The world outside the cave was loud.
Not in sound, but in presence. Life pressed in from every direction—wind carrying unfamiliar scents, insects moving through tall grass, distant cries of creatures neither hostile nor friendly. Compared to the suffocating magic density of the cave, the open plains felt almost fragile.
Rimuru drifted forward slowly, as if afraid the scenery might vanish if he moved too fast.
"So this is the outside world," he said. "It's… bigger than I imagined."
"That's because the cave trained you to think small," Tamura replied. "Out here, scale matters."
Rimuru chuckled nervously. "You make it sound dangerous."
"It is," Tamura said. "Just not immediately."
They moved cautiously, following the natural path away from the cave entrance. According to the original flow of events, Rimuru would spend several days exploring the surrounding area—testing abilities, mapping terrain, hunting weaker monsters, and acclimating to life outside confinement.
Tamura let that happen.
For the first few days, they encountered little of note. Small monsters—horned rabbits, low-ranked beasts—were absorbed by Rimuru without difficulty. He experimented constantly, refining Predator, adjusting slime physiology, and listening to Veldora's unsolicited advice.
Tamura remained nearby, drifting lazily, intervening only when something threatened to disrupt the natural pace.
During one such quiet evening, as Rimuru rested beneath a tree—purely out of habit—Tamura's system chimed again.
[Sign-In Complete.]
[Reward: Passive Trait – 「Mental Nullification」]
[Effect: Immunity to mental interference, fear-based pressure, charm, and domination effects.]
Tamura absorbed the information without visible reaction.
"Tamura-kun," Rimuru said suddenly, "do you ever get tired?"
"No."
"…That was a weirdly fast answer."
Tamura did not elaborate.
Another stretch of time passed. Days blurred together naturally—movement, minor battles, experimentation. Rimuru grew steadily stronger, though not explosively. The pacing matched the world's expectations.
Tamura's did not.
Another system response appeared during travel.
[Status – Noctis Vale]
Species: Slime (Unclassified Variant)
Magicule Capacity: Constant (Self-Regulated)
Skills:
Unique Skill: Observer Beyond Fate
Extra Skill: Perfect Energy Efficiency
Passive Trait: Mental Nullification
Threat Assessment (World): Unclear
Threat Assessment (Self): Irrelevant
He dismissed it again.
The first real change came with voices.
Rimuru noticed it first. "Do you hear that?"
Tamura had already identified them—small, panicked, poorly concealed presences moving through the forest ahead.
"Goblins," Tamura said. "Weak. Organized only by desperation."
Rimuru tensed. "You're sure?"
"Yes."
They moved toward the sound.
Soon, a group of small green figures came into view, weapons shaking in their hands.
Their eyes widened in fear when they noticed the two slimes approaching.
Rimuru stopped immediately. "Wait, wait—don't panic."
The goblins froze.
To them, Rimuru looked unusual but non-hostile. Tamura, however—
Their gazes slid past Rimuru and landed on Tamura's presence.
They trembled.
Whispers spread among them in broken language.
"…that one… dark…"
"…can't feel his limit…"
Tamura noted the reaction without comment. To the goblins, he was Noctis Vale—an existence whose depth could not be measured. Instinct told them to fear him.
Rimuru noticed. "Uh… Tamura-kun, could you maybe… stay back a bit?"
Tamura complied, drifting several meters away.
The goblins visibly relaxed.
Rimuru addressed them carefully, using gestures and tone rather than words. It took time, but eventually understanding formed.
Their village was under attack.
Direwolves.
Rimuru listened quietly, absorbing the information. He did not look to Tamura for confirmation. He did not ask for future outcomes. He made the decision himself.
"I'll help you," Rimuru said.
Tamura observed silently.
This was important.
Rimuru helping the goblins was not just charity—it was the first step toward everything that followed. The foundation of Tempest. The first kingly choice.
Tamura would not interfere.
As the goblins bowed repeatedly, gratitude pouring out in broken speech, Tamura's system chimed again—quiet, almost amused.
[Sign-In Complete.]
[Reward: Extra Skill – 「Presence Suppression (Absolute)」]
[Effect: Allows the user to completely erase perceived threat level at will.]
Tamura activated it immediately.
The goblins stopped trembling.
Some even looked at him again, confused rather than terrified.
"…oh," Rimuru muttered. "That helps."
Tamura said nothing.
As they began moving toward the goblin village, the sun dipped lower in the sky.
Shadows stretched long between the trees.
Rimuru floated forward with purpose.
Tamura followed—not as a guide, not as a leader, but as a constant variable walking just outside the world's expectations.
The story had begun its next arc.
And once again, Tamura allowed it to proceed—unchanged, for now.