It's been about one month since Veldora was absorbed by Rimuru. The humans at this point are probably freaking out about the disappearance of Veldora.
Thinking about the reaction to the disappearance of Veldora I'm now thinking about how they'll react to me. Currently I'm only a little weaker than Rimuru because I'm not linked directly to Veldora but even then. [Sage's Link] is a crazy skill that indirectly links me to him through Rimuru. I highly doubt finding not one, but two, ridiculously strong slimes won't change their reactions a bit.
I've been reviewing my scientific knowledge for the past few weeks. This type of information could come in useful considering it's not unheard of for modern technology to be replicated with magic here. Recreating modern luxuries with magic will probably be one of my top priorities after leaving.
Thinking about that, I've got an idea.
"Yo, [Great Sage]!"
{Yes?}
"Is it possible to analyze the exact makeup of magicules for later use? I mean a really detailed and extremely accurate analysis. I want no stone unturned."
{Answer- Yes}
"That's great, in that case I need you to get on that. Again don't skip over details, like for example if you run a calculation don't round the answer. Making this analysis as accurate as possible is crucial."
{Answer- Understood.
Notice- Analysis on the makeup and properties of magicules has begun.}
The reason why this has to be accurate is magicules don't exactly seem, safe, to work with in large quantities. If I'm going to possibly work with large amounts of them in the future I don't want to accidentally cause an explosion.
So now…
{Notice- Unique Skill [Sage's Link] has been activated.
Using Unique Skill [Sage's Link] to obtain Skills [Hydraulic Propulsion] and [Water Current Movement].}
Huh, what the. Turning to Rimuru I see him rapidly moving through the water not too far from me.
So he's already obtaining skills. I run up to the water he was moving through and use [Water Current Movement] to follow behind.
{Notice- Using Unique Skill [Sage's Link] to obtain Skill [Water Blade].
Skills [Hydraulic Propulsion], [Water Current Movement] and [Water Blade] are being fused to create Extra Skill [Water Manipulation]
Extra Skill [Water Manipulation] has been obtained.}
Calm down Rimuru, I'm not even on the other side of the water yet.
[Water Manipulation] though. I remember Rimuru obtaining it but not what it does.
{Answer- Extra Skill [Water Manipulation] grants the user the ability to manipulate water}
You don't say. Well no shit Sherlock I think I could have figured that out on my own! What the fuck was that explanation!?
I'll test out the skill myself I guess.
I'll remain behind Rimuru for this little cave exploration, I don't really need to fight the monsters. If Rimuru does the monster fighting I can just focus on learning how to use these skills. It may seem a little selfish but it isn't. Through [Sage's Link] I can transfer him the new information on how to use these skills making him better at using them himself. It's a win-win scenario.
I start practicing with [Water Manipulation] and all the skills that made it up.
[Water Propulsion] actually has a use outside of water from what I found out but it's pretty limited. It basically results in a flow of water to be released in a constant flow from my body. It's a decently strong flow I guess. Maybe if I put enough effort I can basically use Hydro Pump in the future.
[Water Current Movement] gives weaker results but [Water Blade] proves to be more useful by a long shot. I launch the blade at a rock splitting it in half. Scanning around for the hardest surface in this cave with [Great Sage] and [Magic Sense] I eventually find it.
Alright, here's the ultimate test. I launch a [Water Blade] at the rock leaving a noticeable gash in the rock. It didn't go through but that wall was reinforced with magicules so it's still a solid result.
Over the course of a a month and a half Rimuru and I obtain:
[Paralysis Breath]
Results of Testing:
It's a solid skill that could prove useful for immobilizing dangerous threats. Unsure about the possible uses of a breath based attack in mach speed combat and above.
[Noxious Breath]
Results of Testing:
Never use in a fight if death isn't necessary. It seems to break apart the cell membranes/walls of the enemy and forcefully causes it to release its magicules resulting in a disgusting mess of broken apart body parts on the ground.
[Sticky Thread]
Results of Testing:
Really useful skill that can immobilize opponents for a short period of time. Thinking about combining it with [Paralysis Breath] by holding them in place to prepare for a more permanent immobilization attack.
[Steel Thread]
Results of Testing:
A more offensive non-sticky version of [Sticky Thread]. Anything from traps to ripping your opponent apart is possible with this attack. One of the most versatile attacks in our arsenal.
[Vampirism]
Results of Testing:
Unable to be tested for now.
[Ultrasound Waves]
Results of Testing:
Relatively useful for stunning opponents when used at its maximum but it's main use of echolocation has proved to be outclassed by [Magic Sense]. It's main use for us is it grants the ability to talk by manipulating sound waves.
[Body Armor]
Results of Testing:
Useful for defense. As one of the more basic types of defensive skills it doesn't do much more than that. The armor does have spikes which could prove useful in a fight but further testing will be needed.
After finishing testing of the skills I conclude the obvious, that for the start of an adventure this is a really broken lineup. These skills are really varied and incredibly useful in lots of different situations. There's even an instant kill move on weaker opponents.
Eventually we reach the entrance to the sealed cave. The door is huge towering above Rimuru and I. It's not even like we are tiny I'd say it's about three to four times the height of a human. The three idiots are supposed to open the door but I'm not sure if due to my presence the timing was off. Guess I'll have to wait and see. For now I'll see what Rimuru has to say.
"[Great Sage] open communications with Rimuru."
{Notice- Activating Unique Skill [Sage's Link]
Opening communications with Rimuru Tempest.}
I don't want the conversation to be too businesslike so I'll start off with something more casual. "So, Rimuru, you've been busy."
"Augh, oh, sorry, you scared me. Wait, what do you mean?"
"Remember a few months ago when we discussed our skills and I said I can use [Sage's Link] to copy your skills and vice versa. I've been collecting the skills you've been getting."
"Wait, why didn't I get any from you?"
Figured he was going to say that, "Well, you were in front so any monsters we ran into were absorbed by you. I was in the back testing out the skills. Check your own mind, I transferred the knowledge I obtained on the uses of these skills to you."
"Oh, I do have that, well, I guess that makes sense."
I turn to the door and extend a tentacle outward to point at the door, "So, what do we do about the door. We can't exactly leave with it in the way."
Rimuru thinks for a bit, "I don't know. We could try to break it open but…"
"Naturally that would be very noticeable. Maybe we could try to slip through the crack in the doors like a liquid. We are slimes after all."
Before Rimuru can respond the door creaks open and three adventurers walk in. Two guys and one girl. It's the idiots.
I pretend to think fast and yell at Rimuru, "Nows our chance, let's go!" We both flatten our bodies a little to make us harder to see and slither our way to the door as fast as possible. As soon as I leave the cave I finally feel the warm sunlight on my, "skin?" "Membrane?" Not sure exactly what to call the outside protective layer of a slime.
"Ah, finally. After 121 days, 3 hours, and 48 minutes we're finally outside." I relax a little causing my body to flatten a little.
I look around with [Magic Sense]. We're surrounded by trees and other various types of plant life with monsters in the distance running away from our location for some reason. I think about why but then I realize, we still haven't suppressed our magicules.
I contemplate whether I should suppress myself or not. I ultimately decide not to, if I do then Rimuru might follow and make it harder for the goblins to find us. For now…
My thought process is interrupted when I notice that Rimuru is already crawling away.
"Hey, wait up!"
During our little exploration I ask Rimuru, "Hey, so you can speak with [Ultrasound Waves] right?"
Rimuru is a little confused by this. I guess he still hasn't really realized. Back in the cave one of the things I practiced was speaking with [Ultrasound Waves]. I'm actually pretty proficient at doing that now but Rimuru should also be able to do it as well as me considering I transferred this information to him.
Rimuru realizes what I mean and says, "Let me try." He opens his slime mouth and says, "Hello, my name is Rimuru!" The voice isn't too loud like in the original. Guess thanks to my testing he already knows how to control how loud he is.
"So you can. Lets keep moving."
Eventually during our exploration a nearby bush starts to shake. Rimuru is somehow startled by this despite having [Magic Sense] as I wait for them to come out. It's the goblins.
Out comes a group small green humanoids from the shaking bush. They are covered in mud and dirt with a weak mangled bony frame. Scratches and cuts can be seen all over their body and they smell pretty bad. They are shaking violently just from looking at Rimuru and I.
They look even weaker and more pathetic in person. In a language near identical to Japanese they say, "Oh, great strong ones, what business do you have here?"
The look of confusion on Rimuru is really funny. I'm not going to speak up at least for now. Sure he's been the one fighting but I've been the one telling him how so he's gotten a little dependent on me. Can't really blame him, I seem to know everything, which I do. For now I'll let Rimuru handle this.
This is strange, it's like I'm his older brother trying to encourage him to be confident. Ironic considering I'm technically the younger one here.
Rimuru looks at them for a little bit thinking about what to say, "Pleased to meet you, my name is Rimuru Tempest. I am a slime and the slime next to me is my brother Migeru Tempest. Who are you guys?"
Due to Rimuru having better control over his ability to speak the goblins aren't as scared as in the original. They introduce themselves as a scout group belonging to a small goblin village not too far from our location. They were sent here after not one but two incredibly powerful monsters were sensed dangerously close to the village.
Rimuru looks at them confused wondering if we are the strong monsters. It's fascinating how he can't tell how strong he is after defeating B rank monsters and above inside the cave.
I highly doubt Rimuru can maneuver this conversation where I want it to go so I guess I'll step in. "So, what do you two want?"
They prostate themselves and ask, "Oh, great ones, we humbly ask you for your help in protecting our village, we have faced great hardships recently and with your great strength our village may stand a chance at surviving."
Rimuru clueless asks, "Strong presence?"
The goblin at the front of the group says, "Surely you jest. Even clothed in your appearance your presence can be felt throughout the entire Great Forest of Jura! We shall not be fooled!"
[Sage's Link] is still active, we never turned it off so through that Rimuru can ask, "What do they mean strong presence?"
I see this as a great opportunity to make fun of him. "Are you that dense? They are goblins and we can take down massive centipedes, of course we're much stronger than them. They are asking for our help fighting a threat that is causing them to face possible extermination."
"Oh, I guess I see your point."
"So, are we gonna help or not?"
"I don't know but I've never been able to say no, I feel like I have to accept."
"Im fine with that."
With that we accepted their request. The look of pure joy in their eyes when we accepted was crazy satisfying. I'm not very heroic but helping other people or in this case monsters isn't too bad.
On our way there we discuss more of the details of the threat. Basically things like what the wolves are, their previous failed attempts to fight back, the state of their village etc. I already know all this so I end up dozing off the entire time.
Eventually we arrive at their village. It's just as sad and pathetic as the original.. They motion us to enter and I get ready for the official start of this adventure.