Cameron
To my assistant's irritation, I could not stop laughing.
“If you actually choose that, I'm going back to the Fey Realm, and I will leave you to dig your way out of this hole you've dug by yourself.”
But, it's been my dream ever since I came to this world. Just think of the possibilities!
“No. Not even as a joke. No.”
Another wave of mental laughter overcame me as I looked back to the perk option that had caused this interaction.
[Item: Opulent Rug
Cost: 20 (10) MP
Description: A beautifully woven rug made from fine silk.
Effect: Beautifully covers a 9'x12' patch of floor.]
“Why did you have to choose Items?”
I continued to laugh for a short while before I pulled myself out of it. As funny as it was, I did have limited time. I looked at the achievement I had just gotten again. Then, I sent the other two perk choices to Fabian.
[Achievement: Strong Start
Description: You have reached level 5 within a month.
Reward: You have gained 6,000 experience!]
[Item: Wooden Chest
Cost: 10 (5) MP
Description: A chest carved from wood.
Effect: A medium sized chest that you can store things in.]
[Environment: Forest
Description: You can incorporate aspects of a forest into your Dungeon.
Effect: Allows you to summon and modify soil and mundane vegetation. Any vegetation you summon subsists off of mana alone.]
Fabian let out a sigh of relief.
“Good, you have a decent choice.”
Yep, choosing it now.
“Chests will streamline the process of rewarding adventurers.”
Uh, what?
“Not only will you be able to put rewards in chests, but you'll also be able to get trapped variants later on. You could even unlock mimics down the line.”
Fabe.
“Yeah?”
I already chose Forest.
He paused for a moment, blinked a couple of times, then calmly said, “Too late to worry about that now, I guess. At least, you didn't go with the rug.”
Why wouldn't I choose the forest environment?
“It lets you create trees and bushes. Don't get me wrong. That's not bad, but chests have a lot of potential. Also, you can always unlock environments by choosing that as your focus, but chests are hard to get.”
Right. I think I'll take the plants that will help my monsters to hide.
He shrugged.
More importantly, how do I awaken Vie and Pee?
“The same way you do anything, will it to be.”
I did as he said, and I was met with a new Prompt.
[Please choose a name for your newly awakened monster(s).]
Vie and Pee.
[Vie and Pee have been awakened.]
[Achievement gained: From the Beginning!]
[Achievement: From the Beginning
Description: You have awakened one of the first 5 monsters you ever summoned.
Reward: The monster will gain +10% (minimum of 1 per level) more attribute points as free attribute points whenever it levels up!]
[Achievement gained: Two for One!]
[Achievement: Two for One
Description: You have awakened a monster with two consciousnesses.
Reward: When the monster gains a stat point that would only affect one of the consciousnesses, it gains another that only affects the other!]
I had known about the Two for One achievement, but Fabian hadn't mentioned the other one, presumably because he didn't know about it. That didn't matter to me in the moment, though. What did matter were Vie and Pie.
Hello? Are you there? I directed my thought toward them.
“Master.”
“Master!”
Two high-pitched and excited voiced resounded through my mind. I focused my vision on them. They were staring at my core, heads bobbing from side to side.
How do you two feel? Anything wrong?
“Perfect.”
“Wondrous!”
Ah, they are so cute!
“We are cute?”
“Is that good?”
I had not meant for that last part to be heard by the pair, but there was no way I wasn't going to double down.
Yes, you two are adorable, and yes, that's very good.
Their response was not something that could be put into words. I felt happiness flow from them through our new bond, and they sent me mental squeals of joy.
“What are your orders, master?”
“What shall we do?”
I paused for a moment before responding, Could you not call me master? It feels a bit weird.
“How should we address you, then?”
“What would you like us to call you?”
I was about to say my name, but I instinctively stopped myself. I already had Fabian calling me by a fake name. I didn't want anyone else doing that. Unsure, I asked, Well, what would you like to call me?
“If not master, then you are queen.”
“Mother!”
I felt my non-existent heart swell at their words. They were too cute. Before answering them, I took a moment to gather myself, and I reaffirmed my resolve.
No matter what, I will protect them.
I made sure not to send them that thought. Instead, I replied, Okay, either of those work.
“We shall serve our queen.”
“Mother is mother!”
Too cute!
I wanted to continue doting on them, but sadly, I knew I was still on a time limit. With that in mind, I turned the conversation to something important.
Do you two have anything you want to do? I mean, is there anything in specific you would like to work toward?
“To protect our queen.”
“To be of use to mother!”
Their answers were less than helpful, but that didn't matter. I would help them to figure out what they wanted to be later. In the meantime, I had something they could do.
I need to get some more work done. In the meantime, could you two practice sneaking around without being seen? You can also practice fighting with the Trenti that guards my core. Just make sure not to hurt each other too bad, and don't use up more than half of your mana.
“It shall be done.”
“Will do!”
They slithered over to the side and started sneak attacking the Trenti repeatedly. It was a terrifying sight, but to me, it was adorable.
“Are they everything you hoped they'd be?” Fabian asked.
Yes. They're perfect. Come on, let's get back to work. I need to get stronger, so I can protect them.
“Okay, I believe we were onto the Monster Customization achievements. Oh, don't forget to finish up with the elixirs first.”
Thanks for the reminder.
I summoned two more Elixirs of Minor Strength. I placed one in the first room and gave the second to the guard Trenti to drink.
Here, this should make your training a little harder.
“We shall overcome this challenge.”
“We'll give it our all!”
Their diligence was endearing. I hoped that, given time, they could grow strong enough that they didn't have to worry about anyone hurting them, but that wasn't the reason I did it. Giving Vie and Pee a challenge was a nice bonus, but the potion served a different purpose, a purpose that was immediately recognized by the System.
[Achievement gained: Magically Enhanced!]
[Achievement: Magically Enhanced
Description: One of your monsters has consumed an enhancement item.
Reward: The monster has gained the Alchemy skill!]
I didn't dare to hope that skill would be useful after what happened to my last Trenti. Instead, I acknowledged the achievement and moved on, summoning a lone Shadow Viper in the first room.
Next, I began modifying it. I weakened its vitals and siphoned mana from it. I shrunk it down, and added weight. Finally, I changed some proportions to make it more unwieldy. In total, I spent an extra eleven Dungeon Points on it, and confirmed my selection.
[Achievement gained: Runt!]
[Achievement: Runt
Description: One of your monsters has achieved half of the stat points a normal member of its species would have at its level!
Reward: Monsters with lower base stat totals than normal members of their species would have at their level cost half of the Dungeon Points it would normally take to maintain them.]
Since I had multiple achievements that gave at least ten stat points to every monster I summoned, it was unlikely I could take advantage of that reward, but I took mental note of it and moved on.
I absorbed two more of the bodies I had stored. Then, I summoned another Shadow Viper in my core room. I spent five extra DP to give it Necrotic Venom. Then, I customized it to not have fangs.
[Achievement gained: Useless Ability!]
[Achievement: Useless Ability
Description: It is impossible for one of your monsters to use one of its abilities.
Reward: You have gained 600 experience!]
[Achievement gained: Wasted Aspect!]
[Achievement: Wasted Aspect
Description: You have given a monster an aspect that it can not use.
Reward: You have gained 600 experience!]
I only spared the achievements a glance as I summoned another. I spent two DP to give it a single leg. Then, I called out, Sorry to interrupt your practice, but I need to borrow the Trenti for a moment.
“Your will is more important than our training, our queen.”
“What do you need it for?”
I need it to attack these Shadow Vipers.
“Understood.”
“Why?”
There are two achievements I need to get. I need it to kill one and bring the other down to one health.
I did not feel good about forcing my monsters to kill each other, but it was unavoidable if I wanted to get every last achievement I could in the rapidly dwindling time I had left to do so.
“Could we not assist?”
“Yes, mother, please allow us to help!”
I recoiled at the suggestion.
This isn't something I want either of you to do. I understand you will need to kill to defend us, but I don't want you to have to kill your allies, especially not directly. I don't even want to do this at all, but it needs to be done.
“As you command, our queen.”
“If you say so mother.”
I felt my heart melt again, but I forced myself to keep moving. I was doing it for them. I needed to push on.
Do it.
[Your Shadow Viper (Level 1) was slain! No experience gained.]
[Achievement gained: Friendly Fire!]
[Achievement: Friendly Fire
Description: One of your monsters has killed another one of your monsters.
Reward: You have gained 120 experience!]
I stared at the dead snake for a long moment, an inexplicable sadness welling up inside me.
“Don't let it bother you,” Fabian pulled me from my thoughts, “The Fairy Council has done in-depth studies. In the wild, most monsters are not sentient, but many have emotions on the level of animals. The ones you spawn, unless awakened, don't even have that. They are only bundles of instinct.”
In theory, it made sense, but it still bothered me. Either way, I had to keep moving forward. I summoned another, gave it an extra eye, and had the Trenti lower it to one health again. Then, I ordered the fangless one to jump in the pit.
[Your Shadow Viper (Level 1) was slain! No experience gained.]
[Achievement gained: Klutz!]
[Achievement: Klutz
Description: One of your monsters has died to your Dungeon's environment.
Reward: You have gained 120 experience!]
I tried to distract myself from the guilt that came with the message.
We are so close.
“We are. Finish up with the Shadow Vipers, and I'll tell you what I've figured out.”
I absorbed the last body that I had been saving. Then, I summoned two more snakes. I spent a Dungeon Point to imbue one with extra mana, and I stretched the other one out slightly.
[Achievement gained: Every Shape and Size!
[Achievement: Every Shape and Size
Description: You have customized 10 monsters of the same species in different ways.
Reward: The cost of each individual customization is reduced by 1 DP!]
It was by far the best reward that of any that the achievements I had been after granted. An overall reduction to the cost of Monster Customization was priceless to me, even if it only saved a point per change I made. It retroactively reduced the DP cost of Vie and Pee from twenty-two to eighteen and the Trenti from twenty-six to twenty-two. Better yet, it meant I could make small customizations to anything I summoned for free. Every single monster could get a few extra stat points and maybe even camouflage for no cost. There were limits to how much I could abuse it, but it was powerful.
What have you got for me Fabe?
“We have two achievements that we're just waiting on, and you can still get Extinction. The one might not pan out, but assuming it does, you're still three short. I'm pretty sure I could get you those three if you chose a few specific monsters, but they wouldn't be what you want. Otherwise, I can only think of one that you have the time and ability to get. How much time do you think we have anyway?”
I was not at all confident in my ability to tell time, but I still glanced at the sun outside.
I don't know. Maybe an hour?
“That's not long at all. It's no way near enough time for the Shadow Viper to recover. Since there aren't any delvers at the moment, you should be able to heal it with mana. It's expensive, but we don't have much of a choice. At a one to one conversion, will you still have enough for that last summon?”
I checked the numbers before I responded, Just barely.
“Do it.”
I poured my mana into the snake until its health reached full.
[Achievement gained: A Full Recovery!]
[Achievement: A Full Recovery
Description: One of your monsters has survived with 1 health and made a full recovery.
Reward: The monster species and its evolutions have gained +1 to VIT!]
“Good. Now, go for Extinction.”
I quickly selected a new monster to unlock. Having hit level five, I could choose three new monsters from any type, but I only chose one, saving the other two for later. I had already discussed it with Fabian, so I was at least sure of that one option.
[Force Boar
Level: 1
Cost: 12 DP
Health: 70 (80)
Stamina: 50 (60)
Mana: 40 (60)
Stats: FORT 14 (16), VIT 8 (10), STR 12 (14), END 10 (12), SOUL 4 (6), MIND 4 (6), WILL 8 (10), COM 2 (4), DEX 12 (14), AGI 12 (14)
Skills: None
Abilities: Velocity Transference
Description: A boar monster with inherent force magic. It is easily angered and will attack anything that moves with little to no provocation.
Upgrades: Professional Amateur (+1 to every stat), A Walk in the Park (+5% to DEX and WILL), Too Close for Comfort (+1 to every stat)]
[Ability: Velocity Transference
Cooldown: 1 minute
Description: While moving, you come to an abrupt halt, transferring your velocity to whatever you hit.
Effect: Once per minute, you can transfer your velocity to a target that you make contact with. This ability costs 1 mana for every foot per second of velocity you transfer.]
As soon as I unlocked the monster, I summoned one. Then, I immediately gave up my ability summon any more, gaining its Velocity Transference ability as an aspect instead. Once that was done, I had my Trenti kill it.
[Achievement gained: Extinction!]
[Achievement: Extinction
Description: You have lost a monster that you can't replace.
Reward: You have gained 6,000 experience!]
I gave the Trenti the go ahead to return to practicing with Vie and Pee. Then, I asked my fairy, What now?
“Now, summon a Horned Draco and a copper coin. It should cost the same amount as you got back from absorbing the boar.”
I did as he said.
“Have the Horned Draco drag the coin into your secret tunnels and lay down on top of it.”
I gave the order. A few moments later, I got an alert.
[Achievement gained: Dragon's Hoard!]
[Achievement: Dragon's Hoard
Description: One of your draconic monsters has started a hoard.
Reward: The monster species and its evolutions have gained the ability Hoard of Dragons!]
[Ability: Hoard of Dragons
Description: You become stronger while protecting your hoard.
Effect: While protecting your hoard, you gain +10% to every stat.]
That is actually really good.
“It would be if it wasn't on the singular weakest draconic monster there is.”
He had a point, but I'd take what I could get. The problem was, there wasn't much left I could get.
“You still need three achievements. The only ideas that I have left require you to use the two monster choices you have left for specific monsters, so let's figure out which ones you can live with.”
What followed was a rushed and stressful conversation about my options and which would be best. We had to be pressing up against the deadline, and I wasn't thrilled with the prospect of choosing monsters just for this, but we had come too far to turn back. In the end, I had to make a decision, but as I was about to do so, a System message came in.
[Your Shadow Viper (Level 1) was slain! No experience gained.]
One second, I'm going to check on that.
As I turned my view to the group in my first room, I got another alert.
[Achievement gained: Generous!]
[Achievement: Generous
Description: An individual has claimed an item or piece of equipment that you summoned with a far higher value than the challenge they faced to get it.
Reward: You have gained 600 experience!]
Well, as a silver lining, I can choose two monsters that give one achievement each now, or only waste one pick on a monster I can get two achievements from, right?
“Yeah, but I think you have bigger problems. That Shadow Viper was intentionally made weak, but it should have still given experience.”
At his words, I started paying the group my full attention.
“Ha! Everyone's been saying this Dungeon is dangerous and that there's no treasure. Clearly they've been lying to keep all the good stuff to themselves,” a muscular orc woman cheered as she raised the elixir I had left out over her head.
“Yeah,” a cloaked beastkin man agreed, “I bet the warning the guild put out about not going through the small tunnel in the back was a load too. Let's see just how much treasure is back there.”
“Forget the treasure,” an burly orc man, the last member of their group, cheered, “I heard the core's worth a fortune. If this is all the Dungeon's got, I bet we can get our hands on it. We'll never have to work again in our lives!”
The other two excitedly shouted their agreement.
Well, shit.