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 30: Battle in the Cave

Episode 30: Battle in the Cave

Thud.

“(Ugh… this feels awful…)”

After rolling down the slope in the cave for a while, I finally stopped when I crashed into the wall. I shifted from a spherical shape back to a cube. Even though slimes shouldn’t have a sense of balance, I felt a bit dizzy…

“(Let’s try [Lightning Strike – Weak].)”

I gathered my focus and reactivated the [Unique Skill] I had cut off while rolling. Lightning shot up from my body to the ceiling, allowing me to see my surroundings.

“(Is this… a large hall?)”

There was an entrance right next to where I hit the slope. It seemed to lead to a spacious area.

As I moved inside, I increased the output of [Lightning Strike] to illuminate the entire hall.

“““Gobuu!?!”””

Hobgoblins who had covered their eyes with their arms were illuminated by the lightning. There seemed to be about thirty of them at a glance. Among them, two particularly strong ones were emitting a significant amount of |Mana|. They seemed to be comparable to Grand Beasts.

“(So this is the boss room, huh?)”

From my observation, the cave appeared to end in this large hall. There was a chance that the true leader might be out, though.

“Gegyo, Gigugee! (Go, you guys!)”

At the command of one of the Grand Beasts, the Hobgoblins surged forward all at once.

“(Hmm, maybe a bit weaker?)”

I adjusted the power of [Lightning Strike] while approaching them, reducing the strength of the lightning to the minimum needed for visibility.

“(Alright, this is perfect.)”

Just as I finished adjusting, the leading Hobgoblin lunged at me with a spear.

Without doing anything, I received the attack. The iron spear was deflected by the surface of my body.

“([Compact Slash])”

In retaliation, I decapitated the Hobgoblin. Although it wore a helmet, aiming for the gap between the shoulder and helmet at this distance was easy. Probably because the helmet wasn’t sized properly for Hobgoblins.

“““Gigyahhhh!”””

The Hobgoblins, undeterred by the grim fate of their comrade, continued their assault. Some of them were armored, but it didn’t matter. I continuously used [Weapon Skills] to take their lives. Whips and spears danced, and bl00d splattered everywhere.

Thanks to [Transient Martial Arts], I could repeatedly unleash [Weapon Skills] without interruption. 

After creating a hellish scene, the Grand Beast duo started to move.

“Gyakugaa, Gyoogu! (Useless fools, [Mighty Armor]!)”

The first to act was the well-built goblin. The massive figure, towering around three meters, started running and simultaneously pumped up all its muscles. The armor it wore screamed under the pressure.

“Goggyui! ([Demon Tile Smash])!”

The muscular goblin, closing the distance in just two steps, swung its arm like a log. Even with [Instant Shift] activated, the high-speed strike was so strong it seemed like a blur. I had to take it head-on.

“Gyui!? (Ouch!?)”

A thunderous roar, similar to an explosion, echoed as the goblin’s gauntlet shattered. It staggered back, holding its hand.

It couldn’t withstand its own attack’s power.

“(As expected, even against a Grand Beast, normal attacks don’t need much defense.)”

I could tell through [Understanding Intent] that some kind of [Skill] was being used. However, my |Toughness| seemed to make it nearly impossible for opponents of equal rank to break through by sheer force.

“(Is that all? [Challenge])”

The muscular goblin, unable to use its hands, tried a spinning kick.

“([Instant Shift], [Slash])”

Before its attack could land, I moved faster, slashing at the incoming leg. [Challenge] allowed me to lead the timing of the attack, making it easier to hit despite the speed difference.

“[Slash]!”

“Gigyah!? Geg, Gogyo-gyaah…”

The muscular goblin, losing its balance from the pain in its leg, was quickly enveloped by me. I suppressed its struggles with my |Toughness|. I then penetrated the gaps in its armor with [Dissolution Liquid], and simultaneously used [Bite] to devour it.

“Gige-gigya! (Stalling for time was a pain!)”

The other Grand Beast goblin, which had been unnaturally silent until now, began its attack. Although it was also about three meters tall, it gave a contrasting impression to the muscular goblin. 

This slender goblin, with its thin limbs and bent back, gave off a somewhat elderly aura. It placed both hands on the ground and emitted a massive amount of |Mana|.

“Gugge, Gogo-goo! ([Steel Refinement], [Glossy Waves]!)”

In front of the slender goblin, the floor of the entire hall undulated. The waves transformed the floor’s material into steel, and these steel shapes attacked throughout the hall. The steel took various forms—blades, points, etc.—and sliced, stabbed, tore, and pierced throughout the entire hall.

The attack’s range was so broad that it caught even the Hobgoblins who had barely survived. It’s too harsh… though I’m not really in a position to complain.

“(Well, with this, I might be able to manage with [Aerial Jump].)”

I thought this while maneuvering through the obstructive weapons. Since the hall was spacious with a high ceiling, I could avoid the attack by jumping into the air. But I didn’t dodge and use [Aerial Jump] because I wanted to conserve it for emergencies.

“Guh, Gigyaaa (H-hiii)”

The slender goblin, trembling and huddled in the corner of the hall, seemed fearful that its own [Skill] wasn’t effective. Seeing it trapped against the wall and unable to escape made me feel a bit sorry for it.

Then, at that moment,

“(!)”

I activated [Instant Shift] and moved forward instantly.

—Thump!

I heard the sound of weapons piercing the floor behind me. Steel weapons had been shot from the ceiling behind me.

It was a coincidence that I noticed this attack. The reflection of lightning from the steel made me aware of it. With perfect |Mana| concealment and my own carelessness, I would have definitely been hit if not for luck.

Though, an attack of this level wouldn’t have caused serious injury… but if I remained careless, I might mess up in a fight against a strong opponent.

I needed to stay alert from here on.

“([Lightning Strike – Maximum Output])”

I unleashed lightning on the slender goblin that was trying to coat itself in steel. Whether it was the metal of the [Skill] or the special nature of the [Unique Skill]’s lightning, the lightning ignored the surrounding iron and pierced straight through the slender goblin.

“([Charge]!)”

I immediately charged and absorbed it. Then, using the same process as with the muscular goblin, I digested it. The battle with the Hobgoblin group came to an end.

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

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Armory Slime}’s Soul Accumulation Level has increased to 73.

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