Chapter 50: [Charm] Skill

“Welcome to the <Smart House Slime>! Now, first, please take off your shoes here. Oh, there’s no need to bend down. If you stand on this <Shoe Rack Slime>, it’ll automatically take off your shoes for you. Antibacterial and deodorizing functions are standard. It’ll clean off mud or rainwater in just 10 seconds and even polish your shoes. Nice, right? Thanks to the [Control+] skill unique to the Alchemy Slime, no company can copy this.”

“It also automatically puts your shoes on for you and ties your laces tightly when you want to wear them. And if you fill it with <Insole Slime> like this, it’ll automatically put them inside your shoes. Oh, but these aren’t for sale. This <Smart House Slime> is a complete set.”

“Please put your coat in the <Closet Slime> here. Laundry is a given, and it even does repairs. If you input your favorite scent, it’ll infuse your clothes with that fragrance. It can store up to 100 different scents. Impressive, right?”

“Did you notice? Not only the floor, but the walls and ceiling are all coated with <Soundproof Slime>. No need to worry about noise between floors, even if your kid runs around. Even if someone is constantly drilling into the wall from a diagonal apartment, or the downstairs kid suddenly becomes Chopin, or seven twins move in upstairs. Your peace will never be disturbed. Even if you have a marital argument, your child won’t hear your voices. Of course, it’s best not to fight at all. But come to think of it, if you live inside this <Smart House Slime>, wouldn’t you stop fighting altogether? It’s a space full of happiness, after all.”

“Seniors love ondol, right? Actually, every wall and floor in the <Smart House Slime> has heating and cooling functions. If you want to warm your back, just lie down on the floor like this. But I’d rather recommend this <Massage Slime> than the floor. It gently massages your whole body and gives a mild electric stimulus to relax your muscles and relieve fatigue.”

“The bathroom is the place I’m most confident introducing. Honestly, it’s a waste to swallow the <Gargle Slime> every time, right? But it feels weird to reuse it. That’s why I prepared this <Mounted Gargle Slime>. You can use it as many times as you want. And here’s my real recommendation: the <Bathtub Slime>. No need to take off your clothes, just step in and out, or if you want a leisurely bath, it also offers milk baths, rose baths, jelly baths, and many other features.”

“Now, follow me this way. There are still tons of things I want to show you in the <Smart House Slime>.”

Ah, this is fun.

What kind of <Slime> should be in the <Smart House Slime>? I tried acting like an employee introducing the smart house to organize my thoughts.

It’s fun to fill it up with all the things you need, one by one.

Since there’s a <Closet Slime>, I don’t need a <Washing Machine Slime>, but should I add it anyway?

Since there’s a <Dishwashing Slime>, I don’t need a <Sink Slime>, but let’s add it anyway.

Let’s put in both the <Toilet Paper Slime> and the <Bidet Slime>.

With <Soundproof Slime>, even if I drop food on the floor it won’t get dirty, but let’s add a <Floor Mat Slime> too.

Oh, I should add an <Air Conditioner Slime> and <Air Purifier Slime> as well. It’s cool to have them, right?

The more things, the better.

Let’s make it. Let’s make it.

Let’s create a cozy and convenient home you’ll never want to leave once you enter.

It’s okay. It’s okay.

It’s okay even if you don’t go outside.

It’s okay not to worry about external dangers.

It’s okay even if the whole building collapses.

Because you’re inside a <Slime>!

It’s not a <Smart Slime House>, it’s a <Smart House Slime>!

Let’s just stay inside.

There are so many things you can do without going outside.

If you’re bored, you can just watch my broadcast.

Let’s live a life devoured by slime. Right?

Oh, wait. This isn’t the time to be doing this.

There’s still room for improvement in the <Smart House Slime>, so I can’t release it yet.

It’s not quite at the level where you can just toss an orb into an empty house and be done.

I hope the skill I get at level 30 will help.

Anyway, there’s something more important right now.

Today is November 9th.

What kind of day is it, you ask?

It’s exactly one week before the college entrance exam!

I’m sorry to all the current high school seniors, repeaters, and Nth-year students preparing for the exam.

There’s a saying that exam season is a big market.

Some products sell incredibly well right before and after the exam.

Yesterday was the start of winter. It’s already cold. There’s always a cold snap during exam time.

So I prepared these.

<Hand Warmer Slime>

– A slime that gives off warmth. Go, go, fighting!

<Sticky Slime>

– A sweet slime full of nutrients. Stick to your dream college!

This time I packed in the calories. The brain loves glucose, right?

“And finally, this! <Ultra Awakening Slime>!”

<Ultra Awakening Slime>

– Eat it and you’ll be so wide awake your hair will stand on end, and your eyes will become razor sharp with focus. Can you sleep with that level, score, ability, or rank? *Beware of side effects*

Eat this and you’ll be max level!

Eat this and you’ll get a perfect score on the college entrance exam!

Eat this and you’ll be a challenger!

Eat this and you might get suspected of cheating!

“Hahaha!”

Parents with kids taking the college entrance exam at home.

They fetch water and pray, go to temples and pray, go to churches and pray.

If I release this <Ultra Awakening Slime>, won’t people start praying at the open-run sites?

After all, if you start eating this every day from today, the first digit of your exam score might change!

“Hahaha!”

It’s not just a slime for exams.

Life is a series of tests.

Anyone who needs to focus on something would want to eat it.

Even with side effects, it’ll be insanely popular.

It’s unfair, it tramples on hard work, it’s dangerous.

Even if people say all sorts of things, this <Ultra Awakening Slime> will keep selling.

Ethical concerns are meaningless in the face of desire.

There are plenty of people who believe a single moment can change their whole life.

That’s not wrong!

My life completely changed when I became a slime too!

All the other slimes are the same!

Someone solved digestive problems with <Gargle Slime>.

Someone cured insomnia with <Pillow Slime>.

Someone cured rhinitis with <Gargle Slime> and <Pack Slime>.

There must be plenty of people who have the same problems but couldn’t get a <Slime> because they had no money or chance.

Some people solved their problems using <Slime>.

Some people couldn’t solve their problems because they didn’t get a <Slime>.

There’d be a huge difference in their concentration.

Life is unfair anyway.

If you have money, you get opportunities more easily.

If you don’t have money, it’s hard to get opportunities.

That’s capitalism, right?

I’m a merchant.

As long as I sell what people want and make a ton of money, that’s enough, right?

I have to make a ton of money so I can buy all sorts of monster materials, eat them, and level up!

This product is a bit expensive!

But you’ll still buy it, right?

Will it change which college you get into?

Will it change your chances of getting promoted?

Will it help you pass the exam?

You could even study abroad!

How much should I charge?

100,000 per piece? A million?

But you’ll still buy it, right?

“Hahaha!”

Let’s make it. Let’s make it.

Not just South America, but Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa too.

Until I get requests from every continent to buy <Slime>.

Sell, sell, and sell again.

Earn, earn, and earn again.

At the end of monopolizing all the wealth in the world.

Let’s devour the entire world.

“Lululala. Slime conquers the world~.

Lalarulu. Slime swallows the world whole~.

Level 30~ Level 30 is just ahead~.”

Nyam nyam.

Eat, eat.

Tap tap.

Make, make.

“Hmm… The level isn’t going up?”

My eyes landed on the funny-looking ornament I’d decorated on the desk.

The gift Gisu gave me.

Was it called a talisman? Why would I need something like a talisman.

Should I eat it?

Even Gisu had a hard time getting this item, so it should give a lot of level ups.

Nyam.

I tossed a durian from the fruit basket beside me into my mouth.

Mmm~. Delicious~.

There’s plenty of other food, so there’s no need to eat the gift from Gisu.

Ding.

[Makina: Anything going on?]

It’s Makina.

[Me: Busy, talk later.]

I tossed my smartphone onto the desk.

There’s so much to do.

I have to level up, mass-produce Ultra Awakening Slime, and finish the Smart House Slime too.

If I’m going to devour the world, I need to keep moving!

No time to waste on things like games.

Ding.

[Makina: Get a grip]

Get a grip on what?

I’m perfectly fine, you know?

[Me: I said later.]

I tossed my smartphone again.

Ding.

Ignore, ignore.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

So noisy.

[Makina: Idiot.

Makina: Idiot.

Makina: Idiot.

Makina: Idiot.

Makina: I said get a grip, idiot.]

So annoying.

What a waste of time, let’s just cut contact.

[Me: Don’t contact me from now on.]

I was about to throw my smartphone again, but my arm wouldn’t move.

My eyes slowly read the sentence I’d sent.

….

….

…Huh?

What did I just do?

Because it’s annoying?

Even though I don’t know age, gender, name, appearance. Not a single thing.

After ten years together.

Comforting me every time something happened with her unique quick wit.

Makina is annoying?

I told her not to contact me anymore?

Drip. Drip. Drip.

My body won’t respond.

My thoughts keep getting pulled in one direction.

That I have to work.

Sell items, make money, buy things to eat.

Forget about Makina.

Devour the world.

“Why am I really doing this….”

Level 30.

I have to reach level 30.

Why did I have to level up again?

I don’t know.

I just have to.

Staggering, I went down to the basement warehouse.

I shoved anything I could get my hands on into my mouth.

[Divide skill’s -]

[-raised to 30.]

[Trait: Slime☆’s level is now 30-.]

[A new skill -]

“Status window!”

[Trait: Slime☆ Lv. 30

–

Skill+]

[Skills-

1. General Skill: Charm Lv. 1.

2. Special -.]

[Charm Lv. 1

-The more you see and touch, the deeper you fall under its charm and can’t escape.]

Huh?

“Gah.”

My throat is burning.

Thirst is tearing my throat to shreds.

My body is shriveling up.

It feels like my insides are being gnawed away.

No matter how much I stuff things from nearby into my mouth, it’s never enough.

My strength left me and I collapsed to my knees.

“Gah. Gah.”

The moment I clutched my throat, gasping.

A voice echoed from deep inside, which had been growing emptier and emptier.

‘You have nothing.

It’s all just a painted-on lie.

There is nothing underneath.

All that’s left.

Using us to decorate the outside and deceive everyone.

Only a hideous monster.”

Two voices speak to me.

‘What people love is me.

Cute, fun, and fascinating me.

Not you.

Who could love someone as hideous as you?’

In a playful voice.

‘What people love is me.

The one who conquers all sorts of diseases,

The one who enriches people’s lives.

Not you.

Who could love someone as incompetent as you.’

In a serious voice.

”What people love is us.

The ones whose names they don’t even know.

Not you.”

It feeds the emptiness in my chest that can’t be filled.

‘But the attention and love directed at us won’t last forever.’

‘No matter how much we struggle, one day they’ll lose interest.’

‘They won’t look at me.’

‘They won’t use me.’

”The public is fickle.”

‘If you throw me away, people will turn their backs and leave.

They’ll see your hideous form, scream, and try to kill you.

So choose the [Charm] skill.

Make people fall in love with me.

Then maybe one day, you’ll be loved too.’

‘If you give up on me, people will turn their backs and leave.

They’ll curse you for taking away their abundance and try to kill you.

So choose the [Charm] skill.

Make it so people can never escape from me.

Then maybe one day, you’ll be loved too.’

‘Everyone will cheer at your appearance.’

‘They’ll go wild at your every gesture.’

‘They’ll be intoxicated by every word you say.’

‘They’ll love you.’

‘Everyone will become yours.’

”Let’s swallow the world together.”

Yeah.

There’s nothing wrong with charming people, right?

It’s not like last time’s [Transform], where I had to devour people.

They’ll just like me a little more, that’s all, right?

Like when a famous actor shows their true self.

Like when a masked streamer removes their mask.

Like when someone who plays a character on stream reveals the person inside.

The more people love the mask I wear,

The more people will stay and love me instead of cursing and leaving.

So even if I can never return to a human form,

Even if I reveal my slime form in front of people,

I’ll be loved instead of hunted.

Then why won’t my fingers move?

If I just twitch my fingers, I could escape this pain of being hollowed out.

I could be loved by people.

Then why….

Why won’t my fingers move?

Thud.

My smartphone fell in front of me.

A message pops up on the screen of the phone, which turned on by itself.

[Makina: Get a hold of yourself.

Makina: Find yourself again.

Makina: I’ll always be by your side.]

“……Ah.”

You know,

There’s one person.

Even though we don’t even know each other’s real names,

My appearance,

My ability,

Not caring about any of that,

Someone who loves me.

I clenched my teeth and stood up.

I filled my empty insides with breath.

“What do you mean, it’s okay!!!”

I shouted with all my strength.

[Charm] isn’t a skill that devours people like [Transform]?

“That’s a lie! It eats away at people’s minds and hearts!”

Yeah. At first, it might just make them like me a little, get a bit interested.

But what if the [Charm] skill’s level rises?

What if people use <Slime> more and more?

It says it right there!

You can’t escape!

How is this any different from addiction!

The love and attention needed to care for yourself and those around you, to move toward the future-

I’d be swallowing up all the important things in their lives.

No matter how much I try to fill myself with that kind of thing, it’ll never be enough.

What gets filled isn’t me, but the mask I’m hiding behind.

“You want me to devour people’s minds and hearts just to use them as padding for my mask?”

Even if all the lies I’ve built up come crashing down one day,

Even if people leave, disappointed after seeing my true self,

There’s someone who loves the worthless me.

So I find the courage.

I can walk the path I need to walk.

[You can choose a skill.

1. Normal Skill: Charm Lv. 1.

2. Special Skill: Special Divide.]

My warped vision returns to normal.

As I raised my hand, my body suddenly began to physically shrink.

A ringing like the shouts of hundreds or thousands of people echoed in my head.

“You think I’m going to lose.”

While I was consumed by emptiness, I took a beating, but now that I am aware of the madness caused by the curse, it is different.

[Do you really want to acquire the Special Divide skill?]

[The skill will activate as soon as you obtain it.]

[Once the skill is used, it cannot be undone.]

“Get out of my body.”

The empty space that had been in my chest sucked in whatever had been spread throughout my entire body.

There was a snapping sound, as if something was cut off, and then something round surged up from inside.

“Ugh. Ptooey.”

A foul object I didn’t want to describe shot out of my mouth.

<Curse Fragment>

-A piece of a curse forged from deep resentment.

■■ ■■ Dear ■■ Despair’s ■ ■■ ■■ ■■■■■ ■ ■■ the end will come ■■■!

[You have overcome Despair twice.]

[A portion of your suppressed nature is being activated.]