And so I died, unceremoniously I might add. Memories of my death faded as quickly as it had happened, and my body was bent and broken all over. Then my body began to rebuild itself in what felt like either a second or a decade. Like warm back tendons flowing into my body and turning on every muscle and organ on like a car or a dishwasher. I awoke in a small cave with a grey orb in front of me, with the entrance of the cave poking through. I understood immediately what had happened as new directives filled my mind. I had been reincarnated in a new world as a dungeon master, it was my duty to expand the dungeon and to protect the dungeon's core. I then let out a deep sigh of frustration and willed the cave entrance shut.
As it would happen, I am versed with the whole "thrown into a new world" concept. I am also familiar with starter towns and cities. If I were next to one that meant humans would find my dungeon and kill the core, or worse, exploit me for resources. That was not going to happen. As I was reborn, a focus on my dungeon's core was at the top of my priority. I must have been summoned for the only purpose of persevering this core. But why? And for who?
The mana I spent willing the earth to enclose me and the cave was quickly replenished. I then willed the orb into the ground, and it splashed through the earth like mud. The cave was immediately void of the dim light the core had produced . "Shit."
When I resurfaced the core, I opened the entrance wide enough for me to fit through, then hid the core in the earth again. I squeezed through and shivered. Starting off naked was a lot harder than I thought. Looking out, I was definitely inside some mountain, with no trail leading up to the cave's me-shaped mouth. I tried to move the earth like I had moments before to no avail. "Well, I guess I'm not an earth mage." I said out loud. I was trying to get used to speaking again after, well… being dead. I knew a new language. I spoke it whenever I tried to speak in English, but the way my mouth moved at the new words still felt weird. I sighed at the realization and tried to make my way down. My bare feet started to bleed as I slowly lumbered my way down. It was an easy climb up and down, I realized. I should definitely hide the entrance better. I thought as I limped down the last hill. I could still feel the core in the mountain, shifting and pulsating. I would have to leave it alone for a while, but I knew I needed to do something with it; we were connected now.
I let the mana in the core release, like dumping a bucket of water and it splashed giving me a feel of everything it touched. The mana flowed down the mountain, and I could feel the minerals in the earth, the roots of the trees, the creatures of the woods, and a tunnel digging into the earth. I made my way to the tunnel and found an abandoned mine. Loose boards covered the entrance, and I ducked under them to find boxes of abandoned mining equipment, better yet, old smelly clothes and worn boots. I tried a few on and wore the best-fitting. A long-sleeved tight white shirt and some loose-fitting coveralls that ended above my shin. I got some big boots and some old socks with holes in them. I look crazy, but not as crazy as a naked man. I looked into the mine and decided to venture deeper another time. When I stepped out, I looked to the sun. I guessed it was about noon. I closed my eyes and decided to use the core to locate more of my surroundings. I call this move mana location! I thought only to cringe soon after. I had a basic understanding of mana. It must've been the core. I was unmistakably attached to the core. I made a mental note to test a few theories, but I knew for certain I could be some distance from the core. But is there a boundary? What about monsters? Am I going to make them? And treasure? Dungeons have treasure, right? I rubbed my temple and perked up when I noticed a small farm by a stream. Bingo!
It was about a two mile walk from my dungeon, well… soon to be dungeon. I wish I had more of a guiding hand to this but my motives all depend upon the core, i could feel it wanting to pull me back to it, but I'm not going back without some sort of rule book, or at least guide in this world. It was a rough walk to the little homestead, rough terrain and my thoughts of my past life. I am dead, I shouldn't get so hung up on it. I stopped in my tracks, Somthing is watching me. I looked around slowly. Nothing?Notlikely. The mana pulsed and a group of four humanoid creatures with sharp long ears and small bodies spied him behind some trees. It would be just my luck to get killed on the first day, I hope I can respawn. I kept walking, sensing when the my hunt pounced and I would be ready. Then a small green goblin rushed me with a spear. I was surprised, then danced around the spear and kicked the goblin in its head. It rolled like a soccer ball towards a tree and bounced. Then the other two came out. A tiny wood bow was aimed at me and the goblin loosed its arrow, I dodged the poorly made arrow with ease and the last one swung a rock on a stick at me. It all would have been so cute if I didn't know they were trying to eat me. I punched the stick lover and… oww. Its skin was crazy tough and corse, it felt like I just punched some sandpaper. The skin on my knuckles was shredded. All three of my green hunters rose and raised their weapons at me and I decided I should run away from my first fight.