My Brother Pulled Me Into Another World

"Probably not, Sir Alistair. Perhaps a new variant of slime is more plausible in this case." The elven mage answered. Acid slimes are corrosive and may be a rare kind of slime, no one had recorded that it can use magic. However, there are other variants of slimes that can conjure magic. Although little research has been done with the slimes. Most research or notations on this monster are only limited on basic understanding of the monster, its weaknesses and how to defeat such creatures.

"A slime that can move the earth…" Takei muttered. He contemplated the idea of a new slime variant.

"It is theoretically possible Sir Takei." The elven mage answered. He further explained. "There are slimes that can conjure water magic and dark magic after being exposed to certain magic under the right conditions. Hypothetically, if this is a new variant of slime, it might have been exposed to ample amounts of earth magic."

"But what phenomena can cause a slime to change and increase its proficiency with the earth element?" Takei asked. If he recalled in past life, water is usually the element ȧssociated with slimes, but thunder and darkness were also sighted as well. Fire proficient slimes may have probably appeared in some games previously, but the concept is harder to accomplish if you apply it in this current world. Fire goes against the semi-liquid body of these creatures. Moreover, earth is quite contrasting with the semi-liquid nature. If great magic is performed, who or what would allow such evolution?

"That's a good question." Elan echoed Takehiko's sentiment. The prince's opinion on the elven mages under the priestess Ydrith are higher. These mages devote their life to acquiring knowledge. They are too hooked on knowledge that they would even abandon the societal ties if it were not for the priestess Ydrith. But knowledge presented like this is indeed valuable.

They were silent for a moment. A sound footsteps and rustling grass interrupted their thoughts and caused them to instantly ȧssume on battle stances. Emerging from the mist standing quite a distance from them is a silhouette of a creature. As the sound approached them, the figure emerged from the mist showing a hideous face, pointy ears, and ugly facial features. A goblin, but they quickly noticed it was not an ordinary one. A goblin's sighting in the springs is already an extraordinary feature itself. It's skin color is quite darker than the goblins in the forest. The creature is also wearing fur on its waist which cannot be underestimated.

Takehiko was unnerved with this sighting. Was this what the sprite meant yesterday? He remembered the cryptic warning yesterday, someone who is plotting to kill the prince and seeing a goblin variant here out of all places, is quite fitting to the description. Whatever it might be, they would need to eliminate this possible threat. But judging with the appearance of the goblin, which is very different from the usual ones, it would be wise to not act rashly. It is known to creatures in this mythical world that he has been living in that size, color and appearance are defining characteristics. Any deviation from the average is always a warning. Takehiko glanced at Alistair and Prince Elan. The two caught his glance and nodded. They might not be working together frequently but Takehiko glanced to give them a warning not to blindly attack which is a good choice for survival.

"W-Who are you?" Alistair croaked as he tried to maintain his composure. He spoke with a common tongue. He felt that this goblin is dangerous as he can feel his hairs on his skin stand up. He could feel some power surrounding the dark-skinned ugly goblin.

"How are you feeling Takehiko?" The goblin spoke.

The party was taken by surprise as the goblin spoke. It was an unknown language for them. They could not gauge if a spell is being cast or not. They firmly stood their ground but with the mana embedded in the mist they could not gauge the movement of mana properly. Every magic requires the movement of mana through the body and anyone who uses and has a sufficient proficiency with magic would feel the movement of mana.

'Is he casting a spell.' Alistair raised his sword. He could not figure yet if he would attack or not. He glanced at Prince Elan, which was looking at Takehiko's reaction.

Takehiko froze as soon as he heard the goblin speak. He was the most surprised than the others. His eyes widened because he recognized that language. The word 'Japanese' quickly sprung as the first thing that came into his mind. He might be living for several years in Zariya, but he could not forget that language. He had been speaking the language for roughly two decades in his previous life. Furthermore, this creature knows his name.

"I'm glad that your pain is gone now." The goblin looked down. Despite its unsightly appearance, everyone could feel the sadness in his voice.

Alistair and Prince Elan were undecided. They felt something is amiss with the goblin's manner of speech. They could not understand any context out of the speech.

"Wait." Takehiko blurted out in confusion. How did this goblin know about the pain? He experienced his past life was unforgettable. The unbearable pain as if your insides were revolting. He could not eat well or sleep because there was this dull pain radiating from his insides. . Then he spoke again but this time using the same language that the goblin is using, "Who are you?" Takehiko raises his wand.

The other elves present followed his suit and raised their weapons as well. The remains of a dead creature, a hypothetical slime, a rare slime and now a variant goblin in the middle of one of the most dangerous places in the Valley. The other elves felt that they might have stumbled onto something big.

"I still remember that you wanted me to bring you ramen even if you can't eat. I told you that I will bring one the next day. I am so sorry that I was not able to bring your favorite ramen." The goblin started to tremble as tears started to pour from his eyes.

"Nii-san?" Takehiko trembled. He slowly stepped forward. 'Is this really him? Has the gods answered his prayer?' These thoughts flooded his mind. He felt as if it was just yesterday. He felt pathetic when he died because he remembered that his last words to his brother was asking him to bring ramen from the side stall that they usually eat. He missed it so much that time and he is still missing it at this moment because that kind of food does not exist in Valareth.

"Takei?" Prince Elan anxiously called out as the black-haired ten-year-old elf started to move forward to the goblin. He could feel some sort of sadness from the unknown language that the goblin was speaking but he also felt something was wrong. He is worried about the language that they heard for the first time. It might be a spell, but no mana could be felt from the goblin.

Takehiko knew something that they didn't. The language that the goblin speaks. The memory of his last words to his brother. This meeting was like a dream that he never knew would happen. If he had the magic of time, he would like time to stop for a few minutes just to stay like this. There were many things he would like to know. Like what happened in that volleyball manga turned to anime, what happened to the pirate kid's journey to the center of the earth, how did his brother fare all those times being alone, did he even find a girlfriend? These things that he was not able to ask because his time fell short in his past life. 'Thank you, Yubis-sama! Thank you, papa Hades and mama Sefie.' He inwardly said his gratitude. For letting him keep his memories of his past life.

"I am sorry that I was not able to get off to work earlier. Your brother was very busy… because I promised that we won't have problems with money…" Ryuji fell to his knees and he could not stop himself from crying. He was the one who survived among the siblings. While he was alone taking care of his brother, he should have done more. He should have put more effort because in his mind, maybe a little effort would create a miracle. Maybe that effort can suddenly cure his brother. Maybe his brother would be able to wait for him more. These are things that were left unsolved in their past lives, but he could not wait to say it. Like water that suddenly flowed, his thoughts that bothered him for a long time. He was having a hard time last night of things that he would say because it's embarrassing. But here he was, spouting his nonsense and embarrassing thoughts that he harbored for so long. .

Takehiko approached the crying goblin. He could not stop himself. He was just a few steps away.. This someone familiar to him for two decades, someone he called family for a long time. "Nii-san! Is it really you?"