> [Core Level 5 Reached]
[Feature Unlocked: Humanoid Projection – Temporary body made of dungeon essence.]
[Duration: 6 hours per day]
[Form: Customizable]
[Mana Cost: 50]
Riku felt it before he saw it.
His core pulsed with light. The walls glowed blue. His thoughts sharpened. And then—a shape formed before the crystal.
A body.
His body.
---
He chose the image in his mind:
White hair, like moonlight.
Eyes the color of clear lake water.
A calm, sharp face—young, but not weak.
Slender build, but not fragile.
Black robes with silver lines, matching the dungeon's glow.
> [Projection Complete]
The figure opened its eyes.
Riku had a human form.
---
He stood for the first time.
Hands. Arms. Legs.
He flexed his fingers, walked slowly across the room, and touched the stone walls.
"So this… is what it feels like," he whispered. His voice was calm, low, and full of control.
Fio ran up.
She blinked. "Master?"
He smiled gently. "Yes, Fio. It's me."
She dropped her dagger in shock. "You're… pretty."
"…Thanks?"
---
Even Goru gave a respectful bow.
Yuki tilted her head, sniffed him, and licked his hand.
Blobby tried to jump into his arms.
Riku chuckled. "Easy, Blobby."
---
He went to the Sanctuary Room. Elinor still slept.
He looked at her.
"A lost girl in a world of monsters… Maybe I'm more like her than I thought."
Then he turned back to his allies.
"We build more. We grow stronger. And I will explore this world—myself."
His first steps echoed through the halls.
> [Dungeon Master Riku – Humanoid Projection Active]
[Time Remaining: 5 hours, 52 minutes]
Riku stepped out of the dungeon entrance.
For the first time, wind touched his face.
It was cool, fresh, and real.
Above, the sky stretched endlessly. Gray clouds drifted slowly. The forest around the dungeon was thick with trees and quiet rustling sounds.
> [Disguise Option Available – Use Mana to hide dungeon signature?]
[Cost: 10 Mana]
[YES]
A gentle shimmer passed over his body. His magical aura faded. Now, to any passerby, he was just a quiet traveler.
---
Riku walked along the narrow path, boots crunching leaves.
After 15 minutes, he saw a wooden sign:
[Village of Liora – 1 km ahead]
"A village?" he murmured. "Perfect."
He kept walking.
---
Village of Liora
The village was small. Simple wooden houses, a well, and a few market stands. Farmers carried baskets of vegetables. Children chased chickens.
It was peaceful.
Riku pulled his hood lower and walked calmly to the market.
---
An old woman smiled at him. "New in town, lad?"
He nodded. "Just passing through."
"Be careful. Monsters have been active near the old dungeon."
"I heard," he said softly. "I'll watch my step."
He bought dried meat and a worn map with a few coins he crafted using his dungeon's forge.
---
At the tavern, he sat in the corner and listened.
Two adventurers chatted nearby.
"Did you hear?" one whispered. "A noble's daughter went missing near the mountain."
"Wasn't she a mage trainee?" the other asked. "Why was she even there?"
"They say a new dungeon appeared... but no one's returned to check it."
Riku's eyes narrowed.
"They're talking about my dungeon."
---
He finished his drink and quietly left.
The sun was setting. His time was running low.
> [Projection Time Left: 48 minutes]
---
As he returned to the forest, a rustling sound stopped him.
A group of rough-looking men stepped out.
Bandits.
"Well, well," the leader grinned. "A fancy traveler all alone?"
Riku sighed.
"I really don't have time for this."
---
> [Skill Activated: Shadow Bind]
[Mana Used: 20]
Dark vines burst from his shadow, wrapping around the bandits' legs. They fell, struggling.
"What the—?!"
He walked past them calmly.
"Tell others," he said coldly. "That the dungeon is awake."
Then he vanished into the trees.
When Riku returned, the dungeon greeted him with quiet warmth.
Torches lit the halls. Blobby bounced in circles. Yuki yawned and stretched. Goru sharpened his axe. Fio trained with her daggers.
> [Projection Time Remaining: 7 minutes]
[Return to Core soon.]
He headed straight to the Sanctuary Room.
Inside, Elinor sat up, eyes wide. She was pale and shaking, clutching the blanket like a shield.
When Riku stepped in, her head snapped toward him.
"Who… who are you?! Where am I?"
---
He smiled gently and sat on the floor.
"You're safe," he said. "You wandered into a dungeon. But we won't harm you."
She looked around, noticing the glowing moss, the clean water bowl, and the small creatures outside.
"That wolf… that slime… they're not attacking me."
"They're my allies."
"Your… allies?" Her voice trembled. "Wait—are you the Dungeon Master?"
Riku nodded slowly. "Yes. But I'm not your enemy."
---
She backed away slightly. "But dungeons kill people…"
Riku didn't deny it. "Most do. I'm different. I protect what's mine. You were hurt, lost. So I let you in."
Elinor's eyes filled with tears. "Everyone left me behind. I was bait… for the monsters."
"I know," he said softly. "I saw it."
She wiped her eyes. "Then why help me?"
Riku stood. His body began to glow faintly—his time was almost up.
"Because… I was alone once too."
---
> [Projection Time Ending]
[Returning to Core]
His body shimmered. Elinor gasped.
"What's happening?!"
"I'll return tomorrow," he said calmly. "Rest. Eat. Heal."
Then he faded into light.
---
Later that night, Elinor sat in silence, staring at the empty room.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
Elinor stepped carefully through the glowing halls.
She wore a simple robe made from monster silk, stitched by Fio. Her wounds were healing. Her steps were slow but steady.
Outside the Sanctuary, Blobby bounced up to her.
"Eep!" she squeaked, stepping back.
Blobby tilted to one side, forming a heart shape.
"…You're not scary," she whispered, reaching out.
Blobby happily rubbed against her hand.
---
Next came Yuki, the white-furred wolf cub. She sniffed Elinor, then sat beside her protectively.
Goru watched from the shadows, arms crossed. Fio gave a slight nod of approval.
"They've accepted you," Fio said.
Elinor looked around. "This place… doesn't feel like a dungeon."
"It's not," Fio replied softly. "It's his home. And now… maybe yours too."
---
Later, in front of the Core, Elinor stood silently.
"I don't have anywhere else to go," she said. "And I don't trust humans anymore."
The crystal pulsed gently.
"I want to stay," she whispered. "If you'll have me."
---
> [New Role: Sanctuary Keeper – Elinor has joined your dungeon staff.]
[Effect: Minor Healing Aura granted in the Sanctuary Room.]
[Affinity: Light magic detected – unlocked potential: Blessing spells.]
---
That night, when Riku returned in his human form, she greeted him with a calm smile.
"You came back."
"I said I would."
"I'll stay," she said firmly. "I'll help you protect this place."
He paused… then smiled back.
"Welcome home, Elinor."