Chapter 393 — Pikachu, Diamonds, and the Primordial Slime
Ryn raised her hands, trying to impose some semblance of peace.
— Let's avoid unnecessary fights.
How are we going to solve these problems?
Lya crossed her arms.
— Normally, this doesn't concern us.
We'd be better off not getting involved.
Evans' hair suddenly bristled.
Lightning crackled all around him, striking the ground in nervous bursts.
He bit his thumb nail.
— What do you mean "it doesn't concern us"?
They interrupted my fight with Zahkariel.
I have to vaporize them all.
Nova leaned discreetly toward Valor.
— Couldn't you tell him to calm down?
Valor raised an eyebrow.
— You're the one who taught him to fight with a sword.
How do you expect me to tell him to calm down?
Liora sighed.
— Pikachu is too excited today.
Don't you have an idea to calm him down?
Evans slowly turned his head.
— You know I can hear you, right?
Valor, feigning surprise:
— Oh. Sorry.
We didn't know, Pikachu.
— STOP CALLING ME PIKACHU.
— And if the Great Valor doesn't stop, what will you do about it?
Lightning struck a meter away from Valor.
Nova quickly intervened, stifling a laugh.
— Enough, Valor. Stop.
Lya sighed.
— Nova's right.
Stop teasing Pikachu.
Silence.
Evans closed his eyes.
— I hate you all.
The narrator:
— No, that's false. He'd have vaporized them already otherwise.
---
**Meanwhile, a little further away.**
Samael.
Nicknamed the Angel of Death.
Father of assassins.
Faced Zahkariel.
— You'd better hand Brakk over to us.
And who knows? It might even benefit you.
You don't need him anymore now that you have a body.
You don't need him as a host.
Zahkariel rested his sword on his shoulder.
— Even if I don't need him anymore…
He's still my toy.
And I've already set my eyes on him.
It won't be easy to make me look away.
Elvis, the Frost Dragon, tilted his head.
— I don't understand your obsession.
What's so special about him?
Brakk placed his hands on his hips.
— Let's just say I'm a diamond to them.
Silence.
Ryn whispered to Nova:
— A cracked diamond, maybe?
While egos fought over Brakk like a dubious trophy…
Mister Mind observed the corpses of the desert monsters.
Hundreds of thousands.
Scattered like a carpet of consequences.
— Wait for me.
He turned slightly.
— Father. Take care of retrieving Brakk.
He possesses an object I've never seen before.
You must obtain it at all costs.
Samael narrowed his eyes.
— My daughter… could you tell me more about this object?
Haya answered in his place.
— Brakk promised to give it to us if we helped him seize Zahkariel's powers.
He wanted us to weaken Zahkariel so that, when he tried to possess him…
He'd take control and claim his powers.
Bloodweaver nodded.
— And that's the object we're interested in, Father.
But now that Zahkariel has a body…
We failed our mission.
Samael murmured:
— I see more clearly now.
Brakk timidly raised his hand.
— Can I stop being the center of conspiracies for five minutes?
No one answered.
---
Mister Mind landed among the corpses.
Nightmare joined him.
Mister Mind surveyed the field of death.
— What a waste. Don't you think, Nightmare?
Nightmare nodded.
— A little, yes.
— Bring me all these bodies.
Nightmare sighed.
— Fine.
Moments later, hundreds of thousands of corpses were piled before Mister Mind.
A nightmarish landscape.
— Bring me a desert slime.
Nightmare blinked.
— They're all dead.
Mister Mind smiled behind his mask.
— I made sure to spare one.
Three kilometers northeast, under the third dune split in two, exactly seven meters deep.
Nightmare stared at him.
— …You scare me.
He returned with a trembling little slime.
A small translucent gelatinous mass.
Mister Mind placed his hand on it.
— It's about to begin.
He studied the slime.
— Slimes are impressive monsters.
Adaptation. Skill absorption.
But they can't absorb something more powerful than themselves.
Otherwise their essence can't withstand the load.
He tilted his head.
— Don't you find it cute?
Nightmare stepped back.
— Stop joking. You don't mean that.
— I want to see how it handles absorbing all this.
Nightmare smiled faintly.
— Honestly… that would be cruel.
— Haya. Come here.
Haya landed before him.
— What are you planning now?
— What do you think would happen if I made this slime absorb all these corpses?
Haya stared at the mountain of bodies.
— It would explode.
All that power…
It wouldn't be good for it.
I advise against it.
Instead, I could resurrect them all through necromancy.
— No. I don't want that.
Mister Mind closed his eyes.
He entered himself.
Into his library of souls.
Infinite rows of absorbed consciousnesses.
Their lives.
Their abilities.
Their memories.
He browsed the powers of the desert monsters.
Then smiled.
— If I fuse them…
He reopened his eyes.
He touched the slime.
Altered its nature.
Rewrote its limits.
— Haya. Fuse all these corpses.
She did.
The bodies became a single mass.
Mister Mind transformed it into a compact sphere.
Then he extracted the monsters' souls.
Fused them into one.
And used it to strengthen the slime's soul.
He gave it consciousness.
Its own thought.
An identity.
The slime vibrated.
It transformed.
Its mass stretched.
Became a human silhouette.
Orange hair.
Androgynous appearance.
A fresh gaze.
Then Mister Mind made it absorb the fused sphere of flesh.
Energy pulsed.
Nightmare froze.
— …How did you bring slimes here if they don't have brains?
Am I going insane?
Mister Mind held his head.
— Ahh… What should its name be?
Why is it so hard to find a name?
Haya sighed.
— You'll fry your brain if you keep thinking.
Mister Mind suddenly raised a finger.
— Ta-da!
I present to you… Mira.
The Primordial Slime.
Your new companion, Nightmare.
Haya blinked.
— The primordial slime?
Are you sure about that?
Mister Mind stroked his chin.
— It sounds cool, doesn't it?
Nightmare looked at Mira.
Then at Mister Mind.
Then at the vanished mountain of corpses.
— I just wanted a break today.
Haya crossed her arms.
— We're tired of you creating new specimens.
Mister Mind tilted his head slightly.
— Innovation is the key to progress.
The narrator concluded:
— And somewhere, in the middle of a devastated desert…
A slime had just received an existential crisis at birth.
Chapter 394 — Ultimate Slime, Fragile Honor, and Pikachu Under Tension
Mira opened her eyes.
Her pupils glowed softly, as if absorbing the desert's heat.
The light around her seemed to bend slightly toward her silhouette.
Her presence… breathed.
Haya narrowed her eyes.
— A primordial slime?
My eye.
How could that be primordial?
Mister Mind crossed his arms, proud.
— It's a figure of speech.
Let's say… an ultimate slime.
She possesses the abilities of all monster races in this desert.
Mira looked at her hands.
Melted them into jelly.
Reformed them.
— …I was born thirty seconds ago.
Nightmare stared at Mister Mind.
— You really turned a break into the creation of a cosmic entity.
Haya sighed.
— That was excessive.
And now poor Nightmare…
Honestly, that's not fair.
She placed a hand on Nightmare's shoulder.
— I'll help you.
I'll share my curse powers with you.
Mister Mind immediately raised his hand.
— Don't do that.
You know Nightmare is perfect.
And you can't do that.
Think of his pride. His honor.
Silence.
Bloodweaver stared at him.
— Did you get heatstroke or something?
You're talking nonsense.
Nightmare nodded.
— Confirmed.
He's completely rambling.
Mister Mind slowly turned his head.
— How did you hear me?
Nightmare blinked.
— …You said it out loud.
A short silence.
Mister Mind suddenly clapped.
— Good!
The time for nonsense is over.
Come with me. We'll join Father.
If he manages to retrieve Brakk… we'll return.
Mira timidly raised her hand.
— Do I have to come too?
Haya looked at her.
— Yes. You're part of the problems now.
Mira seemed to think.
— Alright.
---
A little further away, negotiations were still ongoing.
Samael stared at Zahkariel.
— If I offer you something in exchange… will you accept?
Liora observed the scene.
— Is it just me or is there a problem?
Since when is Brakk worth so much?
Nova answered calmly.
— From what I've heard, Brakk possesses an artifact… or something like that…
That attracts these assassins.
Evans shrugged.
— Who cares about artifacts.
What matters are the fights.
Lya slowly turned her head toward him.
— Him again.
He's starting to wear us out with his fights.
If you want to fight, go fight.
No one's stopping you.
Evans pointed at Zahkariel.
— Actually, yes.
My opponent is interested in Brakk.
He's negotiating.
Brakk, in the middle:
— I'd like to remind everyone that I'm here.
No one looked at him.
Lya sighed.
— I suggest you fight the Frost Dragon in the meantime.
Elvis raised an icy eyebrow.
— Sorry.
I already have an opponent.
Ryn added calmly:
— Too bad.
You'll have to wait.
And I doubt you'll get a new opponent.
If Zahkariel concludes an exchange, he'll leave.
And your fight will end.
Lightning around Evans began to crackle more intensely.
The sand slightly melted beneath his feet.
— Then I'll find a new opponent.
Lya gave a small smile.
— Good luck with that, Pikachu.
Silence.
Lightning briefly exploded around Evans.
— Stop. Calling. Me. Pikachu.
Valor raised his hand.
— Technically, you have yellow hair and you use electricity.
Nova turned his head to hide his laughter.
Elvis exhaled a light icy breeze.
— At least Pikachu is cute.
A lightning bolt struck the ground a centimeter from Elvis.
— I am not cute.
Mira watched the scene.
— Is it always like this?
Nightmare sighed.
— No.
Sometimes it's worse.
At the center of the diplomatic chaos, Brakk timidly raised his hand once again.
— Could someone explain why my life depends on an interdimensional negotiation while we're debating electric nicknames?
Samael answered without looking at him:
— Because you're special.
Zahkariel added:
— Because you belong to me.
Mister Mind concluded calmly:
— Because you have something I want.
Brakk stared at the sky.
— I miss the days when I was insignificant.
The narrator concluded:
— In this ruined desert…
The greatest danger was neither a dragon, nor an assassin, nor a primordial slime.
It was a poorly chosen nickname.
Chapter 395 — Pacts, Forbidden Book, and Cosmic Bargaining
Samael wore a calm smile.
A smile that promised nothing reassuring.
— If I offer you an artifact… will you accept?
Zahkariel slowly set his incandescent gaze on him.
— I'm tough in business.
I, the jinn Zahkariel… the End of Oaths.
I won't take my eyes off Brakk unless it's truly worth it.
Brakk raised his hand.
— I'd like to remind everyone I'm still here.
Elvis replied without looking at him:
— Yes. That's the problem.
A dark breeze announced the arrival of Mister Mind, followed by Mira, Nightmare, and Haya.
Mister Mind landed softly.
— How's the negotiation going, Father?
— I offered him an artifact in exchange.
Haya narrowed her eyes.
— Which artifact exactly, Father?
Samael slowly raised his hand.
An object appeared.
A book.
Ancient.
Black cover, almost alive.
Silver runes engraved in spirals.
The leather seemed… to breathe.
The sand around the book withered slightly.
— I present to you the Codex Thanatys.
Nova's eyes widened.
— What.
What kind of insane artifact is this now?
Samael continued calmly:
— A book tied to the laws of death.
It allows its user to see the vital threads of beings.
To shorten those threads.
To extend them.
To seal a soul.
Or to prevent a resurrection.
A heavy silence fell.
Nightmare stepped back.
— Ah.
So we're dealing with something subtle.
Mister Mind tilted his head slightly.
— Interesting.
Samael added:
— It can also inscribe a name in its pages.
Once inscribed…
The death of the target becomes inevitable.
Sooner or later.
Brakk swallowed hard.
— I suggest we close that book.
Very far away from me.
Zahkariel studied the Codex.
His inner flames flickered slightly.
— I recognize its value.
This artifact is… impressive.
Nova murmured:
— "Impressive" is a light word for "cosmic weapon."
Haya stared at her father.
— How long have you kept that?
— Always keep a bargaining chip.
The negotiation began.
Zahkariel crossed his arms.
— You think a book will suffice?
— It's not just a book.
— I no longer need a host.
I no longer need borrowed power.
— It's not just about power.
It's about control.
Zahkariel smiled.
— I am control.
Brakk whispered:
— Modesty level: divinity.
Mister Mind observed silently.
Mira tugged lightly at his sleeve.
— Is it always this dramatic?
— Yes.
It's their basic language.
Samael continued:
— With this Codex, even a being like you could lock your existence.
No god.
No mage.
No anomaly could manipulate your end.
Zahkariel narrowed his eyes.
— You imply someone could manipulate me?
— I suggest that no one is above fundamental laws.
A short silence.
Elvis murmured:
— I think it's a good deal.
Nova replied:
— You always think it's a good deal when it involves someone's death.
— It's consistent with my theme.
Zahkariel stepped forward.
— And if I accept… Brakk goes to you?
— Yes.
Brakk raised his arms.
— Could someone ask my opinion at some point?
No one answered.
Zahkariel studied the book for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
— No.
Silence.
Samael raised an eyebrow.
— No?
— I don't need an artifact.
He rested his sword on his shoulder.
— I am Zahkariel.
I don't need a book to decide who dies.
Nova sighed.
— We expected that.
Samael gently closed the Codex.
— Very well.
He stepped toward Zahkariel.
— Then give him to me.
And I'll owe you something.
The wind seemed to stop.
Zahkariel tilted his head slightly.
— You want to make a pact?
Brakk turned pale.
— Oh no.
Pacts with ancient entities never end well.
Valor intervened from the back:
— The Great Valor could supervise this pact.
Everyone ignored him.
Zahkariel stared at Samael.
— A pact with the Angel of Death…
That's risky.
Samael smiled.
— Everything of value is.
Mister Mind observed the scene.
— Pacts are fascinating.
Especially when they involve unpredictable consequences.
Haya crossed her arms.
— You're smiling too much.
Nightmare whispered to Mira:
— If they sign, be ready.
It'll go badly.
Mira tilted her head.
— Is it always like this?
— Yes.
Zahkariel extended his hand slightly.
— And if I refuse?
Samael answered without hesitation:
— Then we'll continue this discussion another way.
Auras rose.
Lightning crackled.
Cold spread.
Shadows lengthened.
Brakk closed his eyes.
— I just wanted a simple life.
The narrator concluded:
— In a desert already destroyed,
the most dangerous thing was neither a dragon, nor an artifact, nor a primordial slime.
It was two ancient beings…
considering a pact.
Chapter 396 — Clause 1: "Never Read the Fine Print"
The wind had stopped.
Even the sand seemed to wait.
Zahkariel stared at Samael's outstretched hand.
— A pact, he repeated slowly.
Samael held his gaze.
— A pact.
Brakk timidly raised his hand.
— Quick question.
Can I *not* be the main clause?
No one answered.
Mister Mind tilted his head slightly.
— Pacts are fascinating.
They always reveal who is most confident.
— Or most reckless, added Nova.
Evans cracked his fingers, electricity running along his arms.
— If you're going to fight, do it quickly.
I still have energy to burn.
Lya sighed.
— You always have energy to burn.
— It's a talent.
— It's a problem.
Zahkariel finally spoke.
— If I make a pact…
What are the conditions?
Samael answered calmly:
— I take Brakk.
You take my debt.
Elvis tilted his head.
— A debt from the Angel of Death…
That could be worth more than an artifact.
Ryn murmured:
— Or cost more.
Haya watched her father.
— Are you sure you want to owe him something?
Samael replied without hesitation:
— I always choose my debts carefully.
Brakk took a deep breath.
— I'd like to remind everyone I'm a person.
Zahkariel's burning gaze fell on him.
— You're a stake.
— That's insulting.
The ground vibrated faintly.
Ancient energy began to circulate between Samael and Zahkariel.
Symbols appeared in the air.
Luminous lines.
Runes.
Nova stepped back.
— Oh no. They're invoking cosmic legal conditions.
Valor raised a finger.
— The Great Valor could—
— No, three voices cut him off at once.
Mister Mind watched the runes intently.
Mira tugged gently at his sleeve.
— Is it dangerous?
— Yes.
— Will it explode?
— Probably not.
Pause.
— Well… maybe.
Nightmare sighed.
— Comforting.
Zahkariel spoke in a deeper voice.
— I want a clear clause.
If I call on your debt… you answer.
Without delay.
Without evasion.
Samael nodded.
— Accepted.
— No matter the price.
— Accepted.
Silence.
Liora finally intervened.
— Do you realize you're creating a bigger problem than the one you're trying to avoid?
No one answered.
Brakk began to sweat.
— I have a bad feeling.
Evans shrugged.
— I just hope it ends in a fight.
Lya looked at him.
— You have a problem.
— Maybe.
The runes began to stabilize.
A dark light enveloped the two entities.
The pact was taking shape.
Then—
A small voice.
— Excuse me.
Everyone turned.
Mira timidly raised her hand.
— If Brakk goes with us…
Does that mean he officially becomes a member?
Silence.
Haya blinked.
— We never talked about that.
Nightmare muttered:
— We don't even have a registration form.
Mister Mind thought aloud.
— We could create one.
Brakk's eyes widened.
— No.
No no no.
I refuse any automatic membership.
Zahkariel chuckled.
— Too late.
The light of the pact intensified.
Samael declared:
— Deal concluded.
The runes exploded into luminous particles that dissipated into the air.
The pact was sealed.
Silence.
The wind returned.
Zahkariel withdrew his hand.
— Take him.
He pointed at Brakk.
Brakk froze.
— …Is this official?
Samael answered calmly:
— Yes.
Brakk looked at Zahkariel.
— You just traded me for a debt?
— Don't take it personally.
— It's literally personal.
Evans sighed.
— So no fight?
Lya crossed her arms.
— No.
— Seriously?
Nova placed a hand on his shoulder.
— Pikachu, accept defeat.
Electricity crackled violently.
— STOP WITH THAT NICKNAME.
Elvis blew a cold breeze.
— He's going to fry us eventually.
Mira looked at Brakk.
— Welcome to the team.
Brakk stared at the sky.
— I feel like my life just took a turn I didn't approve.
The narrator concluded:
— Thus, in a desert destroyed by monsters and egos,
it was neither strength, nor magic, nor a forbidden artifact…
that decided Brakk's fate.
It was a contract.
And as always…
No one had read the fine print.