The military nation Dwargon.
1,000 years had passed since the first generation dwarf hero, King Guran Dwargo, had built this country.
To this day, the country had been protecting, as well as developing, its history, culture, and technologies.
The current King Gazelle Dwargo was part of the third generation dwarves, but possessed a similar aura to that of his grandfather in his younger days.
The land was governed by one such a dwarf.
Within this town, the wise king would not tolerate violence.
Even the Empire in the east avoided open aggression with the military nation Dwargon!
The dwarves were known to be such ferocious opponents, that there was even a saying, ‘go against a dwarf once, there won’t be a second time!’.
In battle, a wall of heavy infantry would defend the Army Magic Corps.
The opposing enemies would be totally annihilated by the powerful magic attacks before even managing to break through the infantry wall.
During these past 1,000 years, the might of the dwarven army that boasted of invincibility had always remained famous.
It was none other than the equipments they produced using their technological strength.
Therefore!
For this reason, even if one were to encounter demons in dwarf territory, there was hardly anyone who would foolishly cause conflict.
Their capital was a place where humans and demons mingled.
Not to mention, while the capital positively overflowed with tools of war, it was still a country that was able to enjoy peace.
The fact that the arms dealers’ stronghold was the farthest from causing strife might have been, in a way…ironic.
In front of the entrance, there was a large line of people entering.
The only times the gate was opened was on the occasions when the army needed to come and go, and only once a month at that.
Below the large gate, a small door was installed for the express purpose of letting people in and out.
A line of people was formed on the left side of the passage. It appeared that the right hand side was a pathway for the likes of nobles and important figures.
While waiting, I saw that there was a varied treatment of the people, such as those who received a free pass, while others would be taken into a separate room to be checked.
Although it seemed that you were comparatively free to act when you get inside….
But at the moment I was thinking that,
[Oi oi! There’s demons in a place like this! We’re still not inside, so isn’t it fine to kill them here?]
[Hey, what are you doing lining up there? You guys are damn cheeky. If you don’t want to die, give me that spot!
Also, leave everything you have behind. And then I’ll let you go this time!!!]
Those were really quite the dubious statements..
Over here, there was no one but me and Gobuta-kun.
Rigur had also wanted to come, but I refused.
And that was why it was just us two, but I wonder if we looked like easy targets?
It seemed that a pair of adventurers that didn’t want to get in line had their eyes on us.
[Oi oi, Gobuta-kun, do you hear something?]
[Yes, I can hear it too…]
[Did you get caught up in something like this the last time you came?]
[Of course! I was beaten black and blue, then I got picked up by a group of kobold merchants!
If they hadn’t found me, I think I might have died back then~]
[… So you did get involved. Well then, can nothing be done about it?]
[It’s something like the fate of weak demons…]
It looked like we were in trouble. Moreover, this was a considered a normal occurrence here…
As if he had realized my thoughts, Gobuta-kun was hanging his head.
I was a little worried.
[Oi! Even though you’re nothing but a small fry. Don’t be ignoring me now!]
[Rather than that, isn’t a talking slime rare? Don’t you think it’ll be popular in an exhibit?]
The two continued making their annoying conversation.
I vaguely felt like I’ve been told at one time that I had a Buddha-like deep compassion…but this was making me angry.
[Gobuta-kun…. Do you remember the rules I said before?]
[Yes! Of course!]
[I see. Well then, for a while, I want you to close your eyes and plug your ears! You must not ever look this way!]
[…? I don’t really understand, but roger that!]
Now let’s see. I was the one who made the rules, yet I would be breaking them first…
Since I made sure that Gobuta-kun, who was in the way, closed his eyes…let’s begin clearing the trash!
At that moment, the man on my right shifted his line of sight.
The two in front of me was a swordsman and another man wearing lightweight equipment. Most likely, he was in the profession of thieving.
In the group of three, there was two that were wearing magician or priest-like robes, and a large warrior.
I made a prediction. All of them were in the same party, and these two in front were meant to chase us out, according to their plan.
I dare say that this was the scenario that they laid out.
It was well thought up.
However…this time, they picked the wrong opponent!
[Oi oi! You should patiently wait for your turn! I’m a very tolerant fellow, so it’s not too late for forgiveness. Hurry up and line up from the back!]
I began provoking them.
These guys had short tempers.
[Putting up a front when you’re nothing but a sh*tty small fry demon…don’t get cocky!]
[Oi oi, you’re as good as dead now! I even considered sparing your life if only you gave up your belongings!]
They were reciting the kind of lines suited to petty underlings.
Among those uncles, there were even some that had playfully scribbled things (tattoos) on their body.
The feeble threats of a greenhorn, was nothing more than passing wind.
[A sh*tty small fry demon? Were you talking about me?]
[Of course it’s about you! The likes of a slime is a small fry among small fry!]
[Hurry up and get over here. It looks like you can talk well, so I’ll turn you into a demon slave without killing you!]
A demon slave? There was something like that?
The nearby merchants and adventurers were starting to notice the disturbance we were causing.
Although I don’t know if such a thing as legitimate self-defence would work here…it would be great if even a few people could testify for me.
If I was a beautiful girl, there might have been someone like that, but I guess it’s unreasonable to expect for a slime.
[Calling me small fry over and over, you sure talk arrogantly! Moreover…me, a slime?]
[No matter how I see it, you’re definitely a slime!]
[Damn you, messing with me…! I can’t forgive being made a fool of by a weakling like you! I’ll kill you after all!]
After saying that, the two readied their weapons.
Oh boy. The first humans I got to talk to was like this…. Such bad luck. To think that demons were friendlier.
The people nearby had begun moving away to watch in a circle around us from afar.
Now then.
I leisurely moved forwards and said,
[Kukuku. You say I’m a weakling? A slime? …Since when did I become a slime! Or are you just confused?]
I deliberately spoke as if to imply something else.
But this was, an act!…probably.
[What did you say? Don’t get carried away with bluffing!]
[Hmph! If you’re not a slime then show your real form already! After you’re dead, you won’t get to make excuses!]
It seemed they would wait for me to transform.
Even as a slime, I believe I could win against them.
It was difficult to adjust my strength to the degree of only knocking them out.
[All right then. I’ll let you see, this true form of mine!]
*This isn’t even my final form!
As I shouted, I also loosed a sinister aura to hint at my power.
I checked around me to see if anyone had sensed that small amount of aura.
The two idiots before me and their companions showed no sign of being aware of it.
I was done with observing the situation now. Now then, what should I turn into…
From my body erupted a thick fog.
A black wolf.
Right now, I had black fur that was identical to that of the evolved Ranga and his pack.
But not only that, my physique exceeded even Ranga’s, and there was now a pair of horns on my forehead.
Mimesis: Tempest Star Wolf
…It seems that, if the lineage of the demon I’ve used Predation on evolved, it would also affect my mimicry.
This must have been a further evolved form of Ranga. I could feel an overwhelming power.
But contrary to my expectation,
[Ha! Even if you look tougher on the outside, it doesn’t change that you’re a slime!]
[Oi oi, did you think we’d get cold feet and run away from just that!?]
…They don’t realize anything!
In the first place, if a slime transforms, even if you couldn’t tell if it was an illusion or something else, taking caution is a given.
Perhaps they were reassured by the presence of their three friends in hiding…
The number of skills I could use had also increased.
Shadow Movement was a skill that Ranga and co was in the middle of practicing.
At present, they were only practicing entering shadows, so there was still a long way to go.
But since my predictions were rather poor, their conditions may turn out even worse. This being the case, there was no skills to use.
Anyhow, the end result was that I only managed to terrify a few of the spectators out of their wits instead.
[Oh boy…I don’t care anymore. This is too tiring, so just come at me!]
I let them have the first strike.
On one occasion, I had experimented on that question while in lizard form.
Afterwards, there was no damage that had transferred to my slime body.
Most likely, it was because the skill Mimesis utilized magic essence to create a new body, which was why the main body couldn’t be damaged.
There were two restrictions on this skill. After Mimesis wore off, I would be unable to transform for the next 3 minutes, and the other was that mimicking a demon required a certain amount of magic essence.
To sum up, there wouldn’t be a problem in letting them attack me as much as they wanted.
In the case that the opponents were strong, I could return to my slime form and escape immediately.
And the fight began with them attacking first.
[Heh, die!]
[Raaaagh!!! 『Wind Slash』!!!!!]
The thief threw multiple daggers towards me.
And was that swordsman using a skill attack? His sword was glowing green as he swung the blade at me.
Claaaang!
Snap!!!
Simultaneously throwing three daggers was quite impressive, but there wasn’t enough force behind them to pierce my bristles.
As for the swordsman, sadly…his precious sword had broken with a snap.
[Just now, did you do something?]
Assuming the role of a villain with an air of experience, I enthusiastically asked them in a belittling way.
Was that skill nothing but a show?
[N-, no way! Such hard bristles…]
*Real hard, baby
[Impossible…this-, this kind of thing, it’s impossible!!! My sword was made with silver! It had a power amplifying effect against demons!!!]
…Well of course, isn’t silver fragile? What was he even saying…this guy.
[Oi! You guys help out as well!!!]
As if no longer caring for appearance, he called for his companions. As I expected, the three that were in hiding was a part of their group.
[Heh! It’s the end for you now!]
[My my…really, I didn’t expect we would get a turn!]
[A slime’s transformation magic? Interesting. I’ll be sure to dissect it after killing it!]
[For a while now, it hasn’t been moving at all. Moving will probably break the spell. How’s that? Did I hit bullseye!?]
They were making so much noise while saying whatever they liked.
The five of them then spread out in a circle around me, and began attacking at the same time.
The thief slashed at me with a short sword.
The heavy warrior bellowed [『Heavy Slash』!!!] as he swung his great axe.
The priest was creating a magic shield in preparation for my attack.
Though unfortunately for them, none of their attacks had affected me…
I peeked a fleeting glance towards them.
If it was now, 『Intimidation』 might have an effect.
Aruuuuuuu~~~!!!
*Wolf howling. Believe me when I say I’m really sorry ‘bout the bad sound effects
I used 『Intimidation』 on top of my howling.
But, this turned out to be a massive failure…
To put simply, the situation was a great disaster.
Crap…what should I do? This definitely wouldn’t end well at all.
Eh? What about the group of five?
Well, of course…
There wasn’t really a need to say it out loud.
And suddenly, I detected a number of dwarven guardsmen that were running this way with 『Magic Perception』.
As for my current state of mind…
I gazed at the scene of people soiling their pants with various substances, and I unconcernedly thought to myself while escaping from reality,
[Cleaning up after that mess would really suck huh~.]
Status
Species: Slime
Titles: Crest of Storm
Magic:
None
Skills:
Unique Skill 『Predator』
Extra Skill 『Water Manipulation』
Extra Skill 『Magic Perception』
Acquired Skills:
Centipede 『Paralysis Breath』
Bat 『Ultrasonic Waves』
Black Wolf 『Super Olfaction, Thought Transmission, Intimidation, Shadow Movement, Black Lightning』
Resistances:
Physical Attack Resistance
Electrical Resistance
Paralysis Resistance