Slime Rancher Entry | Art + Background/Story

Instructions

[ Press SPACE to see the other artworks ] [name] is a scavenger feline who possesses slime traits, making them a slime-hybrid. Their goggles, a cherished gift from their kittenhood, hold special importance for them. They have a keen interest in exploring unknown landscapes that capture their attention. Unfortunately, after the downfall of Far-Far Away Land, it has become important to uncover the events that led to this situation. [name] has the ability to see through the darkness, which is useful for keeping track of anyone or anything that may interrupt their path. They can even temporarily transform into a slime ball to navigate through tight spaces! This transformation matches the color of their hair and tail. Fun fact: They have their hair styled this way for a reason; they will never make that mistake again. --- "I see..." The figure sank deeper into thought, glancing at the confused, mutated feline nearby. It was an odd sight—creating a giant slime was one thing, but this mutation felt entirely different. The creature's gaze pierced through the haze of confusion, leaving it with an unsettling air, almost as if it had just dragged itself out of the tomb of the living—an ordinary side effect that didn’t trouble the figure too much. A whirring noise from the vent beside the lost creature sliced through the silence, pulling their thoughts back to the moment—did this even matter? "What is it supposed to be?" The slime tabby cautiously emerged from beneath a discarded coat, its voice a strange distortion courtesy of the doctor’s makeshift translator. It adjusted its body, the collar jostling slightly, and then it lifted its head, eyeing the unfamiliar individual. "Is it one of those...?" "No." The tiny kitten’s surprise was noticable as the doctor knelt, but the creature remained still, curiosity was kicking out of the bag. The heavy atmosphere of past experiments enveloped them both—a context that had become disturbingly familiar. "It's not a monster." Continuing to study their latest creation, they slowly reached out, lifting a finger to coax a response from the curious feline, lacing in a gentle invitation. The kitten prodded at the doctor's finger with its nose, and a smile graced the scientist's face. With a gentle sigh, they scooped the little being up by its armpits, a look of wonder washing over their features. "Welcome to the family." --- "Copy that," [name] whispered, moving stealthily across the undulating landscape. The d3-d grass brushed against their limbs, a reminder of the once-beautiful wildness surrounding them. "Two spots and still nothing. Those... 'things' can be a handful. I've scavenged quite a few items, and..." Their half-lidded eyes narrowed at a sight in the distance, suspicion creeping into their thoughts. "I'll talk to you later, boss." The scene was straight out of a horror movie—the air thick with an eerie heaviness, vision clouded and murky. But spotting a corrupted being wasn’t too challenging; it was right there, its mini fangs clamped desperately onto an object, trying to wrest it from another's grasp. Then, out of the corner of their eye, [name] noticed a group of corrupted feline hybrids gathering in the distance, their appearance somewhat similar of themselves. It was clear, whatever dark forces they have taken hold of, [name] felt like they knew recognized them from somewhere..