4 (Just now) First-time (originally existing) dungeon exploration

Well then.

Staying in the same place indefinitely won't help. It's about time to move.

Footprints mean people are present. Meeting them will only lead to trouble.

For now, move in the opposite direction of the footprints.

But this cavern—too large.

Ceiling extends straight upward. Probably reaches a height of 100 meters. Width is similar.

Rough rock formations scattered throughout give it a slightly cluttered feel, but even so, the cavern is spacious.

The wide path branches into multiple directions.

This is a Y-junction: my original route, the path with footprints continuing along it, and the path I am currently approaching—all intersecting.

I am now heading down the lower branch of the Y.

I climbed onto a rock of moderate size and cautiously peered ahead along the path.

Something’s there…!

Monstrous creatures with unmistakably unnatural appearances were scattered throughout the area.

『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『鹿』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『蝙蝠』『狼』『狼』『狼』『狼』『狼』『狼』『恐竜』……

鑑定が暴発した。

Not quite, but if you mention it, it does resemble a deer—though the deer I know didn’t have antlers glowing like master-crafted blades.

The bats flitting through the air—less bat, more grotesque rodent with demonic wings sprouting from its back.

The wolf seemed relatively normal at first—until I noticed six legs.

The worst part? The dinosaur lying in the far corner.

A Tyrannosaurus with horns and scales—would that look like that?

Not a dinosaur. A dragon, really.

Can we even get through this?

Impossible, isn’t it?

Honestly, asking a newborn spider to do this is pushing it.

The difficulty level is insane.

Moving quietly down the rock.

What now?

Front: monster hazard.

Back: one path leads to spider hell, the other to humans.

Wait.

Is this a dead end?

Well… wait.

Calm yourself.

I had prepared a solution for this possibility, as anticipated.

Not some grand scheme—merely the discovery of another path.

The large Y-shaped corridor obscured it, but there is indeed another side passage here.

A narrow opening in the wall, barely noticeable.

Height is approximately three meters, width similar—passable without issue.

The only concern: footprints lead from this passage outward.

If human footprints exit through this route, then the exit of this cave—more precisely, this dungeon—may lie beyond.

Hmm.

An exit, is it.

Exiting... how would that be?

If I were an ordinary person, I would leave without hesitation.

This dungeon is clearly high-level.

I don’t know how strong I am as a monster, but if I think it’s impossible at a glance, fighting isn’t an option.

If this were a game, I might charge in with “Death respawn is fine!” But in reality, dying means permanent termination.

I won’t risk my life in a suicide assault.

I need a sufficient safety margin.

Given that, escaping from this dungeon isn’t a bad choice.

Not bad—but that doesn’t mean I can just leave and be safe outside.

I’m a monster.

If people are moving in and out, that means human habitation is nearby.

If a creature like me appears in a human territory, it’ll be hunted.

Exiting means accepting that risk.

But going outside, finding a location with lower difficulty than this—might be feasible.

Whether or not I can evade human detection depends on chance. But if that’s the case, staying in this dungeon is also purely a matter of chance.

Alright, decided!

First, head toward the dungeon exit.

Then, assess the area near the exit. If possible, escape from here.

Humans might have set up tents near the dungeon entrance.

With that settled—let’s move!

Got lost (´∀｀*)

Nope.

Say it again?

This cavern—way too vast!

What is this massive labyrinth?

The path has been branching out chaotically since just now.

Number of intersections?

Stopped counting after ten. Giving up on further tally.

Encountered monsters frequently.

Each time, I fled so much that I lost track of the original route.

Footprints?

I’ve long since lost track of those.

Ah… none here.

This labyrinth—can’t be cleared without a map, you know.

Can’t even hope to find the exit.

Besides, I’m reaching my limit with hunger.

Someone, please bring food.