Suddenly, I Became a Slime

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[3774 - KR Observation Report]

3774 - KR refers to an endless staircase and the door leading to it.

The external appearance of 3774 - KR resembles an emergency exit that could be found anywhere. Based on its appearance blending seamlessly into its surroundings, it is presumed to adapt to its environment.

A simple test was conducted to determine whether it adapts to its surroundings, and the following results were obtained:

1. Decorating the area with mismatched ornaments showed no changes.

2. Changing the wallpaper and flooring to match the mismatched decorations resulted in the door’s appearance adapting to the new decor.

3. Based on results from 1 and 2, we concluded that altering one or two environmental aspects has no effect. This was verified through multiple further tests.

When opening the door to 3774 - KR, an endless staircase leading downward is revealed. This is referred to as the "interior."

The basic structure of the interior is as follows:

1. The interior is cloaked in darkness, with intact light bulbs failing to function, presumably due to a lack of external electrical connection. However, bringing external light sources inside poses no restrictions. The tested light sources include:

   • Smartphone flashlight.

   • Torch

   • Battery-powered flashlight.

   • Flare.

   • Glow stick.

   • ■■■■ - KR.

   • Lantern.

   • Matches.

   • Candle.

   • Light bulb.

2. Apart from the darkness, the structure consists of an endlessly descending staircase. Landings are present between flights of stairs, which are presumed to serve as markers for counting floors.

3. The stairs are ordinary, seemingly made of concrete.

4. The staircase is straight, with gaps between flights revealing an endless descent into darkness.

   • To measure the depth, a device was deployed into the gap but reached its limit at approximately 828 meters.

   • An incident where an object fell into the gap reported no audible sound of it hitting the bottom.

5. A single light source emitting green light was found: an emergency exit sign. However, no actual exit door was present.

Further exploration by agents revealed additional characteristics:

1. The temperature decreases progressively as one descends.

2. Occasionally, unlit emergency exit signs are encountered.

3. The deepest recorded descent reached the 62nd floor. Beyond this, agents reported headaches, and exploration ceased.

No further characteristics were identified, leading to the suspension of observations. Initially, 3774 - KR was classified as [Safe]. However, due to sudden anomalies, its classification was reconsidered as [Caution].

Subsequent incidents during re-observation prompted its reclassification as [Neutral Threat].

• Further investigation is deemed necessary.

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Having completed all necessary procedures, I emerged from the suitcase. Immediately, countless gazes focused on me.

The emotions conveyed by those stares varied.

The predominant feelings were curiosity and suspicion.

While the two emotions might seem similar, they were subtly different. The former was a friendly gaze, while the latter was, predictably, less welcoming.

If I had to compare them to people I knew, they’d be like Yang Hana’s friendliness versus Hwangbo Yul’s aloofness.

I couldn’t help but bubble slightly, amused at my own apt metaphor.

"Wow!"

"Is it safe?"

"How adorable..."

Some seemed startled, expecting me to spit out jelly.

Yet, their reactions seemed more composed than those of the people I’d encountered in the swamp. Perhaps now I understood why Hwangbo Yul had been strict and curt back then.

Even within the same organization, there were significant differences. The swamp was a remote outpost, while this was in the city—it made sense that the atmosphere varied.

Still, I didn’t know enough about how the organization operated to pinpoint the exact differences.

Regardless.

After some time passed, they placed the same collar as before around my neck.

With that, the previously closed door swung wide open. The people who opened it had stiff expressions, clearly reluctant to approach the door.

What could possibly be waiting beyond it to cause such unease? From what I’d read, it seemed to involve a staircase.

And sure enough, my memory proved correct. Beyond the open door lay a small space with a railing and a staircase leading downward.

Though dimly lit, the bright exterior allowed me to make out those details.

Hmm.

It’s finally my turn.

Honestly, I didn’t understand what made descending stairs so dangerous.

While an endless staircase might be unsettling, compared to the singularities I’d encountered before, this seemed almost mundane.

Unless the stairs transformed into a monster or became a slide you couldn’t climb back up without external help?

Entertaining such thoughts amused me. Before, I’d dismiss them as nonsensical, but now, with the possibility of anything being real, such musings were fun.

Of course, I hoped that where I was about to go wasn’t actually that dangerous.

But if it wasn’t, why call me?

That realization dampened my mood.

It felt like being a canary in a coal mine.

Still, if my presence kept others safe, I didn’t mind. As long as I didn’t end up regretting it... My body was resilient—not invincible, but definitely tougher than a human’s.

"Take care."

With Hwangbo Yul and the others seeing me off, I stepped inside. As soon as I entered, an odd sensation enveloped me.

Though it seemed like part of the same building, the interior felt subtly different from the exterior—as though the space itself had shifted.

Looking back, I saw the open door and the people watching me from outside.

Nothing seemed different, yet something had undoubtedly changed.

What a perplexing—no, singular—space.

Regardless.

Bubbling softly, I crossed the small room, gripped the railing, and began descending the staircase.

Unfortunately, I had to grip the thin metal bars, as my smaller stature no longer allowed me to reach the broader handrails I used as a human. The indignity of it stung slightly.

If I’d known, I would’ve brought more jellies with me.

Grumbling internally, I plodded down the steps. Each step squelched softly beneath me, the monotonous scenery continuing endlessly.

The unchanging view was boring, yet its repetition made it oddly fascinating. An irony that struck me as somewhat philosophical—though this wasn’t the place for such reflections.

As I descended further, the light from the open door above faded. Darkness gradually enveloped me, and my eyes adjusted to it bit by bit.

Feeling lonely, I expelled a handful of jelly from my body to create a companion. While it might have looked odd to anyone watching, to me, it was simply gaining a travel partner.

Hopefully, no one misunderstood.

With the bouncy jelly beside me, I continued my descent.

Occasionally, I spotted glowing green emergency exit signs. Curiously, while the signs were present, there were no doors to accompany them.

Attempting to prod the walls with my jelly revealed nothing but cold, bumpy surfaces—no hidden doors.

Should I try breaking through with a makeshift hammer? The thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it, fearing Hwangbo Yul’s reaction.

Amused by the sight of my jelly companion rolling down the stairs, I resumed walking.

The silence grew tiresome—repeating the same motions in a quiet, unchanging space was mentally draining.

How long would this continue?

As I pondered, my gaze fell on the railing. An idea struck me—what if I slid down it instead of walking? It would certainly speed things up.

Hmm...

Sitting on the nearest landing, I weighed my options.

Should I keep walking, or should I take the slide?