So, I Woke Up... as Clayman?
Okay, so imagine this: You go to sleep, maybe after a marathon of anime (totally hypothetical, of course!). Then BAM! You wake up, but something's... off.
Like, *really* off. Suddenly, you're Clayman, that scheming, puppet-master type from That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime.
Not Exactly the Dream Job
Now, I'm not saying Clayman doesn't have his charms. Power? Check. Influence? Check. But he's not exactly known for his kindness or, you know, *not* being a total jerk.
Suddenly, I was thinking about how this was going to go down. My first thought? "Oh dear god, I need a new plan." My second thought? "Where is Rimuru?"
It wasn't that I suddenly agreed with all of his terrible ideas. My mind was just his. He was crafty, that's undeniable.
Puppets and... Feelings?
Being Clayman was... weird. You're surrounded by minions, pulling strings, but there's this constant feeling of paranoia. Everyone's a potential threat, a pawn to be moved, a blade to the back.
Even weirder? Occasionally, there was a flicker of... sadness? Underneath all the ambition and cruelty, there's this tiny, almost imperceptible loneliness. Talk about a character twist.
It made me think, what if he wasn't *born* this way? What if circumstances, past traumas, turned him into this scheming villain?
Living the Anime Tropes
Honestly, the best part was experiencing all the anime tropes firsthand. Dramatic monologues? Check. Over-the-top villainous laughter? Double-check. Unexpected power-ups from the hero? Sadly, experienced that too.
There were a lot of times that I just wanted to scream at myself. The plans! The overconfidence! I knew how it all would end!
Seeing Rimuru up close, the unwavering desire to help others, made me realize where Clayman went wrong. A dash of empathy, a sprinkle of trust, and maybe things would have been different.
The Grand Finale (Spoiler Alert: It's Not Pretty)
Okay, we all know how Clayman's story ends. It's not exactly a happy ending filled with rainbows and friendship.
Let's just say, being on the receiving end of Rimuru's wrath is... unpleasant. Though I found myself almost understanding.
Even in his final moments, that tiny flicker of sadness was there. Was it regret? Fear? Maybe just a longing for something more than power?
Lessons Learned From a Slime Villain
So, what did I learn from my brief, chaotic life as Clayman? That power without compassion is empty. That even villains have their stories, their reasons.
And that maybe, just maybe, a little bit of kindness can go a long way. Even if you're a slime.
And sometimes, being the bad guy lets you see the good in the heroes even clearer. It sounds crazy, I know, but you had to be there.
