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 32: The Girl Who Appeared a Third Time

Episode 32: The Girl Who Appeared a Third Time

The light blue-haired girl who emerged from the forest didn’t seem particularly dirty compared to when I saw her yesterday. It doesn’t seem like she spent the night in the forest.

“It’s been a day! I’m glad to see you made it back to town safely.” 

“‘I’m glad,’ should be my line. I was worried that Mr. Slime might have died…” 

She replied as she descended the slope.

While I felt guilty for causing her concern, I also began to feel puzzled.

“Wait, did you come all the way here because of that?”

“Well, that’s part of it. I also wanted to thank you, and I knew the direction you escaped in.”

“It’s dangerous! You know how dense the |Mana| is around here, which means the beasts are stronger too!”

“It’s fine. I’m good at moving without being noticed.”

Despite her words, I couldn’t shake my anxiety. Sensing my unease, she continued.

“Really, I’ll be okay. I have an [Attribute Skill] that lets me detect if there are any beasts around.”

“[Attribute Skill]…?” 

I asked, unfamiliar with the term.

“Oh, right. Beasts don’t have Attributes. Attributes are a |Status| that only humans possess, which allows them to use magic and enhance their [Skills].”

“So, that’s a thing, huh…” 

I honestly don’t know much about humans, since I’ve been avoiding them whenever I see them. So, there’s magic too, not just [Skills]. This world really is a fantasy.

“Wait, what’s the difference between [Skills] and magic in the first place?”

“Magic is a type of [Skill]. It’s one of the [Attribute Skills] that extracts and releases the power of Attribute using |Mana|. [Attribute Skills] that are always active without using |Mana| are called traits.”

Apparently, she can’t use magic since she has a lousy Attribute. She explained so with a wry smile.

“Huh, so that’s how it is. Is that trait why you’re always able to find me?”

“Yep! It’s rare to see a Slime on its own, you know. But since you always change your appearance when I see you, I was a little unsure if it was really you.”

“Well, now I’ve turned into this square shape.”

“Yeah, yeah, when I first saw you, I was like, ‘What is this?’ But since it seemed like you were just changing your shape, I thought, ‘Maybe it’s a Slime?’ And sure enough, it was you! And you were still light blue.”

“You identified me by my color?”

“Yep! You’re the only Slime with such a beautiful color. Everyone in town is all hyped up, saying, ‘Find the light blue Slime!’”

…So they’re all hyped up about it, huh.

I figured as much, but imagining the town bustling with people trying to hunt me down makes me feel a bit uneasy…

“Oh, that’s right! Speaking of shapes, you’ve {Evolved} again, haven’t you? You were so small when we first met. I heard it usually takes years for a beast to {Evolve}… Did you level up your <Soul Accumulation Level> all at once after defeating that bear?”

“That’s right. It took quite a bit of effort, but in the end, it was no match for me.”

“That’s amazing! …Back then, I almost jumped in without thinking, but I would have been killed immediately. So, thank you, Slime. Thank you for saving me and the adventurers.”

She said with sincere gratitude and bowed deeply.

W-Well, being thanked so directly like this… It’s a bit embarrassing.

“Don’t mention it! I only helped because I knew I could beat that bear, and I couldn’t just ignore people being attacked.”

“Even though you’re a Slime?”

“Even though I’m a Slime.”

“Hehe, you’re funny.”

She chuckled for a moment, then as if remembering something, she spoke up.

“Oh, by the way, there’s someone after you, so be careful.”

“I heard that already, the townspeople are after me, right? Don’t worry, I’m a Grand Beast now.”

I declared proudly.

It might be tricky if someone like that old man I met before comes, but since I’ve gotten stronger, I should be able to escape more easily now.

“Don’t let your guard down. This is a secret, but…” 

The girl leaned in close, whispering to me. Though, it’s not like there’s anyone else in this clearing.

“It seems that an advanced adventurer named Jaskal is trying to take you down.”

“Hoho… So adventurers are specialists in hunting magical beasts, right?”

“That’s right.”

The term “advanced adventurer” came across to me through [Understanding Intent] as something akin to a “strong hunter.” However, it seemed to imply a broader role than just a hunter, so I decided to use the term “adventurer,” like in anime or games. Judging by her reaction, it seems I got it right.

“How strong is this advanced adventurer? Like, their level or compared to other adventurers who come to this forest?”

“They’re much stronger than others. My town has a lot of adventurers, but there are only about ten advanced adventurers. I think he’s stronger than anyone you’ve seen before.”

“Stronger than that old man…?”

“Hm? Yeah, well, I think even a hundred regular old men wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Seriously? 

A hundred times stronger than that old man? That’s basically a natural disaster.

“I don’t know his exact <Soul Accumulation Level>, but I’ve heard that most advanced adventurers are over <Level 50>, so Jaskal is probably around that too. I also hear they often defeat Grand Beasts in parties, so you might lose too.”

“A party… that means a group of allies, right?”

“Yep.”

Hmm… If this guy is a hundred times stronger than the old man who defeated the Greater Beast version of me with a single blow, he should be able to take down a Grand Beast on his own. Is he just overly cautious, or…?

“He’s a tall man with a spear. If you see him, run away immediately.”

“Got it.”

I agreed, but a question came to mind.

“But why are you being so nice and telling me this?”

“Because I’m worried about you. You helped me before, and it would make me sad if you got killed.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“…Actually, Jaskal is notorious for yelling and causing trouble. His followers have been mean to me a few times too. So, I don’t want him to get any stronger.”

The girl curled her lips in a mischievous smile.

I thought she was a good kid, but it seems she has her own reasons too.

“Among the adventurers, there’s a rumor that the Slime is somewhere north of here… over that way. So, you should avoid going there.”

Then, she stood up.

“Well, I should get going. See you later, Slime.”

“Yeah, see you sometime. But don’t ever come to such a dangerous place again!”

“Okay. And Slime, you might get found if you stay here, so you should move somewhere else.”

“Alright, I got it!”

And with that, we parted ways.

Afterward, I considered whether I should relocate. However, since there were still some Treant fruits left, I decided to stay a little longer.

I figured humans wouldn’t come in just a day or two.

Maybe because I jinxed myself with that cliché thought, the day after I met the girl…

“I finally found you, Jewel Slime! Your <Soul Fragments> is mine!”

A tall man holding a spear, accompanied by four others, came for me.