Freedom

Arin's current stats were:

Name: Not Named

HP: 290/700

Strength: 75

Endurance: 80

Speed: 50

Mana: 400

Level: 49

Skills: Hidden.

As he trudged through the labyrinth for two hours, Arin's exhaustion finally caught up with him.

"I'm very tired..." he muttered, before collapsing onto the ground, his body merging with the stone floor.

Twelve hours later, Arin stirred, his senses slowly returning.

He rose to his feet, shaking off the remnants of his slumber.

After a few more hours of navigating the labyrinth, he stumbled upon a massive, radiant door.

The light emanating from within was almost blinding.

"What's in there?" Arin wondered, his curiosity piqued.

With a deep breath, he pushed open the door, and his eyes widened in astonishment. He was outside!

The bright sunlight and fresh air were a welcome respite from the dank, musty atmosphere of the labyrinth.

"I'm... free?" Arin's face split into a wide, toothy grin as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings.

But his joy was short-lived, as he soon realized that the outside world was not as peaceful as he had hoped.

A red dragon, unlike any he had seen before, was laying waste to a nearby castle.

Flames engulfed the structure, and the roars of the beast echoed through the air.

"I guess the outside wasn't what I expected," Arin said, his smile faltering.

He quickly retreated from the kingdom, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

Two months passed, and Arin found himself walking through a forest on a rainy day.

He had spent the time honing his skills, defeating forest monsters and absorbing their abilities.

As he emerged from the trees, he spotted a carriage on the paved road.

His heart sank as he approached the vehicle, finding the knights and passengers lifeless.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Arin wondered,

"What if I eat one of these humans? Will I be able to transform into a human again?"

The thought of consuming a human was unsettling, but he knew it was a necessary step.

With a heavy heart, Arin approached a lifeless body and took a bite. The taste was absent, but the rewards were immediate.

« You have unlocked "Transformation" »

« You have reached the Level threshold (Level 70) »

« The host will begin "Evolution" now. »

« Choose your race »

Arin's eyes scanned the screen, his mind racing with the possibilities.

"What... Alright, I'll choose one," he said, his voice laced with hesitation.

Two options stared back at him:

« Demon Slime »

« Heavenly Slime »

"I'll choose the Heavenly Slime..." Arin started to say, but before he could finish, he felt himself being pulled into a vortex of light.

« The host did not choose in time »

« Initiating Auto-Choose »

« Taken Demon Slime »

Arin's eyes widened in shock as he realized he had lost control of the situation.

The screen's message echoed in his mind, and he felt a strange, tingling sensation coursing through his body.