Hearing the nearing steps coming from the tunnel, a million scenarios went through my head and I started to panic.

*flick* *flick*

The smell is different from the rat's smell, it smells of leather, metal and blood and a tinge of green!

Like the green I smelled before, but my fear overwhelmed my curiosity.

Not wanting to find out who or what was coming my way and having to fight another death battle. There is only one thing to do in such a situation.

Clench your butt checks and run like a bitch.

Well in my case slither away...

I quickly turned towards the tunnel where I came from and slithered towards it as fast as I could.

Feeling regret to have to leave the pond, I swear to myself I would come back and claim the region as my home.

With one last look I turned around, shed a silent tear and got the fuck out of there.

(General Perspective)

In a dark tunnel were 4 people, all walking sluggishly without in silence, but there eyes still vigilant. The tunnel was so narrow that they had to walk in a straight line. The tunnel was only dimly lighted by dim glowing moos that is growing on the tunnel walls. Only the steps and clanking armor could be heard.

*sigh*

"When are we finally there?" said the man leading the whole party. He was wearing heavy metal armor that is splattered with blood, dirt, and scratch marks. On his back a big backpack, in his hand a normal one-handed sword and a oval shield.

"Stop whine so much, we have been only walking for 2 hours" complained a woman in her twenties clad light leather armor holding a map, while carrying a bow on her back with a quiver on her hip. Her black hair was shoulder long and wavy but looked uncombed and messy. Her tired face was luminated by a flouting ball of light and a visible frown was set on her face.

"Ack, but we have been in the dungeon for the last 3 days and i need to pee." refuted the swordsman.

"Hey scholar, where is the drip hall?" asked the woman ignoring the annoying voice.

A young man in a rope calmly answered, "It's just up ahead. We can see the dim light already." and pointed in front of him at the end of the tunnel, where there is indeed a dim light showing the end of the tunnel."

"Ugh, I can´t wait to get out of this dungeon and take a nice hot bath in the hot spring." said another female voice, while dragging her long wooden staff behind her.

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The scholar looked back at the tired mage and said "Better fasten our pace then, we can get out of her and enjoy a feast at the tavern. But first I have to send my research data to the principal and get my well-earned vacation."

They all nodded and walked a little bit faster as everyone just wants to get out of this dungeon and enjoy a good rest.

Walking into the dripping hall the bulky man leading the party saw something that he didn´t expect.

"I thought this is a save place for adventurers?" asked the bulky man a little worried. A save place should be a place where monsters shouldn´t be able to come or appear. And yet her in the save place lies a dead monster.

The young man moved forward and spotted the dead monster. "Normally yes, but the dungeons have been behaving strangely. That is why the guilds send scholars to find out what's up with it." answered the young man holding his chin while thinking about possible reasons and scenarios.

He then walked towards the dead rat monster to maybe find out a clue on how this monster ended up dead inside a save place.

The others follow behind him and looked around to check if other monsters are lurking in the tunnels. The female archer spotted a small grey snake moving towards a hole in the wall and disappear. She only got a glimpse of what happened and rubbed her eyes. She then asked the mage if she saw that too. "Did you see that just now?"

She only looked at her with a questioning gaze and asked "Hmm? What do you mean? I didn´t sense anything. I guess you need a good rest too after this quest."

"Ehhh, I guess I just imagined it... yes, we all need a rest." said woman with a tired sigh lumping towards the pond.

Meanwhile, the bulky man sat near the pond and took out a small flask and filled it.

While he was refilling their water supply, the scholar was inspecting the corpse while mumbling to himself, "This monster is a Nagirus, a pretty young one at that. Should be around 3 months old. They shouldn´t be able to come here at all. They are normally only in dark humid places and would avoid any kind of light at all cost, but I guess the mana rich pond attracted it here or it mutated. And who or what killed it? It can´t be an adventurer as it wasn´t killed by magic or swords and arrows. From the injuries it looks like it was choked to death, but there are small bite marks on its neck and leg. Looking at the stiff back leg it looks like the Nagirus was paralyzed or poisoned. But poisonous or venomous monster aren´t usually on the second floor of this dungeon... I have to bring back and examine the Nagirus more."

He then turned towards the resting man who was now lying near the pond on the grass. "Hey Erik, can you carry the monster back for me. It´s important"

"Ha? Why should I carry this fat rat? I am already carrying our whole equipment! Ask someone else." said the bulky man while casually waving his hand.

...

"I will increase your pay."

Hearing that he will get more money, he jumped up and pumped his fist. "Got it boss! But why do you want to bring it back?"

*sigh*

The young man just shook his head. "I want to extract the poison or whatever was injected into the monster, and study it, maybe I can find out what monster killed the Nagirus. It died just a few hours ago so it should be fine when we set out in a hour or so."

The two girls hearing that walked up to him, looking at the dead monster.

"I didn't feel any other monster presence when I walked into the room. Hmm, kinda weird." said the mage.

The archer chimed in, "What´s weirder is that the body isn´t eaten or munched on. Even the monster core is still there."

"I agree. That´s why I want to bring the Nagirus back to the institute." said the young man. He then smiled at them and continued "No need to think about that for now as that is my job. Rest up, we are all tired and still have a long way in front of us. We need all the rest we can get."

"Kay!" said the mage with more enthusiasm hearing that they can finally rest.

The black-haired women just nodded and sat down counting her arrows.