I raised both hands in a welcoming gesture, calling out to the villagers of Kilraine gathered around the settlement. My voice carried across the grove, not loud but warm enough to reach every ear. "All of you have my thanks. Your help while I recovered was invaluable, and seeing you all here is a humbling sight. I'm back on my feet now, stronger than ever, and I want you to know you're always welcome. Whether you're here to visit, trade, or settle permanently, consider this place yours too."
A few villagers stepped closer, curiosity mingling with relief in their expressions. I caught sight of familiar faces, farmers, hunters, and even some who had quietly slipped in for a chance to see the rumored mystical grove. "Tell your friends, your families," I continued, letting a small smile curl my lips. "We have plenty of work to do, but also plenty of opportunity. We'll share our surplus of food, supplies, and whatever else we can spare. In turn, I'd love to learn from anyone with skills, knowledge, or even just a willing spirit."
I lowered my hands, glancing across the crowd. "If you choose to move here, we'll find a place for you. If not, know you're free to come and go, to trade and explore. Spread the word that we're building something new, something we hope will grow into a haven for everyone who seeks it."
When the villagers began murmuring amongst themselves, excitement, relief, and cautious curiosity mingling in quiet conversation, I eased back toward the settlement crystal. The soft hum of its magic soothed my nerves like a gentle heartbeat pulsing in tune with my own. The grove's golden motes shimmered brighter, as if echoing the villagers' renewed hope, while the central tree's fruits pulsed faintly, their restorative energy permeating the air. Moira's familiar presence slipped into my thoughts, calm and precise as ever.
"Today's task is straightforward but crucial," she reminded me. "The resource shards must be placed in their appropriate locations to ensure steady material production. The marble shard goes to the designated quarry above ground. The gold and silver shard belongs in the dungeon's mining chamber, where it can harmonize with natural mana flows and enhance the kobolds' output."
I nodded, turning the marble shard over in my hand. It glimmered like polished stone veined with silver. Next to it, the gold and silver shard radiated a gentle metallic glow. Both hummed faintly with latent magic.
"Straightforward," I muttered wryly. "We'll see about that."
Snow stood nearby, casually leaning against her new warstaff. She raised an eyebrow at me. "Have we had a single straightforward day since you started all this?"
Hamish snorted, shifting the jagged kobold broadsword strapped across his back. "Aye, straightforward usually means what chaos is about to happen this time? Still, better to get it done."
"Then let's not tempt fate," I said, forcing a grin. "Gear up. We have work waiting."
We set out toward the quarry, the marble shard tucked safely into my satchel. The path wound through rocky terrain that gradually rose into a natural plateau, each step crunching over pebbles and small stones. Around us, the air sharpened as though the earth itself braced for something significant, the grove's influence lingering in the vibrant grass that lined our route.
A marked quarry site appeared up ahead: pale outcroppings streaked with faint gray veins. Subtle evidence of the settlement crystal's influence already showed, loose rocks stacked themselves neatly, and shallow pits lined up in what promised to be future mining shafts.
I stepped to the center, feeling the marble shard vibrate lightly in my hand. Snow and Hamish stood close, watching as I knelt and pressed the shard to the ground. The instant it touched soil, a resonant hum rippled out across the quarry.
Gray veins brightened, turning into streaks of luminous marble shot through with silver. Stone surfaces lost their jagged edges, as though polished by invisible hands. A deep, rumbling voice, almost a purr, emanated from the earth itself: "Production initialized. Marble quarrying capabilities are active. Awaiting tools and personnel."
Snow shook her head in mild amusement. "Polite quarry. Everything here talks to you."
"Seems that way," I quipped, dusting off my knees and standing up. "One site down. Now for the dungeon."
Our return trip to the settlement and subsequent descent into the dungeon's mining chamber passed quietly, save for Snow twirling her staff with a playful flourish and Hamish on constant alert. The villagers we passed waved, their hands busy with tasks like weaving baskets or carving wooden tools, their integration into the settlement evident in their purposeful movements.
The dungeon entrance, a jagged arch of dark stone, led us into cooler depths illuminated by the light of my staff. Soon we reached a cavernous space bustling with kobold miners, small reptilian figures swinging pickaxes in a rhythmic clink, unearthing iron veins and clusters of mana crystals.
"Master Robert, a delight as ever!" The dungeon core greeted us in a warm, resonant voice. "Your presence outshines all the mana crystals combined."
Snow smirked. "You really pour it on thick, don't you?"
The core's tone shifted to polite calm. "Lady Snow, Sir Hamish, you honor us as well. Your contributions are deeply valued."
Hamish offered a half grin. "Good to know we measure up."
I chuckled, holding up the gold and silver shard. "We're here to place this. Suggestions?"
The core glowed brighter, brimming with a fatherly pride. "A truly visionary choice, Master Robert. Please insert the shard near the central mana vein. It will amplify the kobolds' efficiency and refine the ore."
At the core's prompt command, the kobolds scurried aside, clearing space. I placed the shard down gently, and it sank into the ground in a gleam of golden light. Mana veins entwined with the shard's energy, pulsing bright, the dungeon's ambient magic humming in harmony with the grove above.
"Resource integration complete," the core announced. "Gold and silver production activated. Your foresight continues to inspire awe."
I gave an appreciative nod. "Thanks. Anything else you want me to know?"
"The kobolds are eager to prove themselves," the core said, its paternal warmth practically radiating. "They stand ready to mine, guard, or serve as you see fit."
Hamish arched an eyebrow. "Defenders, huh? Could be useful."
With both shards placed and the quarrying operations running, we headed back toward the surface. Before we could exit, a timid kobold approached, holding out a small, roughly sketched parchment map.
It bowed deeply. "Master, a humble report. We hear whispers from the northwest. Another dungeon, still alive but deserted. The map shows the way."
I studied the crude markings, forests, rocky hills, and a path that might lead beyond our current territory. I glanced at Snow and Hamish, feeling the spark of curiosity stir in my chest. The prospect of another dungeon heightened the tension, a potential threat or opportunity lingering just beyond our borders.
"Well," I said, flashing a grin, "looks like Moira's task just got more interesting."
The kobold's tail swished as I patted its head. "Thank you," I said gently. "Keep up the good work. Let me speak with the core about improvements so you and your kin can thrive down here."
I turned back to the glowing sphere embedded in the cavern wall, crossing my arms. "So, core, how are we doing on points? Anything we can upgrade for the kobolds?"
"Splendidly, Master Robert!" the core said, excitement in its voice. "We've accrued 1450 points from mining, training, and various dungeon challenges. These can fund multiple enhancements."
I rubbed my chin. "First, let's boost the kobolds' mining and combat. More efficient miners, stronger guards. Can we do that?"
"Of course," the core replied. "Three hundred points to enhance mining skill for all kobolds, plus four hundred to train guard kobolds in advanced combat techniques. Precision archery, defensive formations, nothing is beyond your grasp."
"Perfect," I said. "We'll also need a team of archers for the settlement watchtowers. The place needs covering if something worse than that grub shows up."
"For two hundred fifty points, I can assign a specialized squad to patrol your settlement walls," the core replied, glowing with pride. "They'll carry enchanted bows for superior accuracy."
I nodded. "Now, let's make sure living conditions are better. Some place to sleep, some place to eat, maybe a bit of fun so they don't revolt?"
Snow leaned her staff against the wall, sapphire glinting. "Happy kobolds, happy life, right?"
Hamish snorted a laugh. "Aye. If ye want loyal minions, feed them and let them rest."
The core's glow pulsed agreeably. "Two hundred points for a cozy barracks with warmth spells. One fifty for a dining area and modest kitchen, and a hundred for recreation, a small fountain and simple games."
"That's just about perfect," I said, smiling. "Do it all. Anything else?"
"For a final two hundred fifty points, we can upgrade the storage room," the core added. "Better organization, less waste."
"Approved," I said firmly. "Use up the points and keep me informed if we gain more."
The kobold who'd brought me the map remained nearby, shifting its weight from foot to foot. "You've done great work," I told it, "and I want everyone to know I appreciate their effort. Let them rest once in a while too."
It bowed quickly, tail wagging, then darted off with renewed vigor. Snow watched it scuttle away, a gentle smile on her face. "You're handling all this well, Robert."
"Thanks," I murmured, half-embarrassed. "I'm just doing what needs to be done."
I turned back to the core. "While those upgrades happen, prepare the new guards. Have them ready to station at the settlement soon."
"Of course," the core agreed. "They shall be outfitted and well-drilled in no time."
With that settled, I waved for Snow and Hamish to follow me. "We should head back and check on the settlement's progress. Then maybe we'll investigate that northwest lead."
We departed the dungeon just as the sun reached a higher arc, bathing the fields in gentle, golden light. Snow and Hamish followed me northward, leaving behind the now-bustling dig site. My goal was to ensure nothing lurked beyond our borders that could disrupt the settlement's growth, the grove's magic amplifying our senses as we moved.
As we walked, an odd awareness brushed my consciousness. It felt like the land itself was whispering, revealing hidden details. I paused, glancing at the others. "Do you feel that?"
Snow nodded, eyes distant as her sapphire flickered. "It's like sensing the terrain without seeing it."
Hamish's brow furrowed. "Aye, same here. Like the ground's telling me where the rocks are."
Focusing, I let the awareness expand. In my mind's eye, I saw clumps of herbs by a rocky outcrop, a grove of healthy oaks, and a shallow vein of iron. "Scouting," I said aloud. "It's like a skill we're developing together."
Snow's excitement showed in the glow of her gem. "This'll make finding resources a breeze."
Hamish gave a short laugh, knocking a fist on a nearby rock. "Better than any paper map we could carry."
We spread out in a loose formation, each using this sense to mark potential resources. Snow identified clusters of medicinal plants, Hamish located rugged rock formations, and I tracked the broader terrain features. Our mental map grew more defined with every step, the grove's influence sharpening our senses as if it wanted us to protect its domain.
"This is going to save us so much time," I said after regrouping in a clearing. "We'll know exactly where to send people for supplies."
Snow gathered a handful of bluish-green herbs, tucking them away. "And it'll help me find alchemy ingredients faster."
Hamish tapped another rocky spot. "More iron here. Even a pick wouldn't have trouble."
We pressed onward, the land seemingly welcoming our exploration. Then we reached the northwestern edge of our domain. A faint, pulsing energy tugged at our attention, just within the scope of our new scouting sense.
We crept forward through a cluster of trees and found it: a glowing portal, a perfect oval shimmering with soft blue light. Its edges reminded me of polished crystal, and every pulse of its glow felt like a quiet heartbeat in the air. The grove's magic seemed to hum in resonance, as if wary of this new intrusion.
"Another dungeon," I said, my mind whirling. "That must be what the kobolds meant."
Snow's sapphire flared softly. "It's stable, but who knows what's inside?"
Hamish flexed his grip on the sword. "We can handle ourselves, but let's be sure."
I stepped back, assessing the surroundings. "We'll need to map this, maybe come back with a plan. Let's finish scouting first."
We encircled the area around where we could sense the portal, letting our senses gather information on all the hidden places of ore and herbs present across the countryside. I could feel my scouting ability growing stronger with use. Every so often, my awareness suddenly expanded several feet in radius.
"Feels weird when it powers up," Snow said aloud, mostly to herself. Hamish nodded. "Yeah. Kind of like when your ears pop and ye could hear more than before."
She giggled at him. "Heehee! Yes! That's exactly it!"
Snow paused, however. "Hamish, how come ye have an accent, and sometimes ye don't? It's like ye forget to use it."
Hamish glanced at her sheepishly. "Ah, well. Yes and no. I forget sometimes, to use my English accent. If I'm tired, or excited, ye'll probably hear me slip into a barely comprehensible Scotsman codex. At its worst, I'll just straight yell some Gaelic, though that's much more rare."
Snow smiled amusedly at him. "Oh. Okay then. I guess that makes sense." She said this as she patted his arm gently, accepting his oddities.
Hamish's feet stopped abruptly, immediately distracted from Snow. "Hey, Chief. Right here. There's a metal deposit. A mix of several kinds. Can ye feel it?"
I tried to sense the metals he spoke of, but it was not in my ability. I could only sense a few plants and different kinds of trees. That portal felt like a bright beacon in my mind, making it difficult to sense much else. "No, I don't. Can ye show me?"
Hamish led me over to a sheer rock face. He pointed out some discoloration in the wall and let me know, "Through here. There's loads of metal and even a few gems and other minerals. I wish I had a drill or a good mining pickaxe even."
I could feel the tingle of my insight skill telling me to try something. Essence Refinement? Of course. "Hamish, stand back. I'm going to try out that dungeon trick on it, see what we get."
I hadn't used this skill nearly as much as I wanted to. There was a lot of experimentation I could do with it. So far, I'd only used it on kobold corpses and an ancient baby rattle I found in the corrupted kobold sanctum. Now, though, here's a chance to use it in the real world, a rule-breaking twist on traditional mining.
I extended my left hand to the discolored stone. Almost immediately, I could feel the inside of the rock face. It was like searching for something in murky water. I could sense the metal; it was denser than the stone, and as my magic sifted through, I could surround it with my will.
I focused my intent on the stone and flicked a mental switch to activate Essence Refinement. Suddenly the magic latched on to everything that was valuable inside the stone.
Almost immediately, a stream of cold, yet molten copper and lead began to pour out of the rock and pile itself neatly into ingots upon the ground. Hamish exclaimed something foul in Gaelic, and Snow just stared in disbelief.
Several pounds of each were gathered onto the ground, and as an added bonus, Essence Refinement pulled garnets buried deep within the terrain. Jewels. I sensed messages appearing from Moira's Magus System.
With just a glance, I knew it was my refinement skill increasing, rapidly at first, but then slower as the task completed. I couldn't help but smile. It was a satisfying sensation to rip value out of seemingly nothing.
It gave me the same tactile satisfaction as popping bubble wrap or slowly ripping paper. It's hard to describe, unless you experience the same feelings.
By the time I finished pulling raw materials ready for crafting from the vein of ores, I could feel that it had reached level 7. Just a few more, and it would already be ready to evolve into a new, more focused form. I used my internal mana to power this skill.
I could feel it flow out, but at the same time as valuable metal piled around my feet, I could feel M-Power flow into my Aetherium Mana Core. Finally lowering my hand, I took stock of what had happened and what it all meant.
Using my power, I created a feedback loop. By spending, I gained. Everything I did not only increased my abilities through training but also fed me leftover ambient mana to my mana core that could be reinvested later into attributes, skills, or other abilities.
And to think, it's only been a few days.