Forest Adventure

The bright sunlight and lush green forest were a sight I hadn't seen in so long, having been cooped up in the urban village for ages. Though I'd turned into a dog, the scenery along the way soothed my soul. I trotted along, wagging my tail, drinking from clear springs when thirsty, and eating wild fruits that had fallen to the ground when hungry.Perhaps I was getting used to this body—my steps gradually quickened as I looked forward to reaching a village or city soon. (Since this feels like some kind of game-like alternate world, maybe I can pull up a menu or a stats screen or something. Let's give it a try.) With that thought, I barked loudly, "Woof woof, woof woof (Open menu)!" But nothing happened—no menu, no buttons, nothing popped up. Was I doing it wrong? Or did I need to use human language to bring up the menu? This was troubling. I had no idea about my own condition—aside from feeling fatigue and hunger, I had no clue about my level, stamina, or any other stats. What was I supposed to do? As I pondered this, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes, growing closer. I tensed up, unsure if it was friend or foe. Suddenly, a creature leaped out—it looked like a grizzly bear but wasn't quite a bear. It was several times my size. Uh-oh, I was in trouble. I turned and bolted, knowing I couldn't fight it. As I ran for my life, the monster chased after me, and to my horror, it was faster than I was. Just as it was about to catch up, I leaped onto a tree, hoping to hide. It rammed the tree a few times, and unbelievably, the tree toppled over. How was this thing so strong? I was done for. I jumped off the falling tree and darted toward a mountain path nearby. Maybe I was too frantic—my foot slipped, and I tumbled down the valley. My body crashed into trees as I fell, finally landing on the grassy valley floor.Covered in wounds, I struggled to my feet, letting out a pained whimper, "Woo~." I crawled slowly, my vision blurry, but I could faintly make out a cave ahead. "I'll hide in there and rest for a bit," I thought as I dragged myself toward it.After much effort, I reached the cave entrance. Inside, there seemed to be a stone door flanked by intricately carved pillars, with strange symbols or writing etched into them. "Could this be a human bunker or storage room?" I wondered, puzzled, as I approached the door. I couldn't find any mechanism to open it, and with my injuries, I didn't have the strength to push it anyway. Oh well, I'd just rest in a corner for now. As I lay down in a nook, I accidentally pressed something that sank beneath me. With a rumbling sound, the stone door slowly opened! Had I stumbled onto the right trigger by sheer luck? Inside, some kind of fluorescent device glowed, illuminating the room beyond. I stepped in cautiously, sniffing around for traps or mechanisms. The room wasn't large—maybe a few dozen square meters. On either side stood rows of stone pillars, each topped with statues of unknown monstrous creatures, like guardian tomb beasts. At the far end was what looked like an altar, and on it sat a stone tray with a faintly glowing orb hovering above it. What was this thing? Curious, I hopped onto the altar to get a closer look. The orb wasn't big—slightly larger than a marble. I gently tapped it with my paw, and that was a mistake. A searing pain shot through my paw as if it were burning, and the orb fused into it. I could feel it coursing through my entire body, as though I'd absorbed it. The pain in my already injured body intensified, a burning sensation like an electric shock spreading everywhere. I writhed on the ground, howling in agony, begging for the pain to stop. My body seemed to glow. Was this how I'd die? In the midst of unbearable torment, I passed out…