Everything went dark.
The last thing I saw was the Slime Girl's wrath.
Then—
Silence.
A faint beeping sound echoed in my mind.
[Quest Time Remaining: 1 Hour]
I had passed out.
And the Slime Girl… was on a rampage.
---
When I awoke, my body felt strangely warm.
Not just warm—comfortable.
I opened my eyes and immediately realized something weird.
My entire body was wrapped in soft, jelly-like slime.
It was smooth and slightly hot—almost like a heated blanket covering me.
And… it felt good.
Too good.
A strange pleasure ran through my skin, making my muscles relax.
For a moment, I just lay there, enjoying the sensation.
Wait, hold on—WHAT?!
I sat up abruptly, my hands sinking slightly into the slime around me.
I hesitated, then slowly touched it.
"…Hey, Slime Girl?" I called out.
The moment I spoke—
FWOOSH!
The slime shifted and pulled away, rapidly reforming into a humanoid figure right in front of me.
And then—
She appeared.
A girl.
Her translucent blue body shimmered in the dim light.
Her long, wavy hair cascaded down like flowing water.
Her golden eyes were wide, filled with curiosity as she stared at me.
She was beautiful.
Like a girl from another world.
Well, technically, she was a girl from another world.
As I met her gaze, a familiar ding echoed in my head.
---
[System Notification:]
Congratulations, Host, for clearing the quest: "Rescue the Slime Girl."
New Quest Updated: "Make a Bond with Her."
---
I frowned. Make a bond?
"What does that even mean?" I muttered.
The system answered.
[Make her feel love toward you or make her remember you as someone special.]
"…Huh?"
Before I could react, the Slime Girl suddenly spoke.
"You're… special," she murmured.
I blinked. "What?"
She tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes shining.
"You're the first person who can understand me," she said softly. "Or talk with me."
She took a small step closer.
"You also… don't feel like a stranger."
So that's it.
It was because of my system.
I sighed, scratching my head. "Well… I guess that makes sense."
Then, I asked, "Hey, Slime Girl… How did they capture you? You're really powerful. You killed them so easily, but they had you chained up. How?"
Her expression darkened.
"I don't know," she said quietly. "I was sleeping peacefully in the forest… but when I woke up, I was already captured by those… bad things."
She shivered slightly. "They did very painful things to me."
My fists clenched.
Those bastards.
"But," she continued, a small smile forming on her lips, "I killed them now. So I'm happy."
I exhaled.
At least she was safe now.
That's all that mattered.
Then, my eyes landed on the strange stone I had grabbed earlier.
It was still there.
"Hey, Slime Girl."
She tilted her head. "Hm?"
I hesitated. "Uh… actually, calling you 'Slime Girl' is kinda weird. Do you have a name?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"I don't!" she said excitedly. "Please give me one!"
I blinked. That was fast.
I thought for a moment.
"Hmm… what about Lily?"
Her entire body trembled.
"Lily…?"
She repeated it softly, as if tasting the word.
Then, her face lit up with pure joy.
"Yes! I like it! Lily! Lily! I'm Lily!"
She jumped in excitement, bouncing slightly in place.
She looked… adorable.
And then—
DING!
---
[System Notification:]
Congratulations, Host, for making a bond with the S-Rank Slime Monster (Lily).
Host has gained the Healing Skill.
Host's Defense Attributes have increased.
New Skill Unlocked: "Love Meter."
[Love Meter: Displays the affection level of bonded monster girls.]
---
I stared at the screen.
A new skill?
I checked the Love Meter and saw:
[Lily's Affection Toward Host: 70%]
She likes you very much.
I blinked.
…Wait.
I nearly died for this quest.
And I only got a healing skill?!
Before I could complain, another system notification appeared.
---
[System Notification:]
Host, don't be impatient.
When a bonded monster girl's affection reaches 100%, you will receive a special reward.
And don't forget—
You got a free girl, you good-for-nothing.
---
I stared at the screen.
…What the hell is this system's problem?!
I sighed, closing the notifications.
When I looked back at Lily, she was still staring at me excitedly.
She was… really cute.
And precious.
I smiled slightly.
Well… maybe my life was worth sacrificing for her.
I stretched, feeling my body much stronger than before.
"Alright, Lily."
"Yes!"
"Let's start our next journey."
"Yay!"
She jumped into my arms, wrapping herself around me like a soft, warm blanket.
…This was going to be an interesting adventure.