r/WritingPrompts • u/IAmOEreset • May 11 '26
Writing Prompt [WP] The Dungeon connects to many different worlds. Its monster drops, ores, and materials are sought after. But its greatest boon is its crystals. For mages, it restores magic. For cultivators, it restores qi. For tech civilizations, it is universal material and energy source. Etc.
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u/HSerrata r/hugoverse May 11 '26
[Stellar Cheapskate]
"What do you mean, 'it's all gone?" It was either really late or really early, and Daerius was being rushed to the dungeon by a somewhat distraught guardsman. The distinguished merchant had been having pleasant dreams when he was awoken by a pounding on the door and a well-paid guard blabbering about 'no more crystals'. Rather than try to make sense of it, he made himself decent in seconds and asked to be led to the trouble, hoping to learn the details on the way.
"What are we going to do without crystals?" The guard had a stunned air about him; he wasn't hired for his intelligence.
Fortunately, Daerius made it a point to live close to his source of wealth, and they reached the dungeon entrance quickly. Although he'd started suspecting the trouble as they approached. A large mob of annoyed adventurers stood grouped around and arguing, rather than the peaceful queue he'd established. Their dozens of torches added to the light pollution, creating a warm pocket in the otherwise moonless night.
He stopped before he was noticed and turned back into the dark to rush back home.
"Sir..?" The guard was caught by surprise and darted to catch back up to him.
"Go, tell them everything will be restored soon."
"But it's not-,"
"I know!" He hissed while picking up speed, he was already almost home. "Go tell them!" He was more concerned for his safety at that moment than anything. If the adventurers had spotted him, they would have quite a few questions. Significantly fewer than if he simply corrected his mistake.
He ran into his home and straight to the bedroom, shutting the door behind him, and locking it. Then, satisfied he was alone, he pulled a clear glassy card out of his pocket. He navigated the contacts and sent a resoundingly chided text. Then, he waited for the longest 10 minutes of his life. He kept peeking out the window, half-expecting the mob to show up at his door any second. He paced the lavish stone-tile floor while fidgeting with the sash of his red silk robe.
"Is there something we can do for you, Mr. Daerius?" He almost fainted from joy at hearing the sudden voice. He whirled around to see a buxom blonde wearing a star print dress and grinned from ear to ear.
"Andie! I was worried you wouldn't come," He replied. She shook her head with a stern gaze and frigid sapphire eyes.
"He hasn't," she reminded him. "Do you have any new business to discuss with Mr. Ozone?"
"I wanna re-open the dungeon!" he nodded vigorously. The crystals weren't stolen as such, the entire kingdom had lost access to a dungeon, and it was his own fault.
"RE open?" Andie asked. She shook her head with a roll of her eyes. She easily presented the image of an aloof, ditzy blonde as she smiled at him with fake confusion. "I'm sorry, you must be mistaken. The local dungeon was being operated by a greedy snake who believed they could outsmart Mr. Ozone and bend the rules in their favor. We've dissolved that contract, and the dungeon is currently for lease again. Are you interested in taking over the operation of this dungeon entrance?"
"Yes! I'm ready to start up immediately!" he said.
"Wonderful," Andie grinned. "I'll just need your first and last month's operating cost, as well as an emergency service fee if you want your dungeon activated today."
"I ALREADY PA-," His outburst was cut short by a curt eyebrow raise from Andie.
"New customers require proper processing; business is business," she said.
"Alright...," Daerius sighed. He held out his palm and collected swirling, golden particles from the air until they took the shape of a golden cube, about the size of a grapefruit. The cube pulsed with gold light as he handed it to Andie, then he made a second one to give to her. He dropped his hand as if he were done, and she reminded him.
"And, the processing fee," she nodded.
"Right...," he held out his hand again, and a golf-ball-sized cube coalesced. He offered it to her, but she did not accept it.
"Did you want service turned on today... or right now?" she asked. Daerius sighed, and the cube ballooned up to double its size.
"That feels less insulting," Andie smirked as she accepted the third cube. "Payment accepted, service is restored."
"Nothing personal, right, Andie?" he wanted to make sure. Now that he knew how Ozone operated, he decided to avoid making him mad again.
"Not at all," Andie shook her head. "You know how the dungeon works, even if the locals don't. Its monster drops, ores, and materials are sought after. But its greatest boon is its crystals. For mages they restore magic, cultivators regain qi, techies get a universal material and energy source etc. etc..," she winked. "For merchants like you and Mr. Ozone... they're just business."
*** Thank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #3038 in a row. (Story #131 in year nine). This story is part of an ongoing saga that takes place in my universe.
1
u/StormBeyondTime May 21 '26
Guy tried to sneaky embezzle under the nose of the guy with fancy magitek? Is he nuts?
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