Pyon~
Argh!!
What is this? I’m blinded! What is this stuck on my face? Feeling a slight warmth from it, I could only imagine what kind of attack this was. Acid? Flesh-melting? Eternal blindness? However, after a few seconds passed, surprisingly nothing happened. After a somewhat embarrassing squirming, I pulled the substance off of my face. Throwing it towards the ground, I slowly opened my eyes.
Being thrown against the ground, its form was considerably flattened, but it quickly regained its shape. It was shaped like a water droplet, somewhat tinted grey, although its size was roughly a bit smaller than that of an adult human head. It looked straight at me, with black, beady eyes, and its mouth, slightly smiling, opened. It was quite cute.
[Grey Slime – Although considered a very rare monster, it is considered the weakest within the slime family. Very docile, although has the habit of jumping onto humans.]
Not wanting to waste my current mana, and because I was charmed by its appearance, I decided to let it go. “Probably won’t give me much experience anyways”. However, despite my efforts trying to make it flee, it only stared back at me with a seemingly confused look. Since it was, most likely, not going to attack me, I left it be and began my “extraction” of the Cockatrice.
[Extraction Magic], as it was created from my own specifications, was very useful in this situation. It allowed me to remove wanted parts of my “prey” instantly. Moreover, it saved me the trouble of cleaning blood and other fluids off of my clothes and body as it seemingly removes the specific part from the body without altering much of the surroundings.
Here is a run-down of what I had recently salvaged:
* 200 Terium feathers
* Cockatrice meat
* D-grade arcane gem
What was left of the Cockatrice resembled that of a deflated balloon. At least what I got from it was not too bad, though what interested me the most of what the arcane gem. Apparently, monsters with the ability to magic internally, and in rare cases externally, form a crystal which acts similarly to that of a mana reserve. This was very useful at the moment as I am unable to imbue my own magic into my creations via [Lesser Creation Magic].
At first I was unsure of what to do with the corpse, as the smell of a burned-off “chicken” could possible lure in some uninvited guests. However, that problem was solved by the [Grey Smile], engulfing what was left of the [Cockatrice] with an expanded body, which then almost instantly disappeared. Possibly due to some form of magic it possesses. When it was done with its “meal”, the smile started to bulge up, with a faint red ball forming inside its body. Suddenly, it let out a ball of fire, similar to that of the [Cockatrice]’s out of its mouth, hitting some of the surrounding trees. What was left was cinders.
I inferred that the [Grey Slime] had a special ability that allowed it to absorb the abilities of what its prey. However, since they are the weakest in the slime family, they are killed off before they are given the chance to grow. Quite a convenient ability if you ask me.
Afterwards, I decided to return back to the forest clearing where the Cockatrice originally made its nest. Despite taking several runs to bring all of the material back to the clearing, it was better than being in a dense forest, not know where a potential ambush might come from. The first few trips were quite troublesome, trying to remember the route, but I eventually mapped it out. For some reason, the [Grey Slime] followed me as I returned.
Before I could decide on what to do next, a previous problem reoccurred. This time, being able to use magic to a certain extent, cooking the meat was an option this time. After gathering some wood from the surrounding forest, I put together a make-shift campfire using [Ember], a spell with 1/20th of the power of [Fireball]. Using a flat stone slab lying around what once was the Cockatrice’s nest, I fried the cuts of meat until they were golden brown. The meat was naturally fatty, similar to bacon, so it didn’t stick much to the slab. Cooking the meat released an alluring aroma, making my mouth water despite knowing how it would taste. I reluctantly took a bite. The result: though it was still disgusting, the cringe-worthy texture was at least gone. However, after unenthusiastically finishing my meal, there was still an abundance of meat that I would rather not continue to rely on as my food source. Luckily, my little slimy friend took care of that problem with ease.
Taking a rest from everything, I decided to look through my status to see if anything changed.
???
Lv. 3
Race: Human
HP
52/150
MP
95/100
STR
10
DEX
16
VIT
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11
AGI
12
INT
20
WIS
8
Skills:
· Analyze (Lv.4)
· Lesser Creation Magic (Lv.3)
· Innate Magic Manipulation (Lv.MAX)
o Lesser Fire Magic (Lv. 2)
§ Fireball
§ Ember
o Lesser Water Magic (Lv.1)
o Lesser Wind Magic (Lv.1)
o Lesser Earth Magic (Lv.1)
o Lesser Healing Magic (Lv.5)
§ Heal
o Extraction Magic (Lv.2)
Traits:
· Otherworldly Being
My stats have increased somewhat, but I still don’t know how I compare to others. My skills have increased in level, with the greatest increase being [Lesser Healing Magic], most likely do to healing a mortal wound. The rest seem to be progressing gradually. But this was not enough. . .
While I still can, and while I am still alive, I must get stronger. Right now there are three things that I need to do. Firstly, increase my level, hence increasing my stats. Secondly, level up my skills. And thirdly, strengthen and increase my arsenal.
Increasing my level seems to be possible only during combat, so preparation is what I need to focus on at the moment.
My first order of business was to gain more skills and strengthen my weapons. Interestingly enough, I have grown quite fond of the [Grey Slime] that had been following me. Not only is its abilities quite useful for clean-up, if it could store items in its body, then I would have a storage for my items. Also, looking at it faintly reminds me of certain powerhouse, despite being many times less powerful.* Because of this, I decided to take it with me.
[Innate Magic Manipulation]
[Learned Taming Magic]
[Learned Language Comprehension]
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[Taming Magic – Allows the user to tame wild monsters. Through forming a contract, the master and the monster will be bind by an oath of loyalty, granting special abilities. The tamed monster will grow along with the master.]
[Language Comprehension – Allows the user to comprehend languages of other races.]
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[Taming Magic], as the description states, will allow me to have the [Grey Slime] as a companion, thus possibly increasing my chances of survival in the [Forest of Eden]. Along with [Taming Magic], I received an additional skill, [Language Comprehension], which will be really helpful if I ever run into civilization.
Thus, I decided to form a contract with the [Grey Slime]. Using [Taming Magic], a small magic circle with various inscriptions surrounded the slime and myself. Light from the ritual shined and grew brighter until it filled up my vision. I could feel a warmth envelop my body as my mind was ultimately connected with that of the slime. Moments later, the light faded and the contract was complete.
[Acquired Language Comprehension: Smile Language]
“Glad to be of service to you, pyon~”
“S-same here”
“I would prefer if Master were to give me a name, pyon~”
Oh god. . . One of my weaknesses have returned again. I haven’t even thought of a name for myself and now I have to give a name for this [Grey Smile]. He’s grey, so maybe Grey? No, that’s way too simple. Smiley? Because he smiles? No. Slimer? No. Drop? No. Lord Lucilius the Third? What am I even thinking? How long will this take. . .
“Master? Is everything ok pyon~?”
“Nothing. . . I shall name you. . . Schleim”
“Thank you Master!”
I can’t really tell him that it just means “smile” in German, but those beady eyes were full of expectation.
Schleim (Owner Confused [https://forum.royalroadl.com/images/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif]??)
Lv. 2
Race: Grey Smile
HP
40/40
MP
20/20
STR
3
DEX
3
VIT
3
AGI
6
INT
5
WIS
3
Skills:
· Lesser Fire Magic
Traits:
· Smile Body
· Feast
· Dimensional Body
Compared to my stats when I was Lv. 1, these are quite low, especially for a monster. I guess this is why it earned the title of the weakest in the Slime Family. Looks like it acquired [Lesser Fire Magic] from eating the [Cockatrice]’s corpse, but there doesn’t seem to be a level next to it. I can only assume that that would mean that it is unable to grow in the same way I do.
As for the [Traits], they seem to be quite useful, well for me at least. [Smile Body] makes it so that it takes 25% less physical damage, although with its low [HP] and defensive stats, I don’t think that makes much of a difference. Along with that, it is able to freely manipulate its shape and form, relative to its own mass .[Feast], as it was shown earlier, allows the slime to acquire abilities relative to that of what it eats. [Dimensional Body] allows it to store matter within its body, much like that of a container, without limit. Now it won’t have to worry about carrying all of my items around.
“May I know Master’s name, pyon?”
“Uh-h-h, just Master is fine. . .”
“Understood, pyon!”
I really need to think of a name soon. . .
Anyhow, moving onto the second order of business, strengthening my weapons. Seeing that I will still be in the forest, the dagger would still be the best weapon due to the trees. However, I decided to make it just a bit more effective.
Using [Lesser Creation Magic], I combined my old dagger, some Terium feathers and the arcane gem that I got from the [Cockatrice]. The results were eminent. The blade, which was reinforced with the feathers, bore a sharpness greater than that of the previous. The hardness and durability, of course, were improved as well. With the addition of the arcane gem, the blade was imbued with fire properties, thus increasing its damaging capabilities and tinting the blade slightly red. It was a beautiful blade.
Despite this improvement, it would be meaningless if I don’t learn how to properly use it.
Now, with my weapons and skills set, setting out into the forest again would be ideal. Just as I decided to embark, a girl with long white hair in tattered armor emerged from the trees. Our eyes met and we stared at each other for a few seconds.
Even though she was greatly injured, she took out a sword from a scabbard from her back and charged torwards me.
One problem after another I suppose. . .