So, there I was, thinking that the path ahead would be a straightforward stroll in the park. Little did I know that the powers that be had something entirely different in mind.

We had this fancy device called the "slime dealing box," or as they like to call it, the "core resonator." It sounded way too high-tech for our own good. It was clear that the folks in charge had been through this circus act a few times too many.

The environment around us was like night and day compared to our previous experiences. It reeked of burnt charcoal, and the air was thick with humidity that made me sweat buckets.

We were handed these masks, not for some masquerade party, mind you, but to protect us from the toxic air. Apparently, breathing in this stuff could lead to a brief case of paralysis, or if you're really unlucky, a lifetime subscription to the Paralyzed Club.

My instincts were going haywire, screaming at me to hightail it out of there. I'm not one to easily scare, but this was a whole new level of heart-pounding fear. My heart raced, my stomach churned, and my senses sharpened like a blade. I had this chilling feeling creeping all over me. If it weren't for my stubborn reasoning, I would've been long gone.

But I couldn't let the others see me scared. My poker face was on point; nobody suspected a thing. After all, I'm a master of my own fear, and I firmly believed that there was a purpose to this journey. Everything happens for a reason, right?

Now, from the perspective of the head honcho of the armed group:

Our mission was a calculated gambit. We set the perfect bait to lure our prey out of the lake. What those rookies didn't know was that their masks had a nifty little surprise - a sedative. It would numb them when fear came knocking. These lambs walked right into the lion's den, thinking they could breeze through the level 2 Moon Flower Forest. It was like a dream if they believed that. Without the sacrifices of our previous soldiers, they wouldn't have made it this far. The snake repellent sprays and the core resonator they were so giddy about were one-time-use goodies. They'd be paying for those with interest for generations to come. Sacrificing them? No sweat.

And now, let's dive into the thoughts of the mercenary group leader, Jack:

They paid me handsomely this time, enough to retire comfortably for the next two decades. But it came at a hefty price - my reputation and my self-respect. The plan was laid out before the mission began, but I had no clue it would turn into this nightmare. Could I have rebelled? Perhaps, but I lacked the strength to go against these armed brutes. The only honorable thing would be to take down two of them with me, but my choices were as limited as a goldfish in a puddle. It's a shame for my fallen comrades, but when it's a matter of life or honor, the latter can take a hike. I despise it all.

Leader Jack finally spoke up: "You folks have made it this far, but let me be crystal clear - you haven't broken a sweat for your pay. The path so far has been smoother than a baby's bottom, and that doesn't cut it in our line of work. We're not adventurers; we're mercenaries, and things are about to get dicey. You've been wondering why we've got level 1 and level 0 members with us."

He continued, "I'll lay it out for you. Those containers you think hold some critter's blood? Well, they come from level 1 areas and have just a drop of that blood. Think about how long it takes to collect enough. I won't bore you with the specifics, but it takes two years. And now, you all are footing the bill."

Without waiting for any objections, Jack pressed a green button on the container's side, and a hissing sound filled the air. Red gas began oozing out of the container. Before we knew it, our bodies turned as stiff as boards. I realized I was meant to become a human popsicle.

I had believed Jack had a story, but in the face of power, he was just as powerless as the rest of us. They could've chosen a different method instead of baiting us, but I couldn't even voice my thoughts.

From an outside observer's standpoint, it must have looked like five red dots emitting a tantalizing aroma, a tempting treat for any passing monster. If it weren't for this eerily lifeless area, we'd be facing a monstrous buffet in no time.

As the aroma wafted out, the lake's resident monster leaped into action. It was a bloated blue mutant toad, twice my size. I couldn't help but wonder if it was actually smart or just a tad less foolish than its predecessors. It locked eyes on us, and I pondered whether it planned to devour us whole or turn us into a messy snack. Would I survive in its stomach, slowly dissolving in its acidic juices, or would I go out in a puff of smoke? These weren't the kind of questions I was eager to answer.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Before I could react, the monster slurped us up like oversized spaghetti noodles. As my consciousness dimmed, I had time to think, "Great, my last wish is for Jack to bite the dust before I do."

Then, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.

ACTIVATING THE PATHFINDER SYSTEM...

[1%, 2%, 3%, ... 97%, 98%, 99%, ... 100%]

SUPPRESSING THE PREDECESSOR WILL...

BEEP!

ACTIVATION COMPLETE!

The sensations that greeted me were far from pleasant - gurgling sounds, a roasting smell, and an undeniable stickiness. I woke up to find that my fellow participants had already moved on to the great beyond. So, why was I left behind?

A voice echoed in my head, "You're awake."

I asked, "What's that sound?"

"Turn around if you want, but I'm already inside you. Focus your thoughts."

I followed the instructions, and soon I found myself in a room bathed in bright light, its walls made entirely of tree bark. And sitting across from me was a shadow.

In a sweet voice, the shadow spoke, "Hello there, but you don't need to know who I am."

Perplexed, I asked, "Why am I here? Can't you just tell me?"

I couldn't help but try to touch the shadow, even though it was clear it wasn't a tangible presence.

With a bemused tone, I mumbled, "Huh."

The shadow continued, "I know you're wondering about the price."

"Life energy, you say?"

I figured from my Earthling memories that this had something to do with hunting.

The shadow affirmed, "Yes."

I then wondered aloud, "Oh, and you can read my thoughts too?"

It seemed she could read me like an open book. With no secrets to hide, I reluctantly concluded that I had no choice but to leave my second life in her hands.

I asked, "Alright, so how do I get out of this place?"

"You just need

to wait."

"Wait? That's it?"

With a hint of impatience, I prodded, "Well, am I getting superpowers or skills or something?"

The shadow replied, "Neither."

Perplexed, I inquired, "Then what?"

"You have to figure it out yourself."

"I see."

Back outside the monster's stomach:

After its hearty meal, the toad turned its sights on the rest of us. I had some questions for the creature.

"Hey there, can you tell me how strong this monster is?"

But the creature wasn't very forthcoming. "You'll find out soon enough."

I decided to check out my own status, as you do when you're on the brink of becoming toad chow:

Activating: Status...

In the reflection on my retina, I could see:

[Creature: Unknown

HP: 20/20

Others: Unlocked]

I thought, "Now, show my status."

[Level 1: HP-5, STR-5, DEF-5, AGI-3, MP-0

Skills: Basic sword movements]

It hit me, "Oh, I'm a level 1 now."

I couldn't help but ponder about the creature's status.

"Why is this creature marked as 'unknown'?"

But the creature's response was cryptic, "Because you lack the knowledge."

I inquired further, "Don't you know?"

The creature gave me no easy answers, "Every wisdom comes at a cost."

I pressed on, "How much?"

But I was met with silence.

It seemed the creature had its reasons, and there was no bargaining with it. In fact, it felt like it could read my every thought, leaving me exposed like an open book.

Back in the outside world:

The monster pounced on its nearest prey, and with a swift maneuver, it barely avoided becoming a toad's snack. Instead, it found its backside ensnared by the creature's long, sticky tongue. It was a race against time, but the poor soul was already a goner when it got swallowed. The whole affair took less than five seconds.

The sight of their comrade's demise sent shivers down the spines of the remaining initiators, but none of them dared to flee. Surprisingly, Jack and his cronies were at the forefront. The soldiers had secured the monster with large chains, and as it wriggled around, the perfect opportunity for an attack presented itself. The four mercenaries pulled out their trusty hand cannons as if there were no tomorrow. The creature took a minor beating, courtesy of its slippery skin, but the lethargy-inducing drug in the sweet aroma started to kick in, slowing down its attacks.

Despite its lack of intelligence, the creature knew it was in a tight spot. It turned tail, ready to make a break for it and offer a golden opportunity to the four mercenaries. Three of them latched onto it, trying to land a blow, but the enraged creature spat acid at them in retaliation. Chaos reigned as arrows rained down on the struggling group.

As the creature's movements grew even slower, it became clear that it was a sitting duck, er, toad. The imperial soldiers moved in for the kill, ending the battle with a clean execution.

Jack, the lucky survivor, approached their leader, Mike, and said, "Leader Mike, I did what I was told."

Mike acknowledged, "You did as you were instructed."

But he couldn't ignore the glaring issue. "But you've lost your strength, and your men are no more."

Jack persisted, "But—"

Without warning, an arrow pierced through his chest, and with wide eyes and a trembling finger, Jack met his end.

Mike concluded, "You reap what you sow."

He then directed his men to clean up the aftermath. They sorted through the equipment from the fallen initiators and used a rather handy corpse dissolver to tidy things up. The creature's head was swiftly removed, and its various parts, including its blood, were collected in special containers.

With a sense of urgency, Mike commanded, "Alright, boys, toss the creature's body into the lake, and let's get out of here."

I watched in bewilderment as they sprinted away, leaving me perplexed about their rush to escape. The entire fight had lasted no more than two minutes, and things were only getting stranger by the moment.

It seems that the quirkiness of this adventure knows no bounds.