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

worn out from her run.  Before her coma, she probably wouldn’t be tired at all, but all of the exercise following approximately two weeks of inactivity was enough to wipe her out.

Sandra tried to explain the concepts of the enchantment to Echo, but the young Elf obviously wasn’t following it. The Elven people weren’t big on enchantments like the Gnomes were – they preferred to manipulate their elemental energy externally, and usually with devastating results; it was likely that Echo had never actually created an enchantment, in fact, so it was undoubtedly foreign to her.

* Regardless of how they work, the point is this: these Energy Orbs can greatly help all of the races here defend themselves against the dungeons surrounding their lands.  It’s only the first step in my eventual plan— *

“Aha!  I knew you had some sort of evil plan; are these bribes to have us lower our guard and then strike when we least expect it?  Or are you planning on subjugating us and making us your slaves?” Echo asked suspiciously, taking a step toward the exit.  Sandra actually chuckled internally at the accusatory tone coming from the young Elf; she could understand where she was coming from, though it was so far from what the Dungeon Core actually wanted that it was ridiculous.  She just hoped that some of the amusement didn’t transfer over to her response.

* If you would let me finish, you’ll see that there is no “evil plan” here.  I will admit it is a bit selfish, though it’s for the good of everyone if they allow me to help them not just survive but thrive against the dungeons threatening your very existence. *

“What do you mean?” Violet asked, curiosity in her voice.  While Sandra had shared some of her ideas on how to help her people – as well as the other races – and given a bare-bones explanation as to why she wanted to help, the Dungeon Core hadn’t taken the time to explain the finer details.  This is as good of a time as any.

 

* When I say it’s selfish of me, I mean that in a couple of ways.  Ultimately, as you’ve likely seen and heard me talk about, I love to craft; however, being invaded by the different people around here puts a severe damper on that.  The Orcs invaded me first, followed by the Elves; it’s only a matter of time before the Dwarves inadvertently learn of my existence and try to destroy me as well.  And while your people— *

 

Sandra said, directly addressing Echo—

* Have agreed to not attack me and hopefully even work with me, the Orcs are likely to attack me if they discover my presence here again and send an even larger force.  So, if only for my love of having some peace and quiet to do my crafting, I want to work with the races in their defense against the dungeons. *

“Wouldn’t it just be easier to…well…let the other dungeons kill us all off?” Felbar asked unexpectedly.  “Then you wouldn’t have to worry about anyone bothering you.”

It would be like the battle-tested Gnome to point out the easy way to victory.  However, Felbar was missing some information that made his question something that she wouldn’t even consider.

* While that is true, at least in principle, I wouldn’t let that happen if I could help it.  While I wasn’t a Gnome, or an Elf, or an Orc, or a Dwarf…I was, at one time, Human; it goes against that part of my nature to allow the complete destruction of a nearby race when there is something I can do about it.  And more importantly, while it might help me temporarily – if I were to let that happen – it wouldn’t help me in the long run.

 

* Why?  Well, imagine for a moment if the four races around here were wiped out; the resulting dungeons afterwards would probably be extremely powerful and able to extend their reach even farther out.  Eventually they would consume every other race in the world, until there was nothing else to destroy…except for me. *

Sandra explained the concept of Dungeon Core contracts and what she knew of the purpose behind dungeons in the first place – to challenge the people of the world and keep their focus internal, rather than wanting to expand and fight nearby races for land.  The contract that would normally prevent the other Cores from attacking her wasn’t something that she possessed, so in order to expand into the area her dungeon was located – which was a major driving factor of every contracted Core, apparently – they would have to destroy her.

* And as much as it seems crazy to think so, I believe I was put here by the Creator for this singular purpose: to save you all from extinction.  The Creator created you and didn’t want any of you to be destroyed and wiped out, which is what will eventually happen if I don’t intervene before it’s too late. *

They were all silent for a moment, before Echo said, “You sure do think highly of yourself, don’t you?” And then she smiled, before continuing.  “Look, I can see exactly what you’re talking about, at least in Symenora; if there is a person in my land that doesn’t think that we’re on the decline, then they’re deluding themselves.  It will perhaps be decades or more before it’s really felt, but the end of our people is inevitable without any type of outside help.  If what you say is true about the others, then we’re all doomed.

“I’m not going to say that you’re our savior, but even with access to something like this—” she continued, holding up her Air Energy Orb— “it would greatly delay that inevitability.  However, I severely doubt that is going to be enough to save us in