[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/QCgTnAH.png[/img][/center]
[hr][@Zeroth][@SilverPaw][@Duthguy]

[quote=System:Jason]
You are Fully Rested. 
You are Fed.
You are Well-Hydrated.
Your HP is Full.
Your Mana Disorder is subsiding. 
You still have Mana Burn.
You have no MP Remaining.
[color=purple]Dungeon Update Failed to Send. Failure due to no MP. Telepathic Link temporarily disabled.
Dungeon Update Failed to Send. Failure due to no MP. Telepathic Link temporarily disabled.
Dungeon Update Failed to Send. Failure due to no MP. Telepathic Link temporarily disabled.
Dungeon Update Failed to Send. Failure due to no MP. Telepathic Link temporarily disabled.
Dungeon Update Failed to Send. Failure due to no MP. Telepathic Link temporarily disabled.
...
...
...[/color]
[/quote]

Jason snapped awake with a start; relieved to no longer be drowning in the darkness of his nightmares. However, waking up to a barrage of of notifications was definitely going to take some time getting used to. Fortunately, it appeared that the Mana Disorder was on the verge of wearing off despite the fact that Mana Burn continued to persist. If he was lucky, one; if not both status effects would be taken care of before he had to meet Cripy for what was more than likely a trap... If the goblin even intended to show up in the first place.  Looking around, Jason noticed several things; someone had planted more herb seeds while he was asleep, both Danny and Asteria were still asleep, and Ed had yet to return.  Furthermore, it appeared that the core had brought him two more skeletons as well as a dire rat (whom Jason assumed to be [color=purple]DIRE_RAT_A[/color]).  Had the Skeleblins tended the garden by command of the core? Or was it perhaps the work of some other mob under the Core's influence? Either way, it was most definitely the work of the core.  Speaking of which, Jason still needed to finish developing [color=purple][b][Dungeon Awareness I][/b][/color].

Rolling up to the core, Jason was met with a sudden realization that his inability to receive updates meant that a monstrous wave of information was going to assail his mind all at once.  Strangely, this thought seemed to [i]excite[/i] Jason; such strain would only make his mind stronger, inching him ever-closer to becoming something greater.  However, he needed to be cautious-- the Core had already attempted to sway his mind once; and Jason was not keen on becoming a mere slave to the whims of the dungeon.  Rather, it would be the DUNGEON that would change instead.  Gathering his resolve Jason touched the Core; he was not the man his nightmares painted him as, he was righteous, he was JUST, and to ensure the fate he foresaw could never come to pass, Jason was going to teach these dead to live once again.
An incorporeal pain tore through Jason, threatening to tear him apart from the inside; and yet, he endured.  The slime mage's body convulsed wildly as he fought to keep his mind together.

Holding fast for as long as he could, Jason separated from the core the moment he felt his thoughts become vulnerable; like they had when he first linked to the core.  Collapsing as he pulled back, Jason tumbled out the front of his cave, puddling at the skeletal feet of [color=purple]Skeleblin_003[/color] and Gawain. After gathering himself, Jason 'stood' once more, finally having completed the development of [color=purple][b][Dungeon Awareness I][/b][/color], and could now begin the morning training regimen for his group.  Curling up and rolling into the cave once again, Jason lightly prodded Danny and Asteria awake, [color=darkred]"Time to get up guys, we've got a busy day ahead of us, and we need to start making preparations."[/color]

While he waited on the the others to get their bearings, Jason was quite eager to test his newly developed [color=purple][b][Dungeon Awareness I][/b][/color].  Approaching Gawain, the now fully christened Dungeon boss cleared his throat, [color=darkred]"[color=purple][b]Skeleblin_002[/b][/color], you are now to be addressed ONLY as Gawain, and will take on Gawain as your name or designation... Gawain, I command you to run one full lap around the pool as fast as you can; without touching the water. Avoid conflict whenever possible during this task, and if your survival is at risk at any point during this task, abandon said task and return here immediately."[/color]

Regardless of what happened next, Jason used the [b][Source Crystal][/b] on Gawain before another thought came to mind; was this not a perfect opportunity to grind new skills? By lacking any means of naturally regenerating his Mana, as well as being truly out of Mana, an incredible opportunity to learn about the nature of magic presented itself, and Jason would graciously accept. Clearing his mind, taking slow, deep breaths, Jason reached into himself-- searching for (or the lack thereof) that 'secondary circulatory system' he had come to know as Mana. Carefully and gently he searched for the source of his ailment, thoroughly studying each and every apparent irregularity.