by Troy Neenan
Name: Gold Runner
Created by: David Mascoff
Species: Feline, Dungeon born.
Strengths: Claws, natural armour, fangs.
Weaknesses: Swimming.
At birth the gold runner devours metal and metallic items, the softer metals become its coat while the harder metal become its adult fangs and claws. Gold runners are lazy, selfish, and seek out metal. Pet owners are advised to keep their jewellery in a safe place, and to never rub a gold runner's fur the wrong way. They are also advised to take regular tetanus shots.
A disapproving expression marked the tree's flawless face. This cat was indeed a unique animal, but one that had no place in Zellio'zeri Crat empire. Metal was not her domain. It would be better suited to a mine. She returned the card and rewarded David with another huge amount of gold. “Is this truly the best choice of your time, David? You have but five days left to reclaim your dungeon.”
“I don't know what he has got.” David explained, “He's older than me. I know that much. He probably has hundreds of monsters and traps. All I can do is to build up my forces.”
“It is wise indeed to overestimate your foe, David, but I think that you might be sending an oleop to kill a sepinses. You told me that you greatly wounded him.” Zellio'zeri still found it difficult to believe that this young dungeon had intentionally sabotaged his own domain and set up a contingency plan for his own downfall. Collapsing your dungeon, corrupting your domain, destroying your blueprints, and wasting your energy closing off the entrance. It was possible that David may have ultimately ruined his own dungeon beyond repair.
If she had been the attacker, wounded, in the middle of a Godless expanse of desert, with no way to lure in prey, Zellio'zeri doubted that she could have survived.
“I like to be prepared. Hopefully that son of a bitch is just lying in the ground sulking that he can't do anything. Anyway, I have no idea how this works. I could get trapped there with no way out. This could be my only chance to get some real monsters that aren't just a pack of ants.”
The tree goddess looked sombre. In her experience the idea of leaving her comfortable domain was both frightening and seen as a punishment. Her domain protected her, it nourished her, leaving it was death. But to David it was no better than a jail cell.
“I would give you my animals if I could, David, but without a domain they would turn to ash, also you don't have the power to summon them.” She had grown fond of these interactions, the idea that she would no longer communicate with this young core was... Sad? Was this sadness?
The ancient being shook her head, “Two years. No, not even that. I was over two hundred years old before I could obtain such a powerful creature. If I had such a tool, gathering twigs and defending my tiny borders, things would have been so much easier.”
At hearing the lovely lady Zellio'zeri's words, a thought struck David with the force of a freight train. Looking off into the distance he continued the idea, allowing it to twist and bend to different routes. Finally he dared to ask, “What would you have given me for the cat when you were just starting out?”
“It was such a long time ago. Now it is difficult to imagine myself so naive and weak. For that tiny and evil thing,? I don't know.”
“How about another monster?” David asked.
“Yes, of course. But I had almost nothing when I was but two years old. I had but light, and the earth, and what water that I could find.” Zellio'zeri let out a laugh, “My first creature was but a tiny bee. Its swarm was buzzing around an annoying little wildflower who kept telling me that I should be grateful to be in her presence. I took its bee out of spite and how it angered the detestable thing.” Those memories were so far away these days. The first memories of a baby, you know they were there but they were out of your grasp.
Yikes. David didn't know that trees and flowers had such cut throat relationships. Then again it wasn't as if the plant world didn't have its arseholes. Blackberry bushes would be right up there. He felt the woman's polite smile on him.
“But enough reminiscing,” Zellio'zeri eyes turned predatory, “Take off those pants.”
***
Yellow piggy eyes stared at the bulging muscles that were housed in dark green and brown skin. A dog-like maw that was filled with sharp teeth grinned back at the viewer, who grunted in satisfaction at the intimidating visage. Ronk Nalkramal Balorat Ugpak Avhinguk Mushof approved of its new avatar.
The green-skinned dungeon viewed the assembly of monsters and men. On top of a stage an ugly thing with pink skin and even pinker hair was playing an odd wooden thing with strings. The melody was... acceptable to the dungeon's ears. Though it did not have the drums or the screams that Ronk was used to, the soothing cords made him nod.
The twenty creatures that surrounded the stage were swaying to the tune. A mighty white stallion with great and powerful legs swished its tail. A werewolf with muscles that rivalled Ronk's let out a long howl, trying to add his own song to the mix. A thin woman with four arms and six small breasts stared in fascinated wonder at the creature on the stage; her large cow eyes were wide.
The song ended and the creatures grunted, snorted, bowed, and shook in acknowledgement. The pink haired thing thanked the crowd, “Going on break. Thank you.” she shouted and grinned at her audience.
Another pink thing, this one with muscles that pleased Ronk's ideology came to him with a plate of food and drinks. “Want something to drink?” she asked. While her hair was brown she wore a white piece of cloth which showed her muscles and her grey loincloth displayed her meaty legs. What Ronk would give to have such a creature in his domain instead of the puny little ugly things which squatted in his hole.
The question put Ronk off for a moment. He had seen the green things he kept in his dungeon eat and drink before, but the practise had never appealed to him, mainly because he didn't have the necessary organs to appreciate the act. He picked up a glass and examined the orange, bubbling fluid. He put the liquid in his mouth and nearly spat out the contents. It wasn't that the drink was bad but that he had not been prepared for the strong flavour.
“Here,” the woman let out a laugh, “some water.”
Feeling that he was being looked down on, Ronk kept his glass and consumed the contents. Following the traditions of his creatures for etiquette, he dropped the mug and yelled. “Goooood! You be my woman, now.”
“Flattered,” the woman said. “You know, for a dream this feels really real you know.”
Ronk knew of dreams. He dreamt of being bigger and stronger, he also dreamt of the day the things that squatted in his stomach would get their shit together. Now he would dream of this female. Perhaps he would make some of her one day. She was nice and he could see that she was strong.
A giant chipmunk raised it glass, “Daisy, more beer.”
“Whiskey.”
“Water.”
“Can I get more of those little biscuits?” another woman made of living blue water called out. At least it looked as if she were made of water.
“Weirdest. Dream. Ever.” Daisy said before leaving.
Ronk felt dejected as the pink skinned woman left, but didn't have time to dwell on it. It felt good to talk to her. He saw another woman, this one with bright red skin and no hair flirting with a dungeon that had Ronk's muscles but had long blonde hair and skin that was too yellow for his tastes. He could tell that she, Daisy, and the one that had been playing were... Ronk didn't want to compare them to his squatters but that was what it felt like.
After a few minutes of just wandering around, a new dungeon got onto the stage and spoke to the crowd, “Hello my fellow death traps. My name is David and welcome to the first annual Dark Exchange auction. You all have questions so let's get them out of the way first. Anyone?”
“Why have you brought us here, why do I look like this?” The blue water woman shouted.
“I have gathered many items and monsters from my world that I don't need any more. I was hoping to trade these to my fellow dungeons
. As you are all two to ten years old I figured that you could use extra monsters or treasure. As for what you look like that's a bit technical.”
“Where is my fairy?” a large floating eyeball called out. The dungeons grumbled in agreement.
Ronk was also curious as to why Zainjin was not with him. The little goblin shaman was useful if a tad annoying. The creature kept demanding something called gold and swords but failed to tell him what they looked like.
“I don't deal with side-kicks. Anyway, you're all big dungeons. You can make your own decisions.” David saw his fellow dungeons grumble at that announcement. “Anyone who doesn't feel comfortable with that, simply will yourself to return.” he gestured to the casino doors, “Or you can go through the doors over there, or you can stick around and watch and we can do this next year. Any other questions?”
The crowd looked at one another, uncertain and not wanting to be the first to say anything.
The Dungeon on the stage rubbed his hands, “So let's get this started.” The stage suddenly filled up with small cards which floated in the air, each of them representing a creature. “These represent blueprints or patterns of monsters that I own and that I'm willing to sell to you.”
Ronk and the rest of the dungeons stared in wonder at the selection. Ants the size of a child's finger, spiders and snakes that oozed venom, brightly coloured wasps. Ronk saw a pink creature like the women and wanted to see it more clearly. Then he knew.
Species name: Homo Prodigisum, Variant.
Race: Humanoid, dungeon born
Strengths: Acid, acrobatics, weaponry, tool user.
Based on the creature known as human. Homo Prodigisum, Variants are mutations created by the Dungeon Master, David Mascoff. This creature not only have the intelligence of a human but also has inbuilt weaponry. Two spikes made of solid bone pierce through the Variant's palms, each capable of injecting their prey with a highly caustic acid. Born with the natural ability to create swords and stabbing weapons, as well as having little empathy for their targets, they are natural hunters and killers.
The Variant was worth forty goblins to make, an incredulous sum indeed. Ronk could barely make one of the little bastards. But why was she so expensive to make? Why not make forty, if annoying puny goblins?
Then it hit him like a thunder clap. Ronk was staring at a simulation of his own dungeon which was little more than a cave and a few tunnels. He had never seen the outside of his domain before and never with the eyes of one of his creatures. It regretfully didn't look that impressive.
A naked pink skinned man stood at the entrance of Ronk's dungeon. The Variant looked different compared to Daisy and the others, from the thing that was dangling between his legs Ronk guessed that he was a male version.
Male or not, Ronk's sentries were waiting with him, crude spears clutched in their filthy green fingers. Like the Variant, they wore no armour or cloth, their tiny maggot-sized sex free to dangle there. These were trained to handle the sight of the sun which burnt their delicate skin, blistering and turning their complexion green instead of pale white.
The goblins turned their heads to the Variant and Ronk knew him to be doomed. The terrible things let out a hoot to summon their brothers. Despite the Variant’s superior size the goblins were like savage wolves. No. A better analogy would be rats. Cunning vermin that had litters of hungry babies, capable of surviving off the faeces of other animals.
Blank faced, the Variant walked towards the ugly pygmies that stood in his path. Then his walk turned into a mad dash. The Variant grabbed the sticks and as if pulling a toy away from a child, liberated the weapons for his own needs.
The goblins stared open mouthed at the intruder's impudence. Their expressions turned to horror as their foe sent their own spears into their open gaping maws.
Ronk was amazed at the ease that this creature had killed his sentries. He was as silent as the dead, as ruthless as the bitter cold, and he was about to have lots of company.
Instead of taking the spears, the Variant used the sticks to hold the goblin bodies up. With no place to hide he wiped some of their blood onto his naked body and lay down on the filthy mud.
A dozen goblins came out of the hole. They wielded dull obsidian knives and clubs. Unused to the sun they blinked and stumbled around in the daylight. While their eyes were unaccustomed to the sight of the sun, their noses were as sharp as a dog's.
Thinking their sentries still alive and had killed this new prey, they drew closer to the Variant and Ronk had to slap his forehead at their stupidity, he groaned at their chuckling which was like a bird hacking up a mouse. They were unaware of the trap before them.
Confident, the goblins with the knives approached the Variant; their desire to skin and take his meat caused their guard to lower. They were so preoccupied with the new spoils that they didn't notice that the two sentries were dripping their brains on the grass.
As fast as a heartbeat, the Variant’s natural weaponry was unsheathed and a bone spike entered one goblin’s skull. What happened next was like seeing art. With his free hand the Variant took the goblin's knife and threw it at the green midget that was in the back. The goblin fell backwards, closing the dungeon’s entrance with his body.
After five seconds of watching the goblins getting killed by a true monster, Ronk had seen enough. He knew what he wanted.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It sucked having sensitive skin. For Cassidy it was a constant battle to get comfortable. The springs in Kim's bed poked her delicate flesh, the blankets were a hazard. One moment she felt suffocated, then itchy, and then hot.
Cassidy was sure that the only way that she was going to get any sleep was if she chloroformed herself, something that she was seriously contemplating.
The sound of obnoxious music being played caused the tired Cassidy's eyes to crack open. By reflex, her arm reached over to her night stand and slapped the polished wood in search of her phone. Burying her head in her pillow her hand clumsily searched for the pesky item.
Finding it she looked at the message. It was that damn dungeon app that David had put on her phone.
Quest completed. Mingling with Power.
You have successfully communicated with five higher beings from other realities and did not lose your mind in the process. You have flirted with demons, chatted with Gods, and stood in the presence of the Greater.
Reward. 600 upgrade points, Commune, Sacrifice, Tribute.
Secret quest complete. Concubine to the Beyond.
You have had sexual relations with an abstract entity. You are now marked for all of time. Few mortal beings have had relationships with the truly powerful and lived to tell the tale. Your life and your soul have been mutated by the experience.
Reward. 500 upgrade points. The Mark of the House of Heroes. Blessings of the House of Heroes.
A sharp pain shot through Cassidy’s heart. Her body shivered as what felt like a deep tearing sensation covered her body. Goosebumps crawled down her scalp and did not go away. Her immediate concern however, was that her chest felt constrained. It was as if a huge dog was sitting on her chest.
Her fingers grabbed her bra which felt like it was slowly squeezing her to death. She tore the cloth away without trying to. “What the hell?” she said holding up the remains of her underwear. “Ahh.” The pain had navigated to her nether region, it felt as if she was wearing a child's panties and she heard and felt the fabric rip.
With a violent yank she pulled off the constricting cloth and found herself now able to breathe. She got out of bed and ran to the bathroom.
What she saw in the mirror stunned her. Her skin reminded her of that big Persian bastard out of that Spartan movie. Her hair looked amazing, it flowed like a huge wave and it reached all the way down to her apple shaped arse.
“What the fuck?” she called out and grabbed the two cantaloupes that were now attached to her chest. Her tits had gotten two cup sizes bigger. She had also gotten a new tattoo made of some futuri
stic ink that shimmered in the light. It displayed the image of a sword buried in a human skull.
Her phone rang in the other room but Cassidy ignored it, she was about five seconds from freaking out. Her eyes and trembling hands drifted down to her stomach. Her abs were nearly as perfect as Daisy's. She touched her new hair. “Ow,” she said as she pulled several strands, it was attached alright.
That shouldn't be right. Ever since she was fourteen her hair had been a chocolate brown, and it had never looked this good. Now she was a blonde. She looked down, “Holy shit,” Yep, she was now a blonde.
“What the fuck?” she repeated at her reflection as if it held all the answers.
The bathroom door opened, “Who the fuck are you?” Daisy said, rubbing the crusty sleep from her eyes.
Cassidy turned her head to her roommate and her mouth fell open, “Daisy?”
Daisy, or the thing that sort of looked like Daisy had emerald green skin that rippled with muscles. Her light brown hair was now a tar-like black and her canines were big enough that they protruded from her mouth. Her face was still feminine but it was more... savage and intense. Not ugly but one look at her and you definitely didn't want to get on her bad side.
Daisy saw herself in the mirror and froze, “Jesus Christ, I look like She-Hulk the barbarian.”
“What happened to us?” Cassidy cried, not understanding anything anymore.
Daisy's eyes went wide, “David.” This time it was Daisy's ring tone that played and the green woman ran back to her room. Cassidy thought that she saw something waving but it was nothing.
Cassidy, crawled into the empty bathtub and entered a fetal position.
A roaring “What!?” come from down the hall.
***
Dust flew up in the air as the rented car pulled up to the construction site. Kim nearly ripped the car door off as she got outside. She made sure that her bright yellow raincoat covered her body. It was damn hot but she dared not take it off.
Just a few hours ago, Kim and her friends had been given the option of going to several of David's auctions. The Dungeon Core had used them like waitresses and Kim had been left as the entertainment. At first it had been pretty cool, Kim had sung in front of her first live audience and played several melodies treating it as if it was one big karaoke.
