NOVEL SIMPLE 15: Milestones and Faiths
Jimbo wasn't quite sure what to expect from those people. Maybe a chest full of treasure? A statue in the central square? Maybe a holiday in his name? Jim smiles as imagine celebrating KingJ's Day instead of Christmas.
In video games rewards are usually predefined, but now being in a new fantasy reality, the reward could be anything.
«The best player in Kard10k and the savior of a kingdom... I'd like to stand in front of everyone who assured me I'd achieve nothing in life, and laugh until I burst!»
But instead of glory and praise, the king rushes off with his family to find out what happened, and Hilda orders to collect the unconscious mages and seal the core room until further notice. The soldiers force the Imp into the cage and return her to the lab. The doors are locked from outside and two guards are positioned on the flanks to prevent people from entering or leaving.
The conventional physical barriers can't stop Jim, he is still able to break through walls and extend his presence to the confines of the castle basement, but for now decides to give a vote of confidence and remain in the core room.
«When they calm down they'll come back. I can't believe they are so ungrateful»
Wanting to distract himself he checks his stats.
-Jimbo the Dungeon Core LV 1
-Ether: 0/100
-External Link: Active.
-Age: Stone.
Without the support of the mages Jim's level returns to normal. Seeing his connection active brings him back to imp.
«I know she's ugly, but they should treat her better»
Now there is a new information line concerning Jim's “age”.
«Stone... That explains so much»
His invocations are primitive and crude versions. While Jim still a lot to learn about this new world, he thinks it would be more useful to have summons able to talk and count with their fingers.
«I can at least increase the age, right?»
Almost the instant he asks, a system prompt pops up.
Note: A Dungeon Core can evolve by triggering milestones inside its domains.
«As helpful and swift as ever, system. I don't know what I'd do without you»
Note: I am you.
«Huh...?»
Note: I am your knowledge base.
«What do you say? I don't know anything about being a dungeon»
Note: All Dungeon Core relies on this knowledge. How the information is presented is a matter of assimilation and processing.
«Sounds weird... But okay»
Despite the oddness of it, Jimbo accepts the system's statement and abandons the idea of trying to treat it as some sort of know-it-all roommate. If the system is simply an extension of his subconscious facilitating the assimilation of knowledge, there is no reason to behave as if it is a separate entity.
«It would be like making friends with my left leg, insane»
Jimbo asks for more information about “milestones”.
Note: A milestone is a significant event for the world.
«More specification, please»
Note: Building one of the available monuments is considered a milestone. Causing the death of a legend would also be considered as such.
Jimbo lingers for a while scratching his metaphorical scalp.
«Legend...?»
Note: Hero or villain capable of greatly influencing the world's event flow.
«I get it»
As far as Jimbo understands a Dungeon Core has one key goal: Grow to be strong, and be strong to protect yourself. He assumes that legends are simply very high level enemies.
«Hey, wouldn't winning a war also be a milestone?»
Note: Third party interference cannot be ignored.
«So if I did it by my own strength, would count and help me evolve?»
Note: Probably.
«Probably? That's the first time you doubt, system»
Note: Dungeon Core don't usually influence wars.
Jimbo sketches a half-smile. Dungeon Core tend to dedicate to burying themselves several floors underground and multiplying their monsters and traps. But he is not a Dungeon Core, he is a new type of entity. He will have to experiment and see what happens.
The door is heard to open.
Jimbo emerges from his trance and faces the entrance expecting to see a march in his honor, but instead finds one of the soldiers who accompanied Hilda. The soldier has a much fresher expression than a while ago, with less pronounced dark circles under his eyes, and cleaner armor.
«Wait a minute, how long has it been?»
-Jimbo the Dungeon Core LV 1
-Ether: 33/100
-External Link: Active.
-Age: Stone.
Jim is dumbfounded. He was so distracted studying the system and lost more than ten hours. Doing the math, he begins to doubt because he feels that it was less than 33 hours.
Note: Mundane creatures inside the dungeon usually produce 1 Ether every 12 hours in neutral conditions.
Jim does a check. Two guards are outside, plus the Imp, and about 10 prisoners in all. The math starts to work better for him.
«Maybe leveling up won't be as slow as I assumed»
He turns attention to the soldier, who approaches with a nervous face and holding something in his hands. Is a young man with black hair, hardened hands and expression, with a scar in the form of an X on his cheek. The soldier bends down and leaves some blue petaled flowers near the pit's edge. Jimbo gasps at the idea that a love declaration is being made.
The soldier speaks.
"Thanks for saving us... And for helping my sister and my father. I'm not entirely sure if it was you, but something tells me it was” says the young man without daring to look up.
Jimbo is unable to react to this solemn approach. The soldier puts a hand to his neck and takes out a handkerchief with a blue diamond embroidered on it. He places the outstretched handkerchief near the pit's edge.
"I will be sent to patrol the great rift. I beg you to bless this handkerchief to carry your protection with me"
«What...?»
Jim's bewilderment translates into incomprehensible high-pitched whistles, but are enough for the soldier to sigh in relief and with a subtle smile, take the handkerchief back inside the neck of his breastplate.
"Even though my comrades and I were forbidden to talk about you, I let know that what you did for our people did not go unnoticed"
The soldier gets up and leaves. Jimbo is left alone again and sighs.
«It's not a statue with my face on it... But it's something»