If it had been in her previous life, when she was still human, Rimuru definitely wouldn't have accepted such a relationship.
But now, she was a Slime.
After turning into a Slime, she couldn't even imagine what her future would look like.
If she could become Rin's companion and explore this Otherworld together, Rimuru thought that sounded pretty good.
"You possess a very excellent Unique Skill," Rin said. "As the leader of a faction, I can't help but want to recruit talent when I see it."
"Oh, oh, like a company hiring employees?" Rimuru immediately caught on. "I get it, I get it."
"Exactly." Rin nodded. "Also, I plan to establish a Monster Nation in this world. I hope you'll be part of it, Slime-san."
"I can?!" Rimuru wasn't someone who had trouble working under others.
In fact, she preferred following rather than leading.
And Rin was incredible!
Even though they were both Otherworlders, he had already begun laying the foundation of a country.
A country! Rimuru, who had just been a regular office worker in her past life, couldn't even imagine something like being a king.
"Want to help build a Monster Nation with me?" Rin smiled. "I can offer you a high-ranking official position."
"Yes!" Rimuru immediately perked up at the mention of a high-ranking title, practically hugging Rin's leg in delight.
"Then..." Rin waved his hand. "Here are the details of the contract." A contract appeared before her. "It might be a bit much, so don't rush."
"Take your time reading it. If you don't understand anything, ask the Great Sage."
"Oh, oh! Um, please give me a moment." Rimuru responded and began reading carefully, while asking the Great Sage to help interpret it.
Unlike Shizue, Rimuru wasn't in a rush.
She had plenty of time to consider the offer thoroughly.
Rin felt the same.
He wanted to bring Rimuru in, but not through trickery.
If he wanted her to work for him, then as the boss, he had to show sincerity.
Great Sage, what do you think? After going through the contract, Rimuru asked for feedback.
The contract was only slightly different from the one Shizue had received.
Rimuru would enjoy a number of benefits from Rin.
The only restrictions were: don't harm Rin, and don't betray Rin.
And once she became Rin's Dependent, she wouldn't be able to leave freely.
Unlike the coercive contracts used by Frey or Ice Empress, Rin's Dependent contract didn't include harsh penalties.
At worst, he could sever the contract and expel her.
She would then be required to return everything she received from Rin.
But those conditions didn't concern Rimuru, she was a Dependent joining under legitimate terms.
Until she violated the contract, Rin would also be bound by its terms and couldn't harm her.
[Report: The conditions are excellent. Recommended to sign.]
"Then there's no issue!" Rimuru trusted the Great Sage.
Besides that, she had her own interpretation of the contract.
Join Rin's company and become one of his employees.
In Japan, most companies followed a seniority-based salary system.
That meant the longer one worked and the older one got, the higher the pay.
So once you joined a company, you typically never left unless you were fired.
From that perspective, not being able to leave after joining seemed perfectly reasonable to Rimuru, and entirely acceptable.
As for not betraying or harming the company's interests...
Wasn't that just common sense?!
Rimuru wasn't some backstabbing jerk, how could she do that?
"Then..."
"From today on, I am your employee, Rin-senpai!"
With a bright smile, Rimuru happily signed the contract. "Please take care of me from now on!"
"And also, Shizue-san, I look forward to working with you."
"Oh, likewise."
Shizue had also been quietly examining her contract earlier.
Seeing that, Rimuru naturally understood—Shizue was an employee too.
Shizue had originally assumed the contract would contain all kinds of harsh, one-sided terms.
But in reality, it was just like Rimuru's.
Not only were there no tricks or traps, it was full of benefits, advantages, and even insurance coverage, it made her dizzy just reading it.
If you didn't know any better, you'd think Rin wasn't a Demon Lord but a charitable recruiter.
This treatment...
Shizue thought, Isn't this a little too generous?
If Rin really intended to follow through with all of this...
Then meeting Rin hadn't been bad luck.
It might have been the greatest opportunity of her life.
"Reincarnating into another world is like starting over from scratch."
Rin said, "Also, it's a bit awkward to keep calling you Slime-san."
"Mhm."
Rimuru nodded. "So?"
"How about I give you a name?"
"You can?"
Rimuru didn't resist at all. In fact, she was full of anticipation to receive a name from Rin.
...
"Rimuru!"
Rin said, "From now on, your name is Rimuru!"
"Woo~"
As soon as Rin named her, a huge surge of magicules flowed into Rimuru's body.
The next moment, Great Sage's voice filled Rimuru's mind with a barrage of system messages.
"My head... it's spinning..."
"My body feels bloated too... what's happening?"
[Alert: Due to being named by individual 'Rin,' individual 'Rimuru' is beginning to evolve into a Named Monster.]
Hearing that she was about to evolve, Rimuru looked gratefully at Rin.
She knew Rin had to be aware that naming her would trigger an evolution.
She didn't fully understand the exact mechanics behind naming, but she knew for sure, Rin had given her far more than she could ever repay.
From now on, I have to do my best to repay Senpai...
Thinking that, Rimuru's consciousness gradually faded, and she passed out.
"Looks like it'll take a little time for her to stabilize."
Rin waved his hand, and Rimuru's body turned into a soft puddle of slime, which slipped into his sleeve.
With Rin's current strength, Rimuru would gain unimaginable benefits after being named and transformed into a subordinate.
It was impossible for her to immediately leap into the realm of a True Demon Lord.
She simply lacked the soul energy required for that.
But as a quasi-Demon Lord?
She'd easily be capable of contending with one.
(To be continued.)