MTL NOVEL Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Bonds of Tempest
Chapter 4: Bonds of Tempest
Days turned into weeks inside the cavern. The Tempest Brothers honed their newfound powers under Veldora's watchful gaze. The once suffocating air became familiar—a crucible where strength and control were forged.
Joshua balanced on the edge of his duality, his black and gold streaks flickering in harmony. Rimuru, guided by Great Sage, grew sharper with every challenge, his azure body radiating with untapped potential.
Veldora's voice echoed through the cavern, deep and rumbling.
"That will be enough... for now."
Both brothers quivered at the announcement, their cores pulsing with fatigue and satisfaction.
---
[System Notice: Training Complete]
[Magic Control – Basic: Acquired]
[Combat Arts – Beginner: Acquired]
[Elemental Affinity: Water – Acquired]
[Skill Mastery: Darkfang – 30%]
[Unique Skill: Heavenly Appraisal – Rank B]
---
Joshua's streaks flared brighter at the notifications. His mind was clearer now, the constant pull of his duality more manageable—but never fully silenced.
Rimuru bounced excitedly.
"Finally! I thought we'd be stuck in this cave forever!"
Veldora chuckled, the sound vibrating through the stone walls.
"Do not grow overconfident, little ones. This is merely the first step."
Joshua's voice echoed softly.
"What happens now?"
The dragon's crimson eyes flickered.
"Now... you leave this place."
The brothers stilled. For so long, the cavern had been their entire world. The thought of what lay beyond sent a ripple through both of them.
Veldora's gaze sharpened.
"But before that... there is one final matter."
The seals binding the dragon pulsed faintly, ancient runes flickering with power.
Joshua's Heavenly Appraisal scanned them automatically.
---
[Magic Seal: Infinite Prison]
[Threat Level: SS]
[State: 99.9% Integrity]
---
Joshua's golden streaks dimmed. Even with weeks of training, there was nothing they could do to break the seal.
But Rimuru's voice broke the silence.
"What if... we don't have to break it?"
Both Veldora and Joshua turned toward him.
"What if I... store you inside me?" Rimuru continued hesitantly.
"I can use my stomach space to hold the seal without harming you."
Veldora's eyes widened before his deep laughter filled the cavern.
"Kukuku... A bold proposal, little slime. But... it could work."
Joshua's mind raced, calculating probabilities.
---
[Analysis: Stomach Space Detected]
[Probability of Containment: 98.7%]
---
Joshua's streaks flickered faintly.
"It's possible... but dangerous. If your control wavers, Veldora could be trapped forever."
Rimuru's azure form wobbled but remained steady.
"I trust myself... and I trust Veldora."
A long silence stretched between them before the dragon finally rumbled.
"Very well... I entrust my fate to you, Rimuru Tempest."
---
Veldora Sealed
The sealing process began.
Magicules surged through the cavern as Rimuru's body expanded, enveloping the massive dragon. Joshua's golden streaks flared, stabilizing the magic flow with his own energy.
The seal flickered—resisting—before slowly collapsing inward. With a final flash of light, the cavern fell silent.
Veldora was gone.
---
[Veldora Tempest — Stored in Stomach]
[Infinite Prison — Sealed]
[Unique Skill: Predator Acquired]
---
Rimuru quivered, his body pulsing from the strain.
Joshua's streaks dimmed as he scanned his brother.
"You did it..."
Rimuru wobbled slightly before bouncing upright.
"Of course I did! Now... let's get out of here."
---
Leaving the Cave
The journey through the underground labyrinth was long, but the brothers' sharpened senses guided them.
Joshua's Heavenly Appraisal mapped the tunnels, while Rimuru's Great Sage calculated the safest paths. Along the way, they absorbed weak monsters—small snakes and insects—gaining minor skills without breaking their promise to Veldora.
When they finally emerged into the sunlight, both slimes stilled.
The forest stretched endlessly before them—lush and vibrant. The air shimmered with unfamiliar scents, and the distant sounds of life echoed through the trees.
Joshua's golden streaks pulsed faintly.
"This... is the world?"
Rimuru bounced forward.
"It's huge... We're really out."
Their brief moment of awe was interrupted by distant rustling. Shapes moved between the trees—small, hunched figures with green skin and crude weapons.
---
[Species Identified: Goblin]
[Threat Level: E]
---
Joshua tensed, his demonic half stirring at the hint of danger.
Rimuru raised a tendril.
"Wait... They're not hostile."
A small group of goblins emerged cautiously from the underbrush. Their yellow eyes flicked between the brothers, wide with fear.
One of the creatures stepped forward, trembling.
"Great... spirits... Have you come to protect us?"
Joshua's streaks flickered, confused.
Rimuru tilted slightly.
"Protect you? From what?"
The goblin's voice wavered.
"The Direwolves... They will come tonight... They always come at night."
---
[System Notice: Quest Unlocked — Goblin Village Protection]
[Objective: Defend the Goblin Village from Direwolf Attack]
---
Joshua's streaks dimmed as the weight of the request settled in his core.
"We're not great spirits... just slimes."
The goblins glanced at one another, whispering.
"Even slimes blessed by the Storm Dragon are greater than us..."
Rimuru's body wobbled in surprise.
"Wait, how do you know about Veldora?"
The goblin leader bowed low.
"The Storm Dragon's presence lingers on you... Please, protect us."
A long silence stretched between the brothers.
Joshua's streaks pulsed faintly.
Balance.
His angelic half whispered to protect. His demonic half urged him to walk away.
But in the end... they were brothers.
Rimuru's voice broke the silence.
"Alright... We'll help."
Joshua's streaks brightened slightly, matching his brother's resolve.
The goblins bowed deeply, their rough voices rising in unison.
"Thank you... Great Tempest Spirits."
Joshua's core flickered.
Tempest Spirits.
He glanced at Rimuru, who quivered excitedly.
"Guess we're heroes now, huh?"
Joshua's streaks pulsed—just once—before he answered softly.
"I guess we are."
---
End of Chapter 4