Chapter 439: Collapse

“A, aaa, AaaaAaA… Why, why…? How…?”

The blue flames of [Life Mana] burn out. The slime’s half-melted human body slowly sinks down to the ground.

“Ahah, ahahahahaha, hahahahahahahahaha! Why? I’m hanging on this much! Ahahaha, ahahahahahaha!”

Just as I think the slime has completely lost it, as it laughs madly while staring up at the collapsing ceiling, its expressionless, hollow eyes turn to me.

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Species: Chaos Ooze (degraded)

Condition: Normal

Lv: 95/95 (MAX)

HP: 488/1531

MP: 532/1630

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…The stats have fallen considerably. But with the exception of God’s Voice, the skills are unchanged. It was able to regain HP and MP with [Life Mana], but due to the backlash from repeatedly using it alongside healing magic, it can’t even move any more.

“…I curse you. In the cycle of reincarnation, one day, I will return. When that happens, I will remember you, and I will kill you. I will twist off each of your limbs, and sink you into a poison bog. I will have insects crawl over your body and torture you do death. No matter if it’s ten years from now, or a hundred…”

The slime spits words of enmity at me. I didn’t expect to hear about the cycle of reincarnation from the slime. Could it be that the slime also has memories of another world like me? Or… Could it be something it learnt from God’s Voice?

『Are you…』

At the same time as I call out with [Telepathy], huge cracks open in the ceiling with a thunderous sound, and it begins to fall. The complete collapse is about to start. Before that happens, I need to finish off the slime.

There's no time for questions. Besides, I have no intention of getting along with it.

“GuoOOOOOOOh!”

I roar, and drag my heavy body towards the slime. As I raise my forelegs, a cold sensation runs down my spine. At the same time, my rear legs buckle, and I collapse just a single step away.

A sensation of discomfort runs through my body. D-damn it, has my body reached its limits? But I can’t…!

Next, I feel pain as though my back is cut. This isn’t just fatigue, or the limits of my body! Mustering all of my strength, I cartwheel.

I see the figure of a man thrown into the air, holding a sword. It’s Thermal of the Three Knights. I knew he was still alive, but… I didn’t expect him to launch an attack with this timing. He must have slipped through the cracks in the ceiling.

Using the momentum of my cartwheel, I strike Thermal with my foreleg. The impact crushes his body and sends him tumbling across the floor. But he soon gets up and returns to his human appearance.

I quickly turn my body a half-turn, returning to my original position. Numbness courses through my body. Was that first cold sensation the [Poison Ruler’s] poison entering me?

“…Cheh, at a glance it looked weak, but it still has that stupid strength!”

Thermal clicks his tongue and enters the chaos ooze’s pool of liquid, then picks up the slime’s human body and puts it on his shoulders. A malicious slime appears on the face of the slime that a moment ago looked as though its soul had left it.

“I-I’m glad you came, Thermal! Haha, hahahahaha! I still have luck on my side! God-sama is still looking out for me! That has to be the case!”

Wh-what does this mean…? I thought for sure the divine skill inheritance would only happen once the conclusion of the battle was decided. But if a third party interrupts the battle, then that condition is overturned.

At this rate, the slime might get away. I don’t think I would lose to Thermal, but… I can’t move my body properly. I won’t be able to chase if he sticks to running away.

“Kill! Thermal, kill! Kill him with poison! Once you do that, I might regain my power! Kill, quickly kill! Kill Irushia! Kill!”

The slime bawls. Thermal’s expression appears to stiffen with surprise for a moment, and then he shakes his head and kicks off the floor, distancing himself from me.

“…Demon Lord-sama, let’s fall back. This time was our loss. Next time…”

“There won’t be a next time! Don’t you see how weakened he is!? Kill! Kill now! Hurry up! There’s no point in running away! Kill Irushia!”

“GuuruooooOOOOOh!”

I kick off the floor with my rear legs, then swing my forelegs down towards the slime. Rather than moving my body, it feels more like I’m swinging with centrifugal force alone. Still carrying the slime, Thermal jumps backwards, dodging my attack.

As I glare at him and catch my breath, the slime on his back bawls.

“You saw that sloppy movement! Even you could kill him now!”

“…Please don't ask the impossible. Even for that sloppy movement, dodging it takes my everything. The more time passes, the faster it'll get through automatic recovery.”

“I know that! Still, this is the last chance! Why can’t you see that!? Kill! Kill him!”

Ignoring the slime’s words, Thermal touches a crack in the wall and turns his body to slime and enters.

“…It’s unfortunate, Irushia. Demon Lord-sama has an underground escape route prepared. As none of you are slimes, there’s no way you can chase us.”

The slime, whose body had already partially lost its form, is then pulled through the crack in the wall by Thermal.

“GuuruaAAAAAh!”

I crawl up to the wall and swing my claws at the crack. The floor shakes and the wall crumbles, causing rubble to fall down onto me. No experience points are acquired.

After I did that much, it got away… I’ve already taken [Asura Realm] from the slime, so I don’t think it can do anything else, but…

【It’s okay.】【The divine skill’s inheritance only occurs when-】

【Laplace judges that death is certain.】

Suddenly I remember the slime mentioned its survival rate… When that happened, was the slime’s death already confirmed?

【Because you-】【Haven’t trusted us in the slightest.】

【I had already taught-】【The other children this.】

…I still don’t trust you. This is the last time I’m going to hold a conversation with you. This is the end of your pawn, the slime, right? I have no intention of becoming your underling. After thoroughly complaining to Lilixira and explaining what’s happened, I plan on taking Aro and the others with me, finding some delicious food for my partner to eat, then living a comfortable dragon life. I don’t know if you’re an evil god or a sage, but I don’t care what it is you want.

【Even so, we plan to favour you.】【We wanted to teach you various things.】

【But at least.】【Allow us to give you just piece of advice?】

I’m unsure of how to respond. No matter how I think about it, this is the entity behind the slime. I shouldn't pay any attention at all. But… Is it really okay for me not to hear this, I wonder?

As I hesitate, the next words flow into my mind.

【Give up on collecting your allies.】【Quickly run away.】

【If you don’t-】【You’ll soon be checkmated.】

…Ha?

【The final trial is waiting for you above.】