As I open my eyes, everything feels like a dream. It's been a few days since everything changed. Things went from real to surreal in the span of a single day and I'm still struggling to wrap my head around the chain of events that I call life.

  The Dragon's sudden arrival, which was followed by its equally swift and unplanned - on my part at least - death, had the potential to throw me off my game all on its own. If that would have been my only issue, then I might have overcome my state of denial sooner.

  As it stands, the many Dragons flying casually around the beautiful mountain on which they live, reminds me every morning that I'm not dreaming and that shit actually happened.

  After witnessing that their description wasn't just some bullshit made up by the program-turned-woman laying next to me, I was talked into purchasing more so that we could make Varona even more peaceful than it already was.

  That wasn't too bad.

  Then Anya of all people talked me into grabbing the next tier. Which means I now own ten Black Dragons as well as nine Oblivion Dragons. I had to put my foot down on the tenth though, lest I was talked into purchasing the third set too.

  Dragons, or at least my Dragons anyway, are the most calming beings in existence when they're circling my mountain. It really is a sight to behold. One I wouldn't have a bad word to say about. That is, until they take human form and start playing childish games. For some reason they don't listen to my commands after they transform and always end up wreaking havoc through the city.

  Not to the extent where buildings are on fire, but the type of havoc that can only be wrought by children. Accidentally breaking glasses, spilling food, etc.

  Ignoring those problem, because that's how this Dungeon Core rolls, I roll over and lock eyes with another problem. Namely the woman laying next to me. For some reason, she hasn't left my side since she arrived. She's there when I eat, she's there when I sleep, hell, she's there when I... Ok, I don't need to do the last one, but I'm damn well sure she'd follow me there too.

  I don't need sleep or eat either, but the actions themselves make me feel more human. I enjoy them. Or at least I did. It doesn't help waking up next to someone staring at you and invading your personal space. Especially when they wormed their way into your life through wily words.

  "I thought I told you to face the other way? It's creepy as fuck waking up like this, you know?" I explain for the fourth time.

  "I do not. Also, why do you continue to perform the action? All you are achieving is a 33% percent reduction in your efficiency." The fact that she's like Me, only a billion times worse, is also starting to grate on my nerves.

  Speaking of Me, he was quite shocked to say the least upon the arrival of his creator in our growing city. All the other members of my family took it as expected, like it was only natural that she'd end up living here.

  At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if someone told me that I already had gods living in my town. As long as it isn't the Lazy God, or anyone on his level, what difference would it make. I'd happily welcome the Goddess of Sunshine and Rainbows any day and the Goddess of Beauty has got to be doing a number on me already, right?

  My futon rustles behind me not once, not twice, but three times. A few days ago that would have disturbed me in a different way than it does now, and I let out a sigh. Without giving The System a response I roll back over and am met by the adorable faces of three young girls.

  They're not real children, evident by the two small protrusions sticking out of their heads. No matter how similar they look, humans just don't have horns. No. These little busybodies are Oblivion Dragons.

  "What are we doing today?" The first invader to speak has dark purple hair and violet irises. She's also wearing a short, blue dress, stripped black and grey pants paired with black boots.

  "What are we going to play today, Abi?" Before I can answer her, however, I'm hit with another quick-fire question. This time, it's from the blonde with golden eyes. The white summer dress she wears looks like a miniature version of the one Dropper had when she was still a Shadow Walker and goes well with her yellow sandals. Cute. I don't even bother trying to answer her question, by now I know what's coming next.

  "What's for breakfast, Master?" The redhead on the left, whose amber eyes match what's on top, has obviously been spending too much time with Noir over the last few days. I'm going to have to send him out on a mission soon, I sigh. The hungry Dragon is wearing Assassin clothing that somehow fits her perfectly, and I can only assume where she got it from.

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  As mischievous as they can be, damn these Dragons are cute.

  "Good morning to you too Violet, Blondie, Amber." I smile at the girls before The System thrusts her own face in mine and puts her "love-me-as-well" skill to the max. Her hair is still as neat as ever, even after her quick movement, and her purple eyes gleam in anticipation.

  How does she even do that?

  Trying not to laugh, I shake my head. It doesn't anger me. If anything it's funny watching her act like one of the children just for a little attention. Even if in reality she is a dungeon-making machine.

  "Good morning to you too, Sis," I smile and she beams in delight. This always seems to placate her as she likes to be involved with whatever is happening. I'm sure a millennia or longer spent alone will do that to a person. Not that she's a person, but sometimes you can forget that fact quite easily with the way she acts.

  Same goes for the triplets.

  "Come on, then. Who's hungry? I know I am." Three small arms shoot into the air and start waving about. "Me, me, me!" they shout in anticipation as a forth joins the group. "Me," Sis can't help herself and joins in, slightly red. Seriously, how does she look so cute?

  Whatever, breakfast time it is.

  Teleporting to the street, we make our way to Ali's. Apart from the fact that I'm now accompanied everywhere I go by three second-rank Dragons and Sis, I still can't get over the fact that the Lazy God actually summoned me to some astral plane and decided he was going to end my existence because of a few off-handed comments.

  What a shitty God.

  Seriously.

  Still, what's even more unbelievable is the fact that my Divinity's Presence out classed his own by miles. Ok, maybe not miles and Light played a huge part too, but I fucking won against a God.

  I'm sure Abi the Exaggerator is allowed to run wild with that story.

  I even ended up stealing his Divinity's Domain skill, and it came at a plump Level 3. Not that I've had a chance to try it out yet.

  I'm a badass Dungeon Core these days.

  Although, I probably owe more than I care to admit to the Bale of Fortune. I'd be damned if that feature hadn't finally pulled through and upgraded. The wish that the Lord of the Bale granted me was to max my Divinity's Presence and I didn't really expect that to happen when I asked for it. Plus, I only thought it was useful for unlimited upgrades.

  Who would have thought a God would pick a fight with me and my Presence would beat his? Does he not know I'm Abi the God Slayer?

  Oh. You know that's a keeper.

  Furrowing my brows as we walked down the road, I turn my attention back to the problem at hand. "I like it. I've been doing it for seventeen years and I'm not going to stop now." I say, responding to Sis' earlier question about sleep.

  "But if you worked through the night you would see a 33% rise in efficiency," chirp, chirp. She gives me this speech at least three times a day. After I wake up, when I'm eating and before I go to sleep, she even likes to pipe up when I try and relax.

  Honestly. I don't see what the problem is. I can blaze through points and hit rock bottom just by purchasing land. I'm going to have to find a way to chill her out.

  Eventually we reach Ali's.

  "Master, we have arrived!"

  "What shall I eat today?

  "Breakfast time."

  For some reason, not that I mind or ever asked for it, only the redhead Amber calls me Master. Again, it's something I can only attribute to her spending prolonged periods of time around Noir. She even talks louder than she needs too just like the boisterous Assassin.

  I can only smile as we enter Ali's and take our seats. As soon as breakfast has been piled high, three Dragon Girls and an anti-food-because-it's-a-waste-of-time System demolish it in no time flat. During the meal, a crash comes from inside the kitchen before an explosion of flour bursts through the door. Shortly followed by a small girl with horns, covered in flour herself, who dashes out and jumps over the counter. Our eyes meet and I can't say that I look impressed, but the girl gives me a mischievous grin and barrels out of Ali's before anyone can say anything.

  "These Dragons might be peaceful, but they get into everything. Isn't there any way to calm them down, Sis?" She cranes her head and not a single strand of hair moves. It freaky how it remains perfect and frustrates me immensely. I wish my hair had that feature. Maybe that's what I should have wished for; perfect hair. Sadly, if I had done that, then I'd be dead already.

  "The next tier of evolution should be able to keep the juniors in line," she remarks offhandedly before taking a sip of her tea.

  I suppose that would make sense, I just... Don't like the sound of it. I was holding off on third-tier Dragons for a reason. What if I can't control them either? Or what if they don't inspire peace like the others do? I knew nothing and still know nothing other than the BS Sis feeds me. Even my descriptions are made up by her, though they're supposed to originate from me.l or whatever it was Me said.

  It's confusing as hell.

  It's like she know that I know, even though I don't actually know?

  I don't know.

  I'm supposed to be working my way towards Tune right now, but instead I've spent the last few days chasing pre-adolescent Dragons around Varona while Sis chases after me.

  I haven't even gotten around to Light's evolution yet. Not that he hasn't already rubbed it in Noir's face. Nor have I managed to find the time to test out Divinity's Domain. With my backlog growing larger by the day, I'll have to take the plunge and hope for the best.

  It usually works out.

  That said, I summon my tenth Oblivion Dragon and am not impressed with the notification I receive, nor am I happy with Sis' cheesy smile.