Newly Written Side Story: [Monster] of the Magical Forest 2
Recently, a strange pairing has been observed in the magical forest of Renalute. It’s said that a powerful monster, the [Shadow Cougar], which usually doesn’t form groups, has paired up with the weakest monster, a [Slime]. Even from afar, their close relationship has led to rumors that they might be mates or a married couple. Curious adventurers have begun secretly flocking to catch a glimpse of them, making the pair somewhat popular.
However, as is often the case in this world, there are those who see such rare existences as potential [sideshows] or [commodities] to profit from.
Some time has passed since the Shadow Cougar (big cat) and the Slime started living together. Initially, they resided deep in the forest, but the big cat, concerned for the Slime’s safety, decided to move. They now live in a shallower part of the forest on the Renalute side, where external threats are relatively weaker.
At first, the big cat saw the Slime as just a [peculiar Slime], but as time went on, his perception changed. Suddenly, the Slime’s magic allowed them to communicate through thought transmission. From that moment, the big cat began to treat the Slime more preciously, recognizing it as a special Slime. Through their conversations, the big cat and the Slime grew closer.
One day, the Slime and the big cat saw another pair of Shadow Cougars. Perhaps inspired by this sight, the Slime began to strongly wish to take the same form as the [big cat], often sighing, “Ah… I wish I could look like you, big cat…”
The big cat thought it was impossible but replied jokingly with a shy smile, “That would be nice. If you end up being cute, I might make you my wife.”
The big cat thought that even being able to communicate through thought transmission was already amazing magic. The idea of the Slime being able to take the same form as the big cat seemed like wishful thinking. However, the Slime was overjoyed by the big cat’s words and exclaimed excitedly.
“Really… if I can really take the same form as you, will you make me your wife… your mate?”
Taken aback by the unexpected enthusiasm, the big cat turned away shyly, clearing his throat.
“Y-yeah. I’m a cat of my word.”
“Okay… it’s a promise then!!”
Some time after this conversation and promise, one day when the big cat returned from hunting, he found the Slime overjoyed, saying there was something it wanted to show him.
“Watch this…!!”
The big cat, not understanding the Slime’s intentions, tilted his head in confusion, wondering what it was going to do. Suddenly, the Slime’s body began to change. Its shape started morphing, as if someone was kneading clay. As the form settled, color appeared, and fur grew. When the transformation was complete, the Slime had taken the form of a [pure white Shadow Cougar].
“Hey, how do I look? Since you’re black, I decided to go with white…”
The Slime’s expressions were usually unreadable, but now, as a [white Shadow Cougar], it showed a range of emotions, blushing and looking shy. The big cat, eyes wide with surprise, managed to stammer out a response.
“…Good.”
“Huh…?”
The Slime, not quite catching the big cat’s words, looked puzzled. The big cat, snapping out of his daze, hurriedly continued.
“Ah, no, I mean…! Yes, you look… very… cute.”
Hearing the big cat’s words, the Slime beamed with joy.
“Really?! Then… do you remember the promise you made the other day…?”
“P-promise…”
The Slime, face flushed, moved closer, looking up at the big cat with adorable, pleading eyes. The big cat, flustered, desperately tried to recall. Then he remembered promising to make the Slime his mate—his wife—if it could take the same form as him.
“You don’t remember…?”
Perhaps because he didn’t respond immediately, the Slime looked down sadly. Panicked by this reaction, the big cat quickly spoke up.
“No, no, I remember! I said if you could transform, I’d m-make you my m-mate… my wife, right?”
“Yes… but maybe it’s no good after all.”
The Slime remained downcast, looking disappointed. The big cat took a moment to really look at the Slime before him. Even knowing it was a transformation, the white Shadow Cougar standing there was truly beautiful and graceful. More than anything, he wanted to honor the Slime’s efforts and feelings.
Besides, the big cat had always intended to protect and stay close to the Slime as much as possible. However, due to their different species and appearances, he had assumed they could only be [friends], even with magical communication. The big cat reflected on his own feelings.
(What do species and appearance matter? I’m drawn to this one. That’s answer enough.)
With this thought, the big cat looked at the Slime with a serious expression.
“Alright. Slime… will you be my mate, my wife?”
Startled by the big cat’s words, the Slime looked up with an expression on the verge of tears and asked again.
“Is it really okay…? I mean, I said it myself, but I’m still a Slime. Are you really okay with that?”
“Yeah, I’m a cat of my word. And I should have said this earlier. Slime… no matter what form you take, from now on, you’ll always be my mate. Is that alright with you?”
“…!! Yes, yes!! I love you, big cat!”
And so, a peculiar pairing between a big cat and a Slime was quietly born in the magical forest.
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Some time passed since the big cat and the Slime began living together as mates. Their life together was very peaceful. The big cat would hunt for prey, while the Slime cleaned their den. Sometimes they would take walks in the nearby forest, or the big cat would teach the Slime self-defense techniques.
However, recently, the big cat had been sensing something unpleasant in the forest. Rough-looking humans had been coming around the area where he and the Slime lived. For the big cat living in the magical forest, humans weren’t particularly frightening opponents. If attacked, he could easily fight them off, but they seemed to know his strength and rarely tried anything.
However, the big cat knows that the [intelligence] of humans is a troublesome aspect to be wary of. That’s why it remains cautious. Things that may be worthless to the big cats might be [valuable] to humans, so one can’t let their guard down. Humans, from the perspective of monsters, are incomprehensibly greedy. That’s why the big cat had been teaching the slime a bit about how to escape and fight. One day, as usual, the big cat goes out hunting.
“Well, I’m off. Be very careful of humans, alright?”
“Yes, I understand.”
The slime usually took the form of a white shadow cougar. Even in the shallow parts of the forest, there were many other monsters, and it was easy to be attacked in slime form. That’s why the slime was always transformed.
The big cat and the slime bring their faces close, rubbing their cheeks together. Then, the big cat leaves their den, enlarges its body to prepare for battle, and runs deep into the forest. The slime left behind begins to clean the nest.
A little while after the slime starts cleaning, footsteps are heard from outside the den. Has the big cat returned? But there’s no voice, and the presence feels different. As the slime cautiously tries to peek outside, sticking its head out of the den, something grabs it by the neck and pulls it out.
(Ouch!?)
As the slime looks around in shock, there are three rough-looking humans gathered. One is small, one is lanky, and one is overly muscular. The three are grinning wickedly at the captured slime. Seeing their expressions, a chill runs down the slime’s spine. It instantly changes shape and escapes from the small man’s hand. However, the lanky human quickly catches it, and the slime is placed in a transparent box.
At the same time, the humans’ mocking laughter echoes through the forest. The slime, frightened, whispers in its heart.
(Help… Big Cat…)
On his way back to the den with prey, the big cat suddenly hears it.
“…!? Was that the slime’s voice just now? No way…!!”
Dropping the prey from its mouth, the big cat rushes to their home where the slime waits. However, upon returning to the den, the slime is nowhere to be found, and instead, human footprints are scattered around. The big cat roars in fury, the sound echoing through the forest. Following the lingering scent of humans, it chases after those who kidnapped its beloved wife.
Meanwhile, hearing the roar even from afar, the men who kidnapped the slime show expressions of shock. But soon, wicked grins spread across their faces as they deliberately place the box containing the slime on the ground, waiting to confront the big cat.
The pursuing big cat, sensing that the scent has stopped moving, increases its speed while remaining cautious. Eventually, as it nears the source of the scent, the big cat moves stealthily, creeping slowly to a spot where it can see them.
The humans are in a slightly open area with nowhere to hide, and the slime is in a transparent box. Upon seeing this, the big cat’s anger reaches its peak. However, it doesn’t lose its composure and carefully observes the trio. Small, large, tall – it should take out the small one first, then the tall one, and finally the large one. Having decided on its strategy, the big cat watches the men with a hunter’s gaze it never shows the slime.
Soon, as the small man yawns, the big cat moves. In an instant, it leaps and tackles the small man, sending him flying.
At that moment, the small man’s agonized cry of “Gyaaah!?” echoes. The big cat immediately glances around with a furious expression and lets out an enraged roar. The humans flinch for a moment but quickly attack the big cat. The tall and large men are more agile than the big cat expected, but they’re no match. As the big cat pins them down and is about to deliver the final blow, the small man’s voice rings out.
“Hey!! You damn cat, look at this!!”
“…!?”
As the big cat turns around, it sees the small man thrusting a sword into the slime’s transparent box. Moreover, there’s a very unpleasant smell coming from the sword. The big cat knows this scent. It’s the [poison] of the Green Snake monster it has faced many times before. While it’s not too harmful to the big cat, it would be deadly poison to the slime. The big cat’s expression contorts with anger and frustration, but the small man grins wickedly.
“Hehe… You understand well, don’t you? Hey, you guys, weaken it. Just enough to put a collar on it.”
At the small man’s words, the tall and large men stand up. They try to weaken the big cat by hurting it, but it doesn’t budge an inch, continuing to glare at the small man with a demonic expression. Eventually, realizing it’s difficult to weaken the big cat, they order it to shrink. With the slime held hostage, the big cat understands their instructions and reluctantly shrinks. However, at the same time, they manage to put some kind of collar on it.
The collar seems to be special, and the big cat can no longer use its magical power as freely. Amidst the humans’ mocking laughter echoing through the forest, the big cat is captured just like the slime. In this situation, the slime apologizes to the big cat in a trembling voice.
“Big Cat… I’m sorry… Because of me…”
“No… As long as you’re safe, that’s what matters now… Besides, there will surely be a chance to escape. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
The big cat speaks gentle words to comfort its wife, the slime. By the way, the humans can’t understand the conversation between the big cat and the slime. The two are then taken to the mansion of the noble [Marein-Condroy], infamous even in Renalute.
Later, the two would meet a [human child] with mysterious powers, but that’s another story…
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