To say the least…
I was surprised. No—more than surprised.
I was completely immersed.
And honestly?
I owe this dragon an apology.
Real sorry for calling you a dumb dragon in my mind earlier—
because this is the most beautiful, mesmerizing, terrifyingly cool creature I've ever seen in my life.
No questions asked—he's dangerous.
But those sleek pitch-black scales, that flowing metallic sheen, and those enchanted eyes that look like they could swallow a soul whole…
Yeah.
One wrong glance and I might actually drown in them.
I'll blame my rudeness on the whole "lack of sight" situation…
Not that it matters.
He already seems to have forgotten that I called him "dumbo" and "lizard" in my head.
(Hey, Little Slime. Do you remember our promise? … And besides, for all that complaining, you learned it pretty easily.)
(Of course~! I was just kidding. I can see my surroundings, and I can hear everything clearly. Thank you!)
(Ay. Could have taken more time learning it, though…)
Yeah, well… with Great Sage, I should be fine.
Given time, I'll be able to control Magic Sense easily on my own with the help of great sage.
And seriously…
This dragon has been nothing but nice to me.
Moreover, he really is just lonely.
Just from one glance—even through Magic Sense—I could tell he's lost a lot.
A presence that huge… a voice so dramatic… and yet, a heart that feels painfully similar to the "crying red ogre" tale.
Seeing characters on a screen never hits this hard.
Standing in front of someone who's been alone for 300 years?
Yeah. That hurts.
(So… what shall you do now?)
(Umm… I think I'll go around looking for fellow Otherworlders. Though no harm if I don't find any.)
Hinata, Shizu…
I don't want misunderstandings with the first.
And I definitely want to save the second.
If I fail, it'll leave a bitter taste in my mouth forever.
And Yuuki?
I will also have to be very careful about that bastard...
World domination? Really?
How childish can a grown man be?
So Troublesome...
Might as well see the world and travel sometime like an adventure type Anime like Satou from "Death March."
The world looks much bigger now.
And this dragon…
He can't even move.
And you're telling me he stayed like this for three centuries?
(By the way, Veldara-san, you mentioned you have been… sealed?)
(Muu… yes. I made the mistake of underestimating a small nuisance… Had I gone all out, I would not have been defeated!)
The way he says "defeated" sounds more like bragging than shame.
Honestly, nothing—NOTHING—looks like it can wound him.
But…
(Was he really so strong?)
Chloe…
Yeah, that tracks.
Time travel cheats and all.
The outside world is scarier than I expected.
(It is so. Strong indeed. Clothed in divine protection… humanity's "hero.")
Hero.
I know the term.
In my old world, the whole "Oops-I-became-a-hero" trend was popular.
None of them were THIS overpowered.
In this world, they were also not that strong but Chloe was a True Hero.
This is different.
(And, the hero referred to oneself as a "Summoned." Could the hero have been from your world?)
(Eh? No no! No one is that strong in my world!)
(Nay. World travelers tend to possess special power here. Enough to etch their souls into this world.
The "Summoned" always carry a formidable ability. Most likely, a unique skill.
The success rate is lower than 0.03%, but this one succeeded.)
(When you say summoning, do you mean calling something out with magic?)
(Ay. A three-day ritual involving thirty people. The success rate is low, but success typically yields a powerful weapon.)
(Huh? Weapon?)
(Ay. The summoner engraves a curse into the soul of the summoned to prevent rebellion.)
(What's with that?! Are summoned people not recognized as humans?!)
(Humans? … Otherworlders sometimes complain about that.
But such an idea is but an illusion in this world. Survival of the fittest—that is the only truth.)
I see…
Harsh.
But expected.
My world's stories were too soft.
This world is far closer to cruel reality.
(So then… otherworlders are treated like slaves?)
(That depends. They lack the Monster Warding Charm. Those without it live quietly or become adventurers.
Among the foes I have repelled, quite a few were from another world! Fuhahaha!)
(In other words… forced labor only for the summoned?)
(Ay. Though whether it is appropriate to call it "labor," I do not know.
I know much about humans… but not everything.)
(That's only natural… sorry.)
For a "dumb dragon," he's extremely knowledgeable.
The anime did him dirty.
Talking with him… it feels good.
He's genuinely enjoying himself.
So we keep talking—
about his battle with the hero,
about the hero's strength,
about her appearance.
White skin.
Deep crimson lips.
Jet-black hair.
Petite, beautiful, masked.
A woman.
So I asked if her beauty got to him.
His response?
"Don't be spouting nonsense!"
Why is he mad—
It's not like I called him gay or something.
She carried a katana.
No shield.
Unique Skills: Absolute Severance and Infinite Prison.
With them and her magic, she overwhelmed him.
This dragon…
He Likes humans.
Calls them small fry, trashes them verbally, but never kills unless provoked.
Three hundred years ago, after an incident…
He erased a city.
Then the hero sealed him.
I can't pretend to understand his emotions.
Sympathy is limited when you've never lived someone's pain.
But I know this much:
He's not a bad dragon.
Not at all.
I like him.
As a character—and now as someone I've actually spoken to.
So…
(Okay! So, um… about your condition… You said I'd become your family, right? Do you… want to be?)
Ugh.
Embarrassing.
I must be bright red despite being a slime.
(Wha—what did you say!? For the feared Storm Dragon Veldara to become f-f-family with someone of s-s-slime's social standing?!)
This damn tsundere dragon.
I bare my heart, and he plays hard to get?!
(Ah… well, if you hate it that much…)
(Stupid! You! Nobody said anything about hating!)
Hehe.
He's flustered.
Say it.
Come on, say it, you tsundere overgrown lizard.
(Eh, then? Umm… what will you do?)
(... Let's see… well, if you insist… I can consider…)
He keeps glancing at me like some shy girl from a romcom.
It's weird.
Very weird.
But somehow… charming.
(I insist! Decide! If you hate it, the deal's off. No second chances!!!)
(Tsk! Then I have no choice! I'll become your family! Show me your gratitude!)
Phew.
This dragon is a pain.
But so am I.
Perfect match.
(Then, I'll be in your care!)
(Ay! … Oh, and let me grant you a name. You also give me one!)
(Huh? Why? So suddenly?)
(To etch into our souls that we are equals. A family name.
The one I grant you will bestow Divine Protection. You lack a name, so you shall become a named monster now!)
Oho.
This is what I've been waiting for.
A family name, huh?
I'm bad at naming things.
Good thing I have a classic reference.
(Since you are the Storm Dragon, how about "Tempest"?)
Honestly?
It sounds GOOD.
(Yes! A wonderful name!)
He liked it?!
(From now on, I am Veldora Tempest, your Big Sister. And you…
Shall be called Rimuru—Rimuru Tempest, my Little Brother!!! Fufufu!)
.....
Status
Name: Mikami Satoru
Species: Slime
Title: Reincarnated One, Otherworlder
Magic: None
Unique Skills:
• [Great Sage]
• [Predator]
• [Dimensional Gacha]
Intrinsic Skills:
• [Dissolve]
• [Absorb]
• [Regenerate]
Extra Skills:
• [Magic Sense]
• [Water Manipulation]
Resistances:
• Thermal Fluctuation Resistance
• Physical Attack Resistance
• Piercing Resistance
• Pain Resistance
• Electricity Resistance
• Paralysis Resistance