The Dungeon Without a System

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

The unnamed main character wakes up as a Dungeon Core. Instead of being deep within the earth or in a cave, this newly-minted Dungeon Core finds himself drifting to the beach of an uncharted and uninhabited island. Watch as he explores the uses of mana, defends himself from people trying to kill him and confuses the hell out of all the humans who attempt to understand just why he's different from other dungeons. DISCLAIMER: I have only posted my novel to Sufficient Velocity and RoyalRoad. If you see it on any other site; THAT IS NOT ME. This story is free and until I decide to publish it will remain that way.This story can be found at https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/48893/the-dungeon-without-a-systemMy Pateon is https://www.patreon.com/Max_51 Brand new covers! Commissioned from Sininenblue.In celebration of this story's 4th anniverary, Here's the second of the new covers!

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2021
Author: StrangerDanger51

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 13,242
Views: 9,453,409

What readers say about The Dungeon Without a System

“The first dungeon story I read was Dungeon Life. That sets a really high bar. But this one does not disappoint. The story is interesting and the world building is excellent. It is always nice to see a story with clear character progression that does not nee…”
LuesatoraRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“The best dungeon-based novel on the entire site. The style that the author writes in is perfect, and the story is ever-changing in such a good way. Spelling and grammar are a little odd at times, but it's usually fixed and even unfixed, still understandable…”
John OrstedRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

LuesatoraRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The first dungeon story I read was Dungeon Life. That sets a really high bar. But this one does not disappoint. The story is interesting and the world building is excellent. It is always nice to see a story with clear character progression that does not need to rely on standard litrpg tropes like experience and levels, but still feels natural and believable. And having monsters that actually have to breed instead of just popping out of a spawner is also an interesting touch. The various characters are also interesting, even if some of them are not explored as much as they could be. But it is understandable that that might take more time. The main focus of the story is supposed to be the dungeon after all.So if you like dungeon stories, you should definitely read this one. you will not regret it.
John OrstedRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The best dungeon-based novel on the entire site. The style that the author writes in is perfect, and the story is ever-changing in such a good way. Spelling and grammar are a little odd at times, but it's usually fixed and even unfixed, still understandable. The characters...oh the characters! This story manages to put so many different memorable characters in the story, it's just amazing. I don't know what else to say without spoiling anything about the actual story.
I really really really recommend you don't read any of the information about it and go in fresh, it's the best that way. Every time you expect it to stagnate and go into a rather bland story arc, something interesting happens, but not at random! There's never a sense of randomness, it feels...right. The timing in which key events happen seems to be perfect, and there's definite cause and effect.
I'm not sure what else to put here, I very much urge you to read this story, more than any other story on the site. It might not have the most complex story, but it has such a good one. The only downside to reading this is that you're gonna get to the end quick and want more, but worry not, you can follow the path of others and join the creators patreon if you wish to spend money supporting them. It's completely up to you though, they're only 2 chapters ahead and we get chapters every week, sometimes double chapters even.
MUST READ
A. B. ZagarothRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Updating after so many more chapters. :)
The author is creative, and the MC is technically not overpowered, they 'just' have the advantage of having human awareness/sentience/experience in a position where most cores are running on instinct.
Style:
It's an interesting blend of dungeon core story with the base building beyond the initial dungeon and different interactions with various factions of the humans outside, eventually forming both alliances and dedicated enemies.
Story:
Solid pacing, thoughtful world-building, interesting events, and creative progression. There's rarely a surprise twist and even then you can see the hints of it coming if you look back.
Grammar:
Solidly done, with rarely any mistakes. An easy five stars here.
Character:
A little up and down with the secondary characters, but the main character is developed pretty well. The most frequently seen secondary characters have consistent personalities, some of the others are a little shallow.
There is a little bit of romantic development in the secondary characters, but for my personal taste I could use a little more. I like the sweet touch.
And that's my worst complaint. If you want to check out a non-litRPG dungeon core, this is a solid one that I happily recommend.
JakaviousRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I was introduced to this story (and this site) through some other outside fiction groups, and it brought me into deep love with dungeon core literature (and also LitRPGs, despite this not being one). It's a genuine look at a magical defender who isn't pacificistic, isn't genocidal. It has an enjoyable progression, creative workarounds for things that are normally hand-waved in other stories, everything.
Style:
The writing is wonderful. The shifting perspectives give you plenty of understanding the characters and forces at play surrounding the dungeon, while not spending too much time dwelling too much on unnecessary details for too long. Many details that seem to simply be just fleshing out the world end up being relevant or foreshadowing in an effectual and gratifying way.
Story:
You can read the description to get enough of a gist, but to get a more concrete understanding, this world has the typical mana-powered super strength or magical creatures, but there's no skills, or mysterious leveling system, and there aren't laws of physics being bypassed by magic (in the overt sense, obviously magic in itself is a bit out of the realm of reality). Magic is simply another form of energy creatures possess can expend, and most don't even have the organs to do so naturally. The eponymous Dungeon is forced to learn the laws governing this world's magic and how it's existence allows it to manipulate it. For those concerned about overpowered characters draining tension, mild spoilers ahead to help assuage those fears:
The core is only stronger than others of it's kind through the nature of being a sentient person right off the bat. That is -all- it has going for it over anything else. In the context of it vs it's adversaries, the competition between the delvers and the dungeon core is always pushing the envelope, the dungeon will seem to have a safe buffer and then suddenly be pushed through by a strong group drawn by it's infamy, or a breakthrough by a group already giving at
DronRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It's a great story, and the best part about it is that he's not and idiot like other dungeons in other novel and he doesn't work with humans.
He does have a girl in a cell and talks to her but not in an overly friendly was so that doesn't count.
AslireRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The characters are all unique, and the author juggles switching between several perspectives admirably. The plot never progresses too fast and never slows down too much, with there always being some tension there. Character development is abundant for even characters only mentioned a couple of times, and always makes you want to learn more about each one
Overall it’s a really fun read! I caught up in two days cause I couldn’t sleep while knowing that there was more to read.
Gladiatorj5576Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Definitely one of the best dungeon core novels I have read in a long time. It reminds me of the divine dungeon by Dakota Krout. I love this story and I hope the the author does not drop it like so many other dungeon core novels have done in the past. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait for more chapters!
HalIowRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This novel is a delight. The story moves fast, the characters are interesting, their motivations aren't (typically) basic things like getting money just because. The story never feels bland with the repertoire of unique POV's to focus in on. I find myself skimming through the extensive descriptions from time to time but it's not really a major issue and doesn't happen too often.
CyphaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is really one of the best dungeon core stories on royal road. There are always new interesting monsters and the magic system allows a lot to be done regarding their bio engineering. The interaction of the dungeon with the outside world and especially with humans is well done.
Mantis amingRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Well written with a detailed world that feels like it would function. The story is interesting and changes up perspectives and threats to keep things fresh. The characters are all interesting and flushed out with motivations that feel understandable. The progression feels both earned and organic without feeling repetitive. The other perspective segments just give life to what the main character is doing without dragging or feeling like filler.
Overall a very balanced and enjoyable read.