Style Guide:

Emphasis: italics

Internal thoughts: italics

Telepathy: {{...}}

In-universe text: yet more italics

Great Sage/Raphael/Ciel: [[...]]

Words of the World: {...}

Dialogue: "..."

Skills: [...]

Time/scene/perspective change:


Author's Note: Hello readers! This is a 3-way collab between myself, AgentT123 (on Wattpad) and WatcherMagic (on Ao3). Make sure to check out their profiles, as they've got a bunch of great stories, and enjoy!


Darkness.

Yeah, that's all I can see, aka nothing at all.

I tried opening my eyes, and honestly, I can't even tell if I succeeded or not. If I did, it's not like it made any difference. The ground under me is cold, hard, rough–am I on some kind of stone?

What even happened to me? The last thing I remember is Tamura sobbing and that strange voice playing in my head, teasing me about being a virgin. Recalling it irritates me, it's not like I chose that life, okay!?

I was stabbed, I didn't forget that. I mean, how could I? It was excruciating! Hot, searing pain followed by cold numbness, and now this… cave? I'm not sure, but I can't feel the sun on me. There's gotta be a roof of some sort above my head.

Surprisingly, I'm not hot or cold, and isn't it supposed to be cold underground? I mean, it's nice and all, but the lack of visual input is starting to freak me out. Seriously, I'm starting to panic a little here, and that's not like me!

Calm, cool, and collected. Those are traits I'm known for, yet I'm having a hard time not going into a frenzy over this.

Even worse, it seems like I can't move my arms or legs either. Am I paralyzed? In a coma? Or did they outright chop my limbs off for some reason? No…that doesn't make any sense. Amputation because of getting stabbed isn't a thing, as far as I know.

Still, I get the feeling they're gone, not just unable to be moved, and the more I think about it, I'm getting the impression my eyes are in a similar predicament. The same goes for my mouth, too.

I…don't have any of those anymore, do I?

That's what I'm starting to think, which really makes no sense unless…

It's been a lingering thought in the back of my head, a concerning idea that I'm starting to believe based on the tactile feedback I've gotten while trying to move my limbs.

If I died back there…and got reincarnated or whatever…no, there's no way…

But, there's really no way I can deny reality at this point. It's hard to believe, but I think I'm a slime of all things.

Yeah, I know, sounds crazy, right? I shouldn't just accept that, right? But…it feels correct to me for some reason, and if that's my reality now, I need to accept it.


So I've accepted it: I'm a slime now.

I never thought I'd be in a situation like this before, but here I am!

It's been who knows how long since I've ended up in this state and all I've been able to do in the meantime is slide around, eating what I think is grass. Yeah, grass. Exciting. I'm still not sure if I'm underground, but I keep bumping into walls, so I'm at least somewhere confined.

So this has been my life since I died and I still have no clue what I'm going to do to change it to be something less boring. It's mind-numbing and has barely kept me occupied enough to maintain my sanity and I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out. Sometimes I eat the rocks here just for variety, but… I might just go insane if this keeps up.

There was one point when that same voice popped into my head, asking me about using some 'unique skill,' but after I told it no it shut up and hasn't spoken since, leaving me all alone in my thoughts again. Real jerk move, I have to say.

I still haven't felt anything cold or hot, haven't heard a sound, tasted a thing, felt any sensation outside of touch, and the feeling of this grass stuff breaking down inside my body.

Eat, dissolve, move on, eat, dissolve, move on, eat, dissolve, move on…

Over and over and over again.

The same monotonous task is repeated endlessly.

Maybe I'll run into someone here? Someone who can help me escape this hell? Nah, that won't happen, there's no way. But, I need to keep hopeful, dammit!

So, I keep going.


Eat, dissolve, move on. Eat, dissolve, move on. Eat, dissolve, move on.

Why is there so much of this grass anyway? Why is it everywhere I go? Shouldn't it be all gone by now? I've been eating it for a very long time, I think… I've completely lost track of my sense of time. It's been days, at least, maybe even weeks at this point! I have no way to know. But, does it even really matter anymore? Either way, I'm gonna be doing the same thing over and over again.

Eat… dissolve… move on…


Can't that voice come back? I really could use a friend right now. It left me in the dark, literally, and I wish it would come back already!

What, are you gonna judge me for making friends with a voice in my head? Be a little considerate of the situation I'm in, you asshole! I need some kind of social interaction or I'm gonna lose my marbles! Maybe I've already lost my marbles…would I even realize if I have?


I can't take this anymore…I can't take this anymore!

I really don't know what to do…there's nothing here to keep my mind busy. Eating this grass and zoning out into my own thoughts is what I've been doing to cope, but it's not enough! It's not enough!

Honestly, I'm starting to wish that someone would come along and step on me, popping me like some sort of jelly balloon and ending my suffering…wait, no, I don't really think that. Still, I should've died in peace back there instead of being jammed into the body of a mindless fantasy monster!

It's not fair…it's not fair at all! Is this Hell? Is this my punishment for not letting my 'son' become a real man? No, there's no way that's the reason, but I'm half-convinced I'm in Hell. And here I thought that'd be all fire and brimstone, eternal torture or whatever, but instead, it's sensory deprivation and total isolation, who would've figured…


I shouldn't have jumped in front of Tamura…if he was the one that died, I'd still have my life! He would be the one in this nightmarish scenario, not me! It's selfish but I don't care anymore! I don't care!

This all happened because he wanted to brag about his soon-to-be wife, rubbing his marital success in the face of a 37-year-old virgin! He knew what he was doing! I bet he smugly smirked after I passed out from blood loss, happy that I died instead of him! I bet he's dancing on my grave, giddy that he survived that instead of me!

I bet he didn't even fry my PC for me…that bastard…


At least this is something new…

I've fallen into some water, I think. Great.

I wait a few seconds, thinking that I might drown in here, and…nothing. I guess I wasn't breathing to begin with, so drowning isn't something that can happen to me.

It feels nice, I guess, but it's even more unstimulating that being out of the water. I'm floating, I believe, depriving me of any sensation of anything solid.

I'll lose my mind even faster if I don't get outta here…

Then an idea occurs to me…what if I swallow up some of this water in the same way that I ate those herbs and just, spit it out? You know, like a water jet of sorts. It's not like I have any better options to take at the moment.


This was a mistake!

I'm actually glad I can't see right now because I'm pretty sure I'd be terrified out of my mind if I could, and if I had a mouth I'd surely be screaming!

My ill-advised idea to suck in and shoot out some water has sent me flying at what I think is a crazy speed, at least from what I can tell from my single intact sense of touch. It's going on a lot longer than I expected too, which just makes it even worse!

Suddenly, my momentum comes to a complete halt as I feel myself slam into something, my body flattening against the surface before bouncing off and hitting the ground. I, strangely, feel no pain from this, though. I guess I do remember hearing something called [Pain Nullification] when I was in the process of bleeding out, so maybe I just don't feel pain anymore.

I did take some damage, but my skills worked in tandem to fix that up in a jiffy.

{{Can you hear me, little one?}}

Uh…what was that? I just heard some masculine voice in my head, completely different from the one I've heard talking about my skills and stuff. Is someone nearby?

{{Do not ignore me, I know you can hear my words!}}

{{I'm not trying to ignore you, but I don't have a mouth to answer with!}}

Frustrated words fill my thoughts as I scramble to answer the first person to speak with me in this world! I don't count that mysterious skill voice that called itself [Great Sage] in that list, so this really is my first conversation after a very long time of being alone!

{{So you cannot speak, little one?}}

It seems like he can hear what I'm thinking, so I guess I'll keep 'talking' to him that way.

{{No, I can't see either, so if I'm not looking in your direction while talking with you, that's why.}}

{{Can't see, you say? Well then, how about I make you an offer? I will teach you a skill, which will allow you to see.}}

I stewed on it for a moment, unsure how I should respond.

{{What's the catch?}} I asked. There's always a catch with things like these.

{{You must not fear when you see me!}} The voice boomed in my head.

Oh, that's all?

I responded immediately, {{I think I can do that!}}

{{GOOD, LITTLE ONE! Kuwahahaha-Ahahah-hahaha!}}

{{How did you laugh in thought? No, better question. How did you inflect the laugh in thought?}}

{{Not right now, sight first. Do you feel those little particles floating in the air? Those are magicules, and if you control them, you should be able to see with them!}}

[[Notice: Individual Veldora is attempting to teach you the Extra Skill, [Magic Sense], would you like to acquire this skill?]]

[[Y/N]]

{{Yes!}}

I got an immediate headache from the rush of information, but slowly I was able to process it with the help of [Great Sage].

The creature in front of me became fully visible. A massive, midnight blue dragon, with piercing golden eyes.

{{AHHHHH! Dragon!}} I internally shouted and started shuddering, shocked by the massive figure looming over me.

{{HEY! Hey! You said you wouldn't be scared! Not like I can hurt you either way.}} The dragon pouted.

{{Sorry! Sorry! You are the first thing I have seen. The first thing I have even had a conversation with. In months…}}

{{Haven't even been able to see, hm? I've been sealed here for three hundred years myself.}} The dragon sympathized, sharing his own plight with me.

{{I was stabbed and died…then was just stuck in this cave. All I could do was blindly roll around and eat grass.}} I shook a bit again as I recounted what I'd gone through since dying.

{{While that is amusing, it doesn't sound any fun to experience. Arguably worse than being stuck here, even.}}

{{Really?}}

{{No, but it isn't far off. I truly do sympathize, little one.}}

{{I have a name you know! It's–}}

{{No, you don't! Don't say you do, that will hurt you!}} The dragon got stern for just a moment for some unknown reason.

{{What is that about…?}}

{{Naming a monster is normally dangerous if you aren't much stronger than them, and an attempt to name yourself would likely kill you.}} Veldora stated and shifted to face me completely to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

{{Oh…}}

Well, that was a close call. I guess there are some pretty strange rules in this world that I need to learn.

We were quiet for a minute until Veldora broke out into a boisterous laugh. {{No matter!}} He bellowed, {{it is but a simple matter for I, the mighty Storm Dragon, to name you!}}

{{You would!?}} I asked, excited yet skeptical. {{Didn't you just say it's super dangerous?}} I didn't want to go around without a name, that would be troublesome. I'd even settle for a new one since I died, but I didn't want my new friend to get hurt by giving me one.

{{Kuwa-hahahahaha!}} Veldora laughed, {{for a being of my power it is but a trifle!}}

{{Ooh!}} I thought excitedly, {{you're a really good friend!}}

{{F-friend?}} The dragon recoiled and almost seemed to blush under his scales if that's even possible. {{We-we are not friends!}} He shouted.

{{Um… do you not want to?}} I asked quietly, a little intimidated by him.

{{F-fool! I didn't say that!}} The dragon grew belligerent again, {{I just thought... I, the mighty Storm Dragon, to be friends with a lowly slime…! Others would laugh!}}

{{S-so you don't want to?}} I repeated, drooping a bit. Being called 'lowly' doesn't feel too good, but coming from such an imposing creature, I guess it fits.

{{Don't be foolish…!}} Veldora bellowed. {{You must simply understand! It is a great honor, little slime!}} The dragon lifted his claw to the edge of the barrier, {{If you truly wish to be my friend though, we will need a name to identify us! So others will know!}}

I stewed in my thoughts, then suddenly tried to ram into the barrier again, but just bounced off.

{{What are you doing?}} The dragon asked curiously.

{{Trying to get you out! I can't let my friend stay trapped!}}

{{That's the spirit! Though… I doubt you could break this barrier. The hero that sealed me was beauti– I meant powerful! She was incredibly powerful!}} he defended his pride, trying to cover his little slip-up. {{Regardless, the skill used to seal me, [Unlimited Imprisonment], seals even my own skills. Unless you have a skill of your own of sufficient strength to overpower it, I doubt you would be able to break through this barrier.}}

{{Then we just have to work together! If you can't do it alone, and I can't either…}} I placed my slimy 'hand' on the barrier and attempted to analyze it.

[[Analysis failed.]]

What?! How?! Is that even fair!? How will I figure out how to get Veldora out?!

[[It may be possible to analyze [Unlimited Imprisonment] with the assistance of gathered information from both within and outside the barrier, with the assistance of the Individual Veldora.]]

{{Are you ignoring me to talk to your skill!?}}

{{S-sorry! Mister Veldora… My skill has a plan to get you out of here… But, I'll need to eat you!}}

The dragon deadpanned for a moment, then raised his head, then opened his mouth wide to breathe in. Finally, a thunderous roaring laughter came out, which shook the entire cave. {{That is such an interesting idea! For a little slime to eat the mighty storm dragon! It is simply too outlandish to not attempt!}}

{{My skill says you need to examine the barrier from the inside, while I examine it from within my stomach, and with our combined effort. We should be able to break you out!}}
{{Brilliant, simply brilliant! I must name you, my friend…no, we will be brothers! Sworn brothers!}} The dragon stood proudly and stretched out his wings.

{{B-brothers?!}}

{{Yes! Sworn brothers! So we will need a family name for others to recognize us as such, I will allow you to choose this name. For I will choose yours.}} The dragon waited patiently and stood proudly.

Well.. he is the storm dragon… Storm, storm… Tempest…? That's another word for storm... Yes, Tempest sounds good!

Now decided, I popped up off the ground and shouted through our link, {{Tempest! Our family name could be Tempest!}}

{{Tempest hm…? Hm... Veldora Tempest... Tempest…}} The dragon paused for a few moments to play around with the name before turning back to me, {{SUBARASHII! MAGNIFICENT! FROM THIS DAY FORTH, I SHALL BE VELDORA TEMPEST!}}

{{Yes! Veldora! Veldora Tempest!}} I repeated his words back, a little lost in his excitement.

{{Now you…you will, from this day forth, be Rimuru Tempest!}} The dragon announced it to the world.

I felt something deep inside me change; as if that name, Rimuru Tempest, had been engraved into my very soul. My very nature felt different from this change and along with it came a sudden surge of strength, of unbelievable power!

{{I am Rimuru Tempest!}} I mirrored the dragon's announcement.

{{Very good, Rimuru!}} The dragon pressed his claw to the edge of the barrier once more.

I reached out with a little slime appendage to meet my Brother's claw.

We basked in this feeling for several moments.

{{Alright, Veldora, are you ready?}} I asked the moment I was satisfied.

{{Yes, of course! Oh…wait, little one, I do have one more request of you. The forest this cave is deep within; it is my domain and I am its protector. In my absence, please try your best to look after it.}}

{{So you want me to watch over your place until I'm able to free you? Sure, I will try my best.}}

I readily agreed, not considering the matter too heavily. It's the least I can do for my only friend in this world, really.

{{Is that it then? You're ready now, right?}}

{{As ready as I can be after three hundred years alone! Let us do this!}} The dragon lowered himself into a resting position.

{{Okay! [Predator]!}} Upon activating my skill, my form warped and expanded, encasing the entire barrier before rapidly shrinking it into my stomach.

The feeling of loneliness quickly crept back in on me as I rested there for several minutes, with only drips along the walls of the now-empty cave to break the silence.

Suddenly a small shake spread through my being, and I knew it couldn't be anyone but Veldora.

He's still here… He's still here.

I hopped along the ground to wherever I'd find myself next, moving on from the chamber that once contained my new friend.


I slid along the ground, testing out some of my new skills, and expanding my [Magic Sense] range before retracting it again to see in higher detail.

Something stood out, a group of humans near the mouth of an entrance to the cave.

Humans!? I... should trail them. I don't want to get attacked though… I'll just stay out of sight.

So I hid behind a nearby rock and watched carefully, staying out of sight.

The figures got closer, it looked like some big burly guy, a fighter, and a mage. Suddenly the big burly guy used a technique of some kind, and their presence was hidden. Their footprints were still visible on the ground though.

Curious, I decided to hop after them, trying my best to stay some distance behind to avoid their detection.


I am Elyune Grimwald, an elf! Don't tell anyone that though, or my dad would probably send mages to kill you. He's overprotective like that and it's super annoying!

I was walking with my party through this spooky cave. A horrific monster is supposed to be sealed there, but the magical presence of the monster has disappeared from the face of the earth.

"Eren, why is your light fading?"

"I don't know..."

Even though Veldora is supposedly gone, I could feel some presence since we entered, a deep foreboding presence. It's a feeling I can't shake, yet I haven't spotted any monsters since we entered.

"It really does feel like a dragon is here…" I mutter, really starting to question the idea that Veldora is truly gone.

We're here to investigate that, of course, so nobody's completely sure that the dragon has vanished from existence. We won't know until we reach the end of the cave, where a hero of old apparently sealed that evil.

Suddenly, I feel another chill and quickly look behind our group, but I spot nothing.

"This place is giving me the creeps…" I mutter quietly to myself.

"Oh Eren, don't be so on edge! We haven't even reached that giant lizard yet!"

"He's a dragon, not a lizard, Kaval."

"A big lizard, then." He chuckles.

I'm tempted to bonk him on the head with my staff for that comment. Really, the storm dragon is no joke. I've heard stories about what that monster has done in the past so I know.

Then I get hit with that weird feeling again and take another look behind us, but still…nothing.