The Slime Doesn't Die from Mana Transfer-Chapter 31 : Sword, to Me!

Russell understood one principle very well.
In a western duel, the one who drew and fired first always held the advantage.
So, when facing someone he already knew was a potential threat, “morality” would never be a shackle on him.
He lived by one truth: strike first, or be struck down.
As the tentacle tightened, the HP value on the status panel dropped rapidly. Already weakened by poison, the girl’s breath grew fainter and fainter, flickering like a candle in the wind.
“W-wait, Mr. Slime!”
Rozelite spoke up with hesitation.
“She… she doesn’t seem to be threatening us. Why kill her?”
“Because you just said she’s demonkind, didn’t you?”
Russell replied flatly.
“I don’t know how you humans define demonkind, but if she is one, then given the enmity between demons and humans, she will never show you goodwill. For all we know, she’s a spy sent to infiltrate this kingdom.”
“Of course, I don’t care about this kingdom myself. I’m only speaking from your position—You’re a princess. Do you really have a reason not to kill her? If she wakes up, her first instinct may be to attack you.”
Rozelite fell into a suffocating silence.
Russell’s words weighed down on her like cold iron blocks.
Demonkind. Spy. Enemy…
Each word was sharp, cutting into her heart.
She had grown up hearing terrifying stories about the demon races—barbaric tribes from the north who endlessly sought to invade the rich lands of the Rhine Kingdom. Evil, merciless, their hands drenched in blood.
That was why, when she realized this girl was demonkind, her reaction had been so extreme.
But still…
Russell continued, “We still have a long road back to the capital. Along the way, we’ll encounter enemies with ill intent. If we always wait until the enemy bares their fangs before we fight back, one day we’ll end up dead with no grave. That’s why the only option is to strike first.”
As he spoke, he picked up the axe lying in the snow with a tentacle and handed it to Rozelite.
“Didn’t you say you don’t want to be a burden? That you want to be useful?”
His voice was low.
“Then prove it. The first step—use this axe, and cut off her head.”
Rozelite blankly accepted the weapon.
The cold handle seeped into her palm and through her whole body. Her heart clenched tight.
She looked down at the heavy weapon in her hands. The edge gleamed under the pale snowlight, sharp and merciless. Fear, revulsion, and a primal disgust surged over her.
“…Do we really have to?” she whispered.
“I know you hate it. That’s normal. The fact that I feel nothing is what’s abnormal. But I believe it’s necessary. Whether you do it or not—that’s up to you.”
Rozelite stood in silence, thinking.
Step by step, she moved toward the unconscious girl, the crunch of snow beneath her feet sounding louder than ever.
Both hands gripped the axe. She leveled the blade at that fragile neck.
Her arms felt like lead, trembling so violently she could barely hold it steady.
She searched the girl’s face for malice—but all she found was fragile tranquility.
Still unconscious. No resistance left. One swing would be enough to end this “demon’s” life.
Her teeth clenched, her muscles strained to the limit—fighting her own inner turmoil.
Ten seconds passed.
With a heavy
clang,
the axe dropped into the snow beside the girl, spraying up flakes.
Rozelite stumbled to her knees, face pale, lips trembling.
“I… I can’t… Mr. Slime, I’m sorry, I can’t…”
“It’s fine. That’s normal.”
Russell wasn’t surprised. His tone stayed calm.
“So, you’ve decided to spare her?”
Rozelite hesitated.
“I think… maybe we should wait until she wakes, and then—”
She never finished.
Suddenly—
The winged girl’s eyes snapped open, glowing scarlet, murderous intent flooding out!
Her bloodstained hand shot forward like a blade of lightning—straight for Rozelite’s chest!
It was too fast. Even Russell failed to react in time.
Shhk!
Blood spurted.
The hand-blade pierced Rozelite’s chest.
The winged girl’s lips curled in a cold smile. The weakness, the helplessness—it had all been an act. Pure deception.
Rozelite’s eyes filled with shock, confusion, disbelief—then, just as quickly, all emotion vanished.
What replaced it was abyssal coldness.
【Symbiosis lv6】
【Mana Strengthening lv2】
【Repelling Lightning lv5】
Bzzzt!
Blinding white lightning exploded outward from Rozelite’s body!
An invisible field of violent repulsion cracked like a thousand steel whips, lashing out in all directions. The hand-blade lodged in her chest was blasted away by overwhelming force.
The winged girl cried out, hurled back like a broken kite, slamming into the snow.
Blood poured from Rozelite’s chest, soaking her clothes.
But “Rozelite” raised her hand with no change in expression, pressing lightly over the wound.
【Shapeshift lv7】
A slimy tentacle slid from her sleeve into the torn flesh, changing shape to plug the wound—forcefully locking her HP.
When she lifted her head again, the coldness in her gaze had burned into naked rage and killing intent.
“Motherf—…”
Controlling Rozelite’s body, Russell cursed under his breath.
“They really think I’m easy prey, huh…”
He raised his hand and shouted.
“Sword—come to me!”
A tentacle whipped out, coiling around the axe on the ground and placing it firmly in Rozelite’s hands.
At the same time—
The winged girl, her ambush failed, fixed her gaze on the pale-blue tentacles writhing behind Rozelite’s skirt and from her half-opened lips.
The smugness vanished from her face, replaced by raw terror. Her voice quivered.
“M-monster…!”
Survival instinct overrode everything.
Her white wings spread wide with a whoosh, summoning a powerful gale to lift her battered body and carry her away from this nightmare.
But she didn’t notice—
A cold, slimy tentacle had already coiled tightly around her slender ankle.
The moment she lifted off, less than half a meter above the ground—
“Get back down here!”
The tentacle yanked with terrifying force.
“Ugh—ahhh!” the winged girl screamed.
Her newfound lift collapsed. She was wrenched from the air and slammed into the snow with bone-jarring force.
And in that same instant, “Rozelite” poured all her strength into her arms, ignoring the risk of further damage to Rozelite’s body.
With a roar, she hurled the heavy woodcutter’s axe straight at the grounded winged girl!
A move of raw violence.
This was the Lightning Whirlwind Cleave!