Chapter 11: The First Five-Star Review.

The morning light filtering through the entrance of the cave seemed gentler than usual. In the Hibernation Hollows on the second floor, Zazu the elf opened his eyes.

There was no grogginess. No familiar, soul-deep weariness that had been his constant companion for decades. He sat up, not with the slow, aching movements of a perpetually tired man, but with a smooth, easy grace he hadn't felt since he was a young apprentice.

He felt… light. Clear. The mental fog that had clouded his thoughts for years had lifted, replaced by a quiet, profound sense of peace.

"By the ancient trees," he whispered, his voice filled with a reverence that silenced the waking groans of his companions.

"Zazu? Are you alright?" Gilda asked, sitting up and stretching her broad shoulders. She felt good, rested, but Zazu looked different. He looked transformed.

"I am more than alright, Gilda," he said, a genuine, radiant smile spreading across his face. "It was not just sleep. It was… a healing. It was like my soul took a long, warm bath."

Pip, who was checking his coin purse to make sure the slime hadn't pickpocketed him in his sleep, just looked confused. But even he had to admit, Zazu looked ten years younger.

Their decision was unanimous and immediate. They packed their gear and, after another quick stop at the Tea Nook, prepared to leave. Before stepping outside, Zazu walked to the center of the main chamber and performed a formal elven bow towards my core.

"Dungeon Core," he said, his voice ringing with sincere gratitude. "I do not know the nature of your magic, but it is a boon to this world. You have my deepest thanks. The Iron Gryphons guild will hear of what you have done."

As they departed, FaeLina zipped nervously in the air.

"Psychic healing, Mochi," she muttered, wringing her tiny hands. "This is going to attract so much attention, and not all of it will be as friendly as a tired elf."

The dungeon fell quiet for a time. I took the opportunity to practice my newfound dream-sense. I peeked into the mind of a sleeping Pillow Fiend. Its dream was simple and joyous: it was being fluffed by a hundred gentle hands simultaneously.

It was a good dream.

Just as I was settling in for a quiet period of DP accumulation, the entrance chime rang again. A single visitor. The energy signature was different—not a warrior, rogue, or mage. It was calm, smelling faintly of earth and wildflowers.

A woman with sun-streaked hair and simple, practical green robes entered. She moved with a purpose, but her eyes held a familiar weariness, though not from battle. This was the stress of responsibility.

She surveyed the Tea Nook and the peaceful chamber, a look of pleasant surprise on her face.

"So the rumors are true," she murmured to herself.

This was Daisy the Druid. FaeLina recognized her instantly. "That's Daisy! She's a nature influencer! She has a huge following on the ScryNet!"

Daisy found a quiet corner, ordered a 'Moment of Peace' from Sloosh, and pulled a small, smooth, glowing crystal from her pouch. She set it on the table in front of her.

"Hey, little sprouts," she said to the crystal, her voice warm and friendly. "Daisy here. I've followed a strange rumor to a new dungeon, and... it's the most incredible place. It's so quiet. The air feels clean, and the tea is just wonderful."

She took a long sip. "I think… I think I'm going to try and rest here for a bit. Let's see if it's as good as they say."

She leaned back against a cushion, using a willing Pillow Fiend as a headrest, and closed her eyes. Her livestream continued, broadcasting the image of her peaceful, resting face to her thousands of followers.

Sensing an opportunity for some good press, I decided to give her a particularly pleasant dream. I extended my consciousness and gently influenced her sleeping mind, filling it with images of a pristine, blooming forest, where the trees hummed with ancient life and the flowers never wilted.

New notifications began to ping, different from any I had received before.

[+1 DP for 'Positive Public Exposure']

[+1 DP for 'Viral Comfort']

[+1 DP for 'Excellent Vibe Propagation']

I was earning points not just from the person sleeping in my dungeon, but from the thousands of people watching her sleep.

FaeLina stared at the incoming trickle of points from the ScryNet, her eyes wide with a mixture of horror and avaricious glee.

"Mochi," she gasped, her voice trembling. "We're trending."

The word was barely out of her mouth when a new, much more official alert superseded all others. It wasn't red for danger, but a bright, imposing, bureaucratic gold.

[Official Notice from the Dungeon League Rankings Board:]

[Your dungeon, 'The Comfy Corner,' has received an unprecedented number of positive adventurer reviews and live ScryNet testimonials in a single 24-hour period. Your 'Comfort' and 'Tranquility' ratings are off the charts. An official inspection is being scheduled to verify these claims and assess your non-standard dungeon classification.]

FaeLina looked at the golden, official-looking notification.

Then she fainted, falling out of the air and landing softly on a nearby Pillow Fiend.