Chapter 49: 49. Setting Out

49. Setting Out

Lazy? Lazy!?!

I should’ve known based on her personality when we met (she was lying face down in the sand like an idiot). The reason why Flou popped out almost instantly, but Olindia won’t leave my womb is because the latter is the type to sleep all day and not bother to accomplish anything unless forced to do so. In other words, a shut-in.

You might say she’s literally living in a mother’s ‘basement.’

“Are you sure about leaving Gabby and Suka behind?” Flou asks me.

I’m running through Fuzzy Field toward the Misty Grove with nobody but my two Slime pets to accompany me. I’ve left my armor off for a couple of reasons. First, it gives away my nature somewhat. I’m not a weak human anymore, but I want to encourage random monster attacks by seeming defenseless. More encounters mean more marks.

Second is Photosynthesis. Gabby gave me some snacks and veggies before I left the hut, but the underrated Forest mark is doing work today. Exposing my green skin to the sun is essential for padding my daily caloric requirements.

Third, I like looking cute. It’s a luxury, sure, but one I can better afford the more powerful I become.

“It’s no big deal,” I say, answering Flou. “I can practically fight a tier-three monster on my own, and I’m sticking to the outskirts.”

I recall part of our conversation from this morning.

“If you feel the need to find this Harpy, then I won’t stand in your way,” Gabby said. “However, as your wife and life partner, it’s my responsibility to drill some sense into that thick, reckless skull of yours. Go to the Misty Grove first to upgrade Flou and Olindia. It shouldn’t take more than an hour or two even without delving deep into the woods.”

“Agreed,” Suka said. “You should have a real monster by your side at all times. Since I can’t climb the mountain with you, upgrading your companion should be top priority.”

Gabby nodded. “From what we saw last time, the threat level in the outer Grove area is minimal.”

Strangely humid air lingers perpetually in the area despite the rising sun’s heat. Only the vague shadows of trunks and canopies are visible through the fog that never dies. We’ve arrived.

I stroll through the outer edge of the Misty Grove in my underwear like a lost, vulnerable human. Last time, I had Gabby’s Goblin Ears and her bandolier of eleven herbs and spices to protect me. This time…

A blue blur darts from the mists.

“Cottontail, I got these two new abilities from experimenting with my marks this morning. Can you tell me anything about a mouse’s Predator Sense?”

“Um, I’ve never heard anyone call it that, but Megan has always been really good at staying one step ahead of the Harpies, Dire Wolves, and Goblins that come after us. It’s like she knows she’s being stalked even when they don’t make a sound!”

“And what about a rabbit’s Lucky Foot?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s a weird one! Sometimes, my left foot goes all pins-and-needles like it’s fallen asleep. Then something weird happens to the predator attacking me, like a Dire Wolf stepping in a hole, or a sudden updraft throwing off a Harpy’s dive. But it never happens more than once a day.”

“Wow, freaky.”

“Actually, I think I remember my foot getting all tingly right before you rescued me from those Mole-men!”

I feel a hot and itchy sensation on my back like fire ant bites. Taking it as a signal, I dodge aside with Wolf Rush and Treefolk Vines. Something bigger than I’m used to (that’s what she said) whooshes past me an instant later.

Hah! I did it! I dodged without looking!

The monster is about half my size, big, blue, and round with no discernable features. Wow, this Slime is way bigger than the one I saw on my previous trip here with Gabby. It must be fifteen gallons! That’s enough Slime to knock someone down and pin them while it dissolves their face. Scary.

More ant bites on my arms and head. The Large Slime extends several pseudopods in my direction, attempting to cut off my escape. The tentacles are long and mobile.

Ah, I see. First-tier Slimes only know ‘Tackle,’ while Large Slimes are ambush predators who use their tendrils to seal the deal.

Summoning an ember spear, I slice through the pseudopod on my left before extending Vines from my subcutaneous nodules. My green lifelines plunge into the dirt and pull me aside while the other tentacles whiff, passing through my previous position.

“Want any help?” Flou asks from somewhere on my bralette and panties.

“Nah, I want to train here for a few minutes.” I use Predator Sense to dodge again. I was right, it’s an extremely useful ability; something like limited precognition. “Predator Sense needs to be a reflex for me. Plus, I could use a little practice with my Vines, and memorizing the Large Slime’s attack pattern with Fast Learner couldn’t hurt.”

I debate donning my armor but feel like I need the extra incentive to dodge without making a mistake. If I get hurt, Olindia will have to use her Pink Slime healing on me. After wasting one of those limited uses, I’d have no choice but to retreat to the hut in humiliating defeat and wait for tomorrow to reset.

I’m not worried in the slightest since I have Flou to bail me out of a bad situation as well. The little Fuzzy Slime is more than capable of wrecking the other monster’s day, no doubt.

While the Large Slime is far beneath me as an opponent, it’s a good match to train my inexperience and deficiencies. It sends multiple pseudopods at me from several directions at once each time it comes in range. In these mists, one definitely would’ve eventually slipped past my notice without Predator Sense.

However, with Fast Learner accelerating my development, I’ve learned all I can in less than an hour. A few thrown spears to center mass are all it takes to pop the Large Slime like a water balloon. The spilled slime evaporates without the monster’s membrane holding the stuff inside until only a core is left behind.

*Large Slime Slayer – One Slime Mark!*

I stand over the large black marble and wait for something to happen.

“Feel anything, Flou?”

“…Yes. There’s a certain resonance I can sense. The defeated core is submissive; willing to bond with anything compatible.”

“Ah, that’s the ‘Subjugated’ status.” I stand there, waiting. “Aren’t you going to take it?”

“Um, so,” Flou begins hesitantly, “I don’t really want to be a Large Slime. I think having multiple bodies as a Swarm-type would be more interesting, and I’m afraid I’ll bond with it if I touch the core.”

I blink in surprise. “I would’ve expected you to go for the increased size in the hopes of improving your Slime shaping. You know, to try and look more like your old self?”

“Yeah, that’s…” Flou releases a burbling sigh. “I actually think I’ve reconciled to being clothes. I’m more excited about becoming a full wardrobe for all your harem girls than returning to being a bunny.”

Huh. I guess that’s the ‘Contented’ status.

Something stirs within me, and a pink pseudopod extends from my nethers to snatch the unguarded core.

“Wait, shit!” I scramble to grab the core away from Olindia’s tendril, but the flexible fluid tentacle evades my every attempt. It retreats inside me with a schlorp while carrying the core in its pseudopod grasp. “Fuck. Oh, fucky fuck.”

I fall to my hands and knees in despair.

*Pets*

*Lazy Large Pink Jellyfish Slime Core*

*Contented Fuzzy Slime*

“Gabby is going to kill me.”

I think I hear a crow in the distance calling, “Aho! Aho!”

Which is weird because most birds have been hunted to extinction by cat girls.