Chapter 3: A World Reborn
The days in Nekomura turned into weeks, and Kato Megumi gradually settled into her new life among the Catkin. She spent her time learning their customs, understanding their way of life, and contributing to the village where she could. Despite her initial apprehension, she found herself growing fond of the community. The laughter of children, the warmth of shared meals, and the harmony they shared with the forest were unlike anything she had experienced in her previous life.
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One crisp morning, as the sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, Megumi sat outside her hut, sharpening a wooden spear that she had crafted under Raiku's guidance. She had taken to practicing self-defense, understanding that even in this peaceful village, the world beyond was fraught with dangers.
A young Catkin boy named Taro approached her, his orange fur gleaming in the sunlight. "Megumi-san," he called out, his tail swaying excitedly. "Raiku-sama has asked for you. He's in the meeting hall."
Megumi stood, brushing off her simple leather tunic. "Thank you, Taro. I'll head there now."
The meeting hall was abuzz with activity when she arrived. Villagers murmured amongst themselves, and the air was thick with tension. Raiku stood at the center, his commanding presence silencing the room as Megumi entered.
"Ah, Megumi," Raiku said, gesturing for her to come closer. "We were just discussing some troubling news."
"What happened?" Megumi asked, her golden eyes scanning the crowd.
Raiku sighed, his shoulders heavy with concern. "There have been reports of strange occurrences in the Jura Forest. The animals are restless, and there's been talk of a powerful presence awakening deep within the woods."
The mention of Jura Forest sent a jolt through Megumi. Her memories of watching That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime came rushing back. "The Jura Forest... Could it be?" she thought. Her heart raced as she pieced the fragments together. If this was the same world, then the events she knew might soon unfold.
"Do we know what's causing it?" Megumi asked, keeping her voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind.
Raiku shook his head. "Not yet. But whatever it is, we must remain vigilant. The balance of the forest affects us all."
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Over the next few days, Megumi threw herself into learning more about the Jura Forest. She spent hours with Lyra, the village herbalist, who shared tales of the forest's mystical properties and the creatures that dwelled within it. Megumi also worked with the hunters, honing her tracking skills and exploring the edges of the village's territory.
One evening, as the moon hung high in the sky, Megumi sat by the village's communal fire, listening to the elders recount the history of the Catkin. The firelight danced on their fur as they spoke of the village's origins, their connection to the forest, and the ancient legends of powerful beings who once roamed the land.
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A month passed, and the strange occurrences in the Jura Forest intensified. The once-calm streams now surged with unnatural energy, and the trees whispered secrets in the wind. The villagers grew uneasy, their instincts warning them of an impending change.
One fateful day, while out gathering herbs with Lyra, Megumi felt a strange ripple in the air. She stopped in her tracks, her keen senses alerting her to something extraordinary. The ground beneath her feet trembled ever so slightly, and a faint, otherworldly energy seemed to pulse through the forest.
"Did you feel that?" Megumi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lyra nodded, her green eyes wide with fear. "It's coming from the heart of the forest. We should head back."
As they returned to the village, Megumi's mind raced. She couldn't ignore the signs any longer. This world wasn't just similar to the one she knew—it was the world of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. The ripple she felt must have been connected to Veldora, the mighty Storm Dragon sealed deep within the forest.
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The disappearance of Veldora and the birth of Rimuru Tempest were events she knew would shape the fate of this world. Megumi felt a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. On one hand, she had knowledge of future events that could be invaluable. On the other, she realized that this world was far more dangerous than she had imagined.
That night, as she lay on her bed, Megumi stared at the faint glow of the moon through her window. Her translucent status screen appeared once more, a constant reminder of her potential.
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Name: Kato Megumi
Race: Catkin
Level: 4
Skills: Copy Power, Enhanced Agility, Keen Senses
Unique Trait: Soul of Tranquility
Her level had increased, thanks to her efforts in training and helping the village. But she knew that her current abilities were nowhere near enough to face the challenges ahead.
"I need to grow stronger," she thought, determination flickering in her golden eyes. "If this world is truly the one I think it is, then I have a role to play. I don't know what it is yet, but I'll be ready."
As the village slept, Megumi resolved to prepare for the trials that lay ahead. The Jura Forest was vast and filled with mysteries, and she was determined to uncover them. With her Copy Power and her newfound home in Nekomura, she knew she had a foundation to build upon.
The next chapter of her reincarnated life was about to begin, and Megumi was ready to face it head-on.