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 176: The Monopolizer and Invader of the Stars, Melting, Mixing, and Swallowing Them Whole 6

Episode 176: The Monopolizer and Invader of the Stars, Melting, Mixing, and Swallowing Them Whole 6

Attributes, Species, and [Unique Skill]—all these extraordinary abilities are referred to collectively by the Star God as “Hierarchy Abilities”. This is because all of them are derived from the power extracted from the 〔Soul Arche〕. Though the manifestation methods differ and each has its unique features, the core remains the same. This shared origin also allows for ‘interoperability’. Specifically, techniques used to enhance magic can be repurposed to strengthen [Unique Skills].

“(Soul Artillery Magic Furnace, the Cannon Kettel, maximum output!)”

A thousand years ago, the Great Sage—founder of artifacts—developed an artifact designed to stimulate the 〔Soul Arche〕and exceed its output limits in order to seal a powerful magical beast. The artifact could suppress even the Calamity Beast, but it was a double-edged sword that ignored the user’s safety. Tanasis and his fellow scholars had developed a “successor” to that artifact. They omitted unnecessary functions like burning the 〔Soul Arche〕of a shrine maiden to enhance magical effects, focusing instead on reducing the burden. The reduced output was compensated for by the quality of Mana Crystals, the addition of new mechanisms, and consolidating functions.

“(I honestly didn’t expect it to be ready in time.)”

Once it was clear that the only decisive blow would come from a [Unique Skill], the project began. Data from my[Unique Skill] were collected at that time. And after the battle with the “Polar King”, I ran tests on [The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth] while gathering information.

“(It does consume a lot of |Mana|, but the output is on a whole other level.)”

Thanks to the Demon King’s assistance, I had more than enough |Mana| to spare. I poured this surplus |Mana| into the Cannon Kettle and unleashed my [Unique Skill].

“([Manifest]!)”

Ten streaks of lightning lashed out across the ground, snaking forward. The plants that had been writhing suddenly solidified and stopped moving. The area of effect was far greater than before, clearly showcasing the improved performance.

“([Compact Slash]! Let’s keep it going!)”

I swung my ancient spear, cutting down the now immobilized foes. With the enhancements to my [Unique Skill], the efficiency had improved. Perhaps feeling threatened by this, Karkinos slowed its advance and began to focus its attacks on me.

“(It’s like shooting fish in a barrel!)”

Still, the branches and roots weren’t effective, so it was as if the enemy was serving itself up to me. While fending off the onslaught of branches and roots, I continued my rampage. Amid the shower of black fragments, I released another instant-death lightning strike.

“(Even in this state, instant death is impossible… but!)”

I repeatedly unleashed lightning, embedding the manifestation and instant-death effects into each strike. I pierced through Karkinos’ body and its 〔Soul Arche〕at its core. The solidification effect was working well, but achieving instant death was still out of reach. Each time I struck, I could feel myself getting closer to the core of Karkinos’ 〔Soul Arche〕. But at the same time, I grew more certain that instant death was impossible.

Despite this, I continued to unleash lightning with unwavering focus, honing my skill. Under the serene concentration provided by [Clear Tranquility], I lost track of time, fully immersed in my task. But eventually, I reached my limit.

“(—This is the end for now.)”

A sharp, grinding pain echoed from within my body. It was the warning sign I had been told about—an indicator that my 〔Soul Arche〕was approaching its limit. Although the enhanced artifact reduced the burden, it hadn’t eliminated it completely. Repeatedly using skills in such a short time had caused damage to accumulate. That’s why I had abandoned the idea of simply wearing down Karkinos using the enhanced skill. It might have been possible if I used it less frequently, but that would have taken far too long.

/Paula, I’m about to use that trump card. Evacuate everyone./

/Got it, I’ll use [Area Hole]. Be careful./

Together with the Demon King and Fisu, Paula disappeared through a dimensional hole. Since we didn’t know exactly what would happen, I had them retreat all the way to the human continent. Without their presence to hold them back, Karkinos’ minions started to charge forward with renewed vigor. But I knew that my trump card would be finished before they could reach the sea.

“(The test runs have been sufficient. Now, for the final step—powering up.)”

I cast another buff to strengthen my [Unique Skill] once more. The buff’s performance was also enhanced by the Cannon Kettle. Using the lightning that coursed through my body as a guide, I began to trace and summon forth the power of my own 〔Soul Arche〕. Just like when I evolved into a Beast King, I reached out to perceive the core of my 〔Soul Arche〕.

“(Alright, that should do it. All that’s left is to pray to the gods for success.)”

The god once told me: if I had been born in this world, I could have broken through the barrier to godhood with the <Soul Fragments> of a Beast King. The reason I couldn’t do that was because my [Unique Skill] doesn’t have the function to devour another’s 〔Soul Arche〕. However, if I could somehow absorb the 〔Soul Arche〕of a Beast King, even with just my [Unique Skill], I could reach the same domain as the Star God—the Seventh Grade.

“(I don’t have any way to devour another’s 〔Soul Arche〕… but there is one exception. And I’ve secured the necessary output with the Cannon Kettle. Let’s do this—[The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth]!)”

As Karkinos’ attacks poured down upon me, I unleashed the instant-death lightning strike. The target wasn’t Karkinos—it was *me*. Or more accurately, it was the 〔Soul Arche〕 granted to me upon my reincarnation as a Slime. This 〔Soul Arche〕, given to me to implement the system of <Levels> and [Skills], had a density comparable to any Beast King’s. No, considering my ‘Bonus Monster’ [Soul Fragments Boost Skill], it might even exceed that. 

I would burn this supreme 〔Soul Arche〕to ashes, using it as nourishment. Just as the flesh of a dead beast returns to the earth to become the foundation for new life, so too would this sacrifice fuel a new bountiful cycle. That’s the true essence of [The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth].

“(Guh, aaaarrrgh…!)”

An excruciating pain, as if half of my body were being torn off, clouded my consciousness. I desperately struggled to maintain control over the raging [Unique Skill]. |Mana| leaked out from me, transforming into lightning that ravaged everything around me. With every passing moment, the lightning grew thicker, brighter, preventing Karkinos’ attacks from reaching me. The wildly dancing lightning gradually became more focused, converging.

At the moment it formed a single pillar of light piercing both heaven and earth, the lightning suddenly ceased—my transformation into a god was complete.

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

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>> The Radiant One with the Amber Sun and Divine Wisdom (?), Fuwa Katsu, has died.

>> The instantaneous energy influx of Fuwa ■ tsu {null} has exceeded the mortal threshold.  

>> Hierarchy Ability has reached the core of the True Pillar.  〔Deification〕 has occurred.  

>> ■wa■tsu {null} is undergoing transformation.  

>> The 〔Soul Arche〕has been purified.  

Observation shows union with the physical body.  

>> Outpouring of〔Divine Power: Energia〕 has been observed.  

>> 〔Divine Authority: Aritya〕has manifested.  

>> ■■■■■ (unreadable) has been completed as 〔Astro God〕.  

>> Increased parsing load predicted. Observation and parsing will terminate.  

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“…Ah, this is so… constraining.”