Ch.24Female Status Window NPC. (2)

[Slime Golem: Level 63]

[Strength: 136]

[Agility: 120]

[Luck: 0+??]

[Intelligence: 35]

[HP: 110,000]

[MP: 3]

[Skills: Mimicry, Absorption.]

[Mimicry Effect: Absorbs and perfectly replicates the opponent’s actions with 100% accuracy. Luck is proportional to the opponent’s luck.]

[Absorption Effect: Grows stronger by absorbing targets.]

“…What exactly are you? Your level decreased but your total stats increased, your HP decreased, but your MP?”

[Currently 3, maximum is 150. Basically, you can think of it as the Mime Golem died and became experience points as you thought. And then I was reborn and shared the slime’s experience points.]

“…Can you use magic too?”

[I think it would be possible if I absorbed something of that nature.]

When I threatened to throw it back down the cliff, Gor immediately displayed its stats before me, apologizing while arguing that although it did eat the slime, it would be more helpful to me from now on.

Certainly. The total stats and skills are good. I’ve never seen the Absorption skill in the game before, but judging by the name, it’s probably a growth-type skill that gradually strengthens by absorbing things.

Alright, I’ll postpone sending it to meet its maker for now.

-THWACK!!

[Ugh!!]

“Still, you deserve at least one hit for eating something and trying to keep quiet about it.”

When I delivered a strong knock to its head, Gor didn’t change its expression but reacted only through its status window.

[HP: 109,999]

It seems upset about being hit by me, waving its reduced HP in front of me as if protesting. Well, what do you want me to do? Should I hit you more since it only took 1 HP?

[……]

“…What? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

When I confronted it, asking if it wanted to be hit more, the golem just turned its head to the side, making me tilt my head in confusion.

And then. Looking at its status window… wait, why is it turning red again?

No way, are you seriously a masochist?!!

*

I was in a situation where I’d have to carry around a maid golem with severed legs if Gor’s MP didn’t recover.

But there’s always a way out.

“Here. Will eating this really heal you?”

[I’ll try.]

The forest had been severely corroded and melted by the acidic slime, and such an abnormal forest naturally attracted quite a few monsters.

Of course, they were all low-level monsters like goblins, orcs, and brown bears, so it wasn’t difficult for me to handle them alone. I was planning to avoid them since I didn’t particularly want to chase and fight them, but when Gor said eating magic stones would restore its MP, I quickly procured some.

At this point, I should just admit it. I’m the tool and this thing is the master.

Gor opened its mouth and ate the magic stone I gave it like a baby bird. I fed it that way because it seemed difficult to eat with those cat robot-like hands.

“Hey. Complete your hands before your legs.”

[……]

This thing is secretly making its legs first. I can feel its legs forming under its stone-like skirt, but its hands remain unchanged. When I pointed this out, the golem pouted as if offended.

Come on, I’m bringing you food and feeding you. Am I your servant or something?

[Couldn’t you at least say “aahn”? I think I look quite pretty.]

“What does that have to do with me acting as your servant?”

[My affection level for you would increase significantly.]

“Ah, is that so? Then eat by yourself. I’m leaving.”

[Aah!! Alright! Please stay with me!!]

When I scattered the magic stones on the ground and genuinely started to leave, Gor hurriedly formed hands, absorbed the magic stones, and completed its body before following me.

This thing keeps pushing boundaries once you give in once? I need to establish some discipline here.

[…Even though I’ve become such a pretty maid, you’re still cold.]

“A maid should act like a maid. Why a maid in the first place?”

I would have preferred a large, strong golem that I could ride around on. When I expressed this thought…

[Isn’t it better to be a maid if I’m going to call you Master? Besides, this way I can appeal to you better.]

“…I don’t think it would have been awkward for a large, strong golem to call me Master either.”

And what appeal? What are you trying to appeal to me? Are you expecting me to fall for a golem?

I don’t think that would happen even if you became prettier than you are now. Unfortunately, I’m not that kind of person.

A golem lover? Good grief. The thought alone gives me goosebumps.

I headed back to town, half-listening to Gor’s grumbling complaints beside me.

*

“Jack!! I was worr…?! Who is this beautiful lady beside you?!”

Ray had been waiting outside the town after helping transport the injured adventurers.

“It’s Gor. I’ll explain later. Why were you waiting outside instead of with Ira?”

“How could I do that?! Ira isn’t stupid! If I had gone back alone saying you’d be back soon, and then you were late, how anxious would the child have been?!!”

Well, she’s not wrong.

Rather, if Ray had shown even the slightest sign of anxiety, our smart Ira would have realized something had happened to me.

Seeing this, it seems the kid isn’t completely oblivious. So why does she keep following us? Even though I’ve been giving her so many hints.

“Well, alright, good job. Now, let’s get our story straight.”

“Eh?!! K-kiss?! S-suddenly?! W-wait!! We’re not that kind of relationship yet…!! I-I’m not mentally prepared!!”

It took me three seconds to realize my mistake after seeing Ray’s reaction.

Ah. I misspoke. But why is she making such a fuss? “That kind of relationship”? Don’t worry, there’s no chance of that happening between you and me.

“Sigh. I meant let’s coordinate our story. Other adventurers might find it strange otherwise.”

“Ah! Oh!! Th-that’s what you meant?! I-I’m so silly! O-okay! What story should we…”

I finished giving a brief explanation to Ray, who was fanning her flushed face.

“I understand. Then, we should tell that story and leave town right away?”

“Yes.”

I told Gor to move inconspicuously, get Ira, and meet us outside town first, then headed to the guild.

“Oh! You! You’re safe!!”

“Ah, Commander. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes! I’m glad you survived! Are you injured anywhere?!”

The commander was extremely attentive to me, probably because Ray had safely brought back the injured adventurers and I had lured the slime away at the end.

Well, I feel genuinely sorry about this.

“No, I’m not injured, but I’m sorry. I used up all the ignition stones and frost stones.”

“Huh? Oh, that can’t be helped. But you used them all? Wait, where’s that golem of yours?”

“…Actually.”

I put on the saddest expression I could manage and began to speak.

I explained that while I successfully lured the enemy to a cliff, it was faster than expected. With no other option, I had the golem charge at the slime with ignition and frost stones, causing both to fall off the cliff.

The golem melted away in the process, and I don’t know what happened to the slime. That’s how I ended my explanation.

Honestly, there’s barely any lie in that, right?

“…I see. That’s unfortunate.”

“Yes. So about the cost of the ignition and frost stones…”

“What are you talking about, friend?! You did more than enough in the raid. Thanks to that golem, no one was seriously injured, and no one died! Since we can’t confirm if the slime was eliminated, we can’t give you the reward, but I have no intention of making you pay for the raid expenses. Besides, the sacrifice of that golem is a loss for you too.”

“Ah. Yes. Thank you. Then, I’ll be going now.”

“Hmm. Good work. Let’s meet again if we have the chance.”

“Yes. Take care.”

After naturally concluding the conversation, I said brief goodbyes to the surrounding adventurers with Ray, then slowly left town and joined Gor and Ira who were hiding in the forest outside.

“Brother~!”

“Oh, our little princess, why are you standing? Ask Gor to hold you.”

When I picked up my sister who ran toward me, Ira started pointing her finger.

“I don’t like Gor!!”

“Huh? Why?”

“I don’t like Auntie Gor!!”

Huh? Suddenly? Why does she suddenly dislike Gor so much? Didn’t she used to like being held by me because I was cool?

“What did Gor do to you?”

“Nothing! Nothing at all!”

“Then why?”

“Just because!!”

Ira shows hostility toward Gor just like when she first saw Ray, but won’t explain why she dislikes her. Well, fine. If you don’t like her, you don’t like her.

It seems she doesn’t like something about Gor’s changed appearance.

I soothed Ira while quickly leaving town completely.

Anyway, I’m glad this ended well.

If they had discovered I killed the slime, they would have demanded the drop items. What would they have said if I told them Gor ate everything?

I calmed my racing heart and continued moving toward the next town.

*

A few days later, in a forest near another city to the south.

“We’re really not far from Aigram now.”

“That’s right. But, Ray, what are you planning to do once we get there?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you’re following us now to repay a debt, but how long do you plan to stay with us?”

Ray looked at me with wide, surprised eyes when I brought this up while having a meal with everyone in the forest outside the city.

What? Are you really planning to follow us forever?

“Um, am I… am I in the way? Do you want me gone or something?!”

“……”

“B-but, haven’t we become quite close?! I-Ira?”

“……”

When neither Ira nor I answered, Ray looked like she was about to cry. Sigh.

“I’m joking. Right, Ira?”

“…Yeah. It’s a joke.”

“I-Ira doesn’t look like she’s joking!!”

To be honest, Ira isn’t joking. And honestly, I’m still about 60% hoping she’ll leave soon.

We’ve been traveling together for quite a while, but it’s only been this quiet because her “trouble” skill hasn’t activated. I don’t know how it will complete and what problems will arise.

Honestly, it feels like carrying a bomb. Plus, I don’t like being the source of her trouble.

“So. Have you thought about what you’ll do in Aigram?”

“Umm. N-not really… I just wanted to travel with you…”

My heart doesn’t soften when she looks up at me with puppy-dog eyes about to be abandoned.

Well, that’s too bad. I guess I’m immune to animal gazes from being a forest keeper.

“Fine. Then follow us until you get tired of it.”

“Y-yes! I will! I-Ira! Let’s become better friends!”

“……”

Ira pouted as if she really disliked the idea, but it doesn’t matter.

When someone who qualifies as a story protagonist or playable character appears there, Ray’s attention and heart will naturally shift to them. So I hope we can continue traveling quietly without trouble like this…

“So you’re Jack, the forest keeper of Ponia?”

Gor, has her skill possibly been cleared? Why is this person appearing here?!!