System Notification: Your Tower has been built. Please design your first floor.
Gazei, Eleanor, and Alexis paused at the notification screen. The trio discovered that in their ghost forms (really just projecting their mana from the cores), they are fully capable of having sex.
It was crazy. During that time, the trio didn't notice that in their intense love making, inadvertently spread their combined mana across the landscape. This magical essence, rich and potent from the fusion of their unique energies, seeped into the land around them, nurturing a bullshit transformation.
Unbeknownst to them, as they broke the bedrock and taking turns, their mana flowed like a river of power, reaching out into the nearby wilderness. The once-barren terrain near the lake and at the foot of the mountain began to flourish wildly. A lush forest emerged almost overnight, teeming with vibrant life and verdant growth. The lake's waters shimmered with a new vitality, and the mountain seemed to stand a bit more majestic under their influence.
In the midst of this burgeoning oasis, their combined efforts had another, more structured outcome: they had created a core room. Positioned strategically at the nexus of their burgeoning domain, this room was the heart of their dungeon, where the true essence of their powers merged and the central point from which their control over the dungeon would be exercised.
The architecture of the core room took inspiration from adventure movies known for their mystical prowess and architectural ingenuity. The room was circular in shape, with walls lined with towering pillars that supported the domed ceiling, intricately carved with motifs depicting the natural elements—earth, air, fire, and water—avatar style. These carvings seemed to pulse with a faint glow, imbued with the ambient mana of the room.
At the center of the room lay a massive, circular stone platform, slightly raised above the ground. This platform served as the focal point for the dungeon's energy, where the core itself—a crystalline structure that shimmered with the combined hues of the trio's magic—was securely housed. The core pulsed rhythmically, like the heart of the dungeon, sending waves of power throughout the structure and beyond.
Above the platform, the ceiling opened to a skylight that allowed natural light to pour in during the day. This light cast ever-changing patterns on the floor and walls and illuminated the core in a heavenly glow. By night, the opening framed the moon or the swathing constellations, connecting the dungeon to the cosmos.
The floor around the platform was adorned with a mosaic made of various precious stones, each piece carefully chosen and placed to enhance the room's magical conductivity. This mosaic formed a labyrinthine pattern, not only decorative but also functional, channeling the flow of magical energies throughout the room and optimizing the core's power distribution.
To the sides of the main chamber, smaller alcoves were carved into the walls, each giant statues the trio have no idea they had created.
Surrounding the central chamber where the dungeon core resides, a series of waterfalls flow along the walls. The water flows gracefully, reflecting light from the crystalline core and the skylight above, creating a play of light that seems almost otherworldly.
At the base of these waterfalls, small pools gather the water before it is magically recycled back to the top, creating a closed-loop system that conserves resources while preserving the aesthetic beauty of flowing water.
If you've seen Indiana Jones, then you understand. If you haven't, then your life is pretty sad.
System Notification: Select your initial monster tribe 0/3
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Haven City rose at dawn, the first rays of sunlight glinting off the high-rise towers that dotted its skyline and sliding over the sprawling alps to the north. Below, the calm sea lapped gently at the coastline, its waves a soft murmur compared to the bustling sounds of the city awakening. To the east, the wasteland stretched endlessly, its arid expanse a stark contrast to the vibrancy of life within the city walls.
In the heart of Haven City, the streets began to fill with the morning rush: vendors pushing carts filled with fresh produce from the mountain farms, office workers streaming towards the financial district, and ships sounding their horns as they maneuvered into the busy port. It was a city alive with the pulse of commerce and culture, a metropolitan hub carved out at the intersection of nature's most dramatic landscapes.
As the city awoke, Ava Moreno, a young engineer from the technological district, set out from her high-rise apartment. She navigated through the crowded streets, her mind preoccupied with the day's challenges. Ava was part of a team working on a new sustainable energy project designed to harness wind power from the alps, a venture that could reduce the city's reliance on the wasteland's mineral resources.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the coastline, Jonah Hale, a seasoned fisherman, prepared his vessel for a day at sea. Jonah had witnessed the transformation of Haven City from a small trading post to the thriving state it was today. He loved the sea, its vastness a reminder of the city's openness to the wider world, bringing in goods and cultures that enriched its own.
To the east, beyond the comfort of bustling streets and the security of the alpine ranges, Layla Quinn geared up for an expedition into the wasteland. As a researcher and adventurer, Layla was drawn to the mysteries hidden in the harsh, unyielding land. Her expeditions helped gather crucial data for environmental studies and provided essential insights into surviving and thriving in extreme conditions.
"Hiyah!"
"Rah!"
But it was always filled with fighting. Near the border wall, a group of teenagers and young men and women are practicing martial arts, punching and kicking each other with grace, brutally, and so much spinning.
This was no ordinary fight club; it was a training ground where Haven City's youth learned to defend themselves and their city. Known as the Guardians of the Wasteland, this group trained rigorously, preparing for any threats that might emerge from the mysterious and dangerous lands just beyond their city.
Among the trainees, a young woman named Mira stood out for her fierce determination and skilled maneuvers. Her family had once lived near the wasteland before moving into the city for safety, and she grew up hearing tales of the dangers lurking beyond the alps. To Mira, these sessions were not just training; they were her way of connecting with her roots and ensuring that she was ready to face any challenges the wasteland might throw at her.
Mira is also the only one going for the Pathfinder exams. A yearly event that an applicant must pass to become a Pathfinder: an elite member of humanity (elves and dwarves are included) who explores the mysterious unknown, and seeks to accomplish various goals for the sake of their own interests and the betterment of society as a whole.
Becoming a Pathfinder, while esteemed and highly challenging, depended on a single, clear requirement: the possession of a small-grade mana core. This core was not merely a symbol; it was a practical necessity. Embedded within each Pathfinder, the mana core served as a source of energy that could be harnessed to enhance physical and mental abilities, vital for survival and success in uncharted territories.
Despite the significant advantage provided by talent and powerful bloodlines, these were secondary to the essential mana core. Talent could enhance a Pathfinder's effectiveness, and a prestigious bloodline might offer innate abilities that could mean the difference between life and death in the field. However, without a mana core, one simply could not initiate the training required to harness these energies or connect deeply with the arcane elements that Pathfinders often encountered.
Mana cores are essential for controlling and channeling magical energy, with sizes ranging to accommodate varying levels of magical ability and complexity. The progression begins with the Tiny Core, suitable for novice users learning basic spells. The Small Core is the minimum requirement for becoming a Pathfinder, supporting moderate magical use. Next, the Medium Core, Large Core, Lesser Core, Greater Core, Master Core, Grand Core, and finally, the Superior Core stand at the pinnacle of core sizes, offering exceptional control and efficiency, used only by the most adept and experienced magic wielders. They subranks, but those are really important to judge one's strength.
Becoming a Pathfinder is an endeavor fraught with peril and promise. The very test to join their ranks is lethal, claiming the lives of 90% of those who dare attempt it. Yet, the rewards are so substantial that they continue to draw thousands of hopefuls each year. Earning the Pathfinder license, whose value can sustain a family in poverty for three generations, transforming it into a prized inheritance.
The possession of even a Tiny Core, the smallest and most basic of mana cores, grants an individual strength that surpasses the world's strongest regular human by 50%. This remarkable enhancement makes even the lowest tier of core bearers significantly more capable than even the most elite non-magical humans, highlighting the extraordinary power imbued within these cores.
However, the path to enhancing one's core is steeped in expense and difficulty. Upgrading a core from one size to the next requires not only a substantial financial outlay but also a mastery of the current core's capabilities. The process involves both rare materials and specialized magical knowledge, often necessitating the guidance of a skilled pharmacist, doctor, and Chi physician.
Moreover, the physical and mental toll of enhancing a mana core is significant. The procedure is invasive and risky, involving the integration of highly potent magical energies with one's physiological and spiritual essence. The potential for catastrophic failure is high, and the consequences of such failures are usually severe, ranging from debilitating injuries to fatality.
As the training session drew to a close, the sun cast long, angular shadows across the ground, and Mira wiped the sweat from her brow with a determination that set her apart as much more than just another trainee. Her family is counting on her to pass the test and pay off their medical bills. Her ill grandmother spent all her money and resources to get her core to Small, for which Mira will always be grateful.
When she was about to leave, she saw a huge light in the distance near a forest that hadn't been there this morning. She caught the attention of an old man watching from the sidelines. Known simply as The Elder, he was a mentor to many in the Guardians and was revered for his wisdom and experience.
"Elder, what is that in the distance, and since when has a forest grown there?"
The Elder squinted toward the horizon, where the unexpected light flickered mysteriously against the new backdrop of lush greenery. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, his deep-set eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern.
"That light, my dear, seems to be mana—raw and powerful. And as for the forest, it is indeed new. It appears to have sprouted along the way, which is no ordinary occurrence. Such rapid growth must be the result of potent, uncontrolled magic," he explained, his voice carrying a serious tone.
He turned to face Mira, the seriousness of his expression signaling the moment's importance. "Mana this strong and wild can be dangerous, Mira. It attracts creatures both benign and malevolent, and it can distort the land in unpredictable ways. We should investigate, but with extreme caution."
The Elder's concern was well-founded. Forests that appeared suddenly could conceal unknown dangers, such as volatile magical hotspots or creatures attracted to the area by the surge of energy. For the Guardians, responsible for the city's defense and the safety of its citizens, understanding and securing any new magical phenomenon was critical.
"Prepare yourself, Mira. Gather a few others from the Guardians, and ready your gear. I will join you shortly," The Elder instructed, already moving towards the armory to gather his own supplies. His demeanor suggested urgency, but his steady, measured pace reassured Mira that they were proceeding with both speed and wisdom.
As Mira turned to rally her fellow trainees, her heart pounded with a blend of excitement and anxiety. This was what being a Guardian meant—not just training and routine patrols, but confronting the unknown, safeguarding Haven City from the mysteries concealed in the newly formed forest. The light, whatever its origin, signified the start of a new challenge, and possibly, a new adventure.