Examining the new additions to the screen and examining the tool itself, the Core felt somewhat pleased seeing the noticeable improvements to the tool.
Infusing mana into the other shovels being used by the Skeletons revealed the same effects. Upon infusing more mana into one of the shovels, the Core didn't expect a small explosion to take place, completely destroying the arms of the skeleton that was holding it.
Checking the skeleton's health on the screen, it states that the Skeleton has lost 20 of its 60 HP. It also states that it should regenerate most o the lost HP in about an hour.
Leaving that particular skeleton idle so it could regenerate its lost health, the core created another stone shovel in an empty room section. It began slowly and carefully infusing mana into the stone again, trying to replicate the effects on the previous shovel.
As it observed the shovel and the amount of mana it infused within, it eventually exploded as the mana became unstable, and the stone could no longer house it.
Just before exploding, the screen that continues to annoy the core stated that the stone shovel achieved [Durability VI] and [Mana Efficiency III], and it also stated, [Material is not strong enough to contain the Mana], which the Core already deduced due to the explosion that emanated from the item.
And while the Core did want to continue its research, it decided that now was not the time. Upgrading each shovel the skeletons were using and creating a new one for the healing skeleton. The Core focused back on the progress the Skeletons were making.
Having spent 612 Units of Mana, the Core felt slightly frustrated by how little it gathered every hour. Unless it could find a way to increase its mana gathering besides naturally increasing its size, the Core felt it would take centuries at this rate to build its dungeon to a decent point.
[115 (100 Units for a skeleton, 15 for animation) * 4 = 460 Units + 40 (Creation Cost of the first four Stone Shovels = 10 Units each) = 500 + 45(15 Units of Mana for full end enchantment before the explosion for the three non-destroyed shovels) = 545 + 16 (cost of the first enchanted shovel that exploded) = 561 + 26(Full cost of the second shovel that was observed before destruction) = 587 + 25 (Replacement shovel that was created after the first two were destroyed) = 612 Units of Mana]
[A/N: This is why I don't like having to do calculations. Easy to lose track or get frustrated, so don't expect me to take calculations seriously. It will mostly be guestimation]
Of course, there was another way to increase its mana attraction, Divers.
Divers naturally leaked mana and are covered in the stuff from their homes when they enter the Dungeon, allowing the Dungeons to gather and use the mana they bring.
Not to mention, upon death, the Dungeon would also absorb all of the mana within their bodies.
But, Divers were limited in number, they could easily die, and if they were too weak, it wouldn't even be worth killing them.
For now, the Core would have to grow itself the normal way, at least until it found a way to increase its mana attraction.
By the time 24 hours passed and the Skeletons were only about 15% of the way done, the Core decided to make four more skeletons and enchanted stone shovels to assist in the digging, with two skeletons each in the four directions constantly digging, the progress became much more visible.
And while the Skeletons continued to dig away at the compact dirt, the Core began creating soil from some of the dirt that the Core collected from the Skeletons and slowly covered the ground with the soil.
What the Core planned on was completely digging out the top half of its dimension and leaving the bottom half to serve as the ground for its dungeon. After the skeletons dig out all the dirt from the top, the Core would begin pumping out various breathable gases into the Dimension so that life can survive.
Once the gases would be created, the Core would then add sources of water across the surface and even under the surface before it started creating various yet basic plant life to inhabit the surface.
These plants would act as food, materials, cover, and various other things that would assist the Core's monsters and its future divers.
But before it can do any of that, it would have to dig away all the dirt that is currently filling up the top half of the Dungeon.
And while the Core felt it could make cave systems for the beginnings of its Dungeon, it felt it was too simple, too...easy, and wouldn't serve as a good challenge to experienced Divers.
The Core wanted to build more. Beauty in both Complexity and Simplicity, it wanted to create so much more than just a Cave system that housed Monsters that existed to be easily defeated by Divers.
It wanted to build a world, and it knew that it was possible. It would only take time.
Transforming the dirt into life-bearing soil was quite expensive to the Core's reserves, but it felt it was worth the cost for the future of its Dungeon. The water, however, was not that expensive to the Core.
Compared to when the Core awoke, it was making quite the progress.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
----------------------------------------
As 72 more hours passed, a noticeable amount of progress has again been made.
The Core now had 16 Skeletons, all equipped with Enchanted Shovels, with four working in each direction to dig.
Most importantly, blades of grass were now growing inside the giant rooms the Skeletons continued to expand by digging.
From my estimates, it would take a few days for the grass to spread completely across the currently excavated rooms and areas that the Skeletons have dug out, and as for the Skeletons' progress, they were about 65% of the way done.
Based on miles, from one side to the other was a distance of 2 miles, with the Core room sitting right in the middle at the one-mile mark from both sides, leaving quite the amount that the Skeletons have to dig, it was astonishing they managed to progress as far as they have already.
The only reason they made this much progress was because of their inexhaustible stamina, their enchanted shovels, and their increasing proficiency in digging and using a shovel.
For example, looking at the screen of the first created skeleton revealed a new addition to the 'skills.'
/=====+=====\
Name: None
Species: Skeleton (Undead)
Size Type: Medium
Level: 1
Health: 60/60 (17.5 Per Hour)
Mana: 0/0 (0)
Stamina: ∞/∞
Abnormalities/Mutations: None
Physical Attributes:
[Atk] Strength: 5
[Atk] Agility: 5
[Def] Vitality: 5 (+2 Health, +3 Health Regeneration, +1 Stamina Regeneration)
[Def] Endurance: 10 (+5 Health, +3 Stamina, +0.25 Health Regeneration)
[Support] Perception: 5
[Support] Reaction: 5
Mental Attributes:
[Atk] Intelligence: 0 (+2 Mana, +0.25 Mana Regeneration)
[Atk] Wisdom: 0 (+0.5 Mana, +1 Mana Regeneration)
[Def] Willpower: 0
[Def] Resistance: 5
[Support] Control: 0
[Support] Focus: 0
Skills: [Bone Replacement Lvl 1], [Digging Mastery Lvl 28], [Shovel Mastery Lvl 14]
Perks: [Infinite Stamina], [Horde Mentality Lvl 1]
Level Up Rewards: 5 Stat Points
Drops: Variety of Bones [Grade: Trash] (60%), Bonemeal [Grade: Trash] (20%), Enchanted Stone Shovel [Grade: Uncommon] (50%)
\=====+=====/
It now had a skill for 'Digging' and 'Shovel Mastery.'
And upon closer inspection, a new screen appeared.
/=====+=====\
Skill Name: Digging Mastery
Skill Rarity: Common
Lvl: 28
Description: Ever felt the need or want to dig a hole or tunnel? Well, then, this skill is the one for you!
Effects: +28% faster when digging
\=====+=====/
/=====+=====\
Skill Name: Shovel Mastery
Skill Rarity: Common
Lvl: 14
Description: Masters of the Shovel, a tool one could use to dig and excavate, and a tool that could be used to defend and attack.
Effects: Shovels are 14% easier to wield and use.
\=====+=====/
In some way, unknown to the Core, the Screens were physically improving the Skeletons in ways the Core couldn't understand. For every 'Level' the Skeletons achieved in these 'Skills,' a slight but noticeable improvement could be seen in the speed and ease at which the Skeletons worked to dig.
Speaking of the Skeletons' work, they made it to the Dimensional border a while ago, which only revealed the empty void outside the Dimensional fabric that made the shell of the Dimension.
So, to prevent distractions or discomfort to Divers later on, the Core covered the fabric in a thin sheet of bright blue light, preventing Divers from peering past it and into the void.
After all, if you look into the abyss, the abyss will look back into you.
And, it wouldn't help the Core at all if it gained the reputation of Divers going insane or being corrupted after they came out of its depths.
It also could corrupt and drive even the Core mad if it looked into the void for too long, so this barrier would act as insurance for itself and its divers.
The remaining dirt the Skeletons had to dig was stuck on the ceiling of the dimension, slowing down the Skeletons' work due to the fact they had to climb upon mounds of dirt that the Core summoned so they could hack away at the ceiling, loosing the dirt for the Core to absorb and use to raise the mounds the Skeletons stood upon.
The Core found it greatly amusing to see the Skeletons climb up mounds of dirt to dig away at the ceiling, only to tumble down to the ground every little while due to misstepping, losing balance, or tripping.
Picture a Skeleton climbing up a large mound of dirt to dig away at the ceiling, only to take a step forward intending on going up further, only to step over the mound and start falling down the other side of the mound.
It was only a matter of time before the Skeletons completed their objective, and the Core could get to work on terraforming the excavated room into a functioning biome.
----------------------------------------
With the last bit of dirt stuck to the ceiling of the Dimension gone, the Core could finally put all its effort into turning the surface of its Dungeon into one bearing life, but first, the Core could finally replace the ceiling with a fake sky.
Although the Core, of course, hasn't ever seen a sky or many other natural wonders, its mind was engrained with many images with meanings attached. However, those images and meanings typically didn't contain much information, if any at all, other than names.
The Core knew in time, and it would get to learn more about these images and what they actually mean for itself.
With a wave of mana that flooded out from its Core, a blanket formed on the barrier that blocked vision into the void, and a pale blue sky with bright yellow sun formed in the sky.
But this wasn't all. The sky would function as a light source and a source of nutrition for the plants that inhabited the dungeon surface and function as a working day and night cycle.
The Core could modify the plants it was creating to survive off Mana. Still, until the Core could increase the Mana density of its Dungeon to the point the plants wouldn't interfere with its mana attraction, it felt it would just be easier to feed the plants with the light emitted from the fake sky.
The cycle was set to 24 hours, with 12 hours for the day and night with a realistic sun, moon, sky, and stars.
And with the sky complete, the Core started pumping mana into the grass, greatly increasing the rate of growth, and within a few hours, the entire surface was covered in grass.
From there, the Core planted the seeds of trees and other foliage and designed a few plants that would produce fruit, wild vegetables, and other edible foods for herbivores and carnivores alike.
And it seems the Screen had some things to say about the Core's creations.
/=====+=====\
Item Name: Dungeon Grass
Item Type: Plant (Grass)
Grade: Common
Description: A Common plant found in many Dungeons.
\=====+=====/
/=====+=====\
Item Name: Dungeon Oak Tree
Item Type: Plant
Grade: Common
Description: A Common plant found in many dungeons, noted to be slightly tougher than regular oak and much longer lasting, making the wood from this tree great for construction.
\=====+=====/
/=====+=====\
Item Name: Strange Dungeon Berry Bush
Item Type: Plant
Grade: Rare
Description: A seemingly regular bush that grows berries of various sizes, colors, tastes, and qualities.
\=====+=====/
These screens continued to appear as the Core created more and more flora to the Dungeon, and soon, the Core will start adding some fauna into the mix.