Dungeon of Chance: Even Odds: A Dungeon Core Novel (Serious Probabilities Book 1) by Jonathan Brooks (interesting books to read TXT) 📕

his dungeon.  He had seen how almost all of them had been overmatched by a single 2-Star monster, and having more experience killing 1-Stars of different kinds could only be an asset, both in terms of learning their capabilities, and also in terms of items from Drop Chests.  He wanted them to get as powerful as they could, as fast as they could; the only way to do that was to expand his dungeon, thereby enhancing his capacity to fill it with monsters.  He still needed to protect his Core, of course, so he would pack his Core Room with the strongest monsters he had (at least until his CSH was at a better level); as for the rest, though, he would make it challenging but rewarding.

It wouldn’t be easy, necessarily, but he also didn’t want them to keep blowing up every time they traveled inside of his dungeon. Don’t get him wrong, it would be nice to keep raking in the Crystal Chips, but his development couldn’t come in at the expense of the Heroes.  It was like charging exorbitant prices at his family’s store for staple grocery items, knowing that they were the only place in town that the residents could buy it. Sure, that would have given them a lot of money, at first – but soon enough the residents wouldn’t have been able to afford to eat.  If their customers starved and died, or got so sickly they couldn’t work, that would eventually lead to their own financial ruin, as no one would shop there anymore.

Besides, he had seen first-hand that even a simple Jumping Spider, when used in conjunction with its fellows, was powerful enough to kill a Hero. What it might require was some strategic arrangement of 1-Star monsters to provide a challenging experience with the real threat of death, but the rewards would be worth it in the end.  The more that they could potentially kill on a run through the dungeon the better, because he didn’t expect one group to be able to constantly go in and out like the last one had.  They had to share, after all.

I think I’ve made my choice.  I’m going to increase my Core Stage and take the gamble that I’ll be fine.  How do I do it?

“Let’s see.  First, you need to concentrate on the Core Stage element on your CATS, and when it asks you—”

I’m sorry, what? 

“That’s what I’m trying to explain, Clay.  Now, don’t interrupt me until I’m done—”

No, no – that’s not what I’m talking about.  What is this “cats” thing you mentioned?

“Oh, well, that’s just short for your Core Assessment and Transcribed Status.  You know…CATS.”

If Clay had still had a head and a body, he would’ve shaken it in disbelief.  What is with all of these cats invading my life?  I swear this is some sort of conspiracy by those devious creatures.

“Anyway,” Dwight interrupted his musings, “all you need to do is concentrate on your Core Stage in your…Transcribed Status…and follow the directions from there.  Fairly simple, overall.”

Still thinking about cats with less-than-pleasant thoughts, Clay looked at his Status and concentrated on his Core Stage.

Would you like to increase to Core Stage 2? Yes / No

Crystal Chip cost: 500

Available Crystal Chips: 589

Warning: There is a 50% chance that you will lose some of your Core Structure Health during a Core Stage increase

Having been previously warned by Dwight, the prompt wasn’t as alarming as it would’ve been otherwise.  Since he’d made his decision already, Clay chose Yes and waited for a moment as the prompt disappeared.

The next moment, he heard and felt a *crack* coming from his Core, and there was a brief thrum of pain running through his mind.  Clay’s thoughts were a little disoriented from whatever just happened, so it took him a moment to focus on what he was being shown.

Your Core Stage has been increased!

Current Core Stage: 2

Unfortunately, during the process you have lost some Core Structure Health!

CSH Lost: 9 (This has been reduced to 4 : CSH cannot fall below 1)

Current Core Structure Health: 1

Remaining Crystal Chips: 89

New Star Limit!  15 --> 25

New Monster Limit! 50 --> 75

New (Crystal Chip) Daily Accumulation!  1 --> 2

Ouch!  Well, so much for hoping some luck would come my way.

“That’s for sure, Clay; you are extremely vulnerable now,” Dwight said worriedly.  “Any of these Heroes could probably destroy your Core with a single blow.”

I know…but hopefully no one will be able to reach me.

The baby dragonling nodded, blowing out a puff of smoke that dissipated shortly after it left her mouth.  “Yes, that’s the only thing going for you.  If you were on the mainland, with the Hero Guilds there, I wouldn’t put your survival odds as very high; as it is, with only new Heroes here, you should be fine as long as your Boss Room is adequately defended.”

I agree…so let’s get to it.  Before he did anything else, Clay wanted to see if he could acquire any new, powerful monsters – that weren’t stupid cats – from some Spawn Eggs.  With his new Star Limit of 25, which was 10 more than before, he could afford to place more monsters, which would benefit everyone.

Once that was done, he would use a portion of his remaining Chips to expand his dungeon – adding at least one more room – while keeping his Boss Room stocked with strong defenders that the new Heroes shouldn’t be able to defeat.  As much as he wanted them to increase in their abilities and get stronger, he also wanted to survive long enough to get that done.

Therefore, using 45 of his remaining 89 Crystal Chips, he bought another Bundle Pack #1 from the Summoning Portal.  Once again, the glittery light show was a wonder to behold,