Preparing to Leave

"From today on, we're best friends."

Veldora was ecstatic—this was his first time making a friend. In the past, living beings either feared him for being a wicked dragon or tried to exploit his immense power.

Though he'd sensed ulterior motives from others before, Rimuru and Morax harbored no ill will toward him, which was why he was willing to befriend them.

"Veldora, you've been sealed here for three hundred years. Do you want to go out and see the world?"

Morax spoke up at that moment.

"Morax, really? Can I get out?"

Veldora's eyes lit up.

"I'll give it a try, but I'm not sure if it'll work. And between us, you and Rimuru can call me Mo Li—it's friendlier."

Mo Li said with an uncertain look.

"Mo Li, Mo Li. Alright, from now on, Rimuru and I will call you Mo Li in private."

Veldora repeated it a few times, excited like a child.

Seeing Veldora like that, Mo Li gave a helpless smile. Strength and wisdom really didn't go hand in hand. He reached out and placed his hand on the barrier of Infinite Prison, drawing a trace of magicules.

"Gamer, run an Analysis. See if there's a solution."

[Analysis complete. [Infinite Prison] is a skill that seals the target's time eternally within Imaginary Space. The sealed cannot recover their magicules. Since Veldora is a True Dragon, and True Dragons are spiritual lifeforms with no lifespan or physical body, they are immortal as long as their consciousness exists. To free him, there are two options:

One: Use power strong enough to break through Imaginary Space and violently destroy the Infinite Prison seal, releasing the Storm Dragon. However, according to analysis, no living being currently possesses such power.

Two: Follow the plan from the original storyline—have Rimuru Tempest place the Storm Dragon inside his Stomach. Once Rimuru evolves into a Demon Lord, use the Ultimate Skill King of Wisdom to analyze Infinite Prison and release the Storm Dragon.]

Listening to Gamer's Analysis, Mo Li's face darkened. If I had the power to forcibly break Infinite Prison, why would I need you? That was a whole lot of nothing—might as well have said nothing. 'Power to break through Imaginary Space'? Why not tell me to fly up and shake hands with the sun?

As for the second option, I knew that before you did. I wanted another way.

"Are there any other options besides those two? And that's basically just one plan anyway."

Mo Li held his head and asked.

[None.]

Hearing that, Mo Li felt a bit helpless.

"You're useless. Can't do anything. What good are you to me?"

Mo Li cursed inwardly.

[Host, I've provided you with solutions. It's your lack of ability, not my fault. Besides, Infinite Prison belongs to the Summoner's skill set. [Summoners] differ from ordinary Otherworlders who cross over physically—they possess strong souls capable of withstanding summoning, so they always have unique Special Skills. Based on your past-life memories, the one who sealed the Storm Dragon was the Strongest Hero Chloe, who wields [Absolute Severance] and [Infinite Prison]. Even among Summoners, she's top-tier. You've only just come into being and want to crack Infinite Prison already? To put it nicely, you're reaching for the stars; to put it bluntly, you're talking nonsense.]

Gamer shot back.

"Enough. Talking to you gives me a headache. Go play somewhere else."

Mo Li was speechless.

"Veldora, I'm sorry. I can't free you right now."

Mo Li looked up at Veldora with an apologetic expression.

"It's fine, Mo Li. I'll get out someday."

Veldora comforted him.

"I think I have a way. Mo Li, Veldora."

Rimuru suddenly spoke up.

"What is it?"

Veldora's hope reignited.

"According to my Special Skill Great Sage's Analysis, this seal is Infinite Prison—an extremely powerful skill. Using physical attacks from outside to forcibly break it is almost impossible."

Hearing that, Veldora's spirits sank.

"But my Special Skill Great Sage can analyze Infinite Prison. If the analysis succeeds, I can let you out."

At Rimuru's words, Veldora lit up with excitement.

"Then what are you waiting for? Start analyzing!"

"But..."

Rimuru looked awkward.

"Whatever you need from me, just say it."

Seeing Rimuru's expression, Veldora said magnanimously.

With that, Rimuru laid out his plan.

After hearing it, Veldora wore a bewildered look.

"That actually works?"

"Honestly, I don't really believe it either."

Mo Li said thoughtfully.

"But for now, this is the only option."

"Alright, then let's work together to break this damn Infinite Prison. Rimuru, I'm entrusting my freedom to you."

Veldora said with a serious expression.

"Okay, Veldora, get ready. I'm going to swallow you and this seal into my Stomach."

Rimuru said.

"Mo Li, Rimuru, we'll meet again soon."

Veldora said to the two of them.

"Rimuru, begin."

Veldora said to Rimuru.

Rimuru didn't waste any more words. He transformed into a mass of Slime fluid, instantly covering the entire seal and Veldora's body, then pulled them into his Stomach.

"Did it work?"

Mo Li asked.

"It worked. Just need to finish the Analysis."

Rimuru replied.

"We've been stuck here for quite a while now. It's time to go out and explore."

Mo Li suggested.

"I can't wait."

Rimuru said excitedly.

"Ever since I reincarnated into this world, I haven't even seen the outside! Just hearing Veldora talk about it has me itching to go."

Rimuru said to Mo Li.

"There are plenty of monsters in this cave. Let's level up by fighting them and find the exit together."

Mo Li suggested.

Mo Li and Rimuru walked along, fighting monsters as they went.

Along the way, they encountered a Black Snake (A-), a Calamity Centipede (B+), a Black Spider (B), a Giant Bat (C+), and an Armored Dinosaur (B), gaining plenty of skills and combat experience. But none of it was as convenient or handy as Rimuru's Predator and Great Sage.

Because of this, Mo Li often complained to Gamer.

(Gamer: "You're so noble, so great, blame everything on me.")

After wandering through the cave for who knows how long, with the help of Great Sage and Gamer's skills, they finally found the exit.

A door covered in rust appeared before Mo Li and Rimuru.

The door was completely rusted over, and even the decorations on it had rotted away.

"This should be the exit. Let's head out."

Mo Li said to Rimuru, who was in his arms.

"I can't wait anymore. Let's go."

Rimuru said, forming a finger out of his fluid to point.

"Creak."

The door let out a sound.