~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
…
>> Aresnal Slime has acquired the [Skill: Crashing Strike]. [Crushing] has been integrated.
>> Aresnal slime’s [Soul Value Level] has increased to 56.
>> [Evolution] is now possible.
"I-I defeated it!"
Overwhelmed with joy, I crawl out of the bear's mouth.
With this victory, I've grown even stronger. It looks like I can also [Evolve]!
"But first, I need to heal these wounds."
Focusing on the throbbing pain at my extremities, I notice the injuries from when the bear tried to claw me out of its mouth at the last moment.
"[Body Restoration]."
I activate a rarely used [Skill] to heal my wounds. Since my [Mana] is low, I limit the healing to essential areas only.
Then, I turn my attention back to the bear. Before someone else arrives, I need to eat it.
Ignoring the fur, I start dissolving the softer flesh inside.
"Just one bite... Whoa!"
Delicious! Each dissolved bite fills my mouth with rich flavor. The dense [Mana] completely masks the usual bloody smell of raw meat.
"Now, let's check the [Evolution] options."
After devouring part of the bear, I shift my focus to my [Status].
~~~Evolution Options~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Fire Ruby Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Jewelry Weapon Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Earth Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Aresnal Armoury Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Jewel Smith Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Tourmaline Mind Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Diamond Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Bloodstone Beast Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Jewel Meteor Slime: Rank: Titan Beast
- Doom Opal Ooze: Rank: Titan Beast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
There are so many options! After counting, I realize there are about twenty in total.
That's a lot! It seems the evolution paths are determined by the [Skills] I have and the actions I've taken so far. Considering the time since my last [Evolution], it makes sense that more options have appeared.
Given how easily I acquire [Skills], the variety of choices is understandable.
"But, man, I have to check all of these..."
While the number of evolutions represents possibilities, the sheer quantity is overwhelming.
The [Status] display isn't text-based but more like knowledge surfacing in my mind. It’s easier than reading, but with this many options, it's daunting.
"No! The number of evolutions represents possibilities! I'll check them all and pick the best species!"
Motivating myself, I start reading through the evolution details.
By the time I've dissolved half of the bear, I've finished reviewing all the options. After much contemplation, I narrow it down to three.
Even though my brain feels like it might overheat from all the thinking, I'll have take closer look at them and choose wisely.
~~~Evolution Options~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aresnal Armory Slime:
Rank: Titan Beast
- A rare type of armory slime that collects weapons and uses [Weapon Skills].
- Characterized by immense [Toughness], excellent [Resistance], and fairly high [Power].
- An oddity that, despite being a magical beast, prefers weapons and excels in using [Weapon Skills].
- Possesses a [Skill] for collecting weapons and can mimic gathered weapons in battle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First, there's this one. It's an upgraded version of the Aresnal Slime. It enhances my existing combat style, which is why I chose it.
Moreover, staying as a 'Aresnal’ might increase the range of future [Evolution] options. Once a specific gem, like Ruby or Diamond, is chosen, I might not be able to switch to another.
If I remain as the more generic ‘Aresnal,' I believe the chance of encountering the ideal evolution increases.
Of course, I might just be overthinking it.
~~~Evolution Options~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Doom Opal Ooze
Rank: Titan Beast
- A rare type of Doom Ooze that spreads despair.
- Though its body isn’t as flexible as a slime, it surpasses most slimes in [Stats].
- Possesses powerful acid and curse attack [Skills].
- Its grotesque yet beautiful form drives those who see it to madness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This one is a combat-specialized slime—or rather, an ooze.
According to the slime community, oozes are said to be a variant of slimes that fall into darkness. Its form is rumored to change from the usual mochi shape to something more like a ghost.
This is just what slimes say, so the credibility is questionable.
Still, it sounds strong. It’s likely the most powerful combat-wise among the current [Evolution] options.
A potential drawback is the part about "driving those who see it to madness." It sounds like a [Skill] that activates automatically, like [Weapon Body].
I don’t want to drive humans insane, and even with other creatures, causing indiscriminate harm feels wrong.
~~~Evolution Options~~~
Revenge Slime.
Rank: Titan Beast
- A rare type of Revenge Slime that excels in counterattack [Skills].
- Its incredibly tough body stores the impact it receives, releasing it in a counterattack.
- Possesses various counterattack [Skills], effective at both close and long range.
- As its [Life] decreases, its [Stats] increase.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lastly, there’s this one.
I think this evolution path appeared because I’ve been using the [Cross Counter] technique. Counterattack [Skills] are powerful but have strict activation conditions.
However, given my [Toughness], I can use them without much risk, making it a good match. The concern is the lack of an offensive ability that I can initiate myself.
I want to be more aggressive, so having a proactive attack option would be ideal. Though, it could be argued that what I have now is already enough.
After much deliberation, I finish eating the bear’s edible parts. After even more consideration, I finally make my decision.
"Alright, I’m going to—"
"Hey, isn't that the body of a [Titan Beast]... wait, isn't that the monster everyone’s been talking about!?"
"No way, did a the Aresnal Slime defeat a [Titan Beast]? Or maybe it’s the leftovers from some other monster..."
"Doesn’t matter! Let’s kill it before others get here!"
Damn, humans have shown up.
Looks like I’ll have to put off [Evolving] and escape from this place for now…Or should I just kill them???