Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 24: The Giant Bear 2

Episode 24: The Giant Bear 2

“[Jump], [Charge], [Cross Counter], [Slash]!”

Using the newly learned [Charge] skill, I slipped past the Giant Bear and delivered a full-powered slash. I flew through the air at unprecedented speed, smashing into a tree to stop.

The speed of my charge was so fast that it exceeded what I could perceive. The [Slash] was almost a wild swing. Though I felt it connect, I wouldn’t know the extent of the damage until I checked.

“Veru…!”

“(Tch, I thought I could take off an arm or something.)”

My attack had hit the Giant Bear’s right front leg. The black, muscular limb, as thick as a log, was severed halfway through. 

While the injury would likely render it useless in battle, that wasn’t the most important part. Despite my combined skills, the damage I inflicted was limited.

“(Looks like retreat might be the best option… No, it’s not decided that it’s impossible yet!)”

There was still a chance to win if I aimed for the weak spots! With renewed determination, I noticed the Giant Bear turning around. The anger in its eyes was fiercer than when it received my [Challenge] skill. Rising on its hind legs and briefly looking up at the sky, it roared.

“Gwooooorrr!!”

“S-sla!?”

A howling roar with physical weight struck from above… It was probably a [Skill] effect. Although I wasn’t hurt by it, I was pinned to the ground.

“(! Oh no)”

I was immobilized for a few seconds by the unseen pressure from the Giant Bear’s roar. It didn’t move, likely due to the constraints of the roar [Skill]. Instead, it prepared its attack.

It gathered |Mana| in its uninjured left front leg. As the roar ended and I tried to escape with |Instant Shift|, the Giant Bear’s arm swung.

Following the trajectory of the claws, a semi-transparent slash shot through the air. The several-meter-long slash was faster than the Giant Bear’s charge, making my evasion impossible.

“(Damn it, [Block]…)”

Turning part of my body into a shield, I tried to stop the slash with my weapon skill. Normally, I’d be able to withstand this attack with ease, but the Giant Bear’s attack ignored |Toughness|.

The shield was cut through.

“(Ouch)”

Sharp pain spread from the cut. The surrounding area began to melt, indicating cellular necrosis. When a slime’s body receives intense attacks, the damage propagates around the wound.

With about 10% of my |Life| reduced, approximately 5% of my volume was melted. Even if the attack doesn’t cover a large area, it can still be fatal, so caution is necessary.

“(—This isn’t the time to be thinking about that, [Jump]!)”

The Giant Bear, having released the claw attack, immediately began running. Although its speed was somewhat reduced due to the injury on one front leg, its raw |Speed| was still far superior.

I quickly leaped away from the spot where I had defended against the slash.

“([Lightning Strike], [Lightning Strike]!)”

I also used my [Unique Skill], which I had been holding back to avoid making it obvious. I launched two lightning bolts as a start.

“Grrr…”

The Giant Bear showed no particular signs of being affected. Its thick, seemingly impervious fur seemed to repel the lightning. 

Since it seemed ineffective, I stopped using lightning bolts. I needed to save |Mana| for [Body Repair].

“Veru…”

As I continued to evade, the Giant Bear began concentrating |Mana| again. I considered that it might be preparing another claw attack and shook my head.

This time, it gathered |Mana| in its hind legs.

“(If it’s in the legs, it might be a [Skill] that enhances its charge…?)”

I increased my caution while trying not to distance myself too much in order to keep an eye out for a counterattack.

I watched carefully for the moment when the [Skill] would trigger, paying attention to when the legs would be particularly charged with power.

“Gwaah!”

“(What!?!)”

In sync with a simple step, |Mana| from the leg was poured into the ground. Suddenly, it exploded outward. 

Without time to react, the ground surged upward with force. I was struck by the earth’s fist and propelled into the air, breaking through branches and foliage.

“(Ah, but there’s no damage.)”

There was no pain in my body, and my |Life| didn’t decrease. Also, the roar [Skill] didn’t cause damage. I wondered why.

Perhaps because it wasn’t a direct attack, the |Toughness| penetration ability didn’t activate…? 

No, if that’s the case, the earlier claw attack too—

Well, whatever. What I need to think about now is what comes next.

Specifically, how to deal with the Giant Bear preparing its claw attack on the ground.

“([Jump] could let me escape, but… this is a perfect situation. I need to choose my next move carefully).”

Being cautious, though, there wasn’t much time, so I came to a somewhat hasty conclusion.

The Giant Bear, looking up at me through the gaps in the trees, swung one of its arms.

Five claw attacks, distorting the scenery, flew at high speed.

The speed was unimaginable, but since it was the second time, I was a bit more accustomed to it.

Carefully observing the slashes, I activated my ability.

“([Weapon Body])!”

Even though [Weapon Body] is always active without me consciously using it, I shouted out due to the situation.

I transformed my entire body into a round shield. The round shield is flat, shaped like a squashed rice cake.

It’s flatter and less burdensome than other weapons like swords and spears, and closer to a slime’s basic form.

The slime shield created this way fell vertically and successfully slipped through the gaps between the claw attacks.

It was also significant that I could adjust with [Aerial Jump] once.

“([Aerial Jump])!”

Returning to its oval normal form, I accelerated straight down with [Aerial Jump].

Combining with the effects of gravity, I quickly closed in on the Giant Bear.

“([Challenge], [Enchanting Radiance])!”

I further stirred up its desire to attack, making escape difficult.

The fierce red eyes of the Giant Bear stared intently at me.

At this point, it all came down to luck.

I extended my whip towards the approaching Giant Bear, growing a blade from the tip, and

“([Lightning Strike])!!”

I struck the eye glaring at me with three lightning bolts.

Due to my lack of sniping experience, the aim wasn’t perfect, but the lightning should have obscured its vision.

The Giant Bear tried to protect its face with one arm, coming into my range.

“([Crushing], [Consecutive Hits], [Slash])!”

A blow with various [Skill] enhancements landed directly.

A large cut was carved into its previously unharmed left front leg.

The damage was comparable to what I initially inflicted.

“(Damn it, couldn’t finish it off)!”

However, it wasn’t powerful enough to kill.

I fell onto the Giant Bear’s nose and immediately tried to jump away, but hesitated.

“(Wait a minute—)”

“Gwooooorrr!!”

The Giant Bear, while groaning, shook its head trying to throw me off.

Enduring with [Unyielding Spirit], I entered its mouth that was open from the roar.

Its jaw tightened, and its fangs tried to crush me,

—Clang.

A hard sound echoed.

I felt no pain in my body.

It seemed the gamble had paid off.

“So, your [Skill] makes claw attacks penetrate |Toughness|, huh?”

I had no confirmation.

After being tossed to the ground, I recalled the common factor in the attacks that didn’t cause damage.

Maybe, it can only use |Toughness| penetration with claw attacks.

It seemed my guess was correct, as the Giant Bear’s fangs hadn’t left a scratch on my body.

“(Now, I’ll do this)”

I extended my body to the back of its throat, blocking the airway.

I could hear the muffled screams of the Giant Bear, but there was no way to do anything about it.

At most, it could attack the edge of my body sticking out of its mouth, but with its battered arms, it couldn’t do much damage.

“[Dissolution Liquid], [Earth-Growth-Thunderbolt]!”

Then came the finishing blow. There should be some effect from inside its body.

As planned, the Giant Bear’s resistance dulled, and it gradually lost its strength.

Even with high |Life|, if it can’t breathe, it will eventually die.

Whether it clung to its face for a minute, two minutes, or more.

Amidst the desperate use of [Dissolution Liquid] and lightning attacks, the massive body fell. Shortly after, my <Level> rose sharply.

―――Non-Notification Information Recording Zone―――――――――――――

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>>Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Weapon Slime} has acquired the [Skill: Impact]. [Crushing] will be integrated.

>>Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Weapon Slime}’s Soul Accumulation Level has increased to 56.

>>{Evolution} is now possible.

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