Chapter 1:

Chapter 1: A Slime, a Goblin, and an Egg

I Got Transported to Another World by Tornado and I Became a Monster Caretaker

I woke up in what appeared to be a forest. "Huh?" A branch hit my head. Odd... the trees here seemed unusually small.

Looking around, I searched for any landmarks, but nothing looked familiar. Even though I used to go hiking in forests with my family, this place felt entirely unknown. Panic set in as I stood up and noticed a glowing seed in my hand.

"Eh? What is this? Mr. Tree, are you still around?" I shouted.

A faint voice answered, "Don't worry, Risette. I will be around. All you need to do is plant me somewhere and take care of me so I can grow again. Now... time to rest. I'm getting sleepy."

"Wait, what do you mean?! Mr. Tree, come back!" I sighed and placed the seed into my skirt pocket.

I began walking through the strange forest, searching for signs of life. The only light came from glowing butterflies. Bioluminescent butterflies? That’s... not normal. The forest also had massive mushrooms with smaller ones clustered around them.

I checked my phone, but it wouldn’t turn on. I kept pressing the power button, but nothing happened.

After walking for what felt like forever (time is hard to track without a phone), it started raining. Not normal rain either—the droplets were... purple?

Forced to seek shelter, I found a nearby cave. It was pitch black inside. As I explored cautiously, I heard a squishing noise—like walking pudding? What?

Before I could react, I walked into a cobweb and fell, covering myself in dirt.

The squishing sound grew louder.

Panicking, I shut my eyes. Something sticky brushed my face, and the cobweb disappeared. When I opened my eyes, I saw a small slime.

Instinctively, I tossed it away. "Ah! Wait—sorry! Reflex!"

The slime bounced a little and then stood still, seemingly evaluating me.

I spotted another cobweb and offered it to the slime. "Here. You can have this."

It happily gobbled the cobweb and began glowing, lighting up the cave. It then moved deeper, motioning for me to follow.

As I followed the glowing slime, I realized the cave was part of some ancient ruins. We came across a large door. I pushed it open and gasped—bones littered the floor, scorch marks marred the walls, and in the center was a glowing egg.

A dragon egg?! No... maybe a crocodile? Was the slime luring me here as bait?

The slime kept glowing and grew slightly larger by absorbing bones.

I examined the egg. It was massive. As I touched it, the ground trembled.

"Slime, we need to get out of here!" A rock crashed near me. I stumbled, but managed to catch the egg just as it began to fall.

Clutching the egg tightly, I dashed out of the cave, the slime bouncing behind me. Once outside, I saw the rain had stopped. Short and strange.

Behind us, rocks collapsed, sealing the cave.

Great.

With the egg in my arms and the slime at my side, I wandered the forest again.

Then, I heard a faint voice.

"Help! Help! Open the chest, please! I can’t breathe!"

I found a chest and opened it—a small green creature leapt out. "Hyaaah! A human!"

"Hehe, thanks for freeing me! But you’re pretty foolish. Now I’m going to attack! Here I go!"

The creature tackled my foot. It didn’t hurt—just tickled.

"Hehe, scared now, human?"

Before I could respond, the slime absorbed him.

"No fair! I got help! Let me out, you ogre!"

"Ogre?!" I sighed. "Slime, eat him."

"W-Wait! I thought you were gonna eat me! That’s why I attacked! I thought you were an ugly ogre!"

"Say 'ogre' again, and you’re slime dinner."

"Okay! Okay! You’re a... beautiful ogre? Hehe."

"Slime, go ahead—he’s dessert."

"Wait! I mean, you’re beautiful! Please let me out!"

I sighed. "Slime, let him out."

The slime tilted its... head? It looked confused and kept bouncing.

"Guess you’re stuck for now. What’s your name, goblin?"

"I’m Mimic. That’s what my village calls me. I’m a coward who hides in chests."

"Aww. I’m Rin Set—I mean, Risette. Nice to meet you."

Mimic blinked. "N-Nice to meet you, too."

"Do you know a place we can shelter for the night?"

"Yeah. There’s an abandoned village nearby."

"You’d better not be tricking us."

Slime burped.

"I get it, I get it! No funny business!"

We trekked deeper into the woods and reached a village in ruins.

"This it?" I pointed.

"Yep! Looks about right," Mimic said from within the slime.

Most homes were dilapidated. Dust, cobwebs, and creaky floors everywhere. But then we found a slightly more intact house.

"Let’s try this one," I said.

"Looks good! Now... can I get out of the slime?"

"Slime, release Mimic."

Nothing happened.

I poked the slime. Still nothing.

Then I heard a river nearby. I had an idea.

"Slime, follow me."

"Wait, you’re not going to drown me, are you?!"

"No. Just trust me. Slime, drink the river water."

The slime absorbed a huge amount of water, inflated like a balloon... and then, with a comedic PFFFFT, expelled gas and shrank. Mimic popped out.

"Ugh! What’s that smell?!"

"Congrats. You're free."

"Great! Now I’m hungry. Let’s eat the egg."

"No! That egg’s not food!"

"But it smells delicious..."

"Let’s find something else to eat. Help me gather dry sticks, leaves, and rocks."

"What will you do?"

"Forage for vegetables and mushrooms. Meet me back here."

"Got it!"

I placed the egg safely inside the house and headed out. I found root vegetables and some modest-looking mushrooms. Nothing brightly colored—hopefully safe.

I returned to see Mimic already waiting.

We built a small campfire using rocks and dry branches. I lit the fire by friction and used a cauldron I’d found nearby. The veggies and mushrooms went in, and I stirred the stew with a stick, humming softly. The slime bounced happily.

"So Mimic, tell me more about yourself."

"My village was attacked. Maybe by the same monsters that drove away the people here... humans from the north. Raiders. And sometimes demons."

"Demons... and evil humans? Am I really still in my world...?"

"Since none of us have a home now... why not make this place our home?"

"Yeah. For the runaway trio: a human, a goblin, and a slime."

We ate the stew together. Not bad for a first meal.

I yawned. "Let’s get some rest. You can sleep on top of the slime, Mimic. It’s squishy."

"Uh... are you sure it won’t eat me in my sleep?"

"You’ll be fine. Probably."

Mimic climbed onto the slime, grumbling. I laid on my pile of leaves.

I dreamed of the kindergarten. Kids calling me the ugly ogre.

"Run! The ogre’s coming!" Kokoro’s voice echoed.