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 26: The Result of {Evolution}

Episode 26: The Result of {Evolution}

──Alright, I’ve managed to shake off the humans. There aren’t any other beasts around here either, so let’s get this {Evolution} over with.

As I decide on my evolutionary path, the energy within my body begins to circulate. This is my third {Evolution}. The heat that transforms my body has intensified with each evolution. My body expands, pushed by the overwhelming heat, as the internal energy flow regenerates me on a cellular level.

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

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>> Katsuya Fuwa {Jewel Weapon Slime} has begun {Evolution}.

>> The Species has changed to Jewel Armory Slime.

>> |Stats| have been updated due to the {Evolution}.

>> New [Skills] have been added.

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I chose to become a Jewel Armory Slime. Compared to the other two options, it seemed less quirky. It was more likely to enhance my current abilities, so I decided on this one.

“(Phew, it’s done.)”

I stretch out my body, elongating vertically. My body, now the size of a baby elephant, reaches the tree branches with ease.

“(Hmm…?)”

That’s when I notice something odd. My body feels different somehow──.

“(──Wait, I’ve turned into a cube!?)”

Yes, my body had transformed from its usual mochi-like shape into a cube. A perfect hexahedron, with all sides equal in length.

“(If I was going to end up like this, they could’ve at least given me a heads-up…)”

I grumble internally. Well, my ability to transform seems to be intact, so it shouldn’t be a problem…

“(Alright, let’s take a look.)”

The rush of growth and the sense of omnipotence are starting to settle down, so I decide to check my |Stats|.

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Species: Jewel Armory Slime  

Beast Rank: Grand Beast  

Soul Accumulation Level: 56 (UP)

Stats:  

Life: 457/481  

Mana: 413/476  

Power: 215  

Toughness: 2488  

Resist: 268  

Speed: 163  

Skills: [Dissolution Liquid] [Self-Regeneration]

[Sense of Direction] [Cover] [Throwing] 

[Climbing] [Block] [Perfect Defense]

[Escape Instinct] [Impact] [Unyielding Spirit] 

[Flexibility] [Whip] [Compact Whip]

[Consecutive Hits] [Folly] [Transport]

[Stealth] [Understanding Intent] [Slash] 

[Compact Slash] [Gesture] [Communication] 

[Weapon Body] [Transient Martial Arts] [Flee]

[Body Repair] [Bite] [Dance] [Swimming] 

[Flee] [Instant Shift] [Cross Counter] [Challenge]

[Concentration] [Aerial Jump] [Charge]

[Impact] (NEW) [Storage] (NEW)  [Transport] (NEW) 

[Weapon Storage] (NEW), [Replicant Form] (NEW)  

[Bewitching Gleam] (NEW)  

Unique Skill: [Earth Growth Thunderbolt]

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Whoa, my |Stats| have skyrocketed. Before {Evolution}, they were just entering the mid-100s. Now, they’ve jumped straight into the 200s. No wonder I feel such a surge of power. The distribution of |Stats| is roughly the same as before the {Evolution}, but the amount of mana has increased significantly. Maybe the species name, “Armory Slime,” implies that my capacity has increased…?

…Well, in any case, more is always better. Since pondering won’t yield any answers, let’s check out the new [Skills].

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Skill Details

[Impact]

• • • • When directly attacking using your body weight, the power is amplified. You can increase your falling speed.  

[Storage]

• • • • Increases the amount of stored nutrients. Allows |Life| and |Mana| to exceed the maximum value.  

[Transportation]

• • • • Reduces the load from transported items and lessens damage to transported goods.  

[Weapon Storage]

• • • • Completely covers weapons with your body, allowing them to be stored in a separate dimension.  

[Replicant Form]

• • • • Allows you to analyze and record weapons. You can transform your body into any weapon that has been recorded.

[Bewitching Gleam]

• • • • Targets any creature that sees the skill holder, greatly intensifying their intent to attack the skill holder. If the skill holder is killed, the amount of <Soul Fragments> the killer gains is dramatically increased.

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This time, I’ve got a whopping six new [Skills]. That said, [Impact] is just an upgrade of [Crushing] from the Giant Bear fight, and since [Storage], [Transportation], and [Bewitching Gleam] replaced some old skills, I guess there are only two entirely new [Skills]. 

Let’s start by checking out the upgraded(?) [Skills].

[Impact] has its effects purely enhanced, making it easier to use. The increased falling speed should also be handy.

[Storage] seems to be the evolved form of [Food Storage]. It now allows me to store not just |Life| but also |Mana| beyond their maximum limits, so I can expect it to be useful going forward.

[Transportation] might be the upgraded version of [Transport]. I probably won’t use it much, but it’s not like it’s something I’ll regret having.

The final skill, [Bewitching Gleam], is an upgraded form of [Enchanting Radiance]. The aggro-drawing effect is stronger, and the experience gain boost went from “significant” to “dramatic”. But that’s nothing to worry about. It’s not like that matters much anymore.

“(Alright, now for the truly new [Skills].)”

First, there’s [Weapon Storage]. With this, I can take weapons from beasts like goblins after defeating them. My body is tougher, so I probably won’t need it often, but it could be useful as ammo for [Throwing]. Plus, carrying weapons around could give me more options. There might be enemies with [Skills] that put me at a disadvantage in close combat.

For example, if the Giant Bear had a [Skill] that ignored the |Toughness| of living things, using a regular shield might have made it easier to deal with.

Next up is [Replicant Form]. This is… a hard-to-judge skill. It seems somewhat redundant with [Weapon Body]. But the idea of analyzing weapons sounds interesting. I pick up a nearby twig and try it out.

“(A twig is a weapon to a child, so it should work. [Replicant Form: Analyze]! …Oh, it actually worked.)”

The criteria for what counts as a weapon seem pretty lax. Apparently, the twig is considered a club.

“(Oh, I see, I see.)”

The information about the twig appears in my mind, much like when I check out my evolution options. With the analysis complete, I test the transformation effect.

“(Replicant Form: Mimic!)”

Part of my body transforms into a branch. The size, surface texture, and even the tiny bends are perfectly mimicked.

“(Whoa, this is incredibly well done.)”

It looks exactly like a real twig from every angle. As I run my hand over it, the branch snaps with a dry sound.

“(Oops.)”

I must have applied too much pressure. The broken branch’s shape collapses, turning into a light blue liquid, just like when a part of my Jewel Slime body dies.

“(So it even mimics durability…)”

And when it breaks, the imitation dissolves, and the part of my body used for the transformation necrotizes.

“(Since my body’s gotten bigger, the |Life| drain isn’t too bad, but it’s probably not a good idea to use it recklessly.)”

With my current |Toughness|, my natural body might be stronger than iron weapons. [Replicant Form] might not be as convenient as I thought… I put the idea on hold for now and took a quick hop.

“(Alright, time to go hunting!)”

I want to test the power I gained from this {Evolution}. With a mental slap on my cheeks, I set off towards the area with denser |Mana|.