Dungeon Core Academy: Books 1-7 (A LitRPG Series) by Alex Oakchest (book suggestions txt) 📕

“He’s with the No-Cores. He’s their enforcer, though they stop short of giving him that title officially. They can’t be seen to be more than just peaceful protesters, of course. If they showed themselves to be the violent morons that they really are, Galatee would have a good enough reason to squash them without risking her popularity.”

“Stramper is staying in one of my lodges in the west district, I believe. Devry plotted a grid system for every house, and we have recorded who lives in each one. Let me just remember…ah, here we go!”

Jahn cast an image on the wall, showing us the living abode of a Yondersun lodge. A heavily scarred man was sitting at a table with an array of knives spread out in front of him. He had a cloth in his left hand and a jar of oil by his right, and he was lovingly wiping oil on a curved blade that had lots of cruel jagged spikes on the underside.

“I always leave you to last,” he said to his knife, his voice drifting out from Jahn’s casting. “Because you’re my favorite.”

“That’s him,” I said. “Booth Stramper and his impressive toy collection.”

“Why not just show this to the chiefs, Dark Lord?” said Jopvitz. “Show that he has lots of knives.”

I had completely forgotten that the kobold was listening. He had surprised me; it wasn’t that all kobolds are lacking in intelligence, that would be unfair to say. Their intelligence usually lay in other areas than reasoning.

“A good idea, Jopvitz,” I said. “But with a problem.”

“I can’t show the chief that I have been helping Beno spy on people,” said Jahn.

“Exactly. More importantly, what does this prove? A man can own as many knives as he likes. Even in the more civilized places in Xynnar, a man can arm himself. It isn’t until he sticks one in some poor sap’s gut that the big arse of the law can loom over him.”

“Ah. As you say then, Dark Lord.”

“That was a good suggestion though, Jopvitz.”

I decided to keep an eye on Jopvitz. I had created him to merely be part of Wylie’s mining team, but perhaps there was something else he could do. He had spent all day watching the visions and had by all accounts been completely diligent. He had also shown that he could analyze information. I didn’t have any specific jobs to give him to test his potential, but it would be good to see how quick he was at learning any new skill.

“Jopvitz, I’d like you to join Shadow and Tomlin in stealth training tomorrow,” I said.

“Supervisor Wylie asked that I begin my mining work an hour early tomorrow to make up for time spent here.”

“He really is a tyrant, isn’t he? Don’t worry about Wylie.”

“Yes, Dark Lord. Thank you. I look forward to learning under mistress Shadow.”

I didn’t even bother to address him referring to Shadow as mistress. As much as she was a thorn in my arse, the other kobolds all respected her. There was no point taking that respect away for now, not when I wanted Jopvitz to learn under her.

“What are you going to do about Stramper?” asked Jahn.

“About him? Nothing. With him? Well, you’ll see.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sorry, Jahn. Being cryptic has become a habit. I’m going completely erode his credibility and rid myself of two problems in one turn.”

CHAPTER 11

- Shadow’s [archery] proficiency has increased to 3!

- Tomlin’s [stealth] proficiency has increased to 2!

- Razensen’s Unit:

Kobolds [x6] have leveled up to 4! [Arena boost active]

Bone guys [x4] have leveled up to 3! [Arena boost active]

Shrub Bandits [x4] have leveled up to 5! [Arena boost active]

Dear Beno,

Just a quick note to let you know about Maginhart’s progress. And I do mean a quick note. Reginal is roaming around Yondersun like a bee has stung his rump. “Cynthia, I need this!” “Cynthia, where are my fertilizers?” It gets tiresome being the only alchemist, artificer, and tinker in town.

 Firstly, let me just say that Maginhart is a delight. I have always been pals with him, of course, since you’re always sending him to me to ask for stuff. Having him around for longer than just a brief visit has turned out to be a pleasure.

Onto more serious matters. Maginhart has excelled in his tinkering tuition. He’s smart, focused, and loves taking things apart. I think he shows great promise.

As for alchemy and artificery…well. I don’t like to call an apple bad until I see blemishes on its skin. Early signs, however, point to my little friend struggling with chemical compounds and infusing mana into things. 

It has only been a few days, of course, but I have a knack for seeing promise long before others, and I worry about Maginhart’s artificery and alchemy. Not that I will stop trying to teach him.

If he gave up his studies now, it’d be a failure on my part, and not little Magi's. So, I’ll keep trying to chisel knowledge and skills into that block of kobold stone.

I’d write a little more, but I don’t have the time or inclination.

Yours busily, Cynthia.

“Thank you, Peach,” I said. “You can get rid of the note.”

My elemental jelly reached out with a long globule of goo and slapped the paper note, making it stick to what was the jelly equivalent of a hand. As the jelly left my core room, I had a second thought.

“Actually, Peach, can you leave the note here? Just put it on the bookcase. Thank you.”

Peach, who had a temper problem even for an angry elemental jelly cube, muttered to himself as he placed the note and left the room.

“Feeling sentimental, are we?” asked Gulliver, nodding at the note.

“I thought it might be nice to collect them, that’s all. To keep