The Crafter's Dilemma: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 3) Jonathan Brooks (me reader TXT) 📖

seen his share of battle.  She vaguely recognized them from the battle inside the Gnome village and their subsequent retreat towards the dungeon in the wastelands.

* They’re my friends and visitors here in my dungeon just as much as you are.  Actually, Violet here played a big part in convincing the Elites to leave the other day, so you also have her to thank for keeping you alive; if I had been destroyed, it’s likely you would’ve died without ever waking up from your coma. *

Echo briefly wondered what the relatively innocent-looking Gnome had done to turn the Elites away, but then the part about “relaxing” that Sandra had mentioned finally penetrated her mind; looking down, she realized her knuckles were white as they held onto the steel knife as if her life depended upon it.  With deliberate care, she relaxed her hand and placed the stone implement back on the table; out of the corner of her eye, she saw the grizzled Gnome slip his own small knife – that she hadn’t even seen him holding – back into a sheath placed at his side.

The two Gnomes took their places at the table, and it was only when they were seated that she realized that the table was originally made to accommodate those of their small stature; looking around at the area, she realized that she was the odd one of the bunch, as it seemed like everything was originally made to accommodate Gnomes – not Elves.  Echo had been thinking how strange they appeared up close with their small size, but she was starting to feel like she didn’t belong there; at least the rest of the rooms seem like they’re suited towards larger people.

Most of the distrust Echo was feeling towards both the dungeon and the two Gnomes was lost as she saw the dungeon monster approaching by her side; before she could react, a stone plate filled with the larger hunk of meat she had seen cooking earlier was laid before her, looking and smelling perfectly cooked.  She could see tiny granules of what appeared to be salt on top of the seared steak – of some unknown animal…at least I hope it’s an animal – though she couldn’t see any other seasoning.

Next to the steak was the source of the unique smell she noticed earlier, though it had been lost under the overwhelmingly delicious smell of cooking meat.  What appeared to be apples and pears were sliced up and practically falling apart inside of some sort of sauce that smelled of citrus.

* My repertoire of cooking ingredients is sorely lacking, but I’ve been experimenting.  The Bearling Meat is seasoned with Salt, after marinating for a couple of hours in a thin orange juice to tenderize it a little more – I’ve heard it can be a little chewy otherwise.  I also baked some apples and pears in an orange reduction, though I wish I had access to some grains so I can bake some sort of pastries or bread.  And some sort of sweetener like sugar, or a myriad of different seasonings…anyway, enjoy! *

Echo didn’t have to be told twice; while the fruits she had consumed down in the growing room had filled the gnawing hole in her stomach and reduced some of the weakness in her body, she felt like she was still starving.  She tore into both the steak – which was remarkably tender – and the fruit concoction, which was also delicious; however, it only took a few bites of each before she started to fill up…and uncomfortably at that.  She saw that the others were finishing up at nearly the same time, though the young Gnome woman ate quite a bit more than the older man.

* Felbar just woke up from a coma as well – or at least he did shortly before you regained consciousness.  You’ll both have to wait until your bodies can handle food again after your periods of forced sleep, but this should help alleviate most of your hunger issues at the moment. *

There was also a stone cup of fresh, cool water that was brought over to the table, and Echo wanted to gulp it down as extreme thirst hit her; however, just like the steak and fruit, she could only consume a little bit before her stomach started to cramp up and hurt.  I think I’m going to throw up…

Fortunately, the feeling subsided after a few minutes and she felt fine; during that time, she could see what she figured was a similar look to her own on the older Gnome’s—Felbar, I believe his name was—face.  The shared discomfort made her feel strangely more comfortable with the Gnomes, and for the first time since she woke up she felt herself relax a little.

* Now that you’re all fed, it’s about time we discuss what the plan is from here on out.  Now, Echo, like I told you before, you’re free to go anytime you want to.  However, I would like to offer you an opportunity that I hope you’ll accept, as it will make negotiations and cooperation between myself, the Gnomes, and your people much smoother.  Especially when you see and experience for yourself what I have to offer. *

Echo could see that the young Gnome woman…Violet, I think…was smiling and idly fondling two strange-looking glowing orbs fashioned around her neck in some sort of necklace.  Obviously, the dungeon is talking to everyone here at the same time – good to know.  “And what is that, exactly?”

* Let’s head up to the workshop up near the surface and I’ll show you. *

 Now that she had eaten and most of the discomfort in her stomach had passed, Echo was eager to get moving again.  If they were indeed heading towards the surface, that was all for the better; despite being saved from death by a snake bite, kept alive during