Dungeon Core Online

Chapter 18

"Glyax, they're coming." Rue's excited cry pulled James from his task at hand. It had been a little over an hour since the ships landed, meaning James had been in the game for 25 hours. Because of the extra time waiting on adventurers, his trap research had completed. When it finished, he instantly started loot research, as planned, and had begun searching through his trap options, imagining what he could do with them.

When his trap research completed, he was given a new option in the Dungeon Creator labeled Traps. In it, there were options for basic traps, while most of the screen was locked behind padlocks with numbers on them, likely denoting needed research levels. James was currently trying to decide which type of trap would work best on his first floor, and how many of each. The lowest level of traps, pitfall traps, cost 50 resources per trap.

"About time." James mentally dismissed the screen, and turned his attention to the entrance to his dungeon. Five forms were emerging slowly from the tree line, looking around hesitantly .The moment one of them noticed the massive cave entrance, leading into James's dungeon, the adventurer let out a cry of excitement, and the five of them began sprinting up the hill.

"Bet they are going for instance first." The moment Rue mentioned players needed to discover his entrance, he knew the developers had put in an achievement for just that. It would only make sense. James himself would have been racing to try and find the dungeon first, to get the much coveted achievement. That also meant the five before his dungeon, were likely competent gamers.

"We did it." The first member of the group of five called out as he reached the cave entrance, glancing at his companions as they followed suit. Judging by their lithe forms and pointy ears, James was certain they were elves. Way to be original game.

"I didn't expect us to have to track down the freaking dungeon entrance, but I'm glad we choose elves." The second figure let out a laugh, glancing back into the forest. "The elf race bonus just gave us a huge advantage."

"Race bonus?" Many games gave characters unique bonuses based upon their races, something that hailed back to the pen and pencil Dungeons and Dragons days.

"Elves get a 15 percent movement speed increase when running through the forest. They also gain an understanding of all plants and animals within the forest." So that meant they were able to make their way through the forest faster, but just running into the forest wouldn't help them find his entrance.

"I'm so glad we went with your hunch Z." The third member of the party was speaking. At his comment, the first adventurer flashed his friend a smile and thumbs up. "What can I say? The Divine Dungeon Series was madly popular, and that dungeon was based in the mountains. I figured the developers might follow suit."

"That is not why I choose this dungeon." James had wanted to be unique. But he knew a cave on a mountain was not very unique. Stupid Random Mob type.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm sure your mobs will take them by surprise."

"I'm sure no one will be expecting my mobs." James grumbled. At least there was that.

"Alright, well let's get to exploring. Bet ya a copper there are mining veins inside." The first adventurer, Z, called out. The others quickly took up the bet, and as group, they all took a step into James's dungeon.

The moment they did, two things happened. First, a massive beam of light shot up from the ground, signaling for all of continent the location of dungeon entrance. Second, a text box appeared in front of James, an announcement stringing across it.

Attention: The [Guild] Knights Who Go Ni, have discovered the Dungeon. The dungeon entrance will now be marked on all maps.

"Well, that just made everyone else's life easy." James could only imagine how the other adventurers were taking the news. He was certain many of those trying to find the dungeon first were dismayed, while those who had joined the game to set up the own shops were filling with excitement. Their lives just became easier.

"Tryhard Explorer?" Z and his companions had stopped just inside of the dungeon, and they appeared to be reading something in the air. Well, that answered James's question, he couldn't see their achievements or screens. "Glad to see they are sticking with typical Dungeon Core snarky-ness." Z and the others started to chuckle, as they moved further into the dungeon. "Don't forget to pay up." His companions all groaned as they made swiping motions with their hands, likely interacting with their own player screens.

"So, I apparently can't see their screens or achievements." James looked at Rue as the group made their way deeper. "But, can I pull up any information on them?"

"Pretty much everything." So helpful.

"And, how, oh wonderful pixie, can I do that?" Seriously, telling him was able to do something, didn't help if she didn't explain how.

The pixie shot him a look, letting him know he was going pay for his snarky comment, before she replied. "Anything, and anyone, that enters your dungeon, becomes able for you to analyze. All you have to do is focus on them, and imagine you are pulling up their information, just like you would a mob."

James silently cursed himself for not thinking about that. It made sense. In any game, players were usually able to pull up other player's information just by focusing on them and willing it to be so. Some of the older games would require players to pull up a screen, and actively choose to view that player's profile, but still, it was a common practice. And yet, James hadn't even thought about it. Being a dungeon core was still throwing him off his groove. It could also be the fact he hadn't slept in game for over 25 hours though as well. Sleep is for the Weak was going to kill him.

"Alright, let's see what we are up against." The group was nearing the door, so James pulled up all five of their character sheets at the same time, summoning five different screens before him.

Z

Level 1 Archer

75 xp

25 xp to next level

HP: 30

AP: 30

Currency: 19 copper 0 silver 0 gold 0 platinum

Oak HardBark

Level 1 Warrior

75 xp

25 xp to next level

HP: 50

AP: 30

Currency: 14 copper 0 silver 0 gold 0 platinum

Med Ic

Level 1 Cleric

75 xp

25 xp to next level

HP: 25

MP: 50

Currency: 14 copper 0 silver 0 gold 0 platinum

Faust

Level 1 Mage

75 xp

25 xp to next level

HP: 25

MP: 50

Currency: 14 copper 0 silver 0 gold 0 platinum

Elm Strongbow

Level 1 Archer

75 xp

25 xp to next level

HP: 30

AP: 30

Currency: 14 copper 0 silver 0 gold 0 platinum

James quickly scanned the information being provided for him, noting that as well as their basic information, he could see tabs for each character. Stats, Skills, Equipment, Achievements. If James had the time, he would have glanced at each. He was really curious to see how their stats and skills played out. He was certain those stats would give him a better understanding of how each class worked, as well as their skills, to determine their strengths and weaknesses. At the same time though, the group was about to step into his first floor, and he didn't want to be distracted. James closed the characters' information, making a mental note to do some research on all the different classes when he wasn't being invaded. One thing the internet was good for, was people posting guides on every single character class in a game.

"Everyone ready?" Z was looking at his group, and all four returned his smile, holding their thumbs up. They were gamers, of course they were ready to go. What's more, they were likely extremely excited to see what the dungeon had in store for them.

"Let's do this." Z threw open the door, and while glances at his companions, took a step into the dungeon. The others followed instantly.

"That is going to hurt." James could barely hold in his mirth. His mobs were able to roam freely around the entire floor. As such, it was random where his mobs would be, and even more random where his boss would be. Luckily for the group, Old Man Jenkins was currently among the apple trees. Unluckily for the group, a Sacrificial Lamb happened to be standing next to the door as they opened it.

"What the-" Was all Z was able to get out as he walked into the Sacrificial Lamb, activating it's unique trait.

The lamb let out a single baa, before its body took on a bright glow, and promptly exploded, sending wool and lamb blood flying, coating the entire group with its blood.

Achievement Unlocked- Baaaha Blast- Damage a party of five or more with Baa Baa Boom and Blood for the Blood God simultaneously.

Reward: 200xp, 1 Upgrade Point for Sacrificial Lamb

James was laughing so hard after the lamb committed lamb-i-cide that he was having trouble closing out of the achievement window. At his side, Rue was rolling on the ground laughing. Whenever she tried to get up, she fell back down chuckling.

"Well, you can't say the game didn't start with a boom." Z was the first to regain his composure after the sacrificial lamb detonated, and he made a motion, likely pulling up his character sheet. "Med, we're going to need you to cleanse us, that sheep had a DoT." The cleric, Med IC, nodded and his hands began glowing, a moment later, a light washed over the party and removed every ounce of blood from them. This group had likely played many MMOs together. James secretly wondered if he had ever run across them in Warcraft Universe.

As the light faded, the group surrounded the mess that was the lamb, and made motions like they were pulling up their screens, likely looting the mob.

"Alright guys." Z waved his hand, dismissing his screen, and turned to grin at his party. "How about we start our dungeon dive for real?" The rest of the group cheered, and set off, with Z in the lead, towards the large barn James had erected in the center of his floor. He could hardly wait to watch their encounters as they explored his dungeon.