NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22
The monster in the video uploaded by Pururu.
It resembled the ordinary slime I knew very closely.
【Mysticism】─
“I don’t think it’s fake, as it looks too much like the ordinary slime I know. Of course, modern technology is so advanced these days that I can’t be entirely sure.”
I nodded and replied.
“That could be possible.”
“The odds aren’t that low. Slimes are pretty simple in design compared to other monsters. It’s an easy form to imagine. Anyway.”
I slowly raised my hand.
And continued while holding up my thumb, index, and middle fingers.
“There are three possibilities. The slime in the video is a real one, or it’s just a fake video that coincidentally happens to resemble a real slime…”
I folded my thumb and index finger.
Lastly, I slowly lowered my middle finger.
“A manipulated video made by someone who has actually seen a slime. In other words, a returnee.”
“I don’t know. There could be.”
“Probably just for fun, or maybe to attract attention and boost their YouTube channel. Either way, I think the chance of it being a real slime is the highest among the three guesses. Even if someone has actually seen a slime, perfectly recreating it like this would be quite difficult unless they are an incredible technician.”
Saying this might make the assistants feel anxious.
To reassure them, I should have lied, but I spoke my thoughts honestly.
It’s not like they should feel anxious over a slime.
“If this is a real slime, there’s no need to worry. As you saw in the video, it’s a monster that an average person can easily catch, right? A mere slime won’t cause any harm to Earth.”
Ha Yumi was still very concerned.
“Slimes are pretty clean creatures, so you don’t need to worry. Plus, they are actually beneficial monsters to Earth. They can eat anything and digest it, making them very useful for waste disposal.”
“People will control that well enough. Anyway, Yumi.”
“If more videos like this get uploaded, let me know each time. If stronger monsters than slimes appear, it could be dangerous.”
“Does it make a difference? I can offer help.”
“I can’t go back. But instead…”
I squatted down for a moment.
And while petting my monsters, I continued speaking.
“I can send these guys.”
Ha Yumi’s answer was spot on.
Dispatch Ticket.
The authorization to send one tamed monster to another dimension for 24 hours.
And the Designated Dispatch Ticket purchased alongside the dispatch ticket.
This ticket allows sending it to a dimension that has a connection to me.
In other words, it meant I could dispatch monsters to Earth.
Also, using the Designated Dispatch Ticket would allow sending them near the assistants.
I learned this fact while munching on pork.
I explained this to the still clueless Pururu.
“You catch on quickly.”
“Anyway, if monsters appear that Earth people can’t handle, I’ll send one monster with the Designated Dispatch Ticket. If you meet a monster and get into danger, just ask for help, and I’ll send one for you guys too. You too, Pururu and Missy.”
What is Pururu even scared of…?
This isn’t an ordinary broadcast, and I can’t report anything.
Screenshots don’t work, and even if they did, there’s no way to track them down.
‘Was Pururu always a guy?’
I had assumed it was a girl.
He seemed to enjoy seeing my exposed form.
But considering those crude jokes, there’s a chance he might be a guy.
Girls make dirty jokes too, but on average, guys do more.
Especially that level of crass humor.
‘If he’s a guy, then he’s gay… I mean, a homosexual.’
…I should respect his preferences.
“Why would they cover it up?”
“I don’t really know about that, but if they can cover it up, it’s actually a good thing.”
“If they can cover it up, it means the monsters are weak enough for Earthlings to handle. We don’t really need to worry about those kinds of monsters.”
【Pururu】─ㅠ
I still didn’t know if the previous video was real or not.
And I had set up a contingency plan in case Earth was in danger.
Well, more like I just happened to have a plan.
Anyway.
I decided to stop worrying about that video for now.
Right now, my survival and labyrinth exploration were my top priorities.
*
There were eight passages connected to the hideout.
Except for Passage No. 1, I had completed the exploration of the rest.
However, I hadn’t really fully explored any of them.
I had only lightly inspected the entrances without going deep inside.
And now, I was considering which passage to select for a deep exploration.
‘Which passage should I choose?’
First off, I discarded Passage No. 1.
That was where the giant skeleton monster was.
It would be foolish to explore knowing that a monster I couldn’t face was there.
I carefully contemplated Passages No. 2 through 8.
Should I explore in order again?
Or should I go back to Passage No. 5 or Passage No. 8 where I discovered food?
Choosing Passage No. 7 where the vending machine appeared wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
Even if it was gone now, it might have reappeared, or there might be another vending machine deep inside.
‘This is tough.’
After much contemplation, I reached a decision.
I’d just stick to my original plan and go in numerical order, but this time in reverse.
It would be Passage No. 8.
I approached the entrance of Passage No. 8 and glanced at the jellyfish.
“Jellyfish. Since I have a full belly, let’s use some strength and move quickly.”
［Pii!］
The jellyfish’s Speed Magic was enhanced.
My body felt lighter.
Thus, we began the re-exploration of Passage No. 8.
After eating, I was filled with energy, so I ran vigorously.
*
About an hour into the run, I started to feel a little tired.
So I slowed down and switched to walking.
Still, thanks to the Speed Magic, I was moving at a speed that an average person could maintain.
Passage No. 8 was a series of forks.
As I went deeper in, various bifurcations popped up, from two to five, and now I reached a point where there were as many as ten paths.
At first, I pondered which way to choose.
But now, I was moving forward without hesitation.
If I hesitated with every choice, it would only lengthen my exploration time.
For reference, I was only choosing the left paths.
I didn’t want to confuse myself when coming back.
It was a simple strategy.
As I kept progressing, I suddenly heard a faint sound.
“Ugh, ugh…”
Focusing my ears, it sounded like some creature’s moan.
I slowly approached the source of the sound.
Then, in a dark corner where the stalactites’ light couldn’t reach, a figure came into view.
It was crawling toward me while dragging itself along the ground.
The silhouette emerged from the darkness and became clearly visible.
It wasn’t human.
It looked more like a monster.
However, it was not a monster that typically inhabits the labyrinth.
The word “Drifter” floated above its head.