For the next few hours, Peppers managed to crack the floor bed of the ‘Dungeon’ they were in and proceeded to levitate each piece of land into mid air. The System was detailed in its instructions, telling Peppers how much Mana to use in order to crack open the ground. This was done so that the amount of land allocated for a platform corresponded to the percentage of land each industry would be granted to utilise efficiently, according to Qiu Yue’s Empire Building Sub System.
Peppers then cast a permanent levitation spell on each platform that regularly consumed mana from the user or the surrounding. After Peppers would leave the Dungeon World, the Dungeon Core would be part of the surrounding which needed to provide the mana.
With the System as a partial owner of the Dungeon Core, it would have to ensure that the Mana dispensed by the Dungeon Core was regulated properly into the platforms to keep them afloat and also to avoid them leeching the mana off each other.
Even Moloch was once again amazed by the System’s capability since the Dungeon Core was more complicated than it appeared. “Our most experienced Demon Sages in this world could never handle this kind of calculations like the System in order to make the Dungeon Core work as they please, Moloch told Jin as it surveyed how Peppers conscientiously worked her magic unlike when she was in battle.
“Really? I guess that’s the System for you… But to be honest, when you previously said something about the resources and how it’s similar to the System, I kind of just blindly nodded my head.” Jin shrugged, hoping Moloch could give a better explanation.
“The Dungeon Core may look like a holy grail granting anyone whatever they want to for their land. But it’s not as simple as what you might think. Most masters of a Dungeon Core will just stick to the initial input options provided by the core and create their town fortress or cities fortress that way. ” Moloch pointed at the active Dungeon Core that was rotating right in front of them since the System dealing it without touching the spherical metallic ball.
“The Dungeon Core needs input, A LOOOOT of precise inputs to create something specific and ensure it works the way you want it to. The more complicated you want it to be, the more precise you will have to code it. Think of it as a software language builder like ehh… C++ programming, if I used that term correctly. You have to type in certain codes for the Dungeon Core to work the way you want it to.” Moloch started to explain when he scratched his puppet head
“But us Demons, or as the System classified us as Dungeon Demons since you have encountered like demons from the Farming World, Demons in your world….anyways, I digress. We Dungeon Demons compared to other monster races in this Dungeon World have a better edge since the codes required were based on a language that was nearly lost in the annals of history. ”
“I said ‘nearly’ because it still exists in secrecy. We’ve termed it as the Core Language. If one is privileged enough to have learnt the Core Language, he would be highly sought after by various high class Dungeon Demons. King Baal has gotten a hold of one and paid him wealthily for the knowledge he held. That was also how Baal was able to create a near impenetrable Metropolis fortress.” Moloch continued while they both watched Peppers levitating a humongous platform to the far end of the dungeon.
“So with the knowledge of the language, King Baal didn’t rely on the input options but rather inserted the code directly into the Dungeon Core. Thus fully making use of his dungeon core. However, that was just one way of using the Dungeon Core. ” Moloch said, and as if the Dungeon Core knew what he wanted to say, it revealed a series of codes to Jin. But the omnipotent System was already typing and rearranging the numbers on the Dungeon Core with no physical input.
“As you can see, another way would be that the Dungeon Core reveals an analogue code puzzle filled with numbers. If you manage to decrypt it, the Dungeon Core listens to whatever command you have requested. For example, in this case, levitate that platform for eternity.” Moloch said, and Jin was curious if there was anything more to that.
“It cannot be that simple right? There must be some diminishing returns or something?” Jin questioned when he observed the code being cracked by the System.
“Hahaha, not diminishing returns but increasing difficulty. The first code will be simple to crack. Once you have given it a wish of any magnitude, the Dungeon Core processes the request and reveals another analogue code puzzle with a difficulty based on the magnitude of the most complex wish you’ve ever made.” Moloch answered.
“I do not know how it scales its difficulty, but there were some Lords and Kings who used this method to jumpstart their cities by giving them a mountain of dungeon dollars to start building. Some other lords were more conservative and used this particular method more wisely like an emergency wish…say a group of army suddenly attacks the village and the Lord could use this wish to summon a big giant guardian monster to defend them.” Moloch explained and Jin was nodding his head in silence.
“So I was very sceptical when your System decided to use that method to get the Dungeon Core to do things…until I saw how easily it broke the code in a blink of an eye. Those harder puzzles were nothing to it, whereas such codes took High Wizards ages to crack similarly difficult ones, especially after such a high price.” Moloch said while mentally recounting the the rumours and reports he read about them.
“Now that I look at it, I wonder how many wishes the Dungeon Core will grant before it will say enough is enough.” Moloch sighed in amazement when he saw the System crack yet another code, and wishing for the huge ass platform at the ceilings of the dungeon to be permanently levitating.
“If the core does not have any limit, our city might be unbeatable. Surely, there must be some criteria barring certain circumstances? No? Oh and System, why did you not just wish to build the city for us?” Jin asked and Moloch shook his head.
“I’d have said that there are none just some time ago… except, that we have already tried, wishing for your city to be built according to your specification, only for it to reveal that a wish of this magnitude is not possible without much more input. ” Moloch sighed and the System on his phone acknowledged.
“There were also too many uncertainties in your current layout, which were prone for errors. While System previously stated that it is feasible, it was a gross understatement. Specific areas still needed User’s or Sub System User Qiu Yue input for the System and Empire Building Sub System to proceed.” The System reported.
“So congratulations, you have managed to uncover something that we all thought that every wish is possible. Not counting that, King Baal used his own wish to reverse the tide in a crucial battle in his Metropolis Fortress against an alliance of ‘the goody holy knights and mages’. And up till now, no one was able to unlock the analogue puzzle his dungeon core had presented to grant another. ” Moloch offhand mentioned it to Jin about the potential of the Dungeon Core.
“To this day, there’s a reward of 1 billion dungeon dollars for the grab if someone managed to unlock that puzzle,” Moloch remarked. Jin was quiet for a moment while his brain was thinking up something very… shady.
“Let’s just say…what if we were to disguise ourselves and complete the puzzle to earn the reward, do you thin-” Moloch used his deck of cards to slap Jin. He knew what Jin was thinking the moment his master proposed the idea.
“Only the Lord in control of a Dungeon Core can use the option no matter the circumstances. You might earn yourself 1 billion dollars, but there is no way you can cheat him of his money and use the wish for yourself. That is even if you found a way to make the System into a partial lord. ” Moloch stated until Wolte, who was hiding among the Minotaurs suddenly voiced out.
“But what if you combined a fragment of your own Dungeon Core with the existing Dungeon Core? That way, it might be possible to make the existing Dungeon Core assume you were one of its Lords. And guess what? We do have fragments of a Dungeon Core.” Lord Wolte, The Slug suggested, which made Moloch furrowed his brows hard.
“What do you think Moloch? Can it work?” Jin was amazed that an old timer Dungeon Demon could give such a daring proposal.
“Not sure. Something as crazy as that hasn’t really been tried out before. Do you remember what I told before? Dungeon Cores are generally functional or non functional. What Wolte is suggesting is to bring his own functional Dungeon Core near King Baal’s Dungeon Core, then use it so that the living core can merge with his core in order to get our Lord’s authentication signature in.” Moloch seemed annoyed when he explained the possible rationale.
“However, if you were to assume it could work, as you want it to, you would have about 15 seconds, to crack the code and make a wish. Anything later and Wolte’s Core Fragment would cease to be. Then we would only ensure that King Baal ends up with a slightly strengthened Dungeon Core, giving him even more power aside from cracking his code.”
“So, it works. That is all I needed to hear. And that does not sound so hard.” Jin shrugged his shoulders as if fighting for his life was a daily affair to him which made Wolte laughed loudly.
“Son, I like your way of thinking. I approve of you. Take my dungeon core to that bastard King. Teach him who’s boss.” Wolte said and the Minotaurs at the side snickered at his overconfidence while Moloch rolled his eyes upwards. Jin was partially joking with Moloch, but he could see that the chubby minotaur puppet was taking Wolte’s and Jin’s words very seriously.
“…I may have a way to make that happen but once he knows about our presence and intention, he’s bound to invade us. And I mean full force. He won’t be pulling any punches.” Moloch said as he portrayed a depressed smile on his minotaur plushie.
“We will do it if we get our bearings together by 7th Jan next year,” Jin replied and for some reason, Wolte seemed a little disappointed even though he finally had a say in things for a long time.
“I’m glad that I survived but I don’t wish to remain in this form any longer. Without the Dungeon Core I feel as terribly useless. If only I could have my old body back…” Wolte said out loud even though everyone seemed to be ignoring him.
However, Jin already had a plan for the Slug after he saw his stats on Wolte’s attribute statistical page. Though his physical stats were near rock bottom, his mental strength capacity or the ‘Will’ Attribute was tremendously high and the System stated that it was the most likely reason how he managed to use a half broken functional Dungeon Core for his own use.
“Perhaps, I could make him a metal body…something like a HulkBuster. Then we could literally turn him into a Metal Slug. Hahahha!” Jin thought to himself while Peppers seemed to be doing the finishing touches.
She had lifted almost 95% of the land in the Dungeon and created a crevice that was more than 3000 metres deep. However, Jin wanted an even deeper valley like crater so that he could build the foundation for the Pand-Altantis. “Ideally at least 10,000 metres deep,” Jin told Peppers who was taking a breather from all the work she had none.
“Ehh…then you want me to fill the entire place with water once I create a deeper depth?” Peppers asked as she took her pointy large hat down to fan herself while replenishing her vitality with Milk’s very own concoction of power vitality drinks.
“Not really. I mean, since the crevice is still empty, it will be easier to descend and construct the foundations of the city before filling the entire place with water. Besides, any falling incident won’t harm the monsters since they are immortal. Oh wait, those goblins that Qiu Yue recruit might die.” Jin suddenly felt perplexed upon realising a possible problem.
“User doesn’t have to worry. Those who have been contracted to be under the Loyalty Enforcement Orders are protected by the System. The System will resurrect any monsters regardless of the extent of the fall. Should the System fail in resurrecting said monster, System will create a clone and replace the clone with the memories of the deceased monster.” System said in a very cold tone.
Surprisingly Jin accepted such countermeasures, as he believed the System would have already taken precautions. Hence, if such unfortunate events were to occur, it would be just poor luck.
As if the System willed it, Qiu Yue came to Jin with a sunken look in her face. “You look like you haven’t slept for ages.” Jin joked but she placed her head on his chest, nearly falling asleep at the touch of his warm chest. She then looked up and saw that the floating platforms were already ready. Jin then remembered that the time difference between Goblin World and the Dungeon World was moving at two different paces.
“You are fast, I did not expect you to get the floating land platforms ready this quickly.” Qiu Yue said as she pushed herself away from Jin and took her phone out. With a tap of a button, 3D holograms of steel bars and ropes were seen connecting from where they were standing to a particular floating land platform.
“Emi, you can start doing your job now.” She yawned as she called out to her Empire Building Sub System, which she had nicknamed for laziness sake. In no time, two System portals appeared with Orcs and goblins coming out from each. The goblin soldiers-turned-workers, had some slight reservations but weren’t as terrified as the craftsmen in the presence of the Orcs.
Due to the Loyalty Enforcement Orders, both the Goblins and Orcs just kept their mouth shut and started the work as to how the Empire Building Sub System had commanded them to do. Tools and raw materials magically appeared for them, courtesy of the Sub System when they reached the 3D holograms.
Apparently, it was the blueprint which the Sub System had already prepared and all the monsters had to do was to blindly follow the blueprint indicated by the Sub System. It was fast, efficient and not to mention precise. If a nut or screw was not placed properly, the Sub System would individually alert the monsters to tighten or loosen them.
Within less than half an hour due to the …complicated relationship between the two goblin and orc races, they managed to create a temporarily wide sky bridge towards a large floating platform. Qiu Yue asked for a piggy ride which Jin saw no reason to refuse and carried her to the platform.
She did the same thing again, but this time, they started constructing buildings and it seemed like it was for agriculture purposes when Jin saw 3D holograms of a tractor and a farmhouse.
“Your Sub System can build gadgets too?” Jin asked though Qiu Yue was lazily nodding her head and began snoozing the moment she confirmed that the buildings were set in place.
This time round, Jin saw that the Minotaurs were also mobilised by the Empire Building Sub System. There were various building and construction tools he had not seen before, turned up from thin air, courtesy of the Sub System too.
“Alright, I guess you did your part well. Thank you, I will bring you back to your bed you little red panda cutie.” Jin smiled gently as he saw his monsters were all beginning to work on the task which the Sub System had given them.
“I will overlook the building process for a little while after I bring her back,” Jin said to Moloch, leaving him in charge to make sure that the three monster races played nice with each other.
This was the beginning of the infamous Dungeon City Fortress that would subsequently be known throughout the Dungeon World.
