CHAPTER 473: DUNGEON INTEGRATION

’Well, I’ll know for sure once I do all three,’ Kaiden decided.

He looked up toward the vaulted ceiling. ’Let’s make this place grow... and see what Rank 3 and then 4 looks like.’

Just then, a new notification flashed before his eyes.

[System Alert]

Unregistered Life Signatures Detected Within Dungeon Territory

Analysis complete.

Status: Lost Life Forms identified.

—

Kaiden frowned. "Lost life forms?"

Another message followed.

[System Explanation]

These entities carry no active world-bond.

They feel that their origin world has rejected their essence.

They exist in a state of displacement: unawakened, directionless, spiritually unanchored.

Emotional resonance: longing, rootlessness, surrender.

Desire: to belong, to be claimed, to serve and grow within a world that will accept them.

Integration into the Dungeon Domain is possible.

Upon consent, they shall receive a Dungeon Bond, allowing them to adapt, evolve, and strengthen under the Dungeon Master’s authority.

Result: They shall become Dungeon-Born; mortals reshaped by the domain’s mana, loyal to the Dungeon Core as their new world.

Kaiden was shocked. This was something he did not expect one bit. "... So you’re telling me they can gain powers if they accept becoming an integral part of my world."

The interface pulsed in response.

[Confirmation]

Correct.

They shall gain the ability to grow, adapt, and protect the domain that shelters them.

They will no longer be of Earth.

They will belong - to you.

"What are the limitations? This sounds way too powerful."

The response came faster than he expected, and its tone almost carried something like reproach.

[Response]

It is meant to be powerful.

Dungeons are not mere homes for their Masters.

They are their greatest assets, their living, evolving world.

"Greatest assets..." Kaiden murmured, tasting the words. He had been treating this dungeon as a fortress, a safe home for his women and himself. But it seemed that was just the surface. There were deeper, grander mechanics at work here.

As he pondered this, more text appeared.

[Additional Information]

Limitations do exist.

Only the unawakened may be integrated.

They must feel disconnected from their home world, cut off in spirit and purpose.

They must willingly accept becoming part of the Dungeon Domain.

Kaiden rubbed his chin. "So, theoretically... I could just go to homeless shelters, refugee zones, or even places hit by dungeon breaks? There must be millions of people who’d want a second chance."

Before the system could answer, a voice piped up beside him. "What are you even talking about, big brother?" Alice leaned in with her head tilted, trying to understand what he was looking at. But as the Dungeon Master Interface was for Kaiden’s eyes only, she saw absolutely nothing.

Kaiden raised a finger without looking at her. "One moment. Big brother’s busy."

Alice puffed her cheeks cutely with her arms crossed, clearly not liking being dismissed.

The next line of text appeared before Kaiden’s eyes.

[Response]

The Dungeon Master’s reasoning is understandable, but his assumption is flawed.

The depth of human longing varies.

Not all who suffer wish to abandon their world.

The Native tribes are unique; generations confined within borders that were not truly theirs. They never belonged to the outer world.

Their hearts already align with the Dungeon’s nature; a world apart, self-contained, unseen.

The Dungeon Master should not underestimate the strength of a mortal’s bond to their origin world.

Kaiden nodded slowly. "That makes sense. Just because someone’s homeless or lost their loved ones doesn’t mean they’d truly give themselves to my domain. It’s one thing to want comfort... another to belong to something entirely new."

"So... are there no other limitations?"

The interface pulsed once more before answering.

[System Addendum]

There are practical constraints.

Unlike monsters created with Dungeon Master Points, Dungeon-Born retain their needs.

They must eat, sleep, and maintain structure.

Long periods of idleness or confinement will lead to instability.

Monsters do not question purpose; they are happy to maintain their assigned guard positions for eternity. Humans will go insane.

The Dungeon Master must consider available territory and resources before expansion.

Excess low-level inhabitants will overburden the Dungeon Core, especially at Rank 2 capacity.

Kaiden exhaled through his nose. "So I can’t just fill this place with people and call it paradise. I need balance."

The system didn’t reply this time, but somehow, the silence felt approving.

He took a breath. "Alright. I accept the Native Americans as part of my dungeon."

The reply came without delay.

[Integration Protocol Initiated]

[Target Group: Unregistered Lost Life Forms]

[Status: Consent Request Dispatching]

The air inside the biome changed. For the people in the Verdant Expanse, something unseen swept through the forest. It was awareness, a gentle pressure that touched every mind and made them look up.

Then, one by one, something appeared before their eyes.

A glowing panel.

[Dungeon System Message]

The Dungeon Master has extended an invitation.

The world you once called home has turned away from you.

But another world calls.

Kaiden Grey wishes to accept you as part of his domain.

Acceptance means leaving Earth behind.

You will no longer be bound to it in body or soul.

You will live and grow within the Dungeon’s embrace.

The Dungeon Master’s word shall be your law.

In return, you will gain a bond with this living world, the strength to adapt, and the chance to build a new beginning as a rightful inhabitant of the Dungeon.

If you accept, speak your will.

If you decline, no harm will come. You will simply remain a visitor, untouched by the domain’s bond.

For a moment, no one moved. Then a child reached for the screen with trembling fingers. Her mother knelt beside her, reading the words aloud in disbelief. Around them, the older members of the tribe spoke in hushed tones, making their words carry traces of awe and uncertainty.

One of the elders looked around at the greenery stretching in every direction. His hands shook slightly. "A world that wants us..."

A few people fell to their knees. Others clasped their hands to their chests. It wasn’t worship; it was relief. For the first time in generations, they felt wanted by something greater than the fences of their old camp.

One voice broke the silence.

"I accept."

The words echoed faintly. Then another repeated them. And another. Soon the forest carried dozens of overlapping declarations, then a hundred.

Light spread through the glade as each speaker’s mark was registered.

[Consent Confirmed]

Integration in progress.

Threads of energy spread from the Dungeon Core, weaving into the people. Their bodies remained the same, but something subtle shifted: their posture straightened, their breathing steadied, their eyes gained a quiet steadiness that hadn’t been there before.

He could feel it too: the Dungeon reacting as if it had just taken a deep breath.

[Integration Successful]

Population: +109 Dungeon-Born (Human)

New Path Unlocked: Dungeon-Born Evolution Protocol

As the light faded from the glade, the newly bound tribe watched as another message appeared before them.

[Announcement to All Dungeon-Born]

You are no longer classified as Human.

You have undergone Rebirth through Dungeon Integration.

Your essence has joined with the Dungeon Core.

You are now recognized as a new race: Dungeon-Born.

A ripple of unease and curiosity ran through the people.

[Explanation]

Dungeon-Born are mortals who have been accepted and reshaped by a Dungeon’s mana.

You are no longer bound to Earth’s laws or systems.

The Dungeon will recognize your efforts and growth directly.

All of you may now select your Lifestyle Path, a foundation for your role within this world.

Two main categories are available: