Welcome to Rhamiel, A Civilization Core LitRPG

The Core was cheery as it watched its age on its Status Sheet move from zero days old to one day old. It expected to feel different somehow or to get some Prompt during the event. But as the minutes passed, the Core was disappointed but not upset.

It knew that being a full-day-old was not much of an accomplishment in the scheme of things. Still, something in the depths of its Crystal wanted some fanfare or celebration for this feat. As minor as it was.

Eventually, the Core got bored just waiting for nothing, so it returned to work. Over the past day, the Core had expanded its Domain and absorbed anything it didn’t have in its memory. Now, not only did it have [water], but it also had [Limestone], [Chalk Soil], and the [Core Fragment] Imprints.

From what it could tell, Core Fragments were it, or specifically, the type of Crystal that made up its body. It knew it had been much more prominent before it crashed and landed on this planet, but it wasn’t entirely sure, given the terror it had felt when it achieved consciousness. In its mind, the fragment it had absorbed proved that it was so much more before its fall. But that wasn’t as interesting as the sudden recharge of mana it had gained.

It was not sure how that happened or why, but whatever the reason, the CCorewasCoreted said that it could keep going. It was slow going, having to wait for its mana to regain a point before being able to continue. Luckily, the Core had no concept of tedium, boredom, or time, so it expanded its Domain.

After the sphere of its Domain reached ten feet in diameter, it started to require more mana points to expand. At first, it took two points of mana to grow its Domain. One to maintain the integrity of the area’s edge and a second to expand it. It needed a bit of mana to define its area of influence properly but did not need to add any more for a while. Now, mana needs to be added to the edge to expand.

This, of course, annoyed the day-old Core since it slowed down its expansion and its ability to do, well, anything. But it contented itself by looking at the variations of the Limestone beneath it as it checked for anything new.

As the Core checked, it did find something it didn’t recognize in the new part of its Domain. Since it didn’t have any mana to try and break it down and absorb it, it spent some time observing the new thing through the dirt.

It took stock of its form for the entirety of the hour it was regaining mana and was not disappointed. It was mineral but crystalline, like the Core. But unlike the colorless luster of the Core, the Crystal was blue with varying hues throughout. It was beautiful compared to the gray-toned stone it had seen up to this point. So, it was exciting to put a little mana into the thing and prepare to absorb it.

Only to be disappointed when putting that point of mana into that thing felt like putting a drop of water into a deep hole.

The Core stared at the gem with accusation at the mana it just drank in and wanted whatever this thing was even more. It wasn’t sure what it could do with the thing, and that really didn’t matter to it. It was content with what it had been doing for the last day, expanding its influence and absorbing new things.

So it started putting more mana into the thirsty thing every time it gained a point to do so. Every point spent was an hour spent not progressing, and the Core was aware of this and got increasingly annoyed even as the blue Crystal was slowly being filled.

Thirteen points were spent, and the crystal thing was only… well, a little filled. It was glaring at the thing that was being incredibly stubborn when the CCoreheaCoreomething besides the basic Cave sounds for the first time. But this sound was something it was familiar with, and the fear the sound imparted to it was something it empathized with due to its fall.

“Stop following- Ah! Stop following meee!” The new sound was followed by several heavy sounds for which the Core had no reference.

From way above it, the Core heard what sounded like a lot of movement near where it had landed before falling deep into the ground. It wasn’t sure how it had gotten down here, but it knew it must have been underground, given that there was no sky above it, only more earth.

It mused about this momentarily before the voice let out another exclamation, which displayed a tone it couldn’t identify.

Several more short shouts followed as the source of the sound got closer. The Core was actively paying attention when something else new happened to it. It got a look at its first living being.

It was a pale-skinned creature that stood on two appendages that it recognized as legs. In both hands, it carried tools that it refused to release. It was also clothed in layers of dark gray and green cloth. A different piece of fabric was pulled and draped over the head, but strands of pale yellow hair had escaped past it.

As the thing got closer, the Core could see streams of red fluid escaping from several holes in the thing’s body.

It didn’t seem to notice the Core as it got close, its gait oddly wavering despite how it looked like it should move. It leaned against the cave wall they were in, and it leaked dark red fluid onto the floor as it passed. The creature’s blind nature relieved the Core.

At least, until the Core saw the thing chasing it. The thing was about as tall as the one it was pursuing but with a gangly and unseemly build. Coarse hair covered every part of it that the Core could see, and it wore thick brown coverings all over its body. What made this more interesting was the elongated face and snout that gave this thing a more threatening visage than the one it was chasing.

The creature chasing it apparently had an easier time seeing down here than the one it was pursuing, so it went directly after it. Leaping, the thing landed on and rode the other to the ground, the hood coming off in the fall.

The pursued creature had a much flatter face than the one seeking it. Instead of fur, smooth-tanned… skin, that’s the word, skin covered its face? Yeah, face seemed right. The pursued fell on its front and was stunned for a long second as the creature on its back growled and cackled simultaneously.

The creature took this moment to extend something sharp from the tips of its higher appendages and dragged them along the other arm.

It screamed, and the creature on top cackled again, seeming to enjoy this act of hurting another.

The Core did not enjoy the show that was now in its Domain at all. Something about this seemed wrong and disturbed the quiet that it had been used to up until now. But worse, something in the one being hunted plight grated against the Core’s sensibilities. It wasn’t exactly that it was being attacked; it was more that the one being attacked not having a chance bothered it.

Or maybe it was something else; the Core wasn’t sure. It did know that it didn’t like this at all, not one bit. So it took what little mana it had and started creating a plan. One thing it discovered right now, and loved, was that it could put mana into a mental plan but did not need to summon it immediately. It could be helpful later.

The Core continued to watch the struggle; the thing attacking the other freed it from its stun. It bucked its legs and head, trying to knock the creature free. Its head slammed into the creature’s snout, getting a pained yelp as it scurried off several feet away, out of the Core’s Domain.

Getting to its feet, the flat-faced one was breathing heavily as it shakily attempted to draw something sharp from its middle. The item fell from its grasp as it tried to hold the thing and fell back onto the floor. Upon seeing this, the creature snarled at it and let out a cuffing laugh.

It approached slowly, pulling something free from its middle as it took step after step, getting closer. The creature stepped back into its area of influence, and the Core did not hesitate.

Willing the shape to form, the Core aimed, glad for the thing’s slow pace. Then it released its intent, allowing the mana-constructed three-foot-square gray Limestone to appear and fall. The creature didn’t notice the perfect block fall on top of its skull before it killed it.

You have killed one Savage Werejackal and have gained experience as well as mana.

By killing a creature to protect or help a species known to be civilized, you have gained a new Spirit Core type as an evolution option. Would you like to see the revised list now?

The Core was tempted but resisted the urge to look and closed both windows. Instead, it enjoyed the rush as mana suddenly filled its Core and left it with a feeling of fullness, leaving it brimming with joy.

It considered spending the mana immediately on either spreading its Domain or putting it all into the crystalline thing in which it had been placing mana for the last few hours. But something in the back of its Crystal made it hesitate to use it yet. Instead, it turned its attention to the creature it had just saved.

Whatever it was called, the thing looked around the Cave with wide eyes. It did not escape the Core’s notice that it looked up above it every few seconds, ensuring nothing would fall on it.

“He- hello,” It asked the air, looking around the space.

The Core felt the sound it created enter its Domain and considered whether it wanted to communicate back.

“Anyone, or anything there?” it asked, its tone shaky and its voice high-pitched.

It was considered for a moment longer before deciding, so why not? Besides, I could always drop another piece of Limestone if I didn’t like what it said. The tactic did seem to be effective, after all.

So the Core focused on the other thing’s voice’s effect on the environment and readied itself to put some mana into its first words. Everything else the Core needed to do required mana; why wouldn’t this?

Putting a single point of mana into its word, the Core said, “Hello?”

The single word combined with the mana caused the creature it was trying to communicate with to cover the sides of its head. Its entire expression became pained as the section of the Cave shook for two seconds. As it died down, the creature slowly pulled its hands away from its head as it looked around.

“Please, d-don’t me. I am no threat to you, Mighty Dungeon,” It said, its tone quiet and meek.

The Core put another mana point in its voice to keep it going, finding that it enjoyed this so far. “Why would I hurt you,” It asked, its voice causing the creature to protect its head again.

As the Cave stopped shaking again, the creature pulled its arms away from its head and did nothing for a long moment. The Core wondered if it had done something wrong and thought about it while it waited for the cowering creature to speak.

“Your voice, it’s hurting me,” It said finally.

The Core almost put another point in to get more information but paused long enough to consider. When this thing spoke before, the room did not shake. Why?

A moment later, when it spoke again, the answer became clear. “Dungeon Core?” it asked quietly.

There was no mana coming from its voice. It seemed obvious in retrospect, but the Spirit Core hadCoreidea how this speaking thing worked. So this time, it tried without using mana. “Is this better?”

Almost immediately, the thing nodded and responded, “Yes, thank you.”

“What are you doing here?” The Core asked.

“I…That thing and its tribe attacked my village. My Father, Mother, and I were separated during the attack, and I ran here,” it said, pausing for a moment to breathe.

“My family and I saw you fall from the sky, and I hoped that some of your monsters or a trap might kill them. Oh gods, that was close. I’ve been running for almost a full day and night,” it said.

“Oh, that? That wasn’t a trap,” the Core told her proudly. “That was just limestone.”

“Not a trap,” it stated. “But it fell from the roof?”

“No, I made it and dropped it on its head,” The Core said. “Weren’t you watching? Are you blind down here?”

“Blind down here? What are you talking about? Elves can’t see in the dark,” it stated plainly.

“What’s an Elves?” The Core asked. “And what’s the dark?”

The thing called an Elves paused and looked around the section of Cave it was in. After several moments with the Core choosing to remain silent, The Elves spoke with confusion as it said, “What do you mean what’s Elves… no, I am an Elf. Elves are what my people, my species, are called. Like how you are a Dungeon Core.”

Now the Elf/ Elves thing makes more sense now. Calling it Elves felt wrong with what knowledge it had of language. But, the Elf seemed to be wrong about something, “I’m not a Dungeon Core.”

“What?” The Elf asked, its voice becoming high and shrill.

“I. Am. Not. A. Dungeon Core. I thought you could hear me. Did something damage your ability to hear me?” The Core asked.

“N-no, my hearing is fine,” the Elf said slowly. “We saw it; you fell from the sky yesterday. That is how Dungeon Cores are supposed to appear. That was you we saw, right?”

“Yes, but I am not a Dungeon Core,” it stated again. “Maybe your hearing isn’t the problem; are you perhaps just slow?”

Suddenly, the Elf was extremely flustered. It tried to get back to its feet, only for its weary frame to give out under it and collapse back down. But it didn’t do whatever was ailing it to stop it from spitting out a rebuttal. “I—I am not slow. I’m considered a prodigy amidst my peers.”

“Oh, I did not know that,” the Core said, its voice low as it thought. That language download it had gotten the day before had given it a good understanding of many words, the word ‘prodigy’ among them. A few seconds later, the Core chirped, “Oh, I get it now. The rest of your peers must be very slow then if you are considered a prodigy.”

“What?” the Elf said, flabbergasted.

“You say that a lot. Are you sure you weren’t told that to make you feel better?”

“Yes!” it shouted indignantly. “If you aren’t a Dungeon Core, as you say, then what are you?”

“Oh, I am a Spirit Core,” It answered.

“Wha- I mean, what is a Spirit Core?” The Elf asked, keeping its voice low and forcefully collected.

It didn’t escape the Core’s notice that the Elf almost said what again but decided not to comment. While it was enjoyable seeing the Elf get flustered like this, it could not say that it was intentional. With that in mind, it answered. “I don’t know. I think I am a Newborn version of Cores, like the Dungeon Core. I just haven’t decided to… what’s the word, evolve yet.”

The Elf didn’t respond for a minute; it just stared into the space around it while it thought. “I, uh, didn’t know that. Nobody told me that about Dungeon Cores. I wonder if my Father knew about this,” the Elf asked, rubbing the side of her head.

“How would I know?” The Core asked. “I’ve never met this Father; I’ve barely met you.”

The Elf let out an exasperated-sounding breath and ran its fingers through its pale yellow hair. The movement on its part must have done something to it because it winced and looked at its appendage with apparent distress. “I don’t suppose you can heal me, can you?”

“Heal you? You mean like fix you?” The Core clarified.

“Well, yeah. Can you make healing items that can fix me?” The Elf asked, its voice hopeful.

“I can make Limestone, Chalk Soil, and Water,” the Core told her, joy in its voice with what it could make.

The Elf didn’t seem happy to hear this. It scowled as it muttered, “figures.” The Elf then went into something that hung about its middle and started fumbling about. A minute later, the Elf withdrew a couple of things and started working on covering the leaking bits of its form.

After a few minutes of silence, the Core, watching the Elf work, spoke to the empty room again. “So, uhm… is there any chance that you won’t kill me if I stayed here and rested for a while? I don’t think I can get up yet,” the Elf explained.

“Why not?” the Core asked.

“Because I have been running all day and just barely survived an attack from that thing!” the Elf snapped, her voice rising in agitation.

The Core was mentally prepared to drop another block of limestone and answered her, “That depends. Are you a threat to me?” the Core asked.

“What? No, of course not. I know you aren’t a Dungeon Core, but they are precious since they can help level people up, create things we need, and make money. If they survive, at least.”

The Core sat in silence for a few moments that dragged on. “Then why risk it if it might kill you?”

The Elf raised its shoulders in a gesture the Core didn’t recognize. “Why do people do anything? Power, survival, the way to live an easy life… people will do almost anything if it means they might get an easier life.”

“I see,” the Core said, thinking through what the Elf said. If being a Core meant that people would be coming after it, then the Core really didn’t have much choice, did it? “Do you think if people come here expecting a Dungeon Core and don’t find one, they will hurt me?”

The Elf made that gesture with its shoulders again: “Maybe. Some people are just super mean, but others might take you or leave you alone. Who knows?”

That made up the Core’s mind. As much as it would have rather stayed being a normal Spirit Core for a while, it sounded like it would need to get stronger to survive the world coming after it. To do that, it would need to pick what type of Core it wanted to be. Bleh.

“Uhm… Core? Actually, do you have a name?” the Elf asked, curiosity coloring her tone.

“Name? No, I don’t have a name. Do I need one?” the Core asked.

“People need something to identify you when they want to talk. Plus, I want to stop calling you Core,” the Elf explained.

“Why? It perfectly defines my identity; why do I need a name?”

The Elf was getting exasperated again, as evidenced by the obscenities she was muttering under her breath. The Core, of course, heard her but elected to ignore her as she took a deep breath and said, “Just because. Everything has or gets a name eventually. You can pick one if you’d like.”

The Core thought about it but couldn’t find a reason to get a name yet. It really didn’t mind being called Core. “If everything has a name, then what’s yours?”

“Oh, I guess I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Joselin Setalla, daughter of Corinth Setalla, Ranger in training, Class 9 Adventurer, and future head of-” it started.

“That’s nice,” The Core said, interrupting whatever was happening. “Do you always introduce yourself like this, or am I just special enough to do the introduction?” Then the Core processed everything the Elf, now known as Joselin, had told it, and one thing in particular tickled its mind.

“Wait, you’re female?” the Core asked.

“Yeah, have you never seen a girl before?” Joselin said, returning the confused tone.

“No,” the Core responded.

The now-identified female Elf shook her head, “Nope. I’m done with this for the night. Core, if I wanted to rest here for a while, you wouldn’t kill me or anything, right?”

“No,” the Core told her, dismissing the rock it was ready to create and drop on her. “No, unless you give me a reason to.”

Joselin yawned loudly as she wiggled in a vain attempt to get more comfortable. It didn’t seem to matter because she didn’t seem to get any more so, only managing to kick up some loose soil around her. Giving up, she pulled out something from her waist and put it between her head and the floor beneath her.

She looked around the room for a long moment as she yawned again. A moment became a minute, then two, before she spoke, “Core?”

“Yes?” it asked almost instantly after she asked.

“Thank you for saving me from that werejackal. You didn’t have to, and I realize that, so… thank you,” she said before putting her head on her makeshift thing and closing her eyes. Joselin was asleep within the Core’s Domain a minute later and quietly muttering.

As annoying as it was, this Elf named Joselin had told it something important. People would be coming to this area looking for a new Dungeon Core. Who knows what they would do if they found it and it wasn’t a Dungeon Core? It considered itself lucky that this Elf girl hadn’t seen it; it wasn’t like it was hiding or had the ability to do so.

So, should it do what it honestly didn’t want to yet and just choose a type of Spirit Core to become? After thinking about it, the Core decided it was just stubborn and not wanting to change. Everything was new, and it just wanted to spend time expanding, absorbing, and learning about the world and itself.

This was not on the table for the Core. With a heavy sigh audible to anybody close enough to hear it, the Core willed up its Evolution Prompt and willed the choices to open.

Looking at the choices, the Core could see why the Dungeon Core would be a tempting choice for any Core, as it sounded powerful and dangerous. The Deity Core was another excellent choice, but the idea did not sit well in the Core’s mind. Why would anything want to worship it, and why would it want it anyway, other than for power?

Then there was the Creature Core, which it dismissed out of hand. No way did it want to lose its powers to affect its surroundings; it was too cool. And then the Druidic Core, which it dismissed because… well, it just did not seem interesting.

Spirit Core Evolution List - Please choose one.

Dungeon Core (31% of all spirit Cores) - A predator who creates great labyrinths filled with monsters, traps, and other challenges meant to try and stop or kill those who enter it. They gain mana and experience by providing challenges and by killing adequately strong adventurers. Other rewards for the Dungeon Core that manages to kill or absorb the right enemies or items. What can you create with the opportunities you get?

Deity Cores (9% of all Spirit Cores) - A parasitic being that gains strength from the faith of people who believe in their divinity. The experience and mana amounts gained depend on the “Faith Level” of the followers. Deity Cores have the highest strength of any core type, but their power level tends to plateau quickly, and specific requirements need to be met to advance further. What sort of god can you be if given the right followers?

Creature Core (4% of all Spirit Cores) - A type of Core that chooses a path that lets them clothe themselves in their mana to create a body. When a Spirit Core decides to become a Creature Core, it loses much of its power to affect the environment around it but gains infinitely more freedom than any other Spirit Core type, not being bound to a Domain. When becoming a Creature Core, the Core must choose what energy will become its main focus. Freedom is the cost of power, will you be able to enjoy life without as much of it?

Druidic Core (6% of all Spirit Cores) - these Cores bind with the essence of nature itself in a set area around it. This lets the core control vegetation around it and influences its growth and powers and the animals around it. A very uncommon choice for Spirit Cores, this cCoregaiCorets power by helping the environment flourish and protecting it from outside influences. The more nature grows, improves, and is kept safe with aCoraCore’ssistance, the more experience and mana they receive. What sort of land will be cultivated by theCtheCCore’siCore’sceee?

Civilization Core (0% of all Spirit Cores) - A currently non-existent type of Spirit Core that binds with the idea of a growing and expanding community. This idea can change depending on the Core. Will it be a thriving metropolis with a strong and happy population, a Necropolis directly managed and controlled by the dead, or an empire gilded in gold and silver but built upon a foundation of the bones of their subservient and beaten? Whatever they wish their city to become, Civilization Cores are the rarest type of Spirit Core because it is one of the few with special requirements to unlock. This type of Core is bound to the Civilization it raises up, this gives the Core experience and mana depending on the quality of the inhabitants and the state of the city. What can be achieved when Mortal and Core work together?

These are the choices that your actions or desires have unlocked. You may unlock more in the future, but that is never certain. It is recommended that you pick from this list before you get too set in your ways.

However, the Civilization Core type now had its focus. It knew what cityscapes were by definition but had never seen one before. However, upon reading about what this Core type could do, it had visions.

It saw houses made of loose stick houses and simple shacks becoming better built and evolving. From sticks to wooden boards to stone brick, more and more exquisite structures. It saw people like Joselin walking about fantastic-looking buildings and admiring them quietly as they went about their day. All the inhabitants were kept safe with spectacular walls and unknowable defenses.

At the end of the vision, it could see itself safely tucked away inside a nondescript building, its Core significantly bigger and sitting as an observer as it looked over its work. It was definitely deciding what it could improve or add.

Wonder filled the Core as its imagination was somehow fuelled with visions of what it could do—at least, what it could do if it chose to be a Civilization Core. For a moment, a sense of rightness filled every fractal of the Core’s structure as it pondered the choice it was going to make.

As it was about to choose the Civilization Core, a stray question entered its mind. Were visions common in this process, or was what happened to it unique? It didn’t matter to the Core since it had decided.

With a content feeling, the Core Selected to become a Civilization Core and read the following prompts.

Congratulations on choosing to become a Civilization Core. This decision requires some reworking of your Status Sheet.

First, your Mold Mana Skill is getting reworked into the Mana Processing Skill. You can no longer take mana and recreate something you have an Imprint of. Now, you have to work with materials with an Imprint of AND within your Domain. Really, though, you didn’t do much with the skill anyway.

Second, you gain the Skill: Structured Mindset. Your mind is a well-organized place where complex calculations are performed, perfect memories are stored, and in-depth structures are designed. This will not affect your personality and how you react to the world. Only the way you process and store information. No need to worry about your mind, what little of one you have now. You know, being under two days old anyway.

Third, you gain the Perk, Summon Drone. This Perk grants you the ability to summon Special Workers to do specific tasks in your Domain. The specific rules for this Perk are in its description.

Lastly, you have gained another Perk, Blueprint Manipulation. This Perk gives you the power to scan, create, alter, and store blueprints in your Structured Mindset. When you have a blueprint in your Structured Mindset, you can start an automated building process using already processed and ready resources. Too bad you have none of eithe- Wait, I spoke too soon.

For being the first Civilization Core in 27481 years, you gain three free and useful blueprints and one random blueprint! The Basic Dwelling Blueprint, the Basic Storage Shed Blueprint, and the Civil Center Blueprint. Your random blueprint… Remote Gathering Post.

Now that you have chosen a Spirit Core type, you have a 24-hour window to move yourself and your Domain without damaging yourself or your power base. Hopefully, you can see the obvious way to leave your current location for a better one, such as above ground.

The World System apologizes for the sudden change in your Core System and expects you to understand. We also apologize and hope you’ll understand that with the rush of information and restructuring of your Core, you’ll be unconscious for the next few hours. Unconsciousness in 10… 9… 8…

The Core stopped watching the countdown, and its mind moved frantically within its Crystal. It was panicked by the sudden blackout, annoyed by the lost time, excited by the coming ability to create, and most of all, angry. Why did the System not note the changes that would happen to its powers or note that it would be knocked unconscious with this change?

Oh, the Core decided to vocalize its feelings before it passed out. “I swear, whoever you are, World System, I will meet you and somehow make you regret not making things clear!”

One last prompt appeared just as the darkness closed in on the Core.

System Message:

From: ALL

To: “Unnamed Core”

- Good luck with that.