Improving
Yuko Mikami, the First Tame
I sat there, Yuko the slime contentedly squishing into my lap as I absentmindedly stroked her gelatinous form. Her soft, cool body was oddly comforting as I thought about her name. It had to be just right, something that flowed well.
"What should I call you? You're a girl, so it should at least sound feminine," I muttered, lost in thought.
Angel Mikami? No, that didn't quite sound right.
Luna Mikami? I frowned, shaking my head.
I let out an exasperated sigh. "Ugh, why is naming so hard?" My frustration must've been more obvious than I thought because the little slime flinched, her blue body wobbling nervously at my outburst.
Then it hit me.
"Yuko Mikami?" I said aloud, the name falling from my lips effortlessly. I smiled, surprised by how natural it felt.
I gently cupped the slime in my hands, lifting her up to my face as I grinned. "How do you like the name, Yuko Mikami?"
Without a second thought, Yuko leaped from my hands, landing perfectly on top of my head like a crown.
"Guess that's a yes then," I chuckled, watching her wiggle happily atop me.
Ding
Ding
Ding
Pet Slime Name now updated to YukoYuko has acquired the family MikamiDue to Yuko getting the family name, all stats increased by 5 points.
I stared at the notification, stunned.
"Wait—just by giving her a family name, she gets stronger?" I grinned like a child receiving their first toy. This was going to be interesting.
"Let's see what you've got now, Yuko," I said, turning to check her stats.
Yuko's StatsName: YukoFamily Name: MikamiRace: SlimeGender: FemaleClass: NoneLevel: 1EXP: 0/100Family Name BonusHP: 18/18 [+5]Strength: 7 [+5]Mana: 5 [+5]Agility: 8 [+5]Stamina: 9 [+5]Vitality: 19 [+5]Free attribute points: 3
"Wow... Yuko's already nearly as strong as me!" I marveled at the stats. With her family name, she was already packing a serious punch. The vitality stat, especially, was nearly at 20 at level 1. This family name buff was no joke.
I grinned. "Now, let's complete our quest."
Quest Completion
I clicked on my quest tab, eager to get started.
Quest:
Tame your first monster and level it up 2 times
Rewards: 150 EXP, 30 pet EXP, 2 Free attribute points.
"Alright, Yuko... time to level up," I muttered, scanning the field of slimes about 3 meters away from me.
I chose two slimes that had strayed from the pack. "You take the one on the left and hold it back. I'll take the one on the right. When I finish mine, we'll take yours out together. Got it?"
Yuko bounced excitedly, her blue jelly-like body vibrating with energy, as if she understood perfectly. We closed the distance between us and our targets.
I spotted a large stick on the ground. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. Gripping it tightly, I readied myself.
The enemy slime spotted me and charged, its gelatinous form bouncing like a basketball. I waited until it was two feet away before I dodged to the side. The slime launched forward and collided with a nearby tree, dazed from the impact.
Seizing the opportunity, I rushed in and swung the stick with all my might, landing four heavy blows. Without offensive skills, it wasn't pretty, but it worked. The slime crumpled to the ground.
I stepped back, checking the notification that popped up.
Ding
You have gained 50 EXP from defeating Slime.
"Well, that's how it works," I muttered, glancing at Yuko. She hadn't gained any EXP, though.
"So... it's not shared EXP, huh?" I said, a little disappointed. I was hoping for some easier grinding in the future.
Then it hit me. Yuko was just playing with the other slime I told her to "hold back." She hadn't been killing it, just toying with it.
"So Yuko can understand commands, huh?" I said, amused.
I watched Yuko dodge a few attacks from the other slime. She was clearly enjoying the game, weaving in and out, her movements more precise than the others. Her playfulness made me smile, though I knew it was time to get serious.
"Yuko, take the one in front of you," I ordered, a tinge of guilt creeping in. It felt wrong making her fight her own kind, but this was survival.
Without hesitation, Yuko dashed forward, using her [Charge] skill to knock the slime into a large rock. The impact caused a small crack in the stone, and the slime was knocked unconscious. Yuko didn't stop there. She charged again, slamming the other slime with enough force to finish it off.
Ding
You have gained 25 EXP from your pet.
Your pet has gained 50 EXP from defeating a slime.
I grinned. "Interesting..." I murmured. It seemed I got 50% of the EXP when Yuko made the kill. I couldn't help but feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Alright, you've got this. Go take out that group of three," I commanded with newfound confidence, eager to test her limits.
Yuko bounced off in her usual cute, bouncy manner, and I climbed a nearby tree to watch the battle from above.
She used her [Charge] skill again, catching the group off guard and knocking one out instantly. Before the other two could react, Yuko charged again, and the second slime was gone.
Ding
Ding
Two slimes down, and I could hear the system's notifications, but I decided to wait. The remaining slimes were dazed from the collisions, and Yuko took advantage. She leapt into the air, dodging both of their [Charge] attacks, sending them crashing into the tree I was perched on. I lost my balance and fell hard onto my backside.
While the two slimes were dazed, Yuko acted swiftly, charging once more and delivering the final blow to one of them.
Ding
I stood, dusting myself off, and watched the final slime stumble around, trying to make sense of the chaos.
"Good job, Yuko. You're cool while doing it, but let me handle this one," I said with a chuckle.
Yuko bounced happily, her body rippling with excitement at the praise. I took my stick and swung it at the last dazed slime, flattening it with one solid strike.
Ding
I checked my notifications immediately.
Ding
Pet has leveled up, all stats increased by 1.
You have leveled up, all stats increased by 1.
Pet has killed 2 slimes, gained 100 EXP.
You have gained 50 EXP from your pet and 50 EXP from killing the slime.
I opened my menu and checked my stats.
Satoru's StatsName: SatoruFamily Name: MikamiRace: HumanGender: MaleClass: Tamer 1Level: 2EXP: 75/150HP: 10/11Strength: 11Mana: 1Agility: 9Stamina: 9Vitality: 9Free attribute points: 6
Then, I checked Yuko's stats.
Yuko's StatsName: YukoFamily Name: MikamiRace: SlimeGender: FemaleClass: NoneLevel: 2EXP: 50/150Family Name BonusHP: 19/19 [+5]Strength: 8 [+5]Mana: 6 [+5]Agility: 9 [+5]Stamina: 6/10 [+5]Vitality: 20 [+5]Free attribute points: 6Attributes:
Fire Resistance Level 1 – Takes 10% less fire damage
Physical Damage Resistance Level 3 – Takes 30% less physical damage
Cold Resistance Level 3 – Takes 30% less cold damage
"This is going to be good," I said to myself, eyes glinting with excitement as I looked back