My head is spinning.
Hmm… Since my head can’t possibly be the same as a human’s, it might be more accurate to say that my ‘precious area’ is feeling dizzy.
Anyway, the cause of this dizziness and strange pain was obvious, even without someone telling me.
[Hungry!]
[Food! Food!]
[There’s food ahead!]
[It’s dark!]
[Foodfood!]
A strange resonance was echoing in my mind.
If I had to say this was some kind of writing I knew, I’d say otherwise, but nonetheless, that meaning was resonating strangely within my head, reverberating incessantly.
There were no long sentences, only fragmented ones, but it seemed like they all wanted one thing.
The food right before my eyes. Occasionally, there were others whispering different words, but most of them left such words.
It must be referring to Kim Cheon-soo and Hwang Bo-yul.
Judging from how they were born after absorbing the toad’s inner pellet, it would be reasonable to think that way.
The problem is that I have no intention of doing so.
In any case.
The reason for my headache was due to the countless voices echoing within my mind. If I were human, I might have already gone mad with so many voices.
If there is a god who hears all prayers, this must be how it feels, right?
Especially since that deity would likely have to listen to billions of prayers made in long and elaborate sentences, making it an even harder task.
Well, given that premise, if he really is listening, it might make sense that he doesn’t respond.
Would even a god not find it overwhelming with all this echoing in his mind?
I don’t know. I’ve never been a god, nor do I even know if such a being exists.
The more pressing issue is these cries troubling me now.
Instinctively, like when I was human, I clutched my head due to the throbbing pain. However, something felt off.
Clutching my head didn’t make any difference to this pain, but when I waved my hand, I heard an unusual sound.
Whoosh!
It was a terrifying sound, as if something was slicing through the air.
“What the—”
[Prey!]
[Food!]
“…This was unexpected.”
Upon hearing this, I realized there was something not quite right. At the same time, the dizziness returned along with an expansive view. It was unmistakable—my vantage point was much higher than it should be. The voices really were coming from far below me, confirming my suspicion.
With all the voices already buzzing inside my head, it was challenging to hear what the two were saying. So I lowered my stance, bringing my ‘precious area’ closer to them.
Then—
BOOM!
A heavy sound rang out. Watching the two small figures scrambling around was amusing, though it wasn’t until then that I realized just how massive my body had become.
Visually, there was no immediate change that made me aware.
After all, though my body had grown significantly larger, the proportions remained the same, making it hard to notice.
In any case.
Once I crouched down to hear their voices, I could finally make eye contact with them.
It reminded me of how I felt reading a fairy tale when I was little, where the main character becomes a giant. Ah, I’m the giant, that’s correct.
The two were left standing there, mouths agape, just staring at me.
Still, the voices weren’t clear, so I slowly extended my hand toward them. I moved cautiously so they wouldn’t think I was attacking. Fortunately, the two only flinched but didn’t retreat.
Watching them not flinch gave me a strange, warm feeling.
Then they climbed onto my palm, hesitating slightly but ultimately trusting me. The sensation of being trusted felt unexpectedly gratifying.
When they finally reached a spot near my face and my ‘precious area,’ an unexpected sound interrupted my thoughts.
[Food!]
[Wow!]
[Finally! Food!]
[About time!]
[I’ve been so hungry!]
You mad bastards, that’s not it at all.
Will you please shut up already?
As I silently protested, the voices ringing inside my head began to fade, almost like pausing a video.
…Why didn’t this work earlier?
Though I still don’t understand the principle, I’ve stopped trying to figure it out. If there was a status screen, maybe things would be different, but oh well.
Isn’t this problem solved now?
Still, there’s one issue.
…The look of complexity in their eyes as they stared at my face, probably because I contorted it while holding them in my hand.
If my expressions were out of control due to the voices echoing in my mind, I could understand why they had such expressions.
Still, I didn’t feel it was my fault. To express my feeling of ease, I moved the jelly-like part of my face to form a smile.
When they saw my smile, they relaxed on my palm.
Finally, Hwang Bo-yul muttered under her breath.
“…So we’ve finally formed one mass.”
“Y-Yeah.”
Hmm.
Now that I think about it… the goal was to bring all these things back to where we were originally supposed to be.
It seemed difficult for them, observing the countless mass of jellies or just me who had grown enormous.
I mean, whether it’s the enormous number of jellies or just me having swollen to this size… it’s equally challenging, right?
But my body is still jelly.
…If I somehow squish myself into place, I think I can fit. Maybe a slightly larger container would work?
To convey this idea, I opened my mouth casually, and it made a loud sound. From its enormous opening, instead of words, jelly poured out like a waterfall.
“Ah, ahh!”
“…?!”
Naturally, the jelly fell onto Kim Cheon-soo and Hwang Bo-yul, covering them in jelly… no, burying them in it.
They looked at me with expressions of utter disbelief, and I felt awkward as I fidgeted with my large knowledge pouch.
Well, it’s hard to resist habits, right?
Having spilled some jelly, I raised my other palm—this one empty—and created a miniature model of a truck beside the one holding them.
Then, using my jelly-like form, I molded a smaller replica of myself next to the truck.
Since I could manipulate my body and tentacles like this, why wouldn’t this work? And indeed, it did.
As I constructed the models, the two, busy wiping the jelly off their bodies, crossed over to my other palm, curious.
“Oooh…?”
“…Surprisingly detailed.”
Kim Cheon-soo was visibly impressed, while Hwang Bo-yul murmured with a hint of uncertainty.
Why is that?
Since I couldn’t read her thoughts, I just shrugged it off and began moving my jelly models. I opened the truck and stuffed the larger jelly replica inside.
The two, evidently clever, nodded in understanding.
“Now that I think about it, we did the same to get here—using a smaller container than originally planned, so it might be possible.”
“Hmm… Perhaps we could try with one unit….”
Still, the one downside to this plan is…
…That just like when we arrived, I’ll have to return alone, confined in that tight container.
However, since there was no other choice, I secretly let some jelly slide away while showing a bright smile to them.
I thought I heard another “Prey!” call somewhere but chose to ignore it.
These insane jelly fellows.
Maybe they’re normal, and I’m the odd one out… but as the leader, it’s only natural that I establish the rules.
Thinking back on the cries of these cannibalistic jellies made me realize how precious and serene those I’ve left behind truly were.
I miss them.
I need to go back soon.
So… Even if it’s a bit cramped, I’ll have to endure it.
The moment I resolved, things began to go smoothly. Basically, all that was left to do was for Hwang Bo-yul to drive a large and sturdy container truck…
…And for me to squeeze my enormous form into the gaping maw of this devilish container.
I had already stuffed quite a bit of food into myself before departure, so the occasional cries of “Prey!” had ceased.
It’s reassuring to think they might have the potential for redemption.
Surprisingly, getting into the container was easier than expected. Given the mystery of why I am in the form of a girl, it was simply a matter of altering and compressing that form.
Still, being confined was equally stifling.
It was exactly the same as being trapped in a box before.
“…So this really works.”
“Let’s close it now. We’ve a long way to go.”
“Uh… Are you coming with us?”
“Of course.”
“…?”
With this strange exchange between the two, the container door closed, and darkness enveloped me.
Immediately, the surroundings grew quiet.
I felt a fleeting sense of loneliness but pushed the thought aside.
[Full!]
[Tight!]
[It’s dark!]
You guys… Can you… No, say something, anything.
Still, I’d give them points for not associating humans with food this time.
…Even if it was devoid of much content.
Anyway.
We embarked on our journey back home like this.
It was boring.
I wish there was at least one window.
