8 The Slime's Agony
Then Veldora told Rimuru about it. He told him that the Eastern empire, Rudra would most likely do anything to win the game from the ruler of darkness, Guy Crimson. He told him about what'll happen if the fact that Veldora is making a country means he wants to join the game, that's why he refused it.
"That's why I can't help but worry at the fact you keep on naming monsters left and right. Eventually, we'll make a whole country. If you're going to do that, might as well make a very strong one to the point it's not normal." Veldora stated.
Velgrynd is madly in love with Rudra, Veldora knows that fact: that even her sister would force him to join her if she knows Veldora was freed. The worst-case scenario would be Velgrynd immobilizing Veldora so that Rudra can use his ultimate skill to control him.
For them, Two True Dragons is a ticket toward victory.
Rimuru holds Veldora's wrist with both hands. Not in a romantic or friendly way, but in a frantically defensive way. And there we have Veldora trying to force the core heart down into Rimuru's throat.
"THAT'S WHY EAT IT NOW! IT WILL GIVE YOU A SEMI-EVOLUTION!"
"HOLD UP NOW, DON'T FORCE ME. VELDORA!? OI! NO WAY I AM EATING THAT IN MY HUMAN FORM!!"
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--- Please Standby ---
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It end up like that after the slime said "I see now..." Whilst rubbing his chin.
But after an episode of a few banters, they calmed down and Rimuru accepted the offer.
『Predator!』
Thus the slime ate the Orc Disaster's Core heart.
But... Great Sage says something that caught the slime's attention.
«Report: Full analysis has been completed. The substance known as Dragon Factor has been detected. All Skills in the core heart have been successfully absorbed and integrated. Magicules inside the body are raising...»
«Inquiry: Would you like to begin Semi-Evolution? Y/N»
'This must be the Semi-Evolution Veldora talked about before... Surely this would make me Stronger.'
Rimuru thought to himself how much Veldora was willing to protect him. He felt kinda bad for being cold to him a few hours ago.
"Veldora..."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Rimuru realized, that sometimes saying "Thank you" was actually better than "sorry".
As a matter of fact,
"...Heh, Don't mention it." Rimuru was able to sight the huge stupid closed eyes grin on his Dragon partner.
Thus, Rimuru picked the choice...
'Yes.'
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Veldora catches Rimuru when he completely lost control over his transformation. He holds the darkened slime from his arms and placed it on the table.
«Notice: Semi-evolution of the individual called Rimuru Tempest has now commenced.»
Immediately, "Rimuru-sama!!?" Shion came and barged in.
That voice was not Great Sage's, it's the voice of the world. Currently, only those who were named by Rimuru and Veldora can hear those words and feels something happened with Rimuru.
Their senses directed them into Veldora's room. All the Onis came inside, and Rigurd made his way into the room after Shion.
The others weren't inside, but they sure can feel something.
It was Veldora's plan, a pseudo-harvest festival. He had tempered with the Core heart's Magicules and gave it to Rimuru.
"Veldora-sama, what are you---!"
When the red-haired Kijin raised his voice, Veldora slump his body on the chair.
Yet what the dragon spouted at them was a command. "Bring me a blanket"
The dragon ignored their surprises and gestured for Shuna to comply with his demands.
And he used the blanket to warm Rimuru up, "His Thermal Fluctuation Resistance might go haywire in this state."
The Kijins watch the Dragon caresses the slime with huge care.
"Rimuru-sa---!!! Shisou!?" Gobta the hobgoblin rushed into Veldora's Room too, but noticed his white-haired Oni teacher smiling at him at the entrance.
"Hoo, It looks like my command wasn't clear enough?" The old man had told him to stay in the training grounds with his friends before.
Yet here he is, seemingly skipping training for hours.
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Gobta and Hakurou had left since Hakurou would be giving him a few more lessons.
"We apologize for our rude intrusion earlier, but Veldora-sama... May we have permission to know Rimuru-sama's state right now?"
Benimaru asked politely.
Shion on the other hand had a very anxious face. She shows her worries openly in contrast with Shuna who covers her mouth biting her lips with her long sleeve despite showing the frown on her face.
One can't see it, but a killing intent was contained by Souei. The blue-haired Oni had wide eyes.
"Bold of you to even hide your killing intent, Souei." The dragon muttered carefreely.
"Rimuru is in a vulnerable state. Give him the best care you have right now if you still want to say you're his subordinate." The dragon said sternly.
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A day has passed.
Yet Rimuru hadn't woken up. It wasn't until the second day Rimuru opened his eyes.
He was greeted by... Well, firstly Shuna, Shion... And Veldora.
Rimuru voiced his thoughts, "Aaah~ it feels refreshing somehow!" He couldn't help but notice something that felt different in his voice.
He gets up and--- wait? Get up? He can feel the soft futon where he is currently on top of, but something doesn't feel right.
"I feel like eating something right now, haha... Though I can't really get hungry..." He scratched his head with a hand.
Wait... Hand?
His eyes went wide for a second, he brought his hand that was on his head to his face. It's a hand, he's in his human form?
He looks at both the Shion with stars in her eyes and Shuna who covers her red face with her sleeve, as well as Veldora who stares at him sharply.
"What's with you guys?"
He then turned his sight a few meters away from Veldora where the mirror is. The mirror stood there and showed him something very beautiful.
Hair of platinum blue, eyes that radiates gold, and a naked body of a beautiful 18 years old woman. She definitely has boobs, so it couldn't be Rimuru.
Thus, Rimuru made a stupid face, "Ah... miss, you're naked..." He feels very stupid and dumbstruck by the woman who followed his gestures.
"That's... ME!???????"
«Notice: Semi-evolution from "Slime" to "Slinoid" completed»
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A certain young woman who is now wearing only a futon blanket to cover her body now had her hands on Veldora's collar.
"Before you get mad, let me give you some knowledge about evolution."
The humanoid dragon, with a flat face, tried to defend himself.
"If it's not a good explanation, I am cutting your dick off" And the humanized slime spoke of those words coldly.
"Evolution is not always about progression towards perfection. It's a biological lottery to adapt to the current situation. This may be your form now, but I promised you've grown stronger in skills and Magicules."
"Is that so, then why am I a girl?"
«Answer: As the semi-Evolution was executed via the wishes of the individual called Veldora, the wishes were granted accordingly by the voice of the world»
By the time they told him those words, Veldora looks away, sweat dripping down from his head profusely and his pupils shifted uncomfortably inside his eye sockets.
"GIVE ME BACK MY GRATITUDE YOU JERK!!"
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To be continued.
