Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening-Chapter 77: Dungeon Core (2)

Caleb knew this because the ability integration was genetic-based. That meant the magic circle or rather the entire chamber was more complex than it appeared.

"The magic circle should just be a set of guidance this place uses to create the monsters." He thought of the dragon and his assessment of it earlier on. "Are dungeons this powerful?" He couldn’t help but gulp nervously.

It also raised the question of who and how the dungeons were created. There were just too many questions to ask. Things weren’t adding up for him.

"Let’s put that thought aside for now." Caleb sighed and focused on the remaining text before his eyes. And the more he looked at the runes and patterns, the more a certain thought stirred.

"System, can the magic runes and patterns be rearranged to create new abilities?" His heartbeat increased in anticipation.

[Negative.]

The response killed his hopes before they even began. However, the system was not done.

[These sets of runes and patterns are designed for the monsters’ abilities here.]

"Hmm...In that case, reverse engineer the spell runes and patterns for the genetic sequence representing the abilities I took from the monsters." He had given up yet. "This should be easily done with the data at hand."

[Processing...]

The system promptly went into analyzing. Caleb crossed his fingers as he waited patiently. A few minutes later, the process was completed.

"Hehehe... this is good." Caleb grinned in excitement. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

The system listed the abilities, their genetic sequence and the magic runes and patterns they were derived from.

While the genetic sequence was a long combination of letters Caleb was most familiar with, the runes and patterns were still a mystery to him. Still, it didn’t matter.

’The system should be conversant with the translation now.’ He thought with a knowing smile. Caleb had a small dream and one way or another, he was going to complete that dream.

"Is it possible to directly translate the magic runes in your database into genetic sequences?" He held his breath in anticipation.

[....]

The system went silent for many seconds, increasing the tension around Caleb. He even broke a sweat just from the waiting. Finally, a response came and this lit up his face like never before.

[Affirmative.]

"Yes!" He exclaimed in joy.

There was one group of monsters that Caleb fought and got the spatial displacement abilities from. It was a wonderful ability the creatures had, but Caleb believed there could be more to this spatial ability.

[Forest Wraith]

[Description: A ghostly humanoid wrapped in leaves and vines, its face obscured by a mask]

[Abilities: Phases through physical attacks and binds foes with enchanted roots]

"Hehe... I’m glad I trusted the system to come down here." Without delay, he directed the system to focus on the magic runes and patterns for the [Forest Wraith].

"There it is..." Through careful instructions and directions, he made the system put together the required spell matrix. "Now translate that into a genetic sequence."

[Confirmed.]

"Nice...Time to cook..."

Caleb instructed the system to bring out the sequence he got from the dragon, intending to integrate it along with the one he just derived.

Several minutes of squirming and screaming later, Caleb lay on his back as he stared at the ceiling. And despite the pain he just went through, the grin on his face couldn’t be hidden.

"Hehehe... This world is the best!" He added for good measure before sitting up. "All that is left is the actual core of the dungeon."

Caleb got up and walked past the [Genesis Fluid] to the opening in the ground. The opening was the beginning of a stair that led deeper down.

And even from where he stood, Caleb could feel the immense amount of mana coming out of the floor. The way down was slightly illuminated, probably coming from the glow of the dungeon core.

"I bet it’s massive." Caleb muttered as he descended the stairs.

Sometime later, he got to the bottom and was welcomed to a spacious cavern just like the chamber above. Right ahead of him, several meters away was a massive glistering core floating just above the floor.

"Yeah... That’s massive." He touched his chest, feeling his mana core pulse in excitement. "Dinner is served, buddy."

The dungeon core resembled a roughly cut turquoise crystal that was over two meters in length. It was wider around the centre and tapered as it approached both ends.

The core was floating above a small circular basin filled with liquid. However, it was not the genesis fluid Caleb saw above.

[Liquified Mana.]

Caleb didn’t need to read the description to know what it meant. He looked around the cavern and saw nothing else besides the obvious.

"This has enough energy to last years." He stated confidently.

His assessment was correct as this was the source of power for the dungeon. It provided the energy used in making the [Genesis Fluid] and for the many floors and structures.

With confident steps, he moved closer to the core and the closer he moved, the more he felt his core throb in excitement.

"Whoa..." Caleb marvelled at the feeling that washed over him when he touched the core. "My mana is increasing..."

[Dungeon Core/Heart: Powers the entire structure, allowing for the birth of monsters. Contains almost limitless energy.]

"Nice..." Caleb grinned. "And there is no sign of tempering either." The foreign signature seemed to be something only placed on the [Genesis Fluid].

"With this, my body can continue to grow and evolve. I won’t have to worry about running out of mana." He muttered. But then a thought occurred to him. "System, can you make absorption of this mana core a passive process from storage?"

[Mana can be directed from storage space into mana core and for body refining.]

"Wonderful..." He was set. But then another prompt popped up.

[Warning: Taking dungeon core would lead to dungeon collapse in half an hour.]

"Obviously." He scoffed. "But that is enough time to make it out."

First, he took out some containers and collected the liquified mana. If there was any mana recovery potion out there, this was probably the best thing one could get.

Then with a deep breath, Caleb directed the system as he placed a hand on the core. A moment later, the core disappeared, plunging the cavern into darkness.

RUMBLE....

The dungeon shook from the loss, signalling the countdown to total collapse.

"I guess that’s my cue..."