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 6: Jewel Slime

Episode 6: Jewel Slime

“(Phew, {Evolution} complete.)”

I looked at my body against the evening sky. The cool, refreshing blue that reminded me of a soda bottle was reflected in my view. It was a vivid contrast to the previous gray.

Although my body had grown a bit larger, its shape remained unchanged. It’s to be expected since I’m a slime.

So, this is the extent of the visible changes. Let’s check how much stronger I’ve become by looking at the |Status|.

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Species: Jewel Slime  

Beast Rank: Lesser Beast  

Soul Accumulation Level: 11

Stats:  

Life: 25/30  

Mana: 10/10  

Power: 6  

Toughness: 311  

Resist: 35  

Speed: 6

Skills: [Dissolution Liquid]

[Self-Regeneration] [Throwing] 

[Sense of Direction] [Cover]

[Escape] [Climbing] [Provocation] 

[Crushing] [Block] [Food Storage] (NEW)

[Perfect Defense] (NEW)  [Escape Instinct] (NEW)

[Enchanting Radiance] (NEW)

Unique Skill: [Best Harvest]

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My |Toughness| has increased dramatically… It was just over 250 before evolution. Thanks to this, my high |Resist| now seems relatively modest.

Well, according to the description, it’s still reasonably high. The real issue is the |Power| and |Speed|. 

Why haven’t they changed at all since before evolution?! 

Sure, I chose Jewel Slime for its defensive capabilities… but I didn’t expect no change at all.

I’d like to think that |Power| isn’t that important, but it would have been nice if it had increased a bit…

“(…Alright, let’s check the skills.)”

I focused on the next section, bringing up details about each skill in my mind.

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Skill Details

[Food Storage]

• Increases the amount of nutrients that can be stored.  

[Perfect Defense]

• Continuously adjusts |Resist| based on basic |Toughness|, and adjusts |Toughness| based on basic |Resist|.  

[Escape Instinct]

• Makes it easier to learn [Escape-type Skills]. Constantly adjusts the effects of [Escape-type Skills].  

[Enchanting Radiance] 

• Can draw out the intent to attack from creatures that see the skill holder. When the skill holder is killed, the killer can obtain significantly more <Soul Fragments>.

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First, [Food Storage] is likely the [Skill] I gained when I was eating the wolves earlier. It’s not overly powerful, but it will be quite valuable when food is scarce.

[Perfect Defense] is a pure enhancement [Skill]. While I don’t know the exact increase, if it strengthens based on my already high |Toughness|, then my |Resist| should also be significantly increased.

[Escape Instinct] is also a good skill. If it enhances [Escape-type Skills], it can compensate for my low |Speed|.

But the last one, [Enchanting Radiance], is problematic. It seems to increase the experience points gained by opponents, no matter how many times I review it.

“(Seriously… is there really such a useless [Skill]?)”

The common understanding among slimes was that [Skills] should make oneself stronger. However, increasing the opponent’s experience points doesn’t help at all. It makes me seem like just a bonus monster.

“(Wait, maybe that’s exactly what I am…? With such high defense, I might be a bonus slot like that metal guy…)”

A depressing thought crossed my mind, but I tried to ignore it. Returning to the review of [Enchanting Radiance].

This skill might be useful in some situations for its attraction effect, but since I have [Provocation], I probably won’t use it much…

Well, it’s better that it doesn’t have indiscriminate attraction effects.

“(Haa, that’s about it.)”

I finished checking everything. There was one problem child among the [Skills]. But overall, my defenses have significantly improved. Especially against status effects compared to before. So it’s acceptable.

“(I’m feeling a bit mentally exhausted. I should go to sleep soon.)”

Even slimes need sleep. I settled into the space under the tree roots and drifted off to sleep.

“(Morning!)”

The next morning, I woke up with the sunrise and energetically jumped out of my makeshift bed. I landed with a thud and then began to think about today’s plans.

“(In the end, how should I live…?)”

That is, whether to focus on hunting or gathering. Using yesterday’s methods, hunting is possible, and gathering isn’t difficult with my |Toughness| and [Skills]. 

Hunting offers more benefits because it can increase my <Level>, but there’s a risk of encountering magical beasts that can break through my |Toughness|. 

…But the same risk applies to gathering. If I don’t actively seek out battles, the encounter rate will decrease. But if I do encounter something and my <Level> is too low, I might not be able to resist.

Which risk should I take?

I pondered for a moment when suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by a powerful chill.

“(!!)” 

I reflexively activated [Block]. 

Immediately after, my body was thrown into the air.

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

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

>> The Corrupted Ash Demon, Ramelga, has activated [Territory].  

>> [Dominion: Scorched Earth – Chaos] has come into contact with Dwozof’s [Dominion: Sea of Forest].  

>> A territorial conflict has occurred.  

>> [Dominion: Scorched Earth – Chaos] has partially seized control.  

>> Environmental characteristics have changed.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～