PftA Book 5 - Chapter 51 - Inheritor

A/N: This is the last normal chapter! The next chapter will be the Epilogue.

I’ve never been all that creative. In fact, most of the ideas I’d gotten for new enchantments had either come from trying to recreate the comforts and advances of modern-day Earth or designing something to fill a specific need.

Because of that, I struggled to come up with ideas that weren’t just copies of the other Realm Dungeon or imitations of rifts I’d been to.

“There are only so many environments you can incorporate,” Lisa pointed out when I struggled to come up with something new for the fourth floor’s design. “Keep in mind that I’ll also probably shift things occasionally, just like the other dungeon did.”

That was a good point. I needed to come up with a bunch of alternatives that Lisa could use when she needed to mix things up.

“How do you feel about a steampunk zone?” I asked.

“You mean a zone filled with Metal structures and mechanical mobs?” Lisa asked. “It could work. In fact, it may be feasible to incorporate themes into several of your zones. Perhaps one specialty zone per floor?”

“That’s an idea,” I said with excitement. “Let’s brainstorm some other themes and see how many was can think up. If we have a lot, maybe we’ll add even more.”

Part of what made the dungeon a little boring was that there really wasn’t a lot of variety. Sure, there were different zones, especially on the first several floors. But there were only so many ways the dungeon could make an icy tundra or a jungle interesting.

Adding ruins or weird little extras might be fun. It would certainly be more fun to design. Maybe I could even figure out a way to add a space station or something!

It took days to design everything. I extended the hidden resources idea through all of the floors, to include the last couple, which I shifted to focus more on preparing potential ascenders for the next realm.

The trials I kept pretty consistent, though I added skill limiters and restrictions to the last two, much like the other Realm Dungeon had done.

Lisa was given free rein to change anything she wanted, provided the changes contributed to developing challengers in a way that would benefit them in the next realm. Considering it was called a ‘Realm Dungeon’, I could only assume that preparation for ascension was part of the dungeon’s purpose.

Maybe I was wrong, but without clear guidelines, I had to go with my gut.

= = =

[Would you like to submit your design?]

I contemplated the question for a moment before dismissing the notification.

“What should my last meal be? Mom’s spaghetti or surf and turf?”

“Why not have a little bit of both?” Lisa suggested.

“That sounds like a great idea,” I said, removing a large plate containing a perfectly seared filet mignon next to a steaming cluster of crab legs and a side of baked lobster tail with butter lemon sauce.

The bowl of spaghetti came out a few minutes later, and I alternated between foods until my stomach felt like it was going to burst.

I stored the leftovers away, though I knew the action was pointless. I wouldn’t be able to take any of it with me when I ascended, after all.

[Would you like to submit your design?]

The notification appeared again, more insistent this time.

“Maybe I should look over everything again,” I said, suddenly feeling nervous about taking the last step.

“It’s fine,” Lisa said, solidifying the mana construct that made up her avatar enough to physically place her hand on my arm. “It’s time.”

My breath caught as I looked into her eyes. She wasn’t alive, I knew that. But sometimes… sometimes I still couldn’t help but wonder.

“You’re still okay with becoming the Dungeon Master, right?” I asked.

“I am.”

I nodded slowly before focusing my attention on the notification. Mentally agreeing to the prompt, my surroundings disappeared, leaving me floating in a void.

“You want to put access portals on every world?” an overwhelming voice asked, causing my chest to vibrate with each word.

I didn’t get the sense that the entity was angry or anything. It – he sounded curious more than anything. His voice simply carried that much power.

“I do,” I replied. “If not every world, then those that are Tier Four or below.”

“And what changes have you considered for the system? Corrogo mentioned that you would be able to make minor alterations as a Dungeon Administrator, did he not?”

It took a few moments for the reverberations to weaken enough for me to speak again. It seemed the more the entity spoke, the longer it took for me to recover.

“He mentioned it, but I have no idea what my options are.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I received a short list of options through my interface. The current settings for each option were also provided, causing me to gasp at the inconsistencies.

“Elves get the upgraded interface automatically?” I asked, trying hard not to lose my temper.

Along with a much longer life, it just seemed wrong that the arrogant pricks also got advantages that the rest of the Alliance races did not enjoy.

The entity, whom I suspected might be Neohim, did not respond to my query, causing me to bite my lip to keep from saying anything else.

In addition to not needing to pay for an upgrade, I noted that elves also didn’t have to pay for spells. They could if they wanted more than their allotted amount, but they automatically received five spells per tier, for free, on top of the five per tier they could purchase.

It left no doubt in my mind that the last Administrator, and possibly Neohim himself, was an elf. Granted, I had no idea if deities even had races, but it seemed clear that Neohim at least favored elves, even if he wasn’t one.

I did note that elves had a ten percent combat experience penalty to somewhat offset their advantages, but that didn’t seem like much, all things considered. It also only applied to experience earned in combat, not through other methods.

“If I change the settings so that everyone gets the same advantages that the elves get, will that remove the experience penalty altogether, or apply it to everyone else as well?”

“The penalty would be removed.”

I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like the entity was pleased by my question, making me second-guess just how much he, personally, favored the elves.

“I’d like to do that, then,” I said. “Please extend the current settings granted to the elves to everyone.”

“Done. Your dungeon design is accepted with modifications allowed. Your Interface Assistant will be reassigned as the dungeon’s Master. As the current Dungeon Administrator, you are allowed to designate your replacement, though unless they share your status as a tri-affinity mage, they will only be granted limited authority.

“If you fail to make a selection before choosing to ascend, your closest blood relative deemed compatible with the role will be selected. Who do you wish to designate as your inheritor?”

My first impulse was to say Zavira since I felt that experience as a dungeon challenger would be valuable to someone in such a role. However, I didn’t think Zavira would enjoy being a Dungeon Administrator.

“Are there any particular requirements?” I asked.

“They must be competent, and once the initial grace period has passed, a minimum number of challengers must be maintained at all times. They will be rewarded based on their management of the dungeon, with bonuses provided for each ascender marked by the dungeon.”

So, whoever the current Administrator of Corrogo’s dungeon was, they’d get a reward once I ascended. That seemed fair enough, I guessed.

I went through the list of people I’d gotten to know over the centuries, dismissing each individual after a bit of consideration. Then I thought of Amie.

“What if the person I designate declines?”

“Then I will choose from among your qualified relatives.”

I was glad to hear that it wasn’t an automatic appointment. Though arguably beneficial, I hadn’t liked being forced into circumstances beyond my control. If I could avoid doing the same to my family, I would.

“What if they have a family? Will that interfere with anything?” I asked.

“It makes no difference. As long as they are able to fulfill their responsibilities and gain an acceptable level of strength, they may do as they please.”

I wished I’d known about this before I’d entered the Challenge Rift. Being able to discuss it with potential inheritors first would have made the decision so much easier.

Out of curiosity, I asked, “If I didn’t decide, who would be assigned the role?”

“Your niece, Amie. She is the most suitable of all your blood relatives, both in temperament and capability.”

I could see it. I hadn’t considered Amie because she had a family. Aside from the two who’d already awakened, Amie had two younger children, Jared and Leslie, who were still years away.

“What about her family?”

“They hold no bearing on her suitability.”

“Will being my inheritor interfere with her life? Will she get to stay with her family, or would she have to live in the dungeon?”

“Administrators are not tethered to their dungeon. However, most prefer to remain on the same planet since they are empowered and have protections while within their dungeon’s influence. The second most recent Administrator for Corrogo’s dungeon, the one you interacted with, was an outlier in that way.

“Be comforted with the knowledge that the planet will be reset as it grows to Tier Ten in support of the dungeon’s creation. As long as the people of the realm maintain the world, it should remain free of dangerous rift beasts.”

The part about Sir Eri’Non made sense, I guessed, considering I’d encountered him on a research station next to Earth. From the way everyone talked about him, it seemed like he’d been there for quite some time.

And the news about the world being reset and cleared of all escaped rift beasts also kind of made sense. It would have been nearly impossible to settle on Sira, otherwise.

“That’ll happen to this world? The one the rift was on?”

“Yes. What is your decision? My patience wears thin.”

“Can I ask her, first?”

I could sense the deity’s growing frustration, but I couldn’t help myself. Though I knew she could decline the offer if she wanted, I figured it would be nice to at least give her a warning.

“No. Make your choice.”

A pulse of frustration welled from within, only to dissipate like a spark quenched by torrential rainfall. A calm sort of understanding overcame me, and gave Him my answer.

“Designee accepted. Dungeon construction and world upgrade will now commence. You have been marked as a Contender in thanks for your service.”

I instinctively tried to fight it, but I felt my body dematerializing before I could even put up a token resistance.

“Take care of her, Lisa,” I projected, hoping my Interface Assistant was still connected enough to hear it. “Take care of all of them, and yourself. I’ll miss you all!”

Reality faded along with my worries as I felt myself being pulled away from the realm I knew toward somewhere new. Though I still wished the best for those I’d left behind, I found myself looking forward to the adventure ahead.

A new realm, a new chance at life… It would be a fresh beginning, and I couldn’t wait.

A/N: After taking the feedback I received into consideration, I made some changes on 5 November to allow the designee to reject the role and to remove the back and forth with Amie.