying the hefty price of a leather-bound book is not unfeasible. It doesn¡¯t hurt that lumbering pays generously, as trekking the forest around the winter months is a dangerous and taxing endeavour. But with that upcoming winter, Serf will need to have thirty gold ¨Cat the minimum ¨Cfor the wood prices alone; so with this year¡¯s haul of about a hundred gold, he can¡¯t afford it. As the market price for a general explanatory Sorcery Textbook is thirty gold by itself, that would leave Serf and his family with forty gold for the winter rations and taxes; barely scaping it by ¨Ceven with the possible discounts. So to amend this, Serf is pinning his hopes on finding an Iron-Wood Tree. The wood of an Iron-Wood Tree ¨Ca rare variant of the exceedingly common Kael Tree ¨Cwas as hard as low quality iron, and as such sold very well. If Serf scored the thirty to thirty five gold a log of Iron-Wood would reap, he could pay for his sons textbook and have enough left over to treat his family with some nice food from the city. As the village soldiers hail from atop the village gates, Serf looks up from his thoughts. A man ¨Cfeatures unseen under a baggy, unkempt hard leather trench coat ¨Cis already approaching; trekking the slight incline of the exceedingly muddy road. The man¡¯s coat ¨Cstained with watery mud ¨Cdrips water, seeping moisture unto the rusted ring mail beneath. The man reaches Serf ¨Ceye level despite the incline ¨Cand shifts his weight onto one leg; his thickly gloved hand reflexively resting atop the sword pommel by his waist. ¡°What ar¡¯ you doing out in the cold?¡± The man groans in a highly recognizable, gravely gruff of a voice. ¡°Cold?¡± asks Serf, mirroring the man¡¯s posture. ¡°It¡¯s not even winter¡± he replies, lifting his brow. The man goes to rebuke him; eyeing his light hunters attire ¡°We¡¯re not all highlanders Serf¡± he says. ¡°Some ov¡¯ us feel the cold ya know?¡± ¡°I feel the cold¡± Serf replies immediately, puzzled. ¡°But only when it¡¯s actually cold.¡± The man¡¯s frown lines deepen as he lets out an exasperated sigh ¨Chand leaving his sword to rest at his side. ¡°Whateva¡¯ you say Serf¡± he says, straightening his posture and turning on his heel. ¡°Open the gate!¡± he calls with a quick had signal. ¡°Serf¡¯s going outta ¡®gen¡± Watching as the man known as Henry returned to the checkpoint booth by the gate, Serf waits patiently while the wooden gate creaks open. The gate, matted by mud and moisture, soon collides with the wooden stumps serving as stops with a thud. ¡°Go ¡®n¡± Henry calls from the booth window, almost pleading as he slams the shutters. Serf shakes his head, quickly jogging out of the open wooden gates. The following mudded road winds into a close by miry forest populated by tall decrepit trees ¨Ctheir leaves analogous to retted hemp. Serf picks up his speed and begins to run down the path, his breathe steady and strong. Several hours and a few hundred leagues later, Serf is currently out of luck. Not only had he not found an Iron-Wood tree ¨Cthough that is not all that surprising in itself ¨Cbut he also found a fairly fresh direbear trail during his shameful return. Dire creatures; academically known as Greater Mana Enriched Mammalia, are a sub family of mammals which ¨Caside from greatly increase size and strength ¨Cpossess magical ability varying from minor to moderate. To an adventuring party below Adept ¨Cor worse, a solitary beau sabreur ¨Cthey are a danger of mortal proportions. Serf being a regular human ¨Ceven if blessed with a highlander heritage ¨Cis subsequently forced to take a substantial detour, adding another two hours to his trip and ensuring he misses his morning shift. Aside from the deduction from his salary, he will have to explain to his worried family why he was gone so late. ¡°There goes any hope of nice food¡± Serf says aloud with a grimace. In his horrid mood, Serf treks through the pathless forest ¨Chis legs tired and sore. Misidentifying a fern in his exhaustion, he strides right through a mature bladed-thorn bush and lacerates his forearms. He eyes the dark green leaves jutting from his skin with frustration. ¡°Shit¡± he curses through gritted teeth, beginning to delicately pick the leaves from himself while leaned against a tree ¨Clines of bloody sap stringing off his arm. As he carefully removes the infernal plant from himself, a dull maniacal laughter rings out from the depths of the earth and he cuts his forefinger. Eyes wide, Serf rasps with haggard breath. ¡°Dungeon¡± he says. As my laugh echoes throughout my stone confines, I realise that I have projected my voice.
[Skill ¨C {Open Telepathic Projection} Learned
¡®Interesting¡¯ I muse ¨Cnot all that interested. ¡®Now! Let us begin¡¯ I announced to myself once more ¨Cquickly stifling another laugh. First, I check my status, looking away from the monster list.
Name: Enriched Newborn Dungeon Fledgling (N/A) Titles: Newborn Fledgling, Mana Enriched, Necromantic
Age: 0 Level: 233, 72%
Race: Dungeon Sub-Race: Mana Enriched Dungeon Form : Crystal Fame: 0 The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Reputation Lvl: 0
Health: 555/555 Life-force: 555/5,000 Stamina: ¡Þ/¡Þ Internal Mana: 2,370.5/2,370.5 External Mana: 2,534/5,250 Mana Potency: 75
Strength: 0 (13 ¨C 100%) Constitution: 16 (11 + 5) Endurance: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Defence: 7 (2 + 5) Dexterity: 5 (5 + 0) Agility: 0 (5 ¨C 100%) Intelligence: 36 (31 + 5) Wisdom: 28 (24 + 4) Willpower: 31 (26 + 5) Perception: 14 (14 + 0) Charisma: 7 (6 + 3 ¨C 2) Life-Span: ¡Þ (¡Þ ¨C 1) Skills: {Mana Vision} ¨C Lvl: 1, 2% {Raise Dead} ¨C Lvl: 1, 6% {Mana Enriched} ¨C Passive Lvl: 2, 12% {External Mana Endurance} ¨C Passive Lvl: 1, 34%
¡®Hmmm¡­¡¯ I pause ¡®It seems like Internal Mana regenerates substantially faster than External¡¯ I realise. Looking back to the monster list as I close my status, I command the summoning of another roach ¨Cfingers crossed. I feel the energy leave me and re-join my surroundings as three hundred mana is taken from me, taking me down to two thousand and seventy and a half Internal Mana. I quickly take note of how expelling my internal mana does not cause my external mana to grow, focusing on the ground just in front of my crystal. A vortex of dull silver forms close off the ground where I¡¯m looking ¨Ceerily similar to my crystal formation ¨Cand the air splits; a thin line forming against the torrential light. This line quickly expands, forced aside by the forthcoming creature, and another giant roach emerges from the elliptical crack like bursting through sh¨­ji. My new monster lands lightly upon the sandstone, its portal closing with a clap. Looking identical aside from being slightly smaller, the new roach begins to wander immediately. Checking its status, I note that is lacks the Mana Enriched title. ¡®Well there had to be some drawback¡¯ I comfort myself. ¡®Anyway¡­¡¯ On impulse once more, I summon another six roaches ¨Cemptying my internal mana pool. The novelty of their portals fading unnaturally quickly, I begin to think of how to expand my domain. My mind coming up blank, I rely on instinct ¨Con what I felt I need to do. My consciousness fades into half presence as I am entranced. I feel at the external mana swirling around my abode ¨Ctheir particles colliding onto the confines of my sandstone construction. I compel those particles to become faster, more energetic. Soon, countless collections of mana collided with the walls to seemingly no effect. Those impossibly small balls of energy seep between the gaps of the stone, and lodge themselves within. The foundation of what was me expanded with these particles ¨Cslowly reaching out in all directions. More and more mana confided into the stone, until like glue they surrounded and held the atoms together ¨Creplacing the already present mutual attraction. With this, I gain incredible insight into what makes up the stone, and I am able to control the individual atoms ¨Crearranging them to whatever my wishes dictate. As my influence spreads further throughout the walls, I push the assimilated mana closer together; pulling atoms along the way and increasing the density. The sandstone rapidly transforming to be of an impenetrable hardness, and glows a dull purple. Satisfied with my upgrade, I quadrupled the size of the room by tearing apart assimilated stone at the molecular level ¨Cthe cockroaches upon the walls removed falling to the ground with a squeak. I ignore irritated clicking of my creations as well the fact that the room is now full of impossibly the thick debris, creating a hazy smoke. Continuing, I carve out a straight ten by ten tunnel into the distance ¨Cdirectly opposite to my crystal ¨Cand stop after a few hundred metres. Next, I create smaller paths off from the tunnel, creating a room of equal size at each of their ends. Now with six chambers, I direct the eight roaches into groups of two and fill four of the chambers ¨Ctwo in each one. I now go check my status once more, but pause ¨Cmy line of sight crossing a pair of roaches as they follow their commands. ¡®That¡¯s¡­ peculiar¡¯ I think. As they walk, the mist that is mana is transforming around them. The once smoky blue energy is seemingly being leeched of colour and changing into a dull grey ¨Cmuch like the roaches themselves. Instinctually, I shift my perception out of my crystal and to the other insects ¨Calready on the way to their enclosures ¨Cand find that they too are transforming mana at an incredible rate. Enraptured, I zoom back to my original pair ¨Cnow a ways down the tunnel. I stare intensely at the mana being transformed, and my vision magnifies unconsciously. I find that it¡¯s constantly moving particles are being compelled to vibrate at a very low, sporadic rate ¨Clike the twitching of a dead animal ¨Cand as such are letting off a different colour. This discovery leads to another one ¨Cthat the different forms of mana are the same, only vibrating differently. ¡®This has to be Death Mana¡¯ I conclude, soon assured of this decision.
[Death Mana Discovered ¨CDetails added to Status]
[Congratulations, due to you advancing your understanding of something (Mana) to a previously unreached level, you have earned the title ¨CScholar]
On somewhat of a high, I quickly find those details ¨Cbriefly checking on the nature of Scholar.
[Scholar ¨CTitle given to those who explore and expand their own understanding in academic pursuit. +3 Intelligence +1 Wisdom]
[Death Mana ¨Cde-energized Mana caused by contact with the dead or undead. Used in Necromancy and some Dark Magics.
Pleased with the added stats, I get to work on finding out what to do with this death energy. Serf ¨Cafter a mad dash home through territories of many a horror ¨Cis waiting in the village chiefs¡¯ office. He nervously taps his foot on the varnished planks, trying to distract himself by inspecting the various paraphernalia strewed out on the desk in front of him. The chief was a somewhat strange man, and as such had nothing like a token sign saying Chief, but instead his space of work had items of a more peculiar sort. Candles of various sizes were atop the edges of the desk, causing the room to be aloft with the smell of burnt wax and a light layer of smoke, along with multiple stacks of books with perplexing titles. Those titles ¨Csuch as ¡®Scuttling Habits of the Swucran¡¯, and ¡®17 recipes you can prepare at home¡¯ ¨Cwere nothing compared to the shelfs behind them. As Serf was getting up to inspect a rather unusual telescope by the desk side window, the door behind him scaped open, causing him drop back into his chair ¨Cpainfully striking his thigh upon the arm rest. ¡°Chief Maggus! How unlike you to be so punctual!¡± Serf panicked. Friedreich Maggus paused as he backed up into the room. Turning quickly ¨Ccausing his frizzled grey hair to moult ¨Che eyed Serf with a crazed expression. ¡°Who are you!? What are you doing in my room?!¡± He spurted out accusingly, raising a book he was holding as if to throw. Before Serf could defend himself a voice chimed in from the hall outside the door. ¡°It¡¯s Serf Clerenbald. He has an appointment¡± the familiar voice of Ida the receptionist said. The old man blinked and lowered the tome ¨Ceyeing Serf in suspicion. ¡°Are you sure Edna? He looks suspicious to me¡± he replied. Serf heard Ida sigh as she responded. ¡°Yes Chief.¡± She said patiently ¡°He says he found a Dungeon¡± Upon hearing this, Chief Maggus¡¯ demeanour changes completely. ¡°A Dungeon you say?¡± He asks, closing the door and walking to his desk in a brisk movement. ¡°Where is it? How did you find it?¡± He inquires urgently ¨Cpulling out his chair with a joyous face. ¡°Umm¡­¡± Serf is dumfounded. ¡°Come now spit it out boy¡± the old man insisted with a suddenly stern expression. Serf nervously begins to talk. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 ¡°You believe that old wives tale?¡± said Friedreich Maggus. The stupid boy looks back at him dumfounded. ¡°That¡¯s just what mothers tell stupid children like you¡± He continued ¨Chis excitement turning to ridicule. ¡°But bu¨C¡± The idiot tried to defend himself. ¡°No buts!¡± The Chief suddenly raised his voice ¨Cstarling the boy into submission. Friedreich then rose from his seat abruptly, his elbow knocking a stack of books to the floor. ¡°Get out of this office!¡± he shouts theatrically ¡°And you better pray to Ekeyr I don¡¯t kill you for wasting my ever so precious time!¡± He phrases strangely. A few minutes later, Friedreich glares out the desk side window ¨Chaving pushed his Trielascope aside, not even bothering with the scratches on the floor boards. ¡°Traitor¡± he scowls, eyeing the stupid man from earlier, who was leaving with a confused expression ¨Cthirty gold richer. The poor excuse of woman who calls herself his secretary, Eda ¨Cor was it Oda? ¨Chad compensated him generously upon his exit. Something about ¡°keeping my position¡± and ¡°stop threatening the village residents with death¡± or some such barbernackle. Anyway, Friedreich turns away from the window, his previously supressed jovial expression fully apparent. Walking around his desk to the guest chair, he kneels down with a grunt, and reaches his hand under the seat. ¡°The idiot had had the topic of the conversation right at the forefront of his thoughts.¡± Friedreich idly mumbled to himself ¨Cswearing that he heard a sigh. Standing back up ¨Chis back cracking loudly ¨Che now holds a small hand sized plank of dark wood in his hands. Upon this plank were many glowing runes ¨Cdelicately carved into the wood ¨Cwhich Friedreich had painstakingly scripted to record rudimentary surface thoughts of the closest person. ¡°You¡¯ll never get use outta it Freddy¡± he said in a mocking voice, pressing his thumb hard on the runescript. ¡°Besides¡± he continued, ¡°Its illeeeegalll!¡± he stretched out the last word in a juvenile tone ¨Creleasing his thumb from the plank with a satisfied expression. Friedreich¡¯s mind was then assaulted with stimuli as he sifted through the information ¨Cavoiding useless thoughts like ¡®He¡¯s insane¡¯ and ¡®Ida save me¡¯ ¨CWho the hell is Ida? ¡°Aha!¡± he exclaimed, having found his goal. He hears a sound reminiscent of a sigh ¨Cmust be some kind of interference. Gleaning information from a barely coherent internal thought process monologued by an grossly overly masculine voice was difficult, but it was inevitable that he succeeded. ¡°A hundred or so leagues north into Kaelisis Forest¡± he intoned, smiling mischievously. ¡°Uma! Prepare the carriage!¡± he shouts without looking away from the plank in his hands.
As another laugh dies down, I watch the sweeping black miasma swirling throughout my domain. After observing the death mana further for a few hours out of pure interest, I had come to the idea of pushing the particles closer together like I had so many times before. The result was an oppressing field of black, which interestingly enough boosted the ability of my cockroaches. When I focus on a particularly thick clump of miasma, it reads:
[Death Miasma ¨CDeath Mana so focused it shows in the material plane. All Undead & Death Elementals receive + 5 to all Stats while within its influence]
Satisfied, I check my mana. Finding that I possess full internal mana once more, I summon another seven roaches ¨Cbringing my total up to fifteen. I directed four into the final two rooms ¨Ctwo in each ¨C and left the last three to wander in-between. I open my menu to admire the numbers. [Monster List]
Monster Type Price Amount
Giant Undead Cockroach Insectoid (Undead) Summon: 300 Internal Mana 15
On my way out of the menu, something catches my attention.
[You have unspent Attribute/Skill Points. Assign? (Yes/No)]
I had completely forgotten about that. Sighing internally, I select (Yes). ¡®Time for some number crunching¡¯ I complain. For attribute points, I have enough to put a hundred and fifteen into every stat ¨Cexcluding strength and agility of which I cannot have ¨Cwith one leftover. However, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea, for something ¨Cboth instinct and distant memory ¨Ctells me to be more specific. After brief consideration, I decide to focus mainly on intelligence and wisdom, with a secondary focus on willpower and perception. The final count comes to two hundred to both perception and willpower, with three hundred and eighty three and three hundred and eighty two to intelligence and wisdomrespectively. Following my investment, the following message appears. [Due to adequate Stat advancement, Title: Newborn Fledgling has evolved into Newborn] ¡®That¡¯s it?¡¯ I think ¨Cstumped ¡®How high is the damn standard in this world!?¡¯ I check my status to make sure.
Name: Enriched Newborn Dungeon (N/A) Titles: Newborn, Mana Enriched, Necromantic
Age: 0 Level: 233, 74%
Race: Dungeon Sub-Race: Mana Enriched Dungeon Form : Crystal Fame: 0 Reputation Lvl: 0 Stolen story; please report.
Health: 555/555 Life-force: 555/5,000 Stamina: ¡Þ/¡Þ Internal Mana: 4,399.5/4,399.5 External Mana: ¦¸.361/¦¸.361 Mana Potency: 75
Strength: 0 (13 ¨C 100%) Constitution: 16 (11 + 5) Endurance: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Defence: 7 (2 + 5) Dexterity: 5 (5 + 0) Agility: 0 (5 ¨C 100%) Intelligence: 4A.19 (4A.14 + 5) Wisdom: 4A.10 (4A.6 + 4) Willpower: 2A.31 (2A.26 + 5) Perception: 2A.14 (2A.14 + 0) Charisma: 7 (6 + 3 ¨C 2) Life-Span: ¡Þ (¡Þ ¨C 1) Skills: {Mana Vision} ¨C Lvl: 1, 2% {Raise Dead} ¨C Lvl: 1, 6% {Open Telepathic Projection}¨C Lvl: 1, 0% {Mana Enriched} ¨C Passive Lvl: 2, 12% {External Mana Endurance} ¨C Passive Lvl: 1, 34%
¡®What is¡­ that?¡¯ I pause ¨Ceyeing the appeared letters and omega. Almost without thinking, I focus on the symbols.
[-{A} ¨CEqual to 100 of corresponding Stat-]
[-{¦¸} ¨CEqual to 5,000 of corresponding Value-]
I pause ¨Cthe familiar feeling of insignificance resurfacing. ¡®If I¡¯m only just reaching these¡­ does that mean I¡¯m a lot smaller than I thought?¡¯ I muse. After a moment, instinct urges me on once more. I need to apply my skill points, and the annoyance I had felt at the computation involved seems completely illogical to me now. Checking the menu again, I have forty six skill points ¨Cso not knowing what to expect, I select (Yes) on the still present prompt. Immediately, a screen appears.
Skill Effect Cost
Illusion Field Create a field of illusionary magic. Have invaders experience a multitude of false stimuli. 150 Skill Points
Chrono Cage Create a cage were the flow of time slows. Have invaders experience a slower flow of time. 200 Skill Points
Spatial Pocket Create a pocket space separate from general space-time. Have multiple groups occupy a space simultaneously. 200 Skill Points
Telekinesis Greatly increased control over objects infused with external mana. Remotely move assimilated physical objects. 500 Skill Points
[LOCKED] [UNKNOWN] [UNKNOWN]
[LOCKED] [UNKNOWN] [UNKNOWN]
[LOCKED] [UNKNOWN] [UNKNOWN]
And they are all ridiculous out of my price range. ¡®Oh¡¯ I think ¡®Well¡­ later then.¡¯ I decide. Skill¡¯s being out of the question, I decide to strengthen my monsters. After searching, I find the first cockroach that I had claimed and begin injecting mana ¨Cmuch slower this time. After five minutes, it seems that nothing is happening ¨Cso I decide to appraise it while I work. I find that I cannot, and that I only receive this message:
[Unable to Appraise]
Confused, I stop injecting and appraise again ¨Cthis time working just fine. ¡®Can I not appraise while injecting mana?¡¯ I guess. It seems that is the case, so I again start injecting my mana into the creature without much of a thought ¨Cits status screen closing as I do so. As the first hour passes, I increase its mana intake from one a second to three and second. And just like that, every hour I increased it by two ¨Ca whole day passing without my notice. As I am increasing the dosage to two hundred a second ¨Cthe same rate it was when I reanimated it ¨Cit finally elicits a reaction. As I had executed my plan, the roach had been continuing its routine of standing in place ¨Cbut now it has begun to walk closer to my crystal. As it completed my unconscious command to be closer, it stills once more and begins to glow. Its thin grey exoskeleton shining like steel, it size slowly begins to increase. It almost looks as if it is stretching, like it has always been bigger, it was just crouched over the whole time. After five minutes it stops growing ¨Ca far cry from the day of feeding ¨Chaving grown a full metre in diameter. Now a behemoth among the other insects, it slightly bobs like a docked ship as I check its status excitedly.
Name: Mana Enriched Greater Giant Undead Cockroach (N/A) Titles: Cadaver, Contagious, Hardy, Mana Enriched, Undead,
Age: 3.5 Weeks (+.5) Level: 5, 45% (+3)
Race: Greater Giant Cockroach Sub-Race: Mana Enriched Cockroach Fame: 0 Reputation Lvl: 0
Health: 30/30 (+15) Stamina: ¡Þ/¡Þ Internal Mana: 4/4 (+.25) External Mana: .65/.65 (+.025) Mana Potency: 6.5 (+.25)
Strength: 14 (7 + 7) (+8) Constitution: 15 (8 + 7) (+5) Endurance: ¡Þ (¡Þ + 0) Defence: 20 (7 + 16 ¨C 3) (+3) Dexterity: 1 (4 + 0 ¨C 3) Agility: 7 (10 ¨C 3) Intelligence: 3 (2 + 4 ¨C 3) Wisdom: .5 (.5 + 3 ¨C 3) Willpower: 2A.31 ( = Master¡¯s Willpower) Perception: 25 (25 + 0) Charisma: -11 (-3 + 2 ¨C 10) Life-Span: ¡Þ( .3 + ¡Þ) Skills: {Mana Enriched} ¨C Passive Lvl: 3 (+2) {Antennae} ¨C Passive Lvl: 4 {Hardy} ¨C Passive Lvl: 16 (+5 Lvl: Undead) (+5) {Contagion} ¨C Lvl: 6 (+5 Lvl: Undead) {Minor Poison} ¨C Lvl: 6 (+4) {Undead} ¨C Passive Lvl: 5 (+4)
¡®Now that¡¯s more like it¡¯ I think ¨Cmy crystal pulsing in satisfaction. As the roaches glow dimmed I had feeling. The urge to name my monster rose from nowhere and before I knew it, the words were echoing throw my mind. ¡°I name you Fervec¡± I say ¨Cprojecting my voice outwards. Upon being named, Fervec glows once again ¨Cbut only for a moment. Immediately after, a panel appears.
[Skill ¨C {Name Bestowal} Learned}
Calmly intrigued, I focus on the new skill.
[-{Name Bestowal ¨CBestow a name unto ones creation, granting the ability for its memories and likeness to be recreated upon death}-]
¡®Ah¡¯ I think ¡®That makes sense¡¯. Though I am not really sure of how. Disregarding useless lines of thought, I decide that is time to create something new. Sustaining this Death Miasma is causing an irritating limit on my External Mana regen, so it¡¯s time to make it sustainable ¨Cand have a little fun whilst. I choose a random wall next to my crystal, and I focus. My vision magnifies ¨Cthe wall getting closer at a startling pace ¨Cand soon I am studying the perfectly flat stone microscopically. ¡®This isn¡¯t right¡¯ I think ¨Ceyeing the complete lack of microbes and some such life forms ¡®There is plenty of mana so why?¡¯ I ask. The answer hits me and proves me moronic. I shift my perception rapidly, and find ¨Cto my dismay ¨Cno life mana whatsoever. In spite of present amounts of other mana types ¨Cof which even light is among ¨Cthe energy of life is a no show. Using my power, I briefly attempt to shift some spare earth mana ¨Cthe second most copious mana around ¨C into what I need and find it rapidly surrounded and consumed by the abundant death energy around it. ¡®That¡¯d be why there¡¯s nothing living here¡¯ I conclude. ¡®No offense¡¯ I add for the benefit of a passing roach. To amend this issue, I create an empty room a few hundred metres away from the rest of me. Closer experiment rooms where contaminated by the seeping death mana ¨Cand I want this to be sterile. I inject some of internal mana into the space, creating a small amount of external mana within. Quickly, I convert about a third of it into life mana ¨Creleasing a relieved sigh when it survived. As I am considering how to produce bacteria, my domain expands ¨Cmy little room unintentionally extending my influence. Within this new influence, I quickly take note of the billions of microbes within the earth. ¡®Guess I just radiate death and kill everything around me huh¡¯ I muse, immediately opening thousands of microscopic openings into my experiment room. Almost immediately, the small room is filled entirely with all kinds of microscopic life ¨Cfrom stray bacteria to fungi and algae. Pleased, I swiftly convert the remaining mana into death mana, ruthlessly draining the life everything in the room. Besides the surprisingly large influx of energy upon the deaths ¨Cquickly refilling my internal reserves ¨CI have another reason for this course of action. Guessing that is more efficient, I push all the experiment rooms¡¯ death mana into the microbe corpses. Much quicker ¨Cand with practically no drain on my reserves this time ¨Cthe life forms rise from their rest.
[-Skill {Mass Raise Dead} Learned-]
[-{Mass Raise Dead ¨Cuse already present death mana to raise large amounts of dead much more efficiently}-]
¡®Useful¡¯ I think.