Chapter 11: Don’t eat me, please

Name:Suddenly, I Became a Slime Author:
Chapter 11: Don’t eat me, please

The vehicle carrying the trembling jelly speeds out of the city and into the suburbs.

It reaches a road frequented by massive cargo trucks, slips into a parking lot surrounded by buildings that resemble large warehouses and factories, and comes to a halt.

Even as the vehicle ceases movement, cargo trucks continue to move tirelessly in and out of the warehouse adjacent to the factory.

Goods stream from the warehouse onto the trucks non-stop, and the trucks, laden with cargo, head directly towards either the city or the countryside, bustling with activity.

The workers loading the goods appear weary from their strenuous efforts, yet their smiling faces reveal the rewarding nature of their labor.

Above the bustling, weary workers, a peculiar sign catches the eye.

[Soylent Purple Co.]

A man shades his eyes as he disembarks from the parked vehicle. With the care of someone holding a delicate dish, he retrieves something from the back seat and moves it with cautious steps.

Whenever the object wrapped in black cloth twitches, the man halts in his tracks and stares at it intently.

He resumes his journey only after the twitching within the cloth-wrapped bundle subsides.

Navigating through the giant shadows of the warehouse, he passes by the busy area where workers swiftly move about, and enters the factory.

Upon entering, a faintly sweet scent fills the air.

As the man stealthily makes his way through the factory, where Soylent Purple Co.’s main products are being produced, countless items are being packaged and transported back to the warehouse.

From the well-maintained facilities and rigorously managed production line, products continue to emerge incessantly.

He delves deeper into the facility, passing doors marked with stickers stating ‘Authorized Personnel Only.’

The break area for the factory workers lies quite a distance from his current location.

*Clank. Clank.*

As he moves past, the closed doors exude an air of impenetrability, suggesting not even an ant could pass through.

The man’s silent trek allows him a glimpse of the cooking process for the products being manufactured in the factory.

This process begins as a ‘red blob’ appears in the dimly lit corridor.

Large ‘blobs of flesh’ descend from hooks and flow into the production facilities. These flowing blobs are cut into pieces and land in their designated spots.

The small pieces of meat, combined with various ingredients, are transformed into Soylent Purple Co.’s products.

Though most of the process is automated, human figures are occasionally visible.

They ponder the origins of red meat and the type of meat that requires such varied cooking methods.

Yet, no one truly questions it.

Since the cooking is entirely automated, there’s no room for doubt. It’s merely about ensuring the factory operates smoothly and reporting any issues.

The compensation is generous, and the benefits are substantial.

Especially since employees can purchase Soylent Purple Co.’s already affordable products at even lower prices. It’s indeed the ideal workplace.

He harbors a sense of pride about this.

Thanks to the products they produce, which are sold nationwide for their low prices and great taste, they are among the most donated items to those in need.

Of course, there are those who quickly resign due to some mysterious occurrences, the reasons for their swift exit unknown.

But is it not their fault for not adhering to the rules?

The individuals working at Soylent Purple Co. are content today.

And they are likely to remain content in the future.

Observing them, the man entering the factory contemplates.

This meat...

‘What’s that?’

Initially, the man also consumed products from Soylent Purple Co.

He believed it wasteful not to indulge in them, given their affordability and deliciousness.

However, since he started working behind the scenes of this factory, he has found it too unsettling to touch them.

Should he wish to investigate, he could, but...

The man shakes his head.

In his current position, it is often preferable to know less than he already does.

Moreover, venturing beyond the boundaries of the rules could lead to undesirable consequences. He is uncertain if a misstep might result in such an outcome.

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*Clunk.*

With a noise, my body returns to its original state.

Should I be grateful for my body’s lack of response?

Or should I sarcastically thank my captor for making me go through this?

And amid all this, another tedious movement begins.

I cross my fingers, hoping it’s not a jelly processing factory, feeling anxious.

*Thud.*

Accompanied by a sound like dentures falling out, my body, which was swaying back and forth, comes to a stop.

*Flutter!*

Soon after, I hear the sound of a cloth being drawn aside.

There’s no light appearing... It remains dim and dark.

*Click.*

And all I can hear is the sound of a door being locked.

Right after that.

*Pop!*

Suddenly, a bright light flashes.

My sight is filled with a sudden brightness.

Luckily, having no sensitive eyes, my vision quickly adjusts back to normal.

It’s quite a relief.

Then, I still find myself trapped in a square box.

K-Kidnapper, sir? You’re not planning to leave me like this, are you?

My second thought, after that foolish one, is that the room is completely white.

I almost decided to quickly find any stain, no matter how small.

If my sky-blue jelly stains something, it will probably show up immediately.

I haven’t seen it myself, but if there was ever a sterile room, this would be it.

The room is obsessively white.

Ironically, it looks much nicer than the studio apartment I used to live in.

...Even though it’s empty.

Feeling a slight sense of desolation, I hear a click, and the restraints constricting my body loosen.

As the pressure around me releases, I’m able to regain my usual form.

For some reason, I feel like a flattened mushroom that’s been stepped on by an Italian plumber. Maybe it’s just my mood.

Once out of the box, I glance around.

Then, I see something resembling a large mirror.

I call it ‘something’ because it’s mounted too high to reflect what’s below.

It’s positioned as if only a giant could see their face in it.

At that moment.

*Click.*

The door opens, and someone enters.

*Tap, tap.*

I shift my gaze towards the sound.

There.

...An alien is approaching me.

It’s as white and huge as this room.

Dark and large eyes stare at me.

My jelly, which had expanded out from the box, now shrinks down.