TTIGRAAS: Predator

Chapter 2

I've been tailing this trio of humans as they make their way further into the cave, essentially taking the reverse path that I used to get to the entrance. It seems like they have a better sense of direction than me, as painful as that is to admit.

Still, this is a little boring for me since I already killed and ate almost every single monster in the time I've spent in this cave, so they aren't doing anything exciting. It seems like they are almost as bored as I am, even though they still seem on edge, especially that staff-wielding girl. She keeps almost spotting me, acting like she's somehow sensing me, but I have no clue how. I've had to quickly duck behind this and that rock just to avoid her eyes as she looks over her shoulder without warning, but I don't think she's actually seen me.

This went on for who-knows-how-long, with them reaching where Veldora was before I ate him then turning tail and starting their walk back to the entrance of the cave. They seemed disappointed but also relieved when they found his spot empty and immediately turned back, saying stuff about reporting to the "guildmaster."

Does that mean there are guilds in this world? They do kind of seem like fantasy adventurers.

Finally, after lots of backtracking, they reached the entrance to the cave again, meaning that it was time for me to experience the outside of this world for the first time since I was reborn as a slime!

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"Finally!" the mage girl named Eren said, turning to face the other two members of her party while she stretched in the sunlight after stepping outside the cave.

I, meanwhile, was hiding just around the corner of the massive door these humans opened, watching them with [Magic Sense]. They're dawdling, basking in the sunshine, and complaining about how dark the cave was.

Get moving already! I fumed to myself, waiting for the trio to leave. I haven't been outside in months! ...Or ever! I have to wait until these idiots move on before I can continue to tail them, and they're taking their sweet time!

"Come on," the one called Kaval, their leader I suppose, finally said. "We need to report back."

"Yeah," Gido, the shady-looking guy of the group nodded. "I have a feeling things are going to get... hectic." As the two men walked away Eren turned back, clutching her staff with a nervous look in her eyes.

"...yeah," she agreed, running to catch up. "I'm glad we're finally getting out of here," I heard her say as they grew further away. "Something about this place just feels... off."

"Well, Veldora was sealed there. Maybe his ghost is haunting us!" Kaval laughed, leaning into Eren's face with a spooky voice. "I am the great dragon, and I shall have... my REVENGE!" he shouts exaggeratedly, flailing his arms around like an idiot for dramatic effect.

The other two started yelling at him, but I wasn't listening to their stupid banter. I darted into the grass, keeping a safe distance while I followed the group into the forest. As I moved from the cave entrance to the safety of the bushes, I was bathed in something I hadn't experienced in what felt like years...

Sunlight!

Oh, it was glorious! Is this what slimes are supposed to eat!? I felt so alive! As the energy poured into me I almost cried, (can slimes cry?) but I had a mission. I composed myself, and stayed hidden; I can celebrate when I finally get to other humans.

As we moved through the forest (way too slow, I might add. Couldn't these guys pick up the pace?) I realized someone else was following the adventurers. It was a wolf, and it was looking in my direction.

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I am Direwolf, a loyal member of my pack. I left the others to scout the forest around the Terrible One's cave. The Terrible One has disappeared, and now it is the direwolves who will rule this forest! I want to personally bring back good news to my Alpha–then surely he will praise me and I will rise within the pack!