I have been diligently leveling up my basic morphing lately in hopes of achieving the level where I could proceed with my plan.
The process is slow. Excruciatingly slow in fact. At this rate, it will take forever to imitate a human. Not that I have any clue regarding the passage of time. There is no sun in here and I just sleep when I'm tired.
I have tried counting the seconds but after a few thousand, I had lost count. But who cares how much time passes outside. Whenever I get out all that won't matter since everyone will be too busy admiring me for my groundbreaking discoveries. So, eyes on the prize and straight ahead!
I keep morphing into different things I killed and try to make the process as smooth as possible. To increase the skills level rate I even try to forcefully make the morphing go into more detail.
Sigh. All this morphing is exhausting and my basic morphing skill has remained at level one. Time to go out and hunt some monsters!
I slither along the side of the wall while carefully scanning the cave. I have discovered that in a fight getting the first hit can often secure victory with the least effort needed. And to me conserving energy seems to be crucial for my continuous survival.
"That's the last of those pesky lizards. Let's continue before more come to annoy us. Man those things are bothersome!"
Was that?!!!
Are my nonexistent ears kidding me or did I just hear a human voice yell from further ahead in the cave? The way he is speaking sounds strange to me like he is speaking in a heavy accent but I'm sure that was a human voice.
My basic morphing has yet to reach an adequate level but I simply must make contact! Once they bring me back to civilization I can still continue to train it until I'm able to use it.
I stop hugging the wall and scoot around a bend in the cave towards the human voice. There they are, my salvation! A group of three swordsmen and a carrier is advancing right towards me.
They see me and ready their weapons so I must quickly make them realize I am special. I slither around trying to move in an SOS shape. They seem confused so I switch to slapping the cave floor in morse code.
They still look confused but lower their weapons. I scoot over to them in hopes of showing how tame yet intelligent I am. However, before I can reach the closest swordsman he kicks me into the side and sends me crashing into the cave wall.
Why did you idiot kick me?!! Do you have any idea how valuable I am?!! What would have happened if my core got damaged and all the knowledge and possibilities I hold had gone up in smoke, huh?!! Would you be able to take responsibility?!!
Of course, the guy can't hear me! Hey, don't raise your sword! I'm not your enemy!
The sword flashes down and I throw myself to the side. A large part of my gelatinous body is cut off and liquified but my core is safe. I can't die here! I haven't become famous yet!!!
My determination becomes palpable and the swordsman goes limb and his eyes glaze over. Did I just kill someone with my determination alone? Am I some kind of overpowered special slime?!!
Nope, it must be that crystal sticking out of his chest. Wait, is that really a crystal?
The blue spike is pulled back and the dead swordsman drops to the ground revealing a blue, gelatinous girl that had been standing behind him.
Put some clothes on for decency's sake! Or not. This must be a slime girl, the next evolution for slimes. If they are female that is, I would of course become a slime boy... Right?
"Hey there little guy. You wouldn't by any chance be a former human right?"
She's talking in a language that I do not recognize but understand flawlessly. I can't talk so I have to find another way to communicate.
"You seem to be unaware of this but since we are both slimes you can talk to me. Just try to talk normally and it'll work out."
Really? I can talk?
"Can you understand this?"
I don't know how my round and gelatinous body does it but I feel like I just sent out a wave or something.
"Yes, I can understand you loud and clear. Now, about my earlier question."
"I am a human!"
"No silly, you were a human. But that's alright I too was once a human."
"You too? Then we can leave this dungeon together and bring our important discoveries to the outside world! We will both be famous!"
She gives me a forced smile before sighing and picking me up. Touching her feels a little weird since we are both gelatinous masses controlled by a core.
"Look, I know this is hard to accept but leaving the dungeon isn't really an option. Even if we were once human we aren't recognized as such by society anymore. Even if you gain the ability to communicate with them they will just attempt to kill you."
"That can't be! We are humans even if we are in the bodies of monsters."
"Let me ask you something, can you remember your name from when you were human? Or can you remember any prominent event in your life that people could recognize you by? Any acquaintances that could recognize you, any proof that you truly were a human?"
"Do you think I am lying?!!"
"No, but the humans will. I tried talking to them, they asked me the same, I couldn't remember and they tried to kill me. So tell me, can you remember your name?"
"Of course I can! I'm... I'm... I-"
I can't remember my name! I can't remember my parents, my coworkers, or my friends. All my memories consist of faceless and nameless people!
"No need to panic. I'll bring you to a safe place and there we can give you a new name. By the way, my name is Veronica. Nice to meet you."