Learning The Ropes (2)

"<Create Dungeon>."

A crystal orb appeared out of thin air in front of me, accompanied by a window with rows of texts in blue color.

(Greetings, I am an entity that was created by the God of Dungeons, Abruptum, to assist with fledgling <Dungeon Masters> in creating their own dungeon. )

The text blurred out, and was replaced by new lines of text.

(First, in front of you is the <Dungeon Core>. This is the main component of a dungeon's creation and management. To utilize the <Dungeon Core>, the <Dungeon Master> must supplement it with enough mana, and designate a target location for it to automatically create a <Habitat>.)

"Hmm…? When you say supplementing mana, do you actually mean…"

(It is as you assume <Dungeon Master> Drake. You must approximately kill 10 rabbits, and send their mana to the <Dungeon Core>. The rabbit you killed earlier does not count as the <Dungeon Core> was summoned late.)

"FUUUUUUUCCCCKKKK!!!!"

I yelled at the top of my lungs upon reading the new lines of text.

'I thought that being a <Dungeon Master> let's me use the monsters I summoned as a fighting force, but I have to fight first before creating one!?'

(Nothing comes without a price, <Dungeon Master> Drake. Also, allow me to say this next, only the monsters that have their mana sent to the <Dungeon Core> can be summoned. Basically, if you want to summon a dragon, then first, you have to kill a dragon by either using your forces, or by yourself.)

"Are you really serious!? Then, if only these rabbits' mana were sent, then can I only summon rabbits!?"

(That is correct.)

"SCREW THAT MECHANIC!!!"

I threw the stick I held with my hand at the holographic window. The stick just flew right through it before landing next to the river.

(This rule was created by Abruptum to avoid <Dungeon Masters> being weaker than their summoned monsters, as most of the time, the <Dungeon Masters> rely on their summons too much. In such cases, the <Dungeon Masters> were killed quickly by the invaders and had their dungeons stolen.)

Once I read the lines on TB no. 2, a cold shiver ran down my spine.

'So… I could've been anyone of them… Damn… There is nothing that can be grabbed with little effort. If I want to protect myself, I'll have to get stronger…'

But after thinking for a little while, I was hit with a train of thought.

'But, why am I here in the first place…? I wasn't able to think like this earlier because of the pressure TB emitted, as well as the chocolate fudge and rabbit.'

I thought deeply about why this chain of events is happening in my present life.

'I wasn't healthy back in Earth, and I doubt I am right now either. I was sleep-deprived and was always focused on the computer to meet the deadline.'

I recalled my past to think of a reason why I am here.

'My mom died during my birth. My dad died after my college graduation because of sickness. I have no brothers or sisters. Grandpa and grandma died because of age… Wait…'

"What if I was chosen to be a part of their lottery after I died because I met the requirements…?"

(Hmm…? What did you say <Dungeon Master> Drake?)

I ignored the lines of texts on TB no. 2 and continued on my train of thought.

'If that is true, then I luckily won the lottery and was given a second chance. But if not, then I was forcefully abducted by them into this world for a reason…'

An uncontrollable urge to ask the organizers the reason I was here was burning up my body. My face twisted in discomfort as I grit my teeth to endure the uncomfortable feeling.

(Umm… Excuse me <Dungeon Master> Drake, but if you have a problem with hunting, allow me to help you. I am after all, and entity created to help with the creation process of a dungeon.)

<&aG3!@%GADG is giving you a gift. Would you like to accept? Y / N>

A few seconds later after being in a state of inactivity, I was able to get a glimpse at TB no. 2's holographic window. I read what was written carefully and accepted by poking at the Y.

<Iron Sword* x 1 been obtained. It will be placed inside your <Dimension Pocket> for safekeeping.>

I took out the sword from my <Dimension Pocket> and gazed at it. The weight of the shortsword, as well as its reflection of light turned me back into normal.

'It doesn't matter why I'm here for now. For now, I'll get stronger and create my own dungeon to protect myself.'

I picked up a nearby stick and used it as a cane, while I gripped the sword with my other hand.

"TB no. 2?"

(Who is TB no. 2 <Dungeon Master> Drake?)

"It's just what I'm going to call you for now, for convenience sake."

(Very well, I will humbly oblige.)

"Can you tell me where I can find a nearby rabbit?"

(I'm sorry but all the hunting must be done by the <Dungeon Master>. I am only here to offer support such as supplies and healing.)

My eyes widened upon reading the word healing.

"Then, can you heal the wound on my thigh?"

(Understood.)

<&aG3!@%GADG is giving you a gift. Would you like to accept? Y / N>

The same as earlier, I accepted the incoming gift and was automatically messaged by another window.

'Let's just call it the <System>.'

<Health Potion** x 5 been obtained. It will be placed inside your <Dimension Pocket> for safekeeping.>

"Just curious about one thing, what are the stars after the name of the item?"

(It is the rank of the item. The maximum amount of stars an item can have is 10. More stars means the stronger or more effective the item.)

"Is that so? Anyway, thanks for this TB no. 2."

(My pleasure.)

I took one health potion out of the <Dimension Pocket> and uncapped the lid.

"By the way, how do I use this?"

(For external wounds, apply the liquid on said wound. For internal wounds, it is best to ingest the liquid.)

Following the description, I sprinkled the whole bottle of liquid on my wound.

"Holy shit that hurts!!!"

It felt like pouring 100 % alcohol on a deep and large wound. After the bottle was empty, the pain was gone and the wound healed like it was never there in the first place.

"If this was back on Earth, the doctors would be out of business…"

(Sadly, this is only applicable for wounds. Sickness and illnesses would not be affected by the <Health Potion>.)

"Ohh…"

I lightly hit my head with my fist for being stupid.

"Well, anyways, thanks to that <Health Potion>, I don't need that stick anymore. Eiyaa!!"

I threw the stick into the forest with all of my strength.

"BUUUMOOO!?"

A startled and angry roar came back in retaliation, next came the sound of charging.

(<Dungeon Master> Drake, I think it is best if you climb a tree for now.)

"Good idea…"

I quickly looked for a tall tree and climbed it. Thanks to monkeying around back in elementary, where I and my friends kept on climbing trees due to our fun and games, I was able to quickly scale the tall tree.

A few seconds later a wild boar appeared out of the forest with an indescribable expression on its face.

"Pfft… No wonder it's so angry."

Seeing the stick I threw stuck inside its butthole made me raise a laugh. The boar was able to hear my laugh and looked at me with pure rage and killing intent.

"BUUUUMMMOOOOO!!!!"

It charged towards the tree I was staying on and slammed its head to the tree trunk. I nearly lost my balance but I was able to reclaim my posture due to grabbing on the branch on time.

"Damn… Better not laugh next time…"

No matter the place, laughing when you're about to exchange lives will bring about destruction.

"Karma is a bitch after all…"

The boar moved away from the tree a few meters away before charging in once again.

*Ba-dump* *Ba-Dump*

'I'll have to get this right…'

My heart was beating crazily fast at the tension generated by this situation. I was scared of losing my life, but I was also determined to kill this boar for food and my protection.

'I'll have to get this right…'

One more hit and the tree would probably fall down. I readied my sword and timed my unskilled jumped when the boar was about to hit the tree.

*Dooon*

The boar rammed the tree hard and the tree fell down as if it was hit by a truck. The boar was dazed for a moment after using its head as a ram, and that was my chance.

"DIIIEEE!!!!"

With a gruesome warcry, I plunged the sword into the crown of its head.

"BBBBUUUUMMMMOOOO!!!"

With a last pained cry, the boar fell down and drew its last breath.

"Hhhooo… That… Was… Intense…"

There wasn't much physical labor, but my mental power was at an all time low right now because of the stress.

(Congratulations <Dungeon Master> Drake! Now, you only need 5 more rabbits to kill before you can designate a place for your dungeon to reside!)

"5 more…? This is going to be a pain…"