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 45: New Technique

Episode 45: New Technique

The spell Paula learned, [Space Storage], creates a separate dimension where inanimate objects can be stored. It’s basically an item box. While it’s a fundamental space manipulation ability in most stories, it gave us a foothold in understanding spatial magic. From there, I came up with a few ideas to develop it further, and we spent time testing out new spells—some successful, some not. Eventually, as the time to head back drew near, Paula and Ergo left.

Watching their backs as they walked away, I muttered to myself.

“(Chaos Beasts, huh…)”

Now that I was alone, I recalled the term Ergo had mentioned. Even while suggesting spells, I’d been listening to his explanations, and the existence of these Chaos Beasts had come up.

“(A race possessed by the Seed of Chaos, driving them into madness… it’s just like that monster.)”

The traits of a Chaos Beast matched perfectly with the red monster I’d encountered. That had to be the truth behind the seed. Thanks to meeting Ergo and the others, I had unwittingly uncovered the identity of my sworn enemy.

“(But the humans don’t know the exact source, do they?)”

Apparently, Chaos Beasts are more common in the east, but no one has identified the source of the seeds. What kind of entity is scattering them, and for what purpose? Even in the frontier regions, there’s no information about them yet.

“(The East… I’ll have to go there someday.)”

I have some unfinished business to take care of, and I can’t just ignore such a dangerous threat. Though, it’s not something I’ll rush into right now.

“(It’s a whole continent, after all.)”

The forest I was reincarnated in lies in the western part of the continent. It would take over a month using every means of transport—carriages, ships, and so on—to reach the capital in the center of the continent. From there, it would take just as long to travel to the eastern regions. To shorten that journey, I should become stronger and increase my |Speed| before setting out. Besides, I haven’t even taken down the Forest Turtle yet.

“(First things first, I need to master some [Skills]!)”

I shifted my focus and swung my blade in the air. I activated [Slash], simultaneously channeling |Mana| outward. After a few attempts, I began to get the hang of it by the fifth try. On the sixth, it took on a clear form.

“[Wave Slash]!”

A soundless slash flew through the air. The translucent blade of |Mana| soared for a while before dissolving into the blue sky. [Wave Slash] was a [Weapon Skill] Paula had taught me while we were developing magic. Although I already had several ranged attacks, it’s never a bad thing to have more options. I also learned [Wave Thrust], which sends out a piercing attack.

Feeling confident, I headed into the forest to find something for dinner. There were still plenty of fruits around, but I was worried about a lack of nutritional balance. I have no idea what kind of nutrients a Slime needs, though.

“(Are there any magical beasts around? Ones that give a lot of <Soul Fragments> and have plenty of |Mana|—whoa!)”

While I was walking on eight legs like a sickle-wielding spider, something suddenly hit me. Stumbling with all eight limbs, I turned my attention to where the impact had come from, but there was nothing there.

“(Tch, did it move?)”

I quickly scanned the area. Naturally, the forest was dense with trees and bushes, making it hard to see. I couldn’t spot the thing that attacked me. With no other choice, I reverted from my sickle-limb form back to my original Slime body. Though the sickle-limbs didn’t tire me out, I wasn’t skilled enough to use them effectively in battle yet. I kept two of them ready for defense, though.

“(A Slime has 360-degree vision. If I know it’s coming, there’s no way I’ll get ambushe—whoa!?)”

Another hit. It didn’t deal damage, but it startled me. I was sure I had been paying attention in that direction, but I couldn’t tell how it attacked.

“(Is it just incredibly fast, or…?)”

As I tried to figure out what was happening, I used [Replicant Form] to mimic a shield. I positioned the shield to cover three sides of my cube-shaped body—left, right, and front.

“(…Guh!)”

Sure enough, the next attack came from an unshielded side. It seemed smart enough to avoid the shield. I quickly rotated my body, directing the shield toward the source of the attack. Then, another hit came from the unguarded side again.

“[Receiving]!”

This time, I adjusted my body’s surface to absorb the impact. Once I knew the direction it was coming from, I could respond. The unseen attack slipped into the surface. In that moment, I activated [Tear Off]. Spears lined up like fangs tore through part of the invisible attack, and yellowish blood spurted into the air.

The severed piece of the attack rapidly retreated, trailing the blood behind it.

“[Wave Slash]! [Lightning Strike]!”

I immediately pursued the target. The slash of |Mana| and lightning exploded in the seemingly empty space.

“(There! [Jump]! [Charge Thrust]!)”

Without hesitation, I lunged forward, mimicking a crimson spear and thrusting it toward the spot where the slash and lightning had disappeared. The spear struck slightly behind that point, sinking deeply into flesh.

“Reeeyaaaahhh!?”

A high-pitched scream echoed out. Blood spurted from the seemingly empty air where the spear had pierced. Suddenly, the surroundings warped, revealing a green, rugged-skinned quadruped beast.

“(A chameleon beast, huh.)”

Indeed, it resembled a chameleon, just like the ones I’d seen on TV before. Except this one was at the Grand Beast level—a size large enough to swallow a human whole.

“(So it was using an invisibility [Skill], after all?)”

I guessed based on the creature’s characteristics. The part I had bitten off earlier must have been its tongue. If it had been some kind of wind bullet or space-transcending attack, my [Tear Off] would have been useless.

“(But once the trick’s exposed, it’s not so scary!)”

The Chameleon’s leg was still impaled by my spear. With it trying desperately to escape, I wrapped two of my chain sickles around it. I restrained its legs, body, and mouth with chains. The sound of metal groaning filled the air, but the Chameleon lacked the strength to break free. The restraints were complete.

After stabbing and slashing it a few more times with the crimson spear, the Chameleon breathed its last.

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

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Armory Slime} has acquired the [Skill: Capture].

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“(Well, that was about what I expected.)”

Judging by the strength of its attacks, the Chameleon was a strong beast. But it was no match for me now. My <Level> didn’t even increase. So most Grand Beast, including this one, must be at a lower <Level> than me.

“(Still, that spear cut through the Grand Beast with ease.)”

As I devoured the chameleon using [Decomposition Liquid], I glanced at the crimson spear I had used. It was a weapon I’d found in the remnants of the Slime nest. For some reason, its performance was abnormally good. Its base stats even surpassed those of the earth-specialized spear.

Its name was ‘The Painful Demon Spear, Hawk Claw’. Ergo had informed me that it had once belonged to someone he knew. Like the earth-specialized spear, the tip was bladed, making it suitable for both thrusting and slashing. The original spear had been taken back by Paula and stored in her [Space Storage] as a keepsake. But thanks to [Replicant Form], I could mimic it whenever necessary.

The spear had a rather cruel special ability—it increased the pain of its wounds and slowed healing. But as distasteful as that might sound, it was actually quite useful. Even beasts that normally wouldn’t flinch from a bit of pain reacted violently when struck by this spear. 

Granted, if it caused them to thrash about recklessly, that could be a disadvantage. But with my |Toughness|, I could handle it. The reason I was able to disrupt the Chameleon’s invisibility was likely due to this spear’s pain amplification, which messed with its concentration. It was a rather fortunate find, if I do say so myself. I ought to thank its previous owner, whoever they were.

“(Thanks for the meal.)”

After finishing my feast on the Chameleon, I returned to my home in the flower garden.