Full Crown

Dungeons, are dangerous places that spawned since the era of creation. Nobody really knows what these dungeons are or how do they spawned in our world. Some says that these are created by the Gods for the tribulation of all species, others believed that these were created by some unknown power that challenges the Gods by giving rewards to the strong that can conquer these places.

One particular scholar and professor from the Dungeon Research Institute, an organization inside the Sapientia Academy, Professor Regulus Leonis built a team to investigate the true nature of these dungeons. ‘Why are they created?’ ‘What is the purpose of these dungeons?’ ‘How these things do formed vast labyrinths and open fields inside them?’ These are some of the questions that she wants to be answered.

After assembling a team and acquired results from the investigation, these are the things that she discovered:

First, dungeons are spawned on places with relatively dense mana. These places tend to be connected to the mana veins of the world or trapped mana from the past era that was accumulated throughout the years passed.

Second, dungeons are the same as magic beasts. The dungeon core can be considered as a magic stone that accumulates mana from its surroundings. Fallen beast or people of species can also act as nutrients for the dungeon. That’s why once you destroy the dungeon core, the dungeon will stop its function and will die.

Third, dungeons can still expand. Throughout the years that it spawned, dungeons collect mana from its surroundings, and the moment that a certain level of mana have been accumulated it will grow, or in other term, it will evolve.

“That’s how these impossible dungeons came into, but even after thorough research they still don’t know the other mystery of all these dungeons.” (Clare)

“And what is this mystery you are talking about?” (Rufus)

“It’s these things doofus. The monster loots.” (Flora)

“Up until now, they’re still researching about these phenomenon. Unlike beast and magical beast outside, dungeon monsters are the only one that can produce these items.” (Crystallis)

“But then, how are these monsters popping up inside dungeons? I always thought that they just came from the outside and decided to live inside.” (Rosa)

“That’s because of the dungeon core. It has the ability to create and spawned monsters anywhere inside the dungeon. The dungeon needs to protect the core, so it uses the power of the core to produce these monsters.” (Dolph)

“Wait, wouldn’t you be able to be rich if you owned a dungeon and just keep the core from being destroyed so that it can produce monsters that can drop these loots?” (Molaris)

“That would be troublesome and nearly impossible. Since like what is said earlier, dungeons can evolve. It will change its structure, the strength of its monsters, and mostly it can even create boss monsters like the Graveyard Keeper.” (Frederick)

“And you can’t just own a dungeon like owning an animal. Every country, with the help of the Adventurer’s Guild, established a law for the owning rights of dungeons and the land that surrounds it. It was declared that every dungeon is owned by the country where it spawned, but the rights to explore, hunt and the loots will be handled and recorded by the Guild.” (Scorpius)

“Wait, you know those things too?” (Cyan)

“It’s basic knowledge. Well in my case, I have to learn where the gray zone is. Concocting new types of poison is illegal, only when you are stepping on the red zone though.” (Scorpius)

“Back to the topic. So whoever found the loots first or killed the monsters that have it, has the right for those rewards?” (Rosa)

“Normally, yes. But in this expedition, the church will look at the loots first then will decide if they would let us have it. Since it is written in the newly formed contract that we agreed before we proceeded inside this dungeon.” (Clare)

“So the rights for these loots, if they decided to give it to us is…” (Rufus)

After that long discussion about dungeons and loots, the moment the airhead mentioned about the rights for the loots, they all looked at me at the same time. More like, they are expecting something from me if I ever took the loots.

“I don’t need those.” (Adrienne)

“Come on now, don’t be shy. You are the one who killed that Keeper, there’s nothing to be worried about.” (Molaris)

“I don’t need any of those things. Divide it between yourselves.” (Adrienne)

“But you are the one who killed the boss, so it’s just right for you to have these.” (Clare)

“I just finished the weakened boss, and it’s not like it won’t die. You didn’t pull out your sword from its scabbard and just supported the rest, if you swung that sword you could’ve killed it.” (Adrienne)

“Well, that’s because…” (Clare)

“I won’t pry on your past or reasons, just don’t make me repeat myself. I don’t need those so just take it and divide it.” (Adrienne)

“You heard him. Let’s just divide it, since he insisted it.” (Cassius)

“If that’s what he wants, let’s just respect it.” (Callan)

“Okay…” (Clare)

After that short debate, I walked away from them. They are still in high spirits discussing how to divide the loots from the boss. It’s only possible if the church gave it away though, but I doubt they will take those loots since they are of no use to them.

According to the assessment of the man from the church, who has a higher Appraisal skill called ‘Item Evaluation’ these loots are:

Keeper Cloak. A Rook class item with a skill called Ghost Frame. It neglects physical attacks from the enemy for 1 minute, but comes with a recoil if hit with holy magic.

Grave Digger (Shovel). Can be used as a material for upgrading or making weapon. Made from unknown material that is closer to magic stones than a minerals.

Guardian Orb. The core of the boss Graveyard Keeper. Can be made into a magic tool or can be used to upgrade a weapon or an armor.

Keeper Bones. Bones of the boss that can be used as a material or can also be made into a familiar using necromancy.

Protector Necklace. A Rook Class item that has an ability to protect the wearer from a certain level of miasma.

These item loots can also be purified by the church but the item effects will either stay, changed, or expired. Since these are rewards from undead monsters, it has a sort of eerie aura that will make you think twice if you want to use it or not. And so the church decided to just give it to the adventurers as a reward for the hard work. But this is still the 5th stage of the labyrinth, we still have a long way to go.