Book of the Dungeon Maker

by Nathan Valerio

  “What do you want to do?” she asked.

  “Have the women and children evacuate to these villages behind the town. This town is the only safe route out of the mountains and is also probably the objectives of this tribe,” I said.

  “Alright, that is probably the best option,” she said nodding. “I'll get to warning and moving them then.”

  I rolled up the map and handed it back to her.

  “Don't forget to search the area along all the roads of the village for places we can booby trap so that the goblins can't advance along those roads. I don't want them flanking us along some unknown path,” I said.

  She simply nodded and stored the map before leaving.

  I turned to the structure and went to lend a hand to finish the building.

  ***

  Due to extensive work in Carpentry and Blacksmithing you have gained a level in both skills.

  Due to intensive physical labor yesterday you have gained +1 Strength and +1 Endurance.

  Waking up the following day, we all got to work early in the morning to cover the floors, walls, and ceiling with mud. This would give it the feeling of being a mining shaft.

  After an hour, the corridors were done. To keep the mud and ground separate the corridor had been placed on a slightly raised platform, and wooden boards were put below to hold the dirt. This had been done from the start, and the same was done for the walls so that we could keep the mud from crossing over and falling.

  I wrote down four fireball runes and controlled them to hover over the floor for an hour at one meter in height to dry it sufficiently, then we began the walls.

  The ceiling was built more loosely and we used wooden beams above the wooden supports where a fire lamp would be hanging. Then, leaving that to dry naturally, we finished the walls before noon and had them dry, but I sped up the ceiling drying so we could remove the supports.

  When nothing fell apart, I felt elated. Soon enough the blacksmiths arrived. There were four wooden support beams on the walls and ceiling. The smiths had made eight metal torches and four hanging lamps which were hammered into place.

  “Alright, it's done... now let's see how to get the layout in the book...” I said and the book opened.

  “This is yer first time doing this boy?” the dwarf smith asked.

  “Yep, first dungeon so I'm still learning,” I said.

  “Then use the help system. Say 'Help: Advanced skill Description for...' then the skill name,” the dwarf said.

  “Help: Advanced skill description for Dungeon Archive,” I said.

  *Ding

  Dungeon Archive

  Level 1

  This skill allows the caster to seal constructed parts of the dungeon within the Book of the Dungeon Maker and make copies.

  The archive is a separate dimensional space within the Book of the Dungeon Maker. For the dungeon maker to seal the construction layout, you must place the Dungeon Maker Rune Pen on the structure and say 'Archive Corridor/Room/Trap.'

  Can currently make layouts for 3 dungeons.

  You can store only 5 different corridor layouts.

  You can store only 2 room types.

  You can store only 5 different traps.

  Seeing the activation procedure I took my pen out of my pocket and walked to the structure.

  Not really understanding what I needed to do I just touched the tip on the closest wall.

  “Archive layout,” I said.

  At once, the book began to flip wildly as a bright light sprang out. I felt my hand move on its own as runes flew from the tip of my pen into the wood and moved along the structure as it wormed its way through the corridor.

  Soon, some runes ran down along the walls as well as a few climbing on the torches. To my shock, a few runes went to the end of the torches and they caught fire. Still, at that time I suddenly felt dizzy and quickly took out a mana potion with my free hand and downed it.

  I didn’t get worse, but I didn’t get better. This thing was sucking up mana like a drain.

  When all the runes were on the wooden parts and several were along the floor, they all suddenly shone and the entire corridor section turned into light particles and was sucked into my book. As soon as the last bit vanished, the glowing light that was my book returned to being a book and it filled to the first page.

  On the first layout box was ‘Straight Corridor x1,’ and it looked like a button.

  I downed a second potion and wait for my head to clear.

  “Boy, what in blazes was that?” the dwarf asked.

  “I stored it in the book, I can make more but will need to see a bit more about this,” I said.

  “That was some light show for sure,” Johnson said coming up to us.

  I nodded and after my head cleared I took my pen and poked the button.

  Would you like to place a Straight Corridor or make a new one?

  “Make one,” I replied

  To make a new Straight Corridor you need 28 support beams, 12 branch nets, 200 kgs of dirt, 8 metal torches, 4 hanging lamps.

  Looking at the message I found it was interesting how the material requirements were properly laid out.

  “Alright, let's move on to the next, in two weeks I need all the rooms and corridors, and I need a crap ton of resources,” I said.

  “We aren't going to make more of those?” Johnson asked.

  “I can make it by magic by simply having the resources. Only the first one is needed to be made but the rest no,” I said.

  “Alright then, since it's like tis, let's get em working. Let's split up in groups to work faster,” the dwarf said.

  ***

  “Miss, as much as we want to follow you, we can't just abandon our homes,” a large man said.

  I had been going from one village to the next since Ace-san had asked, but I never knew people could be so stubborn.

  “So you wish to risk your family at the hands of both the Dire Wolf Tribe coming as well as the royal army who might get 'restless' after traveling so long? I replied.

  “Hero missy, I know you mean well but our wives aren't going anywhere, our kids will definitely be moving to Jagged Mountain town but we will fight to protect our homes,” the man said, and the other men nodded.

  I sighed. “Stubborn people are so hard to deal with,” I thought.

  “Fine, since you wish for this, I won't stop you, but I won't leave without the younger generation. Anyone below 16 HAS to come,” I said.

  “That is fine,” the village leader said.

  For the next half hour the younger generation was brought before me and with some village guards we moved them to the town.

  As we returned near dinner when the sun was nearly setting, we passed the gate and saw two finished L sections, one to the left the other to the right, a T corridor section, and over to a side was a large room made fully of wood.

  The men were finishing the room by adding plain wooden double doors and moving some crude tables and chairs inside.

  Before I could locate Cross-san I notice a blinding light from the T section.

  Runes were shining along the corners and the torches inside came to life before it was covered in light and absorbed into a small figure.

  Standing there was Cross-san.

  I walk over with a slight bit of surprise showing on my face. I saw him pull out a mana regen potion.

  “Did that take so much mana?” I asked.

  He turned around, noticed me and nodded. “I need to use mana potions to counter the drain with a higher regeneration or else I would blackout,” he replied.

  “Won't that kill you?” I asked.

  “As long as I have potions I will be fine, also I will only need to do this once for each section since I have limited space at the moment. Later on I might change them or just improve them,” he replied. “Did you do as I asked?”

  “I was able to get the children under the age of 16 out of three villages, the rest are as stubborn as the ore they mine and the trees they cut
.” I sighed. “Why do they have to be so hard headed?” I complained.

  “No need to fret, the alchemist was rather smart and has already produced five barrels of gunpowder like I asked. He can set up traps on the roads to blow them up while causing a landslide to split their forces. Let’s leave that for later, I need to get these sections and tomorrow finish the X section so that I can start playing out the dungeon and gather the necessary material,” he said and turned.

  “If you want to go and rest up and wash up you know where the house is. I will be over soon and get some sleep,” he said.

  “I will be going first, if you can’t find me, don’t you dare enter the bathroom,” I said with killing intent in my voice.

  All the men in the surrounding area that heard me should have felt a chill run down their spines and the young blood looked me over and gulped, but as I looked their way I quickly grabbed my sword, drew, swung and sheathed.

  The wind blade released by it was much more compact thanks to my training and passed right above four young boy’s heads leaving them pale.

  “Am. I. Understood?” I asked.

  “VERY!” they said straightening up like soldiers.

  I put my guard down and walked home.

  ***

  “Bahahahah! That's quite da fierce missy you brought with ya boy!” the dwarf smith said after she had fully entered the house.

  “Oh that is for certain, the man that can tame such a lady would most likely be able to kill a dragon alone,” the guard captain said.

  The younger gentlemen forced a laugh, but the older generation were laughing.

  “Come on, you guys can go home. I just need to put these in the archive and I will be done with it.” I said.

  “Aye, I'll be going then. Today’s work will sure to boost a few stats. I doubt I can compare to you heroes, but after his prime can still work up a good sweat and get more stats,” Johnson said.

  “You said it! Come on boys, let's go!” the dwarf said and everyone started to leave.

  I headed to the other things I needed to archive and began the next one.

  After half an hour I had finally gathered them all and returned to the building that I shared with Misaki.

  As I opened the front door, I was welcomed by a surprising view.

  Standing in the room while half naked and putting on her shrine maiden clothes was Misaki.

  I froze for a long while as I looked at her still wet hair and long slender legs.

  “Wow… so cute…” I said without thinking.

  The normally calm Misaki turned bright red before her hand moved to the katana.

  I instantly felt killing intent and instantly grabbed my sword and activated the runes on it which was ‘Sword Iron Harden Enchant.’ Although ‘Harden Enchant’ could increase defense just as well as ‘Iron Enchant’ adding them all together and specifying the ‘Sword’ boosted the strength by three times than if I just put ‘Iron Harden Enchant,’ though it lost three times its strength if it was not on a sword.

  Peng!

  I was shot out the door into a tree.

  “You bastard! KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING!” Misaki shouted.

  “THEN DON’T CHANGE IN THE LIVING ROOM!” I shouted back. I pointed at my feet and two runes appear and give off a green light on them. ‘Air Accelerate’ for speed and the hardening was still active which increased the strength a bit.

  She soon launched out just with her top on and swung her katana in rage but I moved like the wind and dodged her. I grabbed her left arm and threw her inside the house. I shut the door only to have the katana appear on the door right next to my nose.

  “This crazy girl! Does she think she lives alone? Maybe she planned that just to kill me,” I thought.

  “If you dare enter this house I will castrate you!” she shouted and I heard a bang.

  I blinked several times and sighed dejected.

  As I looked down, I saw the book hanging and I got an idea.

  I ran to Johnson’s home and workshop and knocked. He appeared quickly.

  “Did you need something?” he asked when he saw it was me. I explained the situation. “So you want a bed and a bucket so you can make a small room out of your dungeon…” He looked at me for a moment before bending over laughing.

  “Boy you really have it hard with the girl. Go find a place and put down the dungeon whatever and I will bring over some spare beds and bedding for you,” he said wiping a tear that appeared.

  I walked back toward the house which was on the west side and was a bit empty over there.

  I walked to the side and saw out a window that Misaki was watching, but I didn’t care.

  I opened my book and pressed the only room I had and pressed right next to the entrance.

  Dungeon layout has been complete from entrance to end where all possible corridors end. What would you like to name this dungeon layout?

  I smiled wryly, “Hobo Dungeon Maker’s Room.”

  The dungeon has been named ‘Hobo Dungeon Maker’s Room’ to place the formation to enter this dungeon you must say, ‘Magic Hole Formation: Page 1 Dungeon open.’

  Good luck dungeon maker.

  For some reason that last part was a bit annoying, but I shrugged it off and put my hand on the ground.

  “Magic Hole Formation: Page 1 dungeon open,” I said.

  At once, in front of me a blue flame burned out from my hand and spread into a one and a half meter diameter circle. The fire spread and condensed on the edge where it formed a single line before it moved closer forming a second one.

  Then runes began to form. Most I didn’t know, but I noticed that there was a compass like shapes on the side as some runes went to four sides outside of the circle.

  I drank a potion in case, and soon the flames brightened and soon died leaving a glowing magic circle burned into the ground. Slowly it lit up purple and the mana in the air began to gather into the circle. As it grew stronger the purple circle turned a gentle blue, and the excess mana gathered into a ball floating above the formation.

  You have learned eight new runes. These runes are ‘North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest.’

  By putting these runes on a magic formation, it will stabilize the formation by using the energy from the magnetic field of the planet.

  “Well this looks fun,” I said and walked into the circle and appeared in a dirt corridor with a similar circle behind me. In front of me was a familiar door and when I opened it, I found the room we built with the same crappy furniture.

  I sighed as I looked at it and waited for Johnson to bring me my bed for the night.

  After a while he actually came with a wooden bed frame and a bed for me with the help of some men he set it up in the corner. I lay down and fell asleep in the bed for the night in this lumpy old bed instead of the comfier one I might have had in the house if not for that weird Japanese girl.

  Chapter 6

  Kick

  “Ouch!” I said as I felt a kick on my sore back.

  Due to learning about your class skills you have gained 2 Intelligence.

  For constantly using mana to near exhaustion you have gained 5 Wisdom.

  For doing intensive manual labor yesterday you have gained 3 Strength and 2 Endurance.

  For leading the construction of several wooden structures, you have gained 2 levels in Carpentry.

  For placing your first Magic Circle Formation to open a dungeon you have gained 1 level in Magic Circle Formation and can now make dungeons with two openings or two dungeons with one opening.

  When I turn to look at who kicked me, I saw Misaki behind me.

  “Get up,” she said coldly.

  I blinked a bit.

  “Mind waiting outside the room so I can change,” I said pointing at the armor next to the bed.

  Yes, this was completely an indirect reference toward her actions the previous night, and she knew it since she blushed, frowned and left the room.

  I got up an
d put the cotton clothes on before the leather armor and finally the boots before walking out after picking up my artifacts.

  Opening the door, I didn't find her, so I walked out of the one room dungeon where I found her waiting.

  As soon as she saw me, she breathed deeply and held her katana straight and did a perfect 90-degree angle bow.

  “I'm sorry about what I did last night, I didn't think you would return so soon and had dropped my guard for the first time since coming here and had undressed in the living room instead of the bath,” she said.

  “No need, I more or less guessed since you were picking up your clothes,” I replied.

  She straightened herself but averted her eyes.

  “You should go bath since you couldn't last night,” she said. She turned and left, but not even three steps later she tripped on a rock and stumbled for several steps before she fixed herself. She stopped and stared my way, then left.

  Once she was out of view I sighed.

  “Is she clumsy or is she developing clumsy habits. I did notice her airheadedness though from a few comments the maids at the castle, but to think it was this far. Is she sure she dropped her guard only once?” I asked myself.

  Seeing as there wasn't much else I could do, I walked to the blacksmith workshop.

  We needed to start building traps like walls that dropped down, spring traps, spike traps, ceiling drop traps. The latter would use some kind of piston if I could figure out how to incorporate it.

  Reaching the place, I was surprised to find a floor full of spike traps.

  There were thick spikes coming out diagonally, square platforms with thin spikes that could nail you to the ground. Even one raised sideways so that it was fixed on the wall. On another side was a wall that looked similar to the ones from the corridors, but there were small cracks on the surface, and looking behind I found arrow traps which were long tubes with a circular metal case with arrows around it and a spring at the back pushing them forward so that when the arrow fired the next would load automatically.