After hours of jumping, there was still no sign of an exit. Perhaps the cave is really that enormous. He didn't dare question the Sage's instructions, who seemed as confident as a skill can be with its math.
He might have gotten there faster if he hadn't stopped every few minutes to harvest the metals and herbs he found. He had no real plans for them, but he couldn't just pass by resources; it was the first rule of any professional player.
Fearing a monster attack, he had asked the Sage to warn him of any threats or dangers. After all, he was a tiny slime; one careless touch and some creature could squash him like a bug.
Not today!
Hey, Sage, are you sure this is the right way? Nome finally asked, a prickle of anxiety threading through him. He didn't doubt the skill's ability, or rather, he didn't want to, but he couldn't resist seeking confirmation. He was also starting to get lonely and bored without any conversation.
"Answer" Route calculated based on all available information. The current vector: highest probability.
If you say so...
Unlike the first hours of awkward motion after awakening, Nome was getting used to the body. What began as crawling and small hops had become flips and acrobatics. He was even learning to reshape his body with great flexibility and freedom, along with adjusting his speed, to the point that he felt he could have raced a bike! The slimy body, despite its fragile appearance, had its advantages, if one ignored the lack of most basic senses, of course.
Wait, isn't that... a pond? A ripple in his senses picked up a pool ahead. A pond. Nome dashed toward it. It was deep; his senses could not find a bottom.
His reflection shimmered: a sky-blue orb, featureless and egg-shaped. He tried to hold a humanoid outline but couldn't keep it for more than a few seconds.
*sigh* I guess there's nothing we can do about this, he sighed inwardly, recalling his current state. Saying he hated it would be an exaggeration, but he didn't fully like it either. He would have preferred being born human again, at least. Well, a second chance as a slime is better than nothing, he thought, regaining his energy.
By the way, Sage, do I need to eat or drink? Nome asked his personal information reservoir. It seemed strange not to feel any fatigue after all this nonstop jumping, so he considered it an important question; he didn't want to die of hunger by accident.
Also, I haven't slept either.
"Answer"As a slime, your body can consume them, but it does not require any organic materials or liquids. A humid environment with a low-to-moderate Magicules density is ideal for survival. As for sleep, it is not necessary, although slimes tend to hibernate during heat periods.
No need for food or sleep? Not even rest?! Why didn't I have that ability before?! I could have finished all my paperwork at the speed of light instead of listening to that bald man's complaints! Nome scowled, recalling the times he had to eat and work when he should have been sleeping because his boss assumed dumping all the hard work on a 'competent employee' like him was a brilliant idea.
I didn't even get a bonus...
Wait a minute, wouldn't this pond be connected to a river or stream outside? Maybe it's a shortcut!
Sage, how long can I stay underwater? Although breathing didn't seem necessary for his body, he wanted to be sure it was safe.
"Answer" Underwater endurance: indefinite while external forces permit.
Alright! Burning with excitement, Nome leapt backwards a few times, preparing to dive into the depths of the pond. Freedom! Here I come! With these thoughts, his slimy body hit the water's surface, breaking its calm, and began to dive... or rather, sink.
Huh? Why can't I move? He tried turning right and left, but the pressure had made his body a perfect sphere, rendering turning pointless. Nome mentally smacked his imaginary forehead for his foolish oversight. Why didn't I think of this?! Am I stuck now!? No, Satoru! Calm down! Calm down!... I'm not calm, I'm not calm at all! He screamed inwardly as the surrounding darkness grew.
Wait, Sage, I can expel things from my stomach the way I want, right? he asked his skill in a rush within the quiet darkness of the water.
"Positive" This is possible via access to the [Stomach].
Oh, lucky me, Nome swallowed a good amount of water, filling a small portion of his stomach, then expelled it like a jet, propelling himself toward a nearby stone wall. I did it! It was—
<
Hydro—what?
"Answer" [Hydraulic Propulsion]. It uses pressure to create a powerful water jet capable of propelling the user over long distances, for example.
Is acquiring a skill supposed to be this easy? Ah, I'll check that out later. Now that he could somewhat control his movement, he resumed his great escape, exploiting the water with his skill, which proved much easier for diving deeper.
One minute passed, then two, then five... still nothing. Just as Nome was about to ask the Sage to check for nearby paths or branches, his senses picked up a faint light below. He pushed himself toward it and continued descending.
Wow. Below lay a new cluster of Magisteel embedded in the stone walls like nails, along with colourful rocks and metals lighting his surroundings. A chain of metals seemed to extend to a new upward turn. Finally! I must be getting close.
Reaching the turn, after who knows how long, Nome encountered the first living creature in this world. It's... just a normal fish? He approached the blue fish quietly, noticing no difference from those on Earth. I expected something more, um... wow. You know?
Just as Nome turned to move forward, the fish opened its mouth wide, baring sharp teeth and swelling to four times the size of its small body. What the— Nome narrowly avoided the bite, pushing water toward the fish, or whatever this creature was. The fish continued chasing him, but Nome dodged with barely a finger's margin. Oh no! It's still following me. I have to do something!
Nome weaved around rocks, fleeing the maniacal-eyed fish. When it got within a meter, he stopped and expanded his body, enveloping the fish quickly, using its incoming momentum. The fish resisted, thrashing inside Nome, but ｢Predator｣ soon finished its meal.
"Notice" Prey analysis... complete.
"Results" Deathreef Minnow. Lives in deep waters, hunts prey with sudden attacks using poisonous teeth.
<
The Deathreef Minnow model can now be used via [Mimicry].
If I had a heart, I'd have had a heart attack! Nome hadn't expected any trouble, but luckily, it was just a strange fish. Sage! Didn't I tell you to warn me if a threat was near my life?! Nome scolded.
"Answer" The fish posed no threat to the user, so there was no reason to intervene.
That excuse again! Isn't it obvious that—
"Notice" Threat approaching from ahead.
Eh! What is it? Nome asked, scanning his surroundings. A whole swarm of Deathreef Minnow came at him at top speed.
Retreat! Retreat! Nome internally screamed, using [Hydraulic Propulsion] with full force upward. He didn't stop until the water pressure vanished, replaced by the familiar feel of air. He nearly collided with the ceiling, so he redirected the water to the right. Wow! Wow! Wow! He repeated this, dodging cave walls and all stalactites and stalagmites.
Yahoooo! Nome continued changing direction with incredible agility and growing confidence, spiralling around a new right turn. Not even close, baby! Mikami never di—! He eventually crashed into a stalactite, hitting the ground and rolling.
Wow... Nome regained his balance; all that movement sharpened his sense of direction. He jumped slightly to check he was still in one piece. That chase had been dangerous for his nonexistent heart. *sigh* Seems like my shortcut didn't work out well. How long am I gonna be stuck here damn it?!
"Answer"Assuming the user doesn't stop every time to harvest metals and herbs, reaching the exit could take less than an hour.
Wait, really?! Nome jumped for joy. The cave had indeed become tedious, and he couldn't wait to get out. There were no more resources to harvest anyway. Alright, Sage, show me the way?
He went on, more careful now, and that care uncovered a new obstacle: a Tempest Serpent coiled behind a boulder, scales like poured metal and eyes like wet oil. Nome froze; it dwarfed him. Sage! You did it again! He scolded his skill, spotting the giant snake ahead, hiding behind a rock to avoid detection.
"Answer" The snake is not supposed to pose any threat. Victory is guaranteed.
Eh? Are you sure? Nome asked, sneaking a glance at the massive size of the snake compared to his small body.
"Positive"
Well... not like I have another option with it in my path. Nome breathed a sigh of relief, quickly leaving his hiding spot and leaping at the snake to launch a surprise attack. He used [Hydraulic Propulsion] straight at the snake, but it dodged and immediately released poisonous gas from its mouth and lunged at Nome. He jumped onto its head, then to its tail.
Ugh, it's hard to hit with a straight attack at that speed. Wait a minute. This time, he added a spinning effect to [Hydraulic Propulsion], shaping it into a blade toward the snake's neck, killing it instantly.
<
The snake's head fell with Nome, surprised by his attack. He devoured the prey, gaining the ability to mimic its form and its Intrinsic skills [Heat Source Perception] and [Poison Breath].
Phew, that was really scary. I hope the rest of the path is free of monsters! True to his request, he later encountered a massive black spider, nearly the same size as the snake. With inevitable combat, he decided it was a perfect chance to test his newfound abilities.
Alright, this should be easy. He tried the ｢Predator｣ subskill: [Mimicry]. After several attempts, he succeeded, copying the snake he just ate. The spider spun a large web at its mouth, but before it could release, Nome wrapped around it and crushed it. Hah, that was easy... even kind of fun. He cancelled the imitation, then swallowed the spider, gaining its Intrinsic skills [Steel Thread] and [Sticky Thread].
The hunting didn't stop there. Nome also encountered a giant bat, which this time used the spider's threads and the snake's poison, making it difficult for him to consume due to its distorted shape. He gained its Intrinsic skills [Ultra Sound Waves] and [Drain], in addition to...
"We. Are aliens. We will invade. Earth." ...to the ability to speak!
"Wow! Totally worth it after all," Nome said to no one in particular, his echo reminding him of his solitude. I wonder if anyone lives near this cave... or if I'll meet other races like... elves! His imagination only fueled his excitement and determination to explore as soon as possible. After what felt like an eternity of jumping...
"Massive!" Nome stood before a colossal metal door reaching the cave ceiling. Why is there a door here? It looks so dilapidated, he thought, eyeing the rust. He tried to push it, but the weight difference was immense. He transformed into different forms, but none worked.
Will this even fit me? Nome clung to the door, squeezing himself into the keyhole, pressing with all his might. Points of light began to appear on the other side, until...
"FREEDOOOOOM!!!" He emerged on the other side.