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 68: Epilogue of Chapter 2

Episode 68: Epilogue of Chapter 2

“(Munya, munya… Morning already…)”

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. The flowers swayed in the breeze under the morning sun. It was a refreshing sight. After defeating the Forest Turtle last night and taking care of the aftermath, I returned to base and went to sleep. I was exhausted from the battle and the weapon crafting afterward. Since the fight happened late at night, my sleep was short, but I still woke up feeling clear-headed. My increased <Level> must have made me more resilient in these ways too.

Defeating the Forest Turtle boosted my <Level> by more than sixty, making me even stronger as a living being.

“(Speaking of which, I did gain some new [Skills], didn’t I?)”

I’d been so busy crafting weapons after defeating the Forest Turtle that I hadn’t had time to check. I wonder what kind of abilities I gained.

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~Skill Details~

[Storm Strike] 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • When attacking a target multiple times within a certain period, damage increases with each consecutive strike. The effect stacks, and the power boost scales with the number of stacks.

[On the Edge of the Ring] 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Increases resistance to being forced out of position. Once every 24 hours, when |Life| would hit zero, it leaves you with 1 |Life| instead.

[Brilliant Technique of the Storm]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Easier to interrupt [Weapon Skills]. Improves balance when using [Weapon Skills], boosts body control during consecutive [Weapon Skills], and enhances agility.

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All of these are higher-tier versions of existing [Skills]. Since they’re upgrades, they’re ones I often use. [Storm Strike], an enhanced version of [Consecutive Hits], makes the damage bonus even more potent. The more hits stack up, the faster the power increases, making it incredibly useful against tough enemies. 

Next is [On the Edge of the Ring], the higher-tier version of [Unyielding Spirit]. It now has an added effect of “grit” — a life-saving ability that keeps me alive with 1 |Life| if I ever get to zero. Though, honestly, I doubt many can push my |Life| down that far.

“And finally, [Brilliant Technique of the Storm]…”

This is the upgraded version of [Transient Martial Arts], which I got when I became a Jewel Weapon Slime. [Skills] acquired through {Evolution} tend to grow slowly, but I finally managed to upgrade this one. The countless hours spent swinging multiple weapons daily paid off. The new effects are simple but practical, and they’ll keep supporting me behind the scenes.

While I was reviewing my progress, I sensed a fluctuation in |Mana|. A sign of incoming magic.

“Good morning, Katsu.”

Paula appeared from a portal in the sky. Today wasn’t a training day, but I had told her I planned to leave soon. I greeted her back, and she nodded vaguely before muttering softly.

“You really managed to defeat Dwozof… That’s amazing. But… that means you’re leaving soon, right?”

“Yeah. The nobles are coming, and I need to figure out the cause of the Seed of Chaos.”

“Yeah… I understand. I can’t keep looking backward forever.”

She slapped her cheeks lightly to snap herself out of her thoughts.

“Take care, Katsu. I’ll work hard to become a proper magician! And one day, when I graduate from the magic academy, I’ll come to you for advice again. I don’t know how many years it’ll take, but I’ll visit after I graduate.”

“Hey, are you sure it’s okay to think about what comes after graduation before even passing the exams?”

(Note: Lol. Many people will be offended by this. For me? It just hurts. (つ╥﹏╥)つ )

“I’ll be fine! Who do you think I’ve been training magic with?”

Paula gave a mischievous grin as she spoke.

“Hah! You’ve got a point. Well, in that case, once I finish my business in the East, I’ll come back to this forest. By then, the nobles will probably be gone too.”

“Then it’s a race to see who finishes first!”

“Yeah. Although, no matter how hard you try, the timing of your graduation won’t really change… Oh, right. I have something for you.”

I pulled something out of [Weapon Storage], an item I had meant to give her on the day we parted.

“This is…!”

“Yeah, it’s a staff. Made from the branch of the Forest Turtle.”

I explained as Paula’s eyes widened in surprise. The staff had a twisted design with leaves left on the tip, giving it a distinctive look.

“I originally planned to give it to you when you left for your exam, but I’m sorry it’s at such an awkward time.”

In this world, a staff has a symbolic meaning. While it doesn’t necessarily make your magic stronger, it’s considered prestigious for a mage to carry a high-quality staff, much like how the Demon King fought with a royal scepter. It’s like owning a luxury watch or a designer bag. It also has some practical uses, like blocking attacks or supporting your weight when tired. Anyway, I handed over this staff with those meanings in mind as a parting gift.

“Thank you! I’ll treasure it!”

Paula said with a radiant smile.

I was relieved to see that Paula was happy. Actually, she had initially declined the staff when I first started making weapons for her. At that time, she said, “It’s not practical, so I don’t need it,” but it seemed more like she was being polite rather than genuinely disinterested. I was worried that it might have been a misunderstanding, but it turned out to be an unnecessary concern.

“I’m glad you’ll treasure it. Also, while it shouldn’t break easily, if by chance it does, just shine light on the leaf decorations. That will activate the repair function and fix it automatically.”

I explained the staff’s features. Aside from the self-repair ability, the other improvements were purely in terms of increased strength and reduced weight.

“Also, you’ll notice the bottom is thinner, right?”

“Wow, it really is. It looks like a wooden sword.”

“I designed it that way thinking you might use [Space Slash]. How’s that?”

“[Space Slash]! Oh, it works!’

“In that case, you can use it when your dagger isn’t available.”

I then pulled out another staff and a large sword.

“This staff is for Ergo. He helped me out too. The town will be in chaos for a while after the Forest Turtle’s death. But once things settle down, could you pass it to him discreetly?”

“Got it.”

“And this sword is a replica I made with [Replicant Form]. It’ll disassemble into Slime fragments if broken. If necessary, use it to fake my death.”

“Understood.”

With that, I had finished everything I needed to do. I placed Paula’s spatial expansion pouch on my body. All my belongings were inside it—though it was mostly just maps.

“…Well then, see you later.”

“…Yeah, see you!”

After sending this final message with [Communication], I set off toward the northwest. Without looking back—since Slimes don’t have necks to turn—I left the flower field behind. Thus, on this day, I stepped out of the Dwozof Forest, where I was born and raised, and took my first step into this vast, otherworldly realm.

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Species: The Weapon Born from the Fire of War

Beast Rank: Sovereign Beast  

Soul Accumulation Level: 175 

Stats:  

Life: 3169/1491  

Mana: 3849/1811  

Power: 856  

Toughness: 10204  

Resist: 833  

Speed: 741  

Skills: [Sense of Direction] [Cover]

[Climbing] [Block] [Perfect Defense] 

[Escape Instinct] [Whip] [Compact Whip] 

[Folly]  [Transport] [Understanding Intent]

[Slash] [Compact Slash] [Gesture] [Communication]  

[Weapon Body] [Body Repair] 

[Dance] [Swimming] [Flee] [Instant Shift] 

[Cross Counter] [Challenge] [Concentration] 

[Aerial Jump] [Impact] [Storage] [Transportation] 

[Weapon Storage] [Replicant Form] [Bewitching Gleam] 

[Thrust] [Antibody] [Ambush] [Night Vision] 

[Compact Thrust] [Shoot] [Decomposition Liquid] 

[Charge Thrust] [Frenzied Charge] [Charge Slash] 

[Compact Shoot] [Concealment] [Mollusk Body] 

[Powerful Throw] [Receiving]  [Tear Off] [Wave Slash] 

[Wave Thrust] [Capture] [Heavy Slash] [Heavy Thrust] 

[Heavy Shoot] [Precision Shooting] [Poisoned Hands]

[Rapid Regeneration]  [Weapon Creation] [Intensified Warfare]  

[Multi-Sword Style] [Thousand Blade Genesis] [Parry]

[Territory] [Compact Swing] [Heavy Swing] 

[Charge Swing] [Quake Swing] [Battle Dance] 

[Assassination] [Storm Strike] [On the Edge of the Ring] 

[Brilliant Technique of the Storm] 

Unique Skill: [Earth Growth Thunderbolt]

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(Note: There is side story for this chapter that you can buy using coins or membership.)