Encounter - The Monster in Ppuru-ru's Video
The monster in the video uploaded by Ppuru-ru looked just like the regular slimes I knew.
"It looks so much like the regular slimes I know that it doesn't seem fake. Of course, with how advanced tech is these days, I can't be 100% sure."
I nodded and replied, "Yeah, it could be."
"The odds aren't that low. Slimes are pretty simple-looking compared to other monsters. Easy to imagine, too. Anyway."
I slowly raised my hand and continued, extending my thumb, index, and middle fingers. "There are three possibilities. The slime in the video is a real slime, or it's manipulated but coincidentally matches a real slime's appearance..."
I folded my thumb and index finger. Then, I slowly lowered my middle finger. "...or someone who's actually seen a slime monster—a returnee—made the fake video."
"Dunno. Maybe."
"Purely for fun, or to pull aggro and grow their Nutube channel. Anyway, out of the three guesses, I think the real slime odds are highest. Even if someone's seen a real slime, perfectly recreating it takes insane skill unless you're some tech wizard."
Saying this might make my jo-ryeokja anxious. I should've lied to reassure them, but I just spoke my honest thoughts. No need to freak out over a slime anyway.
"Even if it's real, no need to worry. Like you saw, even civilians can catch 'em easy. Earth won't take a hit from puny slimes."
Ha Yu-mi was still full of worries.
"Slimes are pretty clean creatures, so no worries. Plus, they're helpful to Earth. They eat and digest anything, perfect for trash cleanup."
"People'll control that. Anyway, Yumi."
"If more videos like this pop up, let me know each time. If stronger monsters show, it could be dangerous."
"Why wouldn't it? I can help."
"Can't go back. But..."
I crouched down for a moment and petted my monsters as I spoke. "I can send these guys."
Ha Yu-mi's words nailed it. Dispatch Ticket. Sends one tamed monster to another dimension for 24 hours. And the Designated Dispatch Ticket bought with it. This one lets you specify a dimension linked to me. Meaning, I could dispatch to Earth.
Using Designated Dispatch also lets me send near jo-ryeokja. Confirmed that while eating pork. Unlike Reverse Dispatch, no jo-ryeokja rank limits.
I explained this to the still-clueless dumb Ppuru-ru.
"Quick on the uptake."
"Anyway, if a monster Earth can't handle shows up, I'll dispatch one with Designated Dispatch. If you run into danger, Yumi, just ask—same for you, Ppuru-ru and Misi."
Is Ppuru-ru a guy? I'd assumed girl. Liked my shirtless bod. But that crude talk... maybe guy. Girls joke dirty too, but guys average more. Especially that vulgar.
If guy, gay... no, homosexual.
...Gotta respect tastes.
"Why cover up?"
"Dunno about that, but if they can cover it up, that's good."
"Means weak monsters Earth can handle. No need for us to care."
Whether that video's real or not, still unknown. Got countermeasures if Earth gets threatened. Not planned, just happened to have one.
Anyway. Decided to drop the video. Survival and labyrinth exploration first.
The shelter connects to eight passages. Explored all except Passage 1. But not deeply—just peeked entrances.
Now, time to dive deep into one.
Which passage?
Skipped Passage 1. Giant skeleton there. Stupid to probe knowing I can't handle it yet.
Surveyed Passages 2 to 8, pondering. Restart sequential? Food-rich 5 or 8? Vending Passage 7 not bad—might respawn deeper.
Tough choice.
After long thought: Just go reverse order. Passage 8.
I approached Passage 8, glancing at Jellyfish-002. "Jellyfish. Belly full, wanna push hard and go fast?"
[Pii!]
Jellyfish-002's Swift Magic boosted. Body felt lighter.
Off to re-explore Passage 8. Post-meal energy had us sprinting.
About an hour of running, fatigue hit. Slowed to a walk. Still faster than a normal person's sprint, thanks to Swift Magic.
Passage 8 was fork city. More splits: 2-ways to 5-ways, now at a 10-way junction.
Hesitated at first. Now? Straight ahead, no doubt. Pondering wastes time.
Always pick left. Can't get lost returning. Simple rule.
Pressing on...
"Ugh... ughhh..."
Faint sound from afar. Listened close—some creature groaning.
Approached source slowly. In stalactite-light's edge, dark corner: a shape entered view.
Dragging on floor, crawling my way.
Shape emerged from dark, clear in view. Not human. Monster-like.
But not a labyrinth dweller.
Drifter
The word "Drifter" floated above its head.