── BOOM!!

It sounded like a bomb exploded right next to my ear, accompanied by a powerful shockwave.

If I were human, my hearing might have been wrecked by such a loud noise.

'What the hell happened…!?'

The next moment I saw a bright red light, I was sent flying.

From my rapidly spinning vision, I tried to gather information.

I was in the air.

It seemed that the earlier impact had launched me skyward.

'(Did those guys do this?)'

Looking down at the forest from above, I saw two gigantic beasts.

Both of them were large enough to break through the trees, and despite their enormous size, they were engaged in a swift battle at a speed that the eye could barely follow.

But what caught my eye more than them was the state of the forest.

Part of the forest was burning bright red.

Probably, the cause was one of the gigantic beasts.

It was a four-armed red ogre wreathed in flames, and the fire was spreading from where it stood.

However, strangely enough, the plants that should have been reduced to ashes were still lush with green leaves.

Every now and then, I could see green leaves through the flames.

Moreover, it seemed as if the branches were growing and the trunks were thickening even at this moment.

As I wondered about that, I began to fall.

I crashed into the forest, breaking branches as I landed.

Turkk--BAM!

I was blown away at an angle, so I was somewhat distant from the battlefield of the gigantic beasts.

Or at least, that’s what I thought ──

"RAAAAGH!!"

── The red ogre came rolling towards me, knocking down the trees in front of me with great force.

It must have been a skill, as the surrounding trees also started burning simultaneously.

"GRAAARRGH!"

Chasing after the path created by the red ogre, another beast appeared at tremendous speed.

If I had to describe that beast in one word, it would be a turtle carrying a forest on its back.

Its powerful four legs shook the ground with each step, and its shell was covered with numerous trees.

However, only its face was different from a turtle. It had a long neck with large fangs, and its pupils were slit like a dragon's.

Saw-like horns ran from its forehead down to the nape of its neck.

"GRRRRRAAAARGH!"

Before the forest turtle could launch its next attack, the red ogre stood up, spitting fiery breath.

Though the red ogre was barrel-chested, there was no sense of sluggishness about it.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

The muscles visible through the gaps in the flames showed how powerful it was.

Oddly, there was something like a plant sprout growing beside its forehead horn.

"ROAAAAAR!"

The red ogre struck the ground with its fist.

Flames poured from its fist into the ground.

It must have used some kind of skill. The glowing red earth rapidly melted and solidified.

When the red ogre pulled its fist back, there was a huge club.

The club was charred black, but it had a glass-like shine.

The red ogre covered the club with flames similar to those enveloping its own body.

"GRRRR"

"GRRRUUU"

With its preparation complete, the red ogre swung the club and charged.

The forest turtle extended several vines from the forest on its back and swung them at an incredible speed to counter.

Each time the vines blurred, sharp cracking sounds rang out, and the red ogre’s body jerked back.

Though the red ogre swung its club at a speed that left afterimages, it seemed unable to keep up with either attack or defense.

As the battle wore on, the flames gradually diminished, and the forest grew more vibrant.

The plants that had been blown away by the impact kept regenerating.

In a bid to break the deadlock, the red ogre made a new move.

Its form vanished, and it reappeared behind the forest turtle.

Judging by the delayed sound of an explosion, it must have used its own blast to move at high speed.

The red ogre swung the club at the forest turtle’s right rear leg, but it was swatted away by the turtle's tail.

You might think of a turtle’s tail as short, but the forest turtle’s tail was quite long and capable of such an attack.

With a single blow, the red ogre was sent back over ten meters, and the wind pressure alone tilted the nearby trees.

In retaliation, the red ogre unleashed a heatwave.

This was blocked by saplings that suddenly appeared in front of the forest turtle. Though they were initially the size of seedlings, they rapidly grew, possibly due to the forest turtle’s power.

These trees withstood the flames.

Moreover, they extended their roots and pierced the red ogre’s side.

The fire burning the forest weakened, and the greenery grew more and more lush.

'(This is the power of the King of Beasts…!)'

I once heard from the knowledgeable Grandpa Slime that the King of Beasts had the power to control the world.

This must be it.

A struggle between worlds. A battle for environmental dominance.

A power that could alter the surrounding environment as a side effect.

'(…………)'

Amidst the indescribable fierce battle, on the edge of the battlefield, I shivered while activating [Block].

I didn’t try to escape. I just stood there, trembling.

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...

>> Jewel Slime has acquired the skill: [Resolute].

...

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'Amazing……!'

── To wield such power, it’s incredible!

I was simply overwhelmed with admiration.

The fact that such immensely powerful beings existed.

And the miracle of witnessing a battle of mythical proportions up close.

My chest was filled with awe that wouldn’t stop.

The urge to keep watching this scene overrode the rational decision to flee.

"RAAAAARGH!"

"GRRRUUUUHHH!"

But, regardless of my will, the battle reached its climax.

Pouring all the flames that had covered its body into the club, the red ogre made its move.

The flames turned from red to a blinding white.

On the other hand, the forest turtle opened its jaw and created a light orb in front of its mouth, using an enormous amount of mana probably.

As the mana grew stronger, the surrounding trees lost their life force but were immediately revived by the forest turtle’s skill.

The trees thrived and then had their life force collected again, boosting the mana’s power by several levels.

── Both were preparing their ultimate attacks.

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...

>> Corrupted Pyrogolem, Lamelga has activated [Demonic Flame Burst Club].

>> Guardian of the Forest, Dwazoff has activated [Forest's Wrath].

...

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The light orb, imbued with immense mana, emitted a green ray, and the white-glowing club struck it head-on.

A massive shockwave erupted, blowing away the surrounding trees.

The clash between the ray and the club was intense, but in the end, the ray prevailed.

The ray that shattered the club pierced through the red ogre’s body and continued far into the depths of the forest.

The red ogre, with a gaping hole from its abdomen to its chest, took one step towards the forest turtle, then collapsed before it could take a second.

Its death was inevitable.

As the red ogre died, greenery began to sprout around the epicenter.

Even amidst the fierce battle, the small sprout on the red ogre’s forehead remained untouched, but that was insignificant.

I watched the departing figure of the forest turtle, as if its task was complete.

"Srlus!! (One day, I too…!)"

I didn’t have the courage to shout it out loud, but I made up my mind.

It wasn’t about avoiding being hunted or proving myself to old comrades, it was just a pure, heartfelt decision.

I will level up, evolve, and someday become like them.

No, I will surpass them…!

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...

>> Jewel Slime has fulfilled the conditions to acquire the skill: [Foolhardiness].

>> Jewel Slime's emotions have exceeded the threshold.

>> Unique skills are resonating.

>> [Mind Transformation] has occurred.

>> [Beast Harvest] has evolved into [Demonic Absorption].

>> Analysis results have been added to status.

...

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