Suddenly, I Became a Slime

"We won! The swamp is gone!"

It would have been great if it ended there, but unfortunately, the situation didn’t seem that easy. First, Kim Cheonsu and Hwangbo Yul appeared startled by the sudden increase in ‘family members’(?).

It seemed like it would take some time for the two of them to pull themselves together. Given that what appeared to be weapons were in Kim Cheonsu and Hwangbo Yul’s hands, and that Kim Cheonsu held what looked like a bomb, it made one wonder—were they planning to self-destruct?

Thankfully, I rushed in just in case. If I had been even a little late, I’m not sure what would have happened, but it felt like something would have definitely gone wrong.

Anyways.

While the two took a moment to compose themselves, I carefully placed the identification tags I had stored in my body on the ground. Though they weren’t particularly heavy, I felt my body growing lighter as I removed them one by one. Why did it feel this way? Was it the weight of my heart or conscience?

I hadn’t even seen their faces properly, yet this melancholic feeling seemed to stem from that. It was bittersweet but not entirely unpleasant. It likely meant that despite what I’d become, I still retained a human heart.

… Reflecting on it, that was indeed the case.

As I laid down the identification tags brought by the unexpected newcomers, I noticed Hwangbo Yul approaching, her steps careful. Lowering herself, she focused her gaze on each tag as though she wanted to engrave every detail into her memory. Her previously blunt, cold, and arrogant demeanor was nowhere to be found.

Seeing that, I realized that her initial hard and frosty impression might not be entirely accurate. She was beautiful, so perhaps her heart was kind as well. Ah, this must be what happens when someone faces something they can’t handle. I shuddered to think what it would be like to visit the places I’ve been to as a human rather than a jelly. It’d be horrifying even to imagine.

… Of course, there are exceptions like Han Seori, but most would feel the same.

As I watched her, feeling a twinge of empathy, she finally turned to me after observing all the tags. She crouched down again, this time directly in front of me. Her posture was somewhat awkward, but she met my eyes and bowed her head slightly.

“… Thank you. Thanks to you, the matter has been resolved, and those who sacrificed themselves have something to leave behind.”

Her voice, slightly suppressed, carried sincerity. Then, after a moment of hesitation, as if contemplating something deeply, she gently patted my head.

Did someone tell her I like that? Well… I don’t dislike it, especially if it’s a beautiful hand. Besides, I’ve already received the compensation I requested, so this small bonus is welcome, isn’t it?

If it were Kim Cheonsu, he’d probably have brushed it off.

Anyway, feeling a bit better, I decided to give Hwangbo Yul a gift that would make her even happier. I thought of ‘it’ and called for it in my mind. The jelly-like creatures, idly lingering, began bringing relatively intact corpses nearby.

Thud, thud!

The sound of bodies piling up unceremoniously.

Oh, no, guys… Can’t you handle them more gently? I went to the trouble of collecting them… Carefully, gently, okay?

Perhaps because they weren’t human, they moved the corpses without hesitation. Even Hwangbo Yul seemed slightly disturbed, her expression faltering. The hand stroking me stopped abruptly.

As she alternated her gaze between me and the corpses, her face grew more complex. I couldn’t discern her thoughts, but her expression didn’t seem particularly positive.

… The gesture I made to earn some points had apparently… backfired slightly.

It couldn’t be helped.

The new ‘family members’ weren’t yet accustomed to humans.

But really… How should I bring them along?

My concerns were valid, it seemed. Though I thought we could return immediately, Kim Cheonsu and I had to stay here for some time. Something else seemed to be troubling Hwangbo Yul; her expression remained grim.

Separately, the people she called over came and collected the identification tags and corpses. Some expressed interest in me, but under Hwangbo Yul’s watchful gaze, they couldn’t approach and had to leave.

The only ones who could approach me were Hwangbo Yul and Kim Cheonsu. But since Hwangbo Yul was busy handling the aftermath, the only one to keep me company was Kim Cheonsu.

As for the jelly-like creatures swarming nearby… I’m not sure what to do with them. Though they saved my life, dealing with them is… complicated.

Anyways.

I tapped Kim Cheonsu, who was idly sitting nearby.

“What’s up?”

He was looking at his smartphone, which I found incredibly tempting. After being forced into digital detox, electronic devices seemed irresistible to me.

But whenever I gestured toward it, Kim Cheonsu would shake his head vigorously, so I had to bide my time for an opportunity.

Come on, it’s just a phone. What could go wrong?

In any case, since I knew he’d resist, I asked him for something else instead.

“… You’re hungry? Is it that time already?”

You’re addicted to that smartphone, you know?

Watching Kim Cheonsu prepare food for me, I was reminded of the jelly-like creatures surrounding us.

… They probably eat something too. Could I afford their food expenses?

Well. That’s not my concern.

I just hoped they’d be fed before they got angry.

Ah, and one more thing has changed.

The ones who showed goodwill toward me now withdrew rather easily. It felt odd but not unpleasant.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Hmm… Well, I am good-looking—mff!? Ow! Hey, what are you doing?!”

I couldn’t easily ask Kim Cheonsu for small favors anymore. Instead, it seemed the jelly-like creatures around me were now the ones responding to my thoughts. That’s probably why I could command them naturally.

I wasn’t entirely sure, but I still noticed some who liked me. Occasionally, my ‘click’ requests to Kim Cheonsu seemed to work too.

It was good that my stray thoughts weren’t contagious, though I wished they worked consistently with Kim Cheonsu. Thinking about it made me feel increasingly removed from normalcy.

… Though, it’s a bit late for that, considering I’m jelly now.

As I contemplated this, Kim Cheonsu, covered in jelly, wiped his face and placed food in front of me. He muttered complaints, but all I could see was the food.

“Do you think I’m ugly?”

Time to return to being Chef Kim Cheonsu instead of Regular Kim Cheonsu. The food today was delicious, despite the clingy jelly around.

7496 - KR resolving the issue was an encouraging outcome. Considering the sacrifices made earlier, it was regretful that they hadn’t been called sooner.

However, Hwangbo Yul couldn’t feel entirely happy about the return of 7496 - KR. It wasn’t just because of the identification tags and corpses they brought. It was the existence of 7496 - KR itself that complicated her thoughts.

The report had mentioned that their abilities had been enhanced after resolving the anomaly. While it had noted an increase in entities, it hadn’t anticipated this many…

This ability must have newly emerged. Judging by what had been visible on the screen, that seemed plausible.

And considering 7496 - KR’s combat abilities observed on the screen… it had become an issue too significant to ignore.

Previously, they had survived and succeeded due to their unique traits beyond human limitations. Now, with so many entities under their control, they could accomplish even more.

But is this really okay?

No matter how cooperative they seem, they’re still an anomaly.

Feeling a throbbing in her temple, Hwangbo Yul pulled out her encrypted smartphone when it began to ring. Answering the call, she heard greetings and expressions of gratitude, followed by a direct question.

[What do you think of 7496 - KR?]

Hwangbo Yul reflected on 7496 - KR’s actions. Initially, they hadn’t seemed reliable or threatening.

But watching them resolve this incident made it clear—that wasn’t the case. 7496 - KR had proven to be somewhat trustworthy and significantly more threatening now.

However… aside from that.

The way they had collected the identification tags.

How they had transported the corpses despite their changes.

How they had smiled warmly when she patted them.

These thoughts lingered in Hwangbo Yul’s mind, leaving her unable to make a swift judgment. The person on the other end of the call patiently waited for her response. After careful thought, she replied in a low voice.

“We’ll need to observe further, but I believe they could become a valuable collaborator.”

[That’s surprising. I expected you to say it should be eliminated immediately.]

“…”

[Well, if that’s your judgment, so be it. Understood.]

“… Yes.”

Ending the call, Hwangbo Yul sighed. Though her answer had been based on what she’d seen and felt, she couldn’t shake her unease.

After all.

7496 - KR was.

An anomaly.

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