The Survivor Becomes a Dungeon

So… A lot has happened very quickly… First, my gem, which I now know is called a Core, is grapefruit size. Also, where I would only see faint glimmers of light, now I see a ring of light has formed inside of it, swirling like someone put a coin in a bottle and began spinning it. What that means, I do not know.

I also learned that magic is a universal norm here. No, not that sleight of hand magic, but the real stuff. Supernatural abilities like flight, telekinesis, telepathy, pyrokinesis, super strength and speed, and all sorts of other things that I could probably only imagine. If you've got the power and know-how, you can do it.

It's fascinating, really, the implications of it all. I'm also starting to understand the applications for it when it comes to my energy, which is called mana.

Also, when you've seen the guts of a thousand corpses, you've seen them all. Examining the dead bandits from my storage space, I can peer through their skins and insides without tearing them open. Surprisingly enough, in another world, it's all the same stuff for the most part. Some people had lighter bones, denser bones, bigger lungs, extra flexibility, and other such things when it came to non-humans. They also have a different word for humans here, which translates to the word I know.

The memories I've absorbed from all the bandits came to me as fragments, I don't know their entire lives, but I know the essential things and general knowledge. Thankfully, their memories don't override my own; it's like watching a dream. I know it's a dream and can differentiate their memories from mine rather distinctly.

I know several new languages, even the languages they use for magic, which isn't all that important to me since I apparently can freely guide mana to do basically whatever I want.

There was also something else; looking over the scrolls I found in that pointy-eared woman's tent, who I now know is an elf, I found a set of orders to set up this ambush to prevent the smuggling of supplies from one kingdom to another. The orders came from an empire further north that bordered the other two territories.

The other scroll was a local map; it doesn't show much detail, just the borders of the two kingdoms, along with what I assume is my mountain range to the south of the route the supply caravan was supposed to take. Oh! I have a river that comes down from the mountain, that'll be fun to find.

From what I can gather of the memories, I have about a day before the caravan arrives, which is fine. I do want to see what all the fuss was about in the end.

With all the energy I absorbed, my bubble tripled. While it's mainly encompassing a large amount of open air, I can now access more of the mountain around and below me, which has been engaging in itself. However, I haven't explored much of it outside of carving out a room to experiment with the corpses.

I conjure a ball of light, which sustains itself in the solid and mostly enclosed room. Laying out one of the bandits, a human, in particular, I pour a small amount of energy into him. Going increment by increment until the body begins to twitch and move. Oddly fascinating how familiar the convulsions look as the corpse begins to rise. A shuddering groan emanates from his throat as he slowly shuffles about. The only thoughts I sense are hunger...

Hmm... I wonder what I can use him for, and it's not like I have a use for a zombie-powered generator, maybe a mill? Even then, I have no grain nor need for grain... He's also not very fast or intimidating yet.

I continue pouring more energy into him, the image of the undead from my home in mind as I watch him undergo weeks of mutations in a few minutes. He looks indistinguishable from the monsters that plague my world, and briefly, I'm horrified by what I've done, but only briefly. After all, it's under my control, and it can't spread the viral infection because an infection didn't make it; he's just undead because of magic.

I put him to sleep and dragged him into my storage which seemed to work surprisingly. I get to work doing the same to 7 of the other bandits with exciting results. However, I set aside the elf magic user and the bull-man, having something in mind for them.

For now, it's time to focus on the living; Basti casually strolled back into the chamber with my core, finally returning home after her trip with the bandits. With my newfound awareness and understanding, I can see that she's just brimming with potential, mana just pulsing around her heart, which is where it is for most beings.

'Basti, in the short time we've known each other, you've already served me well and exceeded every expectation I had about you. I grant you the title of Executioner; use your magics and skill to cut down my enemies and the scum that dare even to exist. But know this, you are my blade. You strike when I tell you to strike, for I have no use for a blade that lashes out on its own. I hope you continue to serve me well.'

She watches me, my core, with reverence before bowing her head lowly in submission, accepting the title and her new responsibilities. I watch as the mana around her heart solidifies as her mere potential has a direction and purpose. I feel another fraction of energy be pulled from me and into her while she suddenly looks tired, walking over to her bed with the cubs, which was now padded with the feathers from the pillow we got from the camp.

I focus on Oururu, who's dutifully maintaining his vigil over my core.

'Yes, my little friend. We had a rocky start, but I appreciate you too. Have some mana, and I want you stronger now that I know there are potential threats beyond wild animals. You'll have your time, but for now, continue your defense of the homefront.'

Oururu looks up at my core, having been anxiously gnawing his tail up until now, and seems relieved, flashing a scaly smile as he nods before watching the cave entrance from his place on my steps.

Shifting my focus into the depths of the caverns, I begin conjuring small orbs of light around a natural circular cavern. Just create a spooky ambiance before gathering a green sphere of light in the middle of the room.

With the mood set, I pull the elf magic user out of my storage and pour my mana into her. Her body begins to heal, though as she convulses, I begin to feel some form of resistance. Almost like a person's soul was worth more than the soul of an animal. It isn't much longer however when I feel a change and succeed in my efforts.

With a start, she sits up, panting heavily with what I can only assume is fear. I can see a ring of green forming around her neck, which, so far, is the mark that shows my influence. She looks around the chamber apprehensively, studying the orbs of light before looking at the green ball and squinting. She absently touches her throat, feeling the dried blood and checking her thigh, her robes still torn from where Basti ripped into her. "What the... Where am I?" Her lovely, almost husky voice sounds out. "Is this the afterlife?"

'No, not really; I paid a large price to get you back. I have a use for you if you're willing to submit.'

She jumps, hearing my voice in the depths of her mind, and looks around. I can feel her anxiety and fear pulsing out of her, though she acts calmly. "And who are you... Exactly?"

'Well, I'm... My name is…' What... What was my name again… That's… That's troublesome. I know I had a name.. Everyone has a name, after all.

As I consider it, words begin forming in my mind that seems to be a good enough name for me. 'My name is Vitmori, and I am the Core of this region.'