I don't know how long it took, but it felt like ages to claim this one room. I felt satisfied that our tiny home was now a cave that was 10 feet in diameter and 15 feet tall. We decided that this room would be our entrance room. The first room on the first floor will be the entrance room that leads outside to the Mortal Realm. I have a floor plan for it, but I will keep it the same until I unlock more materials. From constant expansion, I had learned a few new skills for us.

[Ding!] The Host has learned the following skills:

[Qi Manipulation], and [Analyze]

It thrilled me with the skills that I got us. Now it was time to move on with completing part one of my to-do lists; now that I have finished with A.V.A.’s task at expansion. To decipher some blueprints for us, I want to eat or absorb everything.

I focused on one of the rock walls. I pictured I was “eating” away at a portion of the cave wall. Then, within a second, I saw the identical part of that wall that I was “eating” de-materialize into those small essence particles and flow into my core in a constant stream. I felt waves of energy hit me like drinking a Red Bull.

[Ding!] The Host has access to the following materials:

-Soil

Soil is a ubiquitous part of the ground that is useful for nurturing plants. Outside of some extreme temperatures, soil is in most places.

-Stone

Stone is a basic common material that can be found on the ground or in the mountains. There are multiple varieties of stone, but this stone is the very bare gray stone.

Excited, I wanted to empty this cave and design it how I would like it to look. Then, looking at a water puddle that came from the dripping of moisture from the stalactites in my room; I inspected it and pictured that I was drinking it in my head.

I received the reward I was looking forward to when the absorption was complete.

[Ding!] The Host has unlocked the following materials:

-Freshwater

Water is essential to nurture any living creature. It comes in gas, liquid, and ice forms.

-Luminescent Cave Moss

A light luminescent moss that grows in the dark, moist caverns. It is an uncommon moss, unlike the regular cave moss, but the luminescent moss has the potential to evolve even more. In addition, it has medicinal purposes that could be used in crafting.

After absorbing the wall, I talked with A.V.A. about changing our walls into stone. I felt like it would be safer if I reinforced the walls with stone. Looking at the walls, I wanted them to transform into all stone; and not a mix of dirt and gravel, like how it was now.

This pulling sensation came from within me like I was handing back the essence I had stored. The hardened stone walls replaced our old gravely walls wherever my eyes went. I had to stop a few times to replenish my lost Qi. Finally, I managed to begin upgrading the stalactites to make them sharper and to be able to fall to the ground with just a thought. We currently have 15 of them. It took a while, but I was happier.

[Ding!] The Host has made the following:

[Sharp Falling Stalactite Trap] a new trap blueprint has been unlocked.

That was super cool. I could make my very own blueprints from A.V. A’s knowledge. I was super happy with my findings.

“A.V. A, what shall I do next?” I asked.

“Now we need to add creatures or beasts that would be our defenders as enemies will try to delve deeper into us to get the treasures we store. To pull up the System, speak status to see all information.” A.V.A responded back.

Intriguing. Status! A blue panel-like screen popped into my vision.

Dungeon Core: Qi Gathering Stage

Level: 1

Floors:1

Species unlocked: 0

Bosses:(0/1)

Traps:1

Skills unlocked:2

-Qi Manipulation

- Analyze

We looked weak, and it wasn’t very reassuring; the stronger we get, the more essence we will absorb and continue to grow more powerful to be farther along than the initial stage of cultivation. Nevertheless, A.V.A was just born as a core, and not long after, I was fused to her. After all, I could handle the eyesore of our status page.

“How do I create our defenders?” I asked, while looking at the zero in front of me.

“There are two ways; the first way is to spend a certain Qi essence to be able to choose our first species. Second, although more challenging, we could open up our entrance to attract living things by the Qi aura to come inside, then we would be trying to stay alive while killing them with traps and then absorbing them.”

“What would be the difference between the first species we “buy” or the first we absorb?"

To me, that was an excellent question. Unfortunately, I am not willing to spend Qi on our first species. That will be a weak start compared to catching a wild creature. It could be more dangerous but has more potential.

“All starting species are common and have the rare potential to unlock Qi elements and evolve. Any living creature that comes in already could have some elements unlocked, and we could increase the potential to evolve.” Stated A.V.A

Well, that answers my question. I will gamble on the second option, but I still wanted A.V.A to have her opinion. She was more leaning toward the first option but agreed to my suggestion.

“First, we need to finish up the hallway and connect it to the outside to go with the second choice. Once that is completed, our aura should naturally escape and attract creatures. Make sure you add traps into the hallway as well.” Sounded out A.V.A

Locating the area where I took my first “bite” of dirt and stone, I “ate” away to make a rectangular hole 6 feet tall by 8 feet wide. Then I started moving forward. I just wanted a simple straight hallway reinforced with a smooth stone.

I could feel a particular pull going upwards, so I made a spiral stone staircase. There was plenty of room for one person, even though it would be uncomfortable for two people walking side by side. I did not put any railing on my stairs because I would make the traps wanting my enemies to fall to death or be seriously injured.

At the bottom of the staircase, I ate away a section of the floor in a circle 8 feet down enough where it would be hard to climb out. Then I made some sharp-pointed needles at the bottom of the hole. Finally, I made a thin sheet of stone to cover it up to complete my new pitfall trap.

It only took a couple of seconds for the System to acknowledge my trap.

[Ding!] The Host has unlocked the following

[Stone Needle Pitfall Trap]

Sweet, I am going to make one more trap by looking at my staircase. I used some of my Qi, precisely the Earth element, to move the steps into the wall and back out, so it would constantly be moving. I am hoping that something clumsy will fall.

[Ding!] The Host has unlocked the following

[Moveable Stone Slab Trap]

Looking at my work, I decided to add some scattered falling traps down the hallway and some natural stalactites to make my traps blend in more. Finally, for security purposes, I made a remote crevice in the most distant wall to place our core and added some hidden pitfall traps on our core room foundation. Satisfied with the add-ons, now I finally looked at the top of my staircase, and I mentally pushed to open the last wall so that our entry would extend to the world of the Three Realms.

[Ding!] The Host is trying to open up the entrance to the outside world without defenders. Proceed [Yes] or [No]?

Yes! I thought.