——— 3rd person ———
Mana swirled in the waters creating a maelstrom that grew in intensity until a great sucking sound could be heard.
The researchers at the national institute for magic and development that had gathered watched the spectacle unfold.
Water swirled at an alarming speed before it all disappeared down into a hole in the smoothly polished white stone. A few sporadic sucks more could be heard before the water level rose again to its previous hight.
"Ehhh..." a confused member of the nation's association for town criers rubbed his chin in confusion. Although he had been invited along to witness and report on the grand occasion, he hadn't been told anything. "What is it?" He asked the excited researchers near him.
Walking up to the stage, an old man with frizzled white hair cleared his throat before gesturing behind him.
"I present... the toilet!!!"
Back in the small cave miles away from the momentous occasion, an unrelated small blue dungeon core about the size of an egg successfully completed its level up.
——— POV Shift ———
"Aahhhh" I spread my mana out through the dungeon as if stretching after waking from long nap. "Refreshing!!!"
I suddenly notice an anomaly. I haven't changed in size. I'm still the size of a small egg. Maybe a sparrow egg or something. Instead of growing, I'd say visually the only change is that I've gained a mesmerizing luster.
"Lookin good!" I examine myself in 3rd person perspective. "I've still got it."
Creating 'limbs' is much easier now. I fling a few in different direction like some kind of odd jellyfish. Then I realize how similar I must look to the slime whose core I just consumed.
I banish that thought, but it haunts me for a while longer. Hmm... got to solve this problem.
Using my limbs I gathers small pile of needles, twigs, and dirt. I mix it all together with a bit of water to make a muddy mess, then shape it roughly into a foot-high vaguely humanoid shape with my mana.
I press myself into the 'head' of my new clay doll before extending my mana limbs through its body. It takes a few tries before I manage to move the golem, and many more before I can keep it from falling apart when I do.
It requires a bit of my attention to keep it functional, but my new 'body' is very enjoyable to move in. I practice walking around a bit before hobbling back to my little hideout in the back of the dungeon. Not sure I'm ready to show off this form to my loyal subjects just yet.
Switching to dungeon view, I feel my clay doll body crumble as I stop focusing on it. Gotta practice that some more later.
Trip, Trap and the new kid come scurrying back at this point, having successfully baited a second slime. The process is streamlined this time, and with the 3rd goblin helping out the the poor blob follows right in the footsteps of the previous victim. They even reused the old pit and rocks, having cleared that before heading back to hunt.
I watch as they stomp all over the rock pile that buried the late guest to ensure that it's dead enough. It is, but I'll let them figure that out. Gingerly, the remove the rocks one at a time, stabbing through the gaps with sticks every so often just in case. Soon they retrieve another core.
Another level up? I wonder... Oh well.
I do my thing, roll out and lasso the new core and drag it back my hole. I activate the vortex.
...
...
...
Im confused that the sudden thrill of absorption and breaking through does not happen. After bumping into me the new core just rolls off to the side.
"Unacceptable!"
I keep the vortex going while splitting my attention to stretch it out like a tornado as I reach for the core.
Finally a reaction!
A wisp of pale energy is sucked out of the core and flows into me.
"Mmmmm" that's tasty. I feel like I just ate a nice salad. A good appetizer.
A second wisp... feeling a little full now. Probably shouldn't overeat. I'm as stuffed as you feel after eating Christmas dinner. The west coast one with lamb ribs, special sausage, potatoes, all swimming in gravy and lingonberry jam.
Hmm... haven't missed home much until now. Can't believe I'm going to miss out on all those cakes and cookies!!! The tradition of having at least 7 'small cakes' to serve is an excellent one. Especially when you are guest who gets to eat it.
I slurp up another wisp of energy for dessert. Soooooo full. I can barely roll. The slime core is looking a little dull, with a few new fractures. Guess I'll leave it at that for now, but what do you know! Cultivation works!
A deep grunting and the sound something being dragged grabs my attention. The two brutes are dragging a portion of the trunk of the tree they chopped. Once it's within bounds, I choose to absorb it.
"Whoa!" My DP shoots up! That's good stuff right there.
The two brutes stretch and flex a bit to loosen up after the hard work.
"Good job you two, treat yourself to a snack before getting the next part."
Browsing through my shop menu I notice I haven't purchased any slimes yet. What am I thinking!! Nature's rubbish bin. I need one for all my waste mushrooms. I buy 1, they are pretty expensive.
The pale white amorphous blob cautions wiggles around a bit before I get to to settle into one of the pit traps. I set some ants to dump the trash on top of it. Finally upping my sustainability levels here.
Things are looking good. I shoot off a few waves of mana towards the lower tunnel to expand downwards again. It eases the pressure I've been feeling so I do it again.
Maybe I should try another experiment.