The shadow of a god

Chapter 0

Warning!:
Fem leaning Rimuru, romance, (reverse) harem

Please don't click on this fanfic if you're not into those.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bored.
Oh, so very bored.
Gosh, is there literally nothing to do in this world?!

I let out a sigh, looking out the window.
The kids playing outside look like they're having fun.
Oh, to be a simple minded child.
「That's quite rude, master.」
Yeah, yeah.

But seriously, this world is so boring.
When you've lived past a century, you'd know what I'm talking about.
I've explored this whole world!
I've solved world peace even! (Well, at least my nation's peace.)

Ugh.

Just then, a bright idea popped in my mind.
If there's nothing more in this world, then..
could it be in another?
My eyes widened.

Ciel, let's go on vacation!
「Where would we even go, master?」
Somewhere new, somewhere far, anywhere!
「I knew this day would come. I have somewhere in mind, master.」
Eh? So fast? Really?
「Really.」
Wah! Thank you, Ciel!

I jumped out of my chair in glee.
A vacation after so many years!
This is like a dream come true!
「You do know you can make any of your dreams happen, right? It's not far-fetched, master.」
Uhm. Let me enjoy my happiness for a bit, Ciel!

I pouted for a bit before going right back on my feet.

I need to tell my patrons!
I need to make sure my nation is in good hands! I mean, it obviously is.

With a simple click,
a meeting was called.
This device was a new one, resembling those pagers back in Satoru's world.

Anyways, all the patrons immediately flocked to the meeting room as soon as I clicked it.
Diablo and Shion were just in the room beside me though, so they were the first to get here.

"What is the reason for you calling us, Lord Rimuru?" The first to ask was Benimaru.
"Mhm. I would like to know as well.." Shuna followed.
The patrons sat in silence as they awaited my answer.

I took a deep breath.
Alright.
"I will be leaving you all."
Crap.

"What?!" The whole room shouted with such force that the window shattered.
My cheeks became flushed with embarrassment as I realized I used the wrong words.
"No, no! It's not like that! I'm just going on vacation! I'll be back in like, a year or so?"
The room became calmer after I explained myself.

Kids, this is why you choose your words wisely.
It feels like sweat is dropping on my forehead. Not like I can produce any..

"My lord, where would you even be going for a vacation? We have all already explored every corner of this world," Zegion asked with a calm tone.
I spoke with full seriousness, "in another world."

The patrons looked at me before Shion broke the silence.
"Master.. another world? Like those ones with the otherworlders? Ugh. I shudder thinking about what type of world they come from.
Full of weaklings.. they give no challenges."
Ah, of course the war freak said that.
"It's not about wars, Shion. It's about new experiences! Be it mundane or exciting!" I curled my fist into a ball with my eyes full of fire.

Shion was still somewhat confused, but still nodded.
"But my lord, we can't just let you go by yourself," Diablo said.
"Why.. not?" I tilted my head.
He seemed to have this hopeless expression on his face before speaking, "you are our lord.. we can't possibly let you go somewhere unknown by yourself. Please, take me with you to act as your shield."
Is this dude serious?
"No, Diablo. I want to go on my own," I adamantly said.
He was visibly hurt by my response, but couldn't dare refute.

"Anyways, I'm leaving right now," I announced.
"I assume we can wrap this meeting up?" To which the patrons nodded.

The patrons were all leaving the room. All except Diablo.
"Ah? Why'd you stay, Diablo? Do you have anything to say before I leave?"
Diablo's face looked somewhat dim.

He approached me slowly, his hand reaching for mine.
His fingers slowly interlocked with mine.
I was confused by the sudden action.
"What are you doing?" I tried to cover my face up with my remaining hand, but he only pushed it away.
"I'll miss your touch, Lord Rimuru." Touch? That sounds a little weird!
"T-Then I'll miss yours too.. I guess?" What are you saying?!
I knew Diablo liked me, but.. isn't this a bit too extreme..?

He leaned towards me even more, his face only inches away.
"Lord Rimuru, I-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Benimaru barged in the room.
Benimaru stared at me and Diablo in a puzzled expression.
"D-Diablo?! What do you think you're doing with Lord Rimuru?!" He quickly stomped towards Diablo and looked like he was ready to pick a fight with him.
"Calm down, Benimaru." Diablo's look of desperation earlier was no more. His usual sly grin was on.

The two were butting heads, so I had to put a stop to it.
"Shut up, you two!"
The two stopped, and walked away from each other.
"I'll be going now. So you guys, don't cause any trouble!" I rolled my eyes, and opened up a portal.

Ciel, set the coordinates to a very interesting world.
「Of course, master. 」

.
.
.
.
.
.

As I went through the portal, it felt like my whole body was being changed.
Strange.. but maybe it's normal..?

I opened my eyes, momentarily blinded by an intense light.
Ciel, where did you teleport me to?
「To a hospital.」
To a what?!
「In the 5 seconds that you were travelling through worlds, I had to create a backstory for you so that you can blend in this world seamlessly.
I will explain.
You were a 5-year-old child who lost her parents in a fire, making you an orphan, so that nobody would ask where your parents were.
You lived with your aunt who also died when you became 18-years-old. She gave you all of her money.
You're in the hospital right now because you got hit by a car on your way to school. You got in a coma for around 2 years.」
Why did you give me such a tragic backstory?!
「For fun, hehe.」

I guess this is better than nothing.
I looked down and noticed my hands.
Ciel.. how old am I?
「Hmmm. About 20-years-old. Today's supposed to be your birthday!」
20?! So young. My god.

How am I supposed to have fun here if I'm in a hospital?
「Master, you're already free to leave now. You've gotten better.
Oh right, I need to remind you, there's a person you have to stick close to in order for you to have the full experience!
His name is Sung Jin-woo.」

As I was deep in thought, a nurse came to visit me.
"You're free to go, Ms. Tempest," she said.
Ms? You made me into a girl, Ciel?!
Ciel didn't have to say anything. I knew she was smiling.

I got up in anger and went.
I was excited to get a stick, now I have a crack?
This is dogshit.

I walked out the hospital, staring at the people around me.
"It's.. been a long time." I looked at the familiar faces.
They weren't Japanese, but I still saw a lot of Korean faces before.

I felt eyes on me so I looked in the direction they were located at.
The boy beside me..
"Hello." I smiled at him, to which his face became as red as a rose.
Cute.
He looks no older than 15.
"Hello. My name is Sung Jin-woo." He took out his hand for me to shake.
Oh, this is the guy. He looks way ordinary.. more than I expected.
How is he going to make my adventure fun?
I guess I'll wait and see.
"My name is Rimuru Tempest." I shook his hand.

"A-Ah! The girl in a coma for 2 years?!"
"Yeah, that's me."
He stared at my hand.
"That must be why your hand looks so frail and delicate.."
"It must be." I swept my long hair to the side since it was getting in the way of my face.

"You got discharged already? Do you even have anywhere to live at?"
Ciel, do I have anywhere to live at?
「Hmm. No. Your aunt gave her house to her friend, although she gave you all of her money.」
"Uhh.. No. I was planning on finding one to live at actually. 'Ya know anywhere vacant?"
An idea presumably popped up in his mind.
"The room next to mine is vacant. I could show it to you if you'd like." His smile was sweet and pure, no malice at all, causing me to become pink in the cheeks.
"Alright then."

Jin-woo took my hand and guided me to the apartment building he lived at.
I followed him up the stairs, and to the vacant room.

"It looks spacious."
"It is. My younger sister and I live in the room next door. The size is alright for two people, so it'd be spacious for one person!" He spoke.
"Younger sister? How old is she?" I asked.
"Around 14-years-old."
If his younger sister is that young, then how old is he?
"How old are you then?"
"I'm 24-years-old."
"Really?! You look way younger. Around.. 15!"
"Haha. People often tell me I'm way too small and younger looking for my age."

Man. I knew he looked young before the system appeared, but I didn't expect him to look this young.
"What about you? How old are you?"
"I'm 20-years-old. I just turned 20 actually." I smiled.
He looked happy when I said I just turned 20.
"You should celebrate! Ah.. you don't have anyone to celebrate with.." He was excited at first, but started to become meek after the realization.
"I can celebrate with.. you and your younger sister. We can all be friends! It's not like I even have any!"
His ears perked at me saying we could be friends.
"Sure. I'll introduce you to my younger sister."

He knocked on the door of his room.
The door creaked open, revealing his younger sister.
My eyes went onto her, then to Jin-woo, back to her, back to Jin-woo, and so on.
"You look way younger than her," I teased, making him blush.

"How pretty! And she's funny! Is she your girlfriend, oppa?" Her eyes glistened.
His eyes widened and he resembled a rose at the moment.
"Sh-She's not my girlfriend. Girl and a friend, yes, but girlfriend, no." He looked at me, saying sorry through his eyes.
She pouted when she saw I wasn't his girlfriend.
"He can always try to win her heart," she mumbled, and led us to the living room.

She plopped me down on the couch and gave me a glass of water.
"So, how'd you meet my brother?"
"We just met earlier, aha. I didn't have anywhere to live at, so he brought me here 'cause apparently the room next door is vacant." I smiled.
She didn't look satisfied, rather she looked disappointed.

I was peacefully drinking my water when she blurted out, "hey bro, when are you gonna try and get her as your girlfriend?"
What a silly question.
"You know, meddling into your brother's love life is a bad thing," I scolded her, making her sulk.
"I won't do it again." She pouted.
She's just a kid.
When she pouted, her cheeks were so chubby I just wanted to squeeze them.

Jin-woo was staring at us with visible happiness on his face.
I'm younger than him, so maybe he sees me as a little sister along his actual one?
I was thinking about it when Jin-woo spoke, "Rimuru, you have a strange name huh? I've never heard one like it."
"My parents are Japanese," I explained.
Uh, Ciel, is that true?
「Yes, master.」Phew.

"Your name is Rimuru? What a pretty name!" Jin-woo's little sister marveled at me.
I have to say, it feels nice for someone to praise me.
"It is, isn't it? Well, what's yours?"
"My name is Jin-ah!"
The two of us chatted until the clock hit 5:00pm.

「Master, I suggest being a hunter. The pay is good, though you don't need any more money.
And it'll be fun for you to get the experience of being a hunter.
In our world, you were mostly confined in your office after 50 years, so it would be beneficial for you to move around by fighting monsters and such.」
Uh huh.

"So, Jin-woo, you said you were a hunter?" I asked.
"That's right."
"I was actually thinking about becoming a hunter!"
Jin-woo looked at me worried.
"Are you sure? You just got out of a coma so-"
"I'm sure. And I'll be fine. I got you."
Jin-ah's gaze felt like it could drill holes into me.

"Should we go now? The evaluation is open until 8:00pm." I nodded.

『....』