There's a unique kind of humiliation in being roasted by a floating blue screen that calls you "pathetic" before you even finish breakfast.
-[System Notification] User Ryou, despite being the most disappointing summoner recorded, you have reached Level 2. Congratulations, I guess.
"Can you not add 'I guess' to system notifications?!"
-[No.]
The Sproutling, leaf tail flicking, sipped dew off a leaf while side-eyeing me like "He's arguing with air again."
☀️ Morning Plan
I woke up with 77/77 mana, a growing party, and the perfect plan:
-Use all my mana to mass summon F-Tier summons, then fuse them immediately to test cross-species fusions now allowed by the Cathedral.
The Slime Duo let out a "Pyo! Pyo!" in agreement, standing proudly like sentries.
The Sproutling raised a tiny leaf fist, nodding.
⚡ Cathedral Clarification
-[Cathedral of Summons Clarification:] Fusions can occur freely across species within the same Tier (Rank), except for Fire + Water, which forms Mist, a hazard too OP for your sorry level. This freedom is granted because you need all the help you can get.
"Wow, thanks."
-[Stay pathetic responsibly.]
The Mass Summon
-[F-Tier Summoning: 10 Mana each]
I could summon 7 creatures, leaving 7 mana.
---
[Summon 1]
A green Slime wobbled out with a sleepy "pyo…"
---
[Summon 2]
A Moss Rabbit, leaf ears flopping, sniffed the air.
---
[Summon 3]
A Wind Sprite, tiny wings buzzing, emerged, fell over.
---
[Summon 4]
A Stone Beetle, shiny shell, scuttled in circles.
---
[Summon 5]
A blue Slime, blinking shyly, appeared.
---
[Summon 6]
Another Moss Rabbit, instantly chewing grass.
---
[Summon 7]
An Ember Sprite, flickering like a candle, appeared with a soft "fwi~".
---
-[Mana: 7 / 77]
I sighed in satisfaction, looking at my newly expanded party.
The Slime Duo observed proudly.
The Sproutling crossed its arms like a grumpy manager.
After sleeping at an inn while in the middle of a leaf that knows nothing except snoring and somehow has lungs, we go to a grassy field.
The system opened a fusion interface:
✅ Slime + Moss Rabbit = ???
✅ Slime + Wind Sprite = ???
✅ Slime + Stone Beetle = ???
✅ Moss Rabbit + Ember Sprite = ??? (Allowed, same Tier)
✅ Slime + Ember Sprite = [LOCKED: Mist Fusion]
"Alright, let's get creative."
Fusion #1: Slime + Moss Rabbit
The green slime wobbled forward, the first Moss Rabbit blinked.
"Pyo?"
The rabbit wiggled.
They touched, glowing softly.
FLASH!
A Leaf Slime formed, green with leafy ears, letting out a proud "Pyo!" while its leaf ears twitched.
-[Fusion Complete: Leaf Slime (F+ Rank)] Minor photosynthesis, slight HP/mana regen under sunlight.
The Sproutling inspected the Leaf Slime with a critical nod, clearly pleased with the leafy ears.
Fusion #2: Moss Rabbit + Ember Sprite
I turned to the second Moss Rabbit and Ember Sprite.
The rabbit twitched its leafy ears, the Ember Sprite flickered with a warm glow.
They touched, and a warm breeze surrounded them.
WHOOSH-CRACKLE!
When the glow faded, standing there was a Flame-Tuft Rabbit, a Moss Rabbit with small, flickering orange tufts along its back and ember-like spots near its ears.
-[Fusion Complete: Flame-Tuft Rabbit (F+ Rank)] Gains minor Fire affinity, can emit harmless sparks for intimidation, warmth, or small fire damage.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit hopped forward, letting out a soft "fwi~" as a spark popped from its back.
The Leaf Slime jumped back in shock, letting out a startled "Pyo?!"
The Sproutling's eyes sparkled, impressed.
Remaining Summons:
Blue Slime (F)
Wind Sprite (F)
Stone Beetle (F)
Slime Duo (F+)
Leaf Slime (F+)
Flame-Tuft Rabbit (F+)
-[Mana: 0 / 77]
I couldn't fuse again yet, but plans were set for later.
-[Skill Acquired: Gooey Combo] Slimes in the party can now chain attacks, increasing damage by 20% when hitting the same target sequentially.
The Slimes cheered with a "Pyo! Pyo!" high-five.
The Leaf Slime let out a proud "Pyo," flicking its leaf ears.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit sneezed out a tiny spark.
The Wind Sprite tried to clap, accidentally blowing itself backward.
The Stone Beetle scuttled forward, determinedly.
The Sproutling gave me a thumbs-up, leaf tail wagging.
📜 Status Check
> [Party:]
✅ Slime Duo (F+)
✅ Leaf Slime (F+)
✅ Flame-Tuft Rabbit (F+)
✅ Blue Slime (F)
✅ Wind Sprite (F)
✅ Stone Beetle (F)
✅ Sproutling (F)
-[Level: 2 (178 / 200)] [Mana: 0 / 77]
We were close to Level 3.
And we had a party ready to push us there.
⚡ Prepping for the Hunt
"Alright, everyone," I said, standing with determination.
"We're going goblin hunting again."
The Slime Duo lined up, "Pyo! Pyo!"
The Leaf Slime flicked its leafy ears.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit let out a warm "fwi~."
The Blue Slime wobbled determinedly.
The Wind Sprite zipped in a circle before crashing softly.
The Stone Beetle scuttled bravely.
The Sproutling crossed its arms, leaf tail wagging in approval.
-[Note: Your sorry party has a 35% chance of not dying today. Good luck.]
"HEY—"
-[Stay pathetic responsibly.]
I took a deep breath.
Today, we would test Gooey Combo.
We would use our new fusion evolutions.
We would hit Level 3.
We headed to the forest's edge.
The Slime Duo and Leaf Slime bounced in formation.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit walked ahead, letting out tiny "fwi~" sparks whenever it got excited.
The Sproutling led, arms crossed, looking like a leaf general.
I checked my mana:
-[Mana: 14 / 77]
Finally enough for a single fusion if needed.
-[Level: 2 (178 / 200)]
Just a little more until Level 3.
In the bushes, green shapes shuffled.
Three goblins, each clutching rusty knives, arguing over a half-eaten apple.
-[Enemy Detected: Goblin (F Rank)]
The system popped up:
-[Your chance of winning: 60%] [Your chance of winning without embarrassing yourself: 5%]
"Really."
-[Stay pathetic responsibly.]
"Pyo!" Operation Begins
"Slime Duo, Leaf Slime, you're up first!"
"Pyo! Pyo!"
"Pyo!"
They charged, bouncing in unison.
Gooey Combo Activation
-[Skill Activated: Gooey Combo] Slimes chaining attacks gain +20% damage per hit in sequence.
Leaf Slime tackled first, sticking to the first goblin's leg with leafy tendrils.
The goblin shrieked.
The Slime Duo followed, slamming into the same spot, sending the goblin tumbling backward.
"Fwi~!"
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit shot a tiny ember at the second goblin's face, forcing it to cover its eyes while squealing.
The Sproutling followed up, smacking the goblin's shin with its leafy arm like a disapproving grandma.
The Blue Slime hesitated, then let out a brave "pyo!" and body-slammed the third goblin's ankle, barely moving it, but looking proud.
-[Gooey Combo: 3-hit chain complete. Damage boosted.]
The first goblin tried to get up, but the Leaf Slime wrapped it in vines, while the Slime Duo slammed down, knocking it unconscious.
-[EXP +12] [Level: 2 (190 / 200)]
The second goblin swiped at the Sproutling.
"Watch out!"
The Sproutling backflipped—yes, backflipped—while the Flame-Tuft Rabbit jumped in front, ears sparking.
"Fwi~!"
A small spark popped on the goblin's hand, causing it to drop its rusty knife and scream.
The third goblin kicked the Blue Slime, sending it rolling.
"Pyo—!" thunk
The slime wobbled but returned, angrier, and slammed again into the goblin's shin with renewed vengeance.
"Leaf Slime, bind!"
"Pyo!"
Vines extended, tripping the second goblin.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit tackled, leaving tiny burn marks on the goblin's clothes.
The Sproutling leapt, delivering a karate-chop to the goblin's neck.
Thunk!
The goblin dropped.
The third goblin tried to run, but the Slime Duo charged, tackling its legs while the Blue Slime finally managed to land a body slam that actually tripped it.
It fell with a thud.
Exp Gain: Level Up!
-[EXP +10] [EXP +11] [LEVEL UP!] [Level: 3 (11 / 300)] [Mana Capacity Increased: 90 → 90(Yes, 90)] [HP Slightly Restored]
The system dinged triumphantly:
-[Wow, you actually leveled up.] [Congrats, Pathetic Summoner, you're slightly less pathetic now.]
"I hate you."
-[[No you don't.]
New Skill Slot Available
-[Skill Slot Unlocked: 1/1 Available]
"What skill do I get?"
-[You have unlocked: Summoner's Mark (Passive)] Your summons now gain +5% stats when fighting near you.
"…That's actually pretty good."
-[Don't get cocky.]
Post-Battle Scene
The Slime Duo bounced happily, letting out victory "Pyo! Pyo!"
The Leaf Slime wiggled its leafy ears, beaming.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit let out a "fwi~" and did a small hop, shooting a harmless spark into the air like fireworks.
The Sproutling gave me a thumbs-up.
The Blue Slime rolled back to me, wobbly but proud.
I let out a breath.
We did it.
And nobody died.
The goblins had:
3 Rusty Knives
11 copper coins
A half-eaten apple
I picked up the apple, looked at it, then at the Flame-Tuft Rabbit.
It let out a "fwi~" and turned its face away.
"…You can have it."
Fusion Possibilities Open Again
I checked my mana:
-[Mana: 90 / 90]
We could try new fusions again soon.
The Wind Sprite floated around, poking the Leaf Slime, seemingly curious about fusion possibilities.
The Stone Beetle climbed onto the Sproutling's shoulder.
The Ember Sprite flickered around the Flame-Tuft Rabbit like a proud sibling.
Moving Forward
We returned to town with: ✅ Goblin loot ✅ A successful battle test of Gooey Combo ✅ Level 3 unlocked ✅ A stronger, synergized party
I could almost hear the system smirking as it popped up again:
-[You're still pathetic, but less so. Progress!]
I sighed, but for the first time, I smiled genuinely.