Jimbo wasn't entirely sure what to expect from these people. Maybe a chest full of treasure? A statue of himself in the central plaza? Perhaps a national holiday in his name? Jim smiles imagining them celebrating KingJ Day instead of Christmas.
In video games, rewards are usually predefined, but now, being in a new fantasy reality, the prize could be anything.
«The best Kard10k player and the savior of a kingdom... I wish I had everyone who swore I'd amount to nothing in life right in front of me, just so I could laugh until I burst!»
But instead of offering glory and praise, the king rushes out with his family to figure out what happened, and Hilda orders the unconscious mages to be collected and the core room sealed until further notice. The soldiers force the Imp into the cage and return her to the laboratory. The doors are barred from the outside, and two guards are stationed at the flanks to prevent anyone from entering or leaving.
Not that conventional physical barriers could stop Jim; he is still capable of passing through walls and extending his presence to the limits of the castle's basement, but for now, he decides to give them the benefit of the doubt and remain in the core room.
«They'll come back once they calm down. I can't believe they'd be this ungrateful.»
Wanting to distract himself, he checks his stats.
-Jimbo the Dungeon Core LV 1
-Ether: 0/100
-External Connection: Active.
-Age: Stone.
Without the mages' support, Jim's level returns to normal. Seeing his active connection reminds him of the imp.
«I know she's ugly, but they really should treat her better.»
Now there is a new line of information regarding Jim's "age."
«Stone... That explains so much.»
His summons are primitive, brutish versions. Although Jim still has much to learn about this new world, he figures it would be more useful to have summons capable of speaking and counting on their fingers.
«I can at least upgrade the age, right?»
Almost the instant he asks himself that, a system prompt appears.
Note: A Dungeon Core can evolve by triggering milestones within its domains.
«Helpful and fast as always, system. I don't know what I'd do without you.»
Note: I am you.
«Huh...?»
Note: I am your base knowledge.
«What are you talking about? I don't know the first thing about being a dungeon.»
Note: Every Dungeon Core comes with this knowledge. How the information is presented is a matter of assimilation and processing.
«Sounds weird... But okay.»
Despite how strange it is, Jimbo accepts the system's declaration and abandons the idea of trying to treat it like some sort of know-it-all roommate. If the system is simply an extension of his subconscious facilitating the assimilation of knowledge, there is no reason to act as if it were a separate entity.
«That would be like befriending my left leg, absolute madness.»
Jimbo asks for more information about the "milestones."
Note: A milestone is a significant event for the world.
«A little more specific, please.»
Note: Constructing one of the available monuments is considered a milestone. Causing the death of a legend would also be considered as such.
Jimbo spends a moment scratching his metaphorical hair.
«Legend...?»
Note: A hero or villain capable of greatly influencing the flow of world events.
«Think I get it.»
As far as Jimbo understands, a Dungeon Core has one key objective: Grow to be strong, and be strong to protect itself. He assumes legends are simply very high-level enemies.
«Hey, wouldn't winning a war count as a milestone too?»
Note: Third-party interference cannot be ignored.
«So if I pull it off with my own strength, would it count and help me evolve?»
Note: Probably.
«Probably? That's the first time you've ever hesitated, system.»
Note: Dungeon Cores do not usually influence wars.
Jimbo flashes a half-smile. Dungeon Cores usually dedicate themselves to burying several floors underground and multiplying their monsters and traps. But he is not a Dungeon Core; he is a new type of entity. He will just have to experiment and see what happens.
The door can be heard opening.
Jimbo snaps out of his trance and faces the entrance, expecting to see a parade in his honor, but instead finds one of the soldiers who accompanied Hilda. The soldier has a much fresher expression than a while ago, with less pronounced bags under his eyes and cleaner armor.
«Wait a second, how much time passed?»
-Jimbo the Dungeon Core LV 1
-Ether: 33/100
-External Connection: Active.
-Age: Stone.
Jim is dumbfounded. He got so distracted studying the system that he lost over a dozen hours. Doing the math, he begins to doubt it, because he feels it was less than 33 hours.
Note: Mundane beings within the dungeon usually produce 1 Ether every 12 hours under neutral conditions.
Jim does a quick review. He has two guards outside, plus the Imp, and about 10 prisoners in total. The math starts making more sense to him.
«So maybe leveling up won't be as slow as I assumed.»
He turns his attention back to the soldier, who approaches with a nervous face, holding something in his hands. He is a young man with black hair, calloused hands, and a hardened expression, sporting an X-shaped scar on his cheek. The soldier bows and leaves some blue-petaled flowers near the edge of the well. Jimbo is left wide-jawed at the idea that he is receiving a declaration of love.
The soldier speaks.
"I thank you for saving us... And for helping my sister and my father. I am not entirely sure if it was you, but something tells me it was," the young man states without daring to look up.
Jimbo is unable to react to such solemn treatment. The soldier brings a hand to his neck and pulls out a handkerchief embroidered with a blue diamond. He lays the handkerchief out flat near the edge of the well.
"I am being sent to patrol the great chasm. I beg you to bless this handkerchief so I may carry your protection with me."
«What...?»
Jim's bewilderment translates into incomprehensible high-pitched beeps, but they are enough for the soldier to sigh in relief and, with a subtle smile, tuck the handkerchief back inside the collar of his breastplate.
"Even though my comrades and I were forbidden to speak of you, I want you to know that what you did for our people did not go unnoticed. Thank you."
The soldier stands up and leaves. Jimbo is left alone once more and sighs.
«It's not a statue with my face on it... But it's something.»