Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (LN)

Chapter 2

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Where’s this? Say, what exactly is going on here?

The last thing I remembered was something useless about a sage or great sage….

And now, I woke up.

My name’s Minami Satoru, a good man of 37 years old.

In order to save a Kohai from a criminal, I got stabbed from behind.

Great, I still remember it. No problem, there’s no need to panic.

Besides, I’m a das.h.i.+ng person. The only time I’ve panicked was when I p.o.o.ped my pants in elementary school.

Looking around, I finally discovered, I couldn’t open my eyes.

This is pretty headache inducing. I tried to rub my head…… I didn’t get any response from my hand either. Before this, where exactly is my head?

Oi oi, give me a minute.

Give me some time, I need to calm down. I think this is a good time to count prime numbers?

One, two, three, ah —— !!

Wait no, not like this! Actually, one is not even a prime number, right?

No no, this kind of thing doesn’t matter.

Right now’s not the time to think about these useless things, my current condition should be anything other than rea.s.suring, right?

Eh? W-what exactly is going on here?

Don’t tell me…… I’ve already sank into a state of confusion and now I’m wasting time?

I hurriedly confirmed if anywhere on my body was hurting.

Nothing hurts at all, it’s better to say that it’s actually pretty comfortable.

Not even hot or cold, this is really a refres.h.i.+ng s.p.a.ce.

This made me loosen up a little.

And now to confirm my hands and feet… Let’s not talk about finger tips, neither my hands or feet had any responses at all.

What exactly is going on?

I was clearly only stabbed once, it shouldn’t have chopped away my hands and feet right?

Also, I can’t even open my eyes.

I can’t see anything, this is pitch-black darkness.

In my heart, an anxiety that I’ve never felt before flooded out.

Is this….. the legendary unconscious state?

Or is that, although I have my consciousness, my nerves are all broken and I can’t move?

Oi oi oi, give me a break!

I have to carefully think about it.

A human will go mad shortly after if confined into a closed s.p.a.ce. It could be said that the current me is in that state. Also, I can’t die even if I wanted to.

Waiting to go mad just like this, how could that be possible!

At this time, a feeling of being touched by something traveled through my body.

Eh? What’s this….?

I concentrate my entire consciousness on that sensation.

Abdomen? An area that feels like the abdomen was touched by some kind of plant.

Everything I gathered my consciousness onto a spot, I could then roughly understand the area of that spot. Occasionally, I could feel a slightly p.r.i.c.kling sensation from something that seems to be a leaf-like plant.

I feel a bit happier now.

Even though I’m still inside the pitch-black darkness. But at least the sense of touch from the five senses is still working.

I enthusiastically tried to move toward that blade of gra.s.s ——

As if crawling, my body indeed moved.

I actually…. moved!?

Now I’ve finally understood that I’m not on the hospital bed. Why, you say? Because the solid feeling of something like rocks came from under my abdomen.

So that’s what it is…. Even though I don’t really understand it, in short, I’m not in the hospital.

Not only that, neither my eyes or ears worked.

Although I don’t know where my head is, I still tried to move toward the direction of the gra.s.s. My consciousness was completely concentrated onto the part that touched.

I couldn’t smell anything at all. I’m afraid that, it seems like my sense of smell has also failed?

Speaking of which, what kind of shape am I right now?

Although I don’t want to admit, but from this streamlined contour and elasticity, I could only think of [that].

A possibility flashed across my head.

No no…… how is that possible. No matter how you say it, it shouldn’t be….

All in all, let’s put the anxiety aside.

I, started to try the last function, of a human’s five senses.

However, since I don’t even know where my mouth is at, how exactly am I supposed to try it?

[Activate Unique skill [Predator]? (YES/NO)]

Suddenly, a voice came from my brain.

Ha? What did you say? It’s actually Unique skill [Predator]……!?

Speaking of which, what exactly is this voice?

It seems like that I had heard this voice when I pa.s.sed on my last will to Tamura, was it not a hallucination?

Is someone there? No, it seems a little different. Rather than to say someone’s here…… It’s more like the words floated out from my consciousness.

There is no sense of being human, it seemed inorganic, like a computer generated voice.

Anyways, I chose NO!

No response. Although I tried and waited for a long time, no more sound came out.

It looks like it wouldn’t ask a second time. Did I perchance choose the wrong option? Is this the type of game that would get stuck if you didn’t choose the YES option?

I thought it’d be like a RPG, and if you don’t choose YES it would keep on asking. Seems like I was wrong.

It clearly was the one that asked first, and then ignored me after. What a impolite fellow.

After finally hearing a voice, I was actually a little happy about it.

I immersed myself in regret.

Well, there is no other choice. Anyways, I’ll try to test out the sense of taste.

I concentrated my awareness onto the pile of gra.s.s, and moved my body.

After confirming the part that was touched by the gra.s.s, I pressed my whole body onto it. This tactile impression, as expected, is undoubtedly gra.s.s.

As I was feeling the tactile impression of the gra.s.s, the part of the gra.s.s that was in contact with my body started to melt. At first I had thought my body was melting and was really startled, but it seems that only the gra.s.s had melted.

And my body was absorbing the components of the gra.s.s.

It seems, my body didn’t have a mouth, and the part that touched things had replaced the function of the mouth instead. Just as a side note, I couldn’t taste anything at all.

That being said, it’s just like that.

It seems, the fact that I’m no longer being a human, there’s almost no mistakes about it.

Then that means, sure enough, I was stabbed to death back then?

Rather than asking, I’m already almost convinced. Then, the fact that I’m not in a hospital, but in on a stone ground that grew weeds can be accepted.

What happened with Tamura in the end?

What about Sawatari?

My computer should be taken care of, right?

I’m full of questions. But, there’s no point in worrying right now. It’s better to think about what to do from now on.

However, the way I look right now ——

And that feeling a moment ago….

I directed my consciousness to my body again.

Puni, Puni

A body that moved with a rhythm.

In this total darkness, I spent a little time confirming the whole structure of my body.

How could this be possible!?

I was clearly that kind of das.h.i.+ng and handsome man before, but now I’ve turned into a streamlined and bouncy slime!!

What kind of joke was this! Who would even agree to this kind of thing!!

But this body’s contour, no matter how I think about it, it can only be that thing!!

No no, but, hm.

I don’t really dislike it either? Umu, that thing really is kind of cute.

Ah but, if one were to be asked if they want to turn into something like that? I’d say over 90 percent of people would probably choose no.

Well, I’ll have to accept it I guess…..

It seems, my [Soul] after I had died, turned into a monster in another world.

This originally should be impossible. Even if it’s possible the chances should only be near astronomical.

In conclusion, I reincarnated into a slime.

Mugu mugu.

Right now, I’m eating gra.s.s.

Why, you ask…… do I even need to answer!

Because I am ex.tre.me.ly. bor.ed!

After accepting that I’ve been turned into a slime, many days have pa.s.sed. I don’t really know the exact amount of time….. Since there’s no concept of time at all in this pitch-black darkness.

During this period of time, I discovered that the body of a slime is actually pretty convenient. I can’t get hungry, nor become sleepy. Which means, I don’t need to worry about eating and sleeping at all.

I’ve also ascertained another thing.

Although I don’t know where this is, but there seems to be no other living beings. And thanks to that, there is completely no need to worry about my life being in danger…… Just that it’s kind of hard to stand doing nothing every single day.

After that time, the mysterious voice never appeared again. If it’s now, it’d be fine to chat with you a little, ya know.

Anyways, I helplessly started to eat gra.s.s.

It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do, this is only a way to pa.s.s time.

Right now, the gra.s.s I’ve absorbed is disintegrating in my body. I can feel the components slowly acc.u.mulate after being dismantled.

To ask what meaning does this have, I’d say it has no meaning at all.

If I didn’t do anything, I feel like I would really go mad. I’m just afraid of that, that’s all.

Absorb, Dismantle, Storage. Recently, I had become totally proficient in these set of actions.

There is something very incredible here.

Up until now, I seemed to not have any excreting behavior.

After all, I’m a slime, there is indeed a high possibility that this is unnecessary. But, where did the stuff that was stored go?

Just based on feelings, I felt no change of my contour.

What exactly is going on here?

[Answer. The items are stored inside the Unique Skill [Predator]’s stomach sack. Also, the current usage of the s.p.a.ce does not exceed 1 percent]

What? It actually answered —— !

But, how exactly did I use the skill? I should have answered NO! earlier that time.

[Answer. Did not use the Unique skill [Predator]. From the settings, absorbed materials will automatically be stored inside the stomach sack. It can be changed at will]

What? The answer this time felt really fluent! Wait no, putting that aside for now……

Then, what would happen if I used the skill?

[Answer. Unique Skill [Predator]’s main effects are ——–

a.n.a.lyze: a.n.a.lyze and examine the stored target. Can create items that can be produced. Under the conditions with sufficient materials, replication is possible. After successfully a.n.a.lyzing skills or magic, it is possible to learn the target’s skills/magic.

Stomach sack: Store targets that have been predated. Also, it can conserve objects made from a.n.a.lyze. The objects stored inside the Stomach sack will go into a state of stasis.

Mimicry: Mimic targets that have been absorbed, can use the same level of abilities of the target. However, it’s only limited to objects that have been successfully a.n.a.lyzed.

Isolate: Storage of impossible to a.n.a.lyze or harmful effects. After pa.s.sing through the nullification process, restores magic power.

—– The five abilities above]

Eh……Eh?

A nostalgic feeling of being surprised. It feels like, this skill is kind of cheating…… This isn’t an ability that a mere slime should have, right?

Wait a minute, before that, who’s voice was it that answered me?

[Answer. Unique Skill [Great Sage]’s effect. Since the ability had finished cementing, the speed of response has increased]

Great Sage huh…… I thought it was only mocking me. I didn’t think that it’d be this reliable. Take care of me from now on.

Speaking of which, it’s not the time to be stubborn anymore…..

If I could heal this endless loneliness, it’d be fine even if this [voice] was only a hallucination.

I have finally experienced the feeling of true relaxation after such a long time.

Right now, it’s already been ninety days since I’ve reincarnated into a slime.

To be precise, it has been ninety days seven hours thirty-four minutes and fifty-two seconds.

How could I be so sure you ask? Thanks to the Unique Skill [Great Sage]’s support effect, of course.

Aya~ this skill really is convenient, anytime I’m troubled, I’ll only need to ask the Great Sage. My questions, she’s able to answer them all.

According to [Great Sage], for the skill and my soul to sync up it would require ninety days. However, [Great Sage] originally didn’t have the response function. It seems like, in order to answer my questions she altered herself, and added the function of [World’s Discourse].

Basically, this convenient ability of asking and answering didn’t exist before. When the world changed, or if a skill was acquired or evolved, only then would [World’s Discourse] speak up.

However, acquiring and evolving skills was very rare in normal circ.u.mstances; it is a rare circ.u.mstance that wouldn’t happen unless one’s own growth became recognized by the world. As for [Evolve], it is really something that wasn’t fated for common people.

Although I completely don’t understand it, in short it seemed to be like this.

Although [Great Sage] can answer questions, it is still limited to pa.s.sive replies, and does not have an Ego.

If I don’t speak up here, I don’t get an answer from there either. This can be reckoned as the only regretful thing about it.

However, to be able to communicate using language, even if it’s single sided, is still something to feel happy for.

Something like having a conversation with my own skill, I would definitely be considered a delusional disorder patient in the original world.

All in all, inside this pitch-black darkness, the me with nothing to do started to ask questions non-stop.

And as a result, I learned that the current me was unquestionably, a slime.

The reason why I didn’t need to eat nor sleep was also ascertained.

For the slimes in this world, they don’t need to eat if they can absorb magic essence. In places with low magic essence density, they must hunt some monsters or small animals in order to refill their magic power.

Therefore, slimes in low magic essence density areas are extremely aggressive. But on the other hand, the monsters are stronger in places where the magic essence density is higher.

Which means right here at this place, the magic essence concentration is dense enough for me to not need to eat.

As for sleeping ——

[Answer. Slime’s body is a combined body of a single type of cell. Every single cell is a brain cell, and at the same time it is also a nerve cell and muscle cell. Therefore, it only need the active cells to take turns in resting, and there is no need for the action of sleeping]

Just like that.

Then, where is my memory stored?

I think it could be similar to computer hard drives. Which means, every single cell is responsible for memories, which creates a disk array?

At this time, I received an [It’s probably like that] answer.

[Great Sage] can actually just answer along!?

In addition, [Great Sage] has five effects that really stands out.

Thought Acceleration: Perception and sensing speed is raised by a thousand-fold.

a.n.a.lytical Identification: a.n.a.lyze and identify targets.

Parallel Calculation: Isolate the target that need to be a.n.a.lyzed from the train of thought, and calculate it separately.

Disregard Chanting: When using magic, there is no need to chant.

All-knowing: Knows everything in this world that’s not hidden.

Actually, all-knowing!? Well, I had originally thought it’s that kind of cheat-like skill where I could obtain all the knowledge without even trying.

But in reality, it only shows the information of targets that I have been exposed to.

Which means, I must first see something, and then I’ll be able to understand it.

Also, about Disregard Chanting. This means, if I learned to use magic, I wouldn’t need to read those powerful sounding confusing chants?

The answer that I received was YES.

After knowing this, I really can’t wait to try out some magic.

I tried to confirm with [Great Sage], and as expected there is no magic that I could currently use.

But at this time, I suddenly had a flash of brilliance. If the [Predator]’s a.n.a.lyze could have the property of the [Great Sage]’s Parallel Calculation, how good would that be.

[Answer. [Predator]’s a.n.a.lyze can be chained together with [Great Sage]’s Parallel Calculation, need to enable it? YES/NO]

Of course it’s a YES! Speaking of which there isn’t anything on hand to experiment with…… Wait a minute!

Don’t those stored gra.s.s in the Stomach that I ate to pa.s.s time, come in really handy right now?

It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do, let’s try it immediately.

[a.n.a.lysis Complete ——

Hipokute Gra.s.s: Raw materials of recovery medicine. Only proliferates in high magic essence density regions. Mixing the gra.s.s’s juice with magic essence can create recovery potions. Grinding the leaves into pieces and mixing it with magic essence can create recovery ointments]

What! The weeds I ate just to pa.s.s time actually……

This really is an unexpected harvest.

Immediately, I started trying to make the recovery agents. Although I say that, it’s actually entirely an automatic process in my body, which felt really arbitrary. a.n.a.lyzing didn’t even take a second, and manufacturing also took less than three seconds for one. After five minutes, there was already over a hundred.

While I couldn’t tell just by looking at them, after trying to Identify they all seemed to be [High Quality]

Speaking of which, no matter manufacturing or identifying, they all felt too fast. Reportedly it would take quite sometime normally, so it seems that linking it together with Parallel Calculating was the right move.

I tried to create another one after unlinking the skill, and it took an entire fifty minutes.

Isn’t the acceleration effect too fast.

It looks like I’ve acquired two outstandingly compatible skills, although I wasn’t really aware of it myself yet……

Although there were some regular weeds inside, most of it were still Hipokute gra.s.s.

For precaution, wherever I went, I would swallow all the gra.s.s around.

At the same time, recovery medicine were continuously made in my stomach.

The current me, completely became careless.

Because I had a cheat like ability, and a partner who would answer my question pa.s.sively, I got entirely carried away.

In these ninety days, there weren’t the slightest hint of misfortunate encounters with any other organisms. I’m afraid that not having any life-threatening dangers was one of the reasons too.

Anyways, I was careless.

Eh? The instant as I was thinking about this.

My body suddenly felt heavy and suddenly felt light….. It fell into a very unstable state.

Don’t tell me…… I fell into water?

During these ninety days, my body has never touched any water. Which means, this place is probably the interior of a rainproof cave or room. Therefore, I never had thought about this possibility.

I could feel my body continuously sinking. Since there are no way for rivers or lakes to exist inside a room, in other words, this is an underground lake inside a cave……

Until just now, I had carefully moved while confirming my surroundings.

But after hearing the skill’s explanations, I got carried away and started to use [Predator] to uproot all the gra.s.s in the surrounding area, completely forgetting to confirm the footing below.

As for me, as soon as I get carried away I’d fail.

It was the same when I attended the debate, [Leave it to me, piece of cake!], and always accepted the job after being carried away, and was always met with a dismal ending. I can still recall the resenting gazes of the Kouhais during those times.

Besides, while obviously not being able to see anything, I actually dared to scurry around. I really want to scold myself. Although if I could get out of this alive, just reflecting should be enough, right?

But it’ll probably just end with regretting, and then I’ll make the same mistake again.

That said, why am I still so at ease?

Since I don’t even have any limbs to struggle, I couldn’t become anxious even if I wanted to.

My short life as a slime.

To accept the upcoming suffocation, I steeled my mind.

I didn’t suffocate.

Why is that? Did I not fall into water?

Umu, whenever I’m troubled, I just need to ask [Great Sage]!

[Answer. Because a slime’s body only need magic essence to move, there is no need to breath]

Speaking of which….. I indeed didn’t notice, It seems that I didn’t breath at all.

I see. After ninety days, I learnt something new again. Oi, It’s not the time to be relaxed right now, right!?

It seems that I’ve undoubtedly fell into water.

Although I won’t die, the fact that I can’t get out still holds true.

In the end, what’s happening?

I can’t even determine if I’m floating on the surface or had sunk into the bottom.

Since I don’t have any limbs, I don’t have any ways to swim.

Should I wait until I’ve hit the bottom, and then slowly crawl up to the ground?

Or, should I just drift with the flow?

However this feeling, rather than to say drifting, it’s more like laying on a crib. Swaying slightly, it’s actually quite comfortable…..

The water doesn’t seem to be flowing, this is probably a lake, since there are no feelings to floating up and down. Don’t tell me, I’ll have to stay like this forever? That’s not very good.

And at this time, my brain cells = slime’s body, suddenly thought of a formidable strategy!

What if I just swallow a large volume of water, and propulse myself by expelling a water jet?

Without further ado, let’s try it out immediately. Since I’m bored anyways……

All in all, I used [Predator] and swallowed water, filling up around ten percent the volume of my stomach sack.

I compressed these water, and released them all at once.

This feeling of release, so awesome!

[Acquired Skill [Hydraulic Propulsion]]

A voice suddenly sounded in my head.

Is this, the [World’s Discourse]?

Since it wasn’t [Great Sage] that explained it, it’s probably correct. Just from the voice, it really is exactly the same.

However, I don’t have any time to care about that right now.

As the water pressure built up, the feeling of pressure encroached my whole body, and I shot forward with a momentum that could reach the sky. What an amazing feeling of acceleration.

Honestly saying, being blind right now may actually be better.

In the pitch-black darkness, I could feel my whole body moving with a terrifying speed.

If one had gone on a water slide in a pitch-black amus.e.m.e.nt park, it should feel a bit similar to that.

I have only experienced it once in my previous life. If I remember it was during extracurricular activity in an amus.e.m.e.nt park run by Mickey Mouse. However, there are no safety devices this time.

I really want to beat myself that thought up this kind of horrible idea.

Implementing right after getting an idea? What kind of joke is this! Affirming safety should come before everything, right!?

The fear made my thoughts tangle up into a ball.

How long will this acceleration continue…… Actually, how much water did I end up ejecting?

On the instant I had thought about it, my body crashed into a hard object and bounced back. And the severe pain that had followed….. seems like there is none.

Eh? Did I not take damage…… or is it that I won’t feel pain even after taking damage?

[Answer. Since [Pain Invalidation] was acquired, feelings of pain was completely blocked. Also according to [Physical Damage Resistance], the damaged was reduced. The current bodily damage is ten percent, [Slime]’s intrinsic skill [Self Regeneration] was activated. Enable the Unique Skill [Predator]’s support effects? YES/NO]

Although injured, I wont be able to feel pain? That really is…. a bit subtle. However even if I can’t feel any pain, my body can still detect abnormalities, so from some standpoints it indeed didn’t matter.

That said, [Predator]’s support? Although I don’t understand it, in short I’ll choose [YES].

Instantly, I clearly felt my a part of my body was cut away. And after some time had pa.s.sed, the original volume was restored again.

It seems, the part that was damaged was entirely predated, and after a.n.a.lyzing and repairing it was returned to the original position.

What a convenient body….. Next time, let’s experiment and see how much of my body can be reduced until I wouldn’t be able to move anymore….. Although that feels like a really dangerous experiment, it’s better to leave the table after winning a hand.

Umu, it seems that I too, have learned to be cautious.

This time, even though I had prepared a large amount of recovery medicine, it wasn’t used at all.

Normally speaking, damaging a tenth of the body should be really severe, but it seems that I can recover even to this degree. Next time I get injured, I’ll try to use the recovery medicine.

Speaking of which, where is this?

After confirming my body’s condition, I started to explore the surroundings.

It can’t be guaranteed that there won’t be any dangerous monsters here.

It looks like I’ve already escaped from the water, so it wouldn’t be weird even if there are monsters that inhabit by the water here.

I started to cautiously take action.

Recently, it feels like I’ve fallen into danger anytime I’ve mentioned ‘cautious’. This has to be only an illusion.

I’m afraid that thinking like this will become a FLAG……

(Can you hear me? Little one.)

I seemed to have heard something.

Little one? Well, no matter how you think about it, that refers to me……

Rather than say it’s a voice, it is more like a directly to the heart kind of feeling. After all, right now I do not have any ears.

（Oi! You should be able to hear? Hurry up and answer me!）

I heard you!

But, I can’t speak without a mouth.

I tried answering in my heart with 【You’re noisy, Baldie!】.

Well, after all he can’t hear it, so it should be fine. But, how should I answer……

（……Hoho. You actually dare to call me Baldie…… You really have some guts!! And I had thought that I shouldn’t be rude to a guest which I haven’t had in a long time, but it seems that you have a death wis.h.!.+ ）

Not good, it seems that he heard it. Then again, so you can answer like this, if I was informed in advance, then I wouldn’t have made the other party angry.

Also, I completely don’t know how the other party actually looks like.

No choice, I surrender.

It’s better to be honest and apologize.

（Sorry! I didn’t know how to reply, and I only randomly spoke out the thoughts in my heart just now. I’m really sorry! By the way, I’m in a state whereby I can’t see anything, not even your appearance.）

I think this should be fine? Well, after all, I called him a baldie when I haven’t even met him, so if he is really a baldie then it’s naturally for him to be angry.

（KuKuku, kuhaha. Kuhahahahahaha!!）

That scared me.

I had originally thought that this would be easy to deal with, but no matter how you look at it, this fellow is dangerous.

This enormous body that shone with the l.u.s.ter of obsidian. From the shape, it’s similar with western dragons.

There are six fingers, which formed claws that looked sharp enough to tear through anything. On the back are two pairs of wings, one big one small, the front ends are sharp like a sword.

When I looked closely, I could see the scales that covered his entire body emitted bad omens. They’re also currently illuminated in a faint purple light. As to why the luminescence was a pitch-black color, it was probably because of the even stronger demonic aura.

That silhouette, can also be described as a bizarre type of beauty,

Because I couldn’t see, my att.i.tude earlier seemed a little impolite. Since it has come to this, it’s too late for regrets.

By the way, my body was an oval shape as I had expected. It’s the same as a Mochi….

The color, could be considered a crescent moon’s white? There’s also a bit of a charming teal-white color mixed in.

Although it’s a color that slightly revealed some exquisiteness, the sad reality of me being a slime was already unable to be changed.

(Oi, do you still remember the promise? That said, you complained so much, but you actually learnt it so easily….)

(Of course! That just now was only a little joke. I can finally see and hear now. Thank you very much!)

(Hmph. It would’ve been better if you had taken a bit longer to learn it…)

Well, seems like there is no problems with the att.i.tude.

Although the appearance is scary, this dragon is unexpectedly cordial.

After all, this dragon really was afraid of loneliness.

He belongs to the type that you can’t judge just by the outer appearance. It’s like the 【The Red Devil Who Cried】.

(Then, what do you plan to do next?)

(That’s a good question. Anyways, I would probably try to look for otherworlders from the same world as me. Though even if I can’t find anyone, it would still be okay.)

Although it’s better to be able to find them, it’s still not guaranteed that we’ll actually become friends.

Rather than that, I’m finally able to see now, so traveling through the world doesn’t sound like a bad idea either.

Just like this, I can finally say goodbye to this boring life of eating gra.s.s.

But, this dragon.

Although its appearance is really evil, it’s not moving at all.

Speaking of which, didn’t he say something about being sealed for three hundred years?

(That…. Earlier Verudora-san had said that you were sealed here, right?)

(Mu? Well. I slightly underestimated the opponent… Although I got serious in the middle, I still lost in the end!)

I don’t know why, but he seemed kind of proud of that.

Actually, leaving magic aside, I can’t imagine that swords or spears would have any effect on this dragon….

(Was the opponent that strong?)

Could people that are stronger than this monster here be everywhere in this world?

The outside world feels way too dangerous!

(Aah, really strong. Possessing 【Protection】, it’s an existence that humans refers to as the 【Yuusha】.)
(TL: Yuusha = Brave person/Hero. But it seems only Yuusha have 【protection】, while heroes are ya know, heroes.)

A existence that’s really common in various games.

Recently, because there were way too many works based on Yuusha as a topic, the impression of them became weak instead.

But in this world, they seemed to be really strong.

(Speaking of which, that Yuusha claimed to have been 【Summoned】. Maybe the Yuusha came from the same world as you.)

(Eh? No no, people from my world can’t possibly be that strong?)

(No, most of the 【Otherworlders】 that came to this world have special powers. Those powers were embedded into the soul as they crossed through the worlds. A 【Summoned】 however, will always have special abilities. Moreover, they are all 【Unique Skills】. The difference between the occasional 【Otherworlders】 that comes to this world, is precisely their strong 【souls】 that can endure the summoning and acquire Unique Skills. Even though cases of successful summoning is naturally extremely rare.

(The so-called summon, they were called out using magic or something….right?)

(That’s exactly it. It needs more than thirty magicians, and requires three days of ceremony. Although the success rate is low, as a really strong 【weapon】, it’s still worth the wait)

(Hah? Weapon?)

(Fumu, to prevent the 【summoned】 resisting against the summoners, a curse would be embedded into the soul using magic.)

(What the h.e.l.l is that? Ignoring the summoned’s human rights?)

(Human rights? In other worlds, people have rights? Those things, are simply fantasies in the world, you know. The strong devours the weak, that’s the absolute truth of everything in this world. Strength is everything.)

Is that so…. It seems, this world has places that’s really hard to accept with the earth’s ideology.

(Then, are the 【Otherworlders】 considered slaves too?)

(That’s not so. Because the 【Dictating Curse】 wasn’t applied to their souls. If they were accepted by the public, it should be free for them to live a normal life or become adventurers. Actually, many of the adventurers that came to strike me down but lost were 【Otherworlders】, too! Ku-hahahaha!!)

(Which means, only the people who were summoned would be forced into labor….)

(It’s not exactly really labor. Meh, I guess it feels that way? Although I’m quite knowledgeable about humans, I don’t know everything.)

(That’s true…. you are a dragon after all.)

Rather to say, he was actually that knowledgeable about humans as a dragon.

All in all, it seems that he’s very happy about being able to talk with someone, and would answer in a detailed fas.h.i.+on no matter what you ask. After that, Verudora-san told me about a lot of things.

Like his battle with the Yuusha.

How powerful the Yuusha was.

Snow-white skin.

Small red lips.

Silver-black hair, tied into a braid.

Not very tall, slender and even a little pet.i.te.

Although a mask was worn, but it was unquestionably a beauty.

I found out the Yuusha was a female.

I asked him if “he had lost because he was too infatuated and stared too hard”? I was angrily denied by him.

Holding a special weapon called 【Katana】, she seemed to not carry a s.h.i.+eld.

Using the Unique Skills 【Absolute Severance】 and Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】, I was completely defeated. Verudora-san gleefully narrated.

It can be seen from his words, that this dragon seems to really like humans. Although his mouth spewed out names like garbage and trash, he in fact, purposefully didn’t kill the humans that attacked him. Under the premise that they didn’t damage his scales, of course…

Reportedly, three hundred years ago, he had turned an entire city into scorched earth because of a certain incident.

And that grabbed attention of the Yuusha, and he got sealed here.

—— What was used for the seal, was exactly the Yuusha’s Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】.

Although I don’t really understand his feelings, since it’s another person’s matter in the end, I could only imagine. However, I don’t feel that he’s an evil dragon.

After all, it feels like we’re getting along pretty well. I’m completely not afraid anymore.

(Alright! Um…. Can you become friends with me?)

This is a little, no, this is actually really embarra.s.sing. Right now, my face is totally red. (Chinese TL: A slime’s face, where is it?)

(Wh, what!? A, a-a mere slime, actually wants to become friends with the dignified 【Storm Dragon】 Verudora!?)

(Th, that, it’s okay if you don’t want to….)

(Baka! Who said I didn’t want to!?)

(I-, is that so? Then…. what will you do?)

(—— Then…. S-, since you’ve already said it like that…. I-, I guess I‘ll consider it….)
(Chinese TL: What a perfect Tsundere line.)

Seems like, he’s stealing glances this way.

Let’s put being sneakily peeked like that by a cute girl aside, being looked at by a huge dragon with a pair of extremely evil looking eyes like that…. doesn’t make me happy at all.

(Please be sure to become friends with me! If it’s no good, I’ll never come back here again!)

(Wait….! —— What am I doing to do with you, I’ll become your friend…. You better be thankful!)

Pfft, this dragon is really not honest. But I’m kind of the same, so now we are even.

(Then, please take care of me!)

(Take care of me! Ah right, I should give you a name, you think of one for me too.)

(Hah? Why so sudden——)

(So we can embed the same symbol into our souls. In humans, this seemed to be referred as a last name. The name that I’ll give would also have a 【Blessing】 effect, since you don’t have a name yet. With a name, you’ll be able to become one of the named demons.)

Which means, my last name will become the same as his? However, it seems that I can become a ‘named demon’ if he gives me a name. If it’s like this, I guess I’ll try to think of one too. Even if I have no taste in names…..

(Since it’s storm, then let’s call you 【Tempest】…. How is that?)

It shouldn’t work, right.

It’s simple and resounding, and naturally connected the storm and tempest. It certainly is too casual.

(Then it’s decided! This name has a really nice ring to it!)

He actually liked it!?

(Then my name will be Verudora=Tempest starting from today! About you… I’ll give you the name 【Rimuru】. From today onwards, you will be Rimuru=Tempest!!)

This name, became embedded into my soul.

Even though neither my appearance nor abilities had changed.

But, in the depths of my soul, something had definitely changed.

It’s probably the same for Verudora too. (Chinese TL: There are no more -sans added to the end)

Just like that, we became friends.

Then, it about time to go. However, before that.

(Um, I want to ask before I leave. That seal, is it impossible to undo?)

(It’s impossible to undo it with only my power. It may only be possible if it’s the Yuusha or some Unique Skills of the same level….)

(Does Verudora have any unique skills?)

(Of course I do. But I’m unable to use any of them after I was sealed. Currently, only 【Telepathy】 could barely be used….)

Originally, Yuusha’s Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】 is a skill that forever seals the opponent’s time in the imaginary s.p.a.ce. It’s definitely not a skill that can allow interference with the real world.

It’s better to say, to be able to use 【Telepathy】 is already really weird.

Since he was sealed together with time. Not only was he able to perceive the real world, he could also interfere with the outside with 【Telepathy】; It can already be said that Verudora is extraordinarily powerful.

Of course, neither me nor Verudora had realized this yet.

(Alright, then let’s try it out a little….)

Saying that, I gently touched Verudora.

【Unique Skill 【Predator】 predating Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】…. Failed】

As expected of a Yuusha’s seal, the level really is different.

A dazzling light glimmered between Verudora and me, and I was bounced away in an instant.

Although I created a tiny crack, but it’ll probably quickly repair itself. That said, can it really be undone with a Unique Skill of the same level?

What exactly can I do?

What should I do to —-

【Answer. A part of Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】’s a.n.a.lysis is complete. Prompting escape methods —-

The possibility of escaping together with the physical body is zero.

The possibility of destroying the prison by physical means is also zero.

Unable to conclude the method of undoing the imaginary s.p.a.ce.

Need to be in the same situation = trapped inside 【Infinity Prison】 to a.n.a.lyze. Thus, unable to do so in the current situation.

The possibility of only the conscious escaping is one percent.

If a host was prepared outside, the possibility of transfer is three percent. Also, this process is the same as 【Reincarnation】. If the host’s compatibility is too low, there’s a high chance of losing all memories and abilities.

Method of escape prompt over】

—— Fumu.

The success rate is way too low.

Clearly only appearing to be a thin membrane that could sway, this Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】——

But, it actually can’t be destroyed with physical methods at all…. It feels like, it could even match up with absolute defence.

(Ne, did the Yuusha take any damage? Or to say, did she get injured?)

(Good question! Although most my of attacks were dodged by her, but a few should have completely hit right on target… However, there was no effect at all. Attacks like 【Winds of Death】, 【Black Lightning】, and even 【Wind of Annihilation】 that were impossible to dodge in theory, she still endured them with no damage at all. There was really nothing I could do… Ku-hahaha!)

While speaking, Verudora started to laugh heartily.

It seems that Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】 not only can target the opponent, but can also cover oneself to have the effect of defending. A skill that can both attack and defend, that’s way too omnipotent.

Unique Skill 【Absolute Severance】

Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】

Possessing these two skills, doesn’t feel like she’d be near invincible?

I really don’t want to meet her, even she’s someone from three hundred years ago.

But according to a human’s lifespan, she probably had already pa.s.sed away.

That was unquestionably, the strongest level in the world.

Anyways, the only method left for escaping is to reincarnate into a host….

(Seems like you would need a host to escape. If it’s only your conscious, it maybe possible to get out….)

I probably don’t need to clarify that despairingly low success rate…

It feels like the success rate would get even lower, if Verudora had lost motivation.

(Mu? There’s a way to escape!? Actually… During these hundreds of years, my magic power had almost dried out. After all, there was no way to stop my magic essence from flowing out….

(So that was it. No wonder why the concentration of magic essence were so high surrounding here…)

(Umu, demons who had reached a certain level doesn’t dare to come here at all. Only rare plants could inhabit here.)

Ahh, no wonder there were Hipokute gra.s.s everywhere.

So, those gra.s.s were actually valuable stuff….

(Well…. Do you want to try anyways? If there is a host, it seems the success rate can increase too… It’s like that, so what kind of host would be better?)

(——I’m afraid, that even if my conscious escapes, it’ll be really difficult to gather up magic essence and create a new core. From the crack that you made in the Prison, it indeed created the possibility of success. However, about the host. It means, to prepare a new core, and transfer my consciousness into it. It’s kind of like reincarnation——)

This guy! I had thought he wasn’t that smart, but this comprehension ability is really astonis.h.i.+ng!

He completely deduced out the same conclusion as 【Great Sage】.

(That’s exactly it. Then, if you need any preparations, I could go find it?)

(Umu. In fact, I don’t actually need a core… . This is a secret, okay? I am a 【Complete Form】, both a unique existence and spiritual life form, and not bound by flesh. Because of the faith and belief of others, I was made into this form.)

It’s words that I don’t understand, again.

With no other way, Verudora kept on explaining until I understood it.

Roughly summarizing it….

He can aggregate magic essence using consciousness, and form a body of flesh. However this time, because both his conscious and flesh were imprisoned inside 【Infinity Prison】, his conscious couldn’t interfere with the outside and aggregate magic power.

Then, what if only his conscious escapes? That’s impossible even with a host.

At the instant of escape, the conscious would be annihilated together with his magic essence and existence. And here, a new 【Storm Dragon】 Verudora would be reborn. However, that would not be the current Verodora anymore.

I’m at a loss. Actually, should I just simply swallow Verudora whole using Predator?

Using the Predator’s a.n.a.lyze function inside the stomach sack, and only erase the effect of 【Infinity Prison】, wouldn’t that work?

【Answer. Unique Skill 【Predator】 to target: Verudora is possible to be contained inside the stomach sack.】

So it’s possible….

If he is willing, then let’s try it.

After all, if it keeps going on like this, he would still lonesomely vanish after enduring a hundred more years of loneliness.

I explained the 【Predator】’s abilities and what I am about to do.

Of course, if there isn’t the support of 【Great Sage】, it would almost be impossible…

(Ku-hahahaha! Interesting, I must try it out. I’ll be leaving all of me in your hands!)

(You are believing in me that easily?)

(Of course! Compared to waiting for you to come back, it’s much more interesting to undo 【Infinity Prison】 together with you! This is nothing, if we work together, a mere 【Infinity Prison】 is nothing to fear!)

Not only one person, but the two of us? That’s right.

I also made up my mind.

In the stomach sack, there’d be no worry of conscious disappearing… It feels like it would work.

(Then, I’ll be starting. Remember to quickly escape from 【Infinity Prison】, okay?)

(Kukuku, leave it to me! It won’t be long, until we’ll meet again!)

I reorganized my spirit.

Slightly touching Verudora, I started to predate.

In an instant, the enormous body of Verudora vanished from my sight.

I feel a little bit lost.

We were clearly just speaking before.

Suddenly disappearing only left me with lonesomeness.

Using the skill at an target, if there was resistance it would fail. Let’s leave Verudora’s main body aside, I didn’t expect that 【Infinity Prison】 would also have no response at all.

But this is really surprising.

Only twenty-five percent of the stomach sack’s s.p.a.ce were used?

How big actually is this s.p.a.ce….

Right after——

【Start a.n.a.lysis of Unique Skill 【Infinity Prison】? YES/NO】

Please! While praying, I chose YES in my heart.

Ah well, info dumps are info dumps.

Translated by OverTheRanbow and a piece of alyschu.

That day, the whole world slightly shook.

[Catastrophe] ranked monster, [Storm Dragon] Verudora’s disappearance was confirmed.

Verudora, Special S-Ranked monster.

Demons’ rankings were evaluated into six ranks, A~F by adventurers.

[+] was added if the monster was slightly stronger than the evaluated rank, [-] was added if the monster was weaker than or pseudo to the evaluated rank.

This was the ranking system established by the [Otherworlder] at the top of the Freedom a.s.sociation, Kagurazaka Yuki, who holds the t.i.tle [Freedom a.s.sociation Grand Master].

This was simpler and easier to understand than the old four step evaluation of Fledgling → Beginner → Intermediate Adventurers→ Expert Adventurers.

The so-called Special S-Rank, referred to something that went beyond a Demon Lord’s designated S-Rank. They are demons categorized as [Catastrophe] or even [Calamity].

They were extraordinary existences that could not be evaluated within the frame of A~F.

Originally, even an A-ranked demon would be able to affect a country’s existence.

Having said that, it ought to be possible to see a glimpse of the despairingly high degree of danger.

Although he was already sealed three hundred years ago, in the end, he was still a catastrophe level monster.

However, the Western Holy Church only released the information about the complete disappearance of [Storm Dragon] Verudora to the public, when it was already twenty days after they had received the disappearance report.

In the surrounding areas of the Great Jura Forest, there existed many small nations.

After receiving the report of Verudora’s disappearance, all the nations panicked around like bees in a disturbed beehive.

Kings and ministers of various nations held emergency meetings day after day, to gather intelligence and discuss future countermeasures.

The minister of Burmond Kingdom, Baron Belyard, was also one of them.

The person facing him was Fitz. Although his height was slightly on the short side, he possessed a gaze that made others feel cautious.

His position, was the Burmond Kingdom’s Freedom a.s.sociation’s branch leader; in this country, it could be considered a decently influential position.

“I didn’t call you for anything else. About the matter of [Storm Dragon] Verudora, you should’ve received the news, right?”

Putting out a mannerism as if the other side definitely was already aware of it, Baron Belyard asked Fitz who had just stepped into the room.

“Of course, Baron.”

Fitz affirmed it in a low voice with concise words.

“Hmph, as expected of the guild master, you were informed pretty quickly.”

Belyard snorted using his nose, and continued speaking.

“So, may I hear the countermeasures your Freedom a.s.sociation have for the future?”

“For the upcoming short period of time, there aren’t any special plans.”

“What? I don’t think I heard you clearly…. Don’t tell me, there are no plans to establish any countermeasures?”

“That’s correct, since it is unnecessary.”

Fitz replied indifferently.

With an expression that appeared to be completely oblivious as to why Baron Belyard would become angry.

Although Baron Belyard felt displeased, he tried to keep on speaking without revealing it.

However, the effort to do so didn’t seem to succeed….

“What’s up with your so-called unnecessary? With the disappearance of [Storm Dragon] Verudora, it was unquestionable that demons would quickly become active in the near future! Even so, you still don’t plan on formulating any countermeasures!?”

“What you had just said is wrong. Establis.h.i.+ng countermeasures is the kingdom’s job. The Freedom a.s.sociation are not volunteers, alright?”

This was the truth.

The so-called freedom a.s.sociation, was an organization that transcended nations.

Compared to the professionals who belonged to the nations, those who joined the Freedom a.s.sociation do not have any guarantees for their livelihood. As the price of receiving the lowest level of citizens.h.i.+p, they would would pay a certain degree of taxes.

This system was not only specific to this country, but a common matter that’s nearly the same for all the surrounding nations. Thinking about it in reverse, the Freedom a.s.sociation actually has an organizational capacity that exceeded an entire nation, however…

It’s unknown if it’s only by chance, or if it’s by deliberation, but it’s also a fact that they permeate into the group of nations to launch their activities.

“Protecting the citizen’s livelihood is the country’s lowest obligation, isn’t it? It’s the same for us, we protect the lives of our a.s.sociation members. It’s pretty tough for both of us, eh.”

The guildmaster’s att.i.tude that clearly expressed rejection, made Baron Belyard’s veins appear on his forehead.

These were obviously words that could only be said after seeing through the bottomline of the other party.

“Enough of pleasantries! Just say it directly, how many mercenaries can the Freedom a.s.sociation provide? How many adventurers are proficient at battles? And how many people can you send to this city for defence!?”

The guild master let out a slight sigh,

“Please don’t misunderstand, we are not a volunteer organization. From the agreement between the country and the Freedom a.s.sociation, the a.s.sociation members that can be mobilized is one-tenth of the total. If you need more people than that, then appropriate compensation must be paid.”

The total population of Burmond was one million people.

Freedom a.s.sociation members that reside there only consists of seven thousand people, not including their family members.

Based on the agreement between the country and Freedom a.s.sociation, under emergency situations that required mobilization of combatants, the Freedom a.s.sociation would need to pull out ten percent of their a.s.sociation members (In this country, it would be seven hundred) to partic.i.p.ate under the country’s command.

Of course, this only applies to the a.s.sociation members in that nation, and did not include other nation’s a.s.sociation members. Therefore, although it was a freedom alliance, the nation that they belonged to, was distinctive.

Additionally, during the enactment period of this agreement, the taxes that the Freedom a.s.sociation pays are cut down to only twenty percent.

Because the pact was coercive, from the viewpoint of taxes, this limited authority was not something to be arbitrarily used. Also, during the period of mobilization, the a.s.sociation member’s wages were naturally paid for by the country.

Presumably, to mobilize all the a.s.sociation members of the nation, it would also be impossible.

Since half of the a.s.sociation members are non-combatants.

For a country, they clearly knew this fact.

Therefore, in normal situations this agreement would not be enacted…. However the situation this time was extremely serious.

The demons were becoming active. Indeed, this was a great reason.

However, what’s hidden behind the back, was an issue that’s even more serious.

“Let’s stop playing around! Oi, Fitz. Can we speak some sincere words?”

Fitz felt somewhat surprised since Baron Belyard directly called out his name.

He looked straight at Baron Belyard’s face for the first time, and spoke.

“Because there is a territory that couldn’t be pa.s.sed, namely the place where [Storm Dragon] Verudora was sealed, the footsteps of the Eastern Empire’s invasion was halted. However, since Verudora is now gone, the Eastern Empire is very likely to take action.”

“That’s exactly the case! The Empire had only remained quiet out of the concern of Verudora, for they were afraid that the seal would be broken. You know it too, right? If they cleared a path in that forest, this kingdom would be annexed in a flash. Plus, it is impossible to expect anything from the Western Holy Church. The un-unified nations surrounding the great forest, will be taken over by the Empire in an instant!”

“Was there really no action from the church… That’s true. Those guys don’t have any interest in the disputes of humans. After all, exterminating demons is their doctrine.

“It’s just as you say. Even if only a single paladin was willing to make the rounds, then the Empire would not dare to act carelessly…. If only there existed the threat of demons of a certain rank, we would’ve been able to gather a little bit more time.”

“That’s probably useless… From the view of the Church, it doesn’t matter in the slightest even if one or two nations collapsed. Even if there are believers of the Church, it would be impossible to account for all of them.”

Fitz looked at Baron Belyard’s face and thought.

This fellow seems to be considerably exhausted already….

That wasn’t really a surprise. Baron Belyard seemed like he had aged over ten years in these past few days.

These two people, were actually good friends starting all the way from childhood.

Although he was a Baron, it was impossible to disclose their friends.h.i.+p publically, because it would involve issues of many aspects.

Therefore, both of them acted out the relations.h.i.+p of exploiting each other.

With only this small nation, it was impossible to cross this hurdle.

However, it was still necessary to think about the worst sometimes.

There were indeed some activities in the Empire. However, there was no conclusive evidence that indicated their invasion.

If it’s only the overflow of demons, that was still possible to deal with.

“It’s not guaranteed that the Empire would act this fast, right? Anyways, I’ll use my personal information network to gather intelligence. Naturally, I hope that you won’t hold too high of an expectation. I’ll start with inquiring about the Jura Forest’s state and the Empire’s movements.”

“Sorry… That’s a big help.”

That’s right, it was not certain that the Empire would act that fast.

Even if they start preparing this instant, it still was a large-scale military movement.

They, were not naive to the point of only sending a small army to conquer the Jura Forest’s surrounding nations. To prepare an army of over one million strong with trampling the enemy as the goal, would require a long time; at least three years was necessary.

Even if that’s the case, it’s still hard to say that there was enough time.

“All in all, I’ll start with gathering intelligence. There’s not enough time, I’ll start acting right now!”

“Please….”

The two nodded their heads, and said their goodbyes.

There were a lot of things that needed to be done.

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