- Shari -
This concludes Liqu's recollection.
I'm going to ignore that disturbing last part as it doesn't matter at the moment.
Also, it explains why this Alec acted his hatred out on me as he did.
He got misused as a club and thoroughly screwed up by her.
What interests me would be how she made that dragon vapor her slime.
It was interesting and gives me an idea for an application.
I've even got something like an instruction about how to do it since this sharing of minds is extremely detailed.
Damned linking!
Why does it have to be so convenient and at the same time so extremely intrusive to do it?
Whenever I link with Liqu it feels... like a couple thing.
I know she might not see it this way as she doesn't even think in human standards.
But it's so awfully close and intense that for hours I can't think about anything else but Liqu.
Still, I've realized that we have a rather bad standing.
I will have to change that.
Instead of trying to convince those who are hostile, it might be better to work on the relationships I've already established.
Maybe then some more positive rumors about us might spread.
So I decide on something.
"Liqu, from tomorrow on we're going to train with our team. I want you to go easy on them. We have to gain some goodwill." (Shari)
"Goodwill?" (Liqu)
"Show them that it's possible, and more importantly safe, to work with us. Like this our relationships with the humans will eventually improve and fewer people want us dead." (Shari)
"Oh. Okay!" (Liqu)
Seems like I've settled this.
However, I need a rest.
So I have eventually to tug myself into my tub knowing that in my standby mode I might dream of Liqu after all this information intake.
The next days passed by calmly.
I finally got lessons regarding how to lead people.
Until now Joran did most of the job so well that I ask myself why he wasn't already promoted to my position.
I mean he is young but not too young.
Late-twenties?
Could be.
Anyways Kaleb showed me the ropes on it.
Also, Jaren managed together with Vela to convince the other team members that we start training together.
It's mostly Liqu against everyone else.
She can pressure our vanguard, occupy the second line, and alternate her attacks to be less predictable at the same time.
Meanwhile, I train by fighting against multiple of her tentacles by cutting them off.
I've realized that my dexterity is underdeveloped and I have to work hard on my skills.
That pays off, as the difficulty is quite high and truly requires extreme levels of awareness and speed to be fast enough to keep up.
It's needless to say that Liqu on her side is extremely motivated to touch me.
Even more, as it happens in some way with my consent in this scenario.
However, I think my own apprehension also drives me to get better at dodging and deflecting her.
This is also necessary.
Especially as these bouts, which Peras forces me to participate in, get harder and harder by the day.
Not to say that I am constantly pressured to prove my worth.
Liqu got a bit more comfortable in this environment and my argument that always being together could make me grow tired of her and therefore decrease my affection worked out to gain me some free time.
She's almost always together with the princess while I am having my lessons.
So I learned stuff like reading the environment, how to instruct others to do things, like setting up a camp, tactics, and strategizing.
In the latter, I was really good.
The other topics... not so much.
Don't judge me.
It's all the fault of that damned core.
I can barely concentrate on the taught stuff before I forget the recent lesson.
The drier the information I have to learn the harder it is to press into that stone.
And believe me, the theory of how to set up a camp and managing the logistics of a military troop is dry.
"So this concludes our lesson about different forms of fortifications in regard to available time, environment, and situational threats. Any questions?" (Kaleb)
To be honest, there was one I had for a while.
Even if it's not directly related to the topic.
"Why is this building so weirdly built? There are no windows on the ground level and the walls are extremely thick." (Shari)
"You don't know yet? This should be basic knowledge." (Kaleb)
"Whatever is so obvious, no one bothered to tell me." (Shari)
"Fine, then it's on me. This building is an emergency shelter for all our personnel. In case of an attack, everyone is instructed to escape to this place. The servants and officials shall seek shelter while the soldiers protect them. Only after we assembled there a coordinated reaction will occur, in case the soldiers weren't able to simply deal with the threat by themselves." (Kaleb)
I see.
This place is still quite close to the Evergrove.
If a strong monster shows up that the soldiers can't deal with directly, it's best to get all the servants out of the line and strike with all they have.
This way causalities can be kept low and orders according to a plan that keeps the respective situation in mind be given.
Hey, my lessons are actually showing results!
"Was that now all for today?" (Shari)
"Yes, but Captain Peras wants to see you." (Kaleb)
"Oh no, again? He makes me everyday fight his elite soldiers. And those are really tough." (Shari)
Until now I could kinda keep up.
But I always grow nervous when they hit me full force with their enhanced strength.
I even switched to a reinforced leather vest.
This one is actually standard but restricts mine and Liqu's movements too much to use them all the time.
Since the training weapons are blunt and I have my slime hull around my core there is no need to worry.
But there was that one incident when one of the soldiers slashed with the tip through the fabric of the uniform and came dangerously close to my core.
Something that Liqu can never find out.
So some additional protection is recommended.
"That you can keep up shows that it works. Some of them use enhancement techniques." (Kaleb)
"Some? All of them! Wasn't this supposed to be a rare ability?" (Shari)
"It is. Captain Peras assembles his absolute elite for this." (Kaleb)
"Really? I started to get the impression that this is totally common here." (Shari)
"Then you didn't pay attention. Or why you think you fared so well during that special practice event." (Kaleb)
"Sure, you got me there. But where were all these guys back then?" (Shari)
"You fought two. The first ones. All the others were handled by your friend." (Kaleb)
Well, now I start to see Liqu in a different much more terrifying light.
It looked so easy how she swept the ground with those people.
At least the few times I had the leeway to look.
Yet this was mostly during the end when I got used to this.
"Now you should get going. The captain is waiting." (Kaleb)
Well, time for training.
Like all the other days I head over to the training ground and I find Peras there, who usually supervises my spars.
He seems to be in a good mood.
"Good day, Captain." (Shari)
"Good that you made it. I actually looked forward to this." (Peras)
He did?
I managed particularly well in the last bouts.
Even with my restricted movements I progressively got better at dodging and deflecting their strikes and at the same time was able to retaliate.
But is this a reason?
"Ahem, glad that you're pleased, Sir." (Shari)
"Take today's fight as a test. It will be a little bit more difficult than usual." (Peras)
A test?
For what?
"So, who's my opponent?" (Shari)
"Ah, yes. Here." (Peras)
With this, my opponent steps forward.
Is this a joke?
"Z-Zeon?" (Shari)
"Seems like today we're against each other today." (Zeon)
"I don't think I need to mention that the usage of all personal abilities is allowed." (Peras)
Lightning strikes!
I'm going to get zapped!
Liqu made it very clear that this isn't enjoyable with the kind of body I have.
Well, normal bodies would be bothered as well, but it's said that slimes are particularly weak to it.
I force a smile.
It would be cramped if this would be possible for liquid slime.
Both of us take our respective equipment.
I on my side, a leather vest, and the usual two short swords.
Since this training is about my movements in human form I have to make do with what a human could handle.
And humans are restricted in their number of limbs.
However, I know who is my opponent and so I equip one more as a reserve.
Zeon on the other hand uses a single sword of medium size.
"Naturally, no deadly attacks are permitted. We will see who fares better in this fight. Take positions!" (Peras)
I have no choice but to do this and try to remember everything I know from Liqu's fight against him.
There was something about guiding the current.
Yet I don't really know what that entails.
It's not like I ever got struck by lightning.
Zeon shows an almost unnatural calmness while he prepares.
His expression is serene and the way he goes into a stance is almost meditative.
"Begin!" (Peras)
At this command, he swipes with his right arm, which holds the weapon, to the side.
"Brzzzzzz"
The energy is clearly visible.
At least for me.
It runs from his whole body, into his hand, and from there to the weapon.
These sparks worry me deeply.
I decide to use my usual opening and attack him with an extending arm from the distance.
It shall just keep him at bay so he cannot advance on me.
Naturally, he can block that one.
"Brzzzzzzz"
Wha-
"Splosh"
I've lost my arm!
The moment our weapons touched each other I lost all connection to my arm.
Is this... lightning?
How the heck could Liqu fight this?!
Not to speak of enduring a direct hit?
It's scary.
Now I understand why he's rumored to be the count's best soldier.
I wouldn't know how anyone could counter this.
As soon one crosses blades with him they lose.
That's almost unfair.
I quickly grab the other sword and try to deflect without touching him.
While giving my all to avoid his sword I try to think this through.
What did I feel when he got me?
I believe something passed through me.
But even with high-speed processing, it happened too fast for anything concrete.
Yet, whatever I felt there, it has to be the energy of the attack.
Still, how shall I guide this?
Since none of my attacks connects he proceeds to advance on me.
As soon he hits my main body I'm done for.
I have to buy time!
I take something similar to a deep breath and spew as much dispersed slime out as I can.
I know how to do that from that last linking with Liqu.
But different from Liqu I know that this ability cannot only depict a very realistic dragon but also be used to take the opponent's vision.
It's not just about the slime which gets in the eyes and blinds the enemy, but it's also in general an impenetrable fog one cannot see through from the outside.
The only beings that can see are those creatures who consist of that stuff and have a sense linked to the slime.
I know exactly where he is.
So I swipe with both my swords at his legs.
However, he stands firm, and seconds later his weapon comes down.
I can pull back one arm but he grazes the other one at the tip.
I lose for a moment the connection and my sword slips away.
However, I already pulled it back, so even without my support it drifts back in my direction and I can at least recover it.
On the other side, this took too long and my slime fog is already gone.
To be honest, while he's an impressive opponent, his swordsmanship is just good but not overwhelming.
If not for these shocks he would have no chance.
But they're there so I have to deal with them.
Yet in a long confrontation, he will without a doubt eventually get me.
And I cannot use impact as Liqu did since it's no safe technique in my inept slime hands and I'm banned from using deadly techniques.
But I need to do something as he is already far too close.
This time I attack him from both sides.
He can just block one with his sword.
The moment he moves to concentrate on one of them I let go of the weapon before the metal contacts to avoid the shock.
The shock propels the blade away, but the jab to his other side should still hurt quite a bit.
But it doesn't stop him to advance on me.
So I use my last resort and slash at him with all my power.
And once more let go of the weapon before I get shocked.
- Slime dash!
As long his annoying weapon isn't in the way I can tackle him.
While the only hard part about me is my equipment the force alone is enough to get him down on the ground.
Nonetheless, even if he's lying on his back he can reposition his sword to move it in my direction.
I know it's gonna be the end of the fight if that thing gets inside me and releases its numbing current.
Yet all I can do to prevent this is to put more mass between him and his arm.
Naturally, I don't simply shove some slime there, but also increase the concentration on the side he's about to reach.
I also have a layer of clothing so I can only hope for the best.
When it touches I curse inwardly for my lack of foresight.
The energy almost reaches my core.
Every little part of mine the left side becomes numb and I am very sure that only the clothes keep my shape together.
But I notice that most of the energy is passing where I concentrated the slime.
And it goes... downwards!
That's it!
The energy for some reason wants to go down to the ground!
I can use this knowledge to prevent it from wreaking havoc inside me.
But on the other side, I cannot really control my slime in the struck area, which complicates things.
Suddenly Zeon grabs with his free hand the arm I pin him down with.
"Brzzz"
Argh!
This is unbearable!
I have absolutely no control!
Damnit, I forgot that he can apply these shocks with his hands too.
I have almost no part of my body left to work with.
So I have to make do with what I have.
And that I pull away.
Just half my body obeys my wish but that's still enough to pull my core and the vest out of Zeon's reach.
Yet a large part of my body remains stuck there.
I simply couldn't move it.
To my dismay, I notice that my trousers didn't obey my wish.
Also, I'm barely left with any mass to shape my body.
What forms back is...
a child.
Oh my god!
Just my life!
Zeon somehow manages to stand back up in this puddle of slime and albeit he's huffing a bit he seems to be fine.
Then he looks at me.
"Ehm, maybe we should leave it at that?" (Zeon)
"Tsk, I'm not done yet!" (Shari)
Okay, this would have sounded much more convincing if for some reason my voice hadn't turned into a nine-year-old's.
Yet I can only do so much in frequency with my vocal cords being half as long as usual.
"I don't know how you see any chance to win now." (Zeon)
"Oh, how about this!" (Shari)
What he forgot to consider is his position.
He stands in the middle of a puddle consisting of my remains.
And there's still this snail's trail I left on my retreat.
This is enough to establish a connection.
In a blink, the slime below him erupts upwards and grabs him.
I make sure that it comes from more than all sides.
So even if he shocks one tendril I can easily reapply it while the others hold firm.
Also, I spread the connection as close as possible to the ground.
The current should like this be guided to the earth before it can cause any damage to my control.
As a mage, he will eventually run out of power, no matter how good he is.
I on the other side, have more than enough energy.
I just lack control.
I see and feel his struggle inside my mass.
Not only some tendrils but the pure weight of all the mass is dragging him down.
There is nothing he can do now.
"Release!" (Zeon)
What?
I rather feel than see the energy bursting out of him.
In a ridiculous quick explosion, all my control is gone and the slime splatters to the sides.
I'm stunned that he can emit this energy anywhere around his body.
Even if it's only for a moment.
Quick!
I need to re-establish my control!
At this moment Zeon turns into a stance he bends both his knees in my direction.
"Lightning enhancement!" (Zeon)
I guess it's only possible to see this with my special vision.
In Zeon's legs, this lightning energy sparks up.
Promptly his knees yank up and catapult him in my direction.
In a blink, he's crossing the distance between us.
I defend the oncoming strike by shoving all the rest of the slime I have still at my disposal in its way.
It works even if the struck part gets numb.
But suddenly he pushes his other hand into my body.
He shoves it directly through the head opening of my vest, reaching further inside.
I cannot feel anything at this point.
All the energy not only takes my control but makes me blind, completely overwhelming my usual awareness.
I just now became aware of how much I relied on this sense and how bad it feels to lose it.
I feel completely disconnected from everything.
Then I notice some kind of movement.
The disconnection doesn't stop and suddenly I feel absolutely bare.
I need a moment to realize what happened.
This asshole ripped out my core!
Wh-what do I do now?
I have nothing left!
My whole body is gone.
I... I can't do anything!
He even is touching me directly.
I feel so... bare.
What if this causes a scratch?
Would this mean a permanent damage?
I, I am scared.
He can do everything he wants with me.
If he chooses to keep me away from slime I won't recover.
I will just stay this stone.
This is hell!
Suddenly I feel like I'm falling.
A moment later I hit something.
Is this...
Slime!
Yes, it is!
I can feel it, control it, move it!
How wonderful!
As fast as I can I reshape my body with the mental image of myself.
Already midway I start to gain awareness of my surroundings.
A moment later I realize that I'm far too elated about consisting of slime.
That I need it to exist is one thing but I really, really don't want to start to take a liking to this stuff.
I notice that I'm still a little small as all I had to work with was the small puddle of my leftovers.
I spread my arm to the next accumulation strewn around the field and suck it in so I can start to shape a more mature body.
Just when this is done I can leave survival mode and again act in a normal way.
Wait!
Survival mode?
Did this core's instinct again take over?
This is unsettling.
"Damn!" (Shari)
"Wow. What a recovery." (Zeon)
"Huh. What happened?" (Shari)
"Guess I won. Didn't you hear the captain?" (Zeon)
"Oh sorry, but someone ripped my very self out of my body. I'm rather hard of hearing when I lack everything!" (Shari)
"Oh, might be better this way." (Zeon)
I ask myself what that's supposed to mean, but when I watch in the round I see some of the men avert their gaze.
Guess those proposed to crush me while I'm helpless.
Then I lock my artificial eyes on Peras.
"You've lost. Nothing to say about this. Gather yourself and fetch a new uniform. After that I'm expecting you in my office." (Peras)
Am I seriously about to get scolded for losing?
While Peras heads inside Zeon speaks up.
"You gave me a hard fight. I'm totally exhausted. If we would now go for another round you might even win." (Zeon)
"Mhm, great." (Shari)
"Oh, don't be like this. You don't even seem to be injured." (Zeon)
"That was... unpleasant. As if someone takes all your limbs from you and points a blade at your neck. I honestly thought for a moment I'm about to get crushed how it's usually done with slimes." (Shari)
It truly was.
I don't want to admit it but this much panic should have triggered my dissolving reaction.
However, I couldn't.
I simply had no control over myself.
And this lack of my most fundamental defense was what felt worst.
I was totally at his mercy.
For a moment Zeon's gaze drifts to those who before looked guiltily away.
"I wouldn't do such a thing. This was a duel under set conditions. Aiming for your life against the agreed terms would be dishonorable." (Zeon)
"Guess I have to thank you." (Shari)
"No need to show gratitude for something that's supposed to be standard." (Zeon)
I guess he isn't necessarily a bad guy.
I personally can relate quite well to someone who follows a code of honor.
Also, it was a fair fight.
So it's not as if I could condemn him.
As bad he beat me up.
Then Zeon smirks.
"Also, I'm not killing kids. Given your appearance at the end it would have felt wrong." (Zeon)
Forget everything I just said.
He's annoying.
But one thing is for sure:
I hate lightning!
Thx for the chap.
At least we know than the Legal Loli form exist
Well, this is more likely not a legal lolya, but an immature child, so to hell with her, with this form.
Another thing is important, there is a hint of quite adult content, although I usually skip the actual f*cking, but in general it would be interesting to see once how it will portray @expentio .
@torvn77 Rather not. As long linking with Liqu isn't in some way counting as doing the deed (which let's be honest will be the case for some individuals), I'm going to keep this story PG 13.
@expentio I mean that Shari could be interested in other men, after all, in the psyche of Liqu is nothing more than a teenager, people of this age are usually not interested in mature women.
@expentio
I'm going to keep this story PG 13.
Come on, come up with excuses, there are such chapters in the public domain on this site that you will not only turn red like a tomato, but also die of a stroke.
Make a small arch that will only be on this and similar sites, and give publishers a story without it.
Secondly, in my opinion, such a chapter will consist of more than 60% of the development of the interaction of mana and the organization of the work of the body of the slime, and only the rest will come to the actual s*x itself, and preferably normal, without any "suck with your mouth."
@expentio
And so that you understand me better, I'll tell you that the s*x of two slugs doesn't particularly interest me, here the interest is of a slightly different kind: for example, in Russian, a garden tool(motor-cultivator) and the name of a practice in the sansha genre(cultivator) are written and sound the same as [культиватор](cultivator).
Well, that means one person wrote a novel in the sanxia genre, how the MC turned into a motor-cultivator and began Taoist practice in this literary genre. It is clear that his readers were dying en masse from laughter.
P.S. If the client is interested: https://tl.rulate.ru/book/1841
@expentio Thirdly, I would also be interested in the story (circumstances) of how Shari turned Liqu's horns.
@torvn77 Sorry if it was misundstandable, it was not thiught as an excuse. What I wanted to say I simply have no intention to write something like this.
Regarding Liqu's horns. No idea if I understood this right. Liqu has as a slime no sexual drive. Reproduction works over simple mitosis which happens after the slimes will. Some produce a core whenever they're full others never. Liqu likes linking though, as it's an extreme way of bonding to Shari. But as she likes Shari too and wants to maintain the relationship she has established by now she aboids to upset her. Which is easier, because apart from liking it she isn't compelled to do it as there are no endorphins or other rewarding hormones involved.
@expentio
apart from liking it she isn't compelled to do it as there are no endorphins or other rewarding hormones involved.
Here is a quote from your chapter:
Why does it have to be so convenient and at the same time so extremely intrusive as I want to do it?
Whenever I link with Liqu it feels... like a couple thing.
And after that you talk about the absence of endorphins and their substitutes.
@expentio
Liqu has as a slime no sexual drive. Reproduction works over simple mitosis which happens after the slimes will.
But still, you write the novel like Liqu is a jealous puberty, and slime fusion is just a s*x substitute for your desired PG-13.
You may not want to write this way, but you write this way.
However, this suits me, since s*x between slugs, that is, between Liqu and Shari, is not interesting to me.
I'm interested in s*x between Shari and other men, and one chapter on s*x per se is enough for me, from which I can understand the principle of how she will interact with a man of a different species.
But I wanted this chapter to be part of a love arc where the events preceding and following the s*x would be told.
@torvn77 I am pretty sure Liqu would kill these men
And I am a yuri fan so knowing what Shari can do with all this slime make me dream
@expentio
Regarding Liqu's horns. No idea if I understood this right.
Quoting:
the expression came into the Russian language from German and is associated with the customs of the ancient Germans. In ancient times, warriors wore helmets with distinctive horns. Gathering her husband on a military campaign, the wife, according to custom, had to put on him a helmet with horns. This was a symbol of the fact that the wife remains free while the husband is at war - after all, he may not return. Upon returning home, some soldiers found themselves adding from other men. Hence the proverb "to set the horns" and became associated with treason.
There is a third version of the origin of this expression, and it is no less amusing. In the 12th century, Byzantium was ruled by Emperor Andronicus I Komnenos. He was handsome, educated and very loving. The city was flooded with rumors of his love affairs. Husbands whose wives enjoyed the favor of the emperor did not dare to express dissatisfaction, and the monarch, as his favor, allowed them to hunt in his reserved forests. At the same time, spreading deer antlers were solemnly hung over the threshold of the house where the emperor's mistress lived, as a sign of the attention of the royal person. The people said about such a husband that he had horns on his forehead (meaning the betrayal of his wife).
@Stonelight
I am pretty sure Liqu would kill these men Blob Neutral
Let the death of these men be at the discretion of @expentio.
I want to read how he doesn't know about it, or if he does, then more with an emphasis on integrating this event into Liqu's life experience and his ideas about the world.
@torvn77 Thanks for the pointers, I messed up that sentence.
Why does it have to be so convenient and at the same time so extremely intrusive as I want to do it? - Why does it have to be so convenient and at the same time so extremely intrusive to do it?
What I wanted to say is that Shari is conflicted that it's on one side a very convenient tool and at the same time a very intrusive act, as it means sharing the innermost feelings and thoughts. Naturally that's very intimate so that Shari can't just look over it and use it as she like. Not sure if the sentence is better this way.
And sharing the deepest feelings is basically a couple thing, in this case accompanied by a tremendous amount of liquids. I'll admit that it's possible to sexualise this, yet as I wrote a story about two slimes this was simply the most obvious act that came to mind. I mean slimes which never touch each other with the slime?
However, Liqu simply likes it because it's novel and she made Shari the center of her world. Hormones aren't always necessary to go crazy in my opinion.
@expentio
And sharing the deepest feelings is basically a couple thing, in this case accompanied by a tremendous amount of liquids.
What feelings are you talking about?
If [the piano in the bushes] is removed from the novel (your claims that from Liqu's point of view, Shari's soul is a unique glowing stone), then Liqu has no real motives to stay with Shari, except for the moral responsibility for the fact that he deprived her of her usual way of life . It is as if you have caused a serious disability of a person and now you cannot refuse to communicate with him, because otherwise no one will talk to him except doctors from the clinic and social services. Outside of this moral duty, Shari's life is the life of an employee of the company, all communication with which is reduced solely to business matters and everyday etiquette.
And not because of the malice of people, but because in addition to working with Shari, you can only discuss the question of which manufacturer’s bath is the most convenient. This can be discussed once, but no more.
Communication with other characters going to contact is much more interesting and informative.
That is, if we talk about feelings as spiritual, philosophical feelings, then I don’t see any problems in revealing myself to another person, even if he finds out where my smelly socks are, but in this sense, Shari is a very dull, “gray” object and rather causes antipathy, but [merging] with other characters, for example with Pares from this chapter in the sense in which you talk about feelings and communication is much more interesting.
@torvn77 I guess we simply disagree here. In my opinion it's possible to irrationally love someone even without any chemical cocktails in the body inducing this. Liqu likes Shari, not only because she's unique and she feels obligated, but also because all the time they spent together and all the novel experiences she had. Maybe usually this kind of imprinting needs hormones and such (which is a kinda sad outlook on things like motherly love) but in this case it's simply as it is. Liqu loves her because it's her first meaningful contact she ever had and irreplacable for her.
@expentio
I was going to write here that instead of a character you have a dump of discarded pianos unauthorized by the local mayor's office, and then write that the evil alchemist @expentio controls the minds of Liqu and Shari with the help of his wrecking art, but then I changed my mind.
And the reason is this: earlier you wrote that the slimes were created by an alchemist as part of the complex for cleaning the sewer drains of the city.
But after all, in addition to the complex itself and the slimes themselves, personnel are also needed to manage the operation of the complex and maintain it in working condition.
What if the alchemist who created this complex created not only alchemical slime, but also alchemical staff/employees, in which means are naturally built in to prevent them from being eaten by slimes that have fallen out of containers?
If Shari is a distant descendant of this staff/employees, then it makes sense that Liqu the slime has an unnatural attachment to her, which also explains Shari's bubbly-aggressive nature, which is exactly how cleaners behave in large organizations.