Chapter 4

Chapter: 4

{Geh! Dragon!!!!!!}

There it is.

(Oi. Do you remember our promise? ... and besides, for all that complaining, you've learned it pretty easily.)

{Of course~! I was just kidding. I can see my surroundings, and I can also hear sounds. Thank you!}

[You sure cause that didn't sound like that.]

(Ay. Could have taken more time learning it, though...)

What a big softy but to be fair if I was in his position I would be lonely too.

(So... what shall you do now?)

{Umm... I think I'll go around looking for fellow world travelers, though no harm if I don't find any.}

[Huh, I might do that too.]

{By the way, Veldora-san mentioned that you have been... sealed?}

[Yeah I've been curious about that too.]

(Mu? Ah, yes. I made the mistake of underestimating a small nuisance... had I gone all out, I would not have been defeated!)

I'm quite curious about the person who could last that long against him in the first place.

{Was he really so strong?} (It is so. Strong indeed. Clothed in divine protection, humanity's "hero".)

Hero? That's a concept here?

(Speaking of, the hero referred to oneself as the "Summoned". Could the hero have been from your world?)

{Eh? No no! No one is that strong in my world!}

[hmm maybe.]

(Nay, the world travelers in this world typically hold some special power. That is what serves as the power to etch their souls into this world. The "Summoned" most certainly holds some special power. Most likely, holding the one-of-a-kind–unique skill. Different from those who stumble by chance, summoned souls are especially strong. The success rate is less than 0.03%, but in this hero's case it succeeded.)

[Really now that's quite interesting.]

{When you say summoning, do you mean calling something out with magic?}

(As you say. It is a three-day ritual involving thirty people. The success rate is low, but success is typically met with a powerful weapon.)

[Weapon?]

{Huh? Weapon?}

(Ay. The summoner engraves a curse into the soul of the summoned to prevent rebellion.)

I narrowed my eyes at the statement.

[I see.]

{What's with that?! Are summoned people not recognized as humans?!}

(Humans? ... world travelers sometimes complain about that. That type of thing is but an illusion in this world. Survival of the fittest, that is the only truth in this world.)

[....]

{In that case, would the "World Travelers" also be treated much like slaves?}

(That would depend on the person. They have not received the "Monster Warding Charm"– those that either live quiet lives or become adventurers, or something like that. Truly, among the many foes I have repelled, quite a few came from another world! Fuhahaha!!!)

{In other words, forced labor is only limited to the "Summoned" case, huh?}

[I wouldn't call it labor.]

(I do not know whether it is appropriate to call it "labor"... but, so be it. I know much about humans, but certainly not everything.)

{That's only to be expected... sorry.}

After this Veldora explained how he got defeated and sealed. He described the person she was a woman who had jet-black hair, long hair with a petite and a thin frame but her face was covered by a mask. She wielded a katana and she fought with no shield. She also had the unique skills: [Certain Severance] and [Unlimited Imprisonment].

She was strong even Veldora had to admit and the Hero inevitably overpowered him and sealed him with [Unlimited Imprisonment].

Then suddenly asked something.

{Okay! So, with me… no, can we be friends?} [Friends huh? Sure why not.]

(Wha, what did you say? For the feared Storm Dragon Veldora to become f-f-friends with someone of a s-s-slime's and h-h-human social standing?!) {Ah... well, if you hate it that much…}

[You're against it?]

(Stupid! You! Nobody said anything about hating!)

Why is he being so tsundere right now?

{Eh, then? Umm... what will you do?}

(... let's see... well if you insist... I can consider...)

…. That was embarrassing to watch.

{I insist! Decide! If you hate it, the deals are off. No second chances!!!}

(Cho...! Then I have no choice! I'll become your friend! Show me your gratitude!)

And he calls himself a mighty dragon sigh.

[Yes yes Veldora we are grateful.]

{Then, I'll be in your care!}

(Ay! ... oh, and let me grant you a name. You also give me one!)

[...Name?]

{Huh? Why? So suddenly?}

(To etch into our souls that we are equals. As humans call it, the Family Name type of thing. The one I grant you will bestow upon you "Diving Protection". You still lack a name, so you shall become a named monster now!)

[Huh so that's how that works, well Mikami I'll leave the names to you.]

{Huuh?}

I apologize Mikami but I must drop this on you but I can't name for shit.

{Uhh uhh um, How about since you're the Storm Dragon how about simply "Tempest".}

(It's decided! What a wonderful name!)

[That is a pretty cool name not gonna lie.]

(From now on, I am Veldora Tempest. And you… Shall be called "Rimuru," Rimuru Tempest, and you…)

[I would prefer to keep my original first name.]

(Very well then and you will be Nova Tempest.)

I then felt my energy undergo a massive spike going above what it was originally I felt the same happen to the now-renamed Rimuru Tempest as well. Clenching my fist a bit feeling out my new strength.

{Oh, and before I go, I wanted to ask. Is there nothing you can do about that seal?}

[Yeah I was curious about that too.]

(Not with my power. If it were a unique skill like that of a hero, then it could perhaps be possible...)

{You do not possess any unique skills?}

[No he should right?]

(I do. But from the moment the seal was placed, I could no longer use any. I barely managed to retain my telepathy...)

[Ah I see so all your skills are sealed but telepathy.]

{Hmm alright. There's something I want to try…}

After Rimuru reached out to touch Veldora most likely to activate a skill of some kind. For but a second, interference with the hero's skill released a blinding light, but then

 it returned to normal. For a brief moment, a seam opened in this endless prison. But it quickly restored itself.

Hmm, so there is a way to break it.

After the attempt failed Rimuru went quiet for some time then he spoke once more.

{Did the hero take any damage? Any wounds or something?}

(Well asked! Our blows were well-watched, and I landed a few direct hits! But, there was no effect. "Death Calling Winds", "Black Lighting", and even "Storm of Destruction". All are skills that cannot be evaded, and yet no effect! I gave up! It was laughable!!!)

[Well damn that hero really was no joke.]

But I really shouldn't be surprised with a combo of skills like that it's no surprise she didn't take any damage.

After Veldora's answer, Rimuru went quiet again. After which Veldora spoke again.

(Mu? There was an escape method! Honestly, after some 100 years, my magical energy hit empty! Probably since I didn't stop the flow of magical energy...)

[Yeah no wonder this place is so full of energy.]

(Ay. The truly strong monsters also avoid this area. Grass also hardly grows underground. Only some rare vegetation inhabits these caves!)

{Well... since that's the case, will you attempt to escape? If you had a place to transfer to, the chances would be higher... and also, what's considered a good host?}

[You mean transferring his soul into a different body?]

{Yeah.}

(... Unfortunately, even if I detach my spirit, gathering the magical energy into a single core is rather difficult...By opening a seam in the seal, that's how this will succeed. And a host, huh? That is, preparing a new core and moving there... reincarnation!)

[Pretty much yeah.]

{That's the thing. So, if there's something I can prepare, should I go look for it?}

[Maybe a skill can do it.]

(Hmm. The thing is, I don't really need a core... oh, and keep this secret? I am a "being perfect as one". Especially durable. I am a spiritual life-form and thus have no attachment to this body. I merely responded to the wishes of religions and the like when forming it.)

[Well then that's um yeah.]

{Veldora can you leave as a spirit?}

(That is impossible. I would require an offering.)

[That's unfortunate.]

Rimuru then proposed a very interesting idea by using a combination of his two unique skills [Predator] and [Great Sage] he would Place Veldora into the [Predator]'s stomach, analyze at depth the [Unlimited Imprisonment]'s effects, and eliminate just them.

[That could work in theory, to be honest.]

(Kuahahahaha! Interesting!!! Of course, I'll try it. To you, I'll entrust my everything!)

[Very trusting are we?]

{Should you be trusting me so easily?}

(Of course! Rather than waiting for you to come back here, tearing [Endless Prison] asunder and leaving together inside of you sound so much more amusing!)

Oh, I see rather than being alone again he would rather do it together huh? Yeah, that makes sense.

{Alright. I'll eat you now, try to break out of [Unlimited Imprisonment], okay?}

(Kukuku! Leave it to me! Don't wait, I'll pause it for you!!!)

[Good luck Veldora we will be waiting for you.]

Rimuru touches Veldora and begins Predation. In a second, the giant Veldora disappeared from my view.

Sigh that was interesting, to say the least I might as well stay with Rimuru huh wait since we share the same last name wouldn't that make us brothers? …. Oh well I'll ask that later but for now.

"Rimuru you can hear me right?"

Rimuru's slime body turned to look at me and moved in a motion as if nodding.

"Good, then I'd like to ask a favor."

Chapter 4: End