Incredibly, the slime was still alive. Not only that, but it found itself being gently held and petted on the man’s lap. This scenario had been repeating daily for nearly a week. Every day, the man returned, placed the slime on his lap, and petted it.
And each day, he opened his mouth to speak, sharing his grievances. He lamented about wanting to befriend children, only to make them cry, or how people avoided him whenever he tried to converse with them. The slime wanted to tell him to do something about his expressionless face and intimidating aura, but unfortunately, it lacked the ability to speak. Despite the man’s annoying rants, the slime had a simple reason for not running away.
The man’s touch was warm and soothing, and in his presence, the slime felt safe from other predators. Moreover, his gentle petting, despite his complaints, was oddly comforting. It was a strange relationship, but the slime, with its limited capacity for understanding, accepted it.
✦ ✦ ✦
Ah… The magic I get from this man is still the best, the slime thought contentedly.
It was able to absorb the magic power from this man instead of water, which was essential for its survival. And it was of exceptionally high quality. Without it, the slime might have fled long ago… maybe.
The gentle petting and the kindness it received were new experiences for the slime. This might have contributed to its decision not to leave… or so it tried to convince itself.
No, no, I don’t have such a weak mindset. I stay with this man because I can get the magic power I need to live. That’s all it is, the slime reassured itself, trying to banish any softer thoughts.
But the magic is so delicious, and I’m getting stronger. His petting is gentle too… Maybe not all humans are bad, it mused.
Whether it was because the slime was unique or because the man’s magic was exceptional, it felt itself growing stronger. It seemed capable of many things now. So, for the time being, the slime decided it wasn’t so bad to stay and listen to the man’s complaints.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Go-zaru.”
Another week had passed since the slime had accepted the man. Incredibly, the slime had now taken on a human form and could even speak, though the only word it could say was “Go-zaru.”
Despite its small, child-like form, the fact that a slime could transform and speak at all was extraordinary. This anomaly was likely caused by the combination of the slime’s unique nature and the man’s high-quality, unusual magic. Now evolved, the slime could have left the man, considering its newfound strength…
“Go-zaru.”
Instead, it clung to him even more, seeking affection.
This is… It’s just to absorb more magic by staying close to him. With this unusual evolution, I can further evolve by taking in more of his magic. I can become strong enough that I won’t have to run from anything anymore… So, that’s why I’m doing this. There’s no other reason, the slime rationalized.
Despite its excuses, the slime had no intention of leaving the man. Dressed in clothes bought for a child, it had fully settled into its new life.
“Go-zaru,” it murmured, cuddling up to the still-expressionless man.
✦ ✦ ✦
I wonder if he’s here yet, the slime thought, kicking its legs back and forth while waiting for the man. By now, it had become clear that the slime was deeply attached to him. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approaching through the soil reached its ears.
He’s here! the slime thought happily, turning around…
But instead of the anticipated man, a group of rough-looking thugs appeared, causing its face to fall.
“Hey, there’s really a kid here,” one of them said, confirming what they had heard from a merchant they had attacked.
“Dumped, huh?” another sneered. “Doesn’t matter. With that face, she’ll be a beauty someday.”
“Don’t get any ideas. Even kids like this can fetch a high price with the right buyer. We’re selling her for cash,” the first thug replied.
“Yeah, yeah,” the others agreed, grinning as they approached.
The slime understood. It knew that a kind person like the man who had held and petted it, sharing his magic, was rare. Most humans were greedy creatures.
The slime, despite its unique ability to take on a human form, had no way to fight off these thugs.
Well, it was fun while it lasted. Maybe it’s okay if it ends here, the slime thought, resigned to its fate.
The slime, with its somewhat detached outlook, accepted its fate. It seemed overly casual, but that was its nature. However… if it could wish for one thing before the end…
I would have liked to be petted by that man one more time, it thought wistfully.
As if to shatter this small wish, the thugs reached out their hands…
“Please don’t touch my partner.”
“Huh…? Gwahh?!”
Just as a young man’s voice rang out, the closest thug to the slime was sent flying. It was a magic bullet—a concentrated blast of magic.
The thug was effortlessly blown away, and his companions, as well as the rescued slime, stared in wide-eyed amazement at the man who had saved them.
He was an enigmatic man, cold and imposing, yet strangely comforting.
He… saved me…? the slime thought in disbelief.
This was the first encounter between the man who would become the guildmaster of Yerkchira the Messianic Legion and Soulgros, who would become one of its members and his devoted stalker.