13.- The Orb

chapter 13: The Orb

Sebastian stands before the girl, whose eyes still reflect distrust and fear. With delicacy, he approaches and observes her tenderly. Determined to help her and establish a deeper connection, Sebastian makes a significant decision.

"Do you have a name or a way I can call you?" he asks.

The girl, though initially a little confused, eventually understands what he says and gently shakes her head, indicating that she doesn't know her name.

"I see. While I get to know you and you seek to recover your memories, I would like to give you a name," Sebastian says with a soft and warm voice. The girl shows a slight curiosity at his words.

"How about Aurora?" Sebastian suggests. "Where I come from, it symbolizes someone who brings inspiration and hope, illuminating hearts and minds with the light of their dreams."

Aurora reflects for a moment. After a brief silence, she slowly nods her head. Although amnesia still surrounds her, a glimmer of connection begins to emerge between them.

Excited by the small progress, Sebastian decides not to press her further with questions about her past for now. He knows that it is necessary to earn her trust and help her feel safe in his presence.

Instead, Sebastian suggests exploring the mysterious orb together. He approaches the shining object, cautious but filled with curiosity. Aurora, though initially fearful, decides to accompany him and observe what happens.

As Sebastian and Aurora approach the orb, an intense glow emanates from its interior, enveloping them in a blinding light. As the light dissipates, a holographic screen materializes in front of them, displaying ancient symbols and writings.

Suddenly, a robotic, emotionless female voice emerges from the orb: [Welcome, Dungeon Master!] Sebastian and Aurora are taken by surprise, although Sebastian feels like the voice is directed more towards Aurora than himself. The writings shift through a transition of several languages until they settle on one that both understand.

Within the hologram, a panel divided into four tabs appears: Monsters, Traps, Treasures, and Shop. Sebastian and Aurora feel curious to explore each of these sections.

Monsters:

Giant Rat - 50 Dungeon Coins: A large rat, easy to defeat but fast and elusive.

Poisonous Spider - 60 Dungeon Coins: A medium-sized spider with a venomous bite, but relatively weak in combat.

Skeleton - 70 Dungeon Coins: An animated skeleton with clumsy movements and limited attack power.

Acidic Slime - 80 Dungeon Coins: A slow-crawling, viscous mass that inflicts corrosive damage on intruders.

Mischievous Goblin - 110 Dungeon Coins: A playful goblin that enjoys playing pranks but is easily distracted in combat.

Carnivorous Plant - 120 Dungeon Coins: An exotic plant that feeds on flesh, trapping intruders in its sharp jaws.

Decrepit Zombie - 130 Dungeon Coins: A slow and decaying zombie, easy to evade but still a threat in groups.

Treasures:

Gem Fragment - 50 Dungeon Coins: A small fragment of a magical gem, with residual mystical power.

Rusty Sword - 60 Dungeon Coins: A worn-out sword, but still usable in combat.

Minor Healing Potion - 70 Dungeon Coins: A potion that restores a small amount of health when consumed.

Worn-out Amulet - 80 Dungeon Coins: An amulet with a faint protective enchantment, but its power has diminished over time.

Common Steel Dagger - 90 Dungeon Coins: A basic dagger made of steel, useful as a secondary weapon.

Basic Resistance Ring - 100 Dungeon Coins: A ring that offers slight resistance to certain types of damage.

Traps:

Squeaky Floor: 50 Dungeon Coins: An area of the floor that emits squeaky noises when stepped on, alerting nearby enemies.

Spiked Trap: 60 Dungeon Coins: A trap that deploys sharp spikes from the ground, causing damage to those who fall into it.

Entangling Vine Net: 70 Dungeon Coins: A net woven with entangling vines that wraps around intruders, limiting their movement.

Poison Darts: 80 Dungeon Coins: A dart system that shoots poisonous projectiles at those who trigger the trap.

Hidden Pit: 90 Dungeon Coins: A concealed hole in the ground that causes intruders to fall and suffer damage.

Cursed Statue: 100 Dungeon Coins: A statue imbued with a curse that inflicts negative effects on those who come near it.

Store:

Oil Lantern - 50 Dungeon Coins: A basic lantern that provides a dim light in the dungeon's darkness.

Sturdy Rope - 60 Dungeon Coins: A durable rope that can be useful for climbing or tying things.

Repair Hammer - 70 Dungeon Coins: A small hammer used to repair damaged armor and weapons.

First Aid Kit - 80 Dungeon Coins: A basic kit containing bandages and ointments for treating minor wounds.

Excavation Pickaxe - 100 Dungeon Coins: A sturdy pickaxe used for digging and breaking obstacles in the dungeon.

Antitoxin Mask - 120 Dungeon Coins: A mask designed to filter toxins and poisons from the breathed air.

Agility Gloves - 140 Dungeon Coins: Lightweight gloves that enhance the user's dexterity and agility.

Sebastian and Aurora were fascinated by the hologram unfolding before them. They carefully observed the different options available in the tabs, ranging from never-before-seen mythical treasures to common items like a table. Within the monster section, they glimpsed extremely common creatures like slimes, as well as beings that surpassed their understanding.

Sebastian, feeling somewhat nervous, began to wonder what would happen if one of the strongest beasts on the list were to emerge. Undoubtedly, no one would be able to stop it. Seeing the list, the little amnesiac girl, and the talking mysterious orb left him with more questions than answers. However, he felt that the most important question here was: What are Dungeon Coins?

Determined to find out, Sebastian turned his gaze to the orb and asked, "Excuse me, Miss Dungeon, what are Dungeon Coins?"

To his dismay, 10 seconds passed, and he still received no response. Internally, Sebastian wondered if he had phrased the question wrongly or if the orb was incapable of answering, considering it had spoken just a moment ago.

Suddenly, he realized something. When the orb spoke, its manner of speaking was directed towards the dungeon master, but it never felt like it was addressing him. This left him with only one option. Turning to the girl, he formulated a plan in his mind.

Aurora, seeing Sebastian directing his attention towards her, became startled. However, after hearing what he wanted, she regained her composure.

"Aurora, it seems the orb only responds to the dungeon master, and that's you. Could you ask about Dungeon Coins?"

"Okay."

Aurora, although somewhat hesitant, decided to speak to the orb, "Um, excuse me, Miss Dungeon, sorry. What are those things called... um... Dungeon Coins?"

Responding with its usual emotionless voice, the orb replied, "You don't have to call me by that name. I am your system assistant, responsible for managing and searching for the information you request. As for your question, Dungeon Coins are considered a powerful tool in the domain of the dungeon, as they allow the Demon King to acquire and enhance different elements within their underground domain. These coins can be used to purchase fierce and formidable monsters that will serve as guardians and challenges for those who venture into the dungeon. Additionally, Dungeon Coins can also be employed to acquire deadly and deceptive traps. These traps are designed to confuse and ensnare intruders, instilling a constant sense of danger in the halls and rooms of the dungeon. Dungeon Coins also play a crucial role in obtaining valuable and coveted treasures. They can be used to unlock mysterious chests containing powerful weapons, ancient artifacts, and other highly valued items. As for the store, Dungeon Coins enable the acquisition of useful items for exploration and survival in the dungeon. These can range from basic tools like torches and ropes to healing potions and specialized equipment. Remember, Aurora, that Dungeon Coins are a valuable resource and must be used wisely to enhance your dungeon, challenge adventurers, and ultimately fulfill your role as the Demon King.]