Stellar Train: I Open a Small Shop on the Train-Chapter 155

What they didn't expect—

The four had just entered the forest when they encountered a group of Giant Ant Beasts. Where there's one, there are always more—these magical beasts always travel in swarms.

Just as the four burst through the bushes, they saw Stelle and her companions.

The blonde mage girl, Ellen, quickly called out to them:

"Friends up ahead! Run! There are a ton of Giant Ant Beasts behind us!"

As soon as Ellen finished speaking, the trees behind her collapsed in a crash. Over a dozen Giant Ant Beasts burst into view.

March 7th immediately drew her Hou Yi Bow, aimed, and fired!

She launched more than ten glowing arrows in rapid succession—each one struck true, instantly killing a Giant Ant Beast.

Ellen, Kido, and Kaval were completely stunned.

No way... She's that strong?!

Stelle, riding her Tempest Wolf, looked at the four and asked:

"You okay?"

Ellen and the others quickly thanked them.

"We're fine, we're fine—thank you so much for saving us! I'm Ellen, and these are my teammates: Kido, Kaval, and Miss Shizu, who's traveling with us."

Firefly asked curiously,

"Why were those big ants chasing you?"

Ellen explained:

"Those are Giant Ant Beasts—they'll kill any living being that enters their territory."

Firefly nodded, understanding now.

She turned to Stelle.

"Stelle, let's go take care of those ants. These things are brainless monsters anyway—we'll be saving Rimuru some trouble."

Stelle nodded in agreement.

"Sure! Let's go. I came here for adventure, and what's an adventure without a little combat?"

Ellen and her teammates were shocked. These four were planning to attack the ants on purpose?!

Are they nuts? That's suicide!

Ellen hurried to stop them.

"Um, heroes, the Giant Ant Beasts have a whole nest! There are at least a thousand of them. Maybe it's better to just leave it be.

We could set up signs nearby warning people. As long as no one enters their territory, everything should be fine..."

Stelle patted her chest confidently.

"Don't worry—it's just ants! March, Firefly, Ayaka, let's go!"

With that, the four spurred their Tempest Wolves and headed straight for the nest.

Ellen and the others hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow. They couldn't just let their saviors fight alone. Every extra pair of hands helps.

To Ellen's surprise, even Miss Shizu came along. Jing wasn't even part of their team and didn't need to follow her lead.

Jing looked at Ellen's puzzled face and said:

"They saved me too. I can't just abandon them."

Before long, the group arrived at the Giant Ant Beasts' nest.

The monsters had dug out a massive pit in the area—their underground hive.

Sensing intruders, countless Giant Ant Beasts swarmed out from the pit.

Ellen, Kido, Kaval, and Miss Shizu immediately assumed fighting stances.

Stelle looked at Ellen, who was tense and seemingly ready to die, and smiled.

"Stay put. Don't move. We'll handle the ants.

March! Firefly! Ayaka! Let's go!"

Stelle leapt off her Windfang Wolf, lifting the Judgment of Shamash from her shoulder. It surged with wild energy.

"Judgment Of Shamash—Unleashed!"

She raised the blade high and slammed it down toward the ant swarm.

In the others' eyes, the moment Stelle hit the ground, a burst of intense light flashed. A scorching wave of fire erupted from her and spread outward. Every Giant Ant Beast caught in the blast turned instantly to blackened ash, disintegrating into dust with the breeze.

March 7th climbed a tall tree, nocked her bow:

"Rain of Blades!"

A massive glowing arrow shot skyward and exploded, unleashing a shower of countless smaller arrows that rained down, wiping out a huge area of ants.

Firefly transformed into Sam and tore through the ant horde with unstoppable force.

Ayaka summoned the full power of her Vision:

"Frosted Sakura Storm—Perish!"

Enormous ice wheels whirled around her, shredding any monster that got close.

Ellen, Kido, and Kaval stood frozen, staring at the hellish battlefield before them—ice and fire bloomed in deadly waves, relentlessly consuming the Giant Ant Beasts.

Ellen swallowed hard.

"This... This level of destruction... It's on par with a natural disaster, right?"

Even behind her mask, Miss Shizu looked visibly shaken.

These four... Their strength is just insane. Who are they? And how have I never heard of them?

From the start of the battle to the end, it took less than five minutes to wipe out the entire swarm—over a thousand monsters, gone.

Stelle, March 7th, Firefly, and Ayaka returned.

Stelle rested the Judgment of Shamash sword on her shoulder.

"Let's get out of the forest quickly. I've been holding back the whole time—didn't want to cause a forest fire and trouble Rimuru."

Ellen and the others turned to stone on the spot.

What?? YOU WEREN'T EVEN GOING ALL OUT?!

Firefly chuckled.

"Let's ask Ellen the best way out of the forest. She's a local—she should know."

Stelle agreed and walked over.

"Ellen, quick question."

Ellen responded immediately:

"Heroes, if you want to leave the forest, head straight east from here—it's the fastest route."

Stelle thanked her and got ready to leave.

Just then, Miss Shizu spoke up.

"Um... Can I ask you something? Do you know anything about a new monster organization in the forest?"

Stelle looked puzzled.

"New monster organization? Nope. We're just here for some adventure."

Miss Jing tried rephrasing:

"Then... Have you noticed any place in the forest with an unusually high concentration of monsters?"

Stelle thought for a moment.

"Actually, yeah. There's a place like that—we just came from there. Why?"

Miss Shizu's eyes lit up.

"Really? Could you take us there? We need to check it out."

Stelle discussed it with the others for a bit.

In the end, they decided to take Ellen, Miss Shizu, and the others to see Rimuru.

After all, they weren't worried—the difference in strength was... massive.

"Sure. Let's go."

So the group made their way back to the Goblin Camp.

Stelle found Rimuru.

"Rimuru, these folks say they're looking for you."

Rimuru welcomed them warmly and treated them to a feast of grilled meat.

Ellen and her companions sat in a wooden cabin, wolfing down food happily.

Rimuru entered the cabin and saw the way Ellen, Kido, and Kaval were devouring their meals like starved wolves. A bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead.

***

After seeing Rimuru arrive, Ellen and the others quickly straightened up and began discussing business.

Rimuru asked,"So, what brings you here?"

Ellen looked at Rimuru curiously."Are you the leader of this monster organization?"

Rimuru thought for a moment."You could say that. Why?"

Upon hearing this, Ellen replied,"Well, we're adventurers from the Adventurer's Guild. We received a commission from the guild to come investigate your group.Don't worry, we mean no harm. We just want to understand why you've gathered here and whether it might pose a threat to travelers passing by."

Rimuru responded,"Don't worry. I've laid down three rules for them — they absolutely won't harm humans.I'm not an evil slime. I'm a good slime~"

Hearing this, Miss Shizu suddenly let out a chuckle.

Rimuru noticed and had a question mark over his head."? What is it?"

Shizu smiled."Oh, nothing. I just thought of something funny."

Rimuru sized her up.That name... isn't she from my original world?

Later—

Rimuru arranged for Ellen and the other two to stay overnight and rest before heading back the next day.

Meanwhile, Rimuru and Shizu went to a cliffside.

There, they revealed their true identities to each other — both were reincarnated individuals.

Rimuru fulfilled Shizu's wish to see post-war Tokyo.

After returning to the camp, just like in the original story, Shizu was possessed by the Greater elemental of Flame, Ifrit and engaged in a fierce battle with Rimuru.

They fought evenly matched, but in the end, Rimuru used Predator to devour the Ifrit-possessed Shizu.

Inside a room—

Rimuru was bidding farewell to Shizu. With Ifrit devoured, Shizu's life force was slowly fading.

"Mr. Rimuru, I have a favor to ask of you."

Rimuru replied,"What is it?"

Shizu smiled and said,"I want to ask you to devour my body after I die."

At that moment, the door burst open, and Stelle and the others entered.

"Rimuru! We heard your place got attacked—are you okay?!"

Stelle and the others had just returned to the camp, and upon seeing the destruction, they quickly asked Benimaru what had happened and came rushing over.

Stelle, March 7th, Firefly, and Ayaka were all worried about Rimuru's safety.

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."

Stelle looked at the woman lying on the bed."Hey, aren't you the one we brought back? By the way, you're really pretty—why do you wear a mask?"

Shizu looked at Stelle and smiled."That's because..."

Shizu then shared her story with Stelle and the others.

"Stelle, thank you for saving me today. If there's a next life, let's be friends, okay?"

Stelle waved her hand."No need to wait for the next life—how about this one? Hold on, I'll go grab you a senzu bean."

With that, Stelle dashed out the door.

A few minutes later, Stelle came rushing back with a few senzu beans in hand.

She had just returned to the train and got them from Sunday, the youngest in the train crew.

Stelle fed a senzu bean to Shizu, whose complexion quickly turned rosy and her body rapidly recovered.

Like a fresh sprout breaking through the soil, she was full of life.

Shizu was stunned."What is this?!"

Stelle took out another senzu bean."This is a senzu bean. As long as you're still breathing, it'll fully restore you."

Shizu sat up and looked at her body."This is amazing! This must be a divine artifact. Stelle, how can I ever repay you for something so precious?"

Stelle waved her hand."No worries. We've got a whole bunch of these—don't sweat it."

Shizu hesitated."Even so, it's still very precious."

Stelle thought for a moment and said,"How about this—be our guide! We've been wandering around this world aimlessly without a guide."

Hearing Stelle say she wasn't from this world surprised Shizu."Wait, Stelle, you're reincarnated too?"

Stelle tilted her head."Huh? Reincarnated? What do you mean?"

Rimuru chimed in to explain,"No, Miss Shizu, here's the thing..."

Rimuru then told Shizu about Stelle and the others' identities. After hearing it, Shizu understood.

"I see."

Stelle patted Shizu on the shoulder."Get some rest first. Once you're better, you can be our guide."

Shizu smiled and agreed."Alright, I'll be your guide from now on. Don't worry—I'm very familiar with this world. I've been to most of the cities."

Stelle nodded."Cool. We'll head back for now. Rest well—we'll visit again tomorrow."

Stelle and the others said goodbye to Rimuru and Shizu and left through a portal back to the train.

Shizu watched their departing backs, feeling like the whole day had been surreal.

She had seen a fellow countryman, glimpsed her homeland's current state, and although she was supposed to die, she had been saved by Stelle, March, and these otherworldly travelers.

And now, she had become their guide.

Rimuru turned to her."Shizu, are you hungry? Want something to eat?"

Shizu picked Rimuru up in a hug."Call me Shizu from now on—we're friends, right?I want grilled meat~"

Rimuru replied,"Okay then, Shizu it is. But how about something lighter? You're still recovering."

Shizu shook her head with a smile."No worries, I feel great now!"

Rimuru had someone bring grilled meat, and the two of them began eating in the room while chatting about their homeland.

Soon after, Ellen, Gido, and Kaval burst into the room.

Seeing Shizu safe and sound, they breathed a sigh of relief and joined in on the barbecue.

Meanwhile, in the pocket dimension's Rose Castle—

The seven little ones returned to the castle, each carrying big bags.

Today, Ye Yun, Kafka, and Himeko had taken them shopping all over Penacony and bought them lots of clothes.

After returning, the little ones threw down their bags and panted heavily.

Ye Yun had offered to carry the bags, but the girls refused.

"Klee is a big girl now! I can carry my own things!"

"That's right! I'm super strong!"

"Qiqi can carry hers."

"Yaoyao can too!"

Ye Yun couldn't win the argument and let them carry their own things.

After putting down the bags, Yaoyao ran to the juice machine and poured seven cups of orange juice, handing one to each girl.

"Everyone, have some juice and take a break."