Within the privacy bubble:

  “The dungeon gave me back my wand in a better condition than when I dropped it.” Ian explained,” Which means it is actively watching us. I still don't get why it gave it back to me? We are not just dealing with a highly creative dungeon, but one that is a bit cunning, possibly highly intelligent. It put the wand right outside my personal active body mana field, made the wand pure mithril, and improved the glyphs and spells put upon it.”

  "I don't think it really wants to kill us in any way. The first room,Yes, is full of poisonous mushrooms, but I think it's more defensive in nature. Like that pit trap at the start. I think it is more to trap stupid animals that can feel the draw of mana current that is concentrating inside. Along with that magical door which allows mana to pass through one of my skills is to see mana so I can gather it for myself.” Ethan explained.” If we ask permission to speak with the core it may allow us to examine the damage it sustained and to ask how it got here and from where it came from. This would be an unprecedented find of a lifetime. It may even allow us to explore without fighting, So, we need a plan.”

  *****

  Meanwhile:

  Ceslee is staring at the bubble.

  “What's taking them so long? They've been in that bubble for so long my first room has regenerated.” Ceselee complained.” At least we regenerate faster than I thought we would be able to. So now I know how many more parties we can have at one time so that there are more people to watch and experience to gain.”

  “We can also make changes to rooms they don't occupy.” Drake murmured.” Hum, my room should have comforts. I took cotton fluff from the seeds I got out there that should make a good bed.”

  Getting bored that comment had caught her attention and her imagination started to go wild.

  “Cotton fluff? Did you give me seeds for this?” Ceselee asked.” Oh, I can try my hand at making rough fabric,yarn, and thread. And dye it different colors oh this is going to be so awesome. I'm going to need more rooms for the first floor. Ohhhwww, we've got mountain goats, and that long furred rabbit, a whole catalog of fibers I can use for this project. This is going in my must make time to do list along with making myself a body my core can inhabit and move in. There may also be a way to reproduce children that also goes on my list to research. Perhaps we need workshops as rewards for completing the first level if I do that I'm going to need protectors so they don't steal everything inside a door that closes if they pick things up perhaps and doesn't unlock till they return it to the room and after ornate a protector that if defeated disappears and they get everything in that room that's the prize. Or a price system? They have to bring something into my dungeon that's unique: a book, plant, animal, substance that I can study and keep? Something to think about. Then every ten levels a more fully decked out leveled room to do even more, but I need knowledge for that. Research so much research. Write down things I need to make for a better society.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Properly distracted they missed the bubble bursting apart into sparkles of fleeing mana.

  ****

  Standing in a group everyone looked around the room and some things had started to regenerate. Whole plants that were removed grew at a rapid pace; those that were only cut back were bushing out, flowering or climbing walls. They realized they had been in the privacy bubble too long. So long that the dungeon was regeneratingThey knew nothing in the room had changed because it seemed a rule that as long as people occupied a space such as the room no changes could be made.

  “Do you think the dungeon lost interest? They tend to have the attention spans of toddlers when they first start out in their growth. Don't know if it's because they have so many ideas floating around in that crystal or because of something else. Only one dungeon has been destroyed in my lifetime because it seemed to want to kill everything regardless, but in recorded history we've destroyed upwards of 100 they never made it past the first 5 to 10 levels. This dungeon seems to be progressing in strength a bit more liberally, going at it more slowly like it actually hates to kill things. I haven't seen anything like it in the history books or in the dungeons scattering our land. I dont think it has had a run in with any mana-changed creatures at all; it's actually gentle in nature; we may have found it in time. So that it's not scared of anything. Mana wolves would have jumped that pit to eat the core. So we need to protect this dungeon. , ” Miles said in his deep, resonating voice.

  “We need to get its attention.” Willow pointed out.

  “ Hey guys I found a hidden door,” Salena observed. “ I think there might actually be a treasure room on this level and hidden so well that only level 10 and above rogues or rangers can find it. Let's find out.”

  Opening the door Salena stood in awe. This room was huge. Towering trees of pine. Redwoods so large that 10 people couldn't place their arms around them. What seemed like sunlight filtered down in gold streams of dust motes. Rushing water could be heard in the distance. Birds and insects could be heard buzzing and singing. Vines could be seen climbing up some trees. Fruiting bushes of blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries could be seen in between the trees. There was no direct path to anywhere. Suddenly a rabbit popped up, but just acted like any other wild animal it was eating some grasses. As the group poured in the rabbit became wary and darted off.