Capítulo 162: meeting friends*
Veronica is quickly moving through the dark cave systems. She's avoiding most monsters despite her evident superiority over them. She must be worried that I might get hurt during a fight.
"Little one, we're about to enter the lair of a very dangerous monster so don't make too much of a fuss or you'll wake it. Kay?"
We enter a large open cavern that is dimly lit by blue gems growing all over the walls. The moment we enter the cavern a bone-deep dread awakens inside me and I feel paralyzed by my fear.
Monica slows down and carefully walks further into the cavern while cradling my scared form in her arms. Up ahead I can see the shadow of a large creature rising and falling. From the slow breaths and the accompanying snoring, I judge that the creature must be asleep.
However, despite being asleep the beast's breath alone terrifies me to no end. If that thing wakes up I won't be able to do a thing. Thankfully Veronica is carrying me because if I was by myself I'd be unable to move away.
Finally, Veronica passes the looming shadow and we exit the cavern. The dreadful terror that has been paralyzing my body dissipates and I can move again.
"What was that?"
"That's a firedrake, the strongest monster of this floor. It's not a boss monster but it has a similar level and power. It sleeps all day long and the other monsters fear its mere presence. We use it to keep our little camp safe from monsters and humans."
"But what if it wakes up?"
"The drake has a special personality. It doesn't attack creatures that cower in fear when seeing it. It only hunts monsters that try to defy it or humans."
"Sounds too good to be true."
"But that's how it is."
I say nothing more and we continue through the caves until we reach a dead end. Veronica grabs a boulder on the ground and rolls it to the side revealing an opening.
"Who goes there?"
An aged voice asks from within the opening while remaining perfectly hidden from sight. Veronica smiles and walks into the opening without hesitation.
"I'm back uncle Gary. And I brought a little friend!"
As we enter the narrow tunnel that had been concealed by the boulder I can finally see the origin of the aged voice. It's a gargoyle that stands inside the passage with its back hunched in order to fit. The creature made of stone grins with a demonic face that could make children cry.
"So we have a new addition to our little family. It's rare to see two monsters of the same kind in our group so this is most fortunate. Shall I gather the others for the naming ceremony?"
"That would be wonderful. I'll leave it to you!"
Veronica carries me further down the passage while the gargoyle moves the boulder back into place and begins to tap it in various spots.
"Don't mind him. Uncle Gary is just sealing the entrance since everyone is back. We wouldn't want any unwelcome visitors."
"I understand. Veronica, what is this naming ceremony you spoke of?"
"Don't you think it's strange that I have a name despite saying I didn't remember any personal details of my past? That is because everyone who joins our family will be given a name by the older members. Receiving a new name is such a great feeling. I'm sure you'll like it!"
A new name...
I do want a new name. Being a nameless creature feels so lonely and humans are after all social animals. While I technically am a slime now my mind is definitely still human.
Ahead I hear the clanking of bones. A skeleton?
"It's time that you met your new friends, little one. They are newer monsters I was assigned to look after together with Cruella. I'm sure you'll be the best of friends."
Saying so, Veronica walks into a small room carved from stone with various crude pieces of furniture fashioned from stone. A hobgoblin and a skeleton are sitting around a table while excitedly exchanging gestures.
"The language barrier seems pretty difficult to handle."
"Yeah, new people usually have it rather hard. If only the skill Cruella developed was easier to learn. But let's leave that for later and get you introduced to your new friends."
Veronica approaches the table drawing the attention of the two wildly gesturing monsters. They look at the two of us and once their gaze locks onto me they both wave their hands at me in greeting.
I try to wave back but forming a distinct hand with my body remains impossible as of yet. Still, those two see my attempts to wave back and I can already tell that we will get along. Veronica seems to think the same as she introduces the two monsters to me.
"The hobgoblin is called Gobi and the skeleton drummer is called Bonerattle. They are both new additions. Once your new name has been set we can formally introduce you. Now, where is Cruella?"
Both Gobi and Bonerattle shrug their shoulders and point toward the entrance of the room. The person or monster in question must have gone out.
"Is everyone here a former human like you and me?"
"Yes, unfortunately, we all woke up in the dungeon finding that we had lost our precious human bodies while transforming into monsters. Living hasn't been easy but at least we can offer some modicum of safety in our little community."
"Oh, you're really back Veronica. I heard from uncle Gary that you brought in another new guy. Where is he?"
Veronica turns and holds me up like one would a newborn. At the entrance of the room, a giant caterpillar is standing and I feel a curious gaze scan me up and down.
"Another slime? Seems this little one got really lucky to get picked up by someone of his own kind."
"Our species as a monster is secondary. What connects us is our past as former humans. Let's not get hung up on the semantics of who got found by whom."
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