I follow the slime deeper into the forest, surprised at how effortless the trek feels. Usually, I'd be drenched in sweat by now, but there's not a bead in sight. As we press on, a strange presence makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Cautiously, I slow my pace and duck behind a thick tree trunk, peeking out to survey the area.
"What's out there, little guy?" I whisper to the slime at my feet. It quivers slightly, sensing the same unseen force. My heart pounds as I strain to hear any movement beyond our hiding spot. The forest falls silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves. I grip the hilt of my sword, ready to defend myself if needed.
I peer out from behind the tree trunk, and that's when I spot it - a Goblin, scurrying through the undergrowth. Its mottled green skin is covered in warts, and its beady eyes dart around nervously. A crooked nose juts out from its misshapen face, and its jagged teeth are bared in a snarl. Despite its hideous appearance, I can't help but feel a twinge of pity.
Gripping my makeshift weapon tightly, I take a deep breath and step out from my hiding spot. The Goblin doesn't seem to notice me, so I take a cautious step forward, my footsteps light and silent. As I approach, I raise my sword, the weight of it surprisingly comfortable in my hands. With a swift, decisive motion, I bring it down, slicing the Goblin cleanly in half.
I stare in stunned silence as the two halves of the Goblin's body collapse to the ground. I had never wielded a sword before, yet the weapon felt as light and natural in my grasp as an extension of my own arm. My body, too, seems stronger and more agile than I remember, allowing me to move with a grace and ease that was foreign to me.
I stare down at the slain Goblin, marveling at my own strength. When did I become so capable with a blade? As I ponder this, a strange sensation washes over me. My body feels lighter, more agile than I remember.
I stretch my arms, feeling the muscles flex beneath my skin. This is no longer the scrawny frame I once inhabited. I am stronger, faster - a far cry from the weakling I used to be. A small part of me wonders if I'm even human anymore, but the thought doesn't bother me.
In fact, I welcome this newfound power. It means I can better protect myself. With a confident grin, I turn to the loyal slime by my side.
"Looks like being a Dungeon Master has its perks, huh?" I say, giving the slime an affectionate pat. The slime wiggles happily in response, seemingly unperturbed by my transformation.
I kneel down next to the slain Goblin, steeling myself for what I'm about to do. With a deep breath, I reach out and carefully slice open the creature's stomach. The sight and smell make my stomach turn, but I push through the nausea.
Inside, I spot a small, glimmering blue crystal - the magic stone I need for my project. Swallowing hard, I pluck it from the Goblin's innards, doing my best to ignore the visceral display. The stone is cool to the touch, and I can feel a faint hum of energy radiating from it.
"Alright, one down. Now I just need to find more of these," I mutter, wiping the stone clean on my sleeve. I glance over at the slime, who is watching me intently. "You up for some more exploring, little guy?"
The slime wiggles in response, and I take that as a yes. With the magic stone safely tucked away, I push forward, scanning the forest floor for any signs of more Goblins or other creatures that might have the stones I need.
The further we venture, the thicker the foliage becomes. Branches snag at my clothes, and I have to duck under low-hanging vines. But the slime navigates the terrain with ease, guiding me through the dense underbrush.
I push deeper into the forest, the slime leading the way. Soon, we come across a small group of Goblins scavenging for food. I tighten my grip on my sword, my heart racing with adrenaline.
"Alright, little guy, let's do this," I whisper to the slime. It quivers in response, ready to assist me.
I take a deep breath and step out from the foliage, my sword held at the ready. The Goblins instantly notice my presence and let out a series of guttural screeches, charging towards me.
I brace myself, my muscles coiling like springs. As the first Goblin lunges at me, I swing my sword in a wide arc, cleaving it in two. The other two Goblins hesitate for a moment, their beady eyes widening in fear.
I seize the opportunity and lunge forward, my sword flashing through the air. One Goblin tries to dodge, but I'm too fast, slicing it across the chest. It crumples to the ground, clutching its wound.
The final Goblin turns to flee, but the slime surges forward, enveloping it in a sticky embrace. The Goblin thrashes and struggles, but the slime holds it fast. I approach, my sword raised high.
"Goodbye," I say, bringing the blade down with a swift, decisive motion. The Goblin's lifeless body slumps to the ground, and the slime releases its grip.
I kneel down and carefully extract the magic stones from the Goblins' bodies, adding them to the one I already have. The small crystals glimmer in the dappled sunlight, and I can feel the power pulsing within them. I continued to hunt more Goblins until I had enough of the magic stones I needed.
"Looks like we've got what we need," I say, turning to the slime. "Now let's see if we can find those plants for the oil."
We continue our trek through the forest, the slime leading the way. As we navigate the dense undergrowth, I keep my eyes peeled for any signs of the plants I'm looking for.
Suddenly, the slime stops, quivering slightly. I follow its gaze and spot a patch of unfamiliar plants growing near a small stream. The leaves are broad and waxy, and the stems are thick and sturdy.
"These look promising," I murmur, kneeling down to inspect them more closely. I carefully pluck a few leaves, rubbing them between my fingers. A faint, oily scent wafts up, and I can't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"Jackpot," I say, grinning. I gather as many of the plants as I can, carefully storing them in my pack. With the magic stones and the oil-producing plants, I feel confident that I have everything I need to continue my project.
As I straighten up, the slime at my feet wiggles happily. I give it an affectionate pat, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for its loyalty and companionship.
"Alright, let's head back to the cave. I've got some work to do."
I hurry back to the cave, the slime trailing behind me. As I enter the familiar space, I set down my pack and begin rummaging through its contents.
"Alright, let's get to work," I say, pulling out the magic stones and the oil-producing plants. I carefully grind the stones into a fine powder using a makeshift mortar and pestle, my brow furrowed in concentration.
Once the stones are reduced to a soft, glimmering dust, I pour some water into the mixture, stirring it until it forms a smooth, paste-like consistency. Satisfied with the result, I add a few drops of the oil extracted from the plants, blending it all together.
The paint I've created has a faint, shimmering quality to it, and I can feel the power of the magic stones pulsing within. I dip my finger into the mixture, marveling at the way it clings to my skin.
With a deep breath, I turn to the wooden board I had prepared earlier. It's a sturdy, rectangular piece of wood, the surface smooth and unmarred. I study the book I had found, my eyes scanning the pages for the intricate symbols and runes I need to etch onto the board.
Carefully, I begin tracing the patterns onto the wood, the paint flowing from my fingertips with practiced precision. The symbols seem to glow with an inner light, and I can feel the power of the magic stones infusing the board.
As I work, the slime watches intently, occasionally offering a gentle nudge or a quivering wiggle of encouragement. I find myself smiling at its enthusiasm, grateful for the company.
Time seems to slip away as I lose myself in the task, the rhythmic motion of my hands and the steady flow of the paint lulling me into a focused trance. I'm acutely aware of every detail, every line and curve, ensuring that each symbol is perfect.
When I finally finish, I lean back and admire my work. The board is covered in a intricate, glowing pattern, the symbols and runes shimmering with power. I can feel the energy pulsing through the wood, and I know that this is the key to creating the circuit for my arcade cabinet.
I lean back and admire my handiwork, a proud grin spreading across my face. The circuit board is a work of art, the intricate runes and symbols shimmering with magical energy. I can practically feel the power coursing through the wood.
"Alright, let's see if this thing works," I say, turning to the loyal slime at my feet. It quivers in response, seemingly just as eager to test out my creation.
Carefully, I place the circuit board on the ground, positioning the magic stone I extracted from the goblin in the center. Immediately, the runes begin to glow, pulsing with a steady rhythm. I hold my breath, watching as the energy builds.
Suddenly, the board springs to life, a holographic display flickering to life above the surface. I let out a triumphant laugh, marveling at the sight.
"It works!" I exclaim, my eyes wide with excitement. The slime at my feet wiggles happily, sensing my joy.
I lean in closer, studying the holographic interface. It's a complex array of symbols and controls, but something about it feels intuitive. I reach out, tentatively tapping one of the glowing runes, and the display shifts, displaying a new set of commands.
"Fascinating," I murmur, my mind racing. With this circuit board, I can now start bringing my vision for an entertainment-based dungeon to life. But first, I need a way to program it effectively.
I turn to the slime, a determined glint in my eye. "Alright, little guy, time to get to work on the next part of my plan. We need to create a device that can interface with this circuit board and help me program it."
I turn back to the glowing circuit board, my mind racing with possibilities. To fully utilize this magical interface, I'll need a way to input commands and control the system.
Grabbing a fresh piece of wood, I begin etching a series of symbols and runes onto the surface, drawing on the knowledge I've gained from studying the circuit board and Manatech Engineering book. These will serve as the input method, allowing me to channel my magic and manipulate the holographic display.
I start with a simple grid of basic shapes - circles, triangles, squares. Carefully, I inscribe each symbol with a delicate, glowing outline, imbuing them with a faint hum of power. Next, I add a series of more complex runes, each one representing a specific function or command.
Satisfied with the layout, I place the wooden slate next to the circuit board, aligning them carefully. Taking a deep breath, I focus my energy, channeling my mana into the first symbol. The rune flares to life, and the holographic display above the circuit board shifts in response.
A triumphant grin spreads across my face as I experiment with the different inputs, watching the system respond to my commands. The slime at my feet wiggles excitedly, sensing my growing mastery over this new technology.
"This is it, little guy," I say, my voice filled with awe. "With this, I can start building the entertainment center of my dreams."