Rimuru: A Second Chance that Won't Be Wasted

Shizue Izawa Part 3

Shizue woke up with a gasp, as her arms subconsciously wrapped around herself. Her eyes had teared up, and her pupils had dilated. She gasped for breath, once, then twice, before calming down, and looking around her. Here she was, sitting in her makeshift bed, in one of the many tents of the goblin village.

"Ah yes... I am here..."

She winced again, as Ifrit's aura flared up and died again. She then grimaced, as she shut her eyes.

"Pirino...I'm so sorry..."

She would always dream and remember that fateful day, when she could not stop Ifrit from killing her friend Pirino...no...she had killed her friend that day. That was something she had spent her whole life trying to atone for. Even now, she didn't want others to suffer as she did, which brought her to her quest. To find Demon Lord Leon, ask him how he saved her, when children summoned to this world usually die early. All of this, to ensure that her students do not die. Just like her friend, and in some ways, just like her.

"I don't have much time...do I? I guess I need to leave very soon. Sorry...Rimuru-san..."

Despite only meeting for a short while, the friendly slime had already had a huge impact on her. Letting her find peace knowing what happened in the previous world...a happy ending for the entire country... and also saving her when she would've died. He truly was a unique creature, with regrets of his own. She felt that she could understand his regrets and help him...but her quest came first... and she didn't have much time left.

Suddenly, Ifrit's aura came up again, much more powerful than before, nearly grasping control over her. She bit her lip, muffling the scream that had threatened to erupt from her, as she immediately fell forwards, face buried in the bed. Her hands gripped the covers tightly. Almost as soon as she hit the bed, her body started to emit red smoke, which caused her even more pain.

Several agonizing seconds passed, before the smoke finally dissipated. Her hands and arms relaxed, as she looked up, pale and sweating. She quickly eyed the bed beside her. Elen. Who was sound asleep.

Shizue sighed in relief, she didn't notice.

However, her expression was now fearful. What if she lost control? She could kill them...

"I have to go. Now."

Unbeknownst to her, Rimuru was right outside the tent, in his human form. His expression was neutral, but his eyes were darkened. He understood the pain of being alone. Of being helpless. Of losing everything.

"You won't have to suffer. Soon, it will be all over. Then you can see with your own two eyes what a happy place this world can be. I swear on my name and life."

Hearing Rigurd call him, he immediately swapped back to his slime form. He would figure out how to reveal his human form later.

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Shizue was now standing at another cliff, one that was looking over the village from above. The construction of new tents was going well, and she could see goblins hard at work.

"So what do you think of the village?" asked Rimuru, who had arrived on top of Ranga.

Shizue turned around, before looking at Rimuru. She then took off her mask.

"It's amazing here. And it has a lot of potential to grow. I really do admire it."

"You know...you are always welcome here. Right now, you are even welcome to stay."

Rimuru sighed.

"I know. And I really wish I could. But I have to get going now." Shizue said. "I'm afraid I will bring you nothing but trouble..." she continued, in a slightly quieter voice, as her eyes turned away. "Also, there is something I need to do..."