Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

Six months had passed since the battle with Zarathiel. Rosen City no longer looked like the city Tanaka had first entered. The broken streets had been repaired. The damaged walls had been rebuilt. New buildings stood where ruins had once been. Even the guild hall had recovered. Tanaka walked through the marketplace beside Nira, carrying a small notebook in one hand.

He was writing. Nira glanced at him. ”You’re writing again?” Tanaka didn’t look up. ”You’ve been writing for months.” Nira sighed. ”You’re turning into an old man.” Tanaka finally looked at her. ”I’m a monster.” ”That doesn’t make you less of an old man.” Tanaka ignored her and continued writing. His notebook was filled with information.

About farming, construction, trade, craftsmanship, settlement planning, defenses, food storage, medicine and population. Even simple things like how much wood was needed to build a small house. Everything he had learned during his time in Rosen City had been written down.

He didn’t want to forget any of it. More importantly, he wanted to take it home. Home. Tanaka smiled slightly. Six months ago, he hadn’t even known what a proper settlement required. Now he had pages of notes. And most of those pages had been written after Nira dragged him around the city. ”Do you really think all those notes will help?” Nira asked. ”Definitely.” He replied.

Nira stared at him and laughed. ”You really are strange.” Tanaka smiled. ”I know.”

They continued walking. Rosen City had changed. But so had Tanaka. Over the past six months, he had completed several missions with Nira. At first, they had simply worked together because neither of them had anyone else they trusted. Then they became familiar with each other’s fighting styles. Eventually, they became a pair. Monster extermination missions. Gathering quests. Escort missions. Dungeon-related requests. They had done almost everything together. Tanaka had learned how Nira fought.

She had learned how he thought. She knew when he was about to use Leap. She knew when he was planning something stupid. Tanaka had also learned something else. Nira complained a lot.

Rosen City had been filled with people who feared him. Now things were different. As they walked through the marketplace, a merchant raised his hand. ”Morning, Tanaka!” Tanaka looked over. ”Morning.” Another adventurer passed them. ”Heading out on another mission?” ”Not today.” The man nodded. ”Good. Maybe Rosen can survive one day without you destroying something.” Tanaka’s eyebrow twitched. ”I don’t destroy everything.” The adventurer laughed before moving on. Tanaka sighed.

Tanaka looked around. People still watched him sometimes.

Some still moved away. Some still didn’t trust him. But most no longer looked at him like a monster that could attack them at any moment. Children no longer immediately ran away. Merchants spoke to him normally. Adventurers greeted him. Even some of the guild workers had become comfortable around him. Rosen City had slowly accepted him. Not completely. But enough. Tanaka appreciated it. He stopped walking. Nira took a few steps before noticing. ”What?”Tanaka looked around. ”I’ve changed a lot here.” Nira smiled. ”You have.” ”I learned a lot.” He said. ”You did.” She replied. ”I also got stronger.” ”Definitely.” Tanaka looked at her. ”And I made a friend.” Nira blinked. Then she smiled. ”Only one?”

”Only one who mattered.” She punched his arm. Tanaka laughed.

_______

Later that afternoon, they returned to the guild. Tanaka entered the mission hall and looked around. He remembered the first time he had walked through those doors. People had ignored him. Then they had feared him. Then they had watched him. Now some simply nodded when he passed. Tanaka walked toward the counter. The receptionist looked up. ”Tanaka. You aren’t taking a mission?” He smiled and replied. ”No.” ”That’s unusual.” The receptionist replied. ”I’m leaving soon.” The woman blinked. ”Leaving?” Tanaka nodded. ”I’ll explain later.” She looked slightly disappointed. ”Rosen will be quieter without you.” Tanaka smiled. ”I don’t know if that’s a compliment.” ”It is.” Nira was standing behind him. She suddenly became quiet. Tanaka noticed. But he didn’t say anything.

_________

That evening, Tanaka sat alone in his room. His notebook was open in front of him. He looked through the pages. So much information. So many memories. He had entered Rosen City because of circumstances he wanted to know about an human city. He had stayed and fought Zarathiel. Then he stayed because he had things to learn. Then he stayed because of missions. Because of Nira. Because of the city. Now he had a reason to leave. He needed to return home. He closed the notebook. It was time.

The sun was beginning to set when Tanaka found Nira sitting outside the guild. She was watching the sky. Tanaka walked toward her. ”Nira.” She turned. ”Hm?” ”I need to tell you something.” Her expression changed. ”What happened?” She asked. ”Nothing.” Tanaka gently sat beside her. ”I’m leaving.” Nira stared at him. ”What?” ”I’m going home.” Her expression slowly changed. ”Home?” ”The Great Verdant Forest.” Tanaka looked toward the horizon. ”I finally learned the name of the forest. Took me a while uh.” Nira lowered her eyes. ”So you’re really leaving.” ”Yes.” He replied. ”When?” ”Tomorrow.” Nira stared at him. ”Tomorrow?” Tanaka nodded.

”I’ve stayed here for six months.” He opened his storage ring. The notebook appeared in his hand. ”I’ve learned almost everything I can from Rosen City.”He tapped the notebook. ”I wrote down everything that could help my home.” Nira looked at it. ”You really planned everything.” ”I had six months.” She gave a small smile. ”Of course you did.” Tanaka looked at her. ”Come with me.” Nira froze. ”What?” ”Come to the Great Verdant Forest.” Tanaka smiled. ”You’ve helped me for six months. You know me better than most people.” Nira’s expression became complicated.

Tanaka continued. ”You could help me build it.” Nira looked away. Her hands tightened. ”I can’t.” Tanaka’s smile faded. ”Why?” ”I just can’t.” She lowered her head. ”I have to return home too.” ”Your family?” Nira nodded. ”My family.” Tanaka remembered the few times she had mentioned them. She had always avoided talking about the Dark Elf lands. Something had clearly happened. ”What happened?” Nira didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes became wet. ”There are things I need to deal with.” She wiped her eyes. ”I can’t explain everything.” Tanaka stayed silent. ”I’ve been away from home for too long.”

Her voice shook. ”My family needs me.” Tanaka looked at her. Nira quickly wiped her face again. ”I’m sorry.” Tanaka was shocked. ”Why are you apologizing?” ”Because I can’t go with you.” Tanaka didn’t understand. ”You don’t have to apologize for that.” Nira looked at him. ”You aren’t angry?” ”Why would I be?” ”Because I’m not able to come with you.” She replied. ”You’re not betraying me.” Tanaka said with a smile. ”You have something important to do.” Nira stared at him. Then a tear rolled down her cheek.

Tanaka froze. He didn’t know what to do. He had fought monsters. He had been beaten nearly to death. He had faced Zarathiel. But none of that had prepared him for this. ”Nira.” He called. ”I’m fine.” She replied wiping her eyes. ”You don’t look fine.” She laughed weakly. ”You’re terrible at comforting people.” ”I’m trying.” ”I know.” Tanaka moved slightly closer. ”If you need help, I’ll help.” Nira shook her head. ”I have to do this myself.” Tanaka nodded. ”Okay.” She looked at him. ”But I’ll come back. When? I don’t know. But I will.” She suddenly said with declaration. Tanaka looked at her.

”No matter how far the Great Verdant Forest is from the Dark Elf lands?” She smiled. ”I’ll come there one day.” Tanaka nodded. ”I’ll be waiting.” Nira laughed softly. ”You’re really going to wait?” ”Of course.” He replied. ”You might become incredibly strong by then.” ”I’ll still remember you.” ”What if you become a terrifying monster lord?” Tanaka smiled. ”Then I’ll be an even more terrifying monster lord waiting for his friend.” Nira laughed. This time, her tears didn’t stop her from smiling.

________

Night eventually arrived. Tanaka and Nira left the city and climbed a small hill overlooking Rosen. The city lights glittered below them. The repaired walls stood beneath the moonlight. People were still moving through the streets. Rosen was alive again. Tanaka sat down. Nira sat beside him. Neither spoke for a while. The stars stretched across the sky. Tanaka looked upward. ”I’ll miss this place.” Nira rested her head against his shoulder. ”Me too.” Tanaka looked at her. She closed her eyes. ”Don’t forget me.” She cooed like a child. ”I won’t.” ”Even after you meet new people?” ”Yes.” ”Even if you become stronger?” ”Yes.” ”Even if you become some terrifying monster lord?” Tanaka laughed. ”Especially then.”

Nira smiled. The wind passed quietly around them. Tomorrow, Tanaka would return to the Great Verdant Forest. Nira would return to the Dark Elf lands. Their paths were separating. But neither believed this was the end. Not forever. Tanaka looked toward the stars. For the first time since arriving in Rosen City, he felt ready to go home. He had come here knowing almost nothing. He was leaving with knowledge, strength, memories.. and a friend. Tanaka smiled. ”Goodnight, Nira.” ”Goodnight, Tanaka.” They remained there beneath the stars. Neither wanted to move. For one final night, they simply sat together. Tomorrow, they would go their separate ways. But someday...

They would meet again.