The path from the underground lake to the surface was a single cave tunnel.
I squished my way along it, feeling oddly comfortable.
I hadn't realized it before since I was checking my footing when I couldn't see, but a slime's movement speed really isn't all that slow. I can move at a normal walking pace and even hit a brisk jog. Since I'm not in any hurry and don't get tired, I'm just taking it at a casual stroll.
It's definitely NOT because I have trauma from jogging and falling into the lake!
After a while, I came upon a massive gate blocking the path. A man-made structure deep inside a cave. Super suspicious, but totally standard for an RPG, so I wasn't all that surprised. There's always a door in front of the boss room.
So, how do I open it? Could I carve through it with a Water Blade?
Just as I was thinking that— SKREEEEEEE—!!
The gate groaned and began to open.
I quickly scrambled to the side of the passage and watched.
"Finally got it open. It's all rusted, and the keyhole's shot to hell…"
"Can't be helped. Nobody's gone inside for 300 years."
"There are no records of anyone entering. More importantly, are we really going to be okay? We're not going to get attacked right away, are we…?"
"Gahahaha! Relax. I don't know if it was invincible 300 years ago, but it's just a big lizard! I've soloed a Basilisk before. Leave it to me!"
"I've been thinking this for a while, but you're totally lying, right? The Basilisk is a Category B+ monster. There's no way you could solo one, Kabal."
"Shut it! I'm B-rank myself! A big lizard is nothing!"
"Sure, sure. Just don't let your guard down, okay? Well, if push comes to shove, I'll use my 'Forced Withdrawal' to get us out…"
"Great, you two are best friends, got it. Now how about we keep it down? It'll be easier for me to activate my 'Stealth Skill.'"
An irritating trio of adventurers had entered the cave.
For some strange reason, I could understand their words.
《Analysis: When willpower is encoded in sound waves, the application of "Magic Perception" allows for conversion into comprehensible language within the brain.》 I see. I can understand what they're saying, even if I can't talk back. Good. I was always bad at English.
Living in Japan, I never saw the need to study foreign languages. If you're not planning to go abroad, why bother? But this time, that excuse doesn't fly. Looks like I'll need to study eventually…
Anyway, that doesn't matter right now. What should I do?
This is a tougher problem than opening the door.
I have no idea why they came here, but they sure look like adventurers. Maybe they're looking for treasure?
These three were the first humans I'd encountered in this world. Part of me wanted to follow them.
But if a slime—a monster that can't even speak—popped out in front of them, they might kill me without a second thought. Better sit this one out.
I won't show my face in front of people until I can at least talk.
I hid and watched for a while. The thin-looking man did something, and suddenly the trio's figures became blurry—but it wasn't like I couldn't see them at all.
Stealth… they'd called it that, right? Probably some kind of skill.
I could spy on them as much as I wanted… Creepy. What kind of person learns that skill, and for what purpose…?
Looks like I'll need to befriend them later.
Once I confirmed their presence had vanished, I resumed my progress. No need to rush. It's not like meeting humans is off the table now. One step at a time. "Haste makes waste"—the old-timers knew what they were talking about.
I slipped through the gate before the trio could return and moved on.
After passing through the gate and going a while, I reached a point where the path branched off in complex directions.
Which one leads to the surface? Even if I thought about it, there was no way I'd know.
I picked one path and went in.
Twitch twitch!
Our eyes met.
I slowly averted my gaze… There was a menacing giant serpent right in front of me. A pitch-black snake covered in hard, spiked scales that made the snakes of my previous life look cute.
Not a frog staring down a snake—a slime staring one down. I'm basically air, right? If it hasn't noticed me, maybe I can still— I tried to back away slowly, but— KIIISHAAAAAAA—!!!
It was threatening me. No good. It had no intention of letting me go. That much came across loud and clear without a single word.
Guess I'm fighting…!
Don't I have a special move I earned from a week of training?
That said… fighting something this monstrous requires real resolve.
In other words, I'm absolutely terrified!
But don't panic. When I really thought about it, I'd been through scarier. Yes—Veldora. Compared to that dragon…
Huh? This might not be so scary after all.
Maybe I can take this?
Now calm, I studied the black snake with a cool head.
The snake had relaxed, thinking its intimidation had frozen me in place. It seemed to be considering how to best devour me.
Very well then. Let me return the favor without hesitation.
SWOOSH!!
Without a moment's hesitation, I launched a Water Blade straight at the black snake's neck.
THUNK!!!
In an instant.
Almost anticlimactically—so fast I could hardly believe my own eyes.
The Water Blade I fired severed the black snake's head with zero resistance.
This was the same menacing serpent that could have swallowed me whole. The power was… even greater than I'd imagined. If I'd used this on a human adventurer, it would've been a bloodbath. Thank goodness my first test subject was a monster.
Incidentally, my stomach's current spatial usage is at 30%: Veldora 15%, Water 10%, Herbs + Recovery Potions + misc. 2%, Ores + Materials 3%.
The amount of water used per Water Blade is less than a single cup (though it can be adjusted for size, which would increase consumption accordingly).
Even firing thousands of Water Blades, I wouldn't need to worry about running dry. More useful than most conventional magic.
Whenever a monster shows up, I'll stick with Water Blade for the time being.
Now then, this snake…
If I use Predator to devour and analyze it, can I steal its abilities?
I devoured the snake right away.
The results…
Unique Skill "Heat Source Detection" — detects thermal reactions in the surrounding area. Nullifies the effects of stealth.
Unique Skill "Poison Mist Breath" — a powerful poison (corrosion) breath attack. Effective range is approximately a 120-degree angle extending 7 meters.
Two abilities, plus the ability to use Mimicry to take on the form of the black snake.
This poison deals both damage and corrosion effects (equipment destruction and Physical Body damage). If a normal adventurer fought it, they'd probably struggle quite a bit.
Then again, this world has magic, so it might be easier than I think.
I spent some time analyzing the black snake's abilities in detail. The more cards in my hand, the better.
Here's what I figured out: 1. Using Mimicry to take on the black snake's form increased my body volume. 2. Acquired skills can be used even without Mimicry, though their power may be reduced.
To explain: 1 — It seems that when I devour a monster inside my stomach, I break down its body and stock it as spare material. There was that time I devoured my own damaged parts to repair myself—it works like spare cells.
2 — Unique Skills appear to be skills specific to each monster. My "Dissolve, Absorb, and Self-Regeneration" falls into this category.
To use a Unique Skill at full performance, I apparently need to Mimic that monster. However, partial use is possible, and some skills like Heat Source Detection can be used normally.
In summary: Predator is seriously useful.
I want to keep acquiring useful skills going forward.
Three days had passed since my battle with the black snake.
I was still inside the cave. I don't feel the cold, but it might actually be freezing in here. Not a sliver of sunlight gets in.
I was troubled by a certain nagging worry.
No, I know that's impossible.
But I can't help thinking about it.
Could it be… that I'm lost?
No, no. That's impossible.
I mean, seriously—who gets lost in their very first dungeon? A beginner's cave is supposed to be a tutorial area! And those three adventurers walked in without hesitation, too…
It's fine. The path is probably just long. That's all.
Still, maybe it was a good thing I was a slime. If I'd come to this world as a regular "otherworlder," I'd have collapsed from hunger by now. Never thought I'd be grateful to be a slime in a place like this.
Not knowing the way was getting to me. Was there any good way to find the right path?
《Analysis: Would you like me to display the path you've traveled so far on your mental map? YES / NO》 I nearly spat out whatever slimes have inside them.
What?! If you had that function, tell me sooner!!
I couldn't help but retort to my own brain.
YES, obviously!
Auto-mapping and such were cheating.
That's what I used to think. Back in the day, some old-school games required you to physically prepare paper and a pencil, marking every step as you went. The careful, step-by-step progress—checking your footing with each move. Now THAT was the thrill of exploring a dungeon.
But then people started relying on walkthroughs, and before long, games themselves came with built-in mapping. The joy of genuine exploration faded away.
Once you get used to convenience, it's hard to go back.
Of course, without a mapping feature in modern massive-scale games, you'd be completely stuck…
Anyway, let me put this handy function to use.
I looked at the map displayed in my mind.
Could my eyes be deceiving me? It looked like I'd been looping through the same area over and over.
I, a so-called professional who once staked my life on game walkthroughs, lost?!
………
……
…
Apparently, yes.
Following the mental map, I entered the cave tunnel I hadn't yet explored. And sure enough, I came across scenery I hadn't seen in the past three days.
Heh heh heh.
Even this cave dares to confuse me! That's impressive in its own right.
I should give the cave some credit.
It's NOT because I have no sense of direction!
The cave entrance must be close—maybe the passage to the outside.
Along the way, I'd fought several battles: Evil Centipede (Rank B+) Black Spider (Rank B) Giant Bat (Rank C+) Armalasaurus (Rank B-) Four different species in total. The black snake had been a lone encounter—I never met a second one.
They were all tough opponents.
I defeated them with a single Water Blade strike, but…
The bat dodged the Water Blade multiple times before lunging to bite me. And the lizard—depending on the angle—it actually deflected the Water Blade. Can't let my guard down.
The Evil Centipede had erased its presence and attacked from behind, but with both Magic Perception and Heat Source Detection keeping constant watch, it didn't stand a chance. A counter Water Blade to its rear took it out in one hit.
The Black Spider was bad news. Truth is, I hate bugs. I have a visceral, instinctual aversion. Sorry, I judge by appearance. But maybe being reincarnated as a slime strengthened my resolve too—I was able to fight without running. Sorry, but I'm going all out! With that thought, I slashed it with five Water Blades at maximum. Not an opponent I wanted to look at for long.
I devoured every last one. This world runs on survival of the fittest. Lose, and you become food.
That said, devouring the spider and centipede was… unsettling. In that sense, I really pushed myself.
But if some kind of cockroach monster ever showed up, I'd run for my life before even thinking about eating it. This isn't about whether I can win or lose. This world has the wonderful saying: "Sometimes running away is the victory."
The skills I obtained: Evil Centipede — "Paralytic Breath" Black Spider — "Sticky Thread," "Steel Thread" Giant Bat — "Vampirism," "Ultrasonic Wave" Armalasaurus — "Body Armor"
And just like that, armed with my new abilities, I emerged from the cave and stepped into the sunlight for the first time since being reborn in this world…
Status
Name:
I'd like to get him speaking as soon as possible.