The village had changed.
In less than a week, huts once sagging and broken had been rebuilt sturdier, wolves now patrolled the outskirts instead of attacking, and goblins carried themselves with newfound confidence. Where once there had been fear and despair, now there was pride.
Luminus watched the transformation with quiet satisfaction. He'd never imagined himself leading anyone, let alone monsters, but… seeing their smiles made something warm stir inside him.
*This isn't so bad,* he thought. *Better than late-night overtime, that's for sure.*
But peace never lasted.
---
It began one afternoon, when Tark, one of the newly named goblins, sprinted into the center of the village, panting hard.
"Chief Luminus! We've spotted humans!"
The word sent ripples of alarm through the goblins. For them, humans were predators, no different from ogres or orcs—creatures far stronger, who hunted goblins like pests.
Luminus steadied his gelatinous body. "Calm down. How many?"
"Three," Tark said. "Armed. They're at the forest edge."
Wolves snarled low, ears pricked, but held their ground.
Luminus sighed. *So it begins. Guess it was only a matter of time before someone noticed the commotion we've been making.*
---
From the safety of tall grass, Luminus slithered forward to see for himself.
Three humans stood at the edge of the clearing: two men and one woman. They wore light armor, their weapons gleaming in the afternoon sun—clearly adventurers. One carried a longsword, another a bow, and the woman, who seemed to lead, bore a staff glowing faintly with enchantment.
"Strange," the archer murmured. "A goblin village this deep in the forest? But… look at their houses. Too well built. And… are those wolves mingling with them?"
The swordsman frowned. "Unnatural. Normally wolves would slaughter goblins on sight. Something's controlling them."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Not something. *Someone.*"
Her gaze swept across the village—until it landed directly on Luminus, who peeked from the brush.
For a moment, silence.
Then she stepped forward cautiously. "You there. Slime."
The goblins behind Luminus bristled, but he held them back. He wobbled forward, unbothered by the condescending tone. "Yeah? What do you want?"
The adventurers stiffened.
"…It can talk?" the swordsman whispered.
The archer swore under his breath. "That's no ordinary slime."
The woman kept her composure. "I am Elira, Silver-ranked adventurer of the Kingdom of Arden. We came investigating unusual mana disturbances. Tell me—what exactly are you?"
Luminus tilted his body thoughtfully. He could lie, but the truth would slip out eventually. Best to control the narrative.
"I'm just… Luminus. A slime. And the one protecting this village."
Elira's brow furrowed. "Protecting… goblins? You expect me to believe that?"
The goblins behind him trembled. To them, a human mage's scorn was terrifying. But Luminus remained steady.
"Believe it or not, it's the truth. These goblins were starving and defenseless. I gave them names, helped them rebuild, and made sure no wolves—or anything else—could hurt them."
The adventurers exchanged uneasy glances.
"That explains the mana disturbance," the archer muttered. "Naming this many monsters would cause a spike."
The swordsman stepped forward, hand on his blade. "That makes it dangerous. An intelligent slime commanding monsters? This could threaten the balance of the region."
Tension crackled instantly. Wolves bared their teeth, goblins raised crude spears, and the air grew sharp with hostility.
Elira raised a hand, halting her companions. Her eyes studied Luminus, calm but wary. "…I don't sense malice from you. But understand—your very existence will draw attention. Other adventurers won't hesitate to strike first."
Luminus stayed quiet, then finally said, "If anyone comes to harm my people, I'll protect them. That's all."
Something flickered in Elira's eyes—respect, maybe, or curiosity. She lowered her staff. "…Very well. I won't attack. But I will report this to the Guild. Whether they see you as ally or threat… depends on what you do next."
The swordsman barked in protest. "Elira! We can't just leave—"
"We *will* leave," she said firmly. "I trust my judgment."
Reluctantly, the men obeyed.
As they turned away, Elira glanced back at Luminus. "…Take care, strange one. The world is larger and harsher than you imagine. If you wish to survive… be ready."
And with that, the adventurers disappeared into the forest.
---
The goblins crowded around Luminus, panic in their voices.
"Great one, what will we do?"
"They'll bring armies!"
"We can't fight humans—"
"Enough," Luminus said, silencing them. "We're not doomed. But… she was right about one thing."
He turned his gaze skyward, the faint glow of stars beginning to pierce the dusk.
"This world is bigger than our little village. If we want to survive, we can't just hide here forever. We'll need strength, allies… and a place in this world that no one can deny."
The goblins exchanged uncertain looks—but in their hearts, Luminus's confidence planted a seed.
A slime protecting a goblin tribe might have seemed laughable days ago. But now? They began to believe.
---
That night, as wolves patrolled the perimeter and goblins huddled by firelight, Luminus rested quietly.
In his mind, Drakion's deep voice rumbled with amusement. "*Hah. Not even a month in this world, and already humans are sniffing at your door. How will you respond, little slime?*"
Luminus pulsed faintly. "By doing what I've been doing. Surviving. Growing. Protecting."
"…Perhaps you truly will become more than a mere slime," Drakion mused. "This world might tremble at your name one day."
Luminus chuckled. "If it does, I hope it's because they respect me—not fear me."
He gazed out over the village, where goblin children laughed despite the tension of the day.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, he wasn't going to run. Not this time.
For the first time in his life—his second life—Luminus had something worth protecting.
---