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29 - Blob The Blocker

I woke up, feeling surprisingly rested.

The night allowed me to fully restore my mana, bringing my total back to seventeen points.

The small corner where I had hidden, with my slime keeping watch, had been the correct action on my part.

I stretched and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, preparing to move forward once again.

The explosion from the previous day had wiped out all my summoned slimes except for the one I had summoned afterward.

To venture out safely and efficiently, I needed more than just one slime.

But things were different now.

Though the more slimes, the better, I now had the ability to shapeshift them into specific forms. That meant I had to save some mana for it.

I needed to think strategically.

Seventeen mana meant that I could summon five slimes while having two mana remaining.

This wasn’t the optimal way to go through it, though.

I had to strategize differently now that my setup had increased.

I currently owned a dagger but had no true defensive gear to speak of… well, that was before I received the upgraded slime skill.

From my understanding, the shape of the slime could be maintained indefinitely if I so wished. That meant I could do something different.

"Buddy, come to me and attach yourself to my left arm." I instructed, my slime obediently wobbled over.

As the slime wrapped around my arm, I considered my options. "If I summon four more slimes, that will leave me with five mana points. Each shapeshift costs two mana. I need to maintain at least one shapeshifted form for defense."

The potential combinations played out in my mind like a chess game.

Summoning four more slimes would give me a small army for scouting and minor tasks.

With five mana points left, I could afford two shapeshifts, allowing for both offense and defense as needed.

"Let’s see how this works." I muttered, focusing on the slime wrapped around my arm.

"Shapeshift: Defense Form."

The slime's form hardened and expanded into a buckler’s form, transforming into a protective layer around my arm.

https://i.imgur.com/Krn7I7R.png [https://i.imgur.com/Krn7I7R.png]

I flexed my arm, barely feeling the added weight but knowing full well that this form would mitigate 10% of blocked damage.

This was now my new shield, a living barrier that could adapt to my needs.

"Perfect," I said, satisfied with the result. "Now for the others."

I summoned four more slimes, feeling the familiar pull on my mana.

As they materialized, I kept their forms in their original shapes, for scouting and diversion.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

In the end, I still had a weapon in hand; there was no need to waste my mana to shapeshift one of my slimes into a spike.

"Alright, let's get moving," I said, addressing my slimes.

"Stay alert and spread out. Scout the area, but don't go too far. We need to locate the exit."

The slimes wobbled in acknowledgment before spreading out in different directions.

The last thing I wanted was to face another unexpected trap or encounter a monster unprepared.

I took a moment to orient myself, but the surroundings were unfamiliar, but I couldn't afford to let that deter me.

"You…" I said to the defensive slime on my arm, "you're called… Blob the Blocker!"

Wooble!

Once I informed my slime of his new name, he started wobbling from right to left, seemingly excited.

"Oh! Seems like you like your new name? Of course you do! You’re special, so you get a name befitting your role. No need to be referred to as a number. Count yourself lucky, Blob!"

W…Wooble~.

Why does he suddenly look so... flappy?

“Ah, you must be nervous to properly fulfill your role! Let's just hope we don't have to test your durability too soon."

“Hmm? Back already?”

As the slimes returned without any progress, it was clear to me that I was no longer in the familiar area I once knew.

"Damn it! We're completely lost."

I thought about sending two of my slimes to locate the exit. I didn’t know how long it would take or how safe it would be.

But I had no choice. This strategy had previously worked, so I had to trust the process once again.

“Okay! Slime One and Two, you guys-?”

"Help! Someone, please help!"

Just as I was about to command my slimes, a sudden scream echoed from paths in the area.

I froze for a moment, listening intently. The voice was getting closer, frantic and desperate.

"Slimes, climb to the ceiling and hide!" I ordered, not wanting to reveal my necromancer abilities.

The voices were getting closer, and there was no place for me to hide.

From the shadows of one of the paths, a small figure came into view.

"T-This!"

I was stunned as the figure drew closer, revealing an individual who was truly special.

"A gnome?!"

The gnome girl was running frantically. Her eyes widened in fear as she noticed me, and she rushed toward me.

"Please, help me!" she cried, hiding behind me.

I looked down at the gnome in surprise.

Gnomes were rare creatures, often exploited for their unique [inheritance]. I never thought I would get the chance to see one.

The adventurers chasing her quickly made their way to us, their faces twisted with anger and determination.

"There she is!" one of them shouted. "Hand over the scamp and get out of our way. This isn’t your problem."

The tension was palpable. The adventurers, three in total, were armed and looked ready for a fight.

I knew why they wanted the gnome, and part of me started to get greedy.

The potential benefits of having a gnome on my side were too great to ignore.

One of the adventurers, a burly man with a scar running down his face, stepped forward.

"Listen, buddy. We don’t want any trouble. Just hand her over, and you can go about your business."

I glanced down at the gnome girl, barely the size of my palm as she clung to my leg, trembling behind me.

Her wide, pleading eyes met mine, and I knew I couldn’t just hand her over.

"Why do you want her?" I asked, knowing full well the reason, trying to buy some time for myself to gather my thoughts.

"She's our property." the scar-faced man growled. "We paid good money for her, and she's got a specific purpose. Now, move aside."

I tightened my grip on my dagger, my mind racing. I had to make a decision, and I had to make it fast.

I could either hand the gnome over and avoid a confrontation, or I could take a stand and possibly gain something valuable enough to sacrifice my life for.

“... AH! DAMN IT!”

"Huh?" The three man frowned, clearly taken aback by my outburst.

“Looks like I've just accepted my second quest in this playthrough.”

“What is that idiot talking about?” another adventurer muttered.

"Sorry, but I can’t do that," I said firmly. "She stays with me."

The adventurers' eyes narrowed, their hands reaching for their weapons. The situation was about to escalate, and I had to be ready for whatever came next.