The end, or should I say beginning, of the dungeon was marked by a set of stone stairs. They were simple, but clearly a distinct contrast to the rough hewn walls and floor that surrounded it. I can only assume that Malevin did not have the time as yet to work on aesthetics. The stairs reached upwards, out into a wider, open space. I needed to reach the top before I could see anything beyond that.

Despite my misgivings, stairs provided no challenge to my slime body. I ended up simply flowing along them as if they were no different from the ground. Distractedly, I wondered if I could traverse the ceiling just as effectively, but I also shelved that thought for later. I will need to add more shelving soon, the list of items there is getting out of hand.

All of my idle thoughts disappeared once I reached my goal. The sight that met me...did not meet my expectations.

The tunnel and stairs opened out into a wide underground expanse. Fluorescent plant life grew abundantly, covering large patches of ground and creating enough light to see clearly. Overhead, what looked like glowing moss covered the earthen ceiling, providing even more light. I could see other cave openings and tunnels in the distance, some of them with distinct designs marking them as entrances, while others looked like normal sections of the environment. Wisps of light floated through the air, revealing themselves to be various insects. A sense of life and vitality permeated the air.

I was expecting the surface. Yet, I am decidedly still underground. Does this mean that the world I now inhabit is a subterranean one? All of civilization and society lives below the surface of this world? I found it hard to imagine such a thing, but I could only draw my conclusions from my previous life and the novels I have read. According to them, dungeons in general are supposed to expand outwards enough to breach the surface in order to draw in adventurers or other creatures. At the same time, they need to carve out room below them, in “layers” or “floors” when they get strong enough to do so from killing enough people, or accumulating enough mana in other ways. Malevin only had one floor or layer in its dungeon, but at least there were a number of side tunnels and dead ends that I instinctively knew not to bother with, and everywhere was littered with ambush points. I doubted there would be anything of value to me. After all, it is common knowledge that the core is the most valuable part of any dungeon.

And I killed mine.

I carefully looked around some more, not bothering to move from the entrance. Examining the other openings in the distance, I slowly began to understand that the ones with distinct markings appeared to not just be entrances, but specifically entrances to other dungeons. One was shaped into the gaping mouth of a snake, with stalactites and stalagmites functioning as the fangs and bright gemstones as the eyes. Another had the shape of two fluorescent trees intertwined with each other, a gap in between them providing passage. They looked like massive versions of the plants growing throughout the rest of the expanse. A third had a pair of kneeling figures guarding the entryway, made entirely of stone. I could not pick out the finer details at this distance, but even so I could tell that they are well defined.

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It seemed like an odd mix for a group of dungeons, and I had to wonder if they cooperated with each other in any way. I could not reconcile the literature I read with me current situation; having so many dungeons just openly laying together went against all common sense. Then again, just because there are hundreds of dungeon novels in my home world does not mean that any of them are accurate. Those authors wrote fantasy. My new life is reality.

A set of voices broke me out of my contemplation. I quickly looked around, my attention landing on a group of figures exiting one of the other dungeon openings, this one clad in the image of...a pig? Weird. I had a quick internal debate before I decided to hide behind a rather large stalagmite. While I was confident in my ability to survive another fight, that confidence was based on a bunch of weak monsters that were basically lesser versions of myself. I had no idea what my true capabilities were, nor did I have any idea what the natives of this world could do. I should not recklessly throw myself their way.

The figures continued along their way, seemingly unaware of my presence. As they got closer, they revealed themselves to be a group of humans, three women and two men. One wore a full set of metal armor, one wore a set of robes, and the other three wore a mix of metal and leather. All of them were weary and covered in blood and other fluids, but the atmosphere was upbeat. Perhaps they had a good haul. They looked very similar to what I imagined adventurers to be. I assumed the one in metal armor was the tank, the one in robes being either a healer or damage dealing mage, and the others a mix of damage dealers and other useful roles. Still, I cautioned myself. I could make all the assumptions I want, that would not mean a thing if it comes down to a fight and they act in ways I do not predict. Yes, it is still wise to keep myself hidden.

Briefly, I wondered if I could understand their language. Then, I wondered, do I care? Not particularly, the verdict came in. It would be useful later, for sure, but they are not my current goal. So instead, I waited for them to leave, not bothering trying to listen in on their conversation. I watched as they made their way into a rough tunnel, apparently not another dungeon, and vanish.

Then I turned my attention to the passage that they just left behind.