The stench clung to Hiroshi like a second skin, a cloying, humid miasma that permeated every fiber of his being. It was the smell of manure, of rot, of the very bottom of the social order – a smell he'd sworn he'd left behind. Yet, here he was, in this new, fantastical world, still shoveling shit.

  He clenched his fists, the rough-hewn wooden handle of the shovel digging into his calloused palms. Why? The question echoed in the hollow chambers of his mind, a relentless, maddening refrain. He'd been promised a new life, a clean ste, a chance to escape the crushing weight of his old existence. Instead, he was trapped in a grotesque parody of his former misery.

  It wasn't fair. The words tasted like ash on his tongue. He'd endured enough. The memories of Eldor, the gentle, loving elf who'd been raised in a suffocatingly idyllic community, flickered at the edges of his consciousness, a mocking reminder of what he could have been. But he refused to be Eldor. He was Hiroshi, and he wouldn't be subjugated.

  The breaking point came slowly, a creeping madness that bloomed in the fertile soil of his resentment. It was whispered to him by a voice that wasn't his own, a fractured echo of his own psyche – a schizophrenic companion, a broken subsystem for a broken man. This new world, a realm of levels and magic, was both familiar and alien. He knew the soft rustle of elven leaves, the gentle cadence of their songs, the deep-rooted respect for nature. But he also knew the gnawing hunger for power, the burning desire to rise above the suffocating mediocrity of his existence.

  He despised the elves, his family's pcid acceptance of their lowly station. Why were they at the bottom? Why was he always at the bottom? And why were they content to toil in the shadows, their inherent magical abilities squandered on tending to the earth? He refused to be a shit shoveler any longer.

  The dungeons, those mysterious, power-den byrinths, became his salvation. His onboard AI, a cold, calcuting presence in his mind, guided him, whispering promises of strength and dominance. Power, it assured him, was the key. Power was the only way to escape the stench of manure, to rise above the squalor.

  Under the cloak of a moonless night, Hiroshi moved like a phantom. He didn't speak, didn't offer a word of farewell to the second set of parents who'd raised him. He couldn't bear to look into their trusting eyes, to see the reflection of the innocence he was about to shatter. The hate that simmered within him was a raging inferno, threatening to consume him entirely. But even in his madness, he couldn't bring himself to harm those who had shown him genuine kindness.

  He turned his rage outward, towards the other inhabitants of the vilge. The sughter was swift and brutal, a cathartic release of the pent-up fury that had festered within him for so long. The levels he gained from the carnage propelled him forward, a grim testament to his newfound power.

  His first dungeon was a brutal baptism, a trial by fire. The Core he cimed pulsed with raw energy, boosting his strength a hundredfold and granting him a skill that crackled with dark potential. The taste of power was intoxicating, addictive. It was a drug that fueled his ambition, a hunger that grew with every kill.

  As he journeyed across the continent, Hiroshi learned the stark contrast between elven and human perceptions of dungeons. The elves, with their reverence for nature, saw them as abominations, intrusions on the natural order. They sought to destroy them, to cleanse the world of their corrupting influence. Humans, driven by greed and ambition, saw them as resources, as treasure troves of power and wealth.

  He found he had no need for the sentimental bonds of love. He could buy what he wanted, just as he had in his old world. Only now, the transactions were permanent. He acquired two sves, am elven mage named Kya and another elf named Aura, each obtained through different, equally brutal methods. Aura, won in a bloody fight, and Kya, purchased from a sver's auction, were bound to him by chains of servitude and fear.

  Three dungeons, each a testament to his growing power, and countless acts of cruelty ter, Hiroshi and his small entourage crossed the border into Ishda territory. The air here was thick with a different kind of tension, a palpable sense of danger. He smiled, a cruel, predatory grin. The game was about to get interesting.

  Coming across a small stream, Hiroshi issued his commands. His voice, low and authoritative, left no room for argument. He told Kya to retrieve the camp from storage, a task she performed with eager efficiency. Aura, the ensved redhead, was ordered to prepare dinner. Her movements were slow, heavy with resentment. Kya, driven by a desire to please, wasted no time, and the camp materialized with a soft shimmer of space magic.

  The meal was ready after what felt like an eternity to Aura. She moved away from the makeshift hearth as the other elves returned, their faces etched with weariness. She waited for her meager portion, her stomach growling, the established hierarchy clear in her treatment. Hiroshi hadn't purchased her; he had brutally killed her previous owner in the forest. Kya, already infatuated, had been present.

  Hiroshi didn't fully indulge Kya's affections, a small, twisted comfort to Aura. He still made her "take her turn," a phrase that evoked dread. This was the reality of svery, the constant power pys. Had he shown a shred of compassion, Aura might have endured it. But Hiroshi was a lunatic.

  He talked to himself constantly, muttering about leveling and power, his eyes gleaming with unsettling obsession. This wouldn't have been so bad if he didn't believe his own delusions. He had amassed a fortune, yet his pursuit of power remained relentless. Why this obsession?

  Kya, unlike Aura, was fully committed to Hiroshi's goals. She fervently supported his pn to destroy every dungeon for the Allmother. Her devotion bordered on fanaticism, even surpassing her loyalty to Hiroshi. She craved the goddess's presence and was determined to achieve total dungeon destruction.

  Kya's beginner-level space magic made her invaluable. She could store everything, including the camp, and still have room to spare. This utility shielded her from the worst of Hiroshi's cruelty. Unlike Aura, she had never attempted escape, her spirit broken. Beyond storage, she could also cast healing magic, a cruel irony. This made her perfect for administering "well-deserved beatings," as Hiroshi put it, his words a twisted justification for his violence. Since then, Aura had become compliant, though suicidal thoughts lingered.

  Hiroshi's tent was actually a two-person cabin, a marvel of space magic. Its existence defied logic. Kya, when questioned, simply stated, "It does," her tone dismissive. Aura paid the price for her curiosity that night.

  Morning arrived, and Aura was a shell of her former self. The night, spent indoors, had been anything but restful. Kya stored the cabin with a flick of her wrist. The three set off, leaving distinct tracks: Hiroshi's determined stride, Kya's infatuated closeness, and Aura's dragging steps.

  She hated her life, its monotony a torment. She hated Kya, her sickening devotion a constant reminder of Aura’s powerlessness. And she hated Hiroshi, the source of her pain, her heart filled with a burning, suppressed rage.

  Hiroshi's days had settled into a rhythm of primal satisfaction: the nguid stretch of sleep, the animalistic pleasure of eating, and the decadent thrill of indulgence. His power grew with each dungeon cleared, the stat increases elevating him far beyond his nominal level of 18, pcing him closer to the might of a seasoned level 50 warrior. He moved through the forest with a newfound confidence, a predator assured of its dominance.

  In the distance, the object of his obsession, his next source of power, began to materialize. A strange tremor, a disquiet he couldn't quite pce, flickered through him. He dismissed it, attributing it to the incessant prattling of his schizophrenic companion, whose words were a constant, maddening hum. Their internal debate escated into a full-blown shouting match, a cacophony of voices as they pressed onward.

  A chance encounter with a frantic message carrier revealed a startling development: the mountain, their destination, was undergoing a rapid, almost unnatural growth. Not a gradual rise, but a sudden, dramatic surge that had become the talk of the region. The carrier, bound for Ishda with a letter for the regional Lord, spoke of widespread arm and a growing sense of unease.

  The mountain's expansion was causing a palpable sense of dread, but paradoxically, the monster popution was thinning, a welcome respite for the people of Orad. Yet, the unexpinable nature of the mountain's growth cast a long shadow, a reminder of the unpredictable and often terrifying nature of their world. A cryptic mention of a missing "Categoriser" within the mountain piqued Hiroshi's curiosity, though his companion remained frustratingly tight-lipped.

  As they drew closer, the mountain loomed into view, a surreal spectacle against the horizon. It towered above the surrounding forest, its slopes a chaotic tapestry of colors: crimson, rose, obsidian, ste, ivory, and umber. Mismatched patterns swirled and intersected, creating an almost hallucinatory effect.

  "What in the hell is that?" The words escaped Hiroshi's lips, a visceral reaction to the sheer strangeness of the sight. He knew what it was, of course; his companion had already provided a detailed expnation. Yet, the reality of it was far more unsettling, far more captivating than any description.

  Never in his two lives had he witnessed such a bizarre phenomenon. A surge of avarice coursed through him, a ravenous hunger for the power that radiated from the mountain's core. The sheer spectacle of it, the raw, untamed energy it exuded, fueled his ambition. He imagined the heights he could reach, the power he could wield.

  This mountain, he sensed, held the key to transforming him from an anomaly into a force of nature. The allure of levels and stats, the intoxicating promise of limitless growth, consumed him. He was a moth drawn to a fme, a predator fixated on its prey. Hiroshi would have this power, no matter the cost and he would no longer be the shit-shoveling cleanup man he used to be.

  Hiroshi Hiro, Reincarnated

  "There's no need to Worry, Kat. I own this nd now and it's part of the dungeon. If anyone enters unannounced, we'll know. You don't have to be afraid anymore," her eyes don't leave the ground even as I try to console her. I've never been the best with words though and situations like this are even trickier.

  "Hey, did you know the mountain has pink trees growing on it? Right? It's mental. There are other coloured trees too, but the pink ones are absolutely gorgeous. Why don't you come look at them with me?" Another attempt leads to failure. Trying to lure her out with the promise of beauty didn't work and she keeps her eyes firmly glued to the floor.

  Hmm. What can I say to convince her to come out, Me?

  It might be better for you to not force her. When she is ready, I'm sure she will let you know.And there I was thinking you were going to say something silly.

  Silly? Like what?It doesn't matter.

  That was actually some really good advice you gave, so we'll roll with that. Thanks, Me.

  What did you think I would say?Ignoring my partner, I tell Kat she can watch me from the entrance and then float out as far as I can.

  I bounced around before due to excitement, but now I need to properly test the boundaries of my purchase. The plot of nd turns out to roughly be the same size as the System-granted room on my first floor. For its price, I thought I would have gotten more.

  With just that one purchase, everything has change and I couldn't be happier. Right now, I'm outside. I'm actually under the rays of a real sun and surrounded by nature. I still can't believe my dungeon is beneath a jaw-dropping mountain, that almost took the thrill of being outside away.

  It's so beautiful.

  You do have a tendency to be distracted by anything you deem to be beautiful.That... Is true.

  I'm trying to be better though.

  You sat in your Core room for five hours staring at a Teddy that an old man used to pay his Syndicate contract with.I... Well... In my defence, that teddy is adorable, Me. It's got those little stubby ears and a cute button nose.

  Quite. Now how about continuing with your purchases.Ok. I assume that the same rules apply out here as inside, right?

  We shall find out.What?

  That doesn't inspire much confidence, Me.

  You are going to build the feature regardless of what I say. I did tell you that no dungeon has ever acquired nd outside of themselves before. This process itself is brand new meaning there aren't any records on what you can or cannot do.Listening to Me's ck of knowledge, I drop Manifestation and switch to my overview. It's easier to calcute the cost of features this way, since I'm able to view more at once. It's also a great way to test designs and town set ups.

  My overview is actually a lot better than I used to give it credit for. Not that I want to stay there. If I wasn't able to move and interact with others, I'd definitely find myself going insane being trapped inside.

  OK, I know what I'm doing.

  Starting small, just incase, I move the only feature inside that isn't actually a feature. After choosing a location, the park I created myself magically appears in the designated spot. The recreational area left no trace of itself inside the dungeon and looks as though it's always been outside.

  Not finished with my experiments, I attempt to swap it back since it costs nothing to do. I'm also a little worried something might go wrong hence why I chose to do this with the park and nothing some substantial. I can't imagine what Talia would say if something happened to The Retreat.

  Areas that are left behind by a feature that's been moved magically fill themselves in and revert back to normal. It's almost like what happens with the walls in my dungeon. Speaking of, I better make sure my Rockstar hasn't gotten himself blocked off soon.

  After experimenting, I've found out that we can move features outside with no problems at all and the same rules still apply. It's just another part of my dungeon.

  That was a good idea, Abi.Hehe. I do have them sometimes, Me.

  Pcing the pond back inside, I manifest at the entrance where Kat is waiting patiently inside.

  "What were you doing with the park?" she looks generally curious as to why I would bring a feature outside just to put it back in. Poor Kat, theres going or be a lot more of those questions now you're living here.

  "We were confirming whether the same rules that apply to the dungeon work outside." Because she doesn't know all the rules, Kat still looks confused. "I just wanted to make sure I could features after I've pced them, that's all. It's alright pcing things where I want, but at some point down the line a major reshuffle will probably be needed. I'd be a little screwed if I couldn't do that, hence the test."

  Even with my awesome expnation, Kat still looks a little dubious.

  "OK. So the amount of time I spent swapping things around before you came was just shameful. Not that I'm to bme. It certainly wasn't poor pnning... I just... Kept unlocking features that seemed to be a better fit. If it's anyone's fault, it's Hers." Trying to avoid taking the bme for something that definitely wasn't my fault, the System finds herself being used as my scapegoat.

  Unlucky, Sis.

  Knowing that it's better to learn from mistakes, opposed to acting like they never happened, I promise myself to do better without letting anyone else know.

  "That's an amazing idea, Abi and don't worry. You had only just become a dungeon when you had one floor, right? I'm sure anyone would make a lot of mistakes in that situation." How nice is Kat? She's just the best, right? I mean, where's Me's understanding nature? All I ever from him is how it's time to spend.

  Kat's consoling words soothe my Core and I'm remind me how happy I am that she decided to stay.

  "That's true," but thinking about how often I changed Trixie's location, "I should have listened to Me more. I was irrational and upset about losing my body back then. Over this st week, I feel like I'm coping much better though."

  Hysterical would have been a better choice of words. Or in Denial."OK, Mr Smartypants. Anyway, you can just watch from here if you want, Kat. I'm going to go do my thing." With that said, I float back outside to finally begin my work.

  Hehe, outside.

  Let's start with a feature I unlocked ages ago, but have yet to pce. We'll make our way down the list from there. OK, partner?

  Sounds perfect.Reverting back to my overview, the list of features I've yet to purchase is now that long that I have to scroll through it to get to what I want. I should have just asked Me. Seeing the prices of most features sitting below the 100DP mark makes me feel incredibly flush, even after using Land Acquisition. Knowing how fast it can be spent though, I decide to allocate half of my remaining points out here and the rest I'll use inside.

  Missing the front door, windows, half a wall and more, my first purchase is The Forgotten Farm. Poorly constructed in the corner outside, as all first-tier features are, at least a homeless person might be able to find shelter in this one. Even for 80DP, The System given building doesn't look like it's worth its money.

  Fully equipped with the world's smallest and darkest field, the bugs and vermin that make their home there guarantee crops will not be able to grow. It even comes with its own picket fence which is the only thing that actually looks good.

  All in all, I got half a house and a poisonous field for eighty points. If only I could shake my head. No wonder it was forgotten, I want to forget already.

  It's a good thing I'm not leaving it there.

  After a quick upgrade, I'm left with the Forlorn Farm and the crappy home looks slightly more habitable. A disjointed porch has been attached by the missing front door and a wonky shed has been added to the side of the house. A few tools and rusty farming equipment are all that's inside. The square patch of poisonous-looking soil features hardly any crop eating insects and has grown to twice its original size.

  Not looking as bad as it could, one more upgrade is definitely on order. I can only afford to bring one of the new features out here to level 3, so why not this one?

  Field of Fertility:

  Long lost cultivation methods can be found in this flourishing field so long as a farmer is present to discover and utilise them

  Requires a farmer to use this feature

  Reward:

  32 XP

  The field has doubled in size again and the soil itself no longer looks poisonous. In fact, the field looks magnificent to say it's only soil. I'm not quite sure how it's giving off that effect, but it feels really comforting to just stare at.

  The farm house, or stone cottage it now is, has morphed into a completely different building. It now looks homely and inviting after an almost-full repair. Increasing in size, the shed outside no longer looks as rusty and has a plethora of tools avaible to use. A rge iron lock has appeared to keep tools protected from sticky fingers and everything needed to make the house a home has been added for when I can staff it with a farmer.

  I could try and staff it with a regur Rogue, but I suspect Noir and Carrie will be back soon with good news on that front. Plus, I'm trying not to do stupid things at the minute so I'll make a start on a few other townly features instead.

  Opposite the Field of Fertility at the far end of my nd, I pce the next feature. The Forgotten Forge. Let's hope I don't forget about these features myself. Let's be honest, The System couldn't have been anymore generic with the st two if she tried.

  Also, I know I can create weapons myself. That isn't lost on me. I even have a fairly decent variety going on now. If I continue to grow, however, I don't want to creating weapons for hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Screw that!

  Still, I'm a little screwed if I have to supply the materials. If I don't, then I can absorb whatever they create and improve my own wares. Plus that of Tara and Lara. Or should I call them Cloak and Dagger now?

  Either way, my Rogues will be able to make weapons for themselves soon enough.

  Where will you acquire materials to make weapons?Well Me, it just so happens that I will be leaving the handling of that situation to future me.

  She can deal with it tomorrow, or the day after. Either way, it's out of my hands now. Knowing her, she'll try and beg the system to let the forge offer contracts. Good luck, Abi.

  The Forge, if it can even be called that, looks like the pond used to when it was still a crappy well. A small stone cylinder has risen from the ground and a small hole on the front provides access to the pot of molten liquid inside. A small, unhelpful-looking fan is attached to it by the ground and a rusty old anvil is sits in front. It looks by the far, the worst Forge I have ever seen.

  It's a good thing that you can upgrade your features.Ha! I was just thinking the same thing.

  In one of the furthest corners I pce the Cramped Coop. Again, I know I can just create my own livestock but I don't want my people to rely on me for everything. If I can set this pce up to be self-sufficient, that means I'll spend less DP in the long run. The Coop is nothing special either and it didn't even come with chickens. What sort of shit is that? I paid 80DP for a wooden shack smaller than the Shed of Salvation used to be and I didn't even get a single chicken.

  In the st corner, I pce two matching features. The Stark Stable and The Hay Bale. These tier one features never fail to let me down as they both look exactly as they sound. A solitary bale of hay is sat beside two walls and a roof with not a horse or post in sight.

  "Are you joking?" I shout at 160DP's worth of shit. "This better damn well change into something amazing, System!"

  I don't know why you're still try to communicate with her. She cannot answer back no matter how hard you want her too.From behind, I can hear Kat ughing away and I can't help but be grateful I'm not a human. I'd be red as a tomato right now. As I turn around she is pointing and ughing whilst Ali's eyes dart from side to side, trying to look anywhere except for the st two features.

  "What's that supposed to be," Kat calls out before bursting into another bout of ughter.

  "You may ugh now, but one day that'll be the best hay anyone has ever seen. I swear to the gods," decring my future prize-winning feature, I float into my home in a huff.

  Stupid hay bale.