Ignoring the time limit for now, where exactly was I? Oh, right, which path I should take! Well, I definitely won't take path number four. I'm unlucky enough already, and I'm pretty sure four is an unlucky number! At least, I think. The path on the very right of me is a no-go, so, that leaves the other three. The problem now is that every other path looks identical to each other! Hmm... but the third one has a faint light coming from it... Oh, right, it must be a torch! Well, since this Night Vision skill I got is so low level it seems to barely let me see in the dark, I'll follow the light like some moth!

Oh, wait a minute, I'm not really proficient in walking on four legs. I mean, I used two legs my whole life! Usually, it probably would be like instinct for a four-legged animal... or, in this case, monster, but I don't have any of that! Let's see, just one leg in front of the other, starting with the left front leg. Let's start with that and see how it works.

As said, I followed this little pattern, tripping a few times, but I eventually made it to the third pathway... after like five minutes. Mind you, it was just five or so meters away. Hey, don't blame me! This is really hard! It's like a painter trying digital art for the first time, it's so different that it trips you up! In this case, literally.

Well, I'm sure I'll get better at it with time. I made it this far... now just... so much longer to go. This better is a small dungeon, or I might seriously lose my will or something like the quest said I would. All I have to do is follow this light! It's somewhat far away, but I sure there might be something there... or it might just lead to a dead end and I'm wasting my very low amount of time. In that case, this would have been a terrible idea.

One leg in front of the other, I slowly but surely walk towards the light resounding from what I assume must be a torch attached to the wall... huh, that's weird, the light is coming towards me, instead of just sitting there unmoving like what I assume a torch should do.

Wait, that must mean... the light is coming from something living, whether it be some sort of light monster, or a person holding a torch...

"Vaslk bis..." Wait, come again? What was that you just said? Oh god, do they seriously speak a different language in this world? Well, it makes sense, but that isn't good for me!

You have obtained skill: Larfus Translation >LV MAX<

Or, I guess not. That's scarily convenient, is there really a God watching me? Because, at this point, it would make sense...

"This dungeon is seriously so annoying! All these monsters are so low-level they practically do nothing, but it's like they're never-ending! Why am I of all people exploring this dungeon... even if it's a newly discovered dungeon with no set danger rating yet, that doesn't matter! I should be doing something way more important than this!" There's the voice of what sounds like a male person. The voice sounded a bit young, either a teenager or a young adult. Somewhat scratchy, but not too deep or high, just sorta in the middle, leaning a bit more to the deep side.

Okay, I look like a monster, right? Oh, wait, I am a monster... Either way, I should hide! This path is pretty wide, if I just stay in the corner not moving, he might not notice me since it's so dark! From what I can see, he just has the torch in front of him, not waving it around or anything to look for stuff! Alright, I quickly maneuver my way over to the side of the path, staying silent, not moving an inch! I curled up a small bit, making my limbs and stuff pretty hard to notice.

Alright, there he is! From the corner of my eyes, I can see him. Deep red hair, not especially long, with bangs, focused on the right side barely over his eyebrows. His eyes were a light brown from the looks of it, On his side was a small sheath, which seems to contain a simple sword. He wore just basic clothes, not even any armour... seriously? Exploring a dungeon with nothing to protect you? He must be pretty confident, then.

Oh, shoot! He's looking right at me! Uh, I just have to act natural... Think like a rock... become rock...

"What the..." Uh oh, is he gonna attack me? This might be bad, if so! He could seriously kill me! What to do, what to do... I could run away, but he might just catch me since I can barely move properly! This is bad, really, really bad!

"Huh, that's a weird rock," And then he just continued, walking away to the circle area from before.

It worked. He's either dumb or I'm just an expert at being a rock... maybe I could make it my profession, acting exactly like a rock... Not the time! Let's be glad that he didn't notice me, and move forward with even more determination than before! This guy probably came from the entrance, so if I follow where he came from, I might find the exit of this place! Following the light really was the best choice... well, probably not the best choice if I'm near death, I've heard the light is used synonymously with dying sometimes, so, probably not the best choice.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Even so, exit here I come! Well, I guess it's also the entrance, but who cares! I just need to focus on getting out of here! As long as I live, things will be alright! But to live, I really need to leave, so let's get a move on!

I continued forward, it's time to find the exit! I'll find it in no time, the three-day time limit is much too kind, I'll get out of here today! Hmm, but the six-hour limit for being in this demon lizard form could be problematic... Well, I'll just have to go fast!

...

So, an hour passed... this place is like a maze! Come on, how am I supposed to find my way out of here if ever five inches there's another path to go! What am I supposed to do, huh? I've just been going completely straight, and whenever I reached a dead end, I backtracked and went left. But, this will take way too long! Eventually, time might run out... this is like a corn maze, but worse since the walls are stone! And, also it's dark! And, I could literally die!

At least there haven't been any monsters or anything attacking me. That red-haired guy was probably the only person here... Hm, that sorta makes me curious what I look like in this form. I mean, if I look down, my scales are a dark black, and I have some pretty long claw things which are also black. The colour palette for this monster really wasn't too creative, huh?

Wait, do my different forms even have different stats? I would assume they might since they're different bodies, but there's no way to really know!

[They don't, fool.]

Oh, look who it is, the damn A.I... Well, how does that make sense? I kinda get like intelligence or something, but why would my physical stats be the same?

[It's becoming more and more obvious every minute how truly incompetent you are. Stats are a reflection of your soul. When you level up, your soul grows too, so do your stats. The stats gained depend on the species or class of the soul.]

Eh? That makes no sense, doesn't that imply a soul would make your body stronger? And, classes? So, classes exist? Why don't I have that, then?! Ugh, what do stats even do?! I've never got an explanation for that, you know!

Question received. Do you require information on the differing effects of stats? Yes No

Convenient as always, aren't you, oh great voice! I should probably name you or something one day... well, of course, I do! That's exactly what I needed to know!

HP: Quantifies the current state of your body and soul, decreasing when injured. MP: Quantifies the amount of mana you contain inside you. STR: Indicates the physical strength of a being, increasing with level up. Depending on race, muscle tissue will become more refined, but do not affect appearance. AGI: Indicates the agility and dexterity of a being. Increases flexibility, speed, and reaction time with level up. VIT: Indicates the overall lifeforce of a being. Increases HP stat with level up, along with endurance and stamina. DEF: Indicates the defence of a being. Increase durability of a soul and body with level up, while not affecting texture. INT: Indicates magic power and memory of a being. Increases the direct strength of magic cast as well as memory upon level up. WIS: Indicates mana recovery speed and critical thinking of a being. Increases MP stat with level up along with recovery speed and thinking. CHA: Indicates the persuasiveness and leadership skills of a being. Increases how successful speaking to others will be, along with how likely a person is to believe you.

Oh... I get it now! Well, most of the stats were self-explanatory, but it's good to know specifically what they do! That charm stat is pretty vague, though... I guess you shouldn't underestimate the power of words, huh? Of which I'm currently unable to speak... Well, I'm sure I'll eventually be able to speak, even though... a slime probably won't even have vocal cords... Oh, but if I use Gluttony on a person-- Wait, what am I thinking? I can't just do that! That would kill them! I'm not like, a murderer or something!

Those thoughts behind us, I shouldn't just be idle. Every second is a second wasted! If I don't get a move on now, I'll...

That's not good. right in front of me is a huge snake, several meters above me with it's front a bit in the air instead of letting it rest on the ground.. Just saying, but apparently a demon lizard isn't that small, I was about at the height of the knees of that guy from before... so that means this snake is so much longer than a person. Even with just this small bit of itself lifted of the ground, it's already taller than that guy from before.

And now, it's looking directly at me.