Ethan Hayes’s life ends quietly as the world succumbs to a mysterious energy called mana, transforming reality itself. Instead of dying, Ethan awakens as a Dungeon Core—an ancient, mana-powered crystal heart embedded deep within a vast underground cavern. Trapped in this new form, he learns to manipulate stone, summon and command creatures born from dungeon flesh, and expand his territory within the abandoned mine.

As his power grows, Ethan creates an ecosystem of creatures—bats, wolves, spiders—that gather mana and defend his domain. He explores the limits of his influence, experiments with elemental magic, and faces the challenges of survival in a strange world. Along the way, a mysterious fox forms a rare soul bond with him, becoming his first true companion.

Now, with his core nestled safely in the depths of the dungeon and guarded by fierce beasts, Ethan prepares for the next stage of his evolution in a world where magic and reality intertwine, and where the line between life and mana blurs.

I've got the entire structure outlined in my big ol excel sheet. But it will not transfer well to here, and honestly I shouldn't post everything anyway incase I change the progression requirements later. So below are the ranks for typical humanoid cultivation, beasts, and the dungeon cultivation.


Beast Cultivation: [Has 1 more mortal realm than others]


9 [Divine] Transcendent Beast Crystal Core


11 [Divine] Celestial Beast Chaos Core


12 [Divine] Eternal Sovereign Dimensional Core


Realm # Common Rank Name Formal Rank Name


3 [Mortal] Great Mage Core Condensation


4 [Mortal] Arch Mage Mana Integration


6 [Lord] Colored Kings Core Purification [1-9]


9 [Divine] Transcendent Mutation/Evolution


Magical Cultivation Stages/Realms