Dungeon Core Online

Chapter 10

James would have facepalmed if he could when he saw the screen she pulled up. Boss Mob Creator. Seriously, they had definitely made these screens rather self-explanatory.

"So, what do we do first?" James asked Rue as he stared at the screen. It had a list of Tiers, all of which were greyed out save for Tier 1. He was certain he just needed to select that to get the process started but wanted to give Rue the chance to explain it to him. He also didn't want to risk missing anything. There were more than a few times when he had rushed ahead in a game, to miss something really important.

"Well, as I'm sure you have inferred, this screen will allow you to create your boss mobs for each tier." Ya don't say.

"How many bosses am I allowed per floor?" Some of the books he had read included multiple boss mobs on a single floor. He had also played many games where dungeons would have mini bosses as well as a main boss.

"That depends on your Tier Glyax." She motioned towards Tier 1. "At Tier 1, you are limited to a single boss mob. Tier 2 gives you the option to create a boss mob, as well as a mini boss. Tier 3 starts allowing you to create multiple boss mobs." So, the system would scale with his levels, and likely those of the adventurers as well. He was constantly reminded that while he seemed to have almost free reign on his dungeon, the developers had put in certain restrictions to level the playing field. He had to at least give them that.

"Alright, so if I select Tier 1 boss mob." He activated the screen as he did, and a new window, along with a slot machine, popped up. "Seriously?" He let out a sigh as he looked at the slot machine. The developers either really wanted players to be affected by RNGesus, or they were really greedy.

"This slot machine will give you three options for the basic model of your boss. From there, you can choose, as before, to reroll with V-coin, or select a model you like. From there, you will be able to further influence your boss."

"If you would, my dear." If he had his body, he would have added a flourish in as he spoke. He was trying to be classy.

"Certainly, kind sir." Rue flashed him a grin and pulled the lever. Once again, whimsical music began, and James watched as the slot machine flipped through various options. How many options could the developers have come up with boss models? A few moments later, he was staring, dumbstruck, at his results.

Demonic Ear of Corn

Possessed Tractor

Demonic Farmer

Well, that explained it. Just like mob types, they probably created any and all possibilities, no matter how bad, into the game. If James ever met one of the developers-

"Are you going to reroll? Or do you see an option you like?" Rue was motioning with a grin towards the slot for V Coin. Was his AI programed to try and tempt him into playing the slots? James knew from previous experiences that he, and probably most gamers, had a minor gambling problem. If he started rolling now, he was certain he would burn through a good amount of coin.

"I think I'll choose one of the three here." In his mind, he was already doing his best to imagine each of the bosses. He couldn't help but grin imagining the giant ear of corn as a boss. He was curious if adventurers used fire against it, would it pop? He was half tempted to choose it just to see. However, he was already stuck with a, colorful, set of mobs. James wanted his boss to be at least a little serious. Plus, one of the options fit with his overarching plans for his first floor.

"I'm going to choose the Demonic Farmer."

"What, no popcorn boss?" Rue feigned disappointment as the other options disappeared, and information began to populate the blank screen in front of him.

Tier 1 Boss Mob

Demonic Farmer – Unnamed

HP- 500

MP- 250

ATK- 50

DEF- 50

Unique Abilities

Donkey Kick- Summons a demonic donkey from the underworld. The donkey will appear beneath an adventurer and kick them, sending them 10 + lvl yards back. Attack will do 20 points of flat magic damage, and cause falling damage. 25% chance to stun for 10 seconds.

Ol' Mcbossy had a farm (Aura)- Bolsters demonic farm animals within a 15 + lvl yard radius, increasing their stats by 100%. Any mobs effected by this will come to the aid of the Demonic Farmer.

"Woah." James couldn't help but breath out as he looked over the Boss's information. Compared to his other mobs, the boss was extremely formidable. He highly doubted adventurers would be able to take him on solo, especially not at lower levels. This boss was definitely going to gain him some experience. That second ability, while poorly named, made James smile. He could imagine his boss buffing a group of dickens, who then would gain their additional buff as they swarmed over adventurers. Oh yes, this boss was going to be fun.

"Are you happy with your choice?" Rue was looking down at her nails, as if she had grown bored while he was looking over his boss' information. His AI really had a lot of attitude.

"I am." He gave the farmer's stats one last look over, before turning back to Rue. "So, do we summon him now?"

"In a rush, are you?" Rue grinned as James turned quickly to look at the clock. He still had a little over 14 hours remaining. He was definitely not feeling rushed.

"No, just excited." Rue let out a genuine laugh, as she flew over to him, resting a hand on his orb. "I like your enthusiasm Glyax. However, you've still got a little more work, before we can truly play." She shot him a wink and motioned back towards the screen. A new tab appeared, labeled upgrades. The number 5 was flashing next to it.

"Every time you generate a boss mob, you will have 5 upgrade points to use, prior to summoning the boss for the first time. This is because your boss starts at a higher level than the mobs on each floor do. For instance, on your first floor, your mobs are level 1, but your boss will be level 5. As you gain ranks in your tiers, they will all each grow a level per rank."

"So, when I hit Rank 2, my mobs will be level 2, and my boss will be level 6?"

"That is correct. You will also then gain 1 point for each of your mobs to upgrade, and another point to upgrade your boss with." Oh, he was liking these mechanics. That meant every rank would give him more possibilities and options to evolve. He could see how adventurers were reacting to his dungeon and choose how best to adapt against them. That or troll them. He was a gamer after all.

"Alright, so shall we upgrade him?" James was just about to select the option, when Rue held up her hand, stopping him. She was such a tease.

"First, before you leave this screen, you should name your boss."

"I should what?" He had seen the Unnamed option, but was he really able to name his mob? He wasn't going to be stuck with weirdly named bosses? He could come up with something cool and exciting? The possibilities began rushing through James' mind.

"As the dungeon core, you get to name every boss mob, and mini boss, that you create." He focused on Rue, as she stared at the screen.

"Are there any restrictions on what I name the mob?" He was suddenly worried about his NDA. What if he accidently gave away the fact he was a human by naming his mob? Would it be safer to let Rue name the mob?

"No. Dungeon Cores are given free reign to name their bosses. Though obviously I would advise against naming a boss "I'm a human" or something that would blatantly go against your NDA."

"Oh, come on. I wouldn't do something like that." He wasn't dumb, sheesh.

"Well then, I'm sure you can come up with a perfectly reasonable name for your boss." She crossed her arms and watched him as he turned his orb towards the screen. James closed his eye, trying to think. He had so many choices, so many names. But what should he call his boss? What fit the theme of his dungeon, what made sense?

"Having trouble getting something to come up?" Rue's voice pulled him from his concentration. He was trying to be witty and had been wondering about giving his demonic farmer some sort of demon related name. Maybe Farmer Ba'al, or perhaps Beezlebob? He was leaning towards the second one personally. At Rue's comment though, the names fled his mind, and James suddenly felt very uncertain and self-conscious. Would she judge him on the name he chose? At that moment, he decided on a different, safer route.

"I've decided I want you to name my first boss." The way Rue's face lit up, you would have thought James had given her a fortune. Her wings flapped excitedly, and she zipped over to the screen, hiding it from him. She glanced back at him once, her eyes filled with joy.

"Are you sure?" Her voice, normally playful and certain, held the faintest tone of doubt.

"Positive." As he gave her the go ahead, she grinned, and waved her hand at the screen. A second later, she stepped away, allowing James to see what she had chosen for the boss mob.

"Are you sure?" He read it again, once more. Something about it seemed familiar, but he wasn't quite sure what. Where had he seen that name before?

"Positive." The smile on her face showed she was extremely pleased with herself, though her eyes were filled with humor. Why?

"Alright. Well then Rue, shall we start upgrading Old Man Jenkins?" She broke out in laughter as he said the name aloud. She was laughing so hard she was barely able to touch the upgrade screen. There was definitely something about the name that James was kicking himself for not getting. He made a mental note to search the internet for it after he was done setting his dungeon up for the players.