Rimuru's POV:
-'…So that's it. She won't back off.' I tried to appease the situation. "Kumara, please-"
-"No, Rimuru. I won't ask you to understand, but I won't let you quit this room without a fight." She approached, slow paced at first, but she increased her speed after each step. "Don't hesitate to replicate. We're in the Labyrinth for a good reason, and Ramiris is aware. Now, here I come."
She closed the distance between us, and targeted my neck. I stepped sideways, and ducked to avoid her tails. She twirled and casted a gravity spell, which I countered with my own.
I continued to create distance while thinking on what to do. She wants a fight, but I refuse to hurt her, no matter what. If I replicate, it would be a betrayal of what I did to help her. Thankfully I don't need to. I know the difference between our strength, I can make her stop without resorting to violence.
She rushed at me again but this time, she let out Enchou and Byakuken. They coordinated their attacks to try cutting off my escape path, combining powerful flames and vacuum slashes. Kumara circled around to get in my back, but I turned to my slime form to get under her, before switching again.
She's dead set in fighting me… I know what she's trying to do. She wants to see how she could fare against someone out of her league. She felt Feldway was too strong, and we know there's a few others who would give us a bad time in the Empire.
But why? It won't be her job to face the strongest, and we would be here for when she'll find her primary target. She knows it's absurd to test her limits against me… No, she isn't in a state to be lucid.
Shit. I feared it, but I was aware it could happen. Her trauma is too deep. Even if it healed quite a bit in the past year, she always threatened to relapse. I hoped that our presence, and having made friends along the way would have appeased her enough. But Feldway's intervention blew it away.
For a moment, it continued as before. They tried to trap me, hindering my movement, but I won't fall for something of this level. Kumara may have learned well, but there's still a crushing difference in our experience. And in Skills.
Her Unique Skill [Chimeric] is quite good, as it helps her control Space, gravity, and heightening her senses. But it will never be enough. I'll wait for her to tire out, and I'll persuade her to stop this folly.
-"You won't take me seriously yet? You're too soft-hearted, Rimuru." She frowned, annoyed as I won't go into the offensive.
-"You know I won't concede about it."
-"Really? Is that how you want to play? Don't you think the others would call you weak because you refuse to punish me for my foolishness?" She bared her fangs, trying to provoke me. "I'll force you to react."
…You idiot. There's nothing to punish, not about your anguish. I want to talk this out but what should I say? It's so hard to find the right words in this situation.
She resumed her assault, going fiercer than before. This time, she alternated between her beasts, changing their synergy. She also modified their number, sometimes calling two, at times all of them. They created an erratic flux of attacks that would easily confuse any opponent of her level.
Of course, this won't hamper my flow. I recognize some patterns, as I taught her a few of my tactics. But I admit she was diligent in her lessons, I can be proud of that.
After a few back and forth, she recalled all her beasts, catching her breath. I hoped she'd finally realize it would do nothing to continue, but she trampled over my wish.
"Still nothing, heh… Will you keep your act if I do that?" She unleashed her full aura and ran at full speed.
So, she's trying to get at least one hit, now? …Wait, I'm feeling something weird in her aura. How? I didn't teach her that.
I blocked her attack with a 'Soul Blade' I conjured. No doubt about it, she's using the same principle, but shaped as claws. Her spell might be a little crude, but its power is genuine.
-"How did you learn that?" I asked, and couldn't hide my surprise. Creating a fake soul and molding it into a weapon isn't a meager task.
-"Heh, I watched your battles." She smiled, satisfied to have forced me to react. "Don't underestimate me, I'm a Cryptid. Don't you dare imagine that only Demons can learn something more exotic."
Only by watching? I see… I have really underestimated her. What a douchebag I am. I've watched her grow in skills for more than a year, day by day, and yet… I was too worried about her safety to recognize how talented could be, both in civil and fighting matters. How lame I was.
Now I've been forced to use a spell, Kumara unleashed a barrage. She's fighting in close quarters, testing how far she could go.
I want to witness her growth too. I've been too stupid, not understanding she needed to prove herself, to show she could do it. I still won't hurt you, but I will acknowledge the magnificent progress you made.
We clashed for a few minutes. I only blocked, as it was enough to allow Kumara to polish her skills. I saw she tried to go faster, stronger. She began to do some feints, to create better combos. She should train with Ultima, it will do good for both of them.
"Okay, I'll try something else too." She muttered after a kick, and her tails were glowing.
I understood what she planned, and casted a 'Soul Shower'. After exploding, it will create a barrage of souls, raining upon the arena. It will counter her own barrage of spells. From what I see, those are simple 'Soul Arrows', but 8 at the same time would still manage to damage me if I do nothing.
Our spells exploded upon contact. I'm impressed to see she's getting better at it, and she's using her physical traits with intelligence. Yet, I started to worry. Kumara shows no sign of slowing, and I fear she'll overload her brain after using so much power. When you're not used to it, Soul Magic puts quite the burden on your mind.
-"Not enough…" Her aura flared, but this time it's getting unstable. She gritted her teeth, her pupils became mere slits, giving her the air of a feral beast. "Not until you counterattacks. Not enough!"
-'[[ Conditions fulfilled. The individual Kumara acquired Unique Skill [Mystical]. ]]'
-"Wait, what?" I was startled at the intervention of the Voice of the World, and saw something amazing.
Kumara's aura took a white glow, similar to what happens when I'm using 'Soul Ablaze'... No, not similar. It is 'Soul Ablaze'. What is this Skill? I'm sure it allowed her to use it…
No, wait. It's not the time to wonder about it. I must stop her before she suffers any backlash, this spell is too dangerous.
She realized what happened, and decided to push forward thanks to her newfound power. Unfortunately, she won't last long at this rhythm. She started to bleed from the eyes because she couldn't control it enough.
"Now it's enough. 'Vow of Silence'."
I casted what they called a Miracle in the Lost World. If I were to compare it to a classic school of magic here, it would be akin to Holy Magic, even if some of them tap more into darkness. This spell is able to undo and prevent any other spell of the Lost World, depending on the power output. I hate using Miracles because of what they represent, but this one was always too useful for my shenanigans.
Thanks to it, I could forcefully dispel both her claws and 'Soul Ablaze' before she suffered from it. Feeling it disappear, she stumbled, and fell on her knees. It's over now.
I let out a huge sigh of relief, before helping her to get up. I went to pat her, as a way to show how proud I was. But she rejected it by slapping my hand.
"That's how it is, heh. You're so kind, and uncompromising…" She didn't look at me, but I could hear how dejected she was. Then, she ran away.
As for me, I stayed here, like an idiot. When I saw her leaving, I couldn't follow her. At first, I didn't understand what just happened. I was only here, doing nothing. Why? I should move, go after her. I mustn't leave her alone after that.
…Perhaps I'm afraid I would make it worse. But why would it be? It's not the first time I faced someone depressed, I know what to do… Well, I suppose so. Why the hell am I hesitating this time?
"Rimuru." I heard Veldora behind me, from his tone, he understood the situation. "Follow me, I think you need some help."
I was confused, as I didn't know what he could do for this. Yet, I went with him to the 100th floor. Charys was playing with Scylla while Ramiris and Beretta were discussing some improvement for the labs.
When they saw us arrive, the latter duo stopped what they were doing. They approached, and Ramiris tried to cheer me up as she noticed I wasn't doing well.
-"Hey Veldora, how did it go?" She asked him as she knew what Kumara was planning. "Not for the best from how he's frowning."
-"Yeah. She ran away." He replied, and she dropped her head. He turned to me, and showed me a chair. "Wanna tell us what's going through your mind?"
-"I'm clueless. It never happened before, nothing that I can recall." I took a seat and held my head with both hands. "Even if it could be sloppy, I always had an idea on how to cheer up someone. But not this time."
-"I see." He thought for a moment, before crossing his arms. "Well, if I'm not mistaken, there's a good difference between the previous times and this one."
-"Yeah?"
-"Hmmm… Okay, this is what you should do." He pointed at where my heart would be. "Go search for her. And both of you, speak what you have deep in your heart."
-"...What is this cliché answer?" I deadpanned. I wasn't sure what I expected from him, but not this.
-"Well, clichés exist for a reason." He seemed totally serious. "Unlike with anyone else, you care deeply for Kumara."
-"Hah? Hello! You saw my memories, do you know who the hell I am?" I started to get pissed at this goofball. "I cared for quite a few people before."
-"Not this way, Rimuru. Even if you aren't aware." He replied immediately, not backing off. "I was watching from the start in your Stomach. You never acted the same way with Kumara than anyone else. Be it guys, girls, those you protected, Mithra, my brother or the four others. It's completely different, something you never experienced in your past life. I hope I won't need to explain it out loud, it would be embarrassing."
........Huh? Is he serious?
-'...' I felt a bored stare coming from inside.
-'Ciel? Why are you looking at me like that?'
-'...I thought you abhorred, what did you call them? Yeah, those 'fuckers, denser than a black hole'.'
-"HEY! I'm not dense! I just don't want to risk blowing up our relationship… Shit."
I realized too late what I said when I heard Ciel having a triumphant smug, and saw Veldora and Ramiris acting all cheeky.
-"Found your answer now?" That damned dragon looked so proud of himself. "You don't want to risk it. Probably because there's still Feldway being a threat out there. But it will be worse if you keep it rot inside. So, go talk to her. Now."
-"...Heh, never I thought I would get your help on this kind of matter." I stood up, ready to repair my blunder, before freezing. "Wait, why are you knowledgeable about this?"
I wasn't the only one confused about it, as everyone looked at Veldora, a questioning look in their face. The guy looked on his left, then on his right, before raising his shoulders. It appears he doesn't know himself.
-"I didn't understand everything, but I think Dad did something good." Scylla said innocently, with a pure smile. It made the big oaf get flustered, and Charys was nodding, satisfied.
-"Pfft. Maybe it runs in the family for the guys. Thanks Veldora, you're a true friend." I left, knowing what I should do now.
I used our Soul Corridor to pinpoint where she is. I must say it doesn't surprise me she chose that location to get some air. Well, the scenery will be fitting.
The glowing mushrooms' clearing, Kumara's POV:
'It's this time of the year, huh?' I sat on a rock near the pond, watching the colorful spectacle. 'It really is soothing.'
After running away, I came here by instinct. This place is where I made one of my first memories with Rim and Mithra. It's here I started to remember how the world could be beautiful.
But, this Feldway made me remember that beforehand, this world is cruel and merciless. I deluded myself into thinking everything would be alright, even with them… But I recalled that day.
When he talked about the Empire launching an invasion, it returned to haunt me. How everyone was massacred, due to the cruelty of one scum. And how I'm the only one who escaped this fate.
…I'm still feeling guilty. And with what happened earlier, it's crushing me even more. What should I do?
-"Kumara!" I heard Rimuru on the other side of the pond, approaching slowly.
Once he arrived, he sat on a nearby giant mushroom. I looked away, as I didn't know what to say after my stupid actions earlier.
"...Say, Kumara. I want to hear what's weighing on your heart. I can hear everything, so please, tell me." I glanced at him, and he got a gentle expression as usual. "I don't want to stay in the fog, not being able to support you."
I took some time to think about how I should phrase it. I took a deep breath to muster some courage.
-"I'm afraid, Rimuru. I'm afraid it will happen again, but for the whole Tempest. I don't wanna see my friends disappear again. That's why I wanted to see how much I progressed, to see if I would manage to surpass my fears when the time comes.
I know it seemed absurd to challenge you. But for me, it held so much importance, as you're the one I trust the most. Even more than that, you're the one who makes me feel secure." I finally looked at him, before dropping my head.
"But it didn't go as I hoped. No matter what I did until I used your spells, you barely reacted. Even then, it was like you were waiting for me to stop my tantrum. Until the end you never replicated, when I deserved it.
I almost attacked someone too strong for me because I lost my mind, endangering the country at the same time. I provoked and insulted you, you did nothing." I slumped under the shame. "Even before, I was quarreling like an idiot with that Vampire, knowing well she is stronger than me and is the head of that Church. You said nothing.
So, I fled. I fled, assuming you didn't teach me all you could, or gave me a job because I wasn't worth it. How could I, when I wasn't even capable of controlling my power and was stuck in that brat-looking form for so long?"
I looked at the sky, feeling empty. "...Maybe I should disappear from your life, so you won't have to bother with a loser like me anymore."
I heard him standing and walking toward me. Weird, I don't apprehend his reaction anymor-
*SLAP*
-'…Huh?' I rubbed my cheek, as I felt the pain of his slap. It's the first time he hit me.
-"R-Rimuru! What are you doing?" Ciel came out of him, shocked.
-"YOU IDIOT! I FORBID YOU TO SAY THAT AGAIN!" He was trembling from anger, I never saw him like that before.
"Don't you dare think you're a nuisance. Do you seriously think we would bear such an opinion of you? Are you right in your mind?"
-"Rimuru! Be careful with what you're saying." Ciel started to panic, and was prepared to hold him back.
-"That's the most insulting thing you could have said. We care about you. 'I' care about you, and I don't know what I'll do if you were to disappear." He grabbed my shoulders, and I saw he was crying.
"I'm sorry if it looked like I didn't care enough about you. At first, I was satisfied with making you smile again. I only wanted for you to talk with people, to make friends, to find joy again. But in truth, I was afraid to go too far and too fast. I didn't want to make it look like we would erase the memories of your old home forever.
I didn't teach you that much because I thought it would be best if you enjoyed your life, rather than preparing you for the impending war. Same for the job, I was too obtuse. I didn't realize it looked like I was neglecting you.
I was scared. I was scared I would hurt you, so I let it be. It may be stupid, but I didn't know how to react. I never felt that way before, not in almost 400 years." He smiled, not bothered by his tears. "I like you, Kumara."
…Are my ears deceiving me? I think I've been intoxicated by these mushrooms in a way or another.
-"Come again?"
-"...I like you." He became red by repeating it. "I like who you are. I like how cute you are when you're enjoying your meal. I like how you don't hesitate to follow us in our silliness, or to tell us when we're doing shit if needed."
-"W-Wait…" I'm reddening too, I feel it.
-"I like how cheeky you can be, trolling anyone and everyone. I like how you stand up for yourself to get what you desire. I lik-"
It got so embarrassing to hear him praising me I made him shut up… With a kiss.
I'm so happy, it's like a dream come true. I too had feelings for him, but unconsciously I thought I wouldn't have a chance. But now, I could tease him how I want.
I let him go after a minute, the best of my life. Too bad I had to catch my breath, I would have done it for a little longer. He looked dreamy, as if he was still processing it.
-"I like you too, Rimuru. I'm sorry for earlier, you're right. I won't belittle myself anymore, not now that I've made my way into the heart of the cutest guy in the world."
-"Geh… Cute?" He blushed furiously, and it worsened when I hugged him, as his face got in my cleavage. "...Well, if it's you, I don't mind being called cute. I should thank Shizu for that form."
-"Heh. You were still weirdly cute in your old chibi form too." I grinned, as I got some ideas to tease him further. "Maybe I should tell her that you're being a ladykiller by using her appearance?"
-"Waaah? What do you mean?" He's trying to escape the hug, worried I would tease him again.
-"Well, I know you also have a sweet spot for Lulu… We all know, with how you reacted that time." I laughed, thinking about it. "I could brag to her face, about the fact that I've beaten her. She'll get pissed."
-"Huh, I don't think you should do it, or she won't let you escape this time."
-"Tehee, I'm glad you're worried about me, but don't worry. It will be alright."
I remembered that Ciel was watching, so I turned to her. She gave us a tender smile, meaning she's accepting it. Thank you for your support too, as you're the one who's the closest to him… Wait.
"Ehhhh. I'm surprised I've also beaten you. I thought you would have made your move before."
-"Whaa?" She jumped as my remark startled her. She looked away and blushed. "W-Well, since I'm linked to his very soul, it's only fair for me to have a handicap. I have all the time I want."
-"Or maybe you waited for us to go first, to learn how we did it?" I approached her and poked her cheek. "Y'know, to be sure your own try would be perfect."
-"Hey Kumi, go easy on her. She'll melt from embarrassment if you continue." Rimuru laughed too at my teasing.
-"...Kumi?"
-"Well, I might give you a cute nickname, rather than keep calling you Kumara as usual." He said it meekly while scratching his head. "You don't like it?"
-"What are you saying? Of course I like it. I would even say, finally. Took you long enough." I pouted a little. "Then, I'll call you Rim. Now we're even."
He had a radiant smile, and gave me a hug in his turn. To be fair, we included Ciel in it, to tease her, and stayed like that for a while. Until Rimuru released it, a worried expression painted his beautiful face.
-"Say, Kumi. You know what is my position about marriage and all-"
-"I know, same as Mithra. And I don't care." I nodded, and caressed his chin. "Knowing that you love me is far enough. I know how sweet and caring you are, that's the only important thing. Don't fret about it."
We returned to the city after that. I must apologize to those I troubled with my problems. We teleported to the Labyrinth first, and they all smiled when they saw us.
-"Thanks again, Veldora. You don't know how much it helped me." Rimuru gave him a high five, and Veldora walked away to take care of Scylla.
-"I'm relieved it ended well. I'm happy for you." Ramiris cheered at first, before turning around to sulk. "While I've been here for eons without ever having a lover myself, what a bummer."
We held back a giggle to not provoke her. Not that she's dangerous right now, but I'm sure she would hold a grudge about that matter if we did.
For the rest of the day, we walked around the city. The citizens were looking at us, surprised at first, but they soon realized what it was and were cheering for us. I'm sure the whole forest will know in a day's span.
Especially due to Diablo and Souei who are watching us from the shadows. I can sense the Demon is internally jealous, and the spy is smirking. I recognize my people, I know he'll tell everyone for the shit and giggles.
Well, not that I care. I'm busy profiting from the best day of my life.