Chapter 2: The Genesis of Seed Dungeons (Prolog)

The glowing portal shimmered like liquid fire, an oval frame of pure energy suspended in the air. Sam stared at it with newfound curiosity. He had read through the endless streams of information provided by the SlimeAPP, and now he stood before one of the first tangible results of this terraforming initiative: a Seed Dungeon.

These dungeons, as the SlimeAPP explained, were rudimentary constructs—the building blocks of a living ecosystem. The portal itself was more than just an entrance; it was a boundary, a membrane that separated the dungeon's inner world from the barren wasteland outside. Sam moved closer, his gelatinous form reflecting the portal's soft glow. His translucent fingers reached out, and he felt a faint hum of mana vibrating through the air.

The interface popped up in his mind, a new notification blinking insistently:

Portal Information:

Type: Seed Dungeon (Level 1)

Status: Inactive

Binding Option Available

Sam willed the notification open, his thoughts acting as commands. The portal responded, and a submenu appeared, offering details about its functions:

Binding: A portal could attach itself to natural formations—a cave entrance, an archway, even a hollow tree trunk. Once bound, the dungeon's internal terrain would align with the exterior environment. This portal, currently unbound, awaited such a connection. Sam noted that the process required mana, and while the portal's movement capabilities were limited to a sluggish 1 km/h, it was sufficient for locating an ideal binding point.

He contemplated the options. The barren landscape offered little inspiration, but he imagined the potential once the environment was transformed. For now, the portal hovered above the rocky ground like an uncut gem awaiting its polish. Sam decided to test the binding process, commanding the portal to anchor itself to a nearby natural arch formed by weathered stone.

The portal shimmered, its light intensifying. Slowly, it drifted toward the archway, aligning itself perfectly with the contours of the stone. A pulse of energy surged outward as the portal bound itself to its new home. Sam received another notification:

Binding Complete.

Dungeon Terrain: Initialized.

Atmospheric Adaptation: In Progress.

Virtual Constructs: Online.

Sam stepped back, observing the changes. Though subtle at first, the air around the portal began to shimmer, as if bending under unseen forces. Inside the dungeon's entrance, a dim light flickered, hinting at the world taking shape within. SlimeAPP's explanation of virtual constructs played in his mind.

Initially, everything inside the Seed Dungeon was a simulation. Rocks, tunnels, and even creatures existed only as projections—holographic illusions infused with mana. However, with sufficient resources, these virtual constructs could be converted into physical matter. The process required either mana drawn from the environment or existing materials absorbed into the dungeon.

Sam decided to step through the portal. As his jelly-like body crossed the threshold, he felt a slight resistance, like pushing through a thick curtain of static. The inside of the dungeon unfolded before him: a narrow corridor of jagged stone, dimly lit by phosphorescent fungi that clung to the walls. Despite being virtual, the environment felt eerily real. His footsteps echoed faintly, and the cool air carried a metallic tang.

A translucent blue window appeared in his vision:

Dungeon Overview:

Status: Seed Dungeon (Level 1)

Virtual Constructs: Active

Mana Conversion Capability: Limited

Dungeon Core: Inactive

Sam's gaze shifted to the heart of the room. Embedded in the floor was a small, pulsating crystal—the Dungeon Core. The core was the lifeblood of the dungeon, the source of its mana and the nucleus of its growth. SlimeAPP's notes had emphasized its importance. Activating the core would allow the dungeon to draw mana from its surroundings, creating a self-sustaining cycle. For now, it remained dormant, awaiting his command.

"Let's see what this does," Sam murmured. He reached out, placing his translucent hand on the crystal.

A surge of energy coursed through him, and the core responded. Its glow intensified, spreading waves of light through the cavern. The phosphorescent fungi brightened, and the virtual constructs solidified slightly, becoming more tangible. Sam received a new notification:

Dungeon Core Activated.

Mana Absorption: Enabled.

Initial Resources Allocated: Minimal.

Ecosystem Simulation: Ready.

The changes were immediate. The dungeon's atmosphere grew richer, the air heavy with latent mana. Sam explored the corridors, noting how the environment subtly adapted with each step. Virtual goblins—rudimentary humanoid shapes—appeared, their forms translucent and flickering. These projections were placeholders, existing only within the confines of the dungeon. SlimeAPP had explained their potential:

Virtual Goblin: Exists only as a simulation. If destroyed, it vanishes entirely, leaving no trace.

Real Goblin: Created when a virtual goblin consumes enough real matter—such as food—to convert its existence into physical form. These entities could leave the dungeon and interact with the outside world.

Sam knelt beside one of the goblins. It regarded him with blank eyes, its features simplistic and devoid of expression. He retrieved a small piece of mana-infused rock from the ground and offered it. The goblin hesitated before consuming the fragment. Slowly, its form solidified, its translucent body gaining color and texture. The once-virtual goblin was now real.

A notification confirmed the transformation:

Entity Conversion Complete.

Goblin Status: Real.

Attributes: Basic.

Sam stood, fascinated. The implications were staggering. With sufficient mana and resources, the dungeon could populate itself with real, living creatures. These creatures, once strengthened through combat or survival, could become formidable assets.

He experimented further, summoning weapons and armor from the virtual repository. A crude dagger materialized, its blade dull and pitted. He handed it to the goblin, observing its reaction. The creature examined the weapon, then brandished it clumsily. Sam noted the interaction's mana cost—every object created consumed precious energy, and more complex items demanded exponentially greater amounts.

Outside the dungeon, the portal began absorbing energy from the environment. Though inefficient, the process marked the dungeon's first steps toward self-sufficiency. SlimeAPP highlighted potential upgrades:

Solar Absorption: The portal could function like a solar panel, converting sunlight into mana.

Geothermal Tapping: Nearby lava flows or geothermal vents could provide a steady energy source.

Territorial Expansion: The dungeon could claim surrounding land, drawing resources and mana from a broader area.

Sam envisioned the possibilities. If the dungeon's portal extended its reach to a volcanic zone, it could harness geothermal energy, significantly increasing its mana reserves. Alternatively, tapping into subterranean water sources might allow for the cultivation of aquatic ecosystems. Each decision shaped the dungeon's evolution, offering a myriad of paths.

SlimeAPP's voice echoed in Sam's mind, guiding him through the next steps:

Mana and Life:

Mana was not merely an energy source; it was a vital component of life itself. Natural mana existed within the elements—fire, air, water, and earth—while living mana flowed through plants and animals.

Photosynthesis, for example, produced both natural and living mana, as plants converted sunlight into life-sustaining energy. Animals, in turn, generated mana through their metabolic processes. However, many organisms lacked the knowledge to utilize this energy efficiently, allowing it to dissipate back into the environment.

Sam pondered this. The dungeon, with its mana-rich atmosphere, could amplify life's growth. Adventurers venturing into such an environment would find their bodies and minds strengthened. Combat and exertion accelerated this effect, enabling them to "level up" at an astonishing rate. The dungeon would benefit as well, absorbing the excess mana generated by their efforts.

A grim realization struck him: death within the dungeon released a concentrated burst of mana. Fallen adventurers would leave behind more than corpses; their essence would feed the dungeon's core, fueling its growth. Sam felt a pang of unease. While the cycle was efficient, it also felt coldly pragmatic. He resolved to consider the ethical implications later.

Sam's experiments continued for hours, his curiosity driving him to explore every facet of the dungeon's capabilities. By the time he exited the portal, the Seed Dungeon was well on its way to becoming a functional ecosystem. He gazed at the barren landscape, imagining the vibrant world that could one day flourish here.

"If I'm going to reshape this planet," he mused, "I'll need to push these systems to their limits."

He turned back to the portal, the faint glow of its energy lighting his translucent features. The name he had chosen for himself echoed in his mind. Sam—a name simple and human, grounding him in the midst of an unimaginable transformation. With newfound determination, he resolved to embrace this role, not just as a participant but as a creator. The world was his canvas, and the dungeons were the first strokes of a masterpiece.

And so, the genesis of the Seed Dungeons marked the beginning of a new era—one where life, death, and mana intertwined to forge a world unlike any other.