A Fungal Dream

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??? POV:

"What did you just say?"

In the shining palace, a radiant giant looked down on his minuscule servant, making it shiver in fear.

"W-We found a creator."

"… Send out a messenger angel to check it out. Report me back immediately when you find something."

*****

"Igor, bring me the heart."

"…"

"Igor, bring me the heart."

"…."

"… This is going to take a while."

The monster I created stayed silent, looking at the core, which was lying on the floor.

The creature was the same height as the goblin and had green skin, but it had no face, instead, there were three dark holes where the eyes and mouth should be, wheezing out a small amount of spores.

"They said that you are a new type of creature, but you are actually dumb as a rock, aren't ya, Igor?"

"…"

"… Yeah."

I was sitting on the cold floor, next to the door to the last boss.

We already cleared the previous floors, giving me a nice haul of goblin hearts and more kayeri.

Yeah, I reset the monsters so that they would bring me the goblins alive so that I could infect them and turn them into these little guys, creating a small army already.

"This place is cool. Brainless workers for free, without any heartache.

I kept on waiting, filling some vials with my spores, and liquid mana, which I collected from a fissure in the wall.

" This stuff is great; I should go to other dungeons to collect them. Sucking this place dry would be annoying."

Soon the group of monsters came back, bringing a bundle of hearts, treasures, and living goblins.

"Father… We brought…offerings."

"Well done, Erste."

The human monster knelt before me as the monsters brought me the treasures.

First, I injected all the goblins with my mold and looked at the magic happening.

After some experiments, I found out that if I infect several goblins at the same time and press them together, the leftover fungal lines will combine, forming an entirely new entity.

When the pasta of tendrils formed, I poured the concentrated mana on it, stimulating it further, before dozing with the healing potion.

Shortly a beast was before me.

Green, its thin body entirely made from mushroom muscles, with six long arms growing out from his waist and back. When the creature turned to me, I noticed that its head was entirely covered with holes, probably a side effect of being made from different species.

"Everyone, pick up a weapon and follow me!"

I waited for them to gear up, then with my army of around a hundred, I entered the boss room.

Like the ones before it, this one was also shaped like a Colosseum, which was illuminated by the torches hanging on the walls.

At the very back of the room, on a stone throne, a giant figure was waiting.

It was big, fat, wearing only a tunic and an excessive amount of jewelry.

Its face was much uglier than the previous goblins, with a golden crown sitting on top of its head.

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZ…."

"So, this is a goblin king. I expected something better as the last boss. Even sleeping is disgusting. Whatever, children! KILL!"

With a great roar, the monsters behind me rushed into the room, my form disappearing in the tumult as I turned invisible.

"ZZZZZZZZZZ… Hmm? GOUBU?!"

What is that shout?

When the king woke up, the door shut close as several magic circles formed on the ground, from which goblins started to pour out.

They were fully armed and armored, probably the highest level ones in the entire dungeon.

"This…might be troublesome."

They had better equipment and if the summoning circles are unlimited then higher numbers, but I had one advantage.

They needed to breathe.

My children produced spores naturally, which get inhaled, not to speak about the blood-splattered when wounded.

What happens when two unlimited forces collide? Let's find it out.

While the monsters fought, I slipped between them, aiming at the king.

The pig didn't move, it just looked at it, while laughing loudly.

This is going to be fast.

*****

Above the dungeon entrance, hidden by the clouds an entity made from light floated like a second sun.

The creature lifted its shining hand to the blue sky then it to the ground, creating a tower of light that encircled the dungeon.

*****

I was a few steps away when it happened.

With the knife in hand which I planned to stab the king in the neck, I was stunned, when a pillar of light suddenly surrounded the goblin king.

"What the hell?!"

The other goblins and my children also froze, not being able to understand what is happening here.

From the surface of the pillar a rough face formed, from which a ghostly voice ringed.

"Hear me, newly born children of the stars. I am the messenger of God, bringing a message to your father, in hope of a greater future for your species."

"… I am here."

If this is the messenger of God, then there is no point in hiding. And if it's not…well, I will work it out somehow.

Don't ask me how, but without looking at me, I could tell that the face was looking at me.

"Phil Smith, the Plague Father… You have created, albeit soulless, a new life form that has never been seen before. As the creator of life, you are responsible for their actions and wellbeing."

What?

"Excuse me, but I have some questions."

"… God's listening. Ask."

"Okay, yeah, with all due respect, I am not fit to lead an entire species. Even if I were, I do not possess any resources or knowledge to lead them."

"… God says that as the creator of life, you are responsible for them. As a pity, he shall grant you some power for you."

Suddenly, the letters of the system manifested in my head.

[You have been connected temporarily to a divine channel]

[Several gods are observing you.]

[You received gifts from a god]

[You are able to change your subclass into [Dungeon Master]]

[Do you accept?]

"… No."

There was a deafening silence after my answer as if the dungeon itself was holding back its breath.

[Several gods are shocked by your words]

[Several gods became more interested in you.]

[Several gods are offended by you.]

"… Would you repeat yourself?"

"… I said no. The gift you wish to bestow upon me would be a burden in my current… predicament. Right now, what I- what my kind needs is not a home, but a way to move fast to escape from danger and be able to learn. It's an honor to become a Dungeon Master, don't misunderstand me, but If my people could receive these gifts instead, it would be a… more beneficial for my species,"

[Several gods nod in understanding]

[Several gods are confused]

[Several gods are more interested in you.]

What am I, a TV show character?

The light pillar stayed silent for a while, before speaking again,

"God has accepted your offer."

[Your Subclass has been upgraded into [Rogue]]

[All your subclass skills have been upgraded]

[You received new subclass skills: [Dagger Arts][Presence Concealment] [Lock Picking]]

[All skills have been copied and randomly distributed to current members of race kayeri.]

[Several gods have become fond of you.]

[You will be observed by several gods from now on.]

… Great.

"… God has spoken. Now, good luck, Phil Smith, you will need it."

The light disappeared without any sound, leaving behind the burned body of the Goblin King, nothing more than human-shaped ash.

The remaining goblins drop their weapons and kneel on the floor as if they accepted their faith.

The Children said nothing, they just looked in the distance, probably looking at their newly got status screen.

[Congratulations]

[You conquered the dungeon.]

[Treasure chest has been placed next to the exit circle.]

[Please, leave.]

*****

"So, what you are telling me is that you summoned these… things?"

"Yes."

"You used them to complete the dungeon."

"Oui."

"You tried to send them back."

"Si."

"And they are unable to return."

"Ja."

The king stared at the physician, who was accompanied by a small army of different monsters, some looking like goblins, while others were thin and multiple-limbed.

"… Just tell me, what are you planning to use them for?"

"Work mostly. They are strong and some of them are smart. I may even use them to renovate my lab a little, and dig a basement to store more equipment."

"First, I haven't permitted you to do that. Second, do you have any knowledge of how to build a basement?"

"Don't you just need to dig and hope for it not to collapse?"

"… Just take them away and keep on making potions."

"Alright, sir!"

The doctor nodded and went away, followed by the army of monsters.

When the last of the uglies left, the king breathed in sharply.

"I just sent him out to measure what he is capable of, how did he manage to bring back an army?"

Next to the king, the ghost boy appeared.

"This is a blessing in disguise, my king. We have extra forces now, and we discovered what sort of other creatures he can use. It was a wise choice for you to recruit him."

"Recruit. That what I did? Then why do I feel like I just invited a natural catastrophe to live with us?"

"You just need to tame him. He is a beast who used to work alone, he isn't quite yet used to being under someone. Show him your dominance, your power, make him understand that you are in charge."

*****

"May I borrow that?"

I was in the dining hall, where several guards were in the middle of eating.

The group that I was addressing was a group of elves, playing on an instrument resembling that of a banjo.

The king told me to go work on the potions, but he didn't say that I had to do it immediately.

I sent out the children into the lab, ordering them to start digging. For one reason or another, I couldn't suck them back in, maybe because of what the gods did to me.

So, I lied to the king and decided to use them as workers. I will work on the details later, but now I need some sort of distraction. Seeing what I could do with the music skill I just acquired might do the trick

The elf looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't you know how to play it?"

"I have the skills for it?"

I played a few notes getting familiar with the cords, then I looked up back at the elves.

"Not bad, isn't it."

"Why don't you play us something, physician? Hic!"

I looked behind, seeing the insect girl holding a cup of beer.

"Alright. Do you have any preference?"

"Hic! Something that makes a girl cry! Hic!"

"That's…quite specific, but I think I have something for it!"

Thinking back at the albums my mother used to listen to, I started to play.

"

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I'm begging of you please don't take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don't take him just because you can

Your beauty is beyond compare

With flaming locks of auburn hair

With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

Your smile is like a breath of spring

Your voice is soft like summer rain

And I cannot compete with you, Jolene

He talks about you in his sleep

There's nothing I can do to keep

From crying when he calls your name, Jolene

And I can easily understand

How you could easily take my man

But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I'm begging of you please don't take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don't take him just because you can

You could have your choice of men

But I could never love again

He's the only one for me, Jolene

I had to have this talk with you

My happiness depends on you

And whatever you decide to do, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I'm begging of you please don't take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don't take him even though you can

Jolene, Jolene

(Jolene - Dolly Parton(personally prefer the remake of Colm McGuinness Music))

When I was done, a crowd had gathered around me, listening to my music.

The magic voice seemed to kick in since some of them seemed dazed.

Does the effect of the magic depend on the context of the song? Let's test it out!

Suddenly, I started to play an energetic song, perfect for drinking.

"

In the merry month of June from me home I started

Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken hearted

Saluted Father dear, kissed me darling mother

Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother

Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born

Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins

A brand new pair of brogues, rattlin' o'er the bogs

Frightenin' all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin.

One two three four five

Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road

And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary

Started by daylight me spirits bright and airy

Took a drop of the pure

Keep me heart from sinking

That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking

To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while

At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'

An' asked if I was hired, wages I required

'Till I was nearly tired of the rocky road to Dublin.

One two three four five

Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road

And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!

In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity

To be soon deprived a view of that fine city

Well then I took a stroll, all among the quality

Bundle it was stole, all in a neat locality

Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind

No bundle could I find upon me stick a wobblin'

Enquiring for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue

Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin

One two three four five

Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road

And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!

From there I got away, me spirits never falling

Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing

The Captain at me roared, said that no room had he

When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy

Down among the pigs, played some funny rigs

Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling

When off Holyhead wished meself was dead

Or better far instead

On the rocky road to Dublin

One two three four five

Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road

And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!

The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed

Called meself a fool, I could no longer stand it

Blood began to boil, temper I was losing

Poor old Erin's isle they began abusing

"Hurrah me soul!" says I, me shillelagh I let fly

Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in

With a loud "Hurray!" joined in the affray

We quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin

One two three four five

Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road

And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!

Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road

And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!

Whack fol lol le rah!

Whack fol lol le rah!

(The Rocky Road to Dublin( Colm McGuinness Music again))

"

As I expected, the monsters started to party, drinking, and laughing with each other.

Okay, this is cool. But how do I remember all these songs by heart? How much garbage knowledge do I have?

Bam!

As soon as I looked away, a cup smashed next to my feet.

Before I noticed it, there was a fight, a fight you would see in western films.

"… It's probably a better idea for me to keep quiet."

Old status:

[

Name: Phil Smith 'Plague Father'

Race: [Molded High Elf] Lv: 1/100 (0/100)

Main Class: [Life Father]

Sub Class: [Runner]

HP(Health Points): 240/240

SP(Stamina Points): 260

MP(Magic Points): 160/160

TMN (Tamed Monster Numbers): [231.810]

Blessings: [Blessing of Nergal]

Active Skills: [Basic Steady Hand] [[Hive control] [Hive Absorption] [Hive Repulsion] [Mold Field] [Basic Spirit Voice] [Aether Vision] [Steam Engineering]

Passive Skills: [Body Knowledge] [ Plant Knowledge] [Medicine Knowledge] [Basic Stamina Enhancement] [Basic Movement Enhancement] [Basic Reflex Enhancement.] [Basic Sponge Mind] [Perfect Stomach] [Hive Mind] [Music Instrument Knowledge] [Prayer Knowledge]

Affinities: [Basic Farming Affinity] [Basic War Affinity] [Basic Pestilence Affinity][ Basic Fire Affinity.] [Basic Life Affinity] [Basic Death Affinity]

Titles: [The One Who Saw A Thousand Worlds] [Knowledge Driven] [Chosen by Flies] [Medicine Pioneer] [Hive Master] [Giver of Life]

]

New status:

[

Name: Phil Smith 'Plague Father'

Race: [Molded High Elf] Lv: 1/100 (0/100)

Main Class: [Life Father]

Sub Class: [Rogue]

HP(Health Points): 240/240

SP(Stamina Points): 260

MP(Magic Points): 160/160

TMN (Tamed Monster Numbers): [231.810]

Blessings: [Blessing of Nergal]

Active Skills: [Basic Steady Hand] [[Hive control] [Hive Absorption] [Hive Repulsion] [Mold Field] [Basic Spirit Voice] [Aether Vision] [Steam Engineering] [Dagger Arts][Presence Concealment] [Lock Picking]]

Passive Skills: [Body Knowledge] [ Plant Knowledge] [Medicine Knowledge] [Stamina Enhancement] [ Movement Enhancement] [ Reflex Enhancement.] [Basic Sponge Mind] [Perfect Stomach] [Hive Mind] [Music Instrument Knowledge] [Prayer Knowledge]

Affinities: [Basic Farming Affinity] [Basic War Affinity] [Basic Pestilence Affinity][ Basic Fire Affinity.] [Basic Life Affinity] [Basic Death Affinity]

Titles: [The One Who Saw A Thousand Worlds] [Knowledge Driven] [Chosen by Flies] [Medicine Pioneer] [Hive Master] [Giver of Life]

]

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Links to music:

Jolene - Dolly Parton:https://youtu.be/V_Oy2VmxN_I

The Rocky Road to Dublin: https://youtu.be/sH-V5KABrak