I was stunned.
Sorry for calling you a pushover.
There was no mistaking it — this was incredible. Absolutely!
Since I couldn't see before, I'd been pretty rude, but it was too late to worry about that now.
(Hey. You remember our deal, right? ...Actually, for someone who was complaining, you sure picked it up fast.)
(Of course! I was just joking. I can see my surroundings now, and I can even hear sounds. You really helped me out!)
(Hmph. I could have taken more time teaching you, you know...)
Well, I guess it'd be fine.
I was intimidated by his appearance, but this dragon had been kind.
Most of all, this dragon was definitely lonely.
The type to lose out on appearances. Like a "crying red demon."
(So, what are you planning to do from here?)
(Well, let's see. For starters, I'll look around and see if there are any other otherworlders from my homeland. I wouldn't mind if I didn't find anyone, though.)
It'd be better if I found someone, but I wasn't sure if we'd get along.
More than that, now that I'd gained vision, it would be nice to take a look at the world.
Being able to sense light and sound had broadened my world.
Now I didn't need to chew on grass just to kill time.
But this dragon...
The more I looked, the more evil he appeared, yet he didn't move a muscle.
Come to think of it, hadn't he said he'd been sealed away 300 years ago?
(Oh, by the way, didn't you say you were sealed away... Veldora?)
(Hmm? Yeah, that's right. I definitely underestimated my opponent a bit, but... I started going all out in the middle, and still lost!)
For some reason, he declared proudly that he'd lost.
In terms of magic, maybe, but swords and spears would be completely useless against this dragon...
(Your opponent was that strong?)
Were there really beings stronger than this monster?
Maybe the outside world really was full of more danger than I'd imagined.
(Ah. He was strong. He had "blessings" and was called a "Hero" among humans.)
A Hero.
A familiar figure from countless games.
Recently, many works featured fodder-like heroes as a motif, so the overwhelming image had faded a bit.
But in this world, they seemed to be genuinely powerful.
(Come to think of it, the Hero called himself a "Summoner." He might be from the same world as you.)
(Huh? No way — if he were from my world, he couldn't be that strong!)
(No, those who come to this world as "otherworlders" often possess special abilities. It's a power engraved on the soul when crossing worlds.
A "Summoner" has a one hundred percent chance of possessing a special ability. Not just any special ability — a "Unique Skill," one of a kind in the world.
Unlike "otherworlders" who fall through accidentally, it's probably because the soul is strong enough to withstand the summoning.
The fact that the summoning success rate is less than 0.03 percent supports this.)
(Summoning... you mean they were called here with magic or something?)
(Exactly. Over thirty mages perform a ritual that takes three days. The success rate is low, but they're expected to serve as powerful "weapons.") (Huh? Weapons?)
(Mm. To prevent the "Summoner" from disobeying the one who summoned them, a curse is engraved on their soul with magic.)
(What the hell!? Do they just ignore the human rights of the person being summoned!?)
(Human rights? ...Otherworlders occasionally bring that up. Such things are nothing but illusions in this world.
The law of the jungle — the strong devour the weak — is the absolute truth that governs all things.)
I see...
It seemed like being summoned in this world was pretty much unacceptable by the standards of my original world.
(So... otherworlders are treated like slaves, or something?)
(Well, it depends on the person. Since the "Curse of Domination" isn't applied, if they're accepted, they can live normal lives or become adventurers, right?
In fact, I've defeated "otherworlders" who came to hunt me down on multiple occasions! Fuha ha ha ha!!!)
(So, it's forced labor only when you're summoned, basically...)
(Well, I wouldn't call it labor, but yeah, something like that?
I know a fair amount about humans, but I don't know everything.)
(Fair point... You are a dragon after all.)
Actually, for a dragon, he seemed to know quite a lot.
In any case, he seemed happy that he could talk, and it felt like he'd answer anything I asked.
After that, I spent some time chatting with the dragon, Veldora, about all sorts of things.
How he'd fought the Hero.
How strong the Hero had been.
White skin.
Deep crimson, petite lips.
Long, jet-black hair.
Not very tall — slightly small, slender build.
Her eyes had been hidden behind a mask, but he'd said there was no doubt she was beautiful.
She'd been a woman.
When I asked if he'd been so captivated that he'd lost, he screamed, "Don't be ridiculous!"
She used a curved, distinctive weapon called a "katana" and apparently carried no shield.
Unique Skill: Absolute Severance.
Unique Skill: Infinite Prison.
He happily recounted how the Hero had used these skills, along with various types of magic, to completely overpower him.
Through our conversation, I learned that this dragon actually liked humans.
Despite calling them trash and garbage, he'd never actually killed anyone who attacked him.
As long as they didn't cross the line...
Once, 300 years ago, an incident had occurred that reduced an entire city to dust.
That incident led to the Hero being sent after him, and ultimately, he'd been sealed away.
Sealed by the Hero's Unique Skill: Infinite Prison.
I couldn't understand what the dragon felt.
You couldn't truly understand another person's feelings — it was all just imagination in the end.
But I didn't think this guy was a bad dragon.
Because I liked him.
I wasn't afraid anymore.
So— (Alright! Then, won't you... no, won't you become friends with me?)
That was embarrassing — no, incredibly embarrassing.
My face was probably beet red right now.
(W-What did you say!? A lowly slime wants to befriend me — the fearsome "Storm Dragon Veldora"!?)
(I-I mean, if you don't want to, that's fine...)
(Idiot! You!!! Nobody said I didn't want to!!!)
(Huh, really? Then... what should we do?)
(...Well, I suppose... if you're that determined... I could consider it...)
He kept glancing my way.
It'd be nice if he were a cute girl, but with an evil-looking dragon, it wasn't exactly... heartwarming.
Entertaining, though.
(I'm telling you, I've decided! If you don't want to, we're done! Don't ever come back!!!)
(Wait! ...Fine! I'll be your friend! Be grateful!)
Hmph.
This dragon was stubborn.
I was stubborn too, so that made us even.
(Nice to meet you!)
(Nice to meet you! ...Now then, I'll give you a name. And you give me one too!)
(Huh? Why? What's all of a sudden?)
(It's to engrave our equal status onto our souls. It's like what humans call a family name.
What I give you will be a "blessing." You're still "nameless," but with this, you can call yourself a Named Monster!)
Hmm.
So I was the one who needed to come up with a family name — a shared name between us and the dragon.
I wasn't great at this kind of thing...
(Well, since he's a storm dragon, "Tempest" or something should work... right?)
Too obvious. "Storm" from "Tempest" was just way too simple and on-the-nose.
(That's settled then!!! A splendid name!)
He liked it!
(From this day forth, I am
That name was engraved into my soul.
Neither my appearance nor my abilities changed.
But deep within my soul, something had shifted.
And the same could be said for Veldora.
Just like that, we became friends — or rather, the relationship ran deeper; perhaps "soul friends" was more fitting.
(Oh, before I go, let me ask — can that seal of yours be broken?)
(Not with my power. If someone possessed a Unique Skill on par with the Hero's, there might be a chance...)
(Doesn't Veldora have a Unique Skill?)
(I do. But once I was sealed, I lost the ability to use them all. All I can manage is Thought Communication...)
Normally, the Hero's Unique Skill "Infinite Prison" was a skill that sealed its target in an infinite imaginary space for all eternity — it was not a lenient ability that allowed interaction with the real world.
By that logic, the idea that Veldora could only use Thought Communication was the abnormal one.
The seal wouldn't weaken over time either.
Veldora's ability to perceive the real world and interact through Thought Communication alone was the real anomaly...
Of course, neither Veldora nor I realized this.
(Alright. Let me try something...)
I reached out and touched Veldora.
And then— 《Using the Unique Skill "Predator" to consume the Unique Skill "Infinite Prison"... Failure.》 As expected, the Hero's seal was on a different level.
A blinding flash erupted as the Unique Skill attempted to interfere, but it was deflected in an instant.
It seemed to have created a tiny crack, but that was all. It would probably be repaired immediately.
The idea that two Unique Skills of the same type could neutralize each other was wishful thinking.
Was there anything I could do?
What if— 《Analysis complete. A partial analysis of the Unique Skill "Infinite Prison" has been completed. Escape methods are as follows: Physical escape is impossible. The probability of destroying the prison through physical damage is 0 percent.
Escape through dissolution of the imaginary space cannot be analyzed.
A similar situation — being imprisoned within "Infinite Prison" — is required to analyze from the inside. Therefore, this is currently not executable.
The probability of escaping with only a consciousness body is 1 percent.
If an external vessel is prepared for oneself and a transfer is made, the success rate is 3 percent.
Note: This process corresponds to "reincarnation." If compatibility with the vessel is poor, all memories and abilities will be erased.
End of escape method analysis.》 ...Hmm.
The success rate was way too low.
The Unique Skill "Infinite Prison" appeared as nothing more than a shimmering, transparent membrane.
But it was indestructible by physical damage...
Perhaps it also had absolute defense capabilities.
(Hey, did the Hero take any damage? I mean, was she injured at all?)
(What a great question! My attacks were mostly dodged, but several hit directly! Yet none of them had any effect!
"Wind of Death," "Black Lightning," "Storm of Ruin" — even those are impossible to avoid completely, yet they did nothing! I was at a loss!!! I actually started laughing!!!)
Veldora cackled as he rambled on.
The Unique Skill "Infinite Prison" must also function as a shield, covering the user's body to block external attacks.
What a convenient skill.
Unique Skill: Absolute Severance.
Unique Skill: Infinite Prison.
If both of those were available, you'd be nearly invincible, wouldn't you?
I didn't want to meet this person from 300 years ago.
She'd almost certainly already passed on, so I hoped it would be fine.
Without a doubt, she was top-class.
※In truth, Veldora was also top-class. At this point, Rimuru had no way of knowing that.
Anyway.
The escape method was reincarnation into a vessel.
(To escape, it seems you need something to serve as a vessel. It looks like there's a slim chance even with just a consciousness, but it's low.)
There was no need to spell out the exact probability.
If Veldora lost motivation, the success rate might drop even further.
(Hmm? There's an escape method!? Actually, in about another hundred years, my magicules would have run dry!
Because the magicules never stopped leaking out...)
(I see. So that's why the magicule concentration was so high around here.)
(Mm. Even high-ranking monsters couldn't get close. This would have been land where nothing grew! Only rare plants could survive here!)
Ah.
The memory of Hippokute herb flashed through my mind.
So that was why most of them had been rare medicinal herbs.
(Well... if that's the case, shall we try the escape? It sounds like having a vessel would improve the success rate. ...Do you know what kind of vessel would work?)
(...I think, even if just my consciousness escapes, gathering magicules to reconstruct a core would be difficult. The fact that you created a crack in the prison made this possibility possible.
So, a vessel. If a new core is prepared, I simply transfer into it. It's reincarnation!)
This guy!
I'd thought he wasn't that bright, but what a brilliant deduction.
It was the exact same conclusion as the Great Sage.
(Right. So, I'll look for something we can use?)
(Well, actually, I don't need a core — it's a secret, but I'm "One who is both Individual and Complete." A special entity.
As a consciousness-based life form, I have no attachment to this physical body. I only took on this form in response to the faith of those around me.)
He was spouting incomprehensible nonsense again.
I kept talking until I understood.
The result: He could gather magicules with his consciousness alone and form a physical body.
This time, while his physical body was trapped, his consciousness couldn't gather magicules from the outside.
That was the situation.
Could his consciousness alone exit?
(That's impossible. You need a vessel!)
Apparently, if consciousness alone left the prison, it would disperse along with the magicules and cease to exist.
And somewhere, a new "Storm Dragon" would be born.
Escape might be possible, but it would mean becoming a completely different being, which defeated the purpose.
We were stuck.
What if I just used "Predator" to consume Veldora himself?
Could I analyze him inside Predator's stomach, or isolate him and remove the effects of "Infinite Prison" before releasing him?
《Analysis: Containing the target "Veldora" within the stomach of the Unique Skill "Predator" is possible.》 It was possible...
If I could explain and get him to agree, maybe we should do it.
Otherwise, after a hundred years of loneliness, he would simply cease to exist.
I explained to Veldora the ability of "Predator" and what I was planning to do.
Though, without the Great Sage's calculations, success would be impossible...
(Kua ha ha ha ha! How interesting!!! By all means, do it! I entrust everything to you!)
(Are you sure you can trust me that easily?)
(Of course! Rather than waiting here for you to come back, breaking through "Infinite Prison" from inside you sounds far more interesting!
Don't worry! If the two of us work together, we might just break "Infinite Prison"!)
I see.
Not alone, but together.
Not a bad idea at all.
I'd use the Great Sage and Predator to analyze from the outside, while Veldora tried to break through from the inside.
Inside the stomach, there was no risk of his consciousness dispersing and vanishing.
I was starting to think it might work.
(Alright, I'm going to eat you now, so hurry up and break out of "Infinite Prison," okay?)
(Ku ku ku! Leave it to me! I won't keep you waiting long — I'll appear before you in no time!)
Alright!
I steeled my resolve.
I touched Veldora and activated Predation.
In an instant, Veldora's massive body vanished from before my eyes.
It was almost anticlimactic.
We'd just been talking.
His absence made me feel a little lonely.
When I'd tried to use the skill on a target before, it had been resisted and failed, but with Veldora himself, there was no resistance.
I was surprised I'd been able to swallow that enormous body.
The stomach's current space usage was about 25 percent...
How much space did it even hold?
And then— 《Would you like to analyze the Unique Skill "Infinite Prison"? YES / NO》 Please!
I mentally selected YES, as if in prayer.
Status Name: Rimuru Tempest