Published: August 25, 2025
Today, four chapters are posted simultaneously.
This story is the first chapter.
After going to the divine realm for a business report, I acquired a Divine Artifact and some useful information. I spent several days returning in one go to my dwelling in Gana Forest. On the way back, once I reached this base, I was supposed to immediately inform the Duke's household, so I had already asked the limule bird to send a message.
They said they would make time once the letter arrived, so soon Mr. Reinhardt and the others would come.
"Since they're coming all this way, let's conduct an experiment."
While preparing for the experiment on a whim, I waited for everyone’s arrival, when outside the weed slime reacted. Despite being busy, they really had cleared their schedules just since yesterday.
"Ryoma-kun, you’re here, right?"
"There was a sign outside saying ‘Experiment in progress, please wait inside,’ so I think it's okay to come in, but what is he doing right after he got back?"
I heard voices from the entrance. They should be arriving soon.
"Welcome, everyone."
"Ryoma-kun! We’ll be intruding, okay?"
"Welcome back! Oh?"
Leading the group were Mr. Reinhardt and madam, followed by Lord Reinbach and Mr. Sebas. Also, the four guards and Ms. Eleonora, who had been introduced before, entered the room. However, as soon as they stepped inside, they seemed to feel something was off.
They probably thought they just saw me sitting normally on the chair next to the table, but maybe close acquaintances could tell something was wrong?
"Sorry. For the experiment's sake, please excuse me for staying seated."
"That’s fine, but what exactly are you doing?"
"It looks like you’re doing nothing, and your expression seems stiff."
"And your voice tone is, just slightly, a bit different from usual."
"Ah, you noticed after all. Well then, without further ado—"
Just as I was about to explain,
"Hey, don’t tell me you got hurt in the Tree Sea?"
"Ah."
Mr. Fuse, looking worried, stepped forward and placed his hand on my shoulder. Instantly, I thought, "This is bad," but it was too late. With his hand on my shoulder, my balance faltered, and I slipped off the chair.
"Watch out!?"
Before Mr. Fuse could crash to the ground, someone caught him, but my limbs dangled lifelessly. Everyone rushed over in concern.
"Are you okay!?"
"Uwaa!? M-my neck!"
"Ryoma! Hey!"
No good, trying to say I was fine only made things worse. My body was behaving oddly, and because my neck was twisted, I couldn’t even speak properly. Explaining verbally was impossible.
Acting on instinct, I dashed from the hallway at the back into the room. There, everyone was gathered around the fallen, motionless body that looked like me—or rather, a mimic slime disguised as me.
"Everyone, I’m fine! I’m perfectly safe!"
"Huh!? ...What’s going on?"
"Two Ryomas?"
Following Lord Reinbach and Mr. Jill, the others, though bewildered by the strange situation, quickly regained their composure. I explained: this was a mimic slime I found and contracted in the Tree Sea. It had an advanced mimicry ability allowing it to take on an appearance indistinguishable from the real me. I had it break the disguise to explain.
"—So, I shared sensory perception with the slime disguised as myself, using its eyes, ears, and mouth to communicate with you all.
We already knew from prior experiments that sensory sharing was possible, so I thought if I could control this slime remotely and talk without being discovered, I could interact with others despite the curse. I’m really sorry for the scare."
"That was heart-stopping... but it’s truly amazing. I couldn’t tell the difference just by looking."
"I’m sure it wasn’t meant as a prank, and as a new ability of slime and its application, it’s reasonable. Especially considering Ryoma-kun’s curse, this experiment could be very helpful if successful."
"But this, this really feels like Ryoma is back."
Mr. Fuse’s words puzzled me, but everyone else seemed convinced.
...I know I’ve caused trouble and done some bizarre things, but I don’t think I’ve ever scared anyone like in a horror story...