In the dead of the night.
Suddenly, the eyes of the sleeping old man, John opened. He got up and sat up on his bed. He turned in the direction of Richard's house, his eyes was fixed at a certain spot as if he can see in the darkness. Following that, a meaningful smile appeared on the old man's lips before he lay down on his bed again and he began to doze off.
...
"From now on, you're Teehee." Peter looked at his dungeon guide with satisfaction, thinking that the name he had given her was very beautiful.
"That's such an ugly name master, teehee!~" the dungeon guide's cheeks swelled with displeasure.
"You don't like it?" Peter asked, seemingly incredulous.
"Put some effort, master!" the dungeon guide snarled at him. Peter just scratched the back of his neck. He carefully studied the appearance of the person he was talking to. Apart from her small size, cuteness, big eyes and pointed ears, she had one more striking characteristic.
"I know! I'll call you Peach from now on." Peter smiled at the dungeon guide.
Based on thedungeon guide's reaction to it, it seems she liked the name Peach.
"It's beautiful, master. I like its sound. What does Peach mean?" the dungeon guide asked earnestly, her eyes shining brightly.
Actually, he was joking with the guide with the first name he had given. The floating dungeon guide had a different hair color compared to that of Peter's usual hair. Her long hair was peach colored. A rare color for a natural hair color. He think its rareness matched Peach own rareness.
Peter pointed his index finger in the air.
"I took your name Peach from a notable characteristic of yours. The color of your hair." Peter looked to his side.
He started pointing in front of him, as if there was a blackboard.
"Peach is a type of color. The color's sweetness is pleasing to the eye. Also, the color peach is often associated with women. You could say that the color peach equals cuteness." Peter's gaze shifted between the dungeon guide and the imaginary blackboard beside him.
Peter nodded.
It seems that no matter what race or age, no woman is immune to compliments. Peter Bulalakaw concluded to himself. A little more push and she'll agree.
"Peach is also a type of fruit. Peaches are sweet. That's why I thought I'd name you Peach because the name suits you. You look cute and sweet. Do you like it, Peach?" Peter added, ending his short trivia about peaches.
"Yes, master. I really want to have it! From now on, I'm Peach!" the rosy-cheeked dungeon guide said enthusiastically, still laughing.
Peter smiled with satisfaction. He was happy that he made the dungeon guide happy.
"No! From now on, she shouldn't be called dungeon guide but Peach," he said in his mind.
"I'm happy that you're happy, Peach." Peter said with a smile.
"Thank you, master!" Peach said.
"That's nothing, Peach."
The dungeon guide laughed heartily.
.
.
.
After Peach finished celebrating Peter naming her, she started doing her job.
"What's in this house, Peach?"
"There's nothing special in it! It's just a normal house, master."
Peter was disappointed by Peach's answer. He was expecting a bit from it because it was inside a magical dungeon.
Peter just shrugged.
Unbeknownst to him, this normality was enough for what would happen in the future.
"As a dungeon guide, how will you guide me, Peach?"
"You're too much in a hurry, master! I'm about to start explaining. Listen carefully."
Peach flicked her finger. At the same time, Peter's status board opened. He realized that Peach had the ability to open his status board without his permission.
All explanations of each category found in his status board are also expanded.
...
Name : Peter Bulalakaw (Updated!)
Race : Human
Gender : Male
Age : 23
Lifespan : (40-90)
Title :
Master of the Livelihood Dungeon!
- Let's him use the unique skill Livelihood Dungeon!
Status :
Stats.
Strength : E
Resilience : E
Agility : E
Spirit : E
Ability :
Livelihood Dungeon!
- A unique skill created by the parallel earth goddess for Peter to solely use.
Points! (3 divided categories)
DP! (Dungeon Points!) : 10
- Points needed to upgrade the dungeon itself.
LP! (Livelihood Points!) : 0
- Points needed to buy things for upgrading the pets, crops and trees.
MP! (Master Points!) : 10
- Points needed by the dungeon master to strengthen himself.
...
Sub-abilities :
Appraisal
- Only capable of appraising things and beings inside the Livelihood Dungeon!
- Only capable of appraising things and beings considered as possession of the Livelihood Dungeon!
...
Shops! (Use points)
Dungeon Shop!
Expansion
- Use points to expand the dungeon.
Tools
- Tools used for the crops.
Build
- Use to automatically build houses for pets and crops reared by the master.
Livelihood Shop!
Seeds
- Buy crops and tree seeds.
Fertilizers
- Magical fertilizers that helps the monstrous growth of the crops and trees.
Crests of Friendship
- Buy to make an animal or monster as a pet. Immediately establish a link between the pet and the master's souls.
Master Shop!
Abilities
- List of abilities that can be purchased by the master for his use.
- Abilities available are abilities his pets and crops owned.
...
Peach began the explanation.
"The information on your status board is self-explanatory but since you're my master, I'll still explain it to you in case there's something you don't understand!"
The most important of the things you need to learn are the three types of points. Those are Dungeon, Livelihood and Master Points.
Basically, if we compared to doing business, these points are your most valuable asset!
Dungeon Points are for purchasing upgrades for the dungeon itself.
Livelihood Points are what you will use to buy crests for adding companions and seeds that you need to plant. In my humble opinion, master, Livelihood Points are what you needed most in doing business. Although right now you don't have a single Livelihood Points.
But don't worry master. There are ways to generate each of the three categories of points!
The last one is Master Points. This is the most important of all if you ask me. In this world, the strength to survive is important. Master Points are the answer to living a long life!
That's it for the valuable points.
Now, let's move on to your only sub-ability!
Appraisal gives you the wonderful ability to scan and learn everything about things within your territory, the Livelihood Dungeon! It also has the ability to appraise things that are recognized as your property even if they are outside your territory. For example, the pets that have already established a link with you, dungeon master!
And that's all the explanation I have about your ability, my dear dungeon master. For now!
Let's move on to something else!"
The dungeon guide, Peach, flicked her fingers once more.
The dungeon master, Peter's jaw almost dropped to the ground.
A virtual map appeared in front of him out of nowhere.
On the map, the entirety of the Livelihood Dungeon was in full display.
The map was highly detailed. It also has colors.
It's in pixel. Although its pixelated, it was the highest quality one.
You can see everything on it.
From the house or according to the name shown on the map, the Master's Lodge, to the tree and weeds, or was those rocks, tree branches and trashes and most importantly him and Peach.
Was that one a fountain?
The art style was similar to anime.
It kind of reminded Peter of something.
A game. It kinda resembles an old but not too old of a game. A farming simulation game.
Enough with games.
In the northeastern corner of the dungeon map, Peter's house can be seen. Inside the house, you can see a picture and the names of both him and Peach. Even the house has a name, "Master's Lodge." This is what he was talking about earlier.
Meanwhile, in the northeastern most corner, besides the Master's Lodge, there is actually a source of water. It also has a name. "Magical Fountain of Life."
Not far from the house is an old banana tree.
Peter smiled when he discovered Ichiro, his wolf companion, resting in the shade of a tree.
"Have you've seen the magical fountain of life now, master?" Peach, still laughing, suddenly interrupted the silence.
"Yes." Peter replied.
"That's good to hear, master!
That fountain is probably the most treasured possession you have now. Its a water source after all. It's crucial for any living creature and it's even more so for a dungeon that focuses on Livelihood. You need water for those seeds that you will plant.
The Magical Fountain of Life has an infinite amount of reserved water.
That water from the fountain is very miraculous.
If used for drinking and watering plants, the magical water will do wonders for the taker.
One more thing. That lone tree, the banana tree is a bonus gift from the goddess.
There's another bonus gift from the goddess.
"I have a pack of seeds that you should plant, my master."
After Peach finished saying that, as if on cue, a pack of seeds appeared in front of Peter. The dungeon master quickly caught the falling package of seeds with both palms.
"What kind of seeds are these? Is it a fruit or a vegetable?" Peter asked the floating Peach enthusiastically.
"Those are corn seeds that you need to plant, master!" Peach responded kindly to her master's question.
"I understand." Peter smiled and readily acknowledged the assigned mission.
"You will be responsible for growing your dungeon from now on, my master!"
"Good luck!" Peach cheered him on.
...
Peter groaned as his arm rested on his head.
Peter tilted his head a bit to the side as he was dazzled when the light shone through his now wide-open eyes upon awakening. He carefully and gently placed his right palm on top of the bed to try to lift himself up. The pressure caused by him shifting his weight around made the dried hay contained inside of the rag mattress ended up making a crackling sound despite his effort.
Peter, who was sitting, opened his eyes only to be forced to close them again due to the pain from the glaring morning light that was directly penetrating through the open doorway that was with no door. He opened & closed his eyes several times to adjust his sight to the morning light.
"You finally woke up, mister merchant. Come here and share a meal with me." Peter tried to follow the source of the gentle voice. His vision was still a bit blurry. His eyes were puffy and red from staying up late.
Peter realized that it was Matilda who invited him to join her for breakfast. Matilda happened to be the wife of the farmer named Richard.
"I appreciate it but i need to pass. I have something important to do outside as soon as possible," Peter said in an politely refused the courteous offer. Truth is, he doesn't want to join her in a meal. He's not being stuck-up or anything. He really just can't stomach to eat anything while smelling the rotten stench coming from the combination of excrement discharged by the livestock as well as the food waste being fed on the said farm animals.
Peter tried to get up from the sitting position he was in but the young man immediately stopped as soon as he felt an uncomfortable feeling. He sat back down while clutching his head. It's in pain. His whole body was hurting too because he was sleep deprived.
Peter looked at one side of the house where the fences separating them from the livestock.
"Meeeeeeeeh!"
"Cluck-cluck!"
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
"MooooOOO!
"Oink-oink!"
Peter couldn't sleep even after returning from the Livelihood Dungeon earlier because of these domesticated farm animals.
"I really need to find somewhere else to stay. I'll never get used to living in this place. It's too noisy. I'm sorry!" Peter muttered to himself. While thinking, Peter was suddenly startled by a sudden noise coming from outside.
"What is that?" Peter asked himself in worry. It was supposed to be an internal monologue but it looks like he ended up asking the question loud enough because Mathilda answered him.
"Seems like they're starting to attack our farmers' crops again." Matilda responded mysteriously to Peter's question.
"They?" Peter asked.
"If you're that curious about them you can come out and see them for yourself, Mr. Merchant." The farmer's wife suggestion seemed to have served as a signal for Peter as he leaned his upper body to sneak a peek outside. Peter's eyes became as big as saucers at what he witnessed.
Outside, the farmers were standing in their lush green fields. Farmers were working together in solidarity to repel the thousands of invaders in the air.
A part of the sky seemed to have turned into nighttime because of the huge flock of birds covering the skies. They were attacking Richard's and other farmers crops.
"What are those, Matilda?" Peter asked his companion in amazement.
"Those vermin are known as Skylarks. If we can't successfully drive those birds away, us farmers will starve." an undeniable tone of anger and depression was evident in Matilda's voice as she answered Peter's question.
"Pardon me for raising my voice, sir." even Matilda was surprised by her strong reaction.
"No. It's fine. I understand you." Peter sympathized with her. Anyone including himself will understand the frustration this farmer's wife is feeling. It's a stressful circumstance to be in.
"Whoever is defeated will be the one who loser and will go with empty stomach and whoever wins will temporarily be relieved of their hunger," said Peter while observing the current conflict.
But Peter couldn't help but be amazed by the birds melodious chirping despite the ongoing intense competition for food.
...
"The Skylarks probably symbolizes our world." Old John suddenly interrupted the conversation between the two Peters and Richard the farmer.
The father and son accompanied Peter back to old John's tavern to eat shortly after they had successfully chased away the Skylarks.
"What do you mean by that, old man John? They are the ones who symbolizes our world? That's a load of crap, old man." Richard angrily confronted old man John.
Richard is truly angry with the birds called Skylarks. These birds have always been the mortal enemies of farmers from generations to generations.
"Don't let your emotions get the better of you, Richard. Don't let your anger blind you to what you should see," said old man John meaningfully.
"You probably know the story about the Skylark birds, right Peter? As a travelling merchant, you should know." the old man suddenly turned his attention to Peter.
"Of course. Of course." Peter pretended. In truth, he had no idea.
"That's good." Old John said to Peter with a smile.
"You know for sure that the name of the world we live in, including our kingdom, is the Skylark Realm." The old man simply winked, making Peter, and even the father and son, look at him questioningly.
Peter was worried. He couldn't get that wink out of his mind. He wondered what it really meant.
"No one knows when or how our world got its name. It's just that that name has been familiar to most people since the beginning. There are many speculations about that name, but one theory stands out above the rest." Old John paused and looked at Peter for a moment.
"According to the theory, the birds known as Skylarks, which have the largest population among the bird species, are the basis for this.
Like the Skylark birds, the creator wants to convey to us that everyone should live fearlessly in the face of any trial or storm."
After old John let out those last words, Peter felt a strange warmth in his chest. Unbeknownst to him, he was gripped by the message conveyed by the universal theory in the name of the realm.
"I'll live freely and without fear just like the Skylarks that sing and roam freely in the sky." Peter promised to himself.