November 5th, 1996

A breakthrough, and another puzzle.

Today I discovered that in addition to the natural bounce provided by the mushroom creatures, I am able, with effort, to use them to jump to dizzying new heights! I made my way back to the last unreachable block, and after luring a mushroom creature beneath, used its destruction to propel myself towards the block, landing neatly on top. To my disappointment nothing happened, and after tapping and prodding it no end I jumped back down to reconsider my options.

Presently another mushroom creature appeared, and I decided to make a second attempt. This time, though, I miscalculated my trajectory and collided head first with the underside of the unmovable cube – and it moved! The movement was accompanied by a strange noise and an acute pain in my head, and I fell back to earth to stare up at the block. Suddenly a large and rather venemous-looking red and white mushroom (despite its movement, it lacked a face and seemed to have more in common with an actual mushroom than the creatures I slaughtered to reach it) that appeared to have come from within the block itself fell to earth, and began sliding rapidly away from me. I pursued it cautiously, unsure what to do, and it soon fell down a hole.

Writing this now I realise how insane it all sounds, but the experience has left me deeply unsettled. Was the elusive mushroom an omen? Have I done something wrong? This is a strange and foreign land indeed, and I must proceed with due caution.