My friend is a slime, so what?

Part 4: Clearing a misunderstanding.

AAAH! NOOO! THIS IS MY END! GOODBYE, CRUEL WORLD! THIS IS THE EPILOGUE OF MY SHORT NEW LIFE! SOO LONG! ADIEU! BAIBAI! NAMELESS SPIDER NO MORE! Aaaaaa... Wah, I got lightheaded. Some stop the world from spinning too fast!

"Well, you have been screaming nonstop for a while now. I'm surprised you didn't pass out."

Well... YOU COULD HAVE STOPPED ME! Ugh, my head is still spinning.

"...."

Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Okay, fine, maybe you try to stop me, but you could at least do it less scarily? Like I really could do it without the intense workout.

"Sigh. Well, are you ready to listen to my explanation?"

It's not like I have much of a choice, don't I? And if you can tell me how to get the privacy of my mind back, that would be great. Do you know how hard it is to actively try not to think?! You just end up thinking harder! Is exhausting! I feel like I would take psychic damage at any moment!

"Okay, but promise me you will not try to run away the moment I let go of you. All I want to do is solve this misunderstanding before it grows any bigger."

Yes, yes, I promise! It's not like I can cross my fingers, maybe my legs? No, that would be too obvious. Soon I feel the coil around me lessen as the slime goes back to its normal and kind of adorable form. I was tempted to just try my luck at running again, but I already tested my luck twice with that, and I feel if I get a third strike, I would be out. I already have a hard time being a spider; I don't want to imagine how awful it would be for my next reincarnation. I may end up reincarnated as an inanimate object like a sword or vending machine! Nah, who would read such a silly thing?

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One explanation later, I realized everything was a big misunderstanding, and the slime, whose Japanese name is Satoru Mikami, is just as much of a big awkward nerd as I am! Well, not as awkward. He actually has some social skills since he has to work and deal with people. Ugh! Thinking about it just makes me feel ill, making a living by interacting with strangers daily! You have my utmost respect to raise up for the challenge Satoru Mikami! or Rimuru Tempest as your cool new monster name. Hmm, Why is Rimuru looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?

"Hmmm. What should I call you? Calling you spider girl or nameless spider all the time sounds kind of wrong."

Oh right... I'm a "Nameless Spider" yeah, that would be weird to call a former human just "Spider." I wonder if that is how pocket monsters feel when their trainer calls them by their species. Hmm, I can go with my human name, but that may sound out of place in this new fantasy world, and I'm terrible at coming with a name! I named my bald MMO character baldy! Perhaps I could ask Rimuru for a nickname or a new name. After all, he named a dragon and survived, soo he must be good at it. Though why is he looking at me weird again, is something wrong? Do I have monster guts on me? It seems I must engage in social interaction mode! Okay! I can do this! Quick and to the point! He won't even know what hit him!

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Let's go! I did it! Uuf, That was hard to pull out, such an eloquent performance! Good job me, well thank you me. Though I'm disappointed, I didn't get a speech skill for that, quite unfair if you ask me.

"Oh, nothing really. It's just you have quite the expressive body language."

"Oh, I do?"

Oh... OOOH! Oh no! It seems I underestimated how expressive my new spider body is. Well, this is quite the troublesome discovery, quite troublesome indeed. I have spent all this time moving around like a mad spider. This is indeed quite embarrassing, but I'm a more mature spider now, and I learned my lesson. I won't run away. No, sir, I'm wiser now.

"Are you okay? You are shaking quite badly now?"

"Yes"

Yes, I'm okay, I'm perfectly fine, I'm peachy. I'm not on the verge of having another panic attack.... Oh, who I'm kidding! I'm having a panic attack! Aaaah! Why me?! Why, why, why?! First, I didn't have privacy in my mind. Now my own body betrays me! Who is the cruel god who forced me into such a fate?! All I want is some privacy in the sanctuary of my mind! But now I'm nothing but an open book easy to read, like one of those popup books for little kids! Waaah! Such a cruel faith for an introvert like myself! 

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After spending some time squirming on the floor, panicking and screaming, but not running away, because like I said before, I'm wiser now. I stopped because I calmed myself and not because I got exhausted. Now to return to the task at hand. I need a name. Obviously, I can't name myself, soo I have to ask Rimuru for a name. Okay, I can do this! Everyone, give me your social energy for this!

"Rimuru, give me a name."

Yes, yes, good. It's clear and to the point, but I feel it's missing something; maybe I was too blunt? He seems nervous.... Oh no! Did I sound rude? Quick! Emergency polite maneuvers!

"Please?"

Nailed it.

"I guess I could try naming you. Let me ask "Great Sage" How this whole system works, and then we can do this."

Well, there he goes looking up as he asks his OP skill what to do. Seriously, how lucky can someone get? He woke up in a safe part of the labyrinth where the only thing he did was eat around rock and grass out of boredom and then bang! A dragon becomes his friend and gives him a cool name and maybe a secret power up! And on top of all that OP skills! What do I get? Shooting web out of my butt and traumatic events!

"Okay, I think I can name you now, and it seems it comes with a free power up."

Free power up!? Finally, things are looking up for me! Sorry, I ever complained how OP you were! Please give me the power up! Oh, and the name, I almost forgot the naming part.

He then explained to me how the naming skills work. not only would it give me a name, but it would also give a boost to my "Magicules?" I guess that is kind of my power level? I'm slightly worried that it kind of grants him a degree of influence over me, but apparently, that is something he can choose not to force onto others just like the dragon did with him. I either take the risk or remain both a nameless and weak spider and while I can grow stronger on my own, I may be missing the opportunity to get a boost that may help me survive. I have been taking my chances since I hatched in order to survive. What is another one on the list of "Spider Poor Choices."

"Fine, I accept being named."

Here goes nothing. He nods and seems lost in thoughts, thinking of a name fitting for me. Just what kind of crazy magical name would he give me? All this suspense is making me anxious.

"From now on, your name is going to be "Kumoko Tempest!""

"... Kumoko?"