Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 13: Encounter

Episode 13: Encounter

Having fought the centaur-like crayfish and being thrown back in what seemed like a mutual blow, I landed, and there was a girl ahead of me.

“Eek!”

With her sky-blue hair like a midday sky, she was clearly in a state of panic.

In the forest, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. But she was trembling, having dropped her basket and losing her composure.

“W-Well…”

Although she seemed to be analyzing the situation, I was quite confused myself. What should a slime do in such a situation?

If it were between humans, you’d apologize for startling them and explain the situation, but slimes can’t speak human language. 

I wanted to do something, but since she was very scared, approaching her might make things worse…

While I was contemplating this, the girl cautiously stood up and approached me.

“…Are you, perhaps, injured?”

Kneeling in front of me, she peered at me and asked. She was probably thinking I had been hurt from the fall and hadn’t moved.

Then she rummaged through her basket and presented me with some medicinal herbs.

? What is she thinking…?

I’m a monster, you know? A creature that could attack humans?

Well, I’m a former human, so I won’t attack, but a normal slime would probably be spraying [Dissolution Liquid].

Yet here she is, approaching me unguarded and even offering valuable medicinal herbs.

I had no idea what she was thinking.

“These are medicinal herbs. They’ll help heal your injuries faster. Here, eat them.”

The girl insisted, pushing the herbs towards me.

Though I was suspicious she might have poisoned them, I decided to trust my [Perfect Defense] and cautiously digest them.

Inside my clear blue body, the herbs gradually dissolved. 

Honestly, I wasn’t injured, so the healing effect wasn’t active. But I absorbed the |Mana| from the herbs, which gave me a boost of strength.

“Slah-slah!”

Seeing me bouncing energetically, the girl smiled.

However, this made me uneasy.

Would she do the same thing if she saw another injured monster?

Perhaps she thought it was okay because I’m a slime and wouldn’t go on a rampage, but it still felt dangerous.

I needed to be cautious.

“Slah-slah, slah, slah-slah!”

“Are you thanking me? You’re welcome!”

She responded with a refreshing smile.

Damn it, it’s not getting through!

Despite using gestures, she completely misunderstood me.

“Slah!”

“?”

I made a cross shape with my body, conveying that her understanding was incorrect.

But it seemed that the people around here didn’t have a common understanding that a cross symbol means a mistake.

“Good, good.”

For some reason, she patted my head—around the area of the cross symbol.

I was trying to convey my message by twisting and turning my body, but there was no sign of understanding.

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Slime} has acquired the [Skill: Gesture].

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Maybe it was a mistake to try to convey such abstract things without words?

As I was thinking this, the girl suddenly looked surprised.

“Are you saying it’s dangerous to approach carelessly?”

“Slah-slah!”

Oh wow, she understood!

A miracle has occurred! It seems that if you convey your sincerity, your feelings can reach even other species!

“You’re kind, beautiful-colored slime. Indeed, I’m weak, and it would be dangerous if I were poisoned… Okay, I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Slah-lah”

It seemed she understood, which was a relief.

“!”

Just as I was thinking that, the girl suddenly shivered.

She quickly stood up, slung her basket over her shoulder, and said,

“I’m sorry, I have to go now. You should leave too; this place is dangerous for slimes.”

“Slah?”

What’s happening all of a sudden?

“Goodbye.”

The girl gave a small wave.

It seemed that the custom of waving goodbye was the same in this world.

I also transformed part of my body to mimic a hand and waved back.

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Slime} has acquired the [Skill: Communication].

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“Hey, see you later.”

“…Huh?”

The girl turned around with wide eyes.

“…It must be my imagination.”

She quickly hurried away.

Well then, considering the advice to escape, I mentally shook my head. If there’s danger in the forest, it’s likely a magical beast. To repay her for the medicinal herbs, I thought I should buy some time to ensure that girl could escape safely. Besides, if things go well, I might be able to level up more.

As I was thinking this, a magical beast emerged, crushing the underbrush.

“Fshuuu…”

“…Slaa”

It was a giant bear-like magical beast. Its fur was black, absorbing all light, except for the two white stripes crossing its forehead. The massive bear, towering over adults, lumbered towards me on all fours. It was heading in the same direction the girl had fled.

I was overwhelmed by its size, which was comparable to the trees. As a slime, I often looked up at enemies, but this bear had an intimidation factor far beyond anything I had faced before.

With the girl already gone, it crossed my mind that it might be alright for me to run away as well. 

…No, I’m a slime that doesn’t forget its gratitude! I’ll hold this thing off so that girl won’t be attacked, even if it means I get hurt!

Besides, with my |Toughness|, I might be able to get through this unscathed.

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Slime} has activated [Folly].

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Standing in front of the giant bear, for some reason, I felt lighter.

I don’t know why, but it was convenient. With this power, I could take down the bear—

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>> Kubima {Negate Grizzly} has activated [Claws of Powerlessness].

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—The giant bear closed the distance in an instant, swinging its vicious, clawed arms recklessly.

Before I knew it, I was being thrown through the air at high speed.

“(Ouch!?!)”

The pain hit me before I could even figure out what happened. It wasn’t quite being overwhelmed by sheer |Power|. It felt like the bear’s claws were slipping through my [Toughness] in a slippery way.

In the midst of the pain and floating sensation, I thought:

I’ve been getting thrown around a lot today…