A Dungeon’s Survival

Cameron

Vie and Pee had done wonderfully, something that their reward reflected. I had hoped they would end up getting the Leader achievement, and they had.

[Achievement gained: Leader!]

[Achievement: Leader

Description: One of your monsters has learned a leadership skill.

Reward: The monster has gained the Pack Leader ability!]

Ever since Fabian had told me about it, I had been trying to figure out if the achievement would be best to get on Vie and Pee or some other monster in the future. The ability was useful, and I had been trying to get as many achievements on my snakes as possible for other reasons, but I hadn't been and still wasn't entirely sure that they were best suited for the ability. Sir Archibald, for example, also had the potential to put it to great use. I had considered him as a candidate for that reason, but in the end, he was far more interested in alchemy than fighting, and the ability was meant for a combatant.

[Ability: Pack Leader

Description: Your presence pushes those around you to new heights.

Effect: While fighting alongside others, up to 10 individuals fighting under your leadership benefit from +10% to their highest stat.]

Vie and Pee didn't yet embody leadership in my mind, but it was a powerful bonus to have on them regardless, and I preferred it this way. It was better for them to have the ability as soon as possible than it was to put off their getting it in hopes of a better choice arising. There was too much risk with the latter, and even if I hadn't had any adventurers come for a worryingly long time, that was no excuse to lower my guard. Caution was always important.

So, how did you like leading? I asked them, definitely not using the matter to put off dealing with Fabian for even just a little bit longer.

“It was difficult. I didn't dislike the challenge.”

“It was different, kind of interesting!”

At least that meant they didn't hate it. I wasn't sure if I would need them in an actual leadership role eventually, but at least, they didn't seem unwilling. That meant the possibility was still on the table, so I decided I would see about making games of strategy between us a regular thing.

Well, you did good, I praised them.

Then, I paused to glance at my annoyed fairy. Reluctantly, I had to cut my conversation with the two short.

I need to talk to Fabian right now, though. I'll see you two later, okay?

“Certainly.”

“Got it!”

With that, I brought my full attention back to my fairy. I was worried about the conversation we were about to have, but I had thought of a solution. It was time to see if it would work.

I'm willing.

His eyes widened in surprise. Evidently, he hadn't expected me to be. He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off before he could.

I have a condition.

“A condition? What is it?”

I understand the necessity of the bond, but I still don't like the complete lack of privacy that comes with it, so I want us to make another pact that will put down some boundaries. Would that work?

“Uh, I suppose so. What did you have in mind?”

I took a moment to compose myself, the closest thing I could get to taking a deep breath. As I did so, my thoughts raced. There was a lot to consider, and magical contracts were precise. I couldn't afford to overlook anything, from the way I addressed myself to loopholes. Every word had to be perfect. I wasn't fully confident I could get them that way, but once I was slightly more prepared, I activated my Pact Magic and spoke anyway.

I, the Dungeon Core you have thus far assisted, offer you, Fabian Dahlia, a pact. I will allow you to form a bond between a Dungeon Fairy and their Dungeon Core with me on the condition that boundaries are set.

First, neither of us may eavesdrop on each other's thoughts without making the other aware of their presence by mentally beginning a dialogue beforehand. Two minutes after a conversation has ended, communication will need to be reestablished.

Second, neither of us may look at each other's status without permission. Permission can be granted and revoked for each individual piece of information the System can display. Unless otherwise stated, permission is granted on a single-use basis.

Lastly, if, for whatever reason, one of us seeks privacy for a time, we can inform the other of this. If this happens, the other may not remotely establish communication until the one of us who asked for privacy gives the go ahead. Do you accept?

He went quiet for a moment, clearly thinking over my words. He did so with abundant care and caution, fitting for both a fay who was far more studied than I in matters of magically binding contracts and as a person with his overly cautious nature. Eventually, he responded in a professional tone.

“I would like to add a stipulation to the final point of the contract. In the case of an emergency, one of us can reestablish communication with the other in order to inform them of the problem and request for the period of privacy to end. For the sake of keeping to the spirit of the term, the request can either be accepted or rejected up to the other party's discretion. Do you accept this amendment?”

It was my turn to pause and think the change over. I took a short time to do so, longer than I needed to. It made perfect sense, and I was frustrated I hadn't thought of it myself. It was a good change, and I had no qualms with it, but I still had to play up my uncertainty.

That was because I didn't care about the third part of the agreement much to begin with. It was the same with the first part. I had merely come up with those points to reflect my fake worries about the bond and to sandwich the part I actually cared about between. I hoped that would make my true goal less obvious.

I accept, I eventually answered.

Fabian smiled as the magic took hold. Then, I felt something from deep within.

[A being is trying to establish a soul bond with you.

Accept?

Yes / No]

I hesitantly accepted. As soon as I did, I could no longer feel Fabian's thoughts or emotions. I felt isolated, and nerves momentarily consumed me.

“Cameron, you there?”

As soon as his words entered my mind, I could feel our bond again. It was as though it snapped back into place, but now, it was stronger. It was an odd sensation.

Yeah, I'm here, I thought to him, even as I rapidly sought to pull up his status sheet.

Nothing happened. I felt as though I should be able to pull it up, as odd as it was, but I couldn't. It was like there was a mental barrier stopping me from doing so, like it was just out of reach. I felt both relief and joy. It had worked.

* * *

Time passed after that. Things were more convenient. Fabian wasn't stuck sitting around my core and was instead able to go about doing his own thing while still offering me advice.

Archie figured out the recipe for a new potion and many ways not to make them. Vie and Pee regularly faced me in mock battle skirmishes where we both played the role of commander on opposing sides of the battle. That was on top of their usual training. Then, there was my own developments.

I hammered out the rest of the details on how I wanted to set up the hallway with the Crystal Puffers. I had made leaps and bounds of progress on that front, and it was almost ready for people if the need were to arise. Everything was going smoothly as we continued to build a stronger foundation for ourselves. That was until another week and a half passed. Then, at long last, we had visitors.

Everyone get ready, I sounded a mental alarm through the Dungeon.

I had no idea what to expect when I got the notification that one of my monsters had been killed without granting experience, but as soon as I saw the notification, I moved my perspective to my first room. I thought I might see the scouting group there, or it could have been more regular people not suited to be in a Dungeon. What I wasn't expecting to see was an armed group that moved with cold caution and effortless precision. They moved swiftly and soundlessly.

I really hope those are just adventurers.

The group reminded me of the bandits in a way. They weren't as numerous and didn't seem as desperate and driven by greed, but they were still an intimidating sight.

There were five of them in total. There was a blonde human woman, a large orc man, a gnome, and two people I pegged as beastkin without being able to narrow it down beyond that. One of those beastkin was large and rugged, but he moved with grace. He had a spear hefted over his shoulder and a gray cloak covering his features. The orc wielded an intimidating axe that, unlike most that I had seen in this world, didn't appear to be made for chopping wood.

The gnome, like many of the other gnomes I had seen so far, carried a staff. Despite that, he looked solidly built and muscular. I had to wonder if he was not a gnome at all. He almost looked like he could be a dwarf, another fictional race I had been assured existed in this world. That didn't make much sense, though; Fabian had told me they weren't native to the continent we were on. That meant the man was probably just a muscular gnome.

The human woman was scarred and wore a scowl. She gripped a longsword, and I didn't like the look I saw in her eyes. Her very presence set me on guard. Then, there was other beastkin man.

He was cloaked in black with what appeared to be armor underneath. His sword was thin, and his exposed hands along with what I could make out of his face and tail appeared feline. He seemed to glide across the floor as he led the way. As he reached the path to my second room, he held up a hand, and the others came to an immediate halt.

“Enclosed tunnel to the next room. There are small holes connected to it that monsters could be hiding in. Daren, lead. Bern, take the rear. I don't want anything sneaking up on us from behind.”

Wordlessly, they all moved to follow their apparent leader's orders. The large beastkin man took the lead, and the orc fell to the back of their line. There was no hesitation whatsoever.

This seems too calculated.

The more I saw of the group, the worse of a feeling I was beginning to have. A dozen possibilities went through my mind, but few seemed to fit the situation. The group didn't seem like bandits, and they were too organized to be normal people. My best guess was that they were more experienced adventurers than I had yet to encounter, likely important people from the guild, but that left the question of what their intentions were. Was it an inspection, or did they have more malicious intentions? For all I knew, they could have come to kill me, but I didn't have enough information to make that judgment.

Should I have Vie and Pee ambush them in the tunnel, or should I hold back? What is the proper way to handle this?

Against my better judgment, I decided to wait and see.