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 5: {Evolution}

Episode 5: {Evolution}

I stopped using [Provocation], and after a short while, the wolves turned and left. They probably figured it was a waste of time to bother with me since their attacks weren’t effective.

“Su-sla-slaasu! (Remember this the next time we meet!)”

I hurled insults at their retreating backs and then took a breath. Although I hadn’t taken any damage, being attacked continuously by larger foes did weigh on me mentally. It’s even worse for a slime since we can’t close our eyes.

Anyway, perhaps because I had endured constant attacks, I had gained a new [Skill] called [Block]. It seemed to enhance my own and my weapon’s defensive capabilities and reduce impact.

Though it’s uncertain how often I’ll use it with my |Toughness|, it’s not a [Skill] that would be troublesome to have.

“(For today, let’s find a place to rest.)”

The sky was tinged with a reddish hue, and it was getting late. I couldn’t return to the slime nest, so I had to find a spot on my own.

“(And before that, dinner.)”

Having a corpse near my resting place might attract other monsters due to the smell. So, I decided to eat here.

I licked my lips in front of the wolf’s corpse—even though I don’t have a tongue. From a human perspective, eating raw meat feels a bit off, but my experience as a slime made me recognize this as food.

I had eaten animals that had died in the wild before, so eating this wasn’t unusual for me.

“(Let’s dig in!)”

I stretched out a part of my body, clasped my hands, and adhered to the wolf’s body, activating [Dissolution Liquid]. I slowly dissolved the flesh.

“(Ugh, it smells like a beast… but still, the meat is tasty.)”

It tasted completely different from the grilled meat I used to eat as a human, but for a slime, it was delicious. The mana in the meat flowed into me as I dissolved it, and the fresh bl00d seemed to rejuvenate my body with each drop absorbed.

As I digested the meat, I suddenly noticed a strange feeling in my body.

“(Now that I think about it, something feels itchy.)”

Reflecting on it, this sensation had been present since I defeated the wolf earlier. I decided to check my |Status|.

“(Oh, it’s possible to evolve… Really!?)”

It seemed this feeling was a sign that I could evolve. I had thought I’d never reach the level to evolve without being able to defeat enemies and level up, but to my surprise, I had reached the level for evolution in just one day.

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

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Rough Stone Slime} has acquired the [Skill: Food Storage].

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I controlled my excitement as I finished my meal and devoured the two wolves. I hadn’t been able to eat this much before, but perhaps my capacity had increased with my <Level>.

However, my body hadn’t grown larger or heavier, and slimes don’t excrete. The slime’s ecology completely disregards the conservation of mass, making it complex and mysterious.

Setting aside my contemplation of slime biology, the next step was {Evolution}… but first, finding a place to rest.

After walking through the forest for a while, I found a tree that was suitably inconspicuous. Conveniently, there was a small space under its roots where I decided to spend the night. I crawled into it.

“(First, let’s check the possible {Evolution} options!)”

I focused my awareness inward.

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Possible Evolutions

{Jewel Slime} – Beast Rank: Lesser Beast

• • A rare species of the slime lineage.

• • Boasts the highest defensive capabilities in the slime world with unparalleled |Toughness| and excellent |Resist|.

• • Also has a species [Skill] for escaping, making it fast in retreat.

{Rock Slime} – Beast Rank: Greater Beast

• • A standard species of the slime lineage.

• • Its rock-like body is exceptionally solid for a slime and has high Power.

• • Possesses the ability to camouflage as rock.

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It seems I can choose between these two. The Jewel Slime is more defense and speed-oriented, while the Rock Slime focuses on defense and attack. 

Among the two, the Rock Slime is simply stronger due to its higher Beast Rank. 

The Beast Rank indicates the strength of a magical beast, and Greater Beast is one rank higher than Lesser Beast. In this forest, it would be considered a mid-tier class.

However, it’s troubling that the Rock Slime is classified as a standard species. Since I’ve never seen another slime of the same type, it’s safe to say that the Rough Stone Slime is a rare species.

If my |Toughness| comes from being a rare species, evolving into a Rock Slime could mean losing that advantage. Also, my newly developed finishing move [Crushing] doesn’t rely heavily on |Power|.

In that regard, the Jewel Slime, with its perfect measures against status effects and escape abilities, seems to be the better choice. But overall, the Rock Slime with its higher Beast Rank might still have the edge.

Hmm… No, overthinking it won’t help if I don’t have enough information.

“(…I’ve decided! I will evolve into a Jewel Slime!)”

The moment I made that decision, the power surging within my body started to rage even more intensely. The force seemed to accelerate and expand wildly. I could feel a turbulent vortex of energy pushing and stretching my body.

Soon, my body became as hot as if it were boiling. Bubbles rose from within me as if my entire body were carbonated water, and the heightened energy burst forth all at once.

“Slaaa-suu!!”

I roared in response to the overwhelming energy. At that moment, the {Evolution} was complete.

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

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Rough Stone Slime} has started {Evolution}.

>> The {Species} has changed to {Jewel Slime}.

>> |Status| has changed with {Evolution}.

>> New [Skills] have been added.

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