On the second day, Ordis stuck to a simple routine. He used the Growth Supplement, this time testing its effects on small animals instead of plants. After that, there wasn’t much to do except wait for time to pass. With nothing but his own thoughts and the occasional system message to keep him company, he focused on observing his surroundings.

He watched as insects buzzed around, some unknowingly drifting into the dungeon’s influence. A few small animals cautiously approached the cave entrance, sniffing around before scurrying off. It was a slow, uneventful process, but every little detail helped him understand how the dungeon interacted with the world outside.

Surprisingly, after using the Growth Supplement, Ordis noticed a change in his Mana regeneration. Instead of gaining 1 Mana every two hours, the rate had improved to every one hour and forty-five minutes. A mere fifteen-minute difference might not seem like much, but over time, it was a definite win.

At this point, Ordis had only gained 12 Mana on his first day, plus the unexpected 50 Mana from the achievement. He spent 5 Mana at midnight as the day reset, and with his slightly improved regeneration rate, he managed to accumulate around 14 Mana throughout the second day.

Mana Reserves: 71 / ??? (Capacity Expanding)

“Hm, 2 Mana more per day… I guess that’s a good rate? Probably?” Ordis muttered to himself. He still had no clue how much Mana he actually needed to expand or alter his dungeon. But come on, he was only level one—how hard could it be?

Then again, this wasn’t a game where early levels were a breeze. He was an entirely new kind of existence, an anomaly on Earth. If dungeons were meant to be massive, mystical structures filled with traps and monsters, then leveling up was bound to be an expensive ordeal.

Ordis couldn’t help but feel impatient. His Mana regeneration was improving, his Growth Supplement was working, and things were slowly progressing—but not fast enough. He wanted results now. The thought of waiting three more days just to finally accumulate enough Dungeon Energy was frustrating.

Still, he knew he had to be patient. Once he had enough Dungeon Energy, he could test if leveling up was possible or if there were other ways to grow stronger. For now, all he could do was watch, wait, and keep pushing his limits bit by bit.

By the third day, Ordis noticed another improvement in his Mana regeneration. Now, he gained 1 Mana every hour and a half, bringing his total daily gain to 16 Mana. However, after using 5 Mana for Growth Supplement, he was left with only 11. It was progress, but it still felt painfully slow.

The wait was the worst part. If he could sleep or speed up time, maybe it wouldn’t feel so agonizing. But no—he was stuck watching time crawl by, waiting for his resources to build up. Patience, it seemed, was going to be his greatest challenge.

At least there was something to watch. Ordis slowly noticed mold and mildew spreading across the first floor, a small but tangible sign of change. Strangely, seeing that kind of growth improved his mood—proof that his dungeon was becoming more alive. Plus, new insects were starting to wander in, drawn by the presence of edible things like spiders.

At some point, a notification popped up, instantly lifting Ordis' mood.

[ Successfully analyzed the body of an Ant. You can now summon Flies as Ant. ]

“Hm, not bad,” Ordis muttered, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.

He noticed deer and other small wild animals cautiously approaching the dungeon, grazing on the grasslands near the cave entrance. Their presence signaled that the environment around him was becoming more inviting to wildlife. Some sniffed the air curiously, while others hesitated at the cave’s edge, sensing the faint traces of Mana. Ordis watched with interest, wondering if, over time, his influence would attract even larger creatures.

Ordis could hardly wait for that moment to come, but for now, all he could do was be patient. Growth took time, and rushing wouldn’t change anything. He just had to keep expanding his influence and let nature take its course.

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By the fourth day, Ordis had grown accustomed to the feeling of being a dungeon. After using the Growth Supplement once again, he barely even reacted when his Mana Regeneration sped up even further, now reaching one Mana per hour. At this rate, he was finally approaching the moment he had been waiting for—the chance to convert his Mana Reserve into Dungeon Energy.

As night approached, anticipation built up within him. This was it. The moment he had been preparing for.

"Oh, finally, it's here!" Ordis thought, barely able to contain his excitement. "Now, let’s see what actually happens when I do this!"

"Convert Mana Reserve to Dungeon Energy!" Ordis commanded the system, his anticipation reaching its peak.

At his words, a strange sensation washed over him. It was subtle, yet distinct—like a shift deep within his core. His Mana Reserve drained, and in its place, something denser, more potent, took form. Dungeon Energy. His first step toward true growth had finally begun.

"Oh…" Ordis murmured, feeling the change within him. The weight of Dungeon Energy was different from Mana—it felt more solid, more significant.

Curious, he turned his attention back to the system. "Alright, System, what kind of stuff can I do with this Dungeon Energy?" He needed to know his options—after all, this was his first real step toward becoming a true dungeon.

Dungeon Expansion Costs

* Increase Floor Size: 1 Dungeon Energy per 10 square meters (small expansions are cheap, but large-scale expansion takes time).

* Unlock New Floors: 10 Dungeon Energy per new floor (scaling up depending on complexity).

* Structural Reinforcement: 2 Dungeon Energy per 10 square meters (higher levels of reinforcement cost more).

* Biome Creation: 5-20 Dungeon Energy (depending on the complexity of the biome, e.g., a simple mossy cave is cheap, but a lava biome is expensive).

ENVIRONMENT MANIPULATION COSTS

* Terrain Alteration: 1-5 Dungeon Energy (small changes like raising ground cost 1 DE, while making a deep pit or a steep slope costs more).

* Dungeon Atmosphere: 2 Dungeon Energy for minor changes (mist, darkness), 5+ Dungeon Energy for stronger effects (permanent fog, glowing crystals).

* Resource Generation: 3-10 Dungeon Energy (basic plants and fungi cost less, while mana-infused minerals or magical flora cost more).

Ordis let out a sigh. "Resource Generation, huh? That’s definitely the most tempting option… but damn, it's way out of my budget right now. Still, looking at all these functions, I can already tell what my next step should be."

Even at level one, the dungeon held plenty of potential. The options before him weren’t just about survival—they were about growth. And if he played his cards right, he could slowly build something truly powerful.

With only one Dungeon Energy and zero Mana Reserve, Ordis had to make his next move count. The best option was to use Alteration on his dungeon, specifically to open the sealed door leading to the second floor. Without access, the lower level remained lifeless, cut off from the natural processes that had already begun on the first floor.

That door was more than just a barrier—it prevented insects, small animals, and even the natural spread of mold and fungi from reaching deeper into the dungeon. Only air and microscopic organisms could pass through, making it impossible for life to take root as fast as first floor.

The door itself wasn’t anything special—it could be opened by animals if they knew how. But so far, only insects and small creatures roamed the area, none of which had the ability to push it open. Since there were no signs of humans or large animals wandering near the dungeon yet, Ordis figured it was safe to leave it open for now. Letting life spread to the second floor would only benefit him in the long run.

"Alright, no point in keeping it sealed at this moment," Ordis decided. "System, use Dungeon Energy to open the first-floor door."

As soon as Ordis gave the command, he felt the Dungeon Energy drain from his core. A subtle shift rippled through the dungeon, and the sealed door at the end of the first floor creaked open. Though it wasn’t a grand sight, for Ordis, it was a significant moment. The second floor was finally accessible, allowing the spread of life beyond just one confined space. He had taken the first step toward true expansion.

A notification appeared before him, and his anticipation surged. He quickly turned his focus to the system, eager to see the results of his efforts. And then—

[ Congratulations! You have leveled up! ]

Ordis felt a rush of excitement at the sight of those words. He had finally done it. It had taken days of waiting, observing, and carefully managing his limited resources, but now, progress was undeniable. Leveling up as a dungeon was no simple task, and even though it had taken time, it proved that his actions were leading somewhere.

“Hah! Finally! Wow, that’s took so long. If this is a game, I might already gave a negative rating.” Ordis couldn’t help but exclaim. With a new level, new possibilities awaited him. What kind of upgrades would he get? What new functions would unlock? He couldn't wait to find out.