83 Elis
[Title: Dungeon Master]
[Description: Bond with a dungeon core and create a dungeon. Anything that enters the dungeon will recognize you as its master.
While inside the dungeon, all your and your allies’ powers increase by +10%. Can teleport anywhere inside the dungeon at will.]
Leon stared at the translucent screen floating steadily in front of his face.
“So I’m a Dungeon Master now… That’s cool,” he muttered, cracking a grin that tugged up the corners of his mouth.
‘This staircase will lead to the first floor, Master,” the calm, feminine voice of the dungeon core echoed beside him.
“You can modify it as you wish. If you desire to trap intruders within the dungeon, altering the stairs is a simple method.”
Leon nodded, casually dismissing the notification window with a flick of his hand. He took a step forward, his boots lightly tapping against the stone as he began descending the staircase. The dungeon core walked alongside him, Silently.
As they walked deeper, the light faded steadily, the air turning colder and heavier with each step. Shadows crept along the stone walls. Yet something felt strange.
‘Wait… is it just me or can I see better in this darkness than I usually can?’ Leon blinked a few times, then activated his skill just in case.
<Adaptive Body>
[Adjusting Host’s Eyes…]
His pupils shrank, reshaping into narrow slits like a cat’s. His vision suddenly sharpened- everything around him became clearer, as if the darkness wasn’t even a problem anymore.
He could see the stonework along the walls. It was rough but well-formed. The dungeon seemed to be carved from the same kind of stone as the Goblin Dungeon he’d been in yesterday, Except there were no vines or moss here though-nothing organic, nothing wild. Just clean, bare dungeon stone.
“This is the first room, Master, the core said softly, continuing her float forward.
Leon glanced around and noticed that it was very much similar to the goblin dungeon’s first room.
“Do you have a name?” he asked, casually.
“I do not, Master. It would be an honor to receive one from you, she replied, her voice as polite and emotionless as ever.
“Hmm… How about Elis?” Leon spoke after a brief pause.
“I am honored, Master.”
And the moment those words left her mouth-
(-450 MP]
Thud!
Leon’s knees buckled instantly. A wave of dizziness crashed over him like a hammer, and he barely managed to stop himself from slamming into the ground.
[+761 MP]
In the blink of an eye, his mana regenerated.
“Fucking hell. Why the hell did I lose so much mana just now?” he groaned, placing one hand against the wall to push
himself upright.
“You gave me a name, Master. Naming a dungeon core, monster, or summon consumes a considerable amount of mana.
It is a form of spiritual binding. The act solidifies our connection,” Elis explained.
Leon exhaled sharply. “Yeah… I’ve heard of that before, now that you mention it.”
‘I read about that in Mangas’ Leon thought thought. 2
As Elis continued forward, she gestured toward another open space. “This is the second room, Master.”
Leon followed, but something caught his eye-there were no doors between the rooms.
“Hey… why aren’t these rooms separated? Shouldn’t there be a gate or something in between?” he asked, frowning.
“I require physical materials to construct proper gates. Wood, metal, stone and a huge amount of mana. Currently, there are none available, Master.”
‘Ah… that makes sense, Leon thought. ‘So the dungeon core uses physical materials from outside sources. Like the sword blades and armor scraps from dead adventurers. She uses that stuff to build structures, traps, doors and other things inside the dungeon. Just like the Goblin Dungeon.”
“So, if I bring you wood and metal, you’ll be able to set traps and build gates between rooms?”
“Absolutely, Master. However, even with the materials, crafting will consume a significant amount of mana and unfortunately-“
“You don’t have any… I know.” Leon replied.
They entered the final room-larger, more spacious than the others. It reminded Leon of the Goblin Lord’s room.
“So… when you say ‘a significant amount of mana’— how much exactly are we talking about?” Leon asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It is difficult to quantify in simple terms, Master. Mana requirements fluctuate based on the complexity of the structure. But… if you’d like, I can demonstrate. Could you please extend your hand ?”
“Like this?” Leon held his hand out.
“Thank you. I will take a small amount of mana from you. Please try not to be alarmed.”
She gently placed her hand over his. A soft blue glow pulsed from her fingertips.
[-100 MP]
[+761 MP]
Leon’s mana Instantly recovered.
“Now, please look towards the center of the room, Master.”
Grrrrrr
The floor trembled slightly as stones rose from the ground, clicking together until they formed a basic throne in the middle of the chamber.
“That is what I could build with the mana I just took. Do you understand now, Master?”
Leon approached the throne, brushing his hand along the stone armrest. He sat down with a small smirk.
“Yeah, I get it now.”
“I require ambient mana to build structures and evolve the dungeon further-*
“Come here,” Leon interrupted, extending his hand again.
“Yes, Master,” she said, floating toward him.
“Take more mana.”
“As you command, Master. How much?”
“Triple the amount from earlier.”
“As you command, Master.”
[-300 MP]
[+761 MP]
“I’ve done it, Mas-“
“Again.” Leon spoke with a smile, He wasn’t worried about mana anymore.
“Yes, Master.”
[-300 MP]
[+761 MP]
“Should I-
“Keep doing it until I tell you to stop.” Leon replied.
“As you command, Master.”
She continued draining 300 MP per second. Leon’s recovery rate kept him from dipping too low, but he still felt the lightheaded pressure from the rapid flow of mana getting in and out of his body.
Still, he remained seated and calm. It was manageable.
One Hour Later…
“Master…” Elis suddenly stopped.
Leon opened his eyes lazily. “Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“I can no longer absorb mana, Master. I’ve reached my current storage limit. My core will begin evolving now. The process will some take time.”
Leon straightened slightly. “Evolving, huh?”
“Yes master, Once it completes, I will be able to store and utilize larger quantities of mana. In the meantime, I can perform full structural adjustments with the mana you have me.”
Leon leaned back in the throne. “Can you rearrange the dungeon ? Like… stack the floors upon each other and connect them with diagonal staircases?”
“As you command, Master.” Elis lowered her hand to the floor.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
The entire dungeon trembled violently. It felt like an earthquake. Leon gripped the arms of his throne, watching the exit gate shift and twist. From the stone, new stairs formed- rising one by one like steps being summoned from air.
Two minutes passed and everything stopped.
“It is done, Master,” Elis said quietly.
Leon stood from his throne. “Alright… let’s see this.”
‘How do I teleport again? Should I just say it out loud ?’
“Teleport me to the second floor.” Leon spoke and he vanished immediately.
Dungeon’s Second Floor
Swish!
Leon reappeared on the second floor, landing smoothly on his feet. A grin stretched across his face.
Stairs to the left went upward. Stairs to the right went downward. It was a proper layered dungeon structure just like he commanded her to make.
He walked down the right-side stairs, heading back toward the final room. Elis stood inside, waiting.
“Elis, now that you’ve got enough mana stored… can you create another room in the dungeon?” he asked, stepping into the room.
T’m afraid not, Master. My current capacity allows control of only three rooms. If I attempt to add more, the earlier ones will collapse. Once my core finishes evolving, I will be able to construct additional chambers.” Elis replied.
“I see…” Leon nodded thoughtfully. Then his expression shifted to a perverted one.
“Hey… can you make naughty traps too ?” He asked.