It Started with Slime - Part 1

Chapter 76 - Is Talk Overrated?

"So...no cutting and pinching and poking, just talking? Why put me in a bag then? I'm no threat to you. I mean, I couldn't even get away from you...." Aarav tried not to let the bitterness come through in his voice. He almost succeeded.

Haemish had a kind smile on his face, he might not have encountered anything as bizarre as this thing, but he could show creatures of the forest some compassion. More than humans anyway, he thought with a chuckle. "We just need to make sure you're not a threat to the kingdom. You know the usual spiel. Once we know your safe to be around, then we will let you go!"

Famous last words, Aarav thought, last words for him, not Haemish. Where was this conversation going? Until they did their tests, they weren't going to let him go. Maybe they would give him some drugs. That might be nice. No! No going back to old habits, idiot! Phew, I need to relax. I can't do anything right now in terms of saving myself. What else can I do?

He hadn't finished checking all his Skills to understand what was going on with him, but he wasn't sure if this was the right time. Then again, they were his Combat Skills. He might need those more than ever in the upcoming days.

Taking a look at his Health, Stamina and Mana showed him how precarious his situation was.

Current

Max

Regen / hr

Health

37.40

739.00

3.88

Stamina

0.42

274.00

1.63

Mana

0.40

562.00

1.60

The last fifteen minutes had done nothing for his recovery. His Health had nearly bottomed out just before plunging into the water as well. With Zen Meditation and Natural Plant Healing both active, he looked at his paltry regeneration rates. It was shameful he needed to find something to heal with and soon. Maybe?

"Hmm, so this might be a bit of an awkward question, and I don't like asking for charity, but I am in quite the pickle right now. Do you happen to have any healing potions? That is a thing here, right? My Stamina and Mana are zero right now. Health is pretty damn close as well." If they were going to hold him captive they ought to give him something for the trouble.

"How can you be close to zero Health? You don't appear to be in any pain or look like you are close to death. You know a potion will not do anything for you if your full, and if you think opening the bag will allow you to escape, then you are sorely mistaken."

"I don't know about any of that, but I can assure you that I am, in fact, close to death...maybe this body doesn't work the same as a human body...?" Aarav realised that he might have said too much when he saw Haemish's eyebrow quirk.

"You know that I am a human...? How can you possibly know that? Do all the monsters discuss humans in their spare time?" Haemish asked. Even though his voice was pleasant on the surface, Aarav detected the undertone. As a master of understanding the undertone from his past life, he knew that one meant that he had to tread carefully.

"Of course, I know you are all human. I have been to the village. I know what humans look like. One of them must have mentioned your species!" Again Aarav found himself questioning why he didn't just come clean. Blorenar was a magical world. People must get trapped or reincarnated in monster bodies all the time, right? Also, why didn't I just say I can Strong Identify stuff? I am sure everyone has that Skill as well. Arrggh! Now is NOT the time to be second-guessing myself. I have more significant problems.

"Yes, of course! That must be it." Now he spoke too quickly. He didn't believe me. Did he do that on purpose to through me off and make me think he doesn't believe me? Or is he just that oblivious? If it was the skinny guy, I would say option two, but with this guy? I can't get a read on him. Most likely, it was the first, a calculated response. Aarav responded with a nod. "So you know our names, but you have not volunteered yours. I assume you have one?"

"Resh, very nice to meet you." Some of those other worlds Aarav had read about gave people power over you when they knew your real name. There was no way he was taking a chance with his actual name. To these people, he would be Resh, for now. Once they earned his trust, then maybe he would give his real name.

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