You have just enough energy to cast an Aura of Fear. The effects will be temporary—a week at most—but it will make any living creature that approaches you to feel deep fear, making it more inclined to run away.

“Just more inclined?”

In order to cast a more potent Aura of Fear, you’ll need to consume a certain amount of ores and minerals. Given that the area you’re in is lacking considerable deposits, finding a sufficient amount will take you approximately two and a half years, provided that your minion never rests.

The thought was absurd. Cmyk was the type of minion that would slack even when it knew that Theo was keeping an eye on him. Having him perform any laborious activity, let alone dig for an extended period of time, was less likely to happen than the squirrels remembering to stop searching the entrance hall for food.

You also have enough energy to summon a bear trap, the guide said more out of pity than anything else.

“A bear trap…” Theo repeated. That was outright humiliating. Maybe it was a mistake to give Cmyk a name. With the same amount of energy, he could have created three unnamed minions, not that he’d do anything with them. Having them dig would likely be just as noisy as the squirrels outside. “This Aura of Fear… is there a way to make it last longer?”

Yes, but if it were to last for three weeks, the only thing it would create in the creatures that approach would be mild unease.

“Hmmm.” Theo’s mind started working faster. Years of game dev experience kicked in from his previous life, providing a possible solution. “What if I strengthen the aura?” he asked.

That is also possible. You can amplify it to the point that any living creature within a few miles would run away in terror. Of course, that would only last for a day. It might get the cicada squirrels to avoid you for a half a week, five days at most, but they will be back.

“What if I boost it as much as possible for an hour?”

The area of effect will increase. Some of the nearby creatures might get stunned from shock.

“And if I boost it more?”

This isn’t the best use of the aura, but if it were to last for a minute, it’s likely that all squirrels within the hill might die from fright. The area of effect will extend further as well.

“What about a second? No! One thousandth of a second. No!” Theo hesitated. “What if I make an aura that only lasts the smallest fraction of a second?”

Then, it wouldn’t be an aura, the guide replied. All you’ll do is release one giant flash of fear that would spread throughout the area. It will certainly frighten all the squirrels off, as well as any other creature in the area.

“Perfect!”

I’d like to remind you that they will still return. If not today, they’ll be back tomorrow and you’d have used up all of your energy.

“It’s no worse than any of the alternatives. Besides, primal fear isn’t to be underestimated. When the stupid squirrels get a taste of this, they’ll go back to hibernating. Are you sure they’ll be able to tell I’m the source of the fear?”

Most certainly.

“So, how do I do it?”

Flash of Dread created

Convert 50 energy into a wave of condensed dread. The dread will be so powerful that it will transform into a pillar of black light that spreads throughout the land, carrying dread where it goes.

I’ve modified the Aura of Fear based on your specifications, the guide explained. All you need to do is focus on—

“Flash of Dread!” Theo shouted.

A beam of pure blackness shot up from the hill above the dungeon, sucking up out all light as it pierced the sky. The squirrels in front of the door were swept away, fainting in an instant. They were soon followed by hundreds more that lived in the forest. Being a dungeon, Theo couldn’t feel the dread that he had cast, but he clearly saw its effectiveness. For close to a minute, he remained silent, door wide open so he could see what was going on outside. So far, no new squirrels had approached the door, which was a promising start.

As I was saying, you could have focused on the intensity during casting, the spirit guide said after a while. When spells and auras are concerned, only the maximum amount of energy is indicated. It is possible to decrease the amount by as much as you find suitable.

“Oh. I’ll keep it in mind.” Theo felt silly.

Before he could say another word, hundreds of cicada squirrels emerged from their burrows. Driven by panic, they uprooted trees as they rushed in the opposite direction of the valley.

“See?” Theo couldn’t help but gloat a bit. “Just as I suspected. That will tell them to bother me every seven years.”

The spirit guide said nothing. It could clearly see how unsuited Theo was for the life of a dungeon. Under the circumstances, the best solution was to remain quiet, only give advice when asked, and definitely not grant Theo any further abilities.

Theo, on his part, didn’t notice at all. Content that he wouldn’t get any further bothers, he instructed Cmyk to clean up the dungeon a bit, then went back to blissful sleep.