The window expanded, transforming into something that looked like a three-dimensional map of the world.
Bright spots lit up across continents, all covered in huge areas of color that moved slowly.
[System Notification: Welcome to Global Magical Monitoring. User may review magical flows and access Dungeon details, like Danger Level, Loot Tier, and Boss Type.]
Wow. Damn.
I could check which Dungeons had the best rewards?
I knew that Llewellyn didn't technically deal with Dungeons most of the time, but I had a great time in Mondwyn Harbor and—well, Llewellyn did say that he liked to loot. He might not be against tackling some, if they had great rewards.
[System Notification: Global Magic Monitoring also shows Recent Artifact Movement: both unstable (Red) and stable (Blue).]
I leaned forward, and spotted a handful of scattered golden dots.
"What about those?"
[Clarification: Golden dots indicate Legendary artifacts.]
Huh.
Wait, was that one in Baekhaven?!
"Can I zoom in?"
The map responded to my gesture, focusing on Innishae.
This was incredibly cool.
"Can you tell me what that Legendary artifact in Baekhaven actually is?"
[Negative. Identification beyond class and status is not supported.]
Well, one couldn't have everything, I suppose.
"What about the kind of environment inside a Dungeon? Can I see that too?"
There was a pause.
[System Notification: Dungeon environment remains unknown until entry.]
I frowned. That didn't seem right.
"Didn't you say you were going to include Mondwyn Harbor in future Dungeons because you value User happiness? Or something."
[Correct. User feedback is stored post-entry and used to influence future configurations.]
I stared at the screen.
"So you make the Dungeon. Why can't you tell me what's in it?"
[Clarification: Dungeon environments are generated algorithmically and do not come into System notice until Users experience it. However, Dungeon details like Danger Level, Loot Tier, and Boss Type can be viewed through Global Magic Monitoring.]
I rubbed my forehead.
"So, if I decide to tackle one, I'd just have to walk in blind and hope it's not, like, a haunted nursery or an exploding amusement park?"
[Affirmative.]
Ugh. Seriously? This wasn't ideal. A person who couldn't swim wouldn't agree to tackle a water park, for example.
I scanned the rest of the map.
"What about these broader colored areas?"
[Clarification: Global Magic Monitoring allows observation of broad magical currents and environmental trends. Data indicates areas with increased potential for Knot formations, but does not guarantee outcomes.]
"So… basically Magic Weather Reports? Like a thirty percent chance of a Knot forming in a specific area?"
[Affirmative.]
Well.
The artifact movement was the most interesting.
Thin lines connected major cities, some probably legitimate trade routes, others clearly black market channels, others maybe just owned by people or sitting there.
Not even Karma had access to this, I was sure. If they figured out I had it, I'd probably have to worry that they would confiscate me, not Penguin.
…Speaking of Penguin.
I looked up.
Penguin had just finished his fish.
I watched him lick the spoon, then try to curl into a ball under a napkin.
"All good?" I asked.
His only answer was a soft hiccup. It looked like he liked fish.
I snorted.
I went back to my screen and experimented with different filters, cross-referencing artifact movements with Dungeon locations.
Certain artifacts tended to appear in specific Dungeon types, and it looked like black market activity always spiked in areas with recent Distorted Realms, which was not really a surprise.
Penguin waddled over, looking sleepy and well fed.
I scooped him up and he perked up, staring at the map interestedly.
"Those are all artifacts," I said, pointing at the screen, and Penguin chirped, suddenly looking more alert.
"Oh, right, I forgot you like artifacts."
Penguin chirped twice and stared at the map with great interest, but apart from that, he didn't seem to have any particular comments.
I put him down and glanced around. The hour would probably be over soon.
As I stretched, my eyes landed on a display cabinet I hadn't noticed before, with glass doors and even spotlights inside.
Wait a second…
I moved closer to check.
Inside was a miniature of Llewellyn, coat and all. His face was incredible, almost lifelike. Even the skin looked like it might be soft. It was like someone had taken the real Llewellyn and shrunk him down.
I stared.
There was also a miniature of the Knight's Monument statue—similar to the one I'd bought in Mondwyn Harbor but somehow better, the details flawless. Next to it a small replica of Llewellyn's sword was placed on a stand while, all around, pics, stills, and moving frames of some of my favorite clips played on a loop.
"…"
This place had made me a full Llewellyn fan shrine?!
This was mortifying.
Should I thank it for not having added a giant cutout or something?!
…Though not that I would have actually minded.
Llewellyn could absolutely never see this.
I opened the cabinet to inspect some of the items. Damn, they were great. I picked up the miniature. The coat fabric felt almost like the real one—and so did his hair.
...Wait, maybe that was crossing a line.
Feeling a bit awkward, I put everything back then turned around and sat down on the sofa, thinking.
"Can I just move in here? What are the limitations?"
Honestly, why would I want to go back to my flat after this place?
[System Notification: Due to current stats, User Ryo cannot spend more than an hour a day in the Core Partition. This time can later be increased.]
How was I supposed to do anything in an hour?!
"Can I take anything out of here?"
[System Notification: Negative. All books, training material and props must remain in the Core Partition.]
Damn it.
I exhaled and leaned back into the sofa. One hour and I couldn't take anything out. I could see why it made more sense to take a nap.
Still, a free magical luxury suite that fed my Elemental, let my Magic become stronger as I slept, provided free, never-before-heard-of Magical books, let me track Dungeons and artifacts and didn't ask me for rent? Yeah, I'd take it.
[System Notification: Time remaining: 3 minutes.]
No… Already?!
"Is there a way to improve my time limit here? Besides just raising my stats?"
[System Notification: Strengthening of User's Magic will automatically extend the time allowed. Advanced practitioners' time may be extended for up to 12 hours.]
Penguin yawned, clearly ready for a proper nap. I scooped him up, taking one last look around.
"Alright," I said. "Exit Core Partition."
I had to go and visit Gran.