Suddenly, I Became a Slime

It was decided that we would leave this place again and head somewhere new. I, too, felt compelled to go, driven by an unexplainable emotion.

But just because I made up my mind didn’t mean I could leave immediately.

The first issue wasn’t about me or anyone else here—it was the situation outside the facility.

When we returned here, as the Sphere had reported, there were unidentified individuals lingering around. While I didn’t take it seriously, Han Seori and the others seemed quite concerned, so I couldn’t help but become serious about it too.

“...We might have to relocate again,” Kim Cheonsu sighed, rubbing his forehead. Han Seori, fiddling with her hair, shook her head.

“I don’t know. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Besides, we don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“What about one of those massive airships like in the movies? Something invisible, perhaps—”

“...Have you been playing too many games?”

“Ahem...”

Protecting Earth seemed like something similar, so why not?

It felt oddly unromantic. Then again, if we had such fortresses, there wouldn’t have been any reason to struggle in the swamp.

If those fortresses existed, the heroes aboard them would be absent as well.

No romance at all.

In any case, practicality trumped romance, and secrecy was paramount.

That meant I had to make a choice: how many jellies should I bring along?

Choosing a time when there were no prying eyes was a given, but I also had to consider how many jellies to take.

I’d worked hard to gain them, and there were so many that not using them felt like a waste.

If I could openly move around, I’d bring them all, but that wasn’t an option. I had to pick and choose.

I considered bringing jellies that had split from my own body. Not because I resented doing all the work alone, but... wouldn’t they want to see the outside world too?

...Or maybe not.

While they followed my commands, they weren’t as sharp as the jelly army, so I hesitated. Honestly... they weren’t the best fit.

Daesik, who moved within a doll, was at a disadvantage in unknown environments. Jungsik... I wasn’t sure. Floating in the air seemed useful, but beyond that, it felt more like a pet.

The most helpful would probably be Sosik... but it lacked motivation. Other than watching TV or soaking in the bathtub, it rarely moved.

Speaking of which, I remembered that regular guy had been startled recently when he found Sosik submerged in the bathtub. The memory made my jelly bubble.

Wait a minute.

Why is Sosik living the life I want? I’m out here struggling, and yet...

My jelly bubbled for a different reason this time. But taking Sosik along and something going wrong would be unpleasant, so I decided to leave it behind.

Whether I liked it or not, it had started to feel like family.

It even looked a bit like me.

...If it looks like me, shouldn’t it be sharp and helpful? I couldn’t figure it out.

So, my remaining choice was how many jelly soldiers to absorb.

I’m light, but the jelly army isn’t. If I absorbed too many, it’d burden someone’s back—not Kim Cheonsu this time, but Hwangbo Yul.

...Her back… Wait, let’s not dwell on that.

Kim Cheonsu’s cracked skull and Yang Hana’s unreliability meant Hwangbo Yul was the logical choice to transport me. Han Seori had to manage the facility, so she couldn’t come.

Thinking about it, having Hwangbo Yul around was a lucky break for Kim Cheonsu, but... it’s a bit awkward for me.

She’s undeniably beautiful, but we haven’t known each other long, and her gaze is unsettling. It’s not one of strange desires, but something indescribable, which makes it uncomfortable.

Looking in the mirror, I thought her gaze might be justified. Kim Cheonsu and Han Seori—fine. Yang Hana, though… that’s just weird.

...Will this be okay?

Considering our time in the swamp, we might have to spend a lot of time alone.

I hate this sort of thing. What’s the point of these events when I can’t even date anymore?

Grumbling, I pondered how many jellies to take when a solution approached me.

[You seem to be in a dilemma.]

Surprisingly, the Sphere initiated a conversation. It rarely spoke unless prompted, so this was unusual.

Was something urgent happening? Not really.

Maybe it was influenced by Yang Hana. She’d been cleaning the Sphere daily, chatting non-stop. Could her chatter have rubbed off on it?

...It’s a machine, so who knows? But it seemed likely.

Anyway.

[If you’re leaving, I can assist.]

The Sphere pulled out a hidden drone and began piecing together something from scattered parts.

Under Hwangbo Yul’s suspicious gaze and Han Seori’s curious supervision, it constructed...

A mini steel snake.

[This will allow for quiet movement to the perimeter.]

Romantic! While there wasn’t a flying stealth fortress, a burrowing steel snake existed.

Thinking about the Sphere’s original form, it was strange I hadn’t asked earlier. Having it propose this solution was surprising, but I was glad to have one.

Interestingly, the Sphere still spoke in its strange language, despite knowing Korean. Maybe it was because Yang Hana was nearby, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I didn’t know the reason, and I didn’t care to dig further. Perhaps Han Seori’s lack of concern influenced me.

Thanks to the Sphere, preparations were complete. After finishing up, Hwangbo Yul and I boarded the steel snake.

It didn’t have comfortable seats or windows to view the outside, but the steel snake, burrowing through the ground, fulfilled my romantic expectations.

...Though it seemed uncomfortable for Hwangbo Yul, as it fit my body better.

Ahem.

“Take care.”

“Sorry about this.”

“I’ll make you a pretty outfit!”

That last comment wasn’t necessary.

With farewells from Han Seori, Kim Cheonsu, Yang Hana, and the jellies, we boarded the steel snake and began burrowing.

Initially, I worried about noise, but the smaller steel snake was much quieter than the one I’d seen before.

The only problem was the vibrations from burrowing were uncomfortably obvious. My jelly inadvertently rubbed against Hwangbo Yul, making me self-conscious.

She seemed unbothered, but I wasn’t.

Aside from that, traveling underground was dull. There were no windows to watch the outside world, nor any markers to indicate how far we’d traveled.

It was just a simple carriage. No controls or screens to enhance my romantic fantasies.

The only light came from Hwangbo Yul’s lamp, shining softly in the dark steel snake.

While traveling, I briefly considered bringing the Sphere. But it seemed unwilling to leave the facility, and it was already doing more than enough, unlike the other jellies.

After a while, the sensation of moving forward changed, replaced by an upward motion, like riding a fast elevator.

Soon, Hwangbo Yul and I emerged into sunlight. Enjoying the rare exposure, I thought...

“Time to go.”

...I had to climb into another unimpressive vessel. This time, it was a suitcase-like box on wheels.

‘This looks like human trafficking.’

Trapped in darkness again, I wondered.

Will I ever walk freely under the sun?

I hope so. But if that day comes... the world I know might look very different.