Housewarming Highs and Slime Strike

"...This seems like the right place?"

After passing out from the side effects of my first mana use, waking up, and having a quick chat with her, I'd grabbed the house deed and rushed straight here.

"Whoa, it's exactly like the photo."

I alternated between staring at the house deed and photo she'd handed me along with it, and the house right in front of my eyes. A grand standalone home with a striking black-and-white contrast design. The massive yard put the perfect finishing touch, setting my heart ablaze.

"This place is on par with a Signiel penthouse, no jealousy needed."

Signiel? Penthouse? Honestly, those might have more name value, but could they match this huge standalone house with its own yard? Eh, who knows. It depends on the person, of course. But for me, someone who needed a space to keep a gate open at all times, this was nothing short of perfection.

I stared holes into the house deed with my name on it. It had never looked so beautiful.

"Gotta get an L-folder and a safe for this."

Stuff like this needs proper safekeeping. Grinning, I carefully placed the deed on top of a moving box so it wouldn't crumple.

"Better hurry, or it'll be dawn before I'm done."

I didn't have that much stuff. But with a house this big, moving it all would eat up time.

"Or maybe... pull all the slimes out of the gate?"

The thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head. I could already picture the slimes with slime goo all over my stuff, giving me that "Master, why...?" look. And anyway, it wasn't that much. With my boosted strength and agility stats, I'd knock it out quick enough on foot.

"Heave-ho!"

I picked up two boxes, opened the front ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gate, and headed inside. Passing the grassy yard, I reached the door to the house.

"Excuse me. It's my house now, but... heh."

I opened the door and stepped inside. I paused quietly at the entrance for a moment, taking it all in. This pounding in my chest... It's really mine!

My heart swelled. It felt more exciting and anticipatory than even stirring up shit on the gallery.

"Kuh— this is what buying a nice house is all about."

The massive floor-to-ceiling windows greeted me as I entered, sunlight streaming in from the backyard beyond. It hit me with a healthy rush, different from dopamine. A level of comfort worlds away from my old one-room. That south-facing sunlight you just can't beat. Sure, for a shut-in like me who only goes out for work, it might be a bit much, but good is good! No damn mold anywhere.

My mood was sky-high.

"Set the boxes down for now..."

I placed the deed on the fancy L-shaped kitchen counter, careful not to let water splash it, and tossed my phone on top so it wouldn't blow away.

"Treasure Nos. 1 and 2 side by side—nice view."

Then I hauled in all the remaining boxes from outside. But I didn't start unpacking. Couldn't I... savor this a bit? Yeah, honestly, delaying a little to fully enjoy it is key...!

I left the boxes and ran wild through the house. The high-end L-shaped kitchen. The sleek black-and-white modern design. The huge master bedroom with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Even the slightly smaller second-floor space that screamed "this is mine." I flopped down and flailed my arms like making snow angels. Just pure indulgence.

"Suuuup— haaa—"

Every deep breath in and out tickled my nose with that fresh new-house smell, not a whiff of mold. Finally, escaped the one-room hell! Looked like a goshiwon, charged insane rent. Freedom never felt so good.

"Ahem— time to unpack a bit."

Back to the boxes. Not even four or five at most. Honestly, hauling beat-up old furniture from the one-room? It'd clash here. Planning to buy all new anyway. I ripped open boxes and pulled stuff out.

That's when it hit me. As my head cleared, I recalled my chat with Sion.

'No idea how you manifested color right away. Probably temporary.'

Her words echoed. That color manifestation? Just temporary, she'd said. And damn if it wasn't true. I'd thought maybe I was S-rank strong like them. But when I made flames after hearing her out... the beautiful black flame was gone, just ordinary crimson fire. Still pissed me off thinking about it. What the hell, not some mana premature ejaculator. Color on, color off—what gives?

"Sigh—"

I set the computer from the box on the floor. Wanted to just dream about interior design.

'Also, there are old and new mana methods. Good to know them. I'll teach you the new style mainly, so memorize it.'

Sion's every word stuck in my head.

"So damn much to do."

New style? Old style? She'd mentioned it offhand when explaining mana, but I'd been too focused on the sensation to catch it. She'd said basics first anyway. Thought it wasn't important. But it kept piling up, making my head spin.

"Argh, fuck it, just unpack haphazardly."

Her words looping in my brain killed any interior vibe. Kitchen stuff got chucked in the sink cabinet. Computer plopped in the middle of the master room. Eh, future me can handle ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠decor. Nodding, I pulled out essentials and headed to the backyard.

"Hmm, perfect size."

I stretched my hand toward the vast lawn. Time for what I'd been dying to do.

"Gate open."

The short phrase slipped from my lips.

Woooong—

Space warped in front of me, a familiar cool breeze brushing my ears.

"Let's see how much they've mass-produced."

Recipe assembly line factory. Time to turn this big lawn into a hideout for the gate and slimes.

*

"Hmm, how're my slime troops doing?"

Stepping through the gate, the now-familiar lakeside unfolded. Wonder if my hero slimes are making smoothies right. How much stockpiled? A grin crept up automatically.

But it faded fast.

"What... the hell."

I'd entered the gate buzzing with happiness, but no jellies with smoothies to greet their master. Just this blue window floating alone. And the content? Ominous as fuck.

"...What bullshit is this?"

Mass production suddenly stopped? Did the slimes go on a riot or something? Why now? My stacked expectations shattered.

"No, calm down. Read it slowly again."

Almost yelled in rage but swallowed it. Stone-faced, I reread the quest window.

One line grabbed my eye.

"Uncontrolled slimes?"

Slimes out of control? My mind raced. No way...

"Did this shit happen because I left the gate...?"

Who's the gate owner? Me. Who controls the slimes? Me. So the quest was saying the factory stalled because I wasn't here.

"Fuck no, what does me being gone have to do with slimes not working!"

Ridiculous. A factory ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that grinds to a halt without ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the boss—what good is it? Swallowing deep frustration, I dismissed the blue window.

"Guys? Where are you...?"

I gritted my teeth. Not hero slimes, just slimes being heroes. Eyes blazing, I searched.

And soon found our jellies.

"...You little shits, what the fuck are you doing?"

Pip! Tong. Tong.

Playing. Literally just playing.

Blackie bouncing wildly, jellies chasing it. Whitey perched on the companion egg like a cult leader, jellies circling like devotees. Damn jellies. Owner shows up and they don't notice, just chilling.

I clutched my neck.

"Huu— you won't kill me with low blood pressure, right?"

Slowly approaching the two and their jellies.

Pip, piii?

Pip...?!

Other slimes oblivious, but those two clearly sensed me, turning with panicked eyes.

"Nah, keep playing. Play till you die. Heh."

Pip, piik?!

Blackie bolted in panic, its plump jelly body wobbling. Dozens of jellies trailed.

"Oh yeah, butter cakes and mana jellies for days today. Right?"

Pip, piing....

Whitey, now in my grip, bowed its head. Quest said my absence caused this, but I'd maxed stress—didn't see it that way.

Just.

"Let's talk, kids."

Grinning emotionlessly.