The blinking text continued for what felt like an eternity but was probably only thirty seconds. Cid watched it pulse, his exhaustion making time feel distorted, each second stretching longer than it should.
[CALCULATING REWARDS…]
Then finally, the message changed.
[CALCULATION COMPLETE]
[DISTRIBUTING REWARDS]
A cascade of notifications flooded his vision, appearing one after another in rapid succession.
[LEVEL UP!]
[CID RAIMON: LEVEL 1 → LEVEL 3]
[ATTRIBUTE POINTS GAINED: 10]
[REGULUS: LEVEL 1 → LEVEL 2]
[FAMILIAR POWER INCREASED]
Cid stared at the first notification, his tired mind taking a moment to process what he was seeing. 'Two levels. I jumped two levels from a single kill. That's insane experience gain. Though I guess killing something S+ rank when you're level one would give massive experience.'
His eyes moved to Regulus's notification. The lion had also leveled, though only once. 'Makes sense. He did most of the actual combat. His contribution was higher so his gains are more measured. But still, we both grew stronger from this.'
More notifications appeared.
[EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT BONUS]
[FOR DEFEATING AN ENLIGHTENED MONSTER OF S+ RANK]
[SPECIAL REWARDS GRANTED]
‐‐‐
[CORRUPTION IMMUNITY ACQUIRED]
Your body is now completely immune to demonic corruption and corrupted status effects. Corruption based damage is reduced by 75%. You can traverse corrupted zones without penalty.
[POISON RESISTANCE ACQUIRED]
Your body has developed high resistance to poison and venom. Poison damage reduced by 50%. Poison status effects have reduced duration and potency.
‐‐‐
Cid read both rewards twice, his analytical mind immediately grasping their significance. 'Corruption immunity. That's huge. Demonic zones are some of the most dangerous areas in the game specifically because of the passive corruption buildup. And I can just ignore it now. That opens up entire regions for exploration that most players have to avoid.'
'Poison resistance too. Not immunity, but fifty percent reduction is still massive for survivability. Combined with corruption immunity, I'm significantly more durable against environmental hazards than I should be at level three.'
Another notification appeared, this one in a different format.
‐‐‐
[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]
VITAL HIT (ACTIVE)
Concentrate your attack on an enemy's vital point or core. Significantly increases critical hit chance and damage for a single strike. Particularly effective against creatures with obvious weak points.
Cooldown: 30 seconds
Energy Cost: Moderate
‐‐‐
'A skill,' Cid thought, surprise cutting through his exhaustion. 'My first actual combat skill. And it's perfect for my situation. I can't fight directly most of the time, but if I can identify weak points and land one good hit, this could let me contribute meaningful damage even without high stats.'
He dismissed the skill notification and was about to check his full status when another message appeared. This one made his breath catch.
[ADDITIONAL OPTION AVAILABLE]
[BEASTCALL DETECTED: DEMON SLIME]
[DEFEATED CREATURE MAY BE ADDED TO SUMMON ROSTER]
[SUCCESS RATE: 95%]
[ATTEMPT SUMMON?]
[YES] [NO]
Cid froze, staring at the option. 'I can summon the slime. Add it to my roster permanently. Ninety five percent success rate, so not guaranteed but close enough.'
His mind immediately went to work analyzing the pros and cons, the tactical considerations of adding this creature to his available summons.
'Pros: The demon slime is S+ rank. Even if it gets nerfed like Regulus, that's still incredible power for my current level. It has seven abilities including magic absorption and the division mechanic. It's extremely hard to kill, which makes it an excellent tank or distraction. With my corruption immunity, I don't have to worry about its passive miasma affecting me.'
'Cons: It's a demon type creature. That might cause problems in civilized areas. People see demons, they tend to attack first and ask questions never. The slime is also not exactly intelligent, at least not in the way Regulus is. It might be harder to coordinate with. And I don't know if summoning it will cost more energy than I can afford to maintain regularly.'
He looked at Regulus, who was resting nearby, his breathing steady but his body still showing the effects of the brutal fight. The lion met his gaze, and through their bond Cid felt curiosity and a hint of wariness. Regulus understood what Cid was considering and was reserving judgment.
'The deciding factor is utility,' Cid concluded after another moment of thought. 'I need versatility. Regulus is powerful but he's pure offense and speed. The slime offers completely different capabilities. Tanking. Magic absorption. Area denial with acid pools. Splitting as a defensive mechanism. It complements Regulus rather than competing with him.'
'And with ninety five percent success rate, I'd be stupid not to try. This might be the only S+ rank creature I encounter for a long time. Maybe the only one I could defeat at my current level. This is an opportunity I can't waste.'
Decision made, Cid focused on the notification.
"Yes," he said aloud. "Attempt the summon."
[INITIATING BEASTCALL]
[TARGETING: DEMON SLIME ESSENCE]
The air in front of him began to shimmer, that familiar distortion that preceded summoning. But this felt different from when he had summoned Regulus. Less intense. More controlled. Like the difference between a wildfire and a campfire.
'Because I'm calling something I've defeated,' Cid realized. 'It's already been bound to me through combat. This isn't random summoning. This is claiming what I've earned the right to command.'
A magic circle formed on the ground, smaller than the one from before, maybe six feet in diameter. The lines glowed with that same blue white light, but the patterns were different. More organic. More fluid.
[A LIFE FORM HAS ACCEPTED YOUR CALL]
[COMMAND WORD REQUIRED]
Cid did not hesitate this time. He already knew what word to use.
"Arise."
The circle pulsed once, acknowledging the command. Energy gathered above it, but nothing like the overwhelming display that had accompanied Regulus's summoning. This was quieter. Gentler. The haze that formed was purple rather than golden, swirling in lazy patterns rather than explosive surges.
No chains broke. No shockwave erupted. No lightning split the sky.
Just a steady gathering of energy, condensing and taking form, the process almost peaceful compared to the chaos of before.
Then came the sound. Plop. That wet, heavy sound of gelatinous mass settling into place.
The purple haze cleared, and there it sat.
The demon slime. Though calling it the same creature they had just fought was technically accurate but felt wrong somehow. This version was smaller, maybe three feet in diameter rather than the massive fifteen foot monstrosity from the battle. Its purple coloration was less sickly, more vibrant. The demonic miasma that surrounded it was present but muted, a faint haze rather than the choking corruption from before.
'Nerfed,' Cid thought, recognizing the same sealing effect that had been applied to Regulus. 'Reduced in power to match my level. Makes sense. I couldn't maintain an S+ rank creature at full power any more than I could have maintained Regulus at full power.'
The slime sat there, wobbling slightly, its form quivering in that characteristic way slimes moved. It seemed almost curious, rotating slowly to take in its surroundings.
Then it noticed Regulus.
The lion had been resting, conserving energy, but the moment the slime fully manifested his head snapped up. Those red eyes locked onto the purple creature with immediate recognition and hostility.
Regulus rose to his feet, ignoring the protests of his acid burned body. His lips pulled back in a snarl that showed every sharp tooth. Lightning crackled across his fur with renewed intensity. The fiery mane blazed brighter.
The message was clear. Threat. Enemy. The same creature that had just tried to kill them both.
The slime's response was immediate. Its body compressed, tensing, the gelatinous mass pulling tight in preparation for combat. The purple haze around it thickened. Small tendrils of acidic slime extended from its body, a defensive posture that screamed readiness to fight.
'Oh no,' Cid thought, his exhaustion forgotten as panic surged through him. 'They're going to fight each other. Right here. Right now.'
He was caught directly between them, standing in what was rapidly becoming a battlefield between two powerful creatures who both had very good reasons to hate each other.
Regulus took a step forward, his snarl deepening into a full growl that vibrated through the ground. The lion's intent was clear through their bond. Destroy the threat. Eliminate the enemy. Protect the summoner from the thing that had nearly killed them.
The slime responded by launching a small acid projectile, not at Regulus but into the space between them. A warning shot. The acid sizzled where it hit, creating a small pool that bubbled ominously.
'They're escalating,' Cid realized with growing alarm. 'I need to stop this now before it gets worse.'
"Regulus, stop!" he called out, his voice sharp with command. "Stand down!"
The lion hesitated, his forward momentum halting, but he did not back away. The snarl remained. The lightning continued to crackle. Every line of his body screamed readiness to attack.
Cid turned to the slime. "You too. Stop. No attacking."
The slime wobbled, its tendrils retracting slightly but not fully. It remained in that compressed, ready state, clearly not trusting the lion to actually stand down.
'They're both bonded to me,' Cid thought desperately. 'Both my familiars. Both supposed to follow my commands. But they also just spent the last however long trying to kill each other. That's not going to disappear just because I tell them to be nice.'
He moved carefully to stand directly between them, placing himself in the literal line of fire. Through his bond with Regulus, he could feel the lion's immediate concern, the protective instinct warring with aggressive instinct.
"Listen to me, both of you," Cid said, trying to project confidence he did not entirely feel. "I know you just fought. I know you both see each other as enemies. But that's over now. The fight is done. The slime is part of our team now. My familiar. Same as Regulus."
Regulus made a sound that was half growl, half question. Through their bond, Cid felt confusion and disagreement. The lion did not understand why his summoner would want to keep the dangerous creature that had tried to kill them.
"I know it doesn't make sense yet," Cid continued, keeping his voice steady. "But we need the slime. Its abilities complement yours. Together, you're stronger than either of you could be alone. And we're going to face much worse than this demon slime. We need every advantage we can get."
He turned to the slime, addressing it directly even though he had no bond to sense its emotions through. "You're part of my roster now. That means you fight with us, not against us. Regulus is not your enemy anymore. He's your ally. We protect each other. Understand?"
The slime wobbled, the movement uncertain. It was hard to read emotion in a gelatinous blob, but the tendrils retracted further. The compressed form relaxed slightly. Not trusting, exactly, but perhaps willing to consider a truce.
Regulus was harder to convince. The lion's instincts ran deep, and those instincts said that demons were threats to be eliminated, not allies to be trusted. But through their bond, Cid pushed reassurance, pushed confidence, pushed the absolute certainty that this was the right decision.
Slowly, reluctantly, the lightning around Regulus's body dimmed. The snarl faded. The lion sat down, though his posture remained tense and his eyes never left the slime.
The slime, sensing the reduced hostility, relaxed fully. Its form returned to that neutral quivering state, the defensive posture abandoned.
'Crisis averted,' Cid thought, letting out a breath he had not realized he was holding. 'For now. They're not friends. Probably won't be friends for a while. But they're not actively trying to kill each other. That's progress.'
A new notification appeared.
[FAMILIAR BOND ESTABLISHED]
[NEW SUMMON REQUIRES A NAME]
[PLEASE DESIGNATE YOUR FAMILIAR'S NAME]
Cid looked at the slime, at its purple gelatinous form wobbling gently in the afternoon light. Naming Regulus had been relatively straightforward. The lion's majestic presence had practically demanded a regal name. But the slime was different. Less obviously impressive. More utilitarian.
'But names matter,' he thought, remembering the moment he had named Regulus and felt the bond solidify into something deeper. 'A name is more than just a tag. It's identity. Recognition of individuality. This slime might not be as obviously intelligent as Regulus, but it's still a living being. It deserves a name that reflects what it is. What it could become.'
His mind went through possibilities. Slime related names felt too generic. Demon related names felt too dark. He needed something that captured the creature's essence without being either boring or threatening.
Then he remembered something. An anime he had watched years ago during one of his rare breaks from gaming. The protagonist had been reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world. The character had been named Rimuru, and despite being a slime, had become incredibly powerful and respected.
'Rimuru,' Cid thought, testing the name in his mind. It felt right somehow. Light enough to not be intimidating. Unique enough to be memorable. And carrying an association with strength despite humble origins.
He looked at the slime. "Rimuru. Your name is Rimuru."
The slime wobbled vigorously, its entire form jiggling with what Cid chose to interpret as approval. The movement was enthusiastic, almost happy, bouncing slightly off the ground.
'It likes it,' Cid realized with a small smile. 'Or at least it doesn't object. Good enough.'
A confirmation notification appeared.
[NAME REGISTERED: RIMURU]
[CONFIRM SELECTION?]
[YES] [NO]
"Yes," Cid said. "Confirm."
[FAMILIAR BOND COMPLETE]
The moment the words appeared, Cid felt it. Another connection forming, similar to the bond with Regulus but distinctly different. Where Regulus felt like fire and lightning and fierce loyalty, Rimuru felt like water and adaptability and curious acceptance.
The slime did not have the same depth of emotion that Regulus possessed. Its consciousness was simpler, more instinct driven. But it was there. A presence in the back of Cid's mind. A second familiar bound to him through the strange magic of this world.
Through the new bond, he could sense Rimuru's basic emotions. Contentment at having a name. Curiosity about its summoner. And underneath that, a kind of satisfaction at no longer being an enemy to the powerful lion that had destroyed its core.
'Two familiars,' Cid thought, looking between Regulus and Rimuru. 'Two summons from my roster. One EX rank lion. One S+ rank slime. Both nerfed to match my level, but still incredibly powerful for where I am.'
He needed to see the full picture. Needed to understand exactly what he had gained from this fight and these summons.
"Status," he said, pulling up his own information first.
‐‐‐
[PROFILE]
ID: Cid Raimon
Race: Human
Age: 17
Job Class: Summoner (3%)
Classification: Legendary
Rank: Iron
Level: 3
Constitution: Sealed
Core: Sealed
Talent: Sealed
Attributes:
STR: 10 | AGI: 10 | END: 10 | INT: 10 | WIS: 10 | LCK: 10
Unassigned Attribute Points: 10
Passive Traits:
Corruption Immunity: Complete immunity to demonic corruption. Corruption damage reduced by 75%.
Poison Resistance: Poison damage reduced by 50%. Poison status effects have reduced duration and potency.
Abilities:
Beastcall: Summon beasts to fight for you. Defeated beasts can be permanently added to your roster.
Overmarch: Maximum active summons equal to your level.
Jackpot: 5% chance to summon a Legendary EX Rank entity.
Inheritance: Permanently learn one skill from each summoned beast.
Gate: Call forth your beasts from the void at will. Defeated summons return after cooldown.
Skills:
Lion Emperor's Flashstep: Teleport short distances using lightning. Leaves shock trail afterimage. (Inherited from Regulus)
Energy Cost: Moderate
Max Uses Before Depletion: 5
Vital Hit: Concentrate attack on enemy vital point. Significantly increases critical hit chance and damage for a single strike.
Cooldown: 30 seconds
Energy Cost: Moderate
Summons:
Regulus (Level 2)
Rimuru (Level 1)
‐‐‐
Cid studied his status carefully, noting the changes. His rank had improved from Iron minus to just Iron, the modifier removed by his level gains. His job class completion had increased from one percent to three percent, suggesting that major achievements advanced the class faster than just basic leveling.
'Ten attribute points to assign,' he thought, looking at that line. 'From two levels. So five points per level. That's going to add up quickly if I can maintain this kind of leveling speed.'
The passive traits were listed now, corruption immunity and poison resistance both showing as permanent additions to his capabilities. His two skills were there, Flashstep inherited from Regulus and Vital Hit earned through the achievement.
'Five uses maximum for Flashstep before I'm depleted,' he noted, confirming what he had intuited during the fight. 'So I need to be careful with it. Can't spam teleports like Regulus can. But five emergency escapes or repositions is still incredibly valuable.'
His summons roster showed both Regulus and Rimuru, their levels listed beside their names.
He dismissed his own status and focused on Rimuru, pulling up the slime's information.
‐‐‐
Name: Rimuru
Title: Demon Slime
State: Sealed – Low Level Manifestation
Rank: S+ (Nerfed)
Level: 1
ABILITIES:
1. Corrosive Body (Passive)
Physical contact with Rimuru's body inflicts moderate acid damage. Prolonged contact spreads minor corruption. Significantly weaker than unsealed form.
(Sealed form of the devastating corrosive ability)
2. Miasma Emission (Passive)
Releases weak demonic miasma in a small radius. Minor stamina drain on enemies within range. Does not affect allies or summoner.
(Sealed form of the overwhelming miasma field)
3. Acid Shot
Launches a glob of acidic slime at targets. Moderate damage on impact. Leaves a small acid pool that persists briefly.
(Sealed form of the Acidic Projectile barrage)
4. Slime Division
When dealt critical damage in a single attack, splits into two smaller slimes. Can divide twice at current level. Division has a five minute cooldown.
(Restricted version of the original multi division ability)
5. Magic Absorption (Passive)
Absorbs weak magical attacks. Converts absorbed energy into minor self healing. Strong spells penetrate and deal damage normally.
(Significantly weakened form of the original absorption)
6. Engulf
Attempts to surround a single target. Deals continuous acid damage while target is trapped. Target can escape with moderate struggle. Two minute cooldown.
(Weakened and limited version of the mass engulfment)
7. Gel Form Shift
Allows Rimuru to change shape and size. At Level 1 can transform into: Tiny Slime (palm sized, greatly reduced presence). Additional forms unlock as summoner level increases.
(Transformation ability for utility and stealth)
CURRENT RESTRICTIONS:
- 85% of total power sealed
- Mass and size greatly reduced
- Corrosive potency significantly weakened
- Division limit capped at two splits
- Magic absorption only affects weak spells
- Cannot access advanced slime evolutions
‐‐‐
Cid read through Rimuru's abilities, comparing them mentally to what he had witnessed during the fight. 'Everything is drastically weaker. The original demon slime could split into ten copies. Rimuru caps at two. The original had devastating corrosive ability and overwhelming miasma. Rimuru has moderate versions. Makes sense given the level difference and the sealing.'
'But even nerfed, these abilities are useful. Acid damage over time. Magic absorption. Division as a survival mechanic. And that Gel Form Shift ability for stealth and infiltration. Rimuru might not be a powerhouse in direct combat at this level, but the utility is incredible.'
He dismissed Rimuru's status and called up Regulus's updated information.
‐‐‐
Name: Regulus
Title: The Lion Emperor
State: Sealed – Low Level Manifestation
Rank: EX (Nerfed)
Level: 2
ABILITIES:
1. Spark Pounce
A lightning assisted leap forward. Deals moderate physical damage combined with shock damage. Inflicts brief stun on impact. Good for closing distance or creating escape opportunities.
Cooldown: 10 seconds
(Sealed form of Thunder Sovereign Dash)
2. Static Dominion Growl
A commanding growl that releases a wave of static authority. Reduces enemy attack strength by 15%. Weakens magical beasts' morale. Can interrupt minor spell casting. Radius: 20 feet.
Cooldown: 30 seconds
(Sealed form of world shaking roar)
3. Volt Fang Strike
Bites with concentrated lightning through the fangs. Inflicts Numb status, reducing enemy movement speed by 30% for 5 seconds. Temporarily lowers target's defense by 10%.
Cooldown: 15 seconds
(Sealed form of Judgment Fang)
4. Stormheart Pulse (Passive)
A faint surge from the lightning core. Regenerates 2% health every 10 seconds during and after combat. Increases all lightning damage by 15%. Discharges weak shock dealing minor damage when struck by physical attacks.
(Seed of Storm Crown Regeneration)
5. Lion Emperor's Flashstep
A pure lightning displacement technique. Allows instantaneous teleportation over short distances (up to 30 feet). Leaves a shock trail afterimage at departure point. Afterimage delivers minor electric damage to anyone who touches it. No cooldown but drains energy with each use.
(Not sealed)
6. Imperial Form Shift
Allows Regulus to change forms. Available at Level 2: Cub Form (reduces size to that of a house cat, greatly reduces presence and intimidation factor, maintains 40% combat capability). Standard Form (current appearance). Can shift between forms with 5 second transition.
(Additional forms unlock as summoner level increases)
7. Thunderbound Authority (Passive)
A weakened version of the Lion Emperor's natural dominance. Forces creatures of Iron rank and below to hesitate before attacking. Slightly boosts courage and lightning resistance of other summons in active roster by 10%. Effect strength scales with summoner level.
(Early form of Beast King Aura)
IMPROVEMENTS FROM LEVEL UP:
- Health increased by 20%
- Energy capacity increased by 15%
- All cooldowns reduced by 2 seconds
- Damage output increased by 10%
- Imperial Form Shift unlocked
CURRENT RESTRICTIONS:
- 90% of total power sealed
- Roar Authority Suppressed: True Emperor's Roar inaccessible
- Storm Core Partially Closed: Regeneration and lightning output significantly reduced
- Territorial Dominion Locked: Area control abilities unavailable
- Evolution Paths Restricted: Cannot access higher forms until summoner reaches level thresholds
‐‐‐
Cid studied the updated information, noting the improvements from Regulus's level gain. 'Imperial Form Shift unlocked. That's the key ability I needed. Regulus in Cub Form will let us move through civilized areas without causing panic. And forty percent combat capability even while transformed means he's still useful in emergencies.'
He looked at both his familiars. Regulus sitting tall and proud despite his injuries, lightning still sparking across golden white fur. Rimuru wobbling contentedly nearby, its purple form catching the filtered sunlight.
'I have one combat focused skill in Vital Hit,' Cid thought, making mental notes for planning. 'Flashstep gives me mobility and escape options. And both Regulus and Rimuru have transformation abilities that can make them seem like harmless adorable pets rather than dangerous monsters.'
A plan was forming. A next step. He could not stay in this forest forever. He needed civilization. Information. Resources. A way to understand this new reality and start working toward finding a way home.
'Springvale Village,' he remembered from his game knowledge. 'About two hours walk east of here. Starting village. Has an adventurer's guild branch. Basic shops. Inn. Perfect place to establish a base of operations and start taking quests.'
He would need money. Needed to register as an adventurer to access the quest system. Needed to gather information about what had happened to the other players, if anyone had formed groups, if there was any organized response to this situation.
'Regulus transforms into a cub. Rimuru transforms into a tiny slime. I'm just a level three summoner with starter clothes and no visible weapons. We'll look like a beginner adventurer with two pet companions. Non threatening. Easy to underestimate.'
Which was exactly what he wanted. Flying under the radar while he gathered strength and information.
"Alright," Cid said aloud, addressing both familiars. "We're not staying here. We need to reach Springvale Village before nightfall. Get proper supplies, register with the guild, find a place to rest. But before we go, you both need to transform."
Regulus tilted his head, the question clear even without words through their bond.
"Cub form," Cid clarified. "You're incredible, but you're also terrifying to look at. People see a five foot tall lightning lion with a burning mane walking into their village, they're going to attack first and ask questions never. We need to be less threatening."
Through their bond, he felt Regulus's reluctance. The lion was proud. Reducing himself to the appearance of a harmless cub went against every instinct. But there was also understanding. The Lion Emperor was intelligent enough to recognize the logic, even if he did not like it.
Regulus's form began to shimmer, electricity dancing across his body as the Imperial Form Shift activated. His massive frame compressed, muscle and bone restructuring, size reducing dramatically. The process took maybe five seconds.
When it finished, a small lion cub sat where the Emperor had been. Still golden white fur. Still had the fiery mane, though significantly smaller and less intense. Still had those intelligent red eyes. But now the whole package was maybe the size of a house cat, looking up at Cid with an expression that somehow conveyed dignified suffering.
'He looks adorable,' Cid thought, fighting back a smile because he could feel through the bond that Regulus would not appreciate the sentiment. 'Absolutely adorable. Like a plush toy come to life.'
He turned to Rimuru. "You too. Tiny form. Palm sized."
The slime wobbled once in acknowledgment, then its body began to compress. The three foot sphere of gelatinous mass shrank rapidly, condensing down and down until it was no bigger than a tennis ball. The purple coloration remained, as did the faint miasma, but the overall presence was drastically reduced.
Cid scooped up the tiny slime, which settled comfortably into his palm, warm and faintly tingly from residual demonic energy. Regulus the cub padded over and looked up expectantly.
'He wants to be carried too,' Cid realized through the bond. 'Maintaining dignity while in cub form means not walking if he doesn't have to.'
Cid reached down and picked up the small lion, tucking him carefully into the crook of his arm. Regulus settled there with clear satisfaction, the position allowing him to observe their surroundings while being transported.
'I'm carrying two high rank threats disguised as adorable pets,' Cid thought, the absurdity of the situation finally hitting him. 'This is my life now. This is actually my life.'
He checked the sun's position, oriented himself using landmarks he remembered from the game, and started walking east toward where Springvale should be.
The forest was peaceful now that the demon slime's corrupting influence had faded. Birds sang in the trees. Small animals rustled in the undergrowth. The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy in golden beams that painted the forest floor in patterns of light and shadow.
Cid walked steadily, his body aching from exhaustion and minor injuries, his mind already working through plans and contingencies. He had survived his first real encounter. Had gained two powerful familiars. Had leveled up and acquired new abilities.
'I'm stronger than I was this morning,' he thought. 'Not strong enough. Not even close to strong enough. But stronger. And I'll keep getting stronger. One level at a time. One fight at a time. Until I'm powerful enough to find answers. Powerful enough to find the way home.'
Regulus purred softly in his arms, the sound oddly comforting despite coming from a creature that could probably still tear apart most low level monsters even in cub form. Rimuru wobbled gently in his palm, content to be carried.
The walk to Springvale took about ninety minutes, shorter than he had estimated. The forest gradually thinned as he approached the border between wild lands and settled territory. The trees grew more spaced out. The undergrowth became more manageable. Signs of human activity appeared in the form of old stumps and cleared paths.
Then he saw it through the trees ahead. Buildings. Wooden structures with thatched roofs. Stone walls marking property boundaries. The smoke of cooking fires rising into the early evening sky.
Springvale Village.
Cid stopped at the forest's edge, looking out at the village that would be his entry point into civilized society in this world. It looked exactly like he remembered from the game. Small but sturdy. Maybe two hundred buildings total. Fields surrounding it where crops grew. A central square visible from his position.
'This is it,' he thought, taking a breath to steady himself. 'This is where everything really begins. The forest was just survival. This is where I start actually living in this world. Building power. Gathering information. Finding others who might have answers.'
He adjusted his grip on Regulus and Rimuru, making sure both familiars were comfortable and looked appropriately harmless.
Then Cid Raimon, level three Summoner with a Legendary class and two of the most dangerous familiars anyone at his level had ever possessed, walked out of the forest and toward the gates of Springvale Village, ready to begin his journey in earnest.