You know you're down bad when even your system roasts you before breakfast.
The sun wasn't even up properly when the [System Notification] smacked me across the face:
[User Ryou, despite being the most disappointing summoner recorded, you require a tank. Fusion suggestion: Stone Beetle + Slime = Shell Slime.]
"…I was gonna drink water first, system."
[Priorities, pathetic summoner.]
I sat up on my straw mattress, rubbing sleep from my eyes. Beside me, the Slime Duo wobbled softly, letting out sleepy "pyo… pyo…" sounds. The Flame-Tuft Rabbit was curled up like a warm loaf, tiny sparks popping with each snore. The Sproutling was perched on a crate, drooling onto a berry it was clutching in its sleep.
Shell Slime.
A tank unit.
Something that could take hits so the rest of us wouldn't get smacked around every time a goblin sneezed aggressively.
"…Yeah, that would help."
I opened my Status Screen, still cracked at the edges from me tripping last week:
[Name: Ryou
Level: 3 (11 / 300 EXP)
Class: Summoner (Rank F)
Mana: 90 / 90
HP: 110 / 110]
The Slime Duo blinked at me as I scrolled to the Cathedral of Summons tab, letting out soft "pyo?" noises.
The system popped up again, because it just can't shut up:
[Fusion Available: Stone Beetle (F) + Slime (F) → Shell Slime (F+)] [Estimated Mana Cost: 18 (20% of Max Mana, rounded.)] [Note: Fusion may result in personality changes. Do not complain if it becomes sassier than you.]
"Why would a slime be sassy?!"
[It's genetic.]
I sighed, glancing at the Stone Beetle in the corner, which was diligently pushing a small pebble in circles like it was its life mission. The blue Slime (one half of the Slime Duo) wiggled closer, letting out a "pyo!" as if to say, I volunteer as tribute.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit opened one eye, let out a warm "fwi~" of concern, then closed it again, sparks popping softly.
The Sproutling yawned, leaf tail flicking, then jumped down from the crate, crossing its arms while looking between the Slime and the Stone Beetle with a thoughtful expression.
"Alright," I said, exhaling, "so here's the plan."
I stood up, scraping the last crumbs of yesterday's stale bread into my mouth.
"We're going to fuse one of you slimes with the Stone Beetle to create a Shell Slime. That way, we'll finally have someone who can take hits while the rest of you handle damage."
The Slime Duo exchanged looks. One bounced forward, letting out a determined "pyo!"
The other slime tilted to the side, letting out a quieter "pyo…" of support, then backed up, content to watch.
The Stone Beetle stopped rolling its pebble, looking up at me with its beady black eyes, clicking its mandibles in what I could only interpret as agreement.
The Sproutling placed a tiny leaf hand on my knee, nodding solemnly, leaf tail wagging once in approval.
"Good. Let's get this set up."
Outside, the morning air was cool, dew glistening on the grass. The Flame-Tuft Rabbit stretched beside me, letting out a "fwi~" as tiny embers flickered in the dawn light.
I opened the Cathedral of Summons.
A soft, glowing interface appeared, dark blue and gold lines forming a circle on the grass, shimmering with mana.
[Select Summons for Fusion:]
✅ Slime (F) – Volunteer
✅ Stone Beetle (F)
[Mana Cost: 18 / 90]
The Slime wiggled forward, letting out an eager "pyo!" while the Stone Beetle scuttled up, antennae twitching.
"Okay… Last chance to back out."
The Slime bounced in place, resolute.
The Stone Beetle clicked its mandibles again.
Even the Sproutling gave a small thumbs-up.
I let out a shaky breath, feeling my mana stir as the system's glow intensified.
"Alright. Let's do this."
[Confirm Fusion?]
I pressed [YES].
A warm glow enveloped the Slime and the Stone Beetle, swirling like a small blue storm. My mana drained rapidly, causing a dull ache in my head.
The Slime let out a calm "pyo~" while the Stone Beetle buzzed softly as they merged, their shapes twisting, merging, and glowing brighter.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit backed up, letting out a concerned "fwi~," sparks flickering as it hid behind my leg.
The Sproutling leaned forward, eyes wide, leaf tail wagging in excitement.
The glow pulsed once…
Twice…
Then exploded outward in a wave of soft blue light.
Where the Slime and Stone Beetle once were, a new creature stood.
A Shell Slime.
It was slightly larger than the original Slime, with a rocky carapace covering its upper body, faint blue slime leaking between the cracks like gentle rivers. Small stone spikes lined its back, and its eyes were calm, confident.
It let out a deep, steady "pyo~," the vibration resonating with a reassuring hum.
[Fusion Complete: Shell Slime (F+)] [New Skill Acquired: Taunt (Draws Aggro)] [Stats Boosted: STR, VIT, AGI increased]
The Shell Slime looked up at me, blinking once before letting out another calm "pyo~."
The system popped up with a rare moment of decency:
[Congratulations, Pathetic Summoner, you have created your first tank. Try not to get it killed immediately.]
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit peeked out, letting out a relieved "fwi~."
The Sproutling clapped, leaf tail wagging, before poking the Shell Slime's rocky carapace experimentally.
The Shell Slime simply let out another "pyo~," standing solidly, like it was ready to defend the party no matter what.
I felt a strange warmth in my chest as I knelt down, patting its rocky surface.
"Welcome to the team."
You don't really realize how much you needed a tank until you see a slime wearing a rock shell standing in front of you like a chubby little knight.
The Shell Slime let out a calm "pyo~," its rocky spikes glinting in the morning light. It felt heavier, more grounded, but still had that faint slime jiggle when it moved.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit cautiously hopped forward, letting out a "fwi~" while sniffing the Shell Slime's rocky surface, sparks flicking harmlessly against the stones.
The Sproutling gave it a small, approving thumbs-up before climbing onto its shell, sitting like a tiny leaf general riding into war.
[Shell Slime: F+ Rank]
Skill: Taunt – Forces enemies within a short radius to target the user for 5 seconds.
I opened my Status Screen:
[ Mana: 72 / 90]
"Good, we still have enough for summoning if needed."
The Slime Duo bounced forward, letting out excited "pyo! pyo!" noises, circling their newly fused sibling. The Shell Slime responded with a deeper, calm "pyo~," almost like it was the older sibling now.
🍃 Testing Grounds: Behind the Guild
Behind the guild was a small training ground—a grassy patch riddled with shallow pits, old dummies with missing limbs, and a single wooden post that someone (me) had once mistaken for a goblin during a night quest.
I lined up the team:
✅ Flame-Tuft Rabbit
✅ Sproutling
✅ Slime Duo
✅ Leaf Slime
✅ Shell Slime
"Alright, we're going to test your Taunt skill and see how well you can take hits."
The Shell Slime wobbled once, letting out a calm "pyo~," as if saying bring it.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit's ears sparked with excitement.
The Sproutling cracked its tiny knuckles.
The Slime Duo bounced, ready to body-slam something.
I tossed a wooden practice dummy onto the grass.
"Shell Slime, Taunt."
The Shell Slime's rocky surface glowed faintly blue as it let out a deep "pyo~," the vibration carrying outward in a low hum.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit, which was about to tackle the dummy, stopped and turned, its eyes locking onto the Shell Slime.
The Sproutling also turned, leaf tail flicking.
Even the Slime Duo stopped mid-bounce, turning to face the Shell Slime, eyes blank for a moment.
"…Okay, that's effective."
The system popped up:
[Shell Slime's Taunt successful. All nearby units are compelled to target it for 5 seconds.]
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit shook its head, let out a confused "fwi~," then returned to poking the dummy with sparks.
The Sproutling sighed, rubbing its leaf face.
The Slime Duo blinked in unison, letting out an embarrassed "pyo…"
The Shell Slime wiggled, satisfied with itself.
"Alright, let's simulate an ambush."
I pulled out a rag-wrapped stick (my budget goblin club) and waved it threateningly.
The Sproutling took a stance, the Flame-Tuft Rabbit lowered itself, and the Slime Duo lined up.
"Shell Slime, stand in front."
The Shell Slime rolled forward, planting itself like a small fortress.
I charged with the stick, letting out a war cry (that came out more like a squeak because I tripped on a rock mid-run).
"GYAH—"
Thump.
The stick smacked the Shell Slime's rocky surface and bounced back, nearly hitting me in the face.
The Shell Slime didn't even budge.
It let out a calm "pyo~," as if saying, that's all you've got?
[Shell Slime's VIT is significantly higher than base Slime. Blunt damage reduced by 65%.]
"Okay, that's awesome."
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit hopped onto the Shell Slime's back, letting out a playful "fwi~," while the Slime Duo attempted to climb up, slipping off repeatedly.
The Sproutling inspected the rocky carapace closely, nodding as it traced the stone patterns, whispering to itself.
The Sproutling turned to me, leaf tail flicking rapidly, before forming a small leaf blade with its hand, swinging it experimentally.
A soft green glow trailed behind the swipe.
[Sproutling has begun learning: Leaf Blade.]
"…You're learning from the Shell Slime's defense, again?? How?"
The Sproutling nodded firmly, eyes determined.
I felt warmth in my chest.
Even the system chimed in:
[Your summons are developing naturally due to increased synergy. Good job, Pathetic Summoner. Try not to mess this up.]
"Why do you have to ruin every moment?"
[Because it's fun.]
The next hour was spent drilling formation practice:
✅ The Shell Slime took point, activating Taunt whenever the Flame-Tuft Rabbit or the Slime Duo charged in for attacks.
✅ The Leaf Slime practiced using its vines to pull enemies toward the Shell Slime for bashing practice.
✅ The Flame-Tuft Rabbit practiced attacking from behind the Shell Slime, letting out excited "fwi~" sparks while landing safe strikes.
✅ The Sproutling continued practicing Leaf Blade, its leaf-arm glowing faintly with each slash.
It wasn't flashy.
It wasn't heroic.
It was a small, chaotic mess of "pyo!" "fwi~!" and quiet leaf swishes in a muddy field behind a guild.
And it was progress.
By the time we finished, the sun was high, and the Shell Slime let out a tired but steady "pyo~," rocking slightly as the Slime Duo leaned against it for a nap.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit curled up, letting out soft, warm puffs.
The Sproutling was sprawled on the Shell Slime's back, leaf tail twitching in its sleep.
I sat down, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding, looking at my small, weird party.
[Pathetic Summoner's Note: Your team synergy has improved. Next milestone: Test Shell Slime in a live battle.]
I smiled, looking up at the sky.
"We're getting there."
Slowly.
Clumsily.
But together.