With the Rock Talon defeated, the Hidden Valley was now Lucian's.
But claiming the land was only the first step.
Now, he had to build his home.
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Step 1: Clearing the Land
Lucian stood in the center of the valley, arms crossed as he surveyed the land.
His Cleaner Slimes were already hard at work, dissolving leftover feathers, bones, and debris from the Rock Talon's old nest. The area was slowly becoming clean and fresh-smelling.
Next, he pointed to a cluster of dead trees near the valley entrance.
"Scavenger Slimes, break them down."
The Scavenger Slimes slithered over and latched onto the decaying wood, dissolving the bark and absorbing the nutrients. In just a few minutes, the trees had been broken down into rich, fertile dirt, perfect for future planting.
Lucian smirked. "This is going smoother than I expected."
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Step 2: Building the Shelter
A house needed walls, a roof, and insulation.
Lucian had an idea.
"Sticky Slimes, produce some of that plastic-like substance."
The Sticky Slimes wobbled in response before secreting a biodegradable resin-like material. It hardened into a sturdy but flexible substance, perfect for reinforcing structures.
Lucian picked up a dried piece and knocked on it.
"Feels like a mix between wood and hardened clay… This'll work."
He began shaping the material into panels, using the Cleaner Slimes to smooth out imperfections.
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Step 3: Making the Foundation
Lucian needed a solid foundation to support the structure.
He instructed his Sticky Slimes to create a thick, waterproof layer for the base. This would prevent moisture from rotting the structure over time.
Meanwhile, his Poison Slimes were put to work coating the edges of the valley with their mild toxins, deterring pests and small creatures from messing with his construction.
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Step 4: Water & Storage
One of the biggest advantages of this valley was the natural stream running through it.
Lucian redirected part of the stream using Sticky Slime material to form a makeshift water channel, creating a small pond where his slimes could gather and absorb moisture when needed.
At the same time, he found a small cave nearby, which would serve as temporary storage for food, tools, and supplies.
The Scavenger Slimes were placed inside to continue breaking down unwanted waste, ensuring the area remained clean and odor-free.
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Step 5: The Final Touches
By nightfall, Lucian stood in front of his newly built Slime House.
It wasn't much—a simple one-room shelter with walls reinforced by hardened slime resin, a smooth floor, and a sturdy, waterproof roof.
But it was his.
He patted Bubbles, his first Cleaner Slime, on the head.
"We did good, huh?"
Bubbles jiggled in agreement.
As Lucian stared up at the starlit sky, he realized something.
For the first time since leaving his family…
He felt truly free.