Extra chapter on my patreon!
She sat stiff in the chair fingers fidgeting in her lap while Rimuru leaned against the table across from her looking at her seeing if he can see through her.
The others had filed out after a nod from him—Rigurd, Kaijin, even the goblins who lingered too long out of curiosity. Now it was just the two of them in the hall, the heavy wooden door closed behind them.
The silence was thick. She kept her eyes on the table trying to calm down her racing heart. Tracing the grain of the wood like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
'This feels like one of those meetings where they have high expectations but this is like getting arrested for something I didn't do' she can feel her hands getting sweaty.
Finally, Rimuru spoke "…So. Let's stop dancing around it. Where exactly are you from, Nia?" Rimuru had both his arms on the table while having hands together.
Her stomach knotted. She'd been dreading this. She chewed her lip for a second before answering "…Not here not this world I don't even know what you'd call my world compared to this one It's… different. Really different. No magic. No monsters. Just… people" Her voice was a bit shaky.
Rimuru tilted his head listening carefully "No magic? That sounds… boring" Rimuru bluntly said.
She barked out a short laugh "Yeah, trust me it truly is." Then she rubbed her arm awkwardly "But it's safe. Or at least… safer than this place."
Rimuru's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "And yet you ended up here. How?" She said looking around.
That question hit harder than she expected she opened her mouth then shut it again "…I don't know One second I was in my room then—bam Cliffside Like somebody just… dropped me into the middle of this world. No warning, no explanation." She looked at Rimuru than her lap.
Rimuru tapped the table with one finger thoughtful "So you're saying you were summoned" Rimuru held us hand out like he was pointing.
"Summoned?" She tilted her had to the side.
"Yeah. Happens sometimes. Usually when someone from another world gets pulled here against their will. Sometimes for power, sometimes for… other reasons" He studied her face closely "You really don't remember anything?" He asked again trying to see if she was lying.
She shook her head quickly "Nothing. No glowing magic circles no evil ritual no hooded figures chanting my name. Just… black out then boom I'm on a cliff" She made weird arm gestures.
Rimuru hummed clearly not fully convinced. He was quiet for a moment then asked "And what about this thing you said earlier that my life this village everything it was a story where you come from. What does that mean exactly?" Rimuru sat up straight.
Her stomach dropped again. "…Yeah, about that" whispering that.
She leaned back staring at the ceiling like maybe the words would come easier if she wasn't looking him in the eye "Back home people tell stories. Lots of them. Through books shows movies. And one of those stories… was yours. This place. You. The goblins. Shizu. Veldora. Everything It was something people watched on screens like a… window into another world. Only it wasn't supposed to be real. Not like this." Her voice was starting to sound less shaky.
Rimuru's aura pulsed faintly like he was trying to contain his emotions "…So you're saying my life is… entertainment to your world" Rimuru's voice sounded mad.
Her chest tightened she sat forward fast shaking her head "No! That's not what I meant I didn't watch it like it was some joke I watched because I loved it Because you were are incredible. You built a home for monsters who didn't have one. You gave them respect hope, safety. You… you made a family" Her voice cracked a little at the end and she swallowed hard "That's what I saw" she said while looking at her lap again
Rimuru stared at her for a long moment his expression was unreadable but his eyes softened just slightly "…You talk like you know me." He gave a small smile.
"Because I do" she blurted before she could stop herself.
He raised a brow. "You've never met me until today."
She exhaled, shoulders slumping "I know but watching you… it felt like I did. You were… important to me" she kinda seemed embarrassed after saying that.
The silence that followed made her want to crawl under the table and disappear. Her face burned hot and she immediately looked away muttering "Okay that sounded way weirder out loud forget I said that—" got cut off again.
Rimuru chuckled lightly. Just once but it was enough to make her snap her head back up at him.
"You're strange" he said simply "But… I believe you or at least… I want to" Rimuru looked out the window and sighed.
Her chest loosened in relief "Oh thank god" she put her hand on her chest.
"Don't thank me yet" Rimuru warned sitting upright now. His expression turned serious again "If what you're saying is true then you might know things that could change everything like battles. Enemies. Deaths. And that's… dangerous information for both of us." Rimuru looked at the table.
She went quiet picking at the edge of the table nervously "…Yeah. I know. I've been trying to figure out if I should even say anything. Like… do I risk changing stuff? Do I stay quiet? I don't even know the rules of how this works I don't wanna screw up your entire future because I opened my big mouth" she let out a big sigh.
'I don't want to ruin it" she winced a bit just thinking about it.
Rimuru leaned forward slightly "And yet you already told me about Shizu."
Her stomach twisted "…Yeah. I couldn't help it I thought you deserved to know"
Rimuru held her gaze golden eyes sharp but not unkind "Then maybe that's the answer. You'll tell me things I need to know—when I need to know them. Not everything. Not all at once. Just enough."
She blinked. "…So… like a walking spoiler machine, but on demand?"
Rimuru smirked faintly "Pretty much."
She slumped against the chair, groaning. "God, this is insane. I can't believe this is my life now."
"Well then " Rimuru said, standing up "believe it. Because you're here now. And whether you like it or not… you're part of Tempest."
Her heart skipped at that. "Part of… Tempest?"
"Yeah." He looked down at her with that calm, confident smile that she'd only ever seen on screen before. "Welcome to the family. Don't make me regret it."
Her throat tightened, and all she could do was nod quickly. "…I won't she gave a serious nod.
(I messed up I forgot he still hadn't got his human form just pretend he used his slime form to make hands and expressions, I'm sorry!)