I have arrived at a plain just outside of town. It’s possible that I didn’t encounter any monsters on the way because I walked along the path from the forest, or perhaps I was just lucky. It wasn’t that far, after all.
“I heard this area is an emergence region…”
I look around to see if there are any Blue Slimes nearby. As I walk and search, I soon spot a blue, jelly-like object in the distance.
“It’s a Blue Slime. Please try using Appraisal Eye.”
Just as Melfina instructed, I activated Appraisal Eye. I wasn’t sure how to activate it, but when I thought about using it, it was already active. It’s like moving my own body, I guess. It seems easy to activate if you possess the skill.
—
Blue Slime. Age 0. Genderless. Blue Slime.
Level: 1
Title: None
HP: 5/5
MP: 0/0
Strength: 1
Durability: 1
Agility: 2
Magic: 1
Luck: 2
Skill: Strike Resistance
Skill Points: 0
—
So this is Appraisal Eye. It seems to be able to read all of the target’s data.
“Appraisal Eye is effective not only on living things but also on unappraised items. Your Appraisal Eye is S-Rank. It can appraise living beings and monsters up to 100 levels above yourself, and items up to S-Rank.”
It’s effective against most things, isn’t it… Wait a minute, when I looked at Melfina’s status, it was displayed as unappraisable. Does that mean Melfina’s level is over 100?
“I am, after all, a god.”
How much MP would I need to consume to summon you… Ah, I’m getting sidetracked. First, the Blue Slime in front of me.
I slowly approach the Blue Slime. I want to succeed in the contract first, but the other party’s consent is necessary. I wonder if I can talk to the slime and get its consent?
“If it’s a monster that doesn’t understand words, it’s best to weaken it to the point where it won’t be defeated. Then, when you activate the contract, it will consent from its side. It’s like it wants you to be its ally.”
Melfina seems to have extensive game knowledge as well. I might defeat it with magic, so I’ll fight it with my Wood Rod.
“Hah!”
I hit the Blue Slime with a good amount of force. The slime bounced and flew several meters away. I activate Appraisal Eye.
“Remaining HP 3. Shall I try to contract it?”
I extend my hand towards the slime, which is regaining its posture, and focus on the contract.
“Whoa, I feel something leaving my body! Is this okay!?”
“Regardless of success or failure, the contract consumes half of your remaining MP. This is likely due to the large amount of magic power used.”
“You should have told me that beforehand… Well, is the contract successful?”
Looking at the Blue Slime, it gradually began to shine white. So bright!
“Congratulations. The contract is successful.”
“So this is success.”
“The monster you contracted does not yet have a name. Why don’t you name it?”
Hmm, a name. My naming sense tends to become chuunibyou. I should go with something safe here. No, it’s acceptable in a fantasy world.
“Alright, from today on your name is Kuroto. I’m counting on you!”
Kuroto trembles and jumps. Then, the light turned into particles and was absorbed by me. Is this what it means to become a magic body? If my previous conversation with Melfina was correct, Kuroto should have assimilated with my magic by now.
“Hey, Kuroto, can you hear me?”
I can’t hear Kuroto’s words, but I can feel its emotions directly. Is it happy?
“Telepathy is possible without words. It’s a safe spec that works even between subordinates!”
Ah, Kuroto looks a little scared. Melfina, don’t frighten it.
I should probably call this a subordinate network. It’s faster than actual conversation and seems useful in battle.
“Next is summoning. If I used half my MP for the contract just now, I have 10 left. Is that enough?”
“For a slime of this level, it’s fine. Regarding Summoning Magic, please be aware that if a subordinate’s HP reaches 0, they will die, and the contract will be forcibly canceled.”
In this world, “running out of HP = death” is the case. I hear that unlike in games, there’s no resurrecting at churches. Kuroto is an important ally who will be acting together from now on. I must be careful not to make a mistake and cause that to happen.
“If even 1 HP remains, you can return them to your magic power by canceling the summon. Once they become a magic body, their HP and MP will automatically recover over time, so please make good use of this.”
Fuh fuh, I’m learning. Now, with Melfina-sensei’s approval, I will activate the summon. Right, I don’t know how far my magic range is yet, so I’ll summon it in front of me.
A magic circle appeared for a moment, and then in the next moment, Kuroto was there. Summoning seems to happen quite quickly.
“The first objective is achieved. Now for the subjugation request.”
“To make Kuroto kill its own kind. You are quite sadistic.”
“Guh.”
As I writhe in agony over my own lack of foresight, Kuroto sends me a thought.
“Slime tribe members grow by absorbing stronger ones, so it’s okay? Kuroto, you don’t have to push yourself.”
Kuroto trembles and shows its eagerness. Well, if Kuroto is okay with it, then it’s not a problem.
“Absorbing defeated enemies is fine, but this time I’ll dismantle the slime’s core as proof of subjugation.”
Kuroto seems to be okay with absorbing even a part of it. My remaining MP is meager, but I’ll try some magic too. We start looking for our target.
